#according to my instructor this is meant to get us to stop thinking about the figure and the other aspects of the scene as different objects

[hexeratii]

Did some interesting figure studies today where we weren't allowed to define any points where the figure touched themself or another object.

I found it so counterintuitive to try and draw like this but it definitely creates some very visually interesting results.

[hozierandco]

Henry Cavill x Reader / Lessons / SMUT

A/N: Henry has to learn how to play golf for a film but his teacher may teach him a bit more than golf. In which Henry is a clumsy cinnamon roll. Inuendos intended, sorry not sorry. SMUT: oral sex (female receiving), vaginal sex, teasing, cursing, cumshot. Read at your own risk.

For the sake of a film in which he would play an aristocrat, Henry had to know how to play golf. He had agreed to it though he never had one single piece of knowledge on the matter.

Him who had done life-endangering stunts was not going to abandon for golf. He had three weeks before the beginning of the set and had decided to spend his holidays at a golf resort off in Scotland where he was determined to master the skills to that sport.

Y/N had been working at the Baurheid Club for the past five summers. The rest of the year, she lived in Glasgow but since her uncle was the club's manager and since she knew all about golf, she kept on working there.

The season was about to start and she was in charge of giving private classes for top-notch clients. Her rock solid privacy was celebrated by all and she was the perfect fit to deal with bankers and members of the idle class. An actor was about to complete the list.

"Y/N, here's the list of your clients for the next week"

Three names as each client required all attention. Quality over quantity was the motto of the club on that regard. The second one rang a bell to Y/N: Henry Cavill.

"Why does that name sound familiar? We've already have him, perhaps?" Y/N asked to Olivia who was welcoming the clients in the resort and who happened to be a close friend to Y/N.

"He's an actor, you fool" she replied in a moment of rest from the wave of clients "A handsome one too, lucky you!"

Instead of rejoicing along with Olivia, Y/N just hoped he was not the megalomaniac kind and that he wouldn't be a nightmare to work with. She went on with her day, many things had to be fixed before her first classes the next day.

Henry arrived by the entrance desk where Olivia acknowledged him and welcomed her just like any other client, in spite of her shouting internally. He had packed the bare minimum so his installment was brief.

The next day, it was almost noon when he woke up so he took himself out to the cafeteria.

Y/N had finished her first class of the day with a young member of the Dutch royal family and was gaining back the main accomodatio, up to the staff's lunch room. She had not changed clothes as she was not to meet any client.

Or so she thought.

"Oh, come on now!" Y/N heard someone grunting in her back as she was about to open the door to the place where she had left her food. She turned around only to see a frustrated Henry Cavill.

"May I help you, sir?" Y/N asked.

"Yes, please!" Henry jumped on the occasion "I'm looking for the lunch room but I always end up in this corridor... It's a bloody labyrinth there", he added holding back a nervous laugh.

Henry came back from his frustration as his misery was coming to an end with Y/N's arrival and that's on his way back that he noticed just how splendid Y/N was.

"Please, let me be your guide"

"Thank you very much. By the way, I'm Henry"

"And I'm Y/N", she responded making the connection with the photograph of Henry Olivia had shown her on her phone.

Along their journey to the lunch room, the two of them made some small talk while Y/N had to keep her composure. Olivia was right, he was bloody handsome. Even more so that on any photograph. And besides, he was visibly not a douche but an angel, making her feel at ease early on in their conversation.

As they arrived by the cafeteria filled with expensive furniture, the actor accompanied his "thank yous" with an offer: "I'm all alone at the resort, I could use some company for the lunch"

It was tempting if it wasn't for the fact that Y/N and the whole staff wasn't allowed to eat with the clients.

"Oh I see..." Henry said as Y/N explained the situation "But what if it's the client's decision. Isn't the customer always right?" he completed, glad he had found this trick to make her stay.

"Well, I suppose that it's the rule, yeah..." Y/N had been upset to decline the offer but she figured that indeed, she could stay a little while. Besides, the cafeteria was big enough for her not to be seen by anyone.

"It's a yes, then?"

"Yes, it is"

"So, what do you do here anyway?" Henry asked her as he came back from the buffet.

"I'm a golf instructor"

"Well, in that case, I'll probably see you on the green"

"About that, I should probably tell you that I'm the one who's gonna take care of your lessons for as long as you stay"

"I cannot wait. Though I should apologise in advance"

Y/N quizzed him by fixing his eyes. Shit, those eyes... Don't stare, don't stare, Y/N thought.

"I'm probably the worst golf player in Britain"

***

"You want to hold it like that" Y/N informed the way to seize the putter as she placed herself behind the impressive stature she had in front of her.

She could not believe that she was giving in the cliché of being glued to get someone to play golf.

Henry had not exaggerated, he indeed was pretty bad. In fact, he lacked of coordination and Y/N had to constantly remind him of how he was supposed to swing his body.

"May I?"

"Yes!" Henry was relieved to hear that he would get more help from her as she suggested than she could grab his arms to show the move.

She took his arms by the elbows. Henry being in a polo, she could feel all of his muscles under her touch.

"There, that's right! You've got the move. Now try to hit the ball"

And Henry executed himself but failed to even graze it. He snickered and then gave in a frank laughter that Y/N echoed.

"Right, you're gonna need to spend more time with me, Mr. Cavill"

"It's all I'm dreaming of. Dinner with me tonight in the garden?"

The class ended and for Y/N, it meant the beginning of her third and last class of the day.

As it was only 4 pm, Henry joined the games room where he had a view on the green where Y/N was helping an old lady to practice.

Of course, Y/N was too busy to notice him but it didn't stop him to smile like a child at her.

He was admiring her grace and her air of benevolence when a man came to him "She's a beauty, isn't she?"

Henry nodded at the stranger who in turns carried on "It must run in the family"

As Henry took his eyes oof of Y/N to see whom he was talking to, the stranger introduced himself "I'm Max, the club's manager. Y/N's uncle"

"Oh! How do you do? I'm Henry"

Max nodded, knowing very well who his select guest was.

"Is she a great teacher to you?"

"For sure. It's just that I'm a terrible pupil"

Max laughed along with Henry "Ah, son, she'll make a great player out of you"

The dinner happened. Henry had changed into another polo paired with camel chinos.

Y/N too had changed into a strapless floral dress with brown sandals. She greeted Henry as she sat down in the grass on which Henry had displayed a basket of fruits.

They started drinking and talking as the moon rose in the sky.

"I've talked with your uncle this afternoon"

"Oh have you? He's quite something, isn't he?"

"That he is. According to him, you're the greatest teacher out there"

"And you doubt it?"

"I'll try to be as good as a lamb for you"

After dinner, Y/N suggested that they take a walk around the resort. Any way to make the night last longer was worth seizing.

Everything was calm. No one around. Under their feet, the grass was slightly wet as dew had started forming and tinting their shoes.

Y/N took off her shoes, soon followed by Henry who had not done something as spontaneous as throwing a picnic in a very long time.

With their shoes in their hands, they carried on walking on the grass as crickets were going for a symphony and more and more windows got dark afar.

"It's been ages since I hadn't spent a lovely night like that" Henry sighed with pleasure "but that being said, I should hit my bed if I want to be at the top of my performance for my strict instructor"

The two of them had gotten very close to one another "If I stay now, I'm staying the whole night" Henry commented as Y/N's lips were dangerously close to his.

"I would let you" Y/N replied.

***

Henry and Y/N had met regularly apart from the times set for the classes over the last two weeks and if Henry had barely gotten better, the two of them had grown fond of the other. They had kissed on the fourth night, but both of them were not craving for more. Henry did not wish to rush things, nor did Y/N though the tension became unbearable.

"Do you think your uncle would kick you out if you spent the night at my room tonight?" Henry ventured as the class was over, wishing that he could kiss her right there, on the green.

"I wouldn't mind being kicked out if it meant spending the night with you" Y/N answered as she put back the clubs in the trolley.

After they finished eating at their favourite spot, Henry seized Y/N's hand and together they traveld to his room.

As Henry opened the door, he preceded Y/N,cupping her face with his hands to make her follow him in the suite.

He shut the door behind her and took her in his arms, only letting go on her after having carefully laid her on the bed.

"It is my turn to teach you a lesson, baby", he purred in her ear as he had let his lips wander from her legs to her face.

He placed his body over Y/N's but suddenly he got repentant and cursed "Fuck, I came here with nothing..."

Of course, Henry had no plans of making love to his instructor when he had booked holidays at the resort and found himself caught off guard, without protection for the night.

"In my purse" Y/N told him where to look.

"You might just be the most prepared teacher ever"

"Just grab it" Y/N begged him as he was going for encores, giving another sequel of kisses to her skin.

Henry ripped the scabbard and took his apparel out of his trousers, dressing it for the occasion.

Gracious God! There was lot to look at...

Fully erect, Henry came back in bed where Y/N was trying her best not to stare at the length.

"You sure about this?" Henry inquired as he aligned himself.

"Never been more sure in my whole life"

Henry then slid his member, inch by inch to be sure that Y/N was coping with what she was given.

He was just half through when it began to hurt.

"It's alright, doll!" Henry consoled her "I'm sorry, I'll go slow, I promise"

Henry found his way out as he had an idea to ease the process. Y/N still under him, he got down on her and made a feast of the flesh flashing before his eyes.

There was no doubt: he was much better at this than with golf.

As Y/N looked down at the face that had found shelter between her legs, she noticed just how dedicate he was. He was giving it all the attention required.

His eyes were glistening by the feeble light above their head.

Henry's cock was beating a rhythm of its own, pleased at it was that Henry was able to make Y/N moan with just his tongue and fingers.

The resort was known for "its quiet nights" and "tranquil setting" but tonight, Henry was eager to go off the rails.

It did have the expected effect on Y/N since her lair had gotten damp. Henry let her come back from the mountain she had climbed before he dived inside.

This time around, the whole length got in no sooner said than done.

"You're just so gorgeous!" Henry articulated with difficulty as he was carrying his moves, putting more energy by every second that went by.

Y/N's fingers borrowed the path drawn by his torso which was dripping with sweat "You're one very good student. And a very hot one too"

Henry's heart was pounding in his chest as he lifted Y/N's legs to put them by each side of his spine. That way, he reached a new spot with the tip of his penis which made Y/N pant with his name on her lips.

"Henry!" she cried her lungs out through the dark of the night. The tranquil nights long gone.

"Come for me, doll!"

She didn't have to hear twice as she was unleashing her falls.

But Henry was insatiable. Though teased twice by the sight of Y/N coming for him, his cock was still showing no sign of weakness.

He was willing to let go of her lover to give her some rest while he would take care of himself but Y/N stopped him as he was about to take off the condom.

"I wouldn't mind a third lesson" she told him "Let's change the angle. Show me how your swing's going. As for your stamina, Mr. Cavill, it got much better"

Y/N got on all fours, spreading her legs for Henry to come up behind her. As he entered the well, Y/N stretched herself so that she in turn allowed more of Hnery to get in and out.

Henry was admiring the view as he held Y/N by her hips, pounding her.

In and out, fast at first, the sounds of his cock hitting the bottom of her cunt.

Then Henry who got tired of the the action - and who was not going to hold it back for very much longer as Y/N's moans were rushing his climax - got slow, savouring every second he had ahead of him before he would come too.

Sensing that Y/N was close to get her third orgasm as she got tight around his cock, he decided for her to come to do so as well, and hoped that it would arrive soon.

She did come, shouting and laughing as she came back.

"I don't want you to come in that. I want to see you coming for me, Henry"

Henry then quickly removed the piece of latex which was soiled with pre-cum. The sole fact of taking it off almost made him come.

Henry kneeled on the bed by the level of Y/N who was laying down and emptied himself on her stomach.

"I cannot wait for our next class" Henry said in a sigh as he rested his limbs by Y/N.

[sunmoonandeddie]

feelings are fatal (17/24)

pairing: bucky barnes x reader, past steve rogers x reader

word count: 3,346

summary: After the events of Endgame, you struggle to come to terms with what you’ve lost, though you’re learning that you still have something to gain.

chapter warnings: swearing, violence, creepy men

masterlist

a/n: HEYYYYY HAPPY TWO YEAR BLOG BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!

Bucky’s heart was pounding as he finally shook the last of the Hydra goons that had been chasing him, glancing every which way just to double check.

He didn’t feel good about this.

It hadn’t even been ten minutes since the two of you had gotten separated, and he hated it. Granted, he always hated being away from you, had since you were fifteen.

Back then it was because he didn’t trust the Red Room instructors. Now it was because he was in love with you and being away from you made him feel like a part of his heart was missing.

Speed walking towards the entrance of Coney Island, he dug his phone out of his pocket and dialed Pepper’s number.

“Oh, my god, thank god. What the hell is wrong with you?” Pepper demanded angrily of him. “Do neither of you know how to answer your phones? Are you okay?”

“I don’t know,” he said. He could hear his blood pumping in his ears. “We had to separate so I could try to lead the bad guys away, but they just… disappeared. I’m heading for our meeting spot now.”

Morgan and a few other kids were babbling in the background about how their day had gotten cut short, but he knew that the littlest Stark would understand better than anyone else once they explained to her.

Pepper was suspiciously quiet for… a long time. A long, long time.

“Pepper?” Bucky whispered, his voice cracking.

There was an unspoken question between them.

What if he’d fucked up?

Should he have stayed with her?

What if they’d gotten to her?

And one that was looming over his head, heavier than ever.

What if he never got to tell you how he felt?

“I’m here,” she said reassuringly.

“What if…” Bucky’s heart cracked inside of his chest. His throat was closing up with each passing second, his flesh palm sweaty. Keeping his grip on his cell phone was becoming a challenge. “What if I n-never g-get to tell her h-how I feel?”

“Don’t think like that.”

“God, I’m so fucking stupid,” he cursed as he made his way to the aquarium. His eyes flickered around the crowd, almost hoping he’d see the two women from earlier. They would’ve recognized you and might’ve seen you.

But there was no sign of them.

“Those fucking special skills or whatever would really come in fucking handy right now,” he cursed. With the way people were parting like the Red Sea in front of him, he knew he probably had his less-than-friendly expression on.

His Murder Face, as you called it.

Or his Resting Bitch Face, according to Sam.

Bucky ran his vibranium hand over his face as he tried not to panic. For one, he hadn’t even gotten to the meeting spot yet. Most likely, you were there waiting for him and he was worrying over nothing. “Tony and Natasha will haunt me forever if I let something happen to her.”

A sigh resounded over the phone. “You didn’t let something happen to her, Bucky. Hell, we don’t even know if something is wrong with her yet. But they both know that you have… you have literally devoted your entire being to taking care of her, protecting her. You did what you thought was the best option in the moment. And maybe… Maybe there was no getting out of that ambush without something happening to one of you.”

Rounding the corner to the tunnel, his heart stopped inside his chest.

You weren’t there.

“Bucky? Bucky? What’s going on? You there? What’s happening?”

It was like the world around him had gone fuzzy, and all he could hear was a ringing in his ears.

You weren’t there.

You weren’t there, and it was all his fault.

He told you to go to the tunnel.

How fucking stupid was he? The tunnel was possibly the worst place he could’ve told you to go to. It’s closed off, a literal tube with water all around you except two very small exits that were easily blocked.

What had he done?

Slumber had come easy for you for once. You were so exhausted, even your bones weary, from dancing all day. And by all day, that meant for over twelve hours because of your sadistic new instructor.

The last one had been… disposed of.

You’d woken at sunrise as usual and gone straight to ballet, only for the instructor to not let you go after the normal three hour class.

The rest of the girls filed out of the dance studio, some glancing back at you in curiosity.

There was no worry in their eyes. It was every girl for themselves these days.

If you thought real hard, you could remember a time when you all looked out for each other. You would braid each other’s hair, give a warning if any of the instructors or Madame B were near. If someone didn’t wake up when they were supposed to, the girls would shake her awake and help her get ready on time.

But that time was no more.

Those that ran the infamous Red Room didn’t like when their… students banded together. Things were better for them when you all hated each other and sought ways to sabotage the others.

It made you more likely to kill during a sparring session, and they only wanted girls who were willing to go all the way.

“Is there something you needed from me, madam?” You asked, your hands folded behind your back, spine straight, your chin high.

Good posture had been beaten into you within a week of arrival.

You didn’t forget a lesson like that anytime soon.

The instructor was new to you girls, though you had been told she wasn’t new to the Red Room. She’d been one of you, once upon a time.

One of the few who had survived to graduation, and then lived long enough after to be brought back as an instructor.

“I’m told you’re a prodigy,” she drawled as she slowly walked towards you, her platinum blonde hair pulled into a tight ballerina bun much like your own. While all of you girls wore black leotards, hers was a pale lilac, a shimmering rehearsal skirt tied around her waist that swished around her thighs. “That you are Madame B’s new pride and joy… Though, just based on your dancing, there is absolutely nothing to be prideful of. It is a surprise to me that you haven’t been… taken care of.”

The implication was clear.

Just based on that morning’s class, she thought you were bad enough at ballet to be killed.

Was it possible she just wanted you executed now? Was she about to do so?

Even though Madame B would be pissed, there were more girls that they could train. She’d only be upset for so long before she’d have a new prodigy, a new pride and joy.

Before the Soldat would have a new trainee.

Before your Soldat would have a new trainee. All the other Soldats could have all the trainees they wanted, but your Soldat, your Seven… The thought of him training another girl made bile rise up in your throat.

“Do you have pointers for things I could work on, madame?” You asked, shoulders tensing as she circled you. Like a vulture ready to scavenge a dying animal.

“I simply thought I could lend you some extra practice time,” she said, a sickly sweet smile spreading over her lips as she looked you up and down. “And don’t worry about Madame B and your other instructors. I already let them know that I wanted extra time with you today.”

The way she was speaking was setting off alarms in your mind.

“Perfect,” you said clearly, not letting your fear show. The instructors could smell fear and would use it against you until your heart stopped beating.

“Do you know the role of Aurora in the Sleeping Beauty ballet?” She asked, eyes cold. When you nodded, she chuckled. “Good. You’ll be dancing it on pointe, start to finish. Now.”

You were shocked when she then turned and started the music, but you did as she said.

Now, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty is his longest ballet ever, at almost four hours long.

And you danced all of it.

“Below average,” the instructor said, glaring daggers at you. “Again.”

You needed water desperately, your lungs fighting for air as you pretended to be unbothered by having done that by taking slow, even breaths.

But you had to do it again.

And again.

Every time you finished, she gave some comment about how your dancing was shit, how you’d never be good enough.

At this point, you wished she would simply kill you and get it over with. You were exhausted and your muscles felt like they were going to give out at any moment.

“MALEN’KAYA!”

You fell out of your pirouette in your shock, gasping as your ankle twisted and you fell to the ground. “Fuck!”

Your Soldat stormed into the dance studio as you looked up, eyes wide.

When had he gotten back? He’d been on a mission for the past few days, and fuck, you’d missed him something fierce.

“Soldat,” the instructor breathed out as she stopped moving, staring up at him with blue eyes. “Remember me?”

“Yes,” he said, glaring at her like she was a pile of dog shit he’d stepped in.

She moved towards him, her hand coming to rest on his chest. “I was hoping to see—” She was cut off as he raised his hands to hold her face. The harsh woman looked so… soft for him. “I missed you. Did you miss me?”

“No,” he snarled, his voice dropping almost an octave. “You should’ve thought twice before touching my malen’kaya.”

The light that had been in her eyes when she first saw him quickly disappeared as she realized she was totally, and utterly, fucked.

Your heart caught in your throat as he so easily twisted her head, a loud snap ringing through the air. He let her limp, lifeless body fall to the ground with a thump before turning and rushing to you. The darkness that had been in his face was long gone as he pulled you close, his hands running over you to try to find sources of injuries.

It took you a moment to realize he was speaking, your ears ringing as you stared at the dead woman on the ground.

“—you okay? What the hell happened? Who allowed this?” He asked, talking a mile a minute as he checked over you. Once he finally got to your pointe shoes, he took in a shaky breath. “I have to check,” he said as he reached for the pink ribbons tied around your ankles.

In the two years since you’d known him, you’d never seen his hands shake like they were.

Your eyes locked in on his face, his brows furrowed and his cheeks flushed, as he tentatively untied one of your pointe shoes. He slowly slipped it off, his breath catching in his throat as he looked at your foot. It was only when the second one came off that you finally looked at the damage.

Well… You were sure your feet could have looked much worse after dancing for over twelve hours, but… It still wasn’t pretty.

“I’m okay. It doesn’t hurt that bad,” you lied, trying to soothe him.

He was usually much more composed than this, his face harder.

Even when he was feeling a bit nicer, a bit softer, it was nothing like this.

The Soldat shook his head, looking absolutely pissed. “You don’t have to lie. Never lie to me.”

“I’m not lying,” you insisted. “But that might be because right now, they’re numb, so I can’t feel anything at all from about my ankles down. But that does mean I didn’t lie.”

You were attempting to joke with him, lighten up the mood a bit. However, he definitely didn’t seem to be taking the bait.

When you glanced over at the windows, for some reason you were surprised to see how late it was. “Oh.”

“Yeah,” he drawled as he scooped you up, leaving your pointe shoes behind as he carried you to the locker room. The man was somehow almost completely silent as he set you on a bench and grabbed a first aid kit out of what seemed to be thin air, before gently cleaning away the blood.

Water was dripping somewhere in the locker room, the droplets hitting the tiled floor with soft clinks.

“You were gone,” you whispered, eyes trained on his face. He was still so handsome, even with the frown lines that were starting to appear. Not that you could blame him, everything he’d been through would more than warrant a few wrinkles. “You were gone so long…”

The Soldat’s eyes were soft, despite being the color of the ice that coated the windows. “I know… I can’t stand being away from you, but if I didn’t go… They’d find some way to punish me.” His rough flesh hand cupped your cheek. “And I think they’re starting to catch on that the best way to punish me would be through you, malen’kaya.”

For a second, you thought he was gonna kiss you. From the way his eyes flicked down to your lips and back up again, you could’ve sworn on your life.

But then he took in a deep breath.

And his hand left your cheek.

You tried to push down the disappointment that welled up in your throat, biting your lip.

“Come on, malen’kaya,” he said as he finished wrapping up your poor feet. “Let’s get you to bed.”

The other girls were already sleeping when he carried you into your room, each one of them with a single wrist handcuffed to the bed frame.

“Hate knowing that you’re locked here all night,” Soldat said, his lips brushing against the shell of your ear as he approached the only empty bed in the room. “It’s like… putting a lark in a cage. I don’t like it.”

“I know,” you said. “But… It’s just how it is.” You looked up at him with bright eyes as he laid you down and tucked the blanket in around you, making sure you were nice and cozy before he took your left wrist and cuffed it to the metal frame.

“Get some sleep,” he murmured, brushing his metal fingers along your cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Oh, God…

Everything hurt…

Why did everything hurt?

It was like your head had been shoved under water, but your eyes were too heavy to open.

“—gotta take the video and send it.”

“How do we know he’ll come?”

“Oh, he’ll come. He’ll always come for her.”

Who was that? The voices sounded vaguely familiar, but not quite.

