#and yeah my phone's dying 'cause I used it at work and forgot to charge it before going to the gym

[fandom-sheep]

Eret 11 MAY 21

Cat and DSMP Part 1/1

Cat! Goose!

Goose my beloved.

Eret’s streaming very late for me again. So I’m not staying the whole time.

Hello Elaina. Enjoy Goose.

Fundy! Kinda...

Fundy hearing the donations. LOL.

Fundy enters a stream and it starts to scuffed. Scuffed just follows Fundy wherever he goes.

A wild my beloved on the cube.

The Drista stairs.

Wait what. Why is the tower gone?

I have missed some lore.

Ah... it’s part of the nightmare thing.

Eret offering Fundy housing like a good almost adoptive parent.

Sneeze? OH WOW SNEEZE.

Sounds like Fundy about lost a lung. Good gracious.

The bargaining between these two.

Cat, Handsome, said cube was massive

You know what that works.

It’s hard to keep the audio right for Eret’s stream for my headphones. It’s either too quiet or the loudest my headphones can go and my family can hear it.

On stream explosions. Noice.

Wow youtooz. Not super cool. Permission is usually a good thing.

Eret keeps on sizzling.

Getting dirt for scaffolding. Going old fashioned Minecraft for this.

“Why is the Cube kinda hot” cue Eret losing faith in her chats sanity.

Cube go poof.

Oh. Red stone. That’s dangerous.

I like this song. Oh klahoma. Gorgeous song.

Love joy is such a fun band. I want to make a plushy of the cat.

It’s kinda sad that Eret can’t see themselves the way chat and their little fandom sees them. Most all of us think they look fabulous.

Not Arson. Just bombing. A bit of anarchy by the king.

Demolition. Now there’s the word.

Controlled ish demolition.

Ah I’ve almost saved enough channel points for water. Nice. I’m not going to redeem it I’m just going to keep hoarding the points.

Flame Arrow. Nice.

Eret cleaning up the SMP eye sours.

Watch me attempt to sleep to Eret here in an hour or so, but keep getting distracted.

Explosion time.

Someone get ready to clip it.

Bye Bye Cube. Let’s go.

Gotta get a song that fits the vibe.

Hayloft. Time to go poof.

Turning up my brightness just to watch this explosion in the best way possible.

Still wearing the red dress I see.

I hope the music isn’t too loud to get this part muted.

Drum roll...

Drum roll continues...

Drum roll still going...

THERE GOES THE CUBE!

That was so smooth and good looking!

Overall a very good explosion.

Just a little bit of a hole in the other building.

Twitch Pr-

Poor being’s so confused with his hair. Someone help them.

Twitch bleep.

Everyone attempting to give hair styling advice. Everyone’s trying to help the being.

That bird is majestic. I remember seeing that tiktok.

Animals just decided Eret was the animal whisperer.

Yes! Disney Princess Eret fanart! Someone make it, I shall reblog all of it.

Likes to hug cute animals and cute animals like being hugged by her. Nice.

It’s alright. Names are difficult. I have to like put name tags on people to learn who they are. That or name tags on their space (like on campers bunks and door decs on dorms)

It does feel very February. But I’m very ready for summer because that means I get to do my favorite job.

Hooray. I hit 15k points.

Eret trying to prove to us a ponytail won’t work. Like we aren’t going to hype them up no matter what.

Gotta heart in the chat. All Eret’s chat does is hearts and encourage. It’s a lovely place.

Oh Eret forgot his cat ear sub goal. It’s alright I know I forgot.

Pride is next month. Nice.

Oh. We’re almost halfway already. Why does the world spin so quickly?

We forgot a dirt tower. Whoops.

I would wear Eret merch. I like it when people release merch around Christmas. Then I can ask for it as a gift.

Oh it wasn’t a dirt tower.

Just looking at Elaina’s stream in the stream selection screen it like very cozy.

All the way up the Drista stairs.

Look it’s the museum!

Eret’s got most of the builds around there. The museum. The fortress. Nice.

Some things are too historical to remove. Somethings are historical because they are being removed.

Oh no. L’sandburg.

It’s taking over the summer home.

Ah the lore is coming. It just seemed to be too early.

Hello unofficial ranboo Raiders.

Foolish making the awesome tall thingy!

Foolish’s builds are so neat. I want to watch Foolish’s streams more. Maybe just in the background but I start wanting to delayed liveblog and that requires attention.

Oh the giant portal turned out well. Sorry that was the lady’s foolish stream I watched.

Shulkers. The forbidden mob.

Eret with just a pit in the desert filled with llamas. Bones. And discus.

The mansion has been finished?

Alright is better than bad. It’s alright to be alright.

Lucky being not getting tired. I got the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and I was so so tired. I also had just no appetite.

Eret doing an smp tour. And looking at foolish’s builds.

Flickering the switch on the rainbow beacons.

Eret just knowing where everything is.

Kinoko is super pretty. Just for the aesthetic value of the kingdom I appreciate it.

Yeet. Just defenestrated himself out the window.

Oh? Spectator fly over the smp?

That would be really neat to like. Watch in VR. I think I’ve only used VR maybe twice.

Pretty Rainbow beacons.

The nurse who gave me my vaccine hid the needle from me because I mentioned to her that I was afraid of needles. It wasn’t a big deal at all.

30 minutes till I attempt sleep. Woo.

Goose my beloved. Someone make the gif because I’m not quite sure how to make it.

Oh yeah. Goose in Marvel. I hear MCU and think Minecraft cinematic universe. Not marvel.

Ghibli is so nice. It really romanticize small moments of life.

Yeah the characters are all really supportive in Ghibli movies.

Someone subbed for nine months “that’s enough to make a child” -Eret

That mansion is like a maze. I’m so lost already.

Everyone encouraging Eret and telling her she looks pretty. Good.

Eret needs all the hype and encouragement.

Antarctic empties flag. Yeah it does have a similar color pallet.

Michelle! Hello!

Fortress work. Nice.

Do it. I’ll listen the Eret play other games.

I don’t usually watch game play for non Minecraft games. But I’ll listen to it all.

Hbomb and Eret living in the same city feels like two worlds that shouldn’t meet. But it’s awesome that they have.

TOS means against twitches terms of service. Nice. Glad to finally have an explanation of what that means.

Look at our handsome and pretty streamer. All the hype.

I keep turning down the stream to hear the show my mama has on because I’m curious about what happens.

Yeah. Backseat gaming can be annoying. That’s part of why I share my thoughts here just in case I do start backseat gaming.

Almost to the sub goal. Hooray!

Ooo food.

No no. I see where they are coming from. Eret does give a bit of cat bus vibes. I can’t explain it but the vibes are there.

Creeper causing issues at the fortress.

Ed Sheepran my beloved.

I should draw more ferrets. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe I’ll draw us doing stuffs.

Actually I kinda want to make a little animatic of some heels walking across the screen followed by a hoard of ferrets. I think it’ll look cool. But I need the artistic ability and the ability to not scream making that.

Woop. Ad time. Off to the void of where ever the ads game me.

OH THE NEW VOID LOOKS COOL!

Bread. Flowers. Ted. Crown. And of course Eret.

We V O I D and get our streamer bits.

Hush the chat is V O I D and the occasional emoji or emote.

The void being centered looks good. Maybe that’s just the symmetry speaking but it’s good.

Oh. We hear the being. The being in void mode. And spooky mode.

Chat just starts yelling corpse.

Hydration. I try to stay hydrated. But I fail often if I’m not doing something active.

Tree!

Casually makes and snags tree.

Eret does read chat often. It’s strange. And it is weird how often it ends up being you.

You can tell I’m a tumblr peep. I may say stuff in chat but I’m fully not expecting or wanting to be noticed by the streamer.

Others hitting darkness o’clock and saying goodnight.

It’s sleep to the stream hours y’all. Whoop.

I need to visit the parks out west. I’ve only really seen the eastern US ones. But I have been to the Great Smokey Mountain park which is gorgeous.

Eret thinking of his friends triggers when naming his cat.

Eret’s builds are so casually pretty. Not like Foolish’s which are intricately pretty. Not like Phil’s or Sam’s which are complicated pretty. All pretty. Just different breeds of pretty.

Alrighty. It’s sleepy hours for me. As much as I love Eret I want to read some fanfiction and daydream a bit before I head to sleep.

Have a good rest everyone and may all your coming meals be delicious.

Wait no is it our turn with goose?

OUR TURN WITH GOOSE!

Eret honey that’s the ceiling.

Cat stream. Cat stream.

Sleepy kitty. A cat cam would be good.

Yeah. That happens with cats. Especially strays.

Goose captured the computer mouse.

Goose straight up chose Eret and Elaina.

Goose really just chose not to leave.

Oh my stream connection is acting sad. But I want Goose content.

I want to draw Goose now.

Maybe I’ll do water color for Goose. I know I tried to do that with Boots (Fundy’s cat)

Hopefully there will be some Goose face screenshots I can see. Maybe I can see him well in the Tiktok.

Artists just violently refusing payment. Sounds about right. The MCYT artists just kinda go “yeah give credit and we cool”

Cowboy cat. Nice.

I want to paint Goose in the cowboy hat.

Hype train! That we are zooming.

Bucket sponge?

WATER BUCKET FROM WET SPONGE! Tiktok people giving all the cool info.

Go Goose. Catch the computer mouse and the screen mouse.

Just sitting here at 11:30 at night getting screen shots of Goose for painting purposes.

Goose please. Look at the camera babe.

My phone is dying. And I can’t charge it and type.

Alright the camera is off the cat. The cat is also blocking the screen.

But no cat on camera means I’m getting some sleep. If I do any of the projects I’ve mentioned I’ll let y’all know.

Have a good rest everyone.

[bonnieisaway]

that dumb saiki k fanfic i wrote but chapter 2

chapter 1 | story on wattpad

chp. 2 - not my intention

There was one part of auras that had always confused Aiura.

See, she was born with the ability to see auras and into the future and all that. Ever since she could walk and talk she could remember trying to figure out people based off their auras, learning what they meant.. Not only did auras reflect someone's personality, but they could also reflect memories they held dear, emotions they felt strongly, and even then her fortune telling let her tell so much more about them.

But there was one thing she didn't entirely understand, even now as a second year in high school. When she was 6 or 7, she started seeing a new part of auras. A red string.

A red string, in most contexts, connects two soulmates together by an invincible string tied around their fingers. When she was around 7 she noticed that her parents had one tied to each other. Some times she'd watch people pass each other on the street and notice them form. Red strings were a part of your aura and they had only formed when you had actually met your soulmate. Aiura had this come easy to her but what always confused her was why it took so long for her to see them. Or maybe, why did it take so long for them to form?

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Saiki sighed as he walked along behind his friends..and (L/n), who you could consider his friend, but it's up in the air if he'd say the same. As Kaido and Nendo bickered and Kuboyasu sided with Kaido, (L/n) fell back to walk next to Saiki. Her thoughts rang clear as she walked and scrolled through something on her phone.

'This feels kind of awkward..' (L/n) frets as she bites her bottom lip, momentarily glancing to Saiki. 'I wanna talk to him but he's giving off the "please let me go never interact with humanity ever again" vibe.' Oddly specific. Saiki almost wished other people could notice that as well. He supposed if he wanted to make a friend of this girl- get his likability up a bit- he'd have to take charge.

"Do you like the arcade?" Saiki asks her, turning his head to her.

"Yeah. I haven't been there in a while though.." (L/n) smiles and scratches the back of her head "Never have the time or money, haha.. how about you?"

"I used to go alot as a kid. But the games are all really easy now." Saiki shrugs, turning back towards the other boys yelling ahead of them as the arcade approached.

"Is that a challenge?" (L/n) grins. 'This could work perfectly..!'

Saiki smirks, looking at (L/n) at the corner of his eye. "Maybe." This could work perfectly...

"Hah, you're on!" (L/n) laughs as she begins to run ahead, dragging Saiki along by the wrist. Saiki shrugs to himself, letting her drag him along. (L/n) basically bursts into the arcade confidently.  "Alright! You seem confident so I'll let you choose a game."

"Ooh, you two are competing?!" Nendo asks, popping up behind the two "Let us choose the games! That way it'll be fair." He's dumb but he's right. Saiki cringes a bit- they're going to call attention if he wins too much. He'll have to moderate his powers.

"Here, let me choose first!" Kaido interjects. "(Y/n), follow me." His face turns red. 'Maybe she's good at shooting games! If I choose a game that she wins at, m-maybe..' Saiki didn't want to hear anything beyond that. It was pretty easy to see where that was going.

"O-Oh, okay! C'mon, Saiki!" (L/n) beckons as Kaido lead her toward some sort of zombie-shooter game. Generally, they were pretty easy as long as Saiki didn't get startled. Lord knows what happened when he used VR.

(L/n) grins and picks up the blue colored fake gun. "Come on! Longest one alive wins!" She smiles, bending down and inserting 200 yen. Saiki does the same and sets his bag down, picking up the toy gun.. it should be easy to moderate his powers and give her a fair fight here...

...is what he told himself. Saiki didn't necessarily play games like these very often, if ever, because he'll either jump and blow something up or he'll lose and nearly break a controller. Nendo stood behind Saiki basically screaming support in his ear as Kaido stood next to (L/n) with starry eyes.

And Saiki lost. Horribly. By horribly I mean he lasted about a full minute before dying when (L/n) kept going for another 3 just to tease Saiki. Which was fine. N̶o̶ ̶i̶t̶'̶s̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶. It was normal to loose at games. He'd just win at the next one so it'd seem normal.

He did not. Kuboyasu chose one of those racing games where the seat is the actual sort of motorcycle itself. The author doesn't need to explain herself here. They're pretty hard to cheat at with esp, but even then- Saiki and (L/n) alike were looking for a fair fight. Which they got. Which lead to Saiki losing horribly.

"Partner, come on, stop losing!" Nendo pats Saiki on the shoulder as he stands up off the seat with a face of- to say the least, discontent.

"Shut up." Saiki glares.

"Not so easy now, huh?!" (L/n) teases, shit-eating grin on her face. Saiki breathes out. He is a patient man. He is not going to get competitive over this. The only one that can beat him is him and he will win the next game.

..Why does he even care?

Kuboyasu chose the last game. It was one of those games where you threw basketballs into a hoop for a certain time limit.

...

...would you be surprised if I told you Saiki lost again?

Saiki huffed as the machine made some stupid loud sound as (L/n) best his score. This time it was not his fault. He is perfectly fine at throwing the balls and would've made all the shots if he wasn't distracted.

He wasn't sure why he was. But for a minute there.. he couldn't take his eyes off (L/n). The way she focused on the game and her face lit up brightly every time she scored...by the time Saiki had realized he was staring he had basically already lost. This wasn't like him to get distracted. Something was off today.

Kaido had pointed out (how horribly Saiki had lost, and-) that they should get going. They'd spent a while at the arcade. Everyone agreed- if reluctantly- and grabbed their bags.

Walking out the arcade and towards there homes Kaido and Nendo continue to bicker- probably about the latest Jump.

"Stop looking so smug." Saiki comments, irritated with the girl.

"Whaaaaat?~" She laughs. "I'll make it up to you. You like sweets?" She asks. Saiki nods (violently) causing (L/n) to laugh. "I've got some coffee jelly back at my apartment. You should stop by."

Saiki nods in agreement- mainly for the coffee jelly, only about 1/8 for (L/n)'s company- as she waves goodbye to the other boys. Her apartment was only a couple blocks from Saiki's place.

"Alright then! Oh, look, they're playing baseball in the park again.. Wonder if Satou's playing." (L/n) points out as the pair pass the baseball diamond along their trek home.

There's a loud 'clang' and an indistinguishable shout before Saiki realizes.

..That the ball hit his head. Right in the power limiter. Shit. If he were alone, he could just teleport home and have his dad or mom try and fix it but (L/n) is right here. He's got one choice, and he's gotta pray that it works...  

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"Saiki!" You screeched, as the boy fell forward and you just ever so barely managed to catch him before he hits the pavement. The ball must've hit him hard.. it even broke one of those hairclips he has. You set him down gently, picking up his bag and throwing it over your shoulder. You slide your arms under him and pick him up, standing slowly.

Jesus Christ. You forgot how heavy guys are. The last time you carried a guy was when (F/n) passed out on field day in middle school. Saiki wasn't heavy necessarily but you weren't necessarily Hairo level strong. You wanted to take him back to his house and tell his parents but there was a small problem.

You had no clue where he lived. At all. You knew he only lived a couple blocks away from you because Kaido told you but you didn't know where. So the best option was to take him back to your apartment.

What became a 10 minute walk home became a 20 minute walk as you struggled to carry the boy. He was knocked out, hard.. whoever hit that ball had to have gotten a home run. You wouldn't be surprised if the guy got two.

So after struggling for 20 minutes, nearly dropping the knocked out boy when you tried to unlock your door, and just generally regretting your decisions, you finally were able to plop the boy on your couch. Your tablet that you generally used for drawing was blown up with notifications from (F/n). Whoops. You set the tablet on your coffee table, calling him as you take the broken hairpin out of Saiki's hair, wanting to fix it.

(F/n) picks up fast, halfway through his English screaming as the connection struggles. "WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?! I'm losing sleep, woman!"

"I'm sorry!" You laugh, fiddling with the hairpin in your hand. The pink ball on top had come off and some of the pieces on the bottom of the inside fell out. "I was walking home with that Saiki guy and a ball hit him smack in the head. Broke his hairpin and he passed out. I'm trying to fix the hairpin now."

"...And the guy?" (F/n) hesitantly asks.

"Heavy as fuck." You snort. It looked like small computer pieces on the inside but, who are you to judge? The problem was now this was a jigsaw puzzle and you hated those things.

"(Y/n)!" (F/n) shouts, reprimanding you.

"Calm down, he's fine." You smile. "I gotta fix this damn hairpin though and you're gonna do your homework and sleep young man." You jokingly glare into the camera.

