#(also had to watch the second one twice because I fell asleep immediately the first time)

[running-in-the-dark]

I watched the second and third The Librarian movies yesterday, sooo. I might start watching The Librarians tonight. maybe. I'm not sure. I'm scared 😔

[3terna15unshin3]

Touch

Who will be the first to break?

2704 words

warnings: !! 18+ !! smut, mutual masturbation, unprotected sex, very minimal editing (sorry)

—

a/n: Not requested but last time i posted smut y’all really liked it lmfao😭😭 I also felt sufficiently inspired to write a mutual masturbation tbsg blurb bc of tdab pt 2 by the iconic @lottiecrabie and also this fic that i love by @wrongendofurcigarette <33333 thank u for the inspo besties ok anyway hope u enjoy love u bye xo

(I wrote an entire 15 chapter fic of this universe! Read it here)

—

Matty was supposed to touch down on the tarmac around half nine. But as a symbol of his amazing luck, weather delays held him back and Este sat at home, impatiently waiting and jittering with anticipation. It was almost eleven in the evening and he still hadn’t arrived.

The months he’d been gone inched slowly by, and she only felt herself missing him more the closer his return date approached. Este started to feel like the floors of their home were colder in his absence. Like the lights were either too dim that she had to squint or too bright that it made her head throb. But sulking about it didn’t help—so she busied herself to make time go by faster.

She went on runs with Keiko. Wrote her weekly pieces twice as fast. Read double the amount of novels. Dipped her right hand into her knickers and thought about Matty. Sometimes alone, and sometimes with his virtual company; always hearing him whine about how much better Este felt around him in comparison to his fist. 

There was usually food ready to satisfy his hungry post-flight state, but because of the late hour, he insisted that Este shouldn’t bother. He didn’t want to waste time eating. If I get hungry then I’ll just eat her, thought Matty during his Uber home.

She was on the brink of falling asleep when Matty sent her a message to let her know that he would pull up at any second. Her body sprung up and ran to wait in the doorway before she could even process the words. There were butterflies pounding at her chest purely at the way the approaching headlights hit the pavement. She leaned on the doorframe and attempted to appear cool and collected. Then, an idea came to mind.

He pretty much tackled Este into an embrace when he finally walked up. They waddled into the house and breathed in each other’s scents. “Hi baby,” Matty whispered, pulling his face away to bring her lips to his. 

But, only millimetres before they could graze, Este inched away. She had on a mischievous smirk instead, letting Matty feel her hot breath on his skin as she exhaled.

Worry grew in his mind. “Is something wrong?”

“Nothing at all, love,” Este shook her head, backing away even more to grab the bags his hands gripped to bring them to their bedroom. A smirk still sat on her lips as he cluelessly followed behind her confident steps. “I was just thinking about how long it’s been since you’ve touched me.”

His throat immediately dried up as he caught on to what she was doing. Este knew they were both desperate for one thing—but wanted him to prove how bad he wanted it.

“Yeah, fuck. It’s been ages. So let me,” Matty begged, reaching to caress her jaw. She was quick to dodge.

“But don’t you ever wonder how long we can make it? Before we break?” 

Este’s hips swayed back and forth purposefully as she took the claw clip that sat on her bedside table. In a few swift manoeuvres, she threw her dark hair up and secured it there. He watched her hands work meticulously and adored the way the shorter wavy pieces fell out of the clip and dangled next to her face. What he didn’t adore was that he could now see so much of her neck, and that she surely wouldn’t let him kiss it. 

“What are you doing?” He asked gingerly.

It was a rhetorical question. You know exactly what I’m doing, thought Este.

“Posing a question, ‘s all.” She answered, walking back around the bed to exit their room and head to the kitchen. Matty followed, of course.

Their feet padded down the stairs. “Don’t do this to me, E. Please,” he finally vocalised. 

It took everything in her to leave him hanging for the couple of seconds it took to fetch the bottle of red she’d been saving. She uncorked it and took a swig, repressing the want (more like need) to pounce onto him like a cat. 

“First one to touch loses.”

"Fine. Game on."

—

They brought the bottle of wine over to the sofa and took turns sipping it. To not be as tempted, they even sat on opposite ends. Out of reach. 

It wasn’t until then that Matty realised she was wearing a pair of his boxers as shorts. She had to roll over the waistband a couple of times to stop them from falling off her hips, but they still fit loosely. The way Este was scrunched up—clearly trying to make herself comfortable within the couch cushions—made the boxers tug lower. Matty peered at the skin low on her hips and made the assumption that she wasn’t wearing anything underneath. God. If he yanked them down her thighs there would be nothing between him and her cunt.

He adjusted his pants, growing hard at the thought. Not a great way to play if he wanted to win.

Este was just as hot and bothered as him, but was just a bit better at hiding it. She stared at his hand that gripped the remote, flicking through the options on Netflix mindlessly (though he couldn’t care less about what was on the telly). The veins on the back of his hand flexed, and Este’s eyes watched. She then trailed them upwards on his arm and took note of how sculpted they were. Had they always been that big? she thought. Bloody hell. 

As if on perfect cue, Matty scooched himself lower, now almost fully on his back to relax. He threw an arm up and behind his head, hand cradling the back of his neck. The action flicked the bottom hem of his t-shirt upwards, forcing the ink on his skin to be exposed to the air. His hips rose and wiggled back and forth before he sealed the comfy action with a quick yawn. Of course he chose to do it while he saw Este’s head turned to him instead of the television, feeling the burn of her gaze. Any other day, she’d be on his lap in seconds.

Her breathing quickened. It was a bit embarrassing that something so simple could drive her insane—so she briefly used her hands to cover her reddening face. Holding out as a strategy clearly wasn’t going well. So, Este thought of what might speed things up.

“Gonna go for a wee. You know what wine does to me,” she suddenly announced, getting up and running to the toilet. Sure, she really did have to go. But once she finished, she decided to leave the boxers on the bathroom floor instead of pulling them back on.

Walking back into Matty’s line of sight, now only clothed with a black baby tee that hugged her torso and nothing on her bottom half, Este stopped in front of him to bend down and grab the bottle of wine that sat on the coffee table. She turned around to face him and locked her eyes with his as she took a swig. 

His mouth fell open for the few seconds he maintained the eye contact, but soon let his focus fall down her body, ultimately stopping at her bare pussy. He watched the space below her belly button expand and contract as she slowly breathed in and out. He even saw her thighs clench together. You’ve got to be fucking kidding me, he thought. This is torture. 

“My eyes are up here,” commented Este playfully, breaking the trance he was clearly stuck in, and then returning to her corner of the sofa. 

“Fuck off,” Matty confidently responded with a scoff, though she could tell from the small smile of defeat on his face that she’d caught him off guard. “Didn’t have the balls to leave the shirt behind too, huh? Only my boxers?”

She raised her eyebrows. “Oh, do you want it gone? In that case—”

Matty then watched the small black article of clothing hit the floor, leaving Este completely nude & no more than a metre out of his reach. The same Este he hadn’t touched in nine weeks.

A smug look stared back at him as he thought of ways to one-up her. He couldn’t just copy and strip, like her. It had to be something more. So, he reached into his pants—still looking at her in the eye—pulling his cock out. Why beat around the bush? It was already red and hard, begging to be touched. And since he couldn’t touch her, he touched himself instead.

Este refused to look away. She couldn’t. Her brown eyes were locked onto his fist that tugged slowly up and down his length. Subconsciously, she swiped her bottom lip with her tongue. 

“Look at you, licking your lips. Wishing it was your mouth,” taunted Matty, “You don’t even want me to touch you. You want to touch me, baby. You love it when I fuck your face.”

He watched her writhe and sigh in dissatisfaction, seeing that Este knew he was right. Her hand inched down to her throbbing and exposed clit, finally daring to apply some pressure and whining in relief. 

“You’ve got quite the ego on yourself, Healy,” she squeaked, trying not to moan at her fingers circling her clit with haste. “You’ll be begging to cum in my mouth. Touch me first and maybe I’ll let you.”

Matty’s hips bucked upwards as he matched the speed of his pumps to that of Este’s hand against herself. “Fuck, you’re killing me,” he moaned, closing his eyes in pleasure and fantasy. 

Waiting until she saw his stare reconnect with hers, Este teased her fingertips south to her entrance. It was slick with wetness and desperate to be filled. Siding two fingers in, her jaw dropped open, and her hips rocked upwards to feel them deeper. A gasp escaped her lips. She let out a shaky groan when they bottomed out and yearned for them to be Matty’s instead.

“Mine don’t fill me up the way yours do.”

The sounds of both her fingers moving in and out of her cunt and him fucking his fist radiated throughout the room, overtaking whatever Netflix show Matty settled on. Both moving in sync.

“Come over here and sit on me, then. I can fuck you better than that,” he coerced.

Watching through his half-shut eyelids, he thought, I bet her wrist is tired. She’ll give in soon. But by then it was less of a thought and more of a prayer. 

“But that would mean you’d win,” Este pointed out the obvious. “And I can’t let that happen.” 

He rolled his eyes. “Turn to me, E. I need to see more of you,” commanded Matty. 

She listened and pivoted, spreading her thighs even further. She arched her back off of the sofa when her fingers grazed a certain spot, making her hold back what she knew would have been Matty’s name slipping past her lips. Her thumb rubbed furiously at her clit simultaneously. Surely he’ll touch me if I come, considered Este, chasing her high.

His lip was pinned between his teeth as he continued watching her. Her sopping pussy was in full view, making Matty think of what it felt like around him. The way she’d clench her walls just before he was about to cum and how it would always get him there faster. How easily he could make that familiar sensation a reality if he’d just give in.

Studying Este’s chest, where her other hand sat and fiddled with her hard nipples, Matty saw how quickly it heaved up and down. Her breaths were laboured. A layer of sweat glistened on her forehead and her gaze struggled to pin onto him. She’s close, he discovered.

“You’re almost there, darling. I know that arm of yours is tired. I’d have you cumming in seconds if you just come over and let me win,” he whispered desperately.

Este moaned at his words, speeding up her fingers. “So are you,” she pointed out, “and if you cum in your—fuck, Matty—if you cum in your hand, you won’t get to cum inside me.”

She made a good point. He sped up to match her, thrusting his hips up to meet his hand faster.

“Then come here and sit on me,” whined Matty, still not giving in, frustrating Este. Resentment for her silly game grew. If he wouldn’t let her win now, she had to do more. The visual wasn’t enough. She had to beg for it. Literally.

“Please, baby! I feel so fucking empty. I need you to fuck me now. Riding you won’t be enough. I need you to come over here and hold me down and fuck me—shit! Rail me so hard that we forget our own names. Need to feel you deeper than I ever have. Do whatever you want to me, please, Matty. I’ll do anything—”

Her voice pushed him over the edge. He didn't care about the stupid game anymore.

He wasn’t sure if he’d ever moved so fast in his life; climbing over to Este’s side of the sofa. She gasped when she felt Matty’s hands grip her hips to pull her closer, not giving her any time to adjust before sinking himself into her cunt.

They groaned in unison, the feeling they were chasing hit them even harder after the painstaking period of forbidden touch. She felt every inch of him against her walls, pressing a hand into her lower stomach to feel him there too.

“Is this what you wanted?” he intensely spat at her, beginning to pound into her with no avail.

Matty’s hips slammed together with hers over and over, lighting the fire in Este’s core. Her mind went hazy with pleasure and she struggled to even answer him. Her jaw was stuck agape and the only things he could hear out of her were frenzied and pornographic moans.

“Yes, fuck, yes. Don’t stop, I’m gonna cum,” she cried.

He squeezed his eyes tightly shut as he felt his climax approach too. But he couldn’t keep them shut for long, as he craved the sight of her beneath him, still tirelessly swiping at her clit. Her breasts bounced up and down at the force of Matty’s hips, which now buckled with a messy rhythm. The hair that stuck to her wet forehead was swiped away by a finger of his, getting it out of the way, needing the full view of Este’s face. 

“Cum for me, E. I thought about this every night when I was gone. Couldn’t hold back any longer—fuck—you win. This pussy is mine. So perfect for me,” Matty egged. 

Este let go and the notorious clench of her walls pushed him to do the same. The warmth deep inside her signalled that Matty had shot his hot seed into her, groaning and worshipping her name as he did. She reached up to yank on his curls and saw stars for a moment, the pure euphoria carrying her high in pleasure like she’d never seen before. He gave her exactly what she’d been needing, those nights alone. Nobody could fuck her like him.

Her stomach immediately felt like jello in the aftershock of her orgasm. They both panted into each other's mouths, slick with sweat, giddy smiles on their faces. Matty’s arms gave out, laying on top of her gently, still twitching inside of her. He didn’t have an ounce of extra energy to pull out. Not that he really wanted to, anyway.

“What’s my prize?” Este asked, throat rough from the screaming she’d just done. 

Matty glanced at the TV, where the time was displayed. 00:28. They hadn’t even lasted half an hour at her ‘game’.

“I reckon I can make you cum three more times before we fall asleep?” he suggested.

“Deal,” she agreed, “Or you can fuck my face like you mentioned. Up to you,” finished Este with a giggle.

His eyes widened in shock, hiding his face in her neck as they both laughed.

“Might need a bit of time to, you know, recharge before we get to that. But I am not passing up on that offer.”

[dracoandthehounds]

White Noise - One-Shot

5.1k | Drarry | AU | M | also available on AO3

Draco had nightmares.

It was something Harry had noticed immediately upon his arrival to their safe house. Even though they’d managed a whole room to spare for Draco and all the space they thought he must have wanted, Harry was still woken in the night by the sound of bleary shouting, and gasps, and, once or twice, broken sobs. It went on like that for the first month, with a sort of quiet agreement that fell into place at once that nobody would speak of the nightly ordeal Draco suffered with. Afterall, they all had nightmares, with all the horrible things they’d seen, all the horrible things they’d done. So it was definitely nothing to be embarrassed about.

But Harry learned that with Draco it was different. Because Draco had them every single night.

And Harry became sort of obsessed with fixing it.

Hermione said that Harry was just getting stir-crazy, having to wait for word from the Order about their next mission, and that was why Harry had become so determined to find a way to fix Draco’s sleep, despite the fact that Draco told them all that there was no point, and he’d been having them for years, now. And maybe it was boredom, exhaustion borne from having to pace the old decrepit house in the middle of some forest in Ireland, the exact location known only to Remus Lupin, their secret-keeper. Maybe Harry had gotten tired of watching Hermione pour over books that he knew she’d already read, or of playing chess with Ron, who always, always won, no matter how hard Harry tried, no matter what clever move Harry pulled. Whatever it was, Harry didn’t really care. Because all he saw was a problem that demanded a solution.

His first tactic was simple. After dinner, and just before they all ticked off to bed, Harry brought Draco a mug of warm chamomile tea with a dash of milk to encourage deeper sleep. Draco stared at the mug for several moments, as though waiting for it to explain Harry’s behaviour, before he looked up, eyebrow raised, at Harry, himself.

“To, erm…” Harry stuttered, “help you sleep.”

“Right,” Draco said, looking back down. The muted candlelight caught against the scar that now stretched, jagged and forked, across Draco’s cheekbone. A weird part of Harry couldn’t help but think about all the times Draco had given him shit over the years about his own scar.

And now they matched.

Harry shook the thought from his head.

“Cheers, Potter,” Draco said, sipped the tea, then split off toward his bedroom.

Harry awoke, just a little past two in the morning, to the sound of a strangled gasp coming from the wall that separated their two rooms. And he couldn’t fall back asleep with the sounds of Draco’s panic so close, echoing in the still of the night.

The next morning, after he’d heard Draco leave his room and go turn on the shower in the loo, Harry snuck into Draco’s bedroom. In short order he found the mug from the night prior, and found, to his delight, that the mug had been drained. It gave Harry two answers.

The first was that the tea hadn’t worked to quell Draco’s nightmares, since, obviously Draco had still had them, despite having clearly drank the tea.

And the second was that Draco was willing to accept Harry’s help.

The next thing Harry tried was his muggle wireless. He showed it to Draco the following night.

“And I think we should try two different things with it,” Harry explained. “First, some muggle music, and if that doesn’t work, we can try turning it to a static station— for white noise, alright?”

“White noise?” Draco asked.

“Yeah,” Harry explained. “It’s like a steady noise that you can tune out, and then you won’t be bothered by, like, random sounds. Muggles use it all the time, I think. I read this article in a muggle magazine about it, once. When I couldn’t sleep, summer after fourth year.”

Draco stared at him, then held out a hand. Harry gave him the wireless.

“Are you going to show me how it works, or am I meant to just jab at it until something happens?” Draco asked, eyebrow raised.

Harry huffed out a laugh, then stood up, so he could sit beside Draco. He spent the next twenty minutes explaining the different knobs, and cycling through the different radio stations, until Draco got the hang of it. And he tried to ignore the warm press of Draco’s leg beside his, or the gentle smell of spearmint and lavender that seemed to come from Draco’s white-blond hair. From this close, Harry could see a few small freckles along the back of Draco’s neck that he’d never noticed before. This new knowledge felt like gold.

That night, Harry could hear the gentle sounds of classical music, a bit fuzzy from how far off they were from civilization, as it filtered through the wall separating them. There was something peaceful about the muffled sound. It gave Harry a strange feeling of a far off peace. The lie that maybe, somewhere, things were working out okay.

But, again, it didn’t work. Harry woke to Draco screaming, some choked and pleading cry. He was begging that his mother be spared.

Harry’s heart felt heavy and broken all throughout the next day. Draco’s skin, which had always been pale, did little to hide the growing dark shadows underneath his eyes, as each restless night stacked against each other. It made Harry feel as though he were losing some sort of battle, right at his homefront.

“So, the white noise tonight?” Harry asked Draco over lunch, right after Hermione had shown them the results of her past week of research, some new theories as to why Voldemort hadn’t died after Sirius had hit him with the killing curse last year, during their battle in Diagon Alley.

“Alright,” Draco said, a quick nod. “White noise tonight.”

That night, after dinner, Draco had turned to the three of them, and asked the question they knew was inevitable. “Dumbledore really didn’t tell you? Before he died?”

Hermione sighed, her face falling.

“No,” Harry said. “We think… we think he meant to—”

“We’re not even sure if he knew, Harry,” Ron said, sighing.

Harry shook his head. “I know he was onto something, alright? He’d written me, remember? The night before. That he had an idea how Voldemort came back after that night in Godric’s Hollow.”

“You’re not convinced?” Draco asked Ron.

Ron sighed. “I was, for a while. But… to leave us so in the dark… I don’t know anymore.”

Hermione sighed. “He was caught by surprise. We all were. He didn’t have time to explain.”

“And that’s even if his theory was right,” Ron argued.

Harry rubbed his forehead. They’d had this conversation plenty. He wasn’t sure if it was doing them any good.

But Draco was the one to break it. Draco coughed, mouth tight, then spoke. “I didn’t even know, you know,” he said. “About Barty Crouch Jr.— I had no idea he was still alive.”

Ron looked back up, and Harry could see his strategizing mind running behind his brown eyes. It was like the few times he’d seen Dudley at the computer, and the way the machine would cycle through its programming, its lights beeping as it thought. Harry could sense the same sort of hidden calculations now running behind the neutral expression of Ron’s face.

Right before they’d rescued Draco, the three of them had agreed to not immediately pester him for information, no matter how vital they knew it was. They’d all agreed that giving him the space to answer and to settle was what mattered most, and that if they tried too hard too soon, then the only thing they’d ensure was Draco clamming up, surely assuming that they’d only saved him for information. If they acted like all that mattered was Draco’s insight into Voldemort’s inner circle, then Draco would never trust them enough to realise that they’d saved him for a far simpler reason: that he deserved to be saved.

The inside knowledge was just a bonus.

“We thought,” Ron said, each word slow, “that you-know-who found a way to restore Crouch’s soul. Either that or Crouch never received the kiss in the first place. But, well, if that’s the case… then that would mean that Fudge had been compromised, too.”

“Which, of course, we can’t know either,” Hermione said quickly. “With Fudge dying so shortly after.”

Harry nodded along, but kept his mouth shut. He was no good at this sort of thing. Gentle interrogation, basically, if he were being honest. And they really were lucky that Ron could manage it, as Hermione didn’t have the patience for it, either. She didn’t know how to change tactics in real time, to adapt to constantly changing information. Like a game of chess. What Ron excelled in.

Draco frowned. “I don’t know, either. I only found out that Crouch was still alive after Dumbledore died. I tried to ask my mother, but, well…” he trailed off.

Ron’s eyes flashed quick to Harry and Hermione. A sign, Harry could read, to not say anything more. This was all they’d be getting for the night. It wasn’t much, but anything helped, Harry thought.

At the very least, it seemed to mean that Draco was finally beginning to trust them. Maybe.

Through their shared wall, Harry listened to Draco fiddle with the wireless that night. It clicked past station after station, until Draco seemed to find one that was static enough to his liking. Harry heard a small thump, Draco putting it down, he assumed, then listened as Draco settled into bed.

Another failure.

Harry awoke just past midnight, and the sounds he heard had him choked up before he was even fully conscious.

This time, Draco was crying. He was saying, through tear-choked sobs, that he didn’t know where Potter was, he didn’t know who was in the Order, and he didn’t know how many times he had to tell them the same thing, over and over. He begged and begged until Harry couldn’t stand it, and shoved a pillow over his own head, desperate to stop the pain building in his chest from the misery in Draco’s voice.

After half an hour of this, Harry couldn’t stand it anymore. He stood up, took a deep breath, then tip-toed to Draco’s bedroom.

When he creaked open the door, Draco didn’t wake. In the muted moonlight streaming in through the boarded up window, Harry could see streaks of tears down Draco’s pale face, shimmering like dew on grass. Harry sighed, then walked over to Draco’s bed. He sat, as quietly as he could manage, as Draco continued to thrash, mumbled and unintelligible pleads spilling from his mouth like broken prayers.

And with all the gentle measure he could manage, he reached up and put his palm against the side of Draco’s face, hoping to gently wake him from his nightmare.

Draco didn’t wake.

But he did calm.

Harry watched, in frozen shock, as Draco turned his head toward Harry’s palm. At once, his face softened, as he pressed harder against it, breathing in Harry’s skin like it had been the answer all along. Harry stared, not daring to move, as Draco continued to sleep soundly for the next ten minutes. He didn’t stir, or thrash, or mumble. He only slept. His face was still and content.

When Harry’s arm went numb, and he couldn’t justify staying any longer, he removed his arm as gently as possible, stood up, then walked as quietly as he could back to his room. And from what Harry could tell, Draco slept through the rest of the night in complete silence.

When Harry saw Draco the next morning, his face heated immediately, as though something far more scandalous had happened between them in that shadowy room.

“How’d you sleep?” Harry choked out.

Draco’s eyebrows furrowed. “Differently,” he said after a moment. “I think… I think I still had nightmares, but maybe not as many…” He looked up. “I suppose the muggles might be on to something with that ‘white sound’ of theirs.”

“White noise,” Harry corrected automatically.

Draco rolled his eyes. “Whatever.” He walked off, and Harry considered telling him about what might have actually helped. But he didn’t know how to say it. Didn’t know if he could stand the look on Draco’s face as he did.

Around midday, it began to rain. It started as a dull drizzle, but really began to pick up around dinner, with thunder and lightning to boot.

“Rain is also a sort of white noise,” Harry explained as he picked his way through the bland vegetables that Ron had cooked. They’d run out of spices months ago, and were meant to get a package from Katie Bell a few weeks ago, but it never showed up. Harry was trying very hard not to think too much about what that meant. It could only be bad, afterall.

“Should I not use the wireless, then?” Draco asked.

Harry shrugged. “Might be worth testing the rain instead. Maybe it will work better, I dunno,” he said, looking away, so he could hide in the truth he wasn’t admitting.

“Alright,” Draco said. “Whatever you think is best.”

Harry laughed. “What do you mean?”

