#and then once he was on the ground a kick to the family jewels

[harusaki-hugo]

Hello! I uhm wanted to ask you if we can get another part of being like takemitches twin? Like specifically how the other gangs would react to you fighting and being a girl? Thank you 🫶💗

Fandom; Tokyo Revengers

Hcs; What's it's like to be Tokyo Revengers younger/older siblings .

Note; i didn't expect it to be this popular lmao. Also. warning might contain some spoiler for those who just start the anime. i thought about putting brahman too but it's still not out in anime yet. Also, you can my favorite and my least favorite here XD.

Being Takemichi twin sister part two:-

Black Dragon:

You just want to have one day without you being drag into Takemichi problem but no, you got a call from Takuya saying Takemichi got his ass beaten in church.

Just one day, but no, seem like holy spirit want to see you suffering because your mom told you to drag Takemichi back home so you guys can have dinner together.

So here you are, ignoring the fight happening around you as you go straight to the church. Yamagishi about to cheer your name when he sees the pissed expression on your face, and he start praying for taiju.

Imagine Taiju who about to punch Yuzuha stop when someone push the door open and yell out, "Hanagaki Takemichi!!" and Takemichi like, "Oh shit, full name. I f*ck up."

Inui already know who you are, he sees you dragging Takemichi back home one day by ear. See, he once tries to stop you since he wants to talk to Takemichi but you kick him between his legs, so he politely steps aside to avoid not able to produce heir anymore.

But Taiju is another story, he sneers at you and stop you from taking another step, "who the hell are you, can you see that-"

Just before he can say anything, you rush toward him, Taiju let out a small gasp not expecting you to rush head on. He throws a right punch, but you slip underneath him, clenching your left fist you aim for his family jewel and punch it hard that all male in the church share the same pain.

Taiju falls on the ground holding his crotch, he lifts his head up to yell at you, but you already pull your arm back, without any mercy you start repeatedly punching Taiju in the face, not giving him a chance to recover.

Inui now start thinking whether he should just join toman as he stares at you beating the shit out of Taiju, Kokonoi have a second thought about this event. And Taiju, he, well might need a ride to hospital.

"Takemichi sister is stronger than him." Inui say as he looks at you drag your brother away, " Wait, what?" Koko look at Inui with a wide eye, "Oh right, that's [name], takemichi twin sister." Yuzuha looks at the unconscious Taiju, "Well, damn. I think i like her more now."

Overal: Yuzuha now has a girl crush, Inui start planning on calling takemichi brother-in-law, Kokonoi will literally buy you anything because Inui like you, Taiju has a second thought; wondering if his siblings as strong as you will he end up in hospital sooner?

Bonus: Mikey who about to help the other stare in confusion when he sees you dragging Takemichi out by an ear, yelling and scolding him. He peeks inside the church and see Taiju laying on the floor, beaten up to pulp. "Gotta marry her someday." He thought.

Tenjiku:

Izana knows about you because Mikey like you, so he thought about, why don't we have a chat with you for a bit.

On your way back home from school, you see a group of males hogging around in front of your house. Curious you step closer to them and ask why they here.

Haitani brothers point out at how similar you are to Takemichi, which you answer with duh, obviously. But then you see Kakucho and you recognize him, you greet him saying it's been long time since last you see him. kakucho can't help but blush when you step closer to him because he *cough*haveacrushonyouonce*cough*.

Izana notice this obviously want the best for his servant and take the lead, he asks you a few questions. Mostly about your relationship with Mikey. Which the answers are no.

You sigh and tell them to leave you alone since you are not really an official member of Toman. You about to walk away when Ran stop you, without much thought you flip Ran over your shoulder making him crash on the ground.

Silence. Pure silence.

Izana being curious piece of art he is wanted to test your strength because why not? When you busy apologize to stunned Ran, Izana throws a fake punch at you, but you dodge it by reflex. Oh, now he really interested.

You two start fighting, well, more like you dodging and he is attacking. Much to the other surprise you manage to dodge every single one of it.

"What are you guys doing?" Takemichi who just come back from meeting Mikey look at you guys confusedly and worryingly.

You two stop the fight because Takemichi ruin the fun, izana word not you. Izana whisper something toward you before he walks away with the other following him.

'If Mikey want you then i want you too.' is what he whispers and you like, wtf? aren't you like eighteen? red flags much?

"[Name] never change. She still looks like her brother." Kakucho said out loud making them all look at him. "...That's a girl?" Izana asks, "Yeah? Don't you see she wear girl uniform?"-"...Well, damn!"

Overall: stay away from izana if you want to survive, kakucho want to see you again and maybe you two can get a drink together, Ran is intrigue and wonder if you are stronger than you look and Rindou wonder if you willing to go out with him.

[sheeple]

A purple-eyed bride for your green-coloured son

Part one |  Part three

There are days that Lucerys Velaryon can't look at his sister. It's not because he thinks she's ugly. Gods no. Lucerys thinks his sister is one of the most beautiful girls he has ever seen. Long, snow-white hair cascading in tight curls down her back. The vision of a true Valyrian.

He can't look at her some days because of the guilt.

His otherwise flawless oldest sister is missing an eye. And it's all because of him. She and their uncle both lost an eye the same night because of him.

Lucerys has lived with this guilt for almost six years. It eats him from the inside, festering in his heart like a black, sticky goo. It's tar-like and it makes him wanna throw up.

Next to Lucerys is his brother, Jacaerys Velaryon. He wants to hate his sister for what she has done. He wants to despise her. Because he, as the eldest son and heir to the throne, should be the one to protect their siblings ─ not her. But he can't.

He knows that his sister has given up a lot. She has given the right to the throne to him. Because she knows he will be a far better candidate than herself. She has no taste for the crown or power. Y/n Velaryon has told him so herself.

And now she has given up her freedom. The freedom to choose whom she marries. At least that is what all the Velaryon siblings have in common, their marriages are chosen for them.

Across the table, sits the Stranger himself personified. Aemond Targaryen watches with not so well hidden amusement how Lucerys squirms under his gaze. Aemond does however not enjoy the emotionless look his niece has on her face.

He always thought they were equal; two halves of the same. But in contrary to how he hides the jewel that fills the empty socket, she shows it with pride. An amethyst shines eminently in place of her eye, the colour matching the one she gave his mother half a decade ago.

It excites him. He truly believes that she did it all for him. Over the years, her eyeball kept him company, whispering how they are meant to be together. It drives him crazy how she teases him.

The King gives a heartfelt speech, after which the other members of the royal family follow. The Queen and Princess seem to reconcile, and Jacaerys makes a not-really-meant reconciliation to his uncles. Princess Helaena looks really proud of herself once she has spoken, earning a few chuckles and a nod from her grandsire.

Once Jacaerys takes his aunt to dance, princess Y/n's eyes drift from them to her uncle, who's already staring intently at her. She raises her eyebrow and lifts her cup to take a sip of the wine. It's like she's challenging him, decides Aemond.

Before he can act on his desire to claim her before their family, a still-sizzling piglet get's placed before him and the quiet laughs of his nephew set him off. His speech is damaging and the Queen buries her face in her hands.

Jacaerys punches Aemond first but gets pushed to the ground fairly easily. Aegon grabs Lucaerys and pushes his face on the table. The one-eyed princess jumps up from her chair and kicks her eldest uncle in the back of his knees so he lets go of her brother and slams his head on the table.

Jacaerys breaks free from the guards that restrained him but contains himself when his sister steps in between uncle and nephew

"You should be ashamed of yourself", she hisses, chest heaving and jaw set. She feels Jacaerys ready to pounce like a wild animal behind her but she doesn't budge. "Your tongue should be cut out for talking such blasphemy."

What nobody expected is that Aemond advances, grabbing hold of the Princess' throat. Swords are unsheathed and shouts for the Prince to let go of his niece. But his gaze is set on her only eye, mirroring his own.

"You're playing a dangerous game, uncle. If my betrothed in the North hears about you putting your hands on his princess, Cregan Starks won't hesitate to march down to here. Then your eye won't be the only thing you've lost." The last part is only for her uncle to hear.

Aemond's jaw tenses, but it is his mother that speaks his thoughts. "Betrothed? Since when?"

Princess Y/n frees herself from her uncle's hold to address the Queen. There is a certain look in the brown orbs of the Queen that betray her true feelings.

"Such a same isn't it, Queen Hightower? Now you won't have a purple-eyed bride for your green-coloured son."

The face of the Queen hardens and Prince Daemon grabs his step-daughter's arm, ordering her and her brothers to go to their quarters.

With one last sharp look at Aemond, the princess leaves to pack for their return home to Dragonstone and she swears to never return to the capital while the Greens plague the halls of the keep. At least not of her free will.

Tagged: @ryuuisthecutest @thepineapplesimp @yeah-just-a-fan @linn-a-a @foggyturtleknightangel @the-phantom-of-arda @bellameshipper

[666writingcafe]

hello here is a new stranger who follows you now, could you write about how M!MC was fighting with Asmo and M!MC yelled something at Asmo, that made Asmo's heart break and he kicked him in the..mmh. you know....to M!MC

