#anyway i am unfortunately sort of delirious and it is hard to walk around | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

discordantplains · 5 years

Text

Criminal

"So what are we doing now?"

Captain Captain eyed the bouncing zombie trying to catch up with his speed. "We aren't doing anything. I'm--"

"I'll follow you. I can help with pranks!" Tom practically begged, linking their arms together.

Captain Captain pulled his arm out of Tom's and tried to pick up his pace again. Unfortunately his short legs left him at a disadvantage. "--not going home anymore. Yer going back to those phony lookalikes."

"Tucker's all sick and sneezing, Sonja and Wag are gone and Sparklez is probably with SkeleTom." Tom made sure to say his alternate's name with as much disgust as possible.

Captain Captain raised an amused eyebrow. "That ought to be interesting. I wonder how long my double will last. He looks passive, that shameful duplicate has no chance. SkeleTom took a liking to em though?" Captain Captain fixed his gaze forward. "Hmph," he pondered it.

Tom's eyes lit up, "We can prank them!" Captain Captain went quiet and tried escaping again before Tom grabbed his arm. "You hate your alternate and I hate mine! It's perfect, we'll have so much fun!"

Before saying no Captain Captain glowered at him. The stupid zombie was clinging on to his arm near desperate. Disgusting. He clearly wasn't leaving anytime soon and his pea sized brain had managed to make a decent point. He could shoot him with his crossbow for fun if anything.

"Alright. Ye can join me for today if ya' listen to me. I'll drown ya' otherwise."

"Yes! Capt you're so much better than Sparklez!" Tom fistbumped the air and grabbed on to Captain Captain trapping him in a tight hug. Captain Captain immediately took his arm and threw him on his back.

Tom yelped when he hit the ground. He rubbed his arm and checked to make sure it hadn’t been pulled free. He wouldn’t want to go to Sparklez to get his arm restitched with SkeleTom around.

"Captain Captain,” came the correction.

Tom watched in awe as he continued to walk on at a more normal speed, wavy hair flowing behind him as he pulled out a dagger and started sharpening it. Tom scrambled back up, ignoring the pain stretching on his side.

"Teach me how to do that."

"No."

Tom pouted, "How did you become such a badass?" He scoffed "And I get stuck with Jordan?"

"How’d I get stuck with ye?" Captain Captain mumbled.

"What was that?"

Captain Captain faced him with a fixed glare. "I said how’d I get stuck with ye," He said right to Tom's face making sure he'd hear him. His scar-littered complexion was sunbleached and the malice in his eyes clear.

Tom blinked. He saw Captain Captain's nonchalant expression and he couldn’t help but laugh. Captain Captain's glare didn't waver.

"Thank gods you have a good sense of humor, gods know Jordan doesn't. You're funny Capt."

"Captain Captain." Captain Captain grumbled.

"So, now that we're best friends--"

"No."

"--what can I call you?" Tom tried to grab his arm again.

Captain Captain yanked it away. "Captain Captain, nothin' else--"

"I could give you a sick nickname!"

"Ye will not unless yer looking to lose a foot--"

Tom continued, "Captain Captain is too long. How about Capt?"

"Captain Captain."

"No, that’s what SkeleTom calls you." Tom said his name mockingly, repeating it in the kiss up way Jordan did. "Cap'n?"

"Captain Captain."

"Nah that's too close to Capt." Tom scratched his chin in thought, "CaptCapt?"

"Captain Captain,” Captain Captain corrected under his breath. The second time Tom incorrectly said his name his eye twitched. “Captain Captain."

"Cappy? Like--’hey Cappy!’" Tom half waved, exampled greeting with the nickname.

"Captain Captain. Captain Captain,” he tossed his dagger in the air, fingers stilling as if his muscles betray him with their desire to impale it in Tom’s throat.

Tom saluted with a wacky grin. "O’ Captain my-Captain?"

"Captain Captain," he deadpanned.

"Captain Pirate? Pirate Captain? You're more of a captain than Sparklez anyways."

"Captain Captain. Captain Captain." Captain Captain's eye twitched again. He sharpened his dagger loudly, scraping the metal with as much force as he could. His dagger looked ready to cleave through bone.

"Maybe Captain Crunch? I feel like I heard that somewhere."

"Captain Captain."

"How about Captain SexyPants, huh?" Tom elbowed him and sent a wink that went ignored as he stared ahead, barely containing his anger in a muttered 'Captain Captain.'

"Oh, I know!" Tom exclaimed, even more excitement in his eyes. He turned to Captain Captain like a kid looking to please their new favorite friend.

Captain Captain clenched his jaw "No, no nicknames--"

"Captain Not-Sparklez"

Captain Captain gripped his dagger tightly. His knuckles were white and his eyes flickering with murderous intent. "Captain. Captain."

"Better Jordan it is!" Tom exclaimed with petty joy, having completely blocked out everything Captain Captain said while he was thinking of names.

"Captain Captain." Captain Captain said through his teeth, his dagger shooting straight down, landing besides Tom's foot. He turned around a sharp corner, out of Tom's sight in an instant.

"Hey! It almost hit my foot--wait up! You dropped your--actually, I'm keeping this now." Tom pulled the dagger from the ground and shoved it in a scabbard attached to his belt. He caught up with Captain Captain who managed to get very far down the street in a very short time.

Out of breath, Tom jogged after him. His bet was on Captain Captain forgetting he had lost the dagger and Tom would keep it. He'd have the best weapon compared to his friends who had little to nothing with how Honey watched them.

Tom already tried and failed to threaten going rogue, but Honey had left him and his threat with a glare. Wordlessly she had dismissed him, turned on her heel and left. Tom had gaped at her empty space. No one had done that--he always got an answer, she just--left! The second time he mentioned it he got a very simple, "I wouldn't advise that sort of behavior." He wasn't scared of her. Not even in the slightest.

Tom traced a pattern that decorated the dagger's handle. It looked like the ocean in the sea green metal, and Tom could see the mist and fog over grey water and sharp waves leading to an island. A fallen palm tree, small and firmly engraved caught his finger nail as he traced it. All of the designs lead right to the dagger's blade. He slid it back in his scabbard.

"So how'd you land here anyways? Why didn't you explore the ocean and fight narwhals or some shit? Why'd you stay here?"

"Why’do ye ask so many questions?" Captain Captain asked. Tom had sapped the life from him. It's only been an hour and he's already wearing him down. He should've never let him haggle him.

"Why don't you answer my questions? I am helping you after all." Tom said with nerve Captain Captain couldn’t believe. A gnat batting at him shouldn’t have such gills.

Captain Captain mimicked a blank stare. "The Gods called on me to find a land for them. I was a wee bit late, but I did my duty."

Tom watched as Captain Captain kicked a rock. "Evil Ianite?" He missed Captain Captain's eye roll.

"Yes, Ianite." The rock jumped and rolled, running until it fell into a small ditch and was out of sight. "The lass called upon me, only me. My crew had long died." Tom glanced at the pile of rocks filling the little ditch like bodies. He looked back at Captain Captain and he was lost in his old world of sharp waves and dreary seas. Of crazed nights brought by never ending isolation and the delirious hinge on hysteria and imbalance, of deranged imaginations that would drive one to insanity.

"That's sick! Can you describe it in like, a pirate-y metal song? Imagine how hardcore of a head-banger that'd be! Gods, Jordan's such a pussy bitch, he just washed up on Mianite but you actually fought on the ocean, for real! That's why you're Captain Not-Sparklez. Better Jordan is simpler though. Meh, I'll just switch between them."

"It's Captain Captain. And ye better shut your trap about my double." Captain Captain stopped abruptly in front of some old backstreet. "Captain Captain, learn it for Ianite's sake."

Tom, who wasn't paying attention, walked straight into Captain Captain's back. Captain Captain looked back at him with a fixed glare before facing the building again. It was exactly like all the rest, painted prim and sharp, and through the ornate window, matching furniture decorating the inside of a cozy living room. But dust layered over the window, dust layered over everything. It was exactly like all the other houses: abandoned.

Tom didn't linger on it too long. Eyes returning to his new friend.

How cool was he? Being best friends with the person who’s responsible for the emptiness of the town--and a real professional pirate captain at that.

"Why are we at this ratty building, I thought we were going to do pranks? Let's go prank people!" Tom whined, leaning on his leg.

Captain Captain kicked the building with enough force to clear a layer of dust off the window and startle a few small spiders building webs. Tom watched in amazement as a trap door opened in front of him. "What's down there?"

"My stuff. Stay up here." Captain Captain got ready to jump down before Tom threw his arm in front of him and leaned close.

"I don't mind being taken home before the first date." Tom waggled his eyebrows with a grin. He hoped to fluster the Captain, as he could easily do with Jordan, but he was sorely disappointed.

Captain Captain stayed stoic. "Stay 'ere unless you want your dead body to be thrown into a ditch and washed out to sea."

Tom frowned. Geesh, hard audience. He had to appreciate Jordan's inability to respond to half of what Tom threw at him. It was more gratifying to have someone stammer and flush, or get infuriated from mere words, then it was to be ignored.

As Capt Capt jumped down, hair flowing after him, letting the trap door shut behind him. "Thrown in a ditch and washed out to sea," Tom mocked, staring at the hidden entrance. "Even Sparkly-asshole would've had a better reaction." Tom grinned wickedly, "No one tells me what to do." and kicked the building as hard as he could.

"OW, OW OH SHIT, MY FOOT." Tom clutched his foot, his knee in the air hopping around in pain. The trap door opened. On closer examination--he noticed the “kicking the building” part was really Captain Captain had kicked a button. Tom rubbed his foot.

