#big mikey lives in my head and heart as canon | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

pre1ude · 2 years

Text

@comicbookcreature , sent 👫 for four headcanons about our muses' relationship.

i'm gonna do this for LBM/main verse. they're just.. on my mind <33 and at this point i'll be putting a read more on these hc posts... They get long.

To start off with, combine the fact that we haven't figured out a solid meeting point for these two with my general penchant for dramatics. Consider: they try to off each other first thing. Danny's out and about around the unfortunate time Mr Big Bad Bat prowls around for a snack, and push happens to come to shove. There's something about our leather-bound posturing biker that sets Daniel's tongue on edge and his snub stings a bit too much for Michael to turn a deaf ear. One thing, then another, then the human sonar and vampire at at each other's throats. For no good reason other than 1. I just think it fits this dynamic of theirs wonderfully. 2. Daniel can canonically use his sonomancy to defibrillate someone to death, but with sound vibrations rather than electric pulses, and I'd love to see his face when that backfires because Michael does not have a working heart for him to squish. It's just.. thematic and also my favourite type of neat, tropey interaction that very quickly clues them in that they've both simultaneously fucked with the wrong guy. And no, it may not kill Mikey, but a sonic gut punch probably hurts a lot, even if you're already dead.

Suffice to say it's ardent dislike at first sight. But this whole verse is the story of how Dan meets a vampire in possibly the only verse we have where he's unaware they exist. So colour him fascinated. And horribly affronted at the idea of almost becoming something as plebeian as 'a snack' to the creature. He keeps his click-clacky metal lighter handy and an eye on Michael at all times, but he ventures to explore the mysteries of the supernatural regardless, precautions at the ready. Turns out not all vampires are from the 1800s and Mikey's less of a Bela Lugosi and more of a Marlon Brando (be still his beating heart). Maybe Dan likes the motorbike. He'll never admit it and he only gets on once out of sheer necessity. Those things are dangerous and he is neither immortal nor stupid. And don't call him 'babe' unless you're cruising for a disembodied smack over the head.

It takes a whole long while for them to warm up beyond snipping at each other's heels with varying levels of severity (and vitriol in Danny's case, no he doesn't catch on to Michael's flirting at all, good luck buddy). Dan can never let a jab go and oddly enough I think that helps a whole lot to push first them forward and toward communication. He asks questions, he holds Michael accountable, he doesn't turn a blind eye and most importantly he isn't afraid. He can unflinchingly match Mikey's snarling and hold his own and you bet he doesn't let the vampire walk out of a fight; sure, there's probably a certain comfort and luxury in negligent hedonism, and Daniel imagines it would be blissfully preferable to facing his own problems, but he doesn't indulge in it and refuses to let Michael do it either. Not in his presence. The city they live in is in shambles at the time and, damn it, Danny isn't sitting idle about it, so neither is Michael. It's a mostly thankless venture, but at least no progress goes unrewarded between them. Daniel's default is sweet and gentle, which is what he is when Mikey allows him to be. I can imagine quiet talks by a crackling bonfire on a calm night, indoor voices outside. A standstill in all the havoc. If trusting each other in a pinch or coming to one another's aid builds the bridge between them, then I like to think little moments of conversation between the humans behind the sonar and the vampire would be the very founding pillars. They are opposites, but they do have points of similarity at their fundamental core and that's the very human need to belong. Michael thinks that's best achieved with rampant chaos and Danny - with frigid order, together they achieve a good, solid balance. (Because yes, Danny does in fact learn to have a little bit of fun. He will begrudge Mikey the fact. One day.)

In the end, Daniel likes the relationship they have. Self-indulgently, he likes having the affections of a man who doesn't give them easily, to just about anyone. He likes a puzzle and a mystery and he likes reading between the tough, growly lines. Sometimes he overindulges in it, maybe even shows off.. Listen. He likes having a frowny bulk of indomitable muscle, curls and fangs in his lap and knowing which gears to press to make it release its pressure, it feels a whole lot like he's done well by his partner. Michael wouldn't have it easy either; just like Dan consciously picked him, tough shell and all, he'd have saddled himself up with the prim proper priss who's impossible to please, with an equally as molten middle to reward his efforts. It would be a bumpy road for them both. They'll have been through a lot by then: breaks and wounds and awful revelations and brushes with death, aging and not aging, and still a sizeable chunk of caution towards anyone who isn't them, but what's love if not tough work and building it all together, brick by brick of trust? They're still harsh-lined, mean-mugged and haughty-eyed apart but so very soft together. I love them very much.

+ 1

So. Listen. Daniel can feel sound waves like a physical sensation, with its own texture and hardness and even temperature, and that very much applies to certain distinct or familiar voices. It's an odd little detail he very rarely and giddily shares, only with those curious and not in danger of offense (sometimes people sound like broken glass, he can't tell them that). The point is, Dan adores Michael's voice. It's full, textured and warm, like inverted leather or thick oldschool denim, heated by recent wear. Listening to him speak is like shoving your hand in the denim pocket of someone else's jacket, or placing it over a jean-clad thigh. Cosy, sturdy, a little bit frayed at the edges. Dan keeps an ever-growing collection of songs and music that has the exact same texture; they remind him of Michael in more than one way and he listens to them whenever he misses him. He confesses as much one darling, tipsy night far, far into their relationship and makes him dance to the slower songs of that particular playlist.

(There's a half-finished violin arrangement that captures the essence of Michael's voice shoved in a drawer somewhere and named something ridiculous and embarassing like Hymne Angelique. The only way it's ever seeing the light of day is if Michael happens to find it by accident. (Or if First Love does, since that applies to our dream verse more than this one).)

#➻ 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐈 𝐀𝐒𝐊 𝐎𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 —《answered.》#comicbookcreature.#➻ 𝐢 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞. —《comicbookcreature.》#not sure what it is about these that makes me write a novel. i'm not sure what stops me from bringing that energy to my drafts...#anyway. T H E Y.#i think about them arguing like they're twice married thrice divorced and my heart goes dokidoki #my lil skrunklies #yes danny names the stupid song hymne angelique because michael- archangel michael- angel. he's fuckin. he's lame alright

1 note · View note

chuuyrr · 2 years

Note

OMG OMG OMG OKAY SO this was inspired by that one shot u did where gojo caught mikey and y/n cuddling SO IMAGINE

him walking on them again but this time they were sleeping, and he was gonna do a big reaction to it but then decided against it bc he noticed like dry tears on mikey or y/n’s eyes and realized they were comforting each other 😔 so he tucked them in and let them sleep

OOHH BUT AT THE END THEY COULD WAKE UP A BIT LATER AJD HE COULD MAKE A BIG DEAL ABT IT HAHAHAHA his reactions are hilarious i swear i love them

dad! gojo satoru when he sees scarlet witch! fushiguro! reader sleeping with mikey

jujutsu kaisen x reader x tokyo revengers

masterlist of the series

╰➤ CW(s): possible spoilers for jujutsu kaisen and tokyo revengers, themes of fluff and angst, dad! gojo content!!

╰➤ PAIRING(s): dad! gojo satoru x reader, mikey x reader

dad! gojo is a dramatic dad no one can change my mind about it. it's canon for me HAHAHAHA, and he just loves adoptive daughter reader too much. reader is his precious baby no matter what <3 tbh, i lowkey hate it when people portray him as a "bad dad" who wouldn't care and be irresponsible. he raised megumi well for goodness sake :(

gojo may have already acknowledged your relationship with mikey and granted him permission to continue courting you, but that doesn't mean he won't make a big deal whenever he sees you two being lovey-dovey around him. it's not that gojo doesn't trust mikey; he's already seen how mikey treats you with love and respect, despite his gang leader status. mikey even respected and followed gojo's strict rules, demonstrating his undying love and loyalty for you.

the answer was simple: your beloved father can't help but see you as his baby, his little kikufuku. gojo loves you so much that the fact that you're all grown up and have a boyfriend now has yet to sink in.

mikey's visits to your and gojo's homes had become a habit since you two met, and gojo was perfectly fine with it. mikey even ate dinner with you and him often. another thing that has become routine is seeing you and mikey alone together, cuddling. however, when gojo came home today after a long day of work and annoying the higher-ups at jujutsu tech, he wasn't expecting to see the unexpected.

not this delinquent cuddling with my kikufuku under my roof again, he thought. gojo briskly walked towards the two of you as soon as he stepped inside the house. he was ready to cause a scene the moment he spotted mikey's short blonde hair from the couch and your figure slumped against him, but that was until he realized that tears were staining mikey's face. his eyes widened as he yanked his blindfold down to his neck. gojo also took notice of how mikey was holding you so closely, almost desperately while you rested your head against his chest, one of your hand interwoven with his.

"something must have happened.." gojo whispered to himself, frowning a bit at the thought.

there was a sadness of some sort painted across mikey's face despite being asleep. with his six eyes, gojo was able to deduce that you were comforting mikey, and he was comforting you too, because tears appeared to be staining your face too. the thought of it made gojo's heart clench and all soft. gojo couldn't read minds and figure it out right away like you do with your chaos magic. his six eyes could only show him all the possibilities of the situation.

pursing his lips into a thin line for a second, gojo drew out a sigh from his breath and shook his head. just this once, he won't make a big deal about this. for a brief moment, he left the two of you before returning to the living room with a blanket big enough for two people. gojo draped the blanket over you and mikey, tucking you both in as if he was putting a toddler to sleep. after tucking you both in, gojo kissed the top of your head before turning his attention towards mikey, ruffling his blonde hair.

"sweet dreams. you two deserve a good rest. you two look exhausted." gojo smiled, his aquamarine eyes filled with genuine sympathy and a twinge of sorrow for you two.

bonus scene:

you fluttered your eyes open, waking to the delicious aroma of food wafting in the air. blinking with a yawn escaping your lips, you shifted, turning your head upwards, facing him to see mikey who was stirring awake. a smile graced your lips when he opened his eyes. mikey stared at you with a loving gaze before leaning towards your face, planting an gentle and affectionate kiss on your forehead.

"good morning." mikey whispered softly before pulling you closer to his body, nuzzling his face into your face.

"how are you feeling?" you asked, nibbling on your bottom lip as you recalled earlier's events, taking your mind off the aroma of food in the air.

you remember mikey driving up to your house earlier only to see him break down as he tackled you in a desperate hug when you opened the door. you learned from mikey that draken got injured badly during toman's fight against a gang. your boyfriend was scared because it reminded him of that time draken got hospitalized when toman fought moebius.

he genuinely thought that he was going to lose his best friend, and if there's one thing you knew about mikey, it was him bottling his emotions and not opening up a soul about his feelings. that was until it came to you. you also know how mikey hated the feeling of losing and nearly losing the people he loved. it just ruins him. the anxiety was drowning him. it grew worse that he made him think of things such as the possibility of losing you one day, or him failing to protect you just like what happened earlier when he failed to protect draken.

"better." mikey smiled in return.

mikey felt at ease whenever he was with you. you were the only one who could make him feel better. your touch and words of assurance were more than enough for him, more than he could have asked for. when he's with you, the darkness and anxiety that have taken over his mind and heart would subside. mikey was very grateful to have a patient and understanding girlfriend, who loves him wholeheartedly just as he loved you.

right before mikey could lean back to your face, to kiss you full on the lips this time, a certain someone just had to cause a big deal again.

"LOOK WHO'S FINALLY AWAKE, HMM?"

you and mikey turned your heads in unison to see gojo satoru, standing in front of you two, dressed in a white oversized shirt and sweatpants with his aquamarine eyes glaring slightly, particularly at your boyfriend.

"dad! w-when did you get here?" you stammered out, eyes widening a little as a laugh stifled out of your breath.

"hours ago, kikufuku." gojo answered in response before folding his arms across his chest. "i can't believe it! i already told the two of you about cuddling in this household. you two had the nerve of falling asleep too!" he dramatically sighed, shaking his head as he rolled his eyes, prompting a quiet laugh from you and mikey.

classic gojo, you both thought.

"you can cuddle with us too like the last time, gojo-san!" mikey suggested, opening his arms with a closed-eye smile across his face.

"i refuse to hug a delinquent!" gojo stuck out his tongue, faking a look of disgust before sighing deeply. "a-anyway. i ordered takeout from your favorite restaurant, kikufuku." he then turned his gaze towards mikey. "and i also ordered some dorayaki for dessert." at that, your and mikey's eyes lit up.

"so, you two get up right this instant. we're eating dinner." gojo huffed.

"thank you, dad!" you chimed at him, smiling ever so brightly.

mikey, on the other hand, pulled away from you and proceeded to tackle gojo in a hug, catching him completely off guard.

"you're the best, gojo-san!"

"I SAID NO HUGGING!"

152 notes · View notes

sugusshi · 3 years

Text

┄ DREAMING OF YOU

➥ Baji Keisuke x f!reader

Part 1 of the “My Insufferable Idiot” Series

MASTERLIST | CURRENT — next

· · ────── · ·

➥ Characters: f!reader, Baji Keisuke

— brief mentions of: Chifuyu, Mikey, Draken, Kazutora, reader’s mom, and Baji’s mom

➥ disclaimers/warnings: angst, some fluff, college!au, baji lives!au, slight canon divergence, some slight cursing, apologies in advance for any errors!

➥ word count: 6k

· · ────── · ·

➥ author’s note: If you couldn’t already tell, this fic is based on the song Dreaming of You by Selena. Definitely recommend you to listen to it if you haven’t already ♡ Also wanna say a big thanks to @undersakusa who gave me the push to actually write this idea out! Thanks for dealing with my rambling for it ♡ Anyway, the fic is finally out in words after almost two months! Depending on how I’m feeling, this might be a mini series~ ☆～（ゝ。∂） I haven’t written a fic in so long so I hope it’s not too bad! For now, I hope you enjoy!

Late at night when all the world is sleeping

I stay up and think of you

You were stronger than this. Were being the keyword, but the pain in your heart is too much for even you to bear. The ache in your chest that only grows with every salty tear trailing down your flushed cheeks.

It’s past midnight and you're thankful that you live alone in your apartment and that the walls aren’t paper thin. You can cry and cry to your heart's content without worrying about disturbing your neighbors. No worry that someone will judge you. No one to look at your distressed state.

Yet… No one to console you either.

And I wish on a star

That somewhere you are

Thinking of me too

It was only two hours ago since you were left alone on that dreaded park bench that used to mean so much to you. Two hours since the man you loved ripped your heart out and stepped on it, figuratively of course.

You think the pain would hurt less if it was literal.

· · ────── · ·

“I’ve had enough of this.”

You were confused when you heard that, pausing mid-bite on the dango you bought yourself at a stand before your little date with your boyfriend of six years. There was silence following that comment, making you blink once then twice as if to break the sudden tension in the air.

“I’m sorry, uh, what are we talking about? These dates?” You asked genuinely confused and concerned. After all, these ‘dates’ (as he made sure to call them) were all his idea.

These late dates were neither every night nor were they a scheduled thing, they were just sporadic. It was whenever either felt like calling for one but didn’t feel like being confined indoors. These dates were spent mostly basking in each other’s presence, an arm around each other or leaning against each other, any position the two of you could get while sitting on the trusty wooden bench. The two of you would just talk about the day you just spent or watch the sky and point out whatever you saw. This park in particular was quiet with only a few people walking by, sometimes with a dog that would have the both of you excited and asking if you can pet said dog. Sometimes you’d fall asleep with your head on his shoulder and he’d wake you up with a kiss to your forehead, a soft smile on his usual devious lips.

You think maybe he’s getting busier with classes and work so he wants to get all the sleep he can get, hence why he wants to stop these late dates. After all, when you two aren’t on these dates, you’re either FaceTiming or texting each other until one of you fall asleep if you didn’t see each other enough during the day. Maybe his mom told him he needs a better slee—

“Us. I’ve had enough of us,” He says coldly, with one of the most serious faces you have ever seen on him. His fierce eyes looking directly at you, a small scowl set on his lips.

Your heart skips a bit in anxiousness.

“W-What?” Your dango, long forgotten, falls out of your hand and onto the ground as you stand to meet his eyes. Now you understand why he never even took a seat next to you when he arrived tonight, late too. This is the first time in four years that he arrived late to these dates, always so excited to see you.

He doesn’t repeat what he just said and it makes your eyebrows furrow in annoyance. You two weren’t a ‘perfect’ couple by any means, but you were a couple that many deemed ‘goals’ once they saw your dynamic and everything the two of you went through. You’ve had one too many little disagreements, rarely escalating to actual arguments that had either of you ignoring each other until one cracked and apologized. Those arguments always ended up with the both of you cuddled in one of your beds, whispering sweet words to each other, genuine apologies still lingering on your lips. Sometimes it’d end up with him tickling your sides because he hated seeing your solemn face or sometimes you’d playfully wrestle him until he let out an amused laugh in that deep voice of his that you loved.

But this didn’t seem like it would end like that.

“Keisuke,” You call out to him, only making him tsk and look away from you. “What the hell are you talking about Kei? Are you playing some sick prank on me? Did one of the guys put you up to this? Cause this isn’t funny.” Again, he stays silent.

