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amazingphilza · 4 years

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twitchcon :: cc!multiple x reader

fluff , platonic , gender neutral ! some mcyt headcanons if you were to attend twitchcon w them

cc’s included in order: tommyinnit , tubbo , ranboo , wilbur soot , philza , technoblade

cw: kinda lengthy for the minors (i think), not as much for the hags LMAO /hj

tommyinnit

this man is so excited to be at his first twitchcon & being able to hang out with all his best friends makes it a hundred times better

when he isn’t at a panel or doing meet & greets, he’s dragging you everywhere to see the whole convention center (clingyinnit)

he is just so at awe despite this not being his first convention to attend

you’d be surprised he gets tired pretty quickly & stops over to the partner lounge

you both rest for a bit against a wall in a pretty packed hallway despite it being an exclusive area to twitch partners

every time a famous streamer walks by he will yell it out and record it then vlog your reaction, even if they’re surrounded with bodyguards & trying to get to another place quickly

he’d zoom in his camera to their face at a horrible angle and be like

“oh my god it is THE ninja. ninja famous fortnite player, HELLO.”

but he gets completely ignored

then the camera pans out to you, still really zoomed in that the capture is blurry

“ninjainnit?”

“EH?”

tommy is so confused, forgetting the bit ninja did on his twitter where he renamed himself ‘ninjainnit’ for a split second

okay tommy isn’t that athletic but he will chase you and the rest of your group down a hallway if he had to

he’d probably find a toy gun from the artist alley/seller booths and shoot you and wilbur with it

but if tommy stumbles across any of the dream team, it’s about to be minecraft manhunt but irl

and he will def play his stream music while walking or smth when he’s bored (or trying to jump dream & sapnap)

** DO DO DO DO MANHUNT MUSIC **

oh my god,, now thinking about it he’s probably the one to open like random doors of empty rooms and steal stuff while you film him

like he will take a random empty glass, a bunch of pens, a freebie t-shirt, everything he sees he takes with him and you’re just panic

“tommy we’re literally not supposed to be here, and i’m stuck here filming you. it’s surely a felony in action”

“well, it’s their fault for leaving the doors open! plus this is great content. who’s the dirty crime boy now, HM?”

you’d tell wilbur about this and he’d scold tommy and threaten him with the same pen tommy stole

tommy probably would also drag you some weird event happening outside twitchcon along with tubbo and ranboo

“pokimane is giving out free pizza to everyone if we go to this one restaurant down the street!”

“we are literally gonna get bombarded. have you forgot you’re like three of twitch’s top streamers? i’d rather pay for all of our meals than try getting free pizza from pokimane against all her other fans”

“DEAL! let’s go to five guys then!”

you unfortunately end up paying for all 3 of their meals and picking on their food instead of buying your own

even with all of them making way more money than you, they still happen to be cheapskates

OR tommy will end up getting a burrito from a taco truck, immediately making a mess of himself, then proceed to complain how messy the food is to eat despite knowing what he was getting himself into before even ordering

“shit my clothes are all ruined now!”

“well that’s your fault you got a burrito, as if it’s your first time having one”

“i mean the food is good, i’m not complaining about that but i don’t think it’s that good that it’s worth costing my red and white shirt, im just saying”

tubbo

same with tommy, he is so excited

i don’t know why but i imagine him overpacking his suitcase and you making fun of him for it

anyway tubbo has his irl backpack on and streaming EVERYTHING

probably spends a lot of time at a bunch of different booths, checking out all the pointless gadgets he could buy for his stream

you’re the one to stop him from doing so

“TUBBO IT’S LITERALLY OVER TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS, STOP. DONT GET IT.”

“WHY NOT?? IT WILL BE COOL FOR MY STREAM AND I WILL USE IT EVERYDAY”

“okay theoretically speaking, how the hell are you going to even bring it home? which—let me remind you—is across the country for you and not to mention the giant ocean separating america and the uk”

“free ship-pang!!!”

“i hate to break it to you tubbo but there is no way you can get free shipping on a FIVE FOOT PC. it’s nearly as tall as you! what are you even gonna do on it, hack the government???”

the arguments are all lighthearted but eventually you give in and let him splurge over a thousand dollars in different devices he claimed he “needed”

i could honestly see him visiting the beaches in san diego and going for a swim or even renting out a boat to use for a bit :D

also he’d bring benson along with him and taking a bunch of scenic photos with it in them

i have a feeling he’s the type to schedule a spontaneous meet & greet because he was bored & gets in trouble for causing a mob in a certain part of the convention

he’s like “oh god, i did not expect this many of the bois to show up AHAHAH oops”

tubbo would def pull a lilypichu and bring his melodica or ukulele and play themes while following random people/cosplayers

at the end of the day, you’d find his bag just stuffed with crap he either got for free or bought in the convention

“how did you get all that stuff? i was with you all day??? and it’s only the first day of the convention, hello?? it looks like you’ve been collecting as if twitchcon has went on for a week already!”

“HA i have my ways, do not underestimate my powers”

lani would probably tag along for the vacation honestly

like whenever someone comes up to her giving her gifts/asking for pics, you and tubbo would tease her about how famous she is

and i dunno but something about tubbo just gives me this amusement park energy and going to legoland and spending the whole day there since it’s near by and because he can

ranboo

he is like a beacon in a sea of people, that’s it .

i honestly just see him causing as much chaos as the other two

ranboo would probably like take someone’s camera whether if they’re streaming or if it’s for the vlog, hold it up high, and point the camera directly above someone’s face

it did not matter how tall you were and if you had platform shoes on, ranboo was a skyscraper next to you

“HAHAH this is how i see you from this height, this is funny”

then he shows you the vid of the recording of him getting like an aerial view of your face

like you see your nose and all your pores and just overall a bad angle to be captured in

“OH GOD RANBOO DELETE THAT, ITS HORRIFIC”

i dunno why but i feel like he’d jump scare every person that was cosplaying as his minecraft character from behind for some reason

“BOO!”

“ranboo i’m not even remotely dressed as your skin—”

“don’t worry i’m practicing it’s fineee”

“you’re like the height of 2 people combined, i think you will be fine as is. you even intimidated the security at the front”

i feel like if he had his own panel he’d like pull up some undertale song in the middle of it and scare all the people in the crowd

“lore but in real life”

probably would get some matching keepsake with you from artist alley/the booths!

i could imagine like a cute keychain or smth :D

i feel like he’s the type to like randomly volunteer as a participant for those mini events in a booth thinking it would be funny but regrets it the moment he’s on stage

after introductions the presenter is like “okay ranboo, you will be given a random meme prompt above your head you won’t be able to see until after and you will have to make a random face to compliment it!”

and you can just tell by his facial expression he’s just thinking

oh god what have i gotten myself into

what is this game? who came up with this idea?

you’d laugh at him the whole time, even after he’s off the stage and finished with that small fiasco

“that was horrible. never again.”

“AHAHAH IT LOOKED SO AWKWARD YOU DID GREAT”

“I CROSSED MY EYES AND PUFFED MY CHEEKS BECAUSE I COULDNT THINK OF ANY OTHER FACIAL EXPRESSION. THE PROMPT ENDING UP BEING ‘WHEN TWITTER CANCELS YOU FOR USING PLASTIC STRAWS.’ AND WHEN I SAW WHAT IT WAS—LITERALLY WHAT KIND OF GAME–”

“I GOT PICTURES AND EVERYTHING ITS PERFECT AHAHAHAH”

wilbur soot

honestly with wilbur it’s slightly more chill

he already experienced twitchcon before so he’s just glad to see his friends again after so long

insists that you explore the convention yourself rather than sticking with him the whole time but you do anyway!

wilbur would probably have like a mini concert and gets you front row seats with the rest of the group

but that doesn’t mean before it that you’re not helping him set up

“y/n please– my amp is so heavy, i can carry it”

“don’t worry! i’m strong” :D

and musically talented or not, he will probably bring you and the rest of his friends up to stage to just vibe and sing a bunch of random acoustic songs

it’s not like some big concert hall stage,, i imagine more like a casual thing w a slightly higher platform from the ground yk?

after spending a long day at the convention he’d also bring everyone across the city to la jolla or smth !

you’d all probably have dinner there and chill, watching the pretty sunset

“this place is really pretty but oh my god im gonna lose my breath hiking up this stupid hill, please slow down”

and wilbur is like ??? because he’s completely fine with his long legs and everything

“just walk faster”

“no, you walk slower”

AHAHAH and for context traversing through la jolla by walking around the town is a bit hard since it’s basically on a bunch of hills (walking up from the beach to a restaurant actually is actually sm work, trust me ive been there)

wilbur honestly doesn’t spend that much time in the actual convention center, he’s probably sightseeing a bit of san diego with you instead

but i could imagine him staying at the tabletop games area playing dnd or smth

“c’mon y/n, come join!”

“uhh i’m not sure, i’m not the best at roleplay and...”

“it’s fine don’t worry!”

he’d pull you in with him and end up enjoying yourself even if it was your first time

and if you’re of age, you’d be wilbur’s +1 at the twitch partner party and make sure mans doesn’t too drunk

if it’s not too late in the night, you two would chill at the beach after the party

it’s just a nice, calming moment after all the loud music mixed with hundreds of conversations at the party

also something about like taking polaroids pictures with wilbur just seems to go hand in hand for me

i’m not sure why but you will be taking lots of pics with wilbur for sure (not necessarily you both in the photo, but of sceneries as well while you’re together!)

philza

literally a dad on vacation with his children, it doesn’t matter how old you are

need sunscreen? surprisingly has it

want a snack? probably has a small granola bar somewhere in his bag

but same with wilbur, he’s more chill like this isn’t his first time at twitchcon

omg he’d def bring you to the artist alley and just buy a bunch of fanart and stuff tho

“oh wow look phil, someone made a giant poster of the dream smp and shit!”

“holy shit that’s so good what the fuck!”

and he’s like rushing to that artist’s stall to buy a poster or print

idk why but phil seems like the person to know where he’s going all over the convention center

he probably had a copy of the directory map but yk

you just have trouble reading it bc all the signs seem to be misleading to you

nothing really crazy screams out to me of what phil would do at twitchcon besides like go to a few events, spend a bunch of time w his friends, etc

HOWEVER i could see him wasting a lot of his time at the gaming area and testing new games that are currently on the works of being developed

like “woah y/n, this vr game is sick, you should try it out!”

ngl i feel like phil would plan a visit to disneyland for everyone, like he gets the tickets and everything but once you’re at the park it’s free reign, y’all go everywhere with not much of a plan

the minors would try to cheap out phil and pay less than the others even though everyone else fully paid phil back and everything LMAO

ok but if he’s feeling nice, phil will buy everyone cotton candy/pretzels :D

and if you’re not hungry, he’d at least get you a mickey balloon

HE WILL HAVE MATCHING MICKEY EARS WITH MUMZA YES .

ALSO STAYING FOR THE FIREWORKS THOUGH OMG

just in general, best idea phil had for taking everyone to disneyland :D

technoblade

surprisingly techno is really calm despite this being like one of his first conventions

but when he finally settles in and gets comfortable, he’s showing the same energy

if you’re playfully yelling, he will yell back

however there’s still those awkward moments that are unavoidable

idk why but something about him makes me think that if you feel tired and want to go back to your hotel room, he’d go with you just to make sure you get there safe

he probably also needs a break from being around everyone else for a moment too LMAO

i could also see him searching far and wide in the artist alley for fanart of himself AHAHAH

walking around with him in the convention consists of someone yelling “BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD” every 5 minutes but you don’t really mind

something about him makes me think he’ll be forced into playing minecraft twitch rivals along with the rest of sbi or smth

and he’s like “oh god, i’m going to be on stage? and people will see my face while i play minecraft?”

“i’m sure it will be fun!”

“i mean i like being competitive and feeding my ego, but i’m not that desperate.. well”

do i imagine techno getting easily tired of being surrounded by a bunch of people and just going back to his hotel room with phil and watching some anime with him? yes

and will you watch even if you have no idea what’s going on? also yes

i feel like after a while of you guys hanging out in techno’s room, the rest of the gang will just slowly join you guys

like eventually everyone is there; you, techno, phil, wilbur, niki, tommy, tubbo, ranboo, etc

and techno is like “wha– where did you guys come from?” because his room is basically packed

and niki could be like “oh we can go if you want!”

then techno just insists that she’s fine “but who let the child get in?” clearly implying tommy’s presence

“OI!!”

eventually techno gives in with the company and someone gets a bunch of board games to play from the front desk

lots of yelling and laughing for sure

when it becomes late at night, techno is like half conscious, you’re on your phone, wilbur is staring out the window & enjoying the night view, tommy is passed out on the couch from tiredness, tubbo & ranboo is still wide awake quietly talking, and phil & niki are helping clean up the giant mess

eventually everyone brings themselves to go back to their own room except tommy who won’t budge

you give techno a look and he immediately understands what you were thinking

he rushes to the bathroom to fill up two cups with ice cold water and handed one to you

“on three?”

“okay.. one”

“two”

“three!”

then both of you pour the water on the poor child’s face

he jolts awake and saying a string of curses

“what the fuck techno? y/n too?”

“get out” is the only think techno says that before tommy rushes out with his stuff and you leave right after

a/n: i honestly can’t wait until conventions open up again though,, phil and ranboo were talking about vidcon earlier and omg.

also i kinda want to take in tommy requests but i’m not sure??? it would be both cc! and c! x gn!reader for sure tho. i love writing him to bits but who knows, maybe i’ll only stick to my ideas,, or not. send in a tommy x reader request, might do it, might not, but he’s my fav cc if you can’t tell so! :D (i dunno if i will keep it strictly platonic, but unrequited crushes and stuff are fun to write hehe,,)

edit: let’s hope i fixed all the grammar mistakes LMAO we love writing late at night :) /s /hj

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artificialqueens · 3 years

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Level Up, Chapter Eleven (Branjie) - Holtzmanns

“I don’t think I could come up with anything negative about you.”

Brooke’s eyes are sincere as she says it, and Vanessa’s heart starts to beat just a little bit faster. Vanessa’s a person who’s always on the go, not one to slow down if she doesn’t have to but Brooke has the ability to make her world pause for just a second. Brooke changes Vanessa’s focus from what’s in front of her to solely her, and Vanessa almost wishes she could keep it there forever.

It’s never that hard for Vanessa to come up with words to reply with, especially not towards Brooke, but her brain feels like it has shuddered to a stop, pressing on the brakes because the small smile on Brooke’s face is more important to focus on. She could say something stupid, something funny, maybe return the sentiment but she doesn’t get a chance to decide on what to do before Yvie lets out a scoff.

“Except for your dislike of Chicken Little. That’s a negative if I’ve ever seen one.”

AN: Hi, I'm still alive, I promise. Popping back into this lovely fic nearly eight months later (a new job, a new apartment, a new city, and a new cat later too) and I love it just as much as I did in January. Eight months is good for plot to marinate and develop and I'm excited to get back to writing this fic again. If you're still around for this journey, thank you and know I'm so grateful for it. Please do tell me your thoughts if you read! Thank you writ for betaing ily <3

“So you have that interview with Glamour, I’ll set it up for some time this week, and Teen Vogue wants to do something on their Youtube channel. Who knew that was a thing? I’m working on Adidas’ rep to finagle a sponsorship outta them, and Under Armour on the backburner just in case-”

Vanessa bursts through the doors of the gym while Detox continues talking in her ear, not at all apologetic about the way that she has to interrupt her as she ambles towards Brooke’s office. “Just reached the gym. We’ll have to continue this later, ‘cause training waits for no one, right?”

“I see exactly what you’re doing, but I’m not mad at it. Go work on building those boxing skills that’ll keep lining your pockets for years. Toodles!”

Vanessa lets out a snort when Detox hangs up the phone. “Toodles? Who the hell says that?”

“Detox?” Brooke looks up from her book, an amused smile on her face. “I know that trick.”

“What trick?” Vanessa squints her eyes as she sits down, trying to read the cover of Brooke’s paperback. “Are you reading Chicken Soup for the Soul? ”

Brooke waves a hand. “Doesn’t matter. And the trick of dipping out of Detox’s phone calls. Why else would you get to the gym so early?”

“Oh, come on. I’m early sometimes. Occasionally,” Vanessa grins, and Brooke doesn’t buy it in the least from the way she raises an eyebrow. “Okay, maybe not. I like Detox, I really do, don’t get me wrong. She’s hysterical and good at her job, real good at it, but damn.”

“Detox works hard,” Brooke nods, understanding in her eyes. “It’s a lot to handle sometimes.”

“She cranks up the exposure by a million and targets it in specific places and it works, ‘cause I have a lot of followers and deals now but…”

“But what?”

Brooke leans forward, pushing her book to the side as she looks earnestly at Vanessa. It’s striking, sometimes, how Brooke gives her full attention. How much she cares sometimes.

It’s nice.

“It feels real wild, y’know? Like all I did was become a meme, and now my face is going to be in a Spotify commercial. How does that jump happen?” Vanessa shifts in her chair, letting out a sigh. “It’s only been a few weeks.”

It’s as if Vanessa is riding in a car that’s only getting faster and faster, not quite in control of the steering wheel or knowing when she’s going to be able to stop. Sure, the ride is fun, but it also feels like she’s driving without a license, as if she’s skipped the learner’s permit stage and hit the highway instead.

“She wants to capitalize on it as much as possible. Keep you in the spotlight even after the next big meme rolls around,” Brooke shrugs, before pausing for a second, a look of concern in her eyes. “It’s not too much, is it? I can always talk to Detox with you if you feel like it’s overwhelming-”

“Nah, I’ll survive,” Vanessa shrugs, giving her best reassuring smile to Brooke. “Lush sent me some free shit the other day. I like goodie bags.”

Brooke snorts. “Fair enough. Bath bombs are a reason to keep going.”

“Want some? I got enough for a month's worth of spa days.” Vanessa makes a mental note to bring some of the freebies for Brooke on their next practice. She’s earned half of everything, at least.

“You have any of the sakura ones?” Brooke is tentative with her question, and Vanessa nods enthusiastically.

“You’re getting all of ‘em.”

“Now, hold on a second-”

“It’s six. Don’t we have practice to start?” Vanessa’s up and out of the office before Brooke can protest any further. “I’m gonna go change.”

Practice is nice. Practice feels familiar amongst all the new chaos in Vanessa’s life. It lets her turn her brain off and get away from the people that recognize her out in public, the way her Instagram is now solely for sponsored posts. The way she feels like a caricature of herself, almost, because others have an opinion of who she is based on a ten second video clip.

But practice isn’t like that. In the gym, Brooke is the same as ever, pushing and pushing her until sweat is drenching her back and her mind is spinning and she feels more alive than she ever has. When Brooke throws moves at Vanessa that she has to work in overdrive to block and counter with some of her own, it’s familiar. Even though she’s tired and gasping for breath, it’s what she knows how to do, and in an environment that isn’t unsettling or foreign.

The best part about it? Vanessa can still feel herself learning. Growing. Stepping up to the challenges that Brooke throws at her. Sure, she’s not aching to get back into the competition ring anytime soon, but the approving smiles from Brooke when she gets in a good hit or when she avoids a shot that would previously knock her on the ground gives her a thrill every time.

The end of practice leaves Vanessa with a new sense of longing that’s only been present the last few weeks, since this whole meme mess has started. Leaving the gym is hard, because it means Vanessa has to go outside again, pull her hat down when passerby on the sidewalk give her a second look. She has to unlock her phone and pretend to be busy, but then she’s faced with comments pouring in on every social media account that she opens. She can text one of her friends but it’s hard to continue a conversation, really, after it starts with a rousing Miss Vanjie, no matter how much in jest.

Being outside the gym means that she’s reminded of her new loss of normalcy.

