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nekokoaa · 5 years ago

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Wolves Among Us - Bakugo x Reader (XII)

Wolves Among Us – Bakugo x Reader

Series Warning: Fantasy AU, Fluff, NSFW

(Chapter XII/??) All chapters in AO3 and masterlist

Thank you guys so much for the support. Honestly reading your comments and reactions make my eyes swell with tears and it brings me joy that you guys are enjoying wau and I know it takes me a while to update cause of life and you still support me despite that! I’m so grateful for you guys!!

@freedom-for-bum @reallyfuckingangrylatina @risarisarisaa @ashherssss @mels-heart @xa-dia @shanty-lol @amkxh @chims-kookies @fantasticapple @thalia-luna-hawthorn

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XII: Mend

As fast as Katsuki saw your eyes on him was as fast as when he turned around and held onto the windowsill to climb over it. And when you realized he was leaving, you lifted your body off the bed, struggling upon shaky arms as it felt like you were pushing up with a ton of stones on your back.

“W-Wait. Katsuki!” Regardless, you forced your body onto your legs and immediately stumbled and fell to the ground. Katsuki was stopped by the loud thud of when your body hit the floor and he was by your side in an instant.

“Are you stupid?! Your body is still healing! You can’t suddenly get up like that!” He gathered you in his arms, hooking them around your back and under your knees before he effortlessly lifted you up. He carried you to the bed, quickly looking over you to see if you were alright. He saw that you were gazing at him, but he missed the look of relief in your eyes as he was too concerned with checking if you had any injuries from your fall.

“Katsuki,” you softly called him, feeling a smile growing on your face but you were still feeling so weak that you could barely hold it for a few seconds. “Is it really you, Katsuki?” You began to reach for his cheek and Katsuki grabbed that hand. His hold so light you barely realized it.

“Yeah,” he awkwardly shifted his shoulders, glowing red eyes flicking around before they landed on you. He was kneeling by your bedside after he laid you down on the bed. You attempted to sit up, but he quickly held his hand out to stop you as soon as he had the instinct that you were getting up.

“I dreamt about you. I was getting attacked and you… you saved me. And then I was falling… for what felt like a long time. I could sense that I was hurtling towards the ground and… I was sure death was awaiting me but… I fell into your arms instead. You saved me again, Katsuki—and here you are, right by my side. Maybe I’m still dreaming…?”

“You’re not dreaming… I’m here,” he squeezed your hand, reassuring you that this was in fact reality. The Katsuki before you were not an illusion created by sleep but was the real Katsuki you had yearned to see.

“Hm-mm,” you smiled softly, nodding, and his heart fluttered by that simple gesture of yours. “You’re here.”

But as soon as he recovered, logic settling in, he had to remind himself of his plan. “But after tonight… I’m leaving—for good.”

Instantly, your smile was wiped off, a frown settled shortly after. “Why must you leave?”

“It’s what’s best…”

“You’re always saying you know what’s best, but do you truly know? You’re always handling things alone… why can’t we just think of something together? Why must you isolate me?”

“Look at what I have done to you... me, your lover! Not only that but I didn’t even chase after you—I was so mad, and I made you suffer—for what! My jealous fit?” That was him being jealous? You were sure it was more than that. But in his rage, he had bounced up from his kneeled position, growling under his breath as he couldn’t help but recall the image of you nearly at death’s door just moments ago. He was visibly shaken, rolling his hands into fists as they shook violently at his sides. His body so tense that his veins were pulsated through the skin of his biceps. If it weren’t for the long sleeves of his top, surely you would’ve saw them scattered around his arms. It wasn’t pure anger that motivated his reaction but sorrow and utter regret.

“Katsuki, please, sit with me. Let’s talk,” Katsuki stared down at you like he was contemplating whether to listen to you or not. And after what felt like minutes under his crimson gaze, he decided to sit down on the bed with a soft grunt. The springs crinkled underneath his weight. You even felt the bed shift when he sat, his back slightly hunched and his legs spread as his arms lined with his thighs.

You slowly sat up and soon you felt Katsuki’s arm around your waist just as you placed your feet on the ground. You knew he was helping you steady yourself but when his fingers pressed into your side and that feathery feeling you knew all too well started tickling your lower stomach, you couldn’t help but blush.

“Hey, take it easy. Your body is still healing,” he had said once he pushed your body against his. He wanted you to use him as support but all it did was deepen the color on your cheeks. There was a silence shortly after like one of you were waiting for each other to speak up first. You decided to break it.

“It was an accident,” you started, turning your head to look at him. Katsuki kept his eyes to the floor, teeth clenched together at your words. “You didn’t mean to hurt me. I know you would never hurt me on purpose. And—so many things happened—the marriage announcement, Izuku, and now this. We’ve been fighting with each other for too long and I miss being in your arms—being together,” you placed a hand on his lap. “Why can’t we just be that? Together?”

Katsuki’s absent response unsettled you. You adjusted yourself, both hands on his lap now as you gazed up at him. He still refused to look at you. His eyebrows were knitted together, and you wondered if he was angry or in such deep thought that it caused his expression to contort like that. “We can work this out, can’t we?” You didn’t want to sound like you were begging but loved Katsuki too much to let him go. You gave up so much of your life for him and he was all you had left. You couldn’t handle a life without Katsuki, because he was now a part of it.

“You’re okay with the marriage?” He finally looked at you, his crimson eyes steady as they searched for answers within your irises.

“I-I am…” you started twiddling with your fingers as they remained on his lap. “But maybe if it was all done in a more traditional way, we wouldn’t have fought like that. I would’ve loved if you told me privately first. Marriage is such a big step in anyone’s relationship and to find out with the pack was… awful.”

“I know—I… should’ve told you first. I just knew you would’ve said yes so—”

“You don’t know what I would’ve said, Katsuki,” you didn’t understand his logic. Was he really so sure of himself that he thought you would agree to this willingly? Sure, you love him but what if you weren’t mentally ready for marriage? “It really hurt me. Am I not a person that you can rely on? Must you hide things from me and separate me from your plans? I just don’t understand.”

“There is nothing to understand. I just fucked up. I…” Katsuki found himself stumbling on his words. He knew he wasn’t the best communicator and he never cared to improve but now he realized it was putting a strain on his relationship. He could no longer act alone in his endeavors. He had to think about his actions together with you.

“Then next time, just talk to me. You know I’ll always listen to you.”

“I know,” you frowned when you heard his grumble. You wanted an apology, but you decided to accept this.

“And Izuku? Are you okay with him?”

Katsuki sucked his teeth and growled softly. Just remembering the green hair on Izuku’s head was enough to annoy him. “If I never see you two embracing ever again, sure.”

“Katsuki, he’s like my brother. We grew up together after my parents died and I always thought of him as family. He isn’t anyone you should feel threatened by.”

He spoke through his gritted teeth. “I’m not threatened by that worthless piece of—"

“Katsuki,” you warned.

He snapped his head away. “Che, whatever.”

“Now the pack…”

“What about them? They’ll get used to you in time. They just have to deal with it.” Katsuki shrugged, “besides, Round-face, Weird-hair and his brats, and the old hag likes you so that’s a start.”

“Must you give everyone mean nicknames?”

“It’s easier calling them how I want,” he spoke curtly. You knew Katsuki wouldn’t change his ways, not that you wanted him to. You just simply wanted to know why he did and wondered if he also had a nickname for you.

“What about yourself?”

“Hah?”

“You still seem frustrated… with yourself.”

“I’ll be careful from now on. I know humans are weak and all and…” he soon sighed, cutting his ramble short. You watched as he stared at the corner of the room, getting lost in his thoughts before he finally let out a soft growl and you felt yourself being squeezed against him until you placed your hands on his chest. His glowing eyes returned, and your heart skipped a beat as they bore into yours. They were beautiful like always. The very sight of them had the ability to bring summer into the cold atmospheres of winter. They rattled your very soul in ways that were both familiar yet foreign. It was very possible to forget all the anger you felt towards his actions just by a single glance of them. “I will never hurt you like that again. I promise.”

He no longer looked upset and was calm, his face voided of all emotion except for the determination lit in his eyes. With his other hand, he grabbed yours, squeezing it tightly before he intertwined your fingers together. And suddenly, you were reminded of why you fell for him.

“I believe you,” you told him and returned the squeeze. Your lips curling into a smile that made heat rise within Katsuki, flushing his cheeks into a soft red. And suddenly, he too was reminded of why he fell in love with you.

…

The wind continued to howl until it had reached morning and what felt like a brief break of the storm had arrived. The clouds had parted just enough for the sun’s rays to break through them and although the clouds were still thick enough where it shielded the sun’s appearance, its presence was still apparent. You were woken up by the soft rays of the sun hitting against your eyelids and you were suddenly aware of the warmness coming from both under you and above you. You couldn’t remember the last time you woken up so warm, like you were surrounded by summer’s embrace, not humid to where it would be suffocating but toasty enough to lure you back to sleep.