Sure thing! I don't know if the following is what you had in mind, but I promise it will make sense by the end.

~~~

It was a reflex.

Once upon a time, several people treated Asmo like a game.

Let's see how quickly we can get him to take his pants off, they would say behind his back. And when that got boring, the game changed.

Let's test his limits. If there even is any.

And test they did. There were nights Asmo would cry himself to sleep because he knew.

He wanted no part of their twisted games, but he didn't know how to back out. Some of these people were important members of the Devildom's elite, important enough that they could punish him and his brothers if he said no.

It was Barbatos that first introduced him to the scorpion. They may be small, but they're capable of causing a lot of pain.

Take inspiration from the scorpion, Asmodeus. If you feel threatened, defend yourself. Fight back.

He discovered man's weak spot when he witnessed Beel accidentally getting hit there and being brought down to his knees. If someone as physically strong as his brother could be that affected by it...

He spent countless hours practicing. Not on actual creatures, of course, but on boxing dummies. He picked up several moves along the way, but kicking that weak spot became his signature, especially whenever someone pushed him too far.

It became his stinger.

Several centuries had passed since he last used it, but he still knew how to. After all, one never forgets how to ride a bike once they've mastered the skill.

You're just a cum bucket, Asmo!

Asmo knows MC said it in the heat of the moment and didn't actually believe what he said, but it nevertheless triggered something deep inside the demon.

Seconds later, MC is on the ground, clutching his family jewels. Perhaps he will know not to mess with a scorpion next time.

[charlie-morningstar666]

(Don’t reblog. Just for me

Trigger Warning:Blood, Suicide thoughts, PTSD triggers, and mention of malnourished.)

*Charlie was still in the basement..trying once again to break free from this rope..but nothing wrongs…the angelic rope really cancel her powers…plus she’s already weak enough from the amount of abuse she was dealing with. She was tearing up and whimpers..she was hungry..tired..she just want to go back home..back to the hotel..*

Gosh….gosh why?………it’s all my fault…..it’s all my fault………..

*Charlie was shaking and breathe even heavily..her blood was dripping from every open wounds you can find on her body..she was getting ready for the wedding when she was ambushed and kidnapped…she should had known……but she didn’t…now her family is worried sick about her…she barely eat anything when she got here…*

Why-…why keep me alive?…I’m….I’m…..not even good enough to live…

*Charlie tears up even more, before immediately froze once she saw blood on the floor..she begin to breathe heavily and starts to kick her legs..trying to push the blood away*

No-please!-..no more!! PLEASE PLEASE!!! I-I’ll behave!!! Please stop!!!

*Charlie begin to cough blood and begin to shakes even more. All the hits and abuse she got from the past few days keeps haunting her..it scares her…it’s hurts her..all the blood on the walls..ground..basically everywhere scares her*

Please-stop stop stop…

*Charlie mumbles in fear, before looking at the ceiling and tears up even more harder. Why was she alive?….at this point it’s surprised she’s still alive..she should had died….she would bang herself on the wall just to end herself. She put everyone in danger and she can’t do anything about it. Her dad must think she’s a disappointment and a failure for not freeing herself…and she wouldn’t blame him…maybe she should just died.

It’s all my fault..:my fault….no wonder why dad didn’t wanna show up…he’s probably disappointed of me…Jewel was right..:I’m such a worthless pathetic excuse….

*Charlie immediately break down in tears, before crying a whole bunch..surrendered by her own blood..and an empty basement…thinking when she could ever be free from here*

[bimrwolf]

Promise? to Leave the Window Cracked Open

steve harrington x afab!reader words: 14,379 warnings: mentions of cancer (minor details of aftermath of treatments), minor character death, implied smut summary: Dealing with his father's presistance that he become a perfect son and being told he can't be "just friends" with girls, Steve has to learn the hard way that being popular is not what it's cut out to be. Growing up is a lot harder than it looks. a/n: i'm not *entirely* happy with this piece but my friend told me to post it anyway. so here you all go!!!

The red brick house at the corner of Dearborn Street had gone through many inhabitants. There was the weird Gibson family whose grandfather lived with them, occasionally he stood on the front porch in nothing but his house shoes. Then there were the Weirs. Their kids always came to school smelling of salami. Finally, there was the Lyons. The small town life did not set well with Mrs. Lyon, forcing her husband to sell the home after two months of living there, leaving the red brick house up for sale once again.  

One day when Steve Harrington was in the back of his father’s car, playing with two green army men, he noticed the large SOLD covering the for sale sign that had been up there for exactly seven months and three days. The next day, there was a car parked outside, boxes in the driveway, and a woman yelling at two children running in the freshly mowed grass. 

A week later, while his dad was at work, his mom drove them to the red brick house. She knocked on the door, a casserole in her hand, looking down at her son, straightening the collar of his shirt.

A woman with a bright smile answered the door, greeting the two enthusiastically. 

The two women began to talk and five minutes turned into ten. 

They weren’t paying attention so he wandered off into the yard, noticing a few toys strewn about. The summer sun beamed down on the back of his head as he hopped on the stepping stones next to the rose bushes. 

His ears perked up when he heard shouting around the corner of the house. 

He looked behind him, his mother still in deep conversation. Curiosity built inside of him, peeking around the corner he saw a younger boy covered in mud, looking up at the side of the house. Steve followed his gaze, catching the sight of a girl leaning out a window, holding a wooden sword that was pointed towards the boy. “The treasure is mine.” The girl proclaimed.

“Come on, Y/n. I wanna play something else.” The boy complained, kicking up some of the mud at his feet. There was a water hose laying a few feet away from him. 

The girl, Y/n, sighed. “Please, Aaron. Mom made her peach cobbler tonight and I’ll let you have my slice if you play.” 

“That doesn’t matter. You hate peach cobbler.” He crossed his arms. Steve could see her pucker her lip and bat her eyes. Aaron groaned, holding up a sword himself, unenthusiastically. “Come down and fight me you coward. The jeweled crown will be mine.” 

“Arrrggh!” Steve watched in bewilderment as Y/n stepped out of the window and onto the ledge, climbing down on the lattice panel that was covered in dead vines. Steve gasped when the small girl misplaced her foot, causing her to fall on the ground. She landed with a thud. 

He was amazed she didn’t cry or scream. 

He remembered two days ago when he had stepped on one of his toy race cars and cried for twenty minutes, maybe longer if his dad had not come home. 

The girl looked up, locking eyes with Steve. She smiled at him, revealing her two front teeth that were missing, quickly pushing her body up and pointing the sword in his direction. “What do we have here?” 

Steve cowered behind the corner, his cheeks were red, too shy to answer. 

“Another pirate looking for the crown, eh? Looks like you have no weapon but that stick by yer foot.” Y/n pointed to a long thick stick that had fallen off the oak tree next to her house.

Steve stepped where they could see him. “M-my mom will be upset if I get mud on my shirt.” 

Y/n rolled her eyes. “Pirates don’t listen to their mommies.” 

Her brother spoke up. “Mom did tell us not to get dirty before-” 

“Shut up.” She scrunched her nose up, examining Steve up and down. His hair was short and slicked back. His teeth were too big for his mouth. A few freckles were scattered on his face. “What’s yer name, matey?” 

“S-Steve.” 

“Pirate Steve?” Aaron laughed.

Y/n nudged him to be quiet. “That’s a lame pirate name, but it will do. When you’ve been sailing the seas as long as I have, you’ll come up with something better. Now, Pirate Steve, you will have to fight us both to the death if yer want the treasure.” The two siblings held up their weapons higher, mutually deciding to team up to fight the strange boy in their yard. Y/n took the first step toward him, her brother close behind. Finally, the tip of her sword was only inches away from his chest. 

Steve noticed the dried up mud caking her cheek, but she didn’t seem to care. 

Steve looked down at the stick, then looked back up at the siblings, then over to where his mom once stood. She had gone inside once the two mothers saw their children were talking.

Y/n leaned her head closer to him, breaking character. “Promise to not get mud on you.” She held out her pinky, and he hesitantly took it, watching with wide eyes when she kissed her thumb, telling him that’s what seals it. So, Steve also kissed his thumb. “Have any last words?” She asked, pointing the sword at his neck. 

Without a beat, Steve picked up the stick, swinging it against hers. The three of them chased each other in the yard, yelling, giggling, and clanking the wooden objects against one another. When finally, Steve had softly tapped Y/n on the side of her stomach with the sword, declaring he had killed her. She did not accept the defeat, arguing that Steve had cheated. When Steve wouldn’t let her continue on, she balled up her fist with one hand and shoved him with the other, so hard he fell backwards in the mud. 

Soon, the three kids were talking over one another in the kitchen of Y/n’s house, trying to explain to their mothers what had happened. It was clear that Steve’s mom was irritated that her son’s shirt was dirty, but still put a fake smile on, claiming kids will be kids. Then she grabbed the ten-year-old’s hand, said goodbye, and took them back home. 

Two days later, Y/n and her mother had shown up to the Harrington household. Steve was forced to come downstairs and stand in the doorway so the toothless girl could apologize. It was obvious she wasn’t that sorry, but when she revealed a wooden sword from behind her back, telling him that he could come play pirates with her anytime, a toothy grin spread across his face. 

That afternoon she also promised her window would be cracked open for him to call her to come down and play. 

Although Steve and Y/n had outgrown playing pirates together, the pair never seemed to separate. Their families thought maybe it would have been Steve and Aaron that ended up childhood best friends, but Y/n’s mom sometimes would have to beg them to include him in the things the two older kids did. 

The evening before the first day of middle school, Steve had convinced his parents to let him go over to Y/n’s, promising to be home before dark.

The bike ride was only fifteen minutes, plenty of time to see his best friend before their big day. 

Two years had gone by since he first met Y/n. Their yard was decorated differently. Her mother had exchanged roses for petunias, hydrangeas, and lilies. There was now a tire swing on the big oak tree. Aaron used to make Steve push him so hard that he went so high that he almost wrapped around the big branch. 

Steve got off his bike, setting it in the lawn, walking past the front door and over to the side of the house. He smiled when he saw the window cracked open slightly, Dreams by Fleetwood Mac drifting out. 

Her parents had accepted the fact Steve had no intentions of using the front door, never surprised to see him in her room if they opened the bedroom door. They would just ask if he wanted anything to drink, and he would always ask for a Dr. Pepper. No one in the household drank Dr. Peppers, but they always had a case just for him. 

Steve climbed up the lattice panel, the old vines had been ripped off. When he got a view of the inside of her room, he expected to see her reading or painting her toenails. Instead, she was in front of her dresser, throwing clothes behind her, groaning loudly. A messy room wasn’t shocking, Y/n was always getting in trouble for never cleaning it. But the sight Steve was looking at was horrific. “Are you rearranging?” Steve asked, sliding the window up, crawling through. 

Y/n didn’t seem phased that he had shown up unannounced. “What are you wearing tomorrow?” 

“I dunno.” He answered, smiling because there was already a Dr. Pepper can on her desk. 

“I forget. Your mommy still dresses you.” She teased him.

She loved to poke fun on how much of a momma’s boy he was. “Why are you worried about clothes?” 

She let out an exasperated sigh. “It’s the first day of middle school.” 

“So? It’s no different than fifth grade.” Steve shrugged, taking a sip of his Dr. Pepper. 

“To you! I spent the night at Tammy Thompson’s last night. Tina is a B cup now and Carol had her first kiss at summer camp.” The girl pulled out a pair of shorts, sighing when she saw the tag. 

“That stuff doesn’t matter, Y/n.” He downed the rest of the drink, belching loudly. He started to giggle, but quickly stopped when Y/n gave him a disapproving look. He frowned. She always laughed when he burped. 

“No girl is gonna kiss you if you do gross things like that.” Y/n put a hand on her hip. 

Steve still didn’t understand why his friend was making a big deal about clothes, other girls, or kissing. Why did any of it matter if they had one another? “I could be your first kiss.” Maybe if they kissed then maybe she would stop worrying about it. 

Y/n’s expression didn’t falter. It was like she hadn’t heard him. “Very funny, Steve. Kissing you would be gross.” 

When Steve had rode his bike back home— after finally convincing Y/n to wear the dress his mom had bought her for her birthday— he kept thinking about how she had reacted to the idea of kissing him. 

What made him gross? 

He was one of the cleanest boys at school. He took a bath every night, and his mom started making him wear deodorant. His hair was nice and neat. He didn’t eat his boogers like Tommy Hagan or ate dirt like Reed Booker. He’s never even had lice before. 

Had she even thought about it before? Did she lay awake thinking what if she and Steve kissed? Is that when she came to the conclusion kissing him would be gross? 

He couldn’t even sleep properly that night, tossing and turning, irritated that Y/n decided to make these thoughts appear in his head. 

It was so stupid. He didn’t even think about kissing girls until now.

Then it seemed like seventh grade came in a blink of an eye. Steve’s dad was getting harsher about grades and what Steve’s plans were for extracurriculars. “A good Harrington boy is well-rounded, who doesn’t run around and play pretend.” He would tell him at dinner, whenever he wasn’t away on business trips. He had recently been promoted at work, making him less and less available to stay home. When he was home, he was always sitting in his office, smoking a cigarette, yelling on the phone. 

But one good thing about seventh grade was that he had changed. It seemed like he had gone to sleep one night and woke up the next day two feet taller. His clothes were too small and sometimes he found himself tripping over his new long legs. 

Girls were starting to put letters in his locker, and sometimes he caught them giggling on the other side of the gym during PE, watching him play basketball. He would blush when the other boys would nudge him, pointing out which girls they thought were cute. His attention would then turn to Y/n, standing in a corner by herself jump roping, obviously annoyed that the other girls were gawking at him.

Steve didn’t understand that she had no friends except for him. All the girls pretended to be friends with her and then they would ask about Steve. Steve this. Steve that. Quite honestly, she was sick and tired of them always talking about her friend. There wasn’t anything even spectacular about him. He still had too large teeth for his face and he always burped or gave her wet willies. When Y/n fed them the answers they wanted, they’d never speak to her again. She never told him that was the main reason she stopped going over to Tammy’s slumber parties. 

Steve on the other hand, didn’t mind the attention. His new popularity with the girls changed his social status with the guys as well. Soon, he was roped in with Tommy Hagan and spent his lunch period, sneaking off in the woods by the school to smoke cigarettes with one other boy, Carter Adams. 

One particular chilly day, Tommy shushed them when he heard giggling coming from their spot. They all hid behind the wall that bordered the school, peering over to see two high schoolers making out against a tree. 

Steve immediately felt uncomfortable, whispering they should probably go, but Tommy grabbed him by his jacket, pulling him back. “Ten bucks says he’ll grab her tit.” Tommy told the boys. 

“Ten bucks he’ll grab her ass.” Carter challenged. 

“What about you Harrington?” Tommy asked, looking at him with a smirk. “Tits or ass?” 

Steve shrugged, glancing nervously back at the school, praying a teacher would catch them so he could get out of the situation. “I dunno.” 

“Have you even kissed a girl before?” It had been known that Tommy had kissed lots of girls. 

Steve looked at the ground, shaking his head, regretting telling the truth when Tommy and Carter laughed quietly. “What about your girlfriend?” Tommy raised an eyebrow. 

“What?” 

Carter poked his side. “He’s talkin’ ‘bout that girl you’re always with. Have you kissed her?” 

“Y/n? She’s not my girlfriend. We’re just friends.” Steve answered. 

The two boys next to him exchanged a knowing look, trying to hold in another fit of laughter. “Boys and girls cannot just be friends, Harrington.” 

Steve furrowed his brows. He didn’t understand why it was so wrong to be friends with her. She wasn’t mean. Except the other day she did smack him upside the head because he put his armpit in her face. He understood he had it coming. 

He should have told the boys he didn’t care what body part the high schooler grabbed. But he knew if he didn’t say anything, they’d stop wanting to hang out with him. He peeked back over the wall to see the couple again. “Tits.” 

A part of him regretted participating in the bet, mostly because he had lost ten bucks, but also because it seemed to be the rite of passage to be personally invited to Tommy’s girls and boys party the next Friday. 

Steve was nervous. He had only been to birthday parties with parents watching their children closely as they swam in the pool or played on the swing sets at the park. This was different. 

Tommy’s parents were out of town, his big brother in charge and Tommy gave him two months worth of allowance to buy everyone beers and keep quiet. 

He kept looking over at Y/n, who was walking next to him, pulling down the uncomfortable itchy yellow dress she decided to wear. “Did you really have to wear that? You look like Big Bird.” Steve poked the puffy sleeve, warranting a slap from her. 

“Shut up, or I’m going home.” She warned him. 

“You can’t because you promised.”

Steve had climbed through her window, begging her to come with him. He had to lie to her that Tommy wanted her to come. She still wasn’t convinced, but agreed nevertheless. 

“Maybe fun for you. You’re cool in their eyes.” She crossed her arms and pursed her lips. 

“Once they get to know you they’ll see how cool you are too. Listen, we’ll stay an hour tops and if you are ready to leave, we’ll go. I promise.” He stopped walking, looking at the white house that belonged to Tommy. He stuck out his pinky towards the girl. 

She gave him an unimpressed look. His attempt to pull the pinky swear trick they used to do three years ago was a cheap gimmick on his part, knowing she was a sucker for nostalgia. She tried her best not to break, but when he leaned forward, looking at her with his wide brown eyes and toothy grin made her roll her eyes, sighing in defeat. She wrapped her pinky around his and they both brought their thumbs to their lips, locking the promise in place. 

Tommy’s brother was the one who answered the door, leading them to the door of the basement. 

Y/n scrunched her nose up when the smell of cigarettes and beer greeted them at the top of the stairs. Steve decided to ignore it, walking down the creaking wooden steps. When Tommy saw him, he immediately jumped up from an old battered brown couch, announcing the arrival to everyone in the room. He tilted his head slightly, frowning when he saw trailing behind Steve. He quickly wrapped an arm around Steve’s shoulder, pulling him to the side away from the girl. “I told you not to bring her, Harrington. The girls here are gonna think you two are a thing.” 

Steve looked over at Y/n. She was looking over at a group of girls huddled in a corner, looking between her and him, whispering. “Tommy, give her a chance. She’s cool and really funny when you get to know her.” 

The lanky boy whose breath already smelled like beer and cigarettes sighed, agreeing to let her stay. He then turned around, clasping his hands together dramatically, announcing it was time to play truth or dare. Steve felt his heart drop in his chest, looking over at Y/n who seemed to still be observing the room and the people that filled the space up. She always did that before interacting with anyone, studying them quickly in her mind.

He was about to tell Tommy he didn’t feel good and had to go home, but was shocked to see Y/n confidently walk towards the circle forming on the floor, plopping down next to a boy he didn’t recognize. Steve gulped, deciding to sit between Carter and Tina. 

The rules were simple, either tell the truth or do the dare and if anyone chickened out, they had to take a drink. 

Secrets were spilled, kisses were exchanged, someone was dared to lick the bottom of Carter’s foot, but no one was chicken enough to take the first sip. The longer Steve sat on the cold concrete floor of the basement, the longer it felt sticky, hot, and damp. The air was almost suffocating as he anticipated his name to be drawn out of Christopher Smith’s baseball cap. When his name finally did get drawn, it took him a moment to process when Carol had said it. 

He knew Tommy would give him shit if he said ’truth’ but he was afraid of what Carol might ask him to do. “D-dare.” 

Carol smirked, sharing a look with Tommy. “I dare you to kiss the prettiest girl in the room.” It dawned on him that this party had been a set up the entire time. Tommy was throwing Steve into the lion’s den, forcing him to finally catch up with the rest of the grade and kiss someone. But Steve had never thought about anyone in the room like that before. Sure Heather Holloway was cute, but once in second grade she threw up on his new pair of shoes. He could still smell the fish sticks burning in his nostrils. 

Then there was Beth Johnson, she wore braces and was always wiping dripping saliva off her chin. No way. 

Carol was pretty, but Tommy had a crush on her.

Which meant the only two girls left were Tina and Y/n. 

He tried to see how Y/n felt, maybe she would give him the face that said “Kiss me Steve!” But there was no sign whatsoever of what she wanted him to do. He remembered a year ago when he had suggested being each other’s first kiss, but she was revolted by the idea, telling him kissing him would be gross. He remembered from then on, he couldn’t stop wondering what it would be like to kiss her. 

Carol had said he had to kiss the prettiest girl in the room. To him, Y/n was by far prettier than any of them. The longer he looked at her, the more he began to admire her features. Her puffy cheeks, her nose, the way her eyes gleamed from the bright yellow dress she wore. The other girls in the room looked so dull compared to her. 

He debated the consequence of taking a sip of the beer to get out of it. 

The choice was so simple and easy to him, but he was confused. Y/n was his best friend, he couldn’t think of her like that. He most definitely couldn’t kiss her either. 

So instead of crawling across the circle to kiss her, he turned and gave Tina a quick peck on the lips. 

The basement erupted in hoots and hollers, making Steve blush. 

It was Steve’s turn to pick a name. When he reached in the hat, he frowned, realizing there was only one piece of paper left– Y/n. Her face was still stoic. “Y/n, truth or dare?” He asked her, mind buzzing with what he should say. 

He should have known she would pick dare, never backing away from a challenge. However, a few minutes passed by, struggling to come up with anything. He looked at Carol for help, who immediately accepted. “Write down the name of the one person you want to kiss in this room, then put a blindfold on and wait for them in the closet.” She pointed to the closet that went under the stairs. 

Y/n didn’t hesitate once, scribbling a name on a piece of paper that was handed to her, standing up to give it to Carol who then put a bandana over her eyes and walked her to the closet. Steve watched her disappear inside, almost immediately Carol put a hand over her mouth when she shut the door. “Where’s Rosie?”

It had happened all so fast. Tommy had gone upstairs, bringing back his pet beagle. Steve was confused, until Carol and the other girls let Rosie lick their hands. Tommy started towards the closet door. Steve jumped forward, blocking his way. “What are you doing?” 

“Giving her a kiss to remember.” He tried to step around him, but Steve stepped back in front of him. Tommy scowled, narrowing his eyes. “Always knew you were a pussy, Harrington.” 

Steve swallowed, feeling like he was drowning in thick molasses. “No, I was just volunteering.” He stuck out his arms. 

Tommy smirked, looking back at the others. 

Everything seemed to go slow, Rosie being put in his arms, the closet door creaking open, taking heavy steps inside. Even when they closed the door, his back hitting against it, darkness enveloping the room, Rosie whimpering, he was still able to see Y/n in the bright yellow dress. Like the sun. 

She tilted her head up, the black bandana covering her eyes. Steve walked closer to her, taking in the smell of mothballs, dust, and copper. When he crouched down, the closet scent faded away. Y/n’s sweet honeysuckle fragrance and mint toothpaste overtook it. 

He knew what Tommy and the others wanted him to do. But being this close to her, led him to put the dog down who immediately found a place in her lap. She giggled when Rosie licked her hand repeatedly. 

Steve reached out, putting his hand on her shoulder, letting the tulle of the puffy sleeve scratch against his fingers. 

“Are you gonna kiss me or what?” He almost wanted to laugh at how bored she sounded. 

He should tell her what was going on, that an hour had passed and it was time to go. When they got back to her house, they could laugh about how ridiculous seventh grade was. Maybe they should have never hung up their wooden swords and eye patches. He didn’t want to grow up and do the things that Tommy Hagan did. 

However, she licked her lips and he realized from the way his tummy flipped and breath hitched in his throat, he couldn’t stop from growing up.

He leaned forward, pressing his lips on hers, tender and saccharine. 

He pulled back, smiling, lifting the blindfold up, catching her eyes with his. 

“You’re not Tommy.” Y/n’s eyebrows creased.