She takes her time switching back into her sweats after she showers, dragging her feet as she leaves the change room with her gym bag slung over her shoulder. When she squints her eyes she can see Brooke at the far end of the gym, teetering on a stool as she repositions one of the crooked banners. Brooke turns around almost as if she can tell Vanessa is there, a good natured smile and an easy wave following immediately.

“See you tomorrow.”

“Need any help?” Vanessa’s stalling a bit by asking, but maybe Brooke really could use a hand with the banners, or at least an extra set of eyes to make sure that they’re nice and straight.

She’s just helpful, that’s all.

Brooke, to her credit, doesn’t call Vanessa out for it as she squints, admiring her handiwork. “I think they’re as aligned as they’re ever going to be. I’m going to get ready to leave for the night, too.”

“Oh,” Vanessa doesn’t mean to sound a little disappointed as Brooke jumps off the stool, fiddling with the jacket that’s slung across her arm. “Already?”

“It’s almost eight thirty,” Brooke points out, padding past Vanessa towards her office door and grabbing her coat off of the hook. “You’re not tired and ready to go home yet?”

“I just…”

Vanessa trails off, looking down at the ground. She’s not sure what to say, really. All that’s waiting for her is her apartment, but she can’t mindlessly scroll Twitter or Instagram before bed without seeing her face again. She needs to reply to her friends’ texts, but the notifications are piling up on top of one another like a mountain that she’s not really sure how she’s going to climb.

Vanessa just wants to avoid it all.

Brooke pauses, and each second that passes makes Vanessa’s heart constrict because maybe she should just try to explain, but she doesn’t know how to and it feels like too much-

“C’mon. My roommate and I are having a late dinner and rewatching Chicken Little. Are you in for a nacho night?”

Brooke’s looking at her expectantly and Vanessa wants to say yes, but what pops out of her mouth is what’s pressing on her even more. “Did you say rewatching Chicken Little?”

“It’s a good movie!” Brooke’s defensiveness makes Vanessa crack a smile despite how restless she feels, how much she’s fidgeting while standing in place. “Come over and you’ll see.”

“Y’know, we haven’t talked about movies before, but this recommendation is making me question what your taste is like,” Vanessa lets out a giggle, when Brooke’s mock offense takes over her face as she puts a hand to her heart.

“The disrespect. You’re not getting nachos with those kinds of statements,” Brooke grabs Vanessa’s gym bag, slinging it over her shoulder as she holds the door open. “Now c’mon.”

Brooke’s apartment is not what Vanessa expects - there are colours and tapestries lining the walls and even one on the ceiling, and she’s pretty sure she sees a bong on top of the refrigerator. It’s pretty, though, with the art splashed across every free surface and the shelves filled with books upon books, piles of even more on the actual floor. Vanessa has to resist the urge to go and sit down on the wicker chair in front of the television that’s suspended from the ceiling.

“Yvie’s the one behind the decor.” Brooke has a knowing smile on her face and Vanessa can feel her cheeks heat up, from how easily Brooke can read her mind. “Moved in a few years ago after she broke up with a long term partner. Never really got around to adding things of my own to the walls.”

Vanessa snickers before she can even get her joke out properly. “What would you add? A Chicken Little poster?”

Brooke, for her part, doesn’t miss a beat. “Nah. A poster of your meme.”

“Wow-”

“I know we were thinking nachos, but picture this. Chicken nuggets while we watch Chicken Little.” A girl with bright green hair pops her head out from behind a door, waving at the two of them.

Vanessa waves back, her eyebrows lifting higher and higher on her forehead when she realizes how tall the girl is as she walks closer. Even Brooke has to look up at her which is a strange sight on its own, considering how much Brooke towers over Vanessa.

Then again, Vanessa’s used to being the short one.

“Vanessa here is doubting the movie’s genius,” Brooke raises an eyebrow, and the girl lets out a fake gasp.

“Um, not a movie. Chicken Little is a film. An artistic masterpiece.”

“Are you two the presidents of the Chicken Little fan club?” Vanessa asks, as Brooke sticks her tongue out at her.

“Yes. And no, you can’t join.”

It’s interesting how Brooke’s work demeanor has dropped now that she’s in her own apartment, her normally squared shoulders a little more relaxed. It reminds Vanessa of when they went roller skating, seeing how much fun Brooke had while pulling her around the rink.

Vanessa wants to see more of it.

Brooke points at her roommate as the girl sticks out a hand. “Ness, this is Yvie. Yvie, Vanessa. I’m coaching her.”

“You’re introducing her as if I haven’t heard you talk about her every single day for the last however many months,” Yvie drawls and Brooke’s sputter is immediate, making Vanessa’s breath hitch a little in her throat.

Brooke talks about her?

Yvie pats Brooke on the back as if she’s choking on her water rather than on some words, sticking her other hand out for Vanessa to shake. “You’re Brooke’s favourite student. Also her only student, technically, but still a favourite nonetheless.”

Brooke’s cheeks are bright pink and Vanessa can’t deny that the sight is adorable, seeing her flustered for once. Still. Brooke probably recaps their training sessions and nothing more.

“As long as it’s mostly positive,” Vanessa shrugs, and the way Brooke emphatically nods makes her feel better than she wants to admit.

“I don’t think I could come up with anything negative about you.”

“Except for your dislike of Chicken Little. That’s a negative if I’ve ever seen one.”

The platter of chicken nuggets that Yvie places on the coffee table with a flourish is impressive, to say the least. There’s a little bowl of ketchup on the side, along with sweet and sour sauce and something that looks to be...ranch?

Whatever it is, Vanessa’s nose wrinkles at the sight. “Which one of you eats ranch with chicken nuggets? Is that legal?”

Yvie’s cackle and Brooke’s flushed cheeks tell Vanessa all she needs to know as she plops down beside Brooke on the couch, nudging her side. “Really?”

“The flavour combination is great!” Brooke mutters, grabbing a chicken nugget and dipping it in the ranch for posterity, holding it up close to Vanessa’s face. “Try it.”

Vanessa scooches herself towards the edge of the couch, away from the chicken nugget and the ranch that’s slowly dripping down like a melting ice cream. “Absolutely not.”

“It’s delicious-”

“It’s cursed-”

“More for me, then,” Brooke tosses the chicken nugget into her mouth, and Vanessa’s not sure, really, how she’s handling the flavours together without puking. “You’re missing out.”

“Very happy to miss out on that, thank you very much. I’ll take the ketchup.”

It turns out that Chicken Little isn’t so bad with Yvie and Brooke peppering in commentary as they watch, and Vanessa finds herself getting swept into the plot, as ridiculous as it is. The glass of cider that Yvie’s brought for each of them is making Vanessa feel a little more relaxed, her shoulders not as stiff anymore as she leans against the back of the couch. It’s fun to watch Brooke’s face, really, and the way she lights up while quoting the movie as it plays.

Vanessa makes a mental note to invite Brooke over to watch more movies. Better movies. Expand her palate. Chicken Little cannot be at the top of Brooke’s movie pyramid, not when there are better choices available, like Pretty Woman. Sure, Vanessa’s not exactly a film connoisseur herself, but still. Anything beats Chicken Little, right?

Maybe it’s just the cider settling in, maybe it’s the full stomach of chicken nuggets, but...it’s nice. Comfortable. Vanessa pulls her feet up behind her on the couch before grabbing a throw pillow to hug on her lap, and really, she could fall asleep right where she’s sitting, even to the dulcet tones of the main chicken character screaming about an alien invasion. Brooke looks over as Vanessa settles herself more into the couch, her expression unreadable but then she reaches over the back of the couch, grabbing the throw blanket behind them.

“Wanna share? It’s kinda cold.”

It’s not cold and Vanessa knows it, she knows that Brooke does too, but Brooke’s face is soft and tentative and adorable and sharing a blanket with her would make the couch situation even more cozy.

Plus, she can cuddle with Brooke, because Brooke is tall and thus is a tall, comfortable cushion to lean against.

Brooke throws the blanket across both of them and Vanessa scoots closer to her so that their laps are covered, the fabric fuzzy and warm. The side of Vanessa’s upper thigh leans against Brooke’s and she’s not sure why she’s so hyper aware of the fact, or why Brooke’s arm across the back of the couch makes her want to snuggle in even closer.

It’s just Brooke, after all. Brooke, who’s seen her when she’s all sweaty and about to collapse on the gym floor. Brooke, who had been there at her worst after the last tournament and still wants to coach her and spend time with her. Brooke, whose secret love for Twilight will never fail to make Vanessa laugh.

If it’s just Brooke, then why is Vanessa’s heart taking flight in her chest when Brooke starts to absentmindedly trace patterns on her palm? She doesn’t know why Brooke’s touch is lighting up a pattern of sparks on her skin either, or why Brooke’s side is so comfortable to lean against. Why Vanessa almost wishes that the movie could go on forever, so that she can stay warm and safe under Brooke’s arm that’s now draped across her shoulders.

Maybe Vanessa doesn’t need answers for all of those questions, not yet, not if finding out the answers would mean disrupting the delicate balance that hangs in the air between them. Brooke shuffles a little bit and when Vanessa’s head ends up against her chest, she can feel the way Brooke’s heart is beating, surely faster than any heart should. It’s a contrast from how seemingly relaxed the rest of Brooke’s body is, how her arms around Vanessa aren’t tense, restricting, but rather grounding, pulling her down.

Leaning back against Brooke is warm, familiar. It’s a feeling of home in a situation so novel, so different from how they usually are, like pulling on a sweater that Vanessa’s not sure how she’s ever lived without. Maybe, just maybe, Vanessa doesn’t ever have to take it off.

Vanessa doesn’t realize that the credits start rolling on the screen until Yvie rolls off of the lilac armchair, reaching for the remote on the coffee table. She lets out a yawn, stretching her arms up high before shutting off the TV. “I, for one, am exhausted. And as fun as this was, it’s my bedtime.”

Brooke snickers, and Vanessa can feel the way her chest reverberates underneath her. “You and I both know you’re about to go Facetime Scarlet.”

“That’s what bedtime means,” Yvie wiggles her eyebrows, and Brooke’s noise of disgust is immediate.

“Horrifying. You two better keep it down this time. My ears still haven’t recovered from overhearing you both last week,” Brooke shudders as Yvie cackles, shutting the door to her bedroom with a click.

Vanessa turns in Brooke’s grip, shooting a questioning look. Surely Yvie can’t be louder than the average person on Facetime. “Overhearing what?”

Brooke makes a face, the haunted look in her eyes almost comedic from the way that she sighs. “Let me put it this way. Yvie and her girlfriend are in a long distance relationship, which is hard on them for a multitude of reasons. One of them being their libidos.”

“Their libidos…” Vanessa trails off, her face falling when she realizes what Brooke means. “Oh no. Not that. Tell me not that.”

“Exactly that. They’re quieter over Facetime than they are when Scarlet visits, at least. That’s a blessing.”

Vanessa shudders. Sure, she’s not exactly quiet in bed either, but the thought of people on the other side of the wall being able to hear everything is horrifying, especially because of the fact that she lives with Alexis. Her sister does not need to know details about her sex life, that’s for sure.

Still, Vanessa wonders how loud Yvie must be. “How do they even make so much noise with phone sex, anyway? Yodel?”

“Mating calls that would fit in perfectly in a National Geographic documentary,” Brooke lets out a snicker, her hand clapping over her mouth when Yvie lets out an ‘I heard that!’ from behind her bedroom door. “Still, glad I’m not about to suffer through overhearing it alone. You’ve saved my evening.”

Vanessa snorts, pulling back from Brooke’s embrace to face her, leaning against the back of the couch. “Glad to be of service.”

Brooke is softness and kindness and contentment all at once, and the easy smile on her face is one that Vanessa feels so lucky to see the longer and longer that she knows her. It’s moments like these that Vanessa wants to hold on to forever - when Brooke’s guard is down, when her posture is relaxed and she’s looking over with eyes that Vanessa could drown in. She wants to package up this version of Brooke that isn’t tethered by reminders of her past, or with upholding a legacy that defines her whether she likes it or not. At times like this, Brooke isn’t a boxer with her father’s last name, or Vanessa’s coach responsible for facilitating her success. She’s just Brooke, a girl whose gaze is so mesmerizing that makes Vanessa’s breathing hitch in her throat without even realizing it.

Brooke holds out a hand and it’s almost second nature for Vanessa to link her fingers with hers, their hands fitting together in a way that doesn’t make sense, not when Vanessa’s hands are so much smaller. But Brooke’s grip is an anchor that keeps her from floating away, one that centers her and lets her focus on the upward curve of Brooke’s lips, the softness of her eyes when she smiles.

Except then Brooke’s brow is furrowing, a hint of concern in her eyes that Vanessa wants to brush away for her. “You okay? You’re quieter than usual.”

Vanessa can feel her face heating up as she stutters, pulling her eyes away from Brooke’s face to focus on the stitching along the couch cushions. “I’m fine. I...nothing.”

She can’t exactly go out and tell Brooke, someone who’s a coach and also a friend for that matter, that she’s just a little bit mesmerized by her face. Not something that’s likely to go over well.

Vanessa’s past relationships have been nothing short of peacocking, making herself known to those she’s had an interest in because they’d inevitably chase her right back. She knows her worth, knows how to go after what she wants, but…

What does she even want, now?

She doesn’t want Brooke, she can’t, not when Brooke is her coach and someone who’s becoming more and more important towards every aspect of her life, someone who she texts when she wakes up in the morning and who she’s messaging as she’s falling asleep.

Brooke’s not the type of person that Vanessa can parade around and go on a few dates with while drinking the cheapest wine on the menu for shits and giggles. She’s not someone that Vanessa can let go of easily, the way she’s had to with previous relationships that didn’t work out. Brooke is different from them.

She’s not disposable, not someone that Vanessa wants to let go of from her life. She isn’t someone that Vanessa can let go of at this point, because the thought of not seeing her amused expressions in the gym or the pride on her face while they’re training is too much to deal with. Vanessa’s only beginning to read through Brooke’s pages to learn more about her, and finding out little details that make her want to melt and pull Brooke just a little closer to her heart.

Brooke is too important.

Sure, Vanessa’s breath hitches in her chest whenever Brooke pulls her closer, and maybe Brooke’s smile is enough to drown out any background noise buzzing around them, but Vanessa also knows that she falls hard. And fast. She’s impulsive, following what her heart tells her to do and most of the time, she can deal with the consequences because she knows she’ll be able to get back up again.

But if this is a miscalculation? If saying something means that they’ll end up in pieces that neither of them will be able to put back together?

It’s too big of a risk. At least, for now.

Vanessa can’t be the one to take the jump off the cliff, not yet.

So she smiles, puts on the most reassuring expression that she can, hoping that it’s enough to soothe the concern that splays itself across Brooke’s features. “Really, I am. Just thinking about all the press shenanigans that Detox has lined up for me tomorrow.”

It’s enough for Brooke’s features to relax just a little bit, the smile on her face almost nostalgic. “I’m glad it’s you now, and not me, on Detox’s receiving end. She’s ruthless in the best way.”

“That’s one way to put it.”

There’s a sinking feeling in Vanessa’s chest by going for the cop out, but...she has no other choice. It’s not the way she normally handles situations like this, a fact made clear by how much she has to push down the butterflies in her stomach, and hide them behind a door so that they don’t escape and ruin stakes that feel too high, too much of a risk.

Still, Vanessa’s a bit of a sucker for punishment, and so when Brooke pulls her closer into a hug, it’s as easy as breathing to snuggle into her and rest her head against her chest, because Brooke’s arms are warm and safe and manage to slow her thinking down just a bit.

Part of Vanessa feels like she can handle it and hold herself back from doing anything stupid, if only to not mess everything up. She can be this close to Brooke and not have her chest split in two and maybe it’s a blessing, and something that she has to hold on to. Except that by leaning against Brooke, she can feel how fast Brooke’s heart is beating, threatening to escape from her chest before she can possibly stop it. It’s a contrast from the gentle way that Brooke’s fingers run through her hair, betraying the calmness on the outside that she’s trying so hard to convey.

Maybe Vanessa’s not the only one holding back. Maybe Brooke also feels it, maybe she’s also teetering on the bridge that Vanessa’s trying her best not to lose her footing on, and the thought gives Vanessa pause for a second, because maybe the risk is one they can manage, something they can work with...

No. No.

They can’t.

Not if it would lead to everything falling to pieces around them, not if it would mean no more training and no more Brooke in general. Because that’s how relationships always seem to end, don’t they?

As much as Vanessa has always wanted the romantic movie ending and a kiss in the rain, it hasn’t happened to her yet, much to her teenage self’s disappointment. There’s too much on the line to see if Brooke will be the one to veer her onto a different path and change the outcome.

So, Vanessa has to be happy with what she’s getting now, this friendship with Brooke and the coaching and accept it for all that it’s worth. Because Brooke’s important, maybe the most important person in Vanessa’s life and she has to take what she gets.

She’s lucky enough to have it in the first place, after all.

#rpdr fanfiction #vanessa vanjie mateo #brooke lynn hytes #branjie #lesbian au #boxing au #boxer au #level up #holtzmanns

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dajaregambler · 3 years

Text

HeliosR - Akira Otori Card story “Hotdog Hero”

Translation of Akira Otori’s initial 3* card story from ‘Helios Rising Heroes’.

Akira: Oi, Will. Let’s get some grub

Akira: Doing my best on patrol made me hungry as hell. Eating is important if ya wanna become the strongest hero

Akira: And obviously we’ll be eating hotdogs!

Will: You really love hotdogs, don’t you

Akira: What’re you saying, I’m not the only one that loves ‘em. Hotdogs are THE soul food of New Million

Akira: Especially in Red South, there’s tons of places that sell them here

Akira: ...Alright. We’ll be going to my number one hotdog place “Super Dogs” for lunch

Will: Aah, is it that one stall in Million Park?

Akira: Yup yup. I’ve been dropping by here for a long time now, so I’m familiar with that stall’s old man. Every now and then he gives me toppings as a freebie

Akira: The hotdogs from there are minced, big sausages that fill you up pretty damn good. Add some strong ketchup on it and it’s a perfect match

Akira: Aaah, just thinking about it is making my tummy rumble. Awright, let’s go!

Akira: Owah, that’s a giant ass line!?

Will: It is lunchtime, the weather’s nice too so makes sense as to why there are many customers. Though, by the looks of this waiting line we’ll have to wait for more than 40 minutes

Akira: Grr…. I’m starving, there’s no way I can endure it for that long...

Akira: Okay, we’ll go somewhere else

Akira: Gwah, crowded here too!?

Akira: It is true that the hotdogs here are delicious and it’s well known but...

Will: It’s going to take time no matter what, should we get something else for today?

Akira: All of this is making me want to eat hotdogs even more! We’re gonna go to the next one, come on!

Will: ….I’m starving too though

Akira: Guh, jam-packed again or what!? Is it some kinda day of hotdogs today!?

Will: Akira, I’m going to grab a crêpe from there♪

Akira: Oi, Will……!

Akira: Damnit, how dare he get tempted by sweets….

Akira: (With this line here it’ll more than 30 mins here too. Guess I’ll just get in… No, I wanna eat as soon as possible)

Will: I’m back♪ The crêpe shop wasn’t crowded

Will: Akira, you have to be hungry too, how about giving up on hotdogs for today and opting for something else?

Akira: Uuuh… I wanna eat hotdogs though

Will: Sigh, he’s upset now

Akira: There’s tons of hotdog places in South. There’s definitely gotta be one that’s not crowded...

Akira: Ooh, ain’t there that!

Will: Wai- Akira!

Akira: Heeh, if it ain’t a mobile truck from Super Dogs. How lucky to end up tasting what I wanted to in the first place♪

Akira: At last I can eat. ...gimme one hotdog!