It took you a moment to realize that you were directly on top of Katsuki, legs spread against his hips, chests together with your head resting on his collarbones. And on top of you was Katsuki’s fur cape used as a cover to shield both of you from the cold, but you knew it was mostly for you as Katsuki always claimed he never felt cold enough. Your arms were all over the place like your body was trying to make do with the tiny bed that could barely fit the two of you and Katsuki’s arms were around your body, a hand on the curve of your back and his other hand…

You flushed, feeling his other hand slightly move as it was cupping your butt cheek. You knew Katsuki wasn’t aware of what he was doing as he was still asleep but never having a man touch there before had made you feel uncomfortable. Yet because it was Katsuki, you wanted it to continue. It was an odd feeling, one that you knew if you let continue, curiosity would get the best of you.

“Katsuki,” you called him, voice just above a whisper.

“Wha…?” Immediately, he stirred awake. You guessed he wasn’t that deep in sleep since it usually took him forever to wake up. You watched as his crimson irises peeked between his eyelids, slowly regaining his consciousness until they shot open and the hand that was cupping your butt left. “My bad,” he grumbled, his voice scratchy as he lifted both his arms out from his cape and stretched them above his head. He yawned, and you looked in awe when you saw his fangs.

“How did you sleep?” You tried to move yourself off of him but then realize there was no space left on the bed.

“Bad. This bed’s a fucking mess,” you giggled at his words and returned your head to his chest. You enjoyed hearing the sound of his heartbeat against your ears.

“Yeah, it isn’t the most comfortable.”

“Can’t wait to get back to our cave.”

You didn’t miss what he said, and your smile widened until your cheek pressed into his chest. “Our?”

“Yeah, our cave. You coming back with me, right?” His fingers found your hair and played with it, twirling them around until they became tangled in his digits. He had to make sure to ask because even though they had seemed to mend the issues between them, he wasn’t sure if you were still harboring any feelings against going back. But Katsuki was relieved to see that eager nod from you and you had pressed your lips on his cheek for more reassurance.

“Of course.”

Though Katsuki frowned, disappointed not because of the kiss but the type you gave him. “Don’t think you can lay on top of me and just kiss me on my cheek. Give me a real one.”

“And I don’t think you deserve a real one after what you put me through. You should be thankful I’m willing to take you back,” you snapped.

“Rub salt on the wound, will ya?” He growled, rolling his eyes. His eyes then landed on the opening of your shirt, getting a glance of your breasts that was squished against his chest. Katsuki suddenly became aware at how close your body was to him and as much as he wanted to, he couldn’t suppress the heat rising within him. “Then get the hell off me. I don’t need you teasing me.”

“Teasing? How am I teasing you?” You laughed.

“Do you really need me to spell it out for you? Just get off,” you did as you were told, laughing while doing it and Katsuki sucked his teeth but what you didn’t know was that he was watching intently to see if you were going to fall while getting up. He didn’t get to you the first time you fell, and he sure wasn’t going to make it a second time. Katsuki relaxed once he saw you had no problems getting up and he noticed that you were beaming at him with a smile.

“What?” He asked snappily.

“Nothing,” you shrugged, fiddling with your fingers. “I’m just—happy.”

“Yeah well, that’s good—I guess,” Katsuki grumbled and looked away. He felt his cheeks warming up, once again reminded of your beauty. He almost couldn’t believe that last night he tried to walk away from this. He wasn’t in his right mind, he concluded. Why did he think being away from you would protect you? He needed to be by your side to protect that precious smile of yours.

You were still fiddling your fingers, too absorbed in your glee to notice the sound of footsteps coming from down the hall. Although even if you weren’t distracted, you wouldn’t have notice it as fast as Katsuki did.

“Someone’s coming,” Katsuki suddenly announced before he walked to the door and threw it open. You didn’t even have time to react when you saw that forest green hair that belong to your childhood friend nearly shielded behind Katsuki’s large frame and when a loud yelp and a thud came after, you knew you had to hurry.

Hell had revisited Izuku. He just didn’t know it would be this soon. When your door suddenly opened, and he was met with that crimson gaze of hellfire, he knew he was staring at death itself. He couldn’t stop the shriek that left him, and his legs buckled under him until he landed on his bottom all while his eyes were stuck on the beast cause of the fear he had if he were to let him out of his sight. The beast took a step closer to him and Izuku kept backing away, mouth agape, and all four limbs shaking under his weight.

“Get the hell up,” the beast growled and Izuku whimpered, flinching when he heard his lingering snarl after he spoke. “You heard what I said, right? Get up! You’re so lucky I can’t kill your pathetic ass! If it was my choice, you would’ve already been six feet under the snow!”

“Katsuki, stop! Why are you scaring him!?” You rushed out of your room, grabbing Katsuki by his arm and yanking him towards you. As soon as Izuku caught sight of you, his fear had subsided, and wide eyes of disbelief took its place.

“I’m not scaring him! I’m telling him to get up!” Katsuki yelled.

“You can say it in a nicer way!”

“____, you’re healed…?” Izuku asked, still wondering if his eyes were deceiving him. He stood up on his shaky legs and nearly stumbled towards you.

You ignored the snarl that came from Katsuki when Izuku had spoken to you. “Yes, thanks to Katsuki.”

“I can’t believe it. You were going to die. I tried everything, but nothing worked and when Ochako came, I—”

“So Round-face actually visited you? Stupid woman,” Katsuki scoffed, rolling his eyes in the process.

“She’s not stupid,” Izuku snapped. “She convinced you, didn’t she?”

Katsuki blinked at first, not sure if he heard him correctly but once his words started settling in, his eyes narrowed into slits and more wrinkles that you didn’t think was possible formed between his eyebrows and on his forehead. “What did you just say to me? She didn’t convince me to do shit! I came here on my own will. I wasn’t going to let my woman die!”

“I’m not saying you’re lying but it’s hard to believe you.”

Katsuki took a step towards him, baring his fangs and claws in his direction. “You wanna fucking say that to my face, Deku?!”

Izuku furrowed his eyebrows. Confusion written across his face. “Deku?”

“Stop fighting! Gosh! Shut up! You guys are being too loud in the morning!” Your shout had silenced the both of them. You truly had enough of the fights. You just wanted peace from now on. “I’m grateful to Katsuki. He owned up to his mistake and healed me and I’m also grateful to you, Izuku, because you took care of me the best you could. I know it must’ve been scary.”

“It was… I was afraid that you were going to leave me,” Izuku squeezed his eyes tight. The possibility that you could’ve died was causing him pain. It hurt him. You would’ve been dead if it weren’t for Katsuki and even though Izuku was relieved that you were completely healed, he was angry at himself. It hurt how useless he was to save you and that he needed to rely on a wolf to do it.

Once you saw Izuku’s grimace, you could tell that he was taking this situation to heart. As he’s been the only person you relied on since you were children, it was hard for him to realize that you didn’t need his protection anymore. You had moved on to yourself and Katsuki for protection and it made Izuku wonder if there was any room left for him in your heart.

You hugged him, your arms went under his arms and encircled his body. You leaned your head against his chest and felt his arms squeezed your form and his head moved to rest on your shoulder. He was shaking. He didn’t want to let you go. He felt as if the moment he pulls away, the more he has to come to terms with accepting your decision. As a friend, as a brother, Izuku felt lost without you, unsure if leaving you in the hands of a wolf was right for you.

“Thank you, Izuku, for everything…” he heard your mumble against him and it caused his throat to croak out intelligible words, words he wanted to say but became buried within the overwhelming amount of emotions surging within him.

Katsuki couldn’t help but glare at the sight before him. As much as his body urged him to pull you and Izuku apart, he ignored it just for you. He gritted his teeth instead, fangs in full sight and hands into fists that shook uncontrollably at his sides. His wolf ears were erect as well as all of the tiny hairs on his arms and neck. Every instinct in his body was telling him to attack him like an alarm was going off in his head, signaling that something of his was about to be taken.

“Alright, that’s enough, you guys can stop hugging now,” was a cue from Katsuki that he could no longer handle watching this. You slipped yourself out of Izuku’s hold, his hands momentarily holding onto your forearms before completely separating from you. Katsuki instantly threw an arm around your shoulders when you returned. Crimson eyes that held a predatory gaze when they stared at you turned into one of repressed anger when they glanced at Izuku. Izuku frowned.

“So… I’m guessing you’re going back then?”

You nodded and looked to Katsuki while he was busy reminding Izuku who you belonged to. “I love him. I can’t imagine my life without him. I know you don’t approve of us, but he makes me happy.”

