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pleaseitsjustrae0nly · 2 years ago

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Can you please do a Zane X jack frost daughter reader basically the reader is the daughter of jack frost the reader is half spirit and immune to the cold and can control ice and at first it confuses them because there is supposed to only be one master of ice but the quickly told them she the daughter of jack frost to clear up the confusion and Zane falls in love with the reader and he convinces his felling for the reader and the reader accept them (do to the reader being half spirit she is immortal and well everyone knows that Zane is also immortal the version of jack frost in this is from rise of the guardians)

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE! I love jack frost, so this will be fun! This was my favourite to write, ty so much for letting me write this 💙 this story is a bit longer than I thought so... yeah!

*･ﾟﾟ･*:.｡..｡.:*ﾟ:*:✼✿　　

Your my own snow fall.

A Zane x Jack Frost Daughter! Reader. Uses she/her. Fluff, Comfort, family argument, mention of an oc (4 the mom) and slight swearing!

"BUT MOOOOOM! Dad said I could go out this winter with him!" You whined, you were in a pale baby blue hoodie and some grey leggings. "Not tonight. May I remind you, YOU promised you'd help me bake your favourite dessert for the meet up, didn't you?"

"Leilani, she can help you when we come back. We won't be gone for too long!" Your father, Jack Frost argued with his beloved.

It was always like this whenever it was winter season. Your mother Leilani, the guide to all flora, and your father, Jack Frost, the personification of winter.

"Jack, the last time you brought her with you ended in complete disaster!" Your mother said as she tended to the plants in your home. "She was fine! Besides that was years ago, our daughter can now grow icey flowers now and fly in the wind, just like us!" You nodded, you were always a daddy's girl. You loved your mom, but sometimes, she can be overprotective. "She MAY be able to, but she's only flew through the spring winds and early winter winds. THESE ARE LATE WINTER WINDS JACK, THEY ARE STRONGER THAN THE ONES SHE'S TRAINED ON."

"... you didn't tell her?" You ask your dad, he was sweating. He didn't tell your mom that you've been secretly flying in the late winter winds with his permission. "Tell me what." Your mother was death staring both of you. "uhhh... WE'LL BE BACK IN A BIT, LOVE YOU HONEY!"

"JACK I SWEAR ON THE MAN IN THE MOON-" your mother's cursing lowered as you and your dad flew through the strong winds. You and your dad flew over the village and then began ascending into the clouds where you started to glide smoothly over the fluffy condensed masses of air and water.

"You're so dead when we get back dad.", "HA! I'm dead? We're both dead! May I remind you, you were the one who started flying in the strong winds without BOTH OF US knowing, be grateful it was me who heard you smack yourself into a tree."

You were both laughing and joking around when you both heard screams coming from below. "Dad? Can we-", "No 'we' sweetheart. Just me, you stay somewhere high up okay?", "But dad-", "Sweetheart, no. Your mom is already going to kill me for not telling her, who knows what she'll do if she found out I let you fight with me?"

You sighed, allowing yourself to sit on a tall building. You were in a completely new area. Your mom was right, these winds were stronger, it felt like you were just flying for 15 minutes. The signs were written in some characters, you glanced around to try and find the name of the city when a blimp flew over with a message flashing on it: "WELCOME TO NEW NINJAGO CITY, THE CITY THAT'S ALWAYS CHANGING."

"huh, Ninjago. Dad never told me about this place." you started to swing your feet, you started to create snowflakes and blow them through the city streets. You would usually create them with your dad but he was busy helping in whatever that situation was.

It's been like, 10 minutes? 15? Either way, it's been a bit too long since your dad left to assist in whatever that situation was. Your dad isn't the type to just leave you alone in an unknown city, your mom would kill him and he loves you too much. "Where the hell is he..."

"Excuse me miss, you shouldn't be sitting there. It's dangerous." a male voice spoke. It you lifted your staff (that your parents gifted you) at the man, he had a mask covering everything except his eyes, his icey glowing eyes. "Oh, sorry... I'm just waiting for my dad." you lower your staff, 'his eyes are pretty...'

"I see, but why on the rooftop?" he asks, "Well, he just said to wait for him here." you sat down on the concrete floor and staring at the mysterious masked boy. "Did he say where he was going?", "We heard screaming so he went to check it out.", "Really? Where from?", "Uhhh, like down those alleys I think?"

You pointed to where you think the screams came from. You didn't want to say you were flying over, but then something clicked. HE COULD SEE YOU. "Uhm, how did you see me up here anyway?", "I saw your silhouette." No one is suppose to see you unless they believe in either your mom or dad...

"Well...uhm." the winds howled, through the cold night. "Aren't you cold miss?" you shook your head, just praying to the man in the moon that your dad would come and pick you up soon. And seems like your prayers were heard for a gust of cold wind whooshed behind you. "Sorry sweetheart, I got held up by some dumb pajama people. They think I harmed the townsfolk and..." He saw the guy next to you, "Y/N, step away from him.", "Dad?", "Step. Away. From. My. Daughter."

"Sir I think there's a misunder *static*... what?" his hand was placed next to his ear. "Sweetheart we have to go, NOW." you start making your way to your father when the boy in white spoke again, "Who are you..." Your father then grabbed your wrist and jumped off the building.

"DAD WHAT THE FUCK?" You quickly adjusted into your gliding position and began yelling at your father. "They started attacking me sweetheart, it's not safe there.", "Dad, what do you mean? Your Jackfrost, the personification of winter! How are you a threat?"

"...They could use elements, one had water, the others were earth, fire, and lightning. There was another, they used some sort of Green..." He said, "And the white one?", "No clue, but i'm not staying to find out."

The silence made the trip seem longer than it was coming. You and your father arrived to see your mother happily laying out some dinner and taking what seemed to be her famous Lemon Ginger Cookies. "Well you two are back earlier than expected, something happened?" You were about to tell your mom what happened but your dad... "Nothing, the winds were a bit weak so we weren't able to travel that far. Anyway! What did you make? It smells good as usual."

You didn't really mind your dad flirting or sweet talking your mom, but at that moment, you wanted to punch him in his cold face. he has lied for you so much, your worried the trust that your mom and dad have might break. "Y/N sweetie? Aren't you gonna eat?", "Huh? Oh yeah, sorry i couldn't help mom...", You mom patted your head "It's okay, I should give you a little more freedom now that your older. But your helping me bake tomorrow, no backing out!"

The next day came, guilt was eating away at you. Sure, you've lied to your mom a few times, but dad is lying to her for YOU. You walked out of the cabin to see your dad sprinkling snow on some plants. "Dad, why did you not tell mom about what happened last night?", "Sweetie, I will tell her but not yet. She's in a really good mood and I don't want to ruin it.", "Dad, we've been lying to her for far too long, at least tell her at lunch.?" he nodded, "Hey... don't you have some baking to do?", "SHIT!" you muttered as you quickly ran inside to help your mom.

BACK IN NINJAGO...

"Guys, he's not here, and neither is his daughter." PIXAL said reviewing their body cameras. "Are all sure that he used... ice?" Zane questioned. ever since the incident last night, they were searching for the man who could control ice, along with his daughter. "Were sure Zane, he froze most of us besides Kai and Me... did she tell you where they came from?" Lloyd, the green ninja asked.

"Of course not, I was a masked stranger." Cole was still slightly shivering, "Where do you think they went?", "They're home probably." They re-watched the footage again to see what they missed, but again nothing.

"Well fuck. WHAT DO WE DO? SOME GUY WHO CAN ALSO USE ICE IS OUT THERE AND WE DOn'T KNOW WHAT HE'LL DO!" kai yelled, he had a point. They don't know what the guy uses his powers for, good? evil? they have to know...

.・゜゜・.・゜゜・.・゜゜・.・゜゜・

A week has passed, and the situation had died down. The 'man' and his daughter never showed, and there wasn't any problems with the people in ninjago so they assumed they were just travelling from somewhere. That is until one night where Zane was sitting on top of the same building where he met you.

"...I hope she's okay." he found himself talking to the wind when he felt a similar chill. "You again?!" he jumped to his feet and saw you... "It's you, the daughter of that man with ice.", "Okay that's rude. Look, I just came here to get away from home for a bit, I don't want to deal with anyone right now."

He tilted his head, you had to get away from your home? You then sat on the ledge behind him as he sat next to you. "...wanna talk about it?" he asks softly. You sigh. "It's a long story." you looked at him and he looked like he didn't care if it was a long story.

"Well, remember that time me and my dad came here? He didn't tell my mom about our encounter, and he promised he'd tell her at lunch the next day... but he didn't. My mom was the one who found out after I asked him to tell her... and she went ballistic." You lowered your head, in shame. "I've kept some things hidden from my mom, and my dad always takes the blame for it. But he hasn't been telling my mom everything. My training, the fight, all of it." Zane listened well, and put two and two together, 'then your dad must really not trust her.' he didn't say that, but he wanted too. "Have they fought before?" he asked, "Not like this, it was worse. They were both yelling, my mom was crying... I felt like I caused this, and I did. If I had told my mom before everything, maybe this wouldn't have happened."

"Would your mother have reacted badly?", "At first, maybe. But she's understanding... god I should have told her from the start... I'm horrible." you began to form ice on the edge, and Zane took notice. "She might never forgive my dad... they may even separate... this all my fault." tears began to roll down your cold cheeks, whilst more ice began to form on the ledge.

"They loved each other... and now, they might never love again... all because I didn't tell her from the beginning."

Zane saw the ice grow, he shouldn't be this shocked. It was a possibility you inherited the ice abilities from your father, and it seemed to revolve around your emotions. "Would you like to hear my honest opinion on the situation?" he asks, ignoring the ice. "Yes please, *sniff*" you wiped your tears.

"You should have told her everything. She's your mother, trust and honesty are one of the main structures a relationship relies on to stay healthy and sturdy. You knew that, yet you still kept it hidden. You had the right to not tell her, but she should know when her own daughter was in a situation and was nearly hurt." He began to form ice around where he sat, making a sculpture of a flower, "Your mother has every right to be upset at both you and your father. You broke her trust, just because you both are dear to her does not mean it will repair quickly. Trust is earned, not given."

He handed you the flower, "I would like to start over, I'm Zane. Master of ice. You are?" you held the flower with your cold hands, looking up at the now unmasked boy, revealing a steel exterior, paired with teal eyes. "Y/N, the daughter of Jack Frost. An honor to meet you Zane."

After the proper introduction, you hung with Zane on top of the building for another hour, talking about both of your powers, family, friends and immortality.

He gave you the confidence to head back home and apologize to your mother about keeping things from her. And promised to return to Zane to hang out once everything was sorted out.