“His precious malen’kaya.”

You slipped back into unconsciousness even as you fought the darkness coming over you, slumping down again.

The clock ticked obnoxiously loud as you sat in the diner booth, your knee pulled up to your chest. A cold cup of half-drank coffee was sitting on the table in front of you.

You’d been waiting over an hour for him to show.

The lunch rush had come and gone, and the waitresses—in their rockabilly uniforms and roller skates—were shooting you pitying looks.

“This is fucking ridiculous,” you huffed as you got to your feet and slammed a crisp twenty dollar bill on the vinyl table top. “He asks me on a fucking date and then doesn’t fucking show. How fucking typical.”

It had only been two days since the mission where he’d asked you out on a date. Your ankle was wrapped, and you were under strict orders to rest.

So, of course, you’d dragged yourself out to this diner that he insisted on taking you to.

Well, meeting you at since you really, really didn’t want to deal with the awkwardness of riding in the same car.

If you were being honest, it hurt. A lot. You’d gotten your hopes up over the past two days, tossing and turning at night as you dreamed of what would happen on your date. Would it go anywhere? Would he end up being the love of your life?

You hadn’t had a crush on anyone since…

Well… Since your Soldat.

You missed him so fucking much.

And he wouldn’t have stood you up.

“Fuck Steve Rogers.”

Your face was flushed as you headed home, storming through the streets of Manhattan to the Avengers Tower. You needed time to stew, and the subway would be too fast.

“I should’ve just stayed home and taken that fucking bubble bath,” you huffed as you got in the elevator and rode up to the residential floors. Even if it had been meant to be a casual first date, you’d done your hair and stressed over your makeup, wearing your nicest pair of leggings and sneakers that didn’t have mud on the bottoms.

And even if the plan had been for it to be casual, you’d been looking forward to flowers and a kiss on the cheek, stealing a fry from his plate and maybe playing footsie under the table.

Just a little.

Like other girls got to do.

The elevator music was getting into your head, and there was no doubt it’d be haunting your dreams. But when the doors opened onto the common area floor, you were just about ready to burst into tears.

Because Steven Grant Rogers was sitting at the kitchen island and eating a sandwich as he laughed at some joke Rhodey made.

You couldn’t believe him. Was this his plan all along?

Steeling yourself, you straightened your spine and walked with purpose, planning on walking right by without even acknowledging him.

But of course, that wouldn’t be your luck.

As soon as Steve caught sight of you, he froze, his blue eyes going wide. Breathing out your name, he quickly scrambled to his feet. “Wait! Wait! Please! I’m so fucking sorry, I completely forgot!”

“It’s fucking fine, Rogers. It’s clearly a sign that this is was a bad idea in the first place,” you said, your voice cold enough to freeze him again.

“What?! No! Please, I’m just…” He groaned as he followed you onto the elevator that would take you up to the other residential floors. “I just had three meetings before noon and completely forgot! That doesn’t mean I don’t want this date with you!”

Taking a breath, you turned on him, glaring at him like he was a piece of dog shit on your shoe. “You know what the cherry on top of this is?” You asked with a laugh. “My first fucking date of my entire fucking life, and I get stood up. Fuck you, Rogers. Fuck. You.”

You’d successfully shocked him, and left him looking like a guppy, his mouth hanging open as he watched you leave him standing there.

When you came to again, you actually found the strength to open your eyes.

The room around you was like every stereotypical hostage room you’d ever seen in real life, and in movies.

Almost like the one Olivia Pope had been in on Scandal.

Though, you had a feeling that this one was real and wasn’t just a fancy set in a warehouse.

“Where am I?” You asked yourself, trying to take stock of everything. “Okay. Head hurts. Expected that. Don’t feel any sharp pains… so he probably shot me with a tranquilizer and not a bullet… Which is probably better for my chances of escape.” It was so fucking cold, your entire body was trembling. “No phone, so no way for the others to track me. Same clothing I was in… so at least there’s that.”

Your voice died as you heard movement beyond the black steel door in front of you, watching as it slowly opened. Your heart sank as you realized who was standing in front of you.

“It’s been too long, malen’kaya.”

[blueprint-han]

on top of the world ↠ hhj.

genre: royal au; fluff inspired by a fucking barbie movie leave me alone okay

⇥ warnings: if having a ballroom dance with hyunjin is a warning, then <3, district names are randomly chosen, not meant in reference to SKZ !!

wc: 1.5 K

⇥ disclaimer: this fiction does not aim to represent the activities of the real Hwang Hyunjin, nor does it represent JYPE in any form. Events are pure fiction. ♡

type: drabble.

taglist: @stayverse @districtninewriters @inkidz​ @sunoo-luvs 

part of: the url drabble game; requested by @tpwkjerii​ (requests for this are closed now!)

↯ note: dghwey i had literally no idea what to write for your url, so i searched up the full form of “tpwk” and ended up with “treat people with kindness”. I developed it into an idea i already had. Tell me if you like it <33 ⇥ dawn.☀️

↯ note 2: oh... i cannot... write fantasy for the life in me. ⇥ dawn.☀️

“Ladies, all in line.” The instructor clapped her hand, signaling all the princess and lady royals to line up in front of her. You quickly scrambled out of where you were seated, almost doubling over your heels as you tried to wobble your way to the line. 

Oh curse those heels. They were gonna be the reason you crashed headfirst into the floor one day, you were sure. They were those typical pointy, magenta colored pumps that only an expert in poise could pull of properly. Your uniform didn’t help either, layers and layers of clothing — topped of with a jacket, which meant you would be sweating buckets if it weren’t for the air conditioning.

Gosh, you hated being the princess and heir to the next throne. Why couldn’t you just lounge in the courtroom in your sweats and sneakers? They were more fashionable anyway. When your mom had told you that you were gonna attend “Royal Training School”, you’d pictured horse riding in the lush green stables, elegant dinners with rich silverware, and most of all — just having some time away from the royal castle, just having some time for yourself and having fun in that time.

Well, you were in for a huge mess.

It’d been only a week since you attended this place, and you hated it. The place woke you up at 5 a.m., shoved breakfast (which was mostly a piece of “high gluten” bread) to your hands and then took you ballroom dancing. So your day was terrible from the beginning already. There was no horseback riding, no sword fighting, because according to your parents — “princesses didn’t do fights”. Seemed superstitious to you, someone with a forward thinking mind, but what could you do?

Too dazed in your thoughts, your foot slipped and you lurched forward. You yelped loudly, but before you could catch the attention of the class or feel the polished marble against your face, a hand wrapped around your waist, ceasing your fall and holding you mid-air.

“You okay, princess?”

You snapped back into attention, eyes meeting with your classmates, all of them having a shocked look on their faces, and some of them anger. Turning around, you were surprised to gaze into hazel brown eyes that seemed to draw you in without reserve.

“Um..., princess?”

“Ah, yes!” You snapped out of it once again, straightening up as you smoothened the fabric of your shirt. “T-Thank you.” You took once glance at his face, and... wow. He was absolutely ethereal. His golden locks of hair fell perfectly over his temples, he adorned a majestic black suit and by just looking at him, he exuded confidence.

He giggled. “It’s alright, princess. Glad you aren’t hurt.”

“Oh, that-”

“Ahem!” The both of you looked to the side, noticing now how the entire class, along with the instructor were giving you snobby glares. “If you’re done chit chatting, can we start out class, Princess Y/N and Prince Hyunjin?”

Hyunjin. That was a pretty name.

You noticed that there was another line of men, wearing similar attire like Hyunjin, lined up in front of the princesses. “They must be from another academy,” Silent thoughts flooded your mind as you took your place, and your eyes went wide when you found yourself face to face with the Hyunjin guy again, though there was a reasonable distance between the both of you.

“Now, royals.” The instructor chimed, clacking her heels against the surface as she waltzed to the edge of the room. “You’ve been practicing ballroom dancing with yourselves for a while now, so The Head and me decided that it would be a good idea for you to get a little peek of what the actual thing looks like.” She said uninterestedly, picking at the underside of the nails as she started the music.

Immediately, slow, melodious music flooded through the speakers as you looked at one another. and then at the guy in front of you... err, Hyunjin. “You’ve already been partnered up, so get started.”

Your mouth dropped open a bit when you realised what the instructor’s statement meant, almost panicking when all the girls next to you bowed down gracefully, coaxing you to follow the same. Hyunjin did the signature “bow down and lend a hand” pose like his other classmates, and you hesitantly straightened up, lending a hand to him.

Immediately, just like how confident he looked, he pulled you close to himself, settling his hands on your hips as a smirk graced his features.

Ah... so he’d noticed you blushing.

You didn’t know why you were blushing in the first place. You’d never met this person before, but something about him just made the giddy schoolgirl in you bubble up to the surface. You shyly settled your hands on his shoulders, moving along to the beat with his motions... and silently praying your ant’s worth of dancing knowledge would not fuck this up.

“So, should we do the introductions?”

“What?” You asked, almost stumbling on your feet once again. You made a mental reminder to burn the current pair of heels you were sporting.

“Don’t you introduce yourself to the person you’re dancing with?” he heaved a laugh, almost melting at how adorably bashful you were getting in his hold. You were about to mumble a response, but then stopped, gathered your confidence, and smiled sweetly.

“Oh well then, I’m Princess Y/N from District 8; honor to meet you.” You said in a sing song voice, muffling a laugh as Hyunjin twirled you around in his hold and pulled you back. The velvet coat was soft under your touch, and for some odd reason, you wondered how his soft-lookin hair would feel under your palm.

“I’m Prince Hyunjin from District 10; equally honored to meet you,” He tilted his head to the side and you noticed him bite his lip for a second. Brushing it off, you continued swaying to the music, feeling slightly more at ease now.

“How’s school here, princess Y/N? You enjoying?” His tone was respectful, almost like he was talking to a friend he met after many years,

“Nah,” You rolled your eyes, making Hyunjin look at you like a confused puppy, waiting for you to explain. Hyunjin wasn’t used to someone hearing they disliked royal training, especially when he’d found it nothing but enjoying.

“It’s just the same old. “Oh go to ballroom, learn to balance books on your head, walk with grace, eat your food elegantly, dance again. sleep early!” Your voice was a hushed whisper, yet mocking. “You’d think that’s what I should’ve expected, but I wanted to learn sword fighting, horse riding, that kind of stuff. They barely let us outdoors here.” You tsked, watching as Hyunjin bit his lip again.

“What?” You asked, figuring that Hyunjin knew you’d noticed his action.

He chuckled. “Your stepping on my toes.”

“Oh crap I am?” You looed down, pulling your feet farther away from his as an apology crawled up your tongue, but before you could shoot it out, Hyunjin stopped you. “It’s okay.”

“Maybe I’ll step on yours and we’ll get even?” He winked, a smug look on is face as he waited for your reply. The music was basically forgotten at his point, both f you lost in a world where nobody else existed, just you, your thoughts, your words, and your giggles. You mirrored his playful expression. “I’d like to see you try.”

Hyunjin didn’t break eye contact, and you felt a small flutter in your chest when he did so. He lifted his foot, but you were too quick, you moved your foot away the moment he settled his own down, and then for revenge, you stepped on his foot once again.

“Ouch!” Hyunjin shrieked, and thanks to the loud music. no one could hear him. You hadn’t stomped too hard thankfully, but Hyunjin’s cute expression when he crinkled his nose sent you into a spiral of giggles.

“Hey! You’re supposed to treat people with kindness” He pouted, twirling you around once again as he led you to the next spot in the ballroom. Your feet basically slid around at this point, and you didn’t even mind your heels.

“Yeah? That’s what you get for trying to step on a princess’ toes.” You rested your head against his shoulder, muffling your giggles as well as calming your heart at the sudden sprut of confidence.

Hyunjin’s grip on your waist tightened, making you straighten up, faint heat dusting your cheeks. The dance was almost coming to an end, and you wished it could go on forever. You hadn’t had such fun in a while, but unfortunately, Hyunjin didn’t belong to this academy. Sadly, the dance would come to an end.

“Maybe I can teach you horse riding?” Hyunjin inquired, a curious glint in his eyes as he watched your reaction. You gasped in shock.

“Y-you’d be willing to do that?”

“Of course, if you’re up for it.”

“How will we even do that?”

“I mean, you can’t tell me you haven’t sneaked out of the premises at night.”

You remained silent.

“Thought so.” Hyunjin winked again. “So, what do you say?”

You twirled around one more time, moving slightly closer to him when you came back this time. The next moment, the music stopped, and you murmured to him with a smirk pulled at your lips.

“I’d be on top of the world.”

↯ note: 🕯️ ignore me this is just a small prayer that tumblr doesn’t make me battle the tags yet again 🕯️ may the tumblr gods be in my favor atleast this once ;-; 🕯️ ⇥ dawn.☀️

[purple-stuck]

Hi It's me again! I hope my excessive rambling in the tags wasn't too annoying I just really loved that drabble you wrote

If it's not too much can I request something with Sollux and Gamzee meeting in the subjugglator training ranks after Ascension?

I'd really love to hear what your headcanons might be or what fics you take inspiration from about subjugglators off-planet

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Gamzee's breath was perfectly steady, his heartbeat perfectly level, his mind completely calm. Even as he hopped from platform to platform, moving at speeds imperceivable to the naked eye, his body remained impossibly calm. Such was the Messiahs' gift to him and all purplebloods like him. With training, they could command their body to do the impossible.

Gamzee stopped atop a thin pole, claws digging into his perch as he got his barings. A sea of bloodied spikes spread out around him, ensuring him a slow death should he miss even a single pole or platform. But beyond that, lie his goal. His target. The horned outline of which was a mere speck in his vision.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Gamzee felt the wood begin to give way beneath his weight and lept to another perch, hoping between poles and bouncing away before the could bend against him. Thoughtlessly, he reasoned out the closest platform in between leaps. Automatically, he twisted his body to reach them. His body twisted in ways that crack and snap the bones of any other caste. If the graveyard full of mangled bones below him was any indication, even other purples struggled to make such moves.

Soon, Gamzee's shadow was cast over his prey. A club appeared in his hand, upraised so as to crack open his target's skull in one swing.

For the first time since this lesson began, his breath hitched.

Gamzee's feet hit the ground, his momentum stopped dead. His club hung over his target's shoulder.

Breathe. In.

Breathe. Out.

At this distance, Gamzee could see that his target wasn't even a troll at all. Rather, he'd been tasked with assassinating a mannequin, a hard plastic replica of his would be victim. Gamzee felt his posture relax before he pulled his club back and cracked the target's head of with one swing.

Purple paint sprayed over Gamzee as the body hit the floor and he turned to his audience and bowed.

The audience cheered as the lights flashed on, a cacophony of honks, whoops, and cheers as the stage was revealed in full. If he bothered to look towards the pit, Gamzee could see all the remains of the clowns who came before him and failed. He did not look.

"well, would you look at that."

"HE ACTUALLY MANAGED TO PASS."

Two ropes descended down around him, carrying the Twin Instructors, clad in their iconic matching masks. Comedy's voice was sing song, contrasting Tragedy's melancholy just as their half masks contrasted their mood. Gamzee looked up to see half of Tragedy's face grinning down at him.

"still, you haven't quite managed to beat our record."

"MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE HIM GO AGAIN."

The two broke into giggles, with the rest of the tent following. Gamzee heard a few voices call out for an encore and quietly hoped they wouldn't be heard. He didn't have it in him to go another round. He didn't know how Sollux did it so easily, controlling his body they way he did.

Tragedy leaned down and gave him an encouraging pat on the back, causing Gamzee to grin at him tiredly in between pants. Comedy leaned down to his other side, handing him a faygo and a rag.

"OH, BUT HE'S SO WORN OUT. WE WOULDN'T WANT TO BREAK OUR NEW FAVORITE."

"we'd love to share notes, but this isn't your show anymore. head to the lounge, it's time for the next act."

Gamzee chugged the bottle, nearly emptying it in two gulps as he walked off stage. He waved his thanks, to tired to talk, as he shoved his way through the curtains and into the lounge.

Gamzee finished his faygo as he lazily scanned the room. Normally, throwing a bunch of clowns into one room would be a recipe for disaster, but all was strangely quiet. It seemed like the others who passed the test were just as warn out from it as he was. It made him feel better to see his brothers and sisters laying around exhausted, half collapsed against walls or the couch. It made him proud to still be standing.

And then he saw Sollux, looking none the worse for wear as he hogged the couch. He smirked smugly as Gamzee made his way over, scooting over to let the shorter clown collapse next to him. "Jegus, you look like shit."

Gamzee flipped him off, causing Sollux to snort. "And you're acting like shit too. Maybe I'm a bad influence on you."

Gamzee snorted. "Shit man, I thought you didn't want me to be so friendly and clingy around you anymore." He wiped the sweat off his forehead, stopping to look at the facepaint that had melted onto his hand. "Although, a brother's got a point about. I ain't much to look at right now."

Sollux slid his half empty faygo down the table, which Gamzee guzzled happily. "Yeah, body control is hard. I've been doing it ever sense I grew hands and I still eat my swords sometimes. Nevermind the more advanced stuff."

Gamzee slammed the faygo bottle on the table. "Shit, man, my bones hurt. And my veins... and lungs. Fuck."

Sollux grunted and handed him a spare Nintendie Dualscream. "How about something to take your mind of it? It's been awhile sense I kicked your ass in Fiduspawn anyways."

It was Gamzee's turn to snort. "All right, you are on, motherfucker."

~

They were eight rounds in when the new clowns stopped coming in. Gamzee counted only five had made it in after him, but he was more focused on beating Sollux than keeping count. Either he'd gotten better or Sollux had gotten worse. The taller troll used to be able to kick his ass, now they were tied four to four. But, their fifth round was interrupted as two familar shadows were cast over them.

"DID YOU TWO BRING TOYS FROM BACK ON ALTERNIA ALONG?"

"just between the four of us, I've heard that's against the rules."

Gamzee and Sollux froze as the Twin Instructors leaned over them. Even Gamzee could feel everyone in the room staring at them. Gamzee had seen this set up before. Comedy and Tragedy learing over a helpless troll or two. Acting like they were just disappointed, like they were just going to give the rule breaker a stern talking to before they decapitated the mischief maker.

Instead, the twins doubled over into a giggling fit the spread through the room. The trolls around them joined in, some more nervously than others.

"JuSt KiDdInG!"

"WE KNOW OUR HIGHEST SCORERS..."

"....know better than to break the rules."

"AsSuMiNg YoU dId'T cHeAt!"

Sollux and Gamzee pushed themselves to their feet, hands moving to ask about their progress, but the duo pushed their hands aside.

"DON'T BOTHER WITH THAT."

"you're subjugulators now."

"YoU'rE oFfIcIaLlY fUnNy EnOuGh To LiStEn To!"

Gamzee let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He heard Sollux do the same before the cheers erupted around them. Tragedy grabbed his arm and hoisted him into the air with it to bare before the crowd, leaving him and Sollux to gaze at their audience.

"GIVE OUR BOYS A ROUND OF APPLAUSE."

"well, those of you who still have hands anyways."

Gamzee looked over at Sollux, himself being held up for all to see by comedy. It was strange to see Sollux actually look nervous, even if they were seemingly in the Twin's good graces. Sweeps of living according to their capricious whims was enough to instill a lasting fear in anyone.

Even when granted verbal permission to speak, the two didn't make a peep as the twins hefted them over their shoulders. The twins cheerfully waved off the crowd as they carried the two ascendants to their office.

Gamzee grunted as he was dropped into a chair to small for him, hearing Sollux swear off to the right as the same happened to him. Comedy and Tragedy flopped into their chairs on the opposite end of the desk, kicking their feet up on it.

"normally, we'd take the time to talk about boring business shit with you."

"PREP YOUR ASCENSION SPEECH AND ALL THAT BLAH BLAH BLAH."

"BuT lIkE wE sAiD, wE hAvE nOtEs."

Sollux and Gamzee shared a nervous look, before Sollux straightened up and spoke. "What, uh, about exactly?"

Comedy shook a chidding finger in their faces.

"WHY, YOU BOTH HESITATED."

"tripped at the finish line."

"DeRaIlEd A pErFeCtLy GoOd ShOw."

Gamzee looked over at Sollux in suprise. Sollux... hesitated? But he was used to killing shit. Hell, that was his idea of a date night. Gamzee hardly had time to consider it before Tragedy leaned in his direction.

"now you we perfectly understand. you've never dabbled with fresh paint before."

"YOU'VE ONLY BEEN OFF THE SLIME FOR JUST THREE SWEEPS AT THAT."

"BuT iT's YoUr BuDdY wE'rE cUrIoUs AbOuT."

They both turned to Sollux expectantly. He scratched the back of hia head. "I... well. Something made me reconsider." He rested his hands in his head. "There was.... a kill I'd been planning for a really long time. Something... big. Special. And, when I landed that kill, when I did kill her and savor killing her... it just felt empty?"

Gamzee knew what he meant. The image of a cart drenched in Cerulean blood flashes in his mind. "I'd... rather not get any more into it than that."

The Twins tented their hands as they nodded sympathetically. Comedy even reached over to pat him on the shoulder.

"oh, we've both been there before."

"I DID ESPECIALLY."

Tragedy bent down and fished around beneath the desk, nearly banging his golden mask on it in the process.

"I STILL REMEMBER MY FIRST KILL."

He placed a white horned skull on the desk, carefully preserved and cleaned even though it seemed to have been centuries old. Still, the more Gamzee looked at it, the more it looked slightly off. The horns seemed to be... fake somehow. Like they were made of some kind of old plastic. And the skull's facial structure was all wrong. Too thin, too light, too delicate looking. It looked like a troll but not quite. If Karkat were here, he'd call it a mockery of troll kind.

"you'd think he'd be honored."

"MY VERY FIRST KILL. SHE WAS SO CLEVER AND BRUTAL THAT I NEVER THOUGHT I'D PULL IT OFF."

He rubbed the skull fondly, clearly nostalgic. Part of him sounded almost remorseful over it too, strangely enough. Like talking about a long dead friend or a beloved canceled show.

"BuT iT fElT sO eMpTy."

Sollux cleared his throat, clearly annoyed, even if he couldn't outright say it. Gamzee couldn't blame him. The twins liked to talk about their first two kills a lot. "So, what's your point?"

Tragedy sighed wistfully and Comedy playfully roled her eyes and elbowed him to get him back on topic.

"THE POINT IS, I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO IT."

"and when it's over, it always feels...."

"AnTiClImAcTiC."

Sollux hummed and considered this, but Gamzee could tell he wasn't quite buying it. Gamzee could tell that something else was needling away at him. Something deeper than just that.

"you'll probably get that feeling too."

Gamzee straightened up as he realized they were addressing him again.

"HERE'S A TIP. DON'T LOOK INTO THEIR EYES. IT'LL ONLY MAKE YOU MISS THEM MORE."

Comedy slid two communicators across the desk.

"YOU CAN TALK IT OUT WITH YOU QUADS, NOW THAT YOU'RE ALLOWED TO SEE THEM AGAIN. YOUR BRONZE HEART AND RUST DIAMOND PROBABLY MISS YOU."

They nodded at Sollux.