He eyed the trap door for a moment. Was this a smart decision?

Better question, Tom humored: who cares?

He stretched his foot and looked down. He jumped in-- "YOLO, OH NOO--FUCK" and the trap door closed behind him.

Tom tumbled onto dirt.

"By gods, yer so loud, Honey could'a heard you from the town hall!"

Tom chuckled dusting himself off as he got up, "I'm not afraid of her."

Captain Captain hummed, wrapping some rope around his arm. Tom scanned the room. It was more of a bunk than a room; it was huge. There was a single light hanging in the center, every so often it swung a little, dirt above trickling down onto his head. He brushed it off. The shelves were lazily stocked with all kinds of ropes and knives. A stash of TNT and weapons lay disorderly across barrels, crates and the ground. The sight entranced Tom, but what really got his attention was a stray flint and steel. It was within grabbing range and he felt his fingers twitch. "Where'd you get all this stuff from?" he asked, inching his way to a crossbow similar to Captain Captain's.

"Didn't I tell you to stay up there?" Captain Captain growled, snatching away the crossbow before Tom could get his hands on it. Captain Captain casually reached into a shelf when he passed by and put a set of pouches into his pirate coat's pockets. Tom followed him, brushing past a stray wooden chair, taking mental note of where the flint and steel was. "I'm not afraid of you either." Tom smirked at Captain Captain.

Captain Captain was fuming. He glanced at Tom trying to steal more weapons. He didn't have any common sense. They--Tom and the doubles--obviously had no idea who they were dealing with.

"Grab that tripwire from the shelf over there." Tom beamed, pride filling him from the smile Captain Captain gave, rushing for the tripwire nearly tripping over his own feet. To others it may seem wicked, scars ruining what was once careless and ecstatic, or eyes missing light, the light dangling above making shadows over his face covering a half-grin that was cold, empty and fake but to Tom it was what he aspired for. And when the moment ended and Captain Captain turned around and started walking away, Tom rushed after him.

He followed Captain Captain to a passageway that definitely wasn't there before. He must've opened it when Tom got him the tripwire. The passageway was short, especially for Tom who was just that extra two inches taller than Jordan and Captain Captain, and it only got smaller and smaller. Tripwires and pressure plates he could barely see littered the way and Tom struggled to pass them hunched over. He felt his knees digging into his ribcage, arms scraping against the walls leaving him with a few nicks here and there. He followed Captain Captain's footsteps, trying to match his smooth pace over every trap. Just above Captain Captain he could see light.

Captain Captain shared Jordan's ability to make traps, and looked to be the better of the two. Just another thing Captain Captain was better at than old Sparklydick. Tom started planning ways to make an even better trap. He'd shove Tucker or Jordan into it.

He just barely stepped over a tripwire when they got out. Tom squinted in the sun, buildings all alike filling his view once more. He looked at where he exited from. A small storm cellar besides a house was the tunnel's cover. They were on a completely different street and if Tom looked down the block he'd see how decently close it was to SkeleTom's house--just a few streets away. Captain Captain closed the storm cellar's wooden doors and faced Tom with a deadly glare.

"Ye will not tell anyone about my bunker. No one. Not Honey, farmer boy or baker belly. Ye will not tell any of yer friends, especially my double or ya' wish yer God would spare ye--"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I won't tell anyone one, got it! Let’s go!”

The pranks were simple enough in nature, and Tom placed the tripwire as directed just in-time to have Captain Captain pull him out of view as Mericho came walking past. He looked to be about to meet up with SkeleTom when his foot crossed the tripwire and an arrow cut through his rucksack, opening the bottom of the cloth and spilling out all of his contents.

Immediately, from down the block SkeleTom scurried over to help Mericho pick up his goods and Captain Captain laughed quietly, retreating down the street and leaving Tom to follow after him. Tom was awestruck and he found himself buzzing with energy. “That was so well thought out--and you did it so quick!”

“Aye,” Captain Captain remarked.

Tom eyed the sky warily. It was getting late. “Can we do this tomorrow?”

Captain Captain fixed him with a look. Barely hidden disgust etched into his features--suddenly the look broke away to a grin. “Tell ye what--I’ll let ye scurvy join me--if ye can pull off a…” Captain Captain gestured grandly with his hands. “An explosive prank, around late noon. Savvy? I’ll point ye to a house and all ye’ll need to do is make it go up in flames” “I can do that easily,” Tom boasted.

“Good, good,” Captain Captain purred. “Then we’ll see, tomorrow.”

….

Tom was the last one out of the bed and breakfast--besides the snotty mess that was sniffling from the bed to the right of his. He peered over at the shaking ball of mucus and cringed. Nasty.

Tom threw his covers off to the side, far from Tucker, and careful inched around his bed, staying far away from any stray blanket or pillow that could've come into contact with his nose. Tom was inches away from freedom, ready to dash past the other empty beds and go straight for Jordan's food chest when he heard Tucker from under his comforter. Tom ignored him and tried to sneak along--he was two steps away from being out of Snot Land.

"Ah--" Tom froze, feeling his finger tips go numb. "Ah--" He was so close! "AH--" No--Not like this!

"CHOO!" Tom dove head first to the ground, watching his life flash before his eyes as Tucker's sneeze flew right above him in slow motion. Tucker's little mucus cocoon shifted a bit with a sad groan.

Tom recoiled in distaste thinking of all the ways he could kick out Tucker so he could get a decent night of sleep--his stupid sniffles, sneezes and snores probably kept everyone up. Not that he was able to sleep well with all the buzzing excitement of burning a house with Captain Captain in the afternoon anyways but Tucker deserved to get booted--no he didn't need a reason to kick him out, already hearing his friends' protest.

Tom sauntered down to the wine cellar, half expecting Jordan to be there working on the portal or at least asleep on it. He found the room empty, a pillow and blanket discarded in a corner, and his shoulders sagged instantly. So much for bragging about his New Best Friend.

Having no sense of anything or anyone but himself, Tom was unable to see the little change to the blue prints or the lack of progress made to further their plans home. The room was all the same to him save a few baggies he noticed laying idly by stray blueprints. Tom, in his curiosity, snatched one and opened it. A few crumbs and a half eaten cookie fell out. He eyed what was left of the cookie and the empty baggies.

SkeleTom.

Tom growled, throwing the baggie to the floor and glaring at it with more disdain than he did when Tucker snored. He stomped on the cookie out of pettiness--already seeing them laughing together in the wine cellar over a bag of cookies his alternate had so kindly made--and prowled back to the chests, going through Jordan's. He grabbed the last bit of bread and meat that was left--not that he'd miss it anyways, seeing how SkeleTom's been catering to his hunger, Tom thought spitefully.

He rubbed his foot on the crushed cookie, a scowl stretched over his face, unaware of the unfinished blueprint he was crushing beneath it.

With one last kick to Jordan's pillow, Tom ascended back to the room unsatisfied imagining it was SkeleTom's face as each step echoed through the empty BnB. Near empty anyway, the mucus monster upstairs was probably awake now, assuming he was even able to sleep with how clogged his nose was.

Thank gods Tucker wasn't leaving anytime soon, Tom celebrated as he walked into the room. He'd get snot all over CaptCapt and Tom couldn't make a bad second impression. His future best friend forever would not tolerate such disgusting company. Tom would have to kick Tucker out if he came and Captain Not-Sparklez would probably be grateful to have him left behind…

"Tucker! Tucker, get the fuck up" Tom grabbed Jordan's pillow and swung it as hard as he could. Feathers flew into the air.

"What--Tom, stop it--Tom--"

"Get up!" Tom swung at his face one more time and carefully picked up the cleanest corner with two fingers and threw it on the floor. Better Jordan's pillow than his. "You're hanging out with me and Better Sparklez today. Stop being gross and get dressed." He'll bring Tucker along and kick him out to make himself look better. A perfect plan.

"No, I feel horrible,” Tucker said and with a small cough he rolled over. Tom nudged him. A groan answered. He saw two brown eyes look at him in the huddled mess. “SkeleTom's medication didn't help at all." Tucker shoved his face into his pillow. Tom scowled at the mention of his alternate. He snatched Tucker's pillow from under his head.

"I don't give a shit, come on."

Tucker uselessly brought up his arms to defend himself from Tom's attacks before giving up and pulling his covers over his head. "I'll get up in ten minutes." Tucker's voice came out even more muffled and congested from under the comforter. "And give my pillow back you jackass."

Tom scoffed and aimed directly for his head. "I can't wait for you; catch up with us. Be extra snotty when you come!" He ignored Tucker's groan and slammed the door behind him.

Tom squinted in the sun, getting whiplash from the sudden heat and light of midday. The zombie part of him was naturally prone to night, keeping him alert and ravenous for mischief and the part that keep him conscious was used to lurking under the cover of dark.

Excited for the day ahead of him, Tom was practically skipping his way to Captain Captain's secret dirt basement. He idly tore Jordan's food into bits, anticipation rolling off of him like waves. Focused on breaking up the near stale food, his feet were leading him without thought and he hadn't bothered to make sure he wasn't being followed--forgetting the one rule Captain Captain had gave him the day before. Even though he didn't know it, he was lucky Tucker had decided to hang back instead of going with him straight to Captain Captain's bunker.

These thoughts hadn't even crossed the back of his mind as he munched on the meat--he was always more of a carnivore who snacked much later during the day and night times--walking in oblivious bliss and collecting bits of the bread he refused to even taste.

