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jagibee · 1 year

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Call Me Luna

(Stray Kids x Reader)

Chapter 6

6,213 Words

A/N: Sorry that the story is being so slow! I promise it will pick up in a bit! In the meantime, enjoy some Chanlix! Also, just a reminder, when I write something like “‘“this”’”, it means the characters are speaking in English.

TW: Talk of dieting, discussion of sex

…

After a very eventful day, it hadn’t taken you very long to fall asleep once you had completed your nightly routine. The bed was nice, if a little stiff, and you ordered more room service for dinner, this time knowing what you liked. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as fun as the last time you ate, but you still went to bed full and satisfied.

Then your phone rang and startled you out of your sleep. You didn’t even check the time when you picked up immediately after seeing the caller ID.

“Hello? Chan? Is everything alright?”

“Y/N!”

Well. You wanted the sound of him saying your name tattooed on the inside of your brain.

“What is it, Chan?”

From the other side of the phone call, you could hear a couple different muffled voices before there was a shushing sound.

“Just wanted to hear your voice, really. And make sure you’re okay after today.”

You felt your heart melt a little at that. “I’m fine, great even. You’re all so amazing, this is literally my dream job.”

The muffled voices were even louder, but you still couldn’t make them out. You were curious about them, but didn’t want to pry.

“I’m gonna be honest with you, Y/N. Half of the reason I called is because I need a break from my other members asking questions about you, and when they’re going to meet you, and why they didn’t get to meet you today.” You heard him sigh dramatically. “One of these days I’m actually going to start selling them off to Stays.”

You felt your lips twitch. “How much are you selling them for?”

Chan hummed thoughtfully. “I think I’ll just trade them for their SKZOOs. If someone comes up to me with one, I’ll let them rent that member for an hour.”

You heard an outburst from his side and laughed before replying. “If you do that, there will be a stampede of people at the company building waving their SKZOOs. Anyway, what have you been telling your members about me?”

“That you’re hot!”

Your heart fluttered. Was that…?

“Han! Give me my phone back!”

You heard a commotion and a sharp yelp before someone said something over the phone again.

“I am so sorry, I definitely did not say that- not that I don’t think you’re hot! Or, well, I don’t not think that, but there’s- I don’t want to disrespect you or-”

You couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Chan, it’s alright! I don’t not think you’re hot, either.”

There was a pause from every voice on the other side and you started to wonder if you went too far when you heard a quiet “thank you?”

You smirked at that. “You don’t have to thank me, it’s sort of obvious.”

The other voices started cackling at that and in order to save Chan, you changed the topic. “So, are you still at the studio?”

Seemingly glad of your mercy, he sighed slightly before speaking. “Yeah, but we’re almost finished up. I’ve got Changbin and Hannie with me, plus Seungmin because he said everyone at his dorm kept bragging about getting to meet you.”

Your cheeks suddenly felt very hot. “Really?”

“Yeah, they really liked you. But it’s kind of hard not to. Oh, by the way! Tomorrow I’ll pick you up at the front of the building again and then the two of us are having a meeting with Felix to discuss his heat. Sound good?”

“Sounds great,” you responded, trying your best to stay calm despite what he said about it being hard not to like you.

“Alright! Then we have a recording session, where you can meet the rest of our members.” There was a small eruption of cheers from the other line and you felt your cheeks hurt from how hard you were smiling. “Then, I was thinking we could all go out to dinner, if you’re interested? I figured we could celebrate you meeting all of us and the end of your first week and everything.”

You stifled a snort. “I haven’t actually been here for a full week. I arrived on Tuesday and my first day at the company was Wednesday.”

You heard Chan giggle. “Yeah, well, when you’re with these guys, it’s like dog years or something. Every day actually lasts a week, so really we’ll be celebrating your third week!”

You were glad that hotels were required to have scent blockers on all of the rooms, otherwise the entire floor might have smelled the cacophony of emotions you felt.

Rolling over on your bed, you almost choked on your own saliva when you saw the time on the clock. “Well, as much as I enjoy talking to you, I think that in order to not fall asleep in the middle of my third week, I should go back to sleep. Can I let you go?”

There was a clatter from your phone before you heard Chan’s voice again. “Shit, did we wake you up? Sorry! But yeah, go back to sleep for sure. In fact, we should go back to the dorms. Seungmin fell asleep on Changbin’s lap.”

Fuck, you couldn’t wait to meet them. “Okay then, I’ll see you tomorrow! Get back to your dorms safely!”

“We‘ll try our best. See you tomorrow, Y/N.”

…

The next time you woke up was much less eventful, your alarm ringing out rather than your ringtone.

You took a few minutes to just lay down and stare at the ceiling. There’s no way that really happened, you thought. There’s no way any of this is really happening.

However, a quick check of your call logs confirmed that you received a call from bangfuckingchan at 3:52 a.m.

Before you could have an existential crisis at too-damn-early in the morning, you decided to get out of bed.

After hanging out with the boys yesterday, you decided to put on an outfit that was a bit more casual, something that didn’t make you feel out of place while they were laying around eating tteokbokki in their sweatpants. You finished your morning routine and got in the car once it arrived.

The drive wasn’t too long, the hotel was just a bit too far to walk so you arrived at the company building quickly.

If there was anything that could rip your earlier doubts from your mind, it was the sight of Chan and Felix waiting on the sidewalk and waving at your van as you drove up.

You were so excited to see them again, you almost tripped when getting out. Luckily, you managed to catch yourself before face planting. Unluckily, it was still far from graceful as you extracted your foot from where it had gotten caught.

You turned to see Chan and Felix jog up to you. Before they were able to say anything about your awkward landing, you blurted out, “What, no coffee today?”

Chan blinked in bewilderment. “Uh… no? Are you alright?”

You furrowed your eyebrows at him in mock offense. “What, you’ve never seen someone get out of a car like that? That’s the style these days.”

Felix grinned at you and turned to Chan. “Yeah, hyung. Everyone is doing it. There’s a dance challenge and everything.”

Chan just sighed at the two of you. “Really?”

“Totally. You probably just haven’t heard about it because you were too busy getting hip surgery, old man.”

You let out a startled laugh at Felix’s joke while Chan’s jaw dropped.

Once he got over his shock, Chan turned his face to the sky and groaned. “Ugh, you need to stop hanging out with Seungmin.”

“We literally live together.”

Chan reached out and pulled Felix’s beanie down over his face. While he struggled to escape, Chan turned back to you and pointed his thumb over his shoulder. “So, there’s a cafe less than a block away, I was thinking we could get some breakfast and then get down to business?”

Felix finally emerged and flicked Chan’s cheek in retribution. Before they could start fighting in the street, you decided to intervene.

“Breakfast sounds perfect. Let’s go!”

You grabbed them by their hoodie sleeves and started walking in the direction Chan had pointed earlier. Felix slid his arm from your grasp to hold your hand normally and you hoped he couldn’t feel how your heart rate sped up. Chan seemed perfectly fine with you hanging on to his shoulder like a sugar glider, but your hand was cramping, so you released him. He glanced back at you before offering you a crooked elbow. You were thankful for the face mask the company required you to wear as a precaution so they couldn’t see how their actions were affecting you.

The walk was short but nice, the three of you striding along in comfortable silence.

Before you knew it, Chan was steering you into a little shop with flowers and herbs on the windowsills. The place was larger than most cafes, but it didn’t take away from the cozy vibe. There were beanbag chairs and couches along with several plants both hanging from the ceiling and settled along the walls. The only lighting was from the windows and the dainty fairy lights winding back and forth across the ceiling like a dazzling spiderweb. There were fuzzy rugs layered on top of each other, each one more cushy than the one before. In the center of the room was a counter with several baked goods on display. There was a worker watering the plants before she turned to you and welcomed you in.

“Wow. Okay, I guess I know where I’m going to work if you guys ever fire me.”

Felix giggled next to you. “I know, right? Just wait until you see the little desserts! If you leave and come work here, I expect you to bring me free leftovers.”

“Deal,” you told him, squeezing his fingers in yours.

Chan unhooked his arm from yours and instead rested his hand on your back, gently pushing you forward until you stood in line.

There was just one person in front of you, so you didn’t have to wait long. Felix shuffled you over to look at the pastries.

You almost gasped at how amazing they looked. There were little cakes shaped like flowers, cookies with hearts frosted on them, muffins with faces made out of chocolate chips.

Felix seemed particularly drawn to a little cat-shaped brownie. The ears were made of little wedges of chocolate and the whiskers were frosted on.

“Do you want that?”

Felix glanced back at you, eyes wide in surprise. “Hm? Oh, well, it looks good but I’m supposed to be dieting. You know, I’ll probably eat a lot during my heat, especially sweets, so I like to just avoid them for a bit before so I’m not eating too much.”

“Felix, Y/N! What do you guys want?” Chan called from the register.

You both told him what drinks you wanted and Felix went off to find a place to sit.

“Actually,” you turned back to Chan. “Can I have the little brownie cat, too?”

“That one?”

“Mhmm.”

“Are you going to fight me to pay for it?” He asked, eyes crinkling above his mask.

“No,” you mused, “I’ve decided that if you want to pay for me that bad, that’s on you. As a matter of fact, why don’t you just buy me the whole shelf of desserts? Maybe all of the drinks too. Or just buy me the cafe. Whatever you want.”

He chuckled at you, shaking his head. “Maybe later. For now, I think a drink and a cat brownie are good.”

You shrugged. “Fine. But let me know when you’re ready to sign the real estate papers.”

Turning around to look for Felix, you found him sitting in a window seat tucked behind a circular coffee table reading something on his phone.

You dropped down next to him, back to the window, and had a mini heart attack when he instantly moved over to rest his head on your shoulder.

“Have you seen this?” He turned his phone so you could read it.

JYP Entertainment Signs On Full-time Caretakers

Earlier this morning, the company revealed that it would be signing on caretakers for a few of their bands. The caretakers’ names or identities were not released, but we did get a list of the bands. Each of these bands have substantial fanbases, so it will be interesting to see how they react to their favorite idols working with a caretaker.

What is caretaking and why would a K-pop band need a caretaker?

Caretaking, while it has become much more common within the last few years, has been around for decades. Usually, only the wealthy could afford them, but nowadays, several people can hire a part-time caretaker with just a click of a button on their phone. However, with a company as influential as JYPE, using the caretakers full-time seems to be the way to go.

The role of caretakers is to make sure that omegas are happy and content so that they don’t go into omega drop. While companies don’t always tell us why their artists go on hiatus, it is safe to assume that with their stressful jobs, there must have been some danger regarding omega drop, so it’s good that this company is taking their omegan artists’ health seriously.

You let out a noise somewhere between a laugh and a scoff. “Are they serious? They’re making a lot of guesses, and some of this is just straight up wrong.”

“What’s wrong?” Chan asked, showing up to the table and setting down a tray of drinks, along with the cat brownie.

He grabbed the drinks and set one in front of Felix and another in front of you, raising his eyebrows underneath his baseball cap as he sat down across from the two of you.

Felix slid his phone over to Chan. “This morning, the company released a statement about the new caretakers.”

Chan’s eyebrows furrowed. “Yeah? That’s not what’s wrong, is it?”

Felix tapped his phone to bring Chan’s attention to the screen. “This article is just being a bit weird about the whole caretaker thing.” Felix’s eyes shifted to the cat brownie. “Ah, you bought one for yourself?”

You smiled at him. “Well, it looks good, doesn’t it? But it seems a bit big. I’m not sure I could finish the whole thing on my own.”

He glanced between you and the brownie carefully.

“It’s a shame, too. I’d hate to waste food this good by throwing it in the trash.”

His lips pursed together.

“If only there was someone here who reminded me of brownies and cats that I could share it with.”

He huffed. “Hey, noona.”

“Yes?” You hummed.

He closed his eyes and slumped back into your shoulder. “Do you want to share it?”

You gasped theatrically. “Why, that’s a great idea! I can’t believe I didn’t think of it myself!”

You felt him shake with suppressed laughter as you moved the brownie over to cut it.

“Wait!” He yelped, sitting up. “Are you done with my phone?” He asked Chan.

Chan had finished reading the article by now and was watching you and Felix.

He straightened up and passed the phone back. “Yeah, I read it. God, that article. Well, hopefully people will know that that’s not the best source for information about our company or caretakers. I texted our managers, though, and they said it really doesn’t matter what one article says.”

You ran your fingers along your cup. “At least it’s not negative? It does say it’s good that the company is taking your health seriously. Of course, it would be better if they didn’t only mention omegas. All subgenders need caring for. Also, caretakers aren’t just there to prevent omega drop. That makes it sound like we just sit around and read magazines as long as omegas aren’t in danger of omega drop.”

“Hey.” You looked up as Chan reached across the table and took your hand from your cup, holding it in his. “We don’t think you’re just going to sit around reading magazines. We know you worked hard for this, you went to school for years and everything. No matter what people say about you or caretakers in general, we’ve got you.”

Felix looped his arms around your waist. “We’ve got you, noona.”

You squeezed Chan’s hand and ruffled Felix’s hair. “Thanks. I’m not taking it personally though, I just wish people wouldn’t make assumptions like that.”

Both of them nodded at you as you took off your mask, grabbed your drink, and took a sip. “Oh, shit. That’s good.”

They started cackling at your change in attitude when you remembered something from earlier. “Hey, Felix, what did you want to use your phone for?”

His eyes lit up. “Oh! I wanted to take a picture of the brownie and post it on bubble.”

He grabbed his phone and took a picture from above. However, he frowned at his phone one it was done.

“What is it?” You asked, taking another sip of your drink.

He shook his head. “There’s something missing…”

Felix glanced between you and the dessert and you tilted your head in confusion.

“Oh!” He clapped his hands together. “Noona, can I have your hand?”

You raised your hand for him and he took it without hesitation. He moved your hand and his to make a heart shape next to the brownie and took a picture with his other hand.

He brought the phone closer to his face, his freckles dancing as his eyes crinkled.

“Oh!” He looked up from his phone again. “Channie-hyung, did you want to be in the picture?”

Chan had moved his mask under his chin in order to drink his juice, so you could see his face as he smiled. “No, that’s alright Lix. Go ahead and post it.”

Felix nodded as he did just that and set his phone down. “Okay, now let’s see if it tastes as good as it looks!”

You smiled at his enthusiasm. “Sure thing! Will you pass me the knife, “‘“baby”’”?”

The two of you froze and blinked at each other before you realized that you should apologize. “Oh my god, I am so, so sorry. I should have asked to call you that and I didn’t-“

“No, no!” Felix said, waving his hands. “I actually really like being called that.” You couldn’t see much of his face since he still had his mask on, but as he handed you the knife, you could see the tops of his cheeks stretching like he was smiling.

You tightened your fingers around your drink, trying your best not to squeeze it too hard and have it explode on you. “Well, alright,” you replied, summoning your courage, “I guess I’ll have to call you that more often, then.”

Felix’s eyes widened a bit at your comment but before he could respond, Chan cleared his throat. “As much as I love this, we should be getting back to the company soon. You want to eat the cat now instead of taking pictures?”

Felix rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out at Chan as you cut the cat into thirds.

“Three?” Chan asked, tilting his head in confusion.

You held up the knife dramatically. “If I don’t argue with you about paying, you don’t argue with me about eating.”

He ducked his head, adjusting his hat. “Ah, fine. Sure.”

You grinned and turned to Felix. “Youngest first, right?”

He shook his head at you. “No, no, you’re new here, you go first, noona.”

You shrugged at him. “Alright.” You picked up a forkful from your third of the cat and held it in front of him.

His eyebrows raised at you. “R-really?”

You narrowed your eyes. “Do you want me to make airplane noises too?”

Felix’s lips twitched up as he leaned forward and ate the brownie off your fork.

“Oh my god,” he groaned, “I love this.”

You took your own bite and instantly understood his reaction. “Holy shit. Did they put the secret to happiness in this or something?”

Chan wheeze-laughed at your antics before taking his own bite. He stopped laughing immediately and his eyes widened. “Wow.”

The three of you quickly finished the cat brownie, Chan and Felix having a mini battle with their forks at one point.

You left the cafe, making sure to remember the name, and walked back to the company the same as before, one arm looped through Chan’s and one hand holding Felix’s.

Once you got to the company building, Chan told you that there was a small meeting room that you would be going to in order to discuss Felix’s heat.

You and Felix followed Chan’s lead as you all piled into the elevator and made your way to a door labeled Meeting Room 32J.

The room itself was fairly plain and it obviously wasn’t in use much. The walls were completely bare, the table was plain black-painted wood with six seats, two on each long side and one on each short side. There were two windows on the back wall and that was about it for decorations.

You sat down on one of the long sides of the table, Chan and Felix across from you, and you all took your face masks off.

You noticed Felix shifting uneasily and thought about how to make him more comfortable. Reaching out your hand, you wrapped it around his own and he glanced up at you from where he’d been staring at the table.

“Hey, “‘“baby”’”,” you murmured, “do you want to take your scent blockers off? And have me and Channie take ours off too?”

He blinked at you before grinning and ducking his head. “Yeah, that sounds nice. Thanks, noona.”

You squeezed his hand. “Of course.”

Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed Chan smiling at you before he started peeling off Felix’s scent blocker with the ease of someone who had done it a thousand times.

Once he’d removed both Felix’s and his own, and you removed yours, Felix visibly relaxed at the blend of scents. With your earthy-floral scent, Chan’s eucalyptus, and Felix’s lemon dessert, the room was overtaken by a nice, sweet, nature-like aroma. You felt relief in your shoulders from tension you didn’t even know you were carrying and sank down in your seat a little.

Chan cleared his throat and sat forward, folding his hands in front of him. “So,” he started, “I’m going to be honest, I don’t know exactly what we need to talk about or how to talk about it, so if one of you two wants to start…”

You giggled. “Chan, I know you’re used to being the leader, but this isn’t my first time as a caretaker. I know what we have to talk about, and what boundaries we need to set, but if I have any questions about specifics regarding idol life and your company, I’ll definitely ask. Is it alright if I lead this meeting?”

His shoulders slumped as he exhaled. “Please do.”

You let go of Felix’s hand to dig through your bag and bring out your notebook and a copy of the band’s files. You flipped the page to the one with Felix’s information and slid the papers over to him.

“This is what they gave me about you and your heat. It’s not much, so we’ll definitely have to go over more specifics about what your heat is like and what you like to do before, during, and after it, but let’s make sure we prioritize. What are some things not in this file that you think I need to know? And the list can be as long or as short as you want it to be.”