A week had passed, Zane returning to the top of the building every night, just to check if you had arrived. It usually brings him disappointment when not seeing you, even after waiting 10 minutes.

But on a Sunday night, he was about to leave when he felt a similar wind behind him. He turned and was met with a hug, you were hugging him. You finally released him from your strong grip, and smiled at him.

You told him what had happened that week. You and your dad both apologized to your mother that same night after their argument. She did give them both the silent treatment.

But in the end, they reconciled. The air is slightly tense still but it's slowly returning back to normal in your family home.

"Thank you Zane, I'm sorry I wasn't able to hang out with you this week.", "Don't worry about it. After all...

We have all of our life to be with each other."

JESUS THIS TOOK FOREVER IM SORRY

#◈justrae◈#◈ masterlist ◈#fluff #ninjago #fluffy #◈ information ◈#◈ fic ◈#rise of the guardians #jack frost #zane julien x reader #zane julien #ninjago zane #zane ninjago #fem!reader #oc mention

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shootertron-stuff · 3 months ago

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Imperial Fist naming their daughter Childebert, after a battle brother they can no longer see. The mom got kidnapped by a Black Legion warband and can't go back to their chapter.

The Imperial Fist think it's a perfectly fine name for girl Space Marines. Space Marines aren't like regular humans and wouldn't have "girl" names anyways.

The daughter gets older and changes her name to Brunhilde. The mom gets upset, asking what's so wrong about being a girl named Childebert? That name was a gift!

Brunhilde is like, Mooooom, you changed your name (Mom is trans)! But the mom is like, noooo, that's different, I had to change it for safety reasons (so their battle brothers can continue to think they're dead instead of hunting them down for being chaos corrupted).

Brunhilde rolls her eyes. Her mom is so difficult. That's why she likes living in another star system.

#warhammer 40k #space marines #female space marines #tfpreg #Clothilde nazari #brunhilde nazari #taming hellhounds

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mydysfunctionalvampirefamily · 1 year ago

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Are the speed reading the pre episode message? They're talking so fast!

I feel like Miles is being kind of short with everyone. And everyone just keeps interrupting him.

Johnny and Wynn talking about kids and progeny.

Bull talk! Perfectly normal, not awkward at all. Why doesn't Miles get to know? I don't really get it.

Oh god noooo not the scolding! The I'm not mad, I'm didsapinted. He called her child, oh god, this is bad! Miles is hurt. 😭😭 To be fair, he does have a point. Not him apologising for interrupting while scolding. So polite. His speech about responsibility, he really is their dad!

"Why haven't I earned the respect that Neil has?" I definitely did that breath intake between your clenched teeth.

Neil talking about the burden of knowing. And Britta talking about the desperation of needing to know.

"Buddy, you're gonna trip. Give me the box." AU Neil 'mooooom, stop embarrassing me in front of my friends!'

Neil has a dead beloved? That's so sad! "I know it's not real, but I want it to be so bad." 😭

In any type of scary stuff children are always the most terrifying.

"her squishy is in trouble!" 😭

I hope Neil got more out of that ritual than me, because if was me we would have just wasted an entire bull.

Britta saying thank you. I see you Britta/Johnny shippers.

Neil: we're gonna need weapons.

We're gonna need weapons, but we're gonna need You!

Neil: yeah because I can get knowledge...

Wynn: we need you because you're fucking you, you jackass!

Excuse me while I cry on public transport.

Not Neil getting his fears confirmed that Wynn looks at him different, because he cannot get she is worried because she doesn't know how to protect him! 😭 I know I am biased but wynn is such a mom. Also Neil get better self-esteem and see that these people love you!

"How can I protect you from this? I can't."

Neil putting on Johnny's clothes instead of his own is how he expresses love.

Johnny giving him the dad stare that says I'm not gonna ask about what you just did, but...

#path of night podcast #pon liveblogging #Episode 11 #Season 1

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hannahmma · 5 months ago

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Hellhole, Nevada. #1

" Mooooom!" whined Carrie. "I'll be fine! this is like, my 3rd hell breach! I can handle it!"

My mom and sister fight in the backround about my sister's chain mail. Dad let her pick it out at a local ren faire, so mom is worried about the quality. I don't think it'll be too much of an issue, since my sister always sits in our room and shoots at the sky rats. she wears a welders mask and uses a crossbow, so she'll be nowhere near the front lines. my dad and uncle handle the front lines, and this year, me!

What are we fighting? I'm not glad you asked. see, we live in templeton, Nevada. and every july the first, at 5 am like clockwork, a big hole shoots out tons of monsters. I hate this. Hospitals are too scared to work here, and so are most other stores. ( Except for Miss luella's general store. she has a rifle and a mail box the next county over for ordering stuff like coffee and oat meal.) heck, I doubt I'll die less every year. I used to shoot out the window like my sister, then I moved up to fighting on the front porch. Now I'm 17 and ready to defend the perimeter of our house! and the neighbors too, presumably. most of them move away to stay with people until september. I don't blame them. when the hell hole started spewing nightmares, most people fled. we stayed because it was the only place we could afford. and we bought this house anyway. the first few months after the first breach, we realized that it only lasts from july to september. we also realized that the hell vulture blood had healing properties, and can function as both a poultice base, and a hot sauce. why do we think these animals came from hell? they come out of the ground in an inferno, have red as their color base, and look like they're from hell. also a firework thing shot out of the ground and said " OVER POPULATED HELL LANDS PLEASE CULL". it's pretty much just those weird leeches/ fish things, hell hogs, hell hounds, and hell vultures. I know, a lot of hell, but they look like they're from hell.

"Dennis, tell mom that I can wear my chain mail!" Carrie shouts . I'm helping dad and uncle arthur take stock of our food. 30 gallons of vulture blood, barrel of lentils, 16 pounds of flour, pasta, pasta sauce, canned vegetables, root vegetables like potatoes, beets and carrots, canned fruit cocktails, 500 gallons of water, spices, band-aids, bandages, poultice herbs, and some dried fruit. Scurvy is bad.

during the first hell year, we weren't prepared and had to eat dead sky rats( hell vultures), and found out they actually taste good. so, we're probably gonna catch one tomorrow night for dinner. we stopped feeling sorry for them when one dive bombed my sister. Carrie now has 9 fingers.

"It's not like it can hurt, Ma!" I yell. The windows are boarded up, my sister wears a welding mask. It's true.

"Oh, she'll be fine, ruth!" my uncle says. he's my mom's brother. he's also a glassblower. I don't know why I mentioned that. He and my dad are taking stock of the weapons. axes picked up in a nearby town, crossbows, a sword for some reason, and about 5,000 handmade arrows. ( Out of bones and stuff)

Tomorrow is going to be hell. We go out to dairy queen and get burgers and shakes. we play card games and my mom sits serenely and knits. It'll be a while until she gets to do that again. everybody brushes their teeth and falls asleep early. the car's gassed up, the weapons are ready, we're well fed.

I wish tomorrow could be like today.

#more to come #hellhole nevada

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jade-eclipse-lithium · 2 years ago

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How long is Mom going to be mad at me?

After you die probably.

Suck it up!

*holding straws threateningly*

We’re gonna get hit by straws that are thrown so hard they became kunais.

We’ve got rules to obey.

What if the rules are wrong?

Then we’ll change the rules.

Rules are dead, but we are alive.

We don’t take shit from old traditions.

*inhales deeply*

MOOOOM!!!!!!

She’s been gone for hours!

MOOOOOM!!!!!!

Blah blah blah.

If you don’t shut up I’m gonna shove this binky in yo mouth.

*hitting Me the oldest child*

This is so nostalgic.

The doctor has given me a choice of big dick or good memory.

What did you choose?

I don’t remember.

You fools, what have you done?!

Call us fools but we have no fucking idea, if you wanted us to know you should’ve written books about it.

*CRUNCH*

What was that?

I think i broke my back.

Who the fuck says my hand jobs are second rates.

Not me, Brittney.

My arm is broken.

It’s not.

How are you doing?

I'm mentally wasting away.

My leg is broken.

Drama queen.

Can i come?

We’re going to High School, not a fucking Build-A-Bear.

My face hurts.

TO THE HOSPITAL-

Stop whining!

*throws a bottle of wine*

*gets hit by the wine*

I’m not sure if that’s blood or wine.

#incorrect quotes #family memes #memes #funny memes #incorrect qoute #daily memes #jade/eclipse

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imperial-nuisance-rudje · 2 years ago

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Shayun cared a lot about his mom and as her first kid she doted on him even when her lack of experience raising children meant he stressed her out a lot. They didn't meet again after he left to be a Woodwarder at 15, though he sometimes sent letters, and all contact was cut off when he left the wood, which he mostly endures. (He very much misses her.) He had a momento from her, but it was lost in the Calamity. His father, as a Woodwarder, was mostly not in the picture. He met Shayun once when he was like four, and Shayun has managed to keep the cool rockTM he was gifted until the present day almost entirely because it lives safely in a bag (while the shawl his mother gave him when he left home was in active use until it was destroyed). They weren't on bad terms or anything, his dad was just a weird loner even by Woodwarder standards and rarely made contact with anyone.

Ayulsa keeps close contact with not only her parents but most of her aunts and the sibling swarm (as until contradicted im saying the Z tribe were broadly traditionalist outside of being nomadic merchants). She cares a lot about all of them, and her mom fusses over her when she drops by to visit while her father alternates between fond exasperation and pride even after he stops being the Nuhn.

A'pple has not seen their mother since they joined the wandering healers of their region at 14, but they do send letters and try to keep her up to speed. They got along well with her, though she did baby them to a point they found kind of annoying by the time they hit puberty, big "MOOOOOM IM NOT A BABY ANYMORE!!!" vibes. They did not ever know their father, because he was a Woodwarder and their home region keeps very strictly to a tradition of anonymity for visiting Woodwarders.

Baavgai's birth mother gave him up before he was a year old, trading him to the Buduga for food during a bad year for the Borlaaq. His fathers (I have not decided how many he has) love him dearly, and he makes sure to return to the Steppe when he can to let them know he's alright because he loves them in return.

Nergui is a nonentity to the Dotharl, including his parents. If he were to return from exile, he would likely be slain. He hates this.

Momoka is a momma's boy and while he's stillon good terms with his dad his mom is the one he followed around everywhere until he was like eight. His mom in turn keeps sending him care packages whenever she hears he's been in one place long enough that he might actually receive it. They both worry about him to a degree that could be considered unhealthy due to their age (with both being in their mid-sixties), which he tries to ease with letters. (His birth parents are not in the picture, his sire is a complete unknown and his birth mother peaced out as soon as she recovered from childbirth.)

