#corrupt very quickly: ... okay... maybe he is kinda mine after all

[ancha-aus]

DoubleNoot AU Drabble - Next Steps

I got time! Time to write my version of what the next part of the DoubleNoot AU timeline is! Noot² for some :D

Last time on DoubleNoot Adventure! Corrupt split and caused the original Nightmare to return in the heat of battle! As a reaction he took his mates and the newly arrived child and took them back to his home and hideout.

@mikimakiboo Made their own version of this meeting but I also wanted to write it myself and how I see it happening :3 Still their drabble is amazing and everyone needs to show it love :D (yes i linked it last time but come on. This drabble is actually the counterpart to it!)

Also fair warning. I am keeping the pregnancy joke alive. I am not letting that go. It is too funny and too fitting for me. So... warning? discussions of mpreg.

No edits or beta we just going :D (warning. It is a long read.)

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There... There is a tiny skeleton in his arms. A shaking and terrified skeleton. Corrupt glances around and very slowly places the skeleton on the couch. Only to have to dive back closer to catch him from falling over. Corrupt ends up putting Nightmare in the corner of the couch to enable him to lean against two sides.

There... Is a child. In his house.

One he had thought had died. Correction. One Corrupt had thought he had killed.

What... What does he do now?

Corrupt had reacted impulsive. He doesn't actually have a plan. He just knew he had to get himself and his mates away from the Stars, even if he already felt much better.

Okay. He needs to focus.

Corrupt needs to check his mates and make sure they are okay. Needs to make sure the Stars didn't hurt any of them while he crumbled.

Why is it so hard to look away from Nightmare? Corrupt can't look away. He keeps staring at the young skeleton.

He looks scared as he looks around the area. Pushing himself back against the couch as his chest moves quickly wiht his fast breathing. His clothes are absolutely filthy and goop isn't even the thing that makes it most dirty. Not there is still old dust and blood on his clothes which are ripped and also covered in mud.

But the bones? While also covered with dirt there isn't even a scratch on Nightmare. Which surprises Corrupt. Nightmare had his skull smashed in. Had suffered years of abuse of those villagers. Yet here he sits. Whole. Not as much as a bruise on him.

The only thing that seems wrong is that Nightmare seems to have lost control over his body, but he had also been inactive for 500 years so this may more be a matter of him having to relearn how to walk and move..

Okay. Stop. Think. Waht do you know for sure?

Corrupt just... split in two and Nightmare was removed from his being. Aparently he had Nightmare resting in his body since the apple accident. Maybe instead of forming from Nightmare he formed around Nightmare... it would explain why Corrupt never actually saw Nightmare or dust from him. Corrupt had always assumed that Nightmare hadn't dusted because of his treespirit nature.

Now.

Nightmare had been in his body, aparently slowly healing, and is now out of his body. Corrupt frowns. How come that he has Nightmare's memories in that case? Is it because Nightmare was the one to eat the apple? Does that mean that all those things he remembers and remembered feeling was all Nightmare and never his own.

Corrupt takes another depe breath to try and stay focussed. He still glances to make sure Nightmare is still where he left him. He is.

Okay. Corrupt will ahve to think about everything that this means later. Now he has to make sure everyone is okay... also make sure that Nightmare gets clean and situated. It... unnerves him to not have Nightmare with him. Corrupt doesn't knwo a lot but knows his being misses having Nightmare close.

"Euh... Moonlight?"

Corrupt frowns and turns slowly.

Killer looks between Nightmare and Corrupt "You know... I know we aren't always the most... serious bunch... but you could have told us you were pregnant... we could have handled it and could have helped."

It takes amoment before Corrupt sputters and glares at one of his mates "I wasn't pregnant!" He snaps but sees Ngihtmare flinch at the sound. Corrupt mentally decides to not shout anymore.

Killer just raises a brow as he crosses his arms before looking pointly at Nightmare "Really? Because that is a whole ass child-"

Cross shoots him a disapproving look "Don't curse!"

Killer blinks and looks over "The kid is already like... eight?" he tilts his skull at Nightmare.

Nightmare however shrinks in on himself as he tries to disappear into the couch.

Corrupt answers instead "He is ten actually. Just... tiny." he frowns. aparently Nightmare is just short? Corrupt himself is also short and he took some of his appearances over from Nightmare...

Killer frowns "Wait... ten years? How long have we all been together?" He looks very disappointed "We aren't the dads?"

Corrupt sputters again but manages to keep his voice down "I wasn't pregnant."

Horror speaks up as he glances up from his phone "According to the definition of giving birth which is: The emergence of a baby or other young from the body of its mother; the start of life as a physically separate being." Horror waves into the direction of Ngihtmare "Young." and he just looks pointedly at Corrupt.

Corrupt sighs as he rubs his face "I wasn't pregnant. I didn't give birth." he looks at Nightmare and frowns "I didn't even... i thought he was dead..." Nightmare stares back at him but gets a tiny frown on his face. Corrupt isn't sure what is on his face... probably grief. there always is grief when he thought about Nightmare.

Cross joins his side and holds his hand "hey... you could also have told us you miscarriaged... We could have helped..." he smiles.

Corrupt rubs his skull as he shakes his skull "No. I wasn't pregnant... Meet... Nightmare." Ngihtmare flinches at his name and when the others all start staring at him. Shit. Corrupt regrets that...

Dust frowns "I thought you said..."

Corrupt groans as he takes a deep sigh "I know... I know what i said. I thought the same. This is also very much a surprise for me."

"how do you know my name?"

silence and Crorupt looks back at Nightmare. Ngihtmare still looks terrified. He is obviously terrified. but he has a very tiny stubborn glare on his face. One hand has formed a fist and is shaking sligthly. Nightmare keeps staring at Corrupt specifically.

Corrupt blinks and speaks softly "I.... What do you remember?" does he remember everything that Corrupt remembered?

Nightmare frowns as he thinks before looks at Corrupt distrusting "You first. What do you know?"

Killer snorts "suspicious little fellow." he points at Corrupt "That is corrupt. I am Killer." he points everyone out as he names everyone. Corrupt is watching closely and can see more and more panick appear in Ngihtmare's posture as each name is given.

right... Very unfriendly names. Corrupt now regrets not agreeing to taking a friendlier name. He makes the decision as he walks over to Nightmare and takes a seat before him. He makes sure to keep his tentacles low but not to hide them, same for his arms.

Hidden limbs can attack him and hurt him. This way Nightmare can keep and easy eye on everything.

Corrupt speaks softly, making sure to keep his voice soft and quiet just in case "I must admit I am not quite sure myself anymore. I am Corrupt. When you ate the apple of the tree I formed. I always believed that you had died and I formed from that moment with the apple's magic and power... I was unaware you were with me the whole time. How are you feeling? What do you remember?" and he waits. He knows this is a lot of information.