There was another reason why you two worked so well. Why you two had been going strong for six long happy years. Why people, friends and strangers alike, looked at you two like: "How?" How were you two practically made for each other?

While you two completed each other, like him, you were strong both mentally and even physically albeit not as much as your boyfriend. You didn’t ‘grow up in the streets’, as Baji said so about himself, but you grew up strong headed with the help of your single father. Your father who raised you the best he could after your no good mother left the both of you. You didn’t take shit from anyone and you weren’t shy about speaking up either. You remember how Baji’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree the first time your feisty side came out, only making him fall for you more.

So how else were you suppose to respond to your boyfriend who refused to respond to your questions? How else were you suppose to make him look at you?

“Baji Keisuke,” You growl out, hands clenching into fists at your sides. Your heart is beating rapidly in your chest, the chilled air making your cheeks even more rosy.

If you weren’t so focused on getting an answer from him, maybe you would have noticed the slight tense of his body at the use of his full name. You had always called him Keisuke, Kei, or any of your cute little nicknames since even before the two of you started dating. He forgot how foreign his family name sounded from your lips. Still. He looks back at you with a glare on his eyes, hands stuffed into the pockets of his jacket. “What? You going deaf or something? You heard me.”

You see red with the way he answers you. As if you were stupid. As if you were the one being unbelievable right now. You can fight, thanks to your father signing you up for lessons at Mikey’s grandfather’s dojo at a young age, but you won’t. You can’t. If it was anyone else answering you with that tone, you might’ve slapped them, maybe even punched them in their face if you really disliked the person— but it’s Baji. Neither of you have ever laid a hand on each other nor will you start now. Instead you bite your lip in frustration, angry tears gathering in your eyes as you refuse to back down.

You refuse to believe this is happening. You two were happy. So happy. Just a few days ago he refused to let you get out of his arms when you two were sitting at a booth with your friends at a fast food chain. Your friend’s complaints about the PDA making you laugh and Baji stick out his tongue at them defiantly.

“Really? Right in front of my salad?” Mikey referenced, hands motioning at his very much not salad (it was a happy meal of course), before throwing a fry at Baji’s face.

Your boyfriend simply caught it in his mouth, grinning triumphantly before giving your cheek a sloppy kiss. “Fuck off.” He retorts only making Mikey groan and the others laugh. You roll your eyes at their childishness, but smile.

Your smile only grew as Baji leaned closer to you, whispering sweet words into your ear. Draken noticed this unfortunately for him, making him dramatically gag at the both of you. “Get a room,” He said, only earning him a small kick from you under the table.

“Oh shut up. It wasn’t anything dirty. Get your head out of the gutter Kenny,” You refute, only snuggling more into Baji’s embrace, which earns you a soft kiss on the top of your head.

That wasn’t even so long ago. Everything was fine. Or at least you thought so. What happened in the span of two days to make Baji say this to you? You were sure you didn’t ignore him yesterday despite being busy with homework and studying for a test today. You were sure neither of you were arguing so why-

“K-Kei…” Your throat ached, trying to keep your voice steady but failing as you look at him again. There’s no remorse or hurt on his face. Just… a blank look in those beautiful honey brown eyes you fell in love with. There was no care in those eyes. There was only… annoyance and… impatience in his eyes. Something that was never aimed at you, yet here you were. Couldn’t he see the pain in your own teary eyes?

If you looked in my eyes

Would you see what’s inside?

· · ────── · ·

“Gooutwithmeplease!” Baji practically yells as soon as you step one foot out of your classroom door, the sudden appearance of the fanged boy in front of you making you jump.

“What?” You ask, genuinely not understanding what he said, fixing the strap of your book bag on your shoulder.

Apparently the one word question seems to deflate him as his shoulders sag a bit, his usual confident facade dropping by the second. You notice that despite still being in school, he let down his hair and his fake glasses were in the pocket of his school jacket. Something must be wrong because he always kept up his ‘poindexter’ appearance until after leaving class for the day. Baji looks down, mumbling something under his breath which makes you sigh in impatience. You had club activities to attend and Baji knew this, so why was he stalling you? As he stalls and continues to mumble under his breath, you notice he’s hiding something behind his back too. Just what the hell was he up to? It had to be important right? Otherwise he would have told you as he walked you to your club or after because he knows how busy you can be sometimes.

“Kei,” You lightly flick his forehead, pretty face full of concern which only makes him look away again.

“Don’t be such a coward Baji-san,” Chifuyu teasingly chides, whose presence you now notice, standing not too far behind your childhood best friend, kicking the back of Baji’s shin. “You didn’t make me help you write that letter for nothing so either you ask her correctly or I’ll tell her myself.”

“No!” Baji immediately responds, sending a glare to the blonde who only laughs at the other’s crisis.

“Then what are you waiting for?”

Baji let’s out a characteristic yet dramatic yell before muttering ‘fuck it’ and bowing down in front of you, a bouquet of your favorite flowers in his hands, his long hair framing his face. “T-These are for you!”

“H-Huh?” With your mouth agape, your eyes widen at the scene in front of you. Your eyes darting to look over at Chifuyu who only has a grin on his lips, giving you a playful wink as he motions for you to receive the flowers. So you do. If your hands are shaking (they are), Baji doesn’t say anything about it. He only stands straight again, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he nervously gulps.

“I like you,” Baji says, honey brown eyes looking right into your (e/c) eyes. He steps closer to you, wrapping his hands around your smaller ones that hold the bouquet. As your fingers grip around the poor stems of the flowers, he simply holds your hands in his, giving you a soft toothy smile. “I know you have your club to go to so uh… read that letter when you have a chance, yeah?”

“Letter…?” With this event transpiring, it seems to be that your brain is processing everything at fifty percent of its capacity. Right after those words leave your mouth you spot said letter right in the middle of the flowers, “Oh-“

“You know where to meet me-“ Baji stops himself as he rubs the back of his neck, “Well, that is if you feel the same, uh-“

“Oh my god, you’re hopeless,” Chifuyu groans, “I told you to let her be after giving it to her! You don’t want to overwhelm her even more right before her club!” He scolds, pulling Baji away from you, the warmth of his hands disappearing making your chest ache. The blonde looks back at you as he walks away, dragging Baji with him, “Don’t worry your pretty little head about it too much okay, Y/N? Take your time with it. It’s his turn to wait for you now. After all, he’s made you wait this long already, right?”

Your face breaks out into a raging blush, the sudden memory that you weren’t alone in your classroom now hitting you. You were always the first one to leave class, always dutifully getting to your clubs on time or early, but Baji’s sudden confession made your usual calm brain break out in a havoc. You hear some girls giggling behind you while some of the boys whistle at your predicament.

“Class Rep, cat got your tongue?” Your deputy rep teases you, wiggling his eyebrows at you.

“S-Shut it!” You huff, holding the flowers close to your body, the blush on your face only making your fellow first years laugh. You were always so poise and strong. So perfect with your happy demeanor and almost demanding tone (which they didn’t really complain about because you made everyone do what they were supposed to). So to see you flustered and lost for words is a moment they will not let go so easily.

“So?” Your best friend bumps their hip against yours, “What are you gonna do?”

You bite your lip as you look down at your flowers, your club completely out of mind. “I… I don’t know.”

This only makes them grin, lightly pushing you but not towards the club that both of you attend. “I’ll cover for you. Go get your man Y/N.”

You blink owlishly at them but soon break out in a grin.

“Go get him Y/N!”

“It’s about time!”

It’s pretty clear everyone knew this was bound to happen, including you, but you never wanted to push or force your feelings onto Baji. But now that you know the feeling is mutual, you’ll be damned if you let it go to waste now.

You say nothing more as you sprint off to where you know Baji is, your (h/c) hair flowing behind you as you make an exit to the school’s front doors.

At age sixteen, in your first year of high school is when you finally officially start dating your one and only childhood crush—

Baji Keisuke.

So I wait for the day and the courage to say

How much I love you— yes I do

· · ────── · ·

“You’re not a damn kid anymore Keisuke,” You scold as you dab disinfectant onto a fresh cut on his cheekbone. “You’re in high school for god’s sake,” You’re trying to keep calm, to not let your worry and anger consume you, but you can’t. “Getting into meaningless fights and shit was okay when we were younger, but this is-” You pause in your dabbing to apply a bandaid to the now clean and disinfected cut. “This is ridiculous, Kei. Fighting an all adult group all because they looked at you funny? This shit has to stop. You promised Ma’ to fight less and focus on school more, didn’t you?”

Maybe it was the tone of your voice or maybe it was the way you eyed him that made Baji click his tongue in annoyance. He moved away from your hands that were only trying to patch up his injuries and turned his back to you. “If I wanted to get scolded like a child I would have gone home to my mom.” This comment makes your nose twitch in anger, especially as he pulls out his phone and focuses his attention to it, instead of looking you in the eye.

Really now? He wants to do this in your home? In the home that your father and you happily welcomed him with open arms no matter the time or reason? He wants to ignore you now when not even thirty minutes ago he was half unconscious, only half standing thanks to Mitsuya who found your boyfriend limping while on the way to the store. Baji probably would've been passed out in the middle of a street or in an alleyway if it wasn’t for Mitsuya who only sighed and knew exactly what to do with him. And that was to help Baji make his way to you so his mom wouldn’t cry at the sight of all the new bruises, cuts, and blood on her son. Of course you welcomed him with open arms, but even your good friend Mitsuya and boyfriend Baji couldn’t see slight indifference in your expression or the array of emotions hidden in your eye.

You thank whatever deity out there that your dad is at work right now and isn’t home to witness this ‘dispute’. You’re sure he would tell you to separate yourself for the moment to calm down, but no. You’re tired of this. Tired of seeing Baji come to you with new ‘battle scars’ and black and blue bruises littering his body. Today was the breaking point.

Opening the door to Mitsuya with a dozing Baji hanging on his side was not a pretty sight to see. It worried you. Baji was so out of it he didn’t even realize where he was. It took Mitsuya to shake him and say, “Bro, we’re at Y/N’s house,” when Baji asked where they were. You didn’t bother to ask what happened at the time as Mitsuya passed you Baji, asking if you needed help. You said no, saying he should go back to what he was doing and while a little hesitant to leave, he left after you reassured him with a smile.

“You’re warm…” Baji mumbled into your neck, some of the blood on his face smearing on your clothes and skin, “Could fall asleep right here…”

“I think the fuck not,” You huff, barely stopping your voice from cracking as you as you sit him on the livingroom couch, “I’m afraid you got hit on your head with how you’re acting and like hell that I’ll let you sleep on a possible concussion.” You only get a groan in reply as he sits back on the couch, head leaning back on the back of the cushion as he stared at the ceiling as you get up to grab your medical box.

You weren’t supposed to let him know how worried you were. Hell, you were supposed to try not to say anything snappy, but all it took was one slip of the tongue to bring you to your current argument.

“Seriously, I’m trying to go to school for criminal investigation not nursing y’know? I can’t be doing this forever.”

That one comment caused an awkward tension in the air, neither of you saying a word as you cleaned his bloodied and bruised knuckles. Not one word was said as he took off his shirt to let you inspect his upper body for any possible hidden injuries. Nothing was said as you went through what was basically a routine at this point after he got hurt. The silence was killing you and just as you were getting ready to start working on his face he said something that was like a slap to your face.

“You said you’d be my own little nurse didn’t you? That’s what you said when we were younger. You promised me.”

That comment caused your thread of patience to snap and you called him childish as you started to clean one cut on his face. Of course he replied to you about being scolded like a child. Of course now he wasn’t even letting you tend to the wounds on his face, childishly ignoring you as you seethed next to him, hands clenched into fists on your thighs. Yeah, you did promise him that, but it’s just like he said, when you were kids. Back when you had no real responsibilities besides school and what you were going to have for dinner. Back when you even got into fights with people who dared hurt the feelings of your friends. Back then your dad didn’t even get upset if you fought as long as it was for a good reason and he was actually secretly proud when you told him you won said fights. Now you two were teenagers, all grown up. You’re about to start your second year of high school and you already had dreams and aspirations. You were always a little more mature than others even at a young age because of what your mother put your father and you through so you knew what you wanted to do even before you started high school. It’s almost ironic how you wanted to join the law enforcement, especially with the group of friends you grew up with, but even they supported you in your dreams. Hell, they even promised you that they would behave more so you wouldn’t get in trouble because of them. Mikey too was doing a good job, keeping his violent tendencies confined to the dojo or official fight clubs where you all cheered everytime he won almost flawlessly. People grow up. People change, especially for their loved ones so why… Why couldn’t Baji see that this is not what you meant when you promised him that?

“Whatever…” Baji groans as he stands up, bones popping and cracking into place as he stretches. “I’ll let you be. Thanks anyway. I’ll see you tomor-” He spared you a glance, the expression on your face making him halt in his step. “Y/N…?” His voice laced with concern as he notices your trembling fists, the way you’re gnawing on your bottom lip.

But just as he reaches to cup your face in his hands, you stand abruptly, swatting at his hands as you take a step away from him.

“Y/N?” He raises an eyebrow in confusion, glad you can’t see the way his heart beats rapidly in his chest. You never moved away from him or his touch like that e v e r, not even when you were kids and he forced you to hold a cricket. It was safe to say he was worried now. What did he do wrong?

“Get out,” You say, turning your back to him now only to hide the way your bottom lip trembles.

“W-What?”

“Get out Keisuke. I don’t want to talk to you right now,” You take a deep breath to try to steady your voice, but the air you exhale is shaky and you can feel tears build up in the corners of your eyes.

“Baby, talk to me-” Baji walks closer to you, a hand grabbing your elbow in an attempt to make you face him, but you only shake him off taking another step away from him. “Tell me what I did wrong- Shit,” You’ve never talked to him like this and it’s scaring him. “I’m sorry- please, Y/N, look at me, okay? What did I-”

“I s-said get out!” You cry out. You tried. You really did try. You didn’t want to cry in front of him. You didn’t want to yell at him either… but you were still only a teenager as well and you were hurt. You were so hurt. He couldn't even understand why you were so hurt and that made the first cry leave your throat as you covered your face with your hands in an attempt to shield yourself from judging eyes.

Baji was stunned. His feet were cemented to the floor as he watched your shoulders shake with cries, something he never witnessed before. He had never seen you cry like this. You didn’t even cry when you were eight and you broke your wrist during a training move gone wrong with Mikey’s grandfather. Sure, you had teary eyes and yes you were in pain, but you weren’t shaking with cries. The closest you got like this was when Kazutora and he attacked you with tickles until you told them where your secret stash of snacks were. No, these cries were different. Those times were not like this.

His heart was breaking at the sight, the sound of your stifled cries only giving him flashbacks to when he heard his mother crying in her room when she found out he failed and had to repeat a grade. Something he never wanted to see or even hear, from his mom or you.

“Y/N…” Since you refused to turn to look at him, he walks in front of you, his heart constricting with pain as he sees tears drip down your cheeks. Everytime you wipe at them, new streaks form and he wishes he could just kiss your cries away. “Baby p-please…” Slowly, he takes both of your hands in his to test the waters if you’ll pull away or not again. He’s relieved when you don’t, taking this as his chance to wrap his arms around you, holding the back of your head tenderly as he places a soft kiss to the side of your head. “I’m so sorry… I don’t know what I did, but I’m so sorry. Please tell me what I did. I don’t want to do it ever again,” Your cries have yet to stop, crying into his shoulder, “Y/N… Please. Please talk to me…”

Your hands come up to clutch at the front of his shirt, “Y-You’re so stupid…”

“Huh?”

“You’re so goddamn s-stupid…” You cry, hands gripping onto his shirt tighter you’re sure you’re about to tear it. He doesn’t say anything again, waiting for you to catch your breath as you sniffle, still keeping your face hidden from him. “Why is it… Why is it so hard to u-understand that it hurts me to see you so hurt, h-huh? What’s so hard to get Keisuke? Please tell me.”

“I don’t-”

“You don’t!” You cry, pulling away to finally look him in the eye and it only makes Baji feel more like an asshole.

Your pretty e/c eyes glistening with sad tears make him bite the inside of his cheek as he realizes even more how upset you truly are. Your furrowed brow as you glare at him, plush lips trembling with each word. Cheeks red with raw emotion as you refuse to look away now.

“I love you, you insufferable idiot! I love you so much it terrifies me that one day I won’t be able to help you and then what? Huh? What if one day you get caught up in shit neither the others or I can do anything to help? You don’t know h-how… How scared I am that one day I’ll get a call from the hospital or worse: your mom. How fucking scared I am that I’ll lose you all because you wanted to have some fun! There’s other ways to have fun or get rid of all the energy I know you have! Join a sports club, god, fucking join Mikey in the fight clubs if you have to but p-please…” You hiccup a sob as you rest your forehead on his chest, “Stop playing with your life like it’s a game… B-Because it’s not…. A-And I don’t want to lose you…” Your hands loosen your grip on his shirt as you cry, “I just got you Keisuke… I don’t want to lose you when we both just started truly living…”

You would think Baji was a statue with the way he hadn’t moved a muscle or said anything yet, but you know he heard every word of your rant. You can tell with the way his hands move from your hips, your back, and back to your hips. As you sniffle, cries finally ending, he gently cups your face with his right hand with eyes so soft you almost cave.