I need to check my notes for the nerds but iirc Xheh's mom was a big factor in him being allowed to stay with his twins for a bit longer after he transitioned and his dad wouldn't have been in the picture because hashtag just mooncat things bc he died before he was even born due to pneumonia. Mithgar's dad is dead bc he went off to Bozja, but his mom is still alive and deeply frustrated with her son running off with his dad's gunblade—not because of Sharlayan pacifism, but because she's tired of seeing men in her family run off to die and she worries about her little boy. Diviega has outlived both his parents and I have no clue what the relationship was like when they were alive.

What is your WoL's relationship like with their parents, if any, if they remember them?

#oc: shayun ragara #oc: light party #oc: baavgai buduga #oc: momoka fujiwara #oc: team nerd squad #final fantasy

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soulphrxse · 5 years ago

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Dead Mom || Minato & Futaba

LeBlanc served as a fine place to study, at least for a quiet student who could easily eat five portions of curry in a row and show no signs of stopping. Regardless of where he got the money to satisfy his large appetite, he always was able to pay for his multiple servings of both curry and coffee. The the food here was better than any chain, and the service was great too. The owner wasn’t overly friendly or talkative, meaning Minato could slip into a both in the corner, pull his notebooks out, put his headphones on and get to work without being disturbed. He supposed he usually overstayed his welcome...but he ordered at least two things an hour if not more...so he was fine, wasn’t he? He could sit alone and review his material without bothering anyone. Of course, this didn’t prevent him from being bothered.

The dead were always near, of course.

Though LeBlanc in particular was usually free from them...there was only one spirit who he’d call a regular: a woman with jet black hair that stopped above her shoulders, dark eyes, and glasses. She was in her fairly often from what Minato could see, though he had no reason why she chose to hang around in back-alley cafe that served the odd combination of curry and coffee, but it wasn’t as if he paid enough attention to figure out exactly why. This was about his fifth time observing her.

He removed his headphones and let them hang loosely around his neck, his mild curiosity making him want to listen to see if she was saying anything. He usually found that hearing the dead was a pain, but if it was only one of them...he could handle that.

#▶Dead Mom #statusbar #hey mom #dead MOOOOM #i need a little help here #im probably talking to myself here #but dead mom i gotta ask #are you really in the ground #cause i feel you all around me ARE YOU HERE??#DEAD MOOOOOM DEAD MOM

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harunayuuka2060 · 3 years ago

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*20 years into the past*

MC's father: MC, can you help your mother in the kitchen? Since we're almost done here.

MC: *9 years old* Are you sure? These logs are heavy.

MC's father: *chuckles* *has lost his arm while fighting for the safety of his country*

MC's father: Yes. Now go and help your mother.

MC: *nods*

MC: Mom?

MC's mother: MC, thank goodness. Are you here to help?

MC: Yes.

MC's mother: *smiles* Thank you. Can you wash the dishes while I breastfeed your baby sister? She has been crying.

MC: *nods* I'll continue doing all the housework, Mom. Please take some rests.

MC's mother: *pats their head* You're such a responsible kid. I'm sure your sister will be proud to have you as her big brother.

MC: *smiles* Just go, Mom.

MC's mother: *chuckles* Okay.

*at the dinner table*

MC's father: Honey, I've received a news from the capital. There are some bandits that trespass people's houses and— *pauses* *looks at MC*

MC: *listening to him*

MC's father: MC, can you go upstairs with your sister? I need to keep the conversation private.

MC: *nods* *gets their sister and do as told*

*once they're out of earshot*

MC's father: Honey, we need to leave this place.

MC's mother: Are you sure? I can protect this household.

MC's father: *shakes his head* The bandits are too great in number. I don't want to take the risks.

MC's mother: *smiles* I understand. Should we get everything ready before midnight?

MC's father: Yes. Thank you.

MC: *cradles their little sister*

Their little sister: *is still wide awake*

MC: Can't you sleep because I don't cradle you like Mom?

Their little sister: *giggles*

MC: *smiling*

-------------------------------------------------

The chief of the village: I know you're already out of service. But we badly need your help. We need every men to help us capture those bandits who have been caused of everyone's nightmares.

MC's father: *looks at his wife and kids*

MC's father: I'll help. If you promise that you'll put my family to safety.

The chief: I promise.

MC's mother: Honey...

MC's father: It's going to be alright. *then focuses his attention on MC*

MC: *has understood it immediately*

--------------------------------------------------

The chief: Just walk through to this tunnel and you'll see the others at the other side.

The chief: Please be careful.

MC's mother: We will. Thank you.

The chief: *watches as they disappear into the darkness*

The chief: Please forgive me.

MC's mother: MC! Grab your sister and escape from here!

MC: But Mom!

MC's mother: *defends herself and her kids from the bandits* Your mother can fight! Don't worry about me!

The bandits: *laughs in amusement*

MC: Mom—

*Someone grabbed them from behind*

MC's mother: *her eyes widened* MC— *got stabbed on the shoulder*

MC: MOOOOM!!!!

The man: Be quiet kid. If you want to live with this baby. *then pulls them away*

MC: MOOOOM! MOOOOOM!!!!

MC's mother: MC...

*when they're already at the end of the tunnel*

The man: ...

The man: *lets go of MC* Run, kid. Don't even try to get back inside.

MC: ...

MC: What happened to my mom? How about my dad?

The man: ...

The man: They're probably dead by now. The chief betrayed us. This is all a trap. *turns around, ready to go back*

MC: I'm going with you!

The man: LISTEN TO ME, KID! I'M ONE OF THE BANDITS! THEY'RE GOING TO KILL YOU AND YOUR SISTER ONCE THEY SEE YOU!

MC: ...

The man: Now go. You still have a family to protect.

--------------------------------------------------

Simeon: Sister MC... *in a worried tone*

MC: *wakes up with tears in their eyes* Ah... Father Simeon. *gets up* *smiles apologetically* *wiping the tears off* Did I fall asleep while you're doing your sermon?

Simeon: Yes. Were you having a nightmare? It seems you've been calling for your mother and father in your sleep.

MC: ...

MC: I must be exhausted to have a dream like that.

Simeon: *touches their forehead* You have a fever, Sister.

Simeon: *gets closer* I wonder what you have been doing—

MC: *puts their hand over his chest to stop him* You're being too close, Father.

Simeon: ...

Simeon: I'm sorry. *makes a little space between them*

MC: *stood up* I'll ask Mother Superior if I can take a day off today so you won't be worried.

Simeon: *smiles* Okay. Have a nice day, Sister MC.

MC: *face him properly, bowing their head* You too, Father.

--------------------------------------------------

Lucifer: Are you alright, Sister? *hugging them from behind*

MC: *smiles* I don't know why you would be worried about me, Father Luci.

Lucifer: Stop calling me that. You know my real name is Lucifer. And as for those dreams,

Lucifer: I'd prefer not to relive them in your head.

MC: ...

MC: *chuckles* I'm going to hell. Those kind of dreams are to be expected.

Lucifer: ...

Lucifer: *buries his head on the crook of their neck* Sister...

MC: Tell me. What will happen in two years time?

Lucifer: ...

Lucifer: Every people you cared in this world will die.

Lucifer: Including the high priest and the abbess.

MC: And there's nothing I could do?

Lucifer: Yes.

MC: ...

MC: *turns around to face him* I'll give myself to you completely, if you promise that tragedy won't ever happen.

Lucifer: ...

Lucifer: I have a friend who can alter the future. Do you want to go with me so you can talk to him?

MC: *smiles* Yes. That'll do. *puts their hands on his waist, pulling him closer*

Lucifer: *has this intense gaze*

MC: Shall we indulge ourselves again, Lucifer?

Lucifer: *smiles* My pleasure.

Simeon: *who's watching them secretly*

--------------------------------------------------

Raphael: You're back, Simeon.

Simeon: Yes.

Luke: How's meeting Sister MC?

Simeon: ...

Simeon: It looks like I'll be seeing them sooner.

Raphael: ...

Raphael: Yes. It seems like it.

Their sister: *approaches them* E-Excuse me, I've heard that my brother is... going to die sooner.

Their sister: W-Will he be here?

Raphael: Low-rank angels like shouldn't be allowed here.

The sister: I-I'm sorry... I'm just worried about my brother—

Simeon: Yes. But their destination is... unclear right now.

Their sister: ...

Luke: H-Hey! Aren't the other angels busy? We should go now! *dragging her away*

Raphael: ...

Raphael: That must be disappointing.

Simeon: No. I completely understand why.

Simeon: After all, MC didn't become a nun because of faith itself.

#obey me #obey me mc #obey me lucifer #obey me simeon #obey me raphael #obey me luke #masked nun

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rivenvictors · 9 months ago

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Planning on making potions, little bird?

He's suddenly fifteen again, and he's staring at a wooden box, he'd soon find out had been empty all along. A voice that had lived inside his memory, had now crawled out of it and was making itself known, like a dark shadow looming over his bed. He shut his eyes tightly, like he did when he was a child. Fear welled up, filling him, like an overflowing glass of water. The stream of fear had been too strong for his body then, Riven had been too young — and air left collapsing lungs. Crying required air, and he had none. Mom?

Eyes met the ones from his memory. And he remembered that when air rushed in again, that fifteen year old boy was able to breathe. His first cry, wasn't even a cry — it was a question. Mom? Riven repeated — once, twice. Mooooom? Vowels stretching more each time, because desperation grew as well. Mothers don't abandon their children. No, this couldn't be. He didn't even know what that word even meant. Abandoned — he wasn't supposed to know what it meant.

Riven was older now. He could cry, the overflowing glass had shattered. Tears streamed down his face, eyes burning like coals on his mother's. Fear and horror all in one — slapped all over his face.

The dead mother returned. Ressurected, risen from the grave or — No. He refused to believe she would leave him to the vultures. That something other than death could tear the two apart. Where has she been all this time? The abandoned boy wanted to pull her closer, cradle that ghost in his arms before she had a chance to slip through his fingers. But the man that he had grown up to be, the one that didn't believe in ghosts and ressurections, moved further away.

riven victors, @rivenvictors

Cowardice is the most shameful of emotions ⸻ a pathetic thing one should never allow control over their actions. Isn't that what she always told the boy? ⸻ be brave, my little bird, even when you are scared. Then why are her hands shaking and her heart racing inside a sore ribcage? Corvina never felt fear ⸻ she had always be too proud, too arrogant, for anxiety to reach her. She blames it on the bite; on the mongrel living inside of her, causing her fingers to often twich, her throat to choke, her eyes to fill with unspilled tears. It has been too long since she saw her boy ⸻ had him believe she was dead. Mother won't let anything hurt you, little love.