“I mean it’s your experiment, isn’t it? Don’t want to mess with the results.”

“Spoken like a true scientist,” Harry said, smiling.

“That’s a muggle thing, isn’t it?” Draco asked. “I think Blaise once… he explained.”

“Yeah,” Harry said.

Draco watched, as though expecting him to continue.

“Er— Another time, maybe. It’s complicated,” Harry said, shrugging. Afterall, he still hadn’t found a good way to manage his rudimentary knowledge of science against the existence of magic. He definitely didn’t have enough that he felt confident to explain it to Draco. All of that sounded like something he ought to leave up to those Ministry researchers in the Department of Mysteries.

If there were any of them left, that is.

Harry heard Draco open his window that night. The wireless was off, just as Draco said it would be, and with the sound of rain falling outside of his own window, Harry felt himself pulled to sleep even quicker than usual.

He woke to the sound of Draco yelling. For a moment, Harry’s heart thudded, as Draco sounded more lucid than usual, but only a moment later, Harry realised it was only another nightmare. They weren’t under a real attack. At least, for now.

And like a true scientist, Harry felt he had to test this new theory of his.

He walked, as quietly as he could manage again, to Draco’s room. With a gentle touch, he opened the door, and Draco’s shouts got louder as he moved in, and the space between them cleared of walls, and doors.

And then, a sudden clap of thunder, and a flash of lightning that was far too close, and Draco was shooting up, shouting, eyes wide-open and wild.

“Potter?!” he demanded to the open air, hand over his chest. “What on— what on earth…”

“Sorry!” Harry said, gasping, staring. “You were… you were having another nightmare, I’m sorry, and last night, damnit, I’m sorry—”

Draco’s breaths finally settled, as he continued to stare bewildered at Harry. “What?” he asked again, shaking his head, eyes darting around the room, as though looking for more assailants hidden in the corners.

Well, Harry figured. The ruse was up. He began to explain.

“Last night, you were having a nightmare, so I came in, and I tried to wake you up, but, I dunno, when I touched you… you actually slept soundly, for once, and I wanted… I wanted to see if it worked again… I dunno, I’m sorry,” Harry admitted, his cheeks heating hot and strong. He felt embarrassed, and horrible, and very, very stupid.

Draco only stared at him, mouth still parted.

“Right, well, sorry, again. Goodnight,” Harry said, turning on his heel and walking toward the door.

“Wait.”

Harry’s heart thudded. He turned around to Draco staring at him.

“What?” Harry asked.

“If that… if that worked,” Draco said, speaking softly and slowly, “we should test it, again, shouldn’t we?”

“Are… are you sure?” Harry asked.

Draco nodded, though he still looked scared, as though waiting for the trick surely just around the corner. And Harry could only stare at him, struck into a bit of awe, as Draco, in small little movements, edged to one side of his narrow bed.

He was making room for Harry.

Saying nothing, too afraid to ruin this momentary miracle, Harry walked forward, then climbed into bed beside Draco. And, still staring at him, Harry lied down, laying his head on Draco’s other pillow, as Draco mirrored him, staring right back. All movements that might, in any other scenario, be simple and common, but, in this exact scenario, couldn’t be more improbable. Couldn’t be more miraculous.

“Where, er—” Draco asked, his voice hoarse, likely from the yelling, “did you… where—”

“Here,” Harry answered, bringing his hand up as slowly as he could manage, trying his best not to startle Draco. He laid it against Draco’s cheek, the exact way he had the night before. Draco’s cheek felt just as soft to the touch.

And at his touch, Draco’s eyes widened, then flicked to Harry’s hand, where it cradled his cheek. And then they shot back to Harry, who could really see how grey they were in this close proximity. They were the same shade as the stone walls of Hogwarts, or maybe they were more like the gentle grey clouds that covered the English sky in the winter. They seemed to have that same sort of diffused glow, as though sunlight lingered behind them.

And Harry could smell the spearmint again.

“I don’t think I can fall asleep like this,” Draco said after a moment, the corner of his mouth creaking up into a smile.

“Oh!” Harry said, a small breath. “Right, of course,” he said, pulling his hand away.

“Maybe, um,” Draco said, before pausing.

And Harry watched as Draco turned over, facing away. For a moment, Harry was confused, until he felt Draco’s hand, his sharp narrow fingers, grab his own.

So they could pull Harry’s arm up and over, so that it would wrap around Draco’s waist.

Even with the thunder and rain outside, there was no way that Draco couldn’t hear the sound of Harry’s heart, as it hammered in his chest.

“This alright?” Draco asked. “I think this might be the only way we can fall asleep, if you’re supposed to be touching me, and all.”

Harry coughed, his mind like fuzz. “Yeah… this, er— it works.”

“Alright,” Draco said. “Goodnight.”

“‘Night,” Harry said, wondering if maybe all of this was a dream. A really, really good dream.

And Draco was mad if he thought Harry could fall asleep like this.

But Harry didn’t exactly mind. He was more absorbed with marvelling over how different Draco was now, how easy and pliant he had become. Harry couldn’t imagine the Draco of his younger years ever entertaining this sort of thing from Harry. Ever agreeing to sleep in the same bed with him, with Harry’s arm laying curled around his waist. Ever trusting Harry to only want what’s good for him.

But, Harry supposed, war tends to do that. Change people. Soften their edges. Or harden them, sometimes. Harry was glad that it hadn’t broken Draco. From the stories they’d heard, the visions Harry had seen, through Voldemort’s eyes, of what had been done to Draco, that too was a miracle, all of its own. A miracle that Draco was still alive, beneath Harry’s arm. That that good heart of his, that he’d spent so long pretending didn’t exist, still beat inside of him.

Beneath Harry’s arm, Draco’s breaths seemed to deepen.

Harry realised that the tosser had actually fallen asleep. He huffed out a silent laugh, then closed his eyes and tried to sleep himself. And despite how impossible of an idea it was, to think he could relax with Draco only a few inches from him, with the warmth of Draco’s waist, pressed tight against Harry’s arm, the gentle rumble of Draco’s magic, teeming beneath his skin… There was also the sound of rain, a constant patter against the forest around them, and the smell of ozone and wet dirt that blew in with every breeze, and all of it together began to culminate into Harry actually succumbing to the sweet quiet of sleep.

Harry awoke to the stream of sunlight, and something tickling his nose.

He wrenched his eyes open, and in the blurry haze without his glasses, realised something very quickly.

During the night, Harry had somehow managed to shift even closer to Draco. So close, in fact, that Draco was now pressed entirely against him, still breathing slowly, still asleep. But his back was tight to Harry’s chest, and their legs were tangled up together beneath the sheets, and he could feel Draco’s arse, pressed right up against him, and—

Immediately, Harry’s heart set to hammering again, at the feeling of Draco’s warmth, now basically surrounding him.

And Harry, unable to help himself, could only pull Draco even closer, dipping his own head forward, and pressing his face against the back of Draco’s neck.

Harry fell back asleep, surrounded by the smell of lavender.

When Harry woke up the second time, he was alone. Ignoring the weird thud in his heart at that realisation, Harry got up, and trudged back to his room to get dressed.

He nearly walked straight into Hermione on the way.

She stared at him, her mouth opening and shutting, as though cycling through a hundred different things to say.

“Were… were you in Malfoy’s room?” she asked, eyebrows furrowing.

“Er— yeah,” Harry said, scratching at his head, feeling his cheeks redden. He looked everywhere but Hermione’s eyes. For some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to do that.

“Oh,” Hermione said. “Okay.”

In surprise, Harry met her eyes.

She smiled.

And that was all they said of it.

Harry eventually found Draco, crouching in their back garden and surveying over their collection of recently sprouted herbs.

“Hi—”

“The basil doesn’t need to be in this prime of a location,” Draco said, at once.

“Oh.”

“In fact, you could probably swap it with the rosemary— they usually like a bit more sun than I think the one you’ve got here is getting,” he continued. “Rosemary is Mediterranean, so that means they like pretty much all the sun they can get, but basil is tropical, so all that sun it’s currently getting might be drying it out, I think. At least, from what I remember.”

“Okay,” Harry said. “You can, er— take it over, if you’d like. I’m sure Hermione would like the reprieve.”

“Okay,” Draco said, standing back up. “I’ll talk to her.”

Harry watched as he walked stiffly past him, and, as though on instinct, couldn’t help but shoot his hand out, to grab at Draco’s thin wrist.

Draco startled, before staring back down again at Harry with those big grey eyes that Harry was getting to know so well.

“How did you sleep?” Harry asked.

Draco scanned over Harry’s face before responding. “Better.”

“Good,” Harry said, nodding. He released Draco’s wrist.

And Draco took a step inside, and Harry wasn’t sure what any of it meant, but then, just before he’d walked away entirely, Draco turned back around.

“Again, tonight?” he asked, over his shoulder, refusing to meet Harry’s eyes.

“Yeah,” Harry said. “We ought to be thorough. For the experiment, I mean.”

And, miraculously, Draco laughed.

That night, Harry spent a good twenty minutes sitting on his bed. It was one thing to sneak into Draco’s bedroom in the middle of the night, heralded in by a nightmare, but it was another thing entirely to go off to bed with him. Like they were… like they were something else.

But ever the brave Gryffindor, Harry managed.

He crossed down the hallway, wondered briefly if Hermione ever did this with Ron, before he knocked on Draco’s door, just twice.

“Come in,” Draco said.

So Harry did.

The only light came from a flickering oil lamp on the rusted metal bedside table next to Draco’s side of the bed.

Draco’s side, Harry repeated in his head, accompanied by a weird, almost painful, thud of his heart.

Draco was holding a book between his slender fingers.

“What’re you reading?” Harry asked, as he forced himself to continue forward, climbing into bed with Draco like any part of this was normal. Like it was routine.

“A muggle book,” Draco answered. “The Great Gatsby. I found it in the cellar.”

“Oh,” Harry said. “How is it?”

“A bit sad.”

“Oh.”

Draco sighed, stuffed the ripped bit of paper he must have been using as a bookmark back inside the book, then placed the book on the bedside table. Immediately after, he blew out the lamp, sending them into a sudden darkness.

Harry lied back down, but couldn’t bring himself to pull Draco back into the position they were in last night. It was too much, he felt. He’d need Draco to do it, or else he’d never allow himself something so unbelievable.

“Potter,” Draco said, still sitting up, and not looking at him.

Harry propped himself up on his elbows. “Yeah?”

“Is this… is this part of your whole… saving-people-thing?” Draco asked.

“What?” Harry asked, eyebrows furrowing.

“I heard Granger call it that, back in sixth year, after you told Pansy that you’d find a way so she wouldn’t have to go back home for Christmas… you know, after you heard about her family, and how terrified—”

“No,” Harry said, interrupting him. “I, er— I know what you’re referring to, I mean.”

“So?” Draco asked again, still not looking at him. “Is it?”

Harry paused, bit at his lip. How was he supposed to tell Draco that no, it wasn’t? It was something far, far more than that. Something that Harry might not have had the words for yet. Something that Harry wanted all to himself.

“No,” Harry finally said, after a moment.

Draco didn’t respond, continuing to stare forward.

So Harry reached his hand out, graced his fingertips along the cotton back of the t-shirt that Draco was wearing to sleep. Draco once wore silk pyjamas to bed, Harry knew, but he didn’t have them anymore. He didn’t have anything of his own, really, since he had no idea he was to be rescued, and therefore no clue to pack any sort of bag on that night that Harry and Ron had broken into Malfoy Manor like thieves, coming for his rescue.

Instead, Draco wore a combination of Harry’s and Ron’s clothing, along with some other bits and pieces they’d managed to collect in the long time they’d spent on the run. A flannel shirt Oliver Wood had forgotten to pack when he’d left, after only the one night with them. A thick heavy sweater that Lavender Brown gave to Hermione after Hermione had mentioned to her how cold the nights were getting, back in November.

A wool beanie that now had one or two holes, but that Harry still treasured deeply, because it had come from Colin Creevy, on the last time Harry had seen him before he’d been murdered in cold blood by Alecto Carrow.

Harry thought Draco might have shivered at his touch, as his fingers trailed along the ridges of Draco’s spine. Draco turned around, and Harry could only just make out his eyes in the heavy dark of the room. In the momentary silence, Harry could hear that the rain had started up again, just barely.

“Then what is this?” Draco asked.

Harry sat up fully. He placed his hand back against Draco’s cheek, and felt the warmth of his skin beneath his palm. For a moment, Draco looked at peace.

“It’s me being selfish,” Harry said, then leaned forward and kissed him.

He felt Draco gasp beneath him, and waited, unmoving, so he could allow Draco the space to choose for himself what he wanted next.

And Harry really did feel selfish, as he sat there, in the middle of all that tragedy and war, because, in that moment, he’d never felt so lucky. No, all he could feel was unbridled, selfish relief, as he felt Draco kiss him back.

Draco’s lips pressed firm against Harry’s, and Harry’s hands fell to Draco’s waist, where he pulled him in tighter, finally succumbing to something he’d always wanted and never thought he’d have, never thought he’d be lucky enough to find.

It felt like everything Harry had always dreamed it might, yet somehow more, somehow brighter, and stronger. As Draco’s lips slid against his, and as his tongue glided out, soft against Harry’s lip, Harry wasn’t even sure if he was still breathing. If he still needed to, at all.

Draco pushed him by the shoulders, until they were lying down, Draco half draped across Harry’s chest as he continued to kiss him, demanding, yet soft, almost like those fights they used to fall into like clockwork, but with the need, raw and scorching, that underscored all of them.

Harry doesn’t know how long they laid there, kissing, praying into each other’s bodies like they might never see the sun again. He felt as though they’d slipped into some pocket of time, far away from the world surrounding them. Because it no longer felt like war.

At some point, they fell asleep, Harry’s arms around Draco, holding him, enveloping him, like the promise Harry wanted to make him, that he’d never let Draco suffer again, the way Harry knew he had. It was an impossible promise, Harry knew that. But he wanted to make it all the same. He wanted to make it to Draco every night. He wanted to find a way to hold this fragile incredible thing safe in the palm of his hand.

He knew it was impossible. He knew everything around them was as temporary as the frost that lingered in the trees during the dark morning hours, before the sun rose to melt it all. Harry knew that, at any moment, he could die, he could be captured, he could finally meet the death he was famous for evading. He knew they were all living on borrowed time.

But in that moment, with Draco’s lips on his, and the feeling of Draco’s heart beating against Harry’s chest, Harry felt, for the first time in quite a while, the bright flicker of hope.

And that night, Draco didn’t have a single nightmare at all.

[izzy-b-hands]

Frenchie, Wee John, Izzy, and The Swede hotbox a closet on the ship. Geography is discussed, along with blowjobs. Also, closets aren't soundproof.

Note they are absolutely getting wrecked too, because the blunt does not stop rotating the entire fic. Something to bear in mind, and hopefully realisticish. I haven't smoked in ages, i stick to my edibles 😅. Forgive me if I'm not as accurate as i could be, i have it the old college try lmao

NSFW and TW for weed.

---

"What if it runs out."

"What if what runs out?" Wee John asked.

"Vattnet!"

"The water," Izzy supplied. "The Swede is telling us his worst sailing fear is the water running out. My question to that is do you mean the drinking water onboard? Because that we can actually address-"

"Nej!" The Swede cut him off. "I hate English sometimes. The sea!"

"Ooh," Wee John said. "I'm following now. You're afraid the ocean will run out, and then what would happen to the ship?"

The Swede nodded. "What then? Do we die? Sink? Float? Disappear forever?"

"I'm mostly sure that isn't how that works," Frenchie said, snagging the blunt from The Swede. "The water goes all over. You don't run out of water, just eventually run into land."

"So you crash."

Frenchie nodded. "Captain Ed won't let that happen though. Or Stede."

"Stede ran us aground," John laughed. "He might manage to crash us into a mountain."

"Ed ran us aground twice, technically," Izzy interjected, and immediately all eyes were on him.

"Spill it," Frenchie giggled.

"Give me my turn and I will," Izzy smirked and motioned for the blunt. Once it was in hand, he nodded.

"First time was in the dinghy we stole. Technically, this one was also my fault, so add me in on the list of potential pirate mountaineers, John."

"I'd already done, but I'll add you twice," John chuckled.

"It was very dumb, but Ed was supposed to be on watch, or at least try and make sure we didn't wreck. I was cold and asked to sit closer to him, so he let me."

Izzy paused to pass the blunt on to John. "And it gets even colder the later it gets so we basically meld to each other and before I knew it, we woke up ran aground on a beach."

"You two fell asleep snuggling in a dinghy and only ran aground?" Frenchie asked. "That...that one isn't that bad, plus weren't you both still kids then?"

"Yeah, but sixteen, that's old enough to know better," Izzy replied.

"I think you have misconceptions about what most sixteen year olds get taught, unless they like. Specifically want to learn about sailing and stuff," Frenchie frowned.

"And you just wanted to get close because of the cold?" John rolled his eyes. "Come on."

The Swede nodded. "Can think of one way you wanted to warm each other up."

"Well, we were sixteen," Izzy blushed. "And a lot of sixteen year olds are...eager."

"True," Frenchie said. "But what's your excuse now?"

There was a beat of silence before they all broke into laughter.

"Fuck you," Izzy smiled. "You know very well I don't have one."

"What about the second time?" The Swede asked, motioning for the blunt to pass him by for the moment.

Izzy went from a light blush to properly red, and the laughing roared again.

"Izzy!" Frenchie cried. "Come on, man, we're kidding. What was it?"

"You're gonna laugh at me for it," Izzy chuckled. "Because technically, again, I also helped cause it."

"How so?"

Izzy took a deep breath, and gestured for the blunt. For a hit of courage, seemingly.

"We were arguing. It wasn't anything really important, of course. He'd asked for something we had run out of onboard, I think some-"

"You remember exactly what it was, don't you?" The Swede asked.

"Type of wine that you can only get from this village that we're actually not that far from, so we should pick up more-"

Laughter again, but good-natured.

"Okay, so this wine is out, and he's peeved," Frenchie said. "Then what?"

Izzy chuckled. "I said that it was ridiculous that he was acting like that wine was the only thing that would make him happy, and was there nothing else I could do to please him? And he said, no, but I'd be happier if I got my dick sucked to make up for this."

"What about the crew?" John asked. "I presume you two were distracted with that-"

"The dick sucking," Frenchie interjected.

"Right, that," John continued. "They didn't make sure the ship didn't run aground?"

"We were in a bit of a hiring freeze," Izzy replied. "They were frozen. At the bottom of the sea. Dead. And we hadn't hired anyone new yet."

"And the two of you...oof," Frenchie winced. "Yeah that one...that one's rough. Did you at least have fun?"

"As if you fucking have to ask," Izzy smirked. "Now, we haven't heard your sailing fear, Frenchie. And cats don't count, because those can be found on land."

"As far as we still know," Frenchie countered, and the giggles took them all again.

"We don't know though," he continued. "Anyway, my actual fear is sharks."

"Sharks?" The Swede asked.

Frenchie nodded.

"Huh," John remarked.

Izzy shrugged. "Reasonable one. If you did have to get eaten by a shark though..."

--

"Should we tell them we can hear them?" Stede asked, ear to the floor.

"Well, the thing of it is, we can only hear them if we do this," Ed replied, laying beside him. "And most people would probably presume no one would go to this effort to listen to them."

"I do feel bad eavesdropping, but it's so sweet," Stede said. "They're getting along so well! But, in regards to that part of Izzy's story...did you seriously let him and then not reciprocate?"

"We ran aground mid-blowjob!" Ed cried. "There was something else to attend to!"

"Yeah, but did he finish that blowjob before you did anything about the ship?"

Ed frowned. "Ah. Yeah, that's...I see what you mean now. I bet I could make it up to him."

"Can I watch?"

Ed grinned.

Below them, in the just big enough for them all closet they'd commandeered, Izzy could barely hear Ed and Stede above, and wondered if anyone would notice him blushing again.

[amaya-writes]

Heyyyyy can I request luck voltia headcannons (if you want to do those) where his s/o is like Mitsuya from Tokyo rev? Like their both very reliable and kind and very smart but still know how to fight? If not that’s okay don’t feel pressured ❤️

Notes: sorry this took forever! it was just sitting in my drafts because I didn't have much inspo for Luck. But it's done now!

Warnings: n/a, just fluff

Characters involved: Luck Voltia, mentions of the other squad members

Gender-neutral reader

The first time Luck sees you, he probably doesn't think much of you. You're just another citizen that they need to protect, another person for him to herd away from the battle before going back to help the rest of the squad.

It's only when they're done and the people of your city throw a party for the Black Bulls as thanks that Luck finally sort of registers your presence.

Or rather, he notices how everyone seems to gravitate towards you.

How the children have no problem running circles around you giggle as they play fought or how the women would so casually gossip with and about you but never once whispered anything bad about you.

How you were always keen to help everyone with things, whether it be setting the table or filling in for one of the waiters for the bar who was badly injured.

The sight has Luck's gaze subconsciously following your form throughout the night, which is why he gets almost panicky when he doesn't notice your presence anymore.

He doesn't know whether it was the instinct of a royal knight or whether he just wanted to finally speak to you, but Luck found himself rushing out the door to try and track you down.

When he first spots you in the back alley with a man twice your size who was very clearly drunk, Luck can't help but go into attack mode.

However, he's stopped the second he hears your voice.

"You are very clearly drunk, so why don't you head home now? You're making the female patrons uncomfortable."

The man didn't seem to take the hint and was quick to go on the offence to try and hit you. However, unlike what Luck had predicted, you easily handled yourself and sent a swift hit to the back of his head, making the man pass out almost immediately.

He couldn't hold back the soft whistle that left his lips at the sight, a sound that you didn't seem to take too kindly to.

After that encounter, Luck made it a habit to stop by your city whenever he could. It wasn't too far from the capital so he could easily make detours there after missions or on his break days.

You eventually got used to seeing Luck around, and even came to appreciate the way he would always stick by your side but never cross your boundaries.

He was always smiling and bringing joy to others with his quirky habits, yet you could see past that farce of his and at times pitied him.

It was only after Luck realised this that he actually made a move romantically.

He had been coming back after one awful mission and almost subconsciously stopped by your city and house before he could think twice, only realising where he was when he heard you call his name.

Luck's usual smile had been replaced with a small frown as he watched you patch him up and chastise him for getting hurt in the first place, yet somehow your scolding didn't seem as bad as that of his mother's.

He liked that you were worried. He liked that you cared. And he liked that even after he fell asleep in your bed and awoke hours later, you were still by his side and had even fetched him some food.

Once the two of you start to become a thing Luck's quick to introduce you to the rest of the squad, especially Yami and Magna, and feels glad when he sees you get along with them.

He likes having a partner who is strong and smart but also has a good heart because that means that he never has to worry about you, both safety-wise and faithfulness-wise.

It's not that he never worries for your safety, more that he's reassured that you can handle yourself.

He also loves when you tend to his wounds or fuss over him, and finds himself constantly dropping by after missions, especially on the days where he's buzzing with energy even after the mission.

Those days usually result in being dragged around on dates with Luck and a ton of cuddling and affection.

Overall, Luck thinks that you're the perfect person for him and won't hesitate to make that known to anyone who asks.

He's also very faithful and practically blind to affection/flirting from others which is why please don't be mad if you see his oblivious ass talking to someone who's clearly interested in him, he swears he was just asking them the price of the items they were selling (to buy it for you).

[loversindevildom]

hello! I'm not that anon but thank you for the other period-related hcs, if it's okay, may I ask for the brothers' reactions to an MC who doesn't have painful ones, but bleeds A Lot and is terrified of getting communal/the brothers' stuff dirty? people with monster uteruses unite

((Definitely!! Currently on my period while writing this and felt it-

((Also would you look at that, the me is posting again-

Masterlist

The boys x MC with heavy flow

Lucifer

It all began when one of your worst nightmares came true.