"Fine, MOM. Bye!" He waves and hangs up. You lean your back against the couch as you continued to sit on the floor, now too lazy to get up. There was 3 major computer looking chips which by some dumb luck, seemed to fit pretty well in certain spots. They 'click' in pretty easily and the small pink ball fits back on pretty easy.

"Well..that should be about right..!" You smile confidently to yourself as you hold up the hair clip in your vision. You stand slowly and hover over the sleeping boy before gently placing the hairpin back where it once was.

You observe him for a second as you stand up straight again. He looks.. peaceful while sleeping. He wasn't smiling but he wasn't necessarily frowning, either. Content, really. You smile as you take off his green lensed glasses and set them on your coffee table. They'll break if he sleeps in them all the time.

You wander off to your kitchen, finally picking up your school bad and setting it on your dinner table. You grab a snack out of the cabinet and begin looking through your bag, pulling out miscellaneous homework assignments. You catch a glimpse out your window- the sun was already setting..

You hear Saiki in the other room shuffle around as he seems to wake up. You grave a coffee jelly and spoon from your kitchen before wandering over to him.

The strawberry-headed boy had sat up on the couch, eyes looking around confused. Hey, that was a good nickname.

"Hey, Strawberry. You're awake." You grin. He looks up at you confused and you freeze for a second. His eyes..

You didn't usually see his eyes very clearly since, green glasses lenses. Even then you hadn't known him for long. But his eyes... they were a mesmerizing violet color that you couldn't take your eyes off of. Realistically speaking, they were as plain as ever. But for some reason you couldn't help feel your face go red. Who's the strawberry now, motherfucker?

"Where am I?" He asks you.

"My apartment. You knocked the hell out when that baseball hit you and I didn't know where you lived so I carried you here." You hold out the coffee jelly and spoon to him, hoping he'll get the gist. He does and takes the snack faster than you could blink twice.

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Saiki took the coffee jelly from (L/n) greatfully, momentarily forgetting about his limiter that, as far as he last knew, was broken. He had knocked himself out when he was hit for a reason- he figured (L/n) would call one of his friends or someone else to help. He had better luck leaving it up to luck when passed out then staying awake and nearly starting a tsunami cause he breathed wrong.

"Oh, by the way," (L/n) starts, "I tried fixing your hairpin. I tried my best." Saiki looks at her a bit confused before taking out the power limiter, and looking at it carefully...it was put back together just about the exact same way it was before it got hit..

"Thank you." Saiki turns to (L/n). She smiles and nods. 'Oh thank god I didn't fuck up.'

"No problem." She smiles. Saiki loses his train of thought for a second as he watches the girl's face brighten. He turns to set down the now empty coffee jelly cup down on the coffee table. He blinks for a second. His glasses are set on the coffee table.

(L/n) must've taken them off, but why wasn't she turned to stone? She should be frozen in place a long while ago. He picks up his glasses and stands up, putting them over his eyes as he throws away the empty coffee jelly cup.

His mind was racing. Was this girl a physic? Why was she immune to so many of his powers? Why was she kinda cute?

(L/n) interested Saiki. She wasn't affected by nearly any of his powers and he wasn't sure how to feel about it. On one hand it confused him highly and made him want to be wary on the girl, but the other part of him was interested in this girl. She was someone who he saw as normal, she wasn't a nusience like the rest of his friends. His chest felt light with an emotion he wasn't quite familiar with. The ever intriguing girl had ignited something in him that he wasn't sure what it was.

"You okay?" She asks as Saiki stands in thought. He hesitates, but smiles. "Hey, Strawberry, it's getting late. Want me to walk you home?" She asks, now with a shit eating grin on her face. Saiki, yes, the strawberry, feels his face turn warm and his heart skip a beat at the nickname. He wasn't sure why. He sighs to himself. He's overthinking things today. His pyrokenisis must be acting up since his limiter was out earlier.

"...Sure..but what's with the nickname?" Saiki asks.

(L/n) shrugs as she stands, walking to her front door and bending down to put her shoes on. "I dunno. It fits."

Saiki sighs at this curious girl and grabs his own shoes, following her out the door.

The two walk in silence as the sun sets, darkening the world around them. (L/n)'s thoughts are generally quiet. 'Fuck, I'm cold. I should've brought a jac- or not?'

Don't get Saiki wrong here. He's only warming her up cause he feels bad. They continue to walk in silence, until they stop in front of Saiki's house.

"This is my h-" Before Saiki can finish his sentence none other than is mother, Kurumi Saiki, comes out the front door, fretful about her son.

"Oh, Ku~chan! Where have you been, I was so worried!" Kurumi frets as she hugs her son close. Saiki sighs and squints his eyes at (L/n), who has a shit-eating grin. Kurumi turns around and spots (L/n). "Oh, and who is this lovely lady?" She asks excitedly. Saiki about rolls his eyes into the back of his head.

"I'm (L/n)! I apologize for keeping your son out for so long. He passed out when we were walking home so I took him home cause I didn't know where you lived." (L/n) scratches the back of her head awkwardly. Kurumi's face lights up.

Saiki cringes as his mother pulls the poor girl into a hug. "Aah, thank you for looking after my boy you're just so sweet I'm his mom Kurumi Saiki thank you so much for befriending him!" Kurumi gushes so quickly the author forgot to write punctuation.

(L/n) finally gets to breathe again when Kurumi lets go of the hug. "It's nothing, really," She smiles. "He's cool."

Kurumi starts to gush once more when (L/n) laughs awkwardly. "You're really sweet, Mrs. Saiki, but I have to get going."

"Oh, of course! I'm sorry for keeping you! Have a good night." Kurumi smiles.

"It's alright. Bye!" (L/n) smiles as she walks off into the night. He walks inside with his mother and takes off his shoes before walking to his room, sighing as he sits at his desk.

Why does he have such a headache..?

.

i apologize for any spelling errors! i’ve been writing without my glasses because i’ve been sick

[fluffyomorashi]

I dooo I rarely pee in public places... I get to embarrassed of the sound of me going or just letting anyone know that I gotta pee >\\<... ahh I’m so sorry it wasn’t suppose to be so damn long lol!

One day I went to a short concert my friends bf was doing at the time, it was around 40-50 min drive to the place so before I peed about 100 times lol. The plan was we would watch and hangout some then go back to my friends house.. well right before we were leaving an new friend shows up inviting us to a bar/Drag show.

So new plan is we gonna go to that for a while maybe drink some and then leave.... well you know how life goes lol, a few drinks turned into about 12 and we were all wasteddddd (except for the Designated driver of course!!! Party safe always my friends!).

It’s fuzzy but at one point I do remember my friend asking me to come with her to the bathroom, and feeling more confident and outgoing-(thank you alcohol lol)- my bladder shyness was gone and I decided to also go! Of course the line was long so taking a min but when we got close to the few stalls I was intercepted by a drunk girl gushing compliments at me.. and me also being a wasted girl yelled back compliments and we talked about her personal life and more (drunk girls are the best they just happy lol)

Suddenly my friend comes out of the bathroom (I didn’t even see her enter) and is trying to drag me back to the others. Drunk me forgot about the bathroom went back to the party lol. Distracted by everything, dancing and talking, I had no insane urge to pee!

Finally we are in the car all laughing and talking but we are finally winding down and relaxing.. with no more distractions just sitting there I started realizing I might not be as ok as I thought >\\< lol.

We keep driving and I’m just kinda shifting around worriedly glancing. my confidence, lowered back again, so felt tooembarrassing to ask for a bathroom stop. Sooo I waited, all I could think of was me needing to pee stuck in a car full of people.. usual I’m collected in a situation like this on the outside, thinking just to breath and don’t think about it to much and stay calm..but mind full of liquor I kept changing positions, shifting and pulling the seat belt off my bladder, thinking “fuck fuck man should I ask? Can I actually wet in this person car?? Would that actually happen?? I can’t wet here omg.. I’m gonna fucking wet here ahhh” over thinking about it made it feel worse.

Fast forward 40 mins of pouty uncomfortable desperation, a few sneaky crotch squeezes, and one friend dropped off later I asked my friend if we were headed to her house next, she said yes and I silently sat back and waited until we arrived.

We all climb out the car and I remember being pissed on how slow and nonchalant they were ((how dare they not know I’m about to create a new ocean if they didn’t speed up!!!!)).

If it was just my friend and her bf I would of been more comfortable to at least hint how bad I had to pee.. but there other friend I didn’t know so just slowly got up..

at the time she lived her parents still andher parents didn’t like alcohol so we had to be silent and sneak in...everyone was goofing off in the drive way while I kinda stiffly stood half laughing half glaring at the door.

They keep talking and my friends bf pulled out cigs to smoke, I watched them for a sec debating what to do... my body was so still and tense I was afraid if someone just tapped me I would slip up and pee myself in front of them Q//n//Q

Suddenly I got a big urge, I tried to silently control it and squeeze my legs together buttt it seemed to just get more and more intense!! I shifted my weight on each foot, Clenched fist, and probably in a weird voice quickly asked my friend if I could have they keys so I could go inside to charge my phone and text my mom we made it back ok. (Lol I still couldn’t admit it)

Understanding strict mom life she says “oh gosh sorry I forgot! Here!” And drunkly asks her bf where the keys and he drunkly said he didn’t know and they both messily looked for them... I’m dying lol

I try to speed it up and ran to the other side of the car searching around, my body could sense I was slightly shielded away from everyone else so bumped up the desperationnnnnn >\\\<. I openly grabbed myself and did a few frustrating nervous stomps and half crouch wiggles as it kept building.. I was gonna either wet or leak very very soon.. I apparently let out some upset noise cause my friend stopped looking and asked what’s wrong.

I quickly moved my hand before she saw the desperate clutch I had and smiled saying “nothing I just slammed my hand into something!” For once I was thankful my bladder was so shy cause my friend talking and looking at me helped me ground myself just enough! the intense urge was lowered for the moment just as her bf found the keys in her purse!

I whip around the car taking them, telling them I’d meet them inside. (Ironically as im leaving her bf bursts out how badly he needed to piss and just went like 8 feet to the side and peed.. men are lucky..)

Now I wanna say I love my friend so so much.. but she’s a lil spacey/forgetful at times, drunk her is EXTRA spacey/forgetful... I run to unlock front door, my legs glued together tightly, andddd it won’t work.. I struggle then angrily turn to shout, then remember it’s like 1am, so held my breath and walked as normal as I could back to my friend saying I couldn’t open it.. she goes “oh well yeah that’s the wrong door! That keys for the garage door!!” I nod and turn..halfway there when she run up to me telling me she remembered that her parents told her to come in the back door that they would leave it unlocked.... lmao...

I think I was starting to tremble from the effort of keeping my cool and my pants dry! I visibly half crossed my legs together blurting out a fast slightly annoyed “ahh-okkkk-god I really really have to pee” and took off around the house as my friend obliviously apologizes and goes back to the group..

I make it pass the fence to the back yard and on the way I’m awkwardly holding myself with one hand the other trying to push pass her dogs that were trying to greet me. I make it to the door and swing it open and jump inside! I doing my stompy potty dance again as I turn and painfully, slowly, try to shut the door as quietly as I could.

It felt my bladder urge coming back but this time way faster and felt like my bladder was getting warmer and fuller with every millasecond!!! “Oh my god I can’t- I gotta pee-“ I whisper as I quickly threw off my shoes, getting way more antsy, huffing as the urge reached the last step...

Both hands holding back a flood, I sprinted on my tippy toes to the back of the house where the bathroom was.

I bust in and again had to slow down a little to shut the door carefully, I noticed my hand seemed kinda wet as I shut the door (even though I hadn’t felt a leak yet??) but I must have, I glanced down seeing tiny drips between my shoes on her floor, with only one hand between my legs I felt the leak continue dripping off my hand.

Door shut, leaking hard and fast, I leaped to the toilet, ripped off my slightly dripping leggings and mostly soaked undies, and peed.

Lolol ahh I was forcefully peeing before I was even sitting down >\\<.. I just collapsed and over dramatically sighed closing my eyes and sagged as I let out the loudest fastest desperate pee of my life >\\\\\\<“

I kept going and going and goingggg, when my stream started to slow down I finally opened my eyes to asses the situation... where I had been holding myself was a perfect obvious dark stop on my black leggings and a few wet streaks.. still peeing I glanced at the floor next and saw small drips/splashes here and there. I gathered up some toilet paper and cleaned up the few wet spots I could reach and dabbed at wet undies...while still peeing (lol I swear it was almost never ending I was filled to the brim >\\>).

My normal stream lowered to a small trickle and finally was done... I felt hazy and weak from the hold and release but snapped out of it remembering my friend would be coming in very soon Q//Q I got up, cringing as I had to slip back on my wet now cold clothes, and opened the bathroom door.

Cost cleared I ran to my friends room and grabbed my sleep over bag taking out pjs. (No extra undies tho so had to go commando) I changed stuffing my wet stuff deep in my bag and ran back to the bathroom whipping up the small leaky mess. I was just walking through the hall to the back door checking if I had accidentally peed through there house >\\\< when they finally walked in.

We whispered and my friend stopped to get some water to take to the room, the whole time I’m just secretly glanced at the floor but I didn’t see any wet spots!

[auspicious-lilana]

Ultimate Spiderman (Peter Parker x Stark! OC x Sam alexander x Danny Rand)

Summary:When people hear 'Maya Stark' everyone would think about the perfect, smart. good looking, rich, student body president of Midtown High.Nobody but her childhood friend Peter Parker AKA Spider-Man and her new team of heroes. Ava, Sam, Danny, and Luke AKA  white tiger, Nova, Iron fist, and Power Man knows about her secret of being Queen's very own Mistress, soon to be ULTIMATE Mistress

Part 1  Part 2

This is it, the test to see if I can make it into the superhero big leagues.

“This exercise will gauge your efficiency against superior numbers. Disable all attackers. You have 60 seconds. FYI, Captain America did it in 10.”  I stood in a battle stance ready for whatever Fury would throw at me.

“Easy-peasy.”  One of the large robots that surrounded me started to attack as I dodged it and quickly shot a web to its head but another robot came and threw me on the ground as they all fell on top of me. “Uh! Uh!” I groaned as I squeezed myself out of the pile of robots. “This is more humiliating than Parker family game night.” I quickly got up and punched all the robots while webbing a few. After I threw another one of them grabbed me and held me up as I struggled to get out from its grip. How weak is this? I'm going to land on the superhero wall of shame for dying ten minutes after joining S.H.I.E.L.D. It started to shock me to which I yelled in pain before I grabbed four arms of it and quickly snapped it back to it making it let me go. The second I got down I ran as I dodged four drone-bots before I got ahold of one of them to see they were bombs that exploded making me hit back on the wall covered in slime as I slowly slid down. I got up quickly as I saw more big bots coming at me, so I tried to work the web shooter.

“Where did S. H. I. E. L. D. tech put the web control? Nope. Nuh-uh. Score.”  I threw a web at two drones and crashed it with two of the big ones. “Yeah!” One of the drone heads fell on me making me groan.

***

While Spider-Man was taking the test. Fury laughed a bit at the sight.

“I finished this thing under 20” iron fist said.

“I finished mines under 18” Luke chimed in.

“There's no discipline to his fighting technique, he's thrashing around hitting things. But Fury says he's good for the team.” White Tiger said as she watched Spider-Man get thrown around.

“His training may be off but he has more experience than the rest of you and his heart is in the right place” I imputed, defending my partner. “I’m just glad he agreed to do it”

“Why is Fury testing another new candidate? I didn't approve of this.” Nova said running up to us.

“So you didn’t approve of me?” I raised an eyebrow and fixed a glare at Nova who’s eyes widened.

“N-no! Your fighting was good, just not his!” I rolled my eyes.

“Look who thinks he's still in charge. That's so cute.” White tiger said to which I nodded my head in agreement.

“If Fury thinks I'm going to lead that lame-o in battle…”

“In your dreams, you're the team leader,”  Luke said placing a hand on Nova’s shoulder as Iron fist joined in.

“He is rough around the edges, but not without potential.”

“Yeah, but he named himself Spider-Man. How sad is that?” White Tiger said as I rolled my eyes. 

“Well, unlike you guys he had gotten his powers under pressure, and the fact he had nobody but me to tell his secret to”

“What was he supposed to call himself?” Iron fist said backing me up.

“Something cool that didn't scream, "Hi, I have low self-esteem and identify with bugs."

“You know what they say about a book and its cover, dude.”

“Dude, I'll clean this Helicarrier for a month if he makes it.”

“Toilets, too?”

“Toilets, too”

“Your on”

“I’m in” Luke chirped in taking Iron fist’s side.

“Me, too,” Nova said also high giving White Tiger. I sighed as I took White Tigers side knowing Spider-Man won’t pass without the right training and I don’t like being in the highest possible losers team and if Spidey does pass, I can just cast a few cleaning spells to help White Tiger out.

“I’m in as well I guess,” I said high fiving the boys, earning a smile from White Tiger. I checked the time and excused myself. “I gotta go. Work to be done, people to visit, someone to tease” the rest said their goodbyes as I walked off and teleported myself to a place near the hospital before I took off my mask making my cloak disappear showing I was wearing blue shorts and a white shoulderless blouse with my black hair down. I jogged from the alley to the hospital a few buildings away before stopping in front of the counter.

”How may I help-”

” I need to see Harry Osborn” I demanded out of breath.  The lady nodded and looked at the computer.

”Room 230 on floor 3” I thanked her before running up the stairs too impatient to wait on the elevator. when I peeked in the room I heard Peter.

“Hey, hero. I brought you something from school.”

“Cheerleaders?” Harry guessed making me chuckle.

“Homework” at the moment I came in.

“Hey Harry”

“I guess Maya’s close to an cheerleader” I rolled my eyes.

______________________________________________________________________________

Harry really stepped up yesterday when the Frightful Four attacked our school. Unfortunately, all that heroism won him overnight stay in the hospital.