Why did she wait days to search him out, when she always told hin to be brave? He is her son. Blood of her blood, a piece of her soul she granted this world with. She loves him. Yet, the thought of facing the man he has become without her makes her breath skip a beat. Will she recognize him? Will he remember her? Does he hate her, for leaving him with that cruel man? The idea of Riven hating her makes her wish to turn and run, bury herself into another hole and letting earth finally claim her.

She can't. She won't. Corvina refuses to be weak ⸻ they may have taken everything from her, left her powerless and dirty, a hollow shell of the magnificent woman she once was ⸻ but they will not take her son from her. The wolf hums quietly, a constant pressure in her lungs, skin pulled too tight over bones that wish to stretch and be free. It doesn't recognize the scent of the man they watch, but Corvina would know him anywhere. A mother will never forget the face of her children, no matter how much the world tries.

He is picking herbs, and she gasps breathlessly. So much she should have taught him, so much they could've been doing together. It will never matter now, the witch she once was ⸻ the witch she wanted him to become. Bravery doesn't look pretty, she knows. But she steps closer, rubbing the back of her neck and willing her voice not to break, "planning on making potions, little bird?"

#c: corvina

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rinas-ninjas · 4 years ago

Note

Dead Mom from Beetlejuice fits Cole shocking well

“Hey mom - dead mooooom I need a little help here!”

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gamerwoo · 5 years ago

Text

Soonyoung: Safe and Sound

Characters: Soonyoung x female reader

Genre/warnings: zombie apocalypse au, angst, little undertones of fluff if u squint but it’s still angsty fluff, eating people (obviously), killing zombies (including family members who became zombies), death/suicide/major character death

Word count: 3,751

Summary: Just close your eyes, the sun is going down. You’ll be alright, no one can hurt you now. Come morning light, you and I’ll be safe and sound.

a/n: based off the song safe and sound by the civil wars

Seventeen Song Series

You stared down at Soonyoung as he slept. It was never really a peaceful sleep, but it was as peaceful as one could get. His brows that were always set in concentration and concern were relaxed, and his breathing was deep and even instead of erratic from running or fear like it usually was. It was nice seeing him like this when he’d been the opposite for who knows how long anymore. It was so hard keeping track of how many days had gone by since the outbreak. But you loved seeing Soonyoung when he wasn’t scared or worried or concerned. You were happy this would be your last memory of him.

“Mom!” you called. “I’m home!”

You dropped your bag off by the door carelessly, more interested in getting to the kitchen for a snack. You sighed as you ran a hand through your hair as you walked down the hall to the kitchen, going straight for the refrigerator.

‘Hm, that’s weird,’ you thought to yourself, ‘I should’ve heard mom telling me to pick up my bag by now.’

You opened the fridge and grabbed a snack before closing it and looking back down the hall toward the front door, calling again, “Mom?”

Her car was in the driveway, she had to be home. You walked back down the hall, looking into the living room to see if she was in there. But there wasn’t any sign of her.

“Mooooom?” you called louder.

With a sigh, you turned around and went to go upstairs. However, as soon as you spun around, some sort of creature that resembled your mom was right behind you, grabbing your shoulders too hard with their hands and shoving you to the ground, falling right on top of you. You let out a scream as you looked up into the pale eyes of what looked like your mother, but with a large gash in her neck with dark blood dripping from it, and black spots of what seemed to be rotting flesh on her skin.

You fought against whatever it was, but you weren’t convinced it really was your mother. You couldn’t stop screaming, but you weren’t sure if you were even saying words or yelling for help the whole time. Your brain couldn’t seem to focus. All you could do was panic and shriek.

The thing was ripped off of you, and you saw the boy who lived next door standing above you, a knife in his hand as he slammed it straight into your mother’s forehead. You covered your mouth with your hands, unable to even scream when you saw that.

His name was Kwon Soonyoung, but you weren’t really friends with him. He was around your age, and you saw him at school and his family’s cookouts that they’d invite you and your family to. But other than that, he never had much significance to you.

Soonyoung turned to look at you, looking like he regretted what he did. But he told you, “I’m sorry, but that thing isn’t your mom anymore.”

All you could do was let your eyes trail down to where the lifeless body of...whatever that thing was, was laying on the floor now, unmoving. But you didn’t have much time to study it -- or mourn if you were supposed to -- because Soonyoung grabbed your wrists and tugged you to your feet.

“Come on, we need to go,” he stated. “My house isn’t any better, so we need to find somewhere safe.”

“W-what’s...” your voice trailed off, unable to decide what to ask. You had too many questions swimming around in your head. “What’s happening?”

“I don’t know,” he replied as he continued to drag your toward the front door that was open when you were sure you closed it. That must’ve been how he got in. “I got home and one of those was in the backyard eating somebody from down the road. They saw me looking through the windows and started coming toward the house. I booked it out of there and that’s when I heard you scream. So I figured you were in a similar situation. It’s like some zombie movie or video game.”

“B-but those aren’t real,” you stammered, feeling panicked tears filling your eyes. “W-w-we can’t-- I’m-- Oh god, I’m gonna die!”

Soonyoung whipped his head around, looking you dead in the eyes, “No, you won’t. I promise you that you won’t die, okay?”

“B-but I don’t have anybody!” you began sobbing, the tears slipping down your cheeks. “My mom’s one of them, and I don’t even know where my dad is.”

“Shh, shh, it’s okay,” he cooed, turning around completely and holding your shoulders as he looked into your eyes. “Listen to me, okay? We’ll stick together, alright? I’ll stay by you. We’ll get somewhere safe together; we’ll figure this out together. We’re not gonna be alone, okay?”

You sniffled and nodded, trying to dry your eyes and face, “Promise?”

“I promise. Swear on my life. Now we really need to go.”

But you weren’t even sure where to go.

How Soonyoung’s friends actually managed to keep you alive, you weren’t sure. You could only chuckle softly, remembering how Soonyoung gave all the credit to their knowledge of video games.

“Do you know how many times Wonwoo’s played Resident Evil?” he had snorted to try to cheer you up when you were huddled in the corner of Wonwoo’s bedroom, teetering on the edge of a panic attack.

But he got you to smile. He always got you to smile.

Tears began to well in your eyes.

Signals were down as the disease spread, followed by electricity. Wonwoo had to dig out his old radio so anybody would know what was happening. Seungcheol brought two portable chargers, but those weren’t of much help when nobody had a signal anymore. But it was taking too long for anybody to come up with a plan of what to do.

You couldn’t stay at Wonwoo’s forever. You’d run out of food and ammo -- you weren’t sure why his Chinese friends owned weapons, but you were thankful for it -- and you knew just some house wasn’t safe enough. But they were always checking their phones, and then later listening to the radio to find out what was to happen next.

“All survivors please report to the following address nearest to you,” a soldier on the radio finally said before listing off addresses, which Wonwoo quickly jotted down.

“We gotta pack up,” Seungcheol nodded as him, Jun, Minghao, and Soonyoung stood and began to pack up whatever was in the bedroom that they needed.

After Wonwoo figured out which location was the closest, all of you left the house, keeping close to each other as you tried to navigate the streets toward wherever it was the refugees had to go. All of you were terrified, knowing how dangerous it was to leave Wonwoo’s barricaded bedroom to venture outside where zombies could easily get you, but it was your best bet at staying alive in the long run.

The place you ended up was some old gymnasium where a little less than one hundred people had already gathered. The place was secured in case zombies showed up, and had cots and mats to sleep on, extra food and water, and some soldiers paroling the place.

They waited 24-hours for people to show up before giving any orders.

“Everyone is going to be shipped off to refugee camps that are safe and secure,” one of the soldiers announced, his voice bouncing off the gym walls.

There were apparently three places so far that were being prepared to house survivors, and people were being split between the three.

“Kwon Soonyoung!” the soldier called, and Soonyoung’s head snapped up from where he was sitting with you and his friends. “Camp B.”

He stayed where he was, though. He was waiting with you until you were called and you would know where you were going. But god, you were hoping for Camp B. You couldn’t be alone.

“_____ _____!” your name was finally called, and you felt your heart that was rapidly beating stop for a moment. “Camp A.”

Your heart fell into your stomach as you looked at Soonyoung. He was looking back at you, but you couldn’t read his expression. Yours was fear.

“No, no, no, no,” you were rapidly saying. “Y-you can’t leave me alone. I can’t-- I can’t just--”

“Shh, I know,” he nodded, hugging you to his chest to try to give you some sort of comfort and to hopefully calm you down. “I’ll take care of it, don’t worry. i swore I’d stick with you, right? Come on.”

Soonyoung kept you close as he started walking toward the front of the room where there were three tables labeled A, B, and C. He went to B and stood in the short line with you, reassuring you quietly that everything would be okay.

“Name?” the soldier at the table asked when the two of you reached the front.

“Kwon Soonyoung,” he said, feeling your hands shaking, “and Kwon Sohyeon.”

The man scanned his list before looking up at you and Soonyoung, “There’s no Kwon Sohyeon on this list.”

“That’s my sister,” he insisted.

The soldier just shrugged, knowing there was no way to prove that he was lying, “Go ahead outside to the truck.”

Soonyoung mumbled a, “thank you,” before bringing you out to the truck. He helped you up into it first before climbing in himself, sitting beside you on the bench on the right of the truck and keeping an arm around you. It at least made you less embarrassed to see you weren’t the only one who had been crying. Looking around the large truck that was transporting the survivors that was quickly becoming crowded, all you saw was heartbreak and fear. Some people were curled into balls with tear-stained cheeks like you. Others had hard eyes and set jaws like Soonyoung.

You were fascinated that Soonyoung hadn’t started panicking yet -- at least, not that you’d seen. He’d left Wonwoo’s bedroom with Minghao a few times but when he came back, he always looked the same as he always did. You wondered if he ever had a breakdown when he wasn’t around you. He must’ve been just as afraid as you were, right?

It took a few more minutes of filling up the truck before the back doors closed and it started moving. The mood seemed to shift but you weren’t quite sure to what. It seemed lighter but still heavy. Everyone was at least going to somewhere safe, but they were leaving behind homes and loved ones that were either turned or missing. Life wasn’t ever going to be the same.

The drive was longer than you expected, though you didn’t know why you expected it to be short. When Soonyoung whispered to you that the sun was going down now, you were surprised. Were you going to be driving all night? What if you ran out of gas? What if zombies showed up and attacked the truck?

