#( I got a lot of muse suddenly you don't gotta answer if you don't want )

[hornystiel]

hiii!! offering my 2 cents on the subject of "old man". younger generations in general use it very loosely but it's without ill intent, rather it's coming from a perspective of "that man (dilf) is so hot i need them but i could never because they'd see me as a child so i gotta call them old instead". like they're out of my league but i'll blame it on the age difference you know?

and in destiel's case i believe it's affectionate, they're old compared to most queer couples represented and they're getting older together and it's hopeful to see that :)

~ a gen z mutual who's too shy to come off anon ly 🤍

hi! a literal wall of text ahead

okay i actually have a lot of thoughts about this topic and i really hope i won't sound rude but i just want to talk about it for a sec here. and below will be purely my own musings which probably won't coincide with a general fandom views on the matter and it's wider than this question and destiel but well

anyway

i totally get what you're saying about younger fans calling them old because they're too young for them but still hot etc etc. i know that's not some ill intent, clearly. however, what bothers me about the question of 'old' age in fandom spaces is this - for some 'old' starts somewhere around 35+ and they mean it (i wonder what they call a 50 yo? a corpse probably). and yeah of course for 16 yo 35 is twice their age but i wouldn't have even the slightest problem with it because i've been in fandom spaces since i was maybe 14 and stumbled upon people of different ages and backgrounds and we can all coexist quite fine. but what i see now (and maybe again, that's like a recurring generational thing, i don't know, i'm not that old and i wasn't in english spaces until i got at least 18-20 so) - those younger fans repeatedly saying 'you're 30 and in fandom? get out. go find some appropriate hobbies for your age group, like fishing hehe'. like it's fine to be horny over some dudes twice (or even more) your age, but people who in reality are not even that far from you, because usually it's 20 somethings who write such things - and it's a crime. you're suddenly gross. i wonder what those kids would do without all the stuff written, drawn and giffed by those who have a child on one hand, a full time job on the other, and their age appropriate hobbies in between. like when i was a tiny fan i was like 'holy shit that person somehow found a way to update that long ass sherlock fic while being neck deep in her family things and work i wanna be like them!" and it also gave me hope about the future of my fandom life. like age shouldn't matter. but now i see this shit, the whole 'more than 3 yo age difference is pedo' talk, 'adult creators shouldn't post anything because children can see' talk etc etc. and i know, of course, that that's the general internet censorship on the rise and neopuritanism is dancing tango with it but still.

what i'm saying - i do have a problem with younger generation using the term old very 'loosely' because they wield it as a double aged sword. you're either some hot dilf who can be forgiven for your shitty fandom takes because well you're hot (and i'm not talking about anyone in particular here rn) or you're a gross 30 smth in fandom space who shouldn't draw porn because teens can't click the block button

AS FOR DESTIEL

short answer - i don't like what the people who call them old add to their characters and lives when they do that.

long answer under the cut

all of that is what EYE don't like in most popular fandom hcs and i usually just scroll past the things i don't like, i don't want to start shit publicly (and because of what, takes?), but here you can read what i usually think when i see them.

first - if we're talking canon ages. 40 smth and this is dean's age at the end of the show - is NOT old. at all. i can't even call him that affectionately. because this is the tragedy of it all - he dies YOUNG. very fucking young, he didn't see any calm life, didn't pursue his dreams, didn't have a normal life and love and then he died. in a way, and i see some others think the same, calling him old is like 'welp it's not that bad, he lived long enough, seen shit'. but the thing is - he didn't? literally. so no, for me he's young, died young and it's fucking awful. not talking about cas here because well, billions years, old, young, he's everything (<3)

if we're talking about post canon fics where they settle. you can all burn me at the stake but sadly my spirit will just repeat the same shit - making them some kind of a wannabe hetero aging couple is not only boring as fuck, but also completely out of character for them?

what i usually see in the posts with 'old men <3' there

some variation of a white picket fence house

baby jack

dean being some kind of a soccer mom who bakes and argues with other moms

cas being more of a dad shaped thing who gardens and Doesn't Get It at the parents' meetings or somewhere equally boring and somehow still clueless about a lot of human shit

them creaking every part of their bodies (jesus my joints have been like this since i was 14, and my back is bad now when i'm only 30 where is my retirement pakige?)

probably forgetting smth but you get the gist. and, again, not saying that that's ALL i see with the old men posts and art etc (some hcs are wild and i LOVE them), but the majority? yeag, i've been permanently a destiel blogger for 4 years now, i've seen the popular stuff

doesn't all of that remind you of a typical heterosexual family on some conservative cable tv show? if not i'm happy for you, but i can't help but see how the roles are set in stone and i don't find it endearing at all. that's one reason. and also i'm a strong believer that a baby won't fix dean. jack won't fix shit and here's another stick to my pyre - i don't care about him at all and i think that dean especially should focus on himself and his own shit and his shit with cas if they settle together, not be thrown into the baby routine again. the fandom likes to remind everyone how dean raised sam and it's mostly true but don't you think for one goddamn second he would want/need to live for himself and not over obsess about bringing up another kid? sure he loves them, but if every person with dean's baggage were trusted with kids as a cure-al ...well. and again very hetero, 'you should have a child, that'll fix your hysteria!' i'll even say, very real life stuff, just not the one i want to see here.

another reason is this - they are freaks.

they are assholes, freaks, serial killers, undead creatures, bad people...who are very much in love and very soft with each other and their family but they are still freaks. and i don't understand how them getting old will so fundamentally change so many aspects of their characters that they become typical suburban mom and dad combo. maybe i sound like a person who doesn't want them to be happy, or who doesn't get the 'it shows that their life is finally calm and they can pursue Normal Hobbies and Raise Kids and Build a Farm (idk how that is a calm place have you ever been on a farm with animals that you should watch and take care and kill if needed. another talk for another time) and To Love is to be Changed' etc etc etc. believe me i get it all perfectly, just not for them. if it tickles your pickle, by all means. what tickles mine is cas getting the weirdest (and often dangerous) hobbies (and this is why i got him driving a motorcycle, boxing and skydiving in my old men cheating fic) and he's an impatient guy so i don't think he'd love gardening really, he'd be mad at the plants and kill them or grow them as fast as his grace would allow (yes i'm also against human all the way cas, baby we're getting a bingo here). and dean of course should have ties with his community and i've already talked about this but i see how they are out of active hunting, but still help those who are still in it (if the supernatural isn't wiped completely and i don't see why it should be), maybe they always have a place in their home for those who come to regroup or just to chat or smth. and dean is an overprotective and micromanaging asshole so he would want to still have the gist of it all (and cas would want to unwind by killing some things from time to time)...and they still sleep in the same bed, eat the food they cook together, wear matching tatts maybe as a wedding gift to each other, and have dogs, cats and whatnot.

what i want to say - i don't get why the weird and the sweet can't coexist. why should they lose all of their insane bits. they loved each other WITH them (cursed or not remember) why should they change so drastically to fit the 'happily ever after' narrative.

anyway i can probably write a lot more but that's a long ass grumbling as it is.

sorry your question became the starting point for this rent i genuinely hope i didn't offend you and if you finished reading all of this woah you are a hero <3

[gunslinginnhogtyin]

"Don't chase the rabbit" - Kairi (i sent one before this, you can answer one/the other or both if you so choose! <3)

Send me "Don't chase the rabbit" and your muse will be shown a random memory from my muse's past. // @as-above-rp

“Butch?”

Butch freezes in the midst of tip toeing past his father.

“Have ya finished cleanin’ the stables?”

Butch nods and his father glances back at him, bushy brows furrowed.

“I can’t hear yer head rattlin’, boy.”

“…Yeah, Pops, th’ stables’re clean. Can I go play with th’ baby cows now?” The child asks hopefully, wringing his hands nervously.

“Now, there’s plenty more work t’be done ‘round here… ‘sides, those fella’s are gonna be food soon enough. Best not to get too attached.”

Butch frowns at that.

“Don’t go tellin’ him things like that.” Butch’s mother, Beatrice, scolds as she enters the room, holding a large bowl of eggs she had just collected from the chicken pin.

“Don’t raise yer voice at me, woman.” Ernest sneers.

“Ain’t no one raisin’ their voice, ya bull. He’s six. F’he wants t’play with the cows, let ‘im.”

Butch smiles to himself, happy his mother is on his side but that quickly changes when his father snaps.

“Don’t tell me how t’raise my son.”

Beatrice sighs and rolls her eyes, making her way into the kitchen. “I really don’t wanna do this right now…”

“Do what? Yer th’ one pickin’ fights! You want that boy to be a WIMP!”

“Oh my lord, Ernest, honestly—yer overreacting.” Beatrice huffs tiredly, setting the eggs on the counter.

“Tch, I don’t expect you t’be showin’ ‘im anythin’ useful, anyhow.” Ernest walks over, gripping Butch’s arm and dragging him along as he walks out of the house. Butch stumbles along but doesn’t hesitate, knowing what would happen if he displayed any sort of resistance towards his father.

“Why don’t we play with the horses instead? I’ll show ya how to ride. Yer old ‘nough to learn by now, anyhow. And it ain’t a useless skill like cookin.”

The little blonde blinks in surprise and in an instant, he’s grinning excitedly. His Pops never wants to do anything fun like that; in fact, the last time he had asked, he got yelled at! He’s practically skipping alongside his father now.

Crossing the field, they come to a stop by a fence where a couple of saddles rested on one of the posts. Releasing his sons arm, he grabs one of the saddles and holds it out for Butch to take.

“You’ve seen yer ol’ man saddle up a horse b’fore. Go on.” The child reaches out to grip the saddle but when the weight of it is released by his father, Butch tumbles to the ground with it.

“G-Gosh, this’s… heavy! I don’t think—“

“F’ya wanna ride a horse, ya gotta put its saddle on! Pick th’ damn thing up.” Ernest says sternly, scowling down at his son. When his father took that tone, that’s when the fun was over.

While Butch watches his father wander off to retrieve one of the horses, he struggles to pick the saddle up. The thing weighs just as much as he does! When all is said and done, the six year old had managed to heave it onto his back, his legs wobbling with each step he takes towards the horse Ernest had led over.

“Go on.” He urges.

With trembling legs, Butch reels back and gives his best throw which actually isn’t all that great because the saddle comes crashing down on top of him, causing him to topple over with a yelp.

“Can’t ya do nothin’ right?”

Hearing a heavy sigh come from his father, he suddenly feels a lot lighter as that saddle is lifted off of him and fastened onto the horse, his father complaining all the while.

“If yer mother didn’t treat ya like a sissy, ya might actually be good fer somethin. When I was yer age…” Ernest continues to gripe on as Butch brings himself back to his feet.

He staves off the feeling of having the wind knocked out of him and moves closer to the horse, gripping the saddle just as his Pops had finished fastening it on. Then, he attempts to pull himself up onto the horse, struggling a good bit since he barely comes up past the horses mid section. He falls over more than once, losing his balance or his grip every now and again. After hearing some more chiding from his father, he manages to hop and climb his way up onto the large stallion, all by himself!

“I did it!” Butch exclaims tiredly but excitedly, carefully taking the reigns.

“Yeah, yeah—that’s th’ easy part.” His father comments with a scoff.

Giving a tug on the reigns, the horse begins to walk. A smile had found its way back on his face; he was doing it! He was riding a horse all by himself! He couldn’t wait to tell his Ma when he got back to the house!

The child’s excitement is cut short however when the horse suddenly begins to act up, as if it had been spooked by something. Neighing loudly in agitation, the stallion jerks about and thrashes, Butch hanging on for dear life and screaming all the while. Unfortunately he’s not able to hold on much longer, his fingers slip when in one rough motion, the horse bucks hard and he flies off, hitting the ground with a crack.

The moment he hits the ground, a jolt of pain runs through his body—his arm more specifically. Taking a deep breath in, the child clutches his arm and cries out, writhing on the ground in pain. Looking around frantically through blurry tears for his father, he finds his silhouette standing some ways away, just watching.

In another moment he sees his mother storming over to his father; he can’t hear any yelling over the sound of his own crying but he knows that’s what’s happening. A push, a shove, a slap, and a punch later, his mother is at his side, scooping him up into her arms carefully but quickly and rushing towards the house. He can hear his heart beat pounding in his ears and suddenly everything goes black.

When he comes to, he finds himself in his bed. His arm aches and he quickly takes notice of the splint holding his arm in place. Luckily his mother is at his side, easing his nerves with a soft song and brushing her fingers through his hair.

[ducknotinarow]

⏰ - 2k7 Mikey Don

| Slip a ⏰to see a memory or a part of my muses' past.

Mikey, slowly tilted the watering can in his hand just now letting water spill over the small plant. It was sort of hobby he got into as of late. Donnie helping him at the moment with a lamp set up over the plant, it wasn't doing well it seemed for someone reason Mikey just needed to bring it with him. Sun light set over it now and it seemed like it should be enough. Mikey went to rest his arms on the table as he looked at the plant.

"Sorry ta bug ya bro, I know you got your hand even more tied up these days with Ariel after all." Mikey said smiling as he always did, smiling as he always has. There was a lot to smile about of course.

It was rough when Leo left on his journey it left such an empty hole in their home and lives. Everyone seemed so unsure what to do, Raph was lost. Don was barely hanging on, even Splinter seemed effected. As if it was so clearly in the air of their home their friends stayed away even. That was the past and the past stayed in the past. Mikey lowered his chin to rest on his arms looking at the plant. The end of it's leaves were browning.

Right that was the past they were doing better these days. Leo was home and things all seemed to fall into place from there. "Least this tech help wasn't over a phone call uh?" Mikey tease suddenly bringing up Donnie's old IT service. The look on his brothers face enough to get him to chuckle a little. "aw come on now tellin' me ya don't miss answer all those lame brain callers all day long? hey worked out you reconnected with Vonnie cause of it right? Now look you gotta what you always wanted even."

Teasing a bit on those old worries and fears he expressed to Mikey before as he moved to stand up a bit now. It was nice though he liked playing with his niece himself. Honestly it kind of felt like they were all setting into their paths. Leo was a good leader so the trip paid off? Seemed to be taking his role more serious but guess Leo was basically going to Take Splinters place one day uh? Sometimes the whole 'were a clan' thing escaped his mind. Raph seemed to be settling down with Casey thank god he was being such an ass for a time. Donnie? was a dad like he wanted with a partner even. "think ya ever go back to that gig?" it was just a general question.

Laughing at the face he got from Don, ready to let his brother to head back to his and Von's place. And well maybe it was because Mikey brought that up it lead to this. Donnie's asked him this before but back then? Mikey didn't have to answer he just had to listen. Did he ever think about the future. Mikey's eyes widen a second it was fear at the wording.