Yikes. Wish I was there to help out

Me too,Maya, Me too

______________________________________________________________________________

“Peter has your best interests at heart, son. He's a true friend” Mr.Osborn said placing his hand on Peter’s shoulder.

______________________________________________________________________________

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a dad like that?

______________________________________________________________________________

“How about a ride to school, Peter? Maya?”  

“You don't have to hold a gun to my head, sir.”

“How about you, Maya?”  I shook my head.

“Sorry, my Dad’s coming to get me” like magic my phone rang showing my dad. “Matter of fact this is him now, bye Harry, Peter. See you at school tomorrow” I left the room answering the call.“Hey dad!”

“Hey, sweetpea. How was the S.H.I.E.L.D test?” 

 “I think I aced it. Tell you more in the car ride home I see you”

“Okay,”  I ended the call and got into the car.

 “So? Details?”

“So I finished the test under 14 seconds”

“That’s my girl”“And I met my future team”

“Did you guys show your identities?”

“No.not yet but I know they know Peter’s identity”

“You’ll learn their identity-“

“Oh I already did”

“You did?”

“Yeah, Fury enrolled them to Midtown high so I may or may not have looked through their files”

“I bet other dads don’t have a daughter like you to have bragging rights with” Dad mumbled.

______________________________________________________________________________

Meet my dad, Tony Stark aka Iron man. Since he has Stark Interpers I barely get to see him everyday but he tries his best to get some quality time together and he makes sure we eat breakfast together so we can catch up on what happened to us yesterday since he’s busy at night. Plus I get to hang out with the avengers daily so I call them uncles/aunts.

______________________________________________________________________________

“Dad!”

“It isn't my fault my daughter is beautiful, genius AND a future avenger! I got the full package!”  I sighed as I smiled and hugged dad. No matter how many times he would brag, I know he means well and loves me just as much as I do.

“I love you dad”

“I love you two my favorite daughter”

“I’m your only daughter”

“...don’t ruin the mood” I laughed as I snuggled close as we got home.

“We’re here,” Happy said from the driver’s seat. I nodded and thanked him as I got out with my school bag on my shoulder.

“I’m gonna go and do my homework real quick and check in with the vice student body president cause I’m sure Peter forgot to do it for me” Dad kissed my cheek before ruffling my hair.

“I’ll be in the lab if you need me. Capsicle  wants to see you in an hour for your training”

“Thanks, Dad,” I said as I kissed his cheek and went up to my room.

“How did I get lucky with her?...” I smiled as I heard my dad before I went into my room.

***

“Smile, Spider-Man,”  MJ said to peter flashing a camera at him making him lose his balance and fall as he started rambling nervously.

“Oh! Whoa, I'm not... How did…”

“Wow, nervous much? I'm practicing what I'll say when I finally meet Spider-Man maybe even Mistress. Here”  MJ handed him a paper he read. ‘Spider-Man and Mistress: I will tell your side of the story. Call me. Mary Jane Watson’

“You really believe those two hang out here in Midtown?”

“ They’ve been seen on campus often enough.they could be anybody. A student, a teacher, or…” Stan walked by pushing a cart full of mobs and such before turning to them.

“Thwip Thwip” And he left.

“Ok, well maybe not anybody,”

______________________________________________________________________________

I know how much it means for MJ to get that reporter job with the Bugle and I'd love to help her out. I'm afraid I'd blow it once I started talking to her. I mean, MJ knows me so well.Maya would help her much better seeing how she takes Drama and can act it out but I don’t think she’ll want to take that risk either....

______________________________________________________________________________

“Even if Spider-Man and Mistress are a student, They’re going to keep it on the down-low. There's no way They'd let anyone know who they really are”

“Maybe, but I'm not giving up. Also, Have you seen Maya?”

“No, not since yesterday. Maybe she’s in the council room?”

“Most likely, seeing how she wasn’t able to check in yesterday” Peter’s eyes widened. ‘I completely forgot about checking in for her! Maya must be extremely busy now! All cause of me’ Peter gloomed at the thought before smiling again.

“I’ll go check on her since we are walking home together”

“Make sure to get her something to eat on your way there, she hasn’t touched her lunch at all”

“Okay, bye” MJ left as Peter went off to get Maya so they can leave for S.H.I.E.L.D as promised.

***

“Sir, ma'am. Yo, what's up?”  Spider-Man said to every passing agent we saw making me sigh. I wasn’t going to come here with him but after he kept telling me I can get back to the paperwork later and I had to take a ‘break’ I eventually came around.

”Spidey, what are you doing?” I asked unamused.

“I'm just trying to blend in now that I'm an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.”

“An agent? You're barely a newbie.” Fury pitches in making me smirk at the look of Spidey’s face as Fury scanned his eyes at an entrance.

“ID confirmed. S.H.I.E.L.D. Director, Nick Fury.”

The doors slid open revealing a testing room for gadgets I’m guessing as we went in.

“Get in here and don't touch anything.”

“Cool!” Spidey exclaimed looking around as I stood there watching him. “Awesome!” I looked over to see him looking at a guy flying with web wings before looking over to a guy climbing a wall with spider legs/claws. “Eh. It’s been done”   Spidey and I walked over to Fury who stood by a doctor

“Yo, Doc. Meet the new kid. Spider-Man, our resident tech genius. Dr. Curt Connors. And I know you’ve already met Mistress or Maya.” 

“Yes, we did, didn’t we?”  I nodded as I smiled. Spidey decided to make himself known and stuck out his hand.

“Always glad to meet a fellow genius” When Doc didn’t shake his head and Spidey saw Doc didn’t have a hand. “Awkward” Doc pulled up his sleeve and shook Spidey’s hand with both of his hands.

“A pleasure. I followed both yours and Mistress’s career closely, very impressive.”

______________________________________________________________________________

I like this guy

Of course you would Peter, of course you would.

______________________________________________________________________________

“Even before Director Fury approached you about joining us, I had my R&D team develop an array of Spider-Man and Mistress inspired weaponry.”  Spidey looked around confused.

“Then where’s-”

“It’s in another room. We like to have separate weaponry rooms for you two since we had a lot and Mistress had already seen hers, yesterday”  I nodded as Spidey nodded his making an ‘Oh’ face.

“What if we said no?”

“Not an option”  Fury replied sternly.

“Huh, that's funny, you're using our web-shooter out of camo mode.” Doc pointed out as he took Spidey’s wrist and placed it into camo mode.

“Oh, yeah. I had it in camo mode. But then I couldn't find it.” Doc and Fury just stared at Spidey unamused as I resisted the urge to facepalm.  “Joke. Don't you people ever smile” I’d be surprised if they ever did.

“Over here is something we think you'll find particularly interesting,”  Doc said as he leads Spidey to something covered.

“I reserve the right to be awestruck.” Before Spidey could touch it he was quickly hit with a metal whip. “Ow,” he groaned out as I cringed. Ouch.

“Hold it. Director Fury, I've never questioned your choices when it came to the others.” Coulson said.

“Others?” Spidey questioned. I was about to reply before I remembered, he doesn’t know about the others yet.

“But in this case, we're dealing with a complete wildcard. Daily Bugle Communications calls Spider-Man a threat to public safety.” Coulson continued.

“But I’m so cuddly,” Spidey said rubbing his head with his arms intertwined making me giggle a bit as his silliness.

“Spider-Man's my responsibility, Coulson. That's what he's here for. To learn responsibility.” Fury sternly replied.

“We’ll see” Coulson left just like that as Spidey quickly uncovered the thing and looked at it unimpressed.

“We call it the Spider-Cycle,” Doc said as Spidey looked back at him.

“Uh, yeah. Useless”

“Excuse me?” Doc said taken back.

“I mean it's cool and all, but why do I need a motorcycle? I can get anywhere by thwip-thwip.” Spidey said illustrating what he meant by ‘thwip-thwip’  

“ I calculate you can make it from 80th to 34th street in 3. 7 minutes while using up what I'm guessing is fairly expensive webbing and at maximum muscle stress.“

“Uh maybe” Spidey rubbed his muscle to stubborn to admit Doc was right to which I rolled my eyes at. Unlike him, I levitate my way so I have no need to waste strength nor use any expensive webbing.  

“The Spider-Cycle can make it minute-and-a-half. If you're not scared thwip-less to climb on” Fury added on knowing full well out competitive and ‘prideful’ Spidey is. It seemed to work cause Spidey glared at him.

“One side” and he climbed on….wait…...he never took driving lessons ...or have a permit…..this won’t end well…this is soo gonna get recorded. I placed my hand behind my back and muttered  a summoning chant spell and summoned my phone from my backpack back at my room (Yes we stopped by my room on our way here to drop off our stuff) “and the starter is…” Spidey touched somewhere starting the Spider-Cycle up and running as Spidey yelled and I laughed a bit as I placed a spell to make my phone follow his Spider-Cycle, recording.

“You should go and follow him” I nodded at Fury’s suggestion as I stifle my laughter as I levitated my way to catch up to him.

“Brakes, THE BRAKES!” I saw Spidey yell as agents quickly dodged him nearly. I flew a bit faster in an attempt to catch up to see him blast a hole. “NOT BRAKE!”

“Aaah! Not a problem. I'll just pop another parachute and” Spidey tried to do it to see he ran out of the web. “Okay, now I'm scared thwip-less Aaah!”  I stopped at the hole fully knowing I wouldn’t fly down so I cast a teleportation spell and got to a rooftop to see Spidey riding on the side of a building as I watched in amusement before he ended up in the streets screaming, that's when I got up and flew above him.

“ Kid, what's wrong with you? You act like you've never driven before.” Fury said as I giggled.

“That’s because he never did!” I yelled.

“I don’t even have my learner’s permit!”

“You what?”

“It’s new york! Who needs a car?!” Spidey said as he jumped over a school bus as I flew above. “OH COME ON” Spidey yelled as he went through a sign reading ‘road closed’ I sighed knowing I can’t keep this up, guess fun’s over. I picked up Spidey as I saw Luke pick up the bus the Spider-Cycle would’ve hit and White Tiger quickly hopped on the Cycle stopping it as Nova helped me carry Spidey. “Let me go, Buckethead!”

“Calm down preschool, we’ll take it from here.”  We let go of Spidey as I stood next to Nova as White tiger hopped off the cycle with Iron fist’s leg on the wheel and Luke next to him.

“We-” I coughed as Spidey rolled his eyes. “Okay I appreciate a hand now and then, but I really didn't need to be saved by-who're you guys?”

“Iron Fist, Nameste. Iron Fist. Kung fu master with a fist of well...iron.”

“White Tiger. Acrobatic ninja with steel claws and cat powers. And the big guy there is Lu-”

“Power-Man. If he calls himself Spider-Man then I'm calling myself Power Man. It's cool and doesn't scream ‘I have low self-esteem.’ Super strength and bulletproof skin.”

“Okay, Power-Man” White Tiger said rolling her eyes.

“And I already met Captain Buckethead over there,” Spidey pointed at Nova.

“Names Nova, creep”

“Nova creep, catchy”

“Nova, the human rocket.”

“Okay. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get this bike back to HQ. You see, I'm with S. H. I. E. L. D.”  Spidey bloated in smug, little did he know hehe.

“Small world,” Power-Man said with a smirk as Nova gave Spidey a smug grin.

***

“No, no, no, no, no. I never signed on to be part of a team.”   Spidey complained as the rest of the team and I stood behind Coulson who was trying to reason with Spidey.

“It’s not a team, its a program. If you just let me explain” Coulson said.

“No! Nix! Nein! Nyet! Na-uh! No way! Never!” Spidey stormed off in anger.

“We won the bet!” White tiger and I high fived. “No toilets for the Tiger and Sorceress, Whoo!” I smiled before I looked back at where Spidey left.

______________________________________________________________________________

He’ll come around. I know he well. Stubborn  is one thing he is really good at but I know he’ll realize being in a team instead of a Duo will help a lot learning about responsibility and make us stronger heros too

______________________________________________________________________________

I sensed danger somewhere as my eyes widened and gasped as  White Tiger must've noticed since she placed a hand on my shoulder.

“You good Mistress?”

“Danger.”

“What?”

“I sense danger somewhere.” White Tiger turned to the team who are now alert.

“You heard her, there is danger somewhere, let’s head out ASAP” I nodded as we all got out to see Thundra throw a large metal cap at Spidey as Power-Man quickly took action and kicked it away as White Tiger pounced on top of Spidey.

“What are you guys doing here? I had them on the run. “

“Except for the part you didn’t” White Tiger countered as she brought out her claws and cut off the anti-gravity pad that was on Spidey’s chest as soon Spidey fell on his butt while White Tiger landed safely. Klaw sent a sound wave a the two as Spidey dodged it and Tiger fell back. I quickly took action and sent a blast of fire at Klaw sending him flying back in pain.

***

“Okay, Nick. I'll join your junior "Glee" club. But I still operate Duo as Spider-Man and Mistress, It's our version of ‘Me Time’”

“Done” they shook hands before the web shooter shot a parachute falling on them.

“Awkward."

*** [Peter’s POV] ***

Finally, both school and Spidey lives are back to normal. I opened my locker and sighed happily as I smiled. Maya should be here any minute now since she probably finished all that council work she had to do and have that meeting with the new principal I heard about.

“Oh, Puny Parker. Locker knocker time” I sighed remembering my normal life...has Flash in it. Before Flash could push me in Someone pulled me away making Flash fall in my locker and lock himself in. “Ow” I looked up to see my   ‘savior’

“Wait, do I know you?” I saw three other kids behind the guy looking oddly familiar. “Any of you?”

“Say hello to your new classmates,” Said the blonde guy, “Danny Rand” now known as Danny.

“ Luke Cage,” Said the guy who ‘saved’ me.

“Sam Alexander,” said the Latino guy.

“Ava Ayala, think about it” That’s when a light bulb went off my head as I realized, these were my new team.

“Huh?” was all that came out, I was speechless, AND right where I thought everything would be back to normal!

“Oh, some idiot gave Fury the bright idea we needed ‘me time’ away from S. H. I. E. L. D,” Sam said hinting at Me sarcastically.

“ FYI, don't sweat the secret ID. Code of silence man”  Somehow Maya came in just in time.

“Hey Peter, seems you already met the new students huh?”

“Maya! Please tell me this is some sort of mistake!” I plead. Being the head president of the school, basically, like a vice-principal, she had to have control on who enrolls, right?

“I’m sorry Peter but my job is to welcome students not the opposite and besides I placed myself the job of giving them a tour here”

“Why do you have to be their tourist?”

“Cause one, I’m the head president of the school, and the second is Fury wants me to so they can grow accustomed here plus ‘get to know each other as civilians’” Sam smirked as he came closer.

“Well, how lucky we are to get such a cutie to tour us” Maya smirked as she cocked her hip.

“I don’t think you should be flirting with your teammate,” She said mockingly.

“Teammate?” Maya’s smirk widened as the rest’s eyes widened.

“Funny how you didn’t recognize me as I quick as Peter”

“W-Well it's just that you where a large cloak with a black mask so we couldn’t see you properly aside from half your face and your hands s-so-” Maya laughed a bit.

“Don’t sweat it. I’m cool with it besides the whole point of the mask and cloak was for nobody to get a slight hint about my identity.”

“Hey, this is great. Really, really great. I just got to go talk to a guy.” I said before running off to the principal's office leaving Maya with them.

“ I need an immediate transfer”

“Denied, Mr. Parker”

“But why?” The principal turned around and I saw...Coulson?!

“Because Fury wants you where he can keep his eye on you.”

“Coulson?!”

“Acting principal Coulson, Thwip-Thwip,” He said with a mocking grin. I went out gripping on my hair in frustration.

“ I said it before, I'll say it again. N-o. No, no, no-no, no, no.”  I said walking by my locker.

“Hello? Can somebody let me out? Please. Anyone?” I backed up and looked at my locker with a smirk.

“Okay, maybe yes”

[wonderlandmind4]

The Winter Soldier: A Ghost Story- Chp4

Pairing: Winter Soldier x OFC

Summary: Most of the intelligence community doesn’t believe he exists. The ones who do call him the Winter Soldier. He’s a ghost story. So why does he keep coming back?

Warnings: Mild violence, murder, blood, language. Someone being stupid.

Important Note: This story is a lot darker than anything I have ever wrote with the themes in it. Please proceed with caution during those moments. Everything in this story is a connection. (translations not from google)

Words: 7k

Ophelia is rushing down the hallway, double checking that all the pages are together in the leather case folder that Pierce asked her to bring as requested by one of the Councilmen. She’s half way there when her shoulder slams into something solid. The three folders tumble out of her arms before she can stop them, physically wincing at the sharp pain the impact caused in her bruised ribs.

“Well now, if those weren’t held with metal clips that could’ve been a disaster.”

Ophelia’s eyes snap up, knowing the voice as soon as they spoke. Her gaze lands on a clean-shaven handsome face with a chiseled chin, sharp jaw and an amused expression aimed at her. His blonde hair is trimmed neatly, short to his head, and his dark blue eyes are as friendly as ever.

“Daniel!” Ophelia chirps, a surprised smile on her face.

Daniel Pierce smiles brightly at her, bending over to pick up the fallen folders. He gathers them quickly before holding them up for her to take. He opens his mouth to speak when she halts him.

“Wait, give me a moment,” She tells him, taking the folders, “and thanks!”

She turns, leaving his mouth half open in an unformed sentence. Continuing down the hall, she makes it to the room without anymore interruptions. She quietly opens the door as someone is in the middle of speaking, carefully sliding the folders on the table over to her boss. Ten sets of eyes of the World’s Security Council glance at her, so she waves briefly, accepting their nods or waves back.

Then she backs out of the room while making sure the door stays silent. She turns so her back is to the glass, releasing a slow exhale. Now that she’s delivered the folders, the small spike of adrenaline is dying down and the dull aching in her ribs makes itself knows. She briefly touches her left hand to the area, gently rubbing her fingers over it as if that will soothe the injury.