He seemed to be able to tell you were overthinking, because you felt him pull you closer, looking at you with softer eyes, “If you sleep now, we’ll be even closer to safety when you wake up.”

“How can I sleep?”

Soonyoung put his hand on the side of your head, guiding it to lay on his shoulder. Then he started humming a simple melody softly, resting his head against yours. So you concentrated on his humming as your eyes closed and you tried to get even a few minutes of rest.

God, how long did you have to go by the name Sohyeon? You couldn’t even remember, but you knew it was a good while. It made you smile to think about just because it was so funny. Wonwoo ended up in the same camp as you, and he always made jokes about it.

You wondered how Wonwoo was doing. Was he even alive? Would he come back from his trip outside the camp with the rest of the team that went? You hoped so. Soonyoung would need somebody to comfort him.

‘No, you can’t start thinking like this,’ you told yourself, ‘You can’t start getting sad. This is better for him.’

It took almost a year for you to see the world outside the camp after arriving. It was quite a large space, and it only grew overtime when more and more survivors found their way there. The plan seemed to be to expand the ‘safe’ land and clean out the land surrounding until there were no more infected left. Of course, that meant sending people out to clear it, and that was dangerous. But it had to be done to take back the world ripped away from you.

Over that time, you’d grown stronger thanks to Soonyoung -- and partly Wonwoo. Soonyoung did everything he could to protect you. He never wanted you to go to the boundaries to see what the world had become, afraid it would be too much for you. When he walked over there with Wonwoo, he saw that everything was just...different. It was all just dead. It was horrifying. It was like Hell was brought to earth, and it was right outside your window.

“You can’t baby _____ forever,” Wonwoo told him sternly. “They’ll send you guys out eventually and _____ won’t even be ready for it. If you keep it up, she’s just going to die faster.”

So you started training like everybody else your age. Soonyoung even brought you to the edge of the camp to see what the world had become, and while you did cry, he knew it was better for you to know what was out there. He knew it would make you more prepared to know what would come. He knew it was best for you.

But no matter how much stronger you got, how less frequently you cried and mourned the life you used to know, or how hardened your expression became, Soonyoung always vowed to keep you safe.

And he made sure you knew every single day.

“Hey.”

“Mm?”

“Swear on my life.”

As you stared at Soonyoung, you found it hard to believe that you were outside the camp earlier today. You’d just come home only a few hours ago as the sun was setting, but you waited until now when you were sure Soonyoung was fast asleep. Wonwoo’s group had left before yours and would be back later than yours because his group was venturing farther out toward Camp C, but you had faith the taller boy would come home. He always did.

But your adventure out this time had changed everything, Soonyoung just didn’t know it yet. Unfortunately, he could never truly protect you from everything. No matter how badly he wanted to, he couldn’t plan or control everything that would happen. He could convince himself that he could all he wanted, but the truth was that it was impossible for that to be true.

It was now impossible to hold back tears as your fingers softly raked through his hair. You couldn’t believe he was blonde when you met him, but his hair was now fully black. He cut off the blonde bits as his hair grew out, and there hadn’t been a trace of his light hair for a long time.

Soonyoung stirred ever so slightly, but he didn’t wake. He continued to sleep, even when you bit your lip to muffle a soft grunt of pain that you were starting to feel spread throughout your body. It had started in your ankle, and the pain had been concentrated there for a while, but it was working its way up your body, and it was going to completely take over you soon.

You thought about Soonyoung and all your memories with him. You thought about what he would do when he woke up. You thought about how he would feel; how he’d absolutely blame himself. But you wouldn’t be there to comfort him like you were before. He only showed bad emotions around you very few times, but you were always more than happy to be there for him like he was for you.

Your first expedition outside the camp was scary, but it was for everyone.

“It doesn’t get easier,” Wonwoo scoffed, having already been chosen in a lottery to go out.

Thankfully, Soonyoung was with you. When you were picked in the lottery, he volunteered himself to go because he had to keep you safe. He swore on his life to stick by you, so that’s what he did.

This was a smaller group because the whole ordeal would only be a day. They weren’t planning on going too far, they just had to finish putting up barriers around the space they’d cleaned out. But, of course, more of the dead could’ve gotten in. Your job was to put up the barriers and clean out any infected that had gotten in.

You were on barrier duty while Soonyoung was assigned to help parole the space and get rid of the zombies.

You didn’t see him all day, but you met back up when the group made the trek back to the camp. He didn’t say anything, keeping his eyes cast down as you walked. But he did hold your hand, squeezing it a little harder than he would normally.

Something was wrong.

“You can tell me,” you insisted when you got back to your little makeshift home you shared together.

“Nothing’s wrong,” he sighed, running both hands through his hair that still had a little bit of blonde on the ends.

“Soonyoung, you swore on your life to stay with me, right?” you asked him, standing right in front of him and looking into his eyes. “Do you think I didn’t swear the same thing? I don’t say it back to you for shits and giggles, I say it back to you because I mean it. If something’s wrong, I want to help you, too. This is a two-way street.”

He stared at you for a long time, and you could see the wall slowly breaking as his hardened eyes started to show fear and loss.

“Sohyeon,” he whimpered in a whisper as tears filled his eyes and his bottom lip quivered. “She-- ...She was out there.”

He crumbled, breaking into blubbering sobs that you’d never heard before. His knees buckled and he fell to the floor, covering his face as he mourned his sister that had been turned into one of them; his sister that he had to kill.

You got on your knees next to him and just held him. You rubbed his back and ran your fingers through his hair as you let him cry, softly shushing him and telling him you were sorry.

Whenever you were upset or worried or anxious or scared, Soonyoung sang you that same melody he did in the truck on your way to the camp. But he slowly made lyrics to go with it. The first version of it he ever sang to you went:

“Just close your eyes, da da da da da da.

You’ll be alright, da da da da da da.

Come morning light, you and I’ll be safe and sound.”

He did eventually make the rest of the lyrics, and you always liked to listen to him sing it. Somehow, it did calm you down and comfort you. Almost like it was a promise. So you tried the same for him.

“Just close your eyes, the sun is going down.

You’ll be alright, no one can hurt you now.

Come morning light, you and I’ll be safe and sound.”

You softly sang it over and over until his sobs reduced to whimpers and then to just sniffles.

“I didn’t know you could sing,” he croaked.

You chuckled, “I can’t.”

He paused for a beat of silence before saying, “I guess I just like it because it’s you, then.”

You hoped that little lullaby he’d made would still comfort him. You hoped he would still sing it and feel okay and safe. You hoped he’d still hold onto it even if you weren’t there to sing it or for him to sing it to you.

“Just close your eyes, the sun is going down.”

Your voice was as shaky as it was quiet as you began to sing to him again, your fingers still carding through his hair.

“You’ll be alright, no one can hurt you now.”

The throbbing pain was starting to dull. You didn’t think this was what it would feel like after getting bit by one of them. It was somehow scarier that it didn’t hurt worse.

“Come morning light...”

Your hand moved down to cup his cheek, your thumb stroking his skin as he let out a content sigh.

It was time for you to go before you turned.

“You and I’ll be safe and sound.”

You stood up and walked to the door, making sure to leave your weapons in your house. You could easily find one outside anyway. The camp was full of them just in case any infected somehow managed to get in.

Kind of like you now.

You opened the door, looking back over your shoulder at Soonyoung still fast asleep. You silently hoped that he wouldn’t be too hard on himself for this. It was impossible for him to protect you from everything, even if he thought he could swear his life on it.

“Swear on my life,” you told him one last time before leaving the house, closing the door behind you.

It was almost funny how it ended up like this. The two of you swore on your lives, and now, taking your life was how you had to protect him. If you stayed in that house any longer, you’d turn fully and take him with you. You swore to protect him. You swore your life.

Soonyoung shot up in bed as he heard a gunshot, followed by a man shouting, “No!”

His head whipped around, seeing no sign of you. All he saw were your weapons still in your belt, resting on his cot.

“_____?” he asked as he scrambled out of bed, not bothering to put on shoes or his shirt as he rushed to the door. “______? ..._____!”

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ice-cream-nekogirl · 6 years ago

Text

Young Love and an Episode of Friends (Bakugou Katsuki x Reader x Shinsou Hitoshi) PART 3

I had been asked by this person here @soseoky for a part 3 just to let our parents know that we’re alive and well and I thought ‘That’s actually a pretty good idea’ so I did it! :3

Summary: Things are mostly normal now that you’re back home from Hell... but Bakugou and Shinsou are even more hostile towards each other than ever before. And your classmates can’t get enough of it.

BTW SORRY FOR ANY OOC-NESS!!

Featuring: Lord Explosion Murder!! AAAAAND Our Fave Emo, Purple Boi!

You were a hundred percent sure that not many people can say that they escaped from Hell and lived to tell the tale. Yet here you were, telling the tale to your teachers, your classmates in the General Studies, Principal Nezu and unfortunately to some of the media to let the world know that you’re not dead.

And here you were now, returning to your house to your parents after watching a LOT of Friends with all of your friends that you thankfully reunited with, especially Bakugou and Shinsou. They walked you home since it was late and despite the fact that Aizawa was still pissed at them, he did let them go with you to take you home and let your parents know that you were alive.

You inhaled and exhaled deeply when you knocked on the door, a little bit nervous to see your parents after being gone for a week. And your world practically stopped as soon as your mother and father opened the door, their eyes going wide in disbelief when they looked at you. They were shocked, and yet overwhelmed with emotions as your mother teared up and started to sob, instantly engulfing you in a tight hug as your father quickly joined in. You realized how much you had missed them though when they hugged you so tightly and you closed your eyes and quietly cried as you hugged them both back. Bakugou and Shinsou could only watch the scene before them, neither boys would say it outloud, but seeing the reunion that they mostly made possible felt… really nice…

This is what heroes did. They rescued people and created moments like this for civilians and the free. And it meant even more since they saved someone that they both loved and cared for dearly.

Which is why your father had to reluctantly thank them. Well… he reluctantly thanked Bakugou, he kinda liked Shinsou but didn’t care for your childhood friend that much. But he owed it to the ash-blonde for bringing his child back home.

“I can’t ever thank you enough Katsuki… I knew that you and Shinsou would be able to save my (Y/N)… you… you saved my baby...” Your mother was more trusting of Bakugou, as she remembered the happier times when you and him were closer, even if his attitude started changing when you both started growing up. However, after nearly losing you and realizing just how much he truly did care for you, Bakugou planned on trying to rebuild that friendship you and he had in the past.