Nightmare frowns as he looks down slightly. Thinking. He looks at his hand and frowns as he touches some of his fingers. Corrupt follows the sight and knows why Nightmare must be confused. The villages had smashed his phalanges with a large bat just days before the apple incident. Those breaks should have been there still.

Nightmare forms a fist again as he holds said hand with his other "I... I think i... remember eating it..." he frowns more before flinching. Corrupt frowns and looks over his shoulder. Right.

He sighs "Loves. please back up a tiny bit." the four had started to gravitate closer but they seem to realise the problem. They give some quiet sorries and back up a bit.

Corrupt looks amused at them before motioning towards the other couches and chairs "Just sit down for a moment." He first needs to get Ngihtmare to relax just a tiny bit. Corrupt doubts he can move alright just yet and Corrupt wants him to be at least a bit calmer before he tries to ask if Nightmare wnats to get clean.

His mates luckily all listen and sit down and get comfortable as they start checking each other. Corrupt smiles, that is good. This way he is at least sure that they are all alright and no one is hurt.

Corrupt turns back to Nightmare who is staring at him. But he looks away as soon as Corrupt looks at him. Corrupt chuckles "It is alright... I can only imagine I must look very strange to you."

Ngihtmare shrugs and mutters "Not... that weird..." he grins a tiny bit as he glances up at him "I am a treespirit..."

Corrupt chcukles and nods "true..."

Nightmare glances to the side and Corrupt realises what Nightmare must be glancing it. Corrupt slowly makes one of his tentacles raise a little and makes it wave.

Nightmare blinks and looks at Corrupt "Are those..."

Corrupt nods "They are... made of negative energy." he brings it closer "We got that in common. Both of us have powers connected to the more negative things to feel." he lets the tendril hover near Nightmare.

Nightmare stares at it before very slowly touching the tendril. As soon as he touches it the negativity and magic in his being reacts. Because the area around the tendril starts to shine and show of cyan coloured swirls.

Nightmare stares and starts to smile "wow... I didn't know my stuff could be pretty..." he touches one of the shown swirls wiht his other hands and the area of effect expands a tiny bit.

Corrupt nods as he mutters "Even if everyone looks down on negativity. It has its good adn beautiful sides. Everything has, including the negative emotions."

Nightmar elooks unconvinced and that doesn't surprise Corrupt. Nightmare is used to being harrassed, bullied, hurt and abused over what he was connected to. His powers and role only every brough him pain.

Maybe Corrupt can at least show him the more beautiful side of their emotional powers. Show it is a part of healing and growth. That it has a connection to justice and protecting others.

Nightmare ends up focussing back on the tentacle in front of him and watching their magic react to one another. Familiar and calm. Both magicks seem to know the other and it helps Ngihtmare feel safe.

Some movement by his side and Corrupt watches as Cross is now near him before sitting on the ground with his back against the couch. Ngihtamre shoots him a look for a moment before calming down when the other's attention isn't on him. Nightmare turns back to the tentacle.

Cross looks over nervously before turning to Corrupt "what... what is the plan? are we just... going to..." he shoots Ngihtmare a look "Can we just keep him?"

Nightmare freezes and grabs the tentacle tighter.

Corrupt frowns as he looks at Nightmare. The idea... of leaving him somewhere? No... they can't just leave him somewhere.

Cross rubs his arm as he continues to speak "Like... I am not... sure how good I am at this dad thing?" he cringes "But I can learn! probably." he grins as he looks nervous.

Killer laughs as he lounges on the other couch, obviously watching them "I mean. I think this one is dips for either Horror or Dust. You know. Cyan of Cors and red of either of them makes purple for little nightlight."

Corrupt shoots Killer a glare "I wasn't pregnant."

horror hums and nods "Dust then. I don't have enough magic to get anyone pregnant."

Dust shrugs "Cool. I am upper-dad."

Killer grins "It has been decided!" and he throws his arms out with a laugh.

Corrupt sighs deeply as he looks back at Nightmare however just looks at the other four. Looking a tiny bit more relaxed and with a slightly tilted skull.

Corrupt speaks softly "Are you okay with staying here for a little bit? I swear to you that no one will harm you here, ever." It is why he made this place. it was a place of safety and shelter. For himself and those he holds so dear.

Nightmare looks at him, looks at the others, then looks at where their magicks interact and strengthen each other. Nightmare frowns but nods "Okay..."

Corrupt smiles "Thank you." he looks at his mates "How do you four feel?"

Killer grins "A bit tired but nothing too bad."

Cross nods and sits up straight "We are ready to do whatever!"

Corrupt sees both Horror and Dust give their own okays before nodding "Cross and Killer, can you two go to Littletale and get some supplies? We will need clothes foremost but anything that can fit a ten year old is helpful." furniture will come later once they figure out which room is right for the tiny prince-

Oh... Corrupt is already considering calling him prince compared to his own king title...

Maybe his mates have a point about how this whole situation happened. He does feel very protective over Nightmare... Again things to consider when he has the time.

He focusses on the mission "Dust. If you can go around the castle and secure the place. Make it safer." a glance confirms that Dust shoots their training room a look before nodding. He had figured Dust would understand what he meant without having to point out how many weapons they have, which will just make Ngihtmare nervous.

He looks at Horror "Love?"

Horror grins and nods "I will be in the kitchen. Allergies?"

Corrupt shakes his skull and looks at Nightmare "Not that i can remember... Nightmare? Are there any things you don't like the taste or texture off?"

Nightmare looks confused "texture?"

Corrupt smiles "Well yeah... I know I dislike either quite a few things that feel strange to me to eat. Anything you don't like?"

Nightmare thinks before speaking "I don't like.... mushy stuff? feels weird to chew..."

Corrupt looks at Horror and Horror nods before looking at Nightmare "Anything you like?"

Nightmare blinks and actually focusses on Horror for a moment. His hold on his tentacle tightens but seems to relax when he sees that Horror just waits as he stays in place and doesn't get closer.

Nightmare looks away and shrugs "Don't have stuff that i really like..." he rubs the tentacle. maybe it helps to sooth him?

Horror nods "Fair enough. We will have to get you to taste test a few things to see what you like." and he walks off before he can get a reply.

The others had already quietly left the room which Ngihtmare registers as he looks around soft "They move quiet..."

Corrupt nods "I know. I hardly ever hear them. I notice them by sensing their emotions more than anything."

Nightmare looks up unsure "They... they won't get mad? Others always get mad when i... used that..."

Corrupt smiles and shakes his skull "They won't... Will you let me help you get cleaned up?"

