#Also the dolphin shrugging and rolling its eyes help why is that so fucking funny to me

[babacontainsmultitudes]

Lincoln's weird little dolphin cult got me so bad WHAT IS THIS FUCKING PODCAST WHY ARE MORE AND MORE OF THEM SHOWING UP TO WATCH HIM- OH AND THEY HAVE A BOND NOW THEY'RE HELPING HIM OUT OKAY

[withyounct]

What’s wrong kid? (2)

Reader x Single dad!Jaehyun

Genre: Fluff

Words: 2.6k

Prompt: You notice a child crying at a school playground. You decide to see what’s up and meet an extremely stressed/extremely handsome father.

Prev | Next

A/n: There is a slight Reader X Jaemin moment for like 12 seconds. Enjoy!

Watching Hyunjin was not only the easiest job ever it was also the funniest. She had such a ray of youthful exuberance mixed with an odd amount of maturity for her age. It was Friday night and you were putting her to bed when she hit you with a comment that completely threw you off.

“I hate this.” Hyunjin pouted, eyes brimming with tears. You immediately panicked. You were reading her favorite bedtime story. She was surrounded by her favorite plushies, her favorite star nightlight was on. Everything was downright perfect.

“You hate what Hyunjin?” You treaded cautiously while pulling her closer to you on the bed.

“You’re always gone when I wake up.” She admitted sadly, holding onto your side. You thought about it for a minute. For the past week you two spent every late afternoon and evening together. You would put her to bed and, in her mind, disappear until the next afternoon.

“I'm sorry. But you get to see your dad in the morning.” You reminded her hoping it would make her feel better. She just pouted more.

“Why can’t I see you both in the morning?” She asked innocently. The implication of staying over made your face hot, so you ruffled her hair in hopes to distract her from your slight panic expression.

“Well I don’t live here.” You laughed. You reminded her that you guys get to spend all of Sunday together. She accepted this begrudgingly and fell asleep after two more books.

You wandered into the living room to find Jaehyun on the couch reading through some documents. He looked up upon your arrival and sent you his signature smile, dimples and all. You stared at him questionably. How long has he been home? Why didn’t he say goodnight to Hyunjin?

“I didn’t want to interrupt. She would have been too hyper if I came in and its really late.” He answered before you could ask. You nodded understandingly and took a seat by him.

“It’s your house and daughter. You wouldn’t be “interrupting” anything. Plus, I wish you would have.” You added letting your head lean on the back of the couch. Jaehyun placed down the stack of papers and copied your movements.

“Why?” He turned his head in your direction and for the second time that night you had to hide your panicked expression. This close up you could see just how handsome he really was. You scanned his face and couldn’t find a single flaw. The raise of one of his eyebrows brought you back.

“She’s upset because I disappear before the morning. I sucked at explaining it to her; your input would have been helpful.” You blushed being caught staring dumbly. He smiled and turned his head back forward.

“You probably did a good job, but I’ll talk to her in the morning.” He reassured. You hummed and silence fell between you. After a few minutes he let out a heavy sigh.

“I’ve been so busy; I'm starting to feel like a shitty father.” He confessed. You were taken aback. In the week that you’ve know him he was anything but a ‘shitty father’. You sat up and nudged his leg.

“A shitty father wouldn’t wake up at the ass crack of dawn to prepare his daughter’s lunch and make breakfast. He wouldn’t take his time out of his already busy day to make sure her hair was done nicely, and her uniform was ironed. He wouldn’t care if she’s with someone that she actually liked watching her. He wouldn’t bust his ass day to day to make sure she has a happy and secure life. Jaehyun you’re nowhere near being a shitty father.” You ranted more concerned than you need to be.

There was a silence that engulfed you two unlike the first and you felt that you might have overstepped your boundaries. But, you weren’t going to apologize for being right. He looked at the leg that you nudged then at you. You saw a smile make its way across his face and he laughed.

“Has anyone told you your kind of amazing?” He asked while in a laughing fit. If your face wasn’t hot before it was then.

“Several times a day.” You lied, slightly turning away from him.

“Thanks.” A calm smile replaced its former. “I really needed that.”

“Anytime.” You softly smiled.

Since it was Friday you stayed longer than usual. You talked Jaehyun into putting his work away and to watch a movie with you. You, being the horror fan that you were, suggested The Conjuring. Jaehyun told you that he didn’t believe in ghost, which you thought was funny given how many times he got startled by a jump-scare.

Saturday rolled around and you were hanging out at Mark and Haechan’s apartment. Haechan had called you over to help him pick out and outfit for the party that night; the party you had no interest in going to.