“What are friends for…?” Bakugou spoke softly, which shocked the hell out of you since he wasn’t the type to talk so soft. But he WAS in front of your parents after all…

“I always knew that you and (Y/N) had a special friendship~. I never doubted you for a minute.” And of course your mother had to point that out and making you and Bakugou blush rather horribly. “Mooooom!! I JUST came back from the dead! Don’t embarrass me!!” You whined and tried to hush your giggling mother. She always did think that some day you would eventually fess up to Bakugou and get with him. To put it simply, she sensed that perhaps you and Bakugou would have that beautiful childhood friend romance because of your quirky attitude and Bakugou overall having a soft spot for you. She thought it was adorable.

“Tch! That’s why I saved her!” Bakugou was quick to exclaim, still blushing heavily as he scowled and grunted, “Because we’re friends…” He added as fast as he could, hating just how red his cheeks felt and not seeing how annoyed your father and Shinsou looked.

“And I will forever be grateful to you Bakugou…” Your father on the other hand, was a lot sterner with your childhood friend and not as fond of him as your mother was. He wasn’t aware of how Bakugou treated you, but he did think he was a bad influence and didn’t like his attitude.

“You too Hitoshi. You brought my daughter back to me… that’s something I will never forget…” He favored Shinsou, and as much as he didn’t like the idea of his child getting into a relationship with someone yet, he would hope that you ended up with someone a little kinder and more respectful like Shinsou. Him, he liked and thought he was a good lad, and didn’t discriminate against him for his quirk at all, finding it actually very useful for a hero.

Shinsou seemed to know that though, and he couldn’t fight the blush warming his face as he rubbed the back of his neck, “It was no problem… (Y/N) is… also my friend.” He said rather calmly, and you couldn’t help but smile and pat him on the back, “Hee~. Yes ya’ll sure are~.”

Of course, you were none the wiser, and just happy to be back with your family and your best friends. And you had no idea what your parents were really discussing when you had gone upstairs and let both boys follow you.

“Isn’t it romantic…? Katsuki is a softie for her… I can’t wait til she winds up with him… ever since they were little, I knew there was something between them…” Your mom had fawned a little bit, even though it was visibly annoying your dad.

“Sure… but Hitoshi’s a good kid. He and (Y/N) get along well, and they were in the same class together. He’s helped her study and focus on her studies.” Your dad was almost smirking when he thought about how well you got along with Shinsou, and at how your mom looked a bit annoyed now.

“Hitoshi is a very good kid, and an excellent friend to (Y/N)… but she’s had a crush on Katsuki since they were both 6…” She retorted, but your dad just chuckled, “She’s grown up since then though… and obviously she likes Hitoshi’s company…” He added, which actually made your mom smile and giggle a little bit. It was clear whose team they were on, but they knew that in the end things would work out somehow. Since both these boys did care for you and love you, warts and all.

All that mattered though was that their child was back home, safe and sound.

I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU~

Things went mostly back to normal for you, and your classmates asked you a shit-ton of questions that you quickly answered. The attention was nice at first until people wouldn’t leave you alone and so you waved them off and just went back to your thing…

Some of the nastier students called you names like ‘Hell Girl’ or ‘Zombie Girl’, but since those sounded really cool, it didn’t really bother you. You cared more about what you were going to watch at home rather than what your lame classmates thought of you…

“I have to catch up with SO. MUCH. Things you guys…” You had complained to Midoriya, Uraraka and Iida as you met up with them in the hallway and chatted with them a bit.

“Whaaat? Surely they have to let you off the hook after what you’ve been through!” Uraraka instantly gave you her sympathy, “She’s right! After such an ordeal, you deserve some recovery.” Iida might have been a stickler for the rules, but you came back from hell. Even he thought that warranted a little bit of a break…

“I know right…? I was already in Hell, it feels like they’re trying to make this a new Hell for me to live in…” You chuckled and made a joke about your ordeal, but didn’t really see that it made your friends a little bit uncomfortable and concerned for you.

“If you want… I can help you with most of it (Y/N). You shouldn’t be doing homework after everything you’ve been through.” Izuku was so sweet to offer to do your work for you, but you chuckled and shook your head. “Izuku… god you’re a sweetheart and I love you but… I can’t make you do that… I’m just going to milk this for all it’s worth and just relax… as I always do.” You reassured your friend, and even though he was concerned, he still smiled at you.

And the four of you chatted away as you all entered the dorms. You might not have had a room here or even lived here but Class 1-A treated you like an honorary member since you got along with a good majority of them.

“Hey Shitty Girl.”

Bakugou surprised you by greeting you the minute he saw you enter the common room and even approached you and he growled at Izuku to back off, obviously not wanting your other childhood friend near you. Izuku got the message though and nervously giggled as he backed away, knowing that something definitely changed in Bakugou after you came back from the dead.

But you were hella surprised, since it’s been such a long time since Bakugou came to you. You were the one who had to go to him first. “Ohhhhh, Katsuki hey~.” You smiled widely at him though, more than happy to see him again as you brought your arms out to hug him. And adding to your surprise he LET you hug him and even softly hugged you back as soon as Izuku, Uraraka and Iida had left you both to yourselves.

Hugging you made him realize how much he had missed your hugs, so he held onto you even if the hug was just friendly, taking in the warmth of your body now that he knew that you were back, alive and well. He swore to himself that he wouldn’t treat you like garbage anymore; he’d still be his normal self but he wasn’t going to be as awful as he had been. You had no idea what was going through his mind, but he felt so nice and warm, and he smelt fresh of soap after finally having a shower.

Today was going better than you thought…

You even managed to talk to him, and he actually talked with you. Bakugou saw how much you were smiling, and it was both annoying and endearing, obviously he was aware that you were surprised by how much he started talking to you. He wouldn’t admit it, but he felt kind of guilty for that…

“I was just talkin’ to Izuku about the extra homework I gotta do... and I’m thinking ‘I was already in Hell, should I really be doing homework after that…?” You had asked with a little chuckle and Bakugou scoffed, “Are you just gonna use that fucking excuse for the rest of your life?” He asked you in his casual tone, no malice in it though and you could tell as you laughed.

“YES! Because who else do you know has actually been in Hell and came back dude?”

Even though you were so cheerful and nonchalant as always, Bakugou wasn’t comfortable at all with how you casually talked about coming back from the dead and escaping Hell. It was terrifying enough to have been taken and held hostage by the villains, but thinking that you were dead for even a second with no hopes of you returning, and realizing that you were trapped in hell had scared the wits out of him. He couldn’t talk any shit though, since he never talked about how he felt during his own ordeal with the League of Villains and brushed it off whenever someone asked him about it.

And yet he hated that you were doing exactly that…

Maybe he had gotten somehow even more protective of you, but at this point he didn’t really care. There’s no way anything like that was ever going to happen to you again.

“Tch… let me see your damn homework later... it’s probably not even hard...” He muttered to you, and you couldn’t help but clap your hands cheerfully. That was more or less his way of saying that he’ll help you with it...

Meanwhile...

“They’re SOOOOOO cute together~! Bakugou LOVES her so much~!” Mina had started gushing to her other girl friends and the rest of the Bakusquad over you and Bakugou when she saw you both walking together. “Yup… if that’s not a crush I don’t know what is…” Jirou gave a little smile and agreed.

“Bakugou’s always liked her… even when he said he didn’t. I mean, I didn’t like how mean he could be to her at times, but I knew that it’s cuz he just sucks at showing how much he cares about her.” Kirishima actually knew Bakugou pretty well and how the guy functioned. He was well aware that Bakugou cared a lot about you, and how much he sucked at showing it…

“But Bakugou just sucks at anything involving feelings.” Kaminari kind of snickered though. He had flirted with you a little bit, and Bakugou always made him back off by threatening to blow his face off, so that was proof enough for the electric blonde that he might have had a thing for you. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they started dating soon…” Sero remarked with a smile. He had gotten along with you pretty well, and you talked with him the most of the Bakusquad and he knew that you definitely had a crush on his volatile classmate.

In short, the Bakusquad was feeling pretty positive about their leader’s chances with you.

At least until they saw you go into the kitchen…

And before Bakugou could attempt to follow you, he saw Shinsou…

The purple-haired teen stopped when he realized that he was being stared at. For a moment their eyes met and their stare turned into hostile glares… before they both quickened their pace to go and try and get into the kitchen with you first.

Mina, being the snoop that she was, had followed the two and hid behind the corner along with Kirishima, Kaminari and Sero. “Seriously…?” Jirou shook her head though at their antics, being the sanest member thus far…

You had no idea you were being followed though, all you wanted was to steal the Oreos (that you brought for everyone) and take them with you to a room to watch a movie at. But since you were sure that you must have been alone, you decided to try something dumb…

And so you bent over backwards a bit and placed an Oreo on your forehead, making sure that it was balanced. Focusing your eyes and balance as much as you could, “C’mon… c’mon… c’mon, c’mon, c’mon…” You held your tongue open, carefully moving forward to let the cookie fall at hopefully the right place, but instead of landing in your mouth the oreo slid down your nose and instead fell to the ground…

Your eyes widened as you felt a twinge of despair and disappointment upon seeing the poor cookie and all it’s crumbly remains on the ground. “Argh… dammit!” You exclaimed in frustration, mourning the Oreo somewhat childishly but perked up as soon as you saw Shinsou coming in.

“Wow… you look really busy…” He knew the weirder, sillier things you often did, and trying to catch oreos was one he was all too familiar with.

“Hitoshi~!” You had no idea that you were being watched by a few others as you quickly went over to hug the brainwashing teen. Mina, Kirishima and Sero were kind of shocked, but Kaminari was actually looking quite proud of Shinsou… he always knew that he had a crush on you. Despite how distant Shinsou was to him, Kaminari eventually got through to him and they became friend-ish with each other.

“Hey.” Shinsou replied to you casually with a little smile as he hugged you back. Hugging you felt right to him, especially since he was so much taller than you so it was like you were a perfect little fit. You were so soft and warm, akin to a kitten. And you kind of liked how tall he was, it was a safe feeling to hug your dear friend and you hummed contently when you nuzzled him a bit. You didn’t see his smile turning into one of his trademark smirks when he saw how PISSED Bakugou looked the second he walked into the kitchen. “What the hell are you doing here Eye-Bags?” He asked him roughly as the two of you pulled away.

“Katsuki~.” Of course, you knew that he was annoyed, but you nonetheless smiled just seeing him. Even though you sensed that an argument or some form of bickering was probably going to happen.