Ngihtmare blinks and looks down only to stare at the mess he is. Clearly not having realised that "Oh... euh..." he looks unsure as he looks hard at Corrupt "You... ARe you the one who spoke to me?"

Corrupt frowns as he tilts his skull "spoke?"

Nightmare nods as he rubs his hand "When... whenever i was sad and scared... I always heard this voice... it was very quiet and begged me to stay near... let them help... Was that you?"

Corrupt frowns as he thinks back. trying to remember the voice that Nightmare speaks off. But he can't remember those moments... What he does remember instead are his dream. showing the other side of the same conversation. Corrupt looks at Nightmare "I must admit I am unsure myself. I do not have memories of my own from before you ate the apple. I do... however... have your memories. For a long time i beleived those to be my own."

Nightmare looks away ashamed and mutters "oh...."

Corrupt shakes his skull "You don't need to be ashamed... you are a child... you shouldn't have had the pressure on you that was placed on you... and those who hurt you... they are the ones who are wrong. You never did anything wrong."

Ngihtmare nods but looks sad "I... I thought you were that voice... you sounded familiar and... I felt like i knew you."

Corrupt frowns and speaks sfotly "There are however dreams i had. Dreams that I wasn't you. But looking on from the outside... unable to assist. But I wanted to help you."

Nightmare thinks it over before looking at Corrupt and nods "okay... I would like being clean..."

Corrupt smiles and carefully picks Nightmare up. Noticing now that any goop touching any bones on Ngihtmare causes the same effect as the touches to the tentacles had caused. He hadn't noticed in his panic before.

Corrupt slowly leaves the living room and goes towards the hall before going up the stairs. As he walks he points at each room and area as he softly explains what is what. Ngihtmare looks around in shock and mutters about it being an actual castle. Corrupt smiles as he feels the excitement slowly start to appear in the younger empath.

They get to Corrupts room and he takes Ngihtmare towards the bathroom. Ngihtmare looks around confused as his hold tightens "what?"

Corrupt speaks softly as he explaisn how the bathroom works before turning on the tab of the bath. Letting Nightmare feel the water before making sure the water is nice and comfortable. He lets Ngihtmare sit by the water and play wiht it as he goes to look through the soaps and brushes. Getting everything needed to help clean up the young skeleton.

It only takes a moment before Corrupt returns to Nightmare's side. Ngihtmare looks nervous at him before looking at the water "will... will the water hurt you?"

corrupt stops and stares at Ngihtmare. He had expected th young skeleton to be worried about being exposed and naked in front of someone he didn't know. instead he is worried about Corrupt.

Corrupt smiles "I will be fine. Water does not bother me." to show he puts his hand in the water and shows how his goop just doesnt'mix with the water, all the rises off him was some old dirt from the battle. Nightmare looks at it curiously and touches it. the goop still lights up when their magic meets.

Ngihtmare frowns "why does it do that?"

Corrupt hums and shrugs "I can only assume it is because our magics have a similar source. it recognises each other as-" family. He manages to stop himself.

Nightmare tilts his skull as he stares at him. a tiny smile appears on his face "I already got a mom though."

Corrupt sighs and looks at the younger monster "please don't start to. I already have four of them doing that joke."

Nightmare chuckles before looking at the water "Bath time?"

Corrupt nods and gently helps Ngihtmare out of his dirty clothes and into the water. Ngihtmare hums happily and relaxes. Corrupt looks him over but doens't see any scars or marks of the past wounds. completely healed.

Corrupt smiles "You really are healed..." It makes it worth it. Makes it worth having to experience the pain of Ngihtmare splitting from his body.

Nightmare looks in awe at his body "You healed me... You kept your promise."

Corrupt frowns as he starts helping the younger monster bath as he still can't quite move right yet "What do you mean?"

Ngihtmare hums as he relaxes into his hold, full trust "The voice... it said that if i just gave in. To accept help. That the pain would stop." he smiles "You stopped the pain."

Corrupt looks at him before smiling "I am happy I was able to help you. I was worried before... That i had hurt you... that eating the apple to make me, destroyed you."

Nightmare keeps looking at him. Some suspicion in his feelings before he relaxes and smiles back. believing him. Why would Nightmare just believe Corrupt on his word-

Oh... of course...

Nightmare and Corrupt are both empaths. They can feel the other and feel that they are both honest. That they don't want to hurt each other.

That is what the trust is build upon. Something that was clear instantly from their first interaction.

After that Corrupt just helps Nightmare get clean as Ngihtmare uses the water to slwoly move his limbs.

Nightmare looks unhappy with the uneasy movement.

Corrupt chcukles "You were asleep for a long time Nightmare. It will take some time before you regain your full movement again."

Nightmare looks at him "Why... why did Drema shoot you?" he looks so confused "Your magic is like mine... why would he attack you?"

Corrupt stops and sighs "Your brother hates me. Because He thought I killed you."

Nightmare frowns as he looks up at him "But... you didn't... it was.. them... the villagers... not you..." he frowns "did you tell Dream that?"

Corrupt sighs "I tried to explain it to him a long time ago... He didn't beleive me."

Nightmare just looks sad as he leans heavily into his hold "He never believed me either."

Corrupt frowns "I am sorry."

Nightmare shrugs as he moves the dirty water around "I am used to it..."

Corrupt rubs his shoulders "People believe what you say here. I promise. They will listen to you."

Nightmare frowns before nodding "okay."

Corrupt nods before smiling "Ready to get dressed?"

Nightmare frowns at the sad pile of clothes "i guess?"

Corrupt shakes his skull and stands up "You are comfortable right? stable? No leanign to the side?"

Ngihtmare looks unsure but nods "I am okay... No one will get in?"

Corrupt nods "no one will bother you." Ngihtmare accepts it and Corrupt quickly goes ot his closet and reaches around. It doesn't take long before finding a soft sweater and some sweats. He returns to the bathroom and helps Ngihtmare dry off before helping him get dressed.

Clean and comfrotable safely in his arms.

Corrupt looks at Nightmare "ready to get some food?"

Nightmare looks at him before nodding "okay."

Corrupt leaves his room and goes towards the kitchen to meet up with one of his mates. Hopefully the others will like and accept Nightmare as easily as Corrupt did.

*--------------------*

Next Part.

[hieludoboi]

In Our Next Life

A/n- I really should be writing my Daichi series but I got the idea to write this after reading the most recent chapter of BNHA

A/n- Damn, this is kinda a little bit of word vomit, but like that’s okay :’)

Pairing- Dabi/Fem!Reader

Summary-If not in this life, then the next, right?