Growing steadily bored of walking wherever his feet took him and not having anymore meat to eat, Tom decided to take a good look over the town. It was well kept, neat clean streets and a nice quiet neighborhood were made of isles of empty houses. Tom was ready to wreak havoc on the peacefulness just as he'd done for Mianite and Ruxomar. Out of everything, what did catch his eye was a crow picking at dirt by the street he was strolling on, a small cluster of mushrooms nearby it.

Tom paused to observe it--more like stare it down--until it stared right back at him. Tom tilted his chin up smirking with his height over it--SkeleTom held a few inches over him and it only gave more reason to hate him, especially when he made short jokes and quips at him even though stupid ole Jordan was shorter than both of them. Tom, in a miraculous moment of awareness, threw a piece of bread at the crow.

The crow only stared into his soul, beady eyes looking straight into his black and red ones. Tom glared when the crow poked at the bread only to step over it and give a rattling squawk in disapproval. It's caw was hoarse and empty, seeming near dead as Tom himself. He threw another piece of bread, this time more impatient.

"Eat it you stupid bird. I'm giving you food."

The crow jumped from the bread and cawed again, sounding just as irritated as the zombie was. Tom hurled the last of the bread pieces back at it, a scowl finding its way back on him.

The crow gave a set of angry clicks and caws before flying right at Tom. Tom shrieked when it tried to nip at him as it passed. It turned back and swooped a second time, successful in pecking him this time.

"Ow! What the fuck--get off of me! Shoo!" Tom, with much force, got it to stop grabbing at whatever skin was visible and fly away with more hollow screeches. He watched it fly off towards a fenced off area and out of curiosity he scanned the area for more of them. There were no animals, no clear group of crows waiting to attack except for the few hanging around the area surrounding Mericho's farm by the other side of the town.

Tom's feet carried him on and he looked up to find himself at the building hiding the bunker. It was then that he realized that Captain Captain hadn't told him where to meet with him. He felt a flash of fear--what if he went to the wrong spot? What if he didn't show up?

He perished the thought, let it burn to a charcoal crisp with a sharp crack and let it bleed into an annoyance. He just wants to burn a building and cause mischief with a side of shenanigans. Where was he?

Tom's foot was tapping so impatiently it was a surprise it hadn't just popped off. He started pacing and pacing turned out to be more of a little wiggle.

"I’m waiting, I'm waiting. I'm waiting for my new best friend! Who will be with me...what rhymes with friend--till the end! And I’m waiting, I’m waiting. I'm waiting to set a fire! To Jordan's asshole! And SkeleTom's...asshole, asshole what...SkeleTom's arsehole! Or...house...house with--coal!"

Tom had finished his little dance with a twirl and in a moment of near terror he caught Captain Captain's eyes and froze.

Captain Captain had changed his pirate attire for something a little more...fitting--for a Captain such as himself, Tom thought gawking.

He had kept his badass pirate boots and black jeans but this time he had a white v-neck that rivaled Jordan's--and revealed a lot more chest hair--a navy blue top with no sleeves laid over it. He had his white shirt sleeves rolled up and in his hand was his pirate coat, the really cool one with the silver metallic buttons. What really caught his eye, besides the chest hair, was the loose bun holding up some of his hair, letting the rest of it flow behind him at shoulder length. He could see some stray curls freely shaping his face and a small, single braid among the hair that wasn't in the bun.

Tom nearly fell on his face as he gaped, feeling heat rise up his neck.

Captain Captain glared at him. It was too early in the day to be dealing with him but then again...he was going to help so he settled on a more reasonable answer: "What the fuck are ye doin'?"

Tom blinked. Then he blinked again and forced his mouth closed. Tom could wither under the cool gaze and suave curl of his mouth, a scar running by it drawing the line between a scowl and what Tom saw as a cheeky grin. "What are you doing?"

"Me eyes arr' up 'ere." Captain Captain growled. Tom was swooning now, the pirate accent and low rumbling growl officially capturing the attention of his whole being.

"Stop drooling, it's disgusting."

Tom covered his exposed mouth, too dazed to be self conscious. He was still in a state of shocked awe and admiration when Captain Captain pressed a burlap sack into his arms.

"What's--What's this?" Tom poked at the sack, recovering from his stupor.

Captain Captain's smirk made his knees go weak, "For the house."

….

Tom stared up at the up at the house. From a distance it looked like the rest surrounding the square, blurred behind Tom's view, but standing before the little porch he could see every detail.

Every bit of flammable wood plank painted grey, all the uncared for loose planks with chipped paint that would burn away with the rest, the wooden floor and staircase that was going to take down the second story in a flash of blazing flames--he was suddenly hyper aware of it all.

"You want me to burn this one?"

Tom turned to face Captain Captain, who's teasing eyebrow raise and grin made his grip slack, releasing the bag to the ground. He watched star-gazed as Captain Captain strutted over and swooped for the bag with a quick squat, rising right back in Tom's face.

"Unless ye can't. Ye can, can’t ya?"

Tom's breath hitched at the way Captain Captain dangled the bag lazily between two fingers, his heart skipping a beat at the playful taunt. He snatched the bag.

"Of course I can. I've done worse before" Tom exclaimed with his own lopsided smile, already going through the contents it held. Captain Captain didn't wait a beat.

"I’m sure ye have." He razzed Tom, his voice grating, and it almost made Tom drop the flint and steel he took out--taking the compliment straight to his heart.

'Your friends never compliment you. You don't do anything good.’ A voice that sounded like his with a hint of the original Dianite's voice underneath crowed at him smugly and Tom buried it again, pushed it far away, as deep as he could. He murmured to himself, 'Captain Captain thinks you're good. He likes spending time with you. Don't disappoint him. He's your best friend.’ He dug deeper into the bag.

"TNT?" Tom asked, "Capt you shouldn't have." He gushed with a dangerous glint in his eyes as he held it up. Tom would've sworn on his life that Captain Captain had sent him a wink worth dying for.

"Captain Captain. Obviously, how else ar' ye planin' to get it done?"

Tom eyed over the explosive with hunger. He was the only one who got to do this--stand besides Captain Captain, hold the fate of a whole house in his hands. None of his friends could dream of being in his position, not Wag, Tucker or Sonja. Not Jordan. No one.

"Ye better not wussy out." Captain Captain ribbed.

"Not even the Gods could stop me."

Captain Captain raised an eyebrow, eyeing the zombie and the TNT. His eyes drifted over the area before taking a step off to the side. "I'll be back."

Tom turned immediately, his focus back on Captain Captain. "Where are you going? You aren't going to watch?"

Captain Captain pointed a thumb over his shoulder, "I’m gonna get some stuff." Tom pouted and before he could speak he continued, "Might even bring mor' TNT for ya."

Tom's face lit up, greedy for more. "Be back soon! Wait--don't you want to watch? We're the dynamic duo, Tom and Better Jordan!"

Captain Captain's mouth flickered before curling again, and Tom felt pride flood his veins, “I'll be watching." Tom followed his sauntering figure for a moment, watching as he put on his coat, eyes drifting over his hair before he turned back to face the building.

The building stood tall and empty before Tom but he felt taller, bigger. The TNT was weighted in his hands and the flint and steel pressed deep into his palm. He hadn't felt this strong since he became MechaDianite for a few hours. Every prank, every scandalous night of shenanigans, every escape, it all felt the same. It was intoxicating.

He swaggered up to the building and took another good look at it. It was empty and wooden--why would anyone make their house wooden? They were just asking for it to catch fire.

Tom put down the TNT in the doorway. He fiddled with the flint and steel in his fingers. All it took was one click and the grey house would turn into colorful bursts of red and orange.

"Captain Captain." Captain Captain murmed bitterly as he turned straight into an alleyway. He had tried to hold his breath tightly for a good moment, refusing to repeat his name, but it took him over regardless. He swiftly jumped, grabbing on to a decorative trim and he climbed onto the terrace of a building opposite to the one the nitwit zombie was in. He watched from the shadows as Tom put down the TNT.

His eye twitched again recalling Toms stupid remark “TNT? Capt you shouldn’t have.” What else would it be? How did the idiot think he was gonna bring the house down? He nearly reintroduced his name on instinct his head replaying the way Tom said Capt like a broken, squeaky record player—his eye twitched again.

Every time he thought he could handle the somehow-sentient-zombie he found he could barely contain his annoyance. Captain Captain hummed a low note, his low oaky voice echoing in the alleyway behind him. Not a single soul heard him and not a single soul still alive had heard the entrancing pirate shanty. It was familiar, one he made himself and used while he did this and that. The words came out on their own as he watched the idiot below.

“I'm sick in the head and I haven't gone to bed, since I first came ashore from me slumber, For I spent all me dough on the lassies, don't you know, Far across the western ocean I must wander”

Tom felt the tips of his fingers tingle with anticipation. A grin covered his whole face.

He brought up the flint and steel. Excitement was in every fiber of his being.

A loud click and snap echoed through the house.

Tom was right in front of the porch when the staircase was destroyed and watched as fire spread through the first floor.

The flames licked at his sides, stray embers making their way in the open air. He could see ash starting to fall on his suit. Thrill overtook him as he stood before his creation, right on the line of safe and danger.

He felt exhilaration and happiness overflowing in his face and he had to giggle. Captain Captain must be so impressed--Tom was! And then the giggles turned into laughter, feeling heat on his cheeks.

The fire twisted, popping and crackling and then Tom couldn't tell what was louder--the fire or his cackling?

Tom was free, he was powerful, he had the confidence of a god, he was uncontainable. No rules, no consequences, no worries. And he raised his arms, flint and steel in either hand, letting the fire warm him, laughing with pure happiness.

Captain Captain watched the fire eat the building alive, Tom laughing like a madman before it, near catching fire. He was just asking to be caught. Normally the explosive and fire would've brought a smile to his face, but he wasn't waiting for that.