“And that’s all I want to see, your happiness. The village declared you dead, so I guess there’s nothing back there for you.” Except for me. Izuku wanted to mention but he held his tongue.

“They did…? Even though the hunters know I’m alive?”

Katsuki scoffed. “Fucking cowards didn’t want your village to know that they failed to kill a wolf, so they lied.”

“They’ll do anything to keep their reputation intact. That’s just how hunters are and if they know that you’re alive, the next time you encounter them, they’ll do anything to make sure you’re not. Be careful out there, please,” said Izuku.

“I’ll destroy any hunter that tries to lay a finger on her,” growled Katsuki. “Those fuckers will regret that day they jumped me, I’ll make sure of it.”

Nothing was said in response to Katsuki’s bloodthirsty declare. Izuku gave him a look and before Katsuki could notice it, you changed the topic to save Izuku the trouble of having Katsuki’s rage on him. “Izuku, you can visit us anytime, okay? Katsuki will let the pack know.”

As expected, that rage you saved Izuku from was directed at you. A crimson glare that you knew all too well bore into your eyes and since you were so accustomed to being under it, you found that you grew immune to the sight. Katsuki puffed out his chest and towered over you. You merely stared at him. “Who said I wanted him near my pack?”

“I did! Besides, Izuku’s invited to the wedding.”

“The hell he ain’t!”

Izuku’s eyes widened. “Wait, y-you’re getting married?”

“Yes, and I want you to come. I can’t get married without you there.”

“I—of course I’ll come, I’m just a little surprised is all.”

“Why the hell are you guys deciding things without me?!” Katsuki growled.

You frowned. “Katsuki, you told me last night that you would accept Izuku as my friend, or were you just lying to me?”

“I-I wasn’t lying—I—!” He interrupted himself with a nasty snarl, making Izuku jump at the sound of it. He stomped back into the room you stayed in and came back out with his fur cape hanging on his arm. He threw it over your shoulders and bared his fangs at you. All you did was smile back at him. “Fine! He can visit the pack and he’s invited! Can we fucking go now?”

“Sure!” You laughed, giving a small stroke to his arm to calm him down. Katsuki sucked his teeth and yanked his arm away from you.

Izuku watched in amazement at how you handled Katsuki. He didn’t understand how was it that you weren’t afraid of him. He could crush you with one hand if he wanted to, yet you were still able to smile innocently at him like he wasn’t the one who brought you all that pain in those few days. Though, he couldn’t hide that he saw that look in your eyes. The look that one would give to someone they’re madly in love with and although he couldn’t read anything from Katsuki’s grimace, it was his action of covering you with his cape that showed Izuku that he does care about you. Perhaps he didn’t need to worry so much.

Before you left, you gave Izuku another hug which made Katsuki barked:

“How many times do you need to hug him?”

You rolled your eyes, letting Izuku go and grabbing Katsuki’s hand to lead him out the door. “Don’t you ever just shut up?”

…

You snuggled with Katsuki’s fur cape on your shoulders, tugging it until it completely engulfed your form like a blanket. Katsuki’s arm was also around your shoulders, pulling you close to protect you from the blustering icy wind. The storm wasn’t as powerful as yesterday, but it was still dangerous to walk within it. For the entire walk back to the pack, Katsuki made sure to protect you from the harsh elements of the storm. Even when it came to scale up the mountain, Katsuki urged you to climb on his back so that he could carry you. You weren’t surprised to find how incredibly easy it was for Katsuki to carry you, but it made you think just what was Katsuki’s limit. Did wolves even have a limit? It always seemed like they were bursting with unlimited energy and stamina much more than their human counterparts. They never seem to tire out as fast as humans nor display a lack in strength whenever encountering anything physical. They seemed perfect, built without any weaknesses that you could think of.

By the time you reached the pack, it was in the afternoon and you couldn’t think of single weakness and the question disappeared from your mind once the familiar sight of unnatural caves on the mountainside came into view. There was not a soul outside as you assumed most were in their caves to wait out the storm but once Katsuki put you down and you stepped into the snow, the sound of crushed ice under your shoes alerted them and a few left their caves, including a few familiar faces.

Ochako sprinted through the icy field the moment she saw you and threw her arms around you once she got close. Her teary thanks to Fenrir for your recovery was heard through the roaring sound of the wind as you were squeezed against her body. Eijirou had left his cave as well, smiling largely when he spotted you. He gave Katsuki a heavy pat on his shoulder and welcomed you back to the pack. Mitsuki was watching the scene from her cave’s balcony, a natural forming of rocks that protrude under the entrance of her cave. It was the highest cave upon the mountainside, so it was hard to miss the pack leader standing tall, blond hair dancing in the harsh wind with snow flurrying around her as if to celebrate her appearance. She made a simple smirk that reminded you of Katsuki and gave a wave before she retreated back to her cave. You would never know of the deep sigh of relief that escaped her when she was no longer in view. Probably, out of everyone, she was the most relieved about your wellbeing.

And Katsuki, a wolf with the patience of a child, already began pulling you away from Ochako. His hand grabbed yours and led you towards an entrance for one of the caves. He gave two excuses. The first one was that you were tired to which you denied, and he quickly countered it with another excuse about the storm being too dangerous for you to be in. He was right, but at the time, you didn’t understand why he was being so pushy. Ochako and Eijirou brushed it off, saying their farewells before you and Katsuki vanished into the cave.

He pulled you through the dimmed halls before going into the first room on the left as you remembered, slipping through the cloth that separated the room and the hall and suddenly being hit with nostalgia. It hasn’t been that long but being separated from Katsuki always felt like time slowed down and this situation made no difference. Katsuki’s cave was exactly how you left it. The three lit nearly melted candles on the small table near the corner. A wooden desk and chair against the wall. The excessive number of pillows in the center with a heavy sheep wool cloth over it. It was a simple layout yet seeing it had made your heart swell with happiness.

“Wow… It’s been a while since I’ve been here. Everything still looks the same.” As you recalled, the last time you’ve been in Katsuki’s cave was the morning of the marriage announcement. After that, you stayed with Ochako and then the situation with Izuku happened. Thinking back on the issue, you were so relieved that you made up with Katsuki. Perhaps since you talked it out, it would be the end of the issues in your relationship. You knew it was a pipe dream as most relationships tend to develop problems because of conflicting personalities and ideas. Although, conflict was necessary because without it, there would be no growth in relationships—no misunderstandings being mended. You didn’t know whether to feel grateful for what had happened or to promise yourself to avoid all conflict with Katsuki.

As you were deep in your thoughts, staring at particularly nothing, Katsuki’s red eyes couldn’t leave you. Seeing you in his cave was odd for him. He missed seeing you, yet it has been so long that it was rather strange having you here. But Katsuki had to remind himself that this was indeed reality, not the reality he thought of when he had turn over in bed and you weren’t there.

Your scent was filling the space the moment you had stepped in. It was alerting his senses with every intake of breath. Another reminder of that this was real. You were here, in front of him, in his presence. This wasn’t a dream nor was he in his head. You had truly returned to him.

It wasn’t the soft call of your name that had brought your attention to Katsuki but the gentle touch of his fingers grasping your wrist and pulling you softly around to face him. Before you knew it, you were staring up into two burning suns, but it wasn’t the fiery, intense gaze you’ve come to know but a gaze as soft as a sunset, hanging just above the horizon of a sea. Its crimson hue surrounded by an orange ring that revealed the perfect circular shape of the sun—A sight so soft that it permitted your eyes to gaze at it without the fear of being hurt the longer you looked at it.

The back of Katsuki’s hand touched your face, his knuckles brushed above your cheek. He marveled at the beauty before him. How he was able to claim you as his was beyond him. A woman that was too good for him, too beautiful for him, too reasonable, too smart, it baffled him that you wanted to be by his side. From the moment he first saw you, something pulled him towards you and he hasn’t been able to let go since.

He leaned forward. His kiss was short and light, like he was testing the waters. He looked at your eyes, cheeks, and lips for any indication of rejection. And when he saw none, he dived back in, hungry this time as his carnal desire took over his movements. His hands scoured your body from your waist and back to your hips and thighs. A low growl in response to your whimpers as you struggled to keep up with his lips. He was a dominating force of a man and you doubt it had something to do with him being a wolf. Still, you tried your best to keep up. Both of your hands were holding his head, fingers half sunken in his frizzy hair, lips eagerly parting to invite his tongue in and of course, he accepted the invitation.

Your breaths tangled with one another. Your saliva mixed together before it spilled from the corner of your mouth from the aggressive dance of tongues. Katsuki was pushing on you, causing you to lean back. He lifted you up. His hand grasped both of your thighs, splitting your legs and wrapping them around his hips. Your arms went on his shoulders and your hands found the back of his head to thread your fingers back within his hair. Feeling your nails press his scalp was driving him mad.