“Mark ‘I never leave the music building’ Lee is going, and you can’t because?” Haechan grilled, throwing clothes on you while you laid on his bed. Mark shot a “I can hear you’ from the kitchen, but neither of you paid him mind.

“I got other shit to do.” You picked up a plaid shirt and threw it in the ‘no’ pile.

“Being what? You disappear more than I do nowadays. Which is fine, but we would like to know who you’re ditching us for.” Mark asked walking into Haechan’s room. You looked between your friends and saw a hint of concern in their expression. You asked if this was a common concern across everyone, including Kun and Ten, and they nodded.

“I've been babysitting this really cute girl.” You stated simply. They looked at each other then back at you.

“You like children?” They asked in unison.  

“Meh, but she’s really adorable and fun to be around.” You confessed. They looked at each other once more and shrugged, accepting your explanation. Mark pulled out his phone to text the rest of your friends and Haechan went back to throwing clothes at you.

About 30 minutes later you felt your phone vibrate.

“I’ll be right back.” You announced to the two.

“Jaehyun, what’s up?”

“Y/n, hey. My friends and I are taking Hyunjin to the aquarium, so you have the day off.” He informed happily. You could hear Hyunjin screaming in the background about fishes with another male voice; you guessed it was Johnny’s.

“Okay have fun.” You smiled.

“We will.” You heard Hyunjin and Johnny? scream ‘dolphins!’ before Jaehyun hung up. You chuckled to yourself and turned to walk back into the room. There you were greeted by a nosy Haechan leaning on the door.

“Oh man what a bummer, it looks like your plans are cancelled. So, you’re going to this fucking party.” He let out a cheshire smile. You always had a hard time saying no to him so after an hour of begging you gave in.

“I'm gonna go home and change.” You rolled off his bed and attempted to grab your keys. Mark got to it first and shoved it in his pocket.

“As if. We let you leave, and you’ll just lock yourself in your room till tomorrow.” He smirked. You squinted at him, but said nothing because he was right. Haechan pulled out his phone and dialed Ten.

“Hey, can you do me a favor and pick Y/n out and outfit for a party? Yeah and can you bring it and her makeup bag here too. Thanks.” You heard Ten yell “fuck yeah’ on the other end before it went dead.

Ten and Kun brought over the stuff and took your car back to the apartment. You begrudgingly got ready. The outfit screamed ‘Ten picked me out’ a red crop top with a lace bralette under, high waisted ripped black jeans with fishnets, and black boots. You finished up your makeup and stole a few of Haechan’s accessories when Mark announced it was time to go.

Since you had no intention of going you had no idea whose party it was. When you pulled up at Hendery and Xiaojun’s house you were surprised. They were friends of Yangyang and acquaintances of yours. They both came from fairly wealthy families, so they rented out the biggest and nicest house off campus.

“Holy fuck you look hot.” Jaemin greeted when you entered the house.

“Thank Ten.” You blushed at the sudden compliment.

You were suddenly dragged by Lucas and Xiaojun who demanded you do shots with them. Somewhere between the jello shots and real shots you were pulled to the dance floor by Hendery. To say you were having fun would be an understatement. You had a comfortable amount of alcohol in your system and you felt light as a feather.

More partying and shots later, you found yourself in an intense make out session with Jaemin. It was a mutual thing. After dancing for what it felt like hours, you drifted to his side on the sofa. The two of you were talking about nothing when lips met. He pulled you onto his lap and you carded your hands through his hair. You guys were going at each other for a good 5 minutes when you were interrupted.

“Umm.” Renjun’s voice broke you two apart. You looked down at Jaemin then back at Renjun and Jeno. You slid off of his lap and opened your mouth to say something, anything, when they both just walked away. Jaemin glanced down at you and the two of you squinted at each other. You were the first to break into laughter. Jaemin soon followed suit. He grabbed your hand and pulled you into the kitchen to do more shots with your friend group.

It was nearing 3am and you were beyond tired. You found space on one of the couches upstairs and was leaning on Lucas’s side when Jeno appeared.

“Y/n you okay?” He asked sweetly.

“Mm tired.” You pouted.

“Where’s Mark and Haechan?” Lucas asked while petting your head.

“Fucking it up on the dance floor. Y/n, here let me take you home.” Jeno, being the angel he was, pulled you up. You waved bye to Lucas and was gently place in the passenger seat. The drive was mostly silent since Jeno was the comfortable silence type.

“You don’t have to answer this, but do you by chance like Jaemin?” He asked suddenly at a red light. You weakly turned your head from the window to him. You could see the worry on his face.