"'And it's all for me grog, me jolly, jolly grog', we sing, 'All for me beer and tobacco,’ Well I spent all me tin on the lads n lassies drinking gin, Across the tempting ocean I must wander, they sang as we sail."

Nothing could make this better, Tom thought, except burning another building--Better Jordan! Tom scanned the area looking for Captain Captain, he said he was going to be watching--or was he getting TNT. Instead when he turned to his left, towards the square, and saw Tucker running up to him. He looked tired--not that he didn't before--and scared. Served him right.

"What took you so long--" Tom was cut off when he felt his breath escape him, his throat caving in painfully and he was on his back, a knee pressing hard into his solar plexus.

Captain Captain felt a tug at the corners of his lips. ‘Blow a man down, bring a spring upon her cable. Aye, no men run a shot across the bow, at me face, I sail, I sail, wander I must I sail.’

Tom floundered underneath Honey Badger, desperate for air. What the hell was she doing! She pressed her knee deeper into his stomach, trapping him. His chest seized from the pain, he could feel the ghost of his heart hammering a hole to escape it in his chest. Undead--more like he wished he was, Dianite take pity.

The pirate leaning on the railing of the terrace smiled, watching Tom choke, his eyes begging for air--his precious breaths being taken from the flames and the Honey Badger above him.

Said Honey Badger locked eyes with the Captain. He grinned. Then the farmer's alternate caught his gaze. Captain Captain's eyebrows furrowed and his chin tilted up further looking down upon him, before he broke out another smirk, looking right back.

"My name is Captain Captain, my God's laws I did forsake, Upon my name a curse I take, as I sailed, as I sailed."

He shook his head and turned the corner of the terrace and dropped back into the alleyway, out of sight.

Tom flailed desperately, his eyes catching sight of the dagger he stole from Captain Captain. Where was Capt?

A squeak escaped him when Honey increased her pressure.

"Get off me lady!" Tom kicked the air helplessly, "I didn't do nothing! What the fuck have I ever done to you! I ain't done shit! Let me go! Captain will come back and make you pay! I'll burn every fucking house down to the ground, then you'll regret this! I'll kill you!"

Tom screeched with all the breath he had, listening to Tucker's weak defenses for him.

Tom felt air flood back into his lungs and for a second he wondered how Tucker had done it. He rolled to his stomach to get up, until he felt a sharp yank, his hair feeling as though it was being ripped free, and with a sudden painful impact he saw blood on the cobblestone. His mouth had that funny copper taste to it and he knew it was his blood. Tom lay stunned. Who the fuck did she think she was?

He tried to escape again, ready to fight till death and after--and then he found himself digging into the ground completely. His fingers clawed at any free dirt as a her knee dug into his kidneys. She ruined everything! His thoughts and fight were getting dimmer, his chest was heaving now, his eyes brimming with unwelcome tears and his jaw aching against the cobblestone.

"I'm taking him in."

Tom cursed her out left and right, demanding he be released. They couldn't throw him in jail for this!

"...Griefing was against the law in our dimension as well, I’m sure there’s some sort of explanation that would…" He heard Tucker continue to fail to bring his freedom. What happened to the trials? The oh so fair trials he could escape and make a run for it?

"How many times will you have to defend the actions of your friend, preemptively or in response to his misdeeds, before you take a critical eye to his moral character."

Tom growled, searching his face wildly from its place pressed into the ground, threatening as much as he could for help. Tucker you better think of something or so help me Dianite--

"I’ve known him long enough to make my judgements.” Tucker argued. "You aren’t the only Mianite champion around anymore.”

“Reconsider that statement.”

Tom could feel the poison in her words, the cold threat freezing his core. For a moment Tom wondered if they were going to fight--not that Tucker stood a chance, but Tom could use the opportunity to bolt.

Captain Captain listened with contempt as Tom got dragged away to the town's jail, his back against the building on a ledge opposite of the porch, strong words and spit flying left and right out of the zombie's ugly yap.

Captain Captain's song layered over Tom's pathetic cries like waves.

"And being cruel still my gunner I did kill, I was sick and nigh to death, as I sailed."

"Let go of me! Tucker!"

"And his precious blood did spill, as I sailed, as I sailed."

"Tucker, help me! She can't fucking take me to jail! Tucker? Tucker, you bitch, help get her off of me!"

"I was sick and nigh to death and I vowed with every breath."

"Tucker! Sonja? Wag..? Someone, help me! Captain Captain?"

"To walk in wisdom's ways when I sailed, when I sailed."

"Help me!"

….

A light breeze swept over Ihatchu, golden wheat fluttering lightly under the early morning sun.

It was...quiet. Peaceful, one might say. Tranquil, even. The crows certainly thought so.

A murder of crows perched themselves carefully on fences, not a worry on any of their minds despite their food sources starting to become more moribund.

Speaking of crow-like meals in Ihatchu...

A rather dead-eyed crow watched as someone stumbled onto the cobblestone path that connected the town jail to the city square. It fluttered its wings and sprung forward a little, bouncing.

It cawed, head tilted to the side, eyes trained on the person as they scrambled off of the ground in a haste, crying out an ugly noise as it held its hand close to its chest.

In a quick misstep and tumble, the thing fell to the ground. The crow decided it looked oddly like a monster--not ones that limp at night but the ones they've seen. The ones that lay still and rot beneath the plains.

Yet this one was moving, and moving quickly too. The crow was able to recognize its movements and watched the man collect himself and stand again.

No one had rescued Tom that night.

...

"Tucker, Sonja, Wag--Tucker! Tucker get the fuck back here! Tell this bitch to let me go! Tucker!"

Tom squeaked as Honey twisted his arm further behind his back. Any further and she'd pop his arm off. He could see the jail right ahead of them.

"Be quiet."

...

The crow was very surprised when it saw no one following after. The monster was looking behind itself though, the man's red pupils constricting from the sudden light and pure fear, walking as fast as it could away from the jail it had been dumped from. It had been let go...and was still running too. How odd.

...

Tom tried his best to turn his head, Honey's hold on him leaving no room for movement.

She wasn't actually going to jail him. No one was stupid enough to try and contain him. He started thrashing his legs when it finally occurred to him that they weren't stopping, hoping he could find an escape. Her grip was making his arm go numb, stinging pins and needles were being pulled and twisted into a painful flare of fire that spread through his whole arm.

"Sonja! Drag Tucker's ass back here! Sonja--Sonja, I know you can hear me! Sonja!" Tom couldn't see anyone, but one of them had to be nearby.

...

The sun was barely touching the horizon when Tom had been dragged from his sniveling heap in the jail cell and thrown onto the ground outside. Honey gave him a tired look, and said, “Go on then--step out of line again and it’ll be your wrist I’ll break.”

Tom went as fast as his legs could carry him--running proved to be difficult when he kept turning to look over his shoulder and his legs shook.

That bitch is insane! They never had such punishments in Mianite--yeah the gods could smite you or your stuff could be stolen but they never broke hands in retaliation. He held his hand tenderly to his chest.

...

"Stop moving."

Honey's iron grip only got stronger as they entered and Tom's shriek could've shattered the jail's windows.

"Sonja! What the fuck--Wag! Can one of you--Waglington! Let go of me! You can't--"

"You're going to get yourself more injured."

Tom could feel his arms start to twitch, tensing and freezing in panic. Honey's tone had made the warning a threat and left no room for argument. What is she going to do to him?

....

Tom's frantic feet had brought him inside a random house. He clutched his hand, tears started to sting at the corners of his eyes. His fingers were twisted in a horrid way and were starting to swell, tips turning a sickening purple.

All of this because of a stupid house?

...

"Wag!" Tom frooze, stopping his wiggling when they stopped in front of a cell. One of Honey's hands moved to hold his shoulder. She wouldn't. She can't!

The cell was old. Like, really old. Disgustingly so. Tom suddenly wished he was back at the BnB next to Tucker and his snot infested bed. The cell was made of stone bricks. Cold and miserable stone bricks with mold growing in the corners. It was dark. There was only one window and not only did it have bars blocking out a potential escape but it was too high for anyone to look through.

...

Tom leaned against a wall by the door, head dipping low as he sunk down. His breaths were shallow and ragged. He's fine, he's safe, she's gone, he's safe, she's not coming. He's okay.

It had to be a curse, Tom sniveled, a sick and twisted, inhumane curse to hear a heart that wouldn't ever beat again hammer in his chest and ears.

...

Tom couldn't stop his panic from rising, breath shallow and ragged from just looking at the cell. Honey was speaking, her voice was stern and as cold as the cell. He couldn't hear anything she was saying over the pressure building in his head.

She can't do anything to him. A chilly square of stone can't contain him!

No one--no, nothing could stop him! He's broken out of trials before. He's snuck his way into vaults. He took what he wanted and didn't give a fuck what anyone had to say about it. Tom had gone rogue! He started a rebellion! He broke out Steve from a jail! He challenged a king! He didn't give a single ass wipe to anyone who stood in his way!

For fuck's sake, he burned down a house! He killed a God! He killed Dianite of all the Gods! He killed Dianite--his God.

He killed his God...for his friends. He killed his God for Jordan's...

"--You haven't been listening? Have you? You will be released in the morning--I will not prolong this for either of our sakes. Remember this, Thomas--the law will find you--and you will be punished accordingly.” She took a step towards him, her tall figure and broad shoulders casting an imposing shadow. “I cannot force your interests elsewhere, but I can make you fear the law. Rethink your decisions."

Honey had only moved ever so slightly, when Tom cracked. He didn’t get it? Why was no one jumping in to save him?