You woke up early in the morning having bled all over his sheets.

You were panicking. Badly.

Lucifer was still sound asleep on his side of the bed, having noticed nothing.

Without thinking, you immediately get out of bed and go fast towards the wardrobe to grab some sheets.

You had no idea how you were going to change them without waking Lucifer up but one step at a time.

But he was already awake as soon as he felt you get off the bed. "MC?" He mumbled your name quietly before opening his eyes.

You wished a hole could open underneath your feet and the earth would swallow you. You also happened to be wearing white pijamas and so the blood was obvious all over you.

Lucifer had just woken up and was not thinking straight so his first thought was that someone attacked you or that another demon attempted to eat you and immediately rushed to you and pulled you in his arms. "Who?"

"what?"

"Who hurt you?"

"no one... I'm so sorry!!" You cried in dispair and that's when Lucifer started understanding what was going on.

"It's your menstruation? I thought someone attacked you... It's alright. I'll go fill in the bath for you."

Thankfully you changed the sheets before he realized you got them dirty.

Or so you thought. In reality he had noticed but didn't want to embarass you.

Mammon

He knew you were on your period.

You had told him the moment it came.

But it didn't matter to him much. He didn't know many things about it, only that you're in pain.

"Hey, come on, sit with me." He patted the couch beside him in his room.

He knew you were hurting and he wanted to cuddle you and watch some movies with you and spoil you with chocolate he stole from Beel.

When you shook your head in return, his heart shattered. "I'm not really in that mood."

"B-But! It's your favourite!"

"I'll just go to sleep."

"We can sleep together here."

You sighed and he felt the world twist. You didn't want him anymore? That's it? It was over?

"What did I do?"

"nothing! I just don't want to get blood all over your couch!"

"Ohh..." He felt relieved. That was all. Truth be told, this couch was pretty expensive but you were worth ten times that couch...

"Don't you wear that pad thing you talked about?" After you nodded he added. "Then it's fine. Get your stupid pretty human ass here now. You don't wanna miss the beginning."

Leviathan

He wanted you two to cosplay today.

You had been planning to go to that convention for months.

The day had arrived and he had excitedly changed into his costume only for you to come out and say you're not going.

And he's ???? So confused ????

He thought you wanted this as much as he did.

Did you fake your interest?

"look, Levi, I'm sorry. I was really looking forward to the con but I got my period today."

Ohhhhhhh it was because of that thing. That was a relief.

"it's fine! The con is a week long, we'll go by the end of it. And we can wear the costumes inside and cuddle!"

The idea horrified you.

"NO!" The costumes were amazing and Levi had paid of them. You couldn't ruin it.

"why?" He was confused again.

"I'll get blood all over it. I always get things dirty. You should keep me away from your stuff." After all you knew how much he valued his merch.

Leviathan rolled his eyes and walked over to you. He grabbed your wrist and pulled you down with him. He wrapped a TSL blanket over you and proceeded to play games with you all night.

After all, you were more valuable than all these together.

Satan

You two had visited Devildom's public library to get a book he had ordered for you.

He had seen how fascinated you were as soon as you heard it came out and immediately ordered it for you.

You were looking around the shelves with him while the staff was going to bring you your book when you felt an intense pain on your lower parts.

Looking down you realized blood was leaking everywhere.

Panicking, not sure what to do you hid behind a bookshelf.

Satan panicked as soon as he realized you were gone.

What if another demon had fetched you and eaten you?

"MC?" He called out your name. Once, twice, thrice...

"Here..." You said in embarrassement. You had the idea of using a jacket to cover the mess in your pants. But you had accidentally grabbed his...

When he finds you he was relieved. "There you are, I was worried..." Then he scanned you. "My jacket looks good on you."

You weren't sure how to tell him, so you continued and went all the day back to the house of Lamentation when you immediately put it in the washing machine.

Of course, he had noticed. You had been dripping on the floor.

But being aware this was a normal thing, he decided not to embarass you and make a big deal out of it.

Asmodeus

You were screwed.

You were seriously screwed and not in the good way.

This had been a lesson to you to always keep in mind when your period was coming.

Because the one time you had forgotten, you had wore Asmo's clothes to sleep.

He told you you could use them whenever you wanted.

It made him very happy to see you wearing his clothes and it made you feel very comfortable so why not?

This was the reason not to.

Because waking up that morning, you had gotten blood all over his clothes.

"Shit."

Your exclaim and panic woke him up, but he was too focused on your face to notice the blood at first.

"What happened, my love? Are you okay?"

"I'm so sorry, Asmo!!"

It took him a few seconds but then he realized exactly what you were talking about. He took a deep breath. This was a disaster, but you didn't do it on purpose.

"It's fine. It's your time of the month? Come on we should get you changed. Wanna run a bath together? I can give you a massage too." He winked as he got up to get the water running. He prefered to focus on you than his ruined clothing.

And this, my friends, is called love.

Beelzebub

You were always careful when it was your time of the month not to get anything dirty. Always.

However, the unfortunate day had arrived.

You were in his bed, playing on your DDD while Beel was picking up some food from the kitchen.

And then it happened. The major pain. And you realized you had been bleeding all over his sheets. You should change them before Beel-

Speak of the devil....

Beel walked in happily and let the food down on the tray next to the bed. As he leaned down to put them there he noticed the blood and frowned.

You were scared you had disgusted him.

"are you hurting too badly? I'll bring you some medicine."

Cause he's that sweet.

Diavolo

Yes I will say this every single time I write about this one;

He's busy.

So even if you do get blood in his stuff you'll certainly have time to clean it.

However, fate isn't very nice...

When Diavolo is in his study, he likes to work with you sitting on his lap.

When you felt the sharp pain in your stomach you immediately jumped off his lap and fell on the floor.

"MC? What happened!? Are you okay?" He asked worrily.

You didn't answer him, instead you run towards the bathroom.

Yes, you didn't get anything on him but it was big a jumpscare itself.

Diavolo knocked on your door once. "Dear? What happened?"

"nothing! It's fine, my period just came!"

He was silent for a bit. You thought he left but as soon as you opened the door he was standing right there and he hugged you. "I see... Come on, let's go back. I promise we'll cuddle when Im done."

"I'll get blood all over you!" You argued back.

In response he picked you up and walked back to his chair where he made you sit on him again.

Simeon

Simeon is such a sweetheart.

He probably has already noted your circle on his calendar.

He remembers when it's that time of the month always.

Usually, so do you.

Usually.

You had miscalculated this time. You thought it was due for next week and so you had wore a nice white dress for your date with Simeon.

He wasn't sure what to say. He thought you looked gorgeous in that one but...

"Sweetheart, are you sure? I love the way the dress looks at you but I don't want you to feel bad if it gets dirty."

You were so confused. "What?"

"You said you avoid wearing white when it's that time of the month... Unless you're late? Oh my lord, are you late?" His eyes were shining and that's when you realized what he meant.

"shit! No I am not! Wait here!" You rushed back into your room to get changed and indeed found blood between your legs.

You couldn't find yourself feeling bad tho.

All you could thinking about was the way Simeon's eyes had shined at the thought of being a father.

Solomon

As a human like yourself, he treats it much more normal than the others do.

He doesn't treat you any different then really, unless you're in pain.

Then you're getting backrubs.

You were sitting on the couch with him and he was telling you a story about how he first formed a pact.

When he was finished you felt the need to go to the bathroom.

Then you noticed the red stain in your pants.

Shit that was a lot of blood. Had you gotten it on the chair too?

Thankfully, when you returned it was gone.

And thankfully, Solomon knew magic to clean it quicker.

[laudthingcat]

Haikyuu captains when there’s only one bed // Part 1

Characters: Tetsuro Kuroo, Kotaro Bokuto, Wakatoshi Ushijima

Summary: the captains when they have to share a room with you, but there’s only one bed

Masterlist

Tetsuro Kuroo:

The middle of the semester can get really boring, so alongside your group of friends, you decided to visit another city for the weekend

Everything has been spontaneous

So spontaneous that you guys left without even booking hotel rooms, sure of the fact that you’ll find something when you get there

Jokes on you

The only hotel you found open at the time you arrived, late at night, didn’t have enough rooms for everybody

“If you don’t mind, you may consider sharing the rooms?” the hotel staff said, an apologetical look on her face

After a few complains from the guys, you decided that it was the best option you got

So, as the grown ups you are, the room partners have been decided by raffling tickets with each other’s names on them

You looked around, trying to find the one who got the piece of paper with your name on it

Not too far away, you noticed Kuroo eyeing you, a big smirk on his face

I guess you found the one

You wished everybody a good night and then you headed towards your room, your temporary roommate following you, not too far away 

Entering the room, you stopped in the doorway 

There was only one bed

“What’s the problem kitten? You’re blocking the way” 

Then he looked around the room and understood, since the smirk was back on his face

He leaned down and whispered in your ear 

“I guess we gonna have to share the bed” 

“I guess one of us will have to sleep on the floor”

“Oh c’mon kitten. Not gonna do anything. Promise”

You didn’t listen so again, you decided who’s gonna take the bed by playing ‘rock, paper, scissors’ 

He won

Damn this game

He laughed at you all night for losing

But he kept inviting you to join him

“This bed is big enough for the two of us, ya know”

“Maybe. But I can sleep very well right here on the floor so don’t worry about me”

He tsk-ed in annoyance

Eventually you fell asleep

There’s no way he’d let you sleep all night on the floor

So when he was sure you were deep in your sleep, he carefully lifted and placed you on the left side of the bed

You woke up to somebody hugging you from the back

Curse this boy. You’re gonna have a talk with him. But that’s gonna be... later

Because his warmth felt kinda good

Bokuto Kotaro:

You were good friends with the Fukurodani boys, so when they told you their next match will be out of town, you didn’t think twice before tagging along

You didn’t miss one match and this wasn’t going to be an exception

Their manager took care of the rooms reservation, but what they didn’t know was that you didn’t book any room for yourself

You asked the hotel staff if there was any room left, and when they told you that unfortunately there wasn’t any, it was already too late to start looking for another place

Bokuto was with you all the time, so when he considered that there’s no other way, he told you that he can share his room with you

Because that’s what the captain should do, right?

You accepted without hesitation

You knew him for a while now so you were really close

Getting into the room you noticed that there’s only one bed

You turned your head so you could face him

As if he could understand your worries only by looking at your face, he smiled

“Don’t worry! I will sleep on the floor. You can have the bed” he said, patting your head

He didn’t wait for you to answer as he got some of his stuff and entered the bathroom

By the time he was done you were already in bed

As soon as you saw he started improvising a bed on the floor, you interrupted him

“Kou..”

“Hm?”

“There’s no way I’ll let you sleep on the floor. You’ve got an important match tomorrow”

He abandoned his improvised bed and quickly jumped onto the bed 

“Are you really fine with sharing the bed with me??” 

You were intending on switching places and letting him sleep on the bed, but when you heard him ask like that, with puppy eyes and enthusiastic voice, you couldn’t resist

You nodded your head and turned around so you back would be facing him, trying to avoid getting caught blushing

It was no use though 

He fell asleep immediately, and once he did, he unconsciously wrapped an arm around you.

You heart felt like it could explode any second now as you could feel his whole chest, pressed against your back

Why did it feel so right?

Wakatoshi Ushijima:

It was yet another victorious match for the Shiratorizawa team! To celebrate, their manager reserved a restaurant and organized a small party

Along a few other persons, you have been invited as well

You knew the boys and were pretty good friends with them, so you immediately accepted

The party has been amazing, but it ended very late at night

Your house was 1 hour away from the restaurant, and there was no bus available that late at night

You were also scared of going home by cab alone, thanks to the mysterious disappearances documentaries you kept watching

Ushijima noticed when you started panicking

“Everything alright?” 

You explained everything 

If he didn’t know you, he would never have done this

But since you were friends, he said it’s fine if you crash over his place for the night, because it was really close to the restaurant

Hearing him invite you over, with his incredibly deep voice and piercing gaze.. you blushed immediately 

But you accepted since that was the safest option

Tendou also invited himself, because he was “too tired” to get to his place

It didn’t take long to get to his house

Once Ushijima opened the door, Tendou took over the couch

“I’ll take this one. Nighty guys”

Ushijima only sighed and entered another room. You followed him.

It looked like it was his bedroom

“You will sleep on the bed. I will go sleep on the floor in the living room.”

You didn’t say anything, but you felt bad

He borrowed you a shirt and sweatpants

You looked at him, surprised, since you didn’t ask for spare clothes

“Your clothes looked uncomfortable so i thought..” 

He averted his gaze and started blushing

“I’ll be in the next room if you need anything. Good night”

You got changed and flopped onto the bed

But you couldn’t fall asleep as you kept thinking about him

Maybe what you were about to do was crazy, but being in his room, wearing his clothes and sleeping into his bed was already crazy

So you went for it

You got out of bed, and entered the living room where the boys were sleeping

Ushijima’s voice caught you by surprise, as you thought he’d be sleeping 

“Do you need anything?”

“Uhm, yes”

“What’s the matter?”

“Can you come over here for a bit?”

He carefully got up and entered the bedroom

“So? What is it?”

“I can’t sleep”

He gave you a puzzled look. “Is the bed uncomfortable?”

“No. That’s not it” 

Your heart was beating so fast and you could feel your cheeks burning already too

“I have to tell you something”

What you did caught him by surprise. You confessed your love. 

And what he did in return got you by surprise as well

He hugged you tightly

His warm body hugging you felt so comfortable

“Could you sleep here? With me?”

He left the room without saying anything and returned with his pillow. “If you don’t mind”

When you got into the bed, he confessed as well. He also said that he was disappointed because it was you who confessed first, but happy that you returned his feelings

The two of you spent the night into each other’s arms, talking about this and that, telling funny stories and recalling good memories you had together, until you both fell asleep

You woke up to Tendou intensely staring at the two of you

[arizona2004]

Safe Haven

Requested: yes

Cazriel x reader

word count: 3914

My face was pressed into the mud; I couldn’t even scream anymore. Three males held me down so I could barely move, but I was too tired from fighting so hard to struggle anyways. I was about to give up when the tip of a blade grazed my wing, and I remembered what I was fighting for. They were trying to clip my wings. I fought against the hold the males had on me to no avail. The fourth male brought his knife down, tearing it into my left wing. And not just once, not twice, but three long wounds. Then onto my right-wing. I tried holding back the tears, but it did me no good. I sobbed into the ground as not only my wings were taken from me, but the freedom and joy they stood for. 

When the knife was pulled from my wing, I thought it was done, but the male picked up mud and smothered it in the open wounds. They burned, everything burned, and it was getting blurry. I was going to pass out, I realized. “No one is to touch her, no one is to clean her wounds, no one is to heal her,” the voice of the camp leader rang out behind me before he walked away, and I fell into unconsciousness. 

I awoke a few times the next day, but when I did, it was to burning pain at my back and pitying eyes in all the females that walked by. I noticed I was no longer where I had been, pushed off to the edges of the camp, no longer in their way. So I turned my head away and looked at the forest to my left, falling asleep once more. 

It was the next time that I woke, that I was not alone. I felt someone crouching to my right, and as I turned to look at him, another person crouched to my left. I whipped my head to the left to find Azriel. Staring at me with pain and grief behind his eyes. “It- it’s gonna be okay,” I heard from my right. Cassian. I turned to him to see the same look in his eyes and tears. He’s crying. “It’s gonna be okay. We’ll fix this,” he murmured, pushing my hair back from my face.

I turn my face away, looking toward Azriel, but he’s not there. That’s when I hear the shouting. I look back to Cassian and passed him to the camp. I can’t see the women and children. There are only men; they’re being pushed inside a blue-force field? Yes. All of the men are being rounded up and forced into a prison, and there is Azriel: collecting them and pushing them all inside. I look back to Cassian and notice beneath the sorrow in his eyes is anger. He combs a hand soothingly through my hair, “We’ll take you to Madja. She can heal you,” he says, voice cracking. That’s when I notice the bandages on my back and the fact that I am not in as much pain as before. Whatever infection was settling in has been slowed by magic. 

He continues soothing me until Azriel calls, “Cassian, they’re all here.”

“I’ll be right back,” he places a kiss atop my head and stands, walking toward Azriel. I watch in a haze as my males, my lovers, question all the men. Anywho are young, innocent, or remorseful are released. There aren't many.

They decipher who the males at the core of hurting me were. The camp leader and the ones that held me down. They were pulled aside one by one, and I had to close my eyes while Cassian and Azriel took turns hurting them. Through it all, I listen to them fighting, to their yells, and their pleas. 

“We didn’t know she was your lover,” some of them screamed.

In the end, I’d turned my head away from the scene. I am no stranger to blood and gore, and I would never be angry with Cassian and Azriel for what they are doing, but I do not revel in watching those males dying. The camp leader is the last of them to die. He spits out cruel and disgusting words at all three of us, and I try not to listen. I’m not sure which of them does it, but his words are suddenly cut off as his head is cut from his neck.

Cassian returns to me first. He pulls the make-shift bandages from my wings, inspecting the wounds beneath, “Az, we need to get her to Madja. We couldn't have cleaned the wounds well enough, and she’s still losing blood,” he said over his shoulder. Seconds later, I felt a hand on my shoulder, and we were spinning through space.

The room we landed in was clean. The floors and walls were pristine white and blue, and everything looked very orderly. Nothing was out of place or messy. A few people were in the large room, and their attention was immediately drawn to us as Azriel winnowed us in. Whatever place this was, it had many doors leading out of it and many healers- I realize as several of the males and females come to inspect my wings. Faintly I hear Azriel speaking to an older female. She must have ordered me moved because soon, Cassian is carrying me through one of those many doors and into a room with nothing more than a bed and a couple of chairs in it.

Then, I must have fallen asleep again because I woke up hours later, remembering very little after being brought to this healing den. I’m lying flat on my stomach, facing Cassian asleep in a chair to my left. Slowly I blink my eyes awake and turn my head. Azriel is seated on my other side with his head in his hands. When I try to speak, only a quiet groan escapes my throat. Azriel sits up suddenly and before he can mask it I make note of the guilt and pain behind his eyes. Cassian also jolts up behind me and moves to Azriel’s side of the bed. He’s far less skilled at hiding his emotions; they’re always written all over his face.

I want to speak, but the words won’t come. As if knowing my question, though, Azriel says, “she couldn’t save them,” Cassian turns his face down, away from me, and Azriel avoids my eyes too, as he continues, “She tried. Several healers did, but they couldn’t save your wings. The infection was too great. You’re lucky to be alive.”

A choked sob leaves me as everything crashes in. My wings have been clipped. I’ll never fly again. I turn my face into my pillow, dry sobbing into it, while Cassian sits on the edge of the bed. I feel his hand hover over my back, but he pulls back, deciding not to touch me. 

I feel like I can’t breathe as I heave into the pillow and wish the entire world would just disappear. I know Cassian is saying something, but I don’t hear his words. Azriel hasn’t said anything else, but I can feel his eyes on me and the guilt in them. 

After some time, I fall asleep again. 

*

Before I even open my eyes, I know it's not a nightmare as I had hoped. My wings ache with burning pain. “You’re due to take another tonic for the pain soon. I can go get it,” Azriel says from behind me. He must have sensed my pain. When I open my eyes to look at him, he is not who I see. Slouched forward in a chair, head lying on the bed, is Cassian. One of his hands is brushing against mine, and I move it closer, wanting more contact. I look slightly behind me at Azriel and tell him with my eyes that I would like that. 

He’s gone for only a moment before he returns. I barely had the chance to blink, and he was already back. Walking over to my left side, where Cassian sleeps, Azriel helps pour the bitter liquid down my throat and gets water to ease that too. 

My hand rests on top of Cassians; I briefly look before returning to Azriel. “He must be exhausted to not have woken up yet,” I say.

Azriel looks down at him and puts his hand to Cassian's head, gently running his fingers through the dark curls, “He wouldn’t sleep. Drank so much coffee he couldn’t even dose off; he didn’t want to. Eventually, I knocked him out.”

I raise my eyebrows in shock, but Azriel just smirks slightly looking back to me, “I didn’t hit him or anything. I asked Rhys to go into his mind and put him to sleep for a while,” the moment ends then, the smile leaving his face, “I didn’t want him getting hurt too.”

He blames himself. I know he does. He always does, though I wish he wouldn’t, “It wasn’t your fault, Az,” I murmur, closing my eyes. I can feel him staring at my wings, which have already started to ease as the tonic sets in.

“If we had come to see you sooner, this wouldn’t have happened. Madja said there was nothing we could have done about the infection, even soon after they did it, but if I had been there a day earlier, then we could have stopped it from happening at all,” the words rush out of him angrily at first. He sounds like he’s speaking more to himself than me. Then his voice cracks on the last few words, and I open my eyes to see tears welling up in his eyes.

I look at him for a moment longer and say, “come lay with me,” a confused look crosses his face, “this wasn’t your fault Azriel, now please come hold me.” He didn’t miss a beat. Crossing to the other side of the bed, he laid down on the edge, gently maneuvering himself to only touch me where there was no chance of making contact with my wings. 

His right arm slithered under my head, resting his hand on the other side of my body. My right hand felt numb beneath my body, but I pulled it up to brush it with his. He grabbed my hand in his, and so I fell asleep, knowing I held both of my males close to me.

*

My dream started as a memory. It was the first time I had met my males; crouching next to the creak outside of camp, I sharpened a rusty old knife with a rock. I had been wishing I had a good knife, but that would be too risky to steal, and any protection was better than none. I didn’t hear the figure to my left, and when a branch snapped behind me, I knew I only heard it because that male wanted me to. 

Dropping the knife, I quickly stood, turning to greet the male. It had been Cassian. Jokingly he said, “You couldn't hurt a fly with that knife. You really need a lesson in weaponry, don’t you?”

I shouldn't have gotten angry, but I did anyway, “I know about weapons,” I snapped, “but not all of us are privileged enough to have pretty little knives like you,” That's when I became aware of the figure to the side. He laughed deeply, and I was sure he must be laughing at me. I would be punished severely for this.

My attention snapped back to the first male as he spoke, “I didn’t mean to offend you,” he said, “but you really shouldn’t use that dagger. I’ll get you a better one.”

“Here. She can have this one,” the other male spoke, pulling out a dagger. It is plain and silver with a simple, twisted image of shadows carved onto the surface, leading to the black hilt, “I’ve had it for ages but never really use it,” He detached a sheath from his belt and slipped the dagger in before handing it to me. I looked into his eyes a moment longer before turning away, blushing.

“What do you need a weapon for anyways?” Cassian asked.

I shrug slightly, “protection.”

“From?”

“Everyone,” I say, tucking the dagger under my skirts. I probably should keep it closer being alone with two males, but for whatever reason, I did not feel threatened by them. The memory faded away as another appeared. Only days after I had first met the two Illyrians, the high lord’s most trusted friends, and advisers, they appeared in my camp again. Not for business with the Camp leader, however. I felt them stalking me as I walked through the wood,  when I was carefully distanced from the camp, they showed themselves- Cassian with a grin spreading across his face, and Azriel with a carefully blank expression, but curious eyes nonetheless. That was when things began. When I started falling in love with them.

These meetings continued for months. We met inside a small cave just outside the camp. It was glamoured now from anyone's eyes but ours. My little safe haven. It had been where I was running when I realized they intended to clip my wings. I wasn’t fast enough, though. 

Now the dreams were turning, twisting into something more terrifying. Darkness rushed toward me as I fell into the next scene. I tried screaming and fighting as hands grabbed me in the dark, but I just kept falling. My whole body burned, and a shiver ran down my spine as I was thrown into the waking world.

*

The warm heat of a body pressed at my right ran through me as I blinked my eyes open. It was Azriel, I realized now. He brushed his fingers gently down my spine, soothing me, “It was just a bad dream,” he murmured against my hair, pressing a kiss to my head. 