Little boy: ~♪

Will: Ah, look at that, Akira. That boy also has a bag from Super Dogs. Fufu, he’s matching with you

Akira: Child or adult, everyone loves ‘em. That’s what hotdogs are all about.

Akira: Awright, time to dig i-...

Little boy: Ah, ouch! Uuh, uuuuuu...

Will: Hey, is everything okay!? You tripped… does it hurt?

Little boy: I’m ok… But, I dropped my hotdog…

Will: Aah… Then, we’ll get a new…

Will: Wha- it’s gone!? Right, it drived off...

Little boy: Uuu, I wanna eat a hotdog…. I was looking forward to it too…

Akira: ……….

Akira: Oi, no need to cry anymore. I’ll give you mine instead

Little boy: Eh?

Will: Akira, are you sure?

Akira: I am a hero. I can’t just pretend nothing happened when someone’s crying

Little boy: Onii-chan, you’re a hero?

Akira: Yup. Otori Akira! A hero from South Sector that’ll be a major hero before you know it!

Akira: C’mon, take it

Little boy: Yaaay! Hero-oniichan, thank you!

Will: I’m happy to see that boy cheered up. Akira, you did a great job

Akira: Don’t treat me like some kid, just did what one gotta do

Will: Yes, yes…. but you’re still hungry, right? Want to have some of my crepe?

Akira: Hell no. That thing has way too much cream on it, it’ll be disgustingly sweet

Akira: (Today’s an unlucky hotdog day, huh. Guess I gotta give up and eat something else)

Akira: (Came here to get some hotdogs as revenge for yesterday…)

Akira: Ooh, ain’t crowded today♪ Ol’ man, gimme a hotdog!

Stall owner: If it ain’t Akira! Thanks a bunch for yesterday!

Akira: Yesterday? What’re you talking about? I didn’t drop by yesterday due how crowded it was...

Little boy: Ah, it’s that hotdog hero!

Akira: Hold on, aren’t you that squirt from yesterday!? Also, hotdog hero…?

Will: Akira, did you buy that many now?

Akira: The ol’ man from Super Dogs gave ‘em to me

Akira: That boy from yesterday who got my hotdog is his son apparently

Akira: He heard from his song that a hero that loves hotdog had given his hotdog…. something like that

Will: Ahaha, it's easy to understand that it’s about you, Akira. Come to think of him, you did also say your name

Akira: Yep, and with that he wanted to show his appreciation, and gave me a bunch of hotdogs. And a share of some other things on top of it

Akira: Well, I’m hungry from patrolling, so pretty lucky I got this much. Will, want a bite too?

Will: I’m good, these are yours after all

Will: But this makes sense.….. Wonder if this is what they mean when they say “Compassion is not for other people's benefit.”

Akira: Whadda hell’s that?

Akira: Besides, what is a “hotdog hero”... I wanna be called a superhero, not that

Will: Fufu, being hotdog hero is what fits you the most right now, Akira

Akira: Tch, no way...

#heliosR #helios rising heroes #akira otori #will sprout

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sadaboutniall · 4 years

Photo

Without Fear

masterlist | tag | wattpad

Chapter Three. February, continued.

spending my evenings on the roof, can’t tire of thinking about you // and I wonder if this will all work out.

- without fear, dermot kennedy

They fall into an easy routine, Niall and Lu. His next night goes even better than the first, and it’s a steady rise from there—it doesn’t take long for word to spread on the island, and by the end of February people start turning up to the shop specifically for Niall’s sets. It buoyes Lu’s heart almost too much, the way he lights up when he learns people are coming just to see him. He’s a master with crowds—knows how to work them, how to hold them in his hand and make them cry, laugh, buy another drink, kiss the person sitting next to him. He knows how to make every single person feel like they’re the only one in the room—like they’re the most special.

He knows how to do it to Lu, too.

But it’s easy to forget, Lu thinks, when she’s stood side by side with him at the end of the night, collecting glasses and rinsing them before she hands them to Niall to load into the dishwasher. It’s easy to forget that she’s not special.

“You alright, Looney Tunes?” Niall’s looking over at her, one eyebrow raised in question. “Quiet tonight.”

Luna nods, unsure if the bait is hers to take or not. She feels closer to Niall than anyone else on this island, but she’s sure he doesn’t feel the same—and she’s not so sure he’d even want to spend too much time around her if he knew more than the superficial truth about her. Who could want to trust someone who ran?

“Yeah,” is what she settles on. “Just feeling a little homesick tonight, is all.”

Niall hums, knocking the dishwasher door shut with his hip. He leans his side against the counter, then, “want to talk about it?”

Lu shakes her head. “You had a great night, don’t worry about it. It’ll pass. It comes and goes in waves.”

“Course it does. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t talk about it, though.”

“It’s alright, Niall,” Lu says, but she feels it bubbling over inside her, escaping from the corner of her chest that she keeps it locked up in. It’s banging and screaming, rattling its chains, and Lu can’t help it when her next sentence comes out wobbly. “You didn’t come here to hear me cry.”

“Woah, hey, hey,” Niall takes a step forward, his hand coming down to rest on Lu’s upper arm, thumb running gently along her shoulder, “it’s okay, you can cry.”

“Sorry, sorry,” but Lu can’t stop it now. But it’s not like her homesickness, her anxiety, her general feeling of helplessness has gone away. It’s a constant, but dull, feeling behind her eyelids, in the pit of her stomach—one that, for the most part, she can swallow, ignore, force down enough to go about her everyday the way she needs to. But when she prods at it, touches the sore skin, everything bursts—and she ends up crying, fat, angry tears that she can’t control, in front of Niall. “I didn’t mean to—sorry.”

“Stop apologizing,” Niall pulls Lu in for a hug and he’s warm and broad and soft in all the right places, his arms coming to wrap all the way around her, his chin resting atop her head. “Let it out.”

“I don’t,” Lu sniffles dramatically, snot threatening to glob onto Niall’s striped jumper. “I don’t want to cry on your nice sweater.”

“Fuck’s sake, Lu,” Niall actually laughs, tightening his grip around Lu’s body. “I’ve a washing machine at home; modern technology is really something to behold, ya know. Snot away, petal. Use me as a tissue.”

And Lu laughs so hard that she actually does. Right onto Niall’s very nice, very soft, striped jumper.

The thing, Lu realizes pretty immediately, about shooting a snot rocket onto a cute boy’s sweater, is that it apparently diffuses a lot of the tension in the room. And makes you stop thinking about how lonely you are—at least for a second.

“Well,” Niall giggles as Lu covers her mouth in shock, one hand reaching for the paper towels by the sink. “I did tell you to.”

“I’m so sorry, Niall,” Lu rushes, stumbles over her words as she wets the paper towel under the sink. “I didn’t think I’d actually—you made me laugh.”

“Ah, so it’s my fault now?” Niall’s smiling, Lu can hear it in the lilt of his accent, even when her back is turned away from him. It makes her heart flutter in her chest, like a kid in elementary school getting a Valentine from her crush.

When she turns around, sopping paper towel in hand, her heart stops. Niall’s standing across from her in a sleeveless undershirt, his soiled sweater in his hands, and Lu’s never seen him like this: the gentle swell of his biceps, the cut of his collarbones, the curl of dark brown chest hair peeking out over the swooping cut of his tank top, the veins pressing against his forearms, toned from years and years of guitar playing. The tight tangle of tears in her chest dissolves almost immediately, replaced by a stirring in her lower stomach, a quick flash of warmth flushing her body. She sniffles, and Niall looks up.

“Not that your snot grosses me out that much,” he gestures to his sweater, “just didn’t want to get all wet while we clean it off.”

“Right,” Lu’s throat feels impossibly dry. “That would be bad.”

“Just cold,” Niall says, his voice dropping just so. “Not bad.”

“Oh,” Lu shakes her head, tries to snap herself back into it. “I can—do you want—sorry. I’ve got a bunch of hoodies upstairs, do you want one?”

“You have one that would fit me?” Niall asks, even though it’s a stupid question—Lu’s shorter than Niall, but with her curves (and the way she likes to wear her hoodies oversized), anything she owns will fit Niall easily. They’ll be big on him, probably.

“For sure,” Lu says. “I’ll get you something. It’s just—it’s all upstairs.”

“Grand,” a smile stretches across Niall’s face, dimples digging deeper into his cheeks. “I’ve always been curious to see the flat up there.”

Had Lu known she was going to have Niall in her flat tonight, she probably would’ve picked up a bit. Her shit is lying everywhere: hoodie on the floor, bra flung across the arm of the couch, slippers lying, upturned, on opposite ends of the living room. There’s a dirty bowl on the counter in her kitchenette, a wet towel hanging over the bar in the shower, and Ruairí is fast asleep on her pillow, curled up tight and safe against the night outside.

In her bedroom, Lu’s got her head in the closet, rooting around for a hoodie she knows will fit Niall. She’s no shortage of them: old college sweatshirts, band merch from when she was a teenager, freebies from work, a family reunion sweatshirt from what feels like a hundred years ago. It’s like rifling through her old life, going through them all, memories throwing themselves at her as she tries to decide which would look best on Niall, which she’d be most willing to never see again.

She finds Niall out in the kitchen, leaning up against the counter and trying to pretend like he wasn’t prying. The washing machine is running behind him, his sweater the only thing in it, and he smiles, gentle and warm, when Lu hands him one of her old college crewnecks. It’s navy blue, soft and worn around the collar and sleeves, and when he pulls it over his head it musses up his hair, sending it every which way. His head pops out the top and he’s red cheeks, a mess of hair, sleepy eyes, and Lu has to look away, down at her own feet in socks covered in purple stars, to keep her heart rate under control. He’s wearing blue ones, tiny little rabbits dancing around on them.

“Both love a crazy sock,” he says, and when Lu looks up his smile almost makes her cry. “Meant to be friends, I guess.”

“Guess so,” Lu says, mouth dry.

They stand in silence for a moment—Niall is so hard to read that Lu can’t tell, really, if it’s awkward or not. But he breaks it first, runs a hand over his stubble and says, “an hour for the wash to finish. If you want me to get out of your hair I can come back tomorrow and—”

“No, no,” Lu rushes, “don’t leave—I mean, it would be stupid for you to come all the way back tomorrow when you don’t have to. We can wait. Or, if you don’t mind, at least.”

Niall beams, running his hand over the back of his neck. “Don’t mind. Whatcha wanna do?”

“Uh,” Lu turns toward her fridge—anything to keep her cheeks from reddening as she stares at Niall’s face. “I don’t have any beer but do you drink wine?”

“Wine’s lovely. Red or white?”

“I only drink white, is that okay?”

“Ah, I’m a red drinker meself,” Niall pushes himself up from where he was leaning against the counter. “But beggars can’t be choosers. Whatcha got?”

Lu busies herself pouring two glasses of wine—the one for her a little deeper, because Niall’s driving—while Niall hums to himself and putters around her kitchen cum living room. She doesn’t let herself think about it, the intimacy of this all, how long it’s been since she’s had someone else in her private space. When she turns back around, Niall’s head is halfway out the window.

“Uh?”

Niall pulls his head back in, ducking down to avoid smashing it against the window. “You ever go out on the roof, Looney Tunes?”

Luna blinks, twice.

“Your roof,” Niall’s face lights up more and more with each word, “do you ever go out and sit on it? It’s perfect, look, totally flat, all you have to do is swing your leg—”

“Niall, I’m not swinging my leg over two stories of thin air.”

“C’mon,” Niall’s halfway out the window now. “Live a little, Looney Tunes.”

Luna’s final protest gets caught in her throat as she watches Niall fully disappear out the window. When she pokes her own head out he really is on the roof—not splattered on the ground outside—and he’s right: it really is only a short stretch to reach the flat bit of roof that overhangs the front of the cafe below. There’s more than enough space for both of them to fit on it, and the night outside is cold, dark, and beckoning.

Before she can think too hard, Lu passes Niall both glasses of wine, then grabs a blanket off the couch. She swings one leg out the window, mentally says a quick prayer, and stretches. Her socks hit the cold, flat roof with ease, and she feels Niall’s hand land gently on the back of her knee, guiding her down.

“See,” he smiles as Lu settles down next to him. “Easy peasy. I can’t believe you haven’t thought of this.”

“I never,” Lu shrugs, a proper response evading her. Had she ever even bothered to look out this window, in the month she’s been living on Inis Mór? If she had, she would absolutely have noticed how easy it is to get out here, and how perfectly suited this stretch of roof is for sitting on. She would’ve noticed the view, too—she can hardly see it now for how dark it is, but there’s no missing the way the Atlantic shimmers under the moonlight just a few miles away. The night smells like salt and over the gentle rise and fall of Niall’s breath Lu can hear waves crashing against the cliffs, against the beaches, against this island. Had she ever even opened this window, before Niall did?

“S’alright,” Niall carries on so seamlessly that Lu fears, for a second, she’s been speaking out loud. “You know about it now.” He scoots his bum forward, forward, forward, until his legs are hanging over the edge of the roof and he can swing them back and forth. It makes Lu’s stomach churn.

“Be careful, Niall,” she manages. “Imagine what your dead body on the ground would do for business.”

Niall barks out a laugh, full volume, no concern for the reverent quiet of the night. Lu can’t tell anymore—it could be three in the morning, for all she knows.

“Ah, people on Inis Mór are nosy as fuck,” Niall says, still laughing. “They’d come in droves just to see the spot, even after you’d peeled my body off the ground.”

“Ugh. Don’t talk like that.”

“You’re the one who brought it up, Looney,” Niall turns so he’s facing Lu. “Come, sit. Promise I won’t push ya.”

“You know, I hadn’t even considered that until you said something…” Lu gathers up the blanket and slowly, gingerly takes the few steps over to the edge. Niall reaches out a hand, cold and callused, to help her sit down. When he lets go, Lu shivers.

Side by side, blanket covering both their laps, Niall and Lu sit in silence and watch the night roll past them. Nights here are pitch dark, like nothing Lu is used to, and filled with more stars than she even knew existed. It’s suffocating and freeing all at once, the vastness, the emptiness, the closeness of it all. A million miles away from everyone and everything she knows—except for him.

“You can see the Northern Lights from here sometimes, you know,” Niall whispers, finally breaking the comfortable silence. Lu turns to look at him, and he’s still staring out at the dark sky. “They can’t really predict it, but sometimes you get a few hours’ warning that it might happen. This spot would be perfect.”

“Well if we ever get that warning,” Lu watches her breath condense and curl in the air as she speaks. “You can come over.”

“I’ll bring some good wine. This stuff is shite.”

“Hey!”

“Kidding, Looney,” gently, Niall knocks his knee against Lu’s. “You ever seen the Northern Lights?”

“Never. I’ve never even seen stars like this,” Leaning back on her hands, Luna drops her head back on her neck to face the sky. It really does seem like they’re infinite. “I can’t wrap my head around it.”

“Pretty stunning, isn’t it,” Niall leans back with her, his pinky finger brushing Lu’s where they’re both pressed against the roof. “It’s one of the few things here I never get sick of. If I ever left…”

“You want to leave?” Lu feels two things at once, then: her stomach, dropping in dread, and the rest of her body, flushing hot with shame. She hardly knows Niall, she’s only been here a month and only known him a few weeks and yet. The thought of being on this island without him. She doesn’t even want to entertain it.

“One day,” Niall says it so softly, so protectively. “I’d like to play my music to people who haven’t known me since I was born. I’d like to see places, too. If my music could take me places… I know it’s a pipe dream, but,” he trails off, Lu hears him swallow. “I can’t just stay here forever. I’ve got to try.”

It’s a nightmare, thinking about being here without Niall. But it would be a crime to let his talent waste away here. For a moment, Lu thinks she might do it: tell Niall about her life before coming here, about her job, about how she could make two phone calls and change his life, about how she knows, fully, without doubt, that someone, somewhere, in a high rise office building in Central London could make a star out of him. It would be cruel of her not to. She almost does.

She gets as far as “have you ever recorded,” before the washing machine beeps inside, and everything is ruined.

“Guess I should,” Niall sounds regretful as he makes to stand up, “get out of your hair and everything. S’getting late anyway and my mum will be wondering…”

He pulls himself up with ease, then reaches a hand down to help Lu stand up. She tries not to think too much about it: about the way his calloused hand feels like a comfort she hasn’t held since leaving home; about the way he climbs back in through the window first so he can help hoist her inside, his hands at her waist, grazing her love handles so gently, so carefully; about the way his shoulders flex as he shuts the window for her, making sure it’s locked before he draws the curtains down and fishes his damp sweater out of the wash.

Lu finds him a bag so he can take it home and hang it to dry—drying machines are few and far between here, and Lu is still figuring out how to make do without one on her own—and Niall loiters, just for a second, at her door before he leaves. He drags a hand through his hair, and Lu thinks about how it felt in her own, against her waist, brushing the skin on the inside of her wrist. She shakes her head as Niall rubs the back of his neck.

“Thanks for letting me stay,” he says. The air feels thick between them, like they’re both waiting for the same thing.

“You’re okay to drive?” Lu knows he is, he barely had two sips of the wine.

“I’m grand,” he promises, tapping his hand over his heart. “I’ll see you on Thursday night, then?”

“Thursday,” Lu nods. Three full days away.

“Try not to snot rocket on my jumper next time. And I’ll wash this one before returning it to you,” Niall smiles for real, dimples making an appearance, and leans in for a hug. He’s so solid, so soft, so warm, and he rubs Lu’s back, so gently, before he pulls away. It’s not long enough.

They can’t draw out the goodbye any longer—Niall repeats that his mum will probably be wondering where he is and Lu sends him off, heart bouncing against her ribs as she watches him clamber into his car in her hoodie. Once he’s pulled away and his headlights disappear, Lu shuts the door, locks up, and curls into herself in bed.

It’s only 6pm in New York.

She falls asleep.

####

taglist: @antisocialsocialclub5 @bopbopstyles @kara-246 @theresnooneheretosave @missy14us @tinyfelthat @okaaayniall @adoremp3 @crocodileniall @niallsguitarthings @ficnarry @thelifeofbo @niallgolden @coconutdawn @awomanindeniall

Join the tag list here.

#one direction #1dff #one direction fan fiction #niall horan #niall horan fic #niall horan fan fiction #niall horan imagine #niall #without fear #:')#this is my fave chapter so far i hope you like it!!

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gisachi · 4 years

Note

50 for the writing promts?

Thank you for waiting! Tbh I had a hard time thinking what to do with this prompt kajhskaf like I started typing this aimlessly, with no intent of turning this into nsfw but my brain didn’t have control of my hands and before I knew it it turned...slightly suggestive. Omg. ^^;;;; Hope this is good enough for you, Anon! 😊

50. A kiss, followed by more that trail down the jaw and neck. (866 words, slightly nsfw)

The last thing Ran ever wants is to be treated like an innocent little damsel.

Oh, how she’s gotten used to people underestimating her for who she really is. After all, what can her angelic face have to offer? A kick on the shin? A punch in the gut? She doesn’t look like she’s earned a black belt in karate with that babyface, does she? She’s so modest, and pure and nice, the epitome of a good girl, of a girl who doesn’t know how to curse, let alone to say anything borderline bad, or to tease…

In some days she finds it convenient, in most days it makes her want to throw herself out a window. It’s easy to get what she wants when people think she’s cute. Discounts and freebies for the pretty lady, sure. A little believable lie with matching puppy dog eyes gets her off the hook every single time. She’s never skipped class, never been to street bouts (though potentially she can), so everybody loves her...because she’s perfect like that.