“Not like that.” You answered, way to tired to elaborate. You rolled your head back to the window and sighed at the coldness on your warm face. When you arrived at your apartment you dreaded the walk up the stairs. While you were complaining in your head, Jeno got out the car and opened your side.

“Here.” He unbuckled the seat and scooped you up bridal style. You could have protested, but you were happy you didn’t have to make the walk and possibly trip and die. You informed him that Kun had your keys, so you both waited until they answered the door. Jeno passed you on and left. The last thing you remembered was Ten and Kun taking off your make up and putting you to bed.

Waking up the next morning sucked. Jaehyun had a full day so you had to be there by noon. You slammed your alarm off and sat up. You had a few sitting minutes so you pondered if you should text Jaemin, but decided to give your brain time to process what to say. So, you texted Jeno thanks instead. On your way out the door, Kun handed you coffee and Ten sunglasses.

“Did someone party to hard last night?” Jaehyun joked when he opened the door.

“You have no idea.” You muttered taking off your sunglasses.

“You can tell me over coffee. You look like you need more.” He said leading you to the kitchen. You smiled at his offer and tried to forget about his hands on your shoulders.

He placed a mug of coffee in front of you and you laughed at how much cream he put in it.

“So, spill.”

“I made out with one of my friends and had way too many shots.” You sighed. You noticed the shock spread across his face and another expression you couldn’t quite place.

“Oh, um well. Do you like this friend?” He asked awkwardly and you were a bit thrown off, but kept your face neutral.

“No. Not like that, but what if he likes me and it makes shit awkward.” You worried. Jaehyun’s face looked, what you would consider, relieved. But again, you kept your face neutral because there was no way. Right?

“You should talk to him. You guys are friends, so I'm sure it’ll be fine.” He ruffled your hair in reassurance.

“Wise words from a wise guy.” You joked. He cringed at how lame it was and you two talked until he had to go.

Hyunjin was taking her afternoon nap when you decided to suck it up and call Jaemin. Before you could get anything out, he spoke.

“Fam. You’re one of my best friends and I love you, but not like that. You just looked really hot, not to say you don’t look hot all the time I pride myself on having the hottest group of friends and I don’t know what happened, but I'm sorry. Are we cool?” Jaemin pleaded. You laughed because he was also lowkey freaking out.

“There’s nothing to apologize for. We’re good.” You smiled.

The day with Hyunjin was filled with its usual fun and adventures. You two spent some time in the garden and had an intense hide and seek battle. You got done putting her to sleep when you heard the door open. You looked up from your spot on the bed and saw Jaehyun smiling holding up a box. You carefully snuck out the room and followed him to the kitchen.

“Hyunjin told me your favorite dessert is cheesecake.” He smiled holding up the box proudly. You went to retrieve plates and told him about your conversation with Jaemin.

“Wise guy is always right.” He noted, placing a piece of cake on your plate.

“You can’t use my lame joke against me.” You laughed poking him with your fork. He smiled softly at you laughing and went into his pocket.

“Here. You can use this freely.” He placed down a key. You glanced down at it and picked it up. You were happy that he trusted you this much, but it seemed a bit fast. He must have picked up on your hesitation because he closed your fist with the key in hand. Your pulse jumped by a thousand at the sudden touch.

“Hyunjin is really good at sensing people to the point where it’s kind of scary. She trusts you as much as she trusts me even though she hasn’t known you for long. Please take this key for emergency and non-emergency purposes.” You saw the pure sincerity in his eyes and hooked the key to your keychain.

“You’ll regret this when I eat all your food.” You murmured trying to hide your growing blush.

“I doubt that.” He smiled.

Jaehyun slowly opened Hyunjin’s door and made his way over to her. He smiled down at the dolphin plushie that Doyoung bought her squished between her and the bed. Carefully, he petted her head. Despite his efforts, her eyes slowly opened.

“Did I wake you? I'm sorry.” He spoke softly.

“Daddy.” She smiled. “Y/n’s gone?” She asked. He nodded and noticed her sad expression.

“You really like her?” He asked more than stated. She sat up and nodded quickly. She proceeded to tell him everything she thought was amazing about you.

For the first time in a long time, Jaehyun wasn’t sure if his heart was swelling because of his daughter or you. But he did agree, he thought you were amazing too.