On my other side, I felt Cassian squeeze my hand. He was awake now, holding my hand tightly as he laid his head closer to mine. Feeling them beside me was already enough to relieve my aches and ease my mind. “Do you wanna talk about it?” Cassian whispered between us, just loud enough for Azriel to hear. I shook my head in answer, closing my eyes tightly in an attempt to fall back asleep. 

I couldn’t, though. So I just lay there with my males on either side of me, trying to pretend we were still in that little cave, and nothing had gone wrong. I still had my wings. 

*

Days have passed now. Most of them were filled with me laying in bed with one or both of my males holding me. Other times though, they involved tears streaming down my face and screams tearing out of my throat. Cassian and Azriel were always there, rocking me through it and reminding me of what I still had, though it felt like I’d lost everything. 

Occasionally I’d wake to arguing. I heard the high lord scolding Azriel and Cassian about their actions after the first day, but he didn’t sound seriously angry. Mostly I heard the whispered arguments between Azriel and Cassian about me. My treatment, my pain, how best to help me. I hated that they were arguing. It happened less and less as I recovered, but I still hated it.

Neither male was here now though, it was a rare occurrence. I had told both males the other was staying with me and told him he should go eat. I needed the alone time, but I knew it wouldn’t last long. Rather than stay in bed, I stood on numb legs and hobbled over to the bath. It has been too long since I’ve bathed. How Cassian and Azriel managed to be near me without wanting to vomit at the stench was beyond me. 

Kneeling on the ground, I held my hand under the water as it rushed out. When the water was ready and smelling of lavender, I submerged myself to the waist. Slowly I let my wings touch the water as I lowered myself further. When I was finally in the water entirely, I relaxed and leaned my head back before slipping down lower to wet my hair. 

When I was still under the water, finally relaxed, I breathed out slowly. Everything was peaceful until a pair of large hands gripped my upper arms and pulled me from the water. My eyes shot open, and I fought the male until I noticed it was Azriel, “Stop!” I yelled at him, “What on earth are you doing?” I shouted. I shot a glance to Cassian, standing in the doorway. He looked upset, and Az was definitely angry.

“What are you doing?” he replied with a growl. I tried pulling my arms away from him. He loosened his grip, but only enough to no longer hurt. I still couldn’t get away.

“I was bathing,” I glared at him, “I didn’t realize that wasn’t allowed.”

“Bullshit,” he said

“Az…” Cassian spoke.

“You’re not allowed to kill yourself! I won’t let you,” Azriel shouted.

What, I thought, “I wasn’t trying to kill myself,” I say calmly, looking straight into his eyes, “I just wanted a bath.” Suddenly a wave of guilt hit me because I’d made them think that. Azriel must have believed me because he released my arms and took a step back.

I pulled my arms up to cross my chest and looked away from them. Cassian pulled Azriel out of the bathroom, but neither of them closed the door. I returned to the bath but was no longer relaxed. I decided to quickly clean up and return to bed. The room was nearly silent except for the short whispered argument between the males. When I stepped into the room to dress, they both studiously looked away from me and one another. I dressed quickly and laid in bed, falling asleep before either of them could try and talk to me. 

After weeks had passed, I was sitting and walking again. Most of the pain had gone, now only phantom pains and sore scars remained. I was barely able to move my wings, and Madja said with some physical therapy, I would regain much of the movement but never enough to fly again. 

Cassian sat with me now, massaging my back. Things had gotten better. I’ve tried imagining life without my wings, and as long as I remember that I’ll always have my batboys, things aren't so bad. “Do you wanna go for a fly,” Cassian whispered. 

“I can’t,” I said, tears welling up as I imagined I could.

Cassian pulled me up, “come on,” he said, pulling me by the wrist. He walked us up to the roof and stood behind me. Pulling my hips to him, he said, “stand on my feet.” I looked at him confused, “just do it.” So I did. I stood on his feet, and he wrapped his arms under mine and across my chest. “Try to keep your legs straight against mine,” he whispered against my ear, “if you need to hook your ankles around mine, do that.” Then we were taking off into the air, flying straight up. It wasn’t the same as flying myself, but it was relaxing nonetheless. We flew straight for the house of wind and hovered there for a moment. I was going to ask why we weren’t moving, but then Azriel walked out onto the balcony and shot toward us. 

We spent hours in the sky. We even developed signals so Cassian would fly however I wanted. Glide left or right. Sharp turns. Down, up, backflip, frontflip. I felt like a kid again as I tumbled through the sky with the two most important people in my life.

When finally we were too exhausted to continue, we landed at a restaurant in the city. Azriel went in first, apparently having made reservations. As I followed-Cassian's hand in mine-we were led across the room between tables until we reached a curtained wall in the back. The males both grinned at me as our host pulled back the curtain, revealing a beautiful candle-lit scene. A beautiful private area just for us.

The evening was perfect. We ate dinner and laughed and just enjoyed each other. The room reminded me of our cave: chilly, small, and with colorful pillows and blankets littering the floor. It didn’t take long after finishing our meals for the three of us to end up in the mess of fabric. I have no idea how long we laid there. They just held me whispering beautiful things into my ears and an occasional obscenity from Cassian. They always knew what I needed. 

My back was pressed to Cassian as he carefully wrapped his arms around me, avoiding my wings. I’m almost positive he’s asleep, and even in sleep, his grip is like iron. I couldn’t possibly move. Azriel, in front of me, combed the hair out of my face. “You’re gonna be okay, ya know,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to my forehead, “I know it doesn’t always feel like it, and you wanna give up sometimes, but you can’t. Please don’t ever leave us. We’re gonna be okay,” a tear slid down his cheek as he whispered these words to me.

“I promise,” I whispered back, pressing my forehead to his, “I promise.”

*

The next day I was released from the healers’ den, but it didn’t matter; Cassian and Azriel still never left my side. I didn’t mind, though. As soon as we left, they dragged me down endless streets of houses. I had no idea where we were going until I saw the large manor seated beside the Sidra, to our right. It must be the high lord and lady's house. We didn’t turn to it, though. Instead, I was led left, that’s when I noticed the smaller house, seated directly across from the manor. It was smaller, but not small. Beautiful ivy ran across the brick it was built of. It was supposed to look old but was certainly brand new. A short white fence ran along the yard. Cassian opened a little gate motioning for me to continue up the path. Inside, the house was stunning and appeared brand new. A curved staircase wrapped around behind us, and a chandelier hung from the high ceiling.

“What is this,” I asked quietly, not wanting my voice to echo.

“A house,” Cassian answered simply, “how about a tour?”

“Whose house?” I asked.

“Ours, of course,” Azriel replied. “We figured the house of wind was out of the question since you wouldn’t very easily be able to get in and out. And the beds in the River house are just big enough for two Illyrians. Not three.”

“So we bought this place. For the three of us,” Cassian finished, biting his lip nervously. 

“You bought me a house,” I asked incredulously.

“Us. We bought us a house,” Cassian replied.

This would take some getting used to. Them doting on me all the time; always near. It wouldn’t be difficult, I imagined.

“You can decorate it however you’d like,” Azriel spoke.

“Even if I want to paint all the walls pink and hang orange curtains from all the windows,” I smirked. He cringed slightly, and Cassian laughed, holding out his hand, offering the tour again.

[alwaysmarveling]

Call Me Back

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x reader

Warnings: death, a small sexual innuendo, and lots of commas and long sentences

Word Count: 3.4k

Summary: You and Wanda promised each other you would always call to check in, and Wanda’s going to do her best to keep that promise, no matter what.

The first time you met Wanda was… well, when was the first time you met Wanda? Was it when wisps of red flashed in front of your eyes, projecting images so horrific and lifelike that you all but collapsed in a heartbeat? Or was it when she stepped forward to shake your hand timidly, grief and determination filling the witch as she promised to make up for it?

“I- I wouldn’t have done it if I… we were just trying…”

“Don’t worry about it,” you had told her with a smile before confiding in her about your own missteps, how you’d wreaked havoc on all of New York with your powers of body modification after your own parents died, how Fury finally got the Avengers to catch you, and how they quickly became your new family.

-

“You mean they really almost burned the kitchen down trying to make you a birthday cake?” The brunette giggled later that night as you recounted the story of your sixteenth birthday, the two of you sitting comfortably beside each other on the living room sofa.

“Yup. And when Nat showed up with an ice cream cake fifteen minutes later to find smoke in the living room, Sam told me she freaked on everyone.”

“Excuse me, Y/N, I did not do any ‘freaking.’ God, is that what you teenagers are calling it now?” The two of you erupted into laughter, and the redhead could do nothing more than shake her head, a smirk playing on her lips no matter how hard she tried to conceal it.

---

Much like Nat and Steve predicted, the two of you became fast friends. You sat next to each other on movie nights, sang karaoke in your room when you thought everyone else was asleep (if they weren’t awake when you started, they certainly were once you were thirty seconds into Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”), and, much to Steve’s dismay, when you finally became confident with your ability to grow wings on your back, snuck out regularly for late-night flights around the compound.

But you also insisted on being there for Wanda’s training sessions, even if it meant you had to wake up an hour earlier. You cradled the witch in your arms when she woke up night after night with an aching hole in her heart before you eventually insisted you guys just share a room. And you promised her, above everything else, that when you went out for anything, whether it be a quick grocery run or a month-long mission, you’d let her know you were okay.

You knew the promise she pleaded you to make was a result of the anxiety she suffered. She’d lost everyone she cared about; if a simple text or call was enough to put her at ease, you’d do it in a heartbeat.

---

“Wanda,” you’d whispered, the teen immediately sitting up straight when she’d heard the cracks in your voice. “I- I don’t know what to do. I’m safe, but...” She told you to stay there, don’t move, she’d be there in minutes. And, with your brain unable to function enough to think of any other option, you listened.

Her heart broke at the sight of you, your arms wrapped tightly around yourself and your head hung, you feet occasionally kicking the wet sidewalk. The neon sign of the restaurant your date had promised to meet you at illuminated one side of your face, allowing her to see the tears that you had tried but failed so desperately to hold in. But the witch didn’t let you see her emotions, instead whisking you away from the unfamiliar section of the city, brushing the tears off of your cheeks and bringing you to the twenty-four-hour diner for milkshakes. She made a fool of herself in front of the waitstaff until tears flowed from your eyes once again, but this time, the crystalline drops rolled down your raised cheeks, aching from smiling too hard. 

-

When you had a panic attack during training because you couldn’t get one of your body modification attempts to reverse—”Wanda, I cannot be stuck with claws for hands, I can’t!”—she refused to let you hang up until the steady sounds of her own breathing calmed you down, the sharp nails receding and making way for the soft pads of your very human fingertips.

-

And when she called you after the mission in Lagos, you worked tirelessly to complete your own solo mission as soon as you could. You returned to the tower to find her holed up in the bedroom, news broadcasts playing nonstop on the television to remind her of the horrors she’d committed; accident or not, she told you, she needed to hold herself accountable. You simply shook your head at her, holding out your hand without another word. She didn’t take it at first.

“You can’t fix it, Y/N. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called you.” She was expecting you to fight her back on it, yell at her and demand that she take your hand, or perhaps you’d go the complete opposite direction and leave her alone, let her be swallowed by guilt and anguish, rip open old wounds and form new ones as she thought of how she tore apart families that were probably much like her own. You did neither.

Wanda’s green eyes remained fixed on your outstretched hand. You stayed silent, one eyebrow cocked as if daring her to see what would happen should she choose not to take it. It was only then that she realized, for once in her life, the person she most loved wasn’t leaving; the support she so desperately needed wouldn’t be yanked away from her when it was mere centimeters from her grasp.

So she rested her fingers in the palm of your hand, and you pulled her out to the balcony where the two of you had spent night after night watching the stars instead of sleeping, making up funny names for each of them and rolling in fits of laughter that only came to those delirious and sleep-deprived enough to understand just what was so funny. Except, this time, instead of dropping into the oversized beanbag chair that was the usual spot of your stargazing shenanigans, she watched curiously as you removed your shirt. Her mouth dropped as you closed your eyes and allowed the white feathers to emerge from beside the ridges of your spine. Although it was a process she’d seen several times before, your modifications had never ceased to amaze her, and your angel-like wings had always been her favorite. The witch admired the additions as you allowed them to flap slowly, once, twice, before turning back to her.

“Let’s go,” you finally spoke, the order gentle but leaving no room for negotiation.

“Where are we going?”

“Away.” That was enough for the brunette, who squeezed your hand before following your lead. She allowed you to guide her through the maze of clouds and couldn’t help but smile softly as the sun’s rays hit your face at just the right angle. You wore the exhaustion from your recent mission on your face, and streaks of dirt covered the bruises that she was sure littered your body. But she was content, in awe, because you were you. You didn’t put up walls to hide your scars from the world, didn’t use passive-aggressiveness to hide the passion that burned in your heart. At the end of the day, you were good, purely and truly good. You were an angel; even the sun knew it.

What Wanda didn’t realize, but what you taught her that night, as she sat surrounded by sunflowers, the moon, thousands of gleaming stars, and the tickle of your feathers as your wing pulled her close to you, was that she was one too.

“I’m glad you called me,” you whispered, your eyes not leaving the open sky as you pointed out a particularly bright spot. “I’m gonna call that one… Philip. He looks regal, real proud. Look at him, so much brighter than the others, and he knows it too.” The witch breathed out a soft chuckle, stroking her fingers over your feathers as she responded.

“I’m glad I called you too. And I think Philip is a good name for him. What about that one?”

“Hmm… Walter? He’s a bit more serious, I think. But you see the one next to him?” You waited until you got a nod from the girl before continuing. “That’s his sister. She makes sure he has fun, even when he says he doesn’t want to. But you name her, Wands. Naming stars is a two-person job, you know.” She squeezed the elbow that you nudged her with before giving in.

“Alright… that’s Delia. And, yeah, she’s the best. The life of the party. Walter keeps her grounded, though,” Wanda added, to which you agreed to with a hum. You two fell quiet after that, enjoying the comfortable silence and looking up at the twinkling lights, some of them gaining names and stories, others waiting to be named another night.

“Wanda?”

“Yeah?”

“You call me if you ever need me, okay? I know we started this with me calling you, but I’m here for you too.” The witch met your eyes with a firm bob of her head, but you continued, desperate to make sure she understood. “And if I don’t pick up at first, you call me back, okay? Call me until I respond, promise?”

“I promise,” Wanda soothed gently. “I will.”

“Okay, good, good. Because,” Wanda felt a brush of your feathers against her upper arm as you fluttered your wings, slightly agitated, “because I think I love you. I mean, um, I know. I know I love you. I love you. Yeah, I-” Wanda shut you up with a kiss, her lips pressed urgently against yours. And if you hadn’t lost your breath from your rambling or your declaration of love to the girl of your dreams, then you most definitely lost it as your lips melted into hers, in the comforting warmth of her palm against your cheek, and in the words that left her mouth as you finally pulled apart, breathless.

“I will, Y/N, I promise. Because I love you too.”

---

People thought you were inseparable before you started dating, but they all realized how wrong they were after that night. The two twin beds quickly became a queen-sized mattress, sideline support during training sessions became fierce yet playful spars, and the private giggles you guys shared grew tenfold. Fury wasn’t exactly happy that his unofficial daughter was now dating, but he was pleased by how efficiently the two of you worked together, which led you to this moment, the two of you covering the Quinjet while waiting for the rest of the Avengers to finish their business inside the massive Hydra base. With Wanda covering the ground and you in the sky, flying with the white-feathered wings that Wanda loved so dearly, the two of you held off the swarms of Hydra agents relatively well. With a small break in between incoming agents, Wanda looked up to check on you, but she was a moment too late. Before she could even think to warn you, the pure feathers she loved to brush her fingers through fell from the sky, the white stained with red, your screams ripping through her eardrums.

No one, including Wanda, had time to think as she exploded with a new rage, one that hadn’t run through her in years. One that she hoped she would never experience again, but here she was. And there you were.

While you were held in the air by her signature red mist, the opposing agents fell to the ground. She didn’t care about their screams, only yours. And with them all dealt with, she could turn to you, rushing you both into the Quinjet and yelling for the other Avengers to get back here, now.

But her efforts were futile. She could press down on the wounds all she wanted, beg for you to come back until her voice was nothing more than a whisper, but nothing would work. You were gone the instant the missile had hit you, and as much as Wanda wanted to deny the truth, she knew it just as much as your other teammates did when they rushed onto the Quinjet. You were gone before you could say a single goodbye.

---

The first time Wanda called was from your shared bedroom. She dialed your number before tracing the pillow where your head would have laid, running her fingers over the cartoon carrots that covered the comforter. The yellow bedding set was a gag gift Tony had gotten the two of you when you got your new bed.

“You know, since I figure the two of you will be going at it like rabbits,” he winked before getting immediately smacked in the back of the head by Steve.

“They will be doing no such thing,” the supersoldier had chastised him with a roll of his eyes. “God, Stark, sometimes I forget you have a brain when you say such stupid things.”

But you loved it, telling Wanda, “The carrots remind me of you, Bunny.” And how could she return the present when you were being so sweet about it? But the sheets didn’t make her smile in the same way they once did because you were gone. No one was there to tease her about the way her nose wiggled much like the little white fluffy creatures or promise to get her carrots from the market the next day.

The call went to voicemail, and as bittersweet as it was, Wanda savored it because it was you. Your voice. But the beep came far too soon, and your turn was done. So she spoke. 

“Y/N, hey, it’s me, Wanda. I, um, I love you. I’ll always love you, yeah?” The witch put the phone down, thinking that was all she could bear to say as the lump in her throat ballooned in size and hot tears filled her eyes. But just before time was up, her hand shot up to press the device against her ear again. “Call me back, milaya.”

---

The second time Wanda called was from the balcony. The brunette eyed the sparkling diamonds that filled the sky, wondering how you could be gone when, the last time she was here, you were right there beside her, laughing over the boys’ latest shenanigans and Ned, the newly named star. 

Now, the beanbag chair felt too big, too empty without another person sitting next to her. Without you. So she dialed your number, the only number she bothered to learn by heart, and waited for the dulcet tones of your voice. As the dial tone rang, she ran one hand over the white feather that laid gingerly in her lap. Natasha had given it to her along with several others a few days after your death. Each of the team members had one to remember you by, but the spy had picked out the biggest and most brilliant ones to give to Wanda.

“I know how much her wings meant to you-” Natasha stiffened as Wanda threw her arms around her. But the witch didn’t care, her tears soaking the redhead’s shirt as she tried to find the words to thank her. She couldn’t, but it was okay. Natasha knew anyway. Wanda had little time to reflect on the memory before her face brightened at the sound of your voice.

“Hi, this is Y/N-

“And her girlfriend, Wanda! She’s taken, so don’t even think about it, you jerk!” Wanda smiled slightly at your jubilant laughter, remembering how you’d pushed her away for interrupting you.

“I’m not available right now, but leave me your name, number, and message and I’ll call you back as soon as I can, okay? Talk to you soon.” The witch’s eyes closed slightly as the greeting ended with a spell of your giggles before it was interrupted by that damn beep. God, how she hated that beep. Nevertheless, she took a breath and spoke out into the clear night sky, looking up at the stars as she did so.

“Hi, lyubov moya, it’s me. Wanda. I’m calling you back, just like you told me to. I’m not okay. I need you. I love you.” Her breath caught in her throat, forcing her to pause for a moment, but she forced herself to keep going a second later. “Sam and Bucky did the stupidest thing today. Nat and Steve were all over their asses. You should’ve seen it. I miss you. Please, call me back. I’ll tell you all about it.”

---

The last time Wanda called was from the sunflower field. The two of you hadn’t been here since the night you told her you loved her. In fact, it took Wanda several hours to find it since she hadn’t been paying much attention to the route the first time you came.

Once again, the night was clear, the stars lighting up the dark canvas with their radiance. She missed the feeling of your wing wrapped around her, of your presence next to her. But she had one of your feathers in her fingers and your voice in her ear, and to ask for more would be greedy, right?

“Hi, angel. It’s Wanda. I’m calling you back to leave a message, but I can’t do it again after this because I don’t want your voicemail to fill up, okay? I’m sorry, I know I’m being selfish, but I need to be able to hear your voice, so I can’t let it fill up. But I haven’t forgotten you, I promise I haven’t. I never will. I’m still-” Wanda swallowed, a fighting effort to calm the waver in her voice. “I’m still not okay, but I’m trying. For you. But I’m not okay, I need you to call me back. I’ve named one up there Halia, but her twin sister needs a name. And naming stars is a two-person job, you know.” The witch sniffed once as the corner of her lip curved up slightly, remembering the playfulness in your voice when you’d first said the line. “Call me back, Y/N, please.”

With the message over, Wanda clutched the phone to her chest, her breaths becoming faster and shallower as she closed her eyes, trying to accept the knowledge that it’d be the last time she’d ever leave a message, the knowledge that she was really losing you… the knowledge that she already lost you.

---

Months went by. Wanda wasn’t sure how they did, but they did. The first sign of it was the first Halloween without you, as she saw the other couples dressing up in matching costumes that you would’ve loved, costumes you would’ve pointed out to Wanda with an excited bounce and told her you’d have to wear next year. The next was Thanksgiving, when Wanda ran through the list of everything she was thankful for and came up short when she thought about the people she still had left. And then it was Christmas, and Valentine’s Day, and the first day of summer.

And while Wanda did her best to move on, she always found herself under the stars, dialing your number. She sat on the balcony, in the sunflower field, wherever she could see the sky, and she listened to your voice telling her that you’d call her back as soon as you could, always forcing herself to hang up a second before the beep could cut you off. Wanda named every other star she saw, leaving the ones in between for you and hoping that you’d approve of the names she chose.

“I’m naming that one Angel for you, Y/N,” Wanda murmured. “It’s even brighter than Philip. It’s the brightest star in the sky. I know you think it’s silly to name things after people, but this one’s just special, so you’re gonna have to make an exception, okay?” The brunette’s lips stopped moving, but her eyes stayed wide open as she watched the star as if, if she watched it long enough, studied it hard enough, you would materialize from its luminescence. As if you would come back to her. But when you didn’t, she finally allowed her watering eyes to rest, her eyelids drooping to surround her in darkness.

“I’m not okay, Y/N.” The witch’s voice was softer than it had ever been, more tired. But this time, there was no one to whisk her off and make her forget the heaviness of it all. “I need you so badly. I love you so much. I always will. But, please, angel, call me back.”

[jade-likethegemstone]

I Can Keep A Secret Sweetheart Pt. 1 (Carli Lloyd x Reader)

A/N: Just a little something for the GOAT's retirement.

Part Two

You’re sitting on your bed reading a book when Carli walks quietly into the room before slipping into bed next you, her head resting on your chest.

“Hey.” you say, pressing your lips against her forehead.

“They go down ok?” you ask, your eyes going back to your book, but you still make sure to listen to your wife.

“Yeah, Leo fell asleep almost immediately, but Leah was adamant that I read her three stories before she went to bed.” Carli says, chuckling to herself when she remembers how she had to negotiate how many stories she would read to her daughter before she went to sleep.

“Three stories? And she stayed up until the end?” you ask, knowing that your daughter had a habit of asking for more than one bedtime story but falling asleep before you could get through the second or third.

“Surprisingly yes.” Carli says.

“She’s probably trying to get as many bedtime stories out of you before you head out to France for the World Cup. She always prefers it when you read to her.” you say.

“I actually wanted to talk to you about that.” Carli says, sitting up a little straighter in your arms.

“Ok.” you say, closing your book after bookmarking the page you were reading, and setting it down on the nightstand.

“What if you came with?” Carli asks and you can hear the slight nervousness in her voice.

“You want us to come with you to the World Cup?” you ask skeptically.

You hadn’t been allowed to go to any major tournaments that Carli was playing in because she didn’t want any distractions. She also had a weird superstition that she would lose when family were around because when you went with her in 2007, they lost, but when you weren’t able to go in 2008, they won and she scored two winning goals in the tournament.