But as much as she enjoys the perks, she despises the natural treatment that goes along with it. A simple ‘Oh shit!’ escapes her mouth and she’ll get daggers from old ladies in the supermarket. A simple display of physical strength and she’ll get wide-eyed looks from spectators— ‘She can do that?!’ Hormonal guy classmates feast on adult magazines and if she’s within hearing range they’ll hide away in shame because oh no, she’s too young, too innocent for this.

Is she, really?

She’s at Shinichi’s house playing this new zombie apocalypse game Nakamichi lent him. Ran’s not really into games like this, she’s more of the Tekken or Jump Force type, but nonetheless she gives this a chance.

“What’s that mean? DPS? We’re going to kill? Oh. What’s ammo?”

“Ammunition, for your gun-”, Shinichi pauses, then grins, “right, this is the first game you’ll play that involves guns and killing.” He pats her head, teasingly. “Shall you cover your eyes for the blood and gore, you innocent, innocent little angel?”

And oop, is that on purpose? Is her boyfriend making fun of her? Wrong move.

She grabs him by the collar and shoves him down the couch, the same manner she shoves her lips to his, in no way gentle and innocent.

She separates briefly, noses along his jaw, eyes closed, brows furrowed. “Stop saying that...” both hands trace the muscular planes of his chest and she feels him suck sharp breaths of air underneath her, “because I’m fucking not.”

“Whoa, babe, hold on-”

She kisses him where her lips hover, on his cheek, on his jaw, each kiss so slow yet seething with purpose, with passion, knowledgeable of where he’s most sensitive. She sneers when she reaches his ear. “And don’t you know it, Shin-i-chi.”

“Raaan, fuck.” He hisses, not in the least prepared for this kind of teasing. At least this early in the afternoon. One hand finds its way to the small of her back and the other he lodges between the couch and his body. “Like hell I don’t.”

She chuckles airily and buries her head in the crook of his neck, lips lightly grazing him there before applying pressure and moistness and tongue and shit— it’s too early for his pants to tighten this much. Damn it. She kisses him like she’s memorized his pleasure points. She knows the exact spot where he’s ticklish, the exact angle his head must tilt in order to elicit from him a rare moan. Which, oh, he just does. His girlfriend’s just that good.

“Am I an innocent little angel when I do that?”

“Fuckin’ no,” he grumbles, as she nibbles her way along his jaw. Both of his hands are now on her back, splaying up and down her spine before palming her rear to give it a hefty squeeze. She hums, returns her lips to his and kisses him tenderly, her torso bucking onto him, his hands guiding her hips’ movements. Are they going to... this time?

She ends the kiss with a loud pop and pushes herself onto a sitting position.

“Mhm. So take back what you said.”

She pouts, her cute, good girl demeanor returning. Ironically, as she sits on top of him, on the couch of his living room, the video game abandoned, her rear deliberately above the area where his betrayed hard-on is.

Guess not. Damn.

“C’mon, I was just joking,” he replies playfully, hands still pressed to her hips, thumbs drawing circular patterns on her fabric-sheathed skin. If he can just pull her back to what they’re doing earlier...

But Ran is resilient like that. Her weight disappears on him; she puts her house slippers on and stands.

“Oi, no faaair. Come back here.” Shinichi whines, propping his body up, eyes following Ran to the coffee table at the far end where she gets her compact powder from her handbag.

“A tease for a tease,” she winks. “Now get up and turn the console off, we're eating out.”

The last thing Ran ever wants is to be treated like an innocent little damsel.

Because she isn’t.

And Shinichi knows it best.

#shinran #fanfic #this is the shortest one ive made so far #and honestly i feel fulfilled lol /pats self #it’s my goal to write <1k but i’ve never really done that til now #lmao #sorry if i made Ran a little OOC here ;-;#i hope this is still ayt tho!#kiss prompts

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ginger-and-mint · 5 years

Text

An Evening In

Here’s a little bit of Bean Fanfic I wrote as a gift for @tiny-tum last month and then totally forgot to post. ^^’’

- - -

“C’mon, you ridiculous behemoth, let’s get you lying down.” Micah yanked back the covers on Elijah’s bed and grabbed a few pillows, fluffing them out before stacking them into a heap that his best friend could use to support his shoulders. “There -- it’s ready for you.”

Elijah gave Micah a look of warm gratitude as he eased himself onto the edge of the mattress. A soft groan escaped his lips as he bent at the waist, and his arms curled a little more tightly over the rounded bulge of his belly.

“Doing alright?” Micah asked with a wry smile. He waited until his friend had gingerly settled down onto the pillows before climbing onto the bed next to him, to avoid jostling Elijah’s tummy more than he had to. “I can’t believe you finished all of it.”

“Mmm.” Elijah let out a sleepy hum. Then an edge of something playful crept into his tone as he said, “Really? I thought you would expect that of me by now, Micah.”

Micah snorted. “Okay you bastard -- now that you mention it, I’m really not fucking surprised. You always stuff your tummy beyond reason when there’s fish involved.” He pressed his hand over the tight lump just below Elijah’s ribs, where his stomach was swollen up with soup and bread and noodles and of course, fish.

Dinner had been Micah’s idea. The week had been rough for both of them -- they’d had an organic chemistry exam and a lab practical in their anatomy and physiology course. On top of that, poor Elijah had had a review article due in his infectious diseases course, and Micah knew that finding the time to write it among his gang obligations had been stressing his friend out. As they’d walked to the bus stop after their last Friday class, Micah could sense how frazzled and worn out they both were, and the idea had just come to him -- “Hey El, why don’t we get takeout and bring it back to your place tonight?”

Elijah had made a soft sound of surprise. “Are you hungry, Micah?”

“I mean, not any hungrier than I normally am. But it would be nice, right? We should treat ourselves for getting through this awful week.” Another idea had struck him, and he’d grinned. “Let’s stop by that pasta place! The one Sasha showed us. I think they’ve got special deals on Fridays. I could go for some spaghetti, and they had that seafood pasta you loved, remember?”

The mention of seafood piqued Elijah’s interest, just as Micah had known it would. Fifteen minutes later, they’d been standing in the pasta restaurant, poring over a menu. Turned out, the Friday deal meant they could pick one free appetizer. Elijah’s eyes had lit up when he’d discovered the restaurant had calamari -- but he’d refused to let that be the freebie, since Micah had never had it before and didn’t know if he’d like it. They’d ended up with some sort of mini pizza flatbread instead. And then, with a tiny bit of encouragement from Micah, Elijah had gotten an order of calamari on top of that.

Long story short, they’d wound up with a lot of food. The pasta entrees came with bread rolls and small cups of soup, on top of the extra appetizers. Micah only made it through maybe a third of his spaghetti before he’d gotten full and decided to put the rest in the fridge.

Elijah, on the other hand, had plowed through his entire plate of seafood pasta, all of his soup and bread, half of the flatbread pizza, and the entire order of calamari (except for the two pieces Micah had tried before deciding he didn’t like it.) It had been a lot, even for him. Elijah had seemed to be enjoying his enormous meal so much that Micah had a sneaking suspicion he hadn’t realized how full he was getting until he was already swollen and hiccuping.

Now Micah could feel all that food grumbling gently in Elijah’s belly, heavy and solid under his palm. He pressed in with the heel of his hand, grinning as Elijah’s breath caught in his throat and then released as a soft groan. With gentle but firm strokes, he rubbed back and forth over the top of Elijah’s tummy, pausing every so often to press soothing circles into the tight places under his ribs and along his sides.

Elijah practically melted under his touch, sighing softly and sinking back into the pillows. A press to a particularly sensitive spot made him huff and push his belly up against Micah’s hand. It grumbled softly as Micah pressed in with his fingers to work away the tenderness, and Elijah groaned with contentment.

“You’re feeling really good right now, aren’t you, El?” Micah murmured with soft affection.

“Mmhmm.” Elijah wrapped an arm around Micah’s back and tried to pull him close to his chest. He frowned when Micah resisted. “You don’t want a hug?”

“Of course I want a hug, but I can’t rub your tummy from that angle, you bastard.” Micah gave the crest of Elijah’s belly a gentle pat, prompting another soft grumble. “And it kind of sounds like you need it.”

“I’m fine.” Elijah paused, as though he didn’t quite know how to ask for what he wanted. But the way his arm was still resting firmly over Micah’s back said everything.

“Alright, dumbass, here I come.” Carefully, Micah snuggled in close to Elijah’s side, pillowing his head on his friend’s big warm shoulder. Elijah made a soft sound of contentment -- which was quickly followed by a slightly more surprised sound of contentment when Micah wrapped an arm right around the bulge of his tummy, hugging it gently.

“It sounds like it still needs a little support,” said Micah wryly as Elijah’s stomach let out another low rumble. “Seriously, what is going on in there?”

Elijah pressed a hand to the rounded side of his belly, a little sheepish. “Digestion, I would hope.”

“Oh fuck, he’s eaten himself to sassiness.” Micah hugged his arm a little tighter against the grumbling bulge of Elijah’s belly and snuggled deeper into his shoulder. He felt warm with affection. It was so good to see his best friend feeling so happy and relaxed. Goddesses knew that he could use more nights like this.

“I love you, El,” he murmured.

“I love you too, Micah.” Elijah’s head come to rest against Micah’s curls. He let out the kind of sigh that sounded like he might fall asleep soon. And in that moment, Micah knew that there was no place in the world he felt safer or happier.

#I just like to write things where beans are Happy and Full okay #stuffing #belly rubs #also so many snuggles #bean fics

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pokemagines · 5 years

Text

randolph, jeritza, judith, & jeralt + tea time

@sweettea-rambles said: “A freebie ask! This allows you to write any scenario you really want to do but no one has asked for it. Hope you have an awesome day!!”

a/n: I REALLY WANTED TO. write tea time dialogue for some of my favorite NPCs.... thank u sm for letting me do this bC idk its just fun!!! uhhh anyways i hope y’all like --mod touko

randolph von bergliez - favorite teas: cinnamon blend, four-spice blend

when given his favorite tea: “professor, how did you know this was my favorite? you’re as observant as everyone says.”

introduction: “thank you for the invitation. i know how busy you are, so this means a lot.”

comments:

“though we don’t talk much, my nephew caspar has mentioned you many times. it’s nice to finally meet you in person.”

> blush

> nod

“fleche is my darling sister, i would do anything to protect her.”

> praise

> commend

> chat

“it’s nice to have quiet moments like this, maybe next time i’ll bring fleche.”

> nod

> sigh

“i’m not the heir to any title, so i became a general in the empire to make a name for myself.”

> commend

> chat

“after this, i’d love to spar with you. you’re a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield, and learning from you could make me a lot stronger.”

> disagree

> nod

“your hair and eye color are so different to anything i’ve seen... you must not be from around here.”

> sip tea

> chat

“maybe one day we can go to bergliez together, it’s not as grand as enbarr, but i’m sure my mother would love to meet you.”

> blush

> laugh

> chat

“once this war is over... i don’t know what i’ll do. but i do know that i don’t want to lose these moments with you.”

> nod

> blush

> praise

observe:

observe face: “it almost looks like you’re looking through me.”

observe side of face (a-support only): “you’re very curious... but, i see now that your gaze is comforting.”

observe arms: “i need to get stronger... for my mother and sister.”

leaving: thank you for this, i’d love to have tea sometime again, if you’re free.

jeritza von hrym - favorite teas: bergamot, mint tea

when given his favorite tea: “...how did you?! tch, i suppose i must thank you.”

introduction: “i have no interest in idle talk. but it will not hurt to just sit here.”

comments:

“why am i here?”

> sip tea

> admonish

“i have told you before professor, i care nothing of friendship.”

> “stop being edgy”

> sigh

“i saw you sparring with some of the students last night... why is it that you will never spar with me?”

> sip tea

> chat

“that mercedes... is she in your class? she looks... familiar.”

> nod

“you seem quiet as well... i suppose your company isn’t awful.”

> blush

> laugh

“it feels... unnatural to be here like this with you. i usually let my blade do the talking, but i almost feel at ease here.”

> commend

> praise

> chat

“house bartels was a cruel place to live... i often wonder... no, never mind.”

> sigh

> chat

“i could give you a riding lesson later if you’d like... in exchange for a duel.”

> nod

> laugh

“i haven’t laughed in such a long time, it infuriates me that you have such a power over me.”

> blush

> sip tea

> disagree

observe:

observe arms: “a swordsman must be in excellent form...”

observe face: “you wish me to take off my mask? beat me in a spar, then.”

observe face (a-support only): “...please keep your gaze on me.”

leaving: i suppose this wasn’t horrible.

judith von daphnel - favorite teas: almyran pine needle, chamomile

when given her favorite tea: “trying to butter me up, eh? it won’t work, but thank you.”

introduction: “your invite is much appreciated. i hardly get time to relax around here.”

comments:

“people still call me the hero of daphnel... it’s such an old title, i wish they would let it go.”

> sip tea

> chat

“claude seems to have taken a liking to you. it’s good that that boy’s got real friends.”

> blush

> nod

“if you need anything of me, just ask. i trust you, which says a lot.”

> nod

“i hear you’re a formidable foe on the battlefield, why don’t you say we go for a spar sometime?”

> disagree

> laugh

“my homeland is located near the border of faerghus... that place means more to me than anything, i’ll do whatever it takes to protect it and the alliance.”

> praise

> commend

“and i thought my troops were loyal to me, your students follow you around like lost puppies. even claude! just how do you do it, professor?”

> sip tea

> disagree

> blush

“say, after this, let’s go to the nearby tavern. you deserve a good drink after working so hard for everyone. my treat.”

> blush

> nod

observe:

observe: “i’m not one for caring about appearances. people either like me as i am or they don’t.”

observe arms: getting older means i have to train more to keep in shape.

observe side of face (a-support only): you really do like to look at me, huh?

leaving: thanks for the tea, kid. hope we can do this again sometime.

jeralt eisner - favorite tea: ginger tea, almond blend

when given his favorite tea: aw kid, c’mon you didn’t have to... thank you, though. means a lot.

introduction: “never too busy for your old man, huh? glad i can spend some time with you.

comments:

“how’s the monastery treatin’ you? gotten used to everything yet?”

> nod

> chat

“you’ve changed so much in the little time we’ve been here... it’s jarring but i’m happy.”

> laugh

> blush

“alois has been goin’ on and on about how talented you are. he thinks of himself as your big brother, it seems.”

> laugh

> sip tea

“been seein’ some of the students staring at you. one even asked me for your hand, they’re lucky that i have an oath to rhea not to hurt any of them.”

> blush

> disagree

“if... anything happens to me, kid, know that i love you more than anything. i’m usually bad with words but... there it is.”

> nod

> admonish

“the pond is a nice place for fishin’... what’d you say we go later, it’ll be like old times.”

> chat

> nod

“you could wield a sword better when you were five than some of these students can now... make sure to guide them right.”

> laugh

> nod

“hey, is that a smile i see? sorry, i’m still not used to it. for a minute you looked just like her.”

> chat

> sip tea

observe:

observe side of face: “you remember when i got this scar? it was when we were at fodlan’s throat on a job... you were thirteen then, i believe.”

observe arms: “what do you say we go for a spar after this? humor your old man a little.”

observe face (a-support only): you really do get all of your looks from your mother, you’re almost the spitting image of her.

leaving: thanks for this, kid. if you want to do this again, just ask. i always like to spend time with you.

#randolph #randolph von bergliez #jeritza #jeritza von hrym #judith #judith von daphnel #jeralt #jeralt eisner #fe16 #fe3h #tea time #x byleth #imagine #headcanons #mod touko #i mainly did this for jeritza BUT lmao

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clansayeed · 4 years

Text

Bound by Destiny II, part 1 ― Chapter 11: The Auction

PAIRING: Kamilah Sayeed x MC (Nadya Al Jamil) RATING: Mature

⥼ MASTERLIST ⥽

⥼ Bound by Destiny II, part 1 ⥽

While struggling with nightmares of lives she’s never lived, a shadow from the past looming over her city, and the proposed idea that her life may just be a little bit too weird to handle alone, Nadya makes sure to tell herself that everything is perfect just the way it is. If only. When the self-proclaimed King of Vampires (and Maker of her sometimes-girlfriend and always-boss, can’t forget that little tidbit) Gaius Augustine returns intent on claiming Manhattan as the throne that was promised, she and her friends find themselves forced into the task of saving the world. But with millennia-old vampires and an Order of hunters on their heels as well as allies hiding catastrophic secrets at their backs… it won’t be an easy task. Too bad destiny didn’t exactly ask for her input.

Bound by Destiny II and the rest of the Oblivion Bound series is an ongoing dramatic retelling project of the Bloodbound series and spin-off, Nightbound. Find out more [HERE].

*Let me know if you would like to be added to the Destiny II tag list!

⥼ Chapter Summary ⥽

The Amulet is one bid away, but they aren't the only vampires willing to pay whatever cost. Valdas and Isseya have their own ideas about ensuring Gaius' victory... or is it their own? It's hard to tell.

[READ IT ON AO3]

Taylor reaches the pair of vampires before the rest of them can make it down the stairs.

He approaches with an authority one wouldn’t expect to see from someone as human-looking as he is.

“Is there a problem here?” He doesn’t look at Valdas when he speaks — it’s immediately clear he couldn’t give less of a damn what the man has to say. He only cares about Cadence.

Taylor reaches out and places a tentative hand on the taller man’s arm. “Cade, are you okay?” But he doesn’t get an answer.

When Valdas recovers from the shock of being interrupted, he doesn’t come out on the other end nearly as caring as he’d sounded before. “This doesn’t concern you, halfling.”

But Taylor’s the type to take anything, whether it ‘concerns him’ or not, and stick his nose in it regardless.

“Back off, man. I think it’s pretty plain he doesn’t want you around.”

“He doesn’t know what he wants. Get out of my way.”

“Touch me and see what happens.”

With a scoff the vampire reaches for Taylor’s shoulder, and Nadya almost trips in her haste because she’s seen the way Valdas can get when he’s angry. But even the barest touch and she watches in startled awe as Taylor’s shoulder… sparks? Whatever it is it gets Valdas to back off.

“First one’s a freebie. Next time I’m gonna let my trigger-happy boyfriend up there go to town.”

So behind him Valdas watches, uncharacteristically silent as he takes in the sudden ease Cadence feels at the presence of his friend. As Nadya and the others push their way through to the bar she sees the barest shadow of doubt in his eyes before it vanishes without a trace. Replaced by cool nonchalance and an all-too-familiar smug smile.

Only it’s directed a little higher than Nadya’s glare.

“Adrian, you’re looking well.”

Anger flashes over Adrian’s face and he actually draws his fist back ready to swing. “Don’t,” and when Nadya grabs his elbow she knows if he really wanted to she would have just been hurled along for the ride but thankfully it’s enough to stop him, “he’s just baiting you.”

“If he thinks he can just stand there and get away with kidnapping you —”

The smallest furrow creases in Valdas’ brow. “Did I not ensure her safe return?”

“You think that justifies it?!” Adrian practically roars. Around them more and more guests and eager bidders turn away from their conversations and card games to watch the unfolding events.

But if she doesn’t get to yell right now neither does Adrian. It’s only fair.

Taylor gives her a panicked look. “You guys need to cool it or they’ll kick us out.” Calm him down or something, his eyes scream. And in this Nadya hates it — like really really hates it — but she has to agree.

“We can’t risk it Adrian, please.” Because there’s no question as to why Valdas is here; why Isseya is probably somewhere slithering in the shadows. Which means they need a game plan, like, yesterday. “Please, Adrian, come on…”

But Adrian is still tense under her touch. “He’s not worth it.” Though that she says loud enough so more than just the vampires can hear her. “He’s too pathetic for that.”

It would have been nice to see him look anything even on the spectrum of shamed but Valdas just quirks his brow slightly. “Tactful as ever, Miss Nadya.” Then, voice lowered slightly; “You look in good health.”