“Say it again.”

Now it’s your turn to be confused. “What…?”

Baji has a small smirk on his face, his sharp canines just barely peeking behind his lips as he stares into your eyes with one of the most determined stares you have ever seen from him. “Say it again Y/N. Something about being an insufferable idiot?”

“What are you-” And then it hits you.

Neither of you had said I love you to each other before, both always so scared it was too soon or not the right time.

You for sure didn’t think this was the right time either but all the emotion you were holding in caused you to blurt it out and now Baji wouldn't stop looking at you like he just won the lottery. Your face breaks out in a blush as you attempt to look away but Baji’s hand keeps your chin in place, only chuckling as you pout.

“Remember now?”

“...”

Baji laughs softly, letting go of your face to lean his forehead against yours, closing his eyes for a moment before gazing at you lovingly and adoringly. “Say it again for me… Please?”

You bite the corner of your lip as you look at him, him patiently waiting for you as you take a shaky deep breath, “I love you…” The smile on his lips only grows as he hears those sweet words again, this time even better without your sad cries. “I love you so much I want to smack your face for making me cry like this in front of you,” He only laughs, making your chest warm with emotion, “You insufferable idiot…” The grin on his face is nearly splitting his face. “My insufferable idiot…”

“That’s right,” Baji hums as he leans in and finally gives you such a sweet and soft kiss on your lips, “Your insufferable idiot,” He’s smiling as he peppers your face with soft kisses, almost as if he wishes to make any traces of tears disappear. You find yourself smiling more with each kiss, but your heart nearly jumps out of your chest when he whispers in your ear.

“I love you too Y/N…”

Your eyes are wide as you take in his words, “Y-You do…? You know you don’t have to say it back just because I-” You find yourself interrupted when he kisses you again, this time letting his lips linger on yours, playfully nipping at your bottom lip.

“I truly do love you Y/N. I think I always have, but finally being able to date you and call you mine made me realize how absolutely in love with you I am.”

“Keisuke…” You can feel your eyes tear up again, but this time from happiness and he can tell the difference in it.

“And I’m… I’m really sorry… for making you worry about me like this all the time…” Baji looks down, feeling guilty for the onslaught of words he forced out of you, but he knew he deserved it. He was stupid for not realizing how his ways were only causing your distress. He knew you weren’t a part of the life you all used to have when you were younger, yet he continued on like it was nothing, but you were right. He was older now and more mature. The least he can do for you is try and try he will.

“It’s okay…” You sigh, a small smile on your face, “I feel better now that it’s out there…” Your arms slowly wrap around his neck as his wrap around your waist, “I know… I know it’s hard to change things, but I just… I just know you can do it. You’re good at so many things and I know you can exert that energy into other things that you know… Won’t have you end up on my front door passed out or worse. Y’know?” You lean in and giggle as he brushes his nose against yours, “I’m not telling you to stop fighting, because I know that will always be part of you somehow, but find a safer way. I would hate to see you at a crime scene in the future that I have to investigate you idiot.”

This comment makes him laugh, “Mhm, that would be weird wouldn’t it?” You roll your eyes but this only makes Baji kiss you again. “I promise I’ll try. For you. For my mom. For my future. You believing in me is enough for me.”

“It’s not just me Baji. We all believe in you. Hell, I believe we all will do something with our lives, whether it's now or later, it doesn’t matter. We’re so badass and determined that I know we’ll make it!” That’s one thing he always liked about you. Your confidence in not only yourself but in others as well. Where there’s a will, there's a will, you would say. And damn if that confidence on you wasn’t attractive as fuck.

“Just shut up and kiss me again,” He grumbles, taking the initiative in his hands as he kisses you, passionate and loving, especially when he can feel you trying to suppress your smile. He keeps it short, but only because he wants to see that pretty blush on your face again. “I love you so much Y/N. So so much that now you won’t be able to stop me from saying it to annoy you~”

“Oh god,” You playfully groan as you push his face away, cheeks a rosy pink as he laughs into your neck. “You’re already annoying as is…” You tease, unable to stop the smile on your face. “I love you Keisuke… Always will.”

I still can't believe

That you came up to me

And said, "I love you" ── I love you too!

· · ────── · ·

“Always will Keisuke…” You cry as you look at your lock screen picture, a picture of Baji and you on his parked bike. Baji is kissing your cheek as you wink at the camera, flipping poor Tora off who was taking the picture of you two.

One of the many moments you spent with your partner in crime, your childhood best friend─ your one and only love.

You always imagined the rest of your life with him and so did everyone else. Everyone else including your dad who was ready to walk you down the aisle and to the altar if either of you wanted a ceremony like that anyway. You were ready to adopt so many animals together happily, taking in as many as you could handle… but reality was different. It wasn’t cruel; just realistic and that was okay. You were kidding yourself thinking that Baji would stay with you, especially through college, a time where most didn’t want to be locked into anything besides school. You were kidding yourself thinking Baji loved you as much as you did him.

“You’re too controlling. You never loved me for me. You wanted to change me. The fuck is up with that? That’s not love,” Those words painfully stabbed you in the heart like a knife. "How could I love someone like that?”

Your vision goes blurry as you stare at the black screen of your phone, “I’m sorry Keisuke… I’m s-so sorry…” You sob into your pillow as you curl up into yourself, wishing this night was a dream. You cry and cry until you fall asleep, hoping your dreams are a little nicer to you.

I'll be dreaming of you tonight

And I'll be holding you tight

Dreaming with you tonight

#the queen writes | ♕#series: my insufferable idiot #baji keisuke x reader #baji keisuke x y/n #Baji Keisuke #tokyo revengers #tokyo revengers x reader #baji x reader #tokyo revengers imagine #f!reader #hanaya network #tokyo revengers smau

325 notes · View notes

introvert--weeb · 3 years

Note

Hi!! I would like to request something angsty, a headcanon/drabble/fic about Izana and an older sister reader, she taught him (and maybe kakucho too) everything about delinquents alongside Shinichiro. She took all the bullets that was meant for Izana, it's your choice if you want reader to survive or not. Thank you and good luck on your interview!!

Why does everyone want to break my heart with these angst requests? 😭💔 But I do like the idea so it shall be written!

A note about the reader. I am thinking of her as more a fellow orphan who is seen as the older sister figure to the younger orphans, mainly by Izana. After all, the bond between orphans means more than anything and that's the only way I can see Izana reacting but not Mikey. Sorry if that's not what you wanted...

Thank you for requesting and I hope you like it!!

Izana with an older sister!reader who protects them (angst)

TW: mentions of violence, gun shots, blood, mourning, canon divergence, manga spoilers

You had been a constant in Izana's life. When he had first been left at the orphanage, you had taken him under your wing like you had with every other child that turned up. It was mainly because you had been at the orphanage the longest and so knew what it felt like to just suddenly end up there.

Izana was hesitant to get close to you in the beginning, especially since you were a bit intimidating. You were only two years older than the blond boy yet you had probably experienced a lot more than he had.

It was only when he saw you fighting off a gang of middle school boys that were bullying him, did he want to get close to you. He thought you were amazing in that moment. The way you kicked at the boys had him wanting to learn how to fight like that. And so, he would ask you to teach him.

From there, the two of you created a strong bond. And when Kakucho had arrived at the orphanage, Izana had dragged him into the lessons you would give. Through the lessons, you would explain how you had once met an older boy who had told you all about the ways of a delinquent and how that had influenced your decisions.

The boys would follow you around, doing their best to keep you safe. After all, you had quickly become an older sister to them both and they refused to let anything happen to their older sister. They had even showed your their secret plans for the kingdom they were going to make, saying how you would be in charge of keeping it safe. Izana was the king, Kakucho was the servant, and you were the protector.

It was when Shinichiro turned up out of the blue to talk to Izana that had made a slight rift in your relationship with him. He would actively seek out his big brother instead of you, something that both made you happy for him yet broke your heart a little. After all, you had been with him since he was a young child and had taught him what you could.

Shinichiro had expressed his gratitude for you helping raise Izana. You simply explained that's just how it was and that promised the older boy that you would protect his younger brother with your life. Over the months, you had gotten close to Shinichiro and learnt new ways in which to follow the true delinquent path.

Years had passed and a lot of things had changed. Shinichiro had died, Izana and Kakucho had formed their kingdom, and a strange boy of the name Kisaki had entered the lives of your brothers. While you questioned some of their new friend choices, you remained with Izana. After all, an older sister was meant to protect their younger siblings with their life if needs be.

Now you were standing a little behind Izana as you both watched the battle that was happening below. 50 members of Toman were going against the kingdom of Tenjiku, being led by a boy that reminded you so much of Shinichiro it was crazy. Kakucho was currently fighting him but it was proving difficult to knock him down. You really couldn't help but admire the blond for not giving up even when his face was swelling and covered in blood.

Kisaki must have had enough as he had finally gotten down from the platforms. You were uninterested until a gun had been pulled out. Wasn't this a simple brawl? Why the hell would Kisaki bring a gun? After noticing it, you couldn't shake the bad feeling that filled your chest. Something was definitely going to happen with that gun being here.

Kisaki shot the blond boy in the foot, and yet he still didn't give up. That is what piqued your interest even more. It was as if the spirit of Shinichiro Sano was placed into that boy after his untimely death. Tears were threatening to fill your eyes as memories danced throughout your mind. You almost missed Izana standing up from where he sat.

You quickly followed Izana down to the battlefield, remaining just a little way behind him. After all, he was the king and you were simply his protector. It was all going well until another gunshot rang out. You turned your head only to find Kakucho bleeding from his shoulder.

Anger clouded your judgement. How dare that piece of trash shoot at one of your brothers?! However, your mind went blank as you saw Kisaki go to pull the trigger again. Izana had pushed Kakucho out of the way while you covered the younger male with your body. There was no way you were letting harm come to Izana. After all, he was your life.

Three bullets entered your body.

Everything went in slow motion for the three siblings. Kakucho watched in horror as the scene played out. Izana was confused on why he felt no physical pain until he looked up to find you smiling down at him. Blood was trickling down your chin, dripping to the ground below.

"Y-Y/N?" If your mind wasn't screaming at your pain, you would have tried to comfort the poor boy in front of you. Instead, you used your energy to simply keep that smile on your face as you fell forward.

Izana couldn't catch you. His body was frozen and he was panicking. You and Kakucho were his only family and you were both bleeding from gunshot wounds. He didn't know what to do except shout for someone, anyone to call an ambulance. Maybe they could save you!

"Izana..." The boy had to kneel down and lean close just to hear you. "I'm so glad you're safe. I don't know what I would have done if you got hurt." Your words were separated with heavy breathes. If this was anything to go by, you were about to leave this world at any moment.

Kakucho had crawled his way over to where you and Izana was, tears flowing easily down his cheeks. He had to be there for Izana, even if it was too painful seeing you in that state.

"Why did you do that?" The platinum blond croaked out, trying his hardest to push the lump in his throat down. He refused to cry, especially when you were the one in immense pain. Izana had to be strong for you.

"Because I am your older sister. That's what we do." With that, you had gone silent, a smile on your paling face. It was moments after that the paramedics had arrived. Kakucho and you were placed into the back of the ambulance while Izana followed Kakucho. He needed his friend to comfort him.

Hours had passed by since arriving at the hospital. Kakucho was fine, he just needed a few stitches and some IV fluids to rehydrate him. The doctors had delivered some bad news to the boys. You had not made it.

No-one spoke as the news set in. You had died. The protector of the kingdom of Tenjiku. The one who had practically raised them. The girl who welcomed them with open arms when they arrived at the orphanage. You were gone.

Izana didn't know how to handle the news. He felt like his world was crumbling around him. Why had you saved him?! But that's when your last words popped into his head. Why did every older sibling end up leaving him before their time?

#tokyo revengers #tokyo revengers x reader #tokyo revengers izana #izana kurokawa #anime drabble #tokyo revengers scenarios #angst #requested

405 notes · View notes

crimsonrose-monika · 3 years

Text

[Tokyo Revengers Fanfic] By Your Side, Always

If you prefer AO3 format, here’s the link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/33160153

Title: By Your Side, Always

Pairing: Mikey & Takemitchy, Implied Mikey / Takemitchy, Takemichi / Hinata, Open to interpretation.

Tags: Manila Future Timeline Mikey, Canon Divergence, Canonical Character Death, Angst with a Happy Ending, Character Study, Tenjiku Arc, Mikey Needs a Hug, Song-Inspired Fanfic

Synopsis:

If Toman had gone bad, again and again, then it meant that Mikey’s heart had been corrupted, again and again. No one could reach Mikey. Takemichi could. He was by Mikey’s side, so why?

Only that he wasn’t. Takemichi wasn’t by Mikey’s side.

Realization slammed into him, fast and so unexpected that it almost knocked the breath out of his lungs.

Witnessing the dark future that awaited Mikey and the rest of Toman, Takemichi took a leap. He desperately wanted to save the invincible Mikey from himself. This time, he decided to stay.

This fanfic is inspired by a song 歩いていこう by いきものがかり. Parts of the song was inserted in the story. I translated the song and polish the translation myself to fit the English phrasing. (Putting my rusty Japanese to work here.) Feel free to listen while reading.

youtube

By Your Side, Always

“All my life, I’ve been suffering.” Mikey whispered, tears pooling in his eyes, but he smiled, as if his death was the best outcome he could ever wish for.

Takemichi felt his heart smashed into pieces as he watched life rapidly seeping out of his dear friend. Tears didn’t suit Mikey. A smile did, but not like this. Not the small tilt of his lips that amplified the crushed hope that lurked behind his deep, dark eyes. The best smile for Mikey was the full, satisfied one that smoothed the cease of his brows and made him shine brighter than anyone.

Without thinking, words rushed from Takemichi’s mouth. He didn’t care that he had been trying his hardest to not reveal his ability to anyone. He didn’t care what side effects admitting to time leap could cause. All he could think of was Mikey’s resignation. He wanted to erase that look from his eyes. He was to give this man hope.

What could have happened that made the invincible Mikey, who had faced down an overwhelmingly outnumbered fight with his back straight and his shoulders squared, felt like his death was the only happiness?

“Thanks, Takemitchy. Your words comforted me.” Mikey’s voice was calm. He stared up at the man whose eyes reminded him of sunlight hitting the sea surface, committing them to his last memory. Takemichi was crying again, ever the crybaby. Even when Mikey had held him at gunpoint, Takemichi still cried for him. “Even if you’re telling me lies...I’m happy.”

Blood from his head wound flowed into his eyes, but Mikey paid it no mind. In his last moment, he wanted to treasure the last member of Toman who didn’t lose their life by Mikey’s hands.

Takemichi’s tears fell onto Mikey’s shoulder blade. As his body slowly lost its heat, the warmth of Takemichi’s touch became clear. How long had it been since he had felt another person’s gentle heat on his skin? When was the last time Mikey had any kind of physical contact that lasted for more than a few seconds that it took his feet and fists to take down opponents? He had forgotten what it felt like to be close to someone.

“Your hands are so warm.”

Mikey’s eyes clouded over. All awareness escaped him as his breathing slowed to a stop. Feeling like the battered floor under his knees gave away, Takemichi brought Mikey close. As light shone through the time-worn holes in the ceiling, illuminating Mikey’s lifeless form like a silent eulogy, Takemichi’s memory of the man played behind his eyes.

“From now on, you’re my bitch!” Mikey had confidently declared the first time they had met, after he and Draken defeated Kiyomasa with ease.

“I’m going to create an era for delinquents,” Mikey had proclaimed his dream with determination alight in his eyes. At that moment, Mikey had stood with his feet planted firmly, ready for anything the world would throw his way.

“Boo!” In the bath house, after the fight with Mobius’ remnants at the festival, Mikey had smiled widely and played like a kid.

“You’re strong, Takemitchy,” Mikey, who was stronger than anyone, had acknowledged his respect for the crybaby.

Reliving the memories of Mikey brought a different kind of resolution to Takemichi. He clenched his fist to steel himself and plunged into the stream of time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Takemichi hated funerals. As an adult, he understood that death was an inevitable state of humans. But recently, he had attended too many funerals—had seen too many deaths—in all timelines.

Hinata, Atsushi, Baji, Mitsuya, Mikey, Emma, Izana, and even Kisaki, whose death Takemichi had thought wouldn’t make him feel anything. How wrong he was.

Why did people keep dying despite his best effort?

During the entirety of Emma’s funeral, Mikey didn’t cry. He stared at Emma’s portrait, where she laughed brightly without a care in the world, lost in his own thoughts. Sometimes Takemichi caught a glimpse of silent despair and anguish that he had seen swirling behind the future Mikey’s eyes.

It scared him.