Daniel. Right. Ophelia snaps back to it, ignoring the twinge of pain; a feat not foreign to her. As she approaches the son of her boss, also known as her ex, she glares at him. He has knowing smile on his lips, mirth dancing in his blue eyes.

“What’s that look for?” She inquires, hands on her hips.

“Good to see your perception of work hasn’t changed,” He quips, “Always so precise and on time.”

“It’s what got me this position in the first place. That, and apparently someone put in a good word after they found out that I applied.”

Daniel laughs, mouth wide open. “We both know you got this job all on your own, Affie.”

Ophelia leans forward to lightly smack his bicep as she looks around frantically. “Mark Daniel Pierce, don’t you dare call me that!” She scolds in a hushed voice. “No one knows that nickname except my sister!”

Pouting with an over exaggerated lip, he rubs his arm. “You just used my full name.”

“Because you compromised private, embarrassing information.”

“You’re so dramatic,” He chuckles, finally breaking his frown.

“Me? You’re rubbing your arm like a hit you with a bat,” She begins to walk past him. “Let’s go into my office.”

“So official.”

“You’re in town for two seconds and the teasing is through the roof.”

“It’s been a year, I have to annoy you somehow.”

Ophelia rolls her eyes fondly, opening the door of her office for him. Daniel plops down on the chair in front of her desk as she sits behind her computer, wincing just slightly when her ribs jab with pain. She quickly answers an email that popped up on her screen, then gives her full attention to the man she hasn’t seen in a year.

“So,” She begins, leaning back in her chair, “What brings you to town?”

Daniel’s eyes light up at her question, sitting up straighter. “I’m engaged.”

“What!?” Ophelia snaps herself forward, a smile growing across her face. “Daniel, congratulations!”

He shrugs, a small blush coloring his cheeks. “Yeah, thanks, Elia. I’m just- she’s amazing, and I can’t believe she said yes. I came back to tell my parents. Well, I haven’t told them yet.”

“Why not?” She frowns in confusion.

“Alexis couldn’t get off work, so she’s coming in Friday afternoon,” He explains, pulling out his phone and handing the device to her.

Taking the phone, she enlarges the picture he displayed. “Well, damn,” She chuckles, staring at the decent sized ring. “I wouldn’t say no to that either.”

Daniel laughs heartily, accepting his phone when she hands it back. “Thanks. We’re telling them Friday at dinner. But I was wondering if you’re busy Saturday? Maybe three of us could do lunch? I’d love for you to meet her.”

“I’ve met her, Daniel,” Ophelia chuckles, genuinely happy for her giddy friend.

“Yeah, but it’s been years and you haven’t met my fiancé,” When he says the word, the softest expression on his face.

“Of course. I’d love to meet your fiancé. Just give me a time and place and I’ll be there.”

“Great!” Daniel stands up, prompting her to do the same. “I’ll let you get back to work, I just stopped by to give something my dad forgot at home.”

Ophelia gives him a quick parting hug, flinching just slightly at the pain in her ribs. “Alright, tell your mom I said hi, and I’ll see you Saturday.”

Daniel nods, walking towards the door. He stops to turn around, a bright smile on his lips. “I’m so excited to get married.”

“I’m excited for you! Now go, before you get me fired,” She playfully shoos him away.

He cackles as he exits her office.

March 18th, 2012 9:30pm

The night is brisk, although one might not remember with the warmth of the vault a half mile beneath the bank. Sweat prickles at Agent Bernstein’s temple, a drop running down his cheek as using the sleeve of his gray lab coat to wipe it away. He has been fixing the slight electrical malfunction of the computer’s hard drive, tinkering with a faulty wire, for the past hour. He works cautiously but with precision, knowing the ever presence of threats hanging over his head should he fail.

When he has tampered with the wire, glancing over once his shoulder for prying eyes, Agent Bernstein crawls out from under the table. Switching on the computers and electrical system, he hears the gentle sound of machines coming to life. He’s alone in this certain room, the one he dubbed as the psychiatric torture chamber, allowing him the privacy to work. He knows the other agents are preparing to receive instructions for the next mission, which means the Asset will be arriving soon.

After he scans his fingerprint to unlock the computer, he pulls up the data functions of the chair itself. All looks correct, as does the system meant to digitally read vitals, and the digital scan of the Asset’s brain. He keeps the vital scan up on the display screen, moving over to the control switchboard for the chair. Agent Bernstein tests the main dial, the cracking and whirling of electrical noises signal the chair powering on. He turns the dial up halfway, wishing he had a body to test it on; maybe that one agent who seems to abuse the Asset for no reason. He smirks down at the dial, listening carefully to the unmatched surge of power. He had no idea if what he just did will work, only time will tell.

“Bernstein!” Barks a sharp voice.

He startles, quickly turning the dial down until it shuts off. He turns to face the voice, the man who recruited him is flanked by a team of men in black clothing, and bullet proof vests. They’re armed with semi-automatic guns, held idly in their hands but, thankfully, not aimed at him.

“Sir,” Agent Bernstein responds steadily.

“Is the system functioning properly?”

“Yes, sir. It’s ready.”

“Good.” The man nods, turning to the agent on his right. “Bring the Asset.”

Agent Bernstein keeps his slight relief to himself, turning back to the computer in front of him. The doctors in charge of monitoring the Asset’s brain activity and scans enter the room, quickly getting to work on either side of him. He keeps his eyes on the screen, bringing up a data box to monitor the chair’s system. He hears the heavy footsteps of boots enter the room a few minutes later, along with the scraping of another set of shoes. As if they’re dragging him. Bernstein inhales and exhales slowly, trying to keep his heart calm.

Soon the screams will start.

Bernstein reluctantly turns to face the chair; the Asset, the Soldier, already strapped down. One of the doctors leaves his post to push a rubber guard into the Soldier’s mouth. Bernstein has noticed the mouth piece before, sometimes they give it to the poor man, other times they leave him to bite down on his tongue. Those are the times when Bernstein is forced to clean the blood away from the Soldier’s chin.

He catches the eye of the doctor, nodding his head. Ignoring the sickening curl in his chest, Agent Bernstein clicks the system control panel on the screen. The chair buzzes to life, the extra restraints  snapping into place against the Soldier’s body, his breath coming out in short panicked huffs of air. Bernstein slowly turns the dial up, the paddles of the machine crackling with electrical current. He hopes his tampering works.

The clenched screaming begins.

It’s hard to ignore the sounds, the horrible noises that will echo in his chest for the rest of his life. However, Agent Bernstein is distracted by the agent pulling out a small, dirty red journal he didn’t notice the last time. A solid black star is imprinted on the front, matching the red star on the Soldier’s left arm. The agent cracks the book open, easily falling to a page previously marked.

As the man begins to recite words in Russian, Agent Bernstein discreetly turns down the dial.

“желание. Ржaвый. Семнадцать. Рассвет.”

Finally, the clamps of the machine release from the man, moving back into their original position. Bernstein swallows the thick lump forming in his throat, pulling his gaze away from the Soldier’s twitching head.

“Печь. Девять. Добросердечный. возвращение на родину. Один. грузовой вагон.” There’s a short pause. “добро пожаловать обратно, солдат.” (Welcome back, Soldier)

  Agent Bernstein can’t keep his eyes from slipping back to the scene in front of him. The man in the chair takes a short breath. Then his shoulders drop into submission, his head tilts forward just slightly. His body, dressed in a dark gray thermal vest and matching pants, remains clam. His dark hair is stringy, slightly dripping droplets of water onto his shoulder.

“готовы соблюдать.”

When the Soldier speaks, his voice is low, rough from being locked away for a few days. Bernstein still isn’t sure how exactly the man is locked up or kept, since the people he works for haven’t given him access to that certain area. Agent Bernstein hadn’t noticed the new presence in the room as the Soldier was being tortured into submission once again. When he does, his heart rate speeds up, but he grits his teeth to remain silent and ignores the sting of bile churning in his stomach.

Alexander Pierce takes the few steps needed to stand in front of the Asset.

“New mission, Soldier,” He informs him with a steady, poised voice. He has a manila folder in his hand, slipping out a photo, holding it up. “This man is a traitor to Hydra. He obtains valuable information that could compromise our plan to help the world. If he is successful in trading that information, we can’t continue to give what mankind needs. What the world needs. Eliminated him.”

 March 18th, 2012 11:00pm

Nightfall brings the last lingering round of winter. It holds onto the plants with its icy fingers, not relenting to the life of Spring just yet. Snow is absent from the dark sky, a silence through the night except for one lone faint breath. The quiet draw of an inhale, the soft hiss of an exhale, then, a light crinkle of a withered paged book.

The man lounging in the chair with a novel held in his hands fleeting wonders if he should light the idle wood in the fireplace. Just one last cackling warmth before the weather turns warm; chase away the lingering scent of winter.

Shifting, the man adjusts his book, eyes staring at the page in front of him, but not reading. He listens, carefully, with ears attuned to the tiniest sound. Waiting. A hard metal object digs into the side of his thigh, slowly dropping his right hand to place his fingers over it. Waiting.

Inhale. He hears nothing. Exhale. Nothing.

Inhale. Exhales. Nothing.

Inhale. Something shifts in the air. He lifts his eyes from the book, trying his best to remain clam, keep his heartbeat down. Fear can be pungent. Noticeable. It can make the skin prickle, make blood run cold, and Winter just found him.

He slowly lowers the book, eyes locked on the shadows of the far corner of the room. His hand tightens around the metal object, index finger quietly slipping over a trigger. He had waited for this moment. He had known this moment would come, that his past, his betrayal in their eyes would catch up to him. No one is safe from the monster; cut one head off, another takes its place.

He is one of those doomed heads. Death has come for him, but he refuses to go as quiet as the night.

“Я ждал тебя, Зимний Солдат,” The man declares in his native Russian tongue with a low, gruffy voice. “Зима ищет моей смерти. (I have been expecting you, Winter Soldier. Winter seeks my death.)

The man knew this day would come, that his time was running out. The Winter Soldier remains silent in the shadows, the halo of light from the street lamps is the only source illuminating a strip of gold over his metal appended. The red Soviet star standing is contract against it. A blood red reminder; no one gets out alive.

Setting the novel down on the side table, the man begins to stand, as the Soldier’s cold gaze follow his move. As expected, the Soldier wears the mask they gifted him, the one that silences the shell of the Asset. The hard plastic being the object that will keep this night a secret forever, lost in another burned file of the dead. Of the betrayers.

The man tightens his grip on the gun in his hand. The Soldier’s eyes flicker to the movement. He has yet to draw any of his own weapons from the plethora of options strapped to his person. The man swallows, feeling sweat begin to bead down his neck.

“Я уверен, вы понимаете. Я не пойду спокойно,” He speaks to the stoic Soldier. (I’m sure you understand. I won’t quietly.)

He takes several cautious steps toward him, coming as close as he can. He slowly points the barrel of the silencer under his own chin. The Asset’s eyes gleam for a split second, his head tilting just a fraction. It’s enough of a distraction for the man to unleash a small knife from his left sleeve. He abruptly jerks his arm up in an attack, pointing the gun towards the Soldier at the same time and fires.

Two soft pops echo around the room, followed by the splatter of blood and the shattering of a bullet greeting a skull. A heavy thud plunks on the wooden floorboards, the dark thick flow of red beginning to seep into the designs of the wood. The Soldier looks down at the man on the ground for a moment, his eyes now vacant with life.

The Soldier bends to take the Gerber knife from the former Hydra agent’s slack hand, leaving the body there, as he slips out of the house as soundlessly as he came in. Minutes pass until a vaguely familiar twinge of pain stings through the Soldier’s nerves, down his right arm. With a flare of annoyance rising in his chest he adjusts his course, a vague memory of an old rendezvous point flashing through is mind.

Pressing his steel fingers to a spot on his right shoulder just under the collarbone, he releases a sharp breath. When he pulls his hand away, the sliver is coated in bright red blood. He furiously shoves his right hand through his long hair, frustrated with the strands and the wound the traitor inflected. His palm comes away with another smear of red.

The Soldier ignores the injuries, pushing forward towards the meeting point. He details his surroundings, calculating every small movement, every little noise, his body moving as if his legs were out of his control. He reaches the point, an abandoned building just streets away from the dead man’s home.

He finds his way in, easily climbing steel railings despite the blood oozing out of the wound. He finds that one window, accessible and inconspicuous with no breaks to the glass, slipping inside. Once there, he walks into a smaller room, finding a curved porcelain seat and sinks into it.

He grinds his teeth in irritation as it’s not often he is wounded. Wounds, injuries, are a nuisance, just little blips to slow down a mission that could be handled quickly. He lifts the blade of the knife, pressing it into the gaping hole through his vest. A clenched noise emits from behind the mask for several moments, as the sharp pain sends fire through his veins briefly. The blade sinks easily into the wound, slicing through leather and new flesh, until he feels the solid piece of metal lodged in his shoulder.

He flicks his wrist, the bullet making a tinkering noise as it hits the ground. The Soldier drops his left arm, dropping his head back until it plunks against the wall behind him. Then he waits for his handlers to arrive, reveling in the success of his mission.

Friday, March 18th, 2012 11:45pm

Ophelia finally makes it to her door after what she thought would be a normal work day. Pierce had been in meeting after meeting, which required updated policies to be proofread and sent back. It took her working overtime to finish proofing, but then there was a strange fail to the computer systems. On every floor.

She had groaned and thanked her past self for saving the proofs every few minutes. Aggravated, she had marched right down to the IT and Computer Specialists floor to see what in the hell was going on. Carter and half of the department had been absent, long gone by now and probably eating hot dinners at home. It gave Ophelia the privacy she needed to access Carter’s computer, pulling up the programming to the central  control system. Briefly, she pondered if it was just a ruse for Carter to get her to “work her magic” as he liked to call it. However, Carter would’ve been there to gloat, and not be home with his loving husband probably eating pizza or curry. God, she had been hungry.

Finally, after several minutes of pulling up the codes and statistics, she had figured out the problem. She added a few formulas here and there, for future prevention should something like this happening again. Just little back up system to the back up system. She had logged off his computer, then marched right back to her office.

Now, Ophelia rest her forehead against her door for a moment, exhaling. She had finally grabbed food on the way home, eating the tacos in a record pace in her car. All she wanted to do at this very moment was take a bath with some bubbles and open a bottle of wine. She unlocks her door, stumbles into her apartment, noting the time on her clock; 11:46 pm. One of the latest nights she’s had in a while. She closes the door behind her making sure to lock it as she kicks off her heeled boots. She walks through her apartment, turning on the lights as she goes and dropping her purse on the coffee table.

She’s sighs, feeling the weight of the stressful work day ease from her shoulders as she takes off her blazer, tossing it on the couch. She calls for Binks by making clicking noises with her tongue and begins unbuttoning her white blouse. Her cat doesn’t greet her, but usually that means he’s sleeping under his fuzzy blanket tent. By the time her shirt is half open, she already has the bottle of wine in her hand, finding a glass and pouring the red liquid into it. Ophelia makes sure to refill Binks’ food bowl, otherwise he’ll be yelling at her at four in the morning.

She finishes stripping off her shirt, leaving it on the dining table, not caring for the trail of clothes she’s leaving along the way. She adjusts her bra for a moment, cursing underwire and bigger breasts, and the fact that she barely got away with wearing a blue lace bra under that shirt. Grabbing her glass again, she finally makes her way to her room, taking her hair down from the bun she had it in.

Ophelia turns on light of the bathroom, then promptly screams.

The wine glass falls to the floor, shattering across the tile, deep reddish-purple splattering everywhere. Her heart flies to her throat and she grabs the nearest thing she can reach. Which happens to be the hair dryer.

Lounging in the bathtub, or slumped rather, is a man, tall enough that his legs hang over the edge, his toes touching the floor. The man is dressed in black from head to toe, a heavy leather vest over his board, heaving chest. He wears a black mask, something that almost looks like a muzzle that covers the bottom half of his face, as his eyes are covered with what she swears is eye black grease athletes use. His legs are clad in black tactical pants and his feet dawn heavy combat boots. There are thigh holsters on each side holding two knives and a pistol, a utility belt loaded with more weapons and there’s a semi-automatic gun resting next to his hip.

It’s the dark, long sleeve shirt that gets her though, for the left sleeve is gone. The man’s entire left arm, from his shoulder to the tips of his fingers seem to made of metal. The sleek silver gleams dully against the fluorescent lights of the bathroom, a red star imprinted on his shoulder. He same metal hand that is resting in the barrel of the gun.

Everything about this intruder screams danger. Turn and run away!

Except, he slowly lifted his head as Ophelia screamed. His irises are a startling blue, contrasting against his black smudge band around his eyes. A bright blue that belongs in paintings and not in the body of this dark, menacing stranger. His long, dark hair falls around his face, stringy and matted to the left side of his forehead. His eyes look cold, albeit tired, exhausted, and it’s then that Ophelia notices the man is injured.

There’s a decent sized cut on his forehead and a small hole in his leather vest in his right shoulder. Blood is seeping out of the wound, racing down his torso, catching in the bizarre straps across the vest. There’s a moment of sympathetic instinct that takes over Ophelia, wanting to help the man and tend to his injuries, or at least call 911. Because maybe, just maybe, he is a victim, just like she- No. He broke into her home, he’s armed. He looks dangerous and her fight or flight response is finally kicking in. Fight. It’s always fight with her.

“Who the fuck are you and why the fuck are you here!?” Ophelia demands, raising her menacing weapon of the hair dryer.

The man just blinks at her, as if he’s bored. He’s loaded with weapons. In retrospect, shouting at this sinister looking man probably wasn’t the best way to go about the situation. Ophelia’s eyes drop to the broken glass and she drops the dryer, opting for the sharp pointed stem of the broken wine glass instead.

“Fine. I’m calling the cops,” She hopes that by threatening the authorities arrival that this man won’t harm her.