Only one tear had made it to the wooden floor before Tom clawed his hands up to his eyes, fingers and palms trying to stop wet from escaping. He had drifted over his exposed mouth with trembling fingers. Tom can barely think of times when he had wished to be normal more than this moment.

And when an awfully wretched sound found it's way from his pounding, shriveled dead heart to his throat and into the empty air Tom pulled at his hair.

"Jordan!" Tom kicked and floundered with as much energy as fear and anger could give. He hadn't wanted to call for that bastard, but he would as a last resort.

He killed his God. For his friends. He betrayed Him. He failed Him. For his friends.

Tom rambled aimlessly--he shouted aimlessly over Honey’s shoulder--someone had to be out. His friends wouldn’t just leave him to be jailed. They would come and explain it all and Honey would have to release him. He was just the bad guy--he always did this!

"Jordan! Don't let them take me unfairly! You're an Ianitee--they can't--I didn't--Sparkly-asshole, I'm your friend! You owe me! I--You--I'll burn your house down again! Your house and Jerry's tree and SkeleTom and his house. I'll destroy everything! Jordan! I--He's not more important than--"

Tom's voice cracked at the end when he hit the stone bricks. His hip colliding with the ground and his hand scraping against a jagged edge. Honey’s glare fell upon him.

For this?

“You shouldn’t keep shouting,” Honey said, “you’re giving me a migraine. Everyone’s asleep.” Tom just stared at her. “They’re not coming.”

“They always do--you can’t do shit to me,” Tom yelled hoarsely.

Tom squeezed his eyes shut, moving his arm to cover his eyes. He clenched his hand into a fist, numbing the pain of his hand as he forced himself with much effort to hold his breath. Something inside of him--maybe it was anger, fear, pain or trapped air or whatever--wanted to explode, to destroy or set ruin and destruction to.

A dangerous inferno was burning inside of him.

Tom flinched as the cell door slammed shut. He scrambled and limped to the bars, hands clutching them just above his head. Honey was walking away, the sharp clicks of her boots echoing through the empty jail.

She imprisoned him. She did it.

Tom felt his grip slacken, hands trailing down the bars as his shoulders sank.

His friends...they had to be coming for him...someone, at least one…

Tom's brain fried before one thought had made it through. A light in the dark. Tom's savior, how could he have forgotten? He'd get out of here in no time, he was sure of it. Tom's one and only true friend.

"CAPTAIN CAPTAIN!"

The clicks stopped. For a moment, it felt like everything stopped. Like a standstill was found as time froze. Ihatchu knew silence. Pure silence...almost.

Tom's grip tightened again. He held his breath.

A voice drifted from the hall, the smallest trace of amusement and pity bounced off the walls as reality came crashing down like the second floor of a burning house.

"How could you be so ignorant?"

...

A deep growl burst out of the flames as Tom stood and unsteadily rushed to a dusty chest. Four chests and one drawer later, Tom found what he was looking for.

With a trembling hand he wrapped the injured one and made a makeshift splint, avoiding looking at it as much as he could. This would have to do. Tom wiped away the wet that had trailed down his face.

...

It was in this moment that Tom's lungs decided he didn't get nearly enough air. His knees trembled before giving out and Tom found himself holding the bars like a lifeline.

Honey's voice cut through his heaves.

"Unfortunately, I've gotten more than a fair share of time to figure out his erratic behavior. Anyone in this town who's dealt with him would tell you not to bother. And any living soul with a working brain wouldn't try. No one's coming. Especially not him."

...

Tom slammed the door behind him as he stepped back into the morning sun. There was a health potion he needed back at the BnB.

He let his feet find his way back, choosing to ignore the cobblestone paths. His legs had stopped shaking but his hand hadn't. He squinted in the sun. Even in its heat there was something cold and empty inside him. Just like a zombie.

Tom didn't spare a glance behind his shoulder as he rushed back on quick feet. And if he noticed the crow following a ways behind he didn't bother to yell at it.

...

Tom spent an agonizingly long night yelling and cursing until he couldn't stand up anymore. For a while he refused to give up. As far as he was told, not a single living soul had heard him. What a horrible idea to think that at least one had...and hadn't bothered to do anything about it but listen.

After a while that feeling of gut wrenching betrayal solidified into a festering anger.

He spent the rest of his time in the corner, head on his knees and arms around himself. Honey would come for him sometime in the morning.

And when she did.

...

Tom reached the door of their lodging and leaned heavily against it. He composed himself best he could. Breathing deep and slow.

...

"Thomas?" Honey had prompted. She had at some point changed clothes. She waited for him to look at her. "You'll be free to go in a moment."

"Finally," Tom muttered. His mood darkened as he stewed and he was about to give her hell. If she opened that door he'd come back with a sword and show her the true fury of a Dianitee. "Bitch," he added.

Honey's hand stilled on the lock, the keys dangling from her fingers. She looked at Tom with tepid eyes. A warning. "Would you like to repeat that?"

"Yeah, I would," Tom stood. "What did this accomplish? Locking me in here is going to make me a saint? You think I'm scared. This will be the only time you put me behind bars," Tom rambled, feeling his courage and anger bubbling. He gripped the bars and drew himself up as much as he could. He stared her down, red pupils blazing.

"Mayhaps, you're right," Honey allotted. Tom grinned and he lifted a hand outside the bars and flipped her off.

Her hand caught his wrist and she kept him from pulling it back. She hung the keys back at her waist and then, looking at Tom, grabbed his finger.

"Lady, let go--" Tom started.

She bent it backwards, her eyes on Tom's he looked at her, confused. He looked at the finger. He felt the faint pain, the warning even his undead body had about bending it. He briefly felt his finger grace his wrist, the obliterating pain made his vision go white.

Not like the sword cuts and violent deaths muted by the respawn but a pain new and fresh, aching and spreading up his arm. He tried to yank his wrist away, but she held tight. Tom was gritting his teeth. He nearly cursed at her, but held his tongue.

"Do you think you've learned anything?"

"Bite me," Tom bared his teeth. His menacing teeth were sharp and crooked. She bared hers back and bent his pointer-finger to the point of pain and waited. She watched Tom's snarl turn into a grimace. He tried to yank his arm away. She hadn't budged. Tom shot his other hand through the bars and tried to grab her hand and pull it away.

She drew his hand further from the bars, causing a burning in Tom's shoulder. He couldn't reach his own hand! He gripped the bar instead.

"Do you think you've learned anything?" She repeated.

"Fuck you," Tom said through gritted teeth. This time the break was felt in his chest. He seized against the bars, clenching his teeth to avoid hollering in pain.

She had grabbed his thumb and this time when she bent it back Tom couldn't take it. The cold grimy bar burned against his hand as he gripped it, his knuckles went white.

"Do you think you've learned anything?"

Tom didn't answer. She bent his thumb further back. Slowly pushing it towards his wrist. She held it again, hearing Tom hiss. "Yes."

She kept pushing. "What did you learn?"

"Not to break the law--let go, let go--"

She didn't right away. Tom was tearing at the eyes before she let go of his hand, but not his wrist. She watched him slack against the bars, his remaining fingers curling up and his thumb tucking itself inward to avoid the pain.

"Mayhaps, you've learned. Next time it'll be your wrist." She let go of his wrist and Tom dragged his hand back into the cell, clutching it to his chest. He curled inward on himself, sagging to his knees and Honey opened the cell, her keys jingling.

"Get out of my sight."

...

Tom opened the door to the BnB, wrapping his good hand and arm around himself and locking the door behind him, listening to the sound of a beating heart that should've been his.

PLOT | ABOUT | CHARACTERS

#discordant plains #mianite #mianite fan fiction #mianite fan art #SynHD #captain captain #Honey Badger

34 notes · View notes

fangirl-inthe-us · 5 years

Text

Querencia Pt. 1

Gif not mine

Summary: Pregnant and alone, you stumble upon a man in the middle of a quarry. You save him from a walker. It all happens fast, but you are in labor and the man you just saved claims to know someone who can help. Will you accept his help or turn the other way?

Querencia - (n.) A place where one’s strength is drawn, where one feels at home; the place where you are your most authentic self.

Author’s Note: Oh my gosh! It’s done! I’m going to be writing this part by part. So, don’t expect the next part anytime soon. Since finals are coming and I have so much homework. I will try to write as much as I can though! I am going to warn you, I do not know anything about pregnancies. If there is anything that isn’t right, I'm sorry. I tried my best. Also, I took some creative liberty. The timing in the show is off, but I don’t think that matters a whole bunch. It really isn’t much. Anyways, please enjoy!

Warnings: Pregnancy, swearing, violence blood, my grammar.

Word Count: 4.2k

Series Parts: Part 1, Part 2,

I was walking through the woods. Not going in any particular direction. I was just moving. The dead were somehow living and I was petrified. I thought my life was a mess before, but that was when I had a reliable food source and a bed to sleep in. Man, do I miss my bed. Also, warm showers. I’d kill for a warm shower.

My swollen belly had started to growl. Food had been scarce and I was beginning to worry. It wouldn’t have been such a big problem if I wasn’t nine months pregnant. I could force myself to go days without food. But because I was growing a human being inside me, I didn’t want to risk anything and I tried to do everything I could.

When the world had ended, my boyfriend, Derek, always took care of food, shelter, and the dead. Unfortunately, things got complicated when we found out I was pregnant. It must have happened right before the dead started walking. Regardless of when it happened, I needed more food than usual and it made scavenging for food a lot more grueling.

A month after we found out about the baby, My boyfriend was bitten. He was caught while in a grocery store after he had let his guard down. When the time came, he shot himself in the head. I can remember the exact conversation we had before he did it.