Emma’s death wasn’t the trigger to Mikey’s darkness, Takemichi knew, because the leader of Toman was strong. Mikey would be sad. He would grieve, he would see the world crumbling to dust before him, and he would be lost, but he would come back. Just like he had come back to face Izana with a heart that was still bleeding, ready to love another brother despite the fresh pain that was etched into his soul.

But even the strongest man could fall once the loss of his precious people piled up in such a short time. In the span of Mikey’s teenage life, he had lost three out of four family members and half of the starting members of Toman, all of them sudden, without time to prepare or make peace. Some people would come back—Pah-chin and Kazutora—but the rest were gone forever.

Even to Takemichi, a somewhat outsider-turned-friend—because they were all his friends, but he would never compare his care for them to Mikey’s—who took in the situation with great shock that clung to every fiber of his body, Mikey’s life was like a cruel, heartless joke.

How could a person experience so much pain so young?

It was already a miracle that Mikey retained his sense of self this long.

After the funeral, Takemichi walked with Hinata, but they couldn’t seem to go anywhere. In the end, they continued walking mindlessly across the town. He registered the same store that they had walked past twice before, but he couldn’t bring himself to think. Hinata didn’t say anything either. She walked beside him wordlessly, offering her presence to Takemichi’s fleeting awareness.

They stopped at an empty park, where they sat on the swings as silence stretched. The sky already turned dark when Takemichi spoke.

“I couldn’t change Emma’s death. I was right there, but I still couldn’t do anything.”

Hinata listened intently, like she always did. Takemichi could feel her patient gaze on the side of his face even as he stared down at his hands that clasped together on his lap.

“In the future, Mikey-kun lost himself. After Emma died, Mikey-kun fell into darkness. He told me that he’d been suffering all his life.” Takemichi’s voice shook at the end as he remembered the future Mikey’s existence that screamed out to him in misery, begging him to put his own life to an end. “I knew all that, but I still failed.”

His breath stuttered as the beginning of a sob formed behind his throat. His eyes were hot.

At this rate, Mikey is going to end up the same. Toman members would all die. Nothing would change.

“I’m tired, Hina-chan. I’m tired of going back to find out that it is another bad future once again. They deserve to be happy, but the world keeps throwing pain at them. It’s not fair.”

Even as he blabbered on, Takemichi berated himself for talking like a child. It wasn’t fair? The world was never fair, but it was being particularly cruel to all his loved ones.

Takemichi roughly wiped his tears with the sleeves of his shirt.

He had been thinking. He had been changing the past. He had prevented Draken’s death that would change Mikey, but then Hinata and Atsushi died. Draken was on a death row. He had conveyed Baji’s intention to Mikey and stopped him from killing Kazutora, but Hinata and Chifuyu still died. Even worse, it was him who ordered her death. Then, he made sure that Hakkai didn’t join Black Dragons. It should have been the best future yet, but everyone died, and Mikey was living a life he would rather not have.

No matter how many times Takemichi changed the past, there still wasn’t a single future where everyone was happy. In the face of repeated failures, he started to think that maybe he had been looking at it from the wrong point of view.

When he was lost in his head, Hinata spoke up for the first time.

“Takemichi-kun, what do you think you are to Mikey-kun?”

What a strange question.

Takemichi lifted his head and looked at his girlfriend. Hinata smiled at him even though her eyes were red from crying at Emma’s funeral. She had grown quite close to Mikey’s sister.

When he didn’t say anything, she looked away and spoke what had been on her mind. “Hina might not know the people from Toman as well as Takemichi-kun, but Hina has been watching when you’re with them. Mikey-kun cares about you. There are many times when you said ridiculous things, Takemichi-kun, but he listened to you.”

Hinata started pushing her feet into the ground, propelling herself gently back and forth on the swing absentmindedly as she organized her thoughts. When she spoke next, she seemed like she knew something about Mikey that Takemichi didn’t. Her big round eyes looked straight ahead, away from Takemichi, but her voice made its way into his heart.

“Your voice reached Mikey-kun, again and again. You brought him back. You mean more to Mikey-kun than you think, Takemichi-kun. Maybe there is something you can say to him that will remind him to not give in to his darkness?”

Takemichi remembered. When he had said that he would become Toman’s top member to Mikey’s face, he was serious and determined. But deep down, he knew how ridiculous it had sounded. If it had been anyone else, Takemichi would surely get a jeer in the face. He wasn’t good at fighting. He got more punches in his face than he had landed. Anyone would have thought that he was a pushover.

But not Mikey. He had taken Takemichi’s words seriously and never once laughed at him for aiming high. The invincible Mikey had said that Takemichi was stronger even though Mikey could defeat him with one kick. Every time that Mikey almost lost himself in grief and impulse, Takemichi’s sincere words brought him back to sense.

If Toman had gone bad, again and again, then it meant that Mikey’s heart had been corrupted, again and again. No one could reach Mikey. Takemichi could. He was by Mikey’s side, so why?

Only that he wasn’t. Takemichi wasn’t by Mikey’s side.

Realization slammed into him, fast and so unexpected that it almost knocked the breath out of his lungs.

“Could it be that no matter what I did, Toman still went bad because I wasn’t there?”

When Takemichi jumped back to the future, what was left in this timeline was the young Takemichi who didn’t intimately know Mikey’s suffering. He didn’t want to admit the cowardice of his younger self, ashamed at how weak he had been until Hinata’s death in the first timeline had opened his eyes, but the young Takemichi wouldn’t be able to scold Mikey like he had been asked to. Only the future Takemichi could, but he wasn’t here when Mikey needed him.

That must be why. There was no one to pull Mikey back from the brink because Takemichi who could wasn’t there with him.

If that was true, then he could just stay to make sure that Mikey wouldn’t go down the wrong path. He would act as Mikey’s moral pillar, like he had been asked to after the fight on Christmas Day. That way, instead of jumping back to find that one or all of his friends met their premature ends, he could be with them and make sure that they were okay.

When Hinata tore her eyes from the park to look back at Takemichi’s face, she knew that her boyfriend had come to some form of conclusion. She wasn’t sure what that decision was, but she knew him. Takemichi was the crybaby hero. His determination to protect was more fierce than anyone. So she waited.

“Hina-chan, this time, I’m not going back to the future.”

Hinata wouldn’t say that what she heard was anything she had expected, but at the same time, now that it was said out loud, it was the most Takemichi-like answer.

“Will it be okay not to go back?” She asked, a little worried about what would happen to the body of the future Takemichi if his consciousness was here. Takemichi had told her that he came from the future to fix things and go back when whatever he was here for was corrected, but he didn’t go into how the time leap worked.

“It should be fine,” Takemichi replied. He seemed a little unsure as he spoke, but then he pressed his lips together and held his head up high. His blue eyes that were illuminated under the street light shone brightly. “When I’m here, my body in the future was on autopilot. Even if something happens, I’m still alive here. I can continue to make changes so that nothing bad will happen to any of us in the future.”

“Is that how it works?”

“I’m not sure, but I think it is my best option.”

Hinata watched Takemichi in silence. Time passed, and Takemichi was starting to think that maybe he got something wrong and Hinata didn’t agree when she nodded to herself and gave him a sparkling smile.

“Hina will support Takemichi-kun no matter what you choose,” she said with finality, as if it had been predetermined.

Takemichi felt incredibly lucky to have Tachibana Hinata, a girl whose heart was unmovable and understanding, in his life. “Thank you, Hina-chan.”

“Also, please work out your feelings.” At that very moment, Hinata looked like someone who held the secret of the world. She seemed to know Takemichi better than he knew himself. “Hina will be waiting okay?”

Again, Hinata said a cryptic message that Takemichi didn’t quite understand. But he nodded.

歩いていこう歩いていこう

Let’s walk forward. Let’s walk forward.

僕は「今」を生きていくよ

I will continue to live in the “present.”

君がくれた言葉はここにあるよ

The words that you told me are right here with me.

そうだよ歩いていこう

Yes, let’s walk forward.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few days later, Mikey called Takemichi to meet at the Musashi Shrine. He told Takemichi to wear his Toman black uniform, which Takemichi easily complied. March temperature had warmed up a bit from the freezing February, on its way to welcome spring, but it still wasn’t anywhere near warm enough to go out without bundling up. Good thing that Toman’s long sleeves and baggy pants uniform made it simple to slip another layer or two underneath.

When Takemichi arrived, Mikey was already there, playing with the puff of his breath that the cold, humid air produced. He wore his usual white long-sleeve shirt underneath his coat uniform that draped over his shoulders. Takemichi wondered if Mikey didn’t feel cold in this kind of weather.

Takemichi told Mikey all about the future, from the very beginning when he was pushed onto the train rails. What he had changed up until now and its result in each timeline. He sobbed when he apologized for failing to save Baji and Emma, and broke into a cry when he told Mikey what had happened to his future self in Manila.

Mikey’s face was carefully blank as he listened. Takemichi couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but there was something that had been bothering him since he took his first step onto the stone paved path of the shrine. Mikey’s posture was taut, like a string that was stretched to the point of snapping. His words and his every move seemed calculated.

Takemichi didn’t like it. So when he finished the story and Mikey fell silent, eyes trained somewhere faraway, he announced his intention.

“Mikey-kun, I’m not going back.”

Mikey’s dark eyes snapped to him, surprised. His brows ceased as he contemplated. “If you’re worrying about everyone, I give you my words, Takemitchy. I’ll definitely protect everyone’s future. Hina too. I’ll make sure that the same future won’t happen, so you don’t have to be so reluctant to part ways.”

Mikey smiled, the same smile as that time when he said Toman would never lose because he was here. The one that was both confident in the outcome and self-assured in his own abilities. But Takemichi saw it, a hint of deep emotion that Mikey tried desperately not to show others. Takemichi would never have noticed before, but after witnessing the future in Manila, he became aware of little clues and changes in expressions that Mikey’s body couldn’t hide.

Toman’s invincible leader always smiled when faced with difficulties. But that wasn’t the smile that Takemichi wanted.

歩道橋の向こうに冬のまちが見えたよ

On the other side of the overpass, I could see the city in the winter.

ひとかけらの孤独を手に僕は明日をつないでいる

With the fragments of loneliness in my hands, I am reaching toward tomorrow.

「こころで笑えるかな」いつかの声が聴こえた

“Can you smile with all your heart?” I heard a voice from some day.

白い息が空に消える

The breath vapor disappears into the sky.

寂しくはない駅へ急ぐよ

I’m not lonely. I’m rushing to the station.

Takemichi knew that Mikey would keep his promise. As a leader and as a friend, Mikey treasured the trust that Toman had put in him and would do his best to respond in kind. He wouldn’t break his promise.

But protecting everyone alone was a task that even adults struggled to accomplish. No matter how powerful Mikey was, he still needed a place or a person whom he could fall onto when he needed a break. Takemichi was determined to be that person. He would help Mikey protect everyone and carry parts of his burden. He didn’t want to see the hopelessness in Mikey ever again.

“I know, Mikey-kun. But I want to stay. I want to be with you and the rest of Toman.” He explained, staring at the deep dark eyes to convey the force of his sincerity. “I want to help you. Please let me help you protect everyone’s future. Please let me protect your future.”

Although Mikey didn’t act like he needed it, his future was also important and deserved to be protected.

Takemichi hoped that his expressive eyes would persuade Mikey for him, to let him know that Takemichi wouldn’t back down. Like it had played out when Takemichi had announced his intention to become one of Toman’s top leaders, Mikey would have to acknowledge it.

Takemichi could see Mikey’s resolution wavered. He reeled in his weakness a heartbeat later, but that short moment was enough for Takemichi to catch on.

“What about Hina?” Mikey pressed, resorting to bringing up a girl whom he knew Takemichi would throw his life away for if it meant she would live well. “She’s waiting for you in the future.”

Despite the reminder, Takemichi didn’t back down. “I have Hina-chan here too. I told her my decision, and Hina-chan said she would support me.”

Mikey bit his lips, his eyes straying sideways. It seemed like he had his plan, but whatever that plan was, it was being shaken by Takemichi’s words.

“I have everyone I ever want here with me, Mikey-kun. I want to stay. Not just for you and for Toman, but for myself too.”

It was as if the wall that Mikey had built around himself crumbled down like glass. In the first place, Mikey objected to Takemichi staying because he felt that the other was putting others before himself. He didn’t want Takemichi to throw away his chance to live as he wanted just because he was worried about the people in the past.

But Takemichi had said that he was staying for himself too.

The stubbornness that lined Mikey’s lips eased into a soft smile. “You already made up your mind even before I said anything.”

Takemichi grinned at his Toman leader. “I’m sorry,” he offered without really feeling sorry.

There was the sound of motorcycle engines at the edge of Takemichi’s hearing, a sound that had wormed its way into Takemichi’s heart and oddly assured him of belonging and comfort. It got louder by the seconds, until it stopped somewhere to his right, in the shrine’s parking lot that was obscured by a row of trees. Dull marching steps replaced the engine sound as a crowd of black-cladded people strode up to the stairs where Takemichi and Mikey were standing.

Something cold fell on the tip of Takemichi’s nose, before another one planted itself on his forehead. He looked up at the darkened sky and saw white flakes falling down in fluttering dances.

“It’s snowing...” Takemichi muttered.

“Strange, isn’t it? The weather forecast said it wouldn’t snow.” Holding his palm up to collect a small puff of white frozen water in his hand, Mikey gazed at it as the hundred members of Toman fell into neat rows behind their respective captains. Mitsuya and Smiley were still in their wheelchair, but they grinned widely.

「帰らないと決めたんだ」

“I have decided to not go back.”

はじまりを告げるように雪が降り始めた

As if to mark the beginning, snow started to fall.

“Thank you, Takemitchy. I have decided.” Mikey straightened his back and squared his shoulders, the very picture of Tokyo Manji Kai’s invincible leader. There was a gleam in his eyes that made Takemichi nodded and went down to his place right in front of Chifuyu and the rest of the first division.

Mikey looked over them confidently as he grinned. “Listen up, everyone!”

The entirety of Toman snapped to attention as the voice of their leader carried through the air. Soft snow continued to fall gently to the ground.

“We have faced a lot of hardship in our fight with Tenjiku, but we overcame them and emerged victorious. Toman is now Japan’s top gang!”

As he listened, Takemichi felt his chest puffed up in pride, and he was certain that every single person who carried Toman’s manji on the back of their uniform felt the same.

“We’ve created an era that will be handed down to generations to come, an era for delinquents that we have dreamed of! Thank you everyone for sticking with me and making Toman the best gang out there. But our dream doesn't end here. Toman will continue to show the world the way of delinquents we uphold! I hope that you all will be with me on this journey.”

Then, Mikey relaxed his posture and spoke a little more comfortably. “To let you all recover from the fight, there won’t be a gang meeting for a while. I will end the meeting here. Be careful while you go home and rest well.”

They bowed, deeply and respectfully, to the leader who had led them through many hardships and who had lost so much, before the crowd slowly receded along with the booming sound of bike roars.

The captains and vice-captains stayed for a while longer, discussing among themselves the outcome of the Kanto Incident and speculating about the future that awaited Toman, but gradually, they bid farewell one by one until the only occupants on the shrine ground were Takemichi and Mikey.

“Today, I called everyone here to announce the disbandment of Toman.” Mikey confessed, a slight smile still on his lips as he scanned the spacious ground that was fully occupied a mere moment ago. “I thought about it, the future you told me. No matter what timelines, something always goes badly. The root of it all is me. Toman goes bad because I go bad. I thought that by disbanding Toman, everyone will still be able to live a happy life even when I inevitably fall into darkness.”

Takemichi almost stopped breathing. He had a hard time believing his ears. Mikey loved Toman. This gang was his pride and dream, but he was ready to throw all that hard work and passion away to ensure that everyone he cared about would have a good life.

“Mikey-kun...”

“But you give me hope. You changed my mind,” he continued, tearing his focus from the ground beneath the steps, and looked at Takemichi with pleading eyes. “That’s why, Takemitchy, when you think I am losing myself. You definitely have to scold me and bring me back, okay?”

Mikey’s stability was his responsibility now, but Takemichi was up to the task. He clasped his hands behind his back and looked straight at his leader and friend. “I will, Mikey-kun! Definitely!” He yelled confidently, putting all his determination into the sentence that he uttered.

Takemichi was rewarded with a big, wide smile that he had been longing to see on Mikey’s face. Mikey’s eyebrows smoothened, losing the sharpness that had permanently been etched onto them for a few seconds as the corner of his eyes relaxed with the movement of his cheeks. This Mikey was glowing, moonlight reflecting on the snow in his hair.

“You’re my hero, Takemitchy.”

歩いていこう歩いていこう

Let’s walk forward. Let’s walk forward.

僕は「今」を生きていくよ

I will continue to live in the “present.”

傷ついても何度も信じたいよ

Even if I get hurt, I want to believe, no matter how many times.

この手をこの日々を君と泣いて君と笑って僕は強くなれたんだろう

Within these hands, within these days, crying with you, laughing with you, has made me stronger.