[bellatrixobsessed1]

Mutilated Mannequin (Final Part)

Katara doesn’t see much of Azula for the next few weeks. With her lawsuit in full swing, she only gets to see the girl in class and only gets to have real conversations with her during lunch, that is if she is in school at all. A good handful of her court dates seem to take place during school hours. When she does have a day off, she spends it catching up on home and classwork. Katara feels awful for her, she doesn’t seem to have any breaks. Not that it seems to bother her, she has mentioned once or twice that it helps keep her mind off of things to be bogged down with assignments. 

And, for what it’s worth, the trials are going flawlessly. Between her own testimonies and those of her former surgone’s, Katara doubts that Kho has a chance. 

Azula sits down next to her and hands her a brownie. It smells heavenly and looks just as amazing. She has topped it with a strawberry and a zigzag of chocolate syrup. Katara gives it a taste, finding that the flavor is absolutely rich. “I didn’t realize that you were so good at cooking.” 

“I have many talents.” Azula shrugs. “Hidden or otherwise.” She smiles, and this time the smile reaches the right side of her face too. It doesn’t seem to span as wide, but it is reassuring all the same. She can only imagine how thrilling that it must be for Azula. 

She takes Azula’s hand, “is everything still going well with the trials.” 

“Very.” Azula confirms. “We’ll be wrapping them up by the end of the week. And once I win I plan on celebrating with a trip to the mall. I promised that I’d buy TyLee a certain dress. She doesn’t know it yet…”

“Why are you suing him if you can already pay for the damages yourself?” Chan asks upon sitting down.

“Spite.” Mai answers for her. “A good old fashion vendetta. I admire that.”

Yue drops into her chair next. She looks Azula over, “I think that your face looks less fucked up today.” She comments. 

Katara has never seen her girlfriend look less amused. 

“Like, that was a compliment.” Yue says.

“You have a way with words.” Azula grumbles. 

“I’m like one of those old guys that writes poetry. What are they called?”

Katara catches Toph giving her a thumbs up across the table, she can’t imagine why. 

Azula inhales deeply and casts an almost pleading look at Katara. 

“Poets.” Katara replies. “They’re called poets.” 

Yue bursts out laughing. “Oh you guys should see the looks on your faces!” 

“Does that mean that you know what a poet is?” Suki asks.

Yue nods, “Toph said that it would be funny to pretend like I didn’t.” 

“And you thought that it would be a good idea to lead into that by insulting Azula’s face?” Chan asks. 

Azula gives a dismissive wave. “She hurt herself too.” 

“I did not.”

“Yue, you just found out that we all think you really are that airheaded.” Katara pointed out. 

“Oh.” She says softly. “Oh…” 

“Wo-ow” Chan rolls his eyes.

Katara chuckles to herself. She wonders what she would have had to say about this a year prior. She can’t imagine that a younger her would have ever anticipated sitting at a table with this clique--with Yue--muchless, having a pleasant conversation with her. She couldn’t have predicted it any more than she would have guessed than Azula would be giving her little handmade gifts.  Azula, who she had kind of just assumed was just like every other arrogant rich girl in the school. Katara supposes that maybe she had been, at least to a degree…

.oOo.

Katara wears a look, a distant one that Azula has trouble interpreting. “What are you thinking about?” She asks. 

“Just that it’s kind of weird to be sitting here.”

Azula tilts her head but TyLee is the one who poses the question, “what do you mean, you fit in just fine.”

“No, no, I mean…” She pauses, what does she mean? “I just didn’t think that you guys would think that I’m...cool.”

Another burst of laughter from Yue, followed by an, “oh, no, don’t get any of us wrong, you’re still a major dork.” She pauses. “Like that key chain you always carry around with you and that dumb dolphin notebook...dork stuff. All of it. And only nerds like science and outer space.”

Azula opens her mouth. 

“Oh, you were under the impression that we didn’t think you were also a dork this whole time.” She gives it a moment to sink in. “Yeah, even before the surgeries...total…” she jabs her finger against Azula’s forehead. “Geek.”

“I hate you.” Azula grumbles. 

“Tell her, Chan!” Yue exclaims. 

He rubs the back of his head, “yeah, you’re pretty much a dork.” He seems to consider for a moment. “But with style and personality.” 

Azula looks at TyLee who remains quiet. “You think so to don’t you?” 

TyLee nuzzles her cheek against Azula’s. “Yeah, just a little.” 

“Why didn’t you tell me?” She asks stiffly. 

“Because you’re kind of scary.” Mai shrugs. Even she laughs, “geez, you look so victimized right now.” 

“I’m just trying to eat my lunch and you’re telling me that I’ve been a nerd this whole time.” Azula replies. 

“Correct.” Yue nods. 