"Hey Don? can you not ask me that? Ever again please?" He was smiling when he looked at them but he could feel how the tears were rolling down his cheeks, his mask absorb most of them but they wouldn't stop. He asked before but Mikey didn't have to answer then. What did Mikey even do before? his only achievement was being battle nexus champion but he lost that title fast. He barely earned it in the first place. His mind was full of questions right now. Question he always kept away Mikey like to live in the now. He didn't let the past drag him down, it was in the past that's where you leave it. He didn't look to the future either because it was all uncertain.

What was HIS life going to be. in three years? in ten years? Will the lair not be their home anymore? Will they all finally go their own ways? When he thought about that to much? He realized he didn't have the answers. Who did he turn to or what should he say? Nothing but a vague feeling of anxiety took over him. It swelled, swept him away and he just can't seem to shake it off.

"Please. Please stop Don." Stop what? "Please don't make me look closer. I can't. I HAVE to keep acting like everything is okay." Mikey choose to swim in that denial he been doing it for years "even now when everything is just fine. If I don't then I'll start crying and I wont be able to stop." As if he wasn't already crying now. "No I don't think about it I try not to Don. Splinter won't live forever. Leo will be like clan heir right? Raph will who knows settle down with Casey? You'll take care of your family. but me? I don't know. I've never known is the thing. Even before all of that." Yet his smile is so plastered on it won't break even as he can taste the salt from his tears as they roll over his beak and talking makes them fall to his tongue.

What was HIS life going to be. in three years? in ten years? Will the lair not be their home anymore? Will they all finally go their own ways? When he thought about that to much? He realized he didn't have the answers. Who did he turn to or what should he say? Nothing but a vague feeling of anxiety took over him. It swelled, swept him away and he just can't seem to shake it off.

"Please. Please stop Don." Stop what? "Please don't make me look closer. I can't. I HAVE to keep acting like everything is okay." Mikey choose to swim in that denial he been doing it for years "even now when everything is just fine. If I don't then I'll start crying and I wont be able to stop." As if he wasn't already crying now. "No I don't think about it I try not to Don. Splinter won't live forever. Leo will be like clan heir right? Raph will who knows settle down with Casey? You'll take care of your family. but me? I don't know. I've never known is the thing. Even before all of that." Yet his smile is so plastered on it won't break even as he can taste the salt from his tears as they roll over his beak and talking makes them fall to his tongue.

Eyes were focused on this dumb little plant he found and took pity on. Dug ups it's root and brought it home to try and nurse maybe? Mikey didn't know why he did what he did. He always just followed his brothers lead. Leo order they were going after the foot? he was there. That's just how it always went even now he still fell in line it was all he had. Would he die in a battle? Would he see his family be killed off? would they get to leave the sewers one day? Would Mikey just find enjoyment in the others worlds they knew about? He reached up and started rubbing at his eyes.

"Can we talk about you instead?" He didn't wanna talk about himself. Its too hard Mikey was only good at smiling and being stupid. He brought smiles to others right? so please don't make me think. was his thought. He didn't know what to do when it got like this. "A-Ariel's getting big uh eh shes gonna cause so much trouble." he tries so hard to move the topic off "Raph got a kid now even never saw that coming. Did you?" he needed to get away from it "Think Leo could train them? I think he make a great teacher?" anything that took the focus off from Mikey.

For once Mikey didn't want to be the focus here he didn't want the attention. He wanted to be a shadow like their training required at times. Fiddling with the ends of his mask he braided the tails today he just wanted to relax. Because he knew things could change he knew how dangerous their lives could get. He just couldn't help it it was like he was surrounded be mountains of issues and thoughts he never knew where to begin it's why he focused on what he could see instead.

Leo came out saying he was going out on patrol just so everyone knew where he was. Mikey snapped at once tears dried up as if he never let them fall in the first place. "Oh coming Le! Sorry Don gotta head out it seems." Even Leo looked confused he hadn't asked Mikey to come with him. But Mikey was already at his side and tugging them along so guess Mikey was going with Leo? More like Leo was his scape goat right now.

[yoxngmadnxss]

@mechanicosmia  

Jenna stared at the professor when he entered the room, having been called into the small office at the orphanage being told she was being adopted. She had suspected some stranger, someone after the money from the government to fund a bad habit. Not the guy who’d been teaching her complicated math for about a month.

“What the fuck.”

“Language Jenna - this kind man has offered to adopt you. He’s also purchasing the orphanage and renaming it. Thank you again, Mr. Sil.” The now-former owner of the place scolded Jenna, before immediately acting like he wasn’t worthy to be there. 

[caffeineforbucky]

As Time Goes By...(Chapter three)

A/N: This one took a while to write. I've just been so busy doing absolutely nothing all while procrastinating, so special thanks to that. No, but I really hope you like this, fellow reader. If you like the series, let me know if you want to be tagged!

(Side note: I've been playing RE8, thirsting over lady D, and dying over and over...it's going great! It's part of the procrastination...)

Also, has anyone seen the Bridgerton musical tiktoks? I swear I've had the 'burn for you' song in my head all last month and if you've been living under a rock...here's the link:

https://youtu.be/EwY9_m5qeow

Word Count: 2,299

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Fem! Reader

Warnings: I don't know....angst? As always, John Walker!?! AKA; Fake Cap. Umm...If I missed any let me know.

(A little PSA: I don't hate John Walker: or the actor. John is a well-written character. This is just strictly for the purpose of where my story is going. I'm more reiterating how Bucky treats him in the show. Thank you!!)

You groan, rolling from your left side to lay flatly on your back, arms spread out beside you. You inhale deeply, becoming aware of the moistened dirt and crushed wildflowers beneath you as they release their aromatics. Birds chirped around you, the busy sounds of traffic fading away while you lie still in the field, oxygen feeling heavy in your lungs.

"Y/N?!"

You barely heard the worrisome calls of Sam over the sound of your heart pounding in your ears. You lift your head, the view of icy mountains in the distance, blurry figures making their way towards you while you somehow managed to sit up. Your head was spinning, a sharp ache on the side of your thigh.

Your eyes flickered down, taking note of the small paring knife lodged in your thigh. You exhaled softly, nodding your head at the sight of it. "Okay," You grumble in agreement. With shaking hands, you wrap your fingers around the handle, bracing yourself by taking intervolved breaths before carefully pulling it from your thigh.

You worked fast, ignoring the crunch of rocks and dirt under the acknowledgeable footsteps of Sam and Bucky. Taking babochka, you cut off the end of your pant leg, wrapping the spandex around your wounded thigh before securing it with one of the holsters, tying the ends into a knot. You remain quiet, carefully pushing yourself up to your feet, transferring all of the weight to the opposite leg, eyes drifting up to meet the guys. "Are you guys okay?" You murmur, dusting off the clumps of dirt and dead leaves from your jacket.

"Are you?!" Sam exclaimed incredulously. "You're bleeding!" He points out, gesturing to the bright red staining the skin of your calf as it dripped down to your boot. The wrap might've held the wound shut, but that didn't mean blood wouldn't have soaked through.

"Oh, this?" You ask, glancing down at your leg, the wound throbbing in agony, but you did your best to avoid it. "I've had worse." That was true, from all those years fighting as an avenger. Getting shot, kicked, stabbed, beaten until you were purple, and undergoing mind control. This tiny stab was the least of your worries. It still hurt like hell, and you couldn't hide the discomfort in your features.

"Do you want a piggyback?" Bucky asks suddenly, slightly annoyed at your nonchalance and still concerned nonetheless. You weren't expecting it, the odd but kind offer, especially from the menace himself. Though you weren't one to pass up being carried. With a hesitant nod, you agree, watching Bucky crouch just a bit, allowing you to climb on his back.

The position was awkward for both of you. With his hands tightening on the back of your knees and your arms wrapped around his neck, neither of you could think straight. Yet, you were still thankful. The road to the airport was a long one, and you weren't sure if you could make it in your state. Bucky held you as if you weighed nothing, his super-soldier strength showing off while he carried you on his back, footsteps matching up with Sam. He didn't mind doing it, especially since he was the one who offered, and the proximity was just a bonus.

"Sorry about Redwing," Bucky muses, breaking the silence while the three of you sauntered down the empty road. There was nothing for miles, only empty plains of grass and dirt. Young trees scattered, lacking the greenery around them, evident of the cold weather in Munich.

"No, you're not," Sam remarks, narrowing his eyes to a pinprick at the winter soldier. "You've always hated Redwing."

"That doesn't mean I'm not sorry about it," Bucky grumbles, tightening his hold on you as he felt you slipping. You gasp at the sudden strength, clinging better to his shoulders as well. "How're you doin' up there?" He asks, jaw clenching from your touch.

"All things considering," You sigh, pushing aside the butterflies in your tummy at how close you were to Bucky. "I've been better. We've gotta find out where that super serum is coming from."

"Yeah," Sam chimed in, glancing at you. "-And how the hell after 80 years are there eight super-soldiers runnin' loose?"

Loud honks of a horn ring in your ears, tires treading on the gravel as an army jeep slows down beside the three of you. "So, that didn't go as planned, huh?" John chuckles, pushing the door open only for you to keep walking, paying no mind to the man in stars and stripes.

"Okay, keep going," John utters, signaling the driver to keep up as he pulls the door shut. "Look, at least we know what we're up against, huh? And I'm pretty sure it's one of the big three...so,"

"Aliens, androids, or wizards," Lemar comments as John nods his head in agreement.

"There's no such thing as wizards!" Bucky grunts, keeping his eyes forward, hands on the back of your knees.

"Fine, aliens or androids," John settles, sharing a look with his best friend beside him. "Look, it's 20 miles to the airport, and you guys need a ride. Gary, stop," He instructs, the wheels slowing down. John opens the door once again. "Get in," He sighs, motioning all of you inside the jeep as Bucky and Sam's footsteps came to a halt.

Bucky gently sets you down, taking note of the small whimpers falling from your lips. No matter how tough you appeared to be, you still carried so much vulnerability. "You okay?" He asks, eyes filled with so much concern it almost scared you. He hadn't looked at you like that in a while. "Do you want any help?"

With a soft nod, you oblige to Bucky's ask, needing more help than you anticipated. You didn't want to add any strain or force to your injury. You didn't even realize it happened, and that part of it was Sam's fault for swooping to grab you while you had a knife in hand, but you weren't going to start pointing fingers. You wrap your arm around Bucky's shoulder, using him as support while he boosts you up on the jeep after Sam climbs up first, helping you settle beside him.

"Woah!" John exclaims, almost rising to his feet at the sight of your thigh, your hands stained with blood. "Are you okay?"

With a curt nod, you adjust yourself to relieve some of the pressure while Bucky takes a seat on your left, leaving you to be right smack dab in the middle as he pulls the door shut. You blow out a breath, knowing damn well if it hadn't been for the mishap, you would've walked the damn 20 miles.

"Lemar, hand me the first aid kit," John instructs, pointing to the steel case beside his friend. You wanted to protest, but even you knew that the strap wasn't going to work. Mouthing a thank you, you take the case from Lemar's hand and clip it open.

"Okay, so we got eight super-soldiers on a bulk supply run," John continues, the jeep beginning to roll down the road. You hand the case to Sam, asking him to hold it while you searched for gauze, medical tape, and butterfly bandages, you were probably going to need stitches, but you'd worry about that later. "Why?" John asks, watching closely as you patched up your wound.

"They say their mission is to get things back to the way it was during the blip," Sam answers, handing you another strip of tape. "Maybe they're just tryna help."

"They had a funny way of showing it," Bucky adds, his eyes trained on you, a hiss slipping through your lips as you roll down the remaining spandex. You sigh in relief, the ache becoming dull as you shut the case, giving it back to Lemar.

"Better?" John asks, earning a single nod as a response. "I don't think we've properly met. John Walker," he smiles, offering a shake of his hand, but you didn't move, only staring at the outstretched palm in front of you. "Does she talk?" John mumbles suddenly, looking to Sam or Bucky for a reply.

Your eyes cast down, gaze hardening at the sight of the shield in his grasp. Flashes of Steve running through your mind, the many times he'd catch you trying to throw it like he would. Steve Rogers meant a lot to you, having joined him in not signing the Sokovian accords, being an outlaw, and helping to clear Bucky's name with Sam. So, seeing a man who wasn't Steve hold the shield awoke something in you. Something unkind and hateful.

"When she wants to," You claim, John squirms in his seat, sensing the tension as your eyes flicker to his. "And frankly has no desire to speak to you."

"You don't even know me," John defends, glancing at Bucky, a sly smirk on his lips, and Sam, who rendered quiet, his eyes looking elsewhere. John sets his attention back on you, lips razor thin.

You scoff, shaking your head softly as you fold your arms over your chest. "Jonathon F. Walker," You begin, leaning back in your seat, your eyes never leaving his. "Former Captain of the U.S Army's 75th Rangers Regiment. Graduated at the top of your class from the United States Military and the first person in American history to receive three medals of honor, ran RS-one missions in counterterrorism and hostage rescue."

John's tongue darts between his lips, a frown spreading throughout his forehead at the information you were giving him. Either you did research on him or, you just read his file, which you had done both. You were not one to go into a mission without potentially knowing who you were up against. It was better to be safe than sorry.

"So you saw the news?" John chuckles, the frown falling from his features while he shrugs. "Big deal, so did the entire world."

"Custer's Grove High school alumni."

John's smile falters.

"There you met, Lemar Hoskins and your current wife," You tilt your head in curiosity. "Olivia, right? Or am I getting it wrong?"

Clearing his throat softly, John broke eye contact with you. So you did know him, and you probably knew more than you led on. "Do they always just stare like that?" He gestures between you and Bucky, who had displayed the same distaste for him.

Sam glances beside him, observing the matched body language you shared with Bucky, its no wonder Bucky had taken a liking to you, even if he'd never admit it. "You get used to it," Sam smirks, turning his head back to Walker.

"Okay..." John drags, eyes flickering to the more sensible one of the trio, and that was Sam. "Look, that serum doesn't have the greatest track record, no offense," He waves his hand, dismissing the insult directed towards the only super-soldier in the car.

"We need to figure out where they're going. How'd you track 'em here?" Sam asks, "The flag smashers."

"Uh," Lemar murmurs, scratching the back of his head. "We didn't track them. We tracked you through Redwing."

"You hacked my tech!?" Sam gripes, straightening out his back as he sat up.

"Sorry," John laughs, "It's not exactly hacking. It's government property...kind of the government. Alright, you know things have gotten kind of..."

"Chaotic," Lemar adds.

"Yeah," John nods in agreement. "The GRC, they're doing their best to get things up and running smoothly post blip. If you guys teamed up with us-"

"No." Bucky interrupts. He couldn't let Walker finish that sentence.

"I've got mad respect for all of you," Lemar praises, looking between the trio before him. "But you were getting your asses kicked 'til we showed up."

"And who are you?" Bucky bemuses, cocking a brow at the man next to John.

"Lemar Hoskins," You mention, "I could've sworn we've been through this." You shake your head at the old man, for being 106, he couldn't hear a thing.

"I see a guy hanging out of a helicopter in tactical gear," Sam shrugs, "I'm gonna need a lot more than Lemar Hoskins."