Felix and Chan stared at you for a few moments with wide eyes.

You frowned at them and crossed your arms over your chest. “What?”

Felix blinked and read over the file while Chan shook his head at you. “You’re so… professional.”

You couldn’t help but snort at that. “Well, I have been trained for this and I’ve had clients before you, so I like to think that I’m pretty good at it.”

Chan smiled widely at you, showing off his dimples. “You are pretty good.”

You pursed your lips and turned to Felix. “So, anything stick out to you?”

A crease formed between his eyebrows and his fingers clenched slightly around the paper. “Well, I guess all this is true. I like to keep my nests very private. But, there’s a big difference between Hyunjin and I when we nest. That’s one of the benefits to us not having synchronized heats anymore.”

You tilted your head. “Anymore? You used to be synchronized and now you aren’t? What happened?”

Felix bit his lip and glanced at Chan. The alpha raised his hand and started to pet Felix’s back soothingly.

“When Hyunjin had his hiatus, I sort of… went into a surprise heat? A bad one. The doctors say it was basically halfway between a normal heat and an omega drop. So, that wasn’t fun. And Hyunjin’s occurred as scheduled, a couple weeks later. Then the company decided that it was easier to have just one omega in heat at a time. That way one of us can still do individual schedules and it’s easier for the others to take care of us when they’re only taking care of one omega. Plus, we discovered that it’s good to have a grounded omega taking care of an omega in heat.”

You nodded and wrote a few things in your notebook so you wouldn’t forget. “And do you like having separate heats?”

Felix frowned like he was uncertain about how to answer. “I… understand the reason why we have them separately. And I like getting to take care of Hyunjin properly during his heat.” He smiled tentatively. “Honestly, the best thing about separate heats is the nests.”

“Ah, the nests!” Chan giggled.

You couldn’t help smiling in response to their behavior. “What’s this about the nests?”

Felix shifted, rubbing his hands over his thighs repeatedly. “Well, Hyunjin and I don’t fight a lot. Not real fights, anyway, just little arguments. But when it comes to nest building and who is allowed in and where we build it…�� His eyes widened like he was telling a ghost story around a campfire. “It’s not pretty.”

“That’s sort of ironic, given that’s it’s the two of you involved.” Chan smirked, brushing a strand of Felix’s hair behind his ear.

Said ear then reddened as Felix’s jaw dropped. “Hyung!”

“What?” Chan asked, a little too innocently.

Felix pursed his lips together and glared playfully at Chan until the alpha poked him in the ribs. “Pay attention, Lix. This is important.”

Felix sputtered back at him. “Wha- me? Hyung, you’re the one who- you pay attention!”

Chan snickered and Felix pouted as they both turned back to you.

You forced yourself to hold back a laugh at their contrasting expressions. “So, tell me more about the differences in your nests.”

Chan smiled at Felix fondly. “Well, for Lixie it’s basically all or nothing, but Jinnie is very particular.”

Felix nodded along. “Yeah, it’s sort of funny. I don’t even like people looking at my nest unless they have explicit permission, but once they get in it, I don’t really care where they sit or if they change the nest. Hyunjin, though,” The corners of his lips twitched. “He likes nesting in common spaces and anyone can go in and out as they please, basically. But, if you move a blanket or a pillow, he gets pretty offended. I still have nightmares about the last time that happened.” He said with a shudder.

Chan closed his eyes and smiled ruefully. “Ah, poor Jisungie. It wasn’t his fault that he tripped when Seungmin grabbed his ankle. It wasn’t even Seungmin’s fault since he was asleep when he grabbed him.” He slid his hands up to cover his face. “That was the worst fight they’ve ever had since they got over that whole ‘dance better, rap better’ thing.”

The corners of Felix’s lips twitched upwards like he was trying to hide a smile. “Even though the nest fight was almost completely one-sided.”

“Hyunjin was angry enough for the both of them.”

“He was angry enough for the eight of us! Do you remember what he did when we tried to defend Jisung?”

“I wish I could forget.”

You didn’t know exactly what they were talking about, but your imagination filled in the gaps of their story and you laughed along with them.

The three of you finally calmed down and you were able to return to the topic.

“So, Felix, you’ve told me you understand the reason you and Hyunjin have different heats, but do you actually prefer it or would you like to try and get in synch again?”

He glanced between you and Chan like he was uncertain. “I’m not really sure. I don’t think I have a preference, and if the company thinks separate heats are better, I’m fine with that.”

You nodded and jotted that down in your notebook. Then, you closed it and set it to the side. “Alright, I think it’s time we address another heat topic.”

“So.” You clapped your hands together and brought them down to rest on the table. “Sex.”

Felix’s jaw dropped as Chan choked. “What?” They gasped, almost exactly in unison.

You shrugged back at them. “Look, I know it can be a bit of an uncomfortable topic, and I know that especially with your career, you’re essentially taught to avoid any discussion of sexuality, but it is pretty important that we can talk about your sex lives comfortably, for you two and all of your members.”

Chan was the first to collect himself, though his ears still blazed. “Alright. What do you need to know?”

You met his gaze calmly and pushed out soothing hormones. “How would you characterize the relationship between everyone in your pack?”

He glanced at Felix before meeting your eyes again. “We’re all in a romantic polyamorous relationship.”

You nodded as more questions filled your brain. “Is everyone in your group dating all seven other members?”

“Yes.”

“Are you all exclusive or does anyone have a relationship with someone outside of the group, either romantically or sexually?”

This time Felix piped up. “No, we’re all exclusive.”

“Okay.” You paused. “This is where it might get even more personal. If anything is too uncomfortable or if you don’t want me to know something, just say so and I’ll back off.”

Chan’s eyes widened. “Really?” His eucalyptus scent sharpened in surprise.

“Yeah, really.” You flashed an amused smile at him. “If you’re uncomfortable around me, that sort of defeats the purpose of having a caretaker, doesn’t it?”

“Huh, I guess it does.” Chan said, a smile forming on his face to match yours. “Ask away, then.”

You took a deep breath and got a heavy dose of eucalyptus scent. It calmed you instantly, the tension in your muscles fading away until it felt like you, Felix, and Chan had known each other for all your lives.

Get it together, you told yourself.

“Do you all have sex with each other?”

They both nodded stiffly in response.

“Alright. And you help each other through your heats and ruts in that way?”

“Yes.”

“Yep.”

You nodded and reached out to Felix, patting his hand gently. He grabbed your hand and began to massage your palm. “Okay, now the questions are going to be a little more focused towards you, “‘“baby”’”. Is that okay?”

He bit his lip and squeezed your hand. “Yeah, noona, I’m good.”

You smiled at him and pulled your notebook over, flipping to the page where you had written your checklist.

“Okay, so since we’re already talking about it, let’s just get it out of the way. How do you like your members to take care of you sexually during your heat? Do you like one person at a time or multiple people? Is sex your main priority when you’re in heat?”

Felix’s fingers twitched against yours and Chan reached over to rub his back. “Well, it really depends on the individual heat. I like having sex during my heat, but mostly I just want to stay close to my pack whether that’s sex or just cuddling. I don’t like being alone much and I really feel like the more the merrier, again, whether it’s sex or cuddling.”

You stroked your thumbs over his hand. “Good job explaining that to me, “‘“baby”’”.”

He blinked at you before ducking his head. “Really? Thank you.”

“Of course. Now, what does your preheat and postheat look like?”

Chan interjected. “Wait, postheat? What’s that? I thought that as soon as the heat was over, that’s it.”

You hummed thoughtfully. It wasn’t unusual that he wouldn’t know about postheat. Most omegas didn’t even know about it. “Postheat is when the heat is over, most omegas like to do a day or two of selfcare to allow their bodies and minds to get back to normal. It’s a bit overlooked, even by some omegas, especially the ones who are anxious to get back to the other parts of their lives. However, making sure your omega is happy during postheat is the best way to avoid omega drop.”

Chan’s eyes widened as he glanced between you and Felix. “Really? Oh, shit, I feel really bad about not knowing this.”

Felix shook his head and turned his face to Chan. “Hyung, you always take care of me and Jinnie even if you didn’t know. It’s not like you abandoned us once our actual heat was over. Also, I didn’t even know about postheat.”

You nodded along with Felix’s words. “Yeah, Chan, I only know because of my caretaking education. But you don’t really seem like the type of alpha to just leave your vulnerable omega to go get a coffee or something. Also, if you want, I can send you some academic articles on the best things to do during postheat and the things to avoid.”

He smiled shyly. “Ah, thank you. That would be great.”

You turned back to Felix. “So, preheat, postheat, what do you like during that time?”

His eyebrows furrowed as he considered your question. “Well, I like to make a nest during my preheat instead of waiting until my actual heat. I eat a lot of sweets. I actually like to bake a bit before and then I eat those.”

Chan giggled. “A bit? You bake enough to feed an army!”

Felix raised one hand defensively, the other still clinging to yours. “Hey, I can’t help it! It’s my deep, dark omegan instincts telling me I have to provide food or my dumbass alphas will starve.”

Chan laughed even more at that. “You know we can just order food, right? Or go grocery shopping? Also, I love your food but we can’t survive on just brownies for a week.”

Felix grinned at that. “I know that in my head. But the rest of me doesn’t really care about all that. Anyway.” He turned back to you. “My postheat is basically just cuddles and bath time. And more eating.”

“That sounds like a great routine,” you commented.

He nodded, smile going a little smug. “It is pretty great.”

“Oh, shit,” Chan blurted, looking at his phone. “It’s almost time to meet the others in the studio.” He studied yours and Felix’s interlocked hands. “Are we ready to head up, or do you want to talk more? I can tell them to wait if we need to stay.”

You shook your head and released Felix’s hand to stuff your notebook back into your bag. “Nope, I’ve got all the good stuff. If I remember anything else, I’ll just ask. Unless either of you wanted to ask me something?”

They had both stood up, ready to head out, but they paused at your question. Then, Felix raised his hand tentatively. “Are you going to be there during my heat? Or do you just wait until it’s over and take care of the other members in the meantime?”

You took a breath, considering what to say. Unfortunately, Chan had already put on a scent blocker, so you could barely smell the eucalyptus and it didn’t have the same effect as last time. “Well, it’s mostly up to you. If you feel comfortable with me by then and want me in your dorm, then I can hang around and take care of you, but if you don’t want me around at all, I totally understand and won’t be offended. We don’t have to decide right now, especially since you might not even know what your omega will want until it’s your preheat or your actual heat. So, take your time and think about if you want me there or not.”

Felix nodded, smiling at you as you both put on your scent blockers.

“Alright!” Chan clapped. “Are you ready to see where the magic happens?”

…

Taglist:

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solomons-finest-rum · 2 years

Note

Hello to one of my favourite Alfie fic writers! Since you're taking requests, I'd like to make one as well.

I don't know how it works but how about a scenario/imagine where Tommy gets in some kind of trouble (as always) and Alfie suggests that his lovely gangster wife could help and goes to introduce them but as it turns out it's none other than the Shelby's sister/cousin/relative/friend/or maybe even an ex? (Your call one this one) who they thought was dead or something?

Idk if it's even worth your time and effort but I just wanted to make a request ;) No pressure, of course!

Love you and your writing a lot!

“As The Crow Flies” (Alfie Solomons x fem!Reader) — PART 1

SUMMARY — By all accounts Anna Gray died in Australia and had no business standing in Alfie’s living room, nor calling the man “darling” for that matter. But there you were, identical to the picture they took when they shipped you off to the colonies.

AUTHOR’S NOTE — Thank you to @zablife for being the most gracious beta!💗💗💗💗💗 and thank you Anon for this request, because actually it inspired a full-blown multi-chapter idea! So this is set around... Season 5 I suppose? But I'm going to ignore everything in it and Season 6 too. Let's pretend none of it happened and just focus on the fun part! That is driving Tommy insane and making Alfie say outrageous lines.

WORD COUNT — 2,286

Masterlist

In retrospect, Tommy Shelby felt he should have known better. He should have fucking known that the moment, the moment, he came to Margate to sort the bloody situation out, exactly two things would happen.

One, he would have to sit and listen with a straight face to Alfie’s inspired monologue, the subject of which had swerved from elephants to bank robbery in about two and a half minutes, and then managed to touch upon just about everything else under the sun.

Tommy remained quite sure that the sense of Alfie’s rambling had been long lost to history and the point of it all was just to talk him to death, really. Put him out of his misery with nonsense alone.

“Now then, Tommy, as I said, right, I ain’t the vindictive type, I really ain’t, so I am gonna help ya out just this once, right, outta the goodness of my own heart.”

Tommy managed not to roll his eyes. Barely.

“‘Cause I am a changed man these days, Tommy, an’ it can be that the old man that I am, I’m goin’ soft on ya, right, an’ so tradition dictates, mate, to ask for more than ten thousand for my troubles.”

Tommy raised a brow.

“But as things currently stand with the medical bills, on the account of bein’ shot in the face by some cunt, right… Fifteen would sound proper fair, mate.”

Thank fuck for small mercies, Tommy thought, then lit another cigarette and promptly got up to leave. Alfie apparently managed to settle both sides of the conversation, negotiations included, and their American problem could very well sort itself out all on his own—thus proving to Tommy once more that the only thing he could really count on in this world had always been lunatics.

“Right, the fuck you’re doin’ now, sit down!”

Tommy frowned and remained standing, cigarette in the corner of his mouth and sheer outrage emanating from his entire person. The question of “what in fuck’s name do you want now, you crazy bastard?” overtook his face.

“Right, I need to make a bloody phone call,” Alfie said then, which explained exactly nothing.

Yes, that was the second thing Tommy had been so sure would happen. Alfie would first go on a tangent, then formulate a plan that involved three separate layers of deception, a bribe, and a crate of dynamite (probably).

Then Tommy would get caught in the middle as bloody always and Polly would have his head for going along with Alfie’s plan in the first place.

What he didn’t expect was for Alfie to change his tone of voice completely as soon as the person picked up on the other end:

“Yeah, darlin’, it’s me. Come to the house, alright? Right, ‘cause I need ya here for somethin’. No, not like the— Bloody hell, woman, just don’t fuckin’ argue with me for once, alright?”

Sometimes a rare occasion would present itself for Tommy Shelby to become fucking speechless. Truth be told, he remained rather surprised that two such occasions had also involved Alfie Solomons, undoubtedly purely for the Devil’s bloody amusement.

“Who was that then, Alfie?”

“None of ya fuckin’ business.”

Tommy had a sneaky feeling there wasn’t a clever enough question in existence that could have pushed Alfie to say anything more. He looked smug as hell for having pulled that stunt off so Tommy was willing to see it through.

For old time’s sake.

The sun was setting and they had another drink, then Tommy let Alfie go on another tangent about… Tea import. Perhaps. Who knew, he wasn’t really listening.

On drink three Tommy was alerted by a car pulling up to the house, followed by a door slam and a rhythmic clacking of high heels on the porch. Tommy looked to Alfie, but the man remained infuriatingly calm.

Just as Tommy was about to reach for his gun, the door to Alfie’s study opened unceremoniously and a scent of expensive perfume wafted across the room. Tommy turned around and tried his best to keep up the indifferent facade, but failed miserably. Nothing could have prepared him for you walking through that door, with a giant bodyguard no less, following you like a second shadow.

“Alright there, Billy?” Alfie greeted the bodyguard casually and the man grunted in response. “Right then, might ya wait in the car for us, mate? This whole bloody business will take a minute.”

Tommy then watched as Alfie approached you and planted an affectionate kiss to your cheek, at which point Tommy stood up abruptly.

For a moment he just stood there and stared; a state he didn’t find himself in too often these days.

“Darling, are we having guests?” you asked Alfie in a tone so familiar to Tommy; so like your mother. Pleasant, on the verge of sarcastic.

By God, either that Camden bastard was a magician or you had a twin sister that Polly never mentioned. Because it wasn’t possible… It couldn’t be you. Not according to the file he stole from the parish. By all accounts Anna Gray died in Australia and had no business standing in Alfie’s living room, nor calling the man “darling” for that matter. But there you were, identical to the picture they took when they shipped you off to the colonies.

“Right then, Tommy, might I present my lovely wife,” Alfie said. “Sweetie, this here is Tommy Shelby, right, all the way from the ungodly place they call Birmingham—”

“Tommy Shelby?” you interrupted and looked at Tommy with a smile so like Polly’s that Tommy nearly lost his composure again. “My, my… And there you went and promised you were done with the life, Alfie.”

“Right, an’ how could that—”

“Anna,” Tommy interrupted what he was sure was a budding monologue from Alfie.

“Yes?” you asked. “You know my name?”

“I… Know your mother.”

“Know?” There it was again. That curious smirk of yours that could really mean anything. Tommy found it harder and harder to keep up the charade.

“But that’s not possible, Mr. Shelby.”

“What’s not possible?”

Your tone remained polite, but your dark eyes said it all. The expression of quiet resolve Tommy thought only one person capable of delivering with such resentment.

“I’m an orphan, Mr. Shelby.”

Tommy said nothing to that, because what in hell could he even say? All of a sudden the American issue faded into nothingness, replaced solely by the phantom standing before him.

“So you did not lie, I see,” you turned to your husband with a quizzical expression, seeing as Tommy went quiet again. “He really is as strange as the papers make him. No matter, though, Mr. Shelby, I hope you like chicken? My husband insists I’m a terrible cook, but you must stay for dinner.”

Tommy nodded mechanically and put out his cigarette just to busy his hands with something. When he looked at Alfie, though, Tommy noticed how the man’s mouth twitched, clearly indicating the scheme was playing exactly how he wanted it to. Mad bastard, Tommy thought. There was no saying if he was being played or tricked or helped. Probably all at once, but solely for Alfie’s benefit of course.

“Right, curious as I am, luv, what delectable fuckin’ option you maimed and butchered for dinner, Tommy isn’t stayin’—” Alfie then stopped himself when two sets of identical Shelby scowls got directed his way.

Tommy did stay for dinner and made sure to clean his plate, too. He didn’t mind the food at all; it reminded him of Polly’s simple cooking back in the day when she would take care of Tommy and his siblings in Small Heath.

The more he listened to you talk and bicker with Alfie, the more of your mother he saw in you and the angrier he got at seeing you here of all places, as Alfie’s wife, unable to speak to you in plain terms. Tommy wasn’t exactly sure which made him angrier, though—the fact that you were Alfie’s wife or the fact that the sly bastard had kept you from your true family for who knows how many years. How did he even find you?