"and the Empress will be happy to see her favorite clown is safe."

[sapphyshipseverything]

Idea for a geraskier soulmate au I had a while back, because I saw this post (https://slytherverse.tumblr.com/post/634510416715890689/soulmates-are-stupid-i-love-you-on-purpose) and had feelings about it.

So I imagine that this takes place in a universe where almost everyone has a Mark from their soulmate– whether that’s their name, or the first words they speak to one another, or a unique, abstract shape, I don’t know, pick your favourite fanfic trope. But soulmates are an important part of everyday life, and most people don’t bother to date seriously if they know that they’re going to have a soulmate eventually.

Witchers don’t have soulmates. Of course naturally they do, as children– witchers start off just like any other child of course. But the Trials change them, make them inhuman, and as part of the process their Marks disappear. Maybe the instructors at Kaer Morhen burn the Marks of the trainees when they arrive, thinking it less cruel for the witchers in training to have never known who their soulmate was supposed to be, rather than to know and have the name ripped away from them.

A part of Geralt aches when he traces his finger over that particular scar, even when many worse scars join it on the canvas of his body. He thinks of his would-be soulmate every night, his last thought before he goes to sleep. He wonders if it hurt them to watch his mark disappear from their skin, like he watched theirs be taken away. He wonders if they felt horror when they realised what their soulmate was. He wonders if they're just as lonely as he is, or if they received a new soulmate somehow, and never thought of him again.

In a culture that puts a lot of emphasis and importance on finding your soulmate, not having one is yet another way he stands out as monstrous. It is yet another way he is alone. It’s common knowledge that witchers don’t have soulmates, so it’s not something he can ever get away from, no matter where he goes. Geralt can never rid himself of the shame he feels over it, but he hides his shame behind anger at the whole concept of destiny and true love.

Soulmates don’t stop people from wanting to find a warm body for the night, from being sexually frustrated and in need of a good fuck. Geralt is never lacking in offers for sex, from men and women alike, but the encounters are always lacking a real connection.

Jaskier, of course, is human, and like every other human on the continent he must have a soulmate. He’s someone who’s vibrant and handsome and charming and kind. Anyone could love him, easily, effortlessly. Geralt certainly doesn’t have to try to love him.

He breaks his own heart by sleeping with him. Jaskier is young and horny and carefree, and Geralt is too in love with him to say no to any kind of closeness, so when the bard winks at him lavisciously, Geralt lets himself fall into bed with him. He tries to treat it like any other fling, to keep his distance emotionally, but as the weeks pass and they’re still fucking each other at every inn they stop at along the road, Geralt accepts defeat. He knows this is going to come crashing down around him. He knows he’s just a placeholder until Jaskier finds his true soulmate. Geralt isn’t delusional. But still a part of him dreams of Jaskier being his.

Geralt tries to feel joy at the thought of someone loving the bard, at the thought of someone loving him the way he deserves to be loved. Geralt can’t provide that kind of love for him, he’s too broken. He prepares to be happy for him, whenever his soulmate does arrive into both their lives, but he dreads the day when Jaskier finds his person and draws away from the two of them.

The topic of Jaskier’s soulmate never comes up between them. He always keeps his Mark carefully hidden when they have sex, and having enough scars of his own Geralt doesn’t pry. Marks can be private things. He never talks about wanting to meet his soulmate or wanting to fall in love, never in any serious way. Any time he performs a ballad about two star crossed lovers, the type that every child hears growing up, he catches Geralt’s attention across the bar and rolls his eyes, as if they’re both in on some joke.

Jaskier doesn’t seem to notice the attempts of the locals of wherever they’re passing through to court him, to draw his eye towards the town’s beautiful daughters and strapping sons and see if he might be their One True Love. He rejects all amorous advances politely, but firmly. He doesn’t seem to care when the town turns on him, glaring at him and whispering about how he must be a soulless freak like his mutant companion, except to grumble about the impact on his earnings.

Eventually it bothers Geralt so much that he has to bring it up, even if it means their precarious relationship crumbles to pieces around him. He just can’t understand what Jaskier is playing at, why he’s so content to ignore all of society’s bullshit about destiny and soulmates.

Jaskier looks at him strangely when he asks about it. “Why would I care about soulmates? I’ve got you, haven’t I?” he says with a sly grin on his face.

Geralt wants to let it go, but he can’t. He can’t just let Jaskier pretend this relationship is going to last, not when he can’t hold a candle to whoever destiny has decided Jaskier will end up with. “But…what about your Mark? Don’t you care about who you’re really supposed to love?”

Jaskier pulls up his sleeve to reveal his forearm, his pale skin free of any Mark. “I used to have one, but it disappeared when I was only a child. My soulmate died, most likely, according to the local healer anyway. I figured if the Fates were cruel enough to take my soulmate from me before I even met them, well. They shouldn’t be trusted to decide who I can love anyway.”

Geralt doesn’t know what to say. He knows that Jaskier isn’t his would-be soulmate; the timelines don’t match up, the bard was born almost a century too late. That would be too tidy an ending to give to someone like him. But Geralt finds he doesn’t care. His throat feels tight with emotion, his eyes are wet. He reaches his hand out to grasp Jaskier’s, hoping that the love he feels is visible on his face.

“Geralt, darling. I don’t need some Mark to show that we’re meant to be together. I don’t need destiny to decide that we’re perfect for one another. I decided that for myself. I love you on purpose, my dear.”

[official-weasley]

The Irreplaceable Charlie Weasley: Pt. 6, Ch. 9

PART 6: THE YEAR WHEN EVERYTHING FALLS INTO PLACE Chapter 9 - The Day of the Ball

Charlie

“So what are you going to do about the letter?” Nova asked as we were making our way to the Great Hall.

“I'll write to them to see if I can postpone it.” I smiled.

“But...” I knew she felt conflicted. She wanted me to stay as much as she wanted me to go and I appreciated that. “At least you'll be here for the Ball.” She tried to smile even though I could see it was tearing her apart.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Well, you will write to them to postpone for the Ball, right?” She looked at the floor.

“No.” I said and stopped her in the middle of the corridor. “I'll finish school and then go if they'll still have me.”

“Char, no!” She put her hands in mine. At this point, I don't know who were we even fooling. “You're not staying just because of me, are you?” I don't have another reason, Nova.

“No.” I lied. I knew she wouldn't stop pushing it.

“Charlie, stop lying to me!” She knew me too well. “You can't stay because of me! I just...” She lowered her head and looked at our locked fingers. “I-I panicked. I really wanted to go to the Ball with you.” I knew that wasn't the only reason but I also knew she was struggling to approach the situation.

“And I wanted to go with you.” I lifted her head and looked into her eyes.

“Was the letter really the reason why you didn't ask me sooner?” She asked hopefully.

“The only one. I knew you were the only girl I would take to the Ball the second McGonagall announced it.” I smiled softly. Her cheeks flushed red.

“I can't let you stay, Char. It's your dream job.” She cupped my face and my heart started racing. We were never this close before. “Who am I to stop you from getting something you wanted since you were a kid.” I knew she didn't ask it as a question. If she only knew how much she meant to me.

“Look, Nova...” I lowered her hands, I couldn't trust myself to be strong enough to resist kissing her and I didn't want to tell her now. “I'm going to finish my education. You're right about things going south, you never know.” I hoped she would fall for my lie this time. “And I know my mum would be happier with my decision as well.” I smiled. I knew she had a soft spot for my mum.

“Well, will you at least write to them to see if you can do something part-time? Our Apparation Test is next week, I'm sure you could figure something out.” That was not a bad idea. Maybe Penny was right, perhaps I can have both my dream job and my dream girl.

“Okay, I'll write to them.” I gestured that we should start walking again.

“And I'll help you.” She smiled, faintly. I knew she didn't agree with this. She, more than anyone, knew how much receiving that letter meant to me and I know she felt bad about me staying because of her. But I didn't care. I had a feeling everything would fit together as it has to.

We entered the Great Hall and our friends stood up at once.

“Oh, please tell me you are okay and on speaking terms.” Cried Tonks.

“We really can't handle another fight with you.” Penny followed.

“Relax, we're fine.” I smiled and looked at Nova. “We just talked.”

“And...” Tulip indicated that we should tell them more about it. I turned my head to Nova and saw that she was gesturing with her eyes that the girls should follow her outside.

“I'll see you tomorrow and we can do it after breakfast.” She half-whispered and hugged me tightly. Tonks, Tulip, and Penny stood up, mouth open. I just realized how they must've heard what Nova said. I felt my face turn red as the girls dragged Nova out of the Hall.

Nova

“What are you going to do after breakfast?” They finally stopped in front of a bench in the corridor and sat me down. Penny was beaming.

“I will help him write a letter to the Sanctuary.” I said casually. Their faces fell, disappointed.

The whole situation was killing me. I knew that he was only staying because of me and I regretted even trying to stop him. I had the whole speech prepared when I was running to find him. I was going to tell him he has to go, he has to accept the job but the second I saw him, I realized how bottled my feelings for him really were and I choked and I hate myself for being so selfish.

“So, he's staying?” Tulip exclaimed.

“Just for the Ball.” I was confident that I can persuade him to just tell them he can start in the second week of May. Their faces dropped even more.

“What?” Penny was exasperated and sat down next to me.

“You were right...” I started. “The letter was the only thing keeping him from asking me to the dance.” I smiled. It warmed my heart knowing he wanted to go all along but it pained me just as much that I meant so much to him that he was willing to risk his job for me.

“He asked you to the Ball?” Tulip sat on my other side, excited.

“Yes.” I couldn't help but blush. I just wish the circumstances were different.

“And what else did he say?” Penny pressed.

“Nothing. I am trying my best to convince him to go.” I lowered my head.

“But you don't want that.” Tonks said, slowly.

“Of course, I don't!” I snapped. “But this isn't about me. I know I will regret pushing him to take the job but I would regret even more if he doesn't get it because of me.” I felt my eyes burning from tears. “I don't want to talk about it anymore.” I buried my face in my hands.

“We just want you two to...” Tulip said softly.

“To be together?” I ended her sentence. “Me too. You know I do.” I looked at all three of them. I told them that Murphy asked me to the Ball and about the feeling I got when I saw Charlie, knowing full well that what I felt for Murphy was nothing compared to what I feel for my best friend. I know that deep down they know I am doing the right thing.

“I'm really falling for him.” I felt pain in my chest. “But I have to do what's right for him, not for me.”

“She's right.” Tulip, Tonks, and I looked at Penny. Out of all of them, I thought she was going to protest the most.

“If Andre got his dream job right now, I wouldn't stop him.” She explained softly.

“I guess.” Tulip gave it a second thought. They started putting themselves in my shoes.

“Damn it. I hate when you're right, Blackwood.” Tonks frowned and we all hugged.

Penny

“This is not fair.” Tulip sat down next to me while I was eating breakfast. She was frowning and looked like she was about to throw a tantrum.

“What's up with you?” I giggled.

“The Apparation Test!” She looked at me. “Mr. and Mrs. Born-in-December and Kitchen Boy can take the test while we're just sitting here!” I chuckled at how she nicknamed her boyfriend. I got to terms that I will have to take the test in August and I almost forgot that Jae, Nova, and Charlie are the only ones in our lot that can already take the test.

“You'll be able to do it in a month, Tulip.” I tried to cheer her up.

My birthday was in July and Tonks' was in June so we knew we wouldn't be able to do anything about it. But I knew Tulip was losing it because her birthday is 2 days after the test and even I think they could've bent the rules for her.

“Hey, perhaps they are not going to pass.” I knew that was a lie. When we had practice lessons, Nova was the second one to apparate completely, right after Jae.

“Oh, get off it! You know they will. Stop trying to make me feel better, Haywood! Let me be grumpy!” She sighed and buried her head in my shoulder. I tried to suppress my laugh, not to disturb her being miserable, and I went back to eating my breakfast.

“Tulip, are you trying to make me jealous?” Andre sat down next to me and kissed my cheek.

“Shut it, lover boy. I am not in the mood.” I giggled and looked at Andre. He was so cute and extra stylish today!

“Is this about her Apparation Test?” He whispered. I nodded.

“Hey, look on the bright side Tulip, you're getting your dresses today.” He winked at me. My heart melted.

“Can it make me apparate?” Tulip finally lifted her head.

“No, but I am sure it will glue Jae to your side as he won't be able to take his hands off you for the entire night.” Tulip blushed and I knew she felt better. I loved that he knew what would cheer my friends up.

“When are we going?” I asked and kissed him. “Right when the lot comes from the test.” He kissed me back.

“Will you two get a room!” Tulip winked.

I blushed. Andre and I didn't have sex yet but we were planning to sneak away at the Ball and try to see what the Room of Requirement comes up with. Tulip sneaks in there often with Jae, even though I don't think the room looks as romantic as I want it to be, at least not according to her stories. She and Jae are into some kinky stuff!

Nova

After the Apparation test Jae, Charlie, and I decided to go to the Three Broomsticks to wait for the rest of our friends. Penny told me yesterday that Andre has some dresses prepared for us and I couldn't be more excited about it. Jae and I passed the test, but Charlie had a little accident. He was pretty bummed about it, as he was excited to do this but when the instructor told him he can do it again in 14 days, he calmed down.

“So, how did it go?” Penny asked as the girls sat down next to us. Well, Tulip sat in Jae's lap and stuck her tongue down his throat, so Tonks and Penny sat down next to us and I giggled. They had a very interesting relationship, those two.

“Should I go ask Rosmerta if she can give you a room?” Charlie chuckled and then looked at me. I wanted to melt.

“Jae is pretty busy right now so I will tell you that he passed.” I laughed. “And I passed as well. Charlie, however...” I bit my lip and looked at him. I didn't know how he was going to react.

“Landed on an old Muggle woman who was shopping 5 miles from my target location.” He finished my sentence. Penny, Andre, and Tonks laughed.

“You can do it with me.” Tulip finally pulled away from Jae.

“The judge said that I can do it in 14 days.” Charlie denied her request.

“Oh, bugger off, Dragon Boy.” We all laughed. Tulip frowned and sat down next to Jae. I knew she wanted to take the test but I didn't know it bothered her so much that she would stop making out with Jae. Perhaps we should mention it more often. Sometimes their make-out sessions were too graphic for public eyes.

“Are you girls ready?” Andre decided to change the subject before she gets even madder.

“Yes!” Penny jumped in the air.

“Oh, right the dresses.” Jae took a sip of his Butterbeer. “When are you dressing us, Andre?”

“Next week.” Andre grinned. “Ladies first.” He winked at Penny and she giggled. They were just the cutest couple.

“I am sure whatever you're going to wear, you'll be the most beautiful girl there.” Charlie suddenly whispered in my ear. I froze, my cheeks flushed. I did not expect that to come out of his mouth.

“Okay, time to go!” I stood up as the girls started making smug faces upon seeing my red face. I grabbed Tulip's shoulder, she has locked her lips with Jae's again, and pulled her towards the door.

When we got outside, Penny nodded to Andre that he should go ahead. Tonks and Penny each locked arms with me, while Tulip needed a second to figure what was going on, before grabbing Penny's hand.

“What did he whisper in your ear?” Penny tried to hide her excitement.

“You were red as a tomato!” Tonks giggled.

“If you don't mind, I would like to keep it for myself.” I whispered, still feeling his breath on my ear.

“Aww, it was something sweet, wasn't it?” I thought Penny was going to melt. I just nodded as my cheeks turned red again.

“I can't wait for you two to get together!” Tulip almost jumped for joy.

“Reckon he's a good kisser?” Tonks asked out of the blue.

“Well, Nova will soon be able to answer that question.” Penny looked at me and winked. I started walking faster as I didn't want to discuss how good of a kisser Charlie is. Even though I was wondering how his lips feel like every single day.

“So did he write the letter to the Sanctuary?” I thanked Merlin for Tulip changing the subject.

“He did. I couldn't convince him to just stay for the Ball.” I frowned. It was so unfair. I was prepared to duel him for it but he wouldn't have it.

“So what did he sent them?” Penny asked.

“He wrote that he is honored but that he would like to finish his education and if there is any way he might still get the job and he asked if there is a way that he could do something part-time. So he could do school but still be involved.” I answered.

“That seems like the best possible outcome.” Tonks thought out loud.

“Does that mean he's staying next year as well?” Tulip grinned.

“Depends on what they say in the letter.” I shrugged. “I made him swear that if they reply and say that it's now or never, he has to go.”

“And what did he say?” Penny almost sang.

“He wasn't happy about it but he knew there was no point fighting me.” I tried to smile.

“So part-time Hogwarts, part-time Dragons it is!” Tonks exclaimed. They couldn't imagine how much I hoped that would be the case.

Charlie

I couldn't believe that since that day in Third Year, when Nova befriended the Hippogriff and my crush started, the day to tell her finally arrived. Today was the Ball and it was also the day I will tell Nova how I feel about her. I slept surprisingly good, giving that I was going through 10 different speeches in my head the whole night. The second I woke up, I was nervous.

I was also anxious because mum sent me a letter 14 days ago saying she will buy me dress robes. Of course, I needed a week's worth of correspondence just to explain that Nova and I are going to the Ball as friends and that we are not a couple. She was so excited that she sent me a letter per day asking for every detail to the point that I gave in and told her how I asked Nova to the dance.

If everything goes well tonight and we become more than friends, I am never telling my family. They are too obsessed with us! My mum sent me all those letters but no dress robes. I was beginning to think that she got so excited that I am taking Nova to the Ball that she forgot.

I got dressed, woke up Jae, for who I was sure came back in the middle of the night again. I swear those two are like bunnies. All they do is have sex. I chuckled.

“C'mon, lover boy, let me take you down for breakfast.” I winked at him when he glared at me, sleepily.

We made our way down and sat next to Andre. Neither of the girls was there.

“How come you're sitting alone, Andre?” I asked and sat down next to him.

“I was actually hoping to see you mates. Need any help with the robes to impress the ladies?” He winked at me.

“If you have any to spare I would be very happy. My mum forgot to send me mine.” I frowned. Before Andre could snap out of shock and get over the fact that I wasn't ready on the day of the Ball, Errol landed straight in his porridge.

“Sorry, 'bout that!” I scratched the back of my head. I love animals but Errol was something else. She had two things for me. A letter and a package. “I think your dress robes arrived, mate!” Andre beamed. I knew immediately who the letter was from so I opened it first.

Dear Charles,

we admire your thirst for knowledge and the wish to finish your education.

I have talked to some of my partners and we have agreed that you are too valuable to slip through our fingers so we are willing to give you a part-time position for now.

We will need your certificate of a successful Apparation test.

You would come to Romania for the whole of July so we can start with proper training. And given the fact that you have N.E.W.T.s next year, we would only take you 10 times per month. The schedule would be arranged in July and we will adjust your training according to your schedule at school.

Please send us an owl to confirm. We hope the terms are agreeable to you.

All the best!

Andrei Todoran

Romanian Dragon Sanctuary

I couldn't believe it. They wanted me so much they are willing to let me finish school! I couldn't wait to tell Nova! My heart skipped a beat. Now I really need to talk to her tonight.

“Mate, Penny told me you fancy Nova, but I don't think she'll want to be your girl in this.” Andre's voice of disgust made me look up from my letter. I was beginning to get angry with Penny about telling Andre but the sight of my dress robes stopped me.

“WHAT the fuck is this?” I couldn't shake the look of horror off my face.

“I think Nova will regret saying yes to you.” Jae almost fell off his seat from laughing so hard.

The robes my mum sent me were ghastly! There was lace everywhere! The color was okay, I guess. Dark green with burgundy and it had a Dragon embroidered on the back which was nice. If the lace was gone and the pants wouldn't be bright red perhaps I would see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“Don't worry, mate.” Andre slapped me across the back. “I know how to fix this!” He grabbed the package and pulled me with him. I followed him to Charms classroom and he took out his wand.

With one flick a mannequin, a mirror, a chair, and some sewing supplies appeared in front of us. Andre placed the robes on the mannequin and I wanted to die of embarrassment. They looked even worse now!

He flicked his wand back and forth, knowing exactly what he was doing and suddenly all lace was gone.

“We don't want that, do we.” Andre said more to himself than me. Penny was right, he was enjoying doing this.

He then changed the color of the trousers to black and my chest started to feel lighter.

“Hope you don't mind the color change, mate. This suits you more.” He said as he turned the coat burgundy. He then pointed his wand to the chair and it looked like something was sewing itself out of nothing. A few minutes later there was a black waistcoat.

“Did you just sew this?” I was in awe. I couldn't help but wonder how amazing Nova is going to look if he was able to save my outfit like this.

“Yeah, mate. A piece of cake!” He turned back to my coat and the Dragon on the back turned golden.

He cut the laces off the shirt and made the cuts disappear. Then he turned his wand to the chair again and something golden and silky-like started to appear, his sewing kit hard at work.

He was done in 15 minutes and I was speechless. He turned the green-red-lace monstrosity into something I would never be able to afford if I had to buy it.

“C'mon, time for you to try it on. See how it fits.” He flicked his wand and a wooden room divider appeared between us. He handed me the robes.

“I can do the tie if you want.” I put on the black pants, the white shirt, the black waistcoat, and the dark red coat.

“Now, that's what I call handsome!” He grinned at me.

“I think the waistcoat could fit a little better.” I looked at it. It was tight around my upper back because of my muscles but too loose around my waist.

“No problem, mate.” He fixed it immediately. He placed the golden tie around my neck and tied it. He grabbed my shoulders and turned me to the mirror.

I was never the one to look at myself in the mirror more than I had to. Not that I was self-conscious, well maybe because of all the freckles and I rarely found myself attractive. But what Andre did with the outfit, even I couldn't deny that I didn't look that bad.

“Nova won't know what hit her.” He smiled at me, looking over my shoulder. I was flushed but at least I had an outfit to match. “I turned your coat red so you two will match better.” He winked at me.

“Thank you, Andre. I don't know what to say.” I looked at him and back at my reflection. He even made my bottom look good and I never liked how defined it was.

“That's what friends are for!” He grinned. “Just promise me to tell Nova how you feel. Penny did tell me but she didn't have to. You're so obvious, mate.” He patted my back and started putting stuff away.

I looked at myself again. It was time to stop being obvious and admit my feelings.

Nova

Where else would we get ready for the Ball than in the Room of Requirement! We wanted to get ready together and nobody knew the make-up spells better than Penny. I was beginning to get nervous and I couldn't stop thinking about Charlie. This was such a big day for us and I didn't have a clue what was going to happen.

Charlie still hasn't heard from Romania yet and I was beginning to lose hope that the answer would be positive. That's what made me even more determined that I would do anything to spend a beautiful night with him. Might at least have one good memory before he has to leave.

“So, what are you planning tonight?” Tulip asked me. My eyes were closed as Penny was putting some eyeshadow on me.

“What do you mean?” I tried to move my lips as little as possible as Penny already scolded me for moving too much.

“You and Charlie.” Tulip teased.

“Together at the Ball.” Tonks joined her.

“I told you his letter hasn't arrived yet and I am not doing anything before that.” I mumbled.

“And if he says something?” Penny stopped and I opened my eyes. They were all staring at me with their smug faces.