Steve didn’t understand why she looked disappointed. 

He didn’t have time to ask because the door swung open. The two quickly shot up, eyes wide like kids who had their hands in the cookie jar. Rosie barked, running out of the closet. “Wait a minute… did you two kiss?” Carol snickered. 

Steve saw the piece of paper in the blonde’s hand, suddenly remembering that Y/n was asked to write down who she wanted to kiss, making out the cursive ‘T’ in her neat handwriting. 

She wanted to kiss Tommy. Not him. 

He clenched his jaw, balling up his fist as they laughed at them, ignoring the look on her face, silently asking if he was going to say something. “Me? Kiss her?” He scoffed. 

He noticed the way Y/n’s mouth fell open, shocked he had said that. 

“Rosie took one sniff of Y/n’s dog breath and cried. I wasn’t gonna take a chance.” He instantly regretted the words leaving his mouth when he saw his friend clench her jaw, eyes glossy as she fought the tears forming. 

Someone made a comment about being able to smell her breath from across the room, and soon the others chided in, all laughing at the made up lie that Steve couldn’t take back. 

Y/n had stormed past him, exiting the closet. The others started making barking noises as she ran up the stairs, bending over in laughter when they heard the front door slam shut. 

Later that night, Steve had to retrieve his bike back from Y/n’s, having left it there so they could walk to the party together. He had worked on his apology on the walk back from Tommy’s, even picking zinnias out of The Wheeler’s garden for her. But when he walked over to her window he felt his mouth go dry. 

Her light was on, but the window was sealed shut and the bubblegum pink curtains were closed. 

The next week, Y/n didn’t come to school. 

Steve tried to go over to her house and apologize, and every day her window was shut. He even knocked on the front door, her mom telling him Y/n wasn’t feeling good or wasn’t home. Which he knew was a lie, because one day he saw her peeking through the blinds in the living room. 

When she did come to school, kids barked at her in the hallway until the principal sat everyone in the gymnasium to speak about bullying and if any of the teachers caught them making dog noises at any student, they would be suspended for a week. The principal tried to keep Y/n’s name out of it, but everyone was looking at her, knowing. 

Two days later was when Y/n finally acknowledged him. 

He was alone at his locker, cramming answers for a quiz he was about to take for math. His locker slammed shut. He jumped up, locking eyes with her. She looked like she had just been crying, eyes red and puffy, shoving a box against his chest. “Tell your friends they’re so funny.” Steve looked down to see the contents. There was a toothbrush, cheap toothpaste, and a dog bone tied in a red bow. 

He gulped, not sure what to say to her, the rehearsed apology slipping from his mind. When he noticed Carter lingering by, pretending to tie his shoes, Steve felt himself speaking before thinking. “Maybe next time we should get you a shock collar.”

He took note how her face fell, the little bit of glitter in her eyes flickered out. Whatever little bit of hope she had left for him to fix everything, vanished. As she walked away, head hanging low, Steve realized this wasn’t like the time she pushed him in the mud. He wouldn’t be able to show up to her door with a wooden sword and she would forgive him. 

That night he rode his bike down her street three times before he finally walked to the side of her house. 

The window was still shut. 

As the seasons changed, Steve would check every day if it would be open. But it never was. 

Finally, there came the day when he stopped checking.

–

Hawkins High felt intimidating when Steve’s mom pulled to the front, tears in her eyes because her baby boy was growing up on her. He kept begging her to calm down. If his friends saw her reacting like that, they would give him shit. He allowed her to give a kiss on his cheek, before hurriedly grabbing his blue book bag and climbing out of the car. He saw Tommy and Carter hanging over by the railing, scanning the crowd of high schoolers, greeting them both with fist bumps. 

“Who knew high school was full of babes?” Carter nodded at a redhead walking into the school. “Is that Becky? Jesus, look at the rack on her.” Tommy laughed, closing the boy’s mouth, making a comment about him drooling. 

Steve observed the lawn, taking in the sounds of kids chattering amongst themselves, basking in the sun, trying to get the last few moments of summer into their systems. He then stopped, staring at a girl whose back was facing them, wearing a pair of Levi’s. “Shit.” He said out loud. 

“Looks like Harrington has scouted his first victim. Damn, what a sweet ass.” Tommy exclaimed. 

“Don’t let Carol hear you say that.” Carter chuckled. 

“What? You don’t think I know she’s looking at other dudes? This is why we work out, because we respect and trust one another.” Tommy explained. It was true, they always made comments about other people in front of each other, but neither of them got jealous. In fact, Steve swore they got hornier, knowing that there was nothing to worry about. “Why don’t you go over there, lover boy?” 

Steve turned to face them again, running a hand through his hair. “I dunno. What if she’s ugly? Like her face covered in warts or something.” 

“Just go, and if she’s ugly, tell her Carter wants to take her out on a date.” Tommy slapped his hand on Steve’s back, pushing him to walk over there.

“Wait, why me?” Carter asked. 

“‘Cause even the ugliest girl wouldn’t want to go on a date with you.” 

Steve rolled his eyes, their arguing voices drifting away as he walked closer to the girl with the sweet ass. She was talking to another girl he didn’t recognize. He coughed, but neither of the girls heard him. He took a deep breath and tapped her on the shoulder. 

He felt the world freeze around him when she twisted her body to face him. His jaw fell, and her beaming smile turned sour. It was Y/n. 

Everything about her was different. Her face, her hair… her body. He swallowed, hard. He knew if he turned around, Tommy and Carter would be bent over in laughter. He was unsure what to say or do, except gawk at her. 

“Something I can do for you, Harrington?” She was the first to speak, and her voice had changed too. It was calm and soothing, but he could hear the tone of hostility. 

“I er… hi.” He wanted to hit himself in the head for sounding pathetic. 

“Really? You haven’t talked to me in over a year and you start with, ‘Hi?’”  She raised an eyebrow, eyes burning into his skin, waiting for him to answer. Instead, he stood there stupidly. “Oh, am I not standing in the right area? Sorry, I couldn’t find the dog park.” She turned to her friend, telling her they were leaving. She turned her head, “Nice outfit, Harrington. Did your mommy pick it out?” 

He watched her walk away and he could see Tommy and Carter covering their mouths so they wouldn’t burst into laughter. Steve walked back over to them, hitting Tommy’s stomach. “Shut up.” 

If Steve hadn’t gotten the picture he and Y/n were no longer friends, he had gotten it now. 

–

If there was one thing Steve loved most about his home was the swimming pool in the backyard. The house itself was way too big for the family of three, and recently, it’s just been him around. He hated to admit the loneliness creeping around the corners of the rooms, following him around. 

Whenever he was bored, but still wanted to be alone, he walked outside and got in the pool. Today, however, he had invited Tommy and Carol over. They, of course, took the liberty of inviting TIna. Steve didn’t mind, more nervous than anything. Last year she had gotten prettier, no longer wearing pigtails or clothes that didn’t fit. 

He also enjoyed kissing her. 

Steve had kissed a lot of girls since the eighth grade. Now it was the summer before sophomore year, and a week before his sixteenth birthday. Him and Tina had been on a few dates, always ending up making out, tongues, salvia, heavy breathing and touching each other in places they shouldn’t. 

The blonde was sitting between his legs, laying her head on his chest, placing soft kisses on his jaw. Tommy and Carol were on the lawn chair next to theirs. Tommy was rubbing Carol’s shoulders, a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, listening to Carol ramble on about her uptight step-mom. “Did you find someone to get us some beers?” She asked Steve, rolling her eyes when he wasn’t answering, his lips locked on Tina’s. 

She hit him with a towel, forcing him to break away from Tina, lips red and wet, giving Carol an annoyed expression. She repeated her question. “Yeah, they’re in the kitchen.” He tried to go back to kissing Tina, but Carol asked her to come with her, making the girl slip off the chair and follow the brunette back into the cool house. He watched the way her hips swayed side to side in her blue bikini bottom. 

“Jesus dude. When are you gonna man up and fuck her?” Tommy asked once the girls walked inside. 

Steve licked his lips, staring at a water bug as it skidded across the surface of the clear pool water. “We’re not even anything serious, yet.” That was always his excuse. Like the girl before Tina and the girl before her, they were never official enough to sleep with. Tommy and Carol always gave him shit for it, having done it since the beginning of freshman year. 

The growing popularity in high school was overwhelming, girls coming up to him and saying their friend thought he was cute, landing a varsity spot his freshman year, being invited to upperclassman parties. A lot had changed for him.

His hair was thicker, his teeth were no longer big, his legs were longer, his shoulders broader and arms stronger. Last Christmas his grandmother made a sweater that ended up ripping because she didn’t realize how big he was. 

He hated to admit that although the attention was staggering, he enjoyed it. In fact, he no longer blushed when girls would express their interest in him like he did in PE. Instead he would smirk, flirt, and occasionally, if he thought the girl was cute, he would give his number to them. 

Tommy scoffed, “It’s just sex. It doesn’t have to be serious.” 

Steve wanted to tell Tommy that it wasn’t just sex. 

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to do it. Oh god, no not at all. There was an embarrassing amount of wet dreams, or uncomfortable hard-ons in class that proved otherwise. But it was nerve wracking to think about being so young and stripping down to show the most vulnerable parts of yourself to somebody. 

Then there were the expectations. What if it wasn’t good? What if he wasn’t good? 

Steve was about to give Tommy an answer until the large gate to the pool opened. The boys turned their heads. 

Y/n was pushing it open with her back, then closing it with her foot. When she turned around, she stopped in her tracks realizing they were staring at her, holding a rectangular glass platter covered with tin foil. “Um, your mom called my mom and mentioned you were by yourself. She was worried about you being fed. No one answered the door and I… well I don’t know why I came back here.” 

Steve knew exactly why, especially when her eyes flickered to the second flower pot by the back door, the flower pot that always had the spare key underneath. 

Steve sighed, pushing himself up off the pool chair to help the girl into the house. When he opened the door to the sun room, Tina and Carol were coming out holding beers, giving each other a look when they noticed Y/n was behind Steve. 

He motioned for her to go in, closing the door quickly when he heard Carol say, “Since when did Steve get a dog?” 

It was silent between them as she walked in front of him to the kitchen. Although they didn’t speak, or hung out, their families still had dinner every now and then. His mother may redecorate when she’s bored but it was nearly impossible for Y/n to forget how to get around the Harrington household. 

She set the dish on the kitchen island, running the back of her hand over her forehead, wiping off the beaded sweat from the blazing summer sun. “Mom is trying out a new recipe. M’sorry if it’s not any good.” 

“It’s okay. Tell her I said thank you.” Steve shifted uncomfortably, his bare feet stinging the cold linoleum. Y/n’s eyes were anywhere but on him, trying to ignore the fact he was shirtless and wearing only his swim trunks. “How’s Aaron doing?” 

She shrugged. “Has his good and bad days. Yesterday he couldn’t stop throwing up.”

“Cancer sounds like an asshole.” He joked, earning a small smile from her. 

The two of them were still far from being friends, but the second semester of freshman year they were partnered together for biology and now Y/n would actually have a conversation with him without scowling. 

“How are you doing? With everything going on, I mean.” He asked her. 

Something flashed across her face that told him she hadn't been asked that. “Alright, I guess.” 

“You wanna stay? We have beers. Tommy and Carol aren’t that bad anymore. Tina’s cool too.” He could tell by the way she bit her lip and nostrils flared, she wasn’t going to stay. 

“Preheat the oven at 350º and reheat it for ten minutes.” She left the room, making her way to the front door so she could avoid walking in the back again. 

He joined the group outside again, Tommy and Carol wading in the pool, Tina laying on her stomach soaking up the sun. If this was seventh or even eighth grade, they would have interrogated him about Y/n showing up unannounced. But they never brought it up, at least not in the way they used to. 

“How is it possible for someone’s ass to get even sweeter?” Tommy gave a cheeky grin when Carol splashed him. 

Steve sat on the edge of the chair Tina was on, rubbing her back, slick of tanning oil. 

“Why don’t you ask Reed? Tammy told me the other day they did it in the back of his dad’s car. Chief Hopper was the one who caught them.” Tina said.

Steve furrowed his brows.

It was no secret some of the boys at school started to find interest in Y/n, the rumor of her having dog breath had been set aflame when she allegedly sucked face with Connie Phillips at a party the beginning of freshman year. 

“Can’t believe she lost her virginity before you, Harrington.” Carol sniggered. 

He felt the heat on his cheeks rise. 

It was odd to talk about her in such a way. He knew they were older, grown out of their awkward bodies. He knew they weren’t friends anymore. He knew he shouldn’t care what she’s doing or who she’s hanging out with.

So why did he feel his chest tighten?

–

Steve had never lost someone before. Any funeral he had gone to was as a visitor. Sometimes he would get asked how he knew the family, he’d look up at his mom, because he had no idea. 

He didn’t know the pain of having a loved one ripped away suddenly from your life, having to adjust and adapt to a life without them. 

He guessed that’s why it was hard to understand Nancy. He loved her, but in reality, he didn’t understand the things she had gone through.

He realized that when he looked her in the eyes at the Halloween party, and he finally saw her for the first time in their entire relationship. She didn’t love him— she couldn’t. She resented him. 

He sat outside on the sidewalk of Tina’s house, cigarette in his hand, recalling his entire time with the eldest Wheeler. Anytime they were intimate, it was like she disappeared inside of herself, and it wasn’t until now that Steve realized it only reminded her of Barb. How they creeped up the steps of his house to his room, giggling and carefree while Barb was killed. 

How the hell was he supposed to know Barb would be dragged to another world by a monster? 

Shit, he thought to himself, taking another drag of his cigarette. 

Not only was the first long-term relationship he had ever been in was over, but school wasn’t any better. Tommy and him stopped being friends last year. The new kid, Billy Hargrove, was now Hawkin’s High golden boy. He wasn’t anything special anymore. 

He felt like the failure his father always said he’d be. 

“I should have known you’d dress as Risky Business.”

Steve snapped his head towards the mysterious voice. He felt his stomach dip. Y/n was standing behind him, a beer in her hand, and a smirk on her face, wearing a Wonder Woman costume. He watched her walk over, plopping right next to him on the sidewalk. 

“Your girl was fucked up.” It was a statement. He wondered if she knew about the argument in the bathroom. He wondered if it was her way of comforting him, telling him Nancy was drunk and they would be fine tomorrow. 

But Steve knew there was no going back to the way things were before. 

“It’s whatever.” He mumbled, resting his arms on his knees, flicking the butt of his cigarette he wasn’t hungry for anymore. 

Her costume was shiny, gleaming underneath the streetlight softly glowing above them. “Still sucks. I could tell you were really into her. You somewhat stopped being a dickbag.” 

A corner of Steve’s mouth turned upwards. He had wondered how she really felt about him. 

She had to grow up, watching him go from the boy who played pirates, the boy who still slept with a baby blanket until he was eleven, the boy who attended tea parties willingly, the boy who was disgusted by the idea of kissing girls. She had to grow up, watching him become something the opposite of everything he once was. Cruel, self-obsessed, and seemingly heartless. 

Although he was different, nothing could change what he had done to her what seemed forever ago in that damp basement closet. That’s the Steve Harrington she knew. 

But he didn’t know anything about her. Was her favorite color still lilac? Did she leave the window cracked open for the boys she’s been with? 

“Do you think you could take me home? This party is kind of lame.” She asked, taking one last sip of her drink, tossing the can into the yard. 

It made Steve chuckle, past Y/n would have been angry if she caught someone littering. 

The car ride was mostly silent, besides the soft crackling of the radio. One point, Y/n reached over and grabbed the Ray Bans hanging off his shirt, putting them on, resting her head on the window. 

“You going to college?” She asked him. 

Steve felt his body tense, thinking back on the evenings his dad forced him to send applications to every possible school in the United States. If it weren’t for his mom, Steve would have probably been shipped off to military school by now. “Hoping to. You?” 

“Just got my acceptance letter from UCLA.” He was envious of the proud tone of voice she had; nevertheless, he was happy for her. 

He pulled into the familiar driveway, but she didn’t rush out of the car once he put it in park. There were a few trick-or-treaters walking through the lawn from getting enough tooth rotting candy that would make a dentist cry. “I miss trick-or-treating.” She sighed. 

Steve agreed. 

There was a beat.

“Wanna come up?” 

His jaw slacked, chestnut eyes drooped, brows creased. Did he hear her correctly? She didn’t say anything else, getting out of the car, sauntering inside her house. He could see her greet her mom in a hug through the frosted glass on the door. He waited until he saw her bedroom light turn on when he turned off the engine of his BMW, getting out. She still had his sunglasses, that was the only reason he would go in. At least, that’s what he told himself as he crossed the yard to the side of the house. 

He turned the corner, stopping when he was greeted by her brother, Aaron, leaning against the wall, a cigarette between his fingers. 

He looked Steve up and down. “Harrington.��� He was skinny, face sunken in. Usually he wore a cap to cover the lack of hair on his head, but tonight he wore a pirate hat, almost making Steve laugh. 

“Should you be smoking?” Steve asked him. 

Aaron looked up above him, smiling knowingly. “Should you be sneaking through my sister’s window? Neighbors might get the wrong idea.” 

Steve wanted to answer, but Y/n voice interrupted him. “Aaron, if you don’t piss off I’ll tell mom you’re smoking again.” 

“I’ll tell mom you’re sneaking boys in again.” He challenged. 

“You’re the one dying, she doesn’t care what I do.” 

Aaron gave her an unimpressed look, smashing the cigarette into the wall, flicking it to the ground, mumbling insults. He set a hand on Steve’s shoulder. “Careful, I hear she bites.” 

Steve swallowed. He had always been embarrassed when he thought that Y/n probably told her family what he did to her. He always assumed when her mom stopped inviting him to go to Indiana Adventures– an amusement park outside of Indianapolis– or when her father gave him a narrowed eye look if he walked into the room. But now, Aaron confirmed it. 

Steve looked up at the window, wide open. Just for him. He climbed up the lattice panel, remembering where to avoid because the wood was weak. Although now, he had to be careful because vines had grown back, that would be morifying if his foot got stuck. 

Fortunately, he successfully slipped inside the room with a smooth landing. 

Y/n’s room was different from the last time he had been in there. The walls were still white, small holes from nails and chipped paint. There were now posters from her favorite bands and the Karate Kid. There were a few trophies and medals from academic meets and debate club. Pictures decorated her bookshelf. He smiled at the one of her frowning the summer her mom forced her to join gymnastics. 

Y/n, now changed into an oversized shirt and shorts, was rummaging through her dresser. Finally, she pulled out a jewelry box, opening it up and taking out a blunt. Without a word, she walked over to the window seal, plopping down criss crossed. Steve just stared at her stupidly, watching her light the blunt and inhaling it, tilting her head when she noticed his uneasiness. “Have you never smoked before?” 

“I have.” He joined her, crossing his legs as well, giving a small thank you when she handed the blunt to him. 

The two sat there, listening to crickets chirping, the doorbell ringing, kids yelling excitedly down the street. It smelled like banana bread and pine. 

“I’m sorry.” Steve blurted out. He felt like he was a balloon airing up for years, the needle finally closed in on him, forcing him to burst. 

She made a face, knowing what he meant. “I get it. I probably would have done the same to you. Remember me at the beginning of sixth grade?” 

“No you wouldn’t have.” Steve said sternly. “You would have never done that to me. Not to anyone. You realized quicker than I did that some people are full of bullshit.” 

By now the blunt had been passed between them so long that it was only a nub. She put it out in a glass bowl, setting it to the side. “Then why did you tell them that? What was so bad with them knowing you kissed me?” Her tone was soft and sad. He imagined her staying up late at night, wondering what was wrong with her all because her friend had rather made up an outrageous lie than admit he had kissed her. 

Steve ran his hands over his face. “No one was supposed to even kiss you. They were going to make the dog lick you, and I just couldn’t do it. But then when you looked disappointed that it was me and not Tommy… anyway, it’s stupid.”

Y/n didn’t look at him, instead her eyes were focused outside the window. “I didn’t want to kiss Tommy. I mean, not really.” 

“Not really?”  

“I wanted to kiss you.” 

There was a beat. 

“Oh.” He felt like he was back in that closet, heart thumping and mind racing. So long he had questioned what was wrong with him that made her not want to kiss him. His eyes fell on hers and his mouth parted. He couldn’t help that they wandered over to her lips. 

She noticed.

“You wanna kiss me right now?” This time she was looking at him, eyebrows raised, part of her mouth upturned. 

Steve licked his lips, swallowing when she leaned forward, placing a hand on his thigh. Her face was close enough he could lean down and close the gap between them. It was an easy task. However, he sighed and looked down at the floor. She took the message, leaning back and taking her hand off of him. “If this was a year ago. I would with no hesitation. But I can’t. Not like this. I love Nancy and I…  just can’t.” It was hard for him to explain that even though she was pretty, things were different than before. He was different. 

He realized tonight, he never needed a wooden sword to apologize to her. It seemed like she had forgiven him a long time ago. 

But maybe he needed to apologize to his younger self too. Putting so much pressure on the young boy with too big teeth to grow up faster than he really wanted. It was uncomfortable, outgrowing his old self, becoming the version of himself that he always envisioned. 

Maybe that’s another reason he didn’t kiss her. 

He’s rushed so many things before he could properly think about the consequences or after math. 

He needed to learn how to be a friend to her again. 

–

Since junior year, Steve had always dreamed about being crowned prom king. That would be the moment he knew he made a mark in high school. 

Yet, when they announced his name and set the plastic crown they probably got at the party store on his head, slightly messing up his styled hair, he didn’t feel satisfied. He looked out onto the dimly lit gymnasium streamed with cheap decorations, sweaty bodies, and the spiked punch with cheap tequila. 

His date, Betty Simpson, had ditched him the first ten minutes they had arrived, somewhere in the crowd with her friends, only finding him whenever a slow song came on. 

There was only thirty minutes left of the dance, people already treading out to get ready for the after party at Tammy’s house. He stood to the side, watching everyone jump or sway to the music. Some people came up and patted him on the back to congratulate him, something he did to the prom king before him. 

“There you are.” A pair of hands wrapped around his arms. “I think I’m going to catch a ride with Billy to Tammy’s. Is that okay?” Betty asked. He could smell the hint of alcohol from her breath. His eyes flickered over to the exit of the gym, a couple of girls were standing by the long haired boy, whispering to one another as they watched him. Billy had a smug look on his face, waving tauntingly. 

“Yeah, whatever.” Steve shrugged the girl off his arm, thinking about how he wasted his entire night bringing her. He bet Billy wouldn’t have taken her to Enzo’s or would have even bought dessert like Steve did. 

Betty didn’t notice the irritated expression on his face, happily telling him goodbye, picking up her dress and running towards her friends. 

Steve walked over and sat down on a chair, dropping his head and taking the crown off. Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time came on, he glanced at the couples dragging their dates to dance, sighing. “The prom king shouldn’t be moping around.” The familiar voice of Y/n made him look over, straightening in his seat. He had seen her earlier, it wasn’t that hard to point her out in the yellow dress she wore, outshining everyone in the room. Sometimes he’d tune out Betty talking his ear off, and just stare at her. Admiring how pretty she was. 

He wouldn’t say things had gone back to the way they were between them, but they’ve made progress the past seven months, hanging out, having movie nights again, talking at dinners with their families. 

“You know, you made a pinky promise to dance with me at prom.” She didn’t wait for an answer, grabbing his hand, pulling him up, dragging him towards the group of people. Y/n took the crown and placed it back on his head, smiling, settling his hands on her waist before placing hers on his shoulders. “Why do you look so sad?” 