All the questions he had were still swirling around in Tommy’s head and he wasn’t particularly paying attention to anything else, besides staring daggers at Alfie. He was hoping there would be a moment to talk to you alone, but of course your husband would never allow it. He watched Tommy like a hawk the entire evening, sometimes with just a hint of a smile to suggest he was still three steps ahead of everyone else.

“See you never got accustomed to that fancy cookin’ they’re offerin’ ya at the mansion these days, Tommy,” Alfie said, undoubtedly truly enjoying the charade. “Tommy’s an MP, darlin’, right about two steps from gettin’ a knighthood I reckon. Yeah, a real prince he is.”

The way Alfie said the word was so clearly a jab at Tommy’s ancestry that he didn’t even flinch. What he was curious about was your reaction, but you remained perfectly pleasant:

“Don’t tease, love, we haven’t had guests in ages and I’m not letting you drive this one away.”

When the maid took away the plates, you lit a cigarette in a swift overdone gesture and Tommy was once more taken aback with your resemblance to Polly.

“Well, I’ll leave ya both to it,” you announced as you got up. “It was a pleasure, Mr. Shelby.” You extended your hand and Tommy shook it. “I know you tried your best with the chicken and I appreciate it,” you paused and tilted your head to the side as if sizing Tommy up.

“I rarely trust your husband’s judgement,” he replied.

The way you smiled reminded Tommy of a cat that got into the pantry. He decided not to think about it too much.

“I see. Goodnight then, Mr. Shelby.”

As soon as Tommy heard you got upstairs, he turned to Alfie who, unsurprisingly, already had a gun pointed at him. It was a casual way of it that was the most infuriating—Alfie’s hand was more so resting on the table and the gun just happened to be there, pointing at Tommy.

“Now then, Tommy, let’s be reasonable about this, mate.”

Tommy clenched his jaw and remained silent, but his murderous glare said it all.

“There are four people at the house, right, includin’ you, me, my wife, then the maid… Then there’s Billy outside, right, who’s gonna be rightly worried once he doesn’t get my dismissal for the night. So I want ya to be real cold an’ calculated about it, Tommy, just like I know ya can be, ‘cause if ya decide to off me for no reason now…”

“No reason.”

“Right.”

“You’re old enough to be her father.”

“Yeah an’ fortunately I’m not, ‘cause that’d be right fuckin’ awkward at the temple, mate.”

“Temple?”

“What’d ya think, Tommy, that I smacked her over the head and dragged her into my cave?”

“Somethin’ like that.”

“Right, we’ll have to show ya the pictures then, she looked stunnin’.” Alfie leaned back in his chair. “Tell ya what, mate, why don’t ya come by for tea one day?”

“Tea.”

“Yeah. We have it, Tommy, we’re not animals.”

Tommy said nothing to that. He was still reviewing his options, but as he wasn’t a fan of spontaneous action, the patient approach seemed appropriate. The offer, though, just like everything else about the situation, was fucking infuriating.

“Cat got your tongue?”

“Fuck you, Alfie.”

That finally made Alfie smile and for some reason he lowered the gun.

“Right, so seein’ as we’re family, Tommy, and what a happy coincidence this is, I must say, I feel like we should talk fuckin’ proper. None of that shit.” Alfie then gestured between them as if he hadn’t been responsible for “that shit” in the first place.

“We’ve been talking, Alfie,” Tommy deadpanned.

“Yeah, but then there’s still somethin’ ya haven’t told me about your American troubles, isn’t there, mate, so I’m expectin’ you’ll be more honest with me in the future. Now that I’ve brought the right arguments to the table…”

The hint of a threat in that statement almost made Tommy wish he still had his razor cap around.

“She’s Polly’s only daughter, Alfie.”

“Right, I’m aware of that.”

Tommy nodded, feigning understanding between them. As always, handling Alfie very much resembled handling a live grenade without a pin.

“This can’t be the way to end things.”

“Who’s endin’ things, Tommy?”

“I’m just saying.”

“Yeah, an’ I’m going to let this one slide, Tommy, ‘cause you just got a lot to process, mate, so I’m prepared to be understandin’.”

Tommy shook his head and reached into his jacket pocket, at which Alfie uncocked the gun. Tommy slowly pulled out his cigarette box, but Alfie never even flinched. It was gruesomely reassuring to still have been right, even in the position that Tommy currently found himself in.

Alfie Solomons would always remain Alfie Solomons, even with the whole song and a dance about getting old and senile. He was still the same mad bastard Tommy came to know all those years ago, and as things stood, Tommy found himself wondering if this time he shouldn’t try poison instead of a bullet.

“Tommy,” Alfie sighed, “with three good eyes workin’ between us, mate, I really would greatly mind if I somehow acquired a fuckin’ tumour in my lungs, too.”

Tommy said nothing and he knew Alfie hated it.

“Which means put that shit out, mate, and listen to what I’m about to say, ‘cause I got a feeling you’ll really wanna hear it.”

#peaky blinders fanfic #peaky blinders imagine #peaky blinders x reader #alfie solomons fanfic #alfie solomons x reader #alfie solomons imagine #tom hardy fanfic #tom hardy imagine #tom hardy x reader

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leviathansshadycorner · 5 months

Text

Rope Him In ( Cato x District 10! Reader x slight! Marvel) Pt. 7

Summary: Interview

A/n: Sorry for any inconsistencies and spelling errors, enjoyyyyyy!

Pt.6Pt.5 Pt.4 Pt.3 Pt.2 Pt.1

____________________________________

Chapter 7: Interview

The games were Tomorrow. Today was your last day of peace and possibly life. Most of the time today was supposed to be spent preparing for the interview, however, Dolly and Rasmey gave you two or three hours of bliss before having to prepare.

You were positive Buckley was out in the rose garden with Dolly. It was only natural for him to want to be outside instead of cooped in like you. Ramsey had come in to check on you twice but eventually stopped when he assumed you were sleeping. In reality, you were crying. Crying the whole two hours mourning the fact that you’d never get to see the faces of your family again.

You remembered Amaranto and how the two of you would’ve been having breakfast together at this time. Or how you would have packed your Pa a lunch to take to work. You thought about those Sunday afternoons spent sitting on the dry grass with a blanket, just the three of you talking about life and reminiscing about your mother, occasionally eating something special when they’d work overtime.

You thought about the times you spent with Clarabell in the angry rivers, scared out of your mind that a peacekeeper would come and hurt you both, but having so much fun in the water that you forgot that they even existed in the first place.

Your mind went to Buckley. It was crazy how you went from greeting each other in the morning at school to being with each other every day. He looked out of place in the Capitol, and so did you. It was odd seeing someone from home on the screen, but you guessed that’s how he felt about you too. The two of you had grown closer than you would have ever at home. That’s when you started realizing that you should’ve appreciated everything you had at home instead of slowly isolating yourself as you grew up.

Wiping the snot from your nose you decided to get up and wash your face. The clock read 12, and that meant it was time for your mentors to get you interview-ready. The actual interview itself was to start at 6 pm. However, you still had to practice your speech and what you were going to say to several different questions. The whole point was to make you appealing to not only the sponsors but the Capitol as a whole. After all, the sooner the tributes get used to the Capitol’s mannerisms, the better the victor will adapt.

“Alright, let's try this again.” It had been thirteen minutes and Pradain was still struggling to get you to sit up straight.

“Come on, we started an hour ago, I’m sure they can learn how to sit up straight later. What’s important is that we get them to speak clearly and with charm.” Dolly protested as Pradain pressed a hand to your back to get you upright.

Pradain’s outfit consisted of satin gloves, and a matching dress that towered to his ankles, his feet adorned with five-inch platforms. It was beyond you how he had learned to walk in those.

“Don’t be ridiculous Dolly, this is a must when it comes to Capitol mannerisms. Now up!” Groaning you forcefully sat up, your shoulders still drooping.

“Ah! See- I thought you were shaped weird, but you’re just not lifting your shoulders.” He clasped his hands onto them, bringing them up and fixing your head’s posture. “See? That wasn’t too bad. Now let’s do it again.” He instructed,

You looked over at Buckley- who had a scarf tied around him and the chair, propping him up straight. “I think I got it.” The poor boy pleaded to be untied.

“You stay. And you,” He pointed at you, “Up!”

Ramsey rolled his eyes. “Alright well, I’m just gonna go ahead and start reading these questions. Ramsey was already dressed in his suit claiming that he didn’t want to put it on later, so he decided to put it on now.

He shuffled through some cards with common interview questions. “Alright, Buck-o this one’s for you. How would you describe home?”

Buckley perked up, “Easy- Home is-”

“AH! This isn’t a test, it's an interview. Tell them why you like home, what makes it special. Start with, ‘Well, home to me is-’” Pradain scolded Buckley.

“Right, ok.” He nodded and looked at Ramsey to reread the card.

“How would you describe home?” You looked over at Dolly, your face bored and uninterested. She noticed it and ushered you to pay attention to Buckley, sitting up straight which reminded you to sit up as well. Your back was on fire, you always thought you had an okay posture, but only now knew that it was too forward leaning.

“Home to me is..” He stopped to think, his nose twitching as he was lost in thought, “Home to me is the yellow sunset, the dirt on my boots after a long day of work, the voices of my siblings arguing over a small toy, the pretty girls fluttering their eyelashes at me, the way their hair falls on their shoulders, and how round their-”

“Okay, no stop- you’re getting distracted.” You laughed at Buckley’s response, starting nicely but going off-topic.

“Alright then, at least you’ll make them laugh. You’ve got a good voice too Buckley, nice start.” Dolly tried making the best of things.

“Same Question for you (Y/n). How would you describe home?” Ramsey put the cards down, his tired eyes looking at you as he waited for your response.

“Any time now.” Spoke up Pradain.

“Home to me is…Home to me is.” There was about a three-second pause, “My Brother. My Pa. Our little house by the wheat fields, and the river that runs through 10.” It wasn’t much, but it’s all that could come to mind.

“That’s a start.” Dolly smiled.

“We need you to say more, and don’t be afraid to get emotional, the Capitol loves that. They eat it up.” Ramsey crossed his legs. “We’re gonna have a long day.” He sighed.

4 pm came quicker than anticipated. In the period you’d been practicing you were able to learn to project your voice, and Buckley learned how to be quieter. The two of you learned some fancy words, though you doubted you’d use them in a genuine sentence.

Sashay and the rest of the stylists waited for you down at the stylist quarters where you were ready to get replucked like a chicken. It didn’t hurt as much as the first time, but the stinging feeling was still there. After you got bathed, they began working on your hair. Its (H/c) color being amplified and made brighter as they put some chemicals on it. It smelled foul, far worse than the cow poop at home.

Your nails were painted black and white, You mentally groaned knowing where this was going. When your hair was finally dried they worked to braid it, putting some turquoise accessories on you before handing you to Sashay.

She smiled brightly at you and kissed your cheek, “My my don’t you look beautiful.” She complimented taking your hand and leading you to the hanger where a long sleek cow print dress hung. It looked to have fur on it, and you assumed it’d come from home.

“You’re going to look amazing.” She said excitedly as she instructed you to take your robe off. Sashay herself was dressed in all black, contrasting with what Dolly was wearing- white. You assumed the whole theme surrounding 10 would be cow print, and you were right. She helped you put the dress on, making some adjustments while it was on you so it would hug your figure better. It draped down longer on one end, the other end having a slit and exposing much of your leg. Below you wore some high-heeled boots that you thought looked ridiculous, but Sashay seemed enamored by them. She adjusted a belt on your hips- also containing hints of turquoise, and finally a necklace on you, tying the look together.

“Oh!” She sighed clasping her hands together, “(Y/n), when you go home I guarantee you every man will want your hand in marriage.” She cooed as she circled you. “Perfect, now all we need is makeup.” The lady sat you down for another hour and a half of makeup application. You liked Sashay, she was more level-headed than Pradain and had such eloquence to her, however, the mix of having to speak in front of millions, and the games being tomorrow was not settling in right. Ramsey had to ask Pradain for a pill that would calm down your stomach.

Sashay was escorting you out to the backstage area where Dolly and Ramsey were waiting. Ramsey was wearing black, Pradain opting to wear white, both of them sticking to the theme Pradain and Sashay had planned. You looked around for Buckley but he was nowhere in sight.

“Wow.” Ramsey let out a long whistle, “You do not look like yourself at all.” He said admiring Sashay’s work.

“(Y/n), you look stunning.” Dolly’s mouth was agape as she went to hold your arm and observe you. Your hair had been taken out of the braids, leaving behind curls in its place.

“I can’t walk in these.” You whispered to her frantically. You didn’t want to fall on stage, but that seemed like something that would happen in your near future.

She laughed, her smokey eyes closing making it look like she had hollowed eyes, “It’ll be fine, just try not to think about it.” She assured you.

The stage was light as people began to flood the venue. There were stagehands all over the place, getting things set and ready. More tributes flowed in, you shrank back when you realized how extra Sashay had been with your interview gown since the others looked to be more playful and simple. People kept staring at you as they walked in, and that was a bad thing in your book. Eventually, Buckley came in. His stylist next to him as they chatted about god knows what. When he spotted you he froze slightly, keeping his gaze on you as they made their way to the group.

His hair was slicked back, his face looking more square but in a good way. He had some makeup on, but it was only to even out his tone, his freckles had been redrawn over his real ones since the base of his makeup had covered them. He wore a black suit, with hints of cow print on the inner side and flaps that poked out towards the neck of the suit. His boots matched yours, and he had a belt as big as one of the screens on. The two of you looked like you ran some sort of Texan Casino.

“(Y/n), You look beautiful.” He complimented, his hands taking yours as he made you spin. “I almost didn’t recognize you.” He said light-heartedly.

Buckley’s attention made you flustered and you felt the room get warmer, “I could say the same,” You smiled, “Have you seen your hair?” You asked carefully, poking his gel-held hair.

“Alright well, we’ll be out in the front row. Look for us alright?” Sashay excused herself and Pradain, leaving the two of you with Dolly and Rasmey.

“They’re gonna line you up again, two lines- boys and girls.” Ramsey explained, “There’s a screen back here so y’all can watch but don’t miss your cue alright?” He ordered. The two of you nodded.

“(Y/n), remember what we went over alright?” Dolly caught your gaze.

Previously you’d spent time with Dolly going over some things you could do to emphasize your image as the Capitol’s cowgirl. Dolly had instructed you to speak with more southern twang than usual, keep a smile and hospitable personality, and speak on the livestock and ‘ranch life’ back at home. All things that would make a District 10 resident roll their eyes, but a Capitol citizen clap and shout. Unfortunately for you, you knew that this whole act would blow up in your face. You wouldn’t get taken seriously by the tributes, and if the small chance of you winning existed, you’d have to keep up the stereotype.

Your mentors left you to take their seats. There was about an hour until show time, and some makeup artists stuck back to touch up some of the tributes. You and Buckley paced around the backstage, practicing lines with each other, and working on pronunciation. You hadn’t even noticed that the careers had flowed in. Glimmer was wearing a pink poofy dress, far too short for her. The only thing that distracted from her body was her giant blonde hair that cascaded perfectly, but even then she wore body glitter that made her shine. Clove on the other hand wore an orange dress and a hairdo that puffed the top part of her hair up. The two looked at you and laughed, making it obvious that they were laughing at your gown. You couldn’t blame them though. You would’ve laughed at yourself too. Buckley defensively went to stand in front of you to block their view, but it didn’t do much since they’d have to walk past you anyway.

Behind them came Marvel and Cato. Both their faces were serious as always as they discussed something about weapon quality. You paid no mind to them, knowing that if you did they’d find a way to cause a scene. You weren’t sure why you were their favorite tribute to a bug, but you blamed it all on your stunt on your first day here. As they walked closer Marvel patted Cato on his chest, and the taller male turned to look at where you were standing.

“Damn, never knew the girls from District 10 could look like that,” Cato said as they walked past the two of you, pretending to be nonchalant although you knew he had purposely said it.

“Nice dress 10,” Marvel said, eyeing you as he trailed behind Cato. The two of them shook their heads and laughed as they approached the front of the line.

“If I were a career I think I’d go after those two first.” You told Buckley who gave you an amused smile.

“If you were a career you’d be with them.” He corrected. It wasn’t far from the truth. In almost every game, the careers were quick to form alliances with each other, alienating the weak from the strong.

“You ready for the spotlight?” Talking was something you’ve come to realize that you did when you were nervous. Your hand practically shook, and you wore a nervous smile on your face. It was involuntarily there, however as much as you tried you couldn’t get rid of it.

“No.” His simple reply. “Not too thrilled about it.” He exhaled. He had been holding a straight posture, his shoulders up, turtling his neck.

“They’ll love you.” You reassured, but it only made him smile, his nerves still present.

“Just don’t want to be laughed at.” He mentioned.

The lights were beginning to flicker, meaning that it would soon be time for the show to start.

You thought about what he had said. “Trust me. No one’s going to laugh at you.” Dolly and you had trained for your interview. Everything you were instructed to say made you look like a country bumpkin. If anything Buckley would be District 10’s saving grace- and you its fool.

“Wow. You look beautiful.” Came the voice of District 12’s Katniss. It sounded rehearsed, void of any emotion. The same went for the smile she threw at you.

You returned it and bowed your head. “Please, you’re the one who deserves such praise.” You guessed she was only saying that because her mentors wanted her to make allies in the arena since her high score presented a problem.

That was the entirety of the exchange. The stage managers lined everyone up in order of appearance, hushing them as the presentation started. Once again you found the insides of your palms to be sweaty. You tried everything to ease your beating heart, deep breaths, pinching yourself, thinking of other things. However, none of them got rid of the sensation in your stomach. You felt like throwing up.

Up on the screen Caesar Flickerman’s silhouette appeared, his signature ponytail obnoxiously hanging from his head as he leaned back on the chair. His theme song played, the bass so loud you could feel the floor rumbling. Cheers from the crowd erupted. Buckley stood attentive, watching the screen with his hands on his belt, his stance wide to keep himself in balance. From where you stood you could see Marvel and Cato hyping each other up, Glimmer joining in to fix Cato’s neat suit.

“Let’s bring her out!” It had been a good couple of minutes, though it seemed like seconds as Caesar called out for Glimmer. She was the first one to go. Leaving about 19 people ahead of you. You watched as her clear, shimmery dress bounced as she stepped onto the stage with a huge smile, waving to the crowd. Her hair effortlessly dropped into place, making her look all the more attractive. The crowds were loud. Your eardrums could only handle so much before you reached out to cover them.