“You’re one to talk… you came in here too. And I don’t think I need permission to grab a snack. We’re not in elementary school anymore are we?” He asked Bakugou somewhat snidely, earning even more annoyance from the latter. Ever since you became friends with Shinsou, Bakugou’s had nothing nice to say about him and became twice as hostile towards him. You knew that these two didn’t like each other, so you tried to be as calm as possible. “Hey now… have an Oreo you two. They make everyone happy… they’re like so bad for you but dammit they’re so fucking good…” You held up an Oreo and kinda offered it to whoever took it first. Bakugou wasn’t one for sweets though…

“No shit… you eat way too much of those fucking things…” He wasn’t criticizing you or anything, but he was slightly annoyed by your… less than ideal snacking habits. It didn’t help that Shinsou did take the Oreo you had out.

“They’re very bad for you… and yet they make you feel as if they are good for you.” He said, and actually did eat the cookie you gave him, and you grinned and gave him a thumbs up, “You said it brother!”

Shinsou didn’t smile much but seeing you again and having you back was arguably his biggest reason to smile. Somehow you always got a little smile out of him, “Are you just going to steal them all again?” He asked you in amusement, knowing how fond you were of these snacks.

“Well I DID buy them ‘Tosh… and you know me, I’m a bit ‘cookie’ for these cookies.” You pointed at him with a grin, laughing at your latest pun which just irritated Bakugou and amused Shinsou.

“Oh my fucking god just stop it!” Bakugou quickly shouted at you for such a lame pun, as he often did. Your sense of humor was so corny it was stupid… almost stupid-funny.

Okay… THAT’S your worst pun to date…” Shinsou then remarked, even though the truth was he thought your dumb jokes were funny…

“You love them… both of you do!” You pointed at them both cheerfully with a big laugh, not exactly seeing how these two exchanged brief little glares. “But to answer your question ‘yes’, I’m going to steal these cuz I’m still celebrating my resurrection… after spending a week in a suffocating, dark, cold and bloody place that was my own Hell, I’m trying to take it easy…” You sounded like you were a little troubled, and the truth was you were and both your friends could tell as a flicker of concern blinked in their eyes. They really didn’t like thinking about how you suffered in that Hell, and so they both wanted to make sure that you were safe and felt comfortable… and yet it lead them to competing and trying to be there for you first.

“And so after re-watching all of Friends for the 10th, today I’m just gonna make the big decision of whether I should just binge-watch a Netflix show or watch a horror movie before Endgame~.” And yet you suddenly went from troubled to excitable when you told the guys your plans.

“You idiot…” Bakugou shook his head, clearly amused by what your idea of celebrating was, as was Shinsou. If there’s one thing they could agree on at all, it’s that they both found you endearing in your own… odd way. Not that there was anything wrong with you being odd, that was simply you.

However, neither one of you could tell that you were being listened to and partially spied on. Not just by the Bakusquad, but the Dekusquad too as Izuku, Uraraka and Iida refrained from going into the kitchen when they heard you, Bakugou and Shinsou talking…

~~I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU~~

“They’re going to see a movie together!”

After seeing you and Bakugou talking together again, Mina went straight back to gushing about you and Bakugou to the rest of the Bakusquad, as well as Yaoyorozu and the other girls, including Uraraka and Tsuyu.

It wasn’t like 1-A to indulge in gossip, but it was comforting to talk about their classmates especially after the latest ordeal they had to go through with losing you for a moment. “Guess Bakugou’s got a date.” Kirishima smiled wide just thinking about it, obviously happy for his friend as were Kaminari and Sero.

But not everyone was happy for Bakugou…

“That damn Bakugou… he’s the scariest one and yet he’s the one going out with a girl!” Mineta cried and bemoaned how the most violent and aggressive one in his class had managed to go out with someone. “It’s not fair… it’s so not freaking fair…!”

“Well Mineta, Kacchan and I have known (Y/N) since we were kids… she’s always kinda liked him…” But Izuku felt sorry for Mineta, so he attempted to justify the possibility of you going out with Bakugou, however neither him or the others expected some of his classmates to put their two cents in.

“I don’t know Midoriya, I mean it’s obvious that she has feelings for Bakugou but… to be honest… Mineta almost has a point… Bakugou isn’t really approachable, nor does he put any effort into such, not even with (Y/N), or you for that matter.” Tsuyu pointed out a very clear truth that surprised her friends and classmates, especially Mina and Kirishima.

“She’s right! I’ve seen how he’s treated her before this, he was so mean to her!” Uraraka supported Tsuyu’s statement by adding what she’s witnessed between you and Bakugou. “She’s told me about him too… honestly, some of the things he’s said are just uncalled for…” You and Uraraka were pretty good friends, so you tended to vent to her and Tsuyu about things that frustrated you, whether it was school or Bakugou…

“They’re not wrong. (L/N) and Bakugou’s relationship is like Ross and Rachel’s. Constantly on and off and somewhat dysfunctional, which isn’t really a good thing.” Todoroki agreed with both Uraraka and Tsuyu, even if he referred to Friends to describe your relationship with Bakugou. But hearing Todoroki of all people allude to Friends is what really shocked everyone…

It was official, you had successfully converted Todoroki to Friends.

“Well… okay yeah he’s not a saint, at all… but I saw the way he looked at her when she came back… and when he took her back home last night… I’ve never seen him look at anyone else the way he did her. I think he’s gonna try and be nicer to her from now on.” But Kirishima had to defend his friend somehow, even if he didn’t condone how Bakugou treated you before the ordeal.

“Maybe, but it took an ordeal like this to make him appreciate her more.” Tsuyu quickly stated after Kirishima’s heartwarming outlook on his buddy, “That’s correct~. And not only that… but compared to Bakugou… one other person was there for her every time she returned to our plane…” Aoyama really surprised Tsuyu by also supporting her side, and they all knew who he was talking about. “Shinsou Hitoshi. And it is especially because he has feelings for her… and deep down… I can see that there are some feelings for him that she may have~.”

Now that surprised everyone… except for Uraraka and Tsuyu, they had a hunch that Shinsou might have had a thing for you, and that you might have had some subconscious feelings for him too.

“Yeah! I don’t know Shinsou well, but I’ve seen him talk to her a lot! And she’s told me a lot about him too, how he’s a lot nicer than he acts. To her maybe, but still!” Uraraka was certain that she found out who’s team was on…

“Oui… their chemistry is undeniable… I knew it as soon as I heard them singing Brendan Urie’s songs together.” Aoyama definitely knew whose team he was on though, being a romantic at heart he thought that Shinsou would be a better match for you.

“Well…! That might be true, but she likes Bakugou! And he likes her too! I just know that those two are gonna wind up together somehow! He’ll be like the scary badass who defeats all those who dare try and harm her! And he’ll whisk her away into the sunset!” Mina was definitely for you ending up with Bakugou, and so was Kirishima.

“That’s right! Bakugou’s growing up and improving himself for her… like a true man!” It was no surprise that Kirishima was Team Bakugou, but Uraraka and Aoyama weren’t going down without a fight.

“Well maybe (Y/N) doesn’t need a badass who can threaten to beat up all of her enemies for her. Maybe (Y/N) would like to have someone to watch movies with and sing songs with and someone who will wait patiently for her when she comes back from a spiritual realm.” Uraraka’s feisty side was showing, which was kind of scaring Izuku.

“U-Uraraka…”

“Bakugou waited for her too!” Mina made sure to remind her that Bakugou waited for you to return, but Aoyama had a rebuttal, “Maybe. But before the ordeal, Shinsou never discouraged her from using her quirk and instead made sure she always returned safely.”

“He just wanted her to be safe! Her quirk is… it’s scary man you saw what happened! It’s more dangerous than I thought… I can’t excuse the way he acted before, but he knew her quirk had its drawbacks… and he wanted her to just be safe…” Kirishima wasn’t trying to necessarily defend Bakugou’s actions, but he understood why his friend wasn’t comfortable whenever you descended into the spirit realm.

However, bringing up that traumatizing moment did shut everyone up for a minute. Kirishima honestly had a point, but Bakugou shouldn’t have been so hard on you about it. Still, the memory of watching you just disappear like that haunted them as Izuku, Uraraka and Kirishima started trembling just remembering it…

Everyone was now a little bit calmer after hearing that, “I understand… but… I’ve seen how happy she is whenever she talks about Shinsou and every time they hang out. So… I’m sorry Kirishima, but I’m on Team Shinsou.” Uraraka didn’t go back on what she felt, but she was a little bit calmer now.

“And I’m on Team Bakugou!” But Mina thankfully brought the energy back to the room as she crossed her arms determinedly, “So am I.” Kirishima was on her side, and his friend’s side, he knew Bakugou would treat you better now. He had nothing against Shinsou, but he knew how you felt about Bakugou…

“I am also on Team Shinsou~.” Uraraka was relieved and thankful that Aoyama was on her side, even if it was over just a little bit of a shipping thing.

But this just made the others, especially Izuku extremely worried. Now he definitely couldn’t pick sides because Bakugou was his childhood friend and he liked Shinsou a lot. He would rather you just decide whoever you wanted and whoever you felt would make you happy. He wasn’t comfortable seeing his good friends just looking at each other like this was something worth challenging each other though…

“I respect your opinions you guys, but… it’s too bad (Y/N) and Shinsou are already watching a movie together~.” Although they came to a civil conclusion, Uraraka had to giggle and reveal what you and Shinsou were doing together.

“What?!” Mina perked up with wide eyes, seeing that as an opportunity to do some good old-fashioned meddling, “Not for long…!” She declared with vigor and pointed at the girl before she promptly took off running out the common room, “Hey! Wait up!” Kirishima followed her, wanting to somehow help her in getting his friend to get a moment with you.

“Hey! Ohhh… those two!” Uraraka huffed and squealed indignantly, but Aoyama put his hand on her shoulder, “Do not worry… I have a feeling that this will all work itself out~. (Y/N) will choose who she loves the most in time…” He said softly and optimistically to reassure the girl, and really surprised Uraraka.

Aoyama was so much more insightful than he let on wasn’t he…?

~~I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU~~

“BAKUGOU!!”

It’s like his classmates liked irritating him as the ash-blonde growled just hearing the loud screech coming from no one other than Mina, “What the hell are screaming for Raccoon Eyes?!”

“Uh… well dude… I don’t wanna tattle-tale but…” Kirishima felt a little bit bad, and couldn’t really say It, but Mina could, “Shinsou’s getting comfortable with your girl!!” She exclaimed rather loudly, making both Kirishima and Bakugou flinch, the latter because he heard Shinsou’s name…

“What?!” He shouted even louder than earlier, and the first thing he did was march over to wherever the hell Eye-Bags’ room was. “Go get her!!” Mina practically cheered him on, but the very angry explosive teen was too pissed to even care, “Shut up you! And she’s not my girl!!” He didn’t turn to face her because he started blushing…

You weren’t his girl! But that didn’t mean he wanted Shinsou with you at all...