Steve motioned his head over to a couple. Y/n looked, “Ah.” It was Nancy and Jonathan, looking ever so in love. Although he had given up pining over her and letting her go from his thoughts, he still sometimes felt that pang of hurt whenever he saw moments like that. “Well, she can’t say she danced with the prom king, can she?” 

Steve managed to smile. “Is that why you wanted to dance with me?” 

She laughed, rolling her eyes. “Yes, you caught me. Wanted to tell my kids someday that I danced with the prom king in high school.” The sarcasm was thick, but it still made him chuckle. Her face softened. “Also, like I said. You promised me.” 

“Do you remember every pinky promise we made?” He noticed that his hands had relaxed, mindlessly thumbing the fabric of her dress. He may have even slightly pulled her in closer. 

“Only the important ones.” She shrugged, clasping her hands around his neck. “A lot of the broken ones.” She mumbled, looking at their feet. 

“Can I make a new promise to you?” Steve asked her, bringing her chin up so she would look at him again. “My promise to you is if I ever lose you again, I will do anything to make sure to find you.” To her, the promise was at surface level than what he meant. Steve had gone through a lot the past couple of years, and although she knew about it, saw it first hand herself, she had no clue how terrified he was that he’d never get a chance to say how much he missed her all these years apart. How much he missed the silly pinky promises. How much he missed hearing her laugh. How much he missed crawling through her window and opening a cold Dr. Pepper that she set on her desk for him. 

He held up his pinky in front of her, smirking. 

She shook her head, her smile betraying her. She wrapped her pinky around his, neither of them forgetting to kiss their thumbs to secure the promise. Normally, they would drop their hands and go on about their business. However, their eyes stayed locked on one another, pinkies still clasped together, lips parted, a tingling sensation moved from his pinky through his hand up his arm to his chest, his heart beating fast. “Wanna get out of here?”

The clatter of bowling pins and cigarette smoke greeted Steve and Y/n when they walked into the bowling alley, still dressed in their prom attire. They replaced their dress shoes and high heels for uncomfortable smelly used bowling shoes. A large cherry slush was shared between them, slurping, sticking their tongues out occasionally like they did as kids, comparing whose tongue was redder. 

“How is it possible to get worse at bowling since middle school?” Y/n laughed, climbing triumphantly into his car after undeniably beating him. “Don’t say ‘cause the suit. I wore this dress and still kicked your ass.” 

Steve threw his white suit jacket in the back seat of his BMW, visibly pouting at the loss. “Whatever, next time I’ll prove to you that it is the suit.” He pointed his finger at her before pulling out of the parking lot.

“Oh, next time?” She tilted her head, giving him a ‘yeah right’ look. 

He nodded ferociously. “Yep. How about next Friday?” His brown eyes flickered towards her. 

She rested her elbow on the center console, setting her head in her hand. “Did you just ask me on a date, Harrington?” She moved the crown on his head from leaning over. 

“No.” He said, maybe a little too quickly. His brows creased, recollecting what he had just said, trying to figure out what words specifically made it sound like he was asking her on a date.  “Henderson will be there and probably the other dorks.” 

She leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms. “Really shouldn’t call them dorks.”

“I find it offensive you would think me, Steve Harrington, would take a girl bowling on the first date.” He looked at her with a lopsided grin. 

“I don’t think you take girls bowling on the first date,” She replied. “I think you take them to your bedroom.”  

Steve rolled his eyes. “Okay, Big Bird. That hurt a little.”

He saw the way she looked down, fidgeting her fingers, a bashful look on her face. “Shut up.” 

“What? I think you make a cute Big Bird.” He poked her cheek. 

She opened her mouth to say something. However, loud sirens and lights rolled into earshot and eyesight, quickly passing Steve’s car. Y/n grabbed his hand, panicked breathing coming out of her as the emergency cars were still moving in the direction she prayed they wouldn’t. It felt like slow motion, stopping in the street in front of her house because the driveway was crowded with vehicles, blinding lights flashed as they ran inside. 

Steve watched as Y/n’s mother engulfed her daughter in a hug, rubbing her back, telling her how much she loved her.

They waited twenty minutes in the living room for the paramedics to come downstairs, assuring the family everything was okay. 

Y/n had been sitting on the couch with Steve, holding his hand the entire time. It was because she was scared, he told himself. 

She asked him to come up with her to see Aaron. Knowing she didn’t want to be alone, he agreed. 

Aaron’s room had changed too since they were kids. It still looked like a teenager’s bedroom, decorated in posters and pictures, but in the corner there was a hospital bed with beeping monitors. He remembered the day Y/n was upset that he had to be put on bed rest, because he no longer wanted to do treatments. Although she claimed she came to terms with her brother’s numbered days, Steve could tell by the way she picked her fingernails, or jumped whenever she was called to the office, she really hadn’t. 

Aaron weakly smiled when they entered. “Look, I’m E.T. now.” He held his finger up that was covered with a heartbeat monitor, moving it creepily towards his sister. “E.T. phone home.” His horrible impression made the three of them laugh. Y/n sat at edge, grabbing his hand. “Harrington, you’re prom king.” 

Steve touched the cheap crown on his head that he had forgotten about. No wonder they were giving him odd looks downstairs. “Yeah.” 

“Y/n was pissed you didn’t ask her to prom. Ow!” Aaron took his hand away, rubbing it after she had squeezed him ‘accidentally’ too hard. 

Steve crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, giving her a smug look. “Was she?” 

“Oh yeah. Now that I’m quite literally on my deathbed. I have so many secrets about Y/n I can share. Once I found her diary. Every page was always Steve this and Steve that. ‘Dear diary, I cannot stop thinking about that kiss-” Y/n’s hand found its way over his mouth. 

“If you don’t shut up now, I’m going to start unplugging shit.” She took her hand off of him, placing it back in her lap, avoiding the look that Steve was giving her. 

There was a moment of silence. 

“Always wanted to be prom king. The ladies were obsessed with me in middle school.” 

Aaron grinned, fidgeting with a loose thread on the bed sheet. “Because they thought you were dying.”

“I am.” 

Steve had always wondered what it would have been like to have a sibling. He once asked his mom why they never had any other kids. His father had interjected the conversation. “If we weren’t so worried about how you turn out, maybe we'd have time to have another kid.” He guessed that’s why he had taken such a liking to Henderson. A kid he once never thought twice about and now if someone even looked at him funny, he’d kick their ass. 

Steve looked down, a smile flickered at the corner of his mouth, bending down to pick up the familiar wooden object. Memories of laughing, falling in the mud, swinging too high on the tire swing, flooded his mind. He looked over at two of them, still bantering. “Hey, how about some fresh air?” 

The spring air was cool, a light fog casted down the street of Dearborn, the lawn was damp and muggy from the rain yesterday, Y/n’s mom’s lilies had just bloomed. Steve held the wooden sword firmly in his hands. Aaron sat in a wheelchair, covered in a blanket and a knitted toboggan on his head. He was opposite of Steve, holding Y/n’s sword, while she held the handles of the wheelchair to push him since he was too weak to do it himself. 

It took their mom a lot of convincing to allow Aaron to come outside, but even she couldn’t stop smiling ear to ear when Steve carried the boy down the stairs and outside. He even caught a nod of approval from her dad.  

“Aye, we meet again to fight one last time for the jeweled crown. If yer want it, you have to kill me first.” Steve spun the crown on his pointer finger. 

“Pirate Steve-”

“It’s now Pirate ‘the Hair’ Harrington, matey.” 

Y/n snorted, but didn’t say anything. 

“Pirate ‘the Hair’ Harrington. That crown will be mine!” He motioned for Y/n to start pushing, holding the sword out, charging towards the dark locked boy. 

It was like a messy dance as Steve ran in circles while Y/n and Aaron chased him. Occasionally the wooden swords would clatter against one another, Steve careful not to hit too hard. His shoes and the bottom of his trousers had mud and dirt splattered on the slick black. He would get an earful when he got home, but he didn’t care. 

Finally, Steve put himself in the position for Aaron to hit his waist, signaling he had been defeated. Y/n had been giggling the entire time, and it only got louder as Steve dramatically coughed. He took the crown off his head, placing it on Aaron’s over the toboggan. “You won it fair and square.” 

Aaron’s expression changed, quickly shaking his head. “Steve, I’m not taking your crown.” 

Steve smiled tenderly, “You didn’t take it. I’m giving it to you.” His eyes flickered to Y/n. Her head was tilted slightly and a toothy grin was painted on her face. 

He couldn’t help it, his feet started going towards her. When she saw the mischievous look in his eyes, she held a hand up, grabbing the bottom of her yellow dress, running away from him. She squealed when he easily caught up with her, grabbing her waist, her feet twisting underneath forcing her to the ground, pulling him down with her. He could feel her belly rumble against his own, laughing, smile beaming in the soft glow of moonlight. She had a spec of mud on her face, Steve brushed it off with his knuckles, chuckling because he had made it worse. 

“Did you mean it when you said I was cute?” She asked him in a low whisper so that Aaron couldn’t hear. 

He felt his own voice go down. “Of course I did.” 

She hummed, brushing her fingers through his hair. “Promise?” 

A breath of air hitched in his throat. His jaw slacked and eyes widened. She gave him an innocent smile, eyelashes fluttering when she blinked. 

Their noses bumped when he leaned down, connecting their lips. His stomach felt like it was doing flips as he drowned himself in her. He could taste the cherry slush that still lingered on her lips. He could feel the longing desire as her fingers touched the nape of his neck, pulling him deeper. 

This was his promise. 

“Guys? It’s awfully quiet back there. Did you kill one another?” Aaron asked, trying to look behind him. 

The two broke apart, sharing a giggle and a secret that only the two of them would know. 

–

Steve had never had a girl cry in front of him. He could always tell if they were about to or if they were sad, but never did they cry. He had always thought maybe they were too embarrassed, not wanting him to see their red puffy eyes or snot running nose. He had shrugged it off until he dated Nancy. 

He realized that none of them were flustered. They never trusted him enough to see that side of them. None of them felt safe enough. 

So when he laid in Y/n’s bed, holding her shaking body, her tears staining his polo, he was unsure what to do. 

It had been a week since her brother’s funeral.  Since then, he had seen a few tears fall when she thought no one was looking, but would always wipe them off and smile if he said something. 

It wasn’t until he had snuck in her window— her parents now disapproved of this since they assumed more might be happening between them, rightfully so. 

They were laying in her bed, his hand on her stomach, she was playing with his fingers. Until all of a sudden, she burst into tears. 

At first, he thought he might have said or done something wrong. All he knew what to do was pull her even closer, allowing her face into his chest, assuring her it was okay whenever she cried out an apology. There was no reason to apologize, he told her. She was allowed to be sad. She was allowed to cry. He would be there for her, always, even if he didn’t completely understand how she felt, even if she didn’t want him to be. 

The room fell silent besides her quiet sniffling. 

She turned over, making Steve believe she was ready to be alone. He slipped out of the bed, walking over to the window to put on his shoes. Y/n turned her body, watching him with creased brows. “Where are you going?” 

Steve looked up. “Thought maybe you wanted to be alone.” 

She shook her head, biting her lip. “Please stay.” 

Steve took his shoes back off, closed the window, and crawled back on the bed next to her, flushing his chest to her back and holding her tightly, never wanting to let go. 

—

Y/n had always hated peaches. Even the smell of them made her gag. Whenever the school served them and a tiny drop of peach juice touched her food, she wouldn’t eat it. Finally, her mom started packing her daughter’s lunches to prevent any further peach contamination.

So when the boy came up to the counter at Scoops Ahoy, smirking, asking about the pretty girl in the booth reading a book and what Steve thought her favorite ice cream flavor was. Steve couldn’t help but smile wide once he handed the guy a double scoop of Peaches and Cream flavored ice cream.

When the ice cream was offered to her, she smiled and gave a thank you. 

After he left, Y/n narrowed her eyes on Steve. She stood up and walked up to the counter. “Why did you do that?” 

Steve acted clueless. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” 

She scoffed, holding the ice cream cone that was already melting and running down her fingers. “There’s other ways to make it known you’re jealous than making me come in contact with my mortal enemy.” 

His face pinched up. “I’m not jealous.” 

“Oh, so you won’t care if I call him?” She showed a piece of paper that Steve didn’t see earlier when he was watching them. 

Steve’s jaw ticked. “Let’s not go that far. I mean, did you see that unibrow?” He pointed to the space between his brows, grimacing. He then leaned on the counter with his elbows.

“Well, at least he’s man enough to ask me out on a date.” Her voice had raised, earning looks from some of the customers sitting down. 

Robin, his co-worker who had made a silent oath to make any second working with him miserable, pretended to come outside and check the toppings. 

This was ridiculous, he thought. He didn’t realize it was a big deal to play a harmless prank. Besides, Y/n was way out of his league. No, he was not jealous because there was nothing to be jealous of. If she was implying that he hadn’t asked her out because he was a wimp, she was wrong. Completely wrong. 

What was the point of starting something with her if in a couple of months she’d be across the country in California? He’s seen the posters of those surfers in her bedroom. That’s all he could imagine, her pathetically splashing around in a yellow bikini and a tanned, long hair blond saving her, complimenting how beautiful she looked and that yellow was definitely her color. He would stare at all her supple curves and her boobs and her sweet ass— Jesus what was he even thinking? 

She was his friend. 

A friend he’s kissed. 

A friend that he had only gotten back recently, and he was too selfish to let her go. 

Y/n wasn’t pleased with his lack of words. She pursed her lips, took the ice cream cone, smeared it on his dark mop of hair, and then pivoted on her heels to storm out of the ice cream shop. 

Steve poked his tongue against the inside of his cheek, nodding to himself. He probably deserved it. 

He turned to look at Robin, seeing her smile for the first time since he started working there. “Dude, you kind of suck.” 

He muttered something about her getting off at his misery as he scooped the broken cone and melted ice cream off his head, trying not to think about how it screwed up his hair routine for the week. 

“So, why isn’t she your girlfriend? She comes and sits in here nearly every day.” Robin never took interest in his personal affairs, so why now? 

“Not that it’s any of your business, Buckley, but it’s complicated.” He used a rag to clean the counter off. 

She hummed, going back into the breakroom, leaving Steve alone with his thoughts and a group of familiar looking teenagers. 

Steve couldn’t sleep that night, tossing and turning, uncomfortable because his hair was still damp from the shower he took. “Screw it.” 

When he got to Y/n’s house, he didn’t even care that her bedroom lights were off and the window was closed. He still climbed the lattice panel, knocking loudly on the glass. He was relieved when he saw a dim glow appear through the curtains which snapped open. Y/n’s face had no expression whatsoever, her eyes were half-closed and pajamas were rustled against her body. Nevertheless, she unlocked the window and opened it. “It’s two in the morning.” 

She still let him crawl through, shutting it when he stepped further into the room. “I couldn’t sleep.” 

“So you came over to wake me up instead? Did the ice cream freeze your brain cells?” She poked his forehead, giggling a little at her joke. 

“No. I came over to talk to you.” His serious tone made her wake up completely. He took a deep breath, already overwhelmed. “You’re my best friend, Y/n.” 

“Sure it isn’t Dustin?” She joked, sitting down at the edge of her bed. 

Steve rubbed his hand over his face. Why was she being so difficult? “Can you just let me talk?” 

Her jaw slacked, surprised at the mini outburst. “Losing you as my best friend was one of the worst things that happened to me. I became a douchebag and didn’t care about anything or anyone. Now, I’m scared that you’re going to leave for California and you’ll realize I’m just a nobody still stuck in this shit hole because I realized too late high school doesn’t matter.” 

Y/n eyes softened. “This is all about me going to UCLA?” She asked, disbelief laced in her words. He only shrugged, avoiding her sympathetic look. “Steve.” 

He still wouldn’t look at her. She sighed and stood up to walk over to him. “Steve.” She said again, softly, placing her hand tenderly on his face. His hooded eyes found hers, warm and sweet. “I made the decision to go to Indiana State.” 

“What? Why?” 

“To be closer to my parents. I don’t want to be across the country worrying about them all the time.” She paused looking down bashfully then back up at him, thumbing the collar of his sleep shirt, batting her eyes. “I also wanted to be closer to the boy I like.” 

Steve felt his heart beat fast. “Indiana State is about an hour and a half drive from here.” 

She began to pepper kisses against his jaw. “I could come down on weekends or somebody could come see me.” 

Steve felt selfish that he was more than happy with her decision to stay in Indiana. He should be jumping up and down, celebrating, but something was gnawing on his mind, like a tiny ant he couldn’t get rid of. 

—

Never did Steve think he’d be in a bathroom, coming down from the biggest drugged high of his life, with his co-worker Robin. Granted, they had just escaped Russians who had beaten his face so badly his eye was nearly swollen shut, but never did he think he’d be sharing the most vulnerable parts to someone that he barely knew. 

Yet, there he sat, back against the cold tiles of the freshly cleaned restroom, the scent of cleaning chemicals burning his nostrils. 

“Are you in love with Y/n?” Robin’s raspy voice was soft, but the question felt like it had echoed against the stalls, ringing in his ears. 

His chest tightened and he swallowed hard. “I dunno. I’ve never thought about it.” 

“Why are boys such idiots?” Robin said, mostly to herself. “She’s your girlfriend, dude.”

“Yeah, and we’ve only been dating less than a month.” 

She let out a long exasperated sigh. “You’ve known her longer than a month.”

Steve looked at the multicolor tiles below him as his hand cradled the toilet which was defaced in his vomit and blood. Steve might have lied. He had thought about Y/n beyond just liking her. 

He slid under the bathroom stall. “I’m scared.” He admitted. “I’m scared that I’ll tell her and she’ll look at me the same way Nancy did. With that blank look because she never felt that way and never will.” 

“Y/n isn’t Nancy.” Steve had to agree with her. Maybe that’s why he dived so fast into the relationship with Nancy. She was the opposite of Y/n. She didn’t remind him every single day that he was lost without his best friend. 

“You just wouldn’t understand.” Steve ran his fingers through his hair, damp with sweat. 

She let out a breathy laugh. “You really don’t know a thing about me, Steve.” 

He glanced at her, noticing the way she was chewing on her lip and how she was slightly pulling her hair, staring at the toilet paper holder next to him. He was still astonished that this day had brought them closer. A girl he would have never hung out with in high school. Maybe because he was afraid Tommy would have made fun of him or maybe it would’ve hurt his chances to be prom king. 

He knew it was all bullshit. 

He was different now, and Robin must have seen it too, because she told him a secret that she had never told anyone, letting him know she did understand. He couldn’t tell her how his high school self would react to the news of her being a lesbian, but it didn’t matter because that person didn’t exist anymore. 

So, four weeks later, when Steve still had a fading bruise under his eye, and a healing cut under his lip that would surely leave a scar, he still couldn’t get that ant from gnawing his brain. 

Not even when his lips were meshed with Y/n’s. His back against her headboard as she straddled his lap, fingers tangled in his hair.

 It was a heated kiss, heavy breathing, tongues sliding against each other. Y/n took his lip between her teeth, forcing a guttural moan out of him, his hands slid down her back to her ass, gently squeezing, smiling when he felt the sliver of flesh peeking through her shorts. 

Y/n’s hands wandered from his hair to his neck and then down his chest, her fingers hooked his belt loops, pulling his waist up against her.

She tasted sweet like the vanilla cookies his mom used to make for him. She still smelled like honeysuckle along with a hint of his cologne. It was like he was walking in an apple orchard. He didn’t believe in a God, but Jesus, she felt like an angel. 

He scattered kisses along her neck, finding her sensitive spot that made her let out an angelic sound which drove him crazy. 

He felt her slowly mess with his belt, unbuckling it. However, when her thumb unbuttoned his jeans, Steve quickly pulled her hands away, leaning back, chest heaving. 

“Steve.” She whined. 

He cursed the ant ruining his life. All he wanted to do was explore every inch of her. This wasn’t the first time they’ve been close, and this wasn’t the first time Steve, regrettably, stopped anything from going further. She sighed, wiping the wetness on her lips, crawling off him and the bed. He closed his eyes tightly, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Y/n…”

“Don’t. It’s fine.” She started to mess with her stereo. 

“I’m sorry.” He continued, putting his belt back on and then throwing his feet over the edge of the bed. 

“Am I not attractive?” She asked him, spinning around, her nose flared. “Do you not find me desirable?” 

Steve shook his head. “Christ, Y/n. You have no idea how bad I want you.” He wasn’t going to say out loud he’s wanted her for a pathetically long time. 

“Then what’s wrong? I’m… dumbfounded that Steve Harrington is saying no to sex.” One hand was up in the air. Maybe she thought it would help her figure out what his deal was. 

There was a moment of silence except for the radio crackling. 

Steve had had enough of the ant. 

“You should go to California.”

Y/n’s expression changed, trying to process what he had just said. “Why would you say that?” 

“Because I’d be a fool if I didn’t.” He got up from the bed and walked over to her. 

She shook her head, pushing past him. “I already made up my mind. I’m staying.” 

“Why?” 

“I’ve told you! I want to be closer to home. I want to be closer to you.” She proclaimed. 

“Because you want to or you think you have to?” He didn’t want to raise his voice, but it was hard not to. She muttered something about him being unbelievable, plopping down on the window seal.

The sunset was bleeding through her curtains, illuminating all of her features. “I know you’ll be content with going to Indiana State but you won’t be happy. You don’t talk about it like you did UCLA.” 

She ducked her head but he could see the tears spilling from her eyes. He took long strides over to her, squatting down, looking up at her, cradling her face. “I can’t just leave my parents, not after Aaron.” 

“They’ll be okay, Y/n. I’ll come over every week and have dinner with them to make sure they’re okay.” His offer was serious. He’d move in if he had to. 

“But what about you, Steve? I don’t want to leave you.” She sobbed. “I love you.” 

Steve felt a lump in his throat. His stomach flipped and heart nearly jumped out of his chest. Tears ran down his cheek. He used to think he would have to beg someone to say those words to him. Beg them to love him. But there Y/n sat, his best friend, who loved him unconditionally. This made letting go of her even harder. “I love you, Y/n. I’ve loved you an excruciatingly long time. I’ve been in love with you since you wore that yellow Big Bird dress with the puffy sleeves. I’ve been in love with you since I kissed you in the closet. And I love you too damn much to not let you go to California.” 

She laughed and sniffled her nose. “You’re so cheesy.” 

He choked on his own laughter, pushing down another lump forming in his throat. She gave him a sad look, nodding slightly. “Okay, I’ll go.” She ran her fingers through his hair, already missing him. “What will you do while I’m gone?” 

He smiled, running his thumb over her lips. “I’ll be here, waiting for you.” 

“Promise?” She whispered, putting her pinky up. 

“Promise.” He took it and kissed his thumb exactly like they’ve done before since they were ten-years old. 

He then tenderly placed his lips on hers, standing up,  bringing her up with him by grabbing the back of her thighs, allowing her to wrap her legs around him. Steve carried Y/n back to her bed, laying her softly down. 

He made so many promises to her with each kiss and touch. He promised he would call her and write to her. He promised to never forget her favorite song or color. He promised he would never forget the way the color yellow complimented her skin. He promised he would never forget how much she hates peaches. He promised he would never forget the way she made sweet noises or how she moaned his name when she hit her high. 

Most importantly, he promised he would never stop checking if her window was cracked open.

[mitchywitchythings]

I Don’t Recognize You

Summary: What happens when you leave a bunch of teenagers in a summer camp at an island? Not to mention that there’s something suspicious going on in that island. Chaos. Chaos is what happens.

Warnings: No Quirk AU, Cannibalism, Violence, Language, Angst?

Paring: Todoroki Shoto X Fem! Reader

Word count: 2,402

Chapter 11 : | Series Masterlist

“Let me go!” Shoto kept struggling that he almost managed to break free