Eventually, it was Marvel’s turn. He seemed so confident in everything he said, you learned just how charismatic he could be. Clove went next, her interview only made you more cautious of her. Soon after it was Cato’s turn. Unlike Marvel, he gave off boisterous energy. Almost as if he was too good to be there. However, the crowd was eating it up. He ended his interview with a hollar and returned backstage. It was almost the two-hour mark, some interviews taking longer since he wanted to give the tributes who didn’t stand out some limelight. Eventually, it was your turn.

The stage manager came back to look for you, their hand on your shoulder as they walked you up the stairs. You glanced back to catch the reassuring gaze of Buckley, but instead found Marvel’s. He gave you a wink as a token of good luck, and off you were.

“Now I’m sure we all remember our next tribute from the tribute parade. I mean how could we forget after the thrilling act she performed!” Flickerman emphasized his words, stretching them at the appropriate time.

A couple of ‘woos’ and whistles came from the crowd as the anticipation built up. “From district 10- (Y/n) Cuernos!” He announced your cue to cross the stage. The lights were extremely bright, you had to look down as you stepped onto the stage. The crowd cheered at your out-of-place attire, it being one of the most unique (and ridiculous) outfits of the night. Shyly you put on your best smile before catching a glimpse of Dolly in the crowd, making gestures for you to smile bigger.

You cringed when you thought of your family back at home watching this. Saying a silent apology, it was as if a switch turned on in your brain. Suddenly, your teeth shone as you stretched your lips into a smile, fluttering the huge eyelashes your makeup team glued onto you. With a hand on your hip, the other one waving, you swayed like you saw glimmer doing, your dress’ fabric swishing in the gap your legs left as you strode.

“(Y/n)! My, my, how you clean up!” Flickerman commented, standing to greet you.

“Thank you, Caesar.” Your eye nearly twitched at the forced southern twang in your voice. It was a whole lot more than Buckley, who had a natural southern accent, you had close to nothing of an accent. Even when it did slip, it sounded nothing like this. “My stylist purtied me up didn’t they?”

He looked to the crowd, “Indeed they did.” He motioned for you to sit.

It helped that the stage lights practically blinded you. You could see that people were sitting in the stands, but you weren’t able to make out distinct features- save for the front row where the mentors sat.

Remembering what Dolly had told you, you sat up straight, teeth-baring into a cheesy smile.

“Did that print you’re wearing come from a cow you raised?” The presenter’s teeth glinted in the light as the crowd erupted in laughter, “Oh! ‘course not- just inspired by them.” You giggled back, hating yourself even more. Your heart was beating hoping the president would accept your performance.

Flickerman adjusted himself in his seat, “Now, I was going to leave this question for last- but I just know the audience has been anticipating the answer, am I right?” He turned to the audience who were cheering blindly.

Like a doll in a box you smiled stationary, waiting for him to ask the question, but of course, he needed to prolong it for suspense. “What was going through your mind when you rode that steed?” There were some woo’s from the crowd, and you watched yourself on the screen as they replayed the moment. That clip gave you an ego boost each time you saw it. Giggling a bit too nervously you shook your head. “Nothing.” That earned a laugh from the audience. “I just remember wanting to ride it- couldn’t help myself I guess.” You gave a small shrug.

“What a wildflower this one is.” Caesar made some amused faces.

The interview lasted for another couple of questions, he seemed to have a lot for you. He asked you about home life, your loved ones, Buckley, and about skills. You didn’t have as many questions as the careers, but it was more than District 8’s tributes who had the least.

“And do you have a strategy to win the games?” His tone was more serious now.

Here it was. Your closing line. The one that took you and Dolly two seconds to come up with, but would echo in the minds of the audience.

“I’m from District 10. I’m a born and bred cowgirl. I have to win. ”

Cato couldn't help but smirk at your response, crossing his arms and leaning on the wall, he watched with attentive eyes as your interview continued.

His open mouth smile followed by “woah woah woah!” made the stadium rumble. You smiled and waved out to the crowd, Dolly giving you a thumbs up.

“That’s an ambitious statement! I love it!” He did a little kick, “Well, you go out there and rope them in (Y/n) Cuernos! District 10’s very own cowgirl!”

If only you could see Cato’s pissed-off face next to Marvel’s smug one.

As you walked backstage again you were greeted with a bone-crushing hug from your fellow tribute. “Hey, that was good! Though you were a little strong on the accent.” Buckley patted your back.

“Yeah, I had no idea you had one.” Glimmer teased as she and the other careers leaned against the wall. “Stop trying to win them over, I’m already the Capitol’s sweetheart.” The tall girl crossed her arms, the jewels in her dress reflecting.

Marvel came around you, making space between you and Buckley who knew better than to cause a scene. “Did they make you skin that cow yourself?” His fingers scraped the waist of your dress, he let out an “O” when he realized it was just fabric.

Cato gave him a look, causing him to back off. “You have to win huh? How do you think you’re going to do that?”

“Don’t worry about it.” You refused to look at him.

“Oh, I’m not worried. You see if anyone should be worried about you.” He sneered, his gaze getting darker. “Save yourself the disappointment, enjoy your time in the Capitol, and accept your fate. I’m winning this one.”

“As if.” Clove rolled her eyes.

Buckley and you both stared down Cato.

He snickered, “And don’t go around thinking your friend here is going to help you. If you’ve been doing your research you know that there’s no such thing as friends in the arena.”

That irked Buckley, “So who’s to say your little posse won’t turn on you and gang up on you in the arena?”

“Pft, then let’s hope they can outrun me.” His response made the careers shift uncomfortably.

“We knew what we were doing when we signed up.” Marvel spoke up,” It’s our job to ween off the weak ones, so the strongest can prevail.” He said looking at you.

“So is that what Cato’s going to do to you?” You didn’t mean for it to be a comeback. It just came out that way. The careers looked pissed now, but a stage manager came just in time to lead them back to their mentors.

“Watch it 10.” Cato’s wild grin didn’t deter you, you continued to stare him down.

Just like that, your time at the Capitol was coming to an end.

____________________________________

Tags: @randomgurl2326

#fanfic #xreader #reader insert #x cato #cato hadley #the hunger games fanfiction #74th hunger games #the hunger games #katniss everdeen #marvel #romance #tribute #district 10 #xtribute reader #peeta mellark #coriolanus snow #jack quaid #x reader

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schrijverr · 8 months

Text

You Don’t Know Me, But I Know You 4

Chapter 4 out of 6

5 times Tim showed he stalked Robin + 1 time Jason did

Inspired by this post of thecrazyleader.

On AO3.