No fucking way!

To be continued...

120 notes · View notes

darecruit · 5 years ago

Text

New Sneak Peak!

Open Arms, Chapter 15: Tension

The audience was still clapping and whistling at the end of One Day More, even after the curtains closed and the lights came on for intermission. Shelby had missed most of the performance, having spent that time watching her daughter instead. The way her girl’s face lit up, the huge grin that stayed plastered to her face the whole time, the sense of magic and wonder reflected in those big brown eyes—that was the greatest thing Shelby had ever seen.

As those eyes finally tore away from the stage and met Shelby’s own, her breath caught in her throat and she was filled with an overwhelming surge of love. Her kid was amazing.

“Mom,” Rachel said with the same breathless awe that Shelby felt, “This is amazing! I mean—not as amazing as it’d be to see on Broadway—but I’m still really glad you brought me.”

Shelby couldn’t help the snort that accompanied her laugh and immediately covered it up with a perfectly-convincing cough, but the looks she was now getting told her it was too late. Her cheeks reddened, not from embarrassment but from those knowing eyes all looking her way. She had tried so hard to avoid this—picking end seats in the mezzanine, waiting until just before the lights went out to take their seats, dealing with the endless whining from Rachel about having to wait—and now it was all for naught.

She could hear the murmurs growing louder by the second; it was only a matter of time until someone spoke up. Thinking fast, Shelby delved into her purse and pulled out a handful of twenty-dollar bills. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself, kiddo,” she smiled to her child. “Tell you what, if you promise to go and come right back, you can check out the merchandise and get whatever you want. There and back, Rach, no side trips, got it?”

Rachel’s eyes lit up at her mother’s offer, taking the proffered money without a second thought. “Yes, I promise!” She hurried off before her mom had a chance to change her mind.

Shelby watched her go, almost calling her back twice (was it actually smart or safe to let her go off alone like that?), but then heard her name being called from all around her. Sighing, she turned her attention towards the crowd.

Rachel weaved in and out of scores of people; no one paid her any mind, and she was able to get to the kiosks in record time. Her eyes scanned all of the merchandise and she could practically feel her mother’s money burning a hole in her pocket. When her turn came, Rachel listed off all of the things she wanted—a t-shirt, tote bag, program, magnet for the fridge, a pack of 4 buttons she planned to pin to her corkboard at home, and a coffee mug for her mom. The college-aged worker gave her an astonished look when he told her the price and she then produced the wad of cash, but he didn’t say a word. There were others waiting in line, after all, so she was given her change (less than eight dollars), and then she was weaving through the crowd again.

Rachel caught sight of her mom before Shelby noticed her. No wonder, her mom was busy taking pictures with a group of middle-aged women, and there were still more people waiting for their chance with her. The group of ladies thanked Shelby and then they were replaced by a young couple. Hazel eyes met hers during the switch and Rachel was given an apologetic smile; she returned it with a mega-watt one of her own. How could she not? Her mom was awesome. Everyone else knew it too.

The teenager made her way to her mother’s side just as the young couple were leaving. She heard a few protests from those behind, no doubt assuming she was cutting in line, but Shelby was speaking over them now. “I’m sorry, that’s all I have time for—it’s back to mom duty for me,” she said, wrapping a protective arm around Rachel’s shoulders. Disappointed mutterings could be heard, but the small crowd dispersed just the same. Shelby let out a long sigh and settled back into her seat, pulling Rachel down beside her.

Finally able to relax, Shelby’s eyes traveled to the bulging bag in her daughter’s lap and laughed. “Lord, Rach, did you buy out the store or what?”

“No, I just got the basics. I really wanted to get you this one t-shirt but they didn’t have your size—of course, I could have gotten it had you let me look before the show, but no matter. I got you a coffee mug instead. It was either that or a ball cap, and you don’t strike me as much of a hat person,” Rachel prattled on, her tone excited but no less serious. Shelby just laughed.

Rachel continued chatting a mile a minute and Shelby listened in rapt attention, so in awe of her kid and thrilled with how happy she was. Shelby was glad she could do that for her daughter. After the week they had had, Rachel deserved this.

So lost in her thoughts and her conversation with her daughter, Shelby was startled when a hand tapped her on the shoulder. She turned, ready to tell whoever it was that she wasn’t taking any more pictures, when she caught sight of a man of middle-age in a button-down shirt and wearing a headset.

“I’m sorry for interrupting, Ms. Corcoran,” he quickly apologized, “I’m John, the stage manager, and I wanted to personally invite you to come backstage after the show. We would all be so honored to have you.”

Shelby gave a gracious smile and briefly considered declining, but Rachel’s squeal and excited bouncing couldn’t be ignored. She’d never hear the end of it if she said no. “Of course, we would be delighted to,” she said. John smiled and thanked her, disappearing as quickly as he came.

Shelby barely had time to turn back to her daughter before all of the air rushed out of her lungs as Rachel all-but-tackled her coming in for a hug. “Ooof!” she groaned, catching the girl all the same.

Rachel pulled back with a sheepish look, then burst forth with an exuberant, “This is the best day ever!”

“For me, too,” Shelby couldn’t help but laugh; her daughter’s excitement was infectious.

The lights went out and Rachel turned her attention back to the stage as the music started playing. Shelby’s attention never left her daughter.

Open Arms * Open Arms * Open Arms

“I’m starving!” Rachel exclaimed as she and her mom left the theater two and a half hours later.

”I know. I’m sorry it took so long. I had planned for us to already be having dinner by now,” Shelby said as she lead the way to the parking garage. “I never expected to end up backstage, and then to have stayed so long…maybe I really should have said no.”

Rachel stopped dead in her tracks and stared at her mother incredulously. “You’re joking! Mom, it was awesome!” she declared emphatically. “You made them all so happy! How could you even think to have said no?”

“Because I didn’t want it to get in the way of our day and our plans. And look, it has,” Shelby answered, reaching for her child’s hand and gently tugging to move her along.

“Mooooom,” Rachel whined, “You’re ridiculous! If it had been me and I knew one of the greatest actresses in the world was in the audience watching me perform and didn’t come backstage afterwards, I’d be so upset! I’d probably think I sucked or something!”

“You could never suck, Rach,” Shelby said.

“Okay, bad example,” Rachel agreed, making Shelby chuckle. “But I bet that’s how every single one of those performers would have felt if you hadn’t gone back to see them! Would you really have been okay with crushing all of their dreams?”

The mother rolled her eyes as she pushed Rachel in front of her through the open door to the garage. She pushed the button for the elevator and waited for the lift to come. “I’m sure they would have survived,” she noted.

“But at what cost, Mother? What if your actions had made one of them lose their spark and decide to quit and become, I dunno, an accountant or something? That would be tragic,” Rachel persisted.

“I’m not that important, Rach,” Shelby laughed, “But I appreciate your confidence in me, kiddo.”

“Okay, first off, you are!” Rachel said just as the doors to the elevator opened. She stepped inside and then turned back to her mom. “Second, they’re all just starting out. Imagine if Barbra, Mom, Barbra came to see a show you were in and then didn’t come backstage. How would you feel?”

Shelby smiled conspiratorially, pushing the “3” button and waiting for the elevator to reach that floor. The lift dinged and the doors opened. “Barbra actually did come to a show early on in my career. And yes, she came backstage. You’re right, I would have been crushed otherwise,” she said as she stepped out.

“What?!” Rachel gasped, shell shocked. She shook the surprise off and darted out of elevator after the woman. “And you never told me?!”

Shelby smirked at the girl over the roof of the car before sliding into the driver’s seat. “Get in and I’ll tell you all about it on our way to dinner!” she called to her.

“I still can’t believe you never got a photo with Barbra—or at the very least an autograph!” Rachel repeated once more as they came to a red light.

“It’s Barbra, kid. No one goes against Barbra,” Shelby said and Rachel nodded in agreement. It was certainly the truth but Rachel still felt it was a travesty that her mother didn’t have a memento of that auspicious occasion beyond, you know, her actual memory of it.

She stifled a yawn and looked at the car’s clock. It was 7:42; she and her mom had taken their time with dinner, enjoying their food and each other’s company. It had been the perfect end to a fantastic day, but now Rachel was looking forward to getting home and crawling into bed. She wished it wouldn’t take so long to get home, though; she wasn’t sure she’d make it the whole two+ hours without falling asleep.

Shelby smiled and patted her knee when Rachel shared that thought. “Don’t worry, kiddo. We’ll be comfy in bed in no time,” she said, turning left when the light turned green.

Rachel looked around in confusion as her mom turned into another parking garage several minutes later. “What are we doing now?” she asked.

“We have a bed waiting for us,” Shelby said as she parked. She smiled at Rachel’s stunned expression, then unbuckled her seat belt. “C’mon, Rach.”

“Wha—Mom! We’re not driving home? I don’t have anything with me! I’ve got a nightly routine and—”

“And I’ve got it all covered,” the mother interrupted. “I packed a bag and put it in the trunk before I went to bed last night. I’ve got everything you need. Now come on!”

Shelby had just gotten the door open to the luxury suite they were calling home for the night when Rachel darted into the room before her. With a delighted squeal, the teen vaulted for the king-sized bed and landed not-at-all gracefully. Shaking her head, Shelby followed her in, wheeling their small suitcase behind her.

“This has easily been the third most amazing day in my entire life!” Rachel declared, lifting her head to smile at her mother. “First, of course, was the day I officially met you in person, and second was singing Defying Gravity on stage at your last Wicked performance.”

“Today was a wonderful day,” the mother agreed, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. “But I think it only comes in at number five for me.”

Rachel nodded in understanding and held her good arm out for her mom to help her sit up. “Meeting Barbra in person is obviously your number one. What are the rest though?”

Shelby raised a teasing eyebrow and shook her head. “Barbra’s not my first,” she said, laughing at her child’s gasp. “You are. The day you were born. Followed by the first time you called me ‘Mom’, the day we met and you officially became mine, and the day we moved into our house. So yeah, I’d say today is a solid five.”

Feeling her face grow warm from her mother’s overwhelming declaration of love (not a bad feeling by far, but one the fourteen-year-old was still coming to terms with having directed at her), Rachel looked away shyly. In the very next instant, she found herself pulled into her mom’s arms and held close. Rachel relaxed into that embrace, letting herself be lulled by the gentle thumping of Shelby’s heartbeat against her ear, and couldn’t think of a better way to end this amazing day—safe and secure in her mother’s arms.

#open arms #Shelby #Rachel

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