More and more guys had to come in, in order to hold him back seeing as the situation was starting to become somewhat handled by (Y/n), and (Y/n) alone. It was amazing how (Y/n) knew what to do immediately which was good. But it also indicated that she dealt with this before.

Shoto was forcefully dragged back far away from her and he was terrified. Not because of what you’re doing, killing the monsters left and right without hesitation. But because of what could happen to you, you’re his girl. He vowed to himself from the day he started liking you that no one would ever hurt you and now this shit is happening.

He won’t be able to defend you, and he fucking hates it. Yes, maybe you could protect yourself but that wasn't a guarantee that you wouldn't get hurt. He also had a feeling that of course, this had something to do with your past as well because if not then why were you so secretive and such.

As Shoto was super worried he did the only logical thing he could think of at the time and that was to punch and kick everyone who was holding him back from protecting you. However, getting out of Class 1-A's grip was easier said than done, especially considering that there are 6 people holding him back.

"What the fuck does Endeavor feed this little shit?!" Bakugo screamed out in anger as Shoto managed to punch him in the face.

"Todoroki-kun please consider that what we're doing is only the wishes of (Y/n)!" Midoriya tried to reason with him

“Get the Hell off me! That’s my girlfriend!” Midoriya almost received a black eye had he not dodged in time

“Why you little candy cane motherfucker!” Bakugo had received the punching blow that Deku was supposed to get.

Iida who was struggling to pin down Shoto’s right leg almost received a kick in the family jewels had he not jumped back, “Todoroki-san! (L/n) knows what she’s doing! So please trust her and us!”

Shoto took advantage of the fact that since Iida jumped back, his right leg was free and so he quickly kicked Kaminari who was holding down his other leg, resulting in Kaminari stumbling back. Bakugo and Midoriya, who were holding Shoto’s arms down, were struggling to keep the boy in control as he’s almost able to free himself.

Shoto twisted his body forcefully, making Kirishima, Sero, Midoriya, and Bakugo lose their grip on him. Shoto was able to free himself and the 6 boys who were holding him down began chasing him down after they quickly recovered from Shoto’s abuses.

“Fuck you, half and half bastard! Once I get my hands on you oh, you’re so dead! I’m gonna kill you, you little shit. Come back here!” Bakugo screeched, sprinting at full speed

“After them!” Iida grimaced as pulled him Kirishima from the ground

“Why can’t we have a normal camp for once!” Kaminari groaned running after them

“Kacchan! Don’t kill Todoroki, he’s just worried for (L/n)!” Midoriya followed after all of them

“God, what is with the camps going wrong for us?! They should really stop it! At least this time I’m a part of it!” Sero jumped up and ran, following behind the group.

Shoto paused in place in disbelief as the sight finally began to sink into his head as he saw you easily killing the creatures from left to right, in that moment he didn’t recognize you.

“Tsk. Now that the bitch finally revealed her true colors is when you start to question if you really know her?” Bakugo grabbed the back of Shoto's collar and pulled him back, “Damnit, Icyhot! Regardless of what she did! She’s doing it to protect us can’t you see, idiot?!”

Snapping out of it, Shoto realized what he had to do no matter what. And that was to protect you as your boyfriend.

(Y/n)’s P.O.V

I’ve always hated the metallic smell of blood, but more often than not, I’m the one causing that awful smell. It was ironic really. Right now, I’m also practically bathed in the disgusting smell and have splatters of blood all over my clothes that it was practically dripping. The only good thing about it is that it wasn’t mine. But that didn’t make it necessarily good, did it?

Bodies with holes in their heads caused by bullets littered the camp grounds. Blood seeping everywhere. In most cases they won’t get back up, but sometimes even I don’t understand, no matter how much you shoot them in the head they just won’t die. In that case scenario the best option is to burn the bodies or rip the entire head off, let’s just hope that it doesn’t come to that.

Principal Nezu walked up beside you, and stood there in silence for a moment. ‘He thinks I’m a monster, they all do.’ I thought in horror, my unemotional face that rivaled one of Shoto’s was practically unreadable. Despite that Principal Nezu was very much aware of how you were feeling, he could tell through your eyes. They were the windows to one’s soul. Your soul.

And it showed him the feeling of regret, despair, guilt, fear, sadness, and rage. Negative emotions just kept on swirling around your eyes. He only interacted with you a few times in your time at school but from what he gathered you seemed like the kind and polite type of girl, so it wasn't a wonder that you were dating the notorious cold hearted Todoroki Shoto, only you managed to melt his frozen heart.

However one thing he did notice about you was that you were never honest, Nezu was a genius of course he’d figure out you were hiding something. He just didn’t know what it was. Aside from that, you were his student at his school, his responsibility and so as the principal of U.A. he must take responsibility for you and your actions. And he could tell that you deeply regretted them. Putting a hand on your shoulder he squeezed it in comfort.

“Are you alright?” He asked

“Am I alright?” You replied in a whisper

“You did your best.” He took his hand off of you and stood next to you, calmly.

“I did? It doesn’t feel like it… I’ve killed people, my teachers, friends, and classmates… I don’t deserve forgiveness for taking away the lives of innocents.”

Walking in front of you, he gave you a bow in respect, “It was a sort of epidemic, wasn’t it. From what I understand, if the infected bites you, you turn into one of those inhumane creatures. So, because of that you risked your life to kill them and you did it to protect us, we completely understand. It isn’t your fault so don’t let those nasty thoughts get to you. And on behalf of everyone here. Thank you for risking your life to save us.”

Tears silently poured down your face, it was the first time someone thanked you for saving them. You felt good to be acknowledged for something, even if you’re sure you didn’t save them. But at the same time it didn't feel great at all, it didn’t diminish the fact that you killed people, the people you loved. The people who saved you from your Hell. It was tormenting.

Honestly it was strange, how could Principal Nezu bow you to and say thank you on behalf of everyone here for saving them, you didn’t save any of them. You just killed people, it’s the only thing you're good at doing. How come he wasn’t scared of you? How come he was so calm? Weren’t you a monster? Didn’t you kill his students? Don’t you deserve punishment?

.

.

.

I fell deeper and deeper into the darkest deep of my mind. As I began to count the countless mistakes and harm I’ve done to others. I truly was at my worse and I wasn’t sure if anyone could bring me out of it this time.

.

.

.

Flashback

“Project Advance, do you understand your mission?”

“Yes sir!” Shinsou better known as the Mind Breaker yelled out

“Yes sir!” Tamaki better known as the Suneater yelled out

“Yes sir!” Mirio better known as Lemillion

“Yes sir!” Nejire better known as Spiral Nemesis

“Yes sir!” Me who was better known as the Grimreaper or in other words, Death itself

“Project advance.” The red Queen began as she presented herself in hologram form, “As you’re well aware of the Racoon city incident, let me explain in full detail what you’ll be up against in your mission…”

The names Shinsou, Tamaki, Mirio, Nejire, and (Y/n) were long forgotten. It was our past, and it will stay in our past forever, it’s part of something we let go the moment the Umbrella Corporation took us in. Our names, were our identities and that’s why it was changed.

.

.

.

Flashback ends

“(Y/n)! (Y/n)! (Y/n)!” I only broke out of my trance when Shoto began shaking me harshly while screaming my name

‘That’s right, I’m not alone here. Shoto’s here and he won’t leave, he promised me that much. Even if he hates me for what I’ve done.’ I thought. Snapping out of the trance, he isn’t one to break his promise so until we can sort this out later. We’ll have to push these thoughts aside and move our bodies.

“(Y/n)! Let’s go! Before they shoot us too!” He dragged me along with him towards the main building

The sun was about to set and hundreds of Umbrella Corporation men began marching at us. Shooting down some people who refused to go with them. They kept on shooting relentlessly. ‘Damn, Shoto must love me so much or he goes all the way to keep his promises that even after I showed how much of a monster I am he is still trying to save me.’

Grabbing his hand, I looked at our surroundings as we ran. More like me dragging him along until he caught up with me, almost tripping at my sudden actions in the process. A stray bullet almost hit Shoto had it not been for my fast reflexes. Pulling him towards me, effectively dodging the bullet and landing into my chest. I decided not to comment or feel embarrassed, he didn’t either as it wasn’t the time and place to do that right now Whilst we were running, I looked for my friends and classmates amongst the crowds of people.

“You were supposed to be hiding in the main building, what the Hell happened?!” I pulled Shoto in the direction of the cabins, specifically my own, “Head for my cabin!” I yelled towards Uraraka and Mina hoping they’d listen

“No time to explain!” Shoto yelled back

I ran as fast to the cabins and opened the door, nobody was there except for me and Shoto. I pulled out my duffle bag and opened it, only to be met by the sight of tons of weapons. Guns, knives, steel batons, and grandes.

Shoto gasped in surprise at the sight, but he wasn’t going to question you any further. He was smart enough to know that you were on his side. And that these weapons will be the only insurance of his and everyone else’s survival. I pulled out an umbrella corporation combat uniform and a bullet proof vest.

“Wear this now, it used to belong to a friend of mine but it should fit you.”

He didn’t question my authority, everyone was dying outside so he needed to suit up as soon as possible to help with the situation. Plus he’d blend in easily with the other umbrella corporation men outside. We could use it to our advantage. I pulled out a suit of my own, a black bodysuit with buckles for support going all over it. (The one Alice wears in Retribution basically)

We didn’t even have time to turn around for each other's privacy as the situation was very severe now, less and less screams were heard. We of course were very embarrassed over the situation but we had to do what we needed to do, and so instead of blushing around like idiots we helped each other out in pulling up the zippers and stuff in order to be more efficient. Plus hiding a small pocket knife in my shoe just in case.

I handed Shoto a simple handgun with some ammo already in it, he knew what to do after I taught him how to use a gun so I didn’t need to instruct him on anything anymore. Instead I pulled out a bigger gun and better gun of my own.

“Let’s do this, shit.” I said out loud, passing the duffel bag to him and heading out the cabin.

We ran for our lives, not even stopping for a second to take a breath. The situation was dire. Right now the zombies were the last priority in my mind. Bullets kept on shooting at us without any mercy, it was relentless.

“Shoto! Get behind me!” I shoved him behind me and shot back at all the umbrella members in my way with Shoto also backing me up, “Shoto, start grabbing people and head to the main building! We’ll be safer there!” He nodded and did as I ask

I backed him up and helped as many people as I could. But there were so many bodies and piles of blood left behind, both from our school and our killers. One by one I did my best to cut down their numbers, left and right I would shoot them down in the head or heart with a perfect aim.

Then eventually of course, I ran out of ammo so I would need to reload quickly, leaving a blind spot for me and Shoto. One that almost cost Shoto’s life hadn’t it been for Bakugo tackling the enemy down. Relief filled me as we began to work together with Bakugo, who said that they had the same idea and they’re gathering everyone in the main building.

“Good, now let’s get the Hell out of here.” I yelled while once again pulling the trigger.

A/n:

I don’t have enough brain power to create cool names for the team members in project Advance so you can either suggest some or just suck it up. Also since the last chapter was a bit long I made this one shorter. Also pic isn’t mine, credits to the real owner.

[sakuraaachan]

Just Gold - Izuku M - Part 1

☆.｡.:*"𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓼𝓱𝓮 𝓬𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓭, 𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓼 𝔀𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓹𝓾𝓻𝓮 𝓰𝓸𝓵𝓭." ･ﾟﾟ･｡ Y/n L/n loved the sparkle of a jewel, the reflection of gold, and the icy feeling of heavy diamonds on her neck. She always wore gloves, black silky gloves that comforted her hands perfectly. With her sexy body and ruby red lips, she could have any man she wants. With just a few flirty looks, and a couple of sly words, the gloves slide off easily once they make it to the hotel room, and once her bare hand touches the man's chest…he'll freeze and become gold. 𝓙𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝓰𝓸𝓵𝓭. ｡･ﾟﾟ･

Izuku Midoriya x Reader

Rating: mature, abuse, criminal activities, some sexual mentions

Wanna submit a request? Click here

This is part one!

Chapter One

The L/n Family

One thing about the (L/n) family is that they were greedy. Sada L/n was a man greedy for power, he would do anything to feel above. Isa Misaki was a woman who was greedy for a family, she longed to have a child of her own. But you can only greed so much in life before nothing will satisfy you, and when Sada (L/n) reached that point, he took it out on the people around him. His family. Isa Misaki would never get what she longed for, and she was extremely desperate to get it too.

It was pathetic. She was pathetic.

“Please..don’t hurt me!” Isa wailed. Her husband stood above her, smacking her into absolute submission. These days the abuse never stopped, it would only get worse. Y/n could hear it from the living room, Isa’s agonizing cries were louder than her cartoon. Screams turned into spaced out whimpers and the beating finally stops, but only for a brief second as Sada finishes his beer.

Y/n would always watch, though she wasn’t supposed to. Sada had no mercy towards his wife or his kid, Y/n would be next if she made her presence known. But despite her best to stay invisible, Sada notices Y/n stare and he walks over to the living room.

“No!” Isa screams, “No not my baby! Anything but that.” Foolishly, she grabs onto his boot. Her begs would do nothing but cause more trouble. Sada throws the beer bottle on the floor, and it shatters upon impact with the rickety wooden floor.

“Shut the fuck up!” He shouts, kicking off Isa weak hold on his shoe. Y/n cowards on the couch, bringing her body as close to itself as she could, each of her father’s heavy footsteps sinking her heart into her chest further and further. Y/n was afraid.

Sada stands in front of his child, rolling his neck before he crouches down to Y/n’s level. She was struck with an uneasy feeling, the pressure from his gaze enough to make her want to melt. 

“Daddy?” Y/n says. Sada’s hands grab her head and force her to look at Isa, she was injured from the glass, her blood flowing out her hand and onto the floor. Y/n would probably end up having to clean that later.

“Look at that,” Sada says, “look at your pathetic excuse of a mother.” Y/n knew better than to cry, so she clenched her jaw. “That is exactly what happens when you fail to satisfy a man,” Sada turns Y/n’s head back to him. “You know I love you right?”

Y/n doesn’t move, and Sada presses his hands into her head harder. “You know I love you right?” He repeats with more pressure, “I love you and your mother, Daddy’s just teaching you both a lesson.”

He’d always say that. The words became all too familiar to Y/n, she thinks to herself. If this is love, then I don’t ever wanna be loved. But responds to her father, “yes Daddy, I love you too.”

Sada lets go of her head, and walks to his bedroom down the hallway. The slam of the door shakes the house. Y/n walks over to her Isa, she’s on the ground whimpering pathetically.

As much as Y/n hated her father, she hated her mother just as much. Isa looks up at Y/n, a tear rolling down her bruised cheek. “Be careful darling, there’s glass, I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

She scoots closer and pets Y/n hair, smoothing over her (H/c) locks and smiling. “My beautiful baby girl, you are so wonderful.”

Y/n stared at her mother with a blank face. The pity had worn off years ago. Y/n could only look at her mother and feel nothing. “All I’ve ever wanted was a child of my own to love,”  a couple tears fall from Isa's eyes, she laughs pitifully. “And you look at me with such hatred.”

The bedroom door down the hallway slams open, and Sada enters the kitchen with a cigarette in his mouth. He looks down at Isa and grins, and the woman’s expression drops.

She shouted, “No, no, no.” But Sada never listened, he just grabbed her foot and dragged her down the hallway to the bedroom. Isa screams are louder than they were before, but the agony is muffled when Sada slams the bedroom door shut.

The sound of their metal bed squeaking was nothing new to Y/n. Sometimes the girl would wish a hero would come and take her father away. She’d only heard about heroes from the news channel Sada would watch every Sunday morning. They were supposed to keep people safe, and save them from evil people.

Y/n walked back into the living room and grabbed her toy, one of the only gifts she had managed to keep out of sight from her father. Sada had the habit of throwing away her toys.

“Here I am!” Y/n whispers, mimicking what she imagined a hero’s voice would sound like. “Sorry I took so long, but everything is going to be okay!”

She imagined the hero flying over houses and landing right at their front door. They’d kick the door down and take you and your mother away to a better life. Something lavish with rubies and gold. It was a foolish fantasy, that would never happen.

Y/n jumps when the bedroom door opens, and her father enters the kitchen again. He’s shirtless, giving sight to the bruises and scratches on his body. He opens the fridge and grabs a beer, and before Y/n could sneak away, he catches her.

“What did I tell you about playing in the kitchen?” His loud booms throughout Y/n entire body, she hated when he focused on her. His attention was the most unsettling.

Y/n turns to him and lowers her head. “I’m sorry Daddy,” she said.

Sada pops open his beer, taking a swig before he speaks. “No respect. I need to teach you some respect.” He always had the ability to make others feel small, and just staring at his timid scared daughter fed Sada’s ego. “When Daddy sets a rule down, you follow it or there will be consequences.”

He puts the beer down on the counter and rubs his mustache. He’s thinking, a sign that Y/n’s punishment would be worse than usual. She tightens her hold on her bear, and Kada notices it.

“Give me the bear,” he demands, his hand stretched out.

Y/n shook her head, her knees almost giving in from the fear inside her gut. Kada clicks his tongue, he didn’t appreciate a disobedient girl. “Give me the fucking bear!” He shouts again, “when a man tells you to do something, you do it!”

He didn’t like having to ask three times and grabs the belt he had beaten Isa with earlier. Y/n stared at the ground as Kaba folded the belt in preparation to hit his daughter. He mutters, “you’re just like your fucking mother.”

It was common for Y/n to space out during beatings, she’d imagine what her life would be like if she had been born in a different family, or maybe if she hadn’t been born at all. Y/n awaited the first strike, but instead her ear rings from the loud sound of a gun fire.

When Y/n opened her eyes, it was like everything was in slow motion. The way her father’s expression changes, the belt dropping to the floor as well as Kaba’s body. It makes a loud thump that echoes under the floorboards.

Y/n looked down the hallway, her mother stood there with a pistol. It was the only time Y/n had seen her mother look so determined and confident. “Mommy?” Y/n whispers. She could hear her mothers heavy breaths over the cartoons still playing in the living room.

Isa doesn’t speak a word, turning the gun around to her chin. A second fire is heard and another thump echoes in the floorboard. Y/n walks over to her mother’s fallen body, her steps imprinted on the floor by her father’s blood.

“Mommy?” Y/n repeats. Her teddy bear falling into the pool of blood around her mom, the cotton soaking the liquid up. The girl falls to her knees, and she calls for her mother again as she shakes her. “Wake up.” She knew her pleads would go unanswered, and that her mother would not be waking up anytime soon. Probably for the best that she didn’t. Yet the little girl still calls out for her mother, “please wake up.”

Though the windows were covered by curtains the vibrant blue and red lights of a police car flashed over the two bodies. There were some footsteps before the busted doorbell rang through the house.

“Mufasa Police Station, open up!”

©LuvloveUni

[beelzebubbutachef]

What if Yuu accidentally summon a child from a unknown timeline ?! Part 2

< 01 || ... || 03 >

To the readers who commented and made me post this cause I love comments. Your usernames aren't appearing wth. Sorry. Thanks for reading the part one! Hope you all have a good reading with this one too. Btw. I would like to explain this now. Romance don't happen in few words. Currently vil and Yuu relationship is like on rock bottom. There's more part where we explore the fan process of how their relationship bloom! Free to comment a name for the mini vil.

Searching for a child in a school of villains never been so easy with the trails of broken weiners and eggnogs, as well sparkle with dazzling sound of camera clicking and others misery.

You watch the nth victim groaning in pain and click your camera to take a photo. For memorial of this wonderful day! *Insert evil laugh.

You then continue your way to search for the mini vil. The new Menace of society.

"you little boy, stop right there! By the order of the principal. Your coming with me!' you heard a familiar voice of a tyrant of the card soldiers. You then sneakily went to look at the direction. You want to look what's happening before you join the mess.

You saw riddle and the mini vil staring at one another. You saw the tension in the air, somehow you wanted to eat popcorn at that moment

"bonjour, Trickster Yuu-kun. Care for a popcorn?"

..." you stared at the person offering you the one thing in your mind right now, remember how creepy you are right now and this person more creepy and odd behavior. You just accepted it and continue watching the show with rook.

"have you seen Petit ange~?" Your senior ask you before looking at you and the child who's having a lovely chat with riddle. "Same colored eyes as trickster! Oh my is this a sign?" He says flamboyantly.

You just stared at him and look back at the scene. You felt cringe as you realize this senior of yours think this kid probably come from distance future where you and that world class model Vil schoenheit who you never talk to if not needed because his time is expensive, did the did and in comes a child who broke jewels and back bone of each generation.

"you do know I'm not from this world? Something like falling in love to a person who probably fear, I'll leave one day for the people I left behind in my world... probably the worse kind of love they will have to experience." You blankly stated to your senior. He seems surprised by your words yet his smile return not long after.

"oh my so a relationship with you is a hopeless thought?" He tap his hat hiding his expression for moment from your view before he stared at some direction before gazing back to the scene behind the bushes.

"OFF WITH--!!!" Loud yell that come to a stop when riddle quickly dodge the attempt of high jump kick of the Kong fo kid, mini vil.

"bleeeeh stupid. You chanting your spell is a waste of time. Bye bye tomato uncle." Once again the child run off but at least riddle family tree is safe.

You can clearly see riddle temper is getting the best of him as his face turn redder than his hair in anger and his grip on his magic pen tighten.

You suddenly felt fear what will happen to the cute adorable child if he piss more people he shouldn't. His already on the hunting list of two dorm leader, what if he anger the worse of the dorm leaders? Cough Leona who hate kids and Azul with his mafia-- I mean leech twins?

"come trickster Yuu! We need to chase the petit ange!" You don't even take a photo of riddle yet but rook have dragged you to chase the child. Your popcorn also fallen to the group. Rip. Your not even eaten a bite of it yet.

"YUUUUUU!!!"

" PREFECTTTTTT"

"HUMANNNNN!!"

After running around the ground with rook in search of little adorable manice angel, your group of first year troublemaker friends come running toward your direction in a worry pasted on their faces. Rook who let go of your hand and continue to search for the kid left you to chat with your friends.

"hey Yuu are you ok?" Deuce ask you in worry as he stopped in front of you. He look around you and sigh in relief when he notice nothing is off place or wounded. Jack who you heard sigh in relief beside epel scratches his ears but stayed silent the whole time. but he is glad your not hurt.

"see, prefect is perfectly fine, juice~ you worry for nothin." (Ace)

"weren't ya the one worryin too much ya shit ya face from runnin?" Epel who accidentally let out his accent of his hometown come out but since it's your group of friends, you all get use to it. The poison apple evilly smile while exposing ace worries.

"... Of course! There's a wild demon running around the campus. I heard from others, everyone get their dick kicked very badly, they all sent to the nurse office after meeting the demon. So I'm pretty worried too...but" Ace says before he laugh. " I WANNA SEE IT HAPPEN CAUSE ITS PRETTY FUNNY AHAHAHA." He added his true intentions.

"what an evil human. For the young lord safety I most search the child and erase them before they cause harm to the young lord! *Insert long dialogue about his young lord glory bluh bluh Bluh." Sebek the new member of your group rise his voice and his eyebrow looking at ace.

You take your camera from your pocket and signal ace to come closer. He seems to realize something and quickly come beside you and look at the picture and videos you recorded earlier.

"HOLY--AHAHAHAHA." His laughter's stopped sebek from talking and caught the others attention who is force to listen to sebek endless dialogue as a good friend. Actually they were just checking their phone for more news, no one listens enough to know the A to Z words of sebek. They probably stop at D.

"what's that?...dang that gotta hurt." Deuce who stared behind ace shoulder wince at the clip ace probably watching, but a evil smile appear on his face. " Through...That kid have good moves!" He give a thumbs up. The former delinquent have given his approval with a wide smile.