Ships none

Warnings: none

~~~~

4. A Familiar Snack Bar

Tim and Jason are out on patrol together. It’s not something that happens often due to their history, however, the two have been getting better recently. So here they are, giving teamwork another try together.

Thus far, it’s been pretty peaceful. Jason has only grumbled a little bit about not being allowed out by himself even though he can handle it and having to go out of his territory. Meanwhile, Tim has kept lecturing him about an assassin targeting vigilantes on the loose and personal safety (his most hypocritical lecture) to a minimum.

Right now they’re walking along a roof in the China Basin when Jason suddenly pauses. He points to a hole in the wall restaurant and says: “Let’s go get some dumplings there. I’m fucking hungry.”

“Alright,” Tim answers easily, dropping from the roof.

He’s about to walk out of the alley and towards the restaurant when he notices Jason isn’t following right behind him. Confused, he looks up to where Jason is sitting on the roof and asks: “What are you doing?”

“Staying up here,” Jason says in a duh-voice.

“I can see that,” Tim rolls his eyes. “I meant: why are you staying up there?”

“Because I’m Red Hood,” Jason replies snootily, before his demeanor changes ever so slightly to a more turned in, insecure manner. “And I think they have a Robin’s order for free thing going on, so you’ll probably have more luck scoring on that without the known crime lord with you.”

Tim catches on to the change, but doesn’t really know how to handle it. So, he resorts to being a little shit, snorting: “Oh please, no one buys your whole bad boy shtick.”

“Oi, it’s not a shtick! I am an actual crime boss,” Jason exclaims indignantly.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Tim waves him away. “My point is that they’ll know you’re not there to shoot up the place. We can just order the dumplings and eat them on a roof near here. It’ll be fun. And we won’t be breaking B’s buddy system rules.”

“Ugh, I hate the buddy system rules,” Jason groans, but Tim can see he’s getting convinced.

“Assassin on the loose,” Tim sing-songs, reminding him again of why they’re in effect.

“The old man is gonna have the fucker in custody by the end of the night anyway,” Jason grouches, but he’s coming down from the roof.

He seems nervous to enter the shop, but Tim doesn’t comment. He also doesn’t comment when the lady behind the counter looks up in surprise when Jason orders for them. And he doesn’t comment when he notices she packed two rice cakes in their bag without them ordering them. In fact, Tim doesn’t say anything until they’re sitting side by side on the roof.

“You know that I know you saved that shop from a robbery in your Robin days and came there practically every patrol, right?” he asks softly.

“The fuck, Replacement,” Jason grunts, the nickname more a diversion than an actual insult at this point.

“I actually wasn’t stalking you that night,” Tim comments idly. “Well, I was, but I wasn’t. I was taking a break to get a snack the night of the robbery. It’s kind of funny, I was scared when it happened, but I also thought it was so cool, you know, to see you in action.”

He’s quiet for a beat, then adds: “At the time I was so sad I didn’t get to take any pictures in the moment. I was so sure I’d never be that close to you in action again.” He snorts: “Guess little me was wrong about that.”

Jason has been silently listening and there is a small silence between Tim’s story and Jason’s reaction.

In that silence, Jason looks at the sky for a second and swallows. Then he slings an arm around Tim and gives him a noogie, as he says: “You’re suck a fucking creep, stalker. Eat your dumplings or I’ll steal your rice cake.”

Tim can spot a diversion when he sees one, but lets Jason get away with it. If he squints, he can see how Jason’s shoulders have relaxed a bit. Good enough for him.

#rr writing #batman #tim drake #stalker tim drake #red robin #red hood #batfam #batfamily #dc #dc comics #jason todd

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kolour-me-kourt · 3 months

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Chapter Three: Ten steps ahead

Otp with Trin

"Lorenzo called bae talking about y'all really not gon go back out I think that's crazy asf seeing how I saw you two and it was a spark YN stop self sabotaging!!! you think you need to be single but you don't you can handle a man and do everything you're trying to do. I've never thrown no man at you but Lorenzo could really be your future stop chasing a unicorn man and try Lorenzo he's everything that you ever said you wanted I'm getting tired of this shit" Trinity rarely got her friend together and from Trinity point of view YN could totally understand why tf one of her best friends just snapped on her.

"Trin you don't understand everything that's going on I didn't say anything was wrong with Lorenzo I just said I can't date him now" "tell me what's going on then" "I'm not ready to tell anybody what's going on" "YN just go out with him again damn!" YN laughed finally giving in "only cause you feel so strongly about this .... I'll call him" "thank you hang up and do it right now" "damn bye trin" "bye YN"

YN took a deep breath calling Lorenzo could piss Lamelo off and she didn't wanna do that the last thing she wanted was him to leave her alone again. She contemplated everything Trin said was settling in because at the end of the day YN didn't think she would end up with Lamelo and yeah it hurt to think about but she needed to be realistic.

"Fuck it!!!" YN screamed and FaceTime Lorenzo. She only FaceTimed cause she looked really good right now after shooting some pictures for Instagram and she needed him to remember her face. He answered pretty fast. "Ohhhhhh shittttt I thought this was a butt dial" YN laughed "nooo its not... you alone?" "Yeah I'm alone wussup" "so when you called the other day it gave me really warm feelings and I um was completely telling you the truth I am in something but .... I really would like to go out with you I don't know it's something about you and if I'm gonna continue to be honest Trin is pissed at me" Lorenzo laughed "don't feel forced to go out with me cause ov your friend"

"no not forced she's just never set me up with a man because she always felt like nobody deserved me .... And then you came along and well" "you think ima say no to your pretty ass? Of course not" YN laughed he continued to talk "I actually have tickets to the Hornets game on Tuesday I'll love to take you" YN started to panic "um you sure you don't wanna take a friend ... to the game?" "Nah I definitely wanna take you I know you like basketball soo.... And then we can go to dinner or whatever you want after" YN wanted to correct him nooo I like basketball .... Players.She smiled at her thoughts but continued thinking what's the luckily hood that Lamelo would see her in the stands like 3%?

"Okay yes that's sounds fun" "alright the game start at seven but I like to get there a little earlier" "okay I'll be ready" "I'll come and get you I'll probably try to get to the game at the latest ... 6:45 so if you can be ready before then" " okay Ummm yeah I'll send you my address and I can be ready by like 6:20 so ...." He laughed "okay perfect thanks for calling" "thanks for answering byeeee" "bye YN" She hangs up the nervousness that ran through her body was on a thousand.

*game night*

Lorenzo was already outside waiting YN sprayed her perfume and looked at herself one last time before relaxing at least she looked good.

She walked out of the house he was waiting beside the car. "Wowwwwww" he claps as she walked out "nahhh stop" "you look amazing" "thank you" he open the car door for her. Allowing her to get in and then he shut it. Getting back in the drivers seat "I can't get over how good you look" " Lorenzoooo" she laughed "okay YN I'll chill out"

* at the game*

The game was at halftime and so far so good Melo hadn't looked in the stands not one time. YN did see Lamelos girlfriend a couple of rows down she tried to stay clear of her. But all those good vibes went away when the Jumbotron started to pan around the crowd doing something newly introduced "fit check" they were looking at some of the best and worst dressed people YN was scrolling through her phone while they were doing this and then the camera stopped on her Lorenzo tapped her pointing at the screen making her look up. She smiled out of nervousness as the man asked her to stand up.

YN of course put on for the camera it was a really cute outfit. Soon enough the camera moved on and she saw Lamelos girlfriend staring her down. Waiting for YN to make eye contact but YN wouldn't and then the bold bitch walked up to her. "Fuck play it cool Lorenz" "what's going on?" "Lamelos girlfriend is coming up here to talk to me" and then she was in her face "heyyyy YN why you didn't tell me you were coming I would've got you better seats" Lorenzo looked at her like shady bitch which made YN laughed. "I came with Lorenzo it was a last minute thing" "oooou so is this date number two?" The game was about to start back so YN tried to doge the question "oh looks like their about to start back up.... I'm sorry what were you saying" Lorenzo laughed he realized what she was doing "oh I was coming up here to ask if you two wanted to hang out with me And Melo after the game we have dinner plans for four but the other two people canceled ... wanna come" before YN could say anything Lorenzo "hell yeah we'll be there" "yay okay Um I'll send the address" "okayyy see you later" YN says "see yaaaa"

Both of her man in the same room.... At the same table......, and she was just supposed to be normal wtf? "Oh shit I get to meet Lamelo Ball that'll be fun" "yeah Um he's super chill not stuck up at all" "good I guess I won't ask for pictures and embarrass you" YN laughed she wondered how Melo was gonna react when his girl tells him..... oh well too late to back down now. Plus when she saw Lorenzo face get so excited she couldn't take this opportunity away from him.

*time skip*

"Are you ready?" YN asked Lorenzo before they got out of the car "yeah you good? You got a little quiet on me" "yeah Um I'm just a little tired ... the game was so good all that screaming got me ... tired" YN sighed he laughs "oh okay well if you get too tired let me know and we'll go" "okay sounds like a plan" she reached for the door he stops her by placing his hand gently on her arm "can I ask you something?" "Yeah" "do you not like his girlfriend or something?" YN laughed "um I don't have a problem with her I just don't know her that well" "I get a vibe from her" YN lifted a eyebrow

"oh really? Do tell" Lorenzo laughed "you want me to be blunt?" "1000%" "okay I think she wanna fuck you" "whatttt!" "Yeah who gets up and goes like six rows back just to talk to one person she could've got your number faster or even dm you and then the way she looks at you and she's trying to see if we together together or just a few dates and you always dodge those questions"

YN sat there shocked that would explain a lot "oh my gosh she wanna fuck me" YN started coming to the conclusion "probably a threesome" "ew" he laughed "you don't like threesomes" YN eyes got wide "I haven't been in a threesome that would imply that I was eating the box and I'm not especially not hers" "wym?she fly Why you say it like that" "if I was gonna date a bitch she wouldn't look like everybody else .... I can pick out four people who look just like her without even trying no shade though " "you wild but you right" "I know I like when celebrities date women who just look like women they still be beautiful asf without all the extra whatever or those black men you never seen with a brown or dark skin girl .... Likeeee you ain't never seen a bad dark skin girl? I know you fuckin lying or the dudes who just straight up don't date black women or if she black you can't tell she black that shit annoys me" "I can tell" he smiled a little bit she tried to relax "tell me that makes sense.... Like yes they're some bad bitches who are light skin but they're some bad bitches who are darker too like I don't get black men who straight up don't date black women it's wild asf"

"nah I definitely agree with you especially men of certain status only date the type of women you name it gives off a certain vibe and I don't like the message that put out there .... Shit I'll probably have a dark skin daughter and I don't want her thinking she less beautiful because the media that shit wild" "wow .... You actually know about colorism and pay attention to it" "yeah I'm educated about black issues of course" YN smiled..... a deep conversation.... Something she's never had with Lamelo ".... Um you wanna go in ? Before I change my mind?" YN smiled "yeah let's go" they walk into the building it was a pretty small restaurant so Lorenzo was looking around "oh they back there" he pointed grabbing YN's hand pulling her along "slow down please" "my bad I was trying to move out of people way" Nobody was around he was rushing to Lamelo she rolled her eyes and then they were at the table.

She knew Melo long enough to know he was pissed and trying to hide it. His girlfriend jumped up when she saw YN. "Babe you remember YN and this is her boyfriend.... I didn't catch your name" YN bit her lip this bitch did not just say boyfriend Lorenzo quickly spoke up "um Lorenzo and I'm not her boyfriend.... Yet" YN laughed out of nervousness "heyyy did you get drinks yet?" "Nice to see you again YN nice to meet you Lorenzo" Melo shook his hand and Lorenzo sat down beside him

"no we were gonna wait on you to get drinks" "aww thank you" YN smiled Melo watched YN intently he didn't even realize he was doing it " uh good game bro" Lorenzo tried to make conversation with Melo "thank you ... it's to be expected" YN laugh Melo licked his lips sitting up "what's so funny?" "...bae" his girlfriend warned him YN smiled "y'all don't always win nobody always wins .... Soooo how is it expected" "I was on fire my teammates were on fire and the team we played was cold so by the second quarter you already know that shit was going our way" "oh okay well I don't pretend to be a sports head so what would I know" "you love basketball though at least I thought you did" Lorenzo chimes in "uh I watched a lot of sports yeah but I'm not a expert ask me some dance questions and then I can tell you the ins and out" "oooou so you were a dancer?" LBG says trying to change the tense conversation

"yeah from like 10 to 18 when I got to college I just wanted to focus on being in school so I stopped" "wowww you went to college pretty and smart" "thank you...I try" "so you didn't play any sports growing up?" Lamelo asked "I just said I danced" YN squinted her eyes "dance is a sport?" "You think it's not?!" "You do turns and shit anybody can do that you don't need to warm up for that" YN laughed "wowww anything you do conditioning for and you sweat for is a sport shit if people think bowling is a sport dance is for sure a sport" "oh okay nice logic" YN couldn't roll her eyes hard enough "do a split and then you can talk to me" " a split makes somebody an athlete?" Melo

Laughed loudly "Nah but you claim that anybody can do what dancers do so do a split" "my dick too big" "Lamelo!!" His girlfriend kicked him under the table YN laughed "I doubt it" YN laughed and then continued talking "anywayyyyyy hi Baeee" she said talking to Lorenzo waving at him sipping some water

"hey beautiful" "awww you two are so cute... right bae? .....Aren't they cute?...... y'all are cute!!" His girl kept talking because Melo never chimed in "yeah" he says quietly to shut her up "your watch is nice" Lorenzo said to LBG "thanks I got it on my birthday.... Maybe two years ago" and it was then YN noticed her bracelet.... The very same two tone Cuban link Melo had given her just last week. Melos phone started to ring "ima go outside and take this" "okay Bae"

"Nice bracelet where did you get it?" "Cute story actually Melo just brought it home from Chicago said as soon he saw it he knew I would love it .... He was clearly right" "ohhh I have one like that and a necklace too" "oh really? where'd you get it?" "A friend gave it to me a little while ago" "oh great minds think a like I guess"

YN phone vibrated she looked down to see Melos message

GO TO THE BATHROOM NOW!!! And don't even think about playing with me

"it's great when they just know right?" "Right!?! I guess we've been together so long he should know these things .... Lorenzo what type of things do you think YN likes" "we still getting to know eachother it's really the first date ... we always end up with another couple right YN?" "Right it's crazy how that happens no telling who it'll be next time" they shared a laugh "hmmm next time?" Lorenzo licked his lips YN smiled "and on that note I have to go to the bathroom really quick ... do you know where it is?" "Yeah it's right by the entrance" "okay I'll be right back" she winked at Lorenzo and picked her phone and purse up heading to the bathroom and it was just a two stall bathroom and Melo was in there waiting for her.

"Yes?" She said sweetly "don't fuckin play with me! You bring that nigga right in here in front of me be glad I didn't slap that nigga" "For what?" "YN you deadass right now?" "Daddy don't be mad he had tickets and I really wanted to see you" she rubbed his chest down to his pants "stop touching me" he calmed down considerably "move away and I will" he didn't move at all "why did you come here then?" "Your girl went out of her way to invite us" "she said you invited her" "what?!?! No she legit got out of her seat and came back there just to talk to me and then she invited me" "why she lie then" "why tf would I know" "damn"

"does she lie about a lot of things cause she told me an interesting story about the bracelet she got on" was YN jealous? Yes cause why tf would he get them matching jewelry like they sharing dick already can he get original gifts "she sent me a picture of it and said she wanted it so I got it for her" "before or after mine?" "After yours my jeweler posted the necklace and bracelet I got you so she said she wanted it so I had him make her one too" " that's not the story I got" "what story you get" "basically you saw it and said she had to have it and brought it back for her" he smacked his lips "bae I promise she lying"

"bae!?!?!?!?l" "shhhhh calm down" "you calling me bae while talking about your bitch? That's wild" YN laughed he shook his head smiling he didn't know what came over him "let me leave but know I'll be at your place soon and you better be alone" "yeah yeah yeah whatever " Melo grabbed her neck kissing her deeply "you wanna play with me? I can't wait to fuck yo ass" and then He left "I can't wait for you to fuck me" YN laughed while actually using the bathroom and then washing her hands walking out.

Melo and Lorenzo were deep in conversation about something "glad your back they're having boy talk" "ooooh about what?" "Mortal Kombat something you don't know nothing about" Lorenzo said YN gasp as she sat down "nigga I'll beat everybody at this table in Mortal Kombat don't play with me" "who you play with then?" "The bad bitches Jade Mileena or Kitana if I'm trying to switch it up Fr I might play with Raiden or Scorpion" "I play with Scorpion" Lorenzo said "oh I'll love to beat yo ass with a Character you play with" "so much for boy talk" LBG said YN laughed

"my bad girl" Lamelo laughed he couldn't believe the situation he was in was he pissed at YN hell yeah but at least she made it fun.And he appreciated YN especially tonight cause he knew one thing for sure ..... his girl be lying on him.

*time skip*

The dinner was done and now Lorenzo was walking YN back up to her door. "Thanks for the call.... I hope you had fun" "I definitely did we have a lot in common" it was at this very moment Melo pops in her head screaming about niggas don't date without fucking "uh so I think we can be friends or something because I have a sick feeling that my competition is way out of my league so ima bow out gracefully" Lorenzo said softly almost like he didn't wanna say it

"I get it I respect it... gimmie hug" YN laughed and they hugged eachother he smelled so damn good he kissed the top of her head making her pull a way "well YN I had a great night I'll probably see you a game night with Trinity?" "Yeah she mentioned it to me no details though" "oh well hopefully I'll see you then if not I'll see you around"

"okay Lorenz.... Drive home safe" "I will" he started to walk off "byeee" "bye!!" YN unlocked her door walking in....

"Boy why are you sleep on my couchhhhhh" YN whined "hey to you too" "heyyy why you in my house Lamelo" she takes her shoes off after locking the door and hanging her keys and purse "you took too long to get home where y'all go after dinner" "where you go" "depends on who asking I might be out with my teammates and then the gym the real answer is straight here .... Now answer me" "we drove around and talked and got some desert .... Wait a second how you get in here?" "YN everybody know where you keep the key you need a better hiding spot" "clearly!!!! for it not be you next time I thought that fake rock was like so smart " she laughed

"I heard what happened at the door" "and?" "You would've still be dating him he broke up with you" "ain't no break up we wasn't together" "whatever you know what I'm saying" "nah tell me ... what are you saying?" "Why you let that nigga touch you?" She bit her lip "I'm waiting for a answer YN" "nahhh you called me bae earlier .... I like that" he sat up on her couch waving her over "come closer" she walked over to him "he kissed you?" "I only got one kissed tonight and that was from you" "good I still gotta wash you off though..." "wash me off?" "Yeah for me to fuck you like I wanna fuck you I don't need no trace of him on you" he stood up playing her to her bedroom.

"Get out of those clothes while I get the shower started" "you really gon wash me?" "Yeah is that a problem? You don't want no dick?" "It's no problem at all" he smirked walking into her bathroom the shower turned on. In some fucked up way she liked this.

After he washed her slowly he took her to her bathroom counter bending her over and pulling her hair. She didn't even have anytime to register what had happened. "Fuckkkkk meeeee" "I don't even know why I'm giving you no dick .... You don't deserve It" "why not daddy" "shutup you had that Nigga in my face be glad I didn't beat his ass" he slaps her ass and then pulls her leg up so it can rest of her counter . Making her bend over even more

"blame your bitch" her eyes rolled in the back of her head Melo groaned "pussy so fuckin tight ..... you better not have no other nigga in my shit ever" she let out an airy moan she no longer could argue "you hear me?" "Yessss" "I think this is what you wanted ... to get me all upset just to see how I would fuck you" "I—" "well now you know shut your mouth" she tried to listen she really did but this angle was doing something to her it's like he was hitting all her spots deep inside of her she felt so full.

She places her hand on her her mirror. "Look how sex you look while you getting fucked" he pulls her hair so she had no choice but to look in the mirror. "I'm gonna cum" "for who? Me or that Nigga?" "Youuuuu and only you" "tell me who this pussy belong too?" She started to bounce her ass meeting his strokes making it more intense for him. "This your Pussy" he lets go of her hair grabbing her hips with both hands and going in over drive making her cum hard screaming and shaking she leaked all over her bathroom floor. He pulls out. "Go to your bed" YN pouts " I like it right here Melo" "I didn't ask that though"

*the next day*

She woke up to Melos arms wrapped around her while he was still sleeping. It felt good until reality set in. She jumped up "get up get up now" "what?" He groaned slowly waking up "you slept over here!!! It's 12 pm go home" "oh fuck!!" He jumps up and checks his phone

He had miss calls from everybody "damn I fucked up" "get yo shit and gooo please" YN laughed "it's not funny you always getting me in some shit" Melo smiled making YN playfully roll her eyes he started walking closer "see you don't know how to keep your hands off me that's the problem" "I know how to I just don't want too" "you never went home last night that's gonna be a problem" he picks her up taking her back to the bed "I'm already not home I might as well get what I want" he slides inside her deeply making her lose her breath she taps the bed "ughhhh I knew you were Trouble" "my girl at home probably worried and I keep fuckin round wit you" she moaned loudly "well stop fuckin me then" "I don't want too" "then shut up" she smiled he put two fingers in her mouth and then shoved them in the back of her throat making sure she choked and gagged. "