“Then, we'll talk about it.” I said casually. I don't know what would happen if he asked me on a date. I didn't want to get my hopes up. I already felt anxious.

“Oh, c'mon give yourself a break and promise us that you'll enjoy your time with him tonight.” Tonks rolled her eyes.

“Tonks is right, Nova. Please forget about the whole Romania thing and just give in.” Tulip agreed.

“I will.” I said, almost whispering. “I promise.” They were right. I needed to relax and just see how things turn out.

“You're all done!” Penny exclaimed and Tulip and Tonks looked at me.

“Wow, Nova...” Tulip was left with her mouth open.

“Alright, Pen. We want Charlie to ask her out not marry her!” Tonks was stunned.

“You are so pretty!” Tulip started to shake. Penny offered me her hand, I stood up and I walked to the mirror.

I was dumbfounded. I was already in love with the dress Andre picked out for me. It was dark burgundy. It had layers from the waist down and at the end of each, there was a golden decorative stitch. The length was just right; to my knees. The upper part was my favorite. It fitted my figure perfectly and it had an oval collar that ended on my collar bone. The sleeves and the whole back were made out of lace and the back was half open. I felt like a princess in it.

My hair was in a beautiful braided bun. Penny put something that looked like thin golden locks of hair in and in the front left a curl of hair on each side of my face. She put golden eyeshadow on my eyes and dark red lipstick.

Andre styled the dress with golden heels and made me transfigure the Dragon necklace Charlie gave me for my 12th birthday into a beautiful gold bracelet. Of course, he reassured me that I can transfigure it back after the Ball as I never took the necklace off.

“You look like a present for a certain Gryffindor boy.” Penny blinked quickly to not let the tears ruin her make-up.

She had a two-piece outfit. A white top without sleeves, with silver glitter and a yellow layered tulle that reached the floor and a black necklace that Andre gave her on their last date. She was so beautiful.

Tonks' outfit looked as if she was going to a Rock concert. It was such an interesting look having layers of black, purple, and green but it suited her so well. I knew she wasn't a girly type and I am glad Andre acknowledged that. He made her look ravishing!

Tulip wore a long royal blue dress, that showed her figure and she made Andre make a slit in the back because she wanted to be able to dance. Or that's what she told Andre. The second she did, she winked at me and Tonks and we knew why she needed that slit at once. “Easier to spread the legs.” Tonks whispered to me and we burst out laughing. Needless to say, she looked stunning.

“Tulip, where did you get that?” She was putting on a golden star necklace and then turned to me.

“Jae gave it to me.” She blushed and looked down at it. “It was our first anniversary yesterday.” She said softly.

“Already?” Penny and Tonks exclaimed together.

“I forgot you were hiding it for such a long time.” I giggled.

With us all being jealous of how amazing Tonks' hair was looking in all of its pink might, we were ready for the Ball.

“Are you ready for the best night of your life?” Penny whispered to me.

“Ready as I'll ever be.” I took a deep breath and we walked out of the Room of Requirement.

Charlie

Jae and I made our way down Gryffindor Tower. I was so nervous and it seemed like the whole lot knew I was going to admit my feelings to Nova tonight. On the way back, when Andre was done with me I ran into Tulip and Tonks and they couldn't stop giggling. Andre knew and Penny knew and since Jae was sitting with us when Errol brought my robes, he heard Andre saying I fancy her. Even though it would be a miracle if he didn't already know. Apparently, it was visible from the Moon.

“How are you doing, mate?” Jae asked as we were getting closer to the Great Hall.

“Would help if I wasn't so nervous, but not bad.” I answered honestly. “How are you?”

“Can't wait to see Tulip.” He grinned. “You're going to be fine, just tell her already so we can stop pretending that you don't like each other since last year.” He winked at me. Yeah, last year plus two more.

“Looking sharp, mates!” Andre came out of the Great Hall with Barnaby. I heard he was taking Tonks but I never got the chance to ask Nova if something is going on between them.

“Are they already inside?” Jae started looking around.

“No. I reckon they are still getting ready.” As if we had some silent agreement we all decided to wait for them in front of the Great Hall. Was it hot in here or was I just so nervous?

“I think they're coming.” Jae whispered to me. I strained my ears and heard Penny giggle. My whole body went numb and then I saw her.

[hella1975]

*cracks knuckles* alright hella get ready for multiple DofE stories that span literal generations. Well, we’ll start with my brother’s ex-friend’s mum who did DofE back in the eighties in the lovely English countryside. FYI, shit gets real pretty fast. Right, so, halfway through their peaceful, death-defying hike through the wilderness, they take a wrong turn and end up - guess where - at a military camp. This six foot something forty year old in uniform comes sprinting towards them (1/?)

(2/?) starts to interrogate them as to why they’re there. Rewind a bit, let’s remember it’s the EIGHTIES in England, and they’re wearing RUCKSACKS. They’re literally the ingredients to a collective MI for this military camp. Anyway, at one point one of the ppl in their group remembers ‘oh, my dad’s actually pretty respected in the military, now might be a good time to mention him.’ I have NO idea why they didn’t mention this before, but they’re you go. Enjoy some of my own shenanigans next.

3/? okay so i did all three stages of DofE, not a flex, it’s just bc the most batshit things happened on my gold practice and expedition. So first of all, I did bronze with my friends. Big mistake. I never spoke to two of them again and I was permanently annoyed with another one. Partly because we were demonstrating how to do CPR and instead of just pretending to gently press down on my chest (bc I wasn’t acc not FUCKING BREATHING) they slammed their hands down and bruised me.

4/? The other reason was because they got us lost and didn’t even bother to apologise or admit that they were wrong but hey. Silver, oh my god. Let’s just say, I nearly hurt someone on silver. Hella they needed surgery! They had a surgery scheduled, and they needed that part to do DofE!! Anyways, it doesn’t matter, I’ll never see them again. Gold, gold was the big one.

5/? Why was gold the big one? Well, let’s just say I’m extremely passive aggressive on DofE and they gave me the role of time-keeping. Ahaha, big mistake on their part. Breaks? Never heard of her. I’ll just give the rundown, I did give them breaks. I’m not that much of a bitch. And we were friends. BUT. According to them, a five minute break would be interrupted 3 minutes in by me standing up and putting on my backpack, then tapping my foot for the remaining two until they got up.

6/? Anyway that was just to explain how we were all feeling about each other. So, we were on our second day. First day? Constant crying from one member. Did I feel bad? Yes. Did I want her to stop crying? Also yes. Right, second day? It’s raining. No surprise there, since we were in the Cairngorms. But our instructor told us that the river we were meant to cross was a) probably flooded and b) didn’t have a bridge crossing. We were fucking fuming

7/? The river is the important bit. We get there, right? It’s not flooded, despite Scotland’s best efforts because it’s literally July. Only problem is, the river literally goes up to our thighs. Anyway, no one wants to cross the river first due to being unable to swim etc. So I, I can swim you know, I did it competitively, I didn’t think I was going to drown worst case scenario. And I’m having a pretty bad day already, I think ‘how can it get any worse’ and i volunteer.

8/? We have to cross the river two by two for support. So I go with the instructor. I don’t know if you’ve ever done gorge walking or waded through a river before hella, but it was a bit like that. Except? I haven’t got any fucking shoes on. I had to tie my boots around my neck so that they wouldn’t be completely waterlogged and destroyed. So massive fuck off pointy rocks are digging into my feet at every step of the way. If I sound like I’m whining, I’m sorry, but I didn’t whine then so I do it now

9/? And to make matters worse, if I stop at any point, not only am I getting pushed in the back by the rapids, the instructor is yelling at me to ‘keep going’. Which, in hindsight was acc pretty good advice. Anyway, I don’t keep going, I’m tired and in pain. I take a moment to catch my breath, and that’s when it happens. A rapid comes and knocks me off my feet. I’m face down in the water. The instructor’s grabbed on to me by my neck. Not really, but if I was an animal it would be ‘scruff’ of neck.

10/? Anyway, she lets GO OF ME. What?? Now, I know I said before that I’m a good swimmer. Turns out, not when I have a rucksack that weighs a quarter of my body weight!! Shocked and upset. Anyway, I’m panicking but I float downstream into this ‘eddy’, which my friend explained is calm water. I climb onto the bank with the instructor’s help, absolutely spent. I’m not ashamed to say it, I hyperventilated a little. And I’ve lost the instructor’s walking pole. I watch it float down the river.

11/? The first thing she says ‘no one is crossing that river.’ I’m like thanks luv would have been helpful if you’d said that before. Anyway, we set off, leaving the rest of my group behind to fend for themselves. Eventually we arrive at our campsite for the evening. It’s a bothy. It is THE nicest bothy in Scotland. I’m not just saying that, it’s got reviews. It has toilets and everything. Their outdoors, but still. It also has dogs. Not permanently, but two hikers had brought their dogs with them.

12/? One of the other groups are also at the bothy. I walk in, they stare at me with both horror and fear in their eyes. I don't blame them: I literally look like a cryptid that's been woken up after ten thousand years. Anyway, they were literally so sweet, they made me hot chocolate in someone else's mug (they legit didn't have to do that it was so nice of them to lend me it) and one of them gives me their jumper that is literally so warm I fall asleep in it.

13/? So I'm sitting there, shivering, with a mug of hot chocolate in my hands. I'm talking one of the others, who had managed to throw their back out during their hike. THey're going home. I am literally so jealous at this point, i can't explain it. I tell the instructor I would also like to go home and this is when one of the instructors from another school pipes up 'you just fell in a river, why are you giving up?' I was SO angry. I literally finished DofE out of SPITE because of that instructor.

14/? I'd NEVER met them before. TO be honest though, I probably would have woken up the next day and been like, right let's get going then to complete it. But this? This CEMENTED it. I was finishing DofE if it KILLED me. And at this point, it was looking pretty likely. You may be wondering where my group was in all of this. They got lost. For SIX hours. I was so worried about them, let me tell you. Because not only had they lost their timekeeper, I had the stove.

15/? Okay I swear this is the last one. They get to the bothy at like 11 pm. I'm on the sleeping bag, stroking one of the instructor's dogs. It's a collie, it's literally the best part of my day. I love it. I hear my name being shouted, so I go and open the door and there they are. My odd, angry little group. Two of them hug me. And I know that sounds odd, but I'm bringing up those two bc one of them - we had been really close years ago, but we'd grown apart, so her hugging me made me so happy.

16/16 Okay THIs is the last one. The next day, we're walking to get to our next campsite. The instructor shortened our route so we walked for an hour, then set up camp and that was it. What they don't mention, to me, is that we have to cross ANOTHER RIVER to the to the campsite. I don't have PTSD, but I sort of understood it when I was balanced precariously on a fallen tree climbing over the white rapids. And that was my dofe experience. I have more, but it would be another 20 asks :)

—————

JESUS FUCKINGG CHRIST DKDJJFKFKFKKD I put all these together and put it in my drafts for later but I always forget about my drafts so just ignore the delay in response. This was a fucking rollercoaster. Perfect encapsulation of the chaos, comradely and just genuine ridiculousness of DofE. Can’t say I ever wound up in a river though

[greenflamedwriter]

Shance Prompt

To all the Fanfics I’ll never write. But I don’t want to lose them so here they are.

Filler Episode [#0002]

Ship: Shance- Shiro/Lance

Voltron Au: Return to Earth and Shiro gets back with Adam and Lance is heartbroken of Kuro. Plot oriented.

They land on earth and everything is fine, until Lance see’s Shiro and Adam reunite and feels utterly destroyed. Then to top it off they have a row with the instructors and James is high and mighty and says that they should be in charge of Voltron since they are better candidates.

So Shiro agrees and says if they’re team can pilot the lions then build up to their standards and do better than Pidge, Hunk Keith and Lance and are prepared for the Galra then sure.

All of the team gets denied, except for the Red Lion- it lets James pilot it and Lance now realises how much of a spare part he’s been.

That he would amount to nothing but a cargo pilot. 

James is cocky as hell sure- but Lance doesn’t seem too upset like last time- he knew he piloted red because Keith stepped down that he was a fighter pilot because Keith left. 

Lance was only here because Keith had to step down, just because of Lance’s ego? No he was so over that.

So Lance turns to James shakes his hand (stopping the arguments as Pidge was yelling at James and was defensive) 

Lance tells him, congratulations, he’s sure the team will teach him the ropes and that they should hurry to perfect their team dynamic. He turns to Iverson and says he has background experience on the Galra and has loads of intel to teach the cadets. They need to be ready for war as the Galra will not hold back- so Iverson agrees for Lance to be their informat to teach the class everything he knows.

Well- Iverson doesn’t Agree persay, but tells Lance he expects a module of what he will teach the kids that have to approved by the lectueres, Lance agrees and admits to giving a tour of the Altean Castle and giving his presentation inside.

Shiro is pissed off and ready to fight for Lance to stay but Lance intervenes “Shiro this works out, we need a pilot from the Garrison to be here. By Military standards a former pilot and a few dropouts have no weight or loyalty, they want to make sure Voltron is on their side first.”

“Of course we are! We want to protect earth-”

“But not become dictators like Zarkon- think of this as the accords from Civil war, look it’ll work out once they see what you can do-” And the fact that the country will assume Voltron was some terroist weapon so YEAH they needed to show they had control of Voltron.

“What we can do- Lance you’re a part of this team too!” Lance smiled though it didn’t reach his eyes.

“I know, which is why it’s better to be on the side lines, the Garrison know nothing about the Galra, Altean teach and the things they need to make them stronger, like Bulmarian crystals or Weblums that eat planets, they need to be prepared and they won’t understand a word Coran is saying and Allura is stuck with Voltron since she’s a new member. She and James can learn more together- this works out! I can help speed things along!”

“What about Shiro he can do all that stuff!” 

Pidge yelled and Lance shook his head even though Shiro nodded along with her.

“No- Shiro is the senior officer and would be working with Iverson and the other instructors and even Head of state- he’ll have his hands full trying to make sure the freakin army won’t use us as some sort of terrorist threat we can’t afford infighting with other continents when ACTUAL aliens might come out of nowhere and kill us- two pair of hands are better, guys...trust me, I know what I’m doing.”

“Are you really okay with this?”

Lance blinked surprised at the pure venom coming from Keith, Keith glaring right at him and his mouth slipped shut “I- of course, no use beating around the bush, I wasn’t meant to be a fighter pilot. I should accept my loses while I can.”

_____________________________

Iverson and other lectures start chewing Lance out and he snaps.

“To be perfectly candid, Sir. I’ve been to space and seen everything and have more experience with the Galra, the Alteans craft the materials needed such as Balmera and Weblum- Coran and I can teach you all there needs to know about what we are facing, I can give you my intel and what you do with it is up to you and your superiors.”

Iverson grit his teeth “Fine, Cadet. I will let the instructors know about the extra curriculum-”

“Oh these involves them too actually, how about I give you a tour of the Altean Castle- as science officors have to be in depth to replicate Altean technology since they’re much more advance and we need the extra fire power we can get- it would be easier since I can tell them whats what-”

“Fine, Mclain, do whatever you need. Sort out a trial Seminar and we’ll see if it’s appropriate for the cadets.”

Lance does everything, he helps out and ends up taking over, without warning he’s advanced from Cadet to Intruscter to [whatever the ranking system in the military is Idc] and ends up outranking Keith which is funny, he also gets better with the simulations and becomes a really good teacher, he and Iverson suddenly start getting along it’s scary- Lance avoids Shiro/Adam like the plague and just keeps busy.

Meanwhile James is not working well with the team and ends up crashing Voltron, the team have a comparison of when Lance left and knew the difference and were worried James was going to be a problem.

 Lance stays behind and becomes a teacher for the Garrison cadets and teachers them about the Weblum, Balmera and goes into detail. Students find out he died, and shit he shows his badass scar-

 and then the super dream team!

Romelle! Lance! Matt! Sam! and Shiro all work together to speed up the process to make Earth defendable, they work on the barrier and Lance only manages to get the remaining materials they can get while Shiro and Adam are working on the blueprints for the Atlas.

“Lance?”

Lance turns surprised to see Shiro looking flushed “I...We were thinking of a crew for the Altas.”

“Yeah…?”

Shiro held his gaze “I want you to be on my team, with Coran and the others.”

Lance almost dropped his data pad. “I - what?”

“Lance, you’re good- you would’ve been chosen by Voltron if-”

“But I wasn’t, it’s because I was there, when given the choice Red went to James, I’m just a spare…” Lance goes to walk away, Shiro grabbed his arm. “Are you saying I’m a spare? That I’m wasting my time on Atlas and should let someone like Iverson be in charge of it?”

“What? No! That’s not what I’m saying-”

“Lance maybe you outgrew Voltron, maybe both of us can be more than that, why can’t you see it when I say you’re a good pilot and a great sharpshooter-”

Lance eyes stung but Shiro was on a roll “I would be honoured to have you on my team, if you say no I hope it’ for the right reasons and not because you don’t think you’re good enough.” Shiro squeezed his shoulder “You are good Lance, I couldn’t ask for a finer pilot.”

Shiro left knowing that’s all he had to say, and Lance scrubbed at his face and hurried away, he had reports to deliver.

Lance gets along with Kinkade and James old team, James himself fumes that Lance was able to be flexiable to get along with both teas of Voltron and Mfe’s. Lance is also able to pilot the are fighter and breaks records. Lance is finally more comfortable in his own skin and ends up going to the shooting range with Kinkade, being so flexable makes James irritated.

Lance talks to James and is able to break through to him that being the best isn’t what matters in the grand scheme of things. So Lance talks about James trying to bond with Pidge and the others and that bonding with his fellow cadets is good for the team.

Lance ends up flying red to show James how it’s done.

Lance felt relaxed being back and could feel the content purr and smiled once he landed he walked out seeing James fuming face.

“I would kindly suggest you give me my lion back.” Lance smirked “She’s all yours.”

James took a step forward and yelped when the barrier swooshed down and he slammed into it, he fell back clutching his nose “What!?”

Lance smirked “I don’t think she’s ready to give me up as her pilot.”

Turns to see Shiro, Keith, Pidge and Hunk and Allura watching fondly.

Lance flushed “You guys were right and the lion- she was teaching me a lesson, I wanted to feel like I earned a spot at being her pilot. I wanted to work for it- but I didn’t, the Red Lion accepted me as I was it was me that felt inadequate.” 

“I guess you don’t need to be on the Atlas afterall, you’re still needed here I see.” Lance smirked “Hard to be in two places at Once...but it was thanks to you Shiro.”

Shiro flushed and ducked his head.

“Well if you change your mind, the offer still stands.”

Feel free to adopt this fic if you want I guess...

[mayraki]

The Trained Assassin

Spencer Reid series. Part 9.

Not my gif! Credits to the owner.

Summary: Life’s not easy when you found out that instead of being trained to be a spy for the CIA, you are being trained to be an assassin, a killer. The people you wanted to stop, they were making you one. That’s when you joined the BAU to become someone new, you didn’t want to be someone’s toy. You wanted your past to be arrased, that’s all. But it’s not easy to hide a past like that.

MASTERLIST

“Drinks & more drinks”

“Finally, finally, finally” Garcia said once the fresh air of the beach came into your nose. “A whole week of just the beach, dancing and drinking like we’re eighteen years old again.”

Morgan, Emily, Garcia, Spencer and you decided to go away for a little vacations. Once Morgan mentioned he had a friend who had a hotel in Jamaica, you all already knew what you wanted to do.

“Welcome!” Morgan’s friend said once you stepped inside the beautiful resort. “I hope everything here is according to your needs and here we have a a little present for our friends.” Two bartenders appeared and handed each one of us bottles of champagne.

We thanked them and after going to ours rooms, you immediately followed the group to the beautiful beach.

“You know, it’s good to be in a beautiful resort because you wanted to have a vacation and not because someone’s been murdered.” Emily said looking at the water.

“Look at that clystal clean water!” Garcia said all excited and walked towards the ocean.

You watched at Morgan who sat down next to Spencer, who was enjoying a little read on his book. Emily decided to follow Garcia and you joined her seconds later.

Spencer couldn’t help but watch you walk away. You had a beautiful black bikini on and he was trying so hard to go back to his book, but your body and the sun hitting in made it extremely difficult.

“Wow” Morgan said looking at Spencer “something made pretty boy look up from his book. This is way more serious than I expected.”

Spencer immediately went back to his book and tried to ignore Morgan, but he was not going to let it go that easily.

“I think this is more than just a crush.” He said putting his glasses on.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Spencer was trying to hard to stay focus on his book.

“C’mon, pretty boy. This is a great opportunity to do something. The beach, the beautiful music, this is the perfect time to act on it.”

“We agreed to stay as friends.”

“What? That’s bullshit.” He said turning to Spencer.

“We work together, it’s going to be weird.”

“Weird? You’re going to let go a girl like that because you think it’s going to be weird?” Morgan asked but Spencer didn’t answer, because he thought that Morgan was absolutely right.

After spending the entire day on the beach, Emily and Garcia decided they wanted to have girls night out, so you three went over to a bar close to the resort.

“If I’m not drunk by the end of the night, I’m calling this a failed night out.” Garcia said and you let out a little laugh.

Emily walked over to the bartender and looked at the menu, she was immediately approached by a tall man and it was clear that he was flirting with her.

“Who was he?” You asked her once she got to your table.

She smiled “His name is Jackson, he’s a dancer here at the resort.”

“A dancer?” Gracia asked raising her left eyebrow “You know what they say about dancers, right?”

Emily laughed and Garcia winked at her.

“Somebody is getting lucky tonight.” You said with a big smile and gently punching Emily with you fist on her shoulder.

“I’m not going to be the only one.” She said taking a sip of her drink and without breaking eye contact with me.

“Me? With the ghost of the resort?” You said jokingly looking around you.

“C’mon! You and Spencer.” She said and Garcia immediately agreed with her by nodding.

“Oh, yes. Everyone can see it. I can see it and I’m not a profiler.”

“Spencer? No... it’s not gonna happen.” You shook your head and took a sip from your glass.

“Why not? You two look really cute together.” Garcia said.

“No, we agreed to stay as friends.”

“So you two talked about it?” Emily said in shook.

You nodded. “Yes, since almost things happened. It was the right thing to do.”

“Almost?!” Garcia said and got closer to you. “Talk girl!”

“We almost kiss.” You said like it was not a big of a deal but the girls next to you didn’t see it like that.

“You almost kissed Spencer once and you didn’t tell us?!” Garcia asked while putting her hand on her chest.

“Twice.”

“Twice?!” The both asked at the same time.

“Yeah.. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”

“Well, when you do it, I wanna know everything. I want to know how’s Spencer in bed.” Garcia said and went back to her sit.

“Penelope!” You couldn’t help but let out a little laugh and turned to Emily who was nodding.

“Yeah, we all do. JJ too. It’s a common question we have since we knew him.”

“Really?” They both nodded and the question was stuck in your head all night.

***

The entire week went like you wanted, you didn’t relaxed like that in years. The group was so fun, you took a class of surf with Garcia and she spent the entire class flirting with the instructor and you couldn’t help but laugh at everything she did.