He carried you and after he kicked away the chair with his foot, he had placed you down on the desk and settled himself between your legs. Your skirt became bunched up to your waist and it exposed your nude legs. Oddly enough, you weren’t shy about having them revealed to him. The chair had made a loud thump when it hit the floor but neither of you cared. The only thing that mattered was the feel of lips and hearts swelling to burst from passion. The melody of saliva squishing was joined with the gasps and sighs as the tangled moist muscles battled within their fleshy caves. At times, you even found yourself dangerously caressing his fangs with your tongue, just an accident away from cutting yourself. How thrilling.

Katsuki’s large hand were stroking your thigh in a circular motion. You went to grab his upper arm, feeling out his toned biceps, chiseled, like it was carved by the gods. It was at that moment when it occurred to you that Katsuki was shirtless. You haven’t had a clue when he had taken it off, but it must’ve been during the interval when he had set you down on the desk. You didn’t think much of it either, not at the extent of Katsuki’s intentions anyway. You were too taken by his lips to notice he was growing rather aggressive. His growls were soft and occurred with every exhale that he mentally cursed because it was the only thing keeping him from your lips. You too were growing breathless as you felt a dull pain develop within your lungs and with all the energy and passion fueling your heartbeat, you had no choice but to pull away for air.

Red. It was what you saw when you looked into his irises. A familiar hue that reminded you of the heat of summer. A heat not too far from the one rising within you. It was craving for something, you didn’t know what yet, but it was similar to the hungry look in his eyes like a beast watching his prey before he devours it. He waited patiently for his lungs to fill with needed air and when he leaned forward, you expected the return of his lips but instead, his arms went around your body and pulled you tight against him.

No words were exchanged between the two of you. Katsuki’s hug communicated as much as he wanted to say, to hold you and to never let you go, to welcome you back into his life, and to welcome him in yours.

While being in his arms, a single thought crossed your mind. You smiled and nuzzled your face into his shoulder.

Finally, I am home.

Next chap - XIII: Little did they know, the stars were above

hMM, what are Katsuki's intentions, I wonder. Next chapter is going to be so nice. Finally done with all the angst, at least for now hahaha. But next chap will be a nice break. Thank you guys for all the comments and kudos and even just reading. Until next time, loves~

#wau bnha #wau #bnha #bnha fanfiction #bnha fantasy au #boku no hero academia #mha #my hero academia #bnha x reader #mha x reader #bakugo katsuki x reader #bakugo katsuki

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angewrites · 6 years ago

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As the Wind Blows

Title: As the Wind Blows

Anime: Cardfight!! Vanguard V

Words: 4,560

Summary: Having lost his bond with Vanguard, the game he so desperately clung to and loved, Kai felt he had been missing something. One exceptional night, however, is about to show him what that something is – and how he can get it back. Third person; spoilers for Cardfight!! Vanguard V Dimension.

Notes: yes hello I’m still alive sdaklfjlsadfjasljf. You know it’s the summer season when I’m actually updating this account again with fics again, apparently.

Anyway, I wrote this fic b/c, to put it simply, I was upset with Bushi for not letting Kai have his bond with Vanguard back even though Aichi’s bond was severed and he got his bond back. So I decided to take matters into my own hands and wrote a fic addressing that issue. It’s my first “full-length” (over 3000 words) CFV fic in about five years, so I’m really excited about how it turned out. \ .D. /

The irony is I finished writing this on May 30 after working on it for approximately 3 weeks. And June 1′s CFV episode actually showed Kaikun staring at Dragonic Overlord, and I felt like Bushi had sucker punched me in the feels. And if you read this fic, you’ll understand exactly why.

So yeah, if you’re a CFV fan and you love Kai Toshiki or are interested in my Psyqualia on Cray theory, please read this and let me know what you think! Thank you!! <3

[FFN]

[AO3]

Plant Cray – Kagero, Dragon Empire

He wasn’t in the middle of a Vanguard fight, and the fate of the world, as far as he knew, was just fine. Yet the ferocious wind surrounded Kai. Ferocious, yet . . . comforting in a way. Looking around the wasteland that laid before him, he cautiously walked, taking in the gravelly sound of his feet against the ground, the wind furiously enveloping him with the contrast of the calm of the landscape before him.

He remembered this sensation from when he fought Aichi, and his Psyqualia had awakened. He had said he didn’t need this power, that he was strong on his own.

Was he dreaming of that time again? Was he that desperate to experience the Vanguard he once enjoyed and . . . and even loved that his own memories are playing tricks on him and showing him this dream? Kai couldn’t help but chuckle, thinking how far his mental state had deteriorated since losing to Ibuki.

“Huh. He really thinks it’s a dream, huh?” a voice – that eerily resembled Aichi’s, only slightly higher pitched - sounded. Kai jumped, hastily looking for the origin of the comment but not seeing it. Sleep deprived, going back in time, and hearing voices of people – beings? – who can read his thoughts? Ibuki’s Deletors did more mental damage than he thought –

“In front of you, Kaaaaaaaai-kun,” the voice spoke up again. Kai forced his gaze straight ahead, and he made no attempt to hide his shock from what he saw, probably also due to the sleep deprivation. In front of him was a boy who, head to toe, looked exactly like Aichi, black and red Miyaji uniform and everything. But, there was one difference, Kai figured out. Aichi would never make that mocking expression in front of anyone. That’s just not like him. Then again, there was so much Kai didn’t know about Aichi. So, he had to be sure.

“You’re . . . you’re Aichi, aren’t you?” the brunet asked, his heart pounding.

The boy cocked his head to the side and shrugged his shoulders. “I might look like him. I might sound like him. But, too bad for you, I’m not him. Sorry to disappoint.”

The way the Aichi lookalike the other had said “too bad for you,” the way he assumed what he wanted irked him. What’s that supposed to mean? Sure, he had a close bond with Aichi, but it’s not like he wanted to spend every waking moment with him.

“Never mind that,” Kai said evenly. “If you’re not Aichi, then who are you and what the heck is going on in this dream?”

Bringing a hand to his forehead, the other replied, “Bold of you to assume this is a dream.” He sighed. “Whatever. Instead of giving you all the convenient exposition at once, it’d be easier to just show you who I am.” The Aichi lookalike hopped off one of the rocks he was sitting on and motioned for Kai to follow him, which he did. It’s not like he had anything else to do. Or could do, for that matter.

As the pair continued onward on their journey, Kai felt beads of sweat trickling down his neck. He hoped wherever they were going, there’d be water. His companion appeared to adjust to the drastic change in temperature just fine, though. They walked past the fiery landscape, filled with active volcano geysers and smoke billowing from every direction. Oddly enough, the farther they walked, the less dehydrated Kai felt, which confused him. But, considering his companion wasn’t in the explanatory mood, he kept that question to himself.

At last, the Aichi lookalike stopped, and the brunet took that to mean that they had in fact arrived at their intended destination. He looked up to see an overpowering black door that was decorated with flames of all colors and emblazoned with what appeared to be a symbol – the Kagero clan symbol, Kai recognized.

“Yeesh, he asks me to bring you here, and he doesn’t leave the door open? The nerve….” His companion sighed.

“He?”

“Oh, you’ll meet him soon enough,” the other replied. “Wait here.”

“Not like I can go anywhere else,” replied Kai, to which his companion smirked and floated through the entrance. Kai took a step back in surprise. His companion was a ghost? That couldn’t be right, could it? Still, he waited for the Aichi lookalike to return.

Or, maybe not. It wasn’t long before the door of flames opened to him, revealing a long, dark tunnel filled with lit torches, and the voice of his companion rang out, “Alright, wait’s up. You can come through.” The brunet stuffed his hands in the pockets of his knee-length black basketball shorts and made his way inside, the torches which were slightly above his head being his only source of light. He heard the door close behind him, so he sighed, realizing there was no going back. After being alone with the sound of the drip, drip, drip of the droplets of water behind the walls and the sound of his breathing for what seemed like an eternity, jagged rocks, lava geysers, and several Vanguard units he recognized – who bowed ever so slightly at his arrival - greeted him.

“Aermo. Bahr. Genjo. Raopia,” Kai gasped, as each of the units, when named, lifted their heads slightly.

“Hey, don’t forget the head cheese of this place,” his companion’s voice sounded. He looked straight ahead, finding a red dragon with yellow and red claw-tipped wings towering over the rest of the units. At the sight, Kai felt a pang in his chest, overcome by a sensation, a feeling he’d been lacking ever since the fight with Ibuki: joy.

“Over . . . lord . . .”