You gettin bold again" "fuckkkkkkkkkkk Damn shit" " you gon cum for me baby" "yes yes yesssss" "you look so pretty when you cum for me.... When your legs shake and you moan my name" her eyes rolled in the back of her head as she struggled to do something with her hands

"aaaahhhhhhh don't you stop fuckin me don't you stop" and that's when she lost it all over his dick the liquid came squirting out of her catching them both off guard but he loved it. Especially fucking her through it as she moan and her pussy became even louder. "Daddy daddyyyyyyyy" her hand comes in between them where his thigh is slightly pushing him "don't make me stop let me hit this motherfucka you playing... squirt for me again" as her body shook again he smiled she gripped the sheets and the mattress"you'll cum for me?" YN nodded her head "nah say it" "I wanna cum for you again" "you wanna squirt?" "I just wanna cummmm"

"fuckkkkkkkk you got me about to cum with you gripping me like that" "cum for me daddy cum for meeeeeeeeee cum with me cum with Meeeeeee" and hearing her say those words along with how she was looking he pulled out cumming right on her tummy while rubbing her clit so she could cum too.

He leaned down and kissed her as they struggled to calm down. "Let me go home before I never go home" he says on her lips she laughed "you ain't gotta go home.... But you gotta get tf out of here" "you drain all my nut and then say that?" "That's not all of it..... do me a favor don't wash that so she can taste me" "everybody should be able to taste you" he kisses her again "everybody don't get that privilege" "mmmm she'll like it" YN laughed "okay okay get out of here please I gotta shower.... Tell me how it goes when you get a chance ...." "I will I definitely think it's about to be a while.... That's why it's taking me so long to go" "it'll be okay" he kisses her check getting up he fixes his self.

"Alright I'll text you later or call you" "okay I'll be getting some work done cause I can't ever do that with you in here" YN joked some more making him laugh "my bad um bye" "byeeeee" Melo walks out of her room door she hurries and gets up "wait Melo!" "yeah?" "Did you put my key back?" "Yes it's back in your fake ass rock" she smiled "okay okay lock my door please and then put it back byeee" she really didn't want him to leave and she hated she felt that way. " I will Bye YN" he walks out of the front door. She sighs walking back into her bedroom it's a mess. Why was she throwing things during sex.... It felt that good last night? She doubts it.

*later that day*

....Take a ride into the danger zone You know my nigga be buggin' me I just be wonderin' if you can fuck on me better Itchin' for me like an ugly sweater Need it in me like a Chuck E. need cheddar I need to know

YN rapped the Doja cat Verse as she finished cleaning her house from top to bottom. After her shower earlier she noticed he had left hickeys all over her body ....which sucked because she was going to the jacuzzi today in Mayas complex trin was coming Asia was coming a few of Mayas other friends that YN didn't know that well.

As soon as she thought about him he texted her

PJ said I was with him the whole night so we good .... I wanna come back over there you tell me how you feel about that

I'm going out soon I have a little pool party to go to

What your swimsuit look like?👀 let me see

😂 no you won't be seeing and idk what ima wear cause somebody left hickies all over my thighs and tummy

Damn I was in beast mode

Boy .... Bye

Wasn't saying bye when you was screaming it's my pussy ...

Go treat your girl to a bag it's the least you can do

You might be right I'll hit you later tell me when you get home

Ight

She had about two hours before her party so she sat down and got some work done. Mostly organizing and paperwork that she had failed to do because she was running around the country with Melo. If it didn't happen between 8 and 3 while she was in the office it probably wasn't going to happen. Luckily she did a lot in those hours so that once she got home she could just relax ..... but like I said the paper work was behind. Thirty minutes later Asia was knocking on her door.

"Heyyyy!!!!!" "Hey you mind if I get ready over here and we ride over together? I don't know them other bitches I don't wanna show up alone " "No it's not a problem come on in" "what you in Here doing blasting music" Asia laughed "my work so I can enjoy my time later" "alright I'll let you get back to it you won't even know I'm here" "okay boo" Asia always came to YN house before events so it was no surprise to YN that was part of the reason she didn't let Melo come back. One thing Asia can do is keep a secret but she doesn't need her friend to know cause once she knows that's all their gonna talk about. About an hour later YN closes her laptop going to find Asia. "Sooooo what you wearing?" Asia asks while she was putting her braids into the perfect high bun.

"I have options but idk come chose for me" Asia finishes her hair and then they go up to YN's room looking at her swim suits on her bed

"I was leaning toward the white one or the black one with more coverage because I got some things I need to cover up" "ooou like what?" "Hickies" "I knew you been fucking!!! You too happy" YN laughed "yeah he definitely marked his territory on me though" "I think the white is so white that'll it'll bring attention to your hickies.... Where they at let me see" YN lifted her shirt showing her friend her stomach and thighs. Asia backs away slowly trying to see if she can see them from far away.

"The white one will actually be cute I think that's the way to go" "okay that's what I'll be wearing ... you need sandals? Or a towel?" "No I brought some and I brought a bottle for us and strictly us" YN laughed "okay I was gonna bring some champagne... you know how I am" "so we need to Uber" "definitely" "let's call Maya" YN FaceTimes Maya " do you have food and everything" "yeah can y'all go to the abc store....." "for what?" " I feel like we need more alcohol" "girl if you drink too much it's easier to drown" YN said seriously in the camera "it's a jacuzzi YN" "it's still a body of water" "just say you don't wanna go" YN laugh "I don't wanna go me and Asia ubering to your place anyway" "ooooh you should've been said that well okay let me see if trin will do it" "hoe if you don't just instacart some alcohol and get the simply spiked" "I don't have instacart on my phone" "just send me what you trying to get I'll send it to you damn" "thank you best friend" "uh huh whatever" YN laughs hanging up

***time skip**

The party was fun the night ended with no injuries and nothing but great vibes. YN and Asia had just got back to her place and Asia asked to sleep over which YN said yes of course. YN had a second bedroom specifically for this reason.

"Yooo you good? Im probably gonna head to bed soon.... You know where everything is so make yourself at home" "okay I'm probably about to go to sleep too I think I had too much to drink" "Asia don't throw up in my house" YN laughs "I'm not gon throw up .... I promise but goodnight" "goodnight" YN shuts the door heading back to her room

Im outside

Of course he is

I have a friend over

Im at the door I don't care

YN laughs and goes back to her front door letting Melo in. "Hello sir what do you need?" "I left my chain over here" "mmm that's the Only reason you came over?" YN had put it in a specific place so it didn't get damaged she grabbed it while talking and then walked it back over to him. "You said your friend here not much you can do..." "why not?" "You loud and im sure y'all drunk" "I'm not drunk" he laughed "it's hard to believe" "well you got your ch—" "YN do you have makeup wi—— oh wow hello" Asia walks from behind the wall "uh Hey" Melo smiled

"do I have what?" "Makeup wipessss... YN come here" Asia says suspiciously YN laughs and walks closer to her friend "yes?" "Why does that man look just like that basketball player and you know the one I'm talking about" "because that is him" "YN stop playing im drunk not crazy" "go introduce yourself again " "you know what I will" Asia and YN walk back over to Lamelo "I'm Asia and you are?" "Melo" Asia glanced at YN "we were all at that birthday dinner" Melo remind her

"oh yeah oh yeah that sounds right I'm out of it" YN shook her head "where are the wipes?" Asia says "In my room right beside my bathroom door on the little table" "okay nice to meet you Melo" "you too!" "Soooo that's Asia... she won't say anything to anybody so don't worry" "I get the vibe she minds her own business but yeah I'll see you after the next game we going to New York" "okay I'll be ready" he kisses her lips and then her forehead and then her lips again "you got me tempted" "always.... But go home be safe" she smiles "I will see you in three days YN" he says seriously "I'll be there Melo .... Byeeee" she laughs as he starts to walk out "bye"

Asia walks out of YN's room "sooooo you been taking trips with him... it hasn't been work?" "Pop some popcorn if you wanna know this full story but it stays between us nobody knows anything Asia" "deadass?" "Fr you wouldn't know either if you wasn't here but I really been wanting to talk about it 😭😭" "okay let's go" YN and Asia sit down and YN explains the whole story from beginning to end "so are you in love with him?" "No not at all" "and he still with that girl?" "Yeah .... Which is why I've been secretive" "he the one that gave you the hickies?" "Yupp" "damn bitch this is a lot to process" YN laughs "yeah like I never really thought to be in this position but honestly it's ideal for me he usually doesn't take up too much of my time and I leave after work and the next day do everything virtual so its not effecting anything negatively. I try not to focus on him having a girl mostly cause it makes me feel bad and selfish but also she knows about him creeping and never really cares so..." "oh wait hold tf up was y'all creeping when we were all at dinner?" "Yupp" "that's why that bitch was so mad at sidechicks you the side chick" "Chileeee I know but I don't think she's put two and two together like she be going out of her way to speak to me out in public so... idk"

"damn so okay okay I'm understanding that but word on the street is she not a good person anyway so whatever usually I would tell you you're wrong but that bitch annoying" YN laughed "wym what she been doing?" "I'm surprised you ain't see it she be low key starting shit with his fans cause they be going at her so she'll post stuff specifically to get them bothered and the people said she was trying to act like she was pregnant like posted a announcement and then deleted it" "what!!!?" "Yeah and other Instagram models be like she weird and be watching people pages and stuff and trying to befriend people just to fuck them over" "she be being real nice to me too like going out of her way when she sees me always speaking" "you better watch out you have your own buzz on Instagram too ain't no telling what she trying to do" "shit I'll be watching out definitely"

One things for sure LBG wasn't slow she was strategic and if she was coming for YN YN would be ten steps ahead of her.

#lameloball #mistresstomrs #black girl stories #black writers #jayson tatum #lamelo #nba #basketball #support black writers #jaysontatumxreader #Jayson #Tatum #ball #lameloballxreader #lamelo ball #Jaysonxreader #lameloxreader

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chrisevansonly · 2 years

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Baby Styles Incoming…🦋 (Harry’s Angel au)

pairing: Harry Styles x Female Reader (Angel)

summary: it’s time to tell the families about baby styles, and Harry & Angel both have bets on who’ll cry the most…

warnings: none, very fluffy and very cute <;3

a/n: i’m seriously very excited about about this new chapter of Harry & Angel, I know i’m not the best writer out there but i’ve been having so much fun with this storyline!

word count: 1,159

Considering you’d found out you were expecting at already 6 weeks, you were now at almost 8 getting closer to 9 weeks pregnant, and even though you wanted to get to 12 weeks before telling anyone, you and Harry had settled on telling his family first, yours after 12 weeks. You were more than happy with this situation because it was your family’s reaction you were most worried about. Of course, you were close with them but recently your decision to go off on tour with Harry proved to bring up some feelings of worry in regard to your business, and your life ahead of you. Poppy spoke your parents down, but you weren’t ready to fill them in on the happy news just yet, so you opted to tell Anne and Gemma first.

“You ready m’love? Gem is at mums, so they’re ready to facetime when you are”

You nodded, rubbing your hands together nervously, Harry quick to take a hold of them as you let out an anxious breath

“I’m ready…”

Before saying anything, Harry brought you in for a hug, his hands rubbing soothing circles on your back, he knew you like the back of his hand, and yes this was happy news, but you were anxious about this, everything was going to change, and you still didn’t know if you felt ready enough for it. Harry never failed to show you he was with you every step of the way, only helping to chip away those doubts, slowly but surely, that were running circles in your brain

“I’m right here with you y/n, I promise, every step of the way you’ve got me”

Nodding you pulled back enough for him to press a kiss to your lips, both of you sitting in the living room of the hotel you were in, the soft glow of the wall lights creating somewhat of a relaxing ambience, an additional comfort for you and Harry as well. He was so excited to tell his mom and sister, but he couldn’t help the slight anxious feeling settling in his chest as the facetime dial rung, Anne’s face soon showing

“Hello my sweet babies! How’re you doing!”

You smiled instantly, Anne’s bubbly and open personality never failing to put you at ease

“Hi mum, we’re doing well thanks, and you?”

She nodded, Gemma moving into frame soon after

“I’m well, keeping busy you know me”

Harry smiled, she’d been working hard on the upcoming release of her new book, so she’d been running around like crazy

“Look at my favourite sibling! Not you Harry”

You laughed at Gem’s comment, Harry rolling his eyes in mock annoyance

“Hiya Gem, how are you? I miss you!”

“I miss you more y/n, you’ve no idea, I can’t wait to see you soon!! I’m well, enjoying life right now”

The four of you caught up for a while, getting filled in on anything happening back home, Gemma letting you know your shop was doing well and busier than ever which was a such a relief for you knowing you weren’t there to keep it running. Once you had all chatted and reconnected for a while you figured it was probably time to share the next batch of news, Harry had a tiny pair of adidas gazelles to match his stage shoes, as well as the sonogram photos from your appointment in Australia

“So, we actually wanted to call you for a specific reason, we have some news to share”

At the sound of the slight hesitation, they both became serious, honestly what you were telling them could have been a plethora of things

“Y/N, are you alright love?”

Smiling at her worry, the tears already filling your eyes, Harry resting a hand on your thigh to give you some comfort

“M’alright mum, but um well you’re going to be a grandma…and Gem’s gonna be an aunt”

The moment Harry held up the little shoes and sonogram the two of them lost it, Anne let out a happy scream before hugging Gemma, the two of them in tears

“Oh my god, oh really!?”

It almost felt like a weight was lifted off your chest at their reactions, the waterworks now heightening with your hormone imbalance as you eaned against Harry’s shoulder, his arm wrapping around you

“We found out a few weeks ago, so Y/N’s about eight almost nine weeks now”

“Honey that is so fantastic, this is the best news ever, we’re so so happy for you, you’re going to be the best mumma in the world Y/N”

You sniffled sending her a smile

“T-Thank you mum”

“Oh!! I get a little bubba to spoil now besides mum’s cat!”

That earned another round of laughs from all of you, the energy light and filled with love now that you’d let them in on your special and exciting news

“You and Harry will be fighting over the spoiling title m’sure of that”

“I’ll beat Gem at that every time.”

“We’ll see about that Harold!”

Before you hung the phone up you all continued to share names, ideas and just the generalized thrilled feeling of having a new little Styles join the family. You were more than thankful to be surrounded by so much love and comfort, you knew this baby would never have a shortage of that same support and love you got to experience every day

“You feeling okay still m’angel?”

You nodded looking up at him

“Mhm, happy I have such a great support system with your family, not to mention a pretty great husband and baby daddy”

Harry laughed at that a slight shake of his head

“Baby daddy huh?”

“I called you my husband and that’s what you took from that?”

“We’re already married in my eyes baby”

You shrugged

“I mean only fair I give you a nickname since you call me mama all the time now”

Harry leaned down connecting your lips again before settling you back into his side, getting ready to pick a movie for the night

“Hmm I suppose that’s fair”

The room was silent for a few moments as you got comfortable, Harry’s hand gravitating to your stomach from its place on your shoulder, something he’s started doing all the time, filling your chest with butterflies

“I love you H, so much”

Harry was quick to press a kiss to your forehead upon hearing your tired voice, almost muffled by his sweater he had on

“I love you too angel, so so much”

The thought of telling your family wasn’t on your mind anymore, and you were thankful for that, truth be told you didn’t want to think about it at all until the day came, for now you were more than happy to stay in this little bubble of joy with Harry for as long as you could, and at this rate, it seemed like you’d be in the clear for the next little while.

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mydictionary-yume · 2 months

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A3! Event Story | A Year of Romance with You - Chapter 6

(Contains very minor spoilers for A3! Act 12)

Lucille: Jesus Christ, Chikage, I don’t think we needed this swanky of a place…

Sakuya: It almost feels wrong to have this kind of thing to ourselves…

Lucille: For realsies, I don’t know how we’re even gonna make the most of this space.

Sakuya: I guess we should get our stuff settled in, shouldn’t we?

Lucille: You’re right. Do you wanna explore the area once we’re done?

Sakuya: Sure! I’ve never been around here before, so it would be a fun opportunity!

Sakuya: (It’ll be nice to see parts of the prefecture I didn’t get to last time… And maybe we won’t have to worry about going to that place.)

Lucille: Alright, then, let’s finish this up and head out!

Sakuya: It’s so busy around here!

Lucille: I didn’t realize it could get so crowded during the offseason!

Sakuya: Me either! I know people come in for the cherry blossoms, but I didn’t know it was popular in the summer, too!

Lucille: Oh! Now that I think about it, your name is because you’re from a place with the last blooming cherry blossoms, right?

Sakuya: Yeah, it is…

Lucille: That’s so sweet! I heard that because they’re the last here, they’re also the prettiest. Is that true?

Sakuya: To tell you the truth, I haven’t actually visited in the spring, so I couldn’t tell you.

Lucille: Really?

Lucille: That’s alright. I’ve already got a really beautiful blossom right here with me, hehe.

Sakuya: Lu…

Sakuya: That’s so cringey.

Lucille: C’mon, you like the sentiment, right?

Sakuya: Hm… That’s for me to know and for you to find out.

Lucille: Dammit.

Sakuya: Hehe.

Sakuya: …Ah!

Lucille: What is it?

Sakuya: That person…

Older man: ?

Older man: Sakuya? Is that you?

Sakuya: !!

Sakuya: It’s nice to see you again, sir!

Lucille: Do you know him?

Sakuya: Yeah! Lucille, this is the landlord of the apartment my parents used to live in. He let me stay with him the last time I was here. And this is my girlfriend!

Landlord: Girlfriend, huh? It’s nice to meet ya, then.

Lucille: Nice to meet you, too!

Landlord: Sakuya never mentioned he had a lady! Looks like ya picked well, kid.

Sakuya: Oh, um, thank you, sir!

Landlord: And be sure to lemme know if you wanna stay over at that place again. Always happy to have ya.

Sakuya: Of course!

Lucille: Say, would you be willing to lend me something?

Landlord: Hm?

Event story masterlist

Divider credit

#if you recognize the “hotel room” as azu.ma's apartment no you don't 🫶#there wasn't a good one in the custom photo part of the app and it was my backup plan that ended up being what i had to settle on

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anisaanisa · 1 year

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Limerence: The Masterpost ☆

I couldn't miss the opportunity for another canon-flavoured masterpost, so here I go again with Limerence. This collection is a prequel to Homecoming, so if you're not ready to say goodbye, by all means, carry on! The structure remains: above the cut lies links, and below lurks a prompt breakdown where I attempt to justify everything that just happened. Onward!

Tumblr: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Read it on AO3 ▶ Previous Masterposts: Homecoming〡Evermore

This is your rest stop. Beyond the Keep Reading banner are many words and manga caps for those with a vested interest in Inuyasha headcanons/meta/anecdotes. Snacks applicable!

The Personal Bit ☆

ALRIGHT, masks off besties. Are they your OTP? Cause they’re my OTP too, and we should consider bursting into flames about it together (ɔ◔‿◔)ɔ ♥

I didn't think I’d participate with writing this year, until about a week before the event, when I was frying-panned with some notions. As a fellow bearer of the curse, it started with a seedling of Kagome looking out for Inuyasha in the modern era, whether she realised it or not and even if, logically, she knew better, and snowballed from there. So, I blasted through each prompt with the intention of keeping them short, and after a survey back, each chapter grew deceptively longer, and I thought: why not add a stair [100 words] to Kagome's case for each day?

This particular canon universe is approached thusly: the prompt is the starting point, and the characters do the rest. I don't control the narrative, the narrative controls me, type thing. Hence, chapters are plot-negative, and times skips are abundant. Anyway. Enough waxing!

Note: I am working with the Viz English translation of the Inuyasha manga with some anime filler for seasoning, and the timeframe for the 3-year separation falls loosely between 1998-2001.

Final Note: Limerence spoilers start here.

Prompt Breakdown ☆

Day 1: Love Language(s)

Summary: Kagome's been distracted. Or, I hc that Kagome spent a good amount of time away with the fairies (and trying to catch up with school) when she first got back. Thoughts and Feels:

Love Language(s) were coined in 1992; the likelihood of them being such a commonly adopted phrase/ideology was as slim as Kagome knowing what her friends were going on about. They're a relatively new conception of navigating romance, but that doesn't mean buzzwords didn't make it into those teen mags we remember so well, though! Point for fuck it we ball!

For better or worse, friends are gonna be a tad nosy, and Kagome’s definitely were. Consistently and without fail:

Chapter 23, Volume 3, Mask of Flesh ☆

—and how else to feel her “snapping back into the room” in 100 words, if not when confronted with mathematics?

Chapter 411, Volume 42, The Kind One ☆

Fun Fact: There is a small high chance I spent the most time on this one overall because trying to spin a tale in 100 words is wild.

Day 2: Possession

Summary: Kagome acts on impulse. Or, I hc that uncanny resemblances might ruin a girl's day out. Thoughts and Feels:

Okay, yeah, okay, technically the baseball cap didn't happen in the manga. But this is why filler episodes are good for the ecosystem, or something.