君がくれた言葉はここにあるよ

The words that you told me are right here with me.

そうだよ歩いていこう

Yes, let’s walk forward.

[END]

#TokyoRevengers #東卍 #東リベ #東京卍リベンジャーズ #mikey x takemichi #hinata x takemichi #tokyo revengers #tokyo manji gang #sano manjiro #takemichi hanagaki #hinata tachibana #tokyo revengers fanfiction #tokyo manji revengers #Youtube

43 notes · View notes

crimsonandcloverwrites · 3 years

Text

ok bhah ch1 reread thought dump lets goooo

@youngbloodbuzz @romanitwontletmetagyouuuu??? thank u for writing this. in return I gift u this lightly unhinged commentary

oh the opening quote “Do you think it all meant nothing, all the longing? The longing for home?” violence

lmao ok I started this ages ago and then got distracted for a week because that’s just who I am as a person lets try that again

eddie n his glowing glasses nice we love a canon nod

ok I remember getting really emotional reading the chapter where Dani’s car died bc of what it represented to her n now I’m being reminded of it all again with the ‘poor little car’ comment oh dear we’re like 2 paragraphs in and I’m already compromised

the wavering reflection in the water in her hands..... Dani posessed by the ghost of comphet..... I am Drawing Conclusions

eddie “we can hang out more” dani “aha wouldn’t that be neat”

god the prom photo... remembering Dani’s meltdown at the prom bc she missed Jamie... I’m dying Jack I’m dying

lil palm kiss... I know u will not ever love hm that way Dani but fuck I’m a sucker for a palm kiss

lil nerd ass w her folder tabs I love her

god the tone of this is so comforting like I can just hang out n imagine each scene progressing so naturally. wish I did not have to suffer emotionally at the same time but at least it’s a smooth read

Dani feeling like an invader amongst all the physical representations of her relationship w eddie BABY U DON’T HAVE TO LIVE THIS WAY STOP LETTING OTHER PEOPLE INFLUENCE UR LIFE AND RUIN UR HAPPINESS

“Hannah Grose, seamlessly elegant” yes

Hannah: congrats on ur engagement. Dani, with tears in her eyes: thank

Dani relaxing when they’re talking about teaching pls I love her love for it so much

Dani at the blackboard with the “Miss, Ms?” confusion now I am thinking about the Ted Moseby professor/proffessor scene. HIMYM my beloved

mikeyyyy my boy

the image of Dani w chalk dust on her skirt is v endearing.

oooh the library trip gay foreshadowing yes

wait the silver stars on his backpack......... cup of stars crying time

Mikey correcting her on his name when she was the one to give him the nickname in the first place... feeling some kind of way

Dani fostering the talents she sees in her kids is so sweet and mikey shy lil math genuis is also so sweet pls i love this duo

i do wonder if part of her is like I know a Mikey Taylor but I literally refuse to believe it is the same one bc his sister broke my heart and we are absolutely not in the business of confronting hard feelings in this house!!

keys on a lanyard... ok lesbian

“You’re still here?” the love I have for canon lines being used when I can hear them being said in my head

awww bonding over Wonder Woman. cute!!!! When Dani becomes Mikey’s official second mum (everyone be quiet I am manifesting) my heart will explode

eddie ur really just gonna rock up and toot at her. jail for 1000 years

ooohhh Dani is Realising who the sister is. honey you got a big storm comin. oof (the ‘wonder woman punching stars out of her foes” to “dani feeling like she’s just recieved a blow to the ribs.” the cinnamontography). aw baby :(

“Jamie. Jamie, here. Jamie, home.” please i am thinking about her last letter and I am not strong enough

“Somehow Eddie didn’t notice.” sum up a relationship in a sentence

“Jamie would appear, as if summoned by the gravity of Dani’s pounding heart” fuck this hits on so many levels I need to go think about my life for 45mins

CARSON MY BOY. in his studded leather. a fashionable gay never loses.

I looove how soft n caring Dani n Carson are with each other thank gods she has him.

DID WE EVER FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN CARSON AND JASON MY SPIDEY SENSES ARE STILL TINGLING FROM READING THIS THE FIRST TIME

god this post is already so long n I’m only halfway through why do I have so many silly thoughts

god just the... expectations of affection from her by eddie w that placating cheek kiss she gives him is like... I cannot imagine Jamie ever asking that from her in the same way even when they are in a relationship!!! and it’s not even wrong of him to do that??? but it’s just a lot to think about the kind of person Dani makes herself to be to stay with him vs the kind of person Jamie lets her be by not expecting anything of her. they’re such opposites

dani not even feeling at home in her own (former) home pls when is she going to find a soft place to land (it’s also making me think v hard about the title like... the haunting of Dani and Jamie’s relationship (and what that represents for Dani) on Dani’s whole life and Jamie coming home and bringing that to Dani’s doorstep. resurecting a ghost so to speak........ too many homes to think about. I don’t know if I fully understand but I am Thinking)

dani and her inhaler... asthmatic bitches represent

oh my god not the box of memories. been trying to erase that from my own for weeks now let me live

ooh the line about her feeling like an archaeologist at the start of this section and then her ‘exhuming the past’ w the photos of her n Jamie i love a consistent narrative.

THE MIXTAPE. THE MIXTAPE. is there a playlist for this chapter I would like to take that aural journey

oh no i cannot remember where the flower comes from but aahhh this box of memories pain.

this description of carson in a tight white undershirt tucked into his jeans makes me think of freddie mercury. didn’t mean to make you cry etc

lmao Dani trying to get info from Judy abt Jamie in a roundabout way... international superspy she is not

Dani entirely uncomfy in church... i feel it. godd the repression of it all w the movie and the feelings and the Jamie-influence on the feelings my heart hurts.

God knowing how much Judy loves her but the weight of that love also stifling her... pain

they’ve really got her all shacked up w a house and a husband and a kid on the way can we let the girl be a lesbian in peace (also lowkey hoping Dani gets some time on her own at some point no Eddie no Jamie no weight of expectations pls she needs it we all need it)

the thread of Dani refusing to do things for herself in order to make other people happy throughout this entire piece hits so fucking close to home and is entirely heartbreaking to read thank you

jamiiiiieeeeeeeee

Jamie: appears. Dani: every single emotion all at once

Judy and her girls back together is v sweet even if Dani is dying inside at it all

“Jamie only had eyes for Dani.” Again, sum up a relationship in a sentence.

What do you even say to a girl who *the sky goes dark as i attempt to even summarise a fraction of their relationship*. Apparently the answer is “Jamie. Hi.”

TWO MONTHS JAMIE TAYLOR. CRIMES

It’s ahh. fairly entertaining to be going through Dani’s emotional journey alongside her and knowing that Jamie is also Going Through It on some level but having 0 insights to it bc she keeps her emotions so in check.

oooh how much of a gut punch is this engagement revelation for Jamie??? like on some level I’m sure she always knew this was coming but I’m sure another part of her still desperately hoped one day Dani would choose her. god I would kill for Jamie’s POV in this scene

Jamie’s scarrrr. Literally Dani’s impact

oh fucking hell that moment of like... familiarity and almost a coming home for Dani when Judy is talking and she meets Jamie’s eyes... she really was entirely screwed from that moment on huh.

oof god this is a hell of an opening chapter lets see if my attention span will let me continue this journey (also @ myself reminder to read this all in chronological order one day for a real nice session of emotional destruction)

#bhah #bly manor fic #this is so chaotic i apologise to anyone who reads this #absolute delight tho i love writing out my rambling thoughts as I read #god i remeber reading this chapt when it first came out n i truly... had no idea what i was getting myself in for huh

11 notes · View notes

renaroo · 5 years

Text

Some Times (Time and Time Again) (6/8)

Disclaimer: Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, and associated characters are the creative property of DC Comics. Warnings: Canon shaken not stirred, Heavy canon references to Booster Gold (2009-2011) and Blue Beetle (2016-2018) Pairings: Boostle Rating: T Synopsis: Booster Gold and the rest of the Time Masters are still straightening up things in the wake of the most recent universal Rebirth. But Rip Hunter is still missing in the aftermath, leaving Booster in charge with Skeets, Michelle, and Rani. But there’s a distraction for Booster, one he can’t keep himself from ignoring.

Ted Kord, miraculously, is still alive. And that makes everything more complicated than Michael could have ever imagined.

A/N: My gosh we are so close to completing this thing! Just two chapters left, hard as it is to believe!

And of course a wonderful thanks to @shibascarf, @babybatbrat, @bibliofilariidae, @mcbangle, @secretlystephaniebrown, arouraleona, and boopinbabbit for your lovely feedback and support!

Michelle Carter

“God, I’m such an idiot sometimes!” Michelle hisses to herself, feet stomping down the corridor toward Rani’s room.

Her conversation with Ted Kord is still rattling around in her skull and she can’t tell what half of her she’d like to strangle more — the overly sharing side unable to keep a coherent secret or the crude and cryptic mistress of time she feels no right to even claiming.

Coming to a stop mid-stride, Michelle closes her eyes and lets her shoulders droop. She tilts her head back with a sigh. “No wonder Rip and Mikey trust me with next to nothing other than babysitting duty,” she groans. “Throw one little moment of emotional conflict and I utterly lose those salutatorian's brains.”

Opening her eyes, she looks toward Rani’s still distant room and feels a wave of conflict and shame that hasn’t pestered her in a while. But this is the feeling she should be used to by now — it’s just like their father used to always say when he bothered to be around.

“Been playing second best to nothing since the womb, huh, Michelle?” she mutters under her breath. “Could place second in a game of solitaire.”

She takes a moment to suck in a deep breath, steeling herself for a smiling face and positive disposition when a single voice knocks the wind out of her lungs yet again.

“What’s solitaire?” Rani’s tiny voice questions.

Michelle blinks in surprise just before Rani’s mousy haired head pops out from her room’s doorway.

Despite herself, despite everything, Michelle manages a softer and more genuine smile than the one she has been building up to and shakes her head slightly. “A really boring card game,” she answers easily. “Should have known better than to think you would be asleep.”

Skeets, the ever unhelpful bot, hovers out from Rani’s room and bops in the air. “It would have been an unlikely scenario even in the most forgiving of circumstances, Michelle! Which, unfortunately for us, the last twenty-four hours or so have not been.”

“Try the last twenty-nine years for some of us, Skeets,” Michelle jokes, closing the distance of the hallway and scooping Rani into her arms with a simple bow.

“That is much too small to be your correct chronal age, Michelle—“

“Skeets, shush,” Michelle snaps as she enters the bedroom. “Or I’ll give you to Batman to dissect. Again.”

“Three experiences too many, I will heed the warning,” Skeets banters back.

As they enter Rani’s room, Michelle slows her approach to Rani’s bed and adjusts her hold on the younger child. Her thoughts are nearly as heavy as Rani is getting as she lives and ages with them. It’s not going to be long before picking her up isn’t an option for Michelle or Michael.

“Are you going to make me go to bed?” Rani asks critically.

“Eventually,” Michelle admits, turning to sit on the edge of the bed while still keeping her grip on Rani. The girl sits easily in her lap and leans away, giving enough space for them to look into each other’s eyes. “We need to have a talk about everything that’s happened first.”

Rani’s cheeks grow slightly pale and she squirms uncomfortably. “Oh,” she says. “I think I’d rather sleep.”

“Well, that’s tough, kiddo, probably should have put yourself to bed before I got over here then,” Michelle jokes, poking at Rani’s stomach playfully.

In response, Rani turns and twists, but the enthusiasm is slow and dull compared to Rani’s usual behavior.

It’s one of many signs Michelle, Michael, and Rip have learned to pay careful attention to with Rani. She is a sensitive little girl, and her traumas are numerous. When she’s not bopping around she’s almost assuredly in some state of regressive isolation or pure shock.

Watching the man she loves as a father get beaten to a pulp by an evil man they have encountered before is, at the very least, a trigger. Michelle can be certain of at least that much.

“Rani, listen to me,” Michelle says, firmly but without any heat to it. It’s enough to draw Rani’s wide eyes to her. “We love you, and we want the best for you. You know that, right?”

After a moment of clear confusion, Rani manages a small nod.

“Good, because we do,” Michelle reinforces. “And we know you love Rip and want to find him. We do too! But you are a very little girl and this is a very dangerous multiverse we live in. You absolutely cannot, under no circumstances, leave Time Lab without either Mikey, myself, or Rip.”

“I had Skeets,” Rani says quickly.

On instinct, Michelle turns her head to acknowledge Skeets’ floating presence. She immediately turns her eyes back on Rani but it’s a moment too late as Skeets already feels acknowledged.

“Young Rani does have quite an argument on that account,” Skeets says supportively.

“Yes, Skeets, you did a great job,” Michelle says with a roll of her eyes that threatens to continue right out of her sockets. “What were you even doing allowing any of this, Skeets? Aren’t you programmed with safety protocols and whatnot?”

“Yes I am, Michelle, however, there are no proper babysitting protocols. And while I advised against rash action, it was best to make do with the situation at hand,” Skeets returns promptly. “Might I point out, this is not far off from my calculations when dealing with your brother.”

There isn’t much she can give to deny that fairly abundant fact so Michelle releases a groan instead. “Why can’t anything just be simple?”

Rani squirms and meets Michelle’s gaze. “Please don’t be mad at Skeets, Michelle,” Rani pleads. “It’s my fault. I just wanted to find Boppy, and he did leave me a message.”

Michelle feels her chest tighten and she squeezes her grip on Rani sadly. “We all want Rip back, Rani, believe me.”

“In further defense of both Rani and myself,” Skeets spoke up, hovering closer to eye level with Michelle, “following clear instructions left by Rip Hunter is often an important and practical step for all of us here in the Time Lab. And those newly chalked directions were fairly direct considering the usual clues.”

Blinking, Michelle thinks it over.

“That’s… actually pretty true, Skeets,” Michelle remarks thoughtfully. “And it did lead to saving Ted… and getting a bunch of us almost killed, but definitely the saving Ted part.” She presses her lips together, still deep in contemplation. “But even then there wasn’t any sign of Rip, even when Michael was almost certainly in trouble. And that’s not like Rip at all. I can’t even count on my hands and toes how many times, when Mike’s taken too much, Rip has shown up and tipped the scales for him. It’s almost his signature at a certain point.”

Following the conversation, Rani draws her own brows together in concern. “Michelle, you don’t think Boppy wrote the message? But who did? I’m the only one who’s ever written on the board before… and Boppy made me switch to making my unicorns and butterflies on paper so I don’t do that anymore.”

Sighing, Michelle shifts Rani’s weight to her other knee. “I’ll be honest, honey, I’m not sure yet what exactly I think about anything.”

Rani’s bottom lip puckers out as she studies Michelle carefully. “If we don’t know what’s going on, how do we know I did the wrong thing?” she asks pointedly.

“No, no, missy, you’re not philosophizing out of this one,” Michelle stops her quickly. “This isn’t a matter of right or wrong at the moment, it’s a matter of keeping you and everyone else safe so that we can all be together again as a big, happy family. And if you’re flying around to random times and places without us, we can’t do that. Because I know for me and Mike, losing you is the absolute worst thing imaginable these days, and I’m not going to let it happen. Okay, girlie?”

While she ducks her head down to avoid Michelle’s gaze, a coy smile finds its way to Rani’s face. She knows when Michelle says these things that she’s speaking from the bottom of her heart. She has to know by now.

And if she does, considering the emotional mess Rani was when she first came into their lives, maybe that means they’re doing something right after all.

When Rani breaks the silence again, it’s with a deceptively simple question. “Is Ted Kord now in our family? Like Boppy?”

Thinking about it, Michelle takes a breath and then leans back. “I honestly don’t know what’s in store with those two, Rani, love,” she admits. “I don’t think he’s going anywhere any time soon. Either because Michael and he need to sort things out or because of the whole… assassination stuff. That makes it kind of difficult to picture this arrangement ending too fast.”

Before Rani can respond, there is a loud shout followed by laughter.

“Welp, that’s the nose, and no sounds of murder,” Michelle jokes. Rani looks at her questioningly so she rubs her shoulders. “What I mean is, things are definitely looking like we can be expecting to see more of the former Blue Beetle.”

“Okay,” Rani nods. “And if he’s family, then Boppy will be okay with him staying here, like me, so that’s good.”

Michelle has a hard time arguing with Rani’s peculiar logic on that accord.

That is until Michelle looks over and notices the little girl is still furrowed in thought, her eyes darting back and forth as if she’s reading something on her room’s wall. Then, looking at Michelle cautiously, Rani asks, “If he’s not family… how is Black Beetle able to always get in and out of Time Lab? Or write on the board, if it’s him?”

If Rani hadn’t always been so innocent and young, Michelle thinks the questions would have been laced with more accusations. It’s already enough to make Michelle’s heart seize.

They are, after all, very good questions.

Playing up to the role of an adult, Michelle looks toward Skeets instead. “Skeets… how is all of this stuff possible from Black Beetle?” she asks, more worry in her voice than she intends to let on.