With her free hand, she reaches into her pocket pulling out her phone. The man shifts, then abruptly her phone is knocked out of her hand. Ophelia looks at the counter behind her, her phone lying there with the screen black, the glass shattered beyond repair with tiny curls of smoke emitting from it. Because he threw a knife at her, at it. He threw a fucking knife at her phone. She’s about to panic, when she realizes said knife is on now on the counter. That was stupid on his part. She picks it up, now armed with a real weapon to defend herself. Grant, it’s a knife to a gun fight if it happens to go that route.

He remains stoic, despite her pointing his own weapon at him. Besides her phone, he hasn’t moved to attack her. Not even aiming his gun at her. Her eyes focus on his bleeding form once more, briefly and wildly wondering if this man isn’t truly dangerous, but scared. He’s wounded. Maybe he’s hiding.

Ophelia sighs, lowering her arms but keeps the knife at the ready. Alright, think. A strange, murderous looking man has broken into her apartment and is currently bleeding out in her bathtub. He just threw a knife at her phone, so she can’t call for help. He hasn’t shot her yet and didn’t even nick her hand with the blade; not even the slightest bit of skin. Skin exposed and on display.

With an internal start, Ophelia realizes she’s shirtless. Because of course life-threatening moments like this happen in embarrassing situations. She rolls her eyes so hard it gives her a headache. She understands how vulnerable she might seem to him but again, the man hasn’t acted upon it yet. With that in mind, and the continuously bleeding wounds, she makes her decision.

Granted, probably the stupidest decision she has ever made.

“Fuck me,” Ophelia grumbles under her breath. “Fuck it all, I’ll probably end up dying because I can’t leave well enough alone.” She raises the knife once more, jabbing it in the air, “Don’t move. You’re hurt and I’m going to help you. I’ll be right back.”

She slowly and carefully backs out of her bathroom, trying to avoid stepping on glass with her bare feet. The man’s blue eyes follow her movement until she can’t see them anymore. She hurries to the kitchen, grabbing her heavy duty first aid kit from the cabinet, then runs back to her room. She quickly pulls on a tank top, searches for the her sewing kit she knows she has, then slips on her sandals.

When she enters the bathroom, the man hasn’t moved, save for his head tilted back again. She lays her supplies out across the counter top, keeping her body half turned towards him. She opens the first kit, shifting through supplies until she gathers what she needs. Anti-septic wipes, small and large gauze pads, wrappings, medical tape, butterfly band aids. Tweezers, because she’s pretty sure that’s a bullet wound in his shoulder and grabs the bottle of alcohol from under the sink.

“I swear to God if you end up stabbing me,” She mutters as she sits on the edge of the tub.

Other than just tilting his head to watch her with expressionless eyes, the man remains still. She swallows her fear but lets the skills her mother taught her years ago take over. Glancing down she assesses the amount of blood he’s already lost, finding the cause of his shoulder wound. A small bullet coated in thick blood lays on the bottom of the tub. It’s a clear sign that the bullet had been lodged into the joint of his shoulder.

Going by the smaller knife next to the bullet as well, he definitely dug out the bullet himself. Ophelia reaches above the toilet to grab a smaller towel, folding it so when she presses it to the wound, the blood won’t soak through immediately. However, she can’t really d anything to help him if he doesn’t remove his vest. Or that mask.

“What’s your name?” She attempts as calmly as she can. Despite it, she can hear the shakiness in her own voice.

For the first time, his blue eyes flash with what she thinks is confusion. He doesn’t speak, but his eyebrows twitch down minutely. It was a strange reaction, but not one she’s hasn’t seen before. Maybe he doesn’t speak English.

“Okay then,” She utters, moving slowly holding up the towel. “Um. Cuál es su nombre?”

Nothing. “Come ti chiami?”

Again, nothing. So, not Spanish or Italian then. Maybe French.

“Uh, comment vous appelez-vou?”

Silence.

“Never mind. Hold this to your shoulder,” She instructs anyway, shaking the towel. She goes to press it against his wound, but his left hand tightens on the gun. “Right. Sorry. You do it.” She leans back dropping the towel. “But I’m cleaning the one on your head.”

She points to her own forehead, then his and makes a show of dabbing the gauze she picked up. For some reason, he allows her to do this. Although the voice in the back of her mind is screaming how stupid and dangerous this is. Using the anti-septic wipes, she gently wipes away the blood from his temple, careful not to touch his skin. Vaguely, she thinks if she says her name maybe he’ll truly realize she’s just trying to help him. She warily eyes the gun every few seconds.

“I’m Oph- Affie. My name is Affie,” She tells him, deciding to supply the rare nickname only her family knows. He doesn’t respond, but she didn’t think he would. She does notice the blood has run down his face, spreading along the edge of the mask. “Can I...can you, uh, take this off? It’ll be easier.”

He just stares at her for a long, tense moment. She taps her chin to insinuate his mask. His eyes flash again, but his metal hand slowly releases the gun, his fingers hooking around the edge of the mask, pulling it off. It clatters to the bottom of the tub, the noise overly loud in the silence between them.

The slightest whisper of familiarity echoes in the back of her mind, but she can’t place it. The man has a strong jaw, dusted with stubble and chapped pink lips. He looks, young, possibly around the same age as Ophelia. She forgets the feeling of familiarity, continuing to wipe the blood off his cheekbone. Some of it has already dried, flaking off into the gauze.

“This can be marked down as the strangest night in my life,” She murmurs, clearly just talking to calm her nerves.

She sees something move out of the corner of her eye, and for a split moment, she thinks it could be another intruder. Except it’s not. It’s Binks, who looks like he has been sitting in the doorway since she entered the bathroom again. He flicks his tail, relaxed composure, which she finds out of character. Binks isn’t too fond of strange men being in their home.

Ophelia focuses on the task at hand, throwing the red soak wipe away and grabbing a new one along with a gauze pad. She presses it to the cut, attempting to stop the bleeding, which strangely has seemed to slow down already. Once she’s cleaned the cut, she opens the butterfly band aid, carefully placing it over the wound. She uses three.

“One Down, another one which requires you to be shirtless, to go,” She clears her throat awkwardly. “This, um, needs to come off. For me to help you.”

His blue eyes shift to her again, narrowing just slightly.

“I can’t help you if you don’t let me,” She informs him gently.

Gently? She probably has a hitman for the Italian mob or something bleeding in her damn bathtub and she’s speaking to him softly? All she wanted to do tonight was soak in said tub and go to bed. Ophelia bites her lip, thinking.

“Alright. I’m going across the hallway to call 911 then. They’ll help you better than I can,” She throws away the scrapes of the band-aids, standing from the edge of the tub.

“нет.”

The curt voice makes her stop. It’s the first word he’s said to her, and she’s 100% sure it was Russian. She is also 100% sure he understood every word she has been saying. Slowly, she sits back down on the ledge, not wanting to anger this man, in case his clam demeanor abruptly changes.

“Then allow me to help you,” Ophelia insists, keeping conviction in her voice. “I’d really rather not deal with a stranger bleeding out in my bathtub tonight.”

When his eyes meet hers, there a hint of something there. As if she said something that was furthest from the truth. Slowly, his eyes warily roam over her face, down her body, and back up, as if he sees her as a threat. Ophelia keeps her ground, clenching her teeth to keep her jaw strong, confident. She meets his stare, not blinking in hopes to show him that she isn’t a threat at all.

This whole night is odd.

Finally, the man’s metal hand smeared with his blood, tilts his gun sideways until the length of it rest on the bottom of the tub, barrel point away from them. He hadn’t moved his right arm much, besides throwing that knife at her, but he does now and with it, a fresh pump of thick blood oozes out.

Over his shoulders and across his chest is a strange looking holster that he unclips, letting it hang to the sides. His vest, upon a closer look, oddly reminds Ophelia of a modern straight jacket, minus the actual restraining sleeves and chains. There are seven faux straps that secure the vest, as he pops each button open, tugging down the right side of it to reveal the wound.

The bullet tore a hole in the man’s under shirt, however it isn’t wide enough for Ophelia to do anything. She reaches for the small scissors in the kit, until she hears a small ripping sound bringing her focus back to him. He tore a bigger hole in his shirt, the bullet wound on full display. Despite the thick pluses of blood pumping from it, the surrounding area of the wound looks clean. Whoever shot at this man knew what they were doing.

Ophelia grits her teeth closing her eyes and inhaling deeply. Her stomach churns and she can taste the bitter sting of bile in her throat. She’s seen gruesome pictures of every type of wound when her sister was going to nursing school, as she would excitedly show Ophelia. Seeing it up close and personal is on a whole different level.

Swallowing thickly a few times and steeling her stomach, she opens her eyes once more. She grabs a bigger, thicker towel from under her sink – a red one- fold it and goes to put it over the wound. She hesitates, half considering to just risk it and call the EMTs.

“You do not have to,” The man speaks again. Despite the low volume of his voice, Ophelia jumped when the silence was broken.

“I-“ She exhales shakily, briefly glancing at him. “I can’t not- you’re bleeding in my home. I’m helping.”

Ophelia finally presses the towel over the wound, adding as much pressure as she can. Her muscles shake a little with her own body weight, moving one hand to the back of his shoulder to press on either side. From the corner of her eye she sees his jaw twitch, his shoulders tensing but he doesn’t make a sound.

“I think it, um, I think it needs stitches,” She tells him nervously. “Once the bleeding is under control I can-“

“No.”

“No?”

When her eyes snap back to his, his gaze had hardened, turned icy; a warning. Ophelia huffs, thinking she should probably keep her mouth shut if she doesn’t want her own wound bullet hole. Several minutes pass in tense silence, to which her damn cat had decided to get more curious and hop onto the tub’s ledge. Binks gracefully walks along the tub until he is right next to the man’s metal arm.

Ophelia glares in warning at her cat as he literally head bumps the man’s shoulders. Binks, of course, ignores her or any other cat self-preservation, and puts his paw on his silver shoulder, sniffing the man’s hair. Then, stunning his owner completely, Binks rubs his head against the man’s jaw.

Making a short psst sound through her teeth, Ophelia tries shooing her cat away. The man lifts his metal arm, making her heart clench in fear because for a moment she thinks he will take her cat and chuck him across the room. Instead, he pats Binks on the head twice then gently pushes him away. Binks begins to purr as the man repeats the motion, until her damn curious cat takes the hints.

Binks decides he’s bothered the man enough, and finally jumps off the tub, leaving the room. Ophelia shakes her head in disbelief, adding the most amount of pressure to the wound once more. She refocuses, counts to sixty seconds in her head, then ever so slowly removes the towel slightly to check. Only a light trickle of blood escapes, much better than earlier, but it still needs stitches, as she’s sure it’ll starting bleeding again.

She carefully folds the towel in on itself, dropping it into the trashcan to take care of later. Some of his blood had soaked through the cloth and onto her fingers. Ophelia grabs another towel, pressing it to the wound.

“Hold this there,” She instructs quietly as she gets up to wash her hands.

Once she does that, she gathers several of the big gauze pads, layering them together. She sits back on the tub, the man silently removing the towel, allowing her to place the gauze over the small gaping hole. Quickly she grabs the medical tape as she leaves the gauze on his shoulder, tearing several pieces off. Once all edges of the gauze are taped, Ophelia takes the wrappings out of the package. She works quickly, thankful for volunteering as her sister’s mock patient while she was in school.

Where the bullet entered the man’s body is right between his clavicle and humorous bone. It makes it a little easier to wrap, although having to weave the roll of wrapping through the vest was a little difficult. Ophelia leans back the second she’s finished, feeling proud that this man didn’t go into shock in her bathroom.

“Finished,” She announces, gathering the bloody wipes, and trash. She throws it all away wanting to deal with it later. She meets the man’s eyes once more.

He looks at the dressings, then back to her, his eyes flashing again. She swears he looks confused, curious even, but it’s gone in a split second so she couldn’t be sure.

“Um, you should probably eat something. Drink some water, or- I think I have some soda,” Ophelia stands, opening another packet of anti-septic wipes to clean her hands again. “You lost a good amount of blood, eating will put the sugars back in your body.”

The man stays silent, just lifting his metal hand to touch over the gauze. Ophelia nods, feeling as if her luck is running out. She’s so, incredibly curious, but the fear she had been ignoring is slowly rising to the surface. This man is still dangerous. He is still a threat.

“I’ll just…” She swallows the lump in her throat again starting to back away “I’ll get you an apple and water, maybe the soda.”

She continues backing up, keeping her eyes on the man, even if he isn’t looking at her. The second she doesn’t see him, she briskly walks to her kitchen. She grabs an apple from the fruit bowl, a bottle of water and a can of coke from the fridge. She also carefully takes that frying pan she had knocked her ex out with just a week ago. It saved her then, maybe it can save her now.

Ophelia notices Binks sitting on her bed, staring out the window as she enters her room. When she cautiously steps back into the bathroom, she halts. The tub is empty. She places the items in her hands on the counter, holding the frying pan up like a shield. She peeks her head out the door, scanning her room.

There aren’t many places to hide, even her closet is too small. He didn’t leave the room to follow her to the kitchen, which would’ve been a good plan to jump her then. But she was only gone for several seconds, and she would like to think that she would’ve heard him.

Narrowing her eyes at her cat, who is still staring out the window, Ophelia cautiously moves forward. The latch of her window is unlocked, which is probably how this whole situation happened in the first place. She peers outside, expecting to see a glimmer or flash of that strange silver arm. Instead she sees nothing but her breath fogging up the glass. She lowers the pan, her shoulders dropping. A strange emptiness settles throughout her apartment.

Like a ghost in the night, the man is gone. Just like that.

************************************

Previous  Chapter Five

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[nctjournal]

Forgotten (Jeno)

Gif Credit

word count: 2312

An au where you and jeno were the duo in school, and you were close friends when you two were little, but as soon as you transferred to a different school, you lost contact with him.

A/N: i miss writing so here i am, and i’m making this female reader bc it’s easier on me and i end up using female pronouns like halfway through writing. this might get really messing, just a warning bc all of this is literally from my head. for once this is really bad sorry

I know it’s mentioned in the description but you two were the duo in school

Like THE DUO

And you two were adorable together when you guys were young

You guys would always pair up when it’s a co-ed project

Even though jeno has other friends when it comes to having to work with the same gender

You don’t,,,,

You didn’t rely on jeno for communication or anything

Interacting just wasn’t your thing

Even though that’s pretty much used in every scenario but oh well

Then a few months into the second year in school together, your mom decided to move back to the states

Why?

Family issues

We’re not gonna get into that

You feel like you forgot how to speak english bc of how often you talk to jeno erugiherg

And with that, your parents decided to get you a new phone

Your dumb butt decided not to transfer your contacts as you just thought you were gonna never talk to them again

You still have that phone, but it’s dead bc you never charge it

You still continue your path of singing and dancing, but you mainly focused on singing

And you have a sibling who’s focusing on dancing

Guess it matches well

You two just used youtube to share your works

Of course your sister is more known bc you hardly use your social media nor post videos

You’re only known for your covers since it’s the audio your sibling uses for their covers

Only you used a different name to go by on social media, bc your parents wanted you to, and they wouldn’t let you if you used your real name

Sometimes you appear in your sibling’s videos for dance covers, and whenever someone asks who you are, your sibling just answers ‘just a friend who agreed to do a cover with me’

Yes your entire face is pretty much covered by a hat and mask

On jeno’s side of the whole story

We know what he’s doing

But he’s been focused on it so much that he basically forgot you

One day, you were searching through youtube and found a video with him as a thumbnail

You checked it out and you couldn’t help but smile in awe

It’s so nice to see your friend finally debuting

Oh yeah, your sibling knows you were close friends with jeno

Bc you talk to them on your free time

Your parents don’t hate each other, but they’re not married anymore

Sounds complicated and i’m sorry for that ewiuhgiuerhg

Apparently you live in one of the places that sm does their monthly auditions

And a few months later, when you actually have time

Your sibling tried to convince you to go with them

Honestly you were fine being a normal cover channel

Which isn’t that popular but that doesn’t stop you from singing

And you had a job too which you were completely fine with

But even your parents wanted you to go

Which means you were going

Tbh you really didn’t want to go

You knew there was training involved and you HATE training your vocals

Even though you can still speak korean perfectly fine, you feel like you're gonna end up butchering it

If you get accepted anyways

It was coming soon and you two were planning your thing

Your sibling was so good with coming up with choreography that you knew they were gonna get in

You KNEW it

You on the other hand

Not so confident

Everyone keeps telling you to be confident

You nod but you just can’t

You’re just gonna wing it since you can’t not be nervous

Then the day comes

And how nice, it was the day nct dream decided to come visit the auditions

You didn’t know that but apparently everyone else did

When your family got to the place, your nervousness skyrocketed

You were definitely not prepared for this

You wore your usual attire that you wear in your sibling’s videos

When you guys came in, many people recognized your sibling

When you guys got your numbers, you waited

While you waited, you two played games, mainly hand games

And you two stretched and then just chilled until your numbers were called

When your numbers are called, you both went

You can feel everyone staring at you

Like, why are you wearing a hat and a mask when they need to see who you are??

When you entered the room, there was nct dream and your sibling almost freaked out

You motioned them to calm down and they did

Let’s make this the we young era so they’re all wearing their sailor clothes

“Excuse me, miss, can you please take off your hat and mask?” you hear one of them say

Who said it?