"I'm Battlestar, John's partner."

"Battlestar?" Bucky repeats, narrowing his eyes at Lemar as he nods, confirming his alias. "Stop the car!" Bucky shouts suddenly, brakes screeching as the wheels come to a stop in the middle of the road. Bucky pulls open the handle, ducking, as to not rail his head on the bar-frame above him before hopping off the jeep.

"Look, I get it, okay?" John sighs, calling after Bucky. "I get the attitude, I do. You didn't think the shield was gonna end up here. I get it, Bucky. And I'm not trying to be Steve!"

"Good," You interject, rendering John to settle his eyes on you. "Because you will never be. And just because you're the one wielding it..." You grab the bar above your head, using it to pull yourself up. "It doesn't make you Captain America." And with that, you carefully jump off the jeep, following after the heated super-soldier.

Sighing in frustration, he rips his eyes away from your retreating figures. "I'm not trying to replace him either. I'm just trying to be the best Captain America I can be." He explains to Sam, hoping the falcon would cut him some slack. "-And it'd be a whole lot easier if I had Cap's wingman on my side."

Sam's eyes widen in surprise, his tongue darting between his lips. "It's always that last line," He scoffs, shaking his head as he jumped off the car, following you and Bucky.

John's lips thin out, face scrunching in a scowl. "Let's go," He instructs. The sound of the jeep leaving making its way to your ears.

[miss-smutty]

Forbidden - Chapter 2

Summary- Jess couldn't stop thinking about the guy she'd met in the coffee shop, he was drop dead gorgeous, mature and everything she's always wanted but how would she find him again when she didn't even know his name?

Word count- 3.1K

Pairing- Prof!Chris Hemsworth x OC

Warnings- Swearing, slight smut talk

18+ only!

Disclaimer: This is an entire work of fiction/AU and has no affiliation to real life what so ever! This is a fictional story about fictional characters who happen to share names and faces with some real people.

Posted: 13th August 2021

Taglist:- @innerpaperexpertcloud @pandaxnienke @chickensarentcheap @jjpogueprincess @longlostinanotherworld @mostly-marvel-musings @darklydeliciousdesires @monet-belle

Chapter 1

The only thing was, he didn't know I was only twenty and I had no way of finding him again.

If fate did bring us back together, would he mind that I was still a student? That I couldn't even drink when we went on dates? 

Who am I kidding? Of course he would mind, he could get any woman he wanted, why would he want me?

"Morning, you feeling any better?" Ellie was awake before me as usual, she spent hours getting ready in the morning and was now sat at her desk finishing her make up.

"I suppose, can't beat myself up forever can I?" I was more the get up and go kind of girl, I could never understand why she'd take hours getting ready just to go to class but I suppose you never know who you're going to bump into.

"No you can not. Not when there's literally thousands of guys here to take your pick of." 

"Psh!" I finally pull myself out of bed after thinking about the thought of possibly bumping into my hunk again I changed my mind about making myself a little more presentable.

"What d'ya mean psh?" Ellie turns to look at you, her mascara wand in her hand and only one eye made up, she looked ridiculous. How could you take her seriously looking like that? 

"I mean I'm not interested in these childish boys anymore El, I want a man." 

"Fuck me, you spoke to the guy for two minutes and already you're acting like you've lost the love of your life." Wow, that hurt a little.

"I didn't say I was talking about him although it would be nice. I just meant I'm sick of playing all these childish games and never knowing where I stand. Don't you get sick of being the one who always falls deeper? Getting messed about and then being the one who's left hurt?" I joined her at the desk, putting on a little mascara and eyeliner. "I want a man who knows what he wants and treats me better. Don't you?"

"Well shit, when you put it like that I can't argue with you. It would be nice, hey I wonder if Mr Aussie has a brother?" She waggles her eyebrows at me, making me laugh. "I gotta go babe, what class you got?" 

"My first Comms class this morning." I did not sound excited at the prospect because I really wasn't. I'd put it off in freshman and sophomore years but thought I better get it over and done with before my senior year.

"Oh really? I didn't know you'd taken that class. I heard a load of seniors talking the other day and apparently the Professor is drop dead gorgeous. I was thinking about taking it up too just to see what all the fuss was about." 

"Well that should make the class a lot more interesting, maybe it isn't going to be as bad as I thought."

"See, every cloud and all that. See you tonight, fancy the bar?" She shouts over her shoulder as she walks towards the door.

"Sounds good, see you later."

I looked over my outfit I'd already chosen for the day, just some jeans and a plain t-shirt and realised it wouldn't do. Not when there's the prospect of a hot Professor to impress. My wardrobe desperately needed an update, especially now I was focused on finding myself a man and not one of these easily pleased college boys, that were happy with anything as long as I showed a bit of leg and tits. I settled with some tight black jeans with a black, lace-rimmed, cami body suit and a cute little cream, cropped blazer to finish it off. It made me feel confident when I checked myself out in the mirror and if I do say so myself I looked smoking hot. I checked the time on my phone, realising I was going to be late I quickly ran the curling tongs through the ends of my long blonde hair before grabbing my bag and rushing out of the door.

In the hopes of catching the eye of this new professor I'd completely forgotten about the hottie from the coffee shop, which was probably a good thing, it's not like I'm ever going to see him again. I kind of wished I would though, especially when I was looking and feeling this great but hey, on to bigger and better prospects.

I thought that being late would mean I'd be stuck with a lame choice of desk in class but luckily the back row was practically empty and I could hide in the corner of the lecture theatre. I laughed to myself when I realised that practically all the girls were occupying the front desks, obviously they'd heard the rumours too.

I pushed my hair behind my ears and fumbled in my bag for my pen and notepad, when I glanced to the door and caught the eyes of a student I hadn't seen before. I couldn't deny how attractive he was, with his bright blue eyes and floppy hair, oh and that smile. Wow! He smiled brightly at me as he made his way to the back of the class, his eyes glinting, shining like diamonds as he ignored the whispers from the girls at the front. The whole row of desks were free so when he chose the desk right next to me, my stomach fluttered.

I kept my eyes on my notepad, doodling on the front cover so as to avoid that eye contact with him again. I could see a cheeky glint in his eyes and I'd learnt from experience what that meant, trouble. I wasn't ready to get myself back into a situation like that again.

My eyes shot to the front as I heard the room erupt into wolf whistles, the girls at the front giggling and whispering to each other, I rolled my eyes at them, how embarrassing. 

Then I realised what all the fuss was about and my heart almost stopped beating, thudding against my chest at an alarming rate. How is this even possible? How the fuck could he be a professor? Surely he's not old enough. Oh fuck.

I sank lower in my chair, willing the ground to just swallow me up or maybe if I got low enough I would escape his notice. No such luck, his eyes scanned the class and when they fell on mine, his face lit up with anger? No not anger. A hunger. His eyes scanned my body, falling over my hair and down to my cleavage. I felt hot under his gaze, was I blushing? Sweating? Oh god, I've never wished for class to be over so much in my life.

My professor was the guy I'd been shamelessly flirting with in the coffee shop. I don't understand how this could be real, I know I wanted to bump into him again but this is such a cruel twist of fate. I'd never even suspected him to be a professor, he was so damn thick and muscly. The clothes he wore were so stylish and he looked way too young to be a professor. He must be so embarrassed that he'd been flirting with a student, I definitely was embarrassed that I'd been flirting with a professor.

I was so panicked, I didn't have a clue what to do in this situation. Squirming in my seat, trying to look anywhere but at the Professor but I could feel his eyes on me as he prepared for the class to start. People were still whispering amongst themselves and I risked a glance in his direction, that made me bite on to my lip to stop myself from screeching. His eyes were still on me, subtly glancing up from the pile of paper he'd just taken out of his bag, his eyebrows furrowed as he studied me. He certainly didn't look embarrassed infact he looked downright feral and the thought of it made my pussy clench, so much so I had to cross my legs under the table.

"I guess you're obsessed with this new Professor too, huh?" The guy next to me leant across his desk to whisper and fuck me if I wasn't imagining it but he was Australian too. Like have we just suddenly had a huge delivery of hot Australian guys arrive at the University? This was just downright unfair, how was I meant to cope?

"No, what makes you say that?" Why did I ask that question? Like it wasn't obvious how much I was sweating and squirming in my seat. Luckily he didn't have time to answer when my eyes were drawn back to the professor as he stood at the front of the class with his hands casually in his pockets and cleared his throat to get our attention.

If I wasn't mistaken, now he looked angry, the muscles in his neck more prominent as he glared between me and the guy next to me.

Was he angry that my attention had been taken away from him and was on another guy? Or because we were talking when we should've been paying attention?

"Now I've got your attention, we're going to use our first session to get to know each other a little better. You'll be doing quite a lot of speeches so it's best if you feel comfortable with one another. I'll start by introducing myself." That sexy accent makes me sweat even more, nevermind the fact that his eyes keep finding their way back to me. "So, I'm Professor Hemsworth and I'm originally from Melbourne in Australia." His eyes meet mine again, a knowing look in them.

"G'day mate." Some idiot from the back shouted, making everyone laugh and I couldn't help but join in a little. Professor Hemsworth smiled at the joke, his eyes creasing in the corners and his smile growing wider when he looked to me and saw me giggling.

"Yeah, very original. Alright, alight, settle down now." His voice is so commanding and authoritive, it's such a turn on. "So, I haven't been here for very long and I'm still getting used to how different things are here. The weather for one." He earned a couple of laughs from people. I couldn't keep my eyes off of him, he was so mesmerizing. The way his face animated as he spoke, his eyebrows raising and lips curling.

"I was going to ask you all to go easy on me but that's not going to happen is it?" He got a couple of head shakes and sympathetic looks from the girls. "No, I thought not. Well now it's my turn to torture you. I'll start alphabetically, stand up and tell everyone something about yourself." I swallowed back my fear, this is the reason I'd put off this class until now and as if it wasn't hard enough talking in front of a whole class I now had to do it in front of Professor Hemsworth too.

"Claire Abbott." Fuck. He'd started, at least my name would be one of the last ones.

"Hi I'm Claire." The tall blonde at the front stood up, twirling her hair around her finger and giggling like a child. I rolled my eyes at her and caught the Professor smirk in my direction. "I erm… I don't know what to say?" She looks up at the Professor questioningly.

"Just anything about yourself that we might find interesting, the first thing that comes to mind." He replied.

"Well I own four horses and I'm the cheer captain." I rolled my eyes again, scoffing quietly and Professor Hemsworth had to hold in a laugh as he looked in my direction.

"Talk about predictable." The guy next to me leaned over to whisper to me again.

"Totally." I laughed back at him and when I looked back at the Professor he was glaring straight at us again, his face set sternly.

"You two at the back, we'll wait for you shall we?" Professor Hemsworth said sternly, everyone turned around to look at us but I barely noticed, I was too focused on the way his stern voice made my cunt flutter when he called me out.

I didn't speak for the rest of the class, although I had the urge to, just to hear the way his voice sounded when he was angry. I couldn't concentrate on what the other students were saying, too focused on watching the way the Professor's face changed everytime he looked my way, which was pretty often, to my suprise.

"Jake Hudson." In my peripheral, I saw the guy next to me stand and when he did, Professor Hemsworth's eyes narrowed.

"Hi I'm Jake." He pushed his hands in to his pockets cooly, glancing at me as he did. "I'm also from Australia." He looked at the professor slyly, a smirk forming on his lips, laughing at the other students shouting G'day mate. "I was forced to move here but I'm glad I did because I've just met the most beautiful girl I've ever seen." The class burst into rounds of whistles and cheers as Jake sat down, smiling at me cockily. I could feel my cheeks blushing, I was flattered, he was absolutely gorgeous but hadn't I sworn of boys my own age?

Professor Hemsworth looked even more angry now as he loosened his tie a little, that black tie that draws my view down, like a arrow pointing straight to his cock. I tried to keep my eyes down on my desk, doodling in my notebook so I could avoid that hungry gaze, anxiously waiting for my turn. What the hell was I going to say?

"Jessica Watson." Shit. I stood slowly, trying to give myself more time to think, I couldn't stand everyone's eyes being on me especially the Professors and Jakes.

"Hey, I'm Jessica." I smiled nervously, tucking my hair behind my ear. "These last couple of days have been pretty eventful for me." I looked away from the chalk board so I could search Professor Hemsworth's face. "I'm living the life of a romance novels heroine and I'm excited to see what the next couple of days bring." I sat down keeping the gaze of the professor, I'd forgotten I was in a room full of people until I heard the ooh's and ahh's and my cheeks turned scarlet. The Professor's eyes glowed with heat as he watched me sit down before shaking his head and turning back to the class. Jake also caught my eye as I sat back at my desk, my cheeks still burning, he smiled at me, the kind of smile that crinkles your eyes. I felt kind of bad that he probably thought I was talking about him when in fact I was talking about our professor.

"I hope we all feel a bit more comfortable with each other now, some of you shared some pretty revealing things." He looked at me again. "Some of you, not so much." He raised his eyebrows at a group of guys. "I'll have a schedule for you all next time I see you, anybody that has any questions can see me after class, everyone else is free to leave." His eyes scanned me as he turned around to sit at his desk, I watched a couple of girls approach him predictably.

"Are you going to the party at our frat this weekend?" I had to reluctantly pull my eyes away from the Professor while Jake spoke, so he was a Alpha Kappa, not surprising really.

"Yeah, I think so. My roommate mentioned it."

"Oh good, I'll see you there then. Jessica." He smiled, standing from his seat.

"Jess." I corrected him. I hated being called Jessica, it was so formal.

"Well Jess, I'll see you around." He winked at me as he pulled his backpack on to his shoulder.

There were still a couple of girls taking up the Professor's attention and I wasn't sure yet whether I wanted to sneak past or wait to speak to him. I thought about it for a minute my fingertips drumming against my desk when the girls left and he was alone. As soon as the door closed, his gaze was on me and I could hear the silence in the room like a ringing in my ears. We stayed like that for a couple of seconds, staring at each other, no one saying a word until her cleared his throat. I blinked a couple of times, realising how stupid I must look before getting up from my seat and packing my things away.

"Did you need to talk Miss Watson?" I could hear amusement in his voice as he sat back on his desk casually, his arms folded across his chest.

"I erm…" I walked towards him, my legs feeling like jelly all of sudden and trying not to fall down the stairs. "I wanted to apologise, I had no idea you were a Professor." I said as I reached the bottom of the stairs, I didn't know what to do with myself but I was nervous about getting closer to him. He made the atmosphere feel tense, like if I was to reach out and touch him I would burn my fingers so I stood awkwardly at the bottom of the steps.

"There's no need to apologise Miss Watson, I also had no idea you were a student but I was hoping to bump into you again. Funny how things work out isn't it?" He cocked his eyebrow at me, still looking amused as he watched me squirm. When he said he'd been hoping to bump into me again it made me feel more confident, like I wasn't imagining the way he'd been looking at me for the last hour.