For once, Skeets’ response is not immediate and overly explanatory. The droid hovers, a strangely ominous look to his screen in the wrong lighting.

“Apologies, Michelle,” Skeets says in a flat and altogether unapologetic tone. “Information about my scans and records for Rip Hunter and Black Beetle are blocked as of update two-two-seven-dash-eleven-dot-thirteen. Courtesy of Rip Hunter.”

“What?” Michelle asks, aghast.

“Why would Boppy do that?” Rani asks again, only now her pointed questions are accented by the shake of Time Lab’s very infrastructure itself.

The little girl in her lap screams and throws herself into a fit before Michelle can even blink. She can’t draw a single coherent thought before leaping to her feet, Rani in tow, and looking at Skeets.

“I am receiving an intruder alert!” Skeets says loudly, a red exclamation popping up on his screen.

“You useless, toaster!” Michelle sputters in frustration. “Tell me where this is coming from!”

“I believe it does not require much deductive reasoning,” Skeets answers, following Michelle through the door and out into the corridor, “to assume that the laboratory is the most likely option!”

She would die before admitting it out loud, but Michelle knows that Skeets is right. She turns on her heels and takes off to follow the continuing noises of clattering and shaking.

Their home is under attack, their family, everything they still have of their old world and time — and Michelle cannot be nearly as upset with that as she is with the haunting premises that Rani and Skeets have given her.

Black Beetle or not, the real attack is on the understanding Michelle has had of their everything in the last few congruent years. And as much as she wants Rip Hunter safely back with them, she needs a serious word with him about that alone.

#writing #dc fic #DC: Some Times (Time and Time Again)#Boostle #Michelle Carter #Booster Gold #Michael Jon Carter #Ted Kord #Blue Beetle #Rani #Skeets

22 notes · View notes

side-effect-of-the-meds · 5 years

Note

Okay!!! Desperate for twinyards :D!!! Will Aaron ever found out that erin takes care of him when he is drunk? And will he find out that Aaron cares for him and will there ever be a point where the things he said when he is drunk would be said when be isnt? Gosh im such trash for your fem!andreil

I’m so sorry these asks keep taking so long! They take me thirty years to get to and then they turn out really bad. One day I’ll start creating quality content. Until then, have this.

In honor of Spoopy Month, it’s Halloween themed!!!!! (I borrowed a big chunk of it from my canon compliant fic Love of my Life but I just really like that part of the story. Sorry :))

“I never thought Crowley and Aziraphale would ever return to Eden,” Ronnie said as the Monsters made their way to the bar. Ania smiled. Erin scowled. “Aw don’t scowl at me like that, Angel.” Ronnie barely dodged the heels Erin chucked at her. With a broad smile, Ronnie turned her attention to Aaron. “I’m sorely disappointed to see that you’re not the Archangel Micheal.” Aaron glared at her but his annoyance didn’t last.

Aaron could never stay mad at Ronnie for long. For the longest time, Ronnie had been the only ray of sunshine in Aaron’s dreary life. The middle child and only daughter of a rich widower, Ronnie was free to do as she pleased while her father groomed her brothers to inherit his fortune. Having four brothers would be more than enough for most people but Ronnie hadn’t hesitated to adopt Aaron into her little band of miscreants. In the years before Erin’s arrival, it was Ronnie (and at times, her brothers) that had been looking out for Aaron. She was just as much his sister as Erin was. That was what made their relationship so hard for him to wrap his head around. He’d given up trying to make sense of how they could have gone behind his back like that long ago but on nights out at Eden’s he couldn't help but feel a little betrayed.

“Earth to Mikey,” Ronnie said, waving a hand in front of his face. “Come on, we’re toasting you’re little cheerleader. To Katelyn,” Ronnie cried as she raised her own shot. “For breathing -or maybe blowing- some life into Aaron!” Aaron shrieked at the crude joke as his family laughed, downing their shots. Aaron’s brain short-circuited at the sight of Erin downing her shot to the toast. She just wants to drink, Aaron told himself as he regained control of his thoughts. Curling himself into his shoulders, he stood apart as Ronnie caught up with the others.

“Aaron,” Josten said as she nudged his foot with her boot. “Erin said to grab a table.” Aaron nodded and headed off to search for one. Despite the pounding music, he heard Josten following him. He risked a backward glance only to find her watching him. He growled but Josten’s face remained blank. She’s been spending too much time with Eri, he thought as he went back to shouldering his way through the crowd. Finally, he found a table in the back of the club with just enough chairs for them. Without hesitating, he sank into one only to find it covered in something sticky and white.

“Oh Hell no,” he screamed as he leaped up. Josten peered over at his seat before doubling over in a fit of laughter. “Fuck off, Josten.” He snatched the paper towels she offered him out of her hands and did his best to clean himself off before kicking over the chair.

“I see temper tantrums run in the family,” Josten remarked. Aaron looked over at her. She was staring out across the dancefloor, a soft smile on her face. Following her gaze, he spotted Erin flickering in and out of view from where she still stood at the bar. A pang shot through his chest. Ania looked at Erin the same way Erik looked at Nicky- the same way Katelyn looked at him.

“Damn you, Josten,” he said, more to himself than her.

“I’m already damned,” she replied anyway. “I’m damned to spend the rest of eternity in love with your sister but if that isn’t damnation at its best, I don’t know what is.”

The world tilted beneath Aaron’s feet. Love. Ania had said she loved his sister. His Erin. His Little Doe. Tears spilled from Aaron’s eyes. “If you hurt her…” he said, his voice breaking before trailing off entirely as he gulped for air.

“She’ll kill me herself,” Ania answered easily. She reached a hand out and carefully wiped a tear from his face. “Don’t cry. Eri’ll skin me alive if you do.”

“Does she even care?” he asked. Aaron tried to smile as he asked it but he knew it came out as more of a grimace than a smile. A wave of sadness crashed down over him at the sound of his own words.

"Of course she cares, you cracked walnut," Josten snapped. As the strobing lights passed over her countenance Aaron could see the fury on her face. "I've only known her a year. You've known her for three? Four? How the hell can you not-" Josten stopped short. "It's because you're always drunk," she said quietly.

"No. That's Kevin," Aaron said.

"Whenever we're here. Whenever we go home, you're too drunk to remember."

"Remember what?"

Josten worried her lower lip, weighing her words "Don't drink tonight." She clamped a hand over his mouth before he could protest. "Trust me. You'll see."

"Trust a liar?"

"I wouldn't lie about Erin." It sickened Aaron to know she was telling the truth. For the remainder of the night, to Kevin's delight, Aaron discreetly pawned his drinks off to him. Where Erin excelled at faking the drug-induced mania she’d lived with for the last two years, Aaron excelled at faking a drunken stupor. Or at least, he usually did. Keeping up the act was much harder than Aaron anticipated. He was far too preoccupied keeping an eye on his sister to fully concentrate. A few rounds in, he gave up watching her in favor of retreating to the dance floor. At least there, he wouldn’t be under her constant scrutiny.

He was wrong. Each time the crowd parted enough for him to have a clear view of the ledge where he’d left them, he found Erin’s eyes trained on him. No matter where he went or what he did, she was watching him. Beads of sweat formed along his forehead. Had she seen through his ruse? Did she know he was faking?

There was nothing Aaron could do now but pray. He passed the remainder of the night on the floor with Nicky. Around 11:50, Ronnie called out for the final round. Josten was by Aaron’s side in an instant.

“Throw your legs onto Nicky’s lap in the car. And talk to Kevin about something- anything. Make him laugh.” Aaron broke his facade to shoot a confused look at her. “Just do it,” Josten pleaded. Aaron ground his teeth together as he considered his options. After a moment he gave her a sharp nod and made his way over to the counter with her to collect the final round.

In the car ride home, Aaron did as he was told. He threw his legs over Nicky’s and leaned heavily against Kevin. Kevin wrapped an arm around Aaron, who tensed immediately. Kevin Day was not known for his compassion nor for his affection. Catching the warning look Josten shot him as she buckled her seatbelt, he forced himself to relax. For once in his life, Kevin wasn’t talking about Exy. Instead, he was giving a lecture on the unabridged history of the LGBT community. Aaron tentatively slid his own commentary into the lesson. To his relief, both Kevin and Nicky laughed. He choked on the soda he was drinking when he saw the upward curl of Erin’s lips in the dashboard mirror.

Nicky got out of the car first as it rolled to a stop on the drive. He toppled face-first into the grass and laughter burst out of Aaron. He felt something pressing at his back and before he knew it, he toppled out of the car too.

“You drunk bastard,” Erin said. Aaron’s heart stopped as he rolled onto his back. Erin was standing over him, a brilliant grin plastered to her face. “That’s what you get for drinking so much” She bent down and scooped him up in an easy, obviously practiced, motion. Aaron was too shocked to say a word.

Aaron was suddenly thirteen again. He was sitting curled up on his mother’s bed with the handset pressed to his ear. A woman's voice drifted through it. She was talking about a girl named Erin. The woman was gushing about how happy she was to have found Erin’s birth mother, and her brother too. Brother, Aaron thought. He felt his heart racing in his ribcage. I’m- I’m a brother! A twin brother! Aaron had been over the moon at the very thought of meeting his sister.

The voice of his mother sent him crashing back down to earth. She hissed at the woman to keep her fat mouth shut. She didn't want to know anything about Erin. She wanted nothing to do with her and she certainly did not want Aaron seeing her again either. She slammed the phone down so hard that Aaron jerked the phone away from his face. Silently, returned the phone to its cradle and crawled back to his own room. Drawing his legs in, he tried to hold in his grief. Hot tears streaked down his face as his shoulders shook. Anger coursed through his veins. Clenching his jaw, he unfurled himself and stalked into the kitchen. He grabbed a notebook and pen from the kitchen and ran out of the house. He raced down the block to the park. Seated at one of the picnic tables, his pen flew across the page. He wasn't quite sure what he'd written, only that he had to send it before his mother ever found out. He stopped by the fountain on his way out of the park. He would need money to send the letter. With a grimace, he peeled his shoes and socks off. Wading through the fountain, he collected every penny, nickel, and dime he could find. This isn't stealing, he told himself. They threw their money in here. Even if it is, it doesn't matter. This is for my sister. This is for Erin.

Every day for the next two weeks, Aaron checked the mail in the hopes of finding a response to his own letter. When it came, Aaron nearly had a heart attack on the spot. He sat down on the steps in front of the house. With shaking fingers, he carefully opened the letter. A brilliant smile plastered itself across his face when he saw the chicken scratch that filled the page. It looked just like his own handwriting. Unfortunately, his smile had been quick to fade. Erin had only written back to tell Aaron that she didn’t want him around. She was more than happy to remain with Cassidy and her new brother, Drake. Aaron grabbed desperately at his chest. It felt as though some hand had forced its way into his ribcage and ripped his heart out. New brother, Drake. Tears fell onto the page. Ink ran, blurring the words into one another. Aaron ripped up the remnants of the letter up and hurled them in the bin. He collapsed on the kitchen floor, sobbing. Great, he thought. Fucking great. It doesn’t matter. I don’t need her. I don’t need anyone. I hope I never meet Erin or her new brother Drake.

But Aaron had. He had been sat down across from her in a juvenile detention facility, three feet away from her, separated by a four-inch pane of bulletproof glass. Looking at Erin was like looking through a funhouse mirror, it was him but something wasn’t quite right. Sure, Erin’s hair was longer than his, ending harshly at the edges of her jaw and she had a few more moles than he did but that wasn’t it. Maybe it was the seemingly permanent downwards tug of her lips. Maybe it was the bold set of her shoulders that exuded a confidence Aaron could only dream of.

Maybe it was her eyes. They were the same brown as his but where his were full of pain and fear, hers were empty. Two empty pits stared back at him from across the table. The glass may have been designed to protect him from Erin’s fists but it did nothing to save him from her eyes. So empty. So soulless. Aaron had once heard that there had been a time when people had refused to take photos for fear that they stole the souls of the photographed. At the time, Aaron had scoffed at the people for being so stupid. Now, Aaron understood. Sitting before his sister, he feared that if he stared too long into her eyes, she might steal his to replace the one she lacked. They were so cold. So empty. So loveless. On the plane back from Cali, Aaron closed his eyes only to find his sister engraved on the back of his lids.

Back in Columbia, Aaron stood before Nicky’s full-length mirror. He’d tugged a skull cap down over his head. His bangs poked out from beneath, matching Erin’s to a T. He blinked and it really was Erin staring back at him in the mirror. Reaching a hand out, he traced a finger down her cheek. Her cold eyes stared back at him and realized why he couldn’t look directly at them. They were their mother’s eyes. When Tilda Minyard wasn’t drunk or high, she was empty.

There wasn’t very much Aaron knew about his father other than the fact that his mother had eloped with him once she’d learned of her pregnancy. Tilda was three and a half months pregnant when Micheal Minyard died in a car crash. Depression coaxed Tilda back into old habits that Micheal had helped her break. She began drinking and chain-smoking despite the twins she bore within her. Both twins were born with fetal alcohol syndrome, manifesting in their stunted growth, ADHD, and Aaron’s dyslexia. Erin had developed a nicotine addiction as well. It wasn’t until after Aaron had found out about his twin that Tilda had told him this.

“I didn’t even want you,” Tilda mused as she took another swig from her whiskey bottle. “I wanted Erin but your names sound so similar that the shitty ass nurse fucked up and gave me the wrong one. You never stood a chance with me,” she said. “I was never going to love you.” Tilda swung the bottle at the side of Aaron’s head. It connected with his skull and rattled his brain but it wasn’t enough to dislodge the words from it.

Aaron pressed his forehead up to the mirror. Up to Erin’s forehead.

“Do you know why Mom doesn’t love us?” he whispered. “It’s because no one loved her. No one but Dad but he’s long gone. It’s his fault, you know? Luther’s, I mean. Mom is the way she is because her own brother didn’t love her enough. He didn’t love her enough to let her stay once she got pregnant. He didn’t love her enough to help her take care of us. He didn’t love her enough to protect you.” Tears slid down Aaron’s face as his grip on the mirror’s frame tightened. “Luther might not have loved his sister, but I’ll love you til the day I die.” Looking in the mirror, Aaron saw himself again but it wasn’t the same Aaron he’d grown accustomed to seeing. This one had fire. This one had fight. This one would protect his sister, no matter the cost. This one was going to save his sister from devolving into the monster their mother had become.

That Aaron failed. Erin was just as cold and empty as their mother had been. That Aaron failed. Erin was forced to face Drake all on her own. Every night, he lay awake wondering what horrors his sister faced behind the pristine white walls of Easthaven. No amount of kisses and cuddles from Katelyn were enough to bury the weight of Aaron’s broken promise. Guilt and regret intertwined, winding around Aaron and choking the life out of him. He broke down constantly, reduced to a sobbing mess by the weight of his woes.

Aaron loved his sister more than life itself. Erin was indifferent to him. Upon her return from Evermore, she hadn’t even spared him a passing glance. Instead, she’d fixated upon the child Josten had brought home. Aaron had never expected his sister to fawn over him. It wasn’t in her nature. Or so he had thought. It was because of this that Aaron couldn’t help the spike of jealousy that shot through him as he watched his sister’s shoulders soften when she held the baby. He could barely contain the scowl he felt tugging at his lips as Erin brushed her lips against the backs of Cleo’s hands.

Cradling Cleo close he asked her, “What makes you so special? I know why Erin lets Ania have what she wants but what about you? You’re just a baby. I’m her brother. Am I not good enough for her?” Tears splashed down onto Cleo’s face and he hurried to wipe them off of her. As he did, he felt Cleo’s tiny hand wrap around his little finger. It was just barely big enough to encircle the single finger. “Oh,” he said. “That’s why.” He sat down on the couch and lay Cleo in his lap. She looked up at him curiously before her face split into a wide grin. “No wonder Mom wanted a daughter.” Cleo babbled at him and he chuckled softly. “You’re right. Maybe Luther was jealous too. I won’t be like him,” he swore again. “I’m not going to abandon Erin. Or you either.”

Aaron loved his sister more than life itself. If Josten made her happy, then so be it. If Cleo was the one she showered with love, then fine. But a small part of him wasn’t fine. Erin didn’t love him. His sister, his own flesh and blood, didn’t love him. It left a hole in his heart, one that even Katelyn couldn’t fill. Aaron hadn’t known what he’d have to give up to Katelyn but what he did was far worse than anything he could have imagined. There weren’t enough words in any language to express the anguish that washed over Aaron when Erin had picked Ania over him. He’d used Josten as bait for Erin to break her promise but a small part of him had wanted her to refuse. He’d wanted Erin to pick him over her. He’d wanted Erin to do the unthinkable and tell him that she loved him more than she wanted Ania. He’d wanted her to wrap her arms around him and hold him close.

He wanted her to hold him the way she held him now as she carried him to the front door. Josten was already unlocking the door. She turned at the sound of Erin’s footsteps. A bright smile of her own burst out across her face.

“Shut up, Ania,” Erin swore.