“Yeah, no thanks to you.” She darts a quick look behind him. “Where’s Isseya?”

“Why do you care?” Valdas asks, genuinely surprised.

“Because she has a funny habit to trying to kill me.”

“There needn’t be any bloodshed tonight — or ever again.”

“You two are the ones who keep resorting to violence.” She can still feel a phantom of the pain where she’d all but been dragged by the hair…

Valdas chances half a step forward; Nadya refuses to trust the false regret in his eyes ever again. “I told you, Nadya, that going forward my acts will not entirely be of my own will.”

“Like I’m supposed to believe you; like you haven’t lied to me over and over again?”

“Perhaps, but where words can lie I’ve found that memories have no choice but to reveal the truth.”

What — does he want her to look into his head again; to push Adrian aside and take his hand and see some hidden truth? No way.

Nadya’s brow furrows, resolute.

“If you were really worth trusting you wouldn’t need to lie at all.”

The vampire’s sigh weighs heavy on his shoulders. He doesn’t get the chance to lie to her again.

The clanging of a gong rings high over their heads and echoes through the center of the club manor-house. Now they really need to get going. Nadya jerks her head for Lily to help her pull Adrian back. Eventually — a little too late in her opinion but better late than never — he eases up. The sharper edges of his eyes seem to smooth out.

He shakes his head as if clearing a fog. “I’m sorry, I just…”

“We’ll talk about it later.” But despite her smile Nadya taps him with the back of her hand. “And we are talking about it later, Adrian.”

It’s a threat as much as it is a promise. He’d better believe it.

“C’mon, Cade,” Taylor tries to coax the man forward with a little push; and Nadya’s pretty sure she’s not supposed to hear the next bit but she’s too close not to catch when Taylor mutters under his breath; “what’s up with you lately, man? You’ve been like this for a month now…”

“It’s nothing.” Cadence replies just shy of a whisper.

“It doesn’t feel like ‘nothing.’”

“Then maybe you shouldn’t go poking around in my emotions.”

“I can’t help that. You’re like a bullhorn in a church.”

They almost make it to the stairs — and a waiting, arms-over-her-chest doesn’t-know-yet-if-she-wants-to-hug-him-or-strangle-him Katherine. Almost.

“It was not my intention to cause you such distress… Cadence.” Valdas calls at their backs; he says the name like it’s acid on his tongue but every other word is sincere enough to make Nadya’s heart hurt in an odd way.

She’s pretty sure if it weren’t for his friends practically forcing him forward Cadence might have actually turned back. Even if only for a moment.

But the only one who does is Lily — and that’s just to give him a finger Nadya doesn’t approve of. But this once she’ll just keep her mouth shut.

Before they get back to Isadora, Lily holds her behind from the others. Adrian is too lost in his own thoughts to notice. Taylor throws them a raised eyebrow, but it’s all good.

Thankfully, her best friend keeps her voice to a low level. The fae with his black box is still skirting around the edges of the booths. They must have something to do with the auction. “Firstly, you make some bonkers friends.”

“You know you’re my friend, right?”

“My point stands.” And yeah, fair, Nadya will give her that. “Second, if Gomez is here there’s no doubt Morticia is somewhere nearby. But what if that means…”

Thankfully there’s no Addams Family analogy equivalent for the hellspawn of all evil that is Gaius Augustine, but Nadya presses a finger up against Lily’s lips anyway. “Don’t… don’t say it.”

On some level all of them probably had that same thought during their miniature confrontation. It’s inevitable.

Lily kisses her finger aside. “You know what I mean, though?” And she sneaks glances about as subtle as the hulking Minotaur stomp-stomping his way across the bar floor down below.

“Yeah, I do. But I don’t think he’s here, Lil’.” I would have felt him.

All the way across that long long table where he couldn’t be denied. No matter what he looked like, Gaius didn’t seem the type to see an event as splendorous as this and find himself content to hide away from the spotlight. “It’s his scene, but I think if he were here we would have known it by now.”

“What, we’d be on our knees worshiping him or something?”

Nadya laughs dry and humorless. “No — we’d be dead.”

They arrive back to the booth in time for the lights cast off from the chandelier to glow a rich white-blue. Isadora unfurls the ever-changing parchment of lots and bids and states the obvious; “It’s beginning…” And suddenly there’s a whole new kind of tension hanging around the exclusive vampire club table.

The first lot is a statue that the auctioneer claims is made from solid ruby. It definitely looks that way, but while the prices jump higher and higher, the bids coming in faster and faster in the pursuit of the luxurious, Nadya can’t fathom who would want it — or why for that matter.

It sells for twelve and a half million dollars to a stone troll wearing, of all things, a cape. She looks like she’s made of pure rubies, herself.

From where he’s perched leaning against their booth, Nadya notices Taylor looking a little paler than before. “You okay?” she whispers.

He nods and tugs at his collar. “Yeah, just thinking of how quickly I could pay off my student loans with that kind of money.”

“Preach.”

Lot the second is a brightly-polished sword. When the goblin offering closer looks comes around their way Nadya can see her reflection clear as day in the flat of the blade… if her reflection were that of a much younger girl with close-cropped hair and the weight of ages pushed deep into the sunken parts of her face gaunt with starvation.

“That’s mine…” she mumbles, and almost finds herself reaching out for it before the goblin snatches it away in yellow-skinned clutches with a sneer.

“To look! Not to touch!”

Nadya yanks her hand back as if stung. Isadora isn’t interested in the blade and waves him off, but she’s too good not to have noticed her little exchange. Not like she’s hiding anything though — after all the woman’s been inside her head. She knows the parts of the story Nadya carefully left out.

Wow, the bids scrolling by on the parchment Adrian watches ever-vigilant sure look fascinating…

The sword sells for 3 million and an added black flame candle to a fae with green tones in their skin. Lily watches the unlit candle trade owners and hands with wide eyes. “You think if we light it we’ll summon Bette Midler?”

Nadya shrugs — at this point anything is possible. Taylor grins and leans in conspiratorially.

“Black flame isn’t so hard,” he whispers with a mischievous grin, “it’s actually a type of fae fire. Remind me to show you before you guys book it back to New York.” And judging by the way Lily’s looking at him she’ll hold him to it — like a ‘literally will not get on the plane until she sees it’ kind of deal.

Lots three-through-five she forgets; obviously they weren’t memorable things. That or whatever’s in the little cocktails an attendant keeps bringing around packs a harder punch than she thought.

Lot six is rusty iron nail and that’s when things start to get weird.

“Sixty!—Seventy-five!—Three hundred!” calls out the auctioneer with barely a breath between them.

And these are in the millions.

Nadya still can’t figure out what’s so awesome about something that looks like it rolled under the shelves at a hardware store when it just becomes a repetitive game with the same two players.

The auctioneer goblin raises his aging, sickly green hand and a hushed silence falls over the entire club. “It seems we have our first bidding war for the night…” And he looks way too gleeful for Nadya’s comfort.

“If the bidders would join us down on the floor, come come…”

She looks to Isadora and Adrian, already in intent discussion about which lot the Amulet could be based on how much people have already thrown out. Cadence might as well be asleep and Katherine…

Katherine shakes her head. “You don’t want to see that, Nadya. Trust me on this one.”

Thank god Lily’s just as confused. “What’s so valuable about a friggin’ nail?”

“It’s what the nail does,” murmurs Cadence; and surprises them all by doing so, “it’s a cursing nail. Old magics banned in New Orleans and likely not practiced outside of the birth places of their magical foci. Whoever takes home the nail takes with them the ability to curse anyone they wish unrepentant.

“The curse could be something as simple and clean-cut as death, or something as vengeful and specific as the cursed person losing everyone they hold even the barest affection for.”

Down below and graciously out of sight comes the screech of breaking glass; the crowd roars and laughs in bloodthirsty delight. Nadya’s really glad she didn’t go watch at the railing, now.

“But if it’s banned here, how can they sell the nail?”

“It’s the act of the magic that’s banned; but the curse can be put in place anywhere in the world. Unfortunately it’s like Lily said…” he sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, “there’s nothing illegal about a simple nail.”

Nadya watches as a silent and haunted look passes between the city locals. Katherine jerks her chin towards the other side of the balconies and Taylor barely offers Nadya a smile of farewell before he’s racing away like the Devil is chasing him.

“Lot six for a generous six hundred and thirty!”

She didn’t even catch who won.

Maybe that’s for the best.

“Next up we have here a modest luxury to be certain, very pretty very heavy but don’t let that leave you wanting — lot seven, the famed Amulet of Nero.”

Nadya grasps Adrian’s hand on instinct.

While the auctioneer starts talking up the history of the Amulet, the same goblin as before comes around with a heavy wooden case, the lid propped open and the Amulet resting inside. Large and gold with a pendant piece probably half the size of Nadya’s fist; she has no trouble recognizing it at first glance.

It’s hers. Well — Gaius’, but also hers in a way. It calls to her in the same way the sword did and then some. The dark red center stone catches the light and reflects it across all their faces but she feels it like a siren song. Like she wants the light all to herself.

What Nadya didn’t expect was the way it holds everyone else captive as well. Well — everyone but Katherine. She gives it a glance and that’s that but the vampires? They’re transfixed.

With a greedy grin glinting on pointed teeth the goblin strides away to show it off to the next booth of potential buyers. The moment the Amulet is out of sight the effect is immediate; a held breath released across the booth that leaves the humans meeting eyes with the same kind of confused understanding.

“Okay… you guys felt that, right?” Lily asks, and Nadya hasn’t seen her this flushed since she was alive, “Please tell me that wasn’t just me because there is nothing I own that would match that thing.”

Isadora clears her throat and visibly shifts where she sits. Clearly never a woman out of her own control, having it happen twice in the such a short amount of time has her ill at ease. “No — there is a powerful energy to the thing. At least we won’t have to worry about confirming its authenticity.”

“Which means the Trinity know it’s the real deal, too.” Nadya says. She doesn’t want to, but ignoring the problem won’t make it go away. Trust her — she’s tried.

Adrian runs a hand over his mouth; his expression hard to read and Nadya doesn’t like not knowing what’s going on his head for this long. Frankly he’s been acting strange ever since they touched down in Louisiana but now isn’t the time for her to start up an argument about that. Once they have the Amulet safe and in hand, though…

“Are you ready?” When he doesn’t look up Nadya nudges his shoulder with hers. “Adrian, if this is gonna be too much —”

“Double the starting bid.” He says instead; and Isadora nods in agreement.

That answers that, I guess.

The auctioneer starts at fifty thousand. Isadora scribbles their bid down on the bespelled parchment. Not a breath after—

“Three million.”

The pen breaks in her grasp. Wordlessly Adrian pulls one from his breast pocket and all but shoves it at her.

Awesome. Really just… super great.

Three million. Then four. Then six — ten — one hundred. Every time the number goes up even the slightest bit—bam—a number almost unreasonably high. But there’s no question as to who’s to blame.

But as she watches the Trinity alone in their booth on the far side of the floor it becomes more and more obvious that their calm is nothing more than a ruse. Sure they rest against the richness of Persephone like they belong but their drinks are untouched, the tension enough to deter attendees and attendants alike. Nadya has a feeling you don’t need to be psychic to feel the energy coming off of them in waves of approach and die.

One thing’s for certain: the Trinity’s tactic of throwing larger numbers out of left field works quickly to deter anyone who might have a passive interest in winning. While all the other lots had taken up decent chunks of the passing hours, the Amulet of Nero is already halfway to one billion dollars in under ten minutes.

Isadora bumps up their bid by a meager million. Immediately Nadya looks across the way again.

Isseya and Valdas whisper together, heads lowered and in an intense debate. If she didn’t know any better she might even call it an argument — one that obviously can’t be that bad since it ends in a firm kiss pressed to the vampiress’ forehead.

She eases herself out of the booth shortly after. Turns back and lets one last longing look pass between them before disappearing around a roped-off doorway — and deeper into Persephone’s depths.

Really, Nadya tries not to let herself dwell on the whole thing. After all even vampires have to go powder their noses, right? But then Valdas rolls up his scroll and sets it aside. The auctioneer doesn’t call out a counter to Isadora’s most recent bid.

“In an unprecedented turn of events a bidding war has… been requested,” he says instead, and its obvious his scaling lips curl around the words with no small amount of confusion, “but does the opposing party accept?”

Valdas abandons the booth as well. Nadya is so trained on his every step that she doesn’t feel her body being moved until Adrian is gently pushing her aside; face set grim and determined.

“Adrian…”

But he barely spares her a look back. “Everything will be fine Nadya, I promise.” But there are no promises, not here. Not when there are two thousand years separating him and Valdas and not one of those in Adrian’s favor.

“The bidders will be joining us on the main floor, if they please.”

Nadya nudges Katherine’s leg under the table. “Kathy — quick — what’s back there?”

The Nighthunter follows her eyes to the doorway Isseya had vanished through. “Just the rest of the club,” she answers (unhelpfully), “party rooms, play rooms, bedrooms; that sort of stuff. But it looks closed off for the auction.”

“And what happens to a lot once the bidding is finished?”

“The house keeps it until the end of the night. Gives people time if they bid more than they have on them.” She looks Nadya over with a frown. “Why?”

The two vampires reach the opposing staircases at the same time.

“I suppose there’s nothing that could sway you?” asks Valdas.

Adrian scoffs. “And if I gave you the same offer?”

“I would say yes.”

There’s an unrepentant honesty that almost—almost—makes Adrian falter. It’s brief, and maybe you wouldn’t even notice it if you didn’t know him very well. But Nadya does.

He can do this.

The least she can do is be just as brave. “I think Isseya’s gone to steal the Amulet while everyone’s focused on the fight.”

“Then what are you waiting for?” Isadora demands and all but kicks them up on their feet. “Go, I will keep an eye on Raines, make sure he doesn’t get himself killed. Try and do the same.”

Finding Isseya ends up being easier than they expected. All they have to do is follow the trail of blood and goblin bodies and it’s like breadcrumbs right to her. Through the winding maze of Persephone, down some back stairs and through a literal giant metal vault door just chilling at the end of a corridor like it has any reason being there at all.

The vampiress stands the picture of serene in the center of a bloodbath. The club had spared no expense on guards and she had cut through them all without so much as a snag in her dress.

It’s telling that Nadya isn’t the least bit surprised by any of this. She’s come to expect brazen violence from the likes of them.

Katherine’s the one with the stake but its Cadence who puts himself in front of them. “Give us the Amulet and no one has to get hurt.”

She looks up with a raised eyebrow and a deadpan frown.

“Okay — no one else.”

The Amulet’s golden chain is wrapped around her clenched fist. She could easily carve a path through them all; leave no human, vampire, or Nighthunter left standing. But instead she lets the Amulet hang at her side and stares at them all in disdain.

“I don’t know how he can stand the sight of you.”

There’s no question to whom she is referring, and judging by the way Cadence raises his chin defiantly he knows it just the same.

“Feeble, weak, a bleeding heart…” her words catch in her throat, “but it’s our hearts that are bleeding. And you stand there regardless; an abomination. You don’t care. Nobody does.”

Nadya feels both Katherine and Lily reach for her, try to stop her, but she bats them away. Approaches to stand beside Cadence and the weight and burning rage of the eyes that snap to her is a pain she’s become familiar with by now.

“Please…” Though it would help if Nadya knew what she was even asking for.

Isseya barks a humorless laugh. “Pathetic — the first chance you’re given and what do you do with it? You grovel. I should expect nothing less of a human but maybe… maybe some part of me hoped you would understand. You’re the only one who could.”

Which, okay, now she’s a little insulted. “I’ve been trying to understand, Isseya. I’ve been trying to understand from the beginning. But you guys sure don’t make it easy, do you?”

Baiting the unstable vampire probably isn’t her smartest move. Not that it stops her.

“I just don’t get it.”

“Color me surprised…”

Surprising even to herself, Nadya shakes off her hesitation and fixes Isseya with a stern glare. “Why are you doing this, why are you helping Gaius? You obviously hate him, you don’t need to be a vampire to see that. That whole night he treated you like dirt; you and Valdas both. Why—Why even set him free?”

“Because he is the Godmaker. And we’ve exhausted all other options.”

“Options for what,” asks Lily, bewildered, “world domination?”

“For getting back what we lost.” Isseya fixates on the Amulet, entranced by the way the gemstone catches the light as it comes to a lazy halt.

But Nadya isn’t having it. “Nope, not good enough. I tried to help you — I met with him that night because I wanted to help you. If you think the evil vampire jerkface is your ‘only option’ then that’s just because you keep betraying anyone who might actually want to help.”

“You speak to me of betrayal?”

She flings a hand outward and Nadya feels Katherine tense behind her, ready to spring into action. But no attack comes; just the Amulet of Nero dangling awkwardly from her grasp and an accusatory finger pointed at the vampire beside her. “You stand beside him and dare to speak to me of betrayal?”

Before Nadya can even process what to say to that, a strange look catches in Isseya’s eye. She rolls her wrist and undoes the hold she has on the Amulet’s chain to let it hang on one finger. The world’s most dangerous offering.

“Screw the Godmaker, screw our debt. I’ll give you the Amulet right here and now — with but a single demand.”

Nobody steps forward because nobody trusts that.

Still… Nadya can’t not know. “And that is?”

“Fix him.”

The Trinity vampire nearly chokes on her words; so thick they’re practically in a different tongue and they may very well have been at first. But the disgust written in every inch of her skin radiates of hurt; of loss. Nadya doesn’t want to but she can feel the sting of Isseya’s tears in her own eyes.

“Fix him,” she repeats, “because you are her. You’ve found his memories before and you can do so again.” The Amulet sways with her trembling hand. “Do that, little Bloodkeeper, and we have no more reason to help him, no matter his wrath. He cannot take more from us than we have already lost.”

Shame burns in Nadya’s cheeks when she feels the weight of Cadence’s focus on her. Fear and confusion and anger coming from all sides and she wants nothing more than to fall on the ground and try to bear the brunt of it all without breaking on the inside.

But how exactly does she tell the grieving woman she has no idea what to do, or how to do it? Probably with the same personal responsibility and defeat with which she’s going to have to tell everyone she had a chance… and couldn’t take it.

“There’s nothing to fix, crazy bitch.”

Katherine doesn’t give Nadya the chance to find the right words. She launches the stake over Nadya’s shoulder but it goes wide, too wide, and collides with the wall a few inches too far from Isseya’s head.

Isseya who glances down as the wood clatters to the floor and rolls near her heels; utterly and painfully useless. “What a pathetic weapon.”

“But a decent distraction.”

One second Cadence is there and the next he isn’t; he’s across the room and drops down to swipe Isseya’s legs out from under her. She falls and it would be comical if Nadya wasn’t familiar with what she could do when angered, which means Katherine gets little resistance when she flings an arm out as a gesture for Nadya and Lily to keep back.

And as expected Isseya recovers too quick; grabs Cadence’s exposed ankle and pulls him hard enough to lose his stance and land prone beneath her.

“Don’t make me do this, Cyn’!” she snarls and struggles to hold him down. With a grunt the man wrenches an arm free and grasps her lower jaw in a bone-breaking hold.

“How… dare you!”

Something snaps and Isseya cries out in pain, giving Cadence a chance he doesn’t waste to hurl her away and into the back wall with brute force. Her collision isn’t pretty; large cracks forming in the wall and brick dust kicking up around the fighting immortals.

There’s a clatter… and Nadya catches sight of a red shine out of the corner of her eye. The Amulet.

Before she can rush to grab it though, a strong hand pulls her back by the shoulder. Katherine’s expression is grim-set and trained on Cadence with an uncomfortable stillness. She doesn’t let up on Nadya.

“Kathy, what are you doing? We can get it — it’s right there!”