The only time you ever watched her live in a major tournament was in the World Cup final in 2015, and she still doesn’t know that you were there.

“Yeah. I want to finally introduce you and the kids to the team, and I want the kids to experience a big tournament with me. I saw how Christie, Boxxy and ARod’s kids enjoyed their time at the tournaments, and I want the kids to be able to say that they went with mommy to a World Cup, and they saw her win.” Carli explains.

“You’re sure about this? You don’t want to take a few days to think about it?” you ask.

You would love to take your kids to France so they can experience the World Cup with their mommy, and you wanted to experience it with your wife, but you also know how stressful and frustrated the world cup could be. Bringing two four-year-old kids who don’t really understand the environment or Carli’s tournament mode may just add to that stress.

You're also worried that Carli might blame herself even more than she normally would if the USWNT lost, because she broke her superstition by bringing you and the kids.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a few months now and I really want you to come with. I want to finally show you off to my teammates and show them that I have the most beautiful and amazing wife in the world. I want Leah and Leo to experience having their 22 crazy aunts who will spoil them rotten and just be that other family to them. I don’t know how much longer I have on the team, especially now, so I want the kids to be able to enjoy it and to watch me play, while I’m still allowed to play, even if it’s just as a sub.” Carli says, and you listen intently to what your wife has to say.

You’d never really spoken about being introduced to her team for years now. In the beginning of the relationship, you knew that her coming out like that wasn’t the best thing and you didn’t want to push her too far, you understood that she didn’t want to fully mix her private life with her soccer life that soon into her career.

You only brought it up maybe twice, after the 2012 Olympics and just before the 2015 World Cup, right after your wedding. The first time ended in there being a big fight and you two almost breaking up, but the second time you brought it up you were both a little older and you had a calm conversation where Carli voiced her fears about introducing you to the team and possibly the rest of the world.

You understood where she was coming from so you stopped bringing it up and decided that you would leave it up to Carli to decide when she introduced you to the team.

The only person from the USWNT that knew about you and Carli was of course, Hope Solo, Carli’s best friend and your eventual best friend. She was actually one of Carli’s bridesmaids at the wedding.

“You just know what to say to get a girl swooning don’t you Mrs Lloyd.” you say.

“That’s Mrs Y/L/N-Lloyd to you and quite a few more people when we get to France.” Carli corrects you and you definitely swoon when you hear how she proudly claims your last name along with hers while also confirming that there are others that are going to know about it.

It’s always Carli Lloyd to the world because it’s her professional name and it’s just easier that way so whenever you see or hear your surname next to hers it was always special.

“I love you Carls.” you say, dropping your head to place a chaste kiss against her lips.

“Does that mean you’re coming to France with me?” Carli asks when you separate.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, and neither would Leah or Leo.” you say, claiming her lips again before both you get comfortable in the bed.

˳˳˳

The planning for the trip was a bit insane, especially because the World Cup was so soon, but luckily Carli got in touch with the people in charge of the travel of the team and their families, so they practically took over for you, doing all the bookings and getting all the tickets for the matches.

To say that they were extremely surprised when they found out that Carli had been married for so long and that she has two kids is an understatement. They were completely floored at how she managed to keep it a secret for so long.

After the initial shock wore off, they were extremely helpful with sorting out your entire trip, even being able to get you in the same hotels Carli and the team would be in. You weren’t too picky about that because you could always visit Carli, but she was adamant that you be in the same hotel she was in.

˳˳˳˳

“When see mommy?” Leah asks, looking up at you.

“Yeah, when see mommy?” Leo asks, echoing his twin sister.

You’re sitting on a hotel bed with Leah and Leo cuddled into your sides while they watch cartoons while you wait for Carli to let you know when you can bring the twins over.

Today is the day that the team finally meets you and the twins, and the twins are extremely excited.

“Soon you rascals.” you say, laughing at the twin faces looking up at you with pleading eyes.

“But I wanna see her now.” Leah whines, a deep pout on her face.

“I know, I wanna see her too, but we have to wait, she’s busy with her team, we’re going to go and see her soon, I promise.” you say, trying to appease the two pouting children.

“Ok, how about I call her and ask when we can go see her?” you ask and the smiles on their faces tell you all you need to know.

You fish your phone out of your pocket and call Carli, really hoping that she isn’t too busy at the moment.

“Hello?” Carli answers the phone.

“Hey honey, I hope you’re not too busy.” you say.

“No, we’re on a break now, what’s up?” Carli asks.

“Your children are getting impatient and want to see you.” you say and Carli snorts.

“So they’re my children now?” she asks.

“Yes, especially when they become little rascals whining for mommy.” you say, looking at Leah and Leo who are still looking at you with pleading eyes.

“Ok, well, we have another 30 minutes of practice, maybe you guys can come in the next twenty minutes or so?” Carli asks.

“Ok, I’m sure I can keep them occupied until then.” you say.

“Thank you, and I promise that I will make it up to you, and them.” Carli says.

“Ok, love you.”

“I love you too, and tell those rascals I love them too and I’ll see them soon ok?” Carli says and you mutter an “ok”, before hanging up.

“Mommy says she loves you and we can go and see her soon ok?” you say and receive two nods in response.

“We see mommy’s team?” Leo asks a little excitedly.

“Yeah, we’re gonna see mommy’s team at practice.” you say, ruffling Leo’s hair.

It was barely fifteen minutes when you strapd the twins into their car seats in one of the team’s vans that you were allowed to use.

You were going to the training field the team was using. Carli wanted the twins to meet the whole team, and to have some fun with her on the field, so you both decided that going to see her after practice would be the best thing. The twins were absolutely ecstatic to be able to go and see Carli, and maybe play with her.

˳˳˳˳

“Mommy!” Leah screams out when she sees Carli standing off to the closest side of the pitch, talking to a few of her teammates.

Leo’s head lifts up when he hears his sister, and when he sees Carli, he sets off running toward her, Leah right in front of him.

Carli immediately turns around when she hears the voices of two of her favourite people echo across the field. She just smiles before dropping to her knees, waiting until Leo and Leah slam into her, almost taking her down.

You stand up and walk over slowly – keeping a keen eye on the twins in case one falls – to where Carli now has both twins safely in her arms while her teammates look with shock on their faces.

“That kid just said mommy, right?” Megan asks Ashlyn and Tobin.

“I definitely heard mommy.” Ashlyn says and Tobin nods her head.

“We missed you.” Leah says as Carli stands up with both kids in her arms, her muscles flexing in her training tank top.

The power in those arms never failed to make you swoon especially when you remembered nights on the couch when Carli would carry you to bed or nights when the two of you had the house to yourselves and Carli wanted to show you just how much she loves or missed you.

“I missed both of you too.” Carli says, kissing both their foreheads.

When she brings her head up and finds you standing a little off to the side, Carli smiles before walking over to you. The rest of the team, and some of the staff, watch on quietly, trying to figure out where you fall in the equation.

“Show off.” you say to Carli, nodding at the twins in her arms.

“Don’t be jealous, there’s still some room for you in my arms.” Carli says, stepping forward but as she does so, Leo quickly jumps into your arms.

He always preferred being in your arms and it irked Carli because she named him after one of her idols, but he liked you more.

“Traitor.” Carli says teasingly as she narrows her eyes playfully at Leo who just smiles before hiding his face in your neck

“Uhm, sorry to interrupt this touching moment, but… what the hell is going on here?” Megan asks eyes shifting from Carli with Leah in her arms and you with Leo in your arms.

“Yeah, what the hell is going on?” Ashlyn says. She was sure this was a private practice, not an open one.

“Uhm, well guys, I’d like you to meet my family.” Carli says with a smile.

“I think you’re gonna need to give them more than that princess.” you say when you notice the still confused looks on her teammates faces, although, most of them really just looked exhausted from their training session.

“Yeah, a lot more.” Megan says. She has an idea, but she needs Carli to confirm it.

“Fine.” Carli says. She enjoyed seeing her teammates try to figure it all out. It wasn’t very often she was able to stump them anymore.

“This little princess in my arms is Leah and Mr Shy Guy over there is Leo. These are my two amazing kids and this beautiful woman standing next to me is my wife of four years, Y/N who I've been with since high school. Before you ask, no, I don’t know how she’s managed to stay with me for so long.” Carli says, and all her teammates’ eyes go wide.

“Wait… WHAT?!” Megan exclaims.

“You have a WIFE!” Kelley exclaims not even a second later, rushing over with Sonnet following behind her.

“Momma, why they screaming?” Leo asks from his place in your arms.

“Yeah, they loud.” Leah adds from her place in Carli’s arms and your wife throws her head back in laughter, you giggling too at the looks on Megan and Kelley’s faces.

“I know sweetie. You should tell them they need to be a little quieter.” Carli says to your daughter, a mischievous smirk on her face because she knows full well that Leah has absolutely no filter.

“You can’t be loud, you need to be quiet, like a good girl.” she says sassily, looking at Carli’s teammates dead on. That gets you laughing, and most of Carli’s teammates too.

“That’s all you.” you say to Carli who just looks at you and shrugs.

“I love this kid.” Ashlyn says, giggling at the looks of pure shock on Kelley and Megan’s faces after their ‘admonishment’.

“I have no words right now.” Kelley says, still reeling from the news that Carli is married with two kids and from having a child tell her to be quiet.

“I have so many questions.” Megan says and a lot of Carli’s teammates nod their heads in agreement.

“I’ll answer all of them later. I believe I promised my kids some fun with mommy.” Carli says, jostling Leah slightly in her arms as the little girl squeals excitedly.

“Hey Leo, you gonna come and play with me?” Carli asks, turning around to face you and your son.

Leo’s head immediately starts going up and down, like a bobblehead, as he scrambles out of your arms to join Carli and Leah with the ball on the field, a few of Carli’s teammates also trying to join in.

“So, you’re finally telling everybody?” Dawn asks, coming to stand next to you.

She was really the only person on the coaching staff that Carli told about you, and that was only because you had to be in charge of her recovery from a few injuries. Sometimes you were also in charge of Hope’s recovery from injury. Dawn was just glad she had someone else to help manage the two stubborn women.

“Yeah. Carli wants the kids to know the team and experience all the glitz and glam that comes with it.” you reply, watching as Carli runs around with the twins, the ball at her feet as the two try to steal the ball away from her feet.

“I didn’t think she’d actually do it.” Dawn says, impressed that Carli actually wanted to do this of her own volition.

“Me neither. I still pinch myself trying to make sure this isn’t a dream.” you joke, both you and Dawn giggling.

“Mommy, come help us.” Leo calls out as he and Leah try to get the ball from Carli who switches it between her feet, laughing as Leah tries to steal the ball from her feet.

“I’m coming.” you call out, excusing yourself from Dawn before going after Carli to try and get the ball away from her.

“Has anyone ever seen her this smiley and carefree?” Megan asks, nodding over to where Carli has her head thrown back in laughter while you have your hands wrapped around her waist, keeping her off the ball so Leah and Leo can steal it from her feet.

“No.” Alex says.

“I never even thought I’d see her as a mom. It’s like the twilight zone.” Kelley adds in, watching as Carli chases the twins, grabbing Leo from behind and lifting him up her arms.

“You have to admit, it looks like she’s a pretty amazing mom.” Becky says and everyone nods along, watching as Carli plays with you and twins.

˳˳˳˳

“So, can you please explain all of this, because I’m still pretty confused.” Megan says.

It was after training and the team decided to go out for dinner at one of the restaurants you suggested to Carli after you ate there on your first day in France. You were surprised her team were able to let you get through actually ordering food before they asked questions.

“What do you want to know?” Carli asks.

“Why haven’t we met your family before now? It seems like you guys have been together forever.” Ali asks.

“For most of our relationship I was scared about coming out and people knowing about me and Y/N and eventually the twins. Back then it wasn’t easy being open like we can be now, and I didn’t want any of the drama that would come with it. I think I just got comfortable with the way things were that I didn’t real think of having a big introduction until recently.” Carli explains.

“I was honestly certain that I would never meet any of you before she retires.” you pipe in and almost everyone bursts out laughing.

“Hey!”

“Honey, let’s not lie to ourselves.” you say and everyone’s laughter gets louder at the pout on Carli’s face.

“So, why now?” Kelley asks.

“I wanted our kids to enjoy going to a World Cup and seeing mommy play and win. I also wanted to have my beautiful wife with me in the family section cheering me on. She’s never seen me win, so I kinda wanna show off and have her be part of all the celebration.”

“Wait! You’ve never seen Carli win anything? Gold medals? World Cup?” Megan asks, genuinely shocked.

She knows Carli didn’t allow family and friends, but she figured that probably had more to do with her being estranged from her family than anything else.

“Uhm…”

“Uhm?” Carli asks, turning around to face you.

“I managed to sneak in to watch the 2015 final.” you confess, glancing over nervously at Carli.

“What?! You were in Canada?” Carli asks.

“Yeah. It was only for the final, I wanted to support you and I was pregnant, so the kids were technically there too.” you answer.

“How did you even…”

“Hope and Dawn set everything up.” you confess.

“I can’t believe it. How did I not know about this?” Carli asks, genuinely confused as to how she never heard about you being at the final. How the hell did you keep that a secret from her for four years?

“I can keep a secret sweetheart.” you say placing a quick kiss against Carli’s cheek.

“You guys are so cute together. I didn’t think Carli had it in her.” Kelley says from her spot opposite you.

She knows Carli can be a loving person who cares about others and treats everyone on the team like family, but to see her with her actual family and to see the normally stoic leader be so relaxed and calm with you was refreshing. It was like Carli became a brighter and happier Carli with you and the twins around. She was also a lot sweeter.

“Oh, I didn’t think she did either, but she keeps surprising me.” you say with a soft smile.

Carli brings her arm up and drapes it over your shoulders, bringing you closer so she can press her lips against yours.

“I love you.” Carli whispers lovingly against your lips, love shining clearly in her eyes.

“I love you too.” you say before stealing a quick kiss and returning to answer more of Carli’s teammates questions.

[luimagines]

Waking Up Next to Him

Masterlist

Set platonically and within the adventure. It’s long so it goes under the cut!

Time

The bright sunlight winked just beyond your eyelids at an blinding angle. Your back was against warm though and was surprisingly comfortable despite the growing ache in your neck. There’s a weight over your shoulder, pinning you in place but doesn’t dig in. A thrown blanket is covering your body and the secret weight, even if half of it has ended up on the forest floor. You’re too tired to think of what the weight can be. All you know is that it’s comfortable and you don’t feel like moving. A heartbeat passes and the solid form on which you lay shifts. 

A groan.

More shifting.

Heat flushes your face slightly as you resign to get up, trying to play the whole cool, once you realize what, or rather who you passed out against.

“Mornin’ Time.”

Your pillow takes a minute to assess the situation.

It’s early, none of the others are up yet. Too tired from the journey the day prior, but the resident chef wakes up the earliest to cook breakfast on time. He’s asleep now but won’t be for long. You thank the stars and your luck that you woke up before him. No pictures for him to take this time.

Time grins, seemingly unbothered by the events and sighs good naturedly. “Good morning.”

Twilight

It was a cold night. They told you it would be. Both your traveling companions and the breeze as you settled with the day’s end.

But you couldn’t have guessed how cold it turned out to be.

Sleep didn’t come easy. Discomfort and shivers kept you awake. Your blankets were warm but not warm enough. At some point, in the middle of the night, you gain the warmth your tired brain was waiting for before drifting off to sleep. 

When you wake, you can’t breath.

Hairs tickle your mouth and nose and there’s a large and heavy being on top of you. At first you think it’s Wind because the shape is much to large to be four but smaller than some of your other companions.

Further analysis and you realize that it’s not hair but fur, that’s threating to enter your lungs and the color of the material seems awfully familiar.

“...Wolfie, I love you but you’re killing me. Get off.” You weakly push the beast away, not coherent enough to move your limbs and piece together how to be a functioning human yet.

The creatures blinks up at you, having just woken up as well and notices your open eyes. A yawn and crushed ribbed where he stepped to get off later and your freedom has been duel earned.

You take a breath of relief and grin, only now noticing the cold with the rising sun to be a little more barrable than the previous night.

“Thanks buddy, you’re a walking heater. I probably would have been a popsicle if it hadn’t been for you.” He nods in acknowledgment and swiftly turns away before you can reach behind his ears to thank him properly.

You look up and see Wild and Time already awake, not talking. Warrior looks to just have woken like you today. Not unusual but welcoming nonetheless. Wind and Sky probably won’t wake up for another hour or two and Hyrule and Four always wake up a little after them. No one knows for sure when Legend will get up because its never consistent and Twilight seems to be missing as well.

The ranch hand emerges from the tree line seconds after you realize he was gone to begin with. He smiles at you and waves in greeting.

You wave back and try to dust the wolf hairs off of your clothes.

You missed Twilight’s subtle smirk.

Warrior

It was a hard fight and not a safe place to stay put but the dungeon left you with little option. Separated from the group and low on provisions and healing items, you and Warrior realize that your both running low on fumes. Taking refuge in a secluded corner, hopefully far away from any potential monsters and threats, you rest.

Waking up is hell.

Sleeping back to back was probably not the best idea but neither of you wanted to risk an ambush. Shifts were supposed to be taken but given that you both fell asleep says something about your energy levels and the previous fights.

Your neck hurts, your legs are sore, your butt and hips are not thanking you for the treatment and everything ache will familiar but expected battle wounds. None major but each one takes its toll.

“You up?” Warrior stands up as if he wasn’t bleeding from the shoulder yesterday and he also didn’t sleep sitting for who knows how many hours.

“I am clearly sitting Captain.” You mutter. “I am not up. I refuse to be up.”

“You know as well as I do that we have to get to the others. What if they need help?”

“I’d argue we need the help. Everything hurts. We have no fairies and there’s more dungeon ahead of us with obviously more enemies and traps and puzzles...” The puzzles... were the worst. “Just five more minutes....Please?”

Warrior says your name in a way a tired mother tries to get her stubborn child to listen to reason. His face twists at the idea and when he attempts to look over his shoulder to check your surroundings, it instead contorts in a pained grimace.

So his shoulder pain was still there after all.

“Fine. Five minutes.”

Sky

As expected, Sky goes down for the count within the first few minutes of the mandated lunch break. Unfortunately after a rumble or two and strange smoke coming from the distance that decidedly wasn’t there when you first arrived, the group decided to investigate.

Legend goes to shake Sky’s shoulder in an attempt to wake him but it’s all in vain.

Sticks are drawn after a long and loud argument about what to do and yours in the shortest.

Everyone else goes to check out the commotion and you are stuck with babysitting duty. It’s not bad all things considered- he’s asleep- no actual babysitting happening. But part of you can help but grumble about missing the action so you sit non too gently next to him and decidedly not pout.

Your stomach is full and the sun light begins to feel heavy and warm and nice.

Your eyes close before you can fight it.

Some time later, you’re shaken awake. Adrenaline fills your system instantly but upon seeing the laughing face of Sky himself, you remember yourself and only marginally resist the urge punch him.

“Feel better?” You ask instead.

“I could ask you the same thing.” He chuckles and points to his chin.

You wipe across the area and your hands comes back wet, cold and covered in drool. 

“You saw nothing.”

“Oh sure, but Wind did.”

Great.

Now it’s on his pictobox. That’s blackmail material in his favor, you suppose and refuse to acknowledge it further.

Wild

When you wake up, it’s still dark. Not even close to sunrise.

The fire burns bright and warm throughout the area but it’s not the fire that’s keeping you warm.

You also find out you can’t move.

You crane your head slightly to find long hair draped over your shoulder and a familiar scarred ear belonging to the resident champion.

He wrapped around you completely, hugging you tightly and pining you down with a leg to boot. 

You attempt to shimmy out but his grip tightens instead.

You sighed and watch as Twilight comes into view. He crouches closer and squats on Wild’s side, whispering to you. “Do you need help getting out? I can wake him to take over Hyrule’s shift for the night.”

You take a minute to rethink about your position. It’s not painful. The opposite actually. It feel nice. You’ve seen Wild cling to who ever he can get his hands on when he sleeps so you’re not surprise. 

You don’t need to pee or leave anytime soon anyway.

“No, I think I’m good actually.” You reply, whispering as well. “Let him sleep, it’s been a day for everyone.”

Twilight nods and leaves, but not without looking back once or twice in case you changed your mind.

You shimmy back in place and allow yourself to be held by your friend. 

Sleep comes easier this time.

Hyrule

Gentle fingers card through your hair. Warmth, magic and the unusual feeling of safety plague your mind. Confusion hits you but the alarm that typically follows never comes.

“Oh thank goodness, you’re awake.” A voice fills your ears. It’s muffled and must have been quiet to begin with because you can’t make out who said it yet. 

Organizing your thoughts feels like traveling through knee high mud.

Your eyes blink open and the light comes through.

The Traveler is leaning over you, thankfully blocking out most of the sun from immediately assaulting you. 

“Hyrule?”

“You had us worried for a minute.” He visually sags with relief, a tired smile on his face and leans back. “You took quite a hit.”

Your head feels swollen but as Hyrule continues to push your hair back it dissipates as time passes. Your thoughts clear and with his help, you sit up.

A hand places itself by your temple. It takes a half second before you realize it’s yours.

It comes back covered in dried blood.

Sky runs over after tending to Four with what looks like a bloodied wet cloth. He sits down slowly and begins to clean your head in a familiar fashion.

“Thank you. Both of you.” You tired voice comes through and a worn out smile follows soon after.

“Anytime.”

Wind

It’s nice day. 

According to some people.

Dark clouds cover the sky, the sun nowhere to be seen. It pours cats and dogs and the only cover for miles is a lone cave where your group currently takes up residence. Everyone’s wet and your clothes feel heavy and cold. No one is happy. 

Wild, Twilight and Legend dive deeper, intending to check out if any monsters reside in the cave.

Hyrule insisted on traveling with them but Warrior’s concussion and Time’s bleeding leg call for further attention and Legend claims to have more magic restorative potions than healing potions.

He stays behind.

Four and Sky take over the food while he’s distracted, trying to make a half decent meal before he intervenes.

Wind is groaning, sore and bored but otherwise unharmed.

You don’t make any comments at your own pain, biting your tongue and taking a deep breath. As you lean against the stone wall, Wind stomps up next to you and sits down with purpose.

“I could’ve gone with them.” He slams his fist into his cheek with his elbow on his knee.

“But you didn’t. It’s not so bad.” You said.

“They didn’t want me to go.”

“You’ll live.”

“I’m just as good as them you know.”

“I know and you make a better pillow.” You says, throwing yourself sideways with your head landing on his lap. He squawks indignantly and attempts to push you off but you hold on. “Sorry, you make the best pillow.”

“NOOOO!”

“YEEEESSS!”

“Nooooo.” Wind keeps his hands on your back but you’ve misjudged your exhaustion. You’re out in seconds.

A moment passes.

“Hey, hey, hey.... wake up. You have to eat.” A small hand shakes your shoulder.

“Hm?” You blinked tiredly. There’s a bowl if front of your face and you don’t hesitate to grab it. “Thanks.”

“You’re heavy.” A voice calls from behind. The owner lets you take the bowl and begins to gently push you off into a sitting position. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“It was supposed to be a joke but thanks for letting me sleep.” You admit and smile at the pirate. 

“You trapped me.” He pokes your side, trying to look annoyed but falling flat. There’s a joke in there somewhere. You’re missing something.

The others have come back while you were out of it, all either have hidden smiles or failing to hide their shaking shoulders and snickers.

Curious and a little self conscious you looks into the provided meal, your reflection greeting you as always.

A lightbulb goes off over your head.

“DID YOU DRAW ON MY FACE?!”

Four

There’s a force dragging you down but there’s two arms under you.

It’s very concerning for a moment but then....the size of them catches up to you.

Your head snaps up and comes face to face with a very surprised Four.

“Hello.”

“...Hi.”

“Lovely weather we’re having, don’t you think?””