"I think fate can be rather cruel Professor Hemsworth." I smiled at him as I finally closed the distance between us, watching his eyes flare with hunger when I called him Professor.

"Oh really? Why is that Miss Watson?" His eyes narrowed, his Adams apple bobbing in his throat as I got close enough to touch him, I didn't though. I didn't dare break that boundary, not yet.

I smiled at him through my lashes, biting on to my lip. "I was hoping to bump into you again too, only now the thought of what could've happened will have to remain a fantasy." Wow! I was not expecting that, did I sound like a slut? Shit. I looked back up at him and caught him gulp, that hunger in his eyes shining, his pupils blown with lust, he loosened his tie even more and I caught a glimpse of his smooth chest and chickened out. The tension was way too much and I was about to do something I was going to regret, I could live with being a huge tease instead.

"I better get to my next class, we can't have anyone thinking I'm your favourite now can we?" I smiled to myself when I noticed the muscles in his jaw tense as he ground his teeth together. Turning to leave I looked back over my shoulder and his eyes were glued to my hips, watching them sway as I walked and I realised I had him exactly where I wanted him but was it worth the risk?

[boop-le-snoot]

PARTY FAVOURS I CHAPTER 13

first time readers click here 💖

TWs/Summary: In this house, we ship Reader/Tony's Rolls-Royce. Reader and Tony being dorks on a date. That's it that's the chapter. Lots of sass and Tony being Tony.

A question for my readers: Are you still invested? How's the slow burn? Is everything realistic? 👉🏻👈🏻🥺

As usual, my beta is @miscmarvelwritings . I love her.

"Nice digs, Cupcake."

"Nice ride, Tin Man."

The sass fell from my lips, warm and familiar, paving the way for our upcoming debut like the old, soft living room rug. Any awkwardness I had expected there to be left the moment I saw Tony pull up to my front gate in his Royce: the man was just that extra. The size of my estate, the five-figure outfit of mine - it paled in comparison to his own clout. 

In a world where my choices were usually distributed between stuck-up rich boys or insecure middle-class men, Tony was a fresh drink of water with his absolute indifference towards my and his own net worth.

I wasn't afraid to admire said ride, either. Being a huge petrolhead was what got me interested in engineering, physics and computer sciences in the first place. The desire for speed grew into thirst for knowledge: how to get more horsepower, how to tune, how to mod. No mechanic took an eighteen year old rich-girl seriously even when I had all the lingo right, I had to be a step ahead, at all times, if I wanted my ride to be the best. And I never settled for less than that.

"No driver?" I inquired for the reason behind the unusual behaviour. After all, a Rolls' wasn't the kind of car you drive personally. All the amenities it had, it had in the back.

"Gave Happy a day off," Tony remarked absently. I noticed the small quirk of his eyebrow, however. He was intrigued.

I decided to give it a shot. "So what, this thing packs, what, about five-fifty horses?" I mused, watching Tony nearly swerve into the opposite lane. "At two and a half tons, it's still gotta be pretty quick with that V12-turbo. How fast it go?" The satisfaction was immeasurable, as pleasant to my soul as sitting in a heated leather chair with the smell of a new car, engine quietly rumbling in front of me. And by quietly I mean, it was focus-or-you'll-miss-it kind of quiet.

"Well aren't you full of surprises, baby girl," Tony grinned; a happy, excited grin even. It made his face lose ten years of age just like that. "Zero to sixty in five and a half seconds," He said after a moment. 

"Not bad," I said, sounding impressed. I already knew that but I wasn't planning on robbing Tony out of well deserved praise for his choice in vehicles. 

"Got a ride of your own?" He asked with a smile, like he didn't know it already. No background check would have skipped my three speeding tickets, but I concur. This game was fun.

"I do, actually. It's a 2008 Range Rover. Supercharged," I added in the end, just to emphasise.

"A big car for such a little girl," Tony whistled playfully.

"I'm compensating," I deadpanned. "I'm a little slow on the uptake, y'know, so my Rangie with five hundred horses makes up for it. Gotta keep it balanced."

Tony chewed on his lip. "Five hundred? Haven't heard about that, it comes with three-ninety-five in stock," His eyebrow wiggled. "Tuned it?" He cast me a contemplative glance.

"Yup," I exclaimed happily. As far as the date, I would have been utterly ecstatic to talk about cars all evening. Screw the boring "where do you see yourself in five years" questions, talk to me about your favourite engine swaps. Concept cars, give me those. Monster trucks? Yes, please. Vintage low-riders? Couldn't wait to get my grubby little hands on one. Gimmee!

Tony kept his silence and kept his press smile starting the moment we set foot on getting out of the car. The place he'd taken me to was ridiculously upscale and fancy; the valet hesitated only for a second before catching the keys Tony so carelessly tossed in his direction. There was almost no fear in his body language when the boy approached the massive, expensive vehicle.

The hostess smiled big at Tony and gave me the world's biggest stink-eye when he looked the other way but what else is new? As soon as she left us in the privacy of our booth, I didn't hesitate to stick my tongue at her retreating back. A brief lapse in maturity, if you will.

Tony cackled, growing suddenly serious. "Did she bother you? I can get her fired. I should get her fired."

"Nah," I shrugged. "Don't really care, just wanted to showcase my amazing sense of humour." Snorting, I gave Tony a wink and a secretive grin.

"You really don't give a fuck, do you," His eyebrows twitched again, a sign of mild interest that I noted during our routine sciencing time together. Tony was incredibly expressive if one took the time to observe.

"I could suck your dick under the table right now," I answered honestly. "It's just that when God gave out things like dignity and shame, I wasn't home. Too many fun things to do, y'know," I spoke as casually as I could even though I was dying of laughter inside.

Eyes bulging, jaw hanging mid-way to the floor. Tony was serving Looks™ and I didn't mean just the white tee and purple blazer combo. "Princess, you're going to be the fucking death of me!" He took a sip from his water glass, smirking.

Finally releasing my mirth, I gathered my hands in a lock in front of me. His own, warm and calloused, reached over - I allowed the brief intimacy, clasping them, fiddling with the leather band of his watch. For a moment, it was just us, sitting in the dim light, discovering each other anew to Robert Johnson singing the blues and NYC bustling with life just behind the wall. 

The waiter took our orders - and if I totally butchered the Italian, Tony was gentleman enough not to make any remarks. 

"Somehow, every time I am with you, you both manage to meet my expectations to a T and surprise me at the same time," I wasn't able to completely ignore my nerves. My hand was still loosely in his and he didn't mind at all, me messing with his watch.

"How so?"

"I'm going to loosely quote someone, bear with me." Mr Davies's words popped into my mind just as I was wondering how to best articulate my feelings. "You're eccentric and interesting because it's, well, it's you, because it would be much weirder if we'd be sitting here and making boring small-talk and asking each other the genetic get-to-know-you questions," I briefly paused to sip my Dom Peringon and stare at our hands. Gathering my wits. "That would be why I don't do dates. It sounds so tedious on paper, just sorting through people until a person that's not absolutely mind-numbing comes around."

Tony was silent for a moment, the sheen of his eyes, the faraway look; he was lost in memories. Probably remembering all the girls he had charmed before. I didn't doubt it was easy for him: his smile was distracting and people usually were attracted to shiny things. He shone plenty. Also, most people were stupid, they never cared to look past the golden wrapper. I was convinced there was a diamond under it. But then again, I was biased.

"I've never thought about it that way, but I guess you're right," He finally said, serious. "With Pepper, at least, it was. Come to think of it, we never had that much in common, besides Stark Industries and her willingness to put up with my shit." It was painful for him to talk about her, that much was obvious. His laugh was forced and sardonic.

I, on the other hand, never understood why they got together in the first place. Or maybe I did - but the cold, composed Pepper and the chaotic, energetic Tony reminded me too much of my own parents. All four people in this fucked up equation could have been much happier if they choose... What? Being alone? That was terrifying, too.

I kept quiet, giving his hands a gentle squeeze.

"You know, this is so bizarre. Even an eighteen year old kid has got it figured out," He suddenly said, his tone bitter like the coffee that he loved.

"Woah, slow down," I put up a hand. "I never said I know what to do. I just said I know what NOT to do." The 'kid' remark would have made me eye-roll so hard my skull would crack any day. In this context, however, it was pretty spot on.

Tony snorted. "And how did you come by that information, pray tell, Baby?"

I huffed. "Have you met my parents?" We simultaneously cringed and I hurried to erase that mental image. "I make fun of myself for being into old dudes all the time," I made air quotes around the phrase that made Tony scoff, "But, honestly speaking, I've never even been on a date. Like a real one. Usually it's twenty minutes and I'm falling asleep mid-conversation. People can't seem to keep up with me or something," I felt genuinely dejected. "So many meaningless questions, so many downright idiotic comments. From men," I pointed out the obvious. "My mother used to tell me she thought I was gay because I didn't act like a girl... Whatever that means."

"That sounds pretty shitty," Tony was studying me like one would have been looking at an exotic animal in a zoo. "That said, I agree."

"That I don't act like a girl?" I teased him, the left corner of my mouth tilting upward. "Fuck that noise. I want to drive fast cars, drink straight liquor and have orgasms. If that makes me a dude... I look pretty good for a dude in a dress."

We laughed in unison, tension evaporating under the shared, mutual understanding. With Tony, it was easy. The waiter brought our selected dishes. Blink-and-he's-gone. Top notch service.

"A dude in a dress, can't say I'm surprised 'bout your lack of dates," He remarked conversationally, happily digging into his food. The noises he made were intriguing, to say the least, and I followed suit on my own food, finding it absolutely delicious. A delicious meal with a delicious man at my side. I refused to feel guilty about my thoughts.

"I guess I have exactly one (1) date on my ledger now," I raised my argument.

The fork clattered as Tony once again, came to a sudden realization. "Holy shit, you weren't kidding."

"No shit," I gave into the urge to roll my eyes. "But on the upside, my first date was with the most gorgeous, intelligent and witty bachelor of the city. I'd say I don't have it all that bad," I quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Aw, you're making me blush," Tony recovered quickly, grinning. "And don't be shy. The most desired bachelor of the country, if not the world."

I shook my head. "No, the world's most delectable bachelor is one of the Saudi princes. What's-his-name, the one who posts goat and horse pics on Insta," I snapped my fingers a couple of times, trying to remember the name as Tony looked at me all offended. "Anyways, you get my point. I could have a go at him, don't you think?" Cocking my shoulder, coyly twirling the strap of my dress, I gave Tony my best come-hither look and was rewarded with an appreciative once-over. His eyes were growing hungry again. 

"You're a million dollar baby," He finally said, voice low. "And the extent of people I would be willing to share you with is very small."

That got me interested, sudden heat prickling underneath my skin. The conversation took a turn I didn't expect it to; and there lied the delight of being around Tony. He was always ready to surprise, in the best way. "Tell me," I requested politely.

"That's a conversation for another time," He was enjoying the chit-chat, desire beginning to creep into his features.

"Mmm, you think?" I allowed the strap of my dress to slip down my shoulder, exposing a collarbone, showing him just how far I was willing to go to satisfy my curiosity.

He swallowed audibly. "I think... You're smart enough to figure it out," He finally gritted his teeth, finishing off his dinner and immediately calling for the check. 

I wasn't done yet, however. The possibility of riling him up, taunting him into a lustful frenzy - I was in heaven. Karma had favoured me that evening, it had given me a chance to get Tony back for all the times he unknowingly made my mouth water and my brain go blip. "Must be Steve then," I bit my lip in thought. 

Honestly? I was as clueless as the couple next table over. Steve it wasn't, that much I knew for sure, he and Tony had their little love/hate dramatic connection that always ended in a massive ego standoff. Tony would be on the frontline fighting against Steve if the blonde dared to show anything even remotely resembling romantic interest towards someone Tony himself had his eyes on.

"Princess," Tony growled, sarcastically raising an eyebrow.

"Not Steve," I replied, cracking a smile. Success! "You know, I'm really bad at guessing who's into me. Unless someone is balls deep in me," My face was mere inches away as we quickly shrugged on our coats. "And even then, I can't be sure."

My giggling was accompanied by Tony shaking his head in exasperated fashion; he took my hand nonetheless and I happily swayed it between us, poster child for "not a care in the world". He allowed it, maintaining the same exasperated air about him, and I let him. Fondness and happiness seeped through that anyways.

"Brat," His voice was kind. And his kiss tingled where he left it on the corner of my mouth, sweet and short. "Here, have a go," Before I could react, the keys to his Rolls Royce were placed in my palm and he was making his way around the car to the passenger's side.

THE TAG LIST IS NOW OPEN! @another-stark-sub ​ @mostly-marvel-musings  @vozit ​ @littlegasps ​ @pilloclock ​ @shereadsinquiet @downeyreads ​ @hermione-grangers-wife ​ @individualistfem ​ @sleep-i-ness @capbrie @lillsxd @agustdowney @dee-vn @justanotherblonde23 @fanngirl19 @persephonehemingway (it finally let me tag you)! @softie-socks @schemefrenzy

[amjcpvr]

“Where are you going?” My brother, Woogie, asks as he comes home from work. His colleagues and him had gone out to have a drink after a long day and he had just gotten home. I was pretty dressed up for a night in, especially since it was getting late into the evening.

“Umm…” I follow him to the kitchen where he thanks me for making dinner for him and begins to dig in.

I grab my phone and keys and put them in my bag before glancing up at him.

“So I have to tell you something and you have to promise me you will NOT freak out.” I speak slowly as if that will make this better.

“Just spit it out.” He snorts. He probably thought it was something stupid like I got period blood on the sofa again.

“There's this guy and-” before I could say anything else Jay, one of my brother’s coworkers, interrupts me. My eyes widen as I suddenly jump and back away from the kitchen entrance.

“The fuc-” Another coworker, Harry, who had tagged along, quickly covers Jay’s mouth and smiles nervously.

I should’ve known. These guys always come over with Woogie. I had known them for the longest time, and if this was any other day, I wouldn’t have a problem with their visit. Today just wasn’t good timing.

“We’ve been talking for a long time and I really like him bro. He’s so sweet, and I know you’d like him too!” I quickly say before anyone else could interrupt me. I look at him with my Puss In Boots eyes as I await a response.

“The fuck-” Jay curses again but Harry once again covers his mouth.

I hear an engine coming from the distance and immediately recognize it. My heart skips a beat and I glance up at my brother.

“He's here.” I reveal as I look at the street from the kitchen window. His car pulls up a few seconds later.

I look over at Woogie with questioning eyes waiting for him to say something, anything. He stands from his seat, this whole time he had remained silent and I could feel sweat building on my forehead. He silently exits the house and I quickly follow behind him. Jay and Harry follow closely as well.

He looks over at the car and puts up two fingers before rolling them towards him In a “come here” manner.

The guy who was here to pick me up immediately steps out of his car and runs up our driveway.

“H-hello,” He bows down to show respect.

He walks over to my side when Jay puts out a foot to trip him.