“Too close,” comes her reply; barely a whisper, “wait it out.”

What it is isn’t clear until she, too, focuses on the fighting vampires. Tension rippling off both of them, Isseya’s dress torn and covered in debris. Yet Nadya’s never seen such a wild look in anything even remotely human. Not even when Vega was hunting her down like a lion to a gazelle.

No, not quite right. She’s seen it before — just not through her eyes; not as herself.

A wide grin blooms slowly around the woman’s fangs, blood between the spaces of her teeth and dribbling wetly from her mouth. Different than all the other times she’s seen that particular look of maniacal delight… Nadya is quickly forced to come to terms with the fact that she’s seeing, for the first time in decades, pure joy lit in Isseya’s face.

Though she has every chance to tear Cadence away from where he pins her just slightly off of the ground, instead a tender hand caresses his cheek.

“There you are… beloved. I’ve missed you so much.”

He waits. Or… she’s waiting. The tension is enough to make Nadya want to choke but no one is doing anything.

“We thought we’d lost you,” the tips of her fingers leave powdery stains over his bottom lip, “but you can come home…”

“Cade.”

It’s like Katherine’s voice breaks him from a spell. He jerks away from the other vampire’s touch violently, forces himself back and watches in a twisted form of grief as she slumps to her knees.

“I —” she’s crazed, she’s distraught, she’s still the enemy but the way he looks at his hands and doesn’t understand why they are red from brick dust — he would never have hurt her in his right mind, “— I didn’t… I’m sorry.”

The Amulet’s chain crunches under his shoe; Cadence bends swiftly to pick it up and secure the pendant. With every step he takes back, away from her; a little more light leaves Isseya’s eyes.

Slowly Katherine pries the Amulet from him and hands it off to Nadya. Like their win doesn’t even matter — all her focus is on her friend. “It was the cage all over again, Kathy.” He whispers.

“I know,” but she doesn’t sound any less certain than he does, “but… we��ve got it. We gotta go.”

We gotta go.

Adrian.

It’s against her better judgment that Nadya glances back one last time before they close the vault door; the only thing they can attempt to keep Isseya from following them back to the auction.

She sees the woman stand and try to brush the stains from her dress. She sees her toe off her broken heel. She sees her glance up and meet Nadya eye for eye.

Lily helps Cadence shoulder the door closed. The echo of metal sliding into place chills her to the bone.

Twice now Nadya has inadvertently been the reason Adrian ended up injured so severely he couldn’t immediately heal. Which is, in her opinion, two times too many.

“What do you mean he forfeited?” Lily demands, and manages to look at least a little sheepish at the glare her tone gets. “Not that it totally, you know, makes every bit of ass kicked less worth it.”

Adrian glances at her through a purpling eye. “Thanks… I think.”

But even what hoarse whisper he manages seems to be too much, so Isadora answers in his stead. “He gave a rousing good show, Raines too,” she meets his glare with a bemused smirk of her own, “though the violence certainly went on much longer than necessary. But when the crowd came to understand the staggering difference in strengths they quickly lost interest.”

She rests a hand on Adrian’s shoulder. “It seems to me he battered you within an inch of your life so you couldn’t get up.”

Off to the side, Ryder cracks his neck. “Yeah, you’re a lot heavier than you look.”

Nadya fiddles with the Amulet of Nero deep in her jacket pocket. “Then Valdas just… forfeited?”

“Well it was either that or finish the job.”

And she’s glad that wasn’t the case. She pries one hand away from the pendant and reaches out to where Adrian lay, prone and aching, across the short back seat of Isadora’s limousine. “It wasn’t for nothing, but I’m still so sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he rasps, and manages to lift his hand enough for her to grab it, “like you said… it wasn’t for nothing.”

“Just be glad Vera was able to get the house to call an intermission before they put two and two together.”

Taylor leans back in his seat and rests his head on Ryder’s shoulder. If only that alleviated some of the worry in his eyes. “If that Isseya chick killed as many goblins as you say the Council is gonna be called in to deal with it.”

Lily frowns. “But we locked her in the vault. Practically pulled a Batman and handed her to them on a silver platter.”

“Yeah, I don’t think so.”

The occupants all look her way, and with no small amount of worry Nadya recounts the sight of Isseya able to stand on her own two feet right before the door closed. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she was gone by the time they even found out what she’d done, or what lot was missing.”

Adrian shifts and winces in pain. “That kind of strength… would definitely be enough to knock down a brick wall.”

And yet Cadence held her back like she was a rag doll. A thought Lily and Nadya both share in uncertain glances.

Ideally she wants to follow Katherine and Cadence into the night, off to where they secreted away while everyone (read: Nadya but loudly) was fussing over Adrian’s wounds. But he needed to heal so they could leave for New York as soon as possible, and that meant returning to Flechette with Isadora.

The woman glances out of the tinted window by her head to watch the French Quarter pass them by. “Relish your victory, however temporary,” she says with a sigh, “and ensure that it is made permanent when you return home.”

Nadya’s grip tightens on the Amulet so hard the metal bites at her skin.

“We will.”

8 notes · View notes

cherryonigiri · 5 years

Text

HQSS III GIFT!

Title: I’ll Make You a Deal Pairing: Akaashi Keiji/Bokuto Koutarou + implied Kenma Kozume/Kuroo Tetsurou Word count: 1704 Rating: Teen and Up Potential Trigger Warnings: sexual innuendo (Kuroo makes one joke)

@shibayvki here’s my gift for your @haikyuusecretsanta! Merry Chirstmas and Happy Holidays!

AO3 link here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21963742

“Welcome back Kuroo,” Akaashi calls, pulling another tray of cookies from the oven. Placing the tray on rack he leaves the cookies to cool as he turns to greet Kuroo.

The black-haired man was in the process of taming his bedhead, the black strands splaying everywhere. Akaashi snickers to himself---he’d missed Kuroo, even though he’d probably never admit that out loud. “Hey, Akaashi. How’s the place been without me?” Kuroo wiggles his eyebrows, golden eyes gleaming with renewed energy.

“Oh, you know, not too bad. I just had my best baker ditch me for a week to go on a last-minute trip to Hakone.” Akaashi turns to check on his batch of muffins before adding, “So, it’s been just the tiniest bit busier.” They looked a little more done than he liked, perhaps he’d take them out of the oven early.

“The honeymoon was great by the way!” Kuroo shouts from the lockers. Akaashi rolls his eyes before opening the oven. The blast of warmth wafts through the air, the scents of melted butter and blueberry mixing with the rest of the delicious aromas floating around the bakery. Emerging from the locker room, Kuroo dons an apron over his white attire. “I’m ready to go boss. Your lead baker, refreshed from his vacation, enlightened by marriage, and ready to please the people.”

Akaashi chuckles at Kuroo’s dramatic pose. “Alright, oh enlightened one, how about you bless me with some of your danishes and croissants,” raising an eyebrow as he pointed towards the seating area, “Before opening time?”

“First day back and you’re already putting me back to work. Sheesh Akaashi, you really are a slave driver.” Kuroo turns towards his counter, flouring the surface before heading to the fridge to find the pastry dough Akaashi had made the night before.

“You’ve always been better with pastries than I have,” Akaashi reminds Kuroo. “God, I swear I almost just took them off the menu because they were turning out all kinds of weird without you here.”

“Mhm.” Kuroo mumbles in response, already focused on rolling the dough into the buttered layers Akaashi knows will turn into golden and fluffy pastry under Kuroo’s talented hand.

Akaashi taps Kuroo on the back. “Hey, congratulations. Really. I’m so happy for you and Kenma.” Before he can turn back to his own work, Kuroo grabs his wrist.

“See, that’s the thing. You call my husband,” Kuroo says while grinning widely, “by his first name because you two have been friends since childhood. Now that I’m married to Kenma, shouldn’t you also call me by my first name? You know, what’s Kenma’s is mine, including being on a first-name basis with you.”

“Kuroo I swear--”

“And in the spirit of helping change the habit, I will only--”

“--be responding to ‘Testurou.’ Yes,” Akaashi sighs in exasperation. “Kenma warned me about it when you two got back last night. I was just seeing how long I could push it before you actually insisted on this ridiculous idea.”

“Oh betrayed, by the man I just married! How can I ever recover?”

“Could you please focus on baking your damn pastries Ku--Tetsurou?”

“Of course, Keiji.”

“You are a conniving bastard Tetsurou, I hope you are aware of that.” Kuroo laughs at that, before returning to his pastry.

Things only really went south once the bakery opened. Between stuttering over Kuroo’s (No, Testurou’s, he reminds himself) first name and coming in an hour early instead of two to bake in Kuroo’s place, he was flustered. It didn’t help that Tetsurou’s brief vacation had allowed Akaashi to forget about his constant snarking, but now that the lanky baker was back, he’d have to get used to it again.

“So, Keiji,” Keiji pinches the bridge of his nose, hoping that at some point it won’t feel weird to call his employee by first name. “Anything happen while I was gone?”

“Nothing much, other than my failure to re-create half of the pastries we sell.”

“C’mon Keiji, you may be better at dessert stuff, but you’re way better than a lot of other pastry chefs out there. I saw how you do pastry in school, and trust me, student you could outclass half of the other bakers on this street.”

“Alright, my perfectionist self was not satisfied because my amazing pastry lead was off on his honeymoon. Other than that, it’s been a perfectly normal--”

“AKAAAAASHI!” The two bakers hear the short before they hear the auditory carnage of the door being pushed through their windchimes to slam against the wall.

“Crap. I forgot,” the green-eyed man hissed as he ran for the front of shop. “Bokuto-san! I’m over here!”

Kuroo peeks out from the back, hoping to catch a glimpse of the person who might owe them a new set of windchimes, and potentially a new door. A white-haired man approaches the counter. “Bokuto-san, what have I said about the door?”

“Sorry ‘Kaashi,” mystery man suddenly looks sheepish, “I missed our coffee dates. I’m not mad or anything, I mean I get it, you were missing your head baker, it’s like if I was missing one of my baristas, but I thought we said we’d meet up today?”

“No, it’s my bad. I guess I got so used to coming straight to work that I didn’t stop by your place today.”

“Hey, hey, it’s fine ‘Kaashi. I even got you your favorite.” Kuroo eyes this ‘Bokuto -san’ with interest as he raises up a carrier. “An iced black coffee with agave.”

“Why don’t I take a half-hour off. We can just sit in the corner here and have our date Bokuto-san.” Akaashi gestures to the table in the corner, “I’ll be right back with some pastries.”

The white-haired man suddenly bursts into a megawatt smile. “Thanks ‘Kaashi!” he says, pressing a quick kiss on Akaashi’s cheek and zooming away towards the back corner table.

Turning around, Akaashi gestures for Kuroo to come out of his hiding spot.

“Is that? Are you two? How?” Kuroo grabs Akaashi by the shoulders. “Why didn’t you tell me you had a boyfriend?”

“I mean, it only became serious a few weeks agao. We took things slow--”

“Keiji, as your head baker and best-friend-in-law I am incredibly hurt that I did not know you had found yourself a man--”

“A man that is waiting for me to bring him our breakfast, now if you’ll excuse me Kuroo. I’ll be back in about half an hour, I’m sure you can handle things until then.”

“Oh hush, there’s no one coming in for a while, now that opening rush is over. I think I’ll go say hello to your boyfriend.”

Akaashi glares at Kuroo, a slight blush tinging his cheeks. “Fine, you can meet him, but I expect you to be manning the counter and checking stock after five minutes.”

“You got it Keiji,” Kuroo replies, shooting finger guns at his flustered boss.

Keiji reaches into the display case and snags two of the blueberry muffins he baked from his batch in the morning. Slipping them onto a plate, he turns to leave the counter but is stopped by Kuroo.

“Woah, woah. Aren’t you going to put that in the register? Pay for the goods?” Kuroo knows Akaashi is serious about not giving out freebies until closing. Heck, half the time the man charges himself if he snags a cookie between rushes.

“Nope,” Akaashi replied while walking towards Bokuto. “He gets them for free, on the house.”

“Bokuto-san, this is Kuroo Tetsurou, my head baker. He wanted to…meet you. Tetsurou, please…just don’t be an idiot,” Akaashi introduces the two, sits down and prays that the two will get along without embarrassing him.

“So, how did you and my boss meet?” Kuroo asks. “And what on earth did you do to him? I’ve never seen him give out free goods, even to me, his head baker and pastry savior. If I snag a piece of bread he’ll take it out of my paycheck.”

“Oh, we have a deal!” Bokuto replies, handing Akaashi his coffee.

“Ohohoho, what kind of deal? Does it involve anything…interesting?” Kuroo wiggles his eyebrows.

“Oh it’s nothing like that,” Bokuto replies. “’Kaashi and I are taking it slow. I just bring him free coffee, so he gives me free baked goods and pastries.”

“You forgot the part where you chased me down the street screaming about free coffee when you tried to ask me out,” Akaashi teases.

Kuroo looks at Bokuto confused. “Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I own the coffee shop down the block, Fukurodani. ‘Kaashi had been coming around for coffee for a while and I thought I might try to bribe him into a first date with free coffee.”

“Which I thought was an unfair trade so I brought some of our pastries to that date,” Akaashi adds. “I’ve been getting free coffee from Bokuto-san ever since.”

Kuroo is silent, staring at the couple. “’Kaashi, is he okay?” leans in to whisper, looking at the baker with concern.

“Keiji, what about Lacy? What did you do with her?” Kuroo asks, looking at Akaashi with pleading eyes.

“She’s still sitting in my kitchen, pristine as the first day I put her there.”

“So you mean…you mean. You haven’t used her? AT ALL??” Kuroo wails. “Keiji, how could you? This is Lacy we’re talking about!”

“Yes, but Bokuto-san actually knows how to make coffee. And I find his coffee much better than Lacy’s.”

“Why? How could you do this to me?” Kuroo flails his arms before storming into the back.

“’Kaashi?” Bokuto says, eyes flickering between Akaashi and Kuroo. “Who’s Lacy?”

“Lacy? Oh, that’s the ridiculous name Kuroo came up for the Keurig he bought me a few months ago. The guy invested a lot in that present, trying to get my ‘blessing’ to marry Kenma.”

“Oh, your best friend from high school?”

“Yup. Just…ignore Tetsurou for now. I’m sure he’ll come around.”

“I heard that Keiji!” came a shout from the kitchen. “And I feel very betrayed right now!”

“Like I said Bokuto-san, just ignore him. Besides,” Akaashi smiles, “we have some coffee and pastry dates to catch up on.”

#hqssiii #haikyuusecretsanta2019 #BokuAka #haikyuu imagines #haikyuu fanfic #KuroKen #Bokuto Koutarou #Akaashi Keiji #Kuroo Tetsurou #Kenma Kozume #haikyuu #hq imagines

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nour386 · 5 years

Text

Ballad of the Past

My gift to @lyeox for the @pinesconessecrets 2019 event! I apologise for the wait. I hoe you enjoy your youtuber au.

(also on ao3!)

“It’s so beautiful.” Dipper’s fingers trembled as they neared the golden plaque. “If I were to die right now, I would have no regrets.”

“Hey! No dying yet. You still owe me dinner.” Wirt placed his hands on his hips.

The pair stood in Dipper’s bedroom, hastily cleaned for their impromptu recording. Dipper had just received his 1 million subscriber award. The golden plaque had arrived that very morning, and every person and cryptid within a 3 mile radius was made well aware of its delivery. But in this present moment, Dipper was hoping to let his fans know how grateful he was for their help in reaching this milestone.

Dipper pressed his finger to his lips. “Hush, I’m celebrating.”

“This is what I have to deal with.” Wirt said. He turned to the camera at the foot of the bed and pointed to his boyfriend, who had started to weep over the golden plaque.

“I’d like to thank the academy,” Dipper sobbed.

“Okay, we’re going to cut recording for now. Dipper needs some time,” Wirt said. “See you guys in a few minutes. Or an hour if his uncle sees the gold plaque and tries to pawn it off.”

Wirt clicked off the recording and turned to his boyfriend. “Are you feeling okay?” “Yeah, yeah, I just need a second.” Dipper wiped his eyes.

“Oh my gosh, I thought you were just being dramatic.” Wirt withdrew a handkerchief from his pocket. He gently pressed it against Dipper’s cheek, wiping away his tears.

“I’m fine. No, really.” Dipper took the handkerchief and wiped his eyes. “I haven’t been able to cry properly for years.” “Yeah…that doesn’t sound anywhere near the definition of fine.” Wirt crossed his arms.

“Don’t get your antlers in a twist.” Dipper punched Wirt’s arm.

“Rude!” Wirt gasped.

“Says the man who speaks in demonic tongues when he stubs his toe.” Dipper stuck out his tongue.

Wirt stomped his foot. “Your cabinet is made of redwood! It hurts!”

“Well, good to know what the biggest weakness of a tree demon is.” Dipper rolled his eyes.

“I refuse to be insulted this way,” Wirt said.

“How would you prefer to be insulted then?” Dipper smirked.

“Not at all. Thank you very much.” Wirt sat down heavily on the bed, making Dipper jump.

“Guess these are sticks in the mud then.” Dipper tugged at Wirt’s antlers.

“That tears it.”

Wirt tackled Dipper onto the mattress. He mercilessly tickled the other boy, smirking wickedly as Dipper begged for mercy between giggles. Dipper tried to fight back, but Wirt was wiggly, like a palm in a hurricane.

“Uncle! Uncle!” Dipper cried between giggles.

Wirt stopped his assault, giving his boyfriend a chance to catch his breath. Dipper took this moment to attack Wirt back. Reaching under his boyfriend's arm and tickling his sides.

“That isn’t fair!” Wirt gasped. “You gave up.” “All’s fair in love and war,” Dipper grinned. He decided to grant Wirt some mercy and got off the bed.

“That has to be illegal,” Wirt said after a few deep breaths.

“Under the Geneva Convention, probably, but in the Pines house hold it certainly isn’t.” Dipper stuck out his tongue.

“Ugh, my own boyfriend assaulting me in my time of need.” Wirt rolled over, turning his head away in faux disgust. “I knew I should have stayed in the forest.”

“Sour puss.” Dipper flicked Wirt’s ear before sitting back down onto the bed.

He laid the plaque on his lap. Inside the rectangular frame was the Youtube logo, a play button. Below were the words, warded to Cryptid Hunters Anonymous for passing 1,000,000 subscribers”. Not to mention the most important detail: it was entirely made of gold. Dipper gently ran his hand over it. The cool metal reflected his own teary eyed grin.

“So, do you have any plans for your big one mil commemorative video?” Wirt asked. He sat up and rested his chin on Dipper’s shoulder. “A special cryptid hunt? A behind the scenes tour?”

“Bleh, I’ve already shown my recording equipment. Although, I guess I could try an AMA for the multibear. He seemed to enjoy the interview last time.” Dipper furrowed his brow.

“What about unreleased hunts?” Wirt asked, wrapping his arms around Dipper’s waist.

“I already posted everything,” Dipper said. “Well...there is one. But, um...”

“Yes? What’s the problem? It can’t be the video, you’re a wonder on your laptop.” Wirt flourished his hand. “You colourised an old video that was dyed grey from those monochrome goblins.”

“It’s not that. I did need to replace the camera after that one, though. And funnily enough, I also couldn't edit the footage whatsoever.” Dipper shrugged awkwardly. “I guess it’d be easier to show you. But you have to promise to not make fun of me.”

“Dipper, please. I would never. I’m a respectable tree monster.” Wirt nuzzled into Dipper’s neck. “Besides, I watched your earlier videos. I’ve seen you at your worst. How bad can it be?”

Dipper brought his laptop to the bed. With a couple of clicks, he opened up the video he had hidden away from the public eye. He gave a heavy sigh as he sat back and cuddled up to Wirt.