“You need to go. I have to do this.”

“No!” Tears were flowing from my eyes as I shook my head vigorously, “You can’t. I need you. We need you.” I made the statement as I rubbed my stomach.

“You know what happens. I’m bit and the only thing I will be doing will be taking a bite out of you. I know how strong you are and I know you can make it. I love you, both of you. Now go. I don’t want you seeing this. Just leave me.”

I was about to object, but he gave me a look and I knew that there was nothing I could say or do to stop this from happening. I closed my eyes took and took a deep breath in. I let myself feel the emotions for a couple of seconds then I breathed out. I opened my eyes and got a look at Derek one last time.

Then, hastily, I am turning around and grabbing all our supplies. With a hand on my belly, I am walking forward. I didn’t know where to go so I just went straight.

My protruding stomach was still growling when I came across a small cabin in the woods. As I approached it, the building looked to be untouched. The door was intact and closed. Everything around the cabin was overgrown and there were plants hanging on the siding of the house.

I pulled the hunting knife I had attached to my hip and readied myself for anything. Quietly, I walked to the door and attempted to open it. Nothing happened. The door was locked. That was a good sign.

As inconspicuous and quiet as possible, I crept toward the front window. The curtains were drawn so I couldn’t see what was inside. With my knife in hand, I carefully switched the windows lock. I slid the window open with no problem and clambered into the cabin.

Upon first glance, there wasn’t anything alarming. The room had what a typical living room had in it. No dead to be seen. I meandered into the small intryway still not seeing anything that could remotely be a threat. Making my way to the next room I didn’t see nor hear anything remotely dangersome. I made sure to sneak through the entire house and still didn’t find anything.

When I considered the cabin safe, I was going straight to the kitchen. It was small and had all the essentials. Nothing jumped out at me. That was until I saw the walk-in pantry. I ripped open the door and cried out in happiness. There were two cans of soup among a bunch of spoiled food. I grabbed both cans and shoved them into my bag.

Walking out, the first thing I did was open all the cabinets. I came up empty. I wasn’t even going to attempt to open the refrigerator. I made that mistake once. Never again.

Before I left the house, I did another walkthrough. Halfway through my walkthrough, I found a door. Wow, my observation skills never cease to amaze me. I opened the door and saw some stairs leading to a basement. I closed my eyes and sighed. I really didn’t want to go down into the creepy basement but if there was a chance that there was food down there, I had to go.

I tried the light switch in hopes that it would work. I didn’t. So I pulled out a flashlight and tried to be as sneaky as possible. I hadn’t checked this area and for all I know, there could be a group of geeks hiding down there.

Once I had made it to the bottom of the stairs, I swept my eyes around my surroundings. At first glance, I didn’t notice any dead. What I did notice, was that there was a lot of furniture which meant a lot of places for the undead to hide.

I went around checking for any possible threats. Behind a couch, under a desk, any possible hidey-hole could house a living corpse. Checking behind a box, there was a groan coming from the unchecked room. I was instantly ready for an attack. Nothing came. I walked closer to the little room.

What I found was a depressing sight. My eyes were trained to the figure dangling from a ceiling fan. Half of what used to be the man was awkwardly laying on the ground. The other half was wildly jerking towards me. It’s arms outstretched while it wildly attempted to grab me.

I wasn’t going to risk cutting it down. There was no point it’s not like it was hurting anyone. So, I just left it there to rot. Moving on from the putrid sight, I continued on my search for more food. With a thorough job, I found one pack of sunflower seeds and one king size pack of Reese's cups. They were hidden away in a desk drawer.

I made my way out of the cabin and prepared myself for another journey to nowhere. I was getting really sick of a neverending destination. I wanted a place to stay. A place to call home. Unfortunately, there was no place like that anymore. Places like that are fairytales now.

~~~~~~~~~~

It’d been a few days since I had found the little cabin in the woods and I was moving closer to Atlanta. Or at least that’s what the road signs were telling me. I knew that I would have to change my route. I haven’t seen how bad the cities were, but I could imagine. I didn’t want to be anywhere near that.

Recently, I had been making camp closer to the woods. I think that is because in the woods there is a reliable food source. Fortunately, I had found a survival book in a house I raided a few days ago. The most important thing it taught me was how to make a snare. Now I have been testing my skills out and I happened to catch two rabbits.

At the moment I was walking to a snare I made the night before. It was hard trying to trapeze through the foliage on the forest floor. Especially since I was pregnant. Successfully, I had made it to my snare. Bending down, I found that I was unlucky in my attempt to catch dinner. With a sigh, I decided to move on.

Surprisingly, I had been going at a decent pace for a pregnant woman. I’m pretty sure in three hours I had walked at least six miles. I could feel my feet beg for a break. Also, I was sure that there were blisters starting to form on my feet.

When I came across a car, I decided this was a good place as any to take a break. I sat down so my back rested against the tire. Leaning my head back, I let my eyes closed and allow my body to relax. This probably wasn’t a good idea, since it was out in the open. Well, I have my shotgun beside me, so I’m covered if something comes out to eat or attack me.

While I soak up the sun, I realize how taxing everything has been on my body. Lifting my hand I lay it on my protruding belly. After a moment I feel a little kick. I moved my hand lower to feel the mini human inside me. A smile spread across my lips. That was until I heard a loud shout.

My eyes shot open. I survey the area around me. There is no visible threat. I focus on the sounds around me. Nothing out of the ordinary was heard. Then there’s another shout. This time it sounded more like a cry of pain. I debated in my head whether to go see if the person needed help or if this was a trap.

I decide to throw caution to the wind. Okay, maybe not entirely. I crept through the woods toward where I thought I heard the shout. The closer I get the more I start to hear a mumbling.

“I ain’t nobody's bitch.” Is the only coherent thing I hear. I silently chuckle.

I stopped right behind a tree. Leaning to the side, I witness what was going on. There was a man laying on the ground. He looked half dead. He had some sort of head wound and an arrow sticking out of his side. I glance at the space above him. From the looks of it, the man fell off the cliff above. As he fell he must’ve fallen on his arrow.

Suddenly, a dead emerges and I watch as it starts stumbling his way towards the man. I attempted to get the delirious man’s attention, but it was to no avail. He doesn’t hear me and the dead fell on his knees and started attacking the stranger's feet.

I stepped out and shouted at the monster. The dead’s head whipped toward me as the man laying on the ground comes to his senses. I surged forward, toward the growling monstrosity and sunk my knife into its skull. The dead dropped to the ground instantly.

Through this entire event, I had begun to hyperventilate. With all this stress, I notice a few changes with my body. A sharp pain shot through my abdomen and my eyes became blurry. The pain was like a cramp but ten times worse than what I was used to. I cried out in pain.

The man in front of me looked like he wanted to say something but suddenly glanced behind me. His face morphed into one of panic. He scrambled to gather something but I wasn’t paying much attention.

I bent over because the pain was too much. With my hands on my knees, I tried to calm my breathing. Thankfully, my vision was clearing and I noticed that a dark trail had traveled down my pants. It suddenly hits me. I am in labor and my water just broke.

I hadn't ever thought of what would happen when it was time for the baby to come. I assumed I’d end up dead before then. It’s a morbid thought, but a realistic one. Yet here I am with a man who can barely stand while in the middle of who knows where. This is no place to have a baby. The man next to me probably doesn’t know how to birth a child.

During my panic attack, The man next me to jumped into action. I was watching in horror as he painfully pulled the arrow from his side. My brows furrowed and my head tilted. What the hell is he doing? As the thought crossed my mind, I heard a growl from behind me. My head turned to look behind me. There, ever so quickly, is a dead making it’s way toward my figure.

I stumble back with a gasp. My hand goes protectively toward my stomach. In an instant, the dead drops to the ground with an arrow deeply implanted in its brain. I whirled back to where the half-dead man was. Just as my eyes landed on him, he lowered his crossbow.

“Who the hell are you?” He asks as he watches my trembling form.

“Someone who is about to birth a baby.”

“Well, shit.” His eyes ran across my body for any signs. Landing on my pants, he saw the trail down my pants. “Shit, ya ain’t kiddin’”

“Do you happen to know how to deliver a baby?” I figured I might try.

“The hell I do. Do I look like someone who can?” The man was swaying as he grumbled.

“Are you the only one? Is there anyone you know who could help me?” I asked hopefully.

The man just grumbled and kicked some sand up. I watched as he had an internal battle. Finally, he walked up to me and grabbed my arm.

“I got someone back at my camp who can help, but there’s a problem. We’re stuck in this damn area an’ we need ta be up there.” The man pointed to the cliff above us.

“I know of a road not too far from here. We could find it and maybe find a way to you’re camp.”

“A’ight,”

“Can I ask you one thing?” The man just grunted, “What’s your name?”

The man glowered at me, but then noticed what state I was in. His eyes softened. “The name’s Daryl Dixon, yours?”

“(Y/N) (Y/L/N). Nice to meet you, Daryl Dixon.”

I lead Daryl in the direction that I had come from. There were a few dead that Daryl had to take out. The contractions were painful but they were still far apart. I had some hope that I could make it to Dayrl’s camp.

Successfully directing Daryl, I stumbled through the last bit of shrubbery. I turned to him with a proud look on my face. He looked at me with a passive face but a hint of something behind his eyes. My proud smirk must’ve come off as a grimace from my contractions.

“Okay, so. Where do we go now?” I grunted out as the pain lingered.

“‘s not too far from here. You walked in a straight enough path tha’ I can find our way back.” That was all the words spoke before he walked off to my right. I followed Daryl as best as I could and we had somehow come across a hill that was climbable. Which would have been a breeze for anyone who wasn’t pregnant.

I struggled quite a bit and Daryl did little to help me. I think he was getting fed up. Once I had gotten myself up the hill, I eyed the man in front of me. There must have been a few dead because he had a necklace of their ears hanging from his neck. I raised my eyebrows and he just grunted and started walking again.

It was a while later when Daryl was stopping again. He dropped the things that he was holding except for his crossbow. I stood there in confusion. What on earth is the man doing now? He would stop every once in a while just to listen. I knew that he was listening for any dead. Or walkers, as he likes to call them. This time it was different.

“What are you doing?

“Goin’ ta get us some grub. Wait here.” Without another word, he was walking off.

I sighed and carefully sat down. The contraction that shot through me didn’t help either. Taking a few breaths, I leaned against the tree behind me.

I had laid there for what had to be twenty minutes before anything exciting happened. Suddenly, There was a rustle in the bushes beside me. As soon as I heard it, I was grabbing for my weapon. Daryl came bursting out of the bushes with two squirrels.

Instantly, I notice the blood covering his mouth. His hands were covered in the red liquid too. What did he do while he was out there?

“The the hell happened to you?”

“Nothin’. I got us some squirrels.”

“What do you mean nothing? You’re covered in blood.”

“Calm down woman. I ate mine already.”

“Raw?”

“No, I took the time to cook it while I let you and the little cub starve.”

“There’s no need for the sarcasm. Just… hand over the squirrel.”

“What? No. I’ll cook it for ya’. He set the squirrels down and began to grab sticks, “‘s not a big deal. you don’t have to eat yours raw.”

After that, the conversation was finished. I watched as the man gathered some sticks for a small fire. While all this is going on, I am sitting rubbing my belly and watching. I looked away when Daryl began to skin the squirrels.

Daryl had finished skinning the squirrels and put it over the fire. I remember when I used to get sick at the smell of cooked meat. It was sometime after I found out that I was pregnant. I hated every minute of it.

Breaking me out of my thoughts, a stick was waved in my face. I looked up to see that Daryl had fully cooked the meat to his satisfaction. We didn’t even know who I was and he was already watching out for me. That could also be because I was pregnant and he was generally a decent human being that didn’t want to hurt a pregnant woman’s baby.

I ate quickly, I knew that there wasn’t much time to waist. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that when a baby is ready to come out, it’s ready to come out.

I tossed the stick in a random direction and attempted to get up. Suddenly, there was a hand on my arm and I was being helped up. Turning to Daryl, I flashed him a thankful smile. All I got back was a low grunt. We gathered our things and got back to walking.