Mark did, but you didn’t know who he was

You apologized and did as asked

You fixed your hair as you took off your hat and mask

Your hair is average length, so you didn’t need to worry about it getting into your face too much

You two greeted in english so they know who’s who

You guys were getting ready the dance portion of your performance

You can feel one of them staring at you

Of course it was jeno

But it was a stare as if he was trying to remember something

Yet his memory failed him

Then you guys started and BOY YOU WERE GUYS POWERFUL

You were showing off your moves when you had a solo part

And same with your sibling

You didn’t see dream’s faces, but they were surprised and amazed by both of your dancing skills

You look like you wasted so much of your energy on dancing

“Y/N, you said you were going to sing too, do you have the energy for it?” one of the judges say

You didn’t answer, instead, your sibling did

“You’re just underestimating her stamina.” they said softly, but some of the members in dream heard them

You were given a hand mic

Like a normal person would, you checked the mic, and luckily it was working

Luckily, you’ve been doing covers of english songs, and even same some songs that you wrote both in korean and english

Mostly for your sister’s dance covers but you also sing osts

Instead you just sang an english song you really like

Your sibling is standing in the back and swaying side to side as you sang

It’s seems like an emotional song, but it’s really bc how your voice is and the song

When you were done, the judges nod and wrote down something on the paper

Your sibling gave you your water bottle as you were busy clearing your dry throat

Time skip bc my uncreative butt got in the way

After your private auditions, you and your sibling got to meet again

Of course you had your hat and mask back on as you left the room

You’re dying from heat since you’re wearing all black but you couldn’t care less

Your sibling tried to get you to take off the hat and the mask while fanning you

But you refused since you were in a room with a bunch of other people who didn’t know you were the other person dancing in your sibling dance covers

Skipping again bc i’m dumb

Results came a few days later as you were just chilling and singing to a random song

“Y/N!!!!!” you hear your sibling yelling from another room

Instead of yelling back, you walk over to the room they were in

And as usual they’re in their practice room

“What.”

“Did you check your email?”

“No?”

“GO CHECK!”

“OK!”

And you went

But your sibling decided to follow you to your recording room which your dad still kept

Thank god

“Did you get in?” you ask

“Yeah, surprisingly.”

“Surprisingly? Dude, I didn’t see their face, but I’m what I saw in my side vision, those kids were surprised and impressed by your dancing!”

Your sibling laughed, “oh shut up!”

“Besides, aren’t you happy you passed?”

“I am!”

“You don’t seem like it.”

“JUST GO CHECK YOUR EMAIL!”

“OK!”

Then you checked your email

It’s not there

Your sister was confused

But then you checked your spam and there it was

You wondered why it was in your spams, but then you remembered so many people wanted to scout you and you just kept rejecting them to the point that you just ignored their emails

You clicked and there was the email

It’s in all in korean, great

And your sibling didn’t understand it bc her email was in English

You read it like a book and you made a face

“What did it say?” you sibling asked

“They accepted me, but they want me to sing face to face.”

“Why? Were you too good for just a recording?”

“Oh shut up!”

You were ready to fight your sibling

But apparently your parents were listening and willing to have you go back to korea for it

“Well, back to Seoul I guess.” you say

Luckily staying in the city isn’t an issue, since you have a family there

When your sibling and everyone else has left, you stared at your old phone

You could backup your contacts now, but all of your friend contacts are useless to you, knowing they completely forgot about you

Now you gotta plan the flight and pack or else your family is gonna rush you

By family, i just mean your sibling

Of course they’re excited, bc they’ve never been out of the states before

Then when the time came, your mom and your sister was ready

Your dad decided to stay to watch over the house

So when you guys finally made it to seoul, you guys were greeted by your family

Your sibling was so lost and you told your side of the family about them

They still seemed confused, but you’ll translate for them later

Tbh you would have done it a few months later but them you would have to go through the whole audition process again and that alone was already draining

Skipping to the part when you actually went to the building itself

Already you could feel yourself getting lost in this gigantic building

Luckily there was someone who’s willing to show you the way

Haha guess who

Lee jeno himself of course

Of course you didn’t feel any different than before

And your sibling still clung onto you and tried to hide from jeno, which caused you to walk slower than usual

Jeno turned around as he noticed how slow you were going

“Is everything okay?”

You nod

But how long has it been since you heard someone else speak korean other than your mom?

Too long

You guys just continued walking until you got to the room and you see some adults in it

“Ah, Are you Y/N?” someone in the room asked

You nodded

Probably they didn’t know who you were bc this time, you didn’t hide your face and you wore some color for once

Jeno was nice enough to stay so he could lead you out of the building

They asked you a few questions

One was what school did you go to

You just answered that you went to Seoul School of Performing Arts for a year and transferred to a general public school

Apparently they didn’t know you could speak korean well

Your sibling was surprised that you went to that school

You knew they’re going to talk so much after all this is over

Now they got to the part where you had to sing for them

God this was like the audition all over again

You expected music, but apparently they want you to sing an acapella

Your brain is like

‘I don’t do acapellas but ok’

You sang

You can feel your sibling being proud of you again

You basically used your water bottle as a mic

When you were done, you listened to the adults giving you comments

Apparently some complimented on your korean, ok then

Anyways, great news! You got accepted!!

Your sibling tackled you into a hug and you almost fell

You can hear clapping from Jeno

Then there’s someone yelling, “There you are, Jeno!”

He looked over and smile, “Sorry, I was showing someone where to go.”

They popped their heads in and found you struggling to get your sibling off

It seems like the adults have already left

“Oh, it’s them again!” one of them said

You two look over and your sibling immediately dragged you in front of them

You almost lost your balance

The kid with the purple hair laughed at you

Yep that’s chenle

But you didn’t know that

Yes this is during the we young era and i don’t remember if i mentioned that already

You introduced yourself and your sibling

They’re so pleased to meet you

They introduced themselves too

Then chenle had a thought

“Jeno-hyung, didn’t you have a friend that went to the same school as you?”

Jeno’s just ‘??? what are you talking about?’

Then chenle’s just ‘nevermind’

You look at your sibling and they just looked at you and you know how upset they are that he forgot about you

Tbh mark knows you from school too (from jeno) and luckily he remembers you

Apparently mark wanted to talk to you in private and you nodded

When you followed mark to a different room, he just sighed

“What’s wrong?” you had to ask

“It’s not about me, it’s Jeno.”

“?? what’s wrong with him??”

“Were you Jeno’s friend in school?”

Answering a question with a question is not cool mark

“Yeah… well i WAS.”

“So you kinda knew that he forgot about you?”

“Yep, and it’s not the first time a friend has forgotten about me.”

[thesocialfables]

“That don’t piss you off, even a little?” Ortega questioned Dasun as they restocked the shelves at the corner store they both worked at. Dasun wouldn’t consider the man a friend, rather somebody to just pass the time with. “Maybe it’s just me. Cause my older brother ain’t shit.”

Dasun was the second oldest of the six Bannister Boys. Growing up, he and Heir were thick as thieves. If you had a problem with Heir, you had a problem with Dasun. That was until their father went to jail, and Heir took on the role of providing. Since that meant hanging around dangerous places, Heir began to leave Dasun at home and their bond weakened a little. Soon Heir became less of an older brother and more of a father figure.

“Naw, not really. Our Mom calls Heir twelve thousand times a day. And he has two jobs.”

“Aw shit,” Ortega said before the two shared a quick laugh. “See my older brother just gives Mexicans a bad name, reinforcing stereotypes and shit.”

“Ortega,” Dasun spoke. He paused for a beat, before looking his coworker in the eyes to jokingly say. “You work in a bodega.”

“Yeah, but, bodegas are usually run by Puerto Ricans.” Ortega pointed out, before finishing up his comparison of his family and Dasun’s. “My brother just gotta play tough all the time.”

“That’s all brothers. I know mines do.” Dasun wasn’t sure where this conversation was going after Ortega asked ‘how was his day off’.  Dasun was extremely grateful for everything his older brother did for him and his brothers. He didn’t need a spotlight on him to feel seen.

“You think after everything he watched our Mom go through, he’d be a little nicer to women, you know. But nope, he wanna be a gangster so bad.” Done with both the conversation and restocking, Dasun moved away from Ortega as he continued to talk about his family problems. He felt bad hearing what Ortega and his family had persevered, but he couldn’t sympathize with him without feeling like a hypocrite.

Thankfully, he wouldn’t have to as the bell above the door alerted them a customer had entered the small shop. As Dasun approached the cash register to help the customer, he already knew who it was by the sound of their voice. “Let me get a fifth a Hennessey, a fifth of Patron, a fifth of Belvedere, some Dutches, Backwoods, a White Owl, and  whatever else you got back there.”

“Damn, you plan on having a party later?” Dasun asked, ignoring everything Shantell had asked for. While it was because they didn’t sell liquor at the store, he also didn’t budge because he knew she didn’t drink or smoke.

“Only if you plan on coming through after you get off.” She said picking up one of the random items next to the register.

“Sure,” Dasun said taking the light-up pen from her hands and putting it back. “My Mom got another date.”

“With your uncle?” Shantell teased. She and Dasun had been friends since 4th grade. And the answer to the question everyone always asked was no – they had never dated or slept together. Although after watching the man Dasun had grown up to be, Shantell wouldn’t mind if they took a trip out of the friend zone for a while. “How’s your back?” She questioned in a low tone, well aware of the signals Ortega was sending to Dasun from behind her, urging him to introduce them.

 “It still hurts a little. But that’s only because my doctor only gave me three fucking pills.”

“Well, I didn’t want to overprescribe you.”

“Girl, you just didn’t want to share.”

“Exactly. Take your ass to a real doctor and get your own prescription.” Dasun just shook his head. She didn’t drink or smoke, but she did pop pills. And the Percocet she had given him a few weeks ago wasn’t even her prescription to begin with. “Y’all seriously don’t sell liquor, huh?”

“Did you really want that shit?”

“Hell, naw. But I really am having a kickback tonight.”

“No thank you.”

“I didn’t even invite you yet!” She yelled as Dasun traveled over to the deli counter. Knowing what his bestie had really stopped in the store, other than just to bother him. “I want you to-”

“I got enough people trying to set me up, thank you.”

“Thank should probably tell you something.” Dasun just remained quiet. He hadn’t been single or home from the county jail longer than a week and his family and friends were already planning his life for him. “Extra onions please.”

“Onions?” Dasun paused. “You ain’t having no fucking party.”

“Yes, I am. I like onions.”

“I’m not putting extra onions. How you gone bag that doctor with onion breath?”

“He was married,” After graduating for Smithdale, Shantell was doing her residency at the university’s teaching hospital. While preparing to make his best friend the dip she wanted for her party, Dasun just shook his head. Shantell had the worst luck when it came to dating. But he had little room to judge, as he too had found himself entangled with the wrong one. “I’mma just wait for Little Man to graduate.”

“What happened to Heaven?” He asked uninterested in the rest of the conversation.

“Nothing, why, did he say something about me?” Shantell said. She wanted to sound like she was joking, but Heaven was too fine to play with.

“He did actually,” Dasun said laughing. “He asked were you still a virgin.”

“What you tell him?” It was quiet between the two friends for a moment, as Dasun tried to see if Shantell was joking or not. “I’m running out of options out here.”

“I told him the truth. Every nigga that ever fucked never called you again. Here’s your dip.”

“Yo, we sell that shit here?” Ortega asked picking up the container. “Now I won’t have to cross the boardwalk.” Both Shantell and Dasun just looked at each other. The store they worked at did not sell the mixture of cream cheese, white cheddar cheese, mayo, tomatoes, onions, spinach, bacon, and ground beef. It was a hood staple on the other side of the boardwalk, where the projects were. Known on this side as the bad part of town that Dasun and his family had escaped.

“Naw, I just know how to make it. It’s really simple, anybody can do it actually. I mean, besides ratchet nurses that can’t cook.” Shantell responded by sticking her middle finger up at Dasun’s sly joke.

“I forgot you knew how to cook, nig- I mean, Dasun.” Shantell cleared her throat before taking the container from the boy. “My bad,” Ortega went to explain his use of the word, but Dasun and Shantell just moved on in their conversation over his voice.

“You know, you really should talk to mister – whoever about selling Rico Dip here. N-word not included, of course.”

“But that’s the best part.” The two laughed for a moment before Shantell went to pay for the 3 dollar delicacy. “Don’t worry about it. Besides, if we do sell it, I’m charging a dub.”

“20 dollars? Good lord!” Shantell joked before tossing a twenty on the counter. “Now make me another, with no onions this time. You know onion breath.” Dasun teased her some more before creating another dip for her. “So,” She started, before checking to see where Ortega was in the store. “Have you talked to Tempest?”

Dasun sighed heavily in response. He really hoped they could’ve finished talking without his ex-girlfriend having to come up. “No. And don’t say that name again. You know who is like Beetlejuice.”

“In more ways than one.” Shantell agreed. “Unfortunately, you gone have to say something to her soon. Ole Beetlejuice showed up to the hospital today.”

“And then you came here?” Dasun asked on high alert. He quickly pulled his phone out to check all the blocked calls and text messages Tempest had left for him. “Why would you do that?”

“Relax, Tina Turner. This ain’t my first time dealing with your love life. I switched cars with a friend, drove through college row, and I still parked up the street.”

“You didn’t have to do all that.” As Dasun spoke, he sent Tempest a simple message letting her know he was still alive and there was no reason to call his parole officer.

“Yes I did, she still caught me.”

“She’s here!” Shantell tried hard not to laugh at her friend. She may not have mastered getting guys to call her back, but Dasun had been dealing with Tempest since their sophomore year of high school. And as much as they needed to stop calling each other, they never did.

“No, I’m joking, relax. Your trauma starting to show.”

“Just take the long way home.” He said before ignoring Tempest’s fifth call in the last minute, slipping his phone back into his pocket and passing Shantel another dip container. “And if you see her again, tell her I died.”

“That’s not gone stop her. She’ll just kill herself to beat your ass for dying.” The look on Dasun’s face let Shantell know her joke was too far, but she could care less what part offended him. It was all true.

“You know, if I was a girl-” Dasun started to defend himself since no one else was going to.

“Nope, not doing this with you today.” Shantell said preparing to leave the store. “You really should sneak over tonight. My friend told me told she has no gag reflex today.”

“Shit, she like Mexicans?” Ortega attempted to rejoin the conversation. However, the look both Dasun and Shantell passed him let him know to never speak again.

“I’ll think about it.”

“And tell Heaven, if he needs anything-”

“I’m his girlfriends are taking very good care of him.” Shantell rolled her eyes to the sound of the bell ringing, before exiting the store.

 As Shantell exited, another young girl walked in. Dasun was already looking in the direction of the door, 100% sure that Tempest had found him after all. However, it wasn’t her. Locking eyes with the customer, Dasun smiled to greet her and tried not to stare too hard when she smiled back. She was cute, with a heart-shaped face, almond nose, and natural brown curls.

“Can I get a,” She paused for a moment, looking up at the handmade sign of what the store offered. However, what she had been sent to get from the store wasn’t on the menu. “I don’t think I’m in the right place.”

“What you looking for?” Dasun asked, trying not to look around the girl to see if the back matched the front.

“A Rico Dip?” She spoke, still unsure.

“See, we missing out on money. My boy, know how to make it though. He’ll hook you up.” Ortega interjected from his side of the counter. As he spoke, the girl moved over to him to pay. “Oh, don’t worry about it. I got you. What’s your name?” Dasun just shook his head, as he prepared to whip up the dip for the girl.

“Chassidy,” She answered. Her voice was clear that she wasn’t interested, but she wasn’t trying to be rude. “Can I get it with no mayo and sour cream instead?”

“Oh, that’s the old school way.”  Ortega flirted, not catching the hint. “You grabbing this for your OG?” Meanwhile, Dasun had stopped making the dip and was staring at the girl from behind. His mother had sent her here. Ever since he came home, she had been bragging about her boyfriend’s niece, Chassidy who went to Tech U and was now a chef. The life his mother wished for Dasun. A life he once wished for as well.

“Juliette.” Dasun answered for Chassidy. The girl laughed a little, before moving back closer to Dasun.

“Busted,” She said with a memorable smile. “Hi, I’m Chassidy.” She said extending her hand for him to shake. Not wanting to rude himself, Dasun took her hand and introduced himself. “I told her I probably shouldn’t order something she usually gets, but she insisted. Just like this very awkward meeting.”

“That’s my mom. You can tell her I figured it out though. And I am not making her shit.” Chassidy laughed a little before admitting that was fair. “Well, don’t tell her I said the last part.”

“Oh, I wasn’t. She scares me. I was gonna make it myself before I went back empty-handed.”

“You’re a chef right?”                

“That’s an overstatement, but yes. I work uptown at the casino.” Dasun paused for a moment, keeping his thoughts to himself. He had to admit, this wasn’t a horrible match up. “Oh, I know the foods nasty. I’m pretty sure they do it on purpose. I just follow orders.”

“Well, since you obviously have working taste buds. I’ll save you from a hungry Juliette Baptiste this time.” Chassidy smiled while Dasun continued making another dip for his mother. “Just out of curiosity, is Percy really your uncle? Cause he damn sure wasn’t mine.”

With a soft laugh, Chassidy admitted, “You are pretty funny. And yes, he is. That’s not bad is it?” Listening to the tone of her voice, Dasun wanted to tell her that it was fine and arrange a date of their own like he was sure his meddling mother wanted after all. But Dasun knew it was only a matter of time before his fatal attraction caught up to him and he was better off not getting involved with anybody.  On the other hand, as Shantell would say, Chassidy was too fine to ignore.

“Naw. Unless lies and manipulation runs in your family.” Dasun said turning on his hereditary Bannister charm with a simple smile and intense eye contact. As always, it seemed to work as Chassidy’s yellow skin warmed and she smiled brightly.

Smiling and laughing, Chassidy proved she too had a sense of humor as she shot back, “Does it run in yours?”

“Unfortunately,” He playfully admitted as he placed the lid on the container. “Thankfully, it skipped me though.” He spoke holding the container out for Chassidy to take before pulling it back. “She gave you money for this, didn’t she?

“She did not.”

“Damn,” Dasun said passing the dip over. “Well, I guess I’ll have to take you out some time. You know to pay you back.”

“I think that’s fair enough.” She said still smiling. As Dasun pulled his phone out to get her number, he heard the bell jingle and his heart slowed down.