You kept count at the amount of phone numbers Morgan got in the time of only seven days, and you were really surprised at his charm. He knew exactly how to seduce women and won all the time.

Emily kept talking to the man she met on the bar the first night and you with Garcia teased her about it.

Spencer read six books and he was on the seventh the last day, you didn’t understand how he did it. But you liked that about him, something you couldn’t figure out.

It was the last night at the hotel, you had to take the plane tomorrow at first hour and you were getting your things ready. You got your pijama on, a simple big shirt and nothing underneath but your underwear. You liked to sleep comfortable, and that sometimes meant as little as possible.

You heard a knock on your door and you looked at it confused. You weren’t expecting guests and you supposed everyone was getting ready to leave. So you walked slowly to the door, your life always made your questioned everything out of the ordinary.

But once you opened your door, the confusion went down because Spencer was the one knocking on your door.

“I should get use to this. You knocking on my door when I least expect it.” You said and let out a little laugh. “Something wrong?”

“No, no. I...” he was trying to say something, but couldn’t find the way to say it. He lifted the bottle of champagne he had on his hand and shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t want it to go to waist, and it’s kinda sad if I drink it alone.”

You let out a little smile and turned to your left so Spencer could walk into your room. You remember what you were wearing but didn’t want to change it, for some reason you wanted Spencer to look at you like that.

You grabbed two champagne glasses and started to pour it in. You handed one to Spencer once you finished and headed to the balcony of your room.

“It’s a beautiful night.” You said sitting down on one of the chairs you had.

“It is.” He said sitting down next to you.

You let your legs rest on the side table you had on front of you and closed your eyes once a little wind started to blow.

“I haven’t done anything like this since forever.” You said opening your eyes and taking a sip from your glass.

“Yeah, me neither. I can’t remember the last time I took the time to just... sit and observe.” He said and you looked up to the stars.

“We have to do so many weird things for our job but never just... enjoy.” Spencer nodded.

“What’s the weirdest thing you had to do for your job?” He asked and you looked at him.

“The weirdest thing?” He nodded. “Let me think. I had to do so many things...” A lot of moments came into your mind but you the perfect one to say to Spencer. You didn’t know what came into you, but you felt his need to be flirty with him. “I had to... dance for a burlesque show.”

He lifted his eyebrow and his lips tensed. He looked down and you let out a little smile. You knew he was imagining you with those reaviling clothes.

“What about you?”

“Me?” He came back to reality and started to think “I had... to go undercover and look for a woman in a club who... had purple underwear.”

“Have what now?” You asked and he let out a little laugh.

“Yeah, that’s what she used to wear when she killed her victims.”

“And what did you do to find out?” You aksed getting closer to him and waiting for an answer. You could tell he was getting nervous. “No, wait. Don’t tell me, let my imagination go wild.” You let out a little smile and Spencer drank from his glass.

“Another weird thing that I did was... going out with an trained assasin.”

You wanna play, Spencer? Let the games begin.

“Oh, Really? I bet she’s a badass.”

“She is. But that’s not the only thing she is.”

“And what’s that?”

“Well, she’s a really smart woman. I could tell she was a special one. And she was... so beautiful.”

“Was she?” You got even closer to him and he let out a little smile.

“Yeah, stunning.”

You could feel the tension between you two grow as the space between you two was getting smaller and smaller. The air coming out of Spencer nose was mixing with yours, but you two separated quickly when you heard a knock on your door. Spencer sighed and you got up to be angry at the person that just ruined the moment.

But Morgan was the one who did it.

“Morgan?” You asked confused and he handed you your jacket.

“You forgot it at the bar last night. The bartender saw you wearing it and she gave it to me.”

“Oh, thank you.” You grabbed it and noticed that Morgan was looking inside your room. “You’re profiling my room, Morgan?” You asked him and he shook his head.

“Do you have someone in there, Y/n?” He asked jokingly and you lifted your left eyebrow.

“Bye, Morgan.” You said and you started closing the door. “And thank you!” And finally, the door was closed and you two were alone again. But reality hit you like a truck.

You remembered that you two decided to stay as friends and you had to stay like that. The flirting has to stop.

“Is everything ok?” He asked walking towards you.

“Yeah. I think.... I’m going to go to bed. It’s getting late and we have to wake up really early tomorrow.”

But Spencer kept getting closer and closer. He touched your hand and gently grabbed it.

“We agreed that it was going to be weird.” You said almost in a whisper.

“Fuck weird.” He said quickly and grabbed your cheeks with his hands and pull you closer, uniting your lips with his.

***

taglist; @itsarayofsunshine @whothefuckstolemykeds @haykayhesson @introvertedsin @mylovehes @infires420 @uwu-sebastianstan @my-life-is-here-soo @spencersdolore @oldspirit @l0ve-0f-my-life

[btschooseafic]

Hey you, what’s your dream?

Pairing: platonic!oc x ot7

Details: manager!oc, predebut/idolverse, partial BTS World!verse

Summary: Aviva does a deep clean of the dorm. Yoongi locks himself in the studio.

Warnings: This is a fictional story based on real events. The characters presented here are not the same as their real life counterparts. [Masterlist]

Track 10: Come Clean

Come Clean - Anfa Rose

“Let me come clean, I’ve been down in the dirt Don't get caught up on the details baby, but I been the worse”

According to the report Aviva received from Namjoon, he, Taehyung, and Jungkook had pulled the short straws and were sleeping on the couches.

Aviva hadn’t been able to stop by the new dorm since they moved in. She was still hoping to find them a larger place (within budget) as well as researching instructors. She had checked in on them in the group chat, and they said they were eating well and keeping a regular schedule. Jungkook called her one night to complain about Namjoon’s late night computer habits, but Aviva talked him into sharing a bed with either Jimin or Hoseok, knowing they wouldn’t mind.

So when she finally got to the dorm, it was a big shock to find it literally covered in trash.

Jungkook waved to her from his place sitting on the couch.

“Hi, Avi-noona...” His cheerful greeting tone faded when he spotted her expression. “What’s wrong?”

“Kim Namjoon-ssi…” Aviva practically growled.

“Yes, Siljangnim?” Namjoon said, entering the room wearing a calm smile. He looked over her face. “Why do you look so anxious?”

“Why?” She gestured around the room. “What the hell happened here? You said things were going fine.”

“They are.”

“It’s a pigsty in here!”

Namjoon shrugged. “Doesn’t bother me. Maybe it’s just you.”

“It’s okay to be a little messy,” Jin commented as he joined them.

“A little?” Aviva repeated dubiously. Jungkook laughed. She frowned at him. He sobered.

“Seokjin-hyung!” Hoseok said, rushing in. “Are the noodles done yet? I’m hungry…”

“Just you wait!” Jin smiled, turning to Aviva. “You’ll eat with us, right, manager? Do you want an egg with yours?”

“Jin-oppa…” Aviva said slowly. “When you said you could make a meal out of anything… were you counting instant noodles as a meal?”

“You have to eat instant noodles once in a while!” Jin argued. “Like you said—a balanced diet!”

“You know that’s not what I meant,” Aviva said. “But I won’t lecture you about it, as long as you’re eating other things as well.”

“Well, yesterday—” Jin started excitedly.

“Ah! Ah! Hyungs! Taehyungie’s being mean to me again!” Jimin said, running over.

Taehyung was running after him. “Hey! Didn’t I say that there would be a slap fight if I caught you messing around?”

“Okay, time to eat!” Jin said loudly. “I’m done noodling around!” Aviva snorted. Jin winked at her. Namjoon rolled his eyes.

“Huh, instant noodles?” Jimin perked up. “I want some!”

“Noodles?” Taehyung looked over at them. “We’ll have a momentary ceasefire then…” He blinked. “Manager-noona! You’re here!” He skipped over to her, leaning on her shoulder. “Are you eating with us?”

“I guess?” She looked at Jin. “I’ll have an egg.”

“Coming right up.” He nodded.

“Good God…” Yoongi groaned, coming out of the bedroom with his hands over his ears and his eyes narrowed in slits. “Can you guys please keep it down when people are sleeping? Seriously…”

Aviva stared at him. “You’re just waking up? It’s past noon.”

“I told you I’m trying to keep a normal schedule,” he said. Aviva took a deep breath in, and a deep breath out.

“Okay, okay, so maybe you’ve been living in a pigsty off of instant noodles and sleeping at odd hours—are you at least practicing?” She looked around at them.

“Practicing?” Yoongi repeated doubtfully.

“Well, as you can see, we’ve been doing a lot of team bonding,” Jin told her.

“What about that routine Sungduek-ssi wanted you to work on?” She asked. Hoseok blinked, resting his hands on his hips.

“What? Ah, um… what was it again?”

“Was it this one?” Jimin danced awkwardly. Hoseok looked at him and started doing something completely different.

“You haven’t practiced at all,” Aviva realized, sinking onto the couch. She squeaked. “What is this?” She stood up quickly, touching the back of her pants. “It’s wet…”

“Ah…” Jungkook winced. “That was my banana milk. I meant to clean it up yesterday, but I guess I forgot…”

“Okay.” Aviva rolled up her sleeves.

“Uh-oh,” Namjoon said, eyeing her. “She’s getting serious.”

“Noona?” Jimin looked at her in concern. “What’s wrong?”

“Look,” she said, holding her hands on her hips. “I get that this is new for you, and it’s exciting, but how do you expect to debut if you keep living like this? What are you guys doing?”

“Actually… we don’t know what we’re doing,” Namjoon admitted. “Like you said, it’s new to us. Bang-PD-nim sort of let us do whatever we wanted in the beginning. But once Chief Youngjin came into the picture, he planed things down to the hour. Now that he’s cut us loose, we don’t even know where to start. We knew you were busy, and we didn’t know who else to ask…” Aviva sighed.

“Sorry we disappointed you,” Hoseok said.

“Oh, Hobi,” Aviva said, her chest feeling tight. “You could be doing better, but so could I. It’s new for all of us… we’ll just have take it slowly, one step at a time.”

“Manager-noona?” Jungkook asked quietly. “What do you want us to do first?”

“I think a good goal would be to write a song,” Aviva thought aloud. “I want everybody to have some input, even if it’s just a little. Stick to whatever feels the most comfortable at first. Maybe Yoongi-oppa can work on a beat...” She looked at him. He smiled at her, making her feel like she missed a step going down the stairs.

“I’ll start right away!” He turned to go back into the bedroom.

“Nope!” Aviva stepped in front of him. “There’s something we need to do before anything else!”

“What’s that?” Taehyung wondered.

“Jin-oppa, do we have these items?” She sent him a quick text. He looked at it.

“Do we have to—“ His eyes widened. “Okay, wow, I’ve never seen such a scary look on your face, okay, yes, I’ll go get the stuff.” He came back a moment later with garbage bags, a vacuum, and a mop.

“It’s time for a deep cleaning,” Aviva announced. “We’ll never get anything done in a house like this.”

Taehyung took one look at the cleaning supplies and tried to make a break for it.

“Grab him!” Namjoon shouted. Jimin and Jungkook pounced. Hoseok laughed.

“Okay, but first, you come with me, Avi-yah!” He grabbed her arm.

“What? Why?” She wondered as he dragged her towards the bedroom. The left side of the room was decidedly neater than the right. The right top bunk was covered in laundry and miscellaneous technology. Aviva could make out a laptop, a camera… was that a disassembled soundboard? The bed beneath it was covered in plushies. On the left side of the room the bottom bunk was covered in skin care products, and a few plushies. The top bunk was neatly made with what looked like a freshly ironed suit hanging on a hanger off the bed frame. She pointed. “I’m guessing this bed is yours?”

“Why do you wanna know?” Hoseok said, wiggling his eyebrows at her as he moved over to a set of drawers. Aviva ignored the innuendo, stepping up next to him to study the line of figurines carefully arranged on top of the dresser.

She smiled. “I didn’t know you collected these.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty cute,” Hoseok said nonchalantly. “Maybe I could even give Jiminie a run for his money.” She hummed uncertainly. Hoseok nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. No one’s as cute as Jiminie—too bad he’s a slob, like the rest of them.” He sighed, pulling a pair of sweatpants out of his drawer and held it out to her. She stared at it confusedly. “You sat in banana milk. I think these should fit you.”

“Oh.” Her face felt hot. “I forgot. Thanks.” She took them.

“Give your pants to me when you’re done changing,” Hoseok said, moving towards the door. “I’m good at getting stains out—oh, and you should take your jacket off too, so it doesn’t get dirty while we clean! I’ll get you a hanger for it.”

“Whose pants are those?” Namjoon wondered as he watched her cuff the bottoms of the too-long sweatpants.

“Mine!” Hoseok singsonged. “Doesn’t she look cute in my clothes?”

Namjoon frowned, trying not to study the way the fabric highlighted her curves so closely. “Well, sort of…”

“Guys,” she said, flushing. “Shut up and let’s start cleaning.”

Three days later, Jungkook texted Aviva, worried that Yoongi had been locked in the studio working on the new song this whole time.

“He needs sun!” Jungkook said. “And food other than the dumplings Jin-hyung is leaving in front of the door for him.”

Aviva rushed over, going into the room despite the others protests that Yoongi wasn’t himself and she would be better off leaving him alone.

“Manager-nim? What are you doing here so late?” He said, squinting at her through the dark.

“Late?” She walked over to the blackout curtains and pulled them open. He hissed at the sudden light. “It’s noon.”

“My eyes!”

Aviva snorted. “Are you a song writing vampire, Yoongi-oppa?” She ignored his glare. “Either get some sunlight or take some vitamins or something, you’re worrying JK.” Yoongi rolled his eyes.

“The maknae shouldn’t worry.”

“Shouldn’t he?” She moved over to the computer. “Can I hear what you’ve been working on?” She gasped as he grabbed her wrist. “Aish, Yoongi, your hands are cold.”

“Sorry.” He pulled her back from the computer. “But the bridge isn’t done yet, so you can’t hear it.”

“Yoongi-yah…” She looked at him worriedly. “I appreciate that you’re putting so much effort into this song, but I’m worried about you too. You need sleep. Don’t you love sleeping?”

He shrugged. “It’s my choice if I want to suffer for my art.” He smiled tiredly. “Thanks for appreciating my effort, though. That helps.” He pushed her gently, but firmly, out of the room.

“Joonie…Joon…” Aviva waved her hand in front of his face. They were sitting at a cafe. She had meant to meet up with him and talk about how they could help Yoongi, but his focus was on his notebook. “Are you struggling with the songwriting that much?”

“Well, yeah.” He finally ripped his eyes off of it, looking at her. “How can I figure out a theme if Yoongi-hyung doesn’t let me hear the beat? It’s killing me.” He sighed. “Listen, I gotta get going, keep trying with this. I’ll see you later, okay?”

The next morning, Aviva got a call from Namjoon, telling her that he had accidentally deleted Yoongi’s file while trying to sneak a listen of it.

“It’s partially my fault as well, since I didn’t stop him,” Hoseok thought. “Sorry, Siljangnim.” He clasped his hands together.

She sighed, running her hand through her hair.

“Well, thanks for being honest, guys. I’ll talk to him.”

“Do you think he’ll forgive us?” Hoseok asked sadly.

“…I think so,” Aviva said. “We all know Yoongi-oppa is a lot thoughtful than he pretends to be. And anyway, you’re a team. Arguments are inevitable, it’s how you resolve them that matters.”

“Right.” Namjoon nodded, a serious look on his face. “There’s only one thing to do.” He grabbed Hoseok’s arm. “Let’s go.”

“What?” Hoseok shouted, startled as Namjoon pulled him along.

“I didn’t know you studied computer science,” Yoongi said, watching as she sat in his chair and typed away at his computer.

“Just a little.” She yawned. “I’ve taken a lot of classes on different things—you never know what you might need to know as a manager, right?”

“I guess?” His brow furrowed. “So…what are you doing now?”

“Looking back in the program’s logs… oh.” She grimaced. “Sorry, oppa, the newest version that was auto saved was from several days ago.”

Yoongi let out a deep breath, pushing his bangs away from his face.

“Right. That would be the case.” He tilted his head, studying the dark circles under her eyes. “Listen, you’ve been at this all night. You should go home, get some rest.”

“Hypocrite,” she muttered.

He raised an eyebrow at her. “Excuse me?”

She waved her hand. “I’ll be fine. I just need coffee. Coffee, coffee…” She hummed as she stood up, stretching. “You want some?”

“Sure. You make a good cup of coffee.”

She beamed at him, making his stomach flutter a bit.

When she opened the studio door, Jimin and Jungkook fell inside. They must have been leaning up against the door. Yoongi frowned at them, resting his hands on his hips. Jimin laughed nervously and made a break for it, running over to hide behind Jin and Taehyung, who were standing further down the hall. Yoongi grabbed Jungkook before he could get away.

“What’s going on?” He growled.

“Nothing, we were just… worried,” Jungkook admitted. “You’ve been in here for a while, and Namjoon-hyung and Hoseok-hyung have been locked in the bedroom for days as well…” Aviva frowned.

“They won’t let me in my own room!” Jimin whined. “I want clean clothes, and my skin care products, and my bed, and—“

“I’m tried of leaving food at doors!” Jin whined. “I want to see people eating my food—appreciating it!”

“Is locking yourself in your room the trend these days?” Taehyung wondered, titling his head. “I should take notes.”

“No, no.” Aviva walked over to him and patted his arm. “Don’t be like them, Tae Tae, please. Just be yourself.”

Taehyung smiled at her. “Okay, manager-noona. I can do that.”

“Jin-oppa, I’m gonna make some coffee for me and Yoongi-oppa. I might be hungry, if you wanna pick up breakfast together,” she offered.

“Yes!” Jin waved his arms excitedly.

Yoongi groaned.

“Too loud. I’m going back to the studio…”

When Namjoon and Hoseok finally came out of their room, they revealed they had been working on recreating what they had heard from Yoongi’s file. They hadn’t been able to remember the whole thing, but Yoongi enjoyed the changes they made and asked them to keep working with him on the final version.

“Aw…” Aviva said, watching the three of them chat away.

“It’s so touching, isn’t it?” Taehyung thought, leaning on her shoulder.

[friiday-thirteenth]

right right right c a m p

ok. ok so it was very long and I'm unbelievably tired but also my head says write it down so uh

day one- five hour bus ride. it was fun, bc the person I was sitting beside slept the whole time and I got to joke around with the guys, who were surprisingly chill. they only brought up p*rn once, which is like.... good for them all things considered lmao

then we had the tramp in. the campsite where we were staying at the first night was the farthest from base, and one group biked in while the other tramped.

my groups tramp took s i x h o u r s. no other groups went over five. we had to keep stopping bc a) one kid was feeling sick, b) one kid rolled her ankle and c) we weren't allowed to sprint off into the Bush and potentially die without an instructor with us.

so there were like, four of us who were constantly at the front, and they were: me, my crush, my crushes best friend, bitch-who-bullied-me.

twas interesting.

we got the campsite in the dark, after a river crossing in which my socks got soaked, as did my shoes, and the tents and food were already sorted for us so that was great. food was shit, though. mince that was half brown water and cold pasta.kept us going, though, and as became my motto throughout camp, food is food.

that night was the only time I cried. kinda sad, tbh, but it was bc on the 'girls' side (as we all know that if the boys and girls tents were together, absolutely everyone would just be going at it, of course (jfc they have a low opinion of year tens (we sorta deserve it though, stuff happened with last years year tens...))) everyone else was paired up and even the people in three person tents didnt want me in there 🥰🥰🥰🥰 really felt the love there, guys.... jokes on them I slept by myself each night and was ready within five minutes each morning. actually really glad they showed how much they didnt care abt me bc it was really nice being alone in the wilderness, and that's not sarcasm.

anyway. day two.

woke up, was ready within ten minutes bc I woke with the leaders, who wake ten minutes before we're meant to and get themselves and breakfast ready before we're up. (I'm really fast at waking up, but take ages to go to sleep. like, everyone has to stfu before my body's able to start shutting down, and as soon as there's people moving around I'm up like a shot.)

anyway. I had eaten breakfast and was washing up before anyone else came out. next kid out was my crush, and we bitched about people taking forever for a while, which was fun.

then we waited for ages for everyone else to get sorted out, blah blah blah, and we had the bike ride back. 11.5 kilometers, I think,mostly downhill for us.

it was fun! I'm not a brilliant biker, but I kept near the middle-front of the group, and i just. let go of the brakes going downhill. and these hills were bloody steep and gravelly, plus the dips and river crossings.

I didnt fall off the bike, but one kid did lmao. there was this sharp turn before a metal gate, and He saw the gate and started pulling kn the brakes, but he hit the front brakes and just. flipped. the bike crashed into me and he went to the ground.

it was funny in the afterwards, but the kid got rather grazed lmao. he's not dead though, so that's good.

we were at the campsite that was, in my opinion, the coldest that night. also I slept in a three person instead of a two person, and by myself that meant more body heat was going into the tent. brrr. but we also did the nightline activity(hold onto a rope and follow it through the dark forest while blindfolded and with a helmet on. highly recommend it. go do it with friends u trust lmao)

I was behind this slow kid and he tripped at one point so I just. went ahead of him. then I spent around half an hour walking through the dark by myself (I walked into five trees. each time I took a step back, glared at it through the blindfold fifty five seconds and then continued around it with a muttered bitch. I'm nothing if not dramatic.) before I crashed into my crush hehe. it was near the end and we just got to the end at the same time, where two others already were. it was chill, we talked for a while. bullied people who were going through it by whacking trees they were near with sticks and shaking the line as they tried to use it. (we were allowed to, dw)

the next day, we went canyoning and holy frick frack fuckedy fuck fuck, that was c o l d. freezing. I jumped into the water and nearly died (exaggerated) but my crush jumped through a fricken waterfall and couldnt feel his hands or feet for ten minutes. another kid was walking funny bc he'd waited in the water for five minutes, and this shit was cold enough that we were wearing wet suits and thermals.

once we were dry and dressed (we got to have showers. h e a v e n (I only took 10 seconds bc like, why tf would you need a longer one? people took fifteen minutes, like wtf)) we went rock climbing! which was brilliant, honestly. I liked the belaying more (I've got this thing where I prefer people trust me than me trusting them, hmmm I wonder why) but also climbed the hardest one! it was really fun, and I only fell like fourteen time at one point (lmao,the rope caught me each time but I looked like a fuvking idiot hehe)

then we slept at a campsite which had a fire kn the beach!! if was so much fun. we also did a solo, which involved us sitting in the wild for twenty minutes and reflecting upon camp. I lay on the ground and stared at the moon. it was lovely and peaceful, until two kids started talking.

side note, guys voices are lovely and deep and rumbly and very nice (in general) but girls are generally higher pitched and ugh, it can be v e r y bloody annoying when ur trying to contemplate life.

possums visited camp that night. woke up in the middle of it to a possum crashing into the side if my tent, and I just. stopped breathing for a minute while I listened to it. a possum growling sounds terrifying. look it up!

also heard cows that night. cows are good.

day four, we abseiled. holy s h i t, it was fun. just... sitting there and watching the river and and rock and dangling in midair.... god, I loved it.

then we went to the high ropes course. this was b r i l l i a n t. we'd done low ropes st some point, but high ropes involved more belaying, which involved, and then at one point, we did a thing called the leap of faith, which was around eight meters high and you climbed to the top of this cylinder of wood before jumping for a trapeze. I knew I wouldn't get it, so I jumped on two when they counted down for me, and I missed lmao. but it was bloody brilliant.

then we had to do a whole shitton of cleanup,which they don't normally get groups to do, but we were s p e c i a l (as in our school gets to clean things we dont even use, sigh) before camping one last night. I had go share with someone, it was gell, packed up at least four tents in the morning bc I was very good at that for some reason,before we hot back to camp and went to the bus and oh, that was brilliant.