"why you do you even record that?" You heard jack voice of disapproval and disappointment from the tone of his. Epel and sebek already looking at the clip as well. "Your really fitting in too much at this school..." He sigh the nth time today.

"I'm not a saint. and being little bad makes me human. Human is both good and bad because that's what we are." You says with a smirk.

"by the way, Yuu... I heard that you know how the kid come to this school." Ace who finish his laughing moment, after sending copies of the image and the videos to his phone like the other three did as well, start to talk to you about important matter.

You realize they wanted to know about how the mini vil come to be and you told them what happen earlier at sir crewel class.

minus the part it's your fault. No one want to know that. Tehee 😜.

KABOOOOMMMMMM

a loud explosion rang out of nowhere and you all ran to the direction where it comes from, quickly. The moment you all arrive there, you saw Ortho readying another power cannon to be shoot toward the direction of the mini vil who dodge the first shoot, by the sight of a broken apple tree.

not far from Ortho is a groaning sight of Idia, who by fate is so unlucky when he finally got out his room forcefully by Ortho and Alice have his lil idia get targeted. His fellow dorm mate, is beside him on the floor but not on pain but laughing his ass off.

You also see the principal crying at the sight of the broke apple tree, and trying to convince Ortho to stop his action of destroying school property.

You felt hopeless. Tears falling in your eyes at this situation.

You could have recorded the scene...

Sanity come back at you when the kid appear before you and Ortho cannon is now directed at you. You tried to make the kid move but he leech on you, he look up to you with a pout and you felt melted by cuteness.

Holy... I guess I'll die.

You heard your friends yelling your name but you accepted your fate very dramatically.

Life was though but I have a good life'

[estellardreams]

World's Unite Headcanon's/Tidbits

Been thinking about this for a while... What if I made an entire post on fun facts about this alternate universe? I'll mainly be talking about each character respectively and what they usually do. Cool? Cool.

Sonic:

Sonic grew up in cloudsdale and even attended the same school as Rainbow Dash. The two have been known to be fierce flying rivals, always trying to one-up each other.

Sonic doesn't have a place to call home. As such, he usually sleeps on clouds and gets food to go.

Miles:

Miles, unlike Tails, doesn't have a nickname because his deformity is more inherit to his pony type.

Miles does still like mechanics, except now he's been focused on helping other pegasi like him achieve their dreams of flight by constructing them wings.

Tails lives on the ground instead of the skies, still working on a secret project he's refused to tell anyone about, including Sonic.

Knuckles:

Knuckles has a deep fascination with the world outside his guardian shrine, and often visits the libraries to study pony history. He met Twilight that way, too.

Knuckles likes helping out with anything that involves carrying things. He once managed to help kick back a toppling apple tree from crushing Applejack.

AJ does consider Knuckles to be an honorary member of the apple family, since he doesn't have a family of his own.

Knuckles does visit the Crystal Empire occasionally to check in with Cadance and the Crystal Heart, just to make sure it's stable.

Amy Rose:

Amy is one of the very few ponies who can keep up with Pinkie's high energy. As such, she's managed to keep going after everyone else clocked out during games or challenges.

Amy is one of the strongest unicorns out there, and managed to achieve third place without using her magic during the Trihoofalon! The other contestants were mainly earth ponies, but it was still impressive.

Amy can manage the strength of a small barn on her back with ease. That's the amount she's weightlifting currently, anyway.

Shadow:

Shadow has given himself a soft and quiet life ever since he's been released from the dungeons, trying to live alone.

Shadow tends to see a lot of Maria in Fluttershy.

Shadow and Fluttershy are close friends.

Shadow is shockingly gentle and precise with everything he does, not wanting to rush himself.

For whatever reason, many tiny critters cling onto Shadow and cuddle with him.

Shadow likes flower crowns. A lot. His favorite flowers are baby blue "Forget-Me-Nots".

Rouge:

Rouge does sometimes preform jewel heists, but only when necessary.

Rouge is sometimes hired to be Luna's personal spy, as she is one of her Bat pony kin.

Rouge's eyes sometimes sparkle in the dark.

Rouge does embroidery in her free time, and Rarity has taken notice to it. She sometimes assists in specialized embroidery whenever Rarity is stuck on a deadline, and gets paid in gems.

Silver:

Ever since Silver came to the past, Twilight has had a constant fascination towards someone like him.

Silver is sometimes accidentally misgendered because of his long, fluffy mane and tail. He always tries to correct ponies on that when it does happen.

[countrymusiclover]

18 - Family of Dinosaurs

Part 19

Hybrid Trainer

@bigbendyhorns @abaker74 @foundationsretail

"Owen..." I whispered feeling the baby kicking where his hand had fallen on my stomach. "Ssssh baby...it's gonna be okay." The dinosaur and I locked eyes before it roared through the trees focusing on us.

Carrying Jewel in my arms the dinosaur charges forward Maisie followed after the pilot women when suddenly the dinosaur showed its mouth over the ladder making her cry. "Maisie no!" I cried about to run forward but Owen grabbed my arm. She has her eyes closed tightly in fear that breaks my heart knowing I can't do anything. He still holds me back gripping my forearms telling her she has to go. "Climb kid. We'll be behind you. Climb!" She opened her eyes rushing up the ladder after the dinosaur ripped the metal it had in its mouth to pieces. Once she's up Owen pushed me up followed behind me with the others. The dinosaur raised its head as we all froze pressed against the wall with its teeth about to bite any one of us.

Ian stayed on the ground making the dinosaur get distracted for a moment allowing the rest of us to move. He throws a stick lit on fire inside her mouth making her roar out. He climbed up the ladder slipping but Alan grabbed his hand helping him up. Maisie runs ahead of me right before my leg buckles that was injured. Jewel quickly transformed off my back crying in her human form on her knees. "Mommy!" I try standing on my feet again but blood started leaking from the wound. "Maisie take her now!" I demanded through grunted teeth holding my bleeding ankle. Stiffening my back I felt hot breathing behind me where they started moving backwards slowly. The dinosaur blows my hair around with its heavy breathing and I stayed still for a second then spun around transforming into my raptor form. Bending my back legs I launched myself into the air bitting into her neck causing her to cry and trying to throw me off.

Hanging on as best as I could I knew this was to by them time to escape. It's what Blue did the night her sisters died. They died protecting their family. The meat eater throws me off finally where my back slammed into the metal creating a few more deep cuts on my back. Plus my ankle that was already injured is now completely dislocated. Shaking my head I winced turning back into my human form locking gazes with the dinosaurs deep eyes. There's blood on her teeth and she snarled in my face. "Oh god!" I screamed suddenly getting pulled towards the direction the others went by my husband. Ellie jumped in front of us seeing the dinosaur had the metal steps in her mouth yanking them away. Owen wrapped an arm around my waist launching himself up into the air where we landed inside the building with the others. "See...not so bad." Owen reassured our terrified girls holding himself up on his hands and knees.

Reading Maisie's face I knew it wasn't good because when I turned my head around slowly the dinosaur broke through the glass. Everyone screamed with her head trying to grab any one of us and eat us right here. Owen scrambled backwards on his knees and I tried doing the same. Jewel suddenly cried when the dinosaur grabbed a rope that her foot wrapped around getting yanked towards her mouth. "Daddy mommy!" Claire and Owen rushed forward trying to untie her leg since I couldn't stand up on my own anymore. Maisie tosses an electronic baton towards her father so he zapped the dinosaur in the eye. Claire helped Jewel to her feet flinging her arms around her neck crying thank you into her shoulder. Releasing a gasp I was holding the dinosaur turned its head finally leaving us alone.

Owen scrambled backwards to me pulling my head into his chest kissing the crown of my head. Wrapping my arms around his neck I started sobbing heavily. Claire pushed hair from Jewels eyes trying to calm her down from her almost death moment. "You're okay. You're gonna be okay." Owen rests a hand to my cheek moving his other hand to my bleeding ankle. He tears the end of his shirt wrapping it around it so it would clot then locked gazes with me. "I'm gonna get you home I promise...do you want me to put this back in place?" I knew he was referring to my ankle giving him a small head no. This isn’t the first time during this trip. He kept his eyes on me suddenly poping it back into place making me cry out clutching my hands into his shirt grunting. Following everyone else inside the building I gasped seeing the little raptor running through the security cameras. "Owen, it's her. It's Blue's baby!"

Alan whipped his head around our direction confusion written all over his face. "So uh you trained velociraptors...and she's your....you two are together." Owen nodded seeing his gaze fell on little Jewel who was over with her sister who was watching the footage of the young raptor. "Jewel she's uh - a hybrid raptor. How is that possible exactly?" Leaning down I still feel pain in my ankle noticing a dart gun that we could use on the little raptor. "Well you know we..." My husband trailed off creating a fist punching it into the air making me blush. Since that it was he did to Claire one day. "The thing that was suprising was that my daughter is part raptor. The odds are probably going to be the same for our next one." Handing my husband the gun Maisie and Alan followed after us. "It's time we bring little raptor home to my sister."

Walking through the destroyed lab of the building I had Jewel stay with Claire just in case something happened. "Do you hear that?" Alan asked looking around until I transformed into my other form locking gazes with my sister's baby. "Y/n, pen corner now...grant get on the other side." The little raptor started to run moving her head everywhere until Maisie rushed forward holding her hand out like she had seen Owen do with me multiple times. "Hey, Eyes on Me!" Bending my head down to the ground Owen moves around me raising the dart gun. Grant raises his hand like our daughter does causing the raptor to only focus on Maisie directly in front of her. The tiny raptor cried out starting to run until I raced forward blocking her in so Owen shot a sleeping dart into her neck. She collapsed into my arms once I was a human again lifting her up in my arms. "Sorry girl. I made a promise to your mom I'd bring you home." He whispered resting a hand on her head with a weak expression.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[makethatelevenrings]

For All the Light that I Shut Out - 3

I lied. I’m just gonna post all the chapters here in concurrence with Ao3. I post every week on Fridays! Masterlist here.

Slowly, the monorail screeched to a stop. Lily was up and out of her seat in seconds and heading down the platform. She had stayed late in the hopes of finishing a test she was running on some new modified body armor for Lucius, but that resulted in her walking home in the dark…in the Bowery. It wasn’t her first time doing this and it certainly wouldn’t be the last, but she still was wracked with nerves every time. Her fingers curled tightly around the object in her pocket the second she stepped onto the street and she focused her gaze on the ground so she wouldn’t make eye contact with anyone.

She was five minutes away from her apartment when the first low whistle sounded in her ear. Lily hunched her shoulders closer into her body and raised her chin defiantly, walking with a purpose. She didn’t hurry her steps or look scared. That would just feed them.

“C’mon sweetheart, give us a smile!”

Lily shut her eyes for just a moment to regain herself before she forged ahead. She just needed to get to her apartment complex. Her senses went on alert and she could hear every step behind her. Three men walking at a fast pace. She had to make a decision and she had to make it fast.

Lily abruptly turned on her heel and darted into an alley. She pressed herself against the darkened bricks and held her breath against the acrid stench of piss and trash. The footsteps slowed and tentatively entered the alley.

“Dead end,” one of the men chuckled. “She couldn’t have gotten far.”

Lily stepped further back into the shadows and slowly extracted her fist from her coat pocket. She waited until she could see the lead guy’s face in the weak moonlight.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” he cooed.

Lily snapped her switchblade over, the three inch blade flipping out and landing on the guy’s cheek. He reared back just as her sneaker clad foot came swinging out of the shadows and clocked him in the gut. She ducked under the second guy’s fist and brought her knee up to connect with his family jewels. He doubled over and she slammed her elbow down onto the back of his neck.

The third man charged at her and Lily grunted as his fist landed on her side. She twisted her blade into a defensive position and swung it at him. He dodged it just barely, the tip gashing across the bridge of his nose. Lily backed up to give herself a chance to regain her breathing and adjusted her grip on her knife as the three men picked themselves back up.

“Want your ass kicked some more?” she snapped. “Because there’s more of where that came from.”

“I like it when they put up a fight,” the first guy chuckled. Lily took a step back but her back collided with a solid wall. She bit her lip and prepared to scream when a low, gravelly voice came from behind her.

“Then you’ll love me.”

The wall behind her shifted and a hulking figure draped in black stepped around Lily. The three men let out another round of laughter but they were quickly cut off by swift punches. Lily stared as the figure hauled the men up and tossed them neatly out of the alley. She swallowed against the lump in her throat and hesitantly raised her blade up once again.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” the figure said.

“And I’m just supposed to believe that?” She hoped he couldn’t hear how her voice trembled from fear. He stepped closer towards the light, illuminating his tall figure. A mask covered his face, only leaving his mouth and eyes exposed. Two ear-like points stood at the ends of his cowl and she started to piece it together.

“You’re him. The one they were talking about on the news. The Batman.”

He nodded and she narrowed her eyes but folded the blade back into its hilt and shoved it into her pocket. “Thanks, I guess.”

“You need to follow through with your kicks.”

Lily scoffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Excuse me?”

“You have good form, but the power behind your hits weaken if you don’t follow through. Increases your chance of getting away.”

She blinked the surprise out of her eyes. “Oh…thanks.”

He shifted a little, revealing more of his figure in the moonlight. A bat was emblazoned across his chest on some kind of body armor. Lily narrowed her eyes at the symbol and pursed her lips.

“You really went all out for the bat thing, huh?”

“Good night, Miss Amapola. Have a safe walk home.”

He stepped back into the shadows and disappeared. Lily stepped over the limp bodies at the mouth of the alley and walked the remainder of her commute home, acutely aware of how the hair on the back of her neck stood up. Someone was watching her.

Her roommates were seated on the couch and watching TV when she entered their tiny apartment. Miles instantly clocked her harried expression and pulled himself up with a grace normally reserved for the stage. He wordlessly passed her a beer and Lily nodded in thanks before she took a long drink.

“What’s got you all shook?”

Lily sat down on one of the folded chairs they had nabbed from a dumpster one day and blinked. She tried to form the right words in her mouth and then hesitated before shaking her head to clear her thoughts.

“I think…I think a guy dressed as a bat just saved my life.”

Geena leaned over and shut the TV off before she joined them at the kitchen table. “Alright, what the fuck?”

It’s not until she’s splayed out on her thin, mildew soaked mattress at one in the morning that she realizes something.

She never told him her name.

[strangeinvader9]

Island Of Young

“So, you're telling me that if we go to this island, we'll meet the younger versions of ourselves. For, what? A pep talk?” “More like so that the younger versions of you can see how much stronger and better they'll become.” “OK. I'm in.” “Uh, Jewel-ya, I don't think that's a good Idea,” Law tried to protest. “Shishishi! Let's go!” Luffy exclaimed in excitement. “We're going then,” Nami announced. “Excuse me?” Law questioned. “Trafalgar, you know how your fiancé and our captain are. Once their minds are made up, that's that. Especially if they agree on it,” Zoro pointed out. Law sighed while pinching the bridge of his nose. “It's sad that that's true. Especially since Jewel-ya isn't the captain of the heart pirates, I am.” “I'm the co captain and you know it,” I teased. What surprised me the most was that he didn't disagree or even argue against it. So, about a week later, we arrived on Youth Island. Almost instantly upon landing and exciting the ships and sub, I noticed the younger versions of everyone except Law and myself. “I don't see myself,” Law commented as we wandered. “Try looking in a mirror,” I responded. “You know what I mean Jewel-ya.” “I'm pretty sure I know where we are. Follow me.” Waking further onto the island, we found a secluded meadow in the middle of a small forest. Spotting two small figures, I nudged Law before motioning up to the trees. He followed me up and we crept closer to the younger version of ourselves who were talking over what appeared to be a thick medical book. “Nerds,” I mumbled quietly. Law nudged my rear with his foot, nearly sending me out of the tree. I sent him a glare and flipped him off. “Hey, Law? Do you think the adult versions of us will actually show? We've been here for three days,” the younger me asked. “Yours will. It's impossible for mine to show up,” little Law responded. “Aw, why do you say that?” “I'm sick. I won't live long enough to grow up. There's no cure either.” “But, but, but there has to be a cure! You can't die yet, you're still so young and there's so much to see and do!” “There isn't, Jewel-ya. My family and island wouldn't have been killed off if there was.” Little me suddenly engulfed little Law in a bear hug. “No! I refuse to let my best friend die so young! I'll make a cure myself!” LJ proclaimed. “You're… you're not afraid of me?” LL asked. “There's nothing scary about you, so no.” “But, most people think I'm contagious.” “Aren't you poisoned?” “In a way, yes.” “Then you're not contagious. Poison is only spread from person to person when they consume the same poisoned substance. Since we haven't, I won't get sick.” “You were pretty smart, Jewel-ya,” Law commented. “What do you mean were? I still am,” I responded. “That's arguable due to some of your choices.” “You mean like asking you to marry me?” “I'll push you out of this tree.” “Try it.” Without hesitation, Law pushed me harshly forward. My arms windmilled for about five seconds before I fell out of the tree. The bastard actually pushed me out of the tree! I thought in surprise. “Hey, who are you?” I heard LL ask. Looking up, I noticed both he and LJ were staring at me. “Hi! I'm Phoenix Jewels, the older version of the little girl there,” I greeted, pointing to the younger me. Her eyes widened before she ran over to hug me with a wide grin on her face. “You actually came!” She exclaimed happily. “Of course I did. I remember when I was your age, things started to go downhill. I figured it would be a good idea to show you that things get better. A lot better.” “Really? How?” Before I could answer, LL spoke up. “Jewel-ya, did...is there an older version of me that came with you?” he asked. I smiled at the small sliver of hope I could see shining in is tired, dark grey eyes. They hadn't gotten to that beautiful silver shade yet, but I knew they would. “Why don't you see for yourself?” Standing up, I walked over to the tree and kicked it. Law fell out of it and hit the ground with a grunt. He sat up and glared at me to which I simply grinned and waved. “Was that really necessary?” he grumbled. “Hey, you pushed me out first, it's only fair.” I argued. “Who are you?” LL asked. “I'm the adult version of you,” Law answered. “But, but how? There's no cure! No doctor even wants to come near me.” “That's true, but also false. There is a cure. It comes in the form of a devil fruit you will eat and use to cure yourself in six more years.” LL was completely stunned. I couldn't blame him though. LJ on the other hand, was ecstatic. “Wow! You get to be a devil fruit user? That's so awesome! What can you do with it? What's it called? What type is it?” “Quite the inquisitive one, weren't you, Jewel-ya?” “Yeah. I grew out of it when people kept getting annoyed by my constant questions though,” I agreed. LJ pouted. “I'm just curious!” She protested. “I know. And it's a trait I love about you,” Law assured. LJ and LL looked baffled by that statement. “What?” They both asked. “Ah, that's actually a tough question to answer,” I responded. “You're blushing, Jewel-ya,” Law teased. “Shush. Well, anyway LJ, thirteen years from now, you'll be living as a kitten with your new friend Fluffy. Before a blizzard can hit the island, you'll both look for shelter. What you'll actually find is a pirate ship. You'll be found by the first mate and taken to the captain who just happens to be Law here.” “Whoa! I'm a pirate captain?” LL exclaimed . “You will be, yes. And I sail a sub, not a ship,” Law answered. “Ooh! A submarine! My favorite mode of aquatic transportation! Aside from swimming of curse.” LJ commented. “Yeah well, after three years on the sub together, you two kinda… Uh… Y-you know…” “Sleep together?” LL suggested. “Among other things.” “Hold on. Jewel, is that a ring on your finger?” LJ asked. “You're married?” I nodded while nervously biting my lip. “Wow! So, is it like you always imagined?” “Better! I mean Law's no prince charming, but who needs that when you have a badass pirate captain/surgeon as your life partner?” “So cool! How'd it go? Was it romantic? Was it sweet? Was it spontaneous? Was it traditional?” “Easy with the questions, LJ!” “Sorry.” “It's alright. To answer your questions in order; no, sort of, it was planned for at least a few hours before hand and not the way you would think.” “Wait. Jewel-ya, why are you answering the questions? Shouldn't the older me be doing that?” LL asked. “That's why I said it wasn't traditional the way you would think.” “You mean you proposed to him?” “Yep.” “I thought the guy was supposed to be the one to propose?” LJ asked. “He doesn't have to be,” Law pointed out. “Although I have wondered, what lead you to take the lead?” “Ah. Well, not much, really. After that incident, I was thinking that it might be nice to live the rest of my life with Law as my partner. However, as pirates I thought no one would be brave enough to actually officiate a wedding. Hell, we've been to islands that ran us off simply because we were pirates. So, I tried to think of a way to be married without it really being legal. At the moment, I had just exited from a candy shop and was eating a ring pop. It gave me an idea so I went back into the shop. After explaining my situation to the shop keep, she gave me the idea to propose with a ring pop. She said that so long as we were both serious about it, it didn't matter if it was legal or not. To us, we would be married and that's all that mattered.  So, that's exactly what I did.” “Then, why the actual rings?” LL asked. “Because we eventually found someone who wasn't afraid of pirates and was willing to officiate our wedding. So, now we're legally married,” Law answered. “So cool! Hey Jewel-ya, do you have a devil fruit too?” “Mm-hmm. I got it when I was twenty-one so I still have mild malfunctions with it.” “Which type?” “Yeah, and what type is yours, Law?” LJ added. “I have a Zoan type, known as the Dragon-Dragon fruit.” “Paramecia, known as Ope-Ope fruit.” “Ooh! Sounds cool,” LJ commented. “Can we see what they do?” Law and I shared a look before simultaneously shrugging. “Why not?” we agreed. Stepping back a few feet, I let my inner beast take over and shifted into my full, 30ft long, 27ft high golden dragon form. “Holy cow! I didn't know dragons came I'm that color!” LJ exclaimed I'm surprise. “I didn't know they got that big,” LL added. “We come in all sorts of different colors, sizes and species,” I explained. “Species?” LL asked. “Yes. Dragons, wyverns, drakes and other species. There's at least six more but I can't remember them.” “Law, what does yours do?” LJ questioned. “It allows me to manipulation another's body with surgical percision. Among other things,” he answered. “Really? Like what?” As soon as I saw that devious smirk of his, I knew no good was going to happen. I was proven right when I felt myself get much smaller, body parts change and my whole internal temperature change almost drastically. Looking up at Law, I scowled while crossing my arms. “Really Law? Really? You put me in your younger body? Why not my own?” I demanded. Law’s smirk simply widened. “It's much more fun this way,” he responded. “Sadist!” “You know I am. Yet you love me anyway.” “Yes, but this was just wrong!” “I agree with Jewel-ya on this, older me. I feel like I'm cooking alive in this body!” LL complained. “Yeah, that's something you have to get used to. Thankfully, it means I no longer freeze in cold temperatures.” “Is there a way to lower the temperature?” “Being human. I mean, you're still warmer than normal, but it's much more tolerable.” Once Law had returned me and his younger self to our original bodies, the four of us spent the rest if the day chatting with each other. We even talked to some of the others and their younger versions as well. All in all, not a bad day. LL and LJ did, indeed, see how much stronger and better they will become. When we all left, it was with smiles on our faces and pride in our hearts at the hope we had given our past selves.

[papillon82fluttersby]

Famous Five Art Nostalgia #LC12

Introductory post

Introduction to ‘Les Cinq’

La fortune sourit aux Cinq / Les Cinq et la fortune des Saint-Maur – The Famous Five and the Cavalier’s Treasure

Original publication date: 1976 (France), 1984 (UK)

(Original cover by Jean Sidobre, 1976)

The Five and their friend Tinker fortuitously come by a fabulous treasure! But will they get to keep it? Find out in this adventure that might have been titled Fortune Favours the Five!