“But you’re a cool nerd.” Toph punches her bicep. 

“This whole time…” Azula whispers to herself. This whole time and yet they had treated her like she belonged. Like she was the leader of their posse. She looks to Katara. 

“They’re your friends.” Katara shrugs. “And they’re all like you.”

“This is what we’ve been trying to tell you.” Chan says. “We didn’t keep you around because you had looks and money. We talk to you because you’re you. I don’t think that I’ve met anyone quite like you before.” 

Suddenly the jesting gives way to something less entertaining. “Is that a good thing?” 

“You get all of these straight A’s but, Jesus, you’re clueless about people.” Mai replies. 

“It’s a good thing.” TyLee smiles. 

Azula’s smile is significantly more sheepish when it comes back, “I suppose that that’s good to know.” 

“Sounds like things are getting deep and gushy over here.” Jet remarks. “Christ, I leave for a few weeks and all of you hop aboard the dweeb train. And you’re trying to make it sound cute and quirky.” 

“Fuck off, Jet.” Chan grumbles. 

“I guess, with a face like that you have to settle for mediocre.” Jet eyes Katara.

“I’m not dating you.” Azula tries to raise a brow, momentarily forgetting that she can no longer do so. Instead she quirks the left one. 

“Yeah, but I bought you a gift anyways.” He drops a doll onto the table and turns it over. The plastic is gashed and beaten; clearly the boy had taken a screwdriver and possibly a hammer to its face. “Just thought I’d give you a doll that looks like you, we’re all about inclusivity here, right lads?” He asks of his new gang. 

Azula takes the mutilated doll, almost feeling sorry for it. 

“So what’s worse?” He asks Smellerbee, “plastic or broken plastic.” 

“It’s all fake, Jet. At least when it’s not broken, it looks good.” Smellerbee shrugs. 

Chan rises, but Azula holds him in place. “I can speak for myself, Chan.”

“Then do it?” Yue says.

“I could.” Azula replies. “I could remind Jet that he used to shove crayons up his own nose when he got mad. I could remind him that I remember every secret he shared when we were kids.” 

He goes tense. 

“And the ones he told me last year.” She turns to Smellerbee. “Has he shown you this picture yet?” She scrolls through her phone and finds the image she’d taken when they had gone to the beach that summer. “My dad had to drive into town and buy him new trunks because he couldn’t seem to find his.” 

Azula thinks that the color in his face is in equal parts anger and humiliation. She digs through her shoulder bag and pulls out a red crayon. She holds it out to him, “you look pretty angry.” 

.oOo.

Toph is still laughing as they wander down the hallway, her face red with it. Occasionally she slaps a locker in delight. Not that Katara isn’t feeling exactly the same. To know that Jet is probably feeling exactly as sick as he made her feel during homecoming. 

She wonders how he had forgotten that he had told Azula so many embarrassing things about himself…

She can’t help but feel somewhat sad. Dreary at the realization that he and Azula had been that close at one point. That they had been friends since they were children young enough to do ridiculous things like shove crayons into their noses in protest. 

“It kind of sucks, doesn’t it?”

“What?” Toph asks.

“That he used to be just another silly kid and now look at him.” 

“Don’t get all sappy on me now, Katara!” Toph declares. “We just had a great victory.” 

“Yeah...I guess.”

“And you’re going to have another one in a few hours!” 

It takes her a moment to realize that Toph is referring to the astronomy club. She spends the next several hours crossing her fingers and shooting silent prayers. She is jittery and antsy when she arrives in the classroom after hours. Azula slips into the chair next to her. “Nervous?”

Katara nods. 

“Don’t be.” 

Katara swallows. But how can she not be. This is her entire future. Her best opportunity to help bring her family out of a tight spot. 

Pathik, awkward as ever stumbles before the whiteboard. He haphazardly lays down an arm full of papers and certificates. “So glad that you can all be here for our last meeting before winter break. This year, has been the most impressive yet. There are more faces here today than I’ve ever seen in this club. It’s wonderful to see so many people enthusiastic about the mysteries of our galaxy.” He pauses. “There have been so many grand achievements this year. We have people who didn’t know a lick about astronomy suddenly passing my class with perfect test scores.” He holds up a slip of paper and a hand held telescope with a painted silver moon. “Improvement like that is just as important as those who had straight A’s from the start.” He makes his way to Yue’s desk and sets the certificate and telescope in front of her. “After I announce the honorable mentions and winners of our NIR-Ex trip and scholarship, we’ll celebrate you achievement by going moon gazing!” 

Yue’s face lights up. 