Warnings- Abuse, Major Character Death, Endeavor, a little bid of blood? pretty violent, fighting and war, SPOILERS FOR MY HERO ACADEMIA CHAPTER 290

Y/n hated hero society. That much she knew. She often wondered how life was before quirks came to be. As a little girl, she would sit between her grandmother’s legs, mouth open in awe as stories of a time not her own were recounted to her, becoming reality on the tongue of her dreams. She wished she had been born in those times. No quirk, no corruption, no child soldiers… Y/n would often sit and wonder if maybe life could have been different in those times. Maybe her mother would have cared, would have loved her, and nurtured her instead of forcing her to grow her quirk until she became an unrecognizable monster when she looked in the mirror.

“We’ll prove ‘em wrong. Right, Touya?” Y/n mumbled to herself, her fingers clutching onto the small wooden frame that sat on her nightstand. She would become the hero her mother never could and avenge Touya. She would do anything for him.

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“Momma! Momma, I can’t!” Y/n screamed, face twisted in agony as the scarlet flames scorched at her face and skin, charring the flesh that was desperately trying to regenerate. Her hands fisted as much as they could into loose concrete, her delicate nails splintering against grey floors of stone and splattering them cherry red. She could barely see, the world around her blanketed in white except for his warm puddles of eyes.

 Touya was being restrained by Y/n’s mother, his legs kicking and thrashing about as he tried to claw his way out of the woman’s vice-like grip. Touya’s wailing and Y/n’s guttural screams joined each other’s in harmony, producing an ugly duet. It was dissonant, clashing against each other as it got swept up in swarming summer winds. Y/n wondered if this was what hell felt like. A never-ending inferno of red’s and oranges, mocking a pretty sunset with its demonic hues. She wondered if Touya’s sobs would play on repeat in her head for the rest of her life…

“Stop! Enji! Stop!” Y/n had got lost amongst the wires of time, not realizing that Fuyumi had run to get Rei in the disarray of chaos that they had trapped her in. And suddenly the flames had stopped, and Rei was kneeling beside her, letting frost roam over the charred body of the ten-year-old girl before her. A head of white was all she could see for a moment, and then Touya’s graying head popped up from behind his mother’s shoulder, begging to be let closer.

 Brown and blue, those hues brought so much comfort to her.Rei wiped her eyes, gently cradling Y/n and Touya’s bodies against her chest, enveloping them in a sheet of frost and comfort. It took a moment, but Y/n’s quirk eventually kicked in on its own, regenerating skin cells and tissue, restoring lost hair and patches of skin. At that point, Y/n knew that hell was Enji Todoroki.

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“I’m sorry. He’s gone…” Fuyumi and Natsuo were the ones to give her the news. First, Rei was taken away, then Touya? God, Y/n was having the worst year of her life. She should have cried, she wanted to, and though her face contorted and her body heaved and shook with sobs, tears never fell. Tear ducts. They were the one thing that she could never regenerate.

Natsuo had held her as she sobbed into his shoulder, Fuyumi somewhere in the kitchen preparing a meal for them. Though they loved their brother dearly, they knew that Y/n and Touya’s connection went beyond theirs. They shared pain, abuse, and trauma that no one in their home could ever begin to comprehend.

“Please. Please take care of Shouto. He’ll do the same thing to him, and-” Y/n could feel the bile rising in her throat, burning her esophagus as she ran to the restroom. Her mother had died long ago in battle, and though she was free from their clutches, even though she was now alone to do what she pleased, the cinders of dully lit embers still prickled her skin. No amount of regeneration could get rid of the subtle scars that sat atop her skin, the burns from both Enji's and Touya’s flames being too much for her body to ever begin to handle.

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Being a hero should have been the last thing she wanted to be, but here she was, hero suit and all, sat in a plush and comfy chair as she explained the basics of her quirk to the man who had been interviewing her. After all these years, she was sitting at Endeavor’s office, applying to work under his agency. Ironic, right?

“And this quirk is called Regen, right?” Y/n looked up from where her eyes had been focused on the subtle burn scars that still sat on her skin.

“Right. It allows me to manipulate blood flow, organs, etcetera, etcetera. If the human body makes it, or if it’s part of the human body, I can manipulate it. To activate it, I need to get at least four beats of a person’s pulse. Once I do that, I can manipulate their blood flow and organs. So I can either use them as puppets, or shut down their organs, but mostly I just restrict oxygen and blood flow enough to knock them out. I had to work really hard to be able to get it to do that, but my area of specialty is regeneration. I can do it to my body or someone else’s,” Y/n explained, a fake and yet oddly pleasant smile on her face.

“Any weaknesses or limitations?” The interviewer asked, nose buried in his notebook as he jotted down little notes.

“Well, my quirk subtly wastes away the inside of my body. I won’t age on the outside, but my insides age with every minute that I use this quirk. So I’m a little frail, but it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Injuries by fire or heat also seem to be the one thing I can never fully heal. Oh and I think it’s worth mentioning that I can never fully heal ailments in one sitting. I can do the heavy work, or begin the process of healing bigger injuries, but if I try and heal all ailments and injuries at once, it will kill me.” Y/n explained, motioning to the subtle burns all across her body.The interviewer nodded, jotting down a note or two. Before she knew it, she was stepping out of his office, stumbling into an all too familiar, broad chest. 

Quickly, she shoved the man away, her body beginning to tremble as the soles of her feet planted themselves firmly onto the carpeted ground, forcing her to face her hell. Looking up, she stared into cold, blue eyes. They weren’t warm; they weren’t comforting. They weren’t Touya.

“Ah, Y/n. It’s nice to see you here…” Enji’s voice was stiff, strained, and very obviously uncomfortable. Y/n couldn’t help but stare at the massive scar that was etched across one side of his face. He seemed different. Not just in appearance, but something within him had changed.

Enji cleared his throat, reaching his hand out to shake Y/n’s hand. And before she could stop herself, she flinched. Not just a little flinch, but a jump. Her eyes were wide and torn with fear, her body curling into itself as a small shriek threatened to jump from the confines of her throat. The burns across her body seemed to sear all over again, and she could faintly catch a whiff of charred flesh. Enji stopped in his tracks, retracting his hand and instead shoving them into his pockets.

“Uhm, what brings you here?” Enji asked, genuine curiosity in his voice. Y/n took a deep breath, straightening out the wrinkles in her suit before forcing herself to meet Enji’s guilty gaze. Why was she here? She could have gone with the brutally honest and therapeutic reason. She could be here to face her abuser and find some sort of closure, maybe even become number one while at his agency and drive him insane, do something to avenge Touya, or.

“Well, I figured since I already know you and you were sort of my mentor, what better place to apply than here, right?” Y/n bit the inside of her cheek, her nails digging tiny crescents into the palms of her hands behind her back. She sounded so unsure, so pitiful and… Scared.