“So, remember when we met up at that cafe on Fifth Street for the first time?” Dipper asked. “And how you said it was really lucky that I decided to sit next to you that day?”

“Yes, I remember Mabel waving to you from across the cafe and pushing us to spending the day together.” Wirt tapped his chin.

“It worked out, didn’t it?” Dipper grinned. “You even said yes to a date with me by the end of it.”

“What could I say? You were adorable. Especially when you snuck looks at that script you wrote on a napkin,” Wirt teased. “Who even does that?”

“Someone worth dating, quite obviously.” Dipper raised his nose in pride.

“C’mon, start it up, Francis Ford Coppola.” Wirt nudged him with his elbow.

“Fine, fine.” Dipper reached forward and started up the video.

The screen was dim. A squelching noise came out of the laptop’s speakers as the image focused on the muddy ground. Leaves lay strewn all across the forest floor while Dipper detailed his goal for that day’s hunt. Mabel occasionally called out her opinions to ‘lessen the nerdiness,’ as she phrased it.

“It’s been raining really heavily for the past few days, so I decided to check out if this affect anything in the forest. I mean obviously it would, it’s not like rain was invented yesterday.”

He kept talking, leaves squelching underfoot as he walked.

“I know the gnomes are probably not too happy about this. They had an outdoor barbeque planned for today. They handed out invites and everything.” Dipper flashed a crudely drawn greeting card. It showed a crayon drawing of a short man with a pointy red hat and a white apron standing behind a smoking red barbeque.

“But no one shows up to their barbeques!” Mabel’s distinctly cheerful could be heard behind the camera.

Dipper turned the camera to show his sister sticking out her tongue. “When the only thing on the menu is pinecone, roast pinecone, and pine cone steak, I doubt you’d have crowds flocking over.”

“Maybe they’d have more people come if they didn’t kidnap people all the time,” Mabel teaseded.

Dipper turned the camera around and continued his hike through the woods. He would occasionally stop to point out different tracks and markings he came across. Mabel would drop in a comment or two, often at her twin’s expense. After concluding that the venture was uneventful, the pair agreed to head back.

“Dipper, if it starts raining on me and my hair gets ruined. I will never forgive you,” Mabel said from off screen.

“Let me just check that next clearing.”

“Fine, only because I know you need the exercise,” Mabel teased.

The camera was pointed at the clearing in question. It looked rather dark, much like the rest of the woods, thanks to the dark clouds above. As Dipper neared, a figure came into view, standing in the centre of the clearing.

“Hey, I see something over here!” Dipper cried, walking further into the clearing.

Before him stood a wooden statue of a gnome no taller than his knee, including the hat. The statue’s face was caught half way through a scream of terror, mouth openwide, eyes half closed andarms raised defensively.

“Is it petrified?” Dipper tapped the statue with his finger. “It’s too detailed to be handmade.”

“Dipper, look out!” Mabel’s voice was distant.

Before he could realise what his sister meant, Dipper bumped into someone he hadn’t noticed. The camera fell to the ground, pointing upwards, showing a tall, shadowy figure with antlers that seemed to meld with the branches of the trees above. They stared Dipper down with shining eyes.

“Oh no, he’s hot,” Dipper muttered just before he was dragged out of shot. “Wait no the camera!”

“Camera later. Staying alive now!” Her voice faded out.

The creature looked down at the camera before the picture cut to black.

“And that was that,” Dipper said. He did jazz hands.

“That...oh, no.” Wirt rested his head in his hand. “Oh cheese and crackers. Please tell me I didn’t chase after you.”

“No, we got back to the Shack safely. The camera, on the other hand, showed up on our doorstep a week later, covered in oil with the SD card being the only thing still intact.” Dipper rubbed the back of his head. “This footage was kinda messed up, so I couldn’t really edit out that last comment at the end there. So I kinda shelved it.”

“Oh no. I can’t believe this is happening right now.” Wirt’s face was now completely buried in his hands. “Please just kill me now.”

“Sorry, fresh out of holy water,” Dipper said. “So, um you wanna explain what was going on there?”

“Okay, so long story short, I was working off some steam and petrified a gnome in the woods.” Wirt had laid back on the bed.

“Wait, that was an actual gnome?” Dipper asked. “You just petrified someone?”

“He was a fairy dust dealer.” Wirt rolled his eyes. “It was a moral freebie.”

“Right.” Dipper didn’t sound convinced. “And why were you so peeved?” “Oh my gosh you would not believe.” Wirt sat up fingers rubbing his temples. “Alright so, the elves in the wood hold a poetry competition once every 5 years. So I enter, all wide-eyed and hopeful thinking that my poetry has a chance of making it in, right?” Dipper laid back, rolling his eyes at his boyfriend’s enthusiastic narration. A soft smile spread across his face as he leaned against Wirt.

Wirt started waving his arms as he spoke. “I walk up to the stage, my nerves making me feel sick after waiting 3 hours for my turn. I stand up with my ballad. I had spent months writing, re-writing, re-writing again and re-writing one more time for luck. Not to mention rehearsals. And then after sitting through the extravaganza of elvish poetry, which can last for days at a time, I leave the competition wish last place! The judges said my entry was ‘too short’.”

“What was an acceptable length? 2 weeks?” Dipper chuckled.

“Apparently! “ Wirt threw up his arms. “I thought for sure I would have scored higher than the one elf who just stood there and gave a failed improv routine. He didn’t even rhyme! Not even once! And he somehow left with third place.”

Dipper leaned over and lightly pecked Wirt’s cheek. “I would have given you first place.”

“You’re my boyfriend. That would be cheating.”

“How about you read your poem to me and I’ll judge it,” Dipper said.

“Interesting.” Wirt tapped his chin. “It would give me the opportunity to show off my prowess. Sure, why not. I’ll be back in a few.”

As he watched his boyfriend scurry out the door; Dipper smiled fondly. He grateful for that fateful day in the woods. And while he made himself comfortable in bed, he wondered if he could have poetry reading be his one million subscriber special. His fans were interested in his love life, so maybe a small preview wouldn’t hurt.

#Pinescone #Pinescone Secret santa #Dipper #Dipper Pines #Wirt #OTGW #GF

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ohmrlove · 5 years

Text

How You Met [Kiro x Reader]

Ways you could’ve met your Mr. Love!

Implied female reader.

It’s up to you if you’re a tourist or a local ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

On paper it seemed like a fantastic idea that would have his social media buzzing for days! Kiro was having second thoughts now that he was in the bear costume, though. His agent scheduled a mini concert at a theme park he’d been dying to go to. The idol thought getting surprise pictures with his fans would be cool, and everyone would be shocked when he took the bear head off to perform!

He hadn’t anticipated the throngs of people at the entrance. This theme park wasn’t new by any means, but he guessed the chance for some mascot pictures were too good to pass up. It didn’t help that he was doing little dances for videos and playing tag with kids. The heat seemed to swirl around in the big bear head, pressing down on his already sweaty tresses and filling the space between his face and the inside of the suit. Kiro plopped down on a nearby bench, waving and shuffling his feet.

Have to keep up appearances! Just need a breather, he thought. Kiro was secretly relieved that people were passing by without a care. Maybe they wanted to get ahead in the lines, maybe they didn’t care about a bear. Either way, he could catch his breath!

“Are you okay, Mr. Bear?” Kiro’s big bear head snapped up, arms flailing as you looked down at him. He waved quickly and bobbed his head from side to side cutely. “Would you like some water?”

You’re cute AND you have something to drink? He was so lucky! Kiro lunged at the bottle, stopping himself just as quick. That would be rude, wouldn’t it? “It’s okay,” you shook the bottle, “they told me I can’t have outside food and drink.”

Kiro tilted the head carefully, looking at your tiny backpack. Did you have food, too?! He pretended to bow, waving his arms up and down, and took the bottle between his bear paws. Tunnel vision kicked in, Kiro shoving the bottle into the stuffed mouth.

Right. There was a thing between his face and the bottle. How am I supposed to open it in this costume?! he sighed, slouching. Kiro leapt up suddenly, motioning for you to follow. You felt silly, following a stuffed bear, but security wouldn’t let you in until you got rid of the “contraband” anyways. Kiro led you around the side of the building, walking until he was sure people at the entrance couldn’t see him anymore.

Snuggled between stone walls and manicured plants, he wrestled the big head off with an even bigger smile. “Hi!” he beamed, blonde hair plastered to his face. He balanced the big head on his hip. “Thanks for the water! Do you think you could help me?”

Your brain stalled. Kiro’s smile grew as you stuttered out his name, pointing at him.

“I’d get it myself but I can’t!” he waved his free hand. The costume didn’t have any fingers; it was just one connected piece.

“S-Sure,” you fumbled with the lid. He sealed his mouth to the lid, sucking it down fast. You tried to pull away so he could breathe but Kiro gave a discouraging grunt. Feeling awkward, you stood on your tiptoes as he crouched to finish the bottle.

“Man, I was really thirsty!” he gasped, standing up to his full height. His stomach rumbled loudly. “Do you, uh, do you have any food, maybe?” he had the grace to look ashamed. There was a wholesome charm to him. Something innocent.

“Yeah!” you shrugged your bag off, unzipping it. “It’s only snacks but--”

“Can I have them?!” he begged, teal eyes twinkling hopefully.

“Take your pick,” you laughed nervously. You had a bag of chips, a granola bar, and a partially smushed snack cake.

“The chips!” Kiro tried to point with the big paw but it didn’t work. It was more of a stab; there was a crunch of chips and a small puff of protest as the bag popped. “Sorry!” he blushed.

“Anything to get it open, right?” you grinned. Kiro started to do a little shuffle dance, excited for every chip that came his way. You couldn’t help but laugh at him.

“What,” he grinned, “you don’t get excited about food? I love food!” he hopped to illustrate his point, dancing from foot to foot.

“I can tell!” you fished a napkin from the bottom of your bag, brushing crumbs off his chin. “What are you doing in a bear costume, anyways?”

Kiro told you his plan, and that another bear should’ve taken his place by now so he could go incognito and ride some of the rides. That would give his manager enough time to spray the suit with disinfectant so he could wear it for the concert. He finished the chips, practically vibrating for the granola bar. Within minutes he was staring at the snack cake, looking at it like it was the love of his life.

“I haven’t had sweets in so long!” he lamented, mouth full of cake and lips smeared with frosting. “My manager doesn’t like me having them, but he doesn’t have to know!” Kiro whispered between bites.

“But I do!” you and Kiro jumped at the pointed growl, the energy radiating off of the suited man. Hands on his hips, he stopped short in a set of polished shoes. Kiro took advantage of your shock, stealing a big bite from your palm.

It was practically gone! No problem!

“Hey boss!” he chirped.

“Who are you? What did you feed him? Kiro why did you even eat it? She could--”

“She saved me, boss!” Kiro defended you from the onslaught of questions. “I probably would’ve fainted if she hadn’t given it to me!”

An exaggeration, probably, but if it kept you from a lawsuit then yes, yes you saved him from fainting! His boss looked like he absolutely wanted to strangle you. Maybe Kiro. Maybe both of you.

“Did they find my replacement?” Kiro asked before his manager went off on another rant.

“Yes,” the man straightened his tie with a hiss, “they did.”

“So I’m free to go?” Kiro’s cheeky smile grew, the dimple coming back.

“After you change!” the manager pointed a finger at him. Kiro would definitely be the type to waltz off in the costume, you thought.

“Great! C’mon!” he tried to grab your hand in the bear paw but it didn’t work. Kiro tried a few more times before realizing it wouldn’t. He put the head back on, motioning for you to follow. Kiro waddled as fast as he could in the costume, knowing his manager couldn’t ask him any questions or chase you off when the entrance came back in sight. The manager sighed and ushered you around the other side of the building where some maintenance doors and an employee entrance waited.

You were grilled about ‘no photos, no tweets, no posts--nothing until the concert reveal!’ as Kiro freshened up. Kiro jogged up in fresh clothes, sunglasses on and hoodie drawn over his blonde hair. “Here,” the manager fished a VIP bracelet from his breast pocket and handed it to Kiro.

“Thanks, boss! Do you have any extras? Usually they give us more.” Kiro tried to put it on one-handed, nodding in your direction. Venues always gave him more than one freebie so he could do giveaways for his fans. He pulled out another one, ignoring Kiro’s teasing about using it for himself.

“I’ve done enough walking, thank you. You know, because someone disappeared!” the manager had finally lost all of his venom and hot air, looking tired and relieved. He attached your bracelet gently, asking you to keep an eye on Kiro and have him back in time to put on the costume. “Thank you, Miss...” he trailed off, eyebrow raising expectantly for an answer.

Kiro stiffened, cheeks growing hot when he realized not even he knew your name! Ugh, lame!

“[Y/N]”, you rolled your wrist and flexed your hand. Not too tight! Perfect!

“[Y/N],” Kiro repeated softly, offering his hand. He gave you a polite, closed-lip smile. You took it hesitantly, only half listening to Kiro’s logic that he might not be discovered if he looked like an average boyfriend. Your heart beat in your ears as his long strides took you farther and farther from the manager.

“Remember!” the manager called out, “No one knows!”

I don’t think they’d believe me, anyways! you thought to yourself as Kiro held open the door. You shook your head as Kiro rattled off all the stuff he wanted to look at before pulling you in a random direction.

#MLQC #Mr. Love: Queen's Choice #Mr. Love: Queen's Choice Kiro #MLQC Kiro #Kiro x Reader #Mr Love queen's choice Kiro

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dajaregambler · 4 years

Text

HeliosR - Dino Albani Character story - part 1

Translation of the first part of Dino’s character story from ‘Helios Rising Heroes’.

Dino: Ooooi, Keith…. Keith, wake up-?

Keith: Hmn….nngh~......? Shuddup…. lemme sleep lil’ bit more…

Dino: C’mon, Keith! Don’t hide under your comforter!

Keith: Uuuuu~~ stop….. Put it back, Junior…..

Dino: Huh? Junior? What are you saying, Keith. I’m not Junior, you know?

Keith: ...Mmh? Not, Junior….. Dino!?

Dino: Ahahah, you jumped awake. Your bed hair is still impressive as always♪

Dino: Actually, has Junior been waking you up until now? The rookies are looking after you and yet you’re the mentor, good grief…

Dino: From now on I’ll be the one dragging you out of bed. Eventually I want that you’ll wake up on your own though…

Keith: A-ah okay. It was today… that you're moving in here huh…

Dino: Yep yep, my bad that it’s on your off day. But thought to better wake you up since I’ll be organizing my baggage and dust will be blowing all over

Dino: I’ve carried most of it in already. I started to get a bit worried because you wouldn’t wake up at all and I was running all over the place-

Keith: Uoh, what is this!?

Dino: Eh, what what? What’s wrong?

Keith: The hell’s all this baggage… It’s all crazily squeezed in here….

Dino: Aah, ahaha~..... While being shut in the medical room, I’ve chosen furniture and things necessary for life however,

Dino: Before I knew it was really fun looking through the catalogue. There was this and that, and like that…. I kinda ordered a bit too much♪

Keith: The hell you’re all ‘’I kinda ordered a bit too much♪’’, no matter how you look at it it’s overkill!

Dino: I’m sorry!

Keith: Apologizing to me won’t do anything… Anyway, besides all this there’s stuff of yours from a long time ago too. Do ya get it?

Dino: I-I do… It’s the ones you took and put in your room right?

Keith: There’s a lot y’know. Thanks to that it's making my room unbearably smaller

Dino: N-no way….?

Keith: Haaah…. You had that habit of impulse buying since forever, if there was something that caught your attention on TV shopping, you’d buy it without thinking ahead

Keith: Sooo relieved to see that it hasn’t changed at all even now

Dino: Ah, you’re relieved? Then that’s good-

Keith: That was sarcasm, sarcasm! Who’s gonna be relieved with that, of course I’m fed up with it!

Dino: Eh, sarcasm!? And you’re fed up with it…. I’m sorry~~~~, so sorry Keith!

Keith: I already told you apologizing to me won’t do anything… C’mon, hurry up and clean it up. I’ll bring out the stuff I’ve put aside

Keith: Geez… Why do I gotta put so much effort this early in the morning on an off day? Gonna evacuate to the living at once and drink beer….

Keith: When your room’s all cleaned up and you’re reinstated, I’ll make you work hard as much as I had to keep at it on my own until now, got it?

Dino: Absolutely, I was already planning that. However together with Keith, that is♪

Keith: Haah? I’ve been doing my best to the point of dropping dead until now, starting now I’m gonna kick back and take it easy

Keith: Looking after the rookies, that’s clearly work cut out for ya. I’ve always been the kind of guy thats better off working alone

Dino: No wait, I can’t turn a blind eye to skipping. You’re saying that you’ve worked so hard till you died, but I’ve been hearing dozens of complaints from Junior

Dino: Like to what extent you’ve been careless and slacking off so far… Though now that I’m here, I absolutely won’t forgive any negligence. You better be prepared, Keith?

Keith: Th-that Junior…. That unnecessary stuff, when did he…

Dino: Good grief, you didn’t drink at all in the past… Even though your behaviour wasn’t good you kept your hands off of it, I was sure you wouldn’t end up drinking

Keith: It’s… At that time, I just didn’t think that I’d wanna drink yet

Dino: ? Then what made you start drinking?

Keith: ...Who knows. Forgot ‘bout it

Keith: Anyway, don’t just chit chat, get your hands to moving. Look, this is yours. And this, that, this and… aah, this too huh.

Dino: Uwaah, amazing! So many things full of memories are coming out…!

Dino: Uh… there’s seriously a lot of things. It’s already overkill, where in the world can I put this….

Keith: I dunno. You’re the one that bought it, deal with it one way or another

Dino: O-one way or another…

Keith: …….. Geez, ya haven’t changed at all y’know?

Keith: Impulse buying unnecessary things without thinking of what you’ll do with it, and keep them forever without throwing anything out….

Keith: Ya said that’s also ‘love and peace’ or whatever, but if ya keep saying it it’ll end up in getting yourself buried alive someday

Dino: G-guh…

Dino: But throwing it out makes me feel guilty you know. Once I recognize or form a connection with it, I grow extremely fond of it…..

Dino: Of course there’s also things that my grandpa and grandma gave to me but like, there’s clothes I bought on a whim, or the stickers and badges I got as a freebie with something too...

Dino: Keith, you also have at least something right? Something that you can’t throw out no matter what….

Keith: There ain’t, that kinda thing

Dino: Really?

Keith: ….Yeah, ain’t

Dino: I see…..

Keith: ……..

Keith: Oi. In this pile, what’s something you haven’t touched in a year?

Dino: Eh? Where’s that suddenly coming from…

Keith: Anything’s fine, just think about it thoroughly. Answer only where ‘’One year, haven’t touched’’ applies

Dino: One year…. I haven't been here until recently so that makes ‘all of it’ though….?

Keith: Then, all of it is going in the trash can

Dino: EEEEH!? Wa- wait wait, what are you saying Keith!

Keith: Ya know ‘bout ‘’simple living’’?

Dino: S-simple living….?

Keith: It’s been said that abstaining desire, discarding irrelevant things, letting go of attachment…. or something and whatever, is roughly what the innermost secrets of tidying are.

Keith: Originally it was something taught at yoga, but I dunno much ‘bout if I had to be honest. Just thought of it since Brad had said something like that before

Keith: Peeves me off to borrow his words but, it fits ya perfectly right now.

Keith: Haven’t touched something in a year means it isn’t needed, so throw it out completely. With that strategy in mind clean it all up at once

Dino: Clean it up...wait a second! Going as far as putting a game console in the trash is awful, Keith!

Keith: Shut it! Everything here is going to be thrown out! Don’t goddamn meddle!

Dino: ….!