He leans towards Yue and says quieter, “you and I both know that you have a brilliant mind, you ought to show it to people.” 

He makes his way back to the front of the classroom. “It truly was hard to choose the winner of the scholarship and NIR-Ex trip. I have two pupils who are just as worthy. That is why I pushed for a double prize. NIR-Ex labs has been kind enough to allow two people to attend. Unfortunately, there will be only one recipient of the Lake Laogai scholarship.” 

Katara feels her face grow clammy. “Azula and Katara, I am pleased to tell you that your next date will be at NIR-Ex.” 

Katara rolls her eyes at the smoochy faces Yue and Sneers make as she and Azula walk to the front of the classroom.

“The two of you have been stellar pupils!” Pathik declares. “Absolute stars!” 

Katara can’t even count the number of eye rolls that has earned him. 

“I truly do wish that I could pick both of you.” He pauses. “Congratulations Azula...”

Katara’s stomach reels. She wants to be happy for her girlfriend...she truly does. But she feels sick to her stomach. Nauseous as she smiles at Azula and pulls her into a congratulatory hug. Nauseous as she breaks the news to her mother and father.

She tells them not to be spiteful towards Azula when she brings her over next.

.oOo. 

“Can I talk to you about something?” Azula asks. There is a tension in the air and it makes her uncomfortable. She hasn’t seen Katara since winter break began and it is beginning to eat away at her. “There’s a gazebo in the park if you want to meet there.” She doesn’t tell Katara that she is already sitting there. She just hopes that the other girl will show up. 

Her hands tremble and it is not entirely the fault of the frosty gusts that rattle the gazebo. Azula fidgets with the garland that lines the gazebo railing a shimmer of silver and gold. 

“Hey.” Katara greets. Her eyes look puffy and forlorn. 

Azula adjusts her hat and returns the greeting. 

“What did you want to talk about?”

She pats the spot on the bench next to her and Katara sits. “A few things.” 

“I’m not mad at you.” Katara says quickly. “You worked really hard for that scholarship.” 

“Yes.” Azula replies. “But I can pay the tuition in full…” She trails off. “I can’t give you the scholarship, but I can give you this.”  She slides Katara an envelope. 

“Azula…” She trails off. “I can’t take this.” 

“Then pretend like Kho is paying for it...technically he is.” She shrugs. 

“But this is your compensation.” 

Azula shrugs. “Father takes care of me well enough.” 

Azula has never seen such a wide smile on any one person’s face. That hopeful and excited glimmer in Katara’s eyes as she pulls her into what is probably the tightest hug that she has ever received is a gift. “I was going to wait until Christmas but I didn’t want you to mope around for our entire break. It would have been bothersome.”  

“I love you too, Azula.” Katara chuckles. She wipes at her eye. “What else did you have to tell me?” 

Azula takes a deep breath. “I’m going to get it fixed.” 

Katara cocks her head. 

She gestures to her face. “I talked to my old surgone, he does medical surgeries too. It won’t happen for at least a year, but I’m going to have some reversal surgery.” 

“Azula.” Katara’s brows scrunch. “I thought that you were going to try to…”

“I am trying to accept myself.” Azula replies. “That’s why I’m having him bring my face back, my old face. Before the first surgeries.” She pauses. “It’s not a cosmetic thing this time. It’s…” she thinks for a moment, “it’s like having your face fixed after a bad car accident. He says that correcting some of the damaged facial structures will give me more movement again.” 

Katara nods, seeming to accept the explanation, but she isn’t quite done. “He says that the surgery won’t remove the scars and some of the lumps might still be there. That I can get a cosmetic procedure done to have those fixed…”

“Are you going to?” 

Azula shakes her head. “Just the one that will help me get more movement in my face. I don’t mind the scars.” 

“Or the lumps?” 

“Those bother me.” She confesses. “But I suppose that  I’ll get over it. If Zuzu can get over whatever is going on with his face, I can do the same.” 

“Really?” Katara laughs. “You’re bringing him into this one.”

“I’ll insult him at every opportunity, it’s what the two of us do.” She pauses. “And I have to make the most of it because he’s moving in with mother this summer. He says that his dream college is closer to her home.” 

“Why does he want to go to school so far away?” 

“Uncle teaches there.” She replies. “Culinary arts.” 

Katara nods. 

“Anyways, I’m staying because there has to be at least one ‘wild hormonal teenage nightmare’ to drive father mad...and make sure he keeps going to his therapy appointments.” She pauses. “Oh and there also might be someone else worth sticking around for.” 