“Right, well, I’ll be sure to approve your application then. Uhm, I’ll see you around,” Y/n nodded, watching as Enji walked off, leaving her to stare at his back. Had she made the right decision? Lord, she hoped so.

——————————

“Y/n?” Y/n spun around, the confused look on her face dropping as soon as she made eye contact with Shouto. The boy hadn’t changed much since she had last seen him. Yet, he looked so, disappointed? Disillusioned?

“Shou! I didn’t think you’d be interning here!” Y/n exclaimed, scarred hands clutching onto loads of paperwork. Shouto frowned, taking a step towards her and gently touching the faint scars on her hands with delicate fingertips. Y/n took in a breath, not realizing she had been holding it until Shouto pulled away.

“I didn’t think you’d be working here, Nee-chan…” Y/n gasped, the oxygen getting stuck in her throat. It had been years since Shouto had called her his Ne-chan. Had she failed him?

“Shouto…” Y/n trailed off, sad eyes averting from the first year’s fierce gaze.

“We’re having dinner tonight, a few friends of mine are going. Fuyumi and Natsuo wouldn’t mind seeing you,” Shouto mumbled before walking away, leaving Y/n to stare once again at someone’s back. Had she made the wrong choice?

———————————————

Y/n had spent way too much time getting ready for this family dinner situation. This would be the first time in years that should be setting foot into the Todoroki household. She never realized just how much fear it could bring her. But this time would be different, she told herself as she pulled on a yellow knitted sweater. Natsuo would be there, and so would Fuyumi and Shouto. They would be eating dinner, not training.And so with a deep breath, Y/n forced herself to walk outside and drive herself to the Todoroki residence. Things were different now. She was grown, a pro hero climbing the ranks at a rapid pace. She had to be over it at this point, right?

She should have known. Standing at the front door felt more daunting than it was. Her body seemed to tremble with each breath she took. All she could see was fire, all she could hear were screams, and all she could feel was the stinging feel of flames against her already marred flesh. This was her hell.She was half expecting Rei to open the door when she knocked. And sure enough, she was met by a pair of warm brown eyes and a head of white hair. Natsuo. Y/n could feel her body stiffen, turning to stone against her will. She had severely overestimated herself.

Dinner was anything but smooth. Fuyumi was trying, lord was she trying. It was a tense night, with Y/n sitting between Fuyumi and Natsuo, a comforting hand wrapped around her unsteady hand beneath the table. Fuyumi had always been very kind to her.

“So how’d you do it?” Fuyumi and Y/n looked up, their eyes focusing on Natsuo, who was spitting venom at Enji. Natsuo looked like a cobra, hood raised, and ready to strike. Enji stared at Natsuo with a confused look, eyebrows furrowed and lips pursed. “How’d you manage to get Y/n into your agency? She hates you and everything about you, so how’d you do it?” Natsuo spat, brown eyes turning into pits of coal as he stared Enji down. Y/n felt herself grow cold, the pair of chopsticks damn near breaking in her iron tight grip.

“What’s he talking about?” Y/n looked up, her e/c eyes following each and every one of Bakugo, Midoriya’s, and Shouto’s movements as he explained what he could remember to them.

“Natsuo…” Fuyumi trailed off, a soft voice of warning between the two heated males. Y/n sighed through her nose before letting go of Fuyumi’s hand.

“It makes no sense. He’s the reason for all her burns. They were so severe that she couldn’t even regenerate the skin back to normal! Her tear ducts are gone and her lungs will never be the same from all the smoke she’s had to inhale! It makes no sense, Fuyumi!” Natsuo yelled, tears pricking at his eyes.

“Natsuo, I joined on my own. No one forced me. I had my reasons.” Y/n stated, looking away from Natsuo’s hurt eyes. Maybe she had made the wrong choice.

“He’s the reason Touya’s dead! How could you work with him!?” Y/n flinched, her body becoming a statue, the chopsticks falling from her hands and clanging against the glass plate beneath her.

“Natsuo!” Fuyumi yelled, eyes widening as Y/n abruptly stood up. She looked sickly, a pale and grey undertone taking quite the liking to her face. The entire table watched as she stumbled to the front door, struggling to pull on her shoes.

She left before anyone could say goodbye, shoving her body into the car that almost felt too small for her, yet she couldn’t leave. It felt like something was tying her to the house, and she hated it. Taking a deep breath, she opened her car door, relishing in the way the crisp air filled her damaged lungs. It wouldn’t hurt to go back, right?

Stepping out of the car, she ambled towards the courtyard, her eyes darting from area to area. It wasn’t all bad. She had made some good memories with Touya there. Like the time Enji wasn’t able to take his usual Sunday’s off to torment Touya and her. She and Touya had played hide and seek with Fuyumi in the courtyard for what felt like hours, playful grins adorning their round faces as they stumbled around the pillars and grass. Y/n and Touya were six at that time.

Finally, Y/n was standing in the middle of the courtyard, staring at the stone floors that had shattered her fingernails so many times. Wincing, Y/n brought her fingers to her lips, chewing on the tips of her nails and tasting the familiar metallic twang of blood on her tongue. When she pulled her fingers away, they were fine. There was no blood, no splintering, nothing.It took longer than she expected, wandering around the area and remembering key details of her life with every corner she walked into. And then she fell, tripping over a stray water bottle and landing hands first into the center of the courtyard, her eyes focusing in on the giant cherry tree just on the other side of the stone floor.

“We’ll be the best heroes! You can control the enemy like puppets! And I’ll scare them with my fire!” Touya declared, bright blue eyes sparkling with stars plucked from the heavens. Y/n nodded, a determined smile on her face. They were sat on the floor, their bodies bruised and sore from the sparring they had been forced to do earlier. Her s/c hands cupped Touya’s face, working hard to clear the bruises along his eyes and cheeks. “And I’ll never have to worry about getting hurt when I’m with you! Ever!” Touya said a closed-eyed grin on his face. They would never have to worry as long as they had each other. “Thank you, oh, and here!” Touya pulled away from Y/n as soon as she put her hands in her lap, quickly scurrying over to the cherry tree behind him to pluck a sakura that had fallen to the ground.

“Momma says that sakuras mean new beginnings or something like that! I just think they’re pretty! You’re pretty too. Hey! Maybe your hero name could be Sakura! Because you’re pretty, and you can heal people, and people can start again when they heal!” Touya exclaimed, stumbling over his words as he focused on tucking the Sakura behind her ear so the flower stuck out a bit. Y/n giggled, nodding at his suggestion. She would do anything Touya asked.

She hadn’t even noticed she was sobbing until she felt a pair of arms wrapping around her body. And for a split second, she thought the feeling of raindrops running down the apples of her cheeks were tears. When had it started to rain?