“This what the fuck we doing, now? You supposed to be working, not getting white bitches phone numbers.” He didn’t know how she could see what he was up too when she had barely made it in the store before filling the space with her voice. Then again, Dasun was convinced that Tempest could read his thoughts. Even from miles away. “He has a girlfriend, sweetheart. So you take your little sandwich and keep it moving.” Just as she dismissed Chassidy with her words, Tempest stepped in front of the girl and zeroed in on Dasun. “You and me need to talk, outside, right now. And I’m not playing with either, Dasun. You not outside in two minutes, I’m coming back in this bitch. And next time I ain’t gone be so friendly.” Turning back around to see that Chassidy had not budged, Tempest sized the girl up before roughly grabbing a bag of chips from the side of her and leaving the store.

“Your mom has my number,” Chassidy whispered after the bell’s jingle and for the first time in his 23 years, Dasun was actually grateful that his Mom couldn’t stay out of his business. “Give me a call whenever you can.”

“You probably shouldn’t go out there.” Dasun warned as Chassidy went to leave the store. He didn’t even want to go deal with Tempest, but he had no other choice. Because otherwise she was coming back inside the store and she wouldn’t be so calm. “I mean….No, I’m sorry. That’s exactly what I mean.”

 As he headed outside, Dasun didn’t know what part of Tempest’s presence upset him more; her clearly stalking his friend to find out where he was, her interfering with him moving on with his life, or her humiliating him in front of Ortega. “Tempest.” He attempted to gain control of their interaction and prove himself to no one else but himself.

“What you got me blocked on something? Don’t make me call your fucking parole officer, Dasun. I thought you died.”

“Why would’ve I have died? Is it because you hit me with your car!”

“Who you yelling at? Don’t let the little white girl in there get your shit split nigga. I tapped you. You the one talking about we breaking up.”

“We did break up.”

“Stop fucking yelling at me!”

 “I’m not yelling!” Before Dasun could say anything else, Tempest’s fits were colliding into his arm. “Will you stop?” He asked. But the girl continued, punching Dasun at any part of his body he used to defend himself against her. “Seriously, Tempest, clam down. I wasn’t even talking to her like that.”

“What you think I’m fucking stupid!” She screamed. She may have been done hitting him for now, but that was when the shoving started. “I saw you with your phone out motherfucker. What was you giving her directions? Little white girl couldn’t find her way to the beach?”

“I don’t even think she’s white.” Dasun slipped out in-between the girl’s shoves. However, he knew his comment meant it was time to start running before the punches started up again.

“BITCH, DOES IT LOOK LIKE I FUCKING CARE.” Tempest shouted chasing behind him. As Dasun avoided Tempest’s punches, Ortega and Chassidy stepped outside to watch the show – as did the rest of the busy intersection. “Okay, you wanna fucking play. I’mma just call Heir.” Dasun tried not to stop running, but he really didn’t want her to call his brother. Because it did piss him off. Heir was only one year older than Dasun, and somehow he managed to strike fear in all his siblings like they were all still children.

“Why would you do that?” He questioned falling for Tempest’s bluff and being caught off guard as she charged him in the middle of the street, toppling his body over. Landing on his back, which was already damaged from the last time they got into a disagreement, Dasun screamed in pain as Tempest just climbed on top of him and began hitting him. Dasun could hear the car horns blowing for them to get out of the street, and everyone on the street commentating as if the scene was funny. And just as he couldn’t take anymore and balled his fist up to strike Tempest back, he felt her weight be lifted off of him.

“Okay, that’s enough.” Chassidy’s voice spoke as she pulled Tempest off of Dasun and attempted to help him up out the street. “You okay?”

“You better get your bitch, Dasun before I scarp her ass too. I fight bitches too.” Tempest spoke as she took a moment to catch her breath and prepare to fight again. This time she wasn’t going to hold back.

“That should be all you fight.” Chassidy spoke with reason as she leaned down to check on Dasun, who just continued to cry out in pain. “He’s really hurt.” She said looking up to Tempest, who she assumed would be worried since she was supposedly his girlfriend.

“He’ll be fucking fine. You, on the other hand, need to mind your fucking business.”

“Dasun-” Chassidy called attempting to help the boy once more. That was until Tempest was ready for her second fight and charged her next. However, before she could reach Chassidy, Dasun tripped the girl and used whatever strength he had left to place his body on top of hers in the middle of the street.

“What the fuck is wrong with you? I told you I wasn’t fucking talk to her.”

“I don’t care! Get off of me!” Tempest began to wail. And just as it always was anytime Tempest couldn’t get her hands to herself, the crowd watching them began to call for Dasun to get off of her.

 “Did anybody call the police?” Shantell asked treating the bruise to Dasun’s back and ribs. Thankfully nothing was broken too bad, as he had minor bruising and some swelling.

“No. But I got fired so, no more Rico Dip on this side of the boardwalk.”

“I’m sure yo nigga will figure it out for the culture.” She teased. “Here.” She said passing him a full bottle of perception pills for his pain. “You really should go to the hospital.”

“And say what?”

“The truth.”

“That my girlfriend beat me up? I’m straight. Beside my parole office would love that. He’d lock my ass for sure this time.”

After the fiasco in front of the bodega, not only could Dasun barely move but his boss arrived just in time to fire him. Tempest tried to do the right thing and explain the situation to the shop owner in his defense. But of course, her attitude just made things worse as she ended up just threatening to beat him and his family up. After Tempest left Dasun in the street, Ortega and Chassidy helped him out of the street and to his car, but Dasun was too embarrassed to ask for any more help. Lashing out on both of them, he attempted to drive off. Only to end up crashing his car into a stop sign, blinded by the pains in his back. Thankfully the one person it seemed Tempest couldn’t run off was Shantell, as the girl showed up to nurse him back to health as she always did.

“Your girlfriend?” Shantell questioned, before helping Dasun sit back into her couch.

"You know what I mean.” He said exhausted. “What happened to your party?”

“You should’ve hit her. You should’ve just,” Shantell used her hands to describe Dasun choking the shit out of Tempest. “You said your step-cousin tried to help you?” she over spoke him, attempting to change the subject.

“You canceled your party because of me?” Dasun repeated, wanting an answer.

“It was just a little kickback. I can still call No-Gag for you, though.”

“Ortega told me to tell you don’t be a stranger, nigga.” As Dasun joked, his eyes began to close as he rested his head on the back of the couch. While he relaxed, Shantell watched him breathe. In the silence of her apartment, she took her bottom lip into her mouth and considered just taking Dasun for a slow ride right here on her couch. If there was any time to do it, it was now because he could’ve used the win. “Stop staring at me. I’ll be fine.”

“Ain’t nobody staring.” She quickly shot, before climbing off the couch and stepping into the kitchen for a moment to clear her thoughts. “You know, this girl came into the clinic for an abortion a couple days ago. She said she remembered you from when you used to work at Hoagies and you use to make all them off-menu sandwiches and shit.”

“Oh yeah? Not from when Tempest literally drove through the drive-thru?”

“Naw, she remembered that too. But it made me think of something else. Does Heaven still have his spot in Sam-Yo?”

“Yeah,” Dasun asked lifting his head a bit, for his eyes to follow Shantell’s body back to the couch. She had an athletic body type, wrapped in smooth dark chocolate and the right sized almond mounds that complimented her frame perfectly. It definitely wasn’t always easy just being the girl’s friend. But every time Dasun thought about doing something more he would remember that if he fucked up their relationship, he’d have nobody else but Tempest by his side. “Why?” He asked adjusting a bit on the couch to watch her eat the dip she brought earlier.

"Well,” She said before sticking a cracker full into her mouth.

“You gotta bake it yourself, doctor.”

“I like it cold.” She responded, which was absolutely not true. Without being hot, the odd mixture of foods was not appetizing. Shantell spit the food out in a napkin, before continuing her thought. “You should sell dinner plates out of the apartment. Your step-niece and the culture vulture could help you.”

“And when Tempest comes through and kills us all?”

“Shit,” Shantell said before inquiring how to heat the dip up. “Maybe she can take the orders or some shit. Wait, why are you including her in this?”

 “I was trying to get Chassidy number.” Dasun admitted. Before he had to return to the county jail for a few days because of his domestic case, he had broken up with Tempest. But it was obvious she didn’t accept the breakup, so Dasun had no choice but to admit he was wrong.

“So? You took your beating already, Miss Celie. Fuck her.” After all these years, Shantell couldn’t understand what was keeping Dasun and Tempest together. He may have managed to keep his composure today, but Dasun didn’t have two strikes for domestic violence for being always being so demure.

Before Dasun could respond to Shantell’s bad joke, there was a knock at her door. “Is that your married doctor friend?”

Although he couldn’t see her, Shantell stuck her middle finger up as she passed by Dasun towards the apartment door. “It’s God. He said shut the fuck up.” She shot stepping aside to let Heir into her apartment.

“You good, man?” He asked looking at Dasun’s position on the couch before he sat down himself. After he raised his hands to let his brother know he was fine, Heir continued talking. “I talked to your boss, he said you can have your job back if you want. Now before you think I tried to save the day, he called me. Said Momma’s little friend had already convinced him it wasn’t your fault. And he wants you to start selling Rico Dip at the bodega.”

“That’s amazing! See, Sun.” Shantell called from the kitchen as she sat down to properly eat her food. “And then you can still do my idea. You’ll be too busy to even see Tempest Jones, Jr.”

“Come on, Shantell.” Dasun warned. Not only because he was tired of the jokes, but mostly because it really hurt to laugh at them. She may have given him all of Miss Whoever’s pills but she didn’t open them nor give him one. “You the worse nurse ever.”

“What’s your idea?” Heir asked. After Shantell ran down the idea for him, Dasun already knew what he was going to say. Heir was always supportive of anything his brothers attempted to do. He’d probably upgrade the kitchen for Dasun to cook out of. “I don’t know about that. We left Sam-Yo for a reason. Maybe, just work at the bodega for now. See how that goes for a little while.”

As Dasun looked over to his big brother, the sharp pain in his side had nothing on the one in his heart. “What you don’t think I can do it?”

“I don’t think that’s how he meant-”

“Shut up, Shantell.” Dasun shot before he ignored all the pain in his body and stood up to challenge Heir’s authority. He was tired of being treated like the weak one of the bunch with the very little respect he got from everybody. “I ain’t scared of no fucking body. You left Sam-Yo, not us. I ain’t ask to move nowhere. And I’m a grown-ass man I don’t need your permission to do anything.”

“Son-Sun,” Heir spoke sympathetically, calling Dasun by the childhood nickname he had outgrown. Hearing himself, Heir stopped and stood to talk to his brother like a man. “That ain’t what I’m saying at, Dasun. I know you can handle yourself. And if I didn’t before, you proved that to me today. You absolutely right, you don’t need my permission. Just…watch out for Tempest and JonJon when you down there.” He went to pull his brother into a hug but figured his body didn’t need the stress. So instead Heir gave Dasun, a soft dap to his forehead before dropping the hint that moved him to speak against the idea in the first place. “They’ll probably be together.”

[ellanainthetardis]

There’s a surprise guest today ;) I hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know!

[FF] or [AO3]

19. Twenty-three weeks

Haymitch stumbled more than he walked to the nursery, exhaustion blurring his sight.

“Hey.” he called to get Peeta’s attention. The boy had been working on painting cartoonish animals all morning. “I’m getting some coffee. Want some?”

“I’m not sure you should have any more, Haymitch.” Peeta chided him. “You should get some sleep.”

He waved that away. “Yeah. When Effie’s better.”

If she got better, rather. It had been four days since she had been attacked and she wasn’t improving.

“How is she doing?” Peeta asked.

“Sleeping when she can’t help it, barely eating and still not talking.” he summed up, rubbing his face. Cuddling the damn dog and refusing to look at me like I’m the fucking enemy for calling her bullshit out, he silently added. “Katniss is with her. I need a break.”

“You need sleep.” the boy insisted.

Haymitch snorted on his way downstairs.

“Sleep.” he muttered. “Best joke ever.”

The closed door of the living-room was glaring at him and he wondered what they were going to do about that but it was a distant thought. There were more pressing concerns.

He had barely set a foot in the kitchen when someone knocked on the door. He sighed and spared a glance for the unhooked phone, berating himself for thinking it would be enough to stop noisy people from badgering them. Any hope he had of the unwelcomed visitor leaving if ignored disappeared when they started hammering on the door.  

He put on his fiercest scowl and tore the front door open, ready to tell whoever it was to go to hell. The words died on his lips – just in time – and he stood there, staring wide eyes at the woman with turquoise dyed hair gathered in a slightly disheveled puffy bun.

“Where is my daughter?” Elindra Trinket hissed, shoving him back by thrusting her bag in his stomach. He grabbed it by reflex, alarmed to spot two more suitcases on the porch. There were tracks in the snow, she must have struggled to get to the Village. Hell, with the snow that had been coming down hard for the last two days, she must have struggled to get to Twelve at all. “Well. Will you step aside? It is simply rude to make a lady wait. And it is even ruder not to answer perfectly legitimate questions. Where is my daughter?”

“Upstairs.” he stammered out at last, moving back to let her in. “What…”

“So she is alive, then?” Elindra insisted, jutting her chin up in the air. The way she fiddled with her purse betrayed her nervousness though. Relief washed over her face and Haymitch felt like the most absolute jerk. He hadn’t even thought about her family. They had been so removed from their lives up until a few weeks ago… He had never taken the Trinkets into account before. Ever. He had never needed to. As far as he was concerned, her parents were distant assholes who had never realized how lucky they were to have her for a daughter. However, he couldn’t deny they had been trying lately. There had been more phone calls in the last seven weeks than in the entire time he had known Effie.  

“Yeah.” he immediately nodded, dropping her bag next to the coat rack to drag her suitcases inside – and he instinctively stopped himself from understanding what the suitcases meant because he was already exhausted and he didn’t need the headache inducing thought that Effie’s mother would stay with them for an undetermined period of time. It was cold and he didn’t want the draft to get inside. “She’s fine. She’s…” His voice trailed off and then he shook his head again. “No, she’s not fine but she’s… She’s not badly injured.”

“And the baby?” she asked.

“He’s alright too.” he confirmed.

Elindra breathed a sigh of relief and then she glared at him – and it was a powerful glare. “What in Panem is wrong with your phone? We have been calling for days. Do you have any idea the horrors the press is printing? Do you have any idea…”

“I forgot.” he cut her off. “Sorry.”

“You forgot?” she repeated through clenched teeth. “I thought my daughter and my grandson were dead. Do you…”

“I said sorry.” he snapped. “It hasn’t exactly been easy here. She’s gone catatonic again. She’s…” He rubbed his face with both hands, annoyed to find his fingers were badly shaking. “The house’s freezing and I should start a fire but I can’t go in the living-room ‘cause there’s blood everywhere and… She could have been killed. And I was…” He pressed the heels of his hands against his burning eyes to the point of pain. “I can’t get to her. She won’t listen. I could have lost her and… I want a fucking drink. I fucking want a fucking drink but I ain’t drinking ‘cause the kid deserves better. But fuck…”

The rant could have gone on longer even though he had no idea why he was pouring his troubles out like that. Maybe because he had been keeping them trapped in his chest for too long. There were things he didn’t want to burden the kids with. As far as the kids were concerned – and as far as Effie was concerned most of the time – he was in charge. He had been their mentor, he had been her victor… The decision making power automatically fell on him every time. And he didn’t want to burden them because they were worried enough as it was. They were all worried enough. But he had almost lost her and…

Elindra brought an end to his rant and his freaking out by grasping his wrist.

Her palms were freezing and it made him groan.

“You are hysterical.” she stated, cold but calm. He dropped his hands and looked at her, surprised to find the way she pursed her lips in disapproval was identical to Effie’s pout. “And clearly worn out. Have you been at her side the whole time?”

“’Course I was.” he mumbled, almost offended she would doubt it.

“Then you need rest.” she decided. Her eyes darted around, taking in her surroundings. The house wasn’t as clean and tidy as it used to be and she pursed her lips even more. Her gaze settled on the closed door though. “That is the living-room, I presume?”

He nodded, too tired  to do anything else.

“I will take care of it.” she declared, as if it was that easy. “If you would bring my bags up to the guest room… I assume you have a guest room? Or should I look into other accommodations in town?”

“Yeah, we do… You can stay here, yeah… Not sure it’s ready.” He made a face. He didn’t know where Effie kept the good linen – and he was very sure if he gave Elindra anything but the good linen he would get murdered twice: once by each of the two Capitol women. He also wasn’t sure he wanted her in his house. Tadius Trinket, he could have composed with. Her sister, he might have managed to get along with too. Elindra Trinket, now? And then he realized… They didn’t have a guest room anymore. They had a nursery. “Wait, the guest room… It won’t work. There’s the study. There’s a pull-out couch.”

She looked simply horrified.

“A pull-out… No matter.” Elindra waved that off. “I can manage. I would like to see Effie now.”

He didn’t ask how long she was staying.

At that point, he wasn’t even sure he cared. He still couldn’t quite see straight.

He led the way upstairs, not really surprised to find Peeta on the threshold of the nursery with a curious look on his face. It only grew more flabbergasted when he caught sight of the obviously Capitol woman behind him – the blue hair and the fluffy hairy fur coat she had yet to take off were clues enough. Nobody in that house was very at ease with Capitols that weren’t Effie or Plutarch.

“Effie’s mom’s here.” he muttered in ways of an explanation.

“Oh, I heard voices.” Peeta smiled “I wondered.” He immediately outstretched a hand to Elindra who looked pleased by his manners – of course, Peeta would charm the pants out of her mother, of course. “Nice to meet you, Mrs Trinket. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Was that a lie? Haymitch couldn’t tell. He rubbed his eyes again.

“I must say I have heard quite a lot about you too, Mr Mellark.” Elindra replied in an enchanted tone Haymitch figured to be faked, barely listening when the boy told her she could call him Peeta. “My daughter swears by your baked goods. And she tells me you are a talented painter as well. A gentleman should always have several hobbies.” She poked her head in the nursery without giving him time to answer. “I see you are helping getting everything ready for the baby. How nice of you. What darling cartoons you painted. How clever. Will it stay that shade of yellow, Haymitch? When Effie described it, I didn’t picture this shade at all.” Haymitch made a face and Elindra pursed her lips again. “No matter, no matter. We will have time to fix that later on. Now… My daughter?”