“I’m glad that you’re sticking around. I don’t know if I can tolerate Yue without you.” 

“Of course not.” Azula tucks her bangs behind her ears. 

“I guess things are going to be different next year…” Katara gazes up at the ceiling of the gazebo.

“Things are going to be different after winter break.” She shrugs. “Hopefully this time they’ll be a good different. “ Katara leans into her and Azula strokes the top of her head. 

“You’re wearing gloves this time.” Katara notes. “I think that they will be...a good different, I mean.”

[heroacademiasstuff]

Contact

Also available on my ao3 account dolphins.

5.

"I need a date for my cousin's wedding," Aizawa slammed the door to the staff room open when Yagi was mid-bite of his mushed-up banana. "Hello to you too," he swallowed, feeling his eyebrow raise on its own accord. "She is pestering me to bring a date because apparently if I don't show some sign of getting into a relationship in the next year, she is going to set me up with her god-awful friend." Resisting a laugh, Yagi placed his spoon down nice and slow, the blush raising from Aizawa's face looking awfully pretty.

"Why me? Why not Hizashi or Nemuri?" he asked, genuinely curious by the whole situation. "My cousin knows me long enough to know I am not dating Hizashi... and Midnight will make me dance."

"Okay," Yagi felt a smile start to grow on his face. "When?" Aizawa let out a minuscule sigh in relief. "Saturday. Wear something nice." With that he stormed out, slamming the door behind him. How sweet, Yagi grinned to himself, shoving mushy scoops of food back in his mouth.

"Can we train at the beach on Saturday?" Midoriya asked as they sparred on the training grounds during lunch break. "I want to work on my new leg powered blows." Kneeing him in the side and dodging an uppercut, Yagi frowned. "I'm sorry, my boy, I won't be able to meet you this Saturday." Swinging a low hit to his chest, hiding a smile when it was blocked rapidly and a counter attack struck him in the arm. "How come?" Midoriya paused in his actions, tilting his head to the side and chowing down on his lip.

"As a matter of fact, I am attending a wedding," he smiled, putting his hands on his hips and looking all proud. "A wedding?" Midoriya tugged at his sleeve. "Who? Who?" Yagi shrugged, "Aizawa-sensei has asked me to accompany him to his cousin's wedding. As a- a date, I suppose." Midoriya went quiet all of a sudden and Yagi felt unease grow in his tummy as the cogs and bolts of his student's brain worked round behind his eyes.

"Todoroki was right then," he tapped his lip, mumbling away to himself. Wait what? "Right about what?" Yagi laughed nervously, scratching lines at the back of his neck. "About y-you and Aizawa-sensei dating." Shaking his head like a maniac, Yagi felt his whole face burn with fire. "What? No! Of course not, why would you think something so silly, my boy?" Midoriya studied him, a small smile hinting across his rosy face. "Okay." He didn't even try to pretend like he believed his mentor. Damn kids.

"Midoryia thinks we are a couple," Yagi spat out, rushing to Aizawa's empty home room like a bolt of lightning. Sipping his black coffee, Aizawa didn't even look up from his papers. "Hm," he hummed, scratching at the paper with his pen here and there. "Did you hear me, Shouta-kun?" he was practically hysterical. "People thing we are dating!"

Aizawa looked up at him, blinking with his dark, shadowy eyes. "Why are you panicking? You would be very lucky to have a guy like me," he looked back at his papers, hiding a sly smile in his scarf as Yagi went from hysterical to flabbergasted in all of a few seconds, burning red with all the fires of hell. "I- I didn't say- Shouta now is not the time for jokes!"

"Never said I was joking. I would make a great boyfriend," he dead-panned and Yagi damn well nearly fainted, choking blood out like a hose around himself. "Okay, okay," Aizawa stood, walking towards him with a handful of tissues. "I'll stop," Yagi took the offered tissues gratefully and wiped at his mouth. "Thank you." Of all times Aizawa could develop a sense of humour, he chose now? "There's nothing to worry about. We are just friends- that's plain to see."

Aizawa returned to his chair and Yagi couldn't understand the strange mix of disappointment and unease at his words. 

Saturday came and Yagi has dressed up in a "not ugly" suit, as per Aizawa's demands, and groomed his hair back into a bun. Finally, he had started to fill out a wee bit, all of the high-calorie drinks Recovery Girl had prescribed him and Aizawa's weekly present of some kind of sweet treat was helping him gain some much needed body fat. Looking in the mirror wasn't giving him nightmares anymore and Midoriya had taken to given him little hugs every now and then, poking him in the tummy. 