“Let’s go inside, yeah? Dad and the kids went to go help Natsuo. He left a little bit ago.” Fuyumi explained, helping Y/n stand from the cold concrete floor. Y/n sniffled, nodding her head. And as they made their way into the living room, Y/n finally felt a little at peace. She was grown now, a pro hero who could finally fight for herself. For the first time since she had walked into that courtyard, she left without any scars, any fears. She walked in on her own, did what she wanted, and left. Maybe, just maybe, that courtyard couldn’t control her any longer.

———————————

Y/n hated hero society. She knew that now more than ever. Here she was, fighting a war alongside child soldiers who were too young to be risking their lives for some ‘glory filled’ death. She was tired, so, so tired. Her muscles felt like they were wasting away with each breath she took. Her arms and hands were sore from being stretched out for so long. She was past her limit, controlling up to five villains with one hand, working her hardest to help heal five other heroes as they constantly hurt themselves with her other hands.

“Renge! You’re needed upfront, we’ll handle things here!” Y/n looked around, wondering exactly who had given her the command but couldn’t find the person to who the voice belonged too. She could only see the confident faces of her peers as she one by one let her enemies and allies go. Shouto was up front, so were his friends. Y/n took a deep breath. They weren’t too far from the front lines, and she was lucky enough to have been given a lift by some winged hero. She took her time in the air to heal herself, just a bit. She was going to die in the battle, that much she knew. She might as well die looking good, right?

“Come dance with your son in hell!!” Nothing. Nothing could have prepared her for the voice that rung through her ears, piercing her brain and heart in just one second. It had been ages since she had heard that voice. But he was dead. Stumbling as she jumped off of the other pro hero, she slowly walked to stand beside Shouto. And sure enough, there he was. His face was maimed, held together by staples and purple flesh, blue eyes resembling the marina trenches, his lips twisted in some crazed grin. It couldn’t be. Someone had to be posing as him. Touya was dead, he had been dead for years. Touya wouldn’t be a murderer, this wasn’t Touya. Y/n bit down on her lip, wincing as she tasted the blood that began to trickle down into her mouth. She was a hero now, and her priority was to help her comrades, not reminisce or let her past emotions get into the way. Even if it was Touya, it wasn’t the Touya she knew.

Y/n didn’t allow herself to think, her vision going spotty and body going hot as her hands stretched in front of her. She had felt his pulse enough times, and if it was him, he would bend to her will. But still, she hoped that his body would move on its own, she hoped that he wouldn’t succumb to her quirk. She hoped it was someone else.

Dabi felt himself going insane as he stared down his father and brother. He had wanted this for years, and now, here they were. Enji could finally pay for what he had done. Amongst the chaos, he failed to notice the way his body went rigid, a familiar cold grip wrapping around his veins. Where had he felt this before?

Dabi gritted his teeth, straining against the non-existent wires coiling around his veins, restricting his movements, and using him as a puppet. Vague memories of a childhood lost to trauma encircled his mind, and his vision seemed to be going spotty. But it couldn’t be. Not her, not Y/n. Dabi grunted, his knees hitting the ground as he turned to stare to the right. Sure enough, there she was, her costume ripped, her face bruised and bloody, her muscles wasting away behind the latex that wrapped around her body.

Her eyes were wild, seemingly blank as she focused in on his body. He had only seen that fear cross her gaze when she looked at his father, so why was she looking at him like that? Yet still, he found himself walking towards her slowly slumping figure. The closer he got, the more clearly he could hear the sobs that left her lips. She hadn’t changed, her skin just as scarred, her eyes just as empty and fearful. She couldn’t bring herself to hurt him, and he knew it.

Grinning to himself, Dabi chuckled, catching her gaze and watching as she tried to remain indifferent.

“Your cries give you away, doll,” Dabi chuckled, the sound raspy and cold. Y/n flinched before closing her eyes and attempting to steady herself. “I missed you, y’know?” Dabi took a step towards her, blinking in surprise when he realized she wasn’t using her quirk on him. “I know all your weaknesses, I know the ins and outs of your quirk, and you’re letting me go?” Dabi mused, his burnt hand coming up to cup the side of her face. Y/n felt the sob rip painfully from her chest as she leaned into the touch, bringing up her maimed hand to clasp onto his.

“He really did a number on you, huh, Y/n?” Dabi said softly, his gaze becoming tender for just a moment before returning to its piercing and frosted state. Y/n nodded her head, letting her body fall against his chest, wrapping her arms around his disfigured body. Dabi grunted, eyes wide in shock, his knees buckling beneath him. They fell onto the rubble beneath their feet, knees bruising against crumbled buildings and twisted metal poles.

“You’re alive…” Y/n choked the words out through her sobs. Her hands gripping onto his shoulders, not willing to let him go. She couldn’t lose him, not now that he had finally come back. Dabi stiffened, his arms slowly wrapping around her shaking form. They sat like that for a moment, trembling against one another, against the mess of the surrounding city.

Finally, Y/n pulled away, her unsteady hands cupping Dabi’s face, her worried eyes studying his face and twisting in heartbreak. Why was she looking at him like that?

Y/n pushed Dabi away, her chest violently rising and falling, her breaths feeling like hornet stings inside her lungs and throat. His eyes were no longer warm, they were void of emotion; they were filled with hunger, a hunger she hadn’t seen in years. This wasn’t Touya. Y/n took shaky breaths. Her eyes screwed shut as she tried to convince herself that the man in front of her wasn’t the boy she had fallen in love with all those years ago.

Dabi felt his breath catch in his throat, his hand extending towards her before falling to his side. Why was she scared? She knew it was him, right?

“Y/n, it’s me. It’s Touya…” Dabi croaked, his eyes filling with pain as he crawled towards her. Y/n shook her head vigorously, shuffling back anytime he tried to come close to her.

“Stop it. You’re not Touya!” Y/n flinched at the scream that tore through her lips, not expecting the words to fly from her chest in the way they did. “T-Touya wanted to be a hero! Touya wanted to save people. He loved his baby brother, Touya, Touya wasn’t some sort of monster!” Y/n spat, the venom dripping from her words and splattering against Dabi’s eardrums.

“I did what I had to do!” Dabi yelled back, his eyes wide and filled with hurt. How could she say that about him? “I was willing to do whatever it took to show the world what he had done to me- to us!” Dabi explained, his voice wavering as he knelt among jutting pieces of cement and debris.

Y/n let her back rest against a random piece of wall, her chest heaving as her lungs struggled to obtain air. She had overworked herself. Her lungs were practically disintegrating. She was tired, and her body could no longer move. On the inside, she had the organs of a ninety-year-old. This was it for her, and she knew it. But at least she got some closure, right? Through her lidded eyes, she watched as Dabi rushed towards her, blue eyes filled with worry, and maybe even warmth.