Harry helps him stay steady and smacks Jay uptop his head.

Jay shrugs his shoulders and childishly sticks his tongue out directed to the back of my date's head.

I smile at the interaction. Jay was so silly.

“Woogie, meet my date, Woojae.”

Before he could respond, Haon comes walking over from Minsiks house.

Haon and Minsik were my next door neighbors. We were all pretty close since we had no one else to hang out with growing up. They knew Woojae and were waiting for us to reveal the news to my brother.

He was just passing to his house when he noticed Woojae’s car. He looks from the car to us back to the car over and over again.

He randomly runs back to Minsiks house and yells.

“They finally did it!” Out of nowhere, Minsik comes running out and also notices the car.

He looks over at us and gives us a thumbs up.

They walk over to us and immediately back us up.

“Dude! Woodie here is a good guy. He's been staying single as a Pringle just for ya daughter, you know?” Minsik starts as he hooks his arm around my brother.

I groan and pull him off.

“Not helping.” I growl at him and he immediately cowers away like a sad puppy.

They stand at the sidelines next to Jay and Harry. I see and hear all four of them asking questions to get caught up on the situation. I ignore it and continue looking at my brother.

“Why do you like my sister?” My brother finally speaks after what feels like years.

“The fuck that's the only thing you gonna ask. Let me at him bruh.” Jay threatens as he throws air punches while Harry holds him back.

“I've been training with Zombie. You better catch these hands mother-” This time it was haon who cut him off and mumbled something about 'if you're angry just take a moment and look at yourself, the person you see is not you…”

I roll my eyes and focus back on My date and brother’s interaction.

“Why do you like drinking?” Woojae asks my brother. I look at him bewildered.

This better be good.

I could tell my brother was thinking the same thing.

“It tastes good.” My brother comments with a smirk. He knew where Woojae was going with his answer so he was probably expecting Woojae to say.

“Well your daughter tastes good.”

Or something like that.

“Exactly. Everybody has different taste buds. For example, my mother hates beer but my father loves it. Taste buds are different in everybody's mouth. Your sister likes spinach and I hate it. Taste buds are like feelings. Everyone has different feelings for different people. You might see Minsik as a nice next door neighbor but I see him as guy who loves to party. I like her because she tastes good to my taste buds.” Woojae finishes.

I stared at him with tears in my eyes before I hug him. I could see Jay tearing up as he curls up next to Harry.

Woogie was still emotionless as always.

“Okay. No later than 9pm.” He quickly replies before he sits back down, this time on a chair we had outside on the porch, and takes a deep breath.

I look at Woojae and hold my hand out to him. I already know I had an embarrassingly bright grin on my face. He gladly takes it and leads me down to his car.

“After you, milady.” He coos sweetly as he opens the door for me.

“Why thank you, mister.” I reply as I get in and make myself comfortable.

“Where did you learn that?” I ask him as I stare at him with hearts in my eyes. We were on our way to the movies already.

“What?” He questions with a giggle. He was getting shy.

How cute.

“That amazing way with words.” I flirt exaggeratedly as I continue to stare at him dreamily.

“From you. You're my muse.” He responds but then shys away and cringes.

“Ahh” he screams like a little girl.

I burst out laughing but my heart skips a beat nevertheless.

“Ah! My heart is beating too fast!” I tease as I hold my heart.

He screams again and makes the final turn to enter the parking lot.

“I like that.” I continue with a smile.

“What? The movie theater?” He asks as he focuses on parking perfectly.

“No. I like that corny mouth of yours.” I purr as I send him a wink.

“Oh baby. This mouth can be more than just corny.” He winks back, but he can’t hold his face for more than three seconds before screaming and cowering away.

“You know what my mouth could be?” I challenge him as I lean closer to him.

“What?” He glanced at me suspiciously.

“Yours.” I whisper in his ear. I back away to catch his reaction and witness a horrified look cross his face.

“Baby, I wasn't ready.” He quickly says while shaking his head.

I giggle and another beat skips in my chest.

He quickly gets out and opens the door for me.

I exit and immediately intertwine our hands and swing them back and forth as we walk into the theater.

“I can't believe we didn't go on a single date these past few weeks.” I make conversation as we wait in line.

“Me neither. You know how long I've been wanting to hold your hand?” He cheeses as he holds our hands up.

“Mmm… a few weeks?” I tease him. I laugh at his eye roll that follows and lean into him.

“Finally.” I snuggle into his arm and freely breath in his cologne.

We pay for our tickets and snacks and sit in our spots.

Before the movie starts we talk about what had happened earlier.

“For a second I thought your brother was going to throw me into a trash can.” He explains his worries as he digs his hand into the popcorn bowl.

“What? My brother isn't that mean.” I laugh quietly as I recall the events from earlier that day.

“If anything you should be grateful Harry was there to stop Jay from jumping you.” I retaliate as I laugh out loud.

I visibly see woodie shiver as he remembers Jay's words and actions.

“Does he really train with Zombie?” He quizzes with fear in his eyes.

“Yes.” I reply teasingly. His eyes grow before he looks away in fright.

“Don't worry! I won't let him.” I quickly reassure him as I squeeze his cheeks.

He groans and gets another fistful of popcorn.

“Stop it or else you'll finish all of it before the movie even starts and I am not sharing my nachos boi.” I nag him as I smack some popcorn out of his hand and back into the bin.

He squeals and reaches for it again before fitting it all in his mouth.

I burst out laughing, earning a few daggers and a “shhhh” from somewhere.

We giggle quietly and wait for the movie to begin.

Throughout the movie, we held hands, and leaned on each other. The date was even better than I imagined.

“You want to go eat? It's 8:30… oh wait, gotta be back by 9.” He finished with a sigh.

“We can get McDonald's and then eat at my house.” I suggest.

“What if everyone's still there?” He worriedly questions as he looks at me doubtfully.

“Well everyone already knows how much we're seriously about each other, so I don't think It's a big deal.” I respond with a shrug.

He thinks about it for a while before nodding.

We pass through the l McDonald's drive thru and get our food before heading home.

When we get there, haon and minsik, are gone. Jay, Woogie, and Harry are the only ones still outside just sitting around and talking. Thankfully they aren’t consuming alcohol, that would’ve been both hilarious and disastrous.

“Here goes nothing.” Woodie whispers as he opens his car door. He runs over to my side and opens my door as well.

“Thank you, sir.” I playfully curtsy after stepping out.

“You hired your own valet boy?” Haon jokingly asks as he comes walking down the road with a basketball in his hand.

There is a group of guys behind him. They call themselves Kiff clan or something like that.

“Haha very funny.” Woojae replies with a stoic expression.

I pinch his cheek to break his angry expression and sling my arm around his neck.

“No, even better, I got a date.” I counter as I squeeze him to me. He giggles and pushes me away only to give up and squeeze me just as tightly.

“Eww. Let's go Kiff We GOt a SWaG.” Haon exclaims as all his buddies follow him into his house.

“Okay now let's go eat. I'm starving.” Woojae Says as he rubs his tummy . I could feel his cheek moving because we were right next to each other, cheek to cheek.

We separate and grab the bags out of the backseat as well as the drinks.

“Hi brother.” I greet as I lead the way up the stairs with Woodie behind me.

Before he could ask what Woodie was doing back here, I hold up a bag of food.

“Who's hungry?” His eyes immediately light up and he snatches the bag away.

“I brought some for everybody, even you Jay.” I tempt evilly.

“B-b-but my diet.” He cries. He literally looks like he is about to die.

I shrug my shoulders and wink at him.

I place four drinks down and realize I have an extra one.

“Minsik was gonna come back for a shirt he left over here or something like that. Not sure what he said, just give it to him.” Woogie comments as he pulls the drink down and places it on the table.

I nod and walk inside with Woodie.

We walk to the kitchen and dig in.

“Yo if this big Mac was a person, I'd leave your ass.” I joke as I take another bite.

I feel a balled up napkin hit my forehead but ignore it.

“Oh yeah? If pizza was a girl I'd leave your ass too.” He turns away with his arms crossed.

I choke from laughter. Once I recover, I get up and give him a back hug, because his back was still to me.

“I'm sorry.” I apologize as I pry his arms away from each other.

“No, you're not.” He childishly replies.

I sigh.

“You're right.”

He looks at me with a bewildered look on his face and pushes me away.

I laugh and sit back down.

We finish our food with me trying to get him to talk to me and him continuously ignoring me.

“Wanna play Mario Kart?” I question as we throw our trash away.

His face immediately brightens.

“Is that even a question?” He asks as he runs to the living room.

I follow him with a chuckle and set the game console up.

We begin with small bets of 5 dollars but it soon increases to dares like “I dare you to go on the roof and throw something on Jay.” Which we end up not doing because we are too scared.

“This is the last game okay? You have work early tomorrow.” I state as I hit the play again button.

After an intense race I win.

“Okay whats the last dare?” He asks as he looks over at me with pleading eyes.

“I dare you… to…” I meet his eyes and wiggle my eyebrows before continuing. I crawl closer to him and sit down.

“Make my lips yours.” I finish as I look up at him.

He sends a small grin.

“Now that, I can do.” He whispers as he leans closer.

Our lips meet and I swear I hear fireworks go off in the distance.

We kiss until we can’t breathe anymore.

When we finally pull away we look into each other's eyes and smile.

I give him another peck and he does the same. We keep doing that until he engages me into another long kiss.

Finally we pull away, for real this time, from each other and he gathers his things.

“Thank you for today.” I tell him as I smile. He looks down at me with a smile too.

“I'll see you later babe.” He tells me sweetly.

We open the door and see Jay passed out on Minsiks lap. Minsik is just surfing through social media completely unbothered.

My brother and Harry were busy talking about work.

They look up when they hear the door open.

“Thank you for letting me take your sister out tonight. I promise I will protect her.” He smiles politely as he bows his head.

“Yeah. Thanks for the food I guess.” My brother gives in awkwardly as he gives Woodie's shoulder a pat.

Jay wakes up as if he senses my date’s departure.

“You!” He points at woodie.

Woodies eyes widen and he freezes in place.

“M-me?” He asks as he points at himself.

“Yes, you! How did you know I liked chicken nuggets? Come here bro!” He grins, to everybody's surprise. He pulls woodie to him and shakes his hand.

Woojae gives a nervous smile and reciprocates the handshake.

“See you man.” Minsik says as he also shakes Woojae hand.

It seems like Jay just barely notices him.

“What the- Minsik? Da fuq? Why am I sitting on your lap? You pervert!” Jay yells. He tilts the chair they are sitting on and Minsik falls with it.

I sigh and a few chuckles escape.

“Sorry.” I apologize to him. He shrugs.

“I'm used to it.” He replies as he rubs his arm.

I walk woojae down to his car and we sadly say our goodbyes.

“Text me when you get home.” I demand as I begin walking away. Our hands are intertwined but our fingers begin to separate the farther I go.

“Okayyy. Come here.” He whines as he pulls me back. He hugs me and gives me one last peck before we finally let go.

He drives away and I wave to him until I no longer see his car.

I walk back up to the porch and hear minsik comment something.

“What is this? Your first date or your first anniversary?” He asks as he rolls his eyes.

“Youre just jealous because your single.” I retort as I stick my tongue out at him.

“Jay is still single and he's 31.” He points out carelessly.

We laugh at the mentioned man’s hurt face and then run when he gets up from his seat looking like he was going to murder us.

I walk inside after seeing Minsik get spanked by Jay and get ready for bed.

When I get out of the shower I realize I have a message from woojae.

Just got to this house.

He then sends a picture of his house and I laugh.

Whyd you call it this house?

Because my only home is you.

I could already see him squirming around in his bed and screaming into a pillow.

Go to sleep you teenage girl. I can hear your screams all the way over here.

Why you gotta be so rude~ don't you know I'm human too~

Good night woodie.

Okay okay. Good night babe.

————————

Wrote this when I was on something or sleep deprived idk. I had this in my drafts for like 3 years and I’m just cleaning out my drafts and deciding whether things should be posted or deleted. DID NOT PRROFREAD! I’m sorry! I will proofread soon, probably after finals!

Let me know if this type of writing is something you’d like to see again in the future!

———————————

Woodiegochild x oc

Woogie as your brother

Jay as your brother’s overprotective friend

Haon and sikk as your neighbors

———————————

Enjoy!!!

[funtimebunnyblog]

Diamante d’Italia: Chapter 1

After his Father "generously gave" the teenager a whopping amount of money Josuke finds himself vacationing in beautiful southern Italy.

However, being the trouble magnet he is, he ends up getting caught in Famiglia affairs.

Being so far from his home and his friends, Josuke needs to make some powerful allies to help him out of this mess...

(Chapter 1: Culture shock)

"--and remember to-"

"Yes Mom. I know." Josuke sighed into the phone, rolling his eyes. "I've got everything on me. You know I can protect myself."

They'd had this exact same phone conversation at every other airport he had called from so far. By now the teenager had memorized it all and knew exactly what his Mother was going to say.

Standing in the airport of Naples Italy wouldn't make a difference.

"Ok. But just be careful Josuke. Italy is so far from here." She said over the background clatter. "And you don't even know any Italian."

There was a crackle over the phone as she sighed, he could hear the sounds of dishes clinking in the background followed by running water.

He almost had to plug his other ear to drown out the loud voice on the intercom so he could hear her talking.

"...I know Tonio."

"That joke was horrible, Josuke."

If there wasn't the sound of dishes still being done, he would've been sure his Mother had hung up on him.

There were no words exchanged for at least a full 10 seconds and with each passing second the teenager tried harder and harder to contain every giggle that tried to escape his lips, waiting with baited breath on her reaction.

The teenager couldn't hold in his laughter anymore, wheezing a little as he leaned on the glass wall of the phonebooth.

"I know." He cackled. "But it's kinda true. Tonio told me so much about Italy! It can't be that bad here..."

A change of scenery would do him good. Especially after all he had been through in the past little while with all that serial killer mess.

He had been daydreaming about this trip, this place, but most importantly; the cuisine, for almost a month now.

After his Father so generously "gave" him his wallet upon departure of Morioh, Josuke Higashikata decided it was time for him to see some of the world.

It was definitely time for a vacation and what better place to visit than the country with food that made Okuyasu and him squabble over every single morsel cooked and served to them by Tonio.

He earned a punch to the shoulder however from Okuyasu after telling him the news. His friend wasn't spiteful however and laughed, telling him that he could finally have Tonio and his fine chef skills all to himself while he was away.

Neither of them had really looked at "normal" food that same way after tasting fine Italian food so he couldn't think of a better place to go for some rest and relaxation.

He had also heard that Italy held some beautiful sights.

Josuke promised to bring him home a shitload of souvenirs anyways. He was also considering getting something for Koichi and his Mom back home.

There was another crackle over the phone along with the running water in the background suddenly being turned off, making it a little easier to hear the woman as she spoke.

"If you say so..."

It also made it easier to hear the undeniable concern lacing her tone however.