A car beeped outside and Yagi took that as his cue to go. Aizawa was in the driver's seat, the scent of cologne hitting him in the face as he entered. Fuck. He looked... well, beautiful. Tight, black suit hugging his body, hair swooped back behind his ears in a ponytail, face clear and scar tracing under his eye. Bored expression planted on his face. "Hey," Yagi almost sputtered blood. "Good morning, thank you for picking me up." Aizawa sped off, rolling his shirt sleeves up, "Thanks for suffering through this with me."

Yagi sat back in his seat feeling awfully sweaty and hot and God, he should have doubled up on deodorant and cologne, if only he had known Aizawa was going to smell so... good. He didn't remember a time when Aizawa didn't smell like sleep and coffee. He tugged on his tie.

"I hate weddings," Aizawa bemoaned, fiddling with the dial for the radio and shooting out between classical and rap music. "It might be fun, Shouta-kun," Yagi stared out as rain plummeted from the heavens, the wipers on the car waving frantically. "Hm," Aizawa hummed doubtfully.

At the reception they stood around, sipping on champagne and Yagi fended off advances from all of Aizawa's great aunts and elderly neighbours. "Oh, we have to fatten him up, don't we Shou-chan," his grandmother had Yagi wrapped up in her big arms. "Yes, I know." Aizawa muttered, boredly, seemingly ignoring Yagi's flustering. "How long have you both been together?" A younger lady asked, a hand on her heart. "Oh," Aizawa scratched at his head. "I don't know. It is a fairly new thing." All of the elders scolded him and the young girl snickered. "The youth of today! Romance is dead!" Grandmother looked just ready to faint.

"You are awful at this," Yagi said, cornering him in the restroom as Aizawa dried his hands. "Fake relationships? I am sorry, I forgot you are an expert, apparently." Yagi rolled his eyes, "Very funny. I'm not an expert in real ones, never mind fake ones. In fact I'd say you were still in middle school when I last had a date."

Aizawa coughed. "Don't be so creepy. You sound like such an old man," Yagi raised an eyebrow in semi-flirtation, "I'm sorry, I thought your type was the older men." Scoffing, Aizawa grabbed him by the tie, "Shut it." Oh God. His heart let out a shuddering beat. Blood gushed through heaving veins and arteries. This couldn't be good for his blood pressure. "Come on, I suppose we had better show our faces for a bit longer."

Aizawa began to play the role of doting date, so very well, that Yagi found himself involuntarily swooning. "More wine?" his hand on the small of Yagi's back. "I'm sure you would like to try some cake?" All of it was fake, teasing, but he could tell his friend was revelling in the embarrassed flush on his face at the cooing of his relatives. "Here you are," he handed Yagi another glass of champagne. Stars floated around his head. "Thank you." Is this what Aizawa would be like as a partner? Why was he even thinking about this? 

Soft music began to flutter into the room like waves upon the shore. Bride and groom, gushing with love and their new found joy with one another took their first dance on the hall in front of everyone, enveloping eachother and swaying in time to the music. Yagi watched them and wondered would he ever have something like that? Likely not, with the decline of his health and the rapid acceleration of his age, it didn't seem like he had enough time.

"What's wrong?" Aizawa had been staring at him, the act gone now that his elders had their focus on the lovely couple. "No, nothing. Just thinking," he gave a slight smile. "Thinking about what?" Aizawa pressed gently, twitch of concern pinched in between his brows. Others began to join the wedding party on the dance floor, coupling up and relaxing to the music. "I suppose I was thinking how I will never have that," he nodded towards the couple. After beat, Aizawa raised his eyebrow. "Why would you want to?" Yagi supposed he was too young to understand what it was like to watch your life slipping out from between your fingers like sand. "I don't know, the experience. Of having someone who loves you whole-heartedly."

"That's just the champagne talking," Aizawa muttered, scratching at his trouser leg with more force than needed. "Surely you know you are loved." Yagi smiled sadly, Aizawa cutting him off with an angry snap. "I'm not saying any more soppy things, get that miserable look off your face and come and dance with me."

"D-dance?" Yagi blinked as the man climbed to his feet and held out an expectant hand. "Has the old age made you hard of hearing? Yes, dance. Come on." What was going on?

Aizawa tugged him huffily towards the dance floor, wrapping his hands around Yagi's waist and allowing them to move gingerly to the beat of the music. "This is awful," Aizawa muttered, nose brushing Yagi's cheek. "Worst experience of my life, by far." Feeling a light giggle flutter it's way out of his chest, Yagi sunk into his embrace. "I agree, truly terrible."