“Hey, hey! No! You can’t go on and give up! You have to beat that bastard at his own game, remember? Become number one, drive him insane!” Dabi explained as he scooped up her limp body in his arms. Y/n blinked, her eyes cold and slowly dimming.

“We. We were supposed to do that…” Y/n whispered, her hand weakly reaching up to try and hold his face before meekly falling onto his chest. Dabi took an unsteady breath, taking hold of her cold hand and pressing it to his cheek. “I hope, that in our next lives, we’re able to live the life we always wanted…” Y/n mumbled, her fingers finding purchase on his pulse. Dabi blinked, eyes going wide as soon as he realized what she was doing.

“Stop it- stop! You’re going to die!” Dabi yelled, his voice cracking as she restricted his movements with her quirk.“I was going to die anyway. I knew this would be my final battle, Dabi, so let me die looking at the Touya I knew, and not you.” Y/n mumbled. Dabi could feel the way his sobs racked his body. Her face and body beginning to grow pale, her eyes tired and almost dead as she poured what was left of her into his recovery.

A weak smile grew on Y/n’s face as she watched the burns on his body begin to heal, the staples falling off one by one as his skin slowly began to go back to normal. The flesh beneath her fingers grew soft, the color returning to its pale and rosy state.

“Could you imagine how different our lives could be?” Y/n whispered, a sad smile on her face as she watched the patches beneath Dabi’s eyes disappear. “Sakura and Touya, pro heroes, working side by side… Y’know, I never felt like I could take that hero name. I settled with Renge. Sakuras symbolize starting anew, remember? I never felt like I could start again. I felt, that after Touya died, I had to grow through mud,” Y/n explained, her chest rattling with stinging wheezes, her face growing gaunt and grey.

Dabi took a shuddering breath, his hand gripping onto Y/n’s free hand, nodding along to the words that weakly slipped from her lips, getting lost in the chaos around their bodies. 

“I’m right here, Y/n. Touya’s here…” Dabi sobbed, pulling her body closer to his, willing her to see him for who he was, for who she knew him to be. Y/n shook her head, the hurt in her eyes eminent despite the way they shrouded with death.

“You only look like Touya,” Y/n murmured, flinching as droplets began to fall onto her cheeks. She looked up at him with a feeble gaze, watching as the tears collected in Dabi’s eyes before dripping down his face. Frowning, Y/n attempted to brush away his tears with her thinning hand. Dabi sniffled, looking down at her body as it wasted away in his arms. His eyes held yearning, an agony that only they knew existed. And for a moment, they even seemed tender as he stared down at her. For a moment, Touya was there.

“In our next life, Touya…” Y/n rasped, her hand falling to her side, her eyes dimming until there was nothing left. Touya could feel the way his body broke down, the agonizing screams ripping past the confines of his throat and getting lost in the battle behind them. He could feel the tears rushing down his cheeks, dripping down his chin and filling the dips in her now scrawny face. Her chest shuddered one last time, her final breath raking past her lungs and dissipating into the wind.

He stayed there for what felt like hours, curled around her body. She was thin, pale and so, so utterly broken. Touya couldn’t help but wonder how they had gotten to this point, what their life could have been like if he had just gone to her, looked for her. In his quest to destroy his father, he had lost sight of himself, and ultimately let his ambitions get the best of him.

Touya took a deep breath, harshly wiping the tears off of his face. He gave Y/n’s hand one last squeeze, gently laying her body amongst the mounds of rubble where someone was sure to find her. He could only hope that they would meet again.

“In our next life, Y/n…”

[nitannichionne]

If He Was Your Fan, Chapter 56: A Perfect Day, Henry POV (A Henry Cavill Fan Fic)

Chapter 56: A Perfect Day (Henry POV)

I open my eyes.

Were we so tired last night? We both fell asleep in each other’s arms, which was nice, but we just fell out. I didn’t think we were that tired but this was the first time we’d really relaxed in some time. There was nothing scheduled in the near future. There were no deadlines. The relief must have taken us down.

My ears hear food cooking and I inhale deeply. I smell steak….steak and eggs! With…uh…biscuits..and coffee? YES!

“Babe?” I call out to her, a question in my voice.

“Hey, hon, it’s ready!”

I roll out of bed and am greeted by Kal, who is being his puppy version of adorable.

“Alright, ol’ boy, you’ll get scraps,” I whisper down to him as he weighs my feet down. He pops up like a daisy and I head to the dining area just as she is coming out of the kitchen. “She’s corrupted you.”

“What?” she asks with a raise of an eyebrow. “Who’s corrupted who?”

“Ah, nothing,” I shrug, seeing breakfast.

“Oh, because I thought you might be talking about how Luna gets smoked salmon for no reason,” she teases. “she’s definitely corrupted you, babe.”

“Wow, love, this is…great,” I smile down at it as she brings juice, coffee and water. “Where’s yours?”

“I’ll get it.”

“I���ll wait.”

Her eyes widen and she goes and gets her plate as well…after cooking her eggs. I was not going to sit and eat without her after she cooked everything. This was something I was going to keep in mind always. She wasn’t a waitress or cook, she was my…going to be…someday would be…had to be…

“Henry?”

“Huh?”

“You alright?”

“Yeah,” I said quickly. “yeah, just…” She sits down next to me, frowning and watching me. “waiting on you, babe.” I look down. “Hold it!”

“What?”

“That is not what is on my plate.”

“Uh, yeah.”

“I want some of that!”

“Oh, you just want it because—”

“You have it? You bet!”

She rolls her eyes, shaking her head and nodding. “Okay, then but you need to share.”

“Deal.”

After we shared our breakfasts, we packed backpacks and drove to Balmoral Estate. As soon as we got out of the truck, she gasped.

“Oh, my God,” she whispers. “is that a—”

“Pyramid?” I finish. “Yes.” I got out of the car and pulled our bags.

“We’re going to hike here?” she asks, eyes wide.

“This is Balmoral Castle—” I pointed off in the distance. “and Estate. There are cairns, pyramid like monuments, all over the property, but Queen Victoria had a pyramid build memory of her husband Prince Albert over a hundred and fifty years ago. Come on.”

I was a bit surprised to find people on the trail, but it is an outdoor activity. We saw many people on the way, and as usual, selfies here and there. The good thing is that the estate is so big, we really can’t be located. It was a bit of a hike, and we shared snacks of cheese and fruit and water on the way, but we made it.

“This is so…wow.”

“Queen Victoria loved her husband Prince Albert very much, and he became ill,” I told her. “He said as long as his family was well cared for, he could die the next day, but Victoria said if he died, it would kill her, and so he fought the illness to the end. She had this built and grieved for decades after.”