I finished my book, chatted with the guys, chatted with my crush for .5 of a second, had that thkng happen where people see you talking to a guy and are like ooOOooohhHHHHHhhh they're dAtiNG bc we're all stupid year tens and it was fucking hilarious (I've never dated anyone, so peopke bloody obsess over pairing me up with someone and I'm just like??? fuckers I'ma child how abt no (sidenote there was a couple on camp and they were cute but uh. year ten relationships dont really last, according to my year 13 camp leader (she was chill af, and basically showed me a whole new perspective on being friends with guys and so in conclusion she's bloody brilliant))) anyway they came up with a ship name for me and the guy and I nearly pissed myself laughing bc its best to laugh along with it and it was really funny tbh

anyway. we also for some reason talked abt sex and porn a lot and it was weird but also kinda chill bc most of the boys are relatively respectful of the girls,in the sense that we all make dirty jokes to each other but don't cross the line, so it was pretty funny and chill. also guys apparently never stop making dick jokes and that type of shit and it was kinda funny tbh

then we got home, grabbed our shit, and legged it away from there.

now I'm gonna rant abt my crush hehe

he was like, oh who's this? when we were walking to dinner in the dark one night (I was in front of him and his friend and he couldn't see my face) and then fucking knew who I was from the way that I walked like mate, why tf do you know how i walk and how to describe it, hmm?

I flipped him off after he said that though it was fucking funny

also!! he just. stared at my eyes and was like, are your eyes different colors? and I was like yeah. and he just nodded slowly and we maintained eye contact for a while. twas weird.

we have staring contests a lot too?? like, he'll look at me or I'll look at him and then at one point he was like, you just stare at people and then tilt ur head, dont you! and I was like wtf dude,but also I kept eye contact bc its a Thing.

also on the bus ride home he just mimicked my facial expressions and it was really bloody funny and j broke out laughed and he smiled

yeah basically I'm hopelessly crushing on him bc he's smart and sarcastic but it never gonna happen so I just wanna be friends type thing. sigh.

ANYWAY. camp was kinda great, at some points it left me feeling like I was so bloody alone and also I felt really shitty mentally but I kept going and i really enjoyed it! yeah! also i nearly cried when i said goodbye to my instructors bc they were brilliant and I'm gonna miss them so bloody much, I'm sad I'll never see them again.

yeah.

[tears-and-lilies]

Observer

Kneecap day piece!

Kneecap day is an idea from @brutal-nemesis and I wanted to join in on it! However, I took my own spin on it, so I hope this still counts actually ^-^;

This takes place a bit later in the story, like a month or two, maybe? I introduce yet another character for this. I have so many OCs, I can’t help it! Menouri is a minor character, and he won’t be appearing much throughout the story. Glorien is maybe 18 here. I’m not sure yet how I’m going to age him up.

Tag: @whumpfigure; @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi; @green-eyed-whumpster; @liliability

CW: mention of broken bones (specifically knees, did you guess? tho it’s not actually in the way that you think, i said “mention”), acid, skin irritation, skin inflammation

***

The dancers moved in accordance with the drum beat. Their mostly white clothes flowed with each step. Step one, step two, step forward and pirouette, stop. To the left, lift leg and spread arms. Repeat from the beginning.

Menouri sped up the beat of the drum. The dancers had to learn how to do these steps quickly, now that they knew how to do them in order. With each restart, Menouri’s hands hit the drum faster. He barely had to think, his hands always found their way to the perfect rhythm. He loved this trance he was in. He didn’t have to do much, he felt like just an onlooker, really, but he liked that little world. His father’s job, as dance instructor, was to watch over the dancers, to make sure they moved in just the right way. Now and then he corrected one of them, but he seemed content overall. Or he did, until right after another pirouette, when the new dancer tripped and fell on the ground, face forward. It happened often. Menouri got used to the poor dance skills of that dancer – Glorien, if he remembered correctly.

Menouri’s hands stopped before Menouri himself could really understand what was happening. The thought “But he’s fine, he caught himself by his hands” and the perception of loud screaming entered his mind at the same time. The other dancers stopped in their tracks and turned towards their colleague.

‘What happened?’, Menouri’s father asked the dancer. Pretty self-explanatory, but a good way to get him to stop screaming.

‘I- I fell! My knee! My knee hurts!’, Glorien shouted. ‘I can’t move my leg! It’s broken! I broke my knee!’ He was panting heavily.

‘You broke your knee? Can I see? Can you move your leg?’

‘No, it’s broken! It hurts! It hurts so badly! I broke it when I fell!’

Menouri held his breath. Wait, did his knee even touch the ground before he caught himself? He shook his head and grabbed his crutch. He stood up on his foot – the only foot he had – and made his way over to where the ruckus was. He wasn’t the only one, as he saw that guard who always kept an eye on the new dancer come over too.

‘What now?’, the guard snarled. ‘You broke your knee?’ Don’t give me this bullshit, his tone seemed to say.

Menouri was taken aback by the look Glorien gave the guard. He couldn’t have looked more disdainful. ‘Yes. I did’, he responded with gritted teeth.

The guard turned his head to the side and rolled his eyes. Menouri wanted to suggest calling a doctor, but he stopped when he saw a gin forming on the guards face. The man looked back at Glorien.

‘So you’re saying you can’t dance anymore, because your kneecap is broken?’

‘I’m saying I’m in pain and need medical attention. I might not be able to walk, sir. Dancing is the least of my problems right now.’ The hatred in Glorien’s voice paralleled the fire in his eyes. He seemed to have gotten a bit more confidence since he first got here. Menouri wasn’t sure whether that was a good thing or not. The young dancer always seemed to have an itch to get things done his way. And he clearly didn’t want to dance.

‘Move him aside, so you can continue with your practice. I’ll get some stuff from the nurses’, the guard told the dance instructor.

Two girls picked Glorien up and carried him towards the side of the room. He groaned at every step. A bit too dramatically, maybe. Menouri followed. One exchange of looks with his father let him know he was expected to take care of the dancer. They placed him against the wall, and Menouri lowered himself onto the ground next to him. His father tapped with his staff on the ground to indicate rhythm. The dancers hastened back to their positions.

Menouri felt uncomfortable. Now and then he glanced at Glorien, but never knew what to say. He wasn’t good at this.

The guard came back with a bowl. He placed it next to Glorien. The bowl had a thick, clear liquid in it. It’s smell made Menouri’s nose curl up. Unmistakably the cleaning acid that was common in the province of Arctoia. His own mother had used it for the windows in their house.

‘What’s that?’, Glorien asked cautiously.

The guard grinned. ‘I asked the nurses for something to cure your broken kneecap. This lovely substance helps broken bones heal in the span of mere seconds, it’s amazing.’ He picked up the bowl and lifted it above Glorien’s stretched-out, supposedly broken, leg.

‘That won’t help. How do you even use it?’ The dancer’s eyes were fixed on the bowl.

‘You only have to apply it to the skin around the bone. Here, let me do it for you. I’m sure you’ll love it.’

When Menouri realised what was happening, it was too late. Without hesitation the guard tilted the bowl and poured a small stream of the liquid onto Glorien’s knee. At first, nothing happened. Glorien sucked in breath through his teeth. But when the acid started dripping down the sides of his knee, onto the floor, and it slowly ate away at his skin tissue, he screamed. He writhed his leg reflexively, in what Menouri could only assume was an attempt to cool down the burning pain.

‘You can move your leg? Maybe your knee isn’t as broken as you thought it was!’, the guard said.

Immediately, Glorien lay down his leg on the floor again, biting his lip. He shook his head.

‘What, “no”? Is it still broken? You’re going to need more then.’ The guard grabbed Glorien’s wrist and pulled his hand towards the bowl he had placed back on the ground.

Menouri had no clue what to do. He had never been into a situation like this before. He was powerless against the guard. The guards stood directly under the Emperor – or rather, his brother – while he was just the son of the dance instructor. His whole life he had been a silent observer, and nothing more. What was he meant to do?

So he did nothing but stare. He looked as Glorien’s hand was dipped into the liquid, and brought to his knee to rub it over the skin. He listened as the young dancer whined and moaned at the feel of the stinging acid, trying not to scream. Trying to outsmart the guard, to keep up his lie. Glorien was stubborn. He kept still, even when his hand was pulled towards the acid a second time. Tears flowed down his cheeks as he was forced to smear the liquid onto his knee once more. When the guard pulled for a third time, Menouri’s stomach twisted. He wanted to look away. Just for a moment.

‘So, that seems about enough. That feels really soothing, doesn’t it? I’m sure your kneecap has healed now.’

Ironically, the knee now somewhat looked like it was actually broken. It was red and swollen. The acid was still running down onto the floor. Menouri subconsciously ran his hand over the stub at the end of his leg.

Glorien was clenching the hand that had touched the liquid into a fist. He blinked a few times, then said, with a shaky voice: ‘I don’t think that he-elped. It’s still broken. I can’t dance any-anymore.’

The guard’s smirk faded. He grabbed Glorien’s dance uniform and pulled him up. ‘Enough playing around. You never broke your kneecap, stop making such a drama out of it. Or do you want me to fore the remaining content of this bowl down your throat?’

Glorien shook his head violently. The guard set him back on his feet.

‘You’re here to dance, so you will dance. Now go.’ He pushed Glorien towards the dance group.

Menouri grabbed his crutch again and went back to his drum. The world of his drum was familiar and safe. In a matter of seconds he was back in his trance. He pretended not to notice the way Glorien was shaking while hardly keeping up with the rest, bending and twisting one leg for pain relief. Step one, step two, step forward and pirouette, stop. To the left, lift leg and spread arms. Repeat from the beginning.

[silveryinkystar]

Some deleted scenes from my latest atla fic!

#1: In which Zuko adopts a dragon, and Mai really should be used to this by now

Just when she thinks he can’t surprise her anymore, Zuko goes and does something that proves her wrong. Like bringing home a baby dragon.

“I’m going to call you Druk,” he coos at the little coiled lump in his hands. “You’re lucky I’m here, otherwise Sokka might have called you something like Firebreather or Noodle.”

Mai has been introduced to Zuko’s turtleducks both before and after his banishment. Sokka’s not the only one who would be tempted to name a dragon Noodle.

“When Ty Lee said you wanted some time away,” Mai says conversationally, “I don’t think this is what she meant.”

He starts badly at her voice, but when he spins around to face her, he’s beaming widely. Spirits, he could light up the entire Fire Nation with that smile. “Mai! I thought you were coming back next week.”

“I got bored,” she repeats, smirking. “I missed Ty Lee, and gave my parents the slip when they said they were taking a detour. Seems like I wasn’t the only one who ran away. You’ve been up to a lot, hm?”

He chuckles. “Kind of,” he admits, and his expression turns serious. “The palace was getting to me, so I needed a break. I wasn’t intending on bringing Druk back, but I don’t mind.”

“Do the turtleducks like him?” she asks dryly.

“They love him. It’s weird, they’ve never actually seen a dragon before.”

“And you have? Before… Druk, I mean.”

He flushes, opens his mouth to speak, and closes it again.

“Zuko, that’s a yes or no question.”

“It’s… confidential?” he squeaks, flicking his gaze to the tiny hatchling winding around his hand, weaving around the limb before lying across Zuko’s shoulders like a very short scarf. It’s adorable.

She exhales. “When it stops being confidential,” she allows, “let me know before the others? And by that I mean the Fire Nation officials. I’m going ahead and assuming the Avatar and your other friends know.”

“Aang knows, but the others don’t,” Zuko corrects. “Of course I’ll tell you the whole story first.”

“Good.” She walks up to her best friend and embraces him tightly. He stiffens momentarily but hugs her back, careful not to dislodge Druk. “I didn’t just miss Ty Lee, you know.”

She can feel his smile against her shoulder. “I know. I missed you too, Mai.” He pulls away and holds her at an arm’s length. There’s a wicked smile on his face that’s somehow also completely devoid of malice. Not that she could ever see malice on him. “But you mostly missed Ty Lee.”

“One more word and you’ll find a knife on your royal person,” she warns.

#2: In which Sokka takes Zuko into the towns outside the Caldera to show him how much the place has changed

“You know what I think?”

Zuko hums and looks over from a scroll to his friend, who’s lounging on the bed with a map held above his head.

“I think the council members are jealous,” Sokka says.

Zuko raises his eyebrow. “What of?”

“Huh?”

“What would they be jealous of?”

“Oh,” Sokka exclaims, blinking in surprise. “They only have a few supporters among the nobility. Mostly in Caldera City. The people love you and your reforms, and your latest repeal of Sozin’s marriage laws won you even more favours among them.”

“There were more dissenters,” Zuko says with a frown. “I thought it was massively unpopular, even if it was the right thing to do.”

Sokka turns over and waves a hand vaguely at him, grinning like a fool. “See, that’s what I mean. You don’t care about popularity. You saw the marriage laws and knew that you couldn’t put boundaries on love, so you changed the rules. You found out why the war was wrong, and you ended it. Not without help, of course, but you did it all. You care about your people, and they know it.”

Zuko doesn’t know what to say to this, so he resorts to throwing a cushion at his friends face for having him confront feelings. His indignant yelp is a sound that leaves him chuckling for a good minute, so he lets it slide.

But the matter isn’t done yet, at least according to Sokka. On the last day of his visit, Zuko finds that there are no meetings scheduled for the day. He thinks he’ll spend some time in the gardens with his friend, like old times, but Sokka seems to have other plans.

“You guys have fun,” Suki says with a kiss to Sokka’s cheek and a clap on Zuko’s shoulder. “I’ll catch you later.”

Sokka pulls Suki into a proper kiss on the lips before he calls out a quick goodbye and drags Zuko out of the palace.

“Have you been to the towns and villages before?” Sokka asks as they make their way down the slope of the inactive volcano housing the capital city.

“Not nearly as much as I’d like,” Zuko admits. “I’ve been around the capital and Ember Island, but there wasn’t any reason for me to go down to the rest of the Fire Nation.” By reasons, he trusts Sokka understands that he means Ozai had strict rules to stay within the city limits.

“Huh. That’s not great.”

“I went to one of the towns once with my cousin, though,” he adds, expecting the familiar pang in his heart at the mention of Lu Ten before it hits him.

“He’s one of the good ones?” Sokka guesses.

Zuko smiles sadly. “He was like an older brother to me. You know, he was the one to tell Mom and Uncle that I was good with swords?”

“No way.”

“Ozai knew that I was leaving for a change in instructors,” Zuko continues, “but he never really cared either way at the time. He only really became a problem when Uncle and Lu Ten left to fight.”

“Ah.” Sokka rests a hand on his shoulder and squeezes lightly, and Zuko knows to draw comfort from the gesture. He misses Lu Ten dearly, but the sting of loss is numbed, now. He can think of his antics with his cousin during his early childhood without the accompanying sorrow threatening to overwhelm him.

They’re at the base of the volcano now, so Zuko slips up his hood. His hair is free of its topknot and falls over his scar so that he can blend with the crowd unremarkably. There’s no sign that he might be discovered, though, and no repercussions even if he is (except perhaps from his guards, but Ming won’t really mind once she understands why).

The first thing he notices are the sounds. There’s laughter, chatter, and the occasional yelling interspersed with off-key music. He’s already taken aback by how different it is from when Lu Ten helped him sneak out one night when his parents were away with Azula.

“I…”

Sokka smiles and loops an arm around his shoulders. “You haven’t seen anything yet, buddy. You’re going to love this.”

The wind blowing around them is cool enough to be uncomfortable, so Zuko tugs up his collar and raises his internal temperature to compensate. Sokka seems to be unaffected by the chill, which is only to be expected considering his friend spent most of his life in harsh southern winters. They stop every few paces to look at what the roadside stalls were selling, and more than once Sokka actively considers the merits and demerits of buying something they sell before deciding against them, moving forward, and darting back only to walk away again.

The fifth time this happens, Zuko finds a permanent solution in the fire-dancers performing in the streets. It’s his turn now to haul his friend over to them, and Sokka is all too willing to oblige as Zuko watches the performers exaggerate their movements with graceful bending.

“You know, this was pretty cool in the Fire Days Festival too – spirits, are you okay?”

From how distressed Sokka suddenly looks upon seeing his face, he automatically reaches up to touch the scar only to find his cheeks wet. He hadn’t even realised he was crying, but he scrambled for an explanation to keep the other boy from panicking.

“I used to watch the fire-dancers with my mother every year when we went to Ember Island,” he says, swiping at his eyes. “I always wanted to learn their bending style, it’s much more flowy than any other form of firebending. And… it’s been a while since the Fire Nation was this happy outside of festivals. And, well, Ember Island.”

Sokka nods slowly, but he doesn’t look any more placated.

“I guess it never really felt real to me,” Zuko mumbles, ducking his head as his eyes start to burn and glaze over once more. “I’m always stuck at meetings or fighting the council to pass a reform that would help my people, but…”

There’s a lump in his throat that stops him from speaking further, but Sokka leads him away from the crowd gently and finishes it for him.

“You never saw how your decisions impacted your people.”

Zuko manages a strangled chuckle. “They’re happy,” he whispers.

Sokka holds him an arm’s length away, hands firm on his shoulders. “That’s what I wanted to show you,” he says. “They’re healing, and they’re happy. I know most of the people you see are the ones who benefitted from the war, but when we were making our way to the capital before the eclipse, we noticed that it had left its mark on the Fire Nation too.”

Zuko nods, thinking about how he’d received news of an important weapons factory suddenly stopping production because of some problem with the river it was located on. He’d investigated it further and had declined to deliver that information to Ozai once he heard how badly the nearby town had fared.

“We’re the ones who instigated the war,” Zuko says, slumping against the wall of some building. “There were so few people who didn’t suffer for it.”

Sokka slides down next to him wordlessly. It’s not self-deprecating for him to say this – it’s the truth, and Zuko’s doing his best to make up for his ancestors’ terrible choices. They weren’t mistakes, not when each tragedy piled up on top of each other with the sickening, deliberate motive painting them red with blood.

He’s going to help the world heal, and if that starts by healing the Fire Nation? Well, that’s all for the better.

[korra-the-red-lion]

Unnatural Affairs. Chapter 5: Killer Moves, Dude.

(Lyn)

I sighed deeply through my nose as I handed in my test. I legit have no idea how I did on it. Religion in Pop Culture was a fun class, but some of the material was challenging. I mumbled my thanks to the prof and hefted my bag over my shoulder as I headed out.

It’s been nearly 3 weeks since the shower incident. No other freaky shit had happened, so I guess it was just a hideously stupid prank. Our guess was it was one of the other teams just playing a prank on us, or the women’s soccer team. We were the only ones who would have been in the locker room at that time.

Still, the whispers and the strange looks were starting to get on my nerves. I normally would argue that I was an easy-going kind of person, but this kind of attention had made my mood sour as of late.

“Why the scowl, Lyn-Lyn?”

I glanced over when Loryn bumped hips, finding a little smile on her face.

“Just finished writing a test and heard yet another ‘bet they’re gonna lose the banner again’ whispers,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I swear, these people are making me want to commit bloody murder.”

“Aw, don’t let them get to you,” said Loryn, wrapping her arms around mine, “they ain’t worth it.”

“I know, I know. It’s just hard, you know?”

Loryn nodded. “Yup, totes. But seriously, Lyn, I have a good feeling about this year. I feel like barring any extreme accidents, we’re gonna kick Turner’s ass this year and win that banner.”

I finally cracked a real smile. “Loryn, you know you’re awesome, right?”

“I mean, obviously. That’s why everyone loves me,” she said with a cheeky grin.

I snorted, the tension finally leaving my body. I said goodbye to Loryn, who was heading to her next class as I headed to the pool to teach swim lessons.

Loryn was one of those people who just knew how to get under my skin, in a good way. We were frosh together, and ended up in the same res. When we both showed up for the rookie week, we had a good laugh about the coincidence and because fast friends. Loryn came from a family of four girls, which according to her meant she was ‘a-mazing at dealing with conflict’ and it was hard to bring her mood down. She was planning on going to school after this to become a middle school teacher, which I thought was awesome. I was lucky to have a good friend in her, because my first year here was… well, let’s just say I was going through some stuff.

I pulled off my shirt as I walked into the AC, waving to Hassan, who was working at the desk today. He was a really sweet guy on the Badminton team, and admittedly I used to have a huge crush on, so every now and then I liked to tease him when I went by.

He grinned as he waved back, and I snickered as I bounded down the stairs to head into the locker room. I could hear all the kids chatting and messing around in there as I punched in the password to the swim team’s locker room. Those sounds always brightened my mood, and by the time I was done changing, my mood was pretty much back to the usual Lyn Hart standard.

I stepped onto the pool, laughing as a couple of the kids immediately ran to my side. Hunter, Joy, Kevin and Morgan loved me and always raced over to tell me about their days or whatever else crossed their minds. I sat down on the pool edge as they all spoke over each other to be heard, and eventually I had to settle them down so I could start the lesson.

I hopped into the pool and demonstrated the skills they needed to learn for this week’s lesson. I always loved getting in with them and showing them how to do it right. Too often do I see the other instructors standing on the pool deck, not really engaging in teaching. I get it, it’s not for everyone, but sometimes it’s not about you, it’s about the kids. Some of these kids…swim practice is their escape, they need this. If you aren’t there to be supportive, then why are you here in the first place?

The lesson went by so fast, and it was time for our practice. I said goodbye to the little guys and quickly threw on my cap and goggles. Time to get this underway.

XXX

“Lyn?”

I looked up from my laptop bleary eyed. Kerry pulled out a chair and sat down next to me. “Yeah? Wassup?”

She sighed as she leaned back, pulling her leg up on the seat. “I know this is going to sound so utterly stupid, but I’m nervous about the meet this weekend. I just haven’t been in a great head space recently, and with all the drama surrounding us and Gunner, I guess I’m just feeling overwhelmed.”

“Hey,” I said, reaching over and taking her hand in mine, “that is not stupid at all. Don’t ever think how you feel is stupid, got it?”

Kerry gave a lopsided smile. “Thanks, Lyn.”

I smiled in return. “Always. Now, did you tell Emma about how you felt? Or Andrew?”

“No,” she shook her head. “I will, yeah. Just…I wanted to talk to someone else about it first. It’s one of those things where you know that once you talk to someone is like ‘oh, why’d you take so long to say something?’ but still take your time.”

“I totally get that. I tend to keep things all bottled up until it just explodes out, you know? Loryn is the only one who knows how to get it out of me. Remember at the Halloween Bash last year when I finally lost my shit and decked Frankie across the chin?” I shook my head in shame.