~~~~~~~~

Groaning in pain, I wondered how much time had passed. It felt like it had been hours. I noticed as we walked that my contractions were getting closer and closer. I was beginning to worry that we weren’t going to make it.

Ahead of me, Daryl stopped. I looked at him in confusion. He held his hand up and looked me dead in the eyes. I broke his stare as a sharp contraction hit me. His eye softened for a split second.

“I don’ know how my people are gonna react ta ya, so I want ya ta wait here until I give ya a signal ta come out.”

“Alright.” I gave a simple nod.

As the man stumbled through the trees, he stopped to look back at me. Did he really need to check if I was staying where I was? I tried to smile, but another contraction hit me. They were really close now and I had a feeling it was about time.

Suddenly, I was brought out of my thoughts. I heard shouting from behind the forest trees. From the sound of it, they weren’t happy. After a moment the shouting stopped.

“Is that Daryl?” I heard through the foliage.

“That’s the third time you’ve pointed that thing at my head.” Daryl didn’t sound happy. “Ya gonna pull the trigger or what?”

In a sudden wave of emotion, I emerged from behind the trees. The only one who could get me medical help could potentially end up getting shot and I wasn’t going to let that happen.

“Please don’t!” I yelled as I staggered toward the group surrounding Daryl. As I made my way to Daryl, but before anything else could happen there was a bang and Daryl fell to the ground, “No!” I yelled.

As the men made their way to the, now, unconscious man, a pain like no other shot through me and I all came to me. The baby was coming.

The men were not, only screaming at the people quickly approaching us, but were attempting to get me moving toward what looked like a farmhouse. I was in a weird state. It was like I wasn’t there and I couldn’t get a hold of my breathing. Also, it was like I was floating above watching the action, and watching as it happened.