"Say, what time is it over there anyways Mom?" He questioned, mostly out of curiosity, but also for the sake of taking his Mothers mind off of any worries she held for him.

"Just after 5." She answered with a hum, the sound of a plug being pulled and a draining sink accompanying it.

"Oh wow!" He blinked, peering out off the glass booth to squint at the overly large clock of the airport terminal. "It's only 10AM over here."

"If you're going to call home, please do it around this time Josuke." She told him, a laugh lacing her voice as she spoke. "I wouldn't appreciate being woken up by the phone at 3AM."

The Highschooler laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head. He should probably write that down just in case he forgot, the last thing he wanted was to be screamed at by his Mother over the phone for waking her up in the middle of the night.

"Right..." he murmured. "Anyways. I should probably go now Mom. I'll call you from a Hotel or something tomorrow."

"Ok Josuke."

He could hear her hesitation to let him go in her voice alone.

"I'll be fine. I love you Mom. Talk soon!"

"I love you too."

He hung up the phone at last, a small smile gracing his lips.

Gripping the handle of his luggage tightly, he stepped out of the booth with his head held high.

He was worried about his Mother too of course. She was going through a lot too, especially when she was still grieving for his Grandfather.

However, once he was in possession of his newly aquired money (not stolen! Where would you get that idea?) He had given her a good portion of it and told her to spend the time he was away getting her nails done or treating herself in anyway she saw fit. She needed this little break as much as he did.

"Time to find a cab."

☆☆☆

Easier said than done.

Here he was on a sidewalk, finally into the City after nearly 2 hours of waiting for an open taxi to take him from the airport to the city, his pompador all in a stressful ruffle over the whole ordeal.

His eyes darted back and forth between the outstretched hand of the driver and the meter on the dashboard.

"120 000 Lira?!" He squawked at the cab driver, his aquamarine eyes going wide in their sockets as the man held out his hand before him.

Josuke wasn't exactly a mathematician, but he knew enough to know that amount was absurd! "Th-there's gotta be some mistake, sir! You only drove me to the edge of the city."

This was highway robbery (no pun intended), there was no way it could've been that much!

The taxi driver had rolled his eyes at him and told him otherwise, demanding he pay up or he'd drag him straight to the Police Officers who were standing idle near the Cab on the streetcorner.

Josuke peered into his wallet with a sigh from where he sat on the curb. Damnit. He'd have to think twice about taking another cab. He only had so much money to blow, necessary expenses like food and hotelrooms were his main priority, and he still needed a ticket home to Japan when all of this was over.

He'd just have to settle for walking the entire time he was here.

He tucked his wallet away safely, flicking out a comb and began to straighten out the poof of hair he so adored. He'd have to put some more hairspray in it later if things kept going like this, good thing he packed 8 whole cans.

His Lunchhour.

He stood up, grabbing his suitcase once more and keeping it close to his side.

"Well... I guess it's time to find a hotel." He mused. His thoughts were interrupted however by a punctuating growl of his stomach. He hadn't eaten much on the plane at all and from the position of the overhead sun, he could tell it was noontime.

"Ooh." He breathed, a hand moving to his stomach in surprise. "I'm running on empty..."

However, maybe it was better to ask for directions.

He supposed a Hotel would have to wait. What he really needed right now was a restaurant.

From all the stories Tonio told him about Italian cuisine and the entire culture behind it, he was sure it wouldn't be too hard to find one of those around here.

"Um- excuse me--" he tried to grab the attention of a passing man. The guy kept on walking without even giving him a side glance.

Another man approached him from behind and Josuke turned, stepping in front of him somewhat to gain his attention.

"Er... oh! Sir! A moment please, I'm--"

There went another one, very much like the first.

"Excuse me sir, could you tell me--" he started again. The man stopped in his tracks, nearly bumping right into Josuke.

"Ey! What gives?!"

"Outta my way, bastardo!"

The Highschool student barely had a chance to blink before the guy was right in his face, a fierce scowl pulling on his face.

If looks could kill, Josuke would be getting murdered in that moment.

The man grunted and shoved him further out of his way, balling his fists and grumbling to himself, too low for Josuke to hear, but the teen knew it was all in fluent Italian.

He held up his free hand in surrender, backing up and out of the way of the angry stranger.

"S-Sorry sir!" He practically squeaked. "I... I didn't mean to bother you!"

He rubbed his arm, a frown found its way to his face as he watched the furious mans back.

Sheesh. And here he thought he had been in a rough town back in Japan.

Maybe he should just start walking...

☆☆☆

He was starting to wish he took some language courses with Koichi in this years last term.

Or maybe he could've learned some basic words and stuff from Tonio, the man always seemed eager to share in the wonders of his culture after all.

Or maybe he could've not been an absolute dumbass and bought an Italian to English dictionary to use.

Or worse.

Josuke had been walking up and down the streets for nearly an hour, passing by buildings and signs galore, none of which he could read.

He was tempted to stop another stranger to ask what any of them meant, or even just plain ask where the nearest restaurant was, but he didn't want to get screamed at again.

Staring at the signs like a toddler who didn't know how to read but was trying made it all the worse.

"This is hopeless..." he grumbled, kicking at the sidewalk, sending a small stone bouncing down the white concrete.

He was actually contemplating calling his Mother again to ask her what he should do.

Maybe he could even call Tonio. Or Koichi. Or Okuyasu. Or his Nephew. Or fuck, ANYONE at this point.

Maybe he shouldn't have traveled alone and brought one of them along...

He had a feeling this was going to be a long day and he dug in his coat, whipping out his comb again. His pompadour was getting all ruffled again.

"Ei, tu."

He paused. Did someone... speak to him?

"Um... Hello?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. "Did you say something?"

Frowning, he turned to locate the voice, finding himself facing an alleyway that lead off the street.

A figure stood there, leaned against the brick wall of a building, their eyes gleaming at him. There were others too, just two others, all of them looking at him.

The one closest to the alley entrance, a tall thinner male, looked him up and down, "Sei il ragazzo?" A question of some sort.

The one who spoke sported disheveled brown hair and clothes that were even more so, with strange sunken in eyes that seemed to hold a never ending stare. His two friends were not much different, they all had that same stare and it was locked firmly onto him.

Josuke frowned a little deeper, he didn't really understand what the man wad saying. Did he want something? Or maybe... was he trying to help him?

The Highschool student looked around before stepping into the alley, closing the distance between him and the group.

"Um... I'm sorry I don't understand." He flashed an awkward smile, looking between the three men hoping that someone could understand him or at least translate. "Can any of you help...?"

It sort of reminded Josuke of when he ate his Lunch at the neighborhood park back in Morioh.

The dogs that hung out around there would all approach him, then sit and watch, with their ears up and their backs straight, unblinking and expecting him to give them a piece of his sandwich.

He always thought it was a little creepy, but it was even creepier somehow to see it in a person.

The brown haired one pointed to the suitcase he held, "É questo?" That sounded like another question to him.

This was getting nowhere. He heaved out a sigh, throwing his hands up as he began to back away. "Sorry. I have no idea what you're saying... I-I really got to go."

The more he backed up, the more the blankness of stares seemed to disolve into... anger?

Yeah, suddenly these guys were looking pissed. All three of them were staring even more intensely into him, most especially the brown haired one.

"Prendetelo!" One of the others barked.

"Dacci le maledette droghe, cazzone!" The brunet man screeched and Josuke realized there was a fist coming for him. He stepped back quickly, the closed hand swooping loudly through the air, barely gracing his chest.

What was happening? Why were these men suddenly after him? Josuke barely had the time to consider the options of running away or trying to talk his way out of all of this mess before he was suddenly on the ground.

"Darlo a noi!"

They tried to pull the leather bag from his grasp and he pulled back harder, now full on clutching it to his chest as the fists now rained down on him.

Josuke couldn't even cry out. Everything was happening all at once. His thoughts were loud and his heartbeat was louder. The noise around him had gone to nothing but whitenoise. His only thought was to not let them take his suitcase.

And then... it all stopped. Just as quickly as it happened.

The teenager opened his eyes to find that all the kicking and punching had ceased on him. One of the men was on the ground and there was another person standing over them, yelling into his face.

But here he was. Defending a fucking stranger from a group of junkies.

Leone Abbacchio hated getting involved with common street fights. He hated it especially more when he was supposed to NOT be fighting someone today.

It was his day off after all. Bucciarati told him he could spend his time how he wanted it and he wanted some alone time.

All the Mafioso wanted to do was listen to his damn music and get some lunch when he noticed this damn idiot (obviously a tourist) trying to converse with the men.

'Just keep walking.' He tried to tell himself over and over, trying to pacify the unease building in him.

It wasn't his affair.

This was their problem.

He was a bystander.

He wasn't even in the alley.

He was on his way somewhere.

He shouldn't even give it a passing glance....

And then he watched the punk get knocked to the ground.

Now here he was, kicking the shit out of a damn dirty junkie.

Josuke winced at he the sound of a fist hitting hard against a nose, the crackle of bone filling his ears.

"FUCK OFF!"

One of the men who had been attacking him came up behind the silver haired figure and threw his arms around him in an attempt to pull him down.

Abbacchio didn't even flinch and hauled the man forward, bending so he came right over his head and smacked into the brunet who was holding the nose that was gushing with red blood.

He definitely owned up to his name then and there because to Josuke his gruff and booming voice was like the roar of a powerful Lion.

That was all it took. All three of them were clamoring to their feet and booking it down towards the other end of the alley.

It sort of reminded Josuke of that time he broke that seniors nose.

Thank God his hair was still ok though, after checking quickly he sighed in pure relief. That was truly what mattered to him, along with his luggage.

His eyes turned to his savior and he slowly got up from the hard ground, wincing as he did.

He was definitely going to hurt in the morning. He could already feel a bruise spotting on the center of his back.

"Th... Thank you." He spoke at last watching as the new stranger turned to face him at last. "I just wanted to ask for directions but I didn't know what they wanted..."

The duel coloured eyes of the man burned into him as he looked over him, making the high schooler start to sweat under the penetrating gaze.

"You... seem familiar." Abbacchio said at length. He had seen someone before with the same kinda face, he was sure of it. He squinted at the Highschool student as he wracked his brain for answers.

The teenager was sure of that. He was sure he would've remembered this man purely by the way he looked, let alone the strong and intimidating presence that radiated off him, if he had even glanced in his direction before.

Josuke blinked, his expression not unlike a deer staring into the headlights of an oncoming car.

"Um... we've never met before."

Abbacchio rolled his eyes. "Tch. No shit." He spat. "I've never seen you before either stronzo. You just seem kinda familiar."

Josuke winced slightly, averting his eyes to the ground lamely.

"Sorry."

He really hoped this guy could take a joke. He just got off the ground and didn't want to be thrown back down onto it.

He really was. For what exactly, he wasn't sure, but apologies always spilled from your lips in these kind of situations, regardless of whether you did something or not.

He broke off into an awkward laugh, shrugging as he struggled to meet the mans gaze. "I'm the only one I know who has such stylish hair like this so I don't know what would seem familiar to you."

"Whatever." The Goth finally said, shaking his head. "Judging by what just happened I can tell you're not from around here. You a tourist or something kid?"

Abbacchio folded his arms, looking him up and down again, making him painfully aware of more sweat beading on his neck.

This man was so hard to read to Josuke, kind of like his nephew in that way, he had no idea what the hell he was thinking.

"Oh sure am!" Josuke smiled brightly, a little more at ease. This guy was making some small talk with him, which was usually a step in a good direction.

A direction where he hoped he wouldn't get beat up and almost mugged again...

"I'm kinda on a vacation. I got some money and decided I wanted to see the world..." He rocked on his heels a little, studying the man before him just as much as he was him. "You live around here?"

"You could say that..." Abbacchio hummed, glancing back towards the street. "I don't exactly have a home but I live here."

"Oh!" Josuke had to refrain himself from covering his mouth after letting out that noise in surprise. He averted his gaze, absentmindedly scratching the back of his neck.

"Oh." He said, much softer this time, feeling very awkward. If only he had the ability to make the ground swallow him up. "I'm sorry...."

Leone offered no response.

"Do you like... have a place to sleep at least? Like at nights?"

"Yeah. I tend to move around a lot though." He answered vaguely. Best to keep all that extra information to himself. This brat didn't need to know the ins and outs of his life.

He nodded this time, because he did. He mostly slept at Bucciarati's house, whether upstairs in one of the guestrooms or on the mans couch downstairs.

Sometimes when out on missions, whether alone or with the others, he checked into a hotel (sometimes a Motel) and stayed there.

Other times he slept in the back of a van while on the road to or from said missions.

At least he wasn't drinking himself to death somewhere in the gutter anymore...

He turned his gaze back to Josuke who seemed a little more at ease hearing his words. He narrowed his eyes, "You're not.... in the Famiglia? Are you?"

Josuke blinked a few times. The.... what?

"Fam-eel-e-ah?"

That alone answered his question.

Who the hell other than a Mafioso sported a fucking pompadour?!

Raising one pointed eyebrow, he looked the kid over again. He never would've guessed he wasn't associated because he certainly dressed like a Mafioso.

What with that black coat adorned with those shiny golden hearts, not to mention the peace sign and the anchor as well, and that hair...

This twerp apparently...

Abbacchio huffed, waving a hand dismissively. "Nevermind. Just... watch yourself Kid. More importantly, watch your wallet."

Oh Christ! His wallet! He might've dropped it in that scuffle! Those bastards might've took it!

Josuke panicked, hands instinctively slapping his pockets in a frantic search. Ah! It was there! As soon as his hand found the bulge in his pocket, he let out a breath as relief washed over him like a warm tidalwave on the beach.

"Oh- yeah, yeah... of course." He breathed. "Th-Thanks for reminding me-" here he paused, his pale blue eyes blinking. "I never... got your name."

To his own surprise, Abbacchio complied.

"Abbacchio." He said. "Leone Abbacchio."

"Abbacchio..." Josuke tested the name out, bobbing his head as he idly scratched his chin. "Ha! Cool name. I'm Josuke Higashikata, I actually come from Japan."

The dawny eyed mans frown deepened as he contemplated telling him that his last name literally just meant "lambchop", a far cry from "cool" if you asked him, but he thought better of it.

Yeah. There was no way in Hell Abbacchio was going to try and take a crack at repeating that last name. He'd be there all day.

Just "Josuke" would have to do.

"Japan, huh?" He said aloud, more to himself than Josuke, stroking his chin in thought. "I hear the streets are much nicer there..."

The events of the past couple of months suddenly came flooding back all at once to Josuke. How he and his friends had been attacked left and right, going against all odds, all on a search to hunt down their towns serial killer.

The blaring siren of that Ambulance still haunted him in his sleep and he woke up in a cold sweat each time there came the sound of a head being popped each time it replayed in his head.

He laughed a little, forcing a smile on his face as a hand swept through his hair. "Yeah... you could say that."

Now desperate to change the subject, he decided to steer the conversation to something much lighter. Something that didn't make him remember a massacre.