Kerry chuckled. “I have to admit though, Frankie deserved it. He was being such a dick.”

I smirked, thinking back to that night. Frankie probably did deserve it but resorting to physical violence was something I should avoid in the future.

All of a sudden, Matt popped out of nowhere. It was like he was using his twin sense to find Kerry. Honestly, it was cute. Kerry seemed to be the more sensitive of the two on the surface, but in reality, it was Matt. He was constantly checking in on Kerry and would seriously drop anything to make sure she was okay. Kerry and Gunner were in an on again off again relationship for the past 6 months, and clearly his drug incident was bothering her a lot more than she was letting on. Matt walked over and plopped down on the table.

“Did I miss anything important?”

“I was admitting to my undying love to your sister, and we’re running away together after the swim meet tomorrow to move to Calgary,” I said seriously. Kerry nodded solemnly beside me.

Matt rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out. “How are y’all feeling about it, anyhow?”

I shrugged. “I mean, the first meet of the season. Feeling a little nervous, but otherwise same as always.”

“Ah, the Stonewall Lyn is coming back out to play, huh?”

“I hate it when you call me that,” I said with a whine, slumping onto the table. “It’s not like I’m impenetrable.”

“No, that much is obvious,” said Kerry with a smirk. Matt burst into laughter as my ears got hot. I reached over and squeezed Kerry’s arm, causing her to jokingly squeal in pain.

Someone yelled at us to shut up, and we all quieted down guiltily. Sometimes I forget that you still had to be quiet in the library. Matt slipped off the table and pulled out his own laptop, and the three of us decided to do our homework together.

XXX

My head burst through the water as I took a breath. I could barely hear them all shouting at me to go faster, that I was only close behind Sophie LeBlanc from Turner University. We both hit the wall and I pushed off, kicking hard. I could see in the corner of my eye that we were neck and neck for the final 25 meters. Sophie was faster than me, but I had more endurance. The 200 Fly was where I shined. My hands smacked against the wall and I immediately looked up to check the clock. A huge grin broke out on my face when I saw the number 1 next to my name. Sophie smiled at me and I reached over the lane rope to give her a hug.

“Good swim,” I huffed out.

“You too,” she breathed heavily.

I pulled myself out and shakily walked over to where the team was waiting, clapping me on the back. Maddie handed me my towel and I listened to Coach Jacob point out some things I did well and things I could work on, nodded when I needed to. He clapped me on the shoulder and sent me to the warm down pool.

I hopped in and swam a couple of laps lazily, to get that lactic acid moving out of my system. I stopped at the wall and watched Kerry swim her 50 Breast, cheering as she hit the wall for a turn. Despite her initial nerves, she was on fire this meet.

I swam back to the other end of the warm down pool and jumped out. I quickly threw on my swim parka and sweatpants, not wanting to get cold. The relay was the last event, and I needed to be ready to swim the Fly sprint. I walked over to where Emma, Maddie, and Tammy were, getting each other pumped up.

Emma huddled us together and closed her eyes. “Alright, you psycho bitches, we’re going to kill this relay. We’re not going to let Turner or Francois step all over us this year. You girls are seriously some of the best people I’ve ever had the joy of swimming with. Wolves on 3. 1, 2, 3!”

We all shouted “WOLVES” and hurried over to the starting block. Maddie chucked all her stuff into the box behind the timer’s chairs and waited for the whistle blow before hopping into the water. A jolt of nervous energy shot through my system as the buzzer went off, and so did the swimmers. I tossed all my stuff off too and slapped my arms and legs as part of my good luck ritual. I spared a glance over at Sophie, who gave me a cheeky smile before getting settled herself.

Maddie was fast approaching the wall, and Tammy was raring to go. She dove in the second Maddie’s fingertip brushed the wall, her form as beautiful as always. I shouted with the others as loudly as I could, before getting onto the block myself. Tammy was slicing through the water, looking as awesome as she did. I know she was exhausted from her 50 Breast swim from earlier, but it didn’t show at all as she kept pace with the others. Tammy’s hands slammed into the wall and I dove in, kicking as hard as I possibly could and fell into a mad rhythm, trying to keep pace with Sophie and Megan from Francois University. My lungs were screaming for air by the time I hit the wall for my turn, and I took a quick breath. My body was already in agony from my earlier swims, but I had to push through that for them. I hit the wall hard and Emma dove in. Maddie helped me out as I struggled to catch my breath. Emma was already halfway down the pool when I got out, trying my best to cheer for her despite my lack of oxygen. Kim Hawks from Turner was one of the best freestyle sprinters in the province, and while Emma was good, she wasn’t as good as Kim. I just hoped that we did enough to stay in the race.

Emma slammed her hand against the wall, and we all looked at the timer on the wall, holding our breaths. Turner popped up in the number 1 spot, unfortunately. But Mount Seamus showed up in the number 2 spot right after and we cheered. Maybe it wasn’t first, but yeah, beating Francois felt pretty damn good. We helped Emma out of the pool and held each other for a minute. I could feel the pride oozing off of us, and that was amazing. The points all mattered in the end, but right now, we did good.

XXX

Mondays after a swim meet were always the hardest. You were exhausted and spent the whole Sunday evening catching up on any work you were behind on. The only thing nice about them was morning practice was cancelled.

I yawned my whole way through my Asia World History course, even though it was one of my favourite classes. It was just hard when you were as tired as I was. I was just lucky since I did the readings ahead of time, because I know my notes were total garbage today.

Professor Gorgens told me I did an awesome job this weekend as I left class, and I gave him a warm smile. The guy was a bit of an egotistical jerk sometimes, but he did care about his students and made an effort to keep up with how the athletes were doing.

The food hall was a little quieter today, as students were frantically studied for their first batch of tests or they were just getting sick of the food already, which does happen. I yawned as I grabbed a couple of the premade sandwiches and some of the less questionable fruits. I didn’t really feel like eating inside right now, so I lumbered outside.

I sat down under the big tree, taking small bites out of my sandwich as I read through my textbook for my next class. It was just about October, and while it was starting to cool down, it was still nice enough out to enjoy the weather.

It felt like I was starting to doze off when I heard someone say my name. I looked up groggily and saw Ally waving to me.

“Oh, hey, Ally,” I said. “How have you been?”

Her eyes flickered to the tree uneasily before looking back at me. “Oh, good! I just finished writing my first midterm and have another one tomorrow. So, just been a little busy. How about you?”

I shrugged. “Good. Busy with swimming and school, so the usual.”

I’m not sure what was going on with Ally, but she kept looking up at the branches with some obvious discomfort. I looked up as well, wondering if there was an animal or something, but I didn’t see anything out of the norm. I looked back to her, and when we made eye contact, she gave me a tight smile.

“Is there…is there something wrong?” I asked hesitantly.

Her smile tightened even more, and she shook her head. “Nope, nothing is wrong. Why would you think there’s something wrong?”

Uh, okay. That was weird. I frowned and said, “Well, because you’re all wound up about something.”

“Am I?”

“You seem to be.”

She made a popping sound with her mouth. “I see. Well…this is going to sound so strange, so don’t judge me please, but I don’t like the vibes from the tree.”

I stared at her blankly before nodding. “Yeah, okay. That makes sense.”

“It does?” She sounded genuinely surprised.

“Yeah, totally.” I stood up, brushing my butt off and walking away from the tree. “According to the history of the school, this tree was planted on an old mass grave. It freaks a lot of people out because of that, but I always found it a nice spot to sit.”

Ally’s face paled as she took in the tree entirely. I don’t think I totally understood what was bothering her, but I gently pushed her away until the colour returned to her face. Whatever it was about the tree bothered her, and I was going to respect that.

“Does that bother you?” I asked as I continued to lead her away.

Ally gave a slow nod. “I…it just makes me uncomfortable, that’s all. I didn’t realize that there were so many buried skeletons at this school.” She tried to look over at it one last time, but I placed my hand on her face and directed her attention to me instead.

When our eyes connected, Ally made a strange face as her cheeks turned red. I know sometimes my stare can be pretty intense, according to the several people on the team who told me, so I dropped my hand and looked away slightly.

“Sorry, I just didn’t think you should be looking at the tree if it was freaking you out that much, you know?” I said with a grin.

“Oh, uh, yes!” Ally composed herself and nodded firmly. “Thank you for that. Sometimes I just get into my own head and it’s hard to get out of there.”

“Anxiety can be a bitch,” I said with sympathy.

“You don’t even know the half of it,” she said with a small chuckle.

I walked with Ally to her next class, just wanting to make sure everything was all good before I headed to mine. Some nice-looking guy with a small scar on his eyebrow was waiting for her when we got there, and I waved goodbye to her as I walked down the steps. Ally seemed more adjusted to the student life than last time I spoke to her, which was good. I was glad that she was making friends and finding herself a nice routine to fall into.

I was just about to dash to my class when I realized I left all my things under the tree when I made Ally leave. I ran over and gathered all my things quickly, sparing one last glace at the branches before leaving.

Maybe it was the trick of my eye, but it did kind of look like there was a shadow. I blinked and looked again, only to see the clear sky through the branches. Huh.

XXX

Practice was an easy affair today. Coach Jacob liked to give us one easy day after a meet, something we all appreciated. Plus, he started the day off with great news.

“Gunner is allowed to compete again!” he announced before any of us got into the water.

Several people cheered and Kerry gave him a small peck on the cheek. Gunner looked embarrassed but determined. He apologized to all of us for his behaviour this summer and that he was going to make it up to us.

Jackie reached over and patted his shoulder. “Hey, it happens to the best of us, Gunner. My sister fell in with the wrong crowd and ended up needing rehab. The important thing is that you got clean.”

Gunner brushed away tears and gave her a hug, which caused a huge group hug. I was happy for him, really. Sure, he made a mistake. But you’re supposed to be allowed to learn from those mistakes and grow from them. He was lucky to have such a good support system, because not everyone did. Coach Jacob rubbed his head and told everyone to get into the water and to stop being so sappy. A few of us laughed as we broke up the hug and did as we were told.

It was about halfway through practice when Jackie hopped out of the pool to run to the bathroom. Normally Coach Jacob hated when we did that, but I think he was in a good mood today, so he let it slide. He read through the next set and we got to work.

It wasn’t until we were finished with the set that I noticed Jackie hadn’t returned. That was really strange. I think other people noticed too, because I saw some heads swiveling as they looked for her. Jackie’s lane partner Tammy said under her breath, “What’s taking her so long? Did her tampon get stuck or something?”

I said I’d go see what was going on and pushed myself out of the pool. I padded lightly into the locker room and called out her name, only to get no response. I felt my heart speed up a little, as I felt a pit of concern growing in my stomach.

I walked into where the bathrooms were and knocked on all the doors. Still nothing. Maybe she just had to race home for something? I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling, however. That wasn’t like Jackie at all. She always made sure to let people know where she was going, even if it was a sudden situation change.

My heart was pounding loudly in my ears now as I called out again and still got nothing in return. I shuddered as I walked towards the locker room, feeling a sudden chill. I shakily punched in the combination and opened the door to where our lockers were located.

I couldn’t help but shriek when I saw Jackie lying on the floor in a puddle of blood. She groaned as I grabbed a towel and shoved it against her stomach, where it looked like someone had cut her with something. She opened her eyes and tried to say something, but I shushed her.

“Jackie, sweetie, don’t say anything right now,” I said, trying to keep the panic from my voice. “You need to lie very still, okay?”

She gave the teeniest of nods as her eyes lost focus again. I heard someone running into the change room, most likely responding to the sound of my scream.

I move the door with my foot so the worst of the scene is hidden from view. “Don’t come in!” I shouted.

“Lyn, what’s going on?” That was Loryn.

“Jackie’s been hurt, she needs medical attention ASAP.”

I heard Loryn swear loudly. “Lyn, my phone is in there!”

“Use the phone on the deck or upstairs!” My voice cracked with fear as the blood seeped through the towel. I grabbed another one and applied pressure on the wound, praying that it would slow down or stop. Jackie was looking very pale, and her breathing was shallow.

I forced myself to look away for a second, knowing I was getting tunnel vision. The lockers were all open and the light overhead was out. There were huge gouges in the wall that looked like they were trying to spell something, but I was not in the right head space to even try and read it right now.

The door opened and Coach Jacob stood in the doorway, taking the scene in. He went very pale and had to lean against the wall to keep himself upright.

“I-is she…?”

I shook my head. “Breathing, alive for now. She needs to get to the hospital, now.”

He nodded shakily. “They’re on the way. Loryn…she called.”

Thank God for Loryn. She was good a keeping calm under pressure. I looked down at Jackie and breathed a little easier when I saw that this towel hadn’t soaked through. I have no idea who did this to her, but they couldn’t have gotten too far. I felt like crying so bad right now, but the tears just wouldn’t come out. It was like my body knew what it needed to do right now, and crying was not it.

I refused to leave Jackie’s side until the paramedic gently removed me from the scene to ask some questions. I answered them the best I could, but I honestly had no idea what happened. I thought it was a stab mark at first, but as I thought about it a little bit more, I couldn’t get the visual of claw marks out of my head.

XXX

I sat on the hospital bed, my guts tied up into a nervous knot. I had to be brought in because I went into shock after I- well, after it. I checked my phone and paused when I saw that I missed a call from home. That was something unusual. Honestly? I didn’t feel like dealing with that right now, so I just swiped the notification off. If they couldn’t be bothered to leave a voice mail, then I can’t be bothered to call them back.

There was a knock at the door. I looked over as Loryn, Kerry, and Matt poked their heads in. I smiled weakly as they shuffled into the room. I took Loryn’s hand into my own as she sat down on my bed. Matt pulled over another chair and him and Kerry sat down next to the bed.

“Is…Jackie…?” I croaked, unable to get the words out.

Loryn nodded slightly. “Jackie is okay. She needed some serious stiches and won’t be able to compete for the rest of the season. Jacob and Robin are with her while they wait for her parents to arrive.”

I sighed in minor relief. “At least she’s okay. Um…did they find anyone?”

“They claim that they found a guy wielding a knife,” said Matt. “But Lyn, I’m not too sure about that. Why would some random guy attack a student in the locker room?”

That was my thought too. Also, I swear it was claw marks. They were straight across, not stabbed in. The thought of Jackie lying on the floor flashed in my mind and I had to squeeze my eyes shut as I waited out the wave of nausea. Loryn squeezed my hand as I struggled to control myself.

“Did they give you anything?” she asked quietly.

I shook my head slowly. “No, I refused.”

“Why’d you refuse?”

“I didn’t want to be drugged up if something happened to Jackie…”

There was a tense silence in the room. I couldn’t bring myself to say anything else, so I directed my attention to the window. The ticking of the clock sounded incredibly loud as time passed by. The IV pump I was connected to chugged along as it pumped some fluids into my body. I could hear Kerry sniffling in her chair, unable to say the words she needed to hear. It was like my brain was shutting down, unable to process what had happened.

Poor Jackie didn’t deserve this. Not that anyone did, but Jackie was such a sweet person. She would give you the shirt off her back if you asked and would then give you even more. This was a random attack, but why? The why was bouncing around, giving me a headache.

I felt Loryn reach over and brush her thumb against my cheek. I looked at her confused as to why she did that, then I realized I was actually crying. I don’t cry often; it just wasn’t something I did. I began to tremble and completely lost it when the three of them gave me a tight hug.

I cried and cried until I couldn’t anymore.

[fiction-in-my-blood]

Switching Sides: Part 2 (HLITF)

Aaaannndddd once again I would LOVE to thank my girl @theshove for being my editor in chief and making my writing reach a HIGHER level I could never reach without your help. Thank you so much for making sense of my poorly grammar-ed sentences haha. 

Also, if anyone possibly wants to get on a tag list I’d be happy to make one 

👉👈

If you wanna catch up, Part 1 is right here! Happy reading :)

Premise: Growing up in a life of crime in a Japanese mafia, Atsuko Motomori has seen enough injustice to last her a lifetime. To try and give back to the universe her family has taken so much from, she dreams of being a detective from a young age. Her twin, sharing her disgust for her father and many uncles, just wants an ordinary life away from the crime, paing and suffering. Instead, she wants to be in the spotlight with the soft notes she makes with her cello. In their escape of 2015, on their coming of age birthday, they must split ways, never to be together ever again. If one was found, they didn’t want the other dragged down with them. Atsuko, having changed her name and appearance as best she can without a scalpel, sets off to start her life of car chases and arrests.

Four years in a seemingly dead-end police station in the middle of nowhere, being passed over time after time for promotion, Atsuko finally gets a shot at her dream, having been sent to an academy for the best candidates in the country by her boss who had always kept an eye out for her. After discovering her boss may have made her bite off more than she could chew, Atsuko must become the slave of a dominating instructor!? Who so just happens to be the captain of the most famous police unit in Japan? Not to mention a total knockout! Will Atsuko finally achieve her dream? Or will her new instructor put her through the wringer?

Warnings: Language, reference to sexual activity/forceful nature.

~~~~~~

‘A servant? Did he confuse that with a full-time aid?’ I tried to reason with his wording of my job title. As the room was lit by the setting sun and filters out into the corridor, I stood there in silence, thinking about what I'd just gotten myself into.

"Motomori, who will you partner with?" Ishigami closed the book of names and held it under his arm, keeping a close eye on how I was reacting. Letting my eyes meet each one of the detectives' before me, I took in a deep breath to calm my nerves. 

"Instructor Kaga, please," I announced. Although he seemed the most stern out of all the men, I took that as a sign of someone worn away by his experience. Which only meant there was more to learn from him. Right?

The announcement of my choice of instructor led Shinonome to laugh at my bravado. "Now that's something. Choosing Hyogo is pretty fitting for our little overachiever." The youngest instructor couldn't help but sound amused as the man I had chosen showed a concerned expression. As he looked me up and down, I stood with more confidence than I really had. 

After the Captain's silent review of me, Ishigami progressed through the other pairings. I glanced at Kaga and saw him taking a phone call. "Yeah... I'll take care of it." With his back turned to me, I only heard a minuscule amount of the conversation. 

"Kaga, you'll be going after this person." When the other Captain tried to hand over a folder, which I was sure had the case we should be working on inside, Kaga continued his conversation while pointing in my direction. He told Ishigami to give me the folder holding the information we'd need for the undercover assignment. 

"These are documents for the instructor." Ishigami frowned, obviously tired of Kaga's dismissiveness. Kaga begrudgingly took the folder before thrusting it into my chest. 

"Read it." He demanded and then finished his phone call. 

"I'm sure you understand, but-" Ishigami was cut off by Kaga crossing his arms. 

"I understand perfectly well." His mood seemed to worsen as the two talked. They continued to bicker as the rest of the instructors watched. I'm sure it was difficult to butt in on the Captains' discussions. 

"Squad leaders should get along..." Shinonome frowned as we watched, me not knowing what else to do except just stand there. 

"These two will go as far as a fistfight." Instructor Soma's comment made me worry that all the expensive equipment in this room would be damaged if someone didn't intervene soon enough. When Soma directed a question to Goto to see if he agreed, the messy-haired man just stood there in silence. 

"I can hear all of you." Kaga scowled as he took a cigarette out of his suit pocket. I knew smoking wasn't allowed in the building, having seen the signs next to most of the doorways, however I decided it best not to make him aware. ‘I mean, he has worked here longer than me.’

‘He is the freaking instructor, Atsuko.’ The voice in my head made me want to metaphorically face-palm. It was clear just by the way the instructor stood he didn’t care much for rules or regulations. 

"Don't get in my way." As he walked towards the door, Kaga made what sounded like a threat to me. 

"Didn't even think about it." I forced a smile, knowing full well he would likely trample over me if I took even a step out of line. If I was going to learn from this man, I would have to watch what he did instead of asking questions. 

"What're you standing around for? Come." Turning back to where I had been standing, I woke myself up from the pit of despair I had thrown myself into. 

‘What did you think was going to happen?’ I quickly followed as he gestured me over with a jerk of his head. 

~~~~~~

Sitting in the Captain's car, I couldn't help but feel anxious with the silence that thickened the air. According to the file given to us by Ishigami, we had to infiltrate a beach bar... But we were heading in the opposite direction from the sea. We were driving downtown. 

"Umm, sir, the file says the destination is-" Kaga, once again, cutting somebody off mid sentence. 

"Shut up," he spat, taking me aback with how rude he was. 