“Someone help me. This one is in some sort of shock and it’s making carrying her difficult.” The man who was talking was young. He had a blad head and a mean looking face. Maybe it was a frustrated one. I couldn’t tell what emotions were. I was too deep in shock.

~~~~~~~

I was being tapped on the cheek and my eye focused on an old man above me. I then realized that I was in a room and on a bed. When did I get here?

“Sweetheart, I’m gonna need you to be present for this. In a few seconds, I’m gonna need you to push. Can you do that?” Slowly coming back, I nodded at the man.

There was screaming. I looked around to see who it was, but I soon realized that it was me. That was when the pain came back and it hurt. It hurt so bad. It felt like, well, that there was a baby pushing its way out of me.

My lower regions were burning as the baby was forcing his way through. I squeezed my eyes and my hands shut. My muscles contract in pain. That was when I realized that there was someone's hand in mine.

I opened my eyes to see who, and I saw it was a woman. A young woman. She had short brown hair and concerned eyes. She was about to say something but the elderly man spoke up.

“Alright, you’re ready. Now push.”

It took an hour and a half. In an instant, I am crying in joy as my newborn make their first cry. As they wrap my little angel, I laid back, exhausted. I was filled with so many emotions as my tears rolled down my face. When the woman who was holding my hand came over with my baby, I tried to collect myself. I had grabbed the reigns on my emotions and the woman handed me, my child.

“Congratulations, you have a baby boy.” There was a wide smile on her face as she watched my son involuntary ball his hands up.

The little man was still covered in blood and other fluids, but I didn’t care. I was too focused on his features. He had a mix of mine and Derek’s features. While I admire his face, I rub my finger against his tiny cheek.

“Edmund Joseph (Y/LN). That’s his name.” I stated as I smiled at my baby.

“I like it.” A teenager leaning against the doorway voiced.

I moved my attention to the girl. Her gaze was on Edmund. She had a large smile on her face and a little bit of longing in her eyes. She must’ve wanted a child. This world took that chance away from her.

“Bethie, what are you doing in here? I thought you were helping Carol with Daryl’ stitches?” Beth looked at the woman at my side.

“We got that done a long time ago. I could hear what was going on and when it all finally calmed down, I thought I’d come in to get a peek at the little one.”

The other woman was about to answer back, but before she could I spoke up. “No, it’s okay. You wanna see him?” As soon as I asked Beth’s eyes lit up.

“Can I?”

“You know what?” The woman beside me interjected, “Why doesn’t Beth take the little one and We let you get some well-earned sleep? You look exhausted and you, mama, really need sleep after all that work.”

Before I could say anything back, the woman was giving me a stern look and I conceded. Suddenly, I did feel really tired. I guess I could get a little sleep. From the way Daryl acted towards these people, I figured I could trust them. If they wanted to hurt me and my baby they would’ve done it by now.

I handed Edmund to the woman and she carefully took him into her arms. I realized that I never learned her name, “Hey, I didn't quite get your name.”

Her eyes crinkled as she smiled yet again, “The names Maggie, Maggie Greene.”

“Mine’s (Y/N) (/L/N). Thank you for helping me.”

“It was no problem. Now you get some sleep and I’ll clean this little guy.” I smiled as she walked out with my son in her arms.

Leaning back, I rested my head against the pillow. I had to shift into a more comfortable position which resulted in pain to shoot into my nether regions. I groaned but finally settled not wanting to cause any more pain. As I laid there, my eyelids began to droop. The exhaustion fully settled in and my eyes closed.

299 notes · View notes

confitfacile-blog · 5 years

Text

A Coward's Resolve

Momo Yaoyorozu, three words; his sibling's babysitter.

Todoroki never thought he'd fall in love with anyone for that matter, but here he was in love with the girl that chooses to fold his little brothers underwear out of sheer politeness. She may be a year younger, but it doesn't stop Shouto from feeling less and less confident around her. After understanding his embarrassment was unnecessary he resolves to be more bold and express his feelings. For once it seems like the odds are in his favor.

Oneshot

Teen

2011 words

AO3: link

(UN-EDITED)

Note:

Hello readers,

It's been a long time since I've been avidly in the BNHA fandom and even longer since I've actually used AO3 and Tumbr. I had published a few other todomomo works way back in the beginning of 2018 (over a year ago!!!), but I decided I no longer wish to return to that account and I wish to remain separated from that identity (?) idek if that makes sense. Anyways I was really motivated to write more Todomomo after seeing this art piece come across my feed on twitter for no reason, it was a blessing though because now I am extremely stuck in the todomomo hole again. The link to the art piece will be at the end of this note.I hope you enjoy this work and as always please give criticisms, regular comments and kudos!

*clarification: this piece was not based on the artwork, I just really enjoy it!

https://anush_arts.artstation.com/projects/ZK0G1 (if this link no longer works in the future it is a gorgeous drawing by Anush Arts of Todoroki and Momo in full color, kissing in a relaxed position on a yellow covered bed, Momo's hair is down and slightly wavy, she wears a lavender tank top while Todoroki is shirtless and in black shorts, it's nothing NSFW just really sweet because she's sitting beside him and he cradles the back of her head) @anush-arts

Now on to the story:

"Ah, Todoroki I see you're awake."

Todoroki, still half asleep, smiled deliriously at the sound of her angelic voice. He soon realized it was a little too out of place for his bedroom. His eyes shot wide open.

Yaoyorozu Momo was in his room, the gorgeous black-haired girl herself, sitting by the side of his bed in a tank top of all things.

Damn did he wish the context were different.

She made eye contact with him and winked as he sat straight up, not wanting to seem like a child. It took him a moment to realize he wasn't wearing a shirt, because Yaoyorozu showed no reaction at all. He was thankful she didn't make him more embarrassed by becoming flustered herself, but a little part of him wished he had been more bold to her in the past to elicit that type of reaction. She hardly batted an eyelash after seeing him half naked. He opened his mouth to say something, but she shushed him with a single finger pressed to her lips, gesturing toward the sleeping child to her and his right.

If he didn't already feel emasculated enough she just had to remind him that at seventeen years old he was still sharing a room with his younger brother Natsuo, who was only four.

His parents had needed a babysitter for his siblings because a four year old boy and two year old girl aren't exactly easy to handle. Of course, stubborn Todoroki had refused to help out around the house leading them to turn to Yaoyorozu, the responsible girl who lived a block away. She was only sixteen, but the most mature person Todoroki knew by far.

She stared at his sleeping sibling fondly as she bent over to pick up the legos strewn across his floor. Todoroki watched her backside sneakily for a moment before getting up to put on some real clothes.

Todoroki had a secret desire to be more confident around girls, but it really wasn't something he'd employed on his everyday life. He opted to slip into his closet to change, but not without promising once again this act of cowardice would be his last. Who knew if he really meant it.

Todoroki took exceptionally long to pick his outfit just to impress her. He finally decided on something that expressed style, but not "I'm trying too hard."

When he emerged she was gone. He walked toward his bed contemplating going back to sleep at 9:00 PM, but stopped himself. He saw his discarded pajama pants, which he threw out of the closet door, folded neatly with a small sticky note on top. He also realized the note on the flimsy piece of paper had substance.

Todoroki-san, you were asleep all day lol. I know training is hard, but please think of your cognitive health as well. You need to eat, I am making a night time snack. Please join me :9. - Y

He didn't need to finish the note before guilt of potentially not indulging Yaoyorozu's request made his legs move on their own.

As he walked through the hall the aroma of hearty broth filled his nose. He chuckled. It was just like Yaoyorozu to cook a really unconventional snack, the uniqueness really stood out in a household of forced status quo.

The Todoroki household's kitchen was large to say the least, the unwelcoming feel of the dull walls and steel appliances was brightened by Yaoyorozu's cheerful demeanor. She had cracked a window open to let the gentle sound of far off cicadas fill the absence the kitchen left her.

Beads of sweat formed on her slight shoulders as she softly danced around while humming in the summer heat.

The sight was one to behold. Todoroki contemplated going up to her and leaning his head over her shoulder to check what she was making, but that subtle type of flirting was way out of his comfort zone.

He was about to just settle into the couch when Yaoyorozu grabbed the knife she was using to chop carrots and started waving it around in some sort of spastic dance? Todoroki couldn't help, but laugh, who could blame him? Unfortunately Yaoyorozu heard his low chuckle an opened her eyes wide in embarrassment.

They stared at each other for just enough time for the pot Yaoyorozu had previously been stirring to boil over.

Yaoyorozu quickly snapped out of her flushed daze and hurried toward the pot that was currently spilling liquid all over the stove. She attempted to turn the heat down, but right as she touched the handle she jerked her arm back. Some of the soup had already reached the knob making it extremely hot to the touch. She stuck her finger in her mouth while lifting her tank top to cover her unburnt hand as a makeshift oven mitt. The stove was successfully turned off and Todoroki was already at her side trying and failing to ignore her exposed midriff.

Todoroki took his mind off of her body to slide open the nearest drawer, hopeful that there was a bandage inside. Luckily for the both of them a single band aid lay in mint condition next to various paperwork for whatever reason.

"Yaoyorozu."

He tried to get her attention in an almost whisper since they were so close.

"Yaoyorozu I have a band aid."

Still no response. Todoroki tapped her shoulder, mindful to not touch her bare skin with his naturally cold hands.

She continued to fret and mutter, sucking on her pointer finger no longer out of necessity, but stress.

Sighing he reached past her shoulders and grabbed her wrist, pulling her finger from her mouth and drying it with his own sleeve.

"Yaoyorozu, please focus."

She froze. Yaoyorozu stood still in what Todoroki thought was compliance to his request, but in reality she was in shock. A noticeable blush spread from her neck up and she shrunk herself to let Todoroki's arms guard her sides. It was even worse when he asked her to lift the burn toward him.

She didn't want to question him and sound like an idiot so she did as he told her to. Todoroki leaned forward, over her shoulder, to the point where his lips were almost touching her finger. He puckered his lips together and...blew. The lukewarm stream of air relieved some of the heat while he peeled the wrapper off of the band aid and placed it around her finger. "Sorry that it's Hello Kitty. I don't have anything else."

Momo smiled tentatively, and turned around to face him. When she completed the 180 he slowly retracted his arms from around her, making sure to be a complete gentleman and not touch her once. Todoroki looked nervous, sheepish even, he began rubbing the back of his neck, fearing her response.

"I really feel like I should pay you back Todoroki, that was really kind of you."

She turned back around and reached for two bowls, high in the kitchen's myriad of cabinets. Yaoyorozu wasn't exactly short, but the Todoroki family was extremely tall. She struggled to reach the shelf and deemed it unladylike to climb the counter top. Todoroki didn't miss one beat and again reached over her to grab the dishes.

"You do to much around this house anyways. You do realize you're being paid to sit and watch TV with my siblings, not act like a maid."

Yaoyorozu knew he meant it to be as polite as possible though the delivery was a bit crude. She reached around him to grab a ladle and began to pour soup into his bowl then her own.

"Are you telling me to stop folding all of your laundry because you'd be a mess if it wasn't for me."

Yaoyorozu jested and the slight blush on her cheeks finally calmed down. Todoroki laughed at her small joke, deciding to dismiss the whole thing all together.

Yaoyorozu carried on serving their meal and Todoroki followed her like a shy puppy to his dining room table.

The silence that enveloped them in the dark kitchen was bordering on comfortable to say the most. The only noises heard were the clinks of spoons on porcelain and ever buzzing summer cicadas.

Todoroki shot a look at Yaoyorozu, who was absorbed in her soup and currently adding a pinch more salt to her personal bowl. She was adorable, her hair crowning the tips of her ears ever so gracefully as she pushed it back to lift her spoon to her mouth. Her delicate lips pursed and formed the cutest 'o' Todoroki had ever seen.

He wanted to say something, but just couldn't lift the pressure of the stillness.

Yaoyorozu on the other hand was jittery, she could feel the blatant stare of Todoroki hovering over her ever since the consistent sound of his minor slurping stopped completely. She was a woman of action though and looked up, already offering a thin smile.

Todoroki showed no reaction to her sudden display of awareness. Inwardly he cried with joy, outwardly his face stayed stoic.

The teen babysitter across from him stopped fiddling with her soup bowl all together. Trading the spoon for a lock of her own hair she rolled it between her fingers over and over, a sign of nervousness.

"What's with the flirting?"

She blurted out the most blunt statement of the night, which was saying a lot with Shouto present. As soon as the words left her mouth her hands flew up to cover her betraying lips.

He was shocked, confused, nervous, completely overrun with emotions. When he stayed frozen and didn't respond Yaoyorozu continued speaking out of awkwardness-lifting habit.

"Ever since your parents hired me you've never rested in your antics. What am I to make of it?"

Her diction was polite, but a slight twinge of desperation in her voice showed through. Todoroki shook off his complicated reaction and said it how it was, albeit even he was confused.

"Yaoyorozu I've never flirted with you…"

She looked distraught, panic of her misinterpretation created a fearful mask over her entire body.

"I'm sorry I must have-"

Todoroki interrupted her floundering.

"That doesn't mean I don't want to."

His sheepish demeanor returned, he was in disbelief of what he just said. Todoroki did the opposite of Yaoyorozu in the fact that he made no attempt to speak again and further agitate the awkward situation. Instead he clammed up mentally and physically as shown in his body language.

The void in the air was especially thick, neither one wanted to speak up first. Instead they opted to avoid eye contact and shuffle their feet.

Momo was too emotionally tired to speak first again and shockingly Shouto stepped up into her shoes.

"Did you really think I was flirting with you?"

Todoroki hid his eyes in a downcast glance while Yaoyorozu practically spoke with aggression.

"What was I supposed to think when you held my hands walking me home? Visited my locker personally to return my school books I left here one night? Todoroki you are infuriating!"

With the last puff of her frustration out of her system Momo coughed out of pure shock of her rudeness. She hunched over and hugged her knees to her chest, shielding herself from his response. When it didn't come she peeked over her arms to see a genuine smile emanating from the boy across from her.

Before either of them could get a syllable of their already open mouths a creek was heard from upstairs. Their eyes widened as tiny footsteps made their way from room to room and finally emerged in the form to Natsuo.

"Momo! I'm hungry."

The atmosphere was ruined, yet Shouto and Momo exchanged knowing looks. She gave him a wide grin before hurrying to Natsuo's side, baby voice in full effect.

Shouto stayed at the table, but looked on fondly. He clenched both hands into fists and made a genuine promise to himself. For once, Todoroki really really really resolved to approach Momo next time.

#todomomo #todoroki shouto #momo #shouto #yaomomo #todoroki x yaoyorozu #yaoyorozu momo #fanfiction #bnha #mha #boku no hero academia #my hero academia #my writing

3 notes · View notes