“You’re leading with that?” Four snorts and continues walking, unbothered by your weight in his arms.

“How...?” You trail off trying to find the right words to explain what happening to you. You don’t feel any pain and nothing feels injured....but the lack of memories is a little concerning.

“How am I holding you?” Four smirks as he guesses incorrectly. “I’m stronger than I look.”

“I was going to ask how did I fall unconscious. I don’t remember anything. I’m more surprised by that than the fact that you’re holding me despite being half my size.” You blinked and try to keeping searching through your memory.

Nothing comes up.

“Wizrobe.” Four answers causally with a shrug. “It caused some chaos, fought another wizrobe and you got caught in the cross fire between the two of them before we could intervene. Their attacks canceled each other out well enough that you weren’t actually injured but uhh..... Well I suppose you’ll figure it out sooner or later.”

“Four.” You glare in warning.

“Maybe don’t look at your reflection for a while. Legend, Twilight and Hyrule all agree that it’ll fade with time but...”

“What are you talking about? What happened to me?” You sit up a little in his grip, Your arm reach over his shoulders and something wrong catches your eyes.

Your skin is green.

Your shocked silence stills your entire body. Four winces once he follows your eye line and stops to place you on your own feet.

“It could be worse?”

You stare a little while longer and look back to Four with hopeful eyes. “Think you can knock me out again?

He’s not amused.

Legend

You blissfully wake up for the first time in a week. 

It’s been an easy week in terms of travel and attacks so the boys take it upon themselves to cause trouble and it hasn’t been merciful to your sleep schedule.

They are the very incarnation of that thing your hometown friend used to say. How did it go again? If there’s no trouble then I’ll create it? Something along those lines.

But this is different and you don’t plan on wasting it.

You close your eyes and attempt to go back to sleep while you can but hushed voices reached your ears, keeping you awake before you can tune them out.

“Should we wake them?”

“You know how Legend is. He can be as bad as Sky and he had a rough night to boot.”

“But he’s right on top of them and they promised to show me how to fight in hand to hand combat.”

“You have all day for that and they didn’t say it was going to be today.”

“But I‘m excited! I want to start as soon as possible.”

“Will you idiots keep it down?” A voice by your shoulder speaks up. It lacks the usual snark it posses but the intention for venom is there. “Some people took double shifts last night. Shut up.”

You breath a small sigh of relief as the voices abruptly cut off and don’t return for a long minute.

The body next to you stills.

Three heartbeats pass and the unnoticed weight gets off of you.

You pretend to be asleep still, not wanting him to push you away so early in your relationship. He’s just started to get used to you.

You’re determined to be his friend before everything ends.

He’s determined to avoid that.

It’s been a battle of wills.

An unstoppable force meets an unmovable object.

But this could tip the scales in his favor if you fail to play it off correctly.

“No one say anything.” Legend hisses. “Not. One. Word.”

You make the mistake of stretching. 

“You’re up! You’re up! You’re up!” Wind practically pounces on you, knocking his name sake out of your lungs and demolishing any chances for a peaceful morning. “We can start now!”

“Can I eat first at least?” You groan out, not bothering to fight him off.

“Wind. Off.” Time calls out and the boy follows the command without question. He quickly kneels by your side though, practically vibrating on the spot.

You sit up and look around.

Looks like you were the last one up.

“Morning everybody.” You smile. You glance at Legend who unluckily has the tips of his ears tinted red. His arms are crossed and he’s avoiding looking at you, even greeting you as the rest of the group return your call.

You smirk. “Good morning Legend. Did you sleep well?”

He huffs and turns away completely, taking a few steps to leave.

You get to your feet, shadowed by Wind and head to take your share of the food from Wild.

A beat passes without any words exchanged and you tilted your head innocently at the Veteran. You refuse to let it be awkward between you so you pretend you know nothing.

The blush travels down his ears to his face and neck. “I did. Thanks for asking.”

[devilyn]

i told you i’ll catch you if you fall | tsukishima kei

— alexa, play: like strangers do by aj mitchell.

If you saw me on the train would you look the other way?

Like strangers do

And if you passed me on the street

Would you look down at your feet

And move on through?

Like strangers do

— synopsis: you thought tsukishima fell out of love, and he thought so too, but maybe that wasn’t exactly it.

— genre: angst lol, happy endings

— word count: 2.3k

Falling out of love is a strange thing. Tsukishima’s life was always busy, but there was always someone he could look forward to returning home to. You’d welcome him home with a bright smile and a gentle kiss on the cheek. Some nights, he’d pull you into his arms and fall asleep with his head against your chest. Others, he’d let you cuddle into his side and run his fingers through your hair as your warm breath fanned against his neck. No matter what, he was always happy just to see you.

At some point, he stopped looking forward to those things. Kisses became a chore, and he became used to sleeping with his back towards you. Dinners together were usually quiet, but now they were silent. Yet he couldn’t even find it within him to break up with you.

So you broke up with him.

“You should’ve just told me,” you told him with a teary smile. His heart squeezed in his chest at the way your voice cracked. “That you fell out of love with me.”

And he was silent. He didn’t chase after you even after you finished packing an overnight bag and left your shared apartment.

Falling out of love is a strange thing. Because Tsukishima wasn’t sure if he ever really fell out of love, or if he just should’ve tried harder to love you. 

Now, he spent his rare free time sitting at the cafe the two of you used to frequent because it was close to your shared apartment. He’d order two drinks. One was his usual order. The other was yours. 

He’d set your usual order across from him and gaze out the window. If he tried hard enough, he could pretend like he wasn’t sitting alone. And sometimes, when he looked over, he’d delude himself into thinking you were smiling that smile you give him that says--”I really, really love you.”

And then he’d blink, and you’d be gone.

Other times, he’d stand outside your lecture hall just to catch a glimpse of you through the tiny window in the door. He always felt like such a creep when he did that, but when his eyes trailed over your concentrated expression, his heart would skip a beat in his chest, and he’d ask himself why he ever let you leave.

Once, he gathered up the courage to send you a text, and he felt like crying for the first time when he realized you had blocked his number.

Little by little, your things were disappearing from what used to be your shared apartment. You were clever. You only stopped by when you knew he was at practice or in class so he wouldn’t ever run into you. The polaroids of the two of you that you forced him to take with you were still hanging against the bedroom wall, but the photos of you and your friends left empty spaces in the carefully planned photo grid.

Your little belongings were gone. Your skincare disappeared from the bathroom sink, and your clothes that took up half of the closet were almost completely gone. Planners, notebooks, pens, highlighters, things he had never looked at before--they were all a part of you, but they were leaving him as well.

Soon, he started to recognize the symptoms of heartbreak. His eyes began to follow you whenever he spotted your familiar figure on campus. He’d notice the small changes--you looked more tired, like you hadn’t gotten any sleep. Your usual sunny smile whenever you saw him would be replaced with a hurt expression whenever you caught his eye, and you’d hurriedly look away.

Tsukishima started to fall asleep in class. He’d never done that before, but he hadn’t been able to sleep at all, recently. Because at night, he’d lay awake and stare at the ceiling while his hand continuously came down on the space where you used to lay next to him. He started messing up at practice, to the point where his coach had to pull him aside and reprimand him to rest properly. But he couldn’t. He doesn’t think he’s slept properly since you left.

He thought he had fallen out of love with you. So why was it that he could no longer function properly without you?

“You want me to call her?” Yamaguchi asked one night while he was visiting to check in on his heartbroken best friend.

Tsukishima was silent. He’s not sure if he would feel hurt or relieved if you responded to his best friend’s calls but not his.

“...can you?” he finally asked. At this point, he had kicked his pride to the curb. He sat with his head in his hands at the dining table, his best friend standing in the doorway with a worried look in his eyes.

Yamaguchi didn’t hesitate to pull up your contact and call it before putting it on speaker. It rang once. Then twice. Three times. Then four.

And then it stopped, and the two men heard shuffling on the other side of the line.

“...Tadashi, is this about Kei?”

Tsukishima felt like he was going to collapse, even though he was already sitting. He can’t remember the last time he’s cried, but he sure felt like crying now.

Your voice sounded like home. A wave of relief washed over him, even though your voice wasn’t even directed towards him. Yamaguchi’s gaze flickered between his phone and his friend who had now buried his face into his arms.

“It is,” he answered hesitantly, “but I also wanted to check up on you. How’re you feeling?”

You were quiet for a second before responding. 

“You won’t tell him if I tell you, right?”

“Nope.”

Tsukishima was surprised at how easily Yamaguchi could lie. He finally lifted his head up as the brunette took a seat next to him so he could hear your voice better.

“...in all honesty, I’ve been feeling terrible,” you laughed weakly, and Tsukishima felt like his heart was going to fail him at how much the sound hurt him. He did that to you.

“You need to take care of yourself too,” Yamaguchi responded worriedly, now concerned for both of his friends.

“Maybe,” you hummed softly. “But I’ll be alright, just check up on Kei for me, alright? He looked a little tired when I saw him on campus today.”

He almost cursed out loud. How could you still be worried about him after everything? Without knowing, Tsukishima’s hand raised to grasp at his chest, as if doing so would ease his heartache.

“Why don’t you check up on him yourself? I’m sure Tsukki would appreciate that,” Yamaguchi advised as he glanced at his friend with furrowed brows.

“Ah,” you sighed softly. “Uhm, I think...he wouldn’t want his ex to check up on him. Especially since he fell out of love with me in the first place.”

“You broke up with him, Y/N--”

“Only because he was dragging the relationship on for my sake,” you cut Yamaguchi off quickly, and the two men lifted their heads at your sharp tone. “Did he not tell you, Tadashi? About how he treated me like I was literally air in the last month of our relationship? I was invisible to him! He didn’t tell you he fell out of love?”

Tsukishima couldn’t really remember the rest of the phone call. All he remembered was how you cried despite how much Yamaguchi tried to comfort you, and all he could think was ‘I did that’. He repeated the three words like a mantra each time he remembered the way you sobbed about how much it hurt to physically watch him fall out of love with you--to watch him stop caring about you and your relationship.

“You know what’s worse, Tadashi?” you croaked out between cries. “I still love him.”

Tsukishima doesn’t remember when Yamaguchi left. Just that he did, after murmuring that the two of you should talk to sort everything out.

The blonde middle blocker laid awake that night, staring at his ceiling and smoothing his hand over the sheets where you used to be. He hurt you, and now you were hurting even more than he was. He considered himself fortunate, because at least he knew you still loved him with all of your heart, even if you went out of your way to avoid him.

But you didn’t know that. You were living with the lie that he had stopped loving you a month ago, and he needed to fix that. He needed you to know he couldn’t live without you.

So as the sun slowly began to peek through his curtains, Tsukishima sat up and resolved that he was going to talk to you today, whether you liked it or not.

Which is why he was now standing outside your lecture hall, gazing as your exhausted eyes flicked from your screen to your professor as you tried to diligently take notes. Even now, he couldn’t help but think you were beautiful.

He snapped back into reality when a student obstructed his field of vision to exit the crowded lecture hall. Using his height to his advantage, he peered over the line of tired university students to watch you pack up your bag and join the patient line waiting to leave.

The moment your eyes locked with his, your shoulders slumped, as if you had expected this to happen eventually. Instead of filing out of the building like everyone else, you exited the crowd and stepped in front of him. And he inhaled your familiar scent for the first time in what felt like years, but was only really a few weeks.

“Were you waiting for me?” you asked quietly with a weak smile.

The question was a familiar one. So he smiled sadly back, reaching forward to gently cup your cheeks.

“...yeah. Thought we could talk at our cafe.”

“Our cafe? I thought only I used to call it that.” you teased lightly, and Tsukishima felt himself relax at your familiar, lighthearted tone.

“I got into the habit of calling it that too,” he murmured as he held his hand out to you. “After you left.”

Your playful smile faded as you slipped your hand into his. His fingers laced easily with yours, and he brought your hands to his lips so he could press a soft kiss to your knuckles. Your brows furrowed immediately as he savored the feeling of your hand in his and his lips against your skin.

“Kei--”

“Let’s go,” he cut you off purposefully, and you stared up at him before sighing and nodding.

Admittedly, he realized he didn’t have much of a plan as he sat down and placed your usual order in front of you. His long fingers wrapped around the warm cup and slowly brought it up to his lips.

“You really shouldn’t give me false hope like this,” you spoke quietly, gaze focused on the people passing by outside the window. As if you couldn’t even look at him.

“I’m sorry,” he started, and your eyes quickly turned back to him. You were surprised. “I’m sorry--I should’ve told you that I never really fell out of love.”

“Kei,” you furrowed your brows and tilted your head. Frustration. He recognized your habits. “If you were still in love with me, you sure didn’t act like it.”

“That’s why I’m sorry,” he cringed slightly. His pride was surely injured, but it was faring better than his heart. “I thought I fell out of love. I really did. But then you left, and I realized...it was never you.”

His hand reached across the table to take yours into his again. His thumb brushed over your knuckles, and he watched the way your expression softened at the simple gesture.

“I was tired, and took it out on you. I didn’t know how to balance everything, and I thought that if I cut you out of the equation, it’d solve everything,” he admitted quietly. “But turns out, you were a necessary variable to make the equation work.”

“Are you really equating me to a math equation, Kei?” you asked exasperatedly, and he chuckled. “Right now, of all times?”

“Maybe,” he mused.

“You’re the worst,” you retaliated quickly with narrowed eyes, and he smiled--a genuine one. Probably the first one in months.

“And you love me,” he responded. He watched you hesitate before nodding slowly.

“...I do. But it doesn’t make our relationship any easier,” your gaze turned down to his thumb, still brushing slowly over your knuckles. “You can’t just ignore me whenever things get hard. You have to tell me what you’re thinking--I can’t read minds, Kei.”

“If I promise, will you move back in tonight?” he paused before continuing, “...I can’t sleep without you.”

Your expression morphed into one of pure love, and your free hand reached across the table to gently cup his cheek. Your thumb slid under his lenses to brush over the dark bags under his eyes, and he leaned into your touch.

“...sure. If you promise.”

“Then I promise,” he answered quickly, and you laughed. He watched you with awe, taking in the way the corner of your eyes crinkled as you giggled and how your eyes shimmered with stars he couldn’t find anywhere else.

He didn't care if you were in public anymore--he could no longer resist.

He leaned across the table and kissed you softly, pouring every ounce of his love into your lips. You melted against him, and reciprocated by doing the same.

When he pulled back, you were smiling, and he was sure he’s never seen anything so beautiful in his life before.

“...I love you,” he whispered. “Sorry it took so long.”

“I love you too,” you responded with those familiar stars shimmering in your eyes. 

He knew then, that he’d spend every day proving his love for you. And he’d never stop trying.

[niyana-the-ambiguous-mobian]

“Just because we aren’t blood related doesn’t mean you aren’t my sister/brother.” but Sonic and Tails.

Summary: During a fun, planned movie night, Sonic has a sit down with Tails after the latter reveals what’s been on his mind that’s been bothering him.

Word count: 3.4k

A/N: Ooh nice choice of characters for this one, we all know that these two are the best pair of bros out there and we seriously need to see more interactions with these two in the games. For this one, I’d picture their ages being around 15 and 8 just like it usually is in the games, but with Tails being about 7 closer to turning 8 for the sake of the plot. Also apologies if the characterization seems a bit OOC but it’s the best with what I got since I usually don’t write about these two too often.

AO3 link

===============

“Ouch!”

Sonic let out a yelp of pain as he felt the sharp heat from the pan on the stove travel through his glove to his finger. He quickly suckled on it and turned it off, carrying the pan over towards the dining table. Carefully pouring the freshly brewed chili into one of the bowls, his stomach rumbled loudly in anticipation as the scent lifted from the steam hit his face and smelled the aroma.

He stood back and dusted off his gloves against each other, checking out the mini smorgasbord he had laid out for dinner. The bowl of chili sat next to a plate of hot dogs piled up in a small, neat pyramid.

Another bowl sat beside them, filled to the brim with freshly cut slices of apples and oranges at Tails’ request for them to eat more balanced and healthy foods rather than chili dogs almost every day, to which he argued that they were just as good and tasted better as any other food even if the kid had a fair point.

After one quick dash to the fridge for a variety of drinks to lay out on the table was finished, all that was left to do was to get the honorary partner in crime down here and binge watch any action movie they choose. Sonic slowed his dash to a leisurely pace until he got to the bottom of the stairs leading to the 2nd floor.

Tails had come home earlier that afternoon rushing by and going straight up to his room/ second work area with a quick saying of “I’ll be working if you need me!” before he could get a word in to respond, but decided to let him be and let him get some of his projects done so he’d have more time to have for leisure later on.

"Tails? Tails!" Sonic shouted as he angled his head up towards the darkened hallway. “I got the food all setup and raring to go. Just waiting up on you buddy!”

Only silence followed up after he finished. There was no usual immediate answer that would usually come when he would call up, no “Okay, coming!” or even a small but loud noise of confirmation that told him that he heard him. Just silence that was quickly overtaken by the sound of the show playing on the TV in the living room.

“Tails~?” He tapped his foot and stood there for a few more seconds before making his way up the stairs.

As he turned and walked down the small hallway leading to their bedrooms, he noticed that the door to Tails' room was closed, which was a usual thing he tended to do but more often now with all the new tinkering and gadgets that he was making over the past couple of days and preferring to work with no distractions.

However, there was no light peeking out from under the door, nor any sounds of tools clattering on the ground or drills whirling against metal and wood, just silence just the same as when he called up to him the first time.

He frowned, softly knocked his knuckles twice up against the door. "Hey Tails? Tails, are you okay?”

When no answer came out, a small tinge of panic began to creep up Sonic’s spine. He quickly shook his head and took a breath. Maybe the kid just fell asleep at his desk and slept longer than usual, definitely not the first time he’s done that but still…

"I'm coming in okay?" Sonic turned the doorknob slowly and peaked his head into the room as the door opened. His prediction of all of the lights being off was confirmed when all he saw was the slight, pale light of the moon shining through the window, luminating only the center part of the bedroom.

Walking in, he noticed that Tails’ workbench in the corner of the room had been wiped clean and was practically spotless, in comparison to the floor which had all sorts of metal tools, scrap metal, small blueprints and papers surrounding it.

Furrowing his eyes, he reached out for the nearest lamp and turned it on, glancing around the room and noticed more scattered items from his work station thrown across the hardwood floor, most of them being handwritten formulas and notes he recognized the fox dwelling into and going on about earlier that week.

Why was his stuff all over the place? He didn’t hear anything loud or concerning coming from up here the whole time that would equal this mess, but more importantly, where the heck was Tails?

A soft shuffling sound picked up in his ears and sharply turned his head towards the bed on the other side of the room. While nothing moved the bed itself, he could see the sheets hanging down the side of the bed frame moving slightly as soon as he looked in its direction, a small hint of a yellow tail moving away from the sheet and further underneath the bed.

Sonic felt the rising panic from earlier immediately die down and breathed out a small sigh, at least the kid wasn’t kidnapped by some sneaky, ninja badniks Eggman decided to create to catch them off guard, at least not yet that is, but it still didn’t explain why the room was a mess or why he was failing at hiding underneath the bed. Walking over to the bed, he tilts his head and knocks rhythmically at one of the posts.

“Hellooo? Anyone under there?” Sonic pauses, listening for a brief moment before speaking up. “Is there a certain raccoon that’s living under my buddy’s bed and trashed up his tools and room without him even knowing. Because if so, I don’t think he would be very happy about that nor having you live under there without paying rent.”

A second passed before he heard the shuffling again, this time accompanied by a small sigh. A small gloved hand slowly lifted up the sheet, revealing a small black nose, white muzzle and bright blue eyes coming into view and meeting Sonic’s gaze as he looked up at the hedgehog. Sonic blinked and cocked his head to the side, a small grin forming at the corner of his mouth, kneeling down on a knee to get closer to the floor.

“Oh wow, you’re definitely not a raccoon. I’d recognize that yellow, messy fur anywhere.” He says with a smirk, quickly ruffling a hand through the fox’s bangs, causing his hand to be suddenly pushed away harshly and Tails to look away from him, laying his head down on the floor.

Sonic reeled back, surprised at the sudden action and blinked in confusion. Sitting in a crisscross, he lightly touched the back of the foxes head, watching his ears fold back and shoulders scrunch up in response but he didn’t move from his position on the floor.

“You wanna tell me what’s going on bud?” he asked sincerely. Even though he had yet to say anything, it was very clear to him that something had upset him due to the current state of his room alone, but where he decidedly chose to hide under the bed with all the lights off was one other thing on its own. Tails stayed silent as he turned his body back in Sonic’s direction, not looking at him but rather finding the soles of the hedgehog’s shoes more interesting.

“Nothings going on.” He mumbled quietly, but still loud enough for Sonic to pick up on.

He raises an eyebrow. “If nothing is going on, why are you hiding underneath your bed and looking all sad like that?”

He got a small shoulder shrug in response, still refusing to fully look up at the hedgehog. Sonic tilts his head and leans his face against the palm of his hand, letting out a dramatic sigh. “Hmm okay then, guess I’ll just sit here and wait. Just sitting here and waiting. Waiting and…..sitting.”

Sonic peeks down at Tails, whose face was currently scrunched up and looking irritated, confirming that it won’t be long until he starts to crack. “Just sitting around aaaaand waiiiiitttiing-.”

“Okay! Okay, just stop that please?”

Success. Turns out that it works on more people other than evil scientists and grumpy echidnas.

“I’m listening kiddo, whenever you’re ready.”

Tails pauses, letting out a deep sigh. “Sonic, what do you see when you look at me?”

The hedgehog blinked twice when Tails went silent after asking the question, he could feel his brain practically trying to find the reason for such a question. “What do I see when I look at you?”

He watched the fox nod his head, his wide eyes now looking at him expectantly for an answer. “What do I see?….Well I see you, a little fox that is currently covered head to toe in dust bunnies and sorta looks like he needs to take a nap.”

Tails let out a frustrated huff, pulling himself up on his elbows, his frown deepening. “I’m being serious.” He muttered softly, starting to pull at the fabric of his gloves. “That’s not what I mean.”

Sonic laid his hand down on top of the kit’s hands, making him stop picking at his gloves “Then try to help me out here, tell me what’s going on and what’s making you feel this way.” He said with genuine patience, seeing the tension in Tails’ face falter at the sound of his voice.

After a few seconds,Tails closed his eyes and took a breath. “Do you…really consider me as your brother?”

Sonic eyes widened and his mouth opened agape, all guesses that he had on his mind immediately went down the drain and replaced it with even more confusion. Where was this coming from of all things? He couldn’t remember a time where he even asked him a question like this, especially one where it made his mood dower like the way it is now.

“What-….Tails, of course I see you as my brother, I haven’t nor never even doubted that.” Sonic finishes with a new question on his mind. “Where is this coming from?”

“It’s because we aren’t related by blood.”

“….and?”

Tails fumbled over with his words, practically jolting his body out from under the bed and sitting up on his knees. “A-And? And that means we shouldn’t even be siblings! Or at least be considered as such.” He felt his voice starting to crack and dug his fingers into knees. “People know that I’m your sidekick, the kid genius to the world famous Sonic the Hedgehog but each time they hear that you took me under your wing, I always hear them say that you did it because I was a unwanted orphan that you took pity on and that I-“

“Okay, I’m gonna just stop you right there.” Sonic holds up a hand in front of Tails’s face, making him stop abruptly. “First things first, don’t ever, ever talk about or even think that way about yourself again.”

Tails slightly shrank back, stunned at Sonic’s sudden change of tone. He went to speak again but Sonic kept his hand up and gave him that “I mean it” look on his face, keeping him silent. “Second, where is all this coming from? You’ve never said anything to me about this before.”