Dino: U-um… Ah that’s right, didn’t you want to drink beer? C’mon, I’m fine from here so go to the living….

Keith: That I can do after. I’m good so you go on the other side and clean up

Keith: ….Tch. The hell with that you won’t forgive any negligence. I’ll absolutely never let those bad habits of yours off the hook.

Keith: Prepare yourself, Dino

Dino: H-hiiiieee~~~!?

Notes:

The ‘simple living’ Keith speaks about is actually ‘’断捨離’’ (danshari), it’s kind of hard to translate in English since it’s more of an ‘idea’ meaning about how you should clean up and let go of unnecessary things, making room for better ‘mental clarity’ in life. In a sense, it’s what Marie Kondo’s core of her teachings entails too but executed in a bit of a different way (Does it spark joy? If not, throw it out).

#heliosR #helios rising heroes #dino albani #keith max

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jayascorner · 5 years

Text

running for my life

tyler joseph x reader

warnings: none other than suicidal thoughts, but nothing happens really, the reader’s just depressed. (tyler is out of his depression though)

•

2 years. it’s been 2 years of putting up with this horrible life. i want it to stop. i want all the voices to die. i want to dream at night again. i want to actually sleep and not see black the whole night. no matter how much i try, nothing would cure my amazing suicidal being (note sarcasm).

i’ve considered and tried ending it all sometimes, but one, it never works and two, i have a friend that really doesn’t want me to. his name is tyler, and he’s always convincing me to stay alive no matter what, but what’s the point?

earlier i concluded that my behavior lately is coming from home, specifically my bedroom. so the only solution i can think of is running. running away from everything that can trigger my depression.

so now i’m running. and even though i’m getting out of breath, i keep running. my legs are tired, and my face is nearly frozen from the temperature outside. but i keep running. until i hit a small tree stump and trip. nothing like unintentional self harm, am i right? it’s a freebie! i’m not at fault here.

sure, it’s dark and cold and i can see a person in the shadows, but who cares about that. wait a sec..a person in the shadows? i better keep running.

i run to the nearest tree, there are a bunch of trees, because i’m in a forest. it was a really big tree, so it stood out to me more.

now, you might think i’m okay. but keep in mind, i’m not okay.

i take the time to think about my life. man it really sucks. it’s really hard to live with a family that doesn’t know what you’re going through. it’s like they don’t know the real me, because they all think that i’m happy all the time. my friends think that too, except tyler. he’s the only person who knows what i’m battling with, and he knows exactly what it feels like. he’s gone through it before.

i come to realize that i rely on him a lot. he’s my only safe place to talk freely about stuff to. he’s so understanding, so comforting, and i really don’t deserve him.

and he deserved better than what life gave him years ago.

now i wanna break it to y’all, it’s in the middle of the night right now. why am i still up you ask? sometimes, actually not a lot of times, i can actually sleep. but most of the time, i can’t sleep at all. and right now, how can i sleep at a time like this?

sure, it’s actually easier to sleep in the day, if you’re like me and all the other people who have the same curse.

so i’d say, it’s like four a.m right now. y’all probably think i’m fine right now. wrong. don’t let my narrations fool you. now here’s a mood change, i’m crying. of course the tears fall in the middle of the night. that’s when most of them do. just imagine how much dry tears are stained in my pillow case.

apparently my crying is loud enough that someone can here them, or maybe not, it could just be because i darted into the woods. i reckon it’s probably that person in the shadows i saw earlier.

tyler’s pov

yes, i’m up at four a.m. no, i can’t sleep.

i don’t think y’all would need an explanation for that.

i decide to take a walk to get my mind off of things, i do this pretty often. my parents are okay with it, unless something kills me, or eats me.

i see someone pass by me- or should i say, run past me, straight into the woods. now that’s unusual, don’t ‘cha think?

and you see, i’m a very curious person, so i turn into the woods to follow the rushing figure.

it isn’t that far away, and i can see that it’s my friend y/n. her hair is up, and she’s wearing really baggy clothes. i can see her breath in the cold. she has the same problem as i did, so she’s probably just trying to run away again.

she collapses by the tree, but instead of heavily breathing, i hear sobs. this must be worse than before, because she’s never crying. or at least she doesn’t cry a lot around me.

of course i’m gonna help her, i always do. but this time, i’m gonna do something different. sure, she’s heard me sing before, so it probably won’t be surprising to her.

so i come close to where she is, but she still can’t see me. and i sing.

“i know, where you stand.”

her sobs get quieter as she turns around the tree to see where my voice is coming from.

“silent in the trees.” i sing once more, walking in her direction.

“and that’s where i am. silent in the trees.”

although it’s really dark, i’m able to make out her facial features. she’s looking at me with the most broken look in her eyes, and it really hurts me to see her like that. but i proceed to sing.

“why won’t you speak, where i happen to be? silent in the trees.”

i pause for a moment.

“standing cowardly.”

i extend my arm out to her so she can grab my hand. i pull her up from the ground.

“i can feel your breath.” i sing, letting my hand caress her face comfortingly.

“i can feel my death.”

“i want to know you.”

she looks down at her feet for a little bit.

“i want to see.”

she continues to looks down, kind of like she’s waiting for something.

“i want to say...” i bring my hand to the bottom of her chin and move her head up.

“hello.” she reluctantly looks at me, and bursts into tears.

i wrap my arms around her torso, trying to give her some sort of comfort. she cries into my shoulder, her sobs are uncontrollable.

time skip~~

we decide to walk back to my house, though my parents are home, my room is far away. no don’t get any ideas, nothing like that is involved, no.

we arrive to my house and i guide y/n up the stairs to my room. i have a tv, so we can watch a movie or something.

“so what are you feeling?”

“what do you mean?” she asks.

i’ll have to word that differently.

“like what’s up with you, did you run away again?”

“oh just to get my mind off of things. the world is against me.”

pshh, like i’m buying that.

“the world’s not against you. that’s just what they want you to think.”

she sighs. “but they’re right. what’s the point of staying on this earth if i obviously don’t have a reason to live?”

c’mon man! will i ever be able to convince her otherwise? all i want to do is help her :(

hearing her say that is the last straw.

“y/n! no! that’s not true. you matter to so many people! nobody wants you to leave. you’re here for a reason, everyone is!”

“how do you know that? how do you know that i matter?” she asks, on the verge of tears.

oh my. here we go.

“because you matter to me! God, i thought i made that so obvious! i care about you so much, you wouldn’t even know. i can’t let you take your life. do you know how much that would effect my life?”

she looks taken aback by what i just said. did i say it in a harsh tone? i hope not.

“no.” she says quietly.

“it would effect like 75 percent of my life.”

her eyes widen. “75 percent?! why? why do i matter to you that much? why do you care about me that much? it makes no sense!”

“because i love you!” i burry my face in my hands. “gosh, i love you so much. i can’t imagine living a normal life without you.”

she looks like her whole world just stopped. “y-you what??” she stutters out.

“no, you don’t have hearing problems. you heard me right.” i sigh.

that’s probably what’s going through her head.

“you just made my job easier.” she smiles.

“what do you mean?” i ask raising an eyebrow.

“i love you too.”

ok let me just tell you that it’s dark in here. so she can’t really see what i’m doing. you see where this is going right?

because without warning, i reach for the back of her neck, and pull her lips to mine. but thinking she will reject it, i pull away.

“i’m sorry. that was too soon, i shouldn’t have-“ but before i can finish, she captures her lips with mine again.

i immediately respond because i know we both want it now. i wrap an arm around her to pull her closer to me as i deepen the kiss. she crawls on top of my lap, wanting to get even closer. oh shoot it’s getting real. her hands get tangled in my hair, as i cup her face in my hands.

i pull away.

she looks at me with the most adoration she’s ever had.

“why’d you stop?” she asks, chuckling a little.

“i don’t know. and by the way, this is the happiest i’ve seen you in a while.”

i say.

“it’s you.” her hand grazes over mine. “it’s always been.” her face practically glowing with an ecstatic aura.

i intertwine my fingers with hers and smile back.

“so i better not see you try to run away again, cause i’m not loosing you.” i say i little more sternly.

she sighs, “i guess i’ll try...”

the rest of the morning, we watch one of her favorite movies until we both dose off to sleep.

•

the end :)

so i feel kinda weird about fanfics now since jenna is preggos, but oh well 🤪

p.s, this was actually cuter than i thought it would be 🥰🥰

what are your thoughts on this one? let me know in the comments!!

#tyler joseph x reader #tyjo and jishwa #tyjo joseph #tyler jøseph #tyler joseph #josh dun #jøsh dun #jishwa #jish dun #twenty øne piløts #twenty one pilots #tøp #tøp clique #twenty one pilots fanfiction

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nadziejastar · 5 years

Text

Terra’s name was carved on the handle of that wooden Keyblade. It was Ven’s most treasured possession. Both of his friends had gone off without him, though.

He whirled the practice blade around and held it aloft. Maybe it’s because I’m still in training.

When he spun it around once more, his hand slipped, and the sword tumbled to the ground. Someone else scooped it up.

“This yours?”

It was a red-haired boy about the same age as Ven, wearing a scarf with a checkered black-and-yellow pattern around his neck. Who is this weirdo?

“You still play with toy swords? That’s cute.”

Something about his tone irked Ven. What was this guy’s deal?

Yes, me too! I thought their reunion would be so awesome, but it was a joke. Literally. There was no sincerity to it. There was no emotional music or heartwarming dialogue. It was simply played for laughs. Ventus was like...oh hey, you’re that one dude I hung out with for five minutes. Cool. And Lea was just confused why he looked identical to Roxas. I got the same impression that you did. Lea was so close to Roxas because he reminded him of Ventus. Because he WAS Ventus! I mean, it’s just so obvious that the reason Ventus was the only one of the wayfinder trio to meet Lea, was because he was going to develop a relationship with Axel later. Duh!

“You scared of losing? C’mon. Hope you’re ready.” Ven could probably wipe the floor with this scrub if he used a real Keyblade—but he was probably supposed to use the wooden one.

“Yeah! Now we’re talkin’!” Lea’s enthusiasm was weirdly contagious.

“You’re gonna be sorry!” Ven shouted. Lea leaped gracefully into the air by way of response. Ven launched himself upward at nearly the same time, and the two met in battle.

Huh? This is kind of…fun.

While the sound of the wooden sword and toy discs clashing wasn’t exactly epic, he could still feel the force of each blow.

It had been a while since Ven had fought like this against something other than Unversed.

“Not bad, Ventus!” Lea said with a smile. Off to the side, the blue-haired boy—his name was Isa, if Ven recalled—observed them in exasperation.

After KH3 first came out, I made a post on Reddit saying I didn’t like how Roxas and Ventus were kept as separate people because they felt like the EXACT same character, and it would have created a deeper relationship if Ven had his memories of Lea from BBS AND his memories of Axel. And the amount of of people outraged that I could even say such a thing was hilarious. As if there weren’t countless hints in the story that Roxas had Ventus’s heart...

“Yeah! That’s more like it!” Axel leaped up and struck with the chakrams, then gave Roxas a flying kick that sent him sprawling.

Axel was far, far stronger than the Dusks. But there was something off about him, Roxas thought as he scrambled to his feet. What was it…? What made him seem so strange?

“Time to heat things up!” A gust of flame shot forth from Axel’s hand, knocking Roxas back again. “Ha-ha! Nice, Roxas!”

Axel was laughing—why was he having so much fun?

Actually, fighting him was kind of fun.

Roxas was so fed up with all these things happening to him, and he couldn’t stand this Axel guy spouting all this weird stuff with his smug know-it-all face—and yet, fighting him like this wasn’t all that bad.

What’s going on? How am I having fun fighting him? He’s obviously holding back against me… Why? What does it mean?

The fight scene from KH2 was made to be similar to Ventus play fighting against Lea. Roxas felt like fighting Axel was familiar, even though they never fought before. His heart remembered Lea. The original plan was for Lea and Ventus to rekindle their friendship after Ven got his memories as a Nobody back. All of these characters were supposed to be connected! Not segregated into trios that barely interact with each other. That defeats the whole purpose.

Terra has a special connection to Riku, Lea has a special connection to Ventus and Kairi due to Roxas and Xion, Ventus has a special connection to Sora and Kairi, Kairi has a special connection to Aqua. The Xehanort Saga should have felt like one cohesive story. The characters meeting should have felt like destiny and all the trios would overlap.

BBS and Days were sister games being developed at the same time. Ventus meeting Lea was the foundation for the way Roxas/Axel was written in Days. Terra and Lea had a special connection because Axel picked up his toy sword and took on the “big bro” role for a while. Ventus and Isa had a special connection because Roxas found the WINNER stick and took on the role of “best friend” for a while. But now it feels like Days is a self-contained story that has almost nothing to do with BBS and vice versa.

“I get it… then I guess we may as well fight!” Roxas cried out, leveling the Keyblade.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way… Roxas!”

Axel launched a flying kick into Roxas. The force sent Roxas smashing into the ground.

I haven’t fought Roxas like this before. And, the Roxas I know isn’t the kind of guy who’d be knocked down by something like that.

“Let’s burn!”

Flames erupted from his hands. Taking the hit directly, Roxas was thrown to the ground again.

“Hahah! ‘Sokay, Roxas!” laughed Axel.

Maybe it would have been better to have fought him like this sooner.

Roxas stood, and came at him with force. Axel caught the Keyblade with his chakrams and forced it down, Roxas’ face in point-blank range.

“How like you, Roxas!”

I’m sure that Axel remembering meeting Ventus and having a play fight with him made it impossible to eliminate him. He met Ventus when he was still Lea, an innocent happy kid who liked to make people smile. Destroying that “stray puppy” would be betraying the very essence of who he is deep down. It would have destroyed him. That one single meeting in BBS made Roxas and Axel’s relationship much more interesting, since Axel was always so nostalgic for the past. Roxas was a relic from his past, as much as his memories of Isa were. Only Roxas was the exact same kid from his memories. Isa became corrupted and Norted. Axel was trying to recapture his lost friendship with Isa through Roxas. It’s why Roxas was such a perfect “replacement” best friend to fill the void of Isa’s absence. Axel clung to Roxas so much because he was everything he wished Isa still was.

I really don’t like the direction the series seems to be going with Roxas now. When he returned in KH3, he was talking in this fake sounding lower pitch than he did in Days or KH2. Like we’re supposed to see him as some edgy hardass now, LOL. Yeah, whatever. His reunion with Lea felt hollow in KH3, because it was just put in for pandering. There was no emotion behind it. There was hardly any dialogue, and what little there was had no substance. There was no mention of the WINNER stick or anything.

It’s sad because Roxas and Axel’s relationship actually had a lot of emotion and meaning in Days, due to its connection to Axel’s childhood. And it was because Roxas was a sweet innocent kid, and NOT an edgy hardass. In KH3, I felt nothing when RAX reunited, unlike the scene where the wayfinder trio reunited. A reunion like that shouldn’t happen in the middle of a battle. TAV reunited after their fight. RAX’s reunion felt like it was inserted into the story at the last minute, which I am sure it was. It’s why Kairi and Isa got the shaft and why Nomura needs DLC to explain why the hell they’re even there in the first place.

He didn’t really understand the “icing” part, except that it was ice cream. Like Winner, though, it meant something special. So when Axel came back, Roxas would use the freebie and get him some “icing.”

Roxas left Axel when he was very angry. They ended their friendship on pretty poor terms. Roxas never ever understood Axel, not even a little bit. When Roxas was sitting on the clock tower, he was feeling regret over how he left, which I found so sad. You need TIME to repair this friendship. I would have preferred that Lea reunite with Ventus at Yen Sid’s Tower because we would have gotten a FULL SCENE of them talking and working out their differences with open communication and honesty. This is something Axel never had with Roxas.

Roxas was thinking too much to taste the ice cream, and before long, it was almost gone. The stick was blank.

There was a lot he’d left unfinished with the Organization—and with Axel. But at the moment, the thing that concerned him the most was the stick that said Winner. Why had he held on to it for so long? He should have given it to him sooner.

Ventus could have learned who Lea really was for the first time. Not the facade he wore all the time. Axel was a person who laughed and smiled all the time to hide a lot of pain, which Roxas (and half the fandom) never realized. Only by learning this could their relationship move out of the babysitter dynamic and grow into something more mature and satisfying for both of them. Lea could finally be himself and not have to hide all of his suffering under a Mr. Rogers mask. This is exactly why I think Lea isn’t able to have a true identity in the sea-salt trio. He has to hide who he really is. Imagine a friendship where you try to solve all of your friend’s emotional problems, but you can never talk about your own. That’s what Axel’s relationship with Roxas (and Xion) was like.

Other than being told today’s mission, I didn’t really do anything yesterday. Maybe in reality it’d even be okay to have called it a day off. A holiday…

“Didn’t get to go in the end,” muttered Axel, and he got up.

Today I have to destroy Roxas. I cannot betray the organization.

From the little shelf at his bedside, Axel took a white envelope, and looked at it vaguely for a while. Putting it in his pocket, Axel got up off the bed and left the room.

A short while after Axel had entered the room, Saïx still hadn’t said a word. As he typed away at the keyboard, working, the pallid light radiating from the monitor gleamed on the already pale Saïx.

Maybe, this is the last time I’ll see Saïx, too.

Thinking, Axel looked at the seated Saïx’s back.

“We’ve known each other for a pretty long time, haven’t we?”

Ignoring Axel’s words, Saïx continued typing on the keyboard.

“Say something. Have you even thought that maybe I can’t erase Roxas?” Axel said, in a playful tone, and Saix finally looked up. “It’ll be all right. ‘Cause I’m tough.” Axel puffed out his chest.

“How stupid,” said Saïx, and for a moment he smiled.

How am I supposed to buy that Roxas and Lea are such close friends if Roxas never knew anything about the real Lea, his past, or his inner turmoil? The reason why he always lied to him, and why he didn’t come with him when he defected? I mean, come on. There was so much more potential for a genuine and meaningful friendship between Lea and Ventus. Lea could get to know the real Ventus. He wanted to bring back Terra, who was Norted. If he retained his memories as Roxas, he would have learned that Xemnas---the guy he promised Xion he’d defeat---was actually body-jacked Terra. We should have seen his reaction to that. I also think Lea would remind Ventus a lot of Terra. They are both very protective and caring. The reunion would be so emotional due to that.

Lea handed over some munny and took the two cones from Scrooge, one of which he gave to Isa.

“It’s cold…,” Isa muttered as he took a bite.

“What’re you talking about? It’s ice cream; of course it’s cold. Got it memorized?”

“Salty, too.”

“But sweet!” Lea added, and Isa smiled a bit. That was rare for him. Well, eating ice cream together, talking about silly stuff, laughing together—it was just what friends did.

Wonder what he’s doing now—Ven, was it?

Ventus could really empathize with Lea and offer him emotional support for the first time. Axel only lied to him to protect him, like Terra would have. They would reestablish their trust. Their relationship would be a lot less one-sided. It wouldn’t have to be superficial and totally revolve around ice cream and small talk, either. Like Terra, Isa was a Nort. Ven and Lea could understand each other’s pain. They could develop a deeper friendship on a more adult level.

Ventus could tell Lea the story of how he was abused by Xehanort. Then Terra gave him the toy sword that Lea picked up when they first met, which was his most treasured possession. And Lea could tell Ventus about his past, and how he took him out for ice cream all the time because of his memories of Isa---which were his greatest treasure. Instead of letting Lea’s friendship with Ventus grow and evolve along with his character, they chose to have Lea regress his development in order to maintain the relationship with Roxas (and Xion), which was relatively superficial and based on lack of communication and dishonesty.

#kingdom hearts #kingdom hearts meta #kh #kh lea #kh ventus #kh ven #kh roxas #kh isa

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