Shock can have a lot of side effects. Confusion, agitation, complete and utter lack of personal or road safety (to name a few), and in Kagome's case here, shoving Inuyasha-shaped familiarity under her nose when she least expected it had her acting up, because not only has the well been sealed off for X time, she was used to him acting up whenever he stepped foot in the modern era:

Chapter 392, Volume 40, A Peaceful Meal ☆

Her friends still care, though! Cause that's what friends are for! As wild of a creature as Kagome can be, they're aware of her “struggles” with her health, and are oddly used to her odd ways:

Chapter 35, Volume 4, A Little Imp ☆

Fun Fact: I rewrote that last line, like, 7 times. The free writing tag is actually fake news.

Day 3: Safe

Summary: Kagome's has a nightmare. Or, I hc that a brave face doesn't do much when she's at her most vulnerable. Thoughts and Feels:

If you've ever had nightmares/night terrors/sleep paralysis, you'll know how, well, terrifying they can be. Lucid states between sleep and wakefulness has a nasty way of warping perceptions, and with everything Kagome witnessed, her dreamscapes had to be vivid, especially after her stint in the jewel, where reality and fantasy blurred real bad, and what's worse, it taunted her about it:

Chapter 554, Volume 56, High School Life ☆

To further that point, Inuyasha gets brutal - beheadings, graphic slaughterings (sometimes at the hands of an MC eheh), you know, justgirlythings - and therefore toned down for television, as anime adaptations often are. Kagome was 15, and while she did that, it would leave a mark. Trauma, guys. We're talking about trauma now.

If the reference was caught during her tiny tale: the scene with Mama H being shook to fuck over her baby glowing is anime-only, but I really dig the idea that she knew something was up with Kagome from Day 0, really aided in reasoning why she was so okay with her daughter doing all that, thank you for understanding. Another point for filler!

Fun Fact: I…barely remember writing this one, actually, truly, read it back a week later like: don't know her. I love her like any proud mother, though!

Day 4: Modern

Summary: Kagome asks a question she doesn’t like the answer to. Or, I hc that curiosity killed the cat. Thoughts and Feels:

The trickiest one, in terms of setting. I spent too much time looking into the availability and flavours of historical records in Tokyo (particularly 2000ish, bc digital archives weren't that hot then) and came to the conclusion that while yes, it was possible for her to gain access to [something], no, it wasn't very likely she'd come across any death records, (specifically Koseki) for her friends, with the added bonus that family names are notably lacking until 1868. But take Kagome's resourcefulness + Japan's love for paperwork, and it led me here – to some kinda fake archive with fake books and fake names that could potentially be somebody that she used to know. And while I try my best to be respectful of the people and the setting I'm writing within, I asked myself bluntly, if I really gave a fuck about being accurate in this regard/fictional setting, and the answer was also: no. There isn't a Sunset Shrine either, so a fictional National Archives with The Right Documents there shall be.

Of all the Fuedal-Inuyasha characters, I feel like Sango is the one that would have Done Something to leave a mark, somewhere written on paper. You know...Badass Women For Agriculture Union [codeword for demon slaying], something. Yeah, Miroku was a holy man, but we're not talking about history right now, we're talking about Herstory.

And finally, that moment. The one where Kagome almost cracked and unleashed self-inflicted rage on some guy, cause time didn't cease to exist for them. The thing about Kagome, apart from her being an all round great character, is that she isn't tame, nor timid, and certainly no shrinking violet. But where she's brash and loud and (sometimes) quick to anger, she's also kind. And reasonable, and at the core, a wonderful person, and that duality is what makes her so lovable, relatable, and fun to write. Lookit her:

Chapter 175, Volume 185, Where They First Met ☆

Fun Fact: I really wanted to point out that Kagome was supposed to be in her high school uniform, but writing restriction said naur. Irrelevant. Also, this is my favourite chapter. Weird, right? Haha?

Day 5: Heat

Summary: Kagome hears a bump in the night. Or, I hc that stranger things have occurred than a random bout of sleepwalking while living with PTID (Post Traumatic Isekai Disorder). Thoughts and Feels:

There was a small blip in time where this chapter skewed Mature. Explicit, even. Something about imagining a certain someone in a compromising position, but then the wind changed direction, and I went for literal heat. Japanese summers are stifling, and heat...is hot. Ace card, go!

Lunar charts and such: they don't add up when you compare two points in time, 500 years apart. But there could still be some peculiar celestial moon stuff that led a sleep-deprived Kagome to have a gander at the moon, especially when it's new.

Chapter 140, Volume 15, The Other Side of the Well ☆

Inuyasha had a brilliant way of turning up when she least expected him, or staying away when she wanted to see him the most. There are little things that happen, like an open window or remnants of a dream that might stay with her upon waking, to lead her to think-maybe it was him?

Chapter 287, Volume 29, Mimisenri ☆

BEHIND THE SCENES REVEAL: Kagome was the one who opened her door and tried to feed the cat, but it didn't work, because sleepwalkers are silly. Easter Eggy Subtext: Buyo is the catalyst, but Kagome is the key. Think about it.

Chapter 494, Volume 50, Two Worlds ☆

Day 6: Courting

Summary: Kagome tries her best. Or, I hc that Kagome gives it the old college effort, a la jewel illusion. Thoughts and Feels:

Kagome's family want the best for her. Kagome's friends are boy-crazy hen-peckers. Hojo is cute, and has always shown an interest in Kagome. Therefore: it would be wild to assume she didn't at least say yes, once, to going out with him, even if she knew it really wasn't going to go anywhere:

Chapter 140, Volume 15, The Other Side of the Well ☆

Sometimes you have to do things to understand how much you don't want to do that thing. At this point in time, Kagome's coming up for graduation, she's spent almost 3 years dealing with everything that happened to her, and she's not a complete tool. However, the mind wanders, especially when you'd rather someone else's company:

Chapter 69, Volume 8, Sensing Presences ☆

She's going to give the modern era one last shot – because while romance isn't everything, it can be part of something – before throwing in the towel and saying fuck it, I tried. And as Kagome's will Kagome, she'd want to make an effort for the sake of others:

Chapter 35, Volume 4, A Little Imp ☆

Fun Fact: This chapter (and the next) ended up floating around 1.5K at first draft. I'd like to formally apologise to the words lost in transit, you will be missed.

Day 7: Smile

Summary: Kagome comes home. Or, I hc that Kagome finally puts her wants, needs and feelings first, and those might suspiciously man-shaped. Thoughts and Feels:

Yeahyeah, the “I never thought I'd write this”, we've all seen it. But it's true! Never thought I'd write a chapter retelling, and this one is that fact's poster child. They aren't my bag (to read or to write) but the ending was there all along, obviously:

Chapter 494, Volume 50, Two Worlds ☆

The right wish, the wrong wish, a selfish wish, a selfless wish – as many Isekai's go, wish fulfilment is a huge part of the narrative (not just for Kagome, but so many of the characters) but she, unlike others, had a huge weight on her shoulders about making the right one that I wanted to tease out that moment where she gets it:

Awfully familiar cap is familiar, Chapter 558, Volume 56, Tomorrow ☆

Are you sure you're supposed to be there, Miss Thing? Life doesn't end just because you finished a job, or have to feel beholden to a sense of home. Home can be anywhere! Home can be a person! You can do it, bestie. Do it for her! Her is you! Go Kagome!

Chapter 79, The Fruits of Evil ☆

She made her dreams – from acing school, to making her family proud, to seeing Inuyasha again – a reality. There's really nothing more I can say about that, it's all there. She chose herself! And that included him! Ain't that neat!

Fun Fact: In Japanese, Inuyasha calls her a baka. In the scanlation, he calls her an idiot. In the English sub/dub, he calls her an idiot. In the Viz translation (the one I refer to most) he calls her a fool. Imho, in English, he says idiot, cause Inuyasha has zero respect and carries that no-finesse kind of rizz. Bless him.

Bonus Fun Fact: Chapters like this are why I'm such a flaming monster about writing advice being a tool, not a rule. Those last two lines, without the use of But and And at the beginning, would not carry the same weight and timing I wanted to achieve, therefore, you can pry them as sentence starters out of my cold, dead hands.

The End.

Weehee! This could have been way longer (you're thinking how, I'm thinking I'm proud of how restrained I was) but alas, we've reached the end. Thanks again to @inukag-week for hosting the event of all time! I love them sooo much. Sososo much, they're the best little guys 🎉

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, click here to send me an ask! I love not shutting up about them 🛸

ttyl bbs 🤸

#girl help: a novel by yours truly #posts to keep #Limerence #inuyasha x kagome #inukag week 2023 #inuyasha fanfiction #inukag fanfic #kagome #kagome higurashi #inuyasha #fanfiction #inu meta #anisaanisaff

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pico-digital-studios · 6 months

Text

Into, Across and Beyond! Scripting: Bar Stop-Off

In One More Hero's fourth chapter, CR!Sonic came back into Dimension MP-2021, immediately going to find OMT!Tails and OMT!Mina.

CR!Sonic: Tails!

OMT!Tails: Huh? Sonic?

CR!Sonic: Look, I... I'm really sorry about earlier. I've got a lot on my plate, and I want to make it up to you however I can.

He noticed Tails was just looking at him.

CR!Sonic: Uh, what are you doing?

OMT!Tails: Making you feel guilty proper. ...Is it working?

He was making puppy-dog eyes at CR!Sonic.

CR!Sonic: How could it-? No. Look at me, does it look like it's working? No, it's... no it's... ohhhh...

He covered his face in embarrassment.

CR!Sonic (muffled): MMMMPH! DON'T LET HIM WIN!

He uncovered his face after a moment, having given in.

CR!Sonic: *sigh* Alright, kid. You win.

OMT!Tails: Oh, yeah! This is Mina, by the way. I thought she had undergone the name "Mairead", though she told me it was just an alias.

OMT!Mina: Hello!

CR!Sonic: Oh, you guys know each other? Very cool. Well, c'mon, then! No time to lose!

Cut to them sitting in a bar area at McLovely's.

OMT!Tails: So, remind me what we're doing here again.

OMT!Mina: Dang, the menu here's appetizing!

CR!Sonic was having a breakfast chilli dog for himself.

CR!Sonic: Just a quick snack before we get down to business.

OMT!Tails: Before we continue, by the way, I was looking for petitions on behalf of a friend who wants AI-generated art outlawed around here. You guys alright with giving signatures?

CR!Sonic: Huh! I'm down for it!

OMT!Mina: Me too!

OMT!Tails: Sweet! Just be careful not to get any chilli stains on the paper.

The two put their signatures on CraftyCorn's petition sheet.

OMT!Tails: So, got any advice you can share with me now that we're back to equals?

He had to keep CR!Sonic from pilfering his burger while asking this.

CR!Sonic: First off, train your body to become immune to motion-sickness, or doing any of my stunts will suck. Uh... Definitely don't go crazy when you're full on chilli dogs, like me. Threw up like a water hose last time I did that.

OMT!Tails: Right, got it. Anything else?

CR!Sonic: Uhh... I dunno. Not really the... mentor type of guy. I'm more of a... action type.

OMT!Tails: Ah, I see. So, what's the plan once we arrive at the crashed Death Egg site off South Island's coast?

CR!Sonic: Easy! Step 1: I break in, Step 2: infiltrate the lab, Step 3: sneak in, destroy a couple of robots while I'm at it. Step 4: you two come in and help me gain access to the computer, Step 5: download the important stuff, Step 6: grab a sandwich from the cafeteria, and Step 7: dip it outta there and fix everything!

OMT!Tails: Okey-doke! Also, just to let you know, the head scientist at that place is that brown-haired lady with the bike. I saw her in one part of a documentary at my new school's taster session.

CR!Sonic: ... Got it. Step 8: re-evaluate my personal biases.

OMT!Tails: Well, that's our plan, right?

OMT!Mina: We could practice jogging somewhere on the way!

OMT!Tails: Sure!

After they paid for the meal, they got on a bus on their way to Emerald Coast.

CR!Sonic: Just to be clear, we're not running all the way over to the shore just from the city. Not after a hearty brunch. Keep your legs fresh, kid. You're gonna thank me later.

OMT!Tails: Fair enough.

CR!Sonic: Supporting public transportation is always a plus, especially when you're a hero! Some cities just don't put enough support behind it!

OMT!Mina: (Deep down, he really is a hero like he always was.)

CR!Sonic kicked back.

CR!Sonic: Gosh, helping out this alternate Tails is actually kinda fun. I wonder how the guys back home are doing?

(Cue everything going to shit in Crossover Realm's Knothole and Newtropolis, fire everywhere, buildings tipping over, everyone screaming and running in chaos)

Gary: (screaming in hysterics) WHERE'S MY WISH?!?! I WANT MY WISH!!!

CLE: Oh BEC, PLEASE hurry up with those wishes!

Back with the main crew...

CR!Sonic: Eh, I'm sure it'll be fine.

OMT!Tails: What is it like at your universe?

CR!Sonic: Long story. It'd boggle you just processing it if I told you.

Elsewhere (for whatever reason)...

Exegod: The nerve of that Pico (yep, he means me). Inviting me to go Into, Across and Beyond for another scene. On such short notice! Even if I wanted to go, my SCHEDULE WOULDN’T ALLOW IT! (Looks at schedule) 4:00, wallow in self pity. 4:30, stare into the abyss. 5:00, fix the Sonic franchise for good (tell no one). 5:30, pics of Sally_ALT in incognito mode. 6:30, dinner with me, I can’t cancel that again. 7:00, wrestle with my self-loathing… I’m booked! Of course if I hold the loathing to 9, I can still be back here in time to lay in bed, stare at the ceiling and slip slowly into madness. But WHAT WOULD I WEAR?!

#sonic exe #sonic the hedgehog #spider verse #sth #sonic #sonic fandom #sth au #sonic au #spider man

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darkx-the-dragon-kn1ght · 3 months

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Chapter 25- Part 6

So yeah, the encounter here is Aron. Straightforward plan, paralyze with Glare™ and then use Crunch to safely lower its HP more.

And since we're in a dark cave area, a Dusk Ball should suffice.

His name is Wulfrum as a reference to a type of metal, specifically tungsten. If you weren't aware, tungsten's name in German is wulfrum- though, the proper spelling is actually “wolfram”, I don't actually know where “wulfrum” came from (even though that's the form I've always seen), probably some linguistic translation transition…things. Fun fact, that's also why tungsten's symbol on the Periodic Table is “W”!

Now, the last few encounters…well, two of them are time-dependent, and one isn't, so let's do that one first. And for that, we're going back to North Obsidia Ward!

And- oh, hold on a second. I completely forgot about this one Magma Gang dude down this one road. Well, since we're about to do another Magma Gang quest anyways (spoiler alert), might as well take a second to talk to a fellow comrade.

Wait, WHAT!? Alright, I forgot about the Magikarp thing in North Obsidia too! But- hey, fight me, a lot of plot stuff's been happening since we talked to that kid in Obsidia Slums!

Oooooh, the Magikarp’s in Aqua Gang's hands, you say? Actually- wait, I can work with this! This could be Xera's motivation for joining up with the Magma Gang, to beat up the Aqua Gang and recover the Magikarp! Huh- joining an entire gang war just to rescue your stolen goldfish…somehow, I think that's really funny. I'd watch a movie with a plot like that.

Alright, well, the Magma Gang won't be living in peace for too long, as you'll see. But Maxwell will say more on that, I'm sure.

Oh yeah, she's definitely invested in the epic tale of the Magma Gang, this is not about trying to retrieve a Magikarp, not at all-

Wha-? Whoa, okay- I knew there was a new quest, not that it was gonna be…that. Seems kinda early for driving them out entirely, I mean we've only had one other side quest dealing with them, but alright, go off.

Alright, I…guess this really is gonna be a thing, okay. Well, if I recall, the Aqua Gang base is located in Lapis Ward.

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breitweisergallery · 8 months

Note

Alright bitch, since you sent me so many questions...time to return the favor: 1, 3, 5, 10, 12, 15, 18, 21, 25, 27, 28, 35, 36, 44, 72

HAHAHAH ily <3

1. Do you daydream a lot before you write, or go for it as soon as the ideas strike?

It depends project to project, but I do tend to talk them out to myself at night. Staring up at the ceiling two feet from my face, usually in some kind of accent, until I can piece together what exactly I want out of it.

3. Do you share your fic ideas, or do you keep them to yourself?

Most of the time, I actually keep them to myself. The bigger projects I tend to share, just so I have someone other than myself to talk it out with.

5. How many wips do you have? What fandoms/pairings are they for?

10 currently! 6 of them are Critical Role (4 Essek/Caleb, 1 Lucien/Caleb, 1 Kingsley/Verin), 3 Devil Judge that will probably never see the light of day (1 Gaon/Yohan, 1 Yohan/Isaac, 1 Elijah-centic), 1 Strangers From Hell (implied Jongwoo/Moonjo but Moonjo-centric)

10. Do you work on multiple wips or stick to one fic at a time?

I've been leaning more recently towards sticking to one fic at a time. But if I have a particularly hard time with one (like I am right now), I might take a break to work on something else.

12. Do you outline your fics? If yes, how detailed are your outlines? How far do you stray from them?

Uh.

All jokes aside, I actually don't outline most of the time. I'm trying to get better about it for longer fics.

15. What’s your favorite time to write?

Early evening! Between 4-7p is really my primetime for writing. (Or morning, between 9a-11a also works pretty well for me. I just get sleepy mid-day).

18. Do you enjoy research? Which fic of yours required the most research?

Yes!! I love research. One of the projects I'm currently working on, I've done some intense research into prisoners of war and internment/concentration camps. There was also a TDJ politics fic that never came to be where I dig some pretty extensive digging into the Korean political system.

21. Do you prefer writing chaptered fics or one-shots?

One-shots! I prefer writing one-shots.

25. What’s your favorite part of the writing process (worldbuilding, brainstorming/outlining, writing, editing, etc)?

Editing! I fucking love editing. I tend to take it to the extreme, not gonna lie, but it's so much fun to edit and revise.

27. What area of writing do you feel strongest in?

Dialogue is absolutely my strongest skill.

28. What area of writing do you want to improve in?

Realistic and intentional world-building.

35. What’s your favorite fic you’ve posted?

restless constructions (don't leave me)

36. What fic are you proudest of?

voices stolen and people borrowed

44. What is your favorite genre to write?

Slice of Life/Thriller/Adventure. In other words, something angsty but fun.

72. What’s your favorite writing compliment you’ve gotten?

(courtesy of @crying-cryptids)

Fanfiction Writing Asks | Send Me Asks

#took answers #moot tag #sass tag #fic stuffs #took writes

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omegasmileyface · 1 year

Text

The Forest, the Trees, the Fire I: CATALYST

Chapter 3

woawoawoa chapter 3 :) this chapter more than doubles the word count of the story thus far! Authors: @ectolemonades, me, @attackradish. Artist: @/crunchysart

For the full characters list, word count, content warning, and a directory to all the currently available chapters and related content, see the Table of Contents!

full summary: The world outside of Amity Park has learned about the existence of ghosts, and the time for first impressions has arrived. The delicate public consciousness could be disrupted by the slightest ripple. Danny Fenton is being ripped apart from all sides, and when he finally breaks, the ripples will be very big indeed.

warnings: self-worth issues, small meltdowns, that kinda thing

words: 3388

AO3 link

first chapter

previous chapter

next chapter

===

October 6, 2006

Danny tried to find a way to rest his head without the school bus vibrating his brains out. They’d left city limits forever ago, and the excitement that gripped everyone this morning had died down. Sitting next to Tucker had fought off the boredom for most of the trip, but conversation ran dry a couple miles back. Even the back of the bus had gotten quiet. There’s only so many unique 'would you rather?' scenarios that a group of teenagers who already see each other every week for football anyway can think up.

Danny leaned his head against the seat in front of him, the bitter bus seat smell prickling his nostrils. Gravity dragged his body into an increasingly uncomfortable slouch, the vinyl clinging to his forehead and stretching his facial features upwards until his skin stung. Bone ground against bone as his vertebrae tried to accommodate the unnatural arch his neck had been forced into. Eventually the discomfort won over the exhaustion, and Danny sat up straight again, unsatisfied and unchanged. Bound to do it again. Like Sisyphus.

They had to have been on this bus for AT LEAST, like, half an hour.

“You’d think they’d build a laser tag place a little closer to the city. You know, so people could actually go there,” Tucker remarked.

“Well, isn't this some GIW thing? I bet they saw one of those dilapidated roadside fun-whatevers and just said ‘kids like these, right?’ and nabbed it without thinking.”

“Well, they’d be right. Laser tag rules." Tucker slid off his headphones. "Really, how badly could they ruin something like laser tag?“

“It’s the GIW. They’ll find a way.”

“C’mon, Danny. A year ago you woulda been even more excited for this trip than me! Even if it is about hunting ghosts, it’s not like we haven’t done that before." Tucker rubbed his shoulder against Danny's and adopted his best 'cheer up, Sport, we're on our way to Disney as we speak!' voice. "Could be fun!”

As patronizing as he was being (and Danny immediately got him back for that shoulder rub), Tucker was right. Spending half the school day at a laser tag place should have been a dream come true! Maybe he could let himself enjoy this.

“Tell you what," Danny said. "I will keep myself open to the possibility of having fun! Whether it happens or not is none of my business."

“That’s more like it! I was beginning to worry Sam’s goth spores finally took over your frontal lobe.”

“Not yet, Tuck. I haven’t fallen that far.”

“I dunno, you seem pretty close,” he teased.

“Am not!”

“I’m gonna come to class one day and I’ll see you in a long sleeved striped shirt and guyliner.”

“That’s emo, not goth.”

“A-HA! And since when do you care about that distinction, my friend who totally isn’t infested with spores?”

“Shut up!” Danny shoved him playfully.

“You’re just saying that because…”

“HEY! I THINK I SEE IT!” shouted Mikey from the front of the bus. Conversation burst from its grave as the students clamored to catch a glimpse of their destination.

“Alright, everyone, settle down! We’re almost there, but let’s stay professional and orderly.” Mr. Lancer shakily stood up at the head of the bus. “What did I say about opening windows? Mr. Baxter! Stay on your side of the aisle.” He plopped down again.

“Hey, Danny, what do you see?” asked Tucker.

Braving the buzz of the glass, Danny pressed against the window for the widest view ahead. Amid the fields of soybeans and rotting grain elevators stood a warehouse with a highlighter-colored wall and a parking lot. Out front was a sign in an inscrutable font on an impressive pole. He couldn’t read it at all through the vibrations.

“Well?”