The fox kit shrugged his shoulders and kept staring at his lap. “I sometimes hear people say that stuff when I pass by them on the street or when kids or even some adults would ask me questions like ‘If you’re his brother, why don’t you live with him?’ or ‘Why don’t either of you have parents?’ Even today, a little kid saw me in line in the hardware store while I was getting supplies, went up to me and asked me, ‘Are you really Sonic the hedgehog’s brother? I thought he didn’t have time for anybody?’”

Sonic’s face remained neutral as Tails continued. “I know that isn't true and I don’t blame them for asking, they were just curious since they don’t know how our personal lives usually are, even though those annoying paparazzi aren't helping enough with that already. But I don’t know, I guess their words were just getting to me over time and I just-“

“Decided to almost destroy your entire room instead of coming right to me and talking about it?” Sonic interrupted, a knowing grin playing on his face.

“Heh, yeah. I think I let my anger get the best of me.” Tails looks away embarrassed, rubbing the back of his head.

“Oh, you think?” He lightly taps the side of Tails’ head with his knuckles. “You keep up that charade and you’ll end up becoming like that old grump Knucklehead and have a permanent frown on your face."

Tails pushes Sonic's hand away, more gently compared to when he did the action earlier. "He doesn't even have a permanent frown Sonic, he just frowns whenever you show up unannounced at Angel island.”

"I think he does that because he doesn't want to admit that he misses me and that I’m way cooler than he’ll ever be."

The two stare at each for a moment, then burst into a quick fits of laughter that ends as quickly as it started. Tails wipes away at his eyes, with tears of mirth rather than sadness while trying to catch his breath. Sonic sat in a comfortable spot on the floor with his back against the side of the bed, reaching out and gently patting Tails’s back.

“But listen, never let those things you hear people say about us get to you. They know only what they see, a fast teenaged hedgehog and a techy, quirky little kid genius fighting bots and some evil bald dude, that’s all they know and will just make up stuff to create a make believe scenario of what we do when we’re not fighting Eggman. Like it’s some reality TV show that always gets low ratings because no one ever watches it.”

Tails brought a hand to his muzzle to attempt to muffle the laugh that threatened to spill out but the smile on his face said otherwise.

“And most importantly, Just because we aren’t blood related doesn’t mean you aren’t my real brother.” Sonic said softly, scooting closer to the fox, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “I took you in because of who you are, not what you can do to help me in a battle or to make me look good to the crowd. I saw a kid who was alone, scared, and was looking for a place to call home. In doing that, it made me realize how I needed that same thing that was missing in my life as well, a family."

Tails gives him a tearful smile, his smile widening as Sonic affectionately bumped their foreheads together. "I wouldn’t trade you for anything in the universe, kid. That’s a guaranteed fact.”

Tails lays his head on Sonic’s shoulder and snuggles closer to him. “You really mean that?”

Sonic gives a soft chuckle, resting his cheek on top of the kit’s head. “Without a doubt.”

“Even if you were offered a year's supply of chili dogs in exchange for me?” He asked, grinning up at him.

"I still wouldn't do it even for that." The hedgehog suddenly lets out a hum, pretending to think about it. "Buuut if we’re talking about a lifetime supply of them, then that’s a different story-.”

“Hey!” Tails exclaimed, shoving at his shoulder playfully and whipped one of his tails around to whack him on the side of his head. Sonic shields the hit with his arm and pulls him back close in a loose headlock, proceeding to give him a noogie.

"H-hey! Ow! No-Stop it! You're messing up my fur!" Tails protested as he tried to free himself.

"Oh, now you're worried about how your fur looks? You still have all those dust bunnies on you!" He soon released him and watched as Tails attempted to flatten the fur sticking up on his head.

“Feeling a bit better now?” Sonic reaches out a hand to help him off the floor.

“More than a bit but yeah, I am” Tails replied, accepting the hand.

“Well, get yourself cleaned up and if you hurry we can still eat the food while it’s still room temperature.” Sonic jokes, walking towards the door.

Tails scoffed as he brushed off the leftover dust bunnies still clinging to the fur on his tails. “You really need to stop eating them so much. It’s not good for your health.”

Sonic rolled his eyes in an overly dramatic fashion. “You’re just saying that because you don’t like how the chili I make with them tastes.”

“It’s not even that! If you keep eating them all day, your energy will start to deteriorate and you’ll end up gaining more weight and it’ll start to slow you down.”

Sonic paused, turning his head back slowly with his mouth agape. “Are you implying that I’m getting fat?”

“I’m not saying that you might, I’m saying that you are, hence why I said ‘gaining more weight’ just now.” He answered by making quotation marks with fingers, a sly smirk masking his face. "That's probably the reason why you were so chubby when we first met. You never had a balanced diet until now."

‘Oh this cheeky little-…’ Sonic placed his hands on his hips and let his head hang down. “Okay just for that, I’m giving you a 10 second head start.”

The fox blinked and cocked his head to the side, the mischievousness disappearing. “Huh?”

“I’m giving you ten seconds to run, afterwards you better hope that you can have enough time to even get away. One..”

Tails’ ears folded back as he began to sidestep towards the door, keeping his eyes on Sonic. His double appendages swished back and forth in anticipation of any sudden moves he could catch him off guard. “Hey S-sonic? I was just joking.”

“Two. Well, you should have thought about that before you decided to do the whole trash talking. Three.” Sonic replied, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Hey, it’s not my fault for telling the truth!” Almost immediately, he mentally slapped himself for opening his big mouth and felt his heart start to speed up once he saw his brother throw him a predatory gaze in his direction.

“Eight…”

He didn’t wait another second, Tails sprinted past him as he ran out of the bedroom and headed towards the landing leading to the stairs. He could barely get his tails spinning as he neared the first step before he felt a pair of arms suddenly wrap around his torso and was pulled into a tight hold against Sonic’s chest.

"Heh. Still not quick enough". He could practically hear the smile in his brother's voice and attempted to pry himself out of the grip but was effortlessly carried down the stairs and into the living room.

Sonic then tossed him over the couch, with him landing softly onto the cushions and attempted to run, only to have his body pushed back down by one of the larger pillows and felt a heavier weight go on top of it.

"Ack! Sonic! Get off!"

"Sorry, I can't hear you. Must be gaining too much weight in my ears to hear anything properly anymore." Sonic crossed his legs and pretended to look at his wrist, continuing to hold the pillow down with one arm without any struggle.

Tails rolled his eyes, shaking his head and peeking it over the couch cushion in Sonic's direction. "I'm sorry, okay?"

"You mean that sincerely or deliberately? Cause you're good at doing both."

“It’s sincere, now get off of me before I put a stink bomb under your pillow.” Sonic obliged and removed his arm from the pillow, allowing Tails to sit up on the couch.

“Okay, just for that threat, I’m in charge of choosing the movie and it’s going to be very long and boring and you’re going to watch it with me until it’s over.”

Tails let out an unamused snort. “What makes you think I’ll ever agree to something like that?”

“Because if you don’t, I won’t make anymore “healthy food” with our meals and all we’ll eat is chili dogs from now on.”

"Ugh, you're so annoying."

"Yeah, yeah. Love you too bud."

[folklorelise]

Mister captain, you should ask miss Y/N out.

MASTERLIST

Summary: you, a teacher, organised a school trip with the kids to visit the survey corps. (kids are around 4/5 years old)

Your job as a teacher inside of Wall Sina a great job. It was close to your house – technically, your parents’ house – and the salary was nice too. Not that you needed the money since your parents were wealthy. When your parents told you what possibilities you had as a job, you chose to be a teacher – you loved having children around. Thankfully, your classes’ children were always really nice and obedient.

“Hello, miss Y/L/N.” your class said when you entered the room.

“Good morning! Did you all remember to bring your lunch boxes today?” you asked.

“Yes!” they all said at the same time.

You organised a trip for the kids – two weeks ago the school decided to organise a visit to the Military Police base, and you thought it would be fun for the kids to meet the survey corps too.

“I want to meet captain Levi because he is so strong.” Percy said.

“I want to meet squad leader Hange because they’re so cool!” Annabeth said.

You gave a quick presentation to your kids the day before so they would know a little about them. After an hour, you all arrived safely at the survey corps headquarters. The commander – with whom you were friend with – welcomed you and your class.

“Y/N.” Erwin welcomed you with a hug.

“Commander Erwin!” Monica yelled with admiration, “me too!” she run to hug Erwin.

“Hey.” Erwin knelt down and every other kid ran to hug him.

“Big success amongst children I see.” Hange laughed.

“Can I have a hug too?” Annabeth timidly asked Hange.

“Awn, of course.” Hange hugged her.

“Mister commander,” Percy asked, “is mister Levi going to be here too?”

After confirming that Levi will be there, Erwin invited you to come in. Erwin showed you where they ate and where they trained. The kids got to see recruits training with their ODM gear and with horses.

“Miss Y/N,” James pulled on your dress lightly, “can we go and pet the horses?”

“You have to ask the commander.”

“Can you please ask him for me?” James asked you timidly.

“He doesn’t bite,” Steve, James’ best friend said. “I’ll go with you, come.” Steve reached out his hand.

While the survey corps members were helping the kids with the horses, Levi appeared behind you silently. Percy was the first one to notice Levi behind you.

“It’s the captain!” Percy yelled pointing behind you.

You turned around and jumped a little. You smiled at the captain and before you could talk, all the kids arrived running toward Levi.

“Hello mister captain Levi.” Percy smiled.

The kids were all talking to everyone while you were just standing there awkwardly, watching everyone. Erwin came to where you were and sat on the grass.

“You should take this opportunity to go and talk to Levi.” Erwin told you.

“What – why… I mean.” you stuttered.

Percy suddenly took the captain’s hand and dragged him where you were.

“Miss Y/N doesn’t have a boyfriend,” Percy said, “that means you can ask her on a date, right?” Percy looked at Levi.

Erwin was laughing silently, and you immediately looked away. You did not want to let Levi see how embarrassed you were. Levi also looked away, not knowing what to say or do.

“That can’t be a bad idea.” Erwin laughed.

“Ok!” you said loudly, “it’s time to eat kids, come on!”

You all walked to the mess hall and the kids all sat around a table. You sat at the end of the table, next to Hange and in front of Levi.

“Your lunch looks so much better than ours.” Hange commented.

“So much meat.” Erwin added.

“Do you want some? I can switch with you if you want.” you said.

“Oh no it’s fine.” Erwin reassured you.

You still decided to share your meat with them. You put a piece a meat on top of everyone’s plate and decided to put the biggest piece on Levi’s one. After lunch, Erwin and Hange took the kids for a walk while you decided to stay to clean the tables. Levi volunteered to help.

Levi helped you cleaned the kids’ lunch boxes in silence. Neither one of you knew what to say.

“I’m sorry about what Percy said earlier.” you blurted out, “it was really inappropriate.”

“It’s fine.”

“We should go and join the kids,” you said when all the boxes were clean, “thank you for you help, it was… really nice.”

“No problem.”

You two walked side to side to the training grounds where the kids were. Erwin, Hange, Mike, Nanaba and Moblit were all sitting under a big tree talking together.

“You should join them, I’m – I’m going to play with the kids.” you told Levi.

“Do you want me to stay with you?” Levi suggested without thinking.

“Oh…” you thought about it before refusing, “I noticed how uncomfortable you were with them around you, thank you though.”

“Ok.” Levi then left.

You played hide-and-seek with the kids and then played ag with them for at least two hours. You were out of breath a little but continued to play with them.

“Miss Y/N,” Percy called you, “Annabeth fell, and her knee is bleeding!”

“Oh no. It’s okay, don’t cry.” you said when you saw her eyes tearing up. “Let’s go see the commander and look for something to clean that ok?”

You took Annabeth with you and Hange told you that they would take care of this. Percy stayed with you and sat down next to the captain.

“Did you know that Miss Y/N knew how to play the piano?” Percy said. “She plays the violin too. It always puts us to sleep. Miss Y/N,” Percy faced you, “you should play.”

“Unfortunately, we don’t have a piano here or violin.” Erwin explained.

“Then you should come to our school one day, and watch miss Y/N play.”

“Percy, I don’t think – they are very busy remember?” you said.

“No, I’m sure we can find something.” Erwin smiled.

“Mister captain, will you be there too?” Percy asked.

“Yes, I will.” Levi answered looking at you.

You smiled at him and then quickly looked away as you felt your cheeks heating up. Then, Annabeth and Hange came back, and it was already time for you to leave.

The kids made their goodbyes – you hugged everyone goodbye and when it was Levi’s turn, you did not think twice and hugged him goodbye too.

At night, Erwin paid Levi a visit before bed. Erwin thought it would be a good idea to visit you and the kids the week after which Levi agreed.

“What?” Levi asked when he saw that Erwin was just staring at him.

“Nothing.” Erwin said, “you remembered Y/N, right?”

Levi first met you during an event to collect money for the survey corps inside of Wall Sina. Your father was participating, and you volunteered to help. It was really boring, so you spent all your time playing the piano.

The first person you noticed was Erwin as you already met him once during a previous event, then you quickly noticed Levi. He was more discreet and did not talk much. When Erwin spotted you at the piano, he came to greet you with Levi behind.

You shared one sentence with the captain before he had to leave with Erwin which disappointed you a lot. There was definitely some physical attraction from your side. When you told your friend, she was perplexed at first.

“I mean, he never smiles… he’s kind of short and… I don’t know.”

“Yeah, I said I liked him; I didn’t ask for your opinion. And his height isn’t a problem. I’m practically the same height.”

“Only a little bit taller.”

“Not a problem for me. Anyway, it’s not like I’m going to see him again.”

The survey corps’ visit finally arrived and the kids could not have been more excited. Each one of them brought a gift for each member.

The kids showed them the classroom, their nap room, and the instruments room. For their nap, as usual, you played a little bit of piano and they fell asleep pretty quickly. While everyone else went to drink some coffee, Levi stayed behind with you to keep an eye on the kids.

“I really liked what you played.” Levi said.

“Really?” you asked.

“Yeah. Why do you look so surprised?”

“Oh. It’s just last time you heard me play,” you said referring to the first time you met him, “you said that it made you want to sleep.”

“It was a compliment.” Levi admitted, perfectly remembering the night you met. “I never want to sleep, so it was a compliment.”

“Oh, that’s a relief.” you laughed softly. “Because I really thought that your first impression of me was… not good.”

“It was.”

“Good.” you smiled, “Mine was good too. You looked really good in that suit; it was really pretty.” you admitted.

“You looked beautiful too.”

“Does that mean you two are a couple?” Percy asked looking at you.

“Why aren’t you sleeping.” you stood up embarrassed.

“I want to pee.”

After the kids went home, it was also time for Levi and his friends to leave.

“Can I talk to you for a second?” Levi asked you.

“Sure.”

“I’d like to ask you out, if that’s ok with you.”

“Really?” you whispered.

“Yes. I really like your company. I know we don’t know much about each other but I’d to… know more about you.”

“I’d love that too.”

“Great.”

“I’ll come to see you next week then, when I’m not working.”

“Ok. I like that.”

Levi and you went on multiple dates, eight to be exact, before you asked him to be your boyfriend. He accepted and is only after that date that you had your first kiss together.

[inkandpen22]

The Princess and The Pogue (pt. 5)

Pairing: JJ x Female!Reader / Topper x Female!Reader

Word Count: 4.7k

Warnings: swearing, violence, mild smut

Part Summary: You and Topper make amends. You two attend the end of the summer bonfire at the Boneyard. When JJ sees you guys together, things take a turn for the worst. 

Masterlist

Somehow, after hours of crying, you finally fell asleep on your bed. You're not quite sure when it happened. Your covers tucked nicely under you, wet from your tears. When you first got home, you immediately snuck up to your room, far from your parents. You ripped off your Labor Day dress, having already hated it, but you also took your aggression out on it. You changed in one of Topper's T-shirts that you stole sometime last summer... when you were hooking up. You had never been so close. Morning, noon, and night you were together. You were practically dating but without the titles. Actually, it was far deeper than that. You spent almost every hour together, you co-existing. You were acting married even though you were only teenagers. You guys just loved each other that much. If someone had told you then that a year from now you two wouldn't be talking, you would've thought they were crazy. 

“Y/N!" You hear Topper in your dreams.  "Y/N!" He repeats, then you process it's real. 

"What the-" You rise from your laid position and spot the boy climbing in from your window in the dark. "Topper?" 

"Hey! Sorry to scare you," he apologizes as he rises to his feet from a crawling position on your floor. 

"Did you climb through the window?" You question, this wouldn't be the first time, but it nevertheless is mind-boggling to you how he can climb up the side of your house. 

"Yeah, can you tell your mom to not have the gardeners cut the vines so short?" He complains with a chuckle, brushing down his Patagonia shirt. 

"What are you doing here?" You yawn. Considering what he said to you just hours before, you can't help but wonder why the fuck he's here. 

"I... I need to apologize," he stammers, taking a seat on the edge of your bed just by your legs. "Y/N, I'm so sorry! I was such a jerk to you earlier. I shouldn't have-" 

Before he can even finish, you leap at him, pulling him into a pleading hug. "Jesus, I'm so happy you're here," you whisper against his shoulder. 

Topper instantly wraps his arms around you, engulfing you. He releases a deep breath, not having realized until this moment that he couldn't breathe the entire time you weren't talking. "I've missed you!" He pulls back and brushes his hand across your cheek, bringing your hair back. "I missed you the moment you left!" He wears a smile of relief as his eyes glisten with tears threatening to fall. 

"Never let me go again," you mutter, almost as a beg. 

"I could never. I didn't," Topper explains in a rushed whisper, gripping your waist. "As soon as you left I was a mess, ask the boys! They had to talk me off a cliff. I came by earlier but your parents said you were still at Kiara's... which I'm guessing you were with JJ and the other Pogues..." His face falters and he avoids your gaze at the mention of JJ. 

You bring your hand up and tuck your fingers under his chin, guiding him to look at you. His eyes meet you with defeat and it nearly breaks your heart. "JJ drove me back to John B's, but I had Sarah drive me home almost as soon as we got there." 

"So you and JJ..." He can't bring himself to ask. 

"We..." Your brows scrunch together as you realize you never really discussed it. "You know what, I didn't even know." Enough about JJ, you're just happy that Topper is here! You felt so empty all day, in a constant state of panic. Now, you can exist again. "I'm just relieved you're here, Top. I've felt sick to my stomach all day," you release a breathless laugh of relief. 

"No, yeah you're right, no one else matters," he shakes his head, reaching for your hand on his cheek and taking it in his hands. "As long as we're good then everything else will be okay." He lifts your hand to his lips and gives them a needy kiss. 

"Stay with me?" You ask softly as he does. 

You see him swallow hard, pausing with your hand his lips. His eyes flicker up to yours with a mixture of surprise and admiration. "I was hoping you'd ask." A faint grin appearing on the edge of his lips. 

You and Topper get ready for bed as you used to every night when he snuck into your room a lot more. You've shared a bed since breaking off your... arrangement. There was the ski trip and Bermuda, but on random nights when he couldn't sleep or missed you, Topper would find himself in your bed. You pull back your blankets, knowing to get on the side closest to the window, away from the door. Topper didn't need to think twice to move to the opposite side because ever in the case of an emergency, he's the closest to the door. He's always thinking of how to keep you safe and satisfied. As you climb in, Topper begins to remove his t-shirt and shorts. You can't help but watch as his clothes become a pile on his side. It's months since you two have done anything, but that doesn't mean you haven't thought about it. There have been opportunities, but you always try to be responsible and remember why you stopped. Topper doesn't notice your staring and wondering what it would feel like to run your fingers down his chest. He climbs in next to you and immediately guides you into his side. Instantly, you feel secure and wanted, which is all anyone ever needs. He brushes his fingertips up and down your spine gently while you rest your cheek against his bare chest. It's not a new feeling to you, but it certainly never gets old. 

"There's a bonfire tomorrow at the Boneyard, wanna go together?" The boy asks, glancing down at you. 

"As long as Rafe doesn't go wild as he did," you snicker, but you mean what you say. 

"Don't worry about him, we had a nice long chat once he sobered up this afternoon," he insinuates and you wish you would've seen Topper go off on him. Then, you comprehend that it might've only happened because Topper was mad at you and Rafe was getting the side effects. 

"He doesn't deserve you, Top." You mutter, lifting your head off his chest to place a quick kiss on his chest. 

"That's how I feel about myself with you," he confesses as he peers down at you. "You've always been there for me. When Sarah cheated, you were right there and pulled me through it. The way I spoke to you this morning. I-" 

"No, no, don't say that," you shake your hand repeatedly as you cup his cheek as you did before. He leans into your touch and you find yourself wishing to be closer to him, as though that's even possible. "I love you, Top. You're my best friend. I'll always be there for you. You've helped me in more ways than you could ever realize." 

"I love you too, Y/N," he smiles, leaning down and placing a kiss on your forehead. "So much..." he whispers against your skin. 

His eyes flicker down to your neck and you remember last night in the kitchen. You brush your hand across Topper's cheek, pulling his focus back to you. His eyes and features falter at the evidence of JJ on you. 

"I'm here with you! Okay? It's you and me," you try to emphasize. 

He nods slowly, still feeling an ache in his chest, but relieved to have you in his arms. You're it for Topper. He would do anything for you, drop anyone for you, nothing is too much. You alone are what drives him and are the reason he wakes up in the morning. He would never admit it aloud out of guilt, but when he was with Sarah, he always compared her to you. He doesn't fully know why he dated her, maybe because he felt you slipping away when you realized that you no longer wanted to hook up. He couldn't lose you so he tried to replace you, but he quickly realized that was impossible. No one could be you. 

_____________________________________

Topper woke up before you and let you sleep, pondering having you in his arms. Your legs entangled in his, your arm across his chest along with your cheek. In the light, he finally notices you wearing his shirt. A faint smile forms on his lips at the sight. He has you here with him, not with JJ or Rafe or anyone else who's pining after you. You're his. 

You've spent the entire day together on Topper's boat. It couldn't have been more perfect. The hours slipped by without either of you two noticing. Topper has been energized and enthusiastic about everything, all because he has you back. Around ten, you and Topper arrive at the Boneyard for the final bonfire of the summer. You wear distressed white short shorts over a black tank bodysuit with a matching black Chanel belt. All finished with the pearl earrings Topper gave you for Christmas last year.  

Topper keeps you close, his arm around your waist as you walk toward the crowd of teenagers. "I'm so lucky." 

You peer up at the boy with a giggle. "Why?" 

"I have the most beautiful girl in the OBX at my side," he flirts. 

You turn your attention ahead, struggling to hide your blushing. "You sound like Rafe." 

Topper steps around to walk backward in front of you. He locks his fingers through the loops of your shorts and pulls you into his chest. "At least he and I agree on something." He grins, resting his hands on your hips. 

You playfully roll your eyes but find it hard to hide your amusement. "You're such a cheese ball." 

"I'm gonna go get us some drinks," he announces before planting a quick peck to your temple. 

You nod, stepping back toward the shore as Topper holds onto your hands until the last minute. "Okay, I'll find us a spot by the water." 

"Be right there," he winks, offering you a mischievous smirk. 

For a second, you watch Topper jog off to the stack of coolers by the cement wall. Is it possible to be too dependent on someone? You know that if you and Topper stopped talking completely that you wouldn't physically die, but emotionally it would destroy you. You smile, knowing that you two will grow closer because of your fight. It taught you a valuable lesson. It took losing Topper for you to fully comprehend how much you need him. Turning on your heels, you head toward a log facing the shore. It's far enough from the chaos to give you and Topper some privacy, but close enough to still be included in the festivities. You two are both social butterflies, but today has been about you two and you want to keep it that way. You sit down on the log, content watching the small waves crashing against the sand just a few feet away. The light of the moon shimmers on the water, making it looks like lines of crystal. 

"Want a drink, Princess?" A familiar voice asks over your shoulder 

You glance up to see a 

"Wow, you look extra Kooky tonight," he remarks under his breath as he brings his cup to his mouth. 

You glare at him. "What's that supposed to mean?" 