The dragon bellowed and dropped down to a knee in response. Taking a few steps closer, Kai closed the gap between the two and reached out to touch Dragonic Overlord, gently rubbing the top of his head, which was surprisingly smooth. It really was him. It really was his Vanguard, the one who carried him through his tumultuous childhood, along with the rest of Kagero. He had dreams as a child of meeting the units, and, if this really wasn’t a dream, this was a dream come true.

Kai’s companion floated next to him. “Overlord normally doesn’t let anyone touch him, so consider yourself lucky,” he said, sighing and with his arms crossed.

Overlord growled in annoyance in response, but Kai continued to pet him, and Dragonic Overlord stopped growling at once and made a noise almost like that of an older cat’s. Kai couldn’t help but laugh at his companion’s remark. That would explain why Dragonic Overlord was his Vanguard. Both of them liked and needed their space.

“But, yeesh, where is he? I go through all the trouble to call you and he’s not even here?” the Aichi lookalike asked. “What’s he doing? Overlord, do you know?”

The dragon grunted in response, and Kai had absolutely no idea what he said, but his companion seemed to and whatever the answer was, it seemed like good news.

“Oh, good. Took him long enough.”

Kai couldn’t take this mystery any longer. His companion had said he would meet this mysterious “he” soon enough, but how long is soon enough? And who is “he?”

“Well, since he’s taking his time in getting here, mind telling me who you’re talking about?” Kai finally asked, making no effort to hide the impatience in his voice. Before his companion could open his mouth to speak, a strong wind filled the area, causing everyone – Kai included – to hold their ground.

“Yup, he’s here,” his companion said. Whoever he was had a thing for drama, it seemed. Dragonic Overlord turned to face the backside of the cave they were in, on which had appeared a portal of some kind made of fire. Kai watched as a ball of stars popped out of the portal and took shape, a shape similar to that of a human’s. First, the legs. The arms. Fingers. Face. Hair. Until, finally, the long-awaited guest had fully-formed.

And he looked just like Kai.

“What the heck?” Kai blurted out. His traveling companion howled with laughter while those of the Kagero clan looked on. The Kai lookalike, surveying the commotion, sighed.

“You didn’t tell him,” he spoke, focusing his intense, burning gaze on Kai, who took a small step backward.

His companion shrugged his shoulders. “I thought it’d be easier to just show him rather than bore him with the details,” Kai’s companion said. “He’s human, you know.”

The Kai lookalike looked into the brunet’s eyes for a handful of minutes before he floated downwards, feet touching the floor. Kai looked around to see the Kagero units genuflecting, as they had done when he had arrived. Just who was this person? Or being, rather. It seemed that he was the only human in the room.

“Which leaves me to do the explaining. Very well,” the lookalike sighed. A huff could be heard on the other side of the space. “Come with me, Kai. Dragonic Overlord, you too.”

Kai glanced at his avatar, Dragonic Overlord at his Vanguard, and the two followed him past the wall and into a secluded space, surrounded by white light. Their guide threw his arms backwards. As a result, the room turned dark, revealing only a view of what appeared to be the Planet Cray, the moon, and Earth along with another planet Kai didn’t recognize. The three had a thread of blue, purple, white and pink light woven through each, connecting them.

“What-What is this?” Kai breathed. Not that he believed fully anything he saw so far, but he couldn’t believe his eyes.

“You witnessed the fight between Aichi and Takuto under the influence of Planet Brandt’s leader, Destiny Conductor,” he mentioned. “so you know of Cray and Earth’s relationship.”

“Kinda, yeah,” Kai replied, not sure where his guide was headed with that question.

“And, you’re familiar with Psyqualia, yes?”

Kai stood up a little straighter, his shoulders a tad higher.

“Thought so,” the lookalike replied. “All Psyqualia users, when awakened on Earth, have two selves – the earthen self who participate in Vanguard fights on Earth and the pure form Psyqualia self who takes on the appearance of the user and resides in the homeland of the user’s clan on Cray. We were created on what you humans call the moon, but thanks to a mortal error of the Concert Master before this last one, we became an intricate link connecting the three and now Brandt as well.”

“Wait, does that mean he . . . ?” Kai started to ask but cut himself off once he realized the answer to his question.

“Yes,” the guide answered anyway. “The one who looks like Sendou Aichi, the one who led you here is Aichi’s pure form Psyqualia. I had him call you and bring you here.”

“If that’s the case, then are you –“ Kai started to say.

“I’m your pure form Psyqualia, yes.”

The brunet couldn’t help but laugh a little harder than he usually did, with Dragonic Overlord looking on. He had his doubts about any of what he’d experienced being real. That answer just proved them right.

“That-That can’t be right,” he said, breathless from his laughing. “I renounced Psyqualia. I said I didn’t need the power. Even if I had that connection, my bond to Vanguard . . .” Kai winced, “. . . to Cray’s been severed. There’s no way.”

His lookalike only stared at Kai and crossed his arms. “’I think, therefore I am,’ huh? Don’t underestimate Psyqualia. Once we’re awakened, we can exist with or without you humans. Our power is not to be underestimated.”

Kai raised an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“To put it simply, even if you don’t use it, even if you choose to not take its power, your Psyqualia form still exists. From the moment the power manifests within you, it comes into being and exists for the lifetime of the wielder,” he explained.

Kai bit the bottom of his lip. He couldn’t abandon Psyqualia even if he wanted to. And that would explain why Ren still had his, despite his lack of interest in using it. Much like . . . Much like his tie – albeit weak – to Vanguard.

“And, yes, the Deletors did quite a number on you, didn’t they?” the lookalike nodded. “But, it’s not all hope is lost.”

Kai gasped. There was a solution to his problem? “What do you mean?”

“Even if the bond to Vanguard happens to be damaged or even destroyed, each clan has its own way of restoring that bond. And, if the person who has the damaged or destroyed bond possesses Psyqualia, we Psyqualia can help as well,” came the reply.

Rather than feeling joy at hearing the news, Kai instead became irritated – not at his Psyqualia but with the whole situation.

“What’s taking so long then?” Kai interjected. “It’s been months and I still struggle to play Vanguard, enjoy the game like I once did, to imagine myself here. It’s. It’s embarrassing.” The boy looked downward at the view of Cray, Earth, the Moon, and Brandt.

“I understand your frustration,” said the Psyqualia lifeform. “I’m just as annoyed as you are, believe me. But, sadly, Kagero was one of the clans hit hardest during the war, so the effort is more focused on rebuilding the area. So, it may be a little while longer before your bond is fully restored.”

“That can’t be . . .” Kai muttered, clutching his chest.

Feeling a nudge on the side of his face, he turned to find Dragonic Overlord, having shrunk to the size of a stuffed animal and taken his place on his shoulder.

“Overlord, you can do that?” Kai asked in surprise. The small Overlord grumbled and nodded, nuzzling up to the boy, who, in turn, massaged the top of his head with two of his fingers. The dragon roared happily, but it was clear something was bothering him still, as his eyes narrowed and head moved downward. Kai could only guess that he, as the main unit of the clan, felt responsible for what happened to him.

“Yes, it’s not just me who’s frustrated. It’s all of your units,” said Kai’s companion. “Especially Dragonic Overlord.”

A wave of sadness overwhelmed Kai. His struggle to get back into Vanguard wasn’t hurting only him. It was hurting his deck, his trusted companions, the ones who got him through thick and thin, and they were fighting to get him back as much as he’s struggling to return to the game he loved.

“Isn’t there anything-anything I can do?” Kai asked, his voice cracking.

“That’s . . .” The expression on Kai’s Psyqualia’s face mirrored Kai’s in response, and the small Dragonic Overlord gave a low grumble, which again sounded much like a cat purring. Kai looked at the miniature form of his avatar and rubbed the top of his head with his pointer finger, which made the dragon content, if only for a short while.

“As long . . .” Kai’s Psyqualia said, “ . . . as long as you don’t abandon Vanguard. As long as you keep playing, that bond will return, stronger than before. Believe in us, the Kagero Clan, and . . . believe in yourself, Kai Toshiki. Believe in your power, your existence.”

A short laugh escaped from Kai’s lips. “Really? Is that all? Well, if that’s so simple, then why am I still -”

“I’m sure I can start over.”

Kai jerked his head upward, with Dragonic Overlord holding on. “Those words . . .”

“. . . are what you told Ibuki after your bond was severed,” replied the lookalike. “You’ve already started the healing process. Just keep on that path, and stay with your friends. They’ll help you.” Kai’s Psyqualia looked at the floor below them, still showing a view of Earth, Cray, Brandt, and the Moon. Under his breath, he said, “As a matter of fact, one of them already has,” but Kai heard it.