“Haven’t said a thing,” Josten replied. She pushed open the door and let Erin pass. “Erin?” she asked as she followed them into the house. “Why do you only do these things when Aaron’s drunk?” To anyone else, it may have seemed like an innocent question. To Erin though? Getting anything from her was like pulling teeth. For half a second, Aaron didn’t expect her to answer. Then he remembered that it was Josten asking not him. A pang of bitterness pierced his heart as he felt his sister’s chest swell at the intake of a breath.

“Because he’s nice to me,” she said. Aaron’s head jerked up but Erin wasn’t paying attention. She’d stopped walking. Her eyes were trained on a spot on the wall. “After I killed Tilda, he stopped talking to me entirely. Aaron loved Tilda, even if she didn’t deserve to be loved, and I took her away. I hate when you say you’re fine because that’s what I told myself whenever he ignored me. I told myself that I didn’t care. I did. Aaron’s favorite color is navy blue. Half of my closet is navy blue. Aaron’s favorite song is Young Blood. It’s on every one of my cassette tapes in the car. I hate cool ranch chips but I buy three bags every time I go to the store because Aaron loves them. Tilda didn’t deserve Aaron’s love but he loved her anyway. I don’t deserve Aaron’s love either. I-” A shaky breath rattled through Erin. “I just wanted him to love me too.”

“I do,” Aaron blurted out. Erin snapped out of her trance at the sound of his voice.

“You’re not drunk,” she said. Her voice was dangerously quiet. Her eyes were dark and stony but this time Aaron didn’t look away. The longer he stared, the more apparent it was to him that they weren’t empty. Staring into them, he saw something flickering deep down inside.

The truth about cameras is that they don’t steal your soul. They show you yours. No matter how perfect a picture may seem to others when a person looked too hard at their own, they saw what lurked beneath. It wasn’t that Erin had their mother’s eyes. It was that she had his. When Aaron looked too hard at his sister’s eyes, he saw too much of himself. He saw the sad, empty creature he’d become. He saw the defeated, lonely creature he still was. Most people hailed Aaron as ‘the normal twin’, the Dr. Jekyll to her Mr. Hyde. No one realized how wrong they were.

Erin was a fatalist at heart. To her, everything, every single thing, was predetermined. If the world believed her to be a monster, then that was what she’d be. She played her part and lived exactly the way people thought she would. It was all an act though. Behind every one of Erin’s monstrous acts, was a lonely little girl trying her hardest not to get left behind again.

Unlike his sister, Aaron didn’t believe in fate. Every man made his own way in life, no matter the circumstances he faced to make it there. If that was true, then didn’t that make Aaron responsible for all the things that he’d done? Growing up, Aaron had done many things he wasn’t proud of. It didn’t matter who suffered so long as it wasn’t Aaron. If there was no fate, then wasn’t Aaron responsible for all the people he’d hurt? It wasn’t Erin who was a monster. It was him. When Aaron looked too hard at his sister’s eyes, he was forced to face the monster he had become and it scared him.

Aaron felt the support go out from under him and he hit the floor, hard. Erin spun on her heel and shoved past Josten. Neither of them moved until they heard the door to her bedroom slam shut.

“I told you so,” Josten whispered. There were tears shining in her eyes. “It’s over, isn’t it?” she asked herself.

“What do you mean?” Aaron asked.

“I promised her I wouldn’t tell anyone about this and now… she’ll never trust me again.” Her voice broke.

“Ania-”

“Don’t, Aaron.” She turned on her heel and marched out of the house, nearly knocking over Kevin who was dragging Nicky in.

“What the hell have you done to her?” Kevin snarled. Just the sight of a teary-eyed Josten was enough to sober him up. He abandoned Nicky and closed the space between himself and Aaron in the blink of an eye. Balling his fist in Aaron’s shirt, he shoved him against the wall. “I’m not asking again, Aaron.” This is what a brother should be, Aaron thought.

When Ania first arrived at Palmetto a year ago, she and Kevin were always at odds. No matter what she did, it was never enough for him. But that was because he knew she could be better. Nicky had made the mistake of mocking her once and Kevin and slammed him against the wall just as he held Aaron now. Erin intervened quickly, breaking them apart with a poisonous smile and a flash of steel but one thing remained: Kevin Day, a man afraid of his own shadow, hadn’t hesitated to square up the second someone dissed Ania. And that was before he’d found out who she really was.

Kevin and Ania weren’t bound by blood the way the twins were. They’d chosen each other. Ania had chosen to follow Kevin out to Palmetto and Kevin had chosen to have her back. But hadn’t the twins done the same thing? Erin chose to move to Columbia and Aaron had chosen to protect her. Why had they failed where Kevin and Ania had succeeded? The two of them were just as broken as the twins. In fact, they were worse. Ania had lived her life in the shadows, jumping ship the second anyone started to get too close. Kevin had lived his life in the limelight, denied anything even resembling a friend.

Even without knowing her, Kevin had looked upon the wretched creature that had been Ania Josten and wanted to offer her a future. He had wanted to offer her something to live for. Kevin would never be able to love Ania the way she needed to be but he wanted to give her the chance at a life where she could find someone who could.

And he did. Kevin brought Ania to Palmetto and gave her a reason to keep going. He brought her to Erin, someone who could care for her the way she needed to be cared for. But what had Aaron done for his sister? He’d pushed her away the second things got hard. He’d denied her of the love he’d promised himself he’d give. He’d made her lonely.

“How?” he croaked. “How do you do it?” Kevin frowned and his grip loosened.

“How what?” he asked.

“How do you always know what Ania needs?” Aaron had seen the way Ania ran to Kevin the second things fell apart. Too many times, he’d come back to the dorms to find her breaking down in Kevin’s arms. Each time he’d watched Kevin swaddle her shaking form in blankets and offer her things: a cassette player with only one tape, a bowl of vanilla ice cream drowning in chocolate syrup, his laptop with an exy game already loaded.

During Erin’s time at Easthaven, Aaron had found himself craving the smell of cigarette smoke. He wasn’t a smoker but the smell reminded him of Erin. One night, he finally caved and dragged himself to the corner store. He returned with a pack of cigarettes and another pint of strawberry ice cream. Every time Aaron passed by the corner store, he picked one up. He never ate a single one, though. Opening the fridge door, he realized there wasn’t any space left. Every inch of his fridge was filled with pints of strawberry ice cream.

It should be empty. The fridge should be empty. His breath came in short, ragged gasps. Aaron didn’t know when the tears started or how long he’d stayed knelt in front of the open fridge, only that Ania kicked it closed before sitting down on top of it.

“There isn’t enough strawberry ice cream in the world to fix her,” she said. She handed him a tissue box and waited for him to blow his nose.

“Then what will?’ he asked.

“That’s for you to figure out,” Ania said before unplugging the fridge. That was what Kevin said before he let go of Aaron entirely. With that, he left Aaron alone in the kitchen so he could lug Nicky up to his own room.

Aaron sat heavily in one of the dining room chairs, picking at the table mats. It was early the next morning when he finally decided what to do. Actually, he didn’t decide. He just kind of stood up and started for the stairs. He didn’t even remember taking a single step. One moment he was at the kitchen table, the next he was standing in front of Erin’s door. He reached a hand out, tracing the letters on the door. The memory hit Aaron like a train.

It had been a week after Erin had arrived in Columbia. Aaron’s name was already on the door and he had wanted to add hers to it too. Ever since he’d been old enough, Aaron had been working part-time just to keep himself and Tilda fed. In the months before Erin was set to come home, he’d picked up extra shifts to scrounge up the money he needed. With it, it went to the crafts store in the rich part of town. He picked out the four letters he needed and bought the highest quality paints he could find. On Friday, after practice, he’d broken into their mother’s liquor cabinet and grabbed a bottle of Jack Daniels. Downing a swig, he found the courage to present his haul to Erin. It took some coaxing but he managed to convince her to sit on the floor with him on a pile of newspapers. Together the two of them painted the wooden letters black. Once they were dry, Aaron watched as his sister painted constellations onto them.

“What’s that one?” he asked.

“Gemini,” she replied.

“Astrology,” Aaron said as he crinkled his nose in disgust. Erin glanced at him, her lips just barely curling up.

“Have you ever heard the story of Pollux and Castor?” she asked.

“No,” he replied.

“They were two brothers, twins, from Greek Mythology. They did everything together,” Erin said softly. “The two of them couldn’t live without each other. So, when Castor lay dying, Pollux called out to his father for help. Zeus saw his son’s pain and offered him a way to save his brother. Zeus offered Pollux the ability to share his immortality with his brother. Doing so would mean that neither of them could live normal lives again. They would no longer live here on Earth and they’d only have each other as company. Pollux agreed immediately. To him, his brother was more important than anything else in the world. So, Zeus turned the brothers into stars. Together, the two of them live side by side in the sky.”

“Wouldn’t you get lonely if you had only one person to talk to?” Aaron asked.

“Not if it was you,” Erin replied. With that, she picked up the letters and moved them to the desk beneath the window. The two of them climbed into their respective beds and fell asleep.

Aaron took a deep breath and knocked softly at his sister’s door. He stood there, his heart hammering in his chest. What if she didn’t answer? Aaron took a deep breath. He’d just try again later. Ania was right. What they’d done tonight had betrayed a great deal of Erin’s trust in them. If she didn’t answer, it was because he’d hurt her, just like he always did when he was sober. Aaron leaned his forehead against the door. “I’m sorry, Eri,” he whispered. Just then the door opened and Aaron toppled forward again. Erin neatly sidestepped his falling form but caught him with an outstretched arm. “Eri-” he began. He stopped short, realizing he didn’t know what to say.

Erin gave up waiting for him. She righted him and stepped back. Aaron took it as an invitation and entered her room. Aaron had never been inside his sister’s room. In the pale glow of the first rays of sunlight, he saw the dead roses suspended from her ceiling. A thousand photos covered the surface of the mirror. Upon closer inspection, he found that they were pictures of the Monsters. There was one of Nicky smiling brighter than the sun as Erik pressed a kiss to his cheek. There was one of Aaron shoving Matt, the two of them smiling. There was one of Wymack with his head resting on Abby’s shoulder. There was one of Bee dressed up as a bumblebee. There were a lot of photos of Ania. One of them had been kissed with black lipstick. Erin was the only Fox that owned black lipstick. As Aaron inspected them he was aware of Erin at his back.

“There aren’t any with us in it,” he said as he dragged his fingers over them.

“Yes, there is.” Erin wrapped her hand around his wrist and guided it to one all the way in the bottom corner. Its sides were crinkled from being taken out and replaced too many times. There was a fold down the center from when it was been folded in half, probably placed between the folds of a book.

It was a photo featuring a pair of babies. Both of them had wispy blonde hair, most of which had been tucked beneath a little beanie. They were dressed in matching white onesies patterned with little sharks. They were two perfect, identical little babies. Erin laced her fingers through Aaron’s and he suddenly saw it. The two babies were holding hands too. Eyes closed, unable to even see one another, they had taken hold of each other’s hands. Babies didn’t have much strength, but the two of them were clinging to one another like their lives depended on it.

“Eri-” he croaked.

“Yes or no?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said. Erin turned him to face her. She wrapped an arm around him and drew him close. Tentatively, he wrapped his own arms around her. “Erin?” he asked softly. She pulled back just enough to look at him. “I’m sorry I wasn’t better.”

“You were the best,” she said. “You still are.” For once, Erin’s eyes weren’t empty or angry. Instead, they were hard. Resolute. If anyone else had said it, Aaron wouldn’t have believed it. Erin wasn’t a liar. Every word she said, she meant.

“I can be better,” he offered. He watched as she worked her jaw, searching for what to say.

“I think I can be, too,” she said. Time seemed to stop. Aaron watched as the smallest of smiles tinged his sister’s lips. The rays of the rising sun filtered through Erin’s thick curtains, illuminating the fading freckles that danced across her face, forming constellations of their own. It turned her pale hair, bound in a messy bun atop her head, into a halo of pure gold. Erin might have been dressed as an angel last night, but she looked more like one now than she had then.

#just a pipe dream #fem!andreil asks #erin minyard #ania josten #aaron minyard hc #aaron micheal minyard #aaron minyard #wholesome twinyards #fem!andreil #the monsters #kevin day #the foxhole court au #the foxhole court #all for the game au #all for the game #all for the gay

19 notes · View notes

2k18leo · 6 years

Text

Hot Soup: The Game notes:

((Spoilers))

- This Hot Soup game looks like it was made in the 80s-90s

- Montes auction house (I see that Xever reference)

- “This. Whole. Situation.” 😂 for some reason I feel like these are the type of turtles that will wear trench coats in a future episode

- Okay, two things: 1) this is the first time we’ve seen any of the boys use smoke bombs/pellets; and 2) I think the Mikey solo mission is kinda cute and something we definitely don’t see very often

- “You went out on your own when you were his age.” Idk why but I got a Nightwatcher vibe from that

- “When I was his age, I was two years older” 😂😂👏🏼

- Wow Donnie’s agreeing with Leo ¿?

- THAT LITTLE PAT PAT PAT WITH HIS MECH ARM I love it

- Also the Mikey and Leo hug is PRECIOUS

- Wow Leo’s laugh is so cute

- Awwww Raph is just trying to be the responsible older brotherrrr

- Hahaha the foot ninja fangirling over Lou Jitsu is actually hilarious

- TANG SHEN

- Wow this chick is hardcore

- “Magic Mike” IM DECEASED

- Cute little Mikey getting distracted by a feather on his helmet is WHAT I LIVE FOR

- Literally how did he get the receipt tho? He ordered it online. Do they have a printer down in the lair ??

- I like the recruit’s phone ... thing ?

- The foot ninja are so nonchalant 😂

- Omg “but I have a receipt” that was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen and I would love a gif of that please

- Mikey is the type of person to ask to speak to the supervisor, it’s canon

- That was some fast foot work with that cabinet to stop the axe. Makes me wonder if Mikey is the second fastest turtle

- “Shell-o”

- I adore how big brother Raph addresses his brothers on the phone in such a sensitive tone like “Hey buddy” and my heart can only take so much of that before it bursts

- “I’m sorry if that sounded like sarcasm. It wasn’t. I am in” HOW CAN PEOPLE NOT ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SHOW

- HEY I saw that Hamato clan symbol on that sword !! In case you missed it, it was in the holder that had the umbrella that Mikey chose to use as a weapon instead

- THERE WAS ALSO A HOCKY STICK. CASEYYY YESSSS

- ICE CREAM KITTY (what is with all these 2012 references ???)

- I like the subtlety of Mikey just putting the game in his mouth while he fights with both hands

- The foot ninjas are like two gay dads calling and checking in on their gay daughter so see how her criminal ways are turning out

- “I MEAN BIG MAN”

- “Vamanos, hermanos” I LOVE HIM TOO MUCH. THIS BOY

- I liked the idea that the foot recruit and Mikey paralleled each other by having their first solo mission

- Raph called him “toe-head” WHY IS THAT SO FUNNY

- Uh whoa whoa whoa, skinny foot ninja is doing some Doctor Strange magic with his hands there

- They’re going out to get a falafel. HOW CUTE

- Hahaha the game is like 2D roblox 😂

- Overall, the episode was cute. I enjoyed how much focus Mikey got in the episode. I also kinda hope to see the foot recruit again in the future (and I apologize for this being a day late, I was crazy busy yesterday)

257 notes · View notes

hollymartinswrites · 5 years

Link

Chapters: 9/? Fandom: IT - Stephen King, IT (Movies - Muschietti) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Eddie Kaspbrak/Richie Tozier, Ben Hanscom/Beverly Marsh Characters: Eddie Kaspbrak, Richie Tozier, Ben Hanscom, Beverly Marsh, Bill Denbrough, Mike Hanlon, Original Child Character(s) Additional Tags: Fix-It, Post-Canon Fix-It, Post-IT Chapter Two (2019), Domestic, Light Angst, Family Feels, Childhood Trauma, Adoption, Kid Fic, Adopted Children, Richie Tozier Loves Eddie Kaspbrak, Eddie Kaspbrak Loves Richie Tozier, Marriage, Eddie Kaspbrak & Richie Tozier Are Parents, Angst, Fluff, Fluff and Angst, Minor Ben Hanscom/Beverly Marsh, Beverly Marsh & Richie Tozier Are Best Friends, Catholicism, Richie Tozier Has Issues, Extended Tozier Family, Medical Examinations, Stephen King References

Summary:

Eddie and Richie embark on the most terrifying experience of all—parenthood. Or, the author desperately needed a domestic, family fix-it for Richie and Eddie and it turned into a much longer, angstier exploration than I expected.

Chapter IX: Eddie sees what his daughter is capable of.

They say don’t go to bed angry.

That’s fine and all but what happens if you’re already in bed? What if you wake up angry? What then?

In Eddie’s case, he woke up an hour earlier than necessary, glanced at Richie—curled up tight on his side of the bed, facing the wall—frowned, and got up. He washed, dressed, snuck into both of his daughters’ rooms to kiss them as they slept, and headed off to work. He had an hour to spare so he treated himself to eating breakfast at their favorite local diner. He felt queasy for the rest of the day.