Or a hand-fetishing serial killer getting his head squashed like a grape.

"You've... got quite the fashion sense." He commented, pointing to the mans open coat lined with laces and purple lipstick maybe a little rudely. "I like your eyeliner."

Leone hardly batted an eye (a well lined eye at that) at his words. If anything, he was surprised the kid didn't outright say anything like "ARE YOU A GOTH?!"

He was quite used to that one, even if the answer was yes it was still irritating.

Besides... that one little girl on the bus that time told him he looked pretty. And that was enough for him.

Or there was always the "Why are you wearing makeup? You're a MAN!"

Now that one always made him fucking furious. Just because he was "a man" didn't make any damn difference. Makeup was to make you look good so it was for everyone.

"Thanks." He huffed. Though his voice hadn't lost any of that gruffness, he truly was thankful for a genuine compliment. "I like your coat."

He wasn't quite like Koichi however. The silver haired teenager thst only came up to his hip wore his heart on his sleeve everywhere he went.

Josuke, very unlike Abbacchio who seemed indifferent to it all, blushed at the praise. His friends always told him he was very expressive and that was true.

When he was happy he walked with bounce in his step, when he was sad it all came out in tears and when he was angry... oh... he was told the sight wasn't very pretty.

"Ah, thanks. It's my school uniform, I really like it."

Here Abbacchios eyebrows shot right up, a frown twinging at the corners of his mouth. A school uniform? This kid must have been living some kind of high life, or maybe at least went to a pretty decent school, if this was just a plain old uniform.

He pursed his lips, the punk kind of reminded him of a stand-user. He had a hunch.

"I see..." he hummed, folding his arms across his chest. "You really are still just a kid then."

Bucciarati often said that stand-users (natural or otherwise) tended to gravitate towards one another. Like "strings of fate" or some cliché sounding shit.

But maybe it was possible. This kid wasn't a Mafioso... but he could very well have powers.

Like lightning striking, Josukes expression changed again. His eyebrows went together and his lips into a sort of a pout.

"I'm 16." He told the man, trying to sound as rough and tough at least as half as this stranger was (Abbacchio quirked an eyebrow, looking completely unfazed at his attempt however, probably because he just watched him get beat up). "Besides. I think I'm pretty mature..."

"I won't call you a kid if you don't call me an old man. Deal?"

This kid was starting to kinda sound like Mista. However if the punk started spewing shit about how the number 4 was unlucky, he would get as far away as possible.

He half chuckled (it was more of an exhale), coloured lips quirking somewhat into a smirk.

Josuke shrugged, uncrossing his arms as his lips pulled into a smirk of their own, cocking an eyebrow at the other.

"Hmm, depends. How old are you?" He questioned, almost playfully. The man must have been at least approaching his 30's but he wasn't sure.

"Well into my 20's." Abbacchio grunted, keeping his exact age number vague to the young teen. "But I've seen more shit than other people do in a lifetime."

For all he know he really could be an old man. He had white hair after all and certainly had the gruffness of an older man.

Maybe he was hiding some wrinkles under that makeup or something?

Only in his 20's? Jeeze... he believed that last part. Most especially when the dawny eyes suddenly locked onto his, staring at him with all seriousness.

"Listen to me, I don't really care what the Hell you do, but when you get out of school... stay away from the bad stuff. You hear me?"

Josuke swallowed, his mouth now felt way too dry, and he nodded to the man almost knowingly. He had been through some bads too... however, he couldn't help but wonder how much similarities there were between him and Abbacchio.

Leone huffed quietly, giving the kid one more solemn nod, before turning on his heel and quietly going on his way down the alley, out towards the street.

The teenager watched him go, feeling painfully out of place all of a sudden, like a puzzle piece that had been jammed into the wrong spot.

"Uh- hey!"

He didn't even realize that he had called out until Abbacchio halted in his tracks, turning to look at him with a deep frown.

Josuke fidgeted on the spot, stuffing his hands in his pockets to avoid fumbling with them out in the open and look somewhat composed under the older mans stare.

Once again, Leone Abbacchio found himself feeling surprised.

"Uhh..." he cleared his throat, trying to focus his thoughts clear enough to speak without stuttering.

"This might sound kinda weird but -uh... you wanna... like grab a coffee or something?" He smiled sheepishly at the man whose expression didn't change. "I mean, you just kinda saved my skin back there and you seem pretty cool. I don't have anybody traveling with me and... we could like... talk more? Ah- only if you don't mind!"

Ah, fuck it. He had already gone out of his way.

Normally when he was out and about and people were forced to interact with him in any way, shape or form, they tended to want to get as far away as possible, as quickly as possible.

Hell, he had people practically jump out of his way sometimes when he was just walking down the street.

Plus, he was getting hungry.

He nodded to Josuke.

Josuke was now jogging up to him, the man swore he saw stars in the teens eyes to match his bright smile.

Tonio definitely didn't tell him that part about Italy...

He wasn't even sure if he had even been that long here in Italy.

Josuke did his best to keep up, Abbacchios steps were long and deliberate making him quite fast for a man who was just taking a stroll, keeping just a little behind him to avoid bumping shoulders with the people on the streets.

Abbacchio started down the alley again, waving him to follow.

"Comrades, huh?" He laughed a little. "What? You in a gang or something?"

It was meant to be a joke. Something to get his newest companion to roll his eyes and give a half-hearted chuckle. Josuke felt his stomach become as heavy as a brick when Abbacchio swiveled his head to look at him, his white hair flinging slightly over his shoulder as he stared him in the face.

The teen wondered briefly if his new ally would suddenly beat him up like those dealers tried to do and he gulped, preparing to turn tail and run as fast as he could down the street.

The former policeman frowned deeply. Did this stronzo know nothing about the mean Italian streets? The Mafia? Of fucking course he was in a Gang, did he think he was just a streetwalking freak that kicked the shit out of druggies and junkies alike for fun?

Abbacchio leaned closer, his expression radiating all seriousness.

"S-Sorry..." he muttered somewhat lamely, his voice so quiet Abbacchio probably wouldn't have heard him if he weren't so close.

Any idiot would know the true meaning to that answer and Josuke didn't consider himself an idiot.

The man grunted in response and simply kept walking, no more was said as Josuke continued to followed him down the street to this supposed spot.

On the bright side of things... he now reminded him even more of his nephew Jotaro.

Even if it wasn't in a good way...

More importantly, he was finally going to get something to eat.

[daybreak-academy-fanfic]

Daybreak Academy: Chapter 30

The Formal: True Disaster

Summary: In which April embarrasses Aced in front of her daughter, Strelitzia properly introduces herself to Anora, and Ephemer makes Anora swoon. Word Count: 3,253 First | Previous | Next ☆ ⚬ ☆ ⚬ ☆ ⚬ ☆ ⚬ ☆ ⚬ ☆ ⚬ ☆ ⚬ ☆ ⚬ ☆

Aced really, really needed more friends. He also didn't like the loud bass beating out of the gym's speakers with no sign of stopping. But he was on a mission. Or, he was trying to be on a mission, at least. Sucking up his pride and gathering courage took a lot more strength than he actually had.

Looking at April Tremaine happily dance with her daughter gave Aced butterflies he was no longer used to feeling. Over the past month, during staff meetings, Aced started to grow an appreciation toward the musical director. April was one of the first to lay her cards on the table. She wasn't afraid to interject when one of the headmasters said something that disagreed with what she (or the other staff) were trying to communicate. It was a crushing blow when Aced realized he had fallen in love with her, despite their limited contact so far.

Well, there was no time like the present, right?

He knew she must have known she was behind him, but April didn't so much acknowledge him until Aced cleared his throat and said, “Ms. Tremaine, if it isn't a bother, I would like to share a dance with you at the next song.”

It was April's daughter who turned to look at Aced first. The girl all but forced her mother to turn around to look at Aced. When April did finally look Aced's way, a big, boastful smirk was painted on her face. With a critical eye, she looked him up and down, placing a defiant hand on her hip.

“Look at this lost teddy bear, Annie.” April then mused to her child. Her smirk not wavering as she glanced at her kid. “He's trying to be chivalrous. Should we indulge him?”

The eleven year old gave Aced such a critical eye that he almost turned around and pretended he didn't say a thing. Eventually, the girl turned back to her mother, smiling with a grin that was missing quite a few teeth.

“I think you should.” she agreed with a nod. April chuckled at her daughter before turning her attention to Aced.

“You heard the little lady, teddy bear- next song we'll dance together. Just pray that it isn't a slow one.”

The thought had never crossed Aced's mind until now, and he visibly paled at the prospect. April and Annie shared a knowing glance before lightly laughing at him. The two girls then went back to dancing, leaving Aced to shyly back away and patiently wait his turn. In the next minute or so, he did pray for the next song not to be a slow one. His prayers were answered when he recognized the opening bars of a Duffy song.

'I love you, but I gotta stay true! My moral's got me on my knees, I'm beggin' please; stop playing ga-ames…!'

“Do you even know how to dance, sir?” April asked, her hips already swaying to the beat.

“N-no...” Aced bashfully admitted. April laughed.

“Then just follow me.” she told him. “Think you can keep up?”

Aced gulped back dry saliva as he gave a small nod. “I can try.” he agreed, netting another laugh from April.

'You got me begging you for mercy; why won't you release me? You got me begging you for mer-er-cy; why won't you release me? I said release me-e-e-e!'

“Oh come on Aced, this isn't that hard!”

“But it is!”

“No it's not, just watch me. Don't you play any rhythm games?”

“No...”

“Well then, I know what you should do in your free time.”

At this point, Aced was sure he was going to keep blushing until a blood vessel popped. April was so much shorter than he was, he wondered if she could even see it. He had an inkling that she did know and was only teasing him at this point. It seemed fair, on some likewise unfair level, but that wasn't the reason why he had asked her for a dance.

After clearing his throat a few times, the oldest headmaster fumbled over his words as he finally tried to ask, “I was… I was just wondering if you would like to, ah, if you would like to go on a date with me? Sometime? Not now, obviously, but, uh, maybe sometime soon...? I don't when...”

“You know, there's a reason why there are no classes the day after the spring dance.” April teased with a wink. “I would have thought you'd know that from your previous trysts.”

Aced's face became such a deep shade of red that it could almost stop traffic.

“I-I don't know what you're talking about!”

“Oh come on,” April continued to tease. “Don't act like you don't know you, Invi, and Ira are the reason why the dorms are no longer co-ed.”

“I-I don't… I don't know anything about that!”

April smirked. “Sure, and I'm Walt Disney, and you're tuned in to the Wonderful World of-.”

“I get it April. Thank you.”

The older woman's eyes twinkled. “You just called me by my first name.” she noted.

“Did I?”

“You did. You're growing!”

'I don't know how you do, but you do it well; I'm under your spe-e-ell!'

Annie smiled as her mom tried to teach Headmaster Aced how to dance. Her best friend in the world, Mira, sat next to her as they giggled at Headmaster Aced.

“Your mom looks really happy.” Mira cheerfully remarked. “She’s trying really hard not to laugh at Mr. Aced!”

It was true, April was doing all in her power not the laugh at Aced's lack of rhythm. Annie could only remember one other time when her mom had smiled that big, and it was the last day Annie had seen her birth father. There was just something in her mom's eyes that only appeared when April was completely relaxed. Headmaster Aced was completely missing this as April made fun of him. Maybe he was just embarrassed? Annie tilted her head as the headmaster clumsily followed April's more certain movements.

“He makes her happy.” Annie finally told her friend. “And when she's happy, that makes him happy too. I'm sure of it.”

“Do you really think he likes your mom back?”

Annie lulled over the idea for a moment. “Yeah.” she said, smiling a bit. “I think he does.”

. . .

Whoever was choosing these songs were obviously making fun of Strelitzia. It didn't help when Lauriam's last advice to her was to hold out for a 'good song to be brave to'. If she kept holding out, then the dance would be over in no time. She made a promise to her brother- she was going to be brave and she wasn't going to think twice about it.

Watching Headmaster Aced dance with the musical director was an odd distraction, though. What a weird pair…

Walking aimlessly around the gym for Anora wasn't really helping matters either. A part of Strelitzia feared that she and her friends had already left. But that was dumb, no one left the formal until the King and Queen were announced. Strelitzia's fingers curled into themselves as she wondered if it was possible for two girls to be crowned King and Queen for once. She shook her head. That was dumb. No one would ever do that.

Biting her lip in thought, Strelitzia happened to look over at the food tables. Her heart skipped in a beat when she recognized Anora standing there. The strawberry-pink haired girl looked to be biding her time, looking over the desserts in earnest, and holding a red plastic cup in her hands. She didn't look to be waiting for anyone in particular. Strelitzia took a deep breath in- she almost forgot to let it out again. Now that Anora was in her sights, at the next song, Strelitzia would go up to her.

To her luck, the next song had a good beat to it; Strelitzia found herself bopping her head to the song as she started to move forward. She could do this. She had to do this.

'Pretty boys didn't teach me things I didn't know. They don't have the thing that I need; but they don't know, they don't.'

Strelitzia's heart started to race in time to the music. Her knees only grew weaker as she walked over to Anora. The other girl didn't even notice Strelitzia until she put a shaking hand on Anora's elbow. Anora jumped in surprise, almost clenching her punch cup hard enough to break it, as she turned her attention to Strelitzia. Strelitzia, on the other hand, could feel her whole body shake in anxiety.

Oh sweet, blessed Mary Blair, those eyes…! Who did Anora's makeup? The dark, earthy colors that faded over her eyelids only made Anora's sparkling eyes stand out even more.

'I said, come on, give zero cares about it; come on, I know I'm gonna get hurt. Come on, give zero cares about it; come on…!'

“We… we haven't met formally before, but my name is Strelitzia.” the timid girl greeted, holding her hand out. “Our dorms are next to each other. And I… and I just wanted to say that I'd really like to be your friend.”

For a moment, all Anora could do was blink.

“It's nice to meet you Strelitzia.” she eventually said, taking Strelitzia's hand into her own for a handshake. “My name is Anora.”

It took everything in Strelitzia not to blurt out 'I know' in a high pitched squeak. Instead, she put on a smile and replied with a gentle, “It's nice to meet you too.”

I love you, I love you, I…

'Keep playing my heartstrings, faster and faster; You can be just what I want, my true disaster!'

“Hey Anora!”

Strelitzia's heart immediately sunk as the boy with silver hair came up to them. Anora looked pleased to see him, waving him over to their direction. Once he was closer, he smiled at Anora and started to say something to her, but his attention turned to Strelitzia instead. The carrot-red haired girl looked on in a sudden fear as the boy looked her over.

Giving a curious tilt of his head, he finally asked, “Have we met before?”

'I'm gonna get hurt. I'm gonna get hurt… Ah, come on!'

“A little before Valentines Day. You bumped into me.”

“Oh! Oh yeah, I remember now! Did you finish whatever you were sewing for that someone special?”