“It’s big. I think the front is spray painted or something.”

“Oh, maybe the building’s an independent thing. You know how the government is about spray paint.”

“Let’s hope,” Danny sighed.

They lurched around in their seats as the bus slowed and veered into the parking lot, where another bus was already unloading. Danny waved when he saw Sam in the crowd, but she didn’t look over. The bus parked, and Mr Lancer rose to block the front.

“Okay! Just a reminder that we are not going to be rushing inside right off the bat! We are going to gather by the front of the bus and then go in in an orderly fashion.”

Danny and Tucker stayed in their seats as the A-listers barged to the front of the bus. They only followed once they were urged to hurry up.

When Danny got a better look at the spray paint mural, disappointment settled on his shoulders. It was covered in gross-looking cartoon ghosts getting shot at by some guy in sunglasses. Sighing, he braced for the ectophobic propaganda that was undoubtedly going to be inside. Damn. Right after he got his hopes up.

There was way more going on in the foyer than he expected. It wasn’t just a tight room with a front counter; there were a couple arcade machines and quite a few benches. They seemed to be prepped for larger crowds, at least for Amity. Plastered on the walls were some “informative” posters about ghosts and what to do if you see one. Guides on how to support the GIW in your community and bullshit like that. There was also a sorry-looking ball pit in the corner.

Mr. Lancer and Ms. Driftwind, the bio teacher, had ganged up on some of the staff. They were all huddled around a clipboard and pointing at students intermittently.

“C’mon, Danny. I see Sam brooding near the ball pit. Whatever we're waiting for, it’s gonna take a while, so we might as well hang out.” Tucker gestured for him to follow with a jerk of his chin.

Sam started talking without even looking up at them. "Do you think they have a snack bar here?"

Danny looked around. "I don't see any."

"Me neither. But it would be weird not to have one, right? At an entertainment center?"

Tucker boldly stuck his feet in the ball pit without even looking. "Maybe they can't get catering all the way out here?"

"You don't get catering for a snack bar. You just get ingredients shipped."

Danny grabbed a ball out of the pit and ignored the way Sam recoiled in disgust. "If the GIW owns the whole building, it's probably weird. Maybe they have a sketchy cafeteria in the back. 'Hello, hip kids! Come on back for a radical snack! We have hot dogs, and they're made out of normal meat.'"

His friends laughed. Somehow, they ended up talking about how weird American commercials for Japanese video games were, and before they knew it they were all in the ball pit, passionately pelting each other with plastic while doing impressions of overly-enthusiastic TV gamers. Danny went wide with a ball aimed at Tucker, and it hit Mr. Lancer in the side. He glared. Whoops.

Ms. Driftwood clapped her hands rhythmically to get the scattered teenagers' attention. "Ravens! A third of you will be heading in to hear the rules now. If and when we call your name, please group up neatly by this door."

Before long, Dash's wish had come true and they were both in the first group together. Better yet, Danny's friends weren't joining them. Joyous day.

"Alright, kids! Have fun!"

As they passed through the door, someone yelled "kill somebody, Baxter!" and Danny felt the weight of an omen there.

As soon as he could, he got out of Dash's line of sight and to the back of the line. He knew he'd be found eventually, but at least for now there were a couple other A-listers in the group, and they were too busy hyping each other up to even look in his direction. When the door opened, they were the first through it.

As the rest of the students filed in, he saw a few people’s shirts light up, and a wave of nostalgia washed over him. Years ago, he’d begged his parents to take him to a local rock show when he’d heard there was a meteorite, and while he was there he saw some rocks that fluoresced under UV light.

He wondered if ghosts were fluorescent. Crap. What if he was fluorescent? He couldn’t just step out of line, everyone would notice and there would be questions. The door was several steps away. Ancients, what if this was the end? Shit shit shit shit. Shit!

Ghosts do not fluoresce under UV light.

Danny relaxed his shoulders. He hated being this paranoid about everything. It was over, he was okay, that’s what mattered. Breathing as deeply as he could without getting stares, he waited for the blacklights to start being fun again. They didn’t.

“So. Who here has played laser tag before?” asked a laser room employee. Several hands shot up.

“Okay, cool, cool. So you know how this is going to go. Everyone else, this is for you. See the vests and blasters against the wall? You’re going to need to put the vests on, making sure the big triangle is centered on your chest.”

There were students suiting up before the instructor had finished talking. Danny subconsciously calculated how long he should wait until grabbing a vest of his own to draw the least attention.

“Ok, everyone is doing good so far! Now, as some of you have already heard, this is going to be a little different than usual laser tag. You’re going to be taking the role of GIW operatives, fighting against ghosts hidden in the maze. Fake ones, of course.” The instructor chuckled at his own joke.

“There’s a variety of targets hidden in the maze, some ghostly and some harmless. The more ghosts you shoot, the more points you get! If you shoot a civilian target, you lose points. And it’s not just a glorified shooting range, you gotta be careful and have sharp reflexes. If you don’t shoot the ghost within a few seconds after it jumps out at you, you lose a life. Everyone got that?”

The group nodded and murmured with agreement.

“Are you guys ready to kick some slimy ghost butt?”

A halfhearted “yeah” rippled through the room.

“Alright, we can do better than that! Are you guys ready?”

A “yeah” that was equal parts excited and begrudging rang out. Danny wished he could melt people with his mind. First they desecrate laser tag and blacklights, then they talk about how he’s less than human and deserves to fucking die, and they stick him in a confined space with his bully and demand that he play enthusiastic? Fuck you.

The instructor seemed appeased.

“Alright then, soldiers, let’s go go go!” He swung open the doors to the course and the crowd bolted out, with Danny caught in the flow. The techno music hit him like a wall. He didn’t see Dash, and he didn’t want to. He’d already turned a corner by the time he called out.

“Hey, where’s Fenton? I need him to watch my six.”

Danny unwound his shoulders a little. That wasn’t a problem he’d have to deal with for a while.

Turning another corner, he nearly slammed face first into a fluorescent green cutout. He shoved down his instinctual response to go ghost, instead swinging his gun up and shooting at the little black thing in its chest. His gun flashed and made an approving noise, and the cutout folded back against the wall.

As Danny made his way deeper into the maze, his mood brightened. Not by much, but… noticeably. The beat got his blood pumping, he was waist deep in fog, and it wasn’t like he hadn’t shot ghosts before. Even the blacklights were regaining some appeal.

The next cutout was of the Box Ghost, who he happily gunned down. A shoddy representation of Technus swung out behind him, and was taken down just as fast. It felt good. Pretty much all the ghosts here were either perfectly generic or ones he had grudges against. They even had that jerk with the red eyes and the memory powers, who Danny took out with a masterful 360 no-scope. Not that his gun had a scope, but it was still cool.

His spirits dropped when he turned a corner and saw Dash Baxter in the middle of the path. He was looking down another hallway, and hadn’t noticed him yet.

Dash lowered his gun, smiling like he’d cleverly avoided a trap. A second later, his vest buzzed violently.

“Hey, what’s the big idea?“

Curiosity got the better of Danny, and he jogged over to see what had Dash worked up. It was a cutout of him. Well, of Phantom. Dash’s vest buzzed again.

“I’m not shooting Phantom!” Dash threw down his gun with a loud clatter. “This thing’s freaking busted.”

His vest buzzed a third time, and a loud recording rang out overhead. “Player sixteen: eliminated.”

“No, some genius set up the course wrong! I’d better get a second round after this.”

A tinny laser sound rang out, and the cutout sprung shut.

“Phantom’s a ghost, idiot,” said Elliot, before running off to score more points.

“Idiot?! You think I'M the idiot here?! He's on our side!” Dash’s nose crinkled into a full snarl, and his eyes flashed in Danny’s direction.

“I bet you feel the same way, Mr. Fenton Works! Huh?” Dash marched up and seized him by the shoulder straps. “Bet you’d shoot him down while he was distracted saving someone, or some shit, because… I don’t know, there’s something fuckin' wrong with you or something!” Dash threw him aside.

The commotion was drawing a crowd. There were two students behind Dash, and Danny heard footsteps behind him. He wasn’t getting a chance to appease Dash, not that he wanted that asshole to think they were on the same side of anything.

“Fact, we all got saved by Phantom just a couple weeks ago when that weirdo meat lady attacked at Star's birthday party!"

“Dash, Phantom’s putting on an act. We all know that,” said Valerie.

“What act? You think he’d be risking his life every night saving people from ghosts if it was all an act? If he wanted us dead he’d let us freaking die!”

Liam scoffed. “He wants us to think ghosts can be trusted, duh. And it looks like it’s working. Why do you care? Do you have a crush on him or something?”

The tensed muscles in Dash’s neck spelled death. “Why you little—!” Dash lunged forward. A hand seized his arm.

“Hey!" One of the staff materialized from the shadows. "That kind of behavior isn’t going to fly here. Mr. Baxter, right? You’ll be coming with me.”

“Hell no! Why don’t you explain why Phantom’s set up as an enemy? Trying to get us to turn on our local hero? Thinning out the competition?”

“You’re coming with me, this isn’t a request. We’ll talk about this later.”

“Make me!” Dash squared his shoulders and puffed out his chest.

The staff member shrugged. “You look like you play sports. Think for a moment. You’re at a school-sponsored event. Wanna bet that there won’t be consequences?”

Dash scowled, then his shoulders sunk. He sulked after the agent, leaving awkward silence in his wake. Danny just stood there. You don’t just start playing again after something like that.

===

In time, the round was officially over, and Danny went back into the lobby without looking at the leaderboard.

“Man, Danny, you look almost as bad coming out as you did going in. Was it really that bad?” Tucker asked.

Danny blew through his teeth. “It’s complicated.”

“Complicated?” Sam’s fork foraged through the green stuff she brought from home. “Does it have something to do with whatever Dash did that got him escorted outside?”

“In fact, it has everything to do with what Dash did.” Danny scowled.

“Well, don’t leave us hanging, what did he do?”

“Must’ve been something pretty bad. He never gets more than a slap on the wrist.”

“He decided to make a big old scene about Phantom being a hero, how he saved our lives and shouldn’t be hated like other ghosts and whatever.”

Tucker glanced around, then leaned in close.

“Isn’t that… a good thing, though?” he whispered.

“No,” Danny hissed. “I’m not letting myself be endorsed by Dash fucking Baxter. He's the worst bully at Casper, he doesn’t get to like Phantom.”

Sam shrugged. “Maybe this could be to our advantage. He might leave you alone if he thinks you’re on the same side.”

“Maybe!” Danny cursed himself and lowered his voice. “It might’ve been nice to catch a bit of slack. But I’m not gonna degrade myself by walking up to him and telling him he’s not alone, that I care about Phantom too and no hard feelings and we can help him together and it’s all going to be ok. I’m past groveling for his approval.”

“…Are you past buying dumb tracksuits too?” asked Sam dryly.

An icy shock stabbed through Danny's chest. It was just a joke. He knew it was a joke, they teased each other like this all the time. This was stupid. It’s no big deal. It’s not like he didn’t deserve it.

The shock faded into a buzzing ball of dread and weight. Tucker’s concerned face had been replaced with a lighthearted smile, and the corners of Sam’s lips were turned subtly upwards. They didn’t mean anything by it, on any other day he’d have laughed and quipped right back.

He stood up. Everything was just a bit too much. Tucker said something, but Danny was already on his way to the front doors.

Fresh air filled his lungs. He hadn’t realized how much the echoing cacophony was getting to him. Out here, every sound was clear and distinct. Bits of gravel left over from snow season crunched under his feet. Cars occasionally whooshed past on the highway. Getting caught out here could mean trouble, but he doubted anyone would come out. Eventually settling for a yellow parking bumper near the corner of the building, he sat down and braced his elbows on his knees.

Right as his shoulders were relaxing, he heard the weather stripping of the front doors scrape across the concrete. He bolted out of sight.

“Mr. Lancer, I think you know what I brought you out here to discuss.”

Danny’s ears perked up.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what got into him. He’s a good kid, best quarterback we’ve had in years.”

“I’m sure he is, he didn’t strike me as a delinquent. Neat hair, strong posture, and as you said a football player. Good all-American young man. But that boy’s been exposed to some dangerous ideas, and it seems like some of them have begun to take root.”

Mr. Lancer sighed, with a concern that Danny wasn’t used to hearing. “Is he going to be put on a watchlist?”

“No, nothing that drastic. He’s a teenager, he’s bound to make some stupid mistakes. The government understands that. But to make sure nothing worse comes of this, it would be a good idea to sign him up for some mandatory counseling sessions on ghosts and respecting authorities.”

“I’ll make sure that happens. Thank you for being so understanding.”

“Of course. The GIW is here to keep you safe, not to bring down the hammer on impressionable teenagers.”

Danny sneered at that last sentence. As if.

“Thank you again, regardless.”

He heard them go back inside. Knowing that they had just used the front door made getting back in unnoticed suddenly feel a lot more daunting. Maybe he’d just wait around for the trip to end and merge in with the rest of the students as they lined up for the bus. Look for ladybugs in the grass or something. And he wouldn’t have to deal with the consequences of bailing on Sam and Tucker either. He could just wait until they forgot or it got too awkward to mention so they wouldn’t try to apologize to him even though he was the one in the wrong.

That’s what he’d do. It was gonna be a long wait.

#danny phantom #my writing #invisobang 2023 #the forest the trees the fire #ftf catalyst

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ask-obt · 2 years

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If you couldn't reboot og OBT, how would you have changed the original story?

// Alright buckle up, because this is gonna be a long answer. This whole ask will be ooc, but I’ll be switching to non-italic formatting since Tumblr’s post editor can be finicky.

For this hypothetical I’ll assume…

I can’t re-do individual pages, either

I somehow kept the motivation to see it through, and keep along with the original tone of the story

I’ll also avoid talking about things that were repurposed for use in the current iteration of OBT!

For starters, the comic would certainly be much farther- chapters were generally shorter, not to mention the whole not-starting-over aspect- and we’d probably be somewhere around Chapter 13-15.

I’ll be paraphrasing a lot of the plot beats here since I don’t wanna reiterate the entire story of PMD: EOS.

In Chapter 6 we would be reintroduced to Team Skull, who were a friend of the Guildmaster’s instead of a friend of Keaton’s. Rather than Keaton and the Guildmaster’s tenuous relationship being based around the Guildmaster’s obsession with humans, it was much more based in Keaton recognizing Team Skull as dangerous. The dungeon itself yielded Shiida the Paras as a recruit, who would be joining the main team. She never really got much of a personality in my notes, though I think she was intended to be a researcher of sorts. As far as the dungeon itself went, I think it was mostly uneventful… until the team reached the Perfect Apple Tree. There the Team Skull showdown is about the same, but during the Noxious Gas Combo, Fienne evolves, shields Rune, and takes the brunt of the attack, and dies. In-game the team got bottlenecked in a corridor, and Rune ended up getting put to sleep by a Butterfree’s sleep powder, which then started attacking Fienne and whittling down her health until she fainted.

Fienne’s death shakes the team, but they also don’t know how she evolved- pokemon haven’t been able to evolve by themselves for years, and the evolution stones are currently out of commission. (In-universe the explanation was that pokemon needed the presence of humans to evolve, and evolution springs I think were similar to the stones of Geosenge in X and Y, where they were made from the petrified remains of humans. This isn’t the case with current OBT, and the evolution stones are still working fine!) This part of what I had planned would largely stay the same, it was always something I enjoyed planning the plot out on, and I was really looking forward to it. Following the attack, the Guildmaster gets confirmation that Rune was a human due to Fienne’s evolution. He admits his humanity to Rune, and she was planned to take it well (“hello fellow human” energy, vs. the reboot where she isn’t even sure she’s a human). Keaton tries to ban them from the expedition because he doesn't want them getting killed, and Yokaro vetoes the idea.

Following that we have the expedition arc, in which I had planned to follow the in-game restriction of having only the hero and partner attend. In retrospect I think it’s more fun to include other teammates whenever possible, so perhaps I would have changed that! But something very exciting happened here- Bidoof, the mandatory escort, died. Which wouldn’t seem like a surprise- but he actually died by Rune’s hand.

OKAY FIRST LET ME EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED IN-GAME! Bidoof had just been frozen by a Dewgong in Craggy Coast (I think), and I was freaking out because more enemies were fast approaching. I didn’t realize attacks wouldn’t land on a frozen pokemon, and I decided to thaw him out the only way I knew how… with a flamethrower. No, I wasn’t thinking about the fact I was like, 10 levels higher than him. Rune killing Bidoof, even by accident, was going to cause a huge rift between her and Kodali as his trust in her further dwindled. But for some reason, this did not stop Kodali from trying to kiss Rune during the fountain scene- and she rejects him hard. From there, the expedition arc would have unfolded with that in mind. The rest of my notes on this didn’t include any specifics on story beats, until we get to Chapter 10.

In Chapter 10 the team goes to Amp Plains- at this point in my game notes I don’t think I was particularly concerned with dynamics with the rest of the team, but I do remember Kodali’s dad being planned to show up as the Amp Plains boss, something something he’s homophobic and abusive and Kodali as a result had internalized homophobia to deal with. While this is happening, Rune was planned to uh, hit it off with Kodali’s “brother” who was a mew in disguise (very specifically Pika’s character Xander, from Haphazard. This was long before Haphazard even started, and started out as a joke between us because Kodali’s brother just happened to be named Xander as well). They had a weird one-night fling, Rune and Kodali beat the shit out of his dad, and life goes on.

Then we got to the arc where Grovyle is stealing Time Gears from the lakes, and Rune ends up getting seriously wounded in one of these fights (also I think Shiida died in the desert area). She’s hospitalized in the guild (again) and she finds out… she’s pregnant. Now let me just say, I have no idea what I was on when I came up with this as a plot point. I literally can’t imagine it now. So for this ask I received a while back…

Anonymous asked:

Who is Akio?

That’s who Akio is, and where he came from. He’s a weird remnant of a plot point I waffled on for ages. He would have been born in the future of darkness arc (Rune calling him “Akio” because he’s her son of light in a dark world), and in travelling back to the past he would have aged up a bit because something something time travel. If I kept going with the original version of the comic I probably would not have gone through with it. It also came with a weird subplot where Kodali has a stick up his ass about Rune having a relationship with his brother instead of him, and generally would have been uncomfortable to watch.

From here on I didn’t really have a lot lined out for the comic outside of a few key points:

Dora’s real name is Pandora (nice save there, girl), and she was part of the team from the future. But she was also a double agent- since everyone saw Dusknoir’s betrayal coming, I thought it would be more fun to have another betrayal that wasn’t predicted.

Kodali and Rune did end up getting together, like classic heterosexuals. Dora would have queerbaited everyone because at the time I was dealing with my own internalized homophobia and couldn’t imagine her and Rune getting together or- gasp- all of them being in a polyamorous relationship. (Note: I am now very gay ((bi)) and unafraid of gender)

When the team got back from the future, some years would have passed, and Fawkes would have been an adult. (I think they aged like animals so they weren’t gone for too many years, but yanno)

There was another member of the future squad named FM, who was a Noivern/Charizard hybrid. He’s also the one who killed Fienne’s brother, for some reason. Dusknoir was planned to kill him on-screen at some point.

Apparently there was also a Milotic in my old notes who was also part of the future team? She’s talked about but never seen, and got killed by Dusknoir as well somewhere off-screen.

Fawkes’ dad was an Arcanine who worked with Darkrai and would have shown up in the final boss fight, if I got to that point.

Fusion was a thing in this iteration of the comic. That weird big guy that showed up in Chapter 5 was a fusion of the Guildmaster and Chatot. It also, for some reason, was kind of a thing people didn’t really know about? I think at some point I decided only human-turned-pokemon could fuse with other pokemon, but it wasn’t what I originally planned. Rune and Kodali def would have fused during the Dialga fight.

If I ended the run pre-epilogue, Rune would have disappeared as the future changed and she’d be dead and that’d be the end of the run. She and Kodali kiss, Kodali cries, the end. I guess Akio lives with Kodali at that point.

If I ended the run post-epilogue, Darkrai would have killed Rune in the final battle.

So the original thesis of the story was, Rune is a bad person and deserved to die. Which is kind of why I didn’t want to keep going with the original run of the comic- I based a lot of her traits on horrible people in my life, and the comic was a means of me venting how frustrated and angry I was with it all. Which… isn’t really something I wanted to do, as I started to grow and heal. Old OBT didn’t have planned themes of amnesty or forgiveness, nor the foundation for it, and that’s why I don’t think it would have been possible for me to continue the comic as it was. Current OBT has a lot of themes like that, and in a lot of ways, it gives me opportunities to forgive myself as well. I guess this ask is a lot less of “what would I do if the comic continued” and more just going over major notes I had based on the direction things were going, because there isn't really a world where I could have drastically changed the story to fit the themes I wanted to explore.

#on borrowed time comic #ask-obt #ooc #preboot

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