‘I guess that ‘scum’ comment wasn't too out of character for him, then’ I thought, stricken into silence but sighing on the inside. I turned to gaze out the window, praying that I could get through the day without being caught out for being inferior to what my file suggested. 

~~~~~~

When we stopped, I found myself inside a love hotel. My heart raced with worry, recognising the name as a brand my father ran when I was still living at home. He was a gang leader. With a strong mafia at that. He had his dirty little fingers in every industry that had some form of shady business going on. It's what made me hate him so much. The things he did, the things he made me watch, it's what made me want to become a detective. I wanted to pay the universe back for all the bad stuff he had done, and maybe one day find the evidence to arrest him. God knows, the police he had under his claws and henchmen doing his dirty work had delayed that for long enough. 

We made our way to the room booked for us, or, more aptly, for Kaga. Meanwhile, I tried to hide my face from the receptionist as discreetly as I could, not wanting them to somehow recognise me. Even though I did my makeup differently from when I was younger, had dyed my hair black from its original brown, dressed differently and even held myself differently, there wasn't much else I could do to change my appearance without making it trackable. I couldn't get surgery because then I would be in the government system; I know, somehow, they'd be able to track me, even if the profile I had now was completely different. 

"Hey, um... What're we doing here?"  I asked as I closed the door behind me, the eeriness of the red room making my eyes dart around for any hidden cameras or listening devices. I remembered my father telling me about all the politicians he had on tape and all the people he’d bribed with that information.

"I'm pretty sure I said shut up." Kaga spat, also inspecting the room. I frowned at his rudeness and flipped the switch that turned on the electricity for the room. All the lights went out, causing Kaga to spin around and glare at me in the darkness.

"Don't you know what your position is? Don't interfere." His frown deepened as he stormed back to where I was standing. He was obviously offended I had turned off the lights. 

"Love hotels are famous for secret cameras. They're turned on when the electricity switch is flipped. I thought you wouldn't want to risk getting caught." I smiled up to him with a spiteful thought hidden behind it. ‘This guy…’

Probably annoyed with how much sense my statement made, Kaga turned back to the centre of the room. ‘Is he really that easily annoyed?’ I chuckled to myself, not wanting to be reprimanded for intentionally frustrating my instructor.

The two of us were now alone in a dark room with nothing but a bed and mirrors on the ceiling. Not to mention a love hotel. I was painfully aware of what the room represented and everything that had ever happened in it due to the stillness in the air with the air-con off. Memories of what my father encouraged my sister and I to do in our youth flashed back, causing me to shake them out of my head. 

"Why're you so nervous?" Sitting on the large bed, Kaga raised his brow at me while I stood awkwardly away from him. I could see a concerned look on the Captain's face as he brought me back to earth. I could tell he wasn't concerned about my feelings, but rather about how naive and stupid I must seem. I didn't want to walk any further into the establishment than I had to, so I stuck my ground. 

"N-No reason." I grew shy, knowing I had no connection to my past life on my file and not wanting him to have a clue to think I would. 

"Oh?" A mischievous grin grew on my instructor's face and my senses heightened. With that, Kaga grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me down onto the bed aggressively. Even though he was only holding my wrist, I struggled to move. My heart began to race in fear of what he was trying to do. Growing up with the most erratic people as guardians, I didn't want to guess what his plan was. 

"This morning was totally screwed up, thanks to you." He frowned down at me, that same demeaning look conveyed on his surprisingly handsome face. You would never guess his personality was as cruel as he was if it wasn't for the eternal crease between his brows. Feeling the anxiousness of an expected punishment, my breath gets caught in my throat. 

"How do you plan on making it up to me?" His grin returned as he held my wrists harder than necessary. Despite the smirk, his eyes were cold and expressionless. There was no way I was going to allow what he was insinuating to happen, so I pushed against his hands with all my might while somehow snaking my foot high enough to push on his stomach. 

However, before I could attempt to catapult him off, he covered my mouth with his hand. I looked at him like he was crazy, but because I hadn’t done much training lately, I couldn’t push him off me.

"Don't talk." He hissed, rising up from being inches away from my face. Then, I saw him pull something from my ear. It was an earpiece, making me wonder when he was able to put it there, not to mention without my knowing it was there. "This will make for a huge amount of evidence." He explained to himself. My mind, already in disarray, went into a confusion like no other. "It was worth the effort of getting it on." He looked at me suggestively as I sat up with unsure thoughts. 

‘So... He didn't lead me here for something worse?’ My brows furrowed as I thought back to the moments leading up to this, embarrassed and angry that I thought it would come to that. It was concerning to see his demeanour change from what I just saw to the victorious look on his face. He looked down at me, still sitting on the bed with a dejected expression, seemingly noticing my staring. 

"What're you just sitting there for?" He laughed at my appearance, my apprehension rising due to how laid back he was. Maybe it was because of where I was, but I was more sensitive to the casual restriction he just put me in. I looked away, not wanting to say something I'd regret. 

Then, I felt him leaning over me and I quickly turned my gaze back to him. I panicked. His face was nearer than I expected it to be as he jerked forward. I jumped back, the memories of intimidation tactics used on me before resurfacing from my past. 

"Did you really think I was being serious earlier?" He almost laughed at the notion. "Unfortunately for you, I don't have any problems with women." He inched closer again and it took everything in my being to not smack that pretty face of his. If I assaulted a detective, I would be expelled from the academy and likely arrested. Not to mention the scene it would cause being dragged out of here. "I'm not so desperate that I'd go after some inexperienced brat." He smirked before getting up from the bed, talking to me like I was the idiot. 

"What did you bring me here for..." Having had the time to understand that I would be safe and de-escalate my anger, I quickly regathered myself and straightened my back. "...If not for my training?" Looking at his suited back, I started to think back to why I was actually here. 

"I've got more important things to do than that useless nonsense." He explained spitefully. 

‘Then why become an instructor?’ I scowled to myself, knowing full well this man had no intention of teaching anyone anything. 

"Well, thanks to you so boldly choosing me, I pulled off some undercover work." He turned with another victorious smile. I was frozen silent, not knowing what would come out of this intimidating man's mouth next. Then, he pulled out his cellphone. 

"It's me. Yeah... the bug was a success. I've got enough evidence, so I'm withdrawing. You keep on going, sneak in and stay on the guy's tail." When he ended the call with his subordinate, the Captain quickly headed for the door. I was still frozen, trying to calm my racing heart from the panic I was in before.

"What're you doing?" Kaga turned back to me. "Staying?" My gaze darted up at the horrifying idea. 

"If you are, go search the room next door. Make sure you come back here." At the mere notion of real detective work,. Before I could say a thing, the frowning returned. 

"Too bad. You're not ready." The curt response was a deep cut to my confidence. Searching a room for anything fishy was probably one of the only things I came to the academy being able to do. But, before I could speak my piece, Kaga turned and left. 

~~~~~~

By that night, the long, rigorous day had completely worn me out; I'm sure my classmates also fared the same. I arrived at the dorms the academy made us stay in and threw myself onto my couch. ‘Could Kaga's mission possibly be for an investigation on my father?’ I thought back to where the excursion took place and the idea made my heart flutter. For years I had wished and prayed for retribution for all the wrong-doings my father and his goons had accomplished. The thought of his vicious crimes being aired out like dirty laundry brought a smile to my weary face. 

Getting off the comfortable couch, I retrieved a box from under my bed. It was small and light; there wasn't much in it. I opened it to find loads of old photographs. Some of them were heartwarming: my twin sister and I playing around or hugging each other. 

But, I’d only put them in there to hide what I was really storing: Pictures of crime scenes my father had left out in our living room or secluded garden. I once caught him in the act; that photo was in there too. I had an old tie with blood on it. A passport with a different identity than I had registered into the academy with. My mother's ring was knocking around in there somewhere. 

I hardly knew my mother. There are no pictures of us together and no one talked about her after she left us. The ‘family’. She couldn't take what my father and his ‘brothers’ did any longer and ran away, leaving her two daughters behind. I'm pretty sure she's dead now. Otherwise my father would have found her at some point. 

I came to realise that soon before my 18th birthday that my father didn't really care about us; he just wanted a lineage. So, I somehow convinced my sister to run with me. I assured her that I had a plan that would get us the lives we wanted for a little while. I had trained to go on the run; my father taught me all the techniques the cops used to track fugitives. That, along with a little help from a friend from my youth judo club, was all I needed to get us new identities and places to live. It wasn't easy at first, having to split from the person you had literally been with since birth. But, it was the only way to ensure one of us would be safe if the other was caught. 

It was also difficult to work up a good enough resume to get myself into the police force. The name Atsuko Motomori had never existed before four years ago. It was risky to lie about the qualifications I had when, in my past life, I never gained any. I was homeschooled to ensure I wouldn't be coaxed away by true, lawful policemen investigating my father or my ‘uncles’.

Looking through these memories and reliving my awful excuse for a childhood, I happily remembered why I was condemning myself to this place and people like Captain Kaga. I wanted to make sure my sister and I would be safe. And the only way I could do that was by locking them all up for the rest of their lives.

As I mulled over the bloody scenes within the box, I heard a knock at my door. I jumped, not used to company, and knocked the box off my lap. 

"Crap!" I whispered to myself, trying to clear everything away as quickly as possible. 

"Who is it?" I called out after collecting most of the contents, having double-checked the area for any compromising pictures. 

"Atsuko~! I come with food!" The cheery voice of my only female ally chimsed from the other side of the door. 

"Naruko, what're you doing here?" I questioned while opening the door. The food she was trying to bribe me with was a pack of potato chips and a soda from the vending machines downstairs. 

"I'm pooped, so I thought you might be even more worse off." The bubbly attitude helped her push herself into my dorm room. 

"You're not wrong there." Happy to have some form of womanly friendship after so many years of trying to keep to myself, I lazily followed her to the couch. 

"So how was it with the Satan reincarnate?" She giggled to herself, lowering her voice at the insulting part of her question. Maybe she feared he would hear her. I wouldn't be surprised if they had us under surveillance to see what we did after hours. Or if the Captain had supersonic, selective hearing. 

"It was... an experience." Trying to keep up my half of the deal I made with my instructor, I put on a tired smile. Kaga promised to pass me if I didn't tell anyone he had bunked the undercover training. 

"You want a drink? I think I've got some tea somewhere." Quickly attempting to change the subject, I wandered off to the small kitchenette in the corner of my room. 

As I prepared the beverages, Naruko spoke up out of nowhere. 

"Oh, Atsuko, what's this?" She called out and my blood ran cold. ‘Did I miss a picture? Was it something possibly incriminating?’ Wild thoughts circulated my brain at the possibility of getting caught. Having gory images of dead men stored away in my room wouldn't be easily explained. 

Hesitantly, I turned with a questioning smile, just waiting for her to let out some form of horror or disgust. Instead, though, I found her looking at an old polaroid photo with a loving smile. 

"You didn't tell me you had a sister!" She asked and I cocked my head, glancing at the image she waved at me. It was of my sister and I, building sandcastles on a beach when we were kids. My heart stopped as I remembered the scene.

That picture was of the day before my mother left. She had somehow convinced my father to let her take us out- which was a strange occurrence. Even if my father wasn't overbearing, which he definitely was, she didn't like going out much. It was summer and hot, and we would only annoy him, being locked in the house. I'm pretty sure I remembered at least three bodyguards surrounding our section of the sand, though.

I smiled at the painful memory, a happy one buried underneath so much hurt, and looked at the brown-haired girl with two short pigtails, dressed in a pink bathing suit. I don't think I've had a smile that big on my face in a long time. 

"Well, I, uh..." Not knowing how to respond, I just made noises. 

"She must be so proud of you for making it into this academy." She laughed and the statement only hurt me. 

"She's not really in my life anymore." I smiled sadly sitting next to her so I could look at the picture more in-depth. I could see a sliver of a man in a suit to the left of the picture's edge, closest to where I was, and something was slightly poking out of his waistband. To Naruko, it probably looked like a shadow of a tree or something less sinister than what it was, but it was likely one of the bodyguards with a gun hidden away. 

"O-Oh, I'm sorry, Atsuko." Naruko sounded so sad to hear I wasn't in contact with my sister anymore. We did look really happy in that picture. 

"Nah, it's alright. That's just how life goes." I took the picture from her and looked at it for a bit longer, concentrating more on my sister's face, even though it was an exact replica of mine, before slipping it through the crack between the lid of the box and the box itself. I didn't want my new friend catching a glimpse of anything in there.

"You sound so wise," Naruko giggled, maybe trying to help me feel happier again and lighten the mood.

"You make me sound like an old man," I laughed, jokingly hitting her arm like I was offended. 

"You shouldn't say such wistful things then." She laughed back as I headed back to the kettle to pour us some tea. 

We chatted for a little longer, mainly about what her training had consisted of, before Naruko went back to her room. Once she was gone, I sighed, glad that the picture she had found underneath my coffee table wasn't anything more frightening. Sliding the small box back under my bed, I began getting ready for a good night's rest. 

~~~~~~

Waking up the next day was... rough. Staying up later, thanks to Naruko, and the subconscious worry I’d because of what happened at the love hotel, I’d probably only got a few hours of sleep. 

‘Right, I have to get today right, at least’, I told myself, throwing my legs over the side of my bed. Ishigami already had it in for me because of the train situation - I'm sure all of the special instructors did - but I wasn't going to let that stop me from doing my best. ‘For us.’ Thinking back to the picture that had been found on my floor, I used that as encouragement to continue my life as though nothing had happened.

~~~~~~

In my first class, I could see Naruko already sitting down. She commented on how she hadn't seen me in the cafeteria for breakfast. "I wonder whose fault that is?" I playfully blamed her for making me wake up late. As we continued to chat mindlessly, I couldn’t help but think back to the limited facilities the academy had for women. ‘Well, at least the food and living quarters are good.’ 

"The real lectures are finally going to start today." Likely having it easier than I had yesterday, Naruko had a fire of ambition in her eyes. Luckily, our first class was in the classroom and not martial arts training, otherwise her passion might hurt someone. Our lectures consisted of a wide range of expert topics ranging from using tracking equipment to how to de-escalate a situation to undercover work. 

As we discussed what we would be studying here, the memory of how I was handled yesterday manifested on my wrists. I rubbed them, trying to get rid of the feeling of Kaga's hands. 

"Something wrong?" Noticing my anxiousness, Naruko peered into my face. As I told her “I’m fine”, she remembered how we never talked about my experiences yesterday. 

"I'm pretty sure I passed. If not, I don't think I'd still be here." I laughed off the subject, knowing how strict the instructors seemed to my friend. 

"Did you hear? Students who failed were severely punished." An uneasy expression laid itself on Naruko's face and I also started to feel sympathy for those that weren't as lucky as us. As we wondered about what the punishments were, Naruko got that grin she’d had during the ceremony yesterday. 

"I wonder what kind of punishment I would have gotten." The excited aura she was giving off only made a chill run down my back thinking about how much worse the Captain could be.

Intruding on my thoughts, the instructor delivering our lecture walked in and started the lesson. When it was over, I rushed to change into the attire I would need for our next bout of training on the grounds.

~~~~~~

As Naruko and I arrived on the pitch, everyone was lined up in front of Instructor Soma. He frowned at us, stating how late we were. "Sorry about that, Instructor. We took too long in the shower room." Maybe too casual with the man because of his usual laid back aura, we both bowed deeply. 

"Yes, there's no women's locker room, is there?" A small smile finally returned to his face as we rose again. "It's the first time, so I'll go easy on you. But, I won't go easy on you next time." Even though he looked kind, anyone could tell he didn't give any leeway. 

"There won't be a next time, sir," I replied rather confidently and the instructor almost seemed amused.

Naruko and I went to line up in the very back. The girl who couldn't seem to keep her feelings to herself whispered to me about how nice he seemed and how good looking he was. Thinking back to how Kaga treated me, I couldn't help but quietly agree. ‘There would definitely be no such leniency with him.’ I thought about all the awful punishments or torture methods the Captain could know as we continued our training.

Soma had us perform a fitness exam. We hadn't had a break since the class started when he called out my name to be tested. I stretched the pain out of my legs quickly, not wanting to cramp up. 

"Woah, Atsuko! You have a scary look in your eye!" Naruko, as tired out as I was, laughed nervously. You might say I was competitive. I would say I was trying to prove my worth to the classes of men who didn't think I belonged here. 

"Just tryna keep my head in the game." I jumped on my toes as the instructor called out my name again. "Coming!" 

Jogging over to him, I noticed that even the guys were looking visibly tired due to our endless training. I, on the other hand, although exhausted, had trained like this since I could walk. I was used to being able to hide the physical pain in order to not get shouted at for being weak. 

~~~~~~

For our last lecture of the day, feeling like I had been brought through the wringer, we all filtered into the Monitor Room. Maybe too nervous yesterday to get a good look at the room, I overheard my classmates gossiping about the surveillance equipment surrounding us. Not only were there cameras of the school grounds, but some screens showed destinations all over the country. 

"Don't you think just using this room would make for an easy investigation?" Overhearing one student comment, I couldn't help but agree. Knowing how much the pictures under my bed were worth, who knows how vital a video of a crime would be to an investigation. You just needed to be able to prove they weren't doctored. 

As the instructor lectured, I noticed Naruko resting on my shoulder. "Come on, Naruko. Just a bit longer." I shook her while keeping an eye out for anyone that might rat her out. 

"You can talk. You're a machine, Atsuko," she whined under her breath.

Suddenly, before I could laugh at her comment, another voice spoke up behind us. 

"Sasaki, go to the medical office if you're drowsy." Instructor Shinonome piped up and we both jumped to attention, having not felt anyone around us. Even though the man was grinning, there was something evil behind that childish face of his. 

"Ah! S-Sorry! I'm okay!" Naruko instantly woke up at the prospect of getting punished. 

"If anyone else wants to sleep, you can tell me. They put you through it on the first day, so I expect you're all tired." Shinonome's offer almost sounded like a chance to get us expelled. Or, it did to me anyway. Everyone else looked relieved at the kind sentiment. 

"Okay, that's all for today's class then. Great work everyone." A cheerful smile returned to his face as I eyed him suspiciously. The man I saw in the shower room on my first day was hidden under that friendly persona he had on. 

"Oh, right. Can those who I call stay after class for a moment?" And there it was! The not so innocent catch to his kind offer. Those who would be called were definitely being thrown to the wolves in order to save the rest of us.

As Shinonome began to read out the list, he directed his gaze to the monitor. He called out a few names before looking directly at me. "Lastly, Atsuko Motomori." His face had no note of malicious intent, however, I couldn't help but not trust it. As I gasped to myself, he dismissed our classmates. 

"Atsuko, what did you do?" Naruko whispered as our free classmates shuffled out around us. 

"I-I don't think I did anything?" I panicked, thinking back over the day, trying to find anything that could warrant me being reprimanded. Looking over to those also called, I could see they were just as nervous. Why were we the one's held back? 

‘Maybe... Kaga's mission was discovered?’ I couldn't help but wonder if we’d been caught as Naruko left me sitting where I was. 

"Don't be so nervous. I'm not going to get angry." The happy smile on Shinonome's face helped calm the others in the room. Even I was somewhat relieved by his words. "How were they? The lectures?" Directing his question at me, Shinonome looked over. 

"Educational! It's wonderful how good the facilities are." Trying to get on his good side, I didn't want to let myself look withered as I kept my voice light. 

"Well, the class seemed sleepy. Sasaki looked like she was nearly asleep." The comment didn't sit right with me, this being an elite academy and all.

"Well, as you said, they put us through it," I laughed, trying not to put Naruko in any deep water. 

"So, are you going to fall asleep on us as well? I'd have to punish you then." Shinonome cast me a look that probably didn't seem like anything to the other men in the room. But, to me, it seemed as untrustworthy as the rest of him. 

"Don't count on it." Not wanting to divulge my past of intense training, I just showed a soft smile. To be honest, I wouldn't mind a nap right now, but I wasn't going to admit that. The thought of any kind of punishment, which would likely be some form of harassment from him, had me on edge. 

"Too bad. I wonder if any students who I can have fun with will turn up soon?" His mischievous appearance reminded me of the look Kaga gave me yesterday and my eyes darted away. Even though Shinonome seemed actually happy and there was no emotion in Kaga's eyes, the concept of teasing made me uneasy. 

‘It's scary how he can talk like that and still smile.’ I thought about how his words didn't match the expression as the doors of the Monitor Room opened again. 

Throwing my gaze to the door, I watched Ishigami, Goto and Soma make their way inside. "You're all immediately going to be assigned as student aides to the instructors." Ishigami didn't miss a beat as all attention landed on him. 

"Simply put, you'll help the instructors file documents, prepare lectures and such," Soma added, helping the confused students out. I was shocked. I hadn't done anything special to get me a close position to any of the instructors, let alone have to deal with their grunt work. "Since we must continue our normal duties as Public Safety officers while we teach, we won't always have the time." With that comment, I finally understood why Kaga would agree to become an instructor- so he wouldn't have to do any of the work if he had a capable enough aide. I pitied the person that would have to undertake that role. 

"This is good experience, so although it will be difficult, we ask that you try." The encouraging words from Soma were much more trustworthy to me than Shinonome's slightly eerie ones. 

"Each instructor will get a full-time aide. Following the instructors will be an important role." Goto, as blunt as he had been at the introduction ceremony, crossed his arms as he stared down at all of us. Somehow, the silence that followed was more anxiety invoking than anything Shinonome could say. Soma was right, though. Being so close to an instructor all the time would be a perfect learning opportunity. 

"We will now announce the aides," Ishigami announced, retrieving his clipboard once again. "Instructor Kaga's aide will be Atsuko Motomori." The Captain was as stoic as ever as he read out the list. I, on the other hand, couldn't be more shocked. ‘Kaga seemed so annoyed by even my mere presence yesterday, why would he want me as an aide? He already thinks I'm a screw up because of the train incident.’ 

"What?" Ishigami glared at me as he heard my wordless gasp. 

"Nothing, sir. Sorry." I bowed my head in embarrassment of drawing attention to myself as I pondered over the events in the love hotel that could get me the chance to become an aide. ‘Is it because I chose him yesterday?’ I panicked, thinking back to the misplaced bravery I’d had when picking an instructor.

"Isn't this a good thing? You're one of the few to come back with him safely." Ayumu smirked at my worrisome state. ‘The only reason I was safe is because he didn't actually train me. There was no chance to get in harm's way. Except for the possible fallout of someone recognising me.’ 

"Shinonome, refrain from talking." Ishigami quickly progressed through the list of aides. Once he finished, he turned to me once again. He explained that Kaga was on an investigation mission and that I should go see him when he gets back. I hesitantly agreed, glad to have the time to prepare myself while he was out working. Unlike our permanent instructors, the guys from Public Safety weren't always around, which is probably why they need the help. 

As we were dismissed, I tried to remind myself what a good learning opportunity this could be.

~~~~~~

When the time came to see Instructor Kaga, as Shinonome had told me back in the Monitor Room, I headed to their staff room.

"Excuse me." I knocked on the door before opening it to find an office-like space. Kaga was sitting at one of the many chairs at the large table in the centre of the room. I stood in front of him in order to introduce myself. 

"I'm Motomori. Starting today I will be serving as your full-time aide." Straight-backed and trying to not look uncomfortable under his discerning gaze, I explained why I dared talk to him. 

"Oh?" His brows frowned, once again judging me for all I was worth. 

"I just came to let you know Instru-." However, before I could blame Ishigami for sending me here, I was interrupted.

"A full time aide?" He even seemed to ponder the idea before flat out rejecting me. "Useless, I have no need for an aide, so go." His blunt response threw me off a little. To be honest, I was surprised he didn't unenthusiastically jump at the idea for someone else to do his work. Losing the optimistic view of this assignment, I tried to explain that it had already been decided. 

"Don't need it." He quickly interrupted me again before turning his back on me. "Tell Ishigami for me," was the final thing he said before expelling my presence from the room.

~~~~~~

‘That was rougher than I thought it was going to be,’ I thought as I stood in the hallway, looking at the door signed 'Staff Room'. ‘But, I can't afford to back down here.’ More afraid of what Ishigami would say than what Kaga could do, I raised my fist to knock on the door. 

After hearing no reply, I began to get desperate. "Instructor, please!" I call out, not wanting to go back to Ishigami empty-handed.

"Shut up." The door flew open and there's Kaga, glaring down at me. The sudden action made me jump out of my skin in the silent corridor. "Let me spell this out for you since you don't seem to get it." The oncoming lecture was apparent when I felt like he was going to start insulting me for being so persistent. 

"I have no need for some useless piece." 

I won't lie, that statement struck home. The whole 'chessboard' way of thinking about people lower than you was exactly how my father treated us. I once confronted him about my mother's disappearance and all he could say was "she didn't know how to play the game. She's useless to us if she doesn't want to compete." That wording was something I never understood. How were you supposed to lead anyone if you didn't think anyone less than you was capable enough? 

As I thought about Kaga's statement, I tried to ignore the relation to the man who raised me. "If you give me a chance, I'm sure it'll get Ishigami off your back. He'll only complain to you if I go back to him now." I tried to reason with the side of him that hated his Captain counterpart and a wave of irritation flashed through his face. "I can do anything! I can file for you. I'll even do chores. Please!" I begged, hoping I was getting through to him. Maybe the idea of a maid would make him reflect on the idea. Then, he finally looked at me without that concerned expression. 

"Anything, you say?" He looked me up and down as I agreed, not thinking about the consequences of those words. Then, he narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth. 

"You can be my servant." The growing smirk on his face made me a little uneasy. It was that same grin of victory he’d showed when he’d collected the evidence from the love hotel. 

"Excuse me?" Was all I could utter out to ensure I’d heard him right. 

"You can be my full-time servant. How many times do I have to say it?" The disconcerting frown returned as his eyebrows creased together again.