"Let's play a game!" He blurts out. "How many items that Y/N is wearing are designer?"

You roll your eyes, realizing how drunk he is because JJ isn't like this. "How much have you had to drink?" 

"Just the right amount!" He answers swiftly before moving on. "My guess is all of them, but I can't be too sure. You'll have to take off your clothes so I can check what's underneath." 

"You wanna sit for a second? Maybe cool down a bit?" You offer, gesturing to the space beside you. 

His expression shifts from carefree to hurt. "Why do you care?" 

"JJ..." You sigh, peering up at the boy with immense guilt. 

"What?!" He tosses his arms up at his sides, losing some of his drink in the process. "You come here with Prince Charming, acting all coupley!" 

 "It's not like that-" You try to explain calmly. 

"Not according to Sarah!" He counters in a shout. You nervously check over at the crowd, making sure no one heard him burst. "You two planning your next trip to Bermuda?!" 

"What!" You whip your head back around toward JJ. "What did Sarah tell you?!" You fly up to your feet, stepping toward him defensively. 

"Did you sleep with him?!" JJ yells again and you're sure others heard him this time. 

"Excuse me?" You gasp at his audacity. 

"After you left John B's, did you go and find him?!" He elaborates with a breathless laugh. He steps closer to you, getting in your face. He doesn't care if others listen or if he's making you uncomfortable. "After you kissed me and slept in my bed, did you go and sleep with Topper?!" 

Abruptly, you feel a hand pressed to your back and see JJ being shoved backyard. 

"Hey! Back off man!" Topper growls, suddenly at your side. 

JJ catches himself from falling after a second of stumbling. "Oh and here he is now!" He laughs, tossing his cup to the side. "Your knight in shining armor!" 

"I think you should go, man!" Topper warns between his teeth. 

Topper's arm slips around you and grips your waist protectively. You watch JJ as he glares at Topper's arm around you. 

"Don't "man" me, alright! Touch me again and you'll lose a hand!" JJ threatens. 

"JJ!" John B calls for his friend as he runs toward you from down the beach. Kiara, Pope, and Sarah are close behind him. When JJ doesn't react. John B shouts again. JJ! Come on, let's go back over to the fire." 

"No! Not until she answers me!" JJ screams, yanking his arm free. 

Pope, Kiara, and Sarah watch in distress as JJ and Topper go back and forth. None of you are sure what to do. 

"Answer what!" Topper barks, stepping toward JJ defensively. You grab his arm, keeping him back. 

"Oh, I'm sorry! Is your name Y/N?" JJ laughs mockingly. "That Kook Academy doesn't do you guys any favors for your intelligence does it?" 

Pope steps around to block off his friend. "Just cool down, buddy!" 

"I knew you were Kook, Y/N, but I would've never marked you as slut," JJ shouts at you over Pope's shoulder. 

Topper breaks free of your hold, charging at JJ. John B grabs Pope and yanks him out of Topper's way. Now block-less, JJ runs at Topper. His face is red with aggravation. You could've never imagined seeing JJ look so enraged. The person he was with you the other night was entirely different. He was kind, gentle, understanding. You don't recognize him. Topper shoves JJ hard enough to make the boy fall back onto the sand. 

Topper tackles JJ into the ankle-deep water, immediately punching him in the jaw. The two grunt, struggling to get the upper hand. John B attempts to pull Topper off. 

"Topper!" You yell desperately. 

"JJ!" Kiara yells from the sidelines. 

"Enough!" John B barks at the pair as Pope runs to assist. 

The crowd by the bonfire starts to figure out what's going on a few yards away and rush over to watch. Pogues and Kooks each cheer for their fighter. Kelce and Rafe show up, pushing through the crowd to help out their friend. 

"Topper! Get off of him!" You plead as your best friend continues to press JJ's head under the water. 

JJ manages to punch Topper in the cheek, making the boy lose his balance for a second. Despite hating each other, Kelce and Rafe try to help out John B and Pope. 

"Guys! Quit!" Kelce commands, pulling at Topper. 

"Top, you'll kill him!" Sarah screams from beside Kiara. 

You want to go stand with them, but at this moment you're not sure if they want anything to do with you. Sarah and Kiara are Pogues. You're not just Y/N right now, their friend. You're a Kook during this Kook vs. Pogue fight. 

The boys manage to yank Topper off of JJ. The blonde Pogue flies up from beneath the surface, gasping for air. Topper falls back onto the sand in a seated position. Topper continues to fist JJ's collar and as he's shoved off, ripping JJ's shirt down the front. You notice the large purple and blue bruise on JJ's chest and freshly heeling cut down his neck to his collar bone. JJ frantically reaches behind himself, searching for something. Then, things take a turn for the worst when he whips out a gun. The crowd that watched the fight with amusement now scatters in a panic. 

"Woah! Woah! Woah!" Topper's eyes grow wide as he starts to scoot back, holding up a hand pleadingly. 

Kelce and Rafe bolt away, John B and Pope rush out words, trying to calm JJ down. 

"JJ!" John B yells at his friend. "What the hell?!" 

"Oh my god!" Sarah's hands fly up to her mouth. 

"That's right! Bet you didn't think I had that did ya?" JJ grins wickedly at Topper. 

"Topper!" Kelce attempts to collect his friend but halts when JJ points the gun at him. 

"Everyone back off!" JJ orders, rising to his feet, returning the gun's point toward Topper. 

Without a second thought, you sprint across the sand. You slide in front of Topper, the waves splashing against you. 

"Y/N! No!" Topper screams as soon as you land in JJ's path. 

"Y/N!" Sarah and Kiara shout your name in unison. 

JJ hesitates when his eyes land on you. You see him lower the gun a little and Kelce takes the opportunity to pull Topper from the scene. 

"JJ please..." you beg of him. 

Your heart is racing, but you're certain JJ won't hurt you. Despite his evident pain and anger toward you, he won't do it. You remember the boy from the other night, the one who spoke to you with such admiration. That boy wouldn't harm you. You know he's in there beneath this tough facade. 

"Y/N! Come on!" Rafe wraps his fingers around your arm and drags you away. 

While he's distracted by you, John B swiftly steals the gun from JJ's hand and begins ushers him away to their circle of friends. The Pogues swarm JJ, all talking over each other. 

 Rafe frantically cups your face, checking on you. "Y/N! Y/N, are you okay?"

"I'm fine..." You mutter, glancing over your shoulder, watching John B talk to JJ down the beach. 

"No cuts? Scrapes?" Rafe panics. 

"No..." You shake your head absent-mindedly as you’re too distracted by observing JJ. 

"Are you okay?" Kiara checks on JJ worriedly as you watch from a distant. 

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine!" JJ rushes out, still agitated. "Fuck this man!" He swears, then his eyes land on yours with surprise. He hand’t expected you to be listening or even care. 

You two stare each other from across the beach. Guilt consumes his features and sympathy breaks you apart as your vision lands on the wounds covering JJ’s torso. Rafe brings you over to Kelce who has Topper catching his breath against a tree. 

"Dude's fucking nuts, man!" Kelce curses, all fidgety beside you. 

As soon Topper sees you coming, he pushes himself off the tree and rushes to you. His arms engulf you as he presses you to his chest. 

He squats down to be at your level, cupping your face in his hands. “You’re so stupid, Y/N! You just jumped in front of a gun! Why would you do that?!” 

“Because it was pointed at you!” You justify desperately. 

Topper's eyes soften. “You’d risk your life for me?! Are you crazy?!” A soft, breathless, laugh escapes him. 

“Of course I would you idiot!” You remark with frustration. How could he possibly think you wouldn't? You'd do anything for the boy. 

“God, I love you so much," he mutters, placing a hand on either side of your head and planting a kiss on your forehead. 

“Are you sure you’re not hurt anywhere?” You check his body in a panic. 

“Yes, yes I’m okay!” He assures you. “Let’s get out of here before things get crazy again." 

Your eyes grow wide. “Agreed!” 

He looks over at you and Topper doting on each other. It makes him even more pissed off. "Great! Go baby him! Tend to your Kook Prince, you Princess!" He yells across the beach. 

John B covers his friend's mouth. "Shut up, JJ!" 

"Jesus JJ!" Pope huffs under his breath. 

You and Topper snap your heads in JJ's direction. As a result, Topper pulls you into his side securely. 

“We'll text you guys later!” Kelce calls out to you both as he and Rafe start backing toward their cars. 

“Stay close to me,” Topper slips his into yours, giving it a tight squeeze. “I’m never letting that psycho Pogue anywhere near you again!” 

When you arrive at Topper's car, he opens your door for you. He keeps a sharp eye on the Pogues that remain on the beach. When John B or any of them glance our way, he glares daggers in their direction. Once you climb in, Topper reaches in and begins to buckle your seat belt as though you were a toddler in a car seat. 

“Topper I think I can put on my own seat belt,” you 

“I know, Sweetheart. I’m just..." he stops his action, kneeling beside you. "I guess I’m still a little scared. I was so afraid when that gun was pointed at you, I... I couldn’t breathe. I can never lose you, Y/N,” he rushes out, becoming emotional. 

Your emotions become bottled up as a lump in your throat. You rub your fingers through Topper's hair and plant a kiss on his forehead. His hands glide around your waist to your back, hugging you needly. His head rests against your chest as you cradle it. 

Abruptly, he breaks from you as a thought pops into his mind. “Promises me that if there’s any dangerous situation like that again, you run!" He instructs sternly. "You don’t do anything reckless for my sake!” 

You shake your head frantically, already rejecting his words. “You would’ve done the same thing for me! You basically did!” You justify. 

“I’m seriously Y/N!" Topper stands his ground. Eagerly, he takes removes your hands from his hair and squeezes them in his own. "I could never live with myself if something happened to you! Never again!” 

You want to argue with him on it, claim that if he's going to be protective of you that he must understand that you'll be the same. Yet, nothing escapes you. Instead, you simply nod, not wanting to fight at this moment. 

He nods, satisfied by your compliance. “I love you, you know that right?” 

You nod. “I love you too, Topper." 

_________________________________________

JJ fell into a dark abyss of self-deprecation and destruction after the bonfire. The Pogues all drove back to John B's, but as soon as they got there JJ disappeared as he did the day before. All they can do is wonder where he goes. If they knew that he was at the bar searching for his dad half drunk, they would be stopping a second fight for the day. 

JJ can't help but feel responsible for it all. One minute he has you. You're right there. The next, you're gone, in the arms of Topper of all people. He wants to know if anything from the other night was real for you. Was he just a game to you? You're the Princess of the OBX, you can have anything you want, including JJ if you asked. Is that what happened? You wanted him for a night and then got bored and went back to your fellow Kook. He wishes he hadn't let you down. He wishes you were here. He wishes that he could hold you again and feel you in his arms. Waking up next to you was the best moment in his life and he fears he'll never feel that sort of peace again. 

______________________________________________________

You Topper spend the night at his house, too afraid to be apart. Late into the night, Topper struggles to fall asleep as he holds you. Your back is pressed to his chest as his hands rest against you underneath his shirt you're wearing. Every time he tries to close his eyes, he envisions what could've happened tonight. You could've been shot. Topper could never live with himself if anything happened to you. Moving slowly to not wake you, he rolls onto his back and reaches toward the nightstand for his phone. He begins to scroll through social media and text messages, responding in the group chat between you, Kelce, Rafe, and himself. You've all agreed to go to lunch tomorrow at the Club with some other Kooks from the bonfire. 

You stir next to Topper, making the boy pause for a second. When you roll over still asleep and curl into him, a wave of relief rushes over Topper. 

“Go back to sleep,” you yawn. 

Topper jumps at the sudden sound of your voice. “Shit... sorry Beautiful, I didn’t mean to wake you.” 

“I’ve been awake. I could feel you overthinking," you whisper, scooting closer into his side. 

“You could feel me thinking?” He repeats with a hint of confusion.

You hum, as it makes perfect sense to you. You hear the sound of Topper pushing his phone back onto the side table. He rests his now free hand over your arm that lays across him. After a couple of minutes, you can still feel the tension radiating from him. 

“I’m okay, Topper,” you tell him to ease his nerves. 

“I know, I can’t just help but review the course of events in my head. What if he didn’t hesitate? What if his hand slipped? What if-“ 

“Enough!” You fly up to prop yourself up on your elbow. You stare down at the worried boy with sympathy. "You’re okay! I’m okay! What’s done is done and all we can do is be safe from now on. We’re safe!” You reach up and comb your fingers through the side of his hair. “Okay? It’s just you and me here.” 

Impulsively, Topper extends his neck and slams his lips to yours. You sit stunned as the kiss rides out its course. You and Topper go months without anything intimate and within two days, he's kissed you twice, breaking every ruled you two have made. When you don't react, Topper breaks from you with a startled expression, as if he wasn't comprehending his actions. 

“Y/N, I'm sorry! I-“ 

Before Topper can finish his sentence, you press your lips to his hungrily. You're not sure why, but you need him. Topper is your kryptonite, the bittersweet reality in your life. Forgetting his regret, Topper immediately sits up, resting against his headboard. You take the opportunity to straddle his torso and he keeps you steady with his hands on your hips. It's been ages since you've made out, but it's like riding a bike for you two. You know what each other likes and what gets the other going. 

"I've missed you so much," Topper whispers against your jawline as he moves down to leave marks on your neck. He aggressively attacks your sensitive skin where evidence of JJ remains. Deep down in the back of your mind, you know Topper is parking his territory for JJ to see later. Your skin has become a battleground for the two. "I've missed this." 

"Me too," you pant, silently wondering if you truly mean it in the same sense as him. 

Though you chose to kiss Topper back and want to, you can’t understand why JJ’s face enters your mind the moment you do. As you deepen the kiss with Topper, you chase the sensation he’s giving you. You're addicted to the way he makes you feel, it's familiar and reminds you of a time when you were carefree. Yet, your thoughts remain fixated on JJ. You want Topper, but all you can think about is JJ. 

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Tags: @starkeythinker @bethii1 @thegunnerkelly@cc13723things @hockeybabe87 @jolomez

[sirthisisa-wendys]

Investigations (Part 3): Ran Haitani x Fem!Reader

synopsis: when things are uncovered, can you handle the truth? Or are you doomed to make a mistake you can't rectify?

wc: 2.1k

tw: violence

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song recommendation:

Ran's past was a lie.

When you met him at the country club five years ago, your pasts had been explained in hushed tones and excited flurries of memories; sharing photos of the time before he was an executive of the communications company he worked in and the time before you were a journalist.

Ran said he had gone to jail twice, both for crimes he had been an accessory to as a delinquent kid, but that he'd cleaned up his act after and made his way up the corporate ladder. Nothing about gangs or being a Heavenly King in Tenjiku made it past his lips.

You had been honest, too. Your tales included the time you'd accidentally happened upon a massive gang fight, and that's how your investigative journalism skills began to bloom.

Who was fighting?

What were they going to do after?

Where did these gangs come from?

When did this argument start?

Why were they fighting?

How did gangs form in the first place?

Those were all the questions you sought out answers for that night and the next five years after, devoting your time and effort to finding the truth about everything.

"Babe?" You freeze, hands hovering over the keys at the sound of Ran's voice. You don't turn around - you can't even look at him the same these days - but he fixes that by walking over to you and turning you around in your chair. "What are you doing up so late?"

"Just doing some writing." His violet eyes search yours for the truth, but you know he won't be able to find it. Not while you're still trying to unravel his past. Ran kisses your eyelids sweetly, cupping your face in his large palms and littering his love across your face as you try your best to remain still and not confess about your research.

"Come to bed. It's late."

"I've got a few more paragraphs," you explain, motioning to the small print on your screen. "I'll be in bed soon."

But your lie is discovered shortly thereafter. It's five a.m. when Ran returns, seeing you slumped against your desk, arms cushioning your head, laptop screen blank. Instinctively, Ran pulls you out of your seat - making your notebook fall to the ground - grunting softly as he scoops you up into his arms and cradles you against his chest.

You willingly allow your husband to carry you to bed, where your two-year-old is also nestled among the sheets and pillows, thumb tucked into his mouth. And for a moment, Ran appreciates the view, seeing the two people he loved the most - besides his younger brother - laying in the bed he paid for, in the house he built, in the city he owns.

But then he remembers the slight disarray you left your things in at the desk and returns, picking up your pencil and notebook before laying them beside the laptop. Then his eyes catch "Ran's past?" written in bold, red letters, along with the words: "Tenjiku" and "Tandai" also written in the web of other words surrounding his name. "South Terano" is also on that web.

He'd have to take care of that in the morning.

And for the first time in a long time, worry bubbles to the surface of his mind, and Ran rips the sheet of paper from your notebook, tossing it into the kitchen trashcan and considering his deed done. He concealed his past to protect his family. And he's concealing the present to achieve the same goal; all for the future to be revealed later. That's how everything should be.

Right? _____________________________________________________________

"Ran," you whisper, lips running across his knuckles. His fingers cup your jaw, and his own lips press against your forehead, violet eyes darkening slightly. "It's six am. Where are you going this early?"

"I have to go into the office for a little while," he murmurs, kissing your forehead again. "I'll be back around lunchtime." Thoughts of Tandai and Tenjiku flash into your mind for a moment, but you smile at him sleepily anyway, absolutely sure these things are part of his past and not in the present.

"We'll be waiting for you, my love."

Despite all of your best intentions, though, you can't help but be consumed by the idea of Ran out, fighting, stealing, maiming... You consider asking him about these things, these concerns, but you decide against it as you're helping Kai with his lunch. If he wanted to leave it in the past, there's a good reason for it. He would have told you if it would be a problem later. Right?

Ran wouldn't jeopardize your family, your home, your life for something so... juvenile.

Right?

The clatter of keys on the counter in the living room brings you back to the present, and you perk up, your two-year-old mimicking your expression.

"Daddy!" Kai slides down from his seat and runs to greet Ran, clutching his father's legs with all his little might.

"Hey, buddy," Ran laughs, stooping to pick up his son with excitement. "How are you doing?" As son and father have a very stimulating conversation about playtime, you watch them in wonder, observing the way Ran makes his child a priority, just like he makes you a priority. But your countenance falls as soon as you see the blood spot on the bottom of Ran's lavender suit jacket. You know its blood because of the way it dried - that's no ketchup stain.

You fake a smile anyway, giving Ran a kiss on the cheek and tugging his jacket off after he sits Kai back on the tile floor.

"Hard day?"

"Kind of," Ran mumbles, and you catch the sight of a long scratch down the side of his neck. "But I made it through." You hum, taking the pin-striped jacket to the laundry room and slinging it over the side of the washer. You'd need that later.

"Need to relax?" you wonder, and Ran grins at you mischievously.

"Maybe later, after bedtime?"

_____________________________________________________________

But "later" never came.

Instead, Ran and Kai fell asleep on the sofa, watching a kid's movie, and you retreated to the office, powering up your laptop and pulling your notebook closer.

You immediately notice something's wrong, as the notes you had before were missing. Everything is gone. Not even a word of all the research you had done was there. Hadn't you written meticulous notes and names and things about Ran's past that could be interconnected? You break out in a sweat and search in every drawer of the desk, every place it could possibly be. You come up with nothing, and let out a frustrated sigh before slumping down in your seat and pulling up the computer history from yesterday. If you had to rewrite every single thing, that's fine. You'd just need more time to gather your evidence for the meeting on Saturday.

You're knee-deep in articles and police reports when you stumble across a more recent - actually as recent as this morning - article titled: "Ex-gangster found dead in meat factory". The picture of South Terano startles you, and you click on it, feeling a sense of dread as the article details how he was found hanging upside-down in the warehouse with a bullet hole in his head. And just like that, your newest lead has fizzled out. You groan, writing down "South Terano, deceased" on your notepad, then exiting the tab.

There had to be someone else you could ask. Shuji Hanma only provided you with Ran and Rindou's names, no one else.

"What's this?"

The door to the office shuts softly, and you look over your shoulder at Ran, who is walking toward you with measured steps, his eyes taking in your exhausted expression and the way you're hunched over that notepad. Again.

"What are you doing? You look tired, babe. Let's go to bed, yeah?"

Suddenly, pieces begin to click as Ran leans his hip against the desk, staring down at you in the chair with squinted violet eyes. "You threw away my notes... Didn't you?"

"What are you doing in my business, y/n?"

"Why didn't you tell me that you were in two gangs?" you counter, fingers shaking slightly. "Ran, this is something I needed to know before--"

"You wouldn't have married me if I told you." Ran's tone is cold, almost as if he's turned into the past version of himself without batting an eye.

"You don't know that." Ran leans forward, coming to eye level with you a smirking.

"I know you. And that's all I need." Ran reaches out a hand to close the laptop, still smiling and maintaining eye contact. "Now here's what you're going to do. First, you're going to stop digging into my past. There's nothing there that you need to find. Second, you're going to come to bed. It's late, you're tired. Finally," Ran cups your chin like he did this morning, except his fingers aren't so tender this time. "You're going to cut off contact with both Shuji Hanma and Taiju Shiba. I'm not really fond of either of them, and I'm not a fan of having them tell my business to my wife."

"They were only doing it because I asked."

"Taiju, maybe. Shuji isn't so eager to fuck you. I doubt he did it out of the kindness of his heart." You can't say anything to refute his claims. Ran is probably right. But you can't get one question out of your mind.

"Why are you trying to hide your past? What's there that I won't like?"

"What isn't there is the real question."

"What can you tell me about the gang that's just surfaced in Tokyo?" Ran's face slackens, transforming into a half-surprised, half-blank look that you realize is one that means he's been caught. "Oh, my fucking god," you breathe, tears stinging your eyes. "South, the fish, the murders, the crime... It's you. It's been you this whole time. I've been chasing my own husband down." Panic begins to set in, and your mind whirls around as you shake in your seat, bringing your hands up to your head. "Just tell me Rindou isn't in this," you breathe, but Ran doesn't answer you, still wearing that dumb look on his face. You let out a cry of shock, covering your mouth and trying to back away from Ran as much as you can.

The source is a lot closer than you think.

You slide down the wall, shocked into stillness as your sobs quiet, and Ran straightens up, placing his hands in his sweatpant pockets. The long nights, the early mornings, the bloodstains, the damn suits... It all led to this. Ran had never really left his old lifestyle behind. He'd gotten caught up in it, and brought you and Kai into it unknowingly.

"I never meant for it to get this... unhinged." You can't reply, tucking your knees into your chest as you stare past Ran and at the opposite wall, wondering how you'd missed the signs, the obvious signs that Ran was up to no good. "I know this is a lot to take in, but we can--"

"I can't stay here."

The words fall from your mouth and Ran flinches, shaking his head.

"No. You can't leave."

"Yes, I can," you mumble, standing and wiping your tears. "I can do whatever I need to do to keep Kai safe, and--"

"Kai is safer here than out there," Ran snaps, pointing at the window. "I'm not letting my son out of my sight. Your snooping has caused enough trouble as it is; I wouldn't have had to go and clean up this morning if you hadn't--"

"Don't blame this on me," you retort, pointing at Ran accusatorially. "You're the one who joined a gang and is still in one! What kind of role model are you for our son now?"

"I provide the best way I can," Ran grits out, clenching his fists. "You've never gone hungry, cold, or ill-clothed a day in your life while you were with me."

"I would rather die than enjoy a life paid for with blood money."

"Blood money? You really think--" You try to push past Ran, but he grabs your shoulders, yanking you back in front of him. "You're not going anywhere except to our bed."

"Let me go, Ran Haitani," you mutter, hands balling up into little fists. "Or I'll scream."

"Who will hear you? Kai?"

How had you been so foolish? Ran's lips press together momentarily as his violet eyes run over your figure, taking stock of all your five-foot-six stature. You're no match for Ran. Not mentally, and certainly not physically. Ran notices your defeat and his hands slide down to your wrists, tugging your delicate hands up to his chest.

"Everything will be fine," he whispers, drawing you close. "I'm taking care of us. Just trust me."

Just trust me.