“What do you mean?” Kai interjected, but the other refused to give an answer. Instead, he waved an arm, opening a door behind them. He, his Psyqualia, and Dragonic Overlord walked out and found the rest of Kagero – as well as Aichi’s Psyqualia – expectantly waiting. Aichi’s Psyqualia smirked and made his way next to Kai, wrapping an arm around him. “So, did that answer your many burning questions? No pun intended.”

Kai returned a smirk in response and closed his eyes. “It did, for the most part. And I finally get that this isn’t a dream, but . . .”

“But?”

“I still have trouble believing a brat like you is Aichi’s Psyqualia.”

Aichi’s Psyqualia crossed his arms and huffed, which incited snickering on part of the present Kagero units. Even Kai’s Psyqualia, who had seemed incapable of strong emotions up until that very moment, laughed.

“He’s a handful, isn’t he? Unfortunately, that’s just how he is,” he said.

“Oh, shut it, will ya?” Aichi’s Psyqualia interjected. “I’m a delight, thank you very much –“

“Delightfully annoying,” Kai’s Psyqualia dismissed him, which made the other even more irritated, with the Kagero units doubling even more over with laughter. “But, enough about him. We need to get you back to Earth, Kai.”

At that, Kai’s face fell. He hadn’t felt this disappointed, this hurt to be leaving somewhere, since he was tossed around from relative to relative as a child. It was a strange feeling, to him, but, on Planet Cray, he felt more at home than he’d ever been on Earth, even if he was the only human, even if his time there had been relatively short. Kagero . . . they were a family to him, a family he didn’t ever, ever want to lose. But, humans weren’t meant to stay on Cray forever, he guessed.

But, as long as he had Vanguard, even with a weak bond, he was still connected to them. At least that was some consolation.

And maybe. Maybe he could find a home on Earth too.

“Kai?” his Psyqualia asked as if he had been trying to get his attention for the last couple of seconds. The brunet jumped, having been jolted out of his train of thought, and noticed Overlord had hopped off his shoulder and become his full height once again.

“Sorry,” Kai mumbled. “But, before I go, I want to say something to these guys first.”

“Of course.”

Kai looked up, staring directly at each of the units gathered. He took a deep breath. “I know . . .” he started, “I know I’ve mentioned this before, when Psyqualia manifested for me, but I’m incredibly grateful for all of you. I don’t know how long it’ll take for my connection to Vanguard to fully heal, but I’ll do my best to come back to you guys as soon as I can. I’ll pay you back. I promise.”

One of the units who had a human-like red face with blue eyes and fiery red hair but the body and tail of a dragon – whom Kai recognized as Flame of Hope, Aermo – stepped forward, and bowed his head ever so slightly. “No need to pay us back, my Vanguard,” he said. “Your coming here has already done that and more, so we’ll support you as best we can here. Just keep fighting, okay?”

“Aermo . . .” Kai looked up to see the other units nodding in unison. He looked back at Dragonic Overlord, who gave a slight nod. Closing his eyes, Kai fought back tears, much to his surprise. He usually wasn’t this emotional.

“Okay, time’s up, we need to get ya outta here,” Aichi’s Psyqualia announced. At that moment, Kai was enveloped in a bright light, filled with purples and pinks and blues. He took one last look at the units – his units – closed his eyes again and smiled, letting the tears escape this time.

“I’ll come back, I promise.”

Planet Earth – Kai Toshiki’s Apartment

When Kai woke up, it was still nighttime; the pitch-black, moon-absent darkness gripped his bedroom, and the only light source was the red time on his alarm clock. He groggily turned over to check: 3 A.M. He still had more time to sleep before he had to get up for school. It was a good thing too, as the journey from Cray back to Earth had taken an unexpected physical toll on his body, particularly his chest.

But, when the boy eyed his deck next the clock, without thinking, he reached for and gripped it. His friends from Cray were here, and they were supporting him. They knew how much pain he was going through, having been separated from Vanguard, and they also were suffering just as much as he was. Neither of them had to go through this alone, though. As long as the card game existed, they could reach each other somehow, someway.

Holding the deck closer to him, as a young child would hold a stuffed animal, Kai went back to sleep.

~The Next Day~ Planet Earth - Card Capital

“Not bad, Miwa,” Kai commented, placing a card in the damage zone, having survived an onslaught of attacks somehow and limiting his damage to one.

Miwa let a short laugh escape. “Not so bad yourself! You sure improved over the last 24 hours. But, on my next turn, you’re still done.”

Kai surveyed the board, noting his overwhelming disadvantage. “Maybe so. I draw.” The brunet ripped a card from the top of his deck, and, upon looking at it, smiled.

“Flame of apocalypse that burns away everything in this world! Ride the Vanguard! Dragonic Overlord!”

Kai hadn’t noticed, but the rest of the shop as well as Miwa were all staring at him incredulously. Once Kai had placed his unit on the table in the Vanguard circle, though, he sensed all the stares in his direction, including Miwa’s.

“What?” he asked in an annoyed tone.

Miwa coughed and replied, “Wel-Well, it’s just. You sounded like your old self just now, and it really surprised me.”

“My old self, huh?” Kai glanced at his Vanguard and smiled. “I guess you could say that.”

Miwa made a “heh?” sound as a response. “Sounds like something happened yesterday after our match.”

Would Miwa believe that Kai was teleported to the Planet Cray, met his Psyqualia self and Aichi’s, and some of the Kagero clan? Maybe he would, maybe he wouldn’t. But, Kai didn’t feel like explaining the whole thing in detail, so he just shrugged his shoulders. Maybe he would tell it to him one day.

“It’s a long story.”

Planet Cray – United Sanctuary, Royal Paladin

Aichi’s Psyqualia floated his way through the pristine white halls of United Sanctuary, filled with statues of dragons and busts of the Royal Paladin greats, including one of the current ruler Monarch Sanctuary Alfred. He’d been going back and forth between United Sanctuary and Dragon Empire for a while, but he could never get used to how different Kagero and United Sanctuary were in atmosphere. The Dragon Empire definitely fit his aesthetic more in addition to the clan tolerating his jokes just a little more, but it’s not that he wished he belonged to that clan.

After all, he wouldn’t trade being that kid’s Psyqualia counterpart for the world. Aichi had guts under that soft exterior, and he liked people who had guts.

“Ah, here we are,” he said when he saw the stained glass rotunda and the tall, white thrones. Seated on the main throne in the middle were, of course, Monarch Sanctuary Alfred. Standing to his left was Blaster Blade with King of Knights Alfred sitting to the right. Aichi’s Psyqualia floated his way through the main corridor and towards the three nobles gathered, placing a hand across his chest and genuflecting to acknowledge the three nobles.

“I appreciate the welcome back party,” he said. “I was just expecting the big cheese Alfie and Bladey, so this is a real treat.”

Blaster Blade gave a sigh of what Aichi’s Psyqualia could only guess as irritation – it was the usual reaction from him – and said, “Can you at least be more respectful? You’re talking to the rulers of not just United Sanctuary but all of Planet Cray.”

He crossed his arms and harrumphed. “You’re no fun, Bladey.”

“It’s Blaster Blade.”

“Enough,” Monarch Sanctuary Alfred interrupted the two, his booming voice echoing throughout the throne room, sending a chill down Psyqualia’s non-existent spine. No wonder he didn’t talk much, Psyqualia realized. He can’t talk in a normal pitch. “Psyqualia, I trust that you completed your task, yes?”

Aichi’s Psyqualia once again genuflected, facing the floor, and smiling. “Aichi’s Psyqualia checking in. The Vanguard’s prayer has been received, delivered, and answered.”

Planet Earth – Card Capital

A high school boy wearing the red and black Miyaji Academy high school uniform walked into the shop and was immediately greeted by the chirping of the card shop’s resident black and white cat who was sitting on the counter, swishing his tail back and forth.

“Hello, Sub-Manager,” Aichi greeted the cat, gently patting him, and the cat meowed again and closed his eyes, indicating his approval. His time with Sub-Manager was cut short, however, when he heard the grumbling and cheering towards the back of the shop. Turning in the direction of the noise, he saw a crowd of people gathered at one of the tables.

“What’s going on back there?” Aichi mumbled to himself. At that moment, a man with a blue apron with a yellow “CC”, green hair, and thick-rimmed glasses appeared, carrying a box. Noticing Aichi, he said, “Ah, welcome, Aichi-kun.”

“Shin-san, what’s going on?” Aichi asked.

“Well, why don’t you go on and look for yourself?” was the reply. “You might find something very interesting.”

“Ehhhh,” Aichi replied. That definitely didn’t answer his question. Nonetheless, he did as Shin-san suggested and walked over to the table with the crowd of people, but still couldn’t see all that well because of his height, so he gently pushed his way through the crowd.

“Excuse me. Pardon me,” Aichi muttered, pushing past one taller person after another until he managed to get to the front. What he saw was more than interesting.