He worked, said hello to his co-workers, argued with clients on the phone, sat through a meeting that should have been an email, ate lunch at his desk, absently scrolled through Bev’s Instagram, and left at precisely five o’clock. From his window, he could see that the day was overcast and rainy, and felt oddly satisfied that it matched his feelings.

When he arrived home, he sat in the driveway for several long moments, gathering his thoughts. The lights were on and he knew the girls were probably playing in the living room while waiting for Richie to finish cooking dinner. He had no idea what to expect from his husband when he walked through the door but he knew he wouldn’t say anything in front of the girls.

He sighed, rubbed at his tired eyes, and got out of the car. Whatever was bothering Richie, they could figure it out. They survived Derry in ‘89, Derry in 2016, several trips to the hospital with their daughter—they could handle anything. He briefly wondered if Richie’s attitude was due to his old complaint that he spent too much time at work but that couldn’t be it. He hadn’t stayed late for weeks and was always home before six.

Perhaps he was still worried about Tess. Eddie got it, he was worried, too, but she seemed to be doing so much better and the tests had cleared her physically so what could they do? Act like his mother and fret and nag and suffocate their children? No, he had promised himself he would never be like as a parent and he wasn’t going to start now.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of the car and barely had time to lock it before the front door slammed open and Richie rushed out, shouting his name. Eddie’s heart froze and his stomach clenched, fear coursing through his veins.

“Wha—the girls. Are they okay, what’s going on?” he managed to stammer out before Richie grasped him by the wrist. He blinked when he realized Richie wasn’t upset or terrified...he looked excited.

“It’s real, it’s all real,” he exclaimed. “I talked to him. And Tess showed me. She’s not sick. It’s real.”

“What?” Eddie gasped. “What are you talking about?”

“Eddie, she has these...these abilities, and we’re not crazy. He told me!”

“Who?”

“The man from those articles Mikey sent us. I found him! Well, Mikey found him and I called him today and we spoke for hours. Eddie...” Richie grasped Eddie by the shoulders, and, for the first time in weeks, looked genuinely happy, “those weren’t seizures. She’s fine. She’s perfectly fine. She’s just powerful.”

Eddie stared, slack-jawed, at his husband. His mind was running in circles, trying desperately to catch up to Richie’s seemingly nonsensical words.

“Richie, I—”

“Come on,” and Richie turned, still grasping Eddie’s wrist, and pulled him to their front door. “I almost called you to come home earlier but I thought you were still angry at me.”

“Well, I was, I mean, I am.”

“I know, I’m sorry,” Richie said quickly, shooting him an apologetic look over his shoulder. “But we’ll talk about that later. I have to show you this.”

“Show me what?” Eddie demanded, thoroughly confused.

“Tess!” Richie called as they entered their home. “Tess, come here, baby.”

He pulled Eddie into the living room, where Tess was coloring while her sister danced along to the saccharine song playing on the TV. Tess looked up and smiled.

“Hi, Daddy,” she said happily.

“Hi, Daddy,” Lydia gasped in between very high kicks.

“Hey, girls,” Eddie managed to get out before Richie knelt down in front of Tess.

“Kiddo, I need you to do me a favor,” he said breathlessly. Tess gazed up at him curiously. “I need you to show Daddy what you showed me.” She scrunched up her face in confusion. “Show him what Abracadabra showed you.”

“Oh,” she said, biting her lip. “I don’t know.”

“Who’s Abracadabra?” Eddie asked, bewildered.

“Her imaginary friend,” Lydia replied, now doing something that resembled frantic jumping jacks.

“She’s real!” Tess insisted.

“Is not,” Lydia replied.

“Is too!”

“Is not!”

“Okay, okay, no fighting,” Richie broke in. “Tess, please, show Daddy.”

She hesitated again, turning her worried gaze to Eddie.

“What’s wrong?” Richie asked. “You don’t want to show him?” Tess shook her head. “Why not?”

She bit her lip again before leaning towards Richie, bringing her hand to her mouth as she whispered in his ear. He listened carefully and then straightened when she finished.

“Oh, Tess, you don’t have to worry about that,” he said gently.

“What is it?” Eddie asked, still thoroughly confused.

“She thinks if she shows you, you’ll get upset,” Richie explained.

“I don’t even know what you want her to show me,” Eddie replied, exasperated before turning towards his daughter. “But I won’t get upset, whatever it is. I promise.”

Tess looked doubtful as she muttered something under breath.

“What’s that, kiddo?” Richie asked.

“I said I don’t wanna hurt his feelings,” she repeated, a nervous expression on her face.

Eddie’s heart clenched again and he tried to smile reassuringly.

“Sweetheart, you can never hurt my feelings, it’s alright,” he insisted. “So just show me whatever Daddy wants me to see so we can go in and eat dinner.”

“Oh,” Richie said suddenly, a sheepish look on his face, “I sorta forgot to actually cook dinner.” He turned towards his daughters. “How about this? Tess, you show him and we’ll order pizza!”

Both girls shouted with delight and Eddie was about to admonish Richie for bribing them when Tess abruptly rested a hand on the side of his face and suddenly, Eddie was somewhere else. He was half-conscious of the fact that he wasn’t breathing but instead of being terrified, he was astonished to discover he actually didn’t need to breathe at all.

Perhaps he was in freefall or maybe the sights and sounds around him were tangible objects that could fly but either way, he tried desperately to make sense of what was surrounding him. His father—always looking so old before his time—alive and smiling; his mother handing him pills that were far too big for him to swallow; Richie throwing spitballs at the back of his head in history; the sickening snap of his arm; Stan smiling at him for the last time; watching the news while his mother warned him about blood and needles and what happens when boys touch other boys and the shame he felt that was somehow both hot and cold at the same time; Richie telling him he didn’t like the arcade anymore, it’s for babies; moving to New York City and the smell of his mother’s sick room; kissing Myra and feeling weak with misery; staring at his bottles of pills and wondering just how many he needed to get it over with; Richie’s face in the Jade of the Orient; Richie’s face always—in the bowels of Derry, in the hospital when he woke up, in Los Angeles, when they married, when they were approved for adoption, when Lydia and Tess first called them Daddy and Papa. Then, just as quickly, the images and sounds rushed into a box as if sucked in by a vacuum, and a hand slammed a cover down over it.

The air rushed back into his lungs with such force, he nearly doubled over as he struggled for breath. He coughed and gasped and wiped at his streaming eyes before looking up. Lydia was staring at him curiously, the TV remote held limply in her hand. Tess’s little face crumbled and she launched herself into his arms, her own around his neck. Eddie turned his gaze up at Richie, who was smiling beautifically and calmly, as if everything had gone according to plan.

“Wha—” Eddie gasped. “What was that?”

Richie’s smile grew and he placed a hand on Tess’s head, stroking her hair comfortingly.

“It’s called shining,” he said.

“She’s not alone in this,” Richie explained. “This guy from New Hampshire, Dan, he’s had this ability since he was a kid. And it started out the same way. He’d have these episodes that looked like seizures but weren’t.”

Eddie nodded, his eyes glued to his clasped hands resting on the kitchen table. He remained silent.

“And she can, like, learn how to control it but he was impressed when I said it seemed like already was to a point,” Richie continued. “At first he was a bit cagey and didn’t want to talk, but when I mentioned Abracadabra, he seemed to trust me.”

“Abracadabra?” Eddie repeated, quirking an eyebrow up.

“I don’t know, maybe it’s, like, a code or something,” Richie shrugged.

Eddie rubbed at the bridge of his nose tiredly. He said nothing.

“But you see it now, right, Eds?” Richie implored, leaning in closer to his husband. “It’s all real. You have to see it. I’m not crazy.”

Eddie looked at his husband’s beseeching face.

“Is that what you’ve been thinking all this time?” he whispered. “That I thought you were crazy?”

Richie swallowed and suddenly paled. He looked away as he gathered his thoughts.

“I—I just thought you didn’t...I don’t know,” he sighed. “Sometimes it seemed like you wanted a rational explanation so badly that you’d ignore...I don’t know.”

“Rich,” Eddie said gently, resting a hand over Richie’s, “I never once thought you were crazy.”

“But you said—”

“I thought some of the things Mike sent us were a little crazy but never you. I know you just...wanted answers.”

“And we have them now,” Richie insisted.

“And what are we supposed to do with them?” Eddie asked. “Our daughter has these powers or whatever. Okay, fine. What the fuck are we supposed to do? Expect the government to walk in here like in E.T. or something?”

“No, I…” Richie looked at a loss for words. “I don’t know. I think we just have to help her control and understand it. Dan said he knew someone who could help.”

“And you trust this guy? I mean, you just spoke to him on the phone,” Eddie pointed out.

“I know but he said some things that...He’s the real deal, Eds.”

Eddie sighed and gazed up at the kitchen ceiling.

“I don’t want you talking to him again,” he said suddenly, bringing his gaze down to Richie, who looked shocked. “Who knows who this guy is.”

“But—”

“If Tess is doing better than let’s just leave it at that.”

“Eddie—”

“She’s not a science experiment.”

“I know that!” Richie snapped. “Do you think I’d do anything to put her in harm’s way?”

“No, we’re just going to...let things lie for now,” Eddie said, squeezing Richie’s hand. “If something…changes, then we’ll talk about it some more.”

Richie’s shoulders slumped as he frowned.

“Alright,” he said after a few moments. “I guess so.”

Eddie reached out a hand and caressed his husband’s face. Richie looked at him, surprised.

“I’ve really fucking missed you,” Eddie admitted, his voice cracking.

“I’ve been right here,” Richie replied, confused.

Eddie shook his head and, to his immense embarrassment, felt a hot prickling behind his eyes.

“The last few months, you’ve been so obsessed with figuring this thing out with Tess—and I get it, I really do, I wanted answers, too, and you’re a great father who just wants to keep our girls safe—but it really felt like you’ve been...gone,” he said, the words pouring out of his mouth. “It got to the point where it seemed like you were pulling away. Not just from me but even Lydia. I mean, she’s our daughter, too.”

Richie stared at him with a wide-eyed, slightly horrified look on his face.

“Eddie…” he whispered.

“It’s fine,” Eddie said quickly. “I just—”

“No, I...” Richie replied, resting his own hand over Eddie’s. “I didn’t...I’m so fucking stupid.”

“Rich, come on.”

“And after last night…”

“Was that about this?” Eddie asked curiously. Richie nodded, shame-faced. “But why?”

Richie sighed and straightened in his seat.

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “Maybe I was nervous or just...I guess I didn’t want to hear you call me crazy again.”

“Oh, Rich,” Eddie sighed. “Fuck.”

Richie shrugged and stood.

“I was just being selfish and fucking blind,” he admitted. He offered a tentative smile to his husband. “I’m sorry. Come on, baby, let’s go to bed.”

Eddie smiled, stood, grasped Richie’s hand, and took him to bed.

Saturdays were always good days. They could sleep in, have breakfast as a family, relax (at least until it was time to take Lydia to one of extracurriculars. Today was gymnastics), and just...be.

Richie was standing at the stove, making pancakes and promising Tess that yes, they could watch The Wizard of Oz later (even though they had watched it earlier in the week) while Eddie poured another cup of coffee.

“Okay, pancakes almost finished,” Richie announced. He glanced around the kitchen. “Lyds not up yet?”

“No,” Eddie said. “I’ll go get her.”

“She better not be sick,” Richie mumbled. “That Anderson kid was sneezing when I carpooled Thursday.”

“Oh, relax,” Eddie replied. “You sound like my mom.”

“Hey, be nice about my ex-wife.”

Eddie shot him a withering glare and flipped him off (after making sure Tess was too busy with her nose buried in a pop-up book) before heading down the hallway to Lydia’s bedroom. The door was halfway open. He peeked in, frowning when he saw Lydia still in her bed, with her back to the door.

“Lyds?” he said gently.

She sniffed loudly but didn’t turn around. He stepped in, walked up to her bed, and rested a hand on her shoulder.

“Lydia, are you okay?” She turned her face up to him and Eddie’s heart lurched when he saw tears streaming down her little face.

“Sweetheart, what it is?” he whispered as he sat beside her on the bed.

She sniffed again and wiped at her eyes.

“Is Tess gonna get taken away?” she asked, her voice thick.

“What?” Eddie asked, nearly breathless. “What are you talking about?”

“I heard you and Papa talking last night,” she admitted softly. “Is the government gonna take her like in E.T.? I know she’s annoying sometimes but I don’t want her taken away!”

Eddie clenched his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Sweetheart, no, that’s not…” He trailed off and sighed before gently wiping her tears. “Come on, come in for breakfast and we’ll talk to Papa.”

He pulled back the blankets and wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they walked down the hallway to the kitchen.

“Hey, Lyds, how many—” Richie looked up and frowned. “What’s wrong?”

Eddie sat her down at the table next to her sister and turned towards his husband.

“Lydia is upset because she’s worried about her sister,” he explained, raising his eyebrows at Richie in an effort to get his point across. Richie swallowed and nodded once as Eddie looked at their daughters. “But your Papa and I would never let anything happen to either of you. Right?”

Richie nodded again and smiled at both Lydia and Tess.

“Right,” he repeated. “That’s our jobs, after all. To keep you two safe. No matter what.”

“Even though Tess…” Lydia trailed off, glancing at her sister.

“Listen, Tess isn’t any different from you,” Eddie said quickly. “You’re both our priorities. Understand?”

Both girls nodded.

“But maybe…” Richie stopped short and swallowed nervously. He ran a hand through his hair. “Girls, I think it’d be best if you didn’t...mention anything about Tess’s...abilities to anyone.”

“Why not?” Tess asked.

Richie hesitated.

“Because people might not understand,” Eddie said quickly. “And it’s nobody’s business. So let’s just...keep it to ourselves.”

Tess nodded and continued eating her pancakes but Lydia still seemed distressed. Eddie felt his heart clench as he recognized some of his own childhood fear on her face. He reached out, took her hand in his, and kissed it gently.

“There’s no need to worry,” he said firmly. “I swear to you, Lydia.”

She swallowed and nodded.

“Okay, Daddy,” she said softly. “I believe you.”

They smiled at one another when Richie ruined the moment by exclaiming, “Oh, shit, the pancakes.” He rushed to the stove where several pancakes were burning.

Eddie rolled his eyes but smiled when he saw both his daughters laughing.

“Are we fucking this up?”

Eddie took a deep breath and turned his face towards his husband. Richie was staring at the ceiling, a worried look on his face.

“Rich, I…” he sighed. “I don’t know.”

“Now Lydia’s scared,” Richie whispered. “Lydia’s not scared of anything but now…”

“That’s not your fault.”

“I didn’t say it was my fault, asshole,” Richie replied. He sighed and rolled onto his side towards Eddie. “How can we protect the girls when we don’t even fully understand what we’re dealing with?”

Eddie frowned and turned onto his side, as well. He reached a hand over to brush Richie’s curls behind his ear. Eddie felt himself smile. Even after all these years together, he still found the sight of Richie without his glasses amusingly odd.

“What are you grinning at?”

“You,” Eddie answered. “You look funny.”

“Thanks,” Richie huffed.

“Shut up, I didn’t mean it like that,” Eddie sighed. “And you’re right. I don’t know how we deal with this. I mean...I guess we need to do more research.”

“I think I read everything out there,” Richie admitted.

Eddie gave his husband a penetrating look.

“You want to talk to that Dan guy, don’t you?” he said.

Richie bit his lip and nodded once. Eddie sighed.

“Alright,” he said gently. “But we do this together. No more hiding things, okay? Including how we fucking feel.”

Richie nodded and smiled so genuinely, it made Eddie shiver. He leaned in and pressed his lips against Richie’s.

“I really have fucking missed you,” he said.

“Me too,” Richie whispered against his lips.

They kissed for several more deliciously long moments, wrapped up in each other’s arms. Eddie pulled Richie flushed against him, and groaned at the feeling of Richie’s erection.

“Fuck,” Eddie whispered. “Kids definitely asleep?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Door locked?”

“Fuck.”

“Wanna just chance it?”

Richie grinned and reached his hand down underneath Eddie’s boxer shorts. Eddie moaned.

“Good,” Richie murmured, “you’re hard already.”

“Course I am, I told you I fucking miss you.”

“Good,” Richie repeated, leaning in to kiss him again, “because I do not feel like waiting. I need you to fuck me like yesterday.”

“You sound like an idiot,” Eddie laughed.

“How is that any different to how I sound everyday?”

“Good point,” Eddie admitted, releasing a shaking breath as Richie stroked him. “Fuck, Richie.”

“Yeah, exactly,” Richie replied, smiling as Eddie rolled his eyes. “Get the lube. And don’t make faces. You love me.”

“Yeah,” Eddie sighed, grinning, “I really fucking do.”

#reddie #reddie fanfic #it chapter 2 #richie tozier #Eddie Kaspbrak

3 notes · View notes