~~~~~~

Plot summary:

(Disclaimer: All provided translations are my own.)

During these summer holidays, the Five are being kicked out of Kirrin Cottage for a few weeks while professors Kirrin and Hayling are working on their latest book, for which they need quiet and silence. So the children are spending the holidays with Jenny, the Haylings’ housemaid, who owns a small house in the countryside.

A week into their holidays, the weather turns rainy. Once the rain abates in the evening, the children take a walk to the ruins of an ancient manor house in the vicinity. The manor, and the land around, belonged to a noble, wealthy family, the Saint-Maurs, who fled the country after the 1789 Revolution. Jenny’s own house was a former hunting lodge on the manor grounds.

(A rainy day)

[TRANSLATION: Narrator: When the rain abates, the children take a walk to the ruins of the old manor house. Tinker: What a sinister place! Narrator: A few moments later, the sky clouds over again and our friends return to Jenny’s under a pouring rain.]

The weather stays stormy the next day and a lightning strike hits an old oak in the orchard behind Jenny’s house. While examining the damage, the children discover an old chest full of gold coins and jewels, that was buried beneath the oak.

(Investigations in the garden)

[TRANSLATION: Jenny (worried after hearing the lightning strike so close behind the house): Tinker, Anne, George… Julian: Stay here! I'm going to pop over to the house to reassure Jenny. Narrator (second panel): Julian returns with mackintoshes and a hearty snack. Narrator (third panel): Once they've eaten and the storm has stopped, the children head over to the tree that has been struck by lightning. Anne (based on the picture, although this line is told by George in the text): What a shame, it was so beautiful! Unknown: Look at that hole!]

Jenny recognises their find as the Saint-Maurs’ lost treasure and tells the children this story: as the Revolutionary ideals were spreading from Paris to the countryside, threatening nobles’ privileges everywhere, the Saint-Maurs started to fear for their safety. At the time, the manor house was held by the Countess of Saint-Maur, a young widow, and her son Amaury. With the situation becoming increasingly dangerous, one of their servants, Anselme Fangeois (one of Jenny’s ancestors), advised the Countess and her son to flee abroad. Fearing that their treasure might get stolen on the road, they buried the chest on the estate. The Countess and Anselme subsequently died in exile and Amaury returned years later to find the manor in ruins, with no memory of where the treasure was buried because he’d been too young to remember the location.

As it turns out, the Saint-Maur family still resides in the area, in a newer house built on their former estate. The current owner, Renaud de Saint-Maur, is away when the children introduce themselves to tell him about their discovery of the treasure, and they are rather rudely rebuffed by the groundskeeper, Jeantet.

On the next day, a message left in the mailbox lets them know that Renaud's nephew, Bertrand Létrec, will be coming to collect the treasure. The young man who turns up is unfriendly and very rude. He is about to leave with the treasure when the children, suspicious about his unpleasant attitude, ask him for his identification papers. Panicking, the man tries to escape with the treasure, but Timmy and Mischief stop him. He finally escapes empty-handed on his motorbike and the children conclude that he was an impostor sent by Jeantet.

(Discussing the latest events)

[TRANSLATION: George: The message was a fake. It must have been written by the groundskeeper. He's the only one who knows we've found the treasure! George (second panel): He sent us an accomplice. Jenny: This Jeantet is quite a scoundrel!]

Until the Saint-Maurs’ return, which is announced for the next day, the children keep the treasure in Jenny's cellar, against a wall, hidden behind some bags and an overturned mattress.

After a phone call to the Saint-Maurs, who are finally home, Renaud de Saint-Maur comes to Jenny’s house to retrieve the treasure. But when the children enter the cellar to fetch it, the treasure is gone, despite the door staying locked! Renaud calls the police and Jeantet is questioned but he denies everything.

The way that the bags and the mattress are scattered in the cellar leads the Five to conclude that they have been pushed, not pulled, away from the wall, as if the thieves had arrived from the wall. Indeed, after some searching, they discover a secret passage inside the wall. They follow the passage all the way to the grounds of the current Saint-Maurs’ residence (as a reminder, both Jenny’s house and the Saint-Maurs’ current residence are located on the former manor estate, hence the presence of a passage connecting both locations). Jeantet is living on a small pavilion on the grounds and the children overhear him talking to the fake Bertrand (who is actually Jeantet’s nephew, Gaston), confirming that they have stolen the treasure and are currently trying to find a fence. The children, however, fail to hear anything about the current location of the treasure.

The children set up a surveillance for a couple of days and search the grounds around the house. They do find another underground passage, and after some further searching, they ultimately locate the treasure. But Jeantet and Gaston get the drop on them before they can retrieve it. As Jeantet and Gaston need to keep the children away for a couple of days while they find someone to sell the treasure to, Gaston has the brilliant idea of leaving them stranded on a small uninhabited island that he knows of nearby. This is, of course, Kirrin Island!

(The bandits unwittingly bring the children onto their turf!)

[TRANSLATION: Narrator: The little group lands on Kirrin Island. Narrator (second panel): For a while, the two men look for a place to detain the children. Jeantet: Here it is! Get in there, brats!]

The children are left tied up in the dungeons, but after some effort they manage to undo their bonds. The bandits have also found it clever to bury the treasure on the island, so the children retrieve it easily. George keeps a supply of non-perishable foodstuffs and blankets in the castle and they spend the next two days comfortably on the island, waiting for their captors to return and setting up booby traps to catch them.

Once the bandits are incapacitated, the children commandeer their motorboat and go to the police. The Saint-Maurs take delivery of their treasure and the children each receive two gold coins as a reward and a thank you.

~~~~~~

Bonus:

(Timmy and Mischief’s happy reunion! 🐕🐒)

[TRANSLATION: Narrative: Timmy and Mischief celebrate their reunion.]

~~~~~~

Cover art through the ages:

(Disclaimer: This is not an exhaustive list; sometimes the dates are difficult to pinpoint; and I have purposefully not included editions that re-used similar cover art, with differences only in layout and font style.)

(Cover art by Jean Sidobre, Hachette, 1979 – minor layout changes compared to the original 1976 version)

(Yves Beaujard, Hachette, 1989 – what a find!)

(Paul Gillon, Hachette, 1992 – what a find! (part 2 😉))

(Frédéric Rébéna, Hachette, 2016 – some ominous lightning 🌩️)

(Auren, Hachette, 2023 – visiting the old manor house)