“K-Kai-kun?” Aichi couldn’t help but blurt out.

The brunet, who had his back to the boy, turned to face him, his expression changing from wonder to a soft smile. “Hi, Aichi.”

“Oh, Aichi!” his blond opponent shouted out. “Get this, I think Kai’s coming back around to Vanguard.”

“Miwa,” Kai hissed. Turning back to Aichi, he said, “I still have a ways to go, but . . .” he smiled, his eyes closed, “it’s easier for me to get through a fight without feeling exhausted, so . . . It’s a start, right?”

Aichi could feel tears forming in the back of his eyes, and he dug his fingernails into his palms to keep from crying, but a few managed to escape and run down his face. His prayer – that Kai-kun’s bond to Vanguard could start to be healed– had really been answered. And he couldn’t have been happier.

“That’s right, Kai-kun!”

#cardfight!! vanguard #cardfight!! vanguard v #cfv spoilers #kai toshiki #sendou aichi #miwa taishi #blaster blade #dragonic overlord #psyqualia

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mariequitecontrarie · 7 years ago

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Meet Me in the Courtyard: Part 5

Summary: Belle takes her new friend Leroy’s advice and shows up at Gold’s with dinner��unannounced and uninvited. The Fic: Belle hosts a monthly movie night in Storybrooke, always leaving the seat next to her empty. Gold loathes movies, yet movie night at the library is the one community event even he can’t seem to resist. Rating: T A/N: Written for the @a-monthly-rumbelling prompt: “Please don’t tell anyone.” I know it’s been forever and you’re probably wondering if I was ever going to update. Thanks to @still-searching47 for looking over this for me!

{On AO3} Previous parts: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

Branan Gold was a terrible excuse for a fugitive.

In the past two weeks, he had played duck and weave at the park, pretended to study a display of star fruit in the grocery store, and even crouched behind his display case in the shop, the tips of his ears burning with shame as he waited for a certain auburn-haired beauty to cross the street and pass by on the sidewalk.

Gold had been avoiding Belle French for exactly 13 days, ever since the pornography incident in his back room. The circumstances went far beyond his discomfiture at the X-rated seventies film his son Neal had loaded on the old-fashioned projector. Gold had behaved like an overgrown child, letting Ruby Lucas worm under his skin like an infection with her sardonic humor and cutting remarks. All he’d cared about in the moment was getting his pound of flesh on his own turf, but he’d regretted volleying back Ms. Lucas’s insults every day since.

Mostly he regretted embarrassing Belle, but he didn’t know quite how to apologize.

Besides getting tongue-tied in her presence, he was absolute garbage at playing inconspicuous. His bad knee made quick moves impossible, and his penchant for bespoke Italian wool caused him to stand out in a crowd. The worst part was, he didn’t want to avoid Belle—not really. Each time he’d seen her, he’d been unable to stop himself from staring—drinking in her remarkable beauty had become a habit he couldn’t seem to break. He’d longed to reach out, to say hello, tease her into speaking first. He was half agony and half hope that she would walk up to him and slap his smug face or yell at him at the top of her lungs. Anything to break the tense silence between them. But other than waiting for Belle to make the first move, what other option was available?

Leaning heavily on his cane, Gold poured himself another healthy glass of scotch—his third of the evening—and wondered not for the first time why he was such an unmitigated ass. It’s self-preservation, nothing more.

Another plaintive whine came from the back porch from the half-grown puppy he’d found in the alley between his shop and the Fish and Chips place next door. The dog had shown up about a month ago, fur muddy and smelling of sewage. He’d rolled up his shirtsleeves and given him a bath in the sanitary tub and a bowl of kibble, and the puppy had come around every morning for a week, whimpering at Gold with wet, melting brown eyes. One afternoon he had followed Gold home and set up camp on the porch. Little savage. He could hang around outside of the house all he liked, but if he didn’t leave off the crying and scratching at the door, Gold was going to make good on his repeated threats to call Animal Control.

Ignoring the whimpering pup, he limped over to his favorite leather recliner, settled against the worn leather, then pulled an afghan over his legs. Hell, maybe he’d even sleep downstairs tonight. It seemed like exactly the sort of thing a crabby old bastard would do. His bad knee was tired, loose and wobbly from the effects of the alcohol, warm and languid in his veins.

He flipped on the television and leafed through the channels till he found something mindless. The Cooking Channel was doing a foodumentary on the history of popcorn—his ex-wife’s favorite. Foul, disgusting excuse for a snack. He slumped deeper into chair and forced himself to watch the program, disgust keeping him from drifting back into daydreams of Belle using his shoulder as a pillow while their fingers intertwined inside a box of Junior Mints.

Another insistent whine filtered through the back wall of the house, and when the mewls turned to howls, Gold drained his glass of scotch in one fiery gulp and peered at the blank screen of his cell phone. What a pathetic sack he was.

There was no point in pursuing this thing with Belle, only to be cast aside when she discovered what everyone else already had—he was too boring to bother truly knowing and too damaged inside to be worth the trouble. He was like one of those vases that eager, star-eyed innocents took onto Antiques Roadshow, hoping to strike it big with a valuable piece—the veneer was smooth and polished, but the vessel itself worth the grand total of $20 and change.

Gold glanced at the back windows; it was only September—still warm enough outside for an animal to be safe and comfortable—but maybe he should let the dog in for a couple of hours.

The doorbell rang, its obnoxious peal echoing through the house. Gold scowled; no one ever came to visit, so it was either a sales call or his son. The boy was always forgetting his key; it was a miracle he had survived three years of college in Boston. All he’d managed to accomplish was spending $200,000 in tuition for a pre-law degree and getting expelled a semester before graduation. Neal’s lock-picking skills weren’t appreciated—particularly when executed on university property.

At 22, the boy was taking a year to find himself. Translation: he was situated at the top of the stairs in his old bedroom, spending his days playing video games and his evenings doodling in a notebook and making eyes at Emma Swan. So much wasted potential.

Muttering as he padded into the hallway, Gold threw open the door.

To Belle French.

“I’ve brought Chinese,” she announced, peeking over the top of a huge brown paper bag.

Shoots of steam snaked into the cooling evening air, causing curly tendrils of hair to stick to her forehead. Gold took a half-step backward in surprise. He’d never expected her to show up here. Every lousy excuse he’d made about why continuing their friendship was a terrible idea flew out of his brain like bats swarming out of a cave at dusk.

Yes, he was a terrible fugitive indeed.

“I hope you haven’t had dinner yet.” The question in her muffled voice came from behind the bag.

His stomach gurgled on command, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten since breakfast. He’d thought to simply polish off the bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue and pass out in his recliner, but he decided against sharing such pitiful plans.

Gold sniffed the air in appreciation. “Sizzling garlic shrimp?”

The bag lowered, and her face split in a wide smile, all shell pink lips and gleaming white teeth. “I wouldn’t dare darken your door without it.”

He hefted the bag from her arms with a short laugh. The scotch had done its job, and he was a little tipsy, his head fuzzy. “Come on in,” he said, leading the way through the foyer into the kitchen.

The bag seemed bottomless as Belle pulled out an endless parade of white square cartons, lining them up on the counter like little soldiers. Auburn curls were tousled around her shoulders, and she looked deliciously at home in his kitchen in blue jeans and a fitted white oxford shirt unbuttoned almost to the middle of her chest. A frilly pink tank top accentuated her lovely breasts and creamy skin. He shifted his weight and clenched the handle of his cane.

“You’ve enough to feed an army in here,” he said, dragging his gaze away from her décolletage. A pamphlet fluttered to the floor and he swiped it up, relieved to have something useful to do. “And dry cleaning coupons?”

“Those are for you. Compliments of Leroy over at Snowy White’s.” Another one of her sunny smiles lit up the dreary room.

“I’ve never gotten a coupon from Leroy in ten years of taking my suits there. He must really like you.” Instead of staring at her like a halfwit, he busied himself with fetching napkins and silverware, while Belle dished up plates piled high with garlic shrimp, Singapore noodles, fried rice, and boneless spare ribs.

The steam rolled off the food in white, puffy waves, making his forehead tingle. A few minutes later they were ready to sit down, and his buzz was already wearing off. He leaned against the counter for support; his face felt numb, his tongue two sizes too big for his mouth. How stupid would he look if he dropped his food? His sweaty hands tightened around the edges of his plate as he shuffled toward the kitchen table.

“I’m hot,” he blurted, his leg twitching when Belle chose the chair beside his. “I meant the food is hot. Not me. I’m not hot…” His upper lip prickled with sweat, and he blotted his face with a napkin.

Belle set her fork down. “Gold?”

“Yes?”

She smiled, her azure eyes soft and kind. “Relax, okay? It’s just takeout, not an interrogation.”