Strelitzia immediately paled, unintentionally flashing Anora a quick glance before looking back at Ephemer. Her face started to flush a deep red as she looked down at the ground.

“Y-yeah...” she stammered. “They… they loved it.”

“That's great!” Ephemer beamed.

As Strelitzia remained bashful, Anora suddenly remembered Chirithy. The reason why she thought of the plush doll was immediately lost when Ephemer placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Hey,” he said with a kind grin, “Wanna dance to the next slow song?”

Anora lulled the idea over for a moment before smiling at her friend and giving a firm nod.

'Keep playin' em like; yeah, keep playin' em like…!'

“Great!” Ephemer grinned. “Just meet me on the dance floor, alright?”

A smile graced Anora's lips as she gave him another nod. He smiled right back before heading toward the dance floor.

“Are you two together?” Strelitzia asked the moment he was out of earshot. She didn't mean to say it so suddenly; but it was a question that had been silently burning until then. Anora looked at her in surprise- her jaw slacked for a moment as she thought the question over. When Anora shook her head, Strelitzia understood what she was trying to say.

“He invited you.” the carrot-red haired girl sighed in relief. Her smile was slightly pained as she added, “Tell him he's really lucky to be spending the night with you. And tell the stylist who did your makeup that they need a raise.”

The look Anora then gave Strelitzia bordered on amusement and confusion. Strelitzia refused to look up in an unsaid embarrassment. As the song that fueled Strelitzia's adrenaline ended, a slower song started to play in its place. With it came the all too sudden realization that Anora's time with her was over.

“It was nice getting to meet you in person.” Strelitzia softly mused to Anora. “But now it looks like you owe someone a dance.”

Anora gave Strelitzia a happy little smile before waving her goodbye. Strelitzia waved back, watching in mild agony as Anora disappeared into the crowd. From over her shoulder, Strelitzia could see her brother walking over to her now.

“Well?” he asked, he sounded calm but more than a fair share curious.

“I blew it.” came the first thing out of her mouth. Strelitzia buried her face in her hands as everything she said to Anora came flooding back to her. “Oh my gosh, that was awful. She's going to hate me…!”

“You did good.” Lauriam smiled, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Definitely far braver than I would have been.”

But Strelitzia only shook her head. There was still so much she wanted to say- curse that silver haired boy! He really didn't know how lucky he was…

. . .

Ephemer was only starting to get a handle on how lucky he was to call Anora a friend. Despite not particularly standing out in the crowd, there was something about her that made him really happy. He chuckled as she weaved in and out of other people to meet him on the dance floor. The two gave each other a small bow, when they came back up, Ephemer offered his hand to Anora.

“You sure about this?” he teasingly questioned. “I can't guarantee that I'll step on your feet.”

Anora smiled, giving a small chuckle, before taking his hand. The two took a few moments to get adjusted- least they be on the receiving end of one of the many teachers shouting 'Save room for Ub Iwerks!' that caused more embarrassment than it was worth.

Their movements were small and awkward, considering how many other students and teachers were dancing, but something about the way Ephemer led seemed familiar to Anora. When she finally realized what it was, she snorted.

Of course Ephemer -the adopted 'son' of Ava, head of the Vulpes house- knew how to foxtrot.

Ephemer must have known why she found it so amusing, because a faint blush appeared on his cheeks. “Ava taught me how to dance.” he admitted, as if it weren't obvious now. “I think I was nine? It was the first formal I attended.”

Anora laughed. Her clustered bubbles of joy welled directly into Ephemer's heart. With a small shake of her head, she looked up at him and smiled. Their eyes slowly met, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to slow to a crawl.

Anora could only look Ephemer in the eye for a few moments before bashfully turning away. His eyes were just so… blue. It was the most perfect shade of light blue that reminded her of a bright afternoon sky. If she stared into them for too long, Anora was sure she'd get lost in them. And that was weird, right? Ephemer was only a friend. Right..?

At the same time, Ephemer had already lost himself in Anora's eyes before she turned away. Disappointed as he was, he respected the decision. As Anora tried to train her eyes to their hands, Ephemer found himself enjoying her profile instead. Her nose was slightly upturned, her cheeks were full and when she smiled the faintest hint of dimples appeared, and her eyes...

He'd really have to thank Skuld for doing Anora's make up later. It wasn't gaudy or excessive- accentuating Anora's softer features in earnest. And, oh blessed Mary Blair, those eyes… Skuld knew he was weak for proper smokey eye make up, and it worked so well with Anora's emerald green eyes. Ephemer suddenly wished that this dance would be over already, just so he could go kiss Skuld for her make up application, or maybe even Anora for looking so lovely in it. Maybe both. Both were good.

As the two continued to dance, something happened to catch the corner of Ephemer's eye. He turned his head a bit to get a better view. When he realized what was going on, a small smile crossed his lips.

“Hey,” he carefully nudged his friend. “Look over at Invi and Ira real quick.”

Confused, Anora looked up and tried to find the two headmasters. When she did find them, she tilted her head a bit in thought. Unlike Ephemer and Anora, who were almost too shy to look into each other's eyes while dancing, Invi and Ira refused to look anywhere else. Dreamy smiles were etched onto their faces, and their movements were small but close. It looked as if they were oblivious to the world around them- occasionally losing their place in time to the music.

“They look… relaxed.” Anora noted. Her voice was soft, almost dreamlike, in the reply; it made Ephemer's heart soar.

“They used to be together, I think.” he agreed. “But I don't know about all of it- no one will let me know about all of it. I think Aced was involved somehow? But like I said, all they keep telling me is 'you'll find out when you're older' and it's really annoying.”

The two continued to observe Invi and Ira with some interest before looking back at each other. Their eyes almost immediately locked into each other, and both could feel their breathing hitch. Ephemer's lips parted slightly, as if he were about to say something, but nothing ever came out. The two were lingering closer to each other- slowly closing the space between them as they stared at each other in wonder. Without warning, Anora's knees finally came out from under her, leading the girl to ungracefully drop to the ground.

“Anora!” Ephemer exclaimed in surprise. Hearing him, Invi and Ira immediately looked to their direction. Seeing Anora on the ground, the two headmasters were quick to get to her side. Invi and Ephemer were helping Anora back to her feet while Ira asked,

“Are you alright?”

Her face flushing a deep red, Anora nodded. Invi placed a hand on Anora's forehead to take a quick temperature reading, as if her flushing face wasn't the result of mild embarrassment.

“You're burning up.” Invi noted to no one in particular. She looked to Ira and said, “Go see if the air conditioner will kick on. It's so hot in here that someone else might pass out.”

“Right.” the other headmaster agreed before disappearing into the crowd.

“As for you,” Invi then told Anora, “It would do you some good to walk outside for a bit. Maybe get a glass of water too.”

Anora gave another, much shyer nod. Invi looked over Anora once more before glancing at both her and Ephemer. Her gaze settled onto Ephemer- something about it seemed… distrusting, for some reason.

“I assume you can help her?” she prudently asked him.

“Of course!” Ephemer immediately agreed with a grin. It didn't seem to improve Invi's mood though.

“Good.” came the final word before Invi also left. For a few moments, the two kids remained where they were, afraid to look up at each other. Despite what Invi thought, Ephemer and Anora knew the embarrassing truth; Anora didn't almost faint, she swooned.

[cyanoscarlet]

if it ain't broke, don't fix it

(stories on (and off) ice)

Once upon a time, on a sunny afternoon in Bangkok, Phichit Chulanont broke the door of the fridge twice, then broke the fridge down completely.

The big, old, white box had been a wedding gift to his parents, at that time the latest model of its kind. Among all the appliances in their house, it had been the only one that stood the test of time, lasting even longer than the old analog TV set. His mother had been adamant about keeping it around despite the increasingly bad reception it got and the colors bleeding over all the wrong places. She'd changed her mind, however, when she'd won a new flatscreen unit from a company raffle draw.

In any case, this refrigerator was the last thing in the house that dated back to the humble beginnings of the Chulanont family -- given that his older sister was born two years after their marriage, and she's now twenty-four, the fridge must be a little over twenty-six years old.

  .

  "And you're telling us this, why again?" Leo sits across him and Guanghong on the bed, fiddling with his tablet's notifications. Definitely no social media again until after the US Nationals.

Phichit props his feet up the mess of pillows and blankets, putting down his beloved Galaxy Note��7 beside the gold medal. "Just remembered it all of a sudden."

  .

  As with the TV set, Pirawan Chulanont had been even more vocal against replacing the old fridge. "Only the door hinges are rusted. I'm not replacing it while it's completely functional," she argued from the kitchen sink while Siriwan carefully shut the door, a bottle of cold water tucked in her arm.

"Mother, you cannot make us 'support the door with both hands when you open and close it' forever," the eldest of the three siblings countered back, reading verbatim the hastily-scribbled reminder stuck to the door with a Thai Skating Federation commemorative magnet. "You know how Phichit raids this thing almost every day."

"Well, he'll have to learn to 'raid the thing' less, then," their mother said simply. "He's a competitive skater; he has to eat more real food and less sweets."

Siriwan sighed in defeat. As the future doctor of the house, she was inclined to agree.

Just then, Phichit burst into the entryway, a medium-sized package in his arms. "I'm home, everyone! Yuuri sent us some Japanese snacks."

Anchalee, the youngest, squealed from behind him, also having just arrived from high school. "Ahhhhhh yesssss! Is there Pocky?! Is there?! Brother Yuuri knows I love the strawberry-flavored ones!"

The young girl excitedly pushed her brother to the kitchen, where Siriwan opened the package to sort its contents. "I'll put these in the fridge for you guys," she offered, carefully balancing the door on a low makeshift stand, then slowly pushing both implements carefully to open the refrigerator wide enough.

  .

  "No, Brother Yuuri has not heard of that until now." Yuuri emerges from the bathroom, wiping his hands dry with a paper towel. "Is that why Anchalee has been avoiding me back when we visited your place?"

"What can I say? You broke her heart," Phichit mock-accuses his good friend. "She hates anything with matcha the most."

"Speaking of Pocky flavors," Guanghong pipes up, "which flavor does Yuuri like?" Suddenly, the room is quiet as the three young skaters wait for his answer with bated breath.

"... Chocolate, I guess," Yuuri mutters after a couple of minutes.

Phichit immediately wiggles his eyebrows with glee. "I'll make sure to tell Viktor later!"

"PHICHIT, NO."

  .

  As mentioned earlier, it happened one sunny afternoon in Bangkok.

Phichit returned home for lunch, feeling incredibly accomplished after that morning's practice run. Landing his quadruple toe loop perfectly always gave him a euphoric rush, and he was raring to go back to the rink and skate some more until dinner time. The Cup of China is fast approaching; he can't waste a single minute.

But first, food. Some dessert wouldn't hurt. And iced water - lots of it.

He hastily opened the fridge to get the water and a box of matcha Pocky -- and froze in place when he heard a metallic creak and snap. Suddenly, the door felt a lot heavier than usual.

Phichit fearfully peered over the white door. The bottom hinge had completely come off, the holes in which the lone screw was supposed to be rusted away beyond any and all recognition.

Somewhere in his jumbled thoughts, he vaguely remembered his older sister grumbling about having to install a stupid improvised harness for the top hinge because keeping the top screw in place would not be enough to support the door's weight.

He inspected said harness from the periphery of his vision. It had all but snapped upon taking the brunt of the sudden impact earlier.

Siriwan will be so pissed off, he mentally groaned. And if there's anything Phichit doesn't want to deal with at this crucial point in time, it's an angry Siriwan. With a near-exasperated sigh, he carefully sealed the fridge shut again. He had more important things to do than this.

  .

  "I'll never understand why Mother still wanted that thing around, though," Phichit complains to his audience of three. "Even if it was a wedding gift, it doesn't make sense to keep it if it's already broken."

"Sentimental value runs deep, my good man," Leo recites, now leaning onto Guanghong's shoulder. "Besides, if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

"They should still have gotten a new one," Phichit insists. "You gotta listen to reason."

The three laugh in unison. Knowing how the seemingly perpetually happy and cheerful Thai usually takes things like this in stride, they find it amusing how this single incident sticks out like a bad sore thumb, he is actually griping about it.

Still, though... "That's what I told you when you insisted on marrying your phone."

Phichit glares at Yuuri intensely, holding the bright green thing to his chest. "This is entirely different!" More laughter ensues.

  .

  Phichit ran back home halfway through his commute to the rink. How could he have forgotten his phone, of all things? He dashed to his room and unplugged the fully-charged gadget from the dock. He also packed the power bank and some extra hand towels while he was at it.

Exhausted from his run, he made his way to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator to get some water.

This time, the door completely fell off.

"What the fuck?!"

He completely forgot about the broken door -- rather, how he'd just broken it hours earlier.

What the actual fuck.

You had one job, Phichit thought to himself. One. Job.

If it weren't for his quick reflexes, he would have almost dropped the heavy thing. Once he regained his footing, he steadied the door with both hands and leaned it against the wall. Thankfully, none of the foodstuffs in it were damaged. (The eggs, especially. He wouldn't know what to do if those were broken.)

(He'd be dead, for starters. He just refused to admit it. Fortunately, no one was home to witness his blunder.)

Phichit called Celestino to inform that he was going to be late. He had a fridge door to fix.

But first, water -- since the good old box was already wide open and all. Hah.

"What the hell?!" a shrill voice screamed from behind him, causing him to do a sudden spit take and drop the bottle he was drinking from. Phichit didn't have time to be surprised at his ambusher, however, as the iced liquid splashed over the outlet to which the refrigerator was plugged, causing the thing to short-circuit and subsequently explode.

The kitchen was quiet as the machine made weird, whirring sounds before permanently dying down. Phichit found himself hanging on to his older sister, and she gripping tightly onto him, as well. They were frozen on the spot, both momentarily lost for words at what had just happened.

Well, that was underwhelming, was his first thought. Sister looks pretty in her white uniform, was the second.

Siriwan voiced the third for him. "Oh my god."

The lock turned from outside, and their mother announced her return to the house at large. Upon reaching the kitchen, she dropped the groceries onto the floor in shock.

  .

  "So you're buying a new fridge," Yuuri closes the story, using a very unusual deadpan tone that he usually reserves for when he's one-hundred percent done with everything. He even skipped the entire flailing-around-like-a-crazed-chicken part.

"Yeah, that's pretty much it," Phichit affirms, nodding away as if nothing had happened. Leo and Guanghong hold on to each other on the bed, both speechless with shock.

Yuuri saunters over to the desk, upon which several printed catalogues of refrigerator models were stacked. "So that's what these are for," he muses, pushing up his glasses as he reads the fine print. "Why are you looking these up, though?"

"I'm paying for part of it because it was me who broke the old one." Phichit flops back onto the bed, tapping away at his phone again. "At least I have a good story to tell the children someday."

Yuuri has nothing to say against that. He wonders how his friend will begin the tale when he does tell it. Knowing him, though, it would be somewhere along, "Once upon a time..."