She talked just as loud as Effie did and her accent was thick. Haymitch dragged his feet to their bedroom, feeling like he was leading a fox into a rabbit den. Katniss glanced up at him but she didn’t stop reading until she spotted the woman’s dyed blue hair. Then she bolted from the chair, eyes darting around, no doubt looking for a weapon.

“It’s fine.” Haymitch said quickly. “We’re all safe, sweetheart.”

Elindra immediately stared at the lump under the blankets that was Effie but her daughter gave no indication that she had realized she was in the room and that threw her off. Snowball lifted his head from where he was crushed against Effie’s chest, sniffed the air, sneezed because Elindra’s perfume was pungent, and then lied back down like the lazy puppy Effie was turning him into.

“Miss Everdeen, I suppose.” the Capitol woman commented, less delighted with Katniss than she had been with Peeta. That much was clear already. Although, to be fair, Katniss was still glaring at her with mistrust. “What were you reading to my daughter?”

The information was planted there for a purpose, Haymitch understood, because he hadn’t introduced her yet and Katniss didn’t know who she was. It told him Elindra was good at the appearance game. Maybe as good as Effie – which wouldn’t be surprising given that his escort had always claimed her mother had groomed her from infancy to be the Capitol’s poster child.

“A fashion magazine.” Katniss replied slowly, assessing her. When she decided Elindra wasn’t a source of danger – physical at least – she turned to him. “Effie’s not going back to the Capitol.”

He startled because the thought hadn’t even come to him. Was that why Elindra had traveled alone to the other side of Panem? To…

“Of course, she is not.” the woman declared, not hiding her regrets. “She is bent on staying here so here she will stay. Now… If you would be so kind as to help setting up the study for me?” Haymitch took a step toward the door, thinking that was meant for him. “Not you, dear.” Elindra said. And there was so much disdain in that dear… “You will take a shower and then get some well needed sleep. I am sure your victors will be happy to help me with everything I need in the meantime.”

“Shower.” he repeated flatly.

He was at a point where words didn’t exactly make sense.

“You kind of need one.” Katniss conceded. “Badly.”

Peeta touched Katniss’ arm and they left. Elindra stared at her daughter with a small pout.

“Dogs should not reside on one’s bed.” she declared.

“Yeah…” he shrugged. “We had a rule about that but she likes holding him.”

“It won’t do.” she insisted. “Shoo it away.”

He felt annoyance at the way she was giving out orders under his own roof but, truth be told, she had a point. Effie was treating Snowball like a stuffed animal.

He clicked his tongue twice and gestured with his hand. The puppy jumped from the bed and ran to his feet – after pausing at Elindra’s to sniff her all over, which she clearly didn’t like at all. He petted him a few times but Snowball was eager to leave the room, he heard Katniss curse downstairs when the dog shot between her legs.

The Capitol woman approached the bed and Haymitch had the distinct feeling she didn’t quite know how to do this. From what Effie had told him, her mother wasn’t exactly the caring type, affectionate gestures didn’t come easily to her – if at all.

“Euphemia.” she whispered in a voice that betrayed anguish and a gut-wrenching terror Haymitch recognized as the one he had felt when he had thought Effie had lost the baby. Elindra had honestly feared for Effie’s life and… He should have remembered to call her parents. The woman’s hand landed on his escort’s shoulder, her grip hesitant at first and then firmer. She shook it a little, probably hoping Effie would stop looking straight at the wall and start paying attention to what was going on around her. “Euphemia, darling… You will make me have a heart attack one of those days. Or worse, grey hair. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

He frowned and almost stepped in because he didn’t need anyone putting that sort of ideas in her head but, then, Effie blinked and turned her head, her eyes focusing for the first time in hours.

“Mommy?” she asked, sounding frail and uncertain.

Elindra recoiled. It was subtle and quickly concealed but he saw it all the same.

“You have not called me that in a long time…” Elindra commented, brushing tangled blond hair away from her daughter’s face. “Truly, it is not proper, Effie. You are not a child.”

Effie reached out and touched her arm as if she wasn’t sure she was real. “Mother?” Her voice sounded stronger, more confident, and Haymitch only felt relief. He would take anything over helpless catatonia. “What are you doing here?”

“Your idiotic victor forgot to warn us you were alright.” Elindra hissed. “Your father was in such a state… Do you know how many trains I had to ride to get here? I will fill a complain. It is simply unacceptable that there is no direct connection between the city and this District. We still know people, thankfully.” She breathed out a deep sigh. “Anyway. As I was saying, your victor failed to reach out to us and no matter how many times we called… You really ought to have your phone fixed, by the way. Do not worry a bit, Euphemia, I will take care of it. I will take care of everything. It might be for the best that your… that Haymitch was so remiss. It is glaring you all need me.” He opened his mouth to argue the point – fiercely argue the point – but it was as if Elindra had eyes glued at the back of her head. “No need for more apologies, Haymitch. I understand you were under pressure and you were worried about my daughter, naturally. Priorities are what they are. I forgive you, I suppose. Now, go take that shower.”

“Lady…” he growled, about to explain why exactly she wasn’t the boss of him.

“Haymitch, please.” Effie cut in, sitting up a little.

He snapped his jaw shut and headed to the dresser to grab some clean sweatpants and a shirt.

“I met your victors.” Elindra told Effie in an eager voice. “Why, Peeta is simply a darling. I am not quite sure about your Mockingjay but…”

He hurried into the bathroom and closed the door behind him to shut the sound of Elindra’s voice. It was giving him a headache.

The shower did him some good. He didn’t think he had washed since that night. The hot water relaxed his tensed muscles and he drifted off without meaning to. He was barely able to stay upright when he finally came back to the bedroom – to blissful silence, fortunately.

Elindra wasn’t gone though. She was apparently reorganizing the beauty products on Effie’s dressing table.

“She is asleep.” she informed him and he glanced at the bed to find that Effie really was sleeping.

“You’ve got magic powers or what?” he grumbled.

She lifted two identically dyed blue eyebrows. “I suspect I always bored her a little if that is what you mean. Now. You will get some rest while I confer with your victors about how best to find a housekeeper.”

“Kids.” he corrected in an indistinct mumble as he climbed in bed next to Effie. “They’re not our victors, they’re our kids.”

He almost expected an argument.

“Children, very well.” she accepted. “Duly noted. Do try to sleep, Haymitch, you look like death’s warmed over.”

“Thanks.” he snorted, eyes already closed, wrapping an arm around Effie’s form.

“Why, you are welcomed.” Elindra replied. “We are all family now, aren’t we?”

She sounded pained about that and he could only concur. He suspected if it hadn’t been for the baby… He didn’t ask though and she didn’t add anything else. She finished screwing up Effie’s system and then she was out the door.

The last thought he had before finally giving up to slumber was for a housekeeper he really didn’t want.

He felt hangovered when he woke up, like only too many hours of sleep after a long bout of insomnia could do. His stomach rumbled and he buried his face in his pillow with a groan. It smelt good. Whatever it was he was smelling, it smelt good.

“Welcome back to the land of the awake.”

He opened his eyes and looked up. Effie was propped against a pillow, blankets and covers pooling on her lap, an appetizing bowl of soup propped on her protuberating stomach. She had also changed clothes at some point because she wasn’t wearing his shirt anymore but one of her own nightgowns.

“How long was I out?” he mumbled, pressing a kiss against her stomach because it was the closest to his face and because it was two birds with one stone. He liked greeting the shrimp.

“All day.” she hummed. “I woke up mid-afternoon and you did not even so much as twitch.”

He made a face as he sat up. “Nightmare?”

“Yes.” she admitted, staring at her bowl of soup. “But I do feel better now that I had some proper rest. I am sorry for…”

“Don’t.” he cut her off. “It’s fine.”

“It is not but it is kind of you to say so.” she sighed, holding out her spoon. “Do you want some? I’ve had a bowl and a half already.”

She didn’t need to ask twice. The soup was so good…

“Did your mom make that?” he asked.

He wasn’t expecting her to burst out laughing but it was such a welcomed sound… He felt something uncoil in his stomach. If she could still laugh, they would get through this. They would.

“My mother does not cook.” she breathed out between two heavy chuckles. “She tried to hire help through the children and, apparently, Sae took offense.”

The spoon froze on its way to his mouth. On one hand, it explained why it tasted so familiar. On the other… “Sae’s going to kill her before the day is through.”

“Oh, there’s been plenty of arguments so far but they seem evenly matched.” she told him. “I also heard a lot of furniture being moved downstairs…”

He tossed a worried glance at the closed bedroom door, half afraid of what he would find when he would venture out. He probably should have checked it out right then because he had an inkling Elindra would want to change everything up to her standards and he also knew Sae had been dying to meddle for a while now.

He loved the old woman, he did, but she was a pain, she always treated him like a kid and… The force of those two combined? He wasn’t liking his odds.

“Where’s Snowball?” he asked, suddenly worried they would have forced the puppy to remain in the backyard. A happy bark answered him from the corner of the room where the dog’s padded bed now laid. Having mistaken his name for a call, Snowball jumped on him, tail wriggling left and right in his enthusiasm, and if Effie hadn’t rescued the soup, it would have spilled everywhere. He rubbed the puppy’s belly but still frowned. “His bed was in the living-room.”

Effie took a deep breath, any trace of amusement gone from her voice. “Peeta brought it up. Mother said she’s taking care of the living-room, which, I suppose, means Sae and the children are taking care of the living-room under her supervision.”

He must have slept like the dead not to hear any of that happening…

“Okay.” he said slowly, studying her. “How long is she staying?”

Because now that he wasn’t sleep-deprived anymore, it seemed like an important question.

“She did not say.” she winced. “She has been… She is being nice, Haymitch, and…”

“You don’t want her to go.” he finished, trying very hard not to scowl at the notion.

“Not right now.” she confirmed in a pleading voice. “I would like her to stay a few days… Perhaps a week? She was very worried. I know you…”

“Whatever, sweetheart.” he gave in with a sigh. “As long as you take care of yourself…”

He was rewarded with a kiss on his cheek that made him smirk. He wasn’t fooled though. He wasn’t any different from the dog whose belly he was scratching. She had him well trained.  

He nudged Snowball off the bed and lied back down, deciding that checking on the rest of the house could wait until the next morning. Effie settled down on her side, facing him, and he placed his hand on her stomach.

“You really feel better or you’re just saying that?” he asked after a few minutes.

“I killed a man.” she answered. “I do not think I will be right as rain in a matter of days but…” She forced a smile and rubbed the baby bump. “We are having a baby. I will be fine. We will be fine. We do not have a choice.”

“Katniss thought your mom was here to take you back.” he told her. “If she had tried, I think the girl would have kicked her ass.”

“She mentioned it.” Effie confessed, averting her eyes.

“Katniss?” he frowned.

“My mother.” she clarified. “While you were in the shower. She begged me to reconsider staying in such a dangerous District.”

He tensed, his fingers clenching a little on her stomach. He could feel the baby’s kicking under his palm.

“And?” he asked, sounding as detached as he could.

“Is that even a question?” she retorted, echoing his own words. “She was disappointed but she did not insist. I really do think she wants to try to make our relationship work, Haymitch. It is not… She is different from before. The same where it counts, but different where it matters. When we were in Four, Father said… I do not think she wants us to be estranged anymore even if it means accepting my choices. Or pretending to, at least.”

“Good.” he shrugged. Her screwed up relationship with her mother had always been a sore point for her, if they could fix things… He wasn’t really a forgive and forget kind of guy but Effie could be. He didn’t particularly want to think about Elindra or the damages she was probably inflicting to his house as they spoke so he decided a change of topic was in order. “What about Niall?”

“For a name?” she hummed, wrinkling her nose. “I read about that one. It means champion… It rings a little too close to home, don’t you think?”

He had never known the meaning. It was just a common enough name in Twelve.

“Yeah, better not.” he sighed.

“Why not Ianus?” she suggested.

“No way.” he snorted.

She rolled her eyes. “It is short, which is your preference. And it is distinguished, which is mine. What is wrong with Ianus?”

“What isn’t wrong with Ianus?” he countered.

“You are impossible.” she commented. “We are never going to agree on a name.”

He smirked at her, leaning in to steal a kiss.

“You named the dog…” he mumbled against her lips. “Don’t I get to name the baby?”

“If I wasn’t so pregnant I would hit you with a pillow.” she warned, fighting a smile.

He completely relaxed at last.

They would be fine.  

[dubredofanfics]

Afire Visage

Part 4 of 6

Elise got fired from work after consecutive absences, she isolated herself in her small apartment and got drunk despite that she wasn't really a drinker.

The way the alcohol burned her throat felt so satisfying and the way it put her to sleep so easy is exactly what she needed. She never stopped crying, pitying herself and it went on like this for months, she was outworn and declining. The betrayal of Rodrigo ruined her.

As she was lying on the floor reaching out for the bottle of beer on the desk, some things fell down on the floor. "Damn it!" She groaned as the small box of paper fell down to her. She struggled to get up and place it back to the table top. While she was picking up the scattered things, she saw the calling card of Dr. Angara making her recall his offer long time ago.

She stopped crying for a while and thought about considering his offer but the only thing she could do is hope that he is still open with the offer when it's been about two months since he asked her for it. She grabbed her phone and dialed his number.

"Hello?" He picked up, Elise panicked for a moment. "Hello? Who's this?" He asked, her jaw dropped in panic.

"If this is a prank call—" "No, no. It's not." She finally spoke. "Who's this?" He asked. "I'm..." she gulped. "I'm Elise, if you remember the girl you talked to in Luneta. You were offering me something about the free plastic surgery for your experiment." She tried to make him remember, he never forgot her.

"The girl with a burned face, distorted face." She kept reminding him, "Yeah..." he replied making her feel relieved. "Yeah, I was wondering if your offer is not yet expired?" She hinted, it was exactly what he wanted to hear.

"Of course, Elise." He replied feeling thrilled by her unexpected call. "I'm taking it." She replied.

He gave her the directions to his clinic for further discussion about the deal. She got herself sober before she finally visited his clinic.

"So the operation will be free of charge, inclusive of the post meds, check ups, I will be shouldering the fees for the the surgery room, confinement and everything else. All you have to do is be there and make this operation successful." Sonny recapped.

"Okay," she replied certain about her decision in accepting the deal. "Well, see you on Friday for the surgery then. Have some good sleep and prepare yourself for the operation." He replied. "If I die in this operation, just cremate me, okay? I don't care. That's all I want—"

"You're not dying, Elise." Sonny interrupts. She exhaled heavily, "But just in case." She insisted.

She was about to leave but she went back to her seat and looked at him.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked. Sonny just smiled, "because you deserve it." He replied briefly. She doubted his pure intentions but then she no longer cared about it.

"What do I have to lose?" She uttered and left.

Finally, the surgery day came. Elise prepared herself and arrived at the operation room on time. Before the operation started, she opened up to Sonny something that came to her mind last night.

"I don't wanna be Elise anymore. I wanna start a new life." She told him. "I'll do anything to help." He replied and smiled at her. "Thank you." She laid her back at the bed and then the operation began. The operation went for a couple of hours, every minute passing by, Sonny worries for Elise. He wants her to be safe until the operation was finally over.

Her face was wrapped in bandage and will remained covered for about a week until the incisions heal.

Sonny made her stay in his place during her recovery period. He isolated her and made sure nobody would bother or stress her out.

One evening, he handed her a folder with some documents to sign. "What's this?" She asked. "Read it." He demanded.

She opened the folder and saw an empty birth certificate form and some documents for name change. She looked at him in deep startle. "You said you want to start anew, so there." He stated.

She had the free will to choose her new name and signed the papers afterwards. She handed it to him after she filled out the blank spaces.

He browsed through it and smiled. "So..." he uttered.

"It's nice to meet you, Leni Gerona." He stated, a small smile grew on her lips.

He placed the folder back to the desk and went back to her. "I think it's my obligation to finally introduce myself to you and explain why I am doing all of these." He began, she listened with anticipation.

"I am Sonny, I didn't come from rich roots, I was just lucky enough to be adopted by a rich couple and now I am a licensed plastic surgeon." He introduced. "Good for you." She smiled softly.

"I wouldn't be all these if it wasn't because of you." He stated causing a slight confusion. "Me? Why? What did I do?" She asked feeling so lost.

"You really don't remember?" He asked, she shook her head trying to recall any instance of him in the past.

"I'm your foster brother. The one you saved when during the fire accident in our area." He reminded her, she started to feel perplexed as she hardly recalled everything that happened during that time.

"I was the one stuck at the comfort room, the burning debris fell on you because you saved me." He continued, finally she recalled him.

"Sonson?" She asked, he nodded. She couldn't believe it was him. She never heard about him after that tragedy.

After the accident, she woke up alone in the hospital and only the nuns took her and kept her at the orphanage since her parents didn't make it through the disaster. She ran away from the orphanage when she turned fifteen and started to live on her own.

"And I did these to make it up to you because I owe you my life, Leni." He explained further making her understand everything.

"But you can't just help me forever. I have nothing to offer you." She hesitated. "I'll help you finish college. After that, you're free to go. I just wanna make sure you'll have something to survive and live on your own." He replied. "But nobody would hire me, I'm horrible." Her voice fainted.

"Not anymore." He stood up and began to frantically unwrap her face from the bandages.

He exhaled heavily and stared at her healed face with a soft smile. "Everyone's gonna love you now." He complimented and made her turn to the mirror.

Leni was completely staggered to see her new face. She looked so fine, the symmetry of her face manifested how careful Sonny was with her surgery. It was the look she never imagined of having again.

Using her childhood photo, he studied her facial structures and drafted the plausible face she would have at her current age and it was exactly the face he gave her during the surgery.

She turned to him and requested for one last thing. "Don't tell anyone about this."

"Tell them Elise Sto. Tomas is dead." She dropped.