[Note: If I were Tinker, I would sue for royalties: he participates to whole adventures but never gets featured on the covers! 😤]

~~~~~~

Thanks for reading!

[dogeabone]

Creative Story- Based on the first Picture

They went through a hard breakup when a friend of hers and her bf from the tribe    "The ceremony is today... I'm going to be a part of this... I'm so scared".    A young woman thinks to herself, a blindfold obscuring her vision. A dirty rag over her face. She feared what would happen. Her hands were bound to her ankles. Unable to move without the restraints grinding against her skin.     The only thoughts running through her head. What will happen. And why me?    She thinks back to when she was kidnapped. Was it hours ago? Days? She had no idea anymore. The horse drawn carriage destroyed her sense of time. With every rough rocking the road was an excruciating bump in her side.    Her day started fine. The usual routine. Wake up. Get dressed. Put her hair up. Gather her things and head out the door. The moment she left her house, however. On that day and that day only. She felt something. Or someone was following her. At her every turn it was hiding behind. No matter how she turned to peak at whatever it was. She thought to herself. This must be a normal feeling. No one is truly alone.     They threw her out of the van, very roughly falling to the ground. Her first thought was to start running. Her feet hurt but at least the bindings were off. She couldn't see through the sack over her head very clearly. But the small hole in the sack displayed an opening in a forest of trees. She got up as quickly as her aching body would allow her and off, she went.  

Sprinting off in the direction she thought would be safe for no more than a few seconds. They had already caught her. There was no escape. she kept fighting still, thrashing her bound hands about while kicking and screaming. They held her above where her feet touched the ground.  dragging her off further and further away from the woods. 

Suddenly, they stopped. Swung her around and threw her onto the ground. Before removing the bag on her head. Exposing her to her surroundings and the same with her face.  

Her vision blurred as the light now hit her eyes sharply. Dazed, she looked around for a right or reason as to what they could have wanted from her. Make-up runs down her cheeks, her tears ruining any lining they had prior to the uncomfortable van ride.    

Her surroundings, although blurry at first, were coming together now. It was the middle of the day, the sun blaring almost angrily down at her. There were a few trees to block it out. But not in the clearing she lay in. There was a wooden stage before her. With 3 chairs not unlike thrones sat.  

The sounds of drums could be heard for a moment, very loudly and played only once. But it was so shocking to hear, she flinched. Without warning or any explanation. They were standing beside their thrones. Three very important looking Elders. Each greyer than the one they stood beside. Eyes wrinkled and sagging. Although their faces weren't very pretty to look at. Their outfits were awe inspiring. Strewn from neck to the floor. Beads and jewels covered their dresses and bodies. Their arms covered in macrobes of woven gold and rainbows. 

 The elderly man in the middle stood up from his throne and walked over to her, he smelt of death and looked like he had already died. He outstretched his hand to her, reaching and placing it on her cheek, wiping away some of her messed up make-up. He then paused for a moment, then looked into her eyes. They were full of fear for what would happen. And pain. Not just from the van ride here, but through her life. She was never liked in school; her family threw her out and her supposed boyfriend was no help.  

  Her day had come. After what felt like an eternity living amongst these people. Eating their food. Sleeping in their beds. Today. The day she had become the elder. Was the day she truly felt at home. It was her people now.   Those days of brutal living were behind her. She needed only to lift a finger and she would get the respect she never had in her old life. This was home. Her family was here beside her, and they gave her more respect than she had ever felt before she arrived. Although it was almost her time to pass on to the next life. She sat there on her thrown amongst three chairs. “which young girl out there could take my place? Whoever they are, I hope they haven't the need to suffer much longer...”   

  On two pedestals in front of her. Stood her boyfriend. Bound and gagged. Tied to a cross atop a mountain of firewood and kindling. And another man, not from this tribe. Although she didn’t know who he was. Until she saw another woman, around the same age as herself, also dressed in flowers grown from a field. Standing next to her  "We stand before an accused soul. For unspeakable acts against our newest kin. What say They for their fate?"  The other woman, without a second thought. Ran up to the end of the podium and stuck her thumb downwards. She opened her mouth, yet nothing but air came out. Her voice was horse, and her teeth shone an obsidian black 

Instinctually, this man had forced her to be someone she never wanted to be. Her hand was outstretched. Her thumb was out and her hand clenched. Trembling from what she knew she had to do. Did this man live? Or was he doomed to burn alive?    

  Back story. Before she was kidnapped. She had a fight with her then boyfriend. A mutual friend felt it was unfair how he forced her out and broke her heart. So, he orchestrated both kidnappings. So that she could watch him die for hurting her before she joined the cult/ tribe/ family    Shes at the ripe age of 80. Shes been with the cult for 50 years.     

She was inducted into their tribe. All she had to do was drink a full cup of blackish water in one go and she was in. Eager not to become like her late boyfriend. She obliged. Taking a breath before the cup met her lips. She paused for a second to wonder what the drink was. But before she could come to a conclusion. The spicy liquid was already in her mouth. She gulped it down as if her life depended on it. It burned her tongue, her throat and sat un right in her stomach. By the time the pain settled in. She had finished her cup. Placing it in front of her and finally letting out a gasp for air. She looked up and all the tribesmen and women were cheering. The Elder leaned closer and spoke. 

“what is your name child?” she replied through the pain of her drink. 

“M.. Maria.” 

“Very well child Maria.” he stood back up straight and held his hands outward and exclaimed” MARIA! Child of the Tribe! You are with us now!” The whole tribe before her let out a roar of applause. She couldn’t help but smile. It was the only thing she could think of doing. 

The elder came back down to her level. He grabbed her hand and held it gently. Placing a small shard of a mirror in it. He smiled at her back, before moving on to the other woman. 

She looked down at her hand. Bringing it up closer to herself. She could see her reflection. Her mouth was now covered in black goo. It wasn’t a pretty site to see. However, when she ran her tongue along her gums. The black goo wiped away. Revealing that her teeth had turned a shade darker. They were completely black now. She was stunned at first. But the feeling faded unnaturally quickly. It was perfectly fine for them to be this color. Men from this tribe found it to be a standard of beauty in a woman after all. Every woman who wanted to pass the test of the obsidian drink had to drink it and come out with black teeth.  

References: 

The Remote Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand| Thailand | Chiang Mai trekking n.d., worldexpeditions.com, viewed 30 July 2023, https://worldexpeditions.com/Thailand/Trekking-Walking/Northern-Thailand-Hike-Homestays 

Wikipedia Contributors 2019, Hmong people, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hmong_people  

louis.foecy.fr 2013, LA VEUVE, Flickr, viewed 30 July 2023, https://www.flickr.com/photos/louisfoecy/10944559523/in/faves-btempel/  

Limited, A n.d., Portrait of a Black Lu hilltribe woman in Tam Duong Vietnam Stock Photo - Alamy, www.alamy.com, viewed 30 July 2023, https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-portrait-of-a-black-lu-hilltribe-woman-in-tam-duong-vietnam-23200843.html?imageid=CA784A89-61C7-466E-891A-F7040342BDD6&p=27739&pn=1&searchId=1607a539e48f76b85f7ac289ccf36f0a&searchtype=0  

Limited, A n.d., the black teeth of a Black Lu hilltribe woman in Tam Duong Vietnam The married Lu women color their teeth with lacquer from Stock Photo - Alamy, www.alamy.com, viewed 30 July 2023, https://www.alamy.com/the-black-teeth-of-a-black-lu-hilltribe-woman-in-tam-duong-vietnam-image60323754.html?imageid=58A2094A-2936-47F2-944F-6AB6DB0CE653&p=190600&pn=1&searchId=1607a539e48f76b85f7ac289ccf36f0a&searchtype=0  

Limited, A n.d., the black teeth of a Black Lu hilltribe woman in Tam Duong Vietnam The married Lu women color their teeth with lacquer from Stock Photo - Alamy, www.alamy.com, viewed 30 July 2023, https://www.alamy.com/the-black-teeth-of-a-black-lu-hilltribe-woman-in-tam-duong-vietnam-image61108240.html?imageid=A4AFE572-E89F-44B1-85FA-5ADDA2BEA2FF&p=190600&pn=1&searchId=1607a539e48f76b85f7ac289ccf36f0a&searchtype=0  

IMDb 2019, Midsommar, IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8772262/  

XStasisX 2019, Minecraft Obsidian (Gaming Themed), viewed 30 July 2023, https://www.reddit.com/r/cocktails/comments/bkgtq9/minecraft_obsidian_gaming_themed/  

[j-graysonlibrary]

The Xiang Chronicles: Book Three Chapter 12

Title: The Xiang Chronicles: Book Three

Author: Jay Grayson

Word Count: 107k

Genres: Fantasy, adventure, drama, LGBT+

Available on: my website

Synopsis: Only one Xiang remains and her name is Merra. She hopes to unite the land by force and plow down anyone in her way—especially the people of Agni who she deems faithless and the native people of Terra who refuse to cooperate with her.

Raine continues to serve his Lord but he has taken to alcoholism to soothe his grief—a fact he keeps out of his letters with Heidi. Baiya has returned to mercenary work in order to keep his family safe while Kira is on the warpath. He, fully, takes on the title of Chaaya and means to defeat the Xiang he sees as false.

And, in a guarded castle in Enlil, a stir-crazy Princess dabbles in the dark arts, setting in motion something even Tiandi cannot see.

Full chapter 12 under the cut

Chapter XII:

The deep blue jewel caught the light as Baiya placed it into his pocket. Even if it was a fake sapphire, he would get what he needed from it. He patted the necklace through the fabric once it had settled in and his eyes returned to the previous owner.

Blood pooled around the man’s head and continued to slowly seep out into the rock and sparse grass. He had fallen easily—only one strike—and the impact of his head against the stone nearby was enough to finish the job.

Baiya did not even feel like he had killed him. Nature and gravity did the heavy lifting; he had simply threatened the man into a panic.

Still, the manner of death was an aside, the important part was that he was dead.

His encounter with Raine was still fresh on his mind even if it had been a couple of days since the short meeting in the inn. It was really too short, although seeing the man again brought up old emotions to the surface. He had expected as much but the intensity surprised him still.

Anger was a good ally in his new line of work, at least.

The gasp from the ground snapped Baiya back to the present and he jolted backward. The man with the head wound was breathing again, loudly and desperately. His hands stretched out and grasped for a lifeline—for anything—and his eyes started to bulge.

He attempted to speak, probably to ask for help, but Baiya did not wait around to see if he was capable. Instead, he brought his boot down on his face, specifically his nose, a couple of times. He heard a snap first thing but it did not stop the man from squirming. After the third stomp, he went still again.

Baiya did not want another surprise so he leaned down to check his pulse. Although, if he managed to survive after that, he would be permanently disfigured. Perhaps he would even die soon after, due to infection. At this point, Baiya thought, killing him would be a mercy.

But there was no thumping in his neck. No struggling pulse.

He wiped his bloodied fingers off on the man’s clothes and then used his foot to push him closer to the edge of the cliff. Convenient, he mused as he carefully nudged the body along.

The ravine beneath was quite deep and, if anyone was looking for the man, it would take at least a few days to find him. Baiya gave one last kick and watched his body plummet down below, smacking against a few of the ledges along the way before disappearing out of sight.

He listened for a final impact but it was too far to travel to his ears. After a moment, Baiya just raised his brow, figured the fall was done, and walked away.

When he came out of the brush, his horse was waiting for him along with the dead man’s. He looked to the confused horse and frowned a little.

If he did not send it away, it could end up standing around, both hurting its chances at survival and possibly alerting people to its dead owner’s location. So, Baiya gave it a firm slap on the haunches to send it running. His horse gave him a sideways look in response.

“I would not smack you that hard, Sunfire,” he said and emphasized the point by patting her neck. “Let us head on into Agni, shall we?”

The border between Terra and Agni was all but impassable through regular means but there were always ways around checkpoints and encampments. Not only that but, if Baiya really wanted to, he could find a troop of Phay’s men and show them his papers from the Lord which allowed him passage.

That was much more trouble than it was worth, however, since most of Phay’s camps were set up opposite Terran camps. Baiya would sooner just deal with the tumultuous and hidden trails.

His preferred method was the underground ruins connecting the two countries. It did remind him of his old boss but, since the man’s death, the group had split off and abandoned the passages. Occasionally, he had run into the random criminal on his way but, so long as they did not aggravate him, he left them alone. 

The other end also opened up rather close to his destination: Xiao city.

Baiya had not been there when the city was covered in miasma but he had heard the severity of it. Of course, now, it was as if it had never been affected at all. Life had returned and, other than the looming threat of a Terran invasion, the people seemed relatively happy.

Barkers stood outside their shops and traveling merchants set up stations along the main road, calling out for Baiya to check out their wares. He gave a placid smile and waved occasionally but then veered from the street. Down an alley and short set of stairs, he breached a new area of Xiao where less people congregated.

The chatter and buzz from the main street was still audible but there were more whispers and hushed conversations in the back alley.

He turned a few more times and crept into the back of a building, marked with a blue eye symbol on the archway. It was not his first time coming to this location or to see this person and he knew it would not be his last either.

Past a beaded curtain, he was met with a closed in room with a few tables and even fewer patrons. A pair of guards confronted him, ready to ask who he was and what his business entailed but they were stopped.

“Let him through,” the voice, like velvet, called out.

The two rugged characters backed away and Baiya proceeded to see that his new boss (though he hesitated to think of her in that capacity) was already with a guest. She gestured for him to sit anyway.

“Well, isn’t this a surprise?” Ishtar grinned in delight at the two men in front of her. The dim lighting in the room disguised how pale she was but it could not hide her bright blue eyes. Her dark hair and robe blended into the background, almost giving her the appearance of a floating head. “Who would have thought that the two of you would be working with me a year ago?”

It was true. From their last confrontation, on a rooftop in Cidney with her men, dead at his feet, to an amicable “business” meeting in a bar was not the path Baiya would have anticipated. Thankfully, Ishtar was the forgiving type, so long as there was something for her to gain.

And both Baiya and her current guest had plenty to offer her. He did not need to turn to his side to see who was sitting there beside him—he had recognized him instantly. His energy, his presence, it was unmistakable, not to mention the fact he had not changed the style of his hair for a year. The big difference, physically, was his skin color and the area around his eyes.

For a long second, Baiya hesitated to glance over and his chest constricted with something he could only describe as dread but he did, eventually, let his eyes wander.  Even in the poorly lit room, it was clear Kira had become several shades paler and the skin around his eyes was black. Baiya would bet that his hands looked even worse.

Those crimson eyes, that he had only seen in dreams, or, more aptly, nightmares, over the past year, refused to meet him as they sat in momentary silence. Baiya fought his strong instinct to grab Kira’s arm, to get his attention, and he gulped down the lump in his throat.

Putting things back into perspective, he forced his focus onto Ishtar. “I finished your job,” Baiya said and pulled out the necklace from his pocket.

“Oh, lovely,” she cooed as she took the jewel. “I will have one of my appraising gentlemen take a look at this for me. I take it the owner is dead?”

“Is bringing you his prized possession not proof enough?” He raised an eyebrow. “He would not be parted with it so easily, you know.”

“Of course.” She tucked the necklace into her robe and then retracted with a coin purse in its place. She passed it to Baiya with a smirk. “Here. Your payment.”

He nodded and placed the money in his pocket. There was no need for him to check, Ishtar always paid up.

Her eyes shifted to Kira afterward and she steepled her fingers together as she leaned her elbows on the table. “Now, about your request…”

Request? Baiya questioned mentally but said nothing.

Kira sighed and threw a sack of money on the table. “That should be more than enough. Now, tell me where that vermin is.”

Ishtar gave him an envelope. “The details are in here, love.”

“They had better be correct this time.”

“They were correct last time,” she scoffed, “You just went too early. Give it a few days, huh?”

Kira grumbled and stuffed the papers into his tunic, into some pocket that was probably also filled with knives. “Fine. Keep an ear on the ground, just in case.”

“I always do.” Ishtar winked. “Now, gentlemen, I have another meeting approaching. Baiya, your next job will be ready for you in a week or so. Check the usual spot.”

He gave her a terse nod before standing and waiting for Kira to follow him. They left the building together and, as soon as they were outside, Baiya grabbed his forearm and held tight.

“Do not try to disappear on me. We need to talk.”

Kira met his eyes with a glare. In the direct sunlight, it was even more shocking just how pale he had become. It was as if the color had been drained from him. He looked moments from death.

“I would not open a portal in the middle of a back alley anyway.” Kira yanked his arm away but then kept stride with him. “What is it?”

“Wow, it is nice to see you too,” Baiya grumbled and rolled his eyes. “I had heard from Ishtar that you were a client of hers. I was not sure if she was being serious or if she was just trying to pull a reaction from me. Seems it was the former all along.”

“She has no reason to lie,” he responded but then quickly pivoted, “I see you are back to your mercenary work. Does your family know?”

The edge on his words stung. “No…well, I am fairly sure Loa does but she is keeping that secret if she does know. I am not in debt to Ishtar though so they are not as much at risk as they had been before. I just…I need the money. The position Phay offered me in her army was not enough.”

Kira nodded in understanding. “I suppose you all have extra mouths to feed.”

As they came out of the back alley and onto the main street, Baiya moved closer, ready to grab him again if he tried to run. He kept his voice low as he changed the subject, “I saw Raine the other day.”

He received the quick and sharp look he was expecting. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Well, he has been tasked with catching you,” Baiya replied, “Seems to be the sole reason they are letting him stay in his position.”

Kira’s face hardened and he stared forward, silent.

So, Baiya continued, “Why not, you know, just let him catch you and then escape later?”

Their walking slowed to a stop and Kira glanced over at him with a furrowed brow and eyes so narrowed they were almost shut. “Are you…an idiot?”

“I am not saying to just surrender, that would be suspicious,” he tried to elaborate but Kira would not let him.

“That has got to be about the dumbest idea I have ever heard.” He laughed a little, the first time since their meeting. Even if it was a condescending laugh, it was still a relief to hear.

“What do you propose to do then?” Baiya did not let his feelings come through and took a more defensive tone as he started to walk again. “You know Raine is not helping them because he wants to right? They are leveraging his family against him. And Heidi’s family. He has no choice so why not help him out a little?”

“I do not think him catching me and then immediately losing me will earn him any points,” Kira countered.

“Then wait until you are in someone else’s custody and then escape.”

There was another biting glare. “And you think they will not find some way to blame him anyway? Sounds to me like they are looking for him to fuck up no matter what so why would it matter if I tried helping? If my plans work out, he will not have to worry about those pests anyway.”

“Oh, so you will just kill them all?”

“I will.”

“And how many have you killed so far?

Kira’s body tensed and his jaw visibly clenched. “Soon, I will kill one of them. At least one. Their obnoxious spirits keep warning them about me and relocating them and I have to rely on flimsy third party information to find them. But I will run across them eventually and I will end their pathetic lives.”

So that was why he was getting information from Ishtar. Baiya supposed his other connections were not sufficient. “And if they keep avoiding you?”

“I will destroy every temple in this land and cut the throat of every priest and priestess.” Kira spoke with certainty—he had thought about this quite a lot.

“Well…if you grow bored of seeking revenge, we could use your help in Agni.”

That was, apparently, the worst thing Baiya could have said as a dark shadow came over Kira’s face. “You…you think I am doing this for fun?”

They passed the city walls and walked toward the stables but their pace slowed again. Mostly, Kira’s did and Baiya moved to stand in front of him.

“Obviously I do not mean that it is fun,” he replied and shook his head, “I, too, would love to kill those fuckers for what they did but it is not practical. Doing so would put everyone I care about in danger and I cannot forfeit everything I have just to pursue vengeance.”

“You have things to live for, Baiya,” Kira kept his voice low but his words screamed in reverberation in Baiya’s head, “I do not.”

It was not true but he was not afforded the chance to say it before Kira summoned a black hole and leapt into it, leaving him alone.

[mrmonster459]

Agent Jennifer Bryan: A Hostage Criss in Tel Aviv

by mrmonster

“I’ve got him.” I said.

“Jennifer, I’m begging you, just call the authorities.” My handler, Gregory Mithcell, said to me over our secured communications line. “He’s racked up more kills than most Navy SEALs, even you can’t…”

“I’ve got him.” I repeated as I went to engage my target, a known terrorist named Abdel Al Naijar.

Abdel Al Naijar was a particularly dangerous terrorist; born and raised in the middle of an active warzone in Syria, he learned to fight to survive from an early age. He had personally carried out at least four terrorist attacks in Israel for the group Al Muhima just in the past two years, and I had reason to believe he was planning even more.

Before I dive into this story, I should probably tell you more about what I was up to. I was in Tel Aviv, on behalf of the CIA, to help advise an Israeli politician on the foreground of a historic defensive treaty between Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other Middle Eastern as a joint effort against terrorism in the region. Only problem is that a lot of terrorist groups weren’t too happy, including Al Muhima. Worse, many were recieving funding and training from Iran, who saw the deal as a threat to Iran's power in the Middle East.

Al Muhima had carried out numerous attacks, warning that they would continue if any progress was made on the deal. While we didn’t have any solid evidence (for all we knew, it simply was terrorists just wanting to stop the deal for their own self interests), I knew deep down that Iran must be behind these attacks.

So anyway, when I finally found Abdel Al Naijar in the streets of Tel Aviv, I knew I had no choice but to engage. I didn’t have my gun on me, so I ran right up behind him, and punched him in the back of the head.

If it were most anyone else, I’m certain it would’ve been a knockout. But for him, he appeared to just shrug it off. Then, he grabbed me and threw me against a wall.

He pulled out a knife and tried to stab me. I evaded all his knife strikes, and then quickly countered by throwing a front kick right to his family jewels.

“You think you can hurt me.” He said. “I’ve been in pain since the moment I was brought into this world. You can’t even imagine the kind of brutality I’ve had to live with ever since I was a child.”

“You’re right, I can’t.” I said as I landed another punch. “But if you think I’m going to let you hurt anyone else, you’ve got another thing coming.”

I then grabbed him, pulled him in close, and tore his eye out with my index finger. Even he couldn’t withstand such excruciating pain. He pushed me aside, and started running away.

“This isn’t over!” He shouted. “I will kill you and every other American piece of shit in Tel Aviv.”

“You can try.” I said as I began to recover. “But when you do, I’ll put you in the ground.”

Once it was safe, I called my handler.

“He got away.” I said. “But with one less eye than he came with.”

“Good.” He said. “I’ve arranged for you to have a meeting with a Mossad counterterrorism agent.”

Mossad is Israel’s equivalent of the CIA; they’re an agency known for their effectiveness. I knew we could make serious groundwork on the case working with them.

A few minutes later, I was picked up in an armored van and taken to the office of a Mossad Agent.

“Good morning; I’m Josef Cohen, Special Agent, Mossad.” He introduced.

“Hi, thank you, I’m Jennifer Bryan, CIA.” I said.

“I heard you had an encounter with Abdel Al Naijar earlier.” He

remarked.

“Yes, I did.” I replied. “He was tough, but I forced him to retreat after I gouged out one of his eyes.”

“My word.” He said. “You really know what you’re doing.”

He continued “I’ve heard you’ve been advising Congressman Elias Mizrahi on the terms of the defense deal.”

“Yes, I have.” I said. “And we’ve made good progress. Just yesterday, we sat down with a Saudi Arabian general to hammer out the terms of the deal’s military spending commitments.”

“Excellent.” He said. “Congressman Mizrahi is actually on this way right now, I called his office an hour ago. I normally couldn’t get a Congressman on such short notice, but when I explained how urgent things were becoming, he agreed to meet with us.”

This was all well and good…until we heard an explosion coming from the hallway.

We then heard shouting in Arabic; I don’t speak Arabic, but Josef told me “They’re saying ‘Go in, go in.’”

“Congressman Mizrahi, go to safety.” I said as I drew my weapon.

There was running and shouting down the hall, but not for long. That was quickly drowned out by a few bursts of gunfire.

Elias and I checked our weapons and then dashed out, only to find Abdel, three of his goons, and two civilians with guns pointed right at their foreheads.

“Lower your weapons.” Abdel said. “Or these two get what they deserve.”

Elias and I had no choice. We couldn’t allow a pair of civilian workers to get hurt, so we lowered our handguns.

Only then, in one of the most coldhearted displays of violence I’ve ever seen, Abdel turns around, and shoots both of the hostages himself.

“Kill the agents.” He said to his men.

I then pulled a second, hidden handgun out of my boot holster, and shot two of the terrorists. Elias charged the third, disabling him with a punch before he could fire his weapon. Now, it was just us and Abdel.

Abdel took off running, and fired at us as he ran. While he dashed down the hallway, I fired back, and hit him in the arm. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop him.

“Jesus, this dude is invincible.” I said.

“Come, quickly.” Elias said as he picked his handgun back up. “We have to save Mr. Mizrahi.”

When Abdel saw that we were approaching, he began firing at us. Elias and I took cover, and fired back. I quickly ran out of the little ammo I still had, but Elias didn't. Unfortunately, Abdel got lucky and took out Elias's leg.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

"I'll be fine." He said as he tied his jacket around his wound. "Call an ambulance for me later, go save the Congessman."

I dashed down the hallway, knowing Abdel could find Mizrahi any second.

"Come on out!" Abdel shouted. "Or this hostage is gonna die."

"Alright, I'm here." Congrssman Mizrahi said as he left his hiding spot. "Please, do whatever you want to me, just don't kill her."

Abdel then killed the hostage anyway. He killed her for nothing; he killed her just to kill her.

I charged him from behind, slamming him against a wall with all my force. Then, I put him in a chokehold.

The Congressman showed a lot of bravery for a civilian. He grabbed a stapler off of a desk, and hit Abdel over the head with it. It was a good try, but Abdel then struck him twice as hard across his jawline. Then, he got back to trying to escape my chokehold. He dropped to the floor, landing on top of me. He then pulled my arm off his neck, and started punching from on top.

I created distance by pushing off his knee, grabbed him by the fact, and slammed his head against the floor. And then, I did it again. Finally, I did it a third time to ensure he was finished.

As he was dying, I whispered “Before you go, I want you to know that you completely failed.” I explained. “You came here to stop the deal. But you did the opposite; thanks to you, the entire Middle East will see how vital this deal is.”

Both Special Agent Elias and Congressman Mizrahi were fine. Their wounds were only minor, they were both expected to make a full recovery in just a matter of weeks, maybe days.

“Thank you Ms. Bryan.” Elias said as I visited him in the hospital. “If not for you, Mr. Mizrahi would be dead.”

“I'm just glad the deal will survive.” I said as I left the hospital. My work in Tel Aviv was done, I was off to a new mission.

"Oh, and by the way, the CIA has uncovered evidence that Al Muhima has been directly funded by Iran." I said. "News of this will only make the other signatory countries see this deal as inevitable."