“I appreciate that, Belle, but I need to say something.”

“All right.” She folded her hands and bit down on her lower lip.

“I’m really sorry for my behavior at the shop a couple of weeks ago.” He swallowed past the lump in his throat. “The movie was inexcusable, but so was my treatment of Miss Lucas.”

“It’s all right. I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have left without saying goodbye. Ruby was rude to both of us, and it made me so angry I couldn’t see straight. And then I saw you out at the market and on the street, but I didn’t know what to say. So many times I started to walk over and talk to you, but I couldn’t get the words out.” She bit her lip again. “Then a friend gave me some advice. He told me if I truly cared about this—us—I had to find a way in, break the tension. So here I am.”

“I’m glad.” The tightness in his chest loosened and he twirled a forkful of lo mein round and round while it cooled. Knowing he wasn’t alone in his nervousness—or his growing feelings—gave him more hope than he’d had in a long time. “And you don’t owe me an apology, Belle. Nothing that happened was your fault.”

“You know—” she placed her warm, soft hand over his—“we spend an awful lot of our time together apologizing and explaining ourselves. Let’s just eat some dinner and chat about normal things.”

He turned his hand over and squeezed her fingers. “I would like that.”

She scooted closer, until their knees touched under the table. “How was your day at the shop? Have you acquired any fascinating new objects?”

“Knock, knock.” Neal entered through the back door, an arm draped around Emma Swan’s shoulders. “Hiya Pop. Is this a moo shu pork party?”

Perfect.

“It was a party for two,” Gold muttered under his breath. He dropped his fork on a sigh, his hopes of a quiet evening with Belle dashed. For once, things had been going well and selfishly, he didn’t want to share her or open himself up to embarrassment. “As usual, son, your timing is impeccable.”

“Yeah?” Neal chuckled, eyeing the countertop filled with takeout boxes. “I’ve got a talent for sniffing out Chinese.”

Gold snorted. “I think you mean food in general. Belle, this is Bae, er, Neal, and his girlfriend, Emma.”

“I remember.” Belle grinned at his son and Emma, welcoming and gracious as always. “Join us, please! And help yourselves—I brought plenty.”

xoxo

It hadn’t been the Saturday night she’d planned, but it was the most pleasant one Belle had spent in weeks.

Buoyed by Leroy’s pep talk, she had abandoned her cheeseburger and stomped up Gold’s porch steps, her stilettos clicking in time to the nervous thump of her heart. She rang the doorbell and held her breath, clutching the oversized sack of Chinese food to her chest like a lifeline. She’d never shown up at anyone’s house with dinner unannounced. Maybe she should have called first to make sure he was home, or hadn’t eaten, or if he still liked Chinese food, or…

Belle, you think too much. Leroy’s encouragements echoed in her ears.

But she needn’t have worried. Gold’s home was an extension of his shop—comfortable and resembling a museum in its vast collection of things; teeming with gleaming wall-to-wall hardwood, threadbare area rugs, and antiques of all shapes and sizes. Then there was the man himself who, beneath the grouchy exterior, was so much more than met the eye. His insightful questions about the library and his admiring glances made her feel intelligent and special, and she felt herself redden when he insisted on pulling out her chair when she rose from the table.

After a lively dinner, Belle, Gold, Neal, and Emma moved to the den to nibble on Mr. Wong’s trademark fortune cookies and fresh oranges. Belle sank into the leather loveseat and patted the spot beside her. Gold looked surprised, but he moved his arm over the back of the sofa and edged half an inch closer. Belle frowned; she would have to work harder on putting him at ease and showing him his touch was welcome.

“Thank you for dinner, Belle.” His lips almost grazed her ear and Belle shivered in delight. “Everything was delicious.”

“That Chinese was money and I’m stuffed.” Neal dropped onto the couch opposite the loveseat with a groan. “Caps lock on the delicious, Belle.”

“My pleasure. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.”

“Anyway, how is work at the library? I mean, I don’t really do the thing with the…” Neal mimed turning pages. “Ya know, with the books?”

“Reading?” Gold supplied dryly, and they all laughed.

The younger man was goofy, but his wide grin and the laugh lines bracketing his generous mouth were absolutely charming, reminding Belle of his father’s cautious, lopsided smile. Every so often, Gold grinned wide enough to showcase his generous dimples and Belle’s heart fluttered. She wanted to press a kiss to his cheek and nuzzle her face against his whiskers. She wanted to sink her hands into his hair and pull him in for a kiss, right in front of Neal and Emma.

If she was attracted to Gold before tonight, watching the interactions between father and son had her half in love with him. Their gentle squabbling was endearing, the way Gold pretended to be put out with his son, yet pride was an undercurrent in every word he said.

“But I dig on the whole movie thing you’re doing outside,” Neal added, scanning Netflix in search of something for them all to watch.

“Me too,” Emma hollered from the kitchen where she was making hot chocolate. “I like the way you mix new releases in with classics.”

“Papa loves to read, though. He likes orchestra and opera and poetry.” Neal carried a fistful of fried noodles to his mouth. “All that classy shit. Just like you.”

“Your father—and his love of ‘classy shit’—is absolutely charming.” Belle linked her arm through his and sidled closer until she and Gold were seated hip-to-hip, thighs pressed together, his delicious, spicy scent making her nostrils flare and the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

“Charming, huh?” Another grin split Neal’s face, and he leaned forward, warming to his task of would-be matchmaker. “You know, he’s an animal lover, too.”

Belle squeezed Gold’s knee, delighted when he jumped a bit. He wasn’t as unaffected by her as he pretended to be. “Yes, you have quite a few strays coming to the side door of the shop for scraps, don’t you, Gold? Before you know it, you’ll have a pet of your own.” She cocked her head and sipped her Gewürztraminer, hearing another tiny mewl from outside. “Speaking of animals, I’ve been hearing barking from the direction of the backyard all evening. Do the neighbors have a dog?”

The patter of tiny feet clicked against the floorboards, and a half-grown chocolate brown pug with a square face rounded the back of the sofa and jumped into Gold’s lap.

“Oh!” Belle squealed.

“Your dog was crying outside, Mr. Gold,” Emma called. “So I let him in.”

“This isn’t my dog.” Gold crossed his arms and tried to wriggle away. “He’s just another stray. Take him back outside.”

“Right.” Neal snorted. “You just feed him and let him sleep here. Makes total sense. I suppose that’s not his water bowl out in the pantry, too.” He lifted a stack of mail. “Look, here’s his vet bill—right on top.”

The puppy wormed against Gold’s chest, nudging Belle out of the way with a plaintive moan, then attacked his master’s face with a long pink tongue.

“Oh, he loves you, Gold. Adorable, darling thing!” Belle cooed at the puppy and scratched him behind the ears. An animal lover herself, she spent every Saturday morning at the Storybrooke Animal Shelter. Sometimes she would sit on the tile floor and cuddle the dogs for her entire shift. “What’s his name?”

“He doesn’t have a name. He doesn’t live here because he doesn’t belong to me, the little beastie.” To prove his point, Gold scooped the puppy up and deposited him into Belle’s lap.

“Why are you such a hard ass?” Neal shook his head.

“Years of practice.” Gold waved a hand. “But if you don’t like it, feel free to move out of your old bedroom and into your own place.”

“I think he’s hungry,” Belle said, ignoring Gold’s harsh words and gruff demeanor. The grooves in his forehead softened when he looked at that little wrinkled black face, the same way they did when he looked at his son.

“I don’t think we should feed a dog Chinese food,” Emma announced, returning from the kitchen. She tapped the dark frame of her glasses. “Too rich for his stomach.”

Neal nodded. “You’re right, babe. How about a piece of that leftover pizza, instead? Pizza crust is a lot like a bagel.”

“Great idea. I’ll go get it.” Emma went back to the kitchen, her long ponytail swinging behind her, and Belle hid a grin as Neal watched her go. He was head-over-heels with the lovely, no-nonsense blonde, and Belle thought they made an excellent match.

Belle squinted in thought. She didn’t wish to intrude, but feeding a puppy takeout was never a good idea. “What about puppy chow?” she suggested.

They all looked at Gold, who opened his mouth, then clamped it shut without saying a word.

Neal sent his father another feigned disgusted look. “We don’t have any. He’s not our dog.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Gold muttered. “His food is in the closet at the top of the stairs.” He turned to Belle, his amber eyes wide and beseeching. “Please don’t tell anyone about this.”

“You have my word.” She splayed her hand over her heart, which was now pounding so hard she thought the entire neighborhood could hear it.

Forget halfway; she was almost certainly three-quarters of the way in love with him.

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#rumbelle fic #a monthly rumbelling #rumbelle #belle x mr. gold #swanfire #meet me in the courtyard #mqc writes

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