“She loved him like that, so much?” she whispers.

“Yes, he was a part of her, she couldn’t bear the idea of his leaving, even in something as unavoidable as death.” I swallowed hard, looking at her. Who would lightsaber duel with me? Who goes and does ‘her thing’ when I play Warcraft? When would I have ever found out what a blasted Dagwood is? “He died in his forties, relatively young. We saw some of their cairns, or memorials, on the way here.”

“I thought cairns were dogs.”

I chuckled at that. “The breed was known for chasing small quarry between the cairns, they were small and mobile enough to manuver.” I put my arm around her. “Cairn terriers.”

“Oh.”

We walk back to the car together, and we are tiring. Times like these I wish we could go to a restaurant, but I wasn’t ready to risk it.

We managed to get back to the car with minimum fuss and drove back to the cabin.

We decided on pizza. I took care of the crust and she got the ingredients and sauce together. Thin crust meant less time, so I that’s what we did. We ate the first pizza pretty quickly, but the second was a literal pie or stuffed pizza, taking a bit longer so we took Kal and Luna out.

Night fell quickly and the Northern Lights were out for their show.

“God, people live here,” she breathes, her eyes wide. “people wake up and go to sleep to this.”

“Yeah,” I said softly, hugging her from behind. “Nice retirement, hmm?”

She smiles at the sky and turns in my arms. “Maybe.”

“We’ll raise cairns,” I said teasingly.

“Okay, you can practice Warcraft and be a professional gamer.”

“Who says I’m not that good now?”

“Are you?”

“Okay, okay, a little more practice,” I laugh and turn her so she could look at the sky again, rocking her side to side as if we were dancing. She laughs with me. “but the acting thing, I kinda like it.”

She belly laughs at that, leaning back against me. “Gee, ya think?” She sighs, “I would write my whole life if I could.”

“I get that feeling,” I look at her and kiss her temple, my arms around her, her hands in mine. I watch her lift her ring hand and move it, making the diamond glitter and sparkle under the night sky lights. “Wondering about the ring, are you?”

“A little,” she giggles a bit nervously, looking down at it. “Is it really that old?”

“Yes,” I reply. “Many years ago one of my ancestors was a merchant. He loved someone very much, and she was afraid he would not come home to her, especially since she was a commoner. He had this ring made to let her know that she was his North Star, and no matter where he sailed or ventured, she would always be his way home.” I was nervous. I reach into my pocket, and pull out my family crest, no bigger than the size of a small button. I took her hand, and opened the locket ring. “This fits in here.” I put it in gingerly. “If there is ever any doubt of who loves and protect you, you only need open it.” I close it back turn her to me. She looks up at me as I hold her hand in mine, seemingly speechless.

“Thank you,” she breathes.

“Every knight usually has a lady,” I joke softly, still holding her hand with mine and tilting her chin up with the other. I bend down and brush my lips over hers. “Right?” She nods yes, and I pull her to me for a deeper kiss. She melted against me and we both sighed, tasting each slowly, no rush, the world was moving slower for the moment and so could we.

Suddenly her watch went off.

“Pizza?”

“Yeah,” she exhales. We walk back inside, and the house is filled with the aroma. Even Kal and Luna are sniffing around the kitchen door. I follow her in, and she pulls out a huge pizza pie.

“That’s for today and tomorrow, isn’t it?” I asked with a small laugh.

“Definitely, but we can have salad to go with it,” she says, carefully placing it on the counter. “Needs to cool.”

“Okay—” I pick her up and carry her to the bed. She wraps her arms around my neck and curls closer. I lay her down and crawl between her legs, kissing her as I make my way up. Just as my hips align, and my lips meet hers, she curls her limbs around me and reverses our positions.

“Pinned ya,” she whispers.

I chuckle at that and try to sit up, but she grabs my hands and puts them over my head.

“Pinned ya again,” she rubs my nose with hers.

@mistress-of-ward @nuggsmum @messyinsomnimaniac @jencanbeyouryengeralt @sweetdreamsofgelato @mary-ann84 @omgkatinka @the-soot-sprite @viking-raider @keanureevesisbae @henryobsessed @summersong69 @sunshine96love @michelehansel @thelastsock @tumblnewby @tenaciousneckpartypainter @rn7rocks @daydreamin83 @ruthoakenshield @musicartmayheminmyheart @kaatelyynn-blog-blog@forallthebrokenheartedthings @alphacancrii @liquorlaughslove @designerwriterchic @tamychm @nikkilynn303 @circesgirl1 @xoxohannahlee @pixie88@fckdeusername @maan24 @kaatelyyynn​ @october505​ @absentmindr​ @introvertedmouse​ @sassy-pelican @griscka75

[ilooklikeaburntchickenugget]

Only Mine Pt. 5

A/N: THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SWEET MESSAGES ABOUT THIS SERIES! It’s honestly so fun to write about so I’m glad all of you like it as much as I do. Pairing: Gerard Way x F!Pop Star!Reader Word count: 2,337 Warnings: Some swearing, mentions of anxiety and stress

You were humming an idea you had, your phone sitting out and playing one of the hundreds recordings you had for songs. Sweatpants and a large hoodie with fuzzy socks were the only appropriate attire for the recording studio, your hair carelessly held up by a scrunchie in a bun on the top of your head, glasses slightly crooked on your face.

“You get it, right?” You asked from the couch, where your legs were propped up against your chest.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure I do.” Ray smiled, turning back to the computer and putting in a few various sounds.

“I’m thinking of putting in these ‘Oh’ sounds over and over, as background, pre-verse and then in the chorus.” You included.

“That would be cool.” Gerard laid back in the chair in between you and Ray, “Make them lower though, they’ll contrast your voice.” You nodded, agreeing.

“I want to make it sound frantic, almost anxious, right? That’s kind of the feeling of the song.” “Well, yeah, that makes sense with the meaning and lyrics.” Ray added on and you nodded. “I think it sounds sick.” “Thanks man.” You smiled lightly, “I have like 20 of these. Not the same song, but for the new album.” “Already?” He asked, shocked.

“Don’t underestimate her,” Gerard looked over at him, arms crossed and slouching back, “Give her five minutes and she’ll have an entire fucking song conducted.” You nodded.

“Maybe not five, but something along those lines.”

“Have you made a title for the record?” Ray asked next and you shook your head.

“I have most of it composed, I don’t have a title though.” You said, “It’s a concept album, so as you guys know, it’s written like a book. But there’s this whole plot and everything. So it’s not like I can name it after someone or something, like I did with the last one, I have to find something.” “What about a song name?” Gerard looked up at you, “Name it after a song, maybe. One that you feel embodies the record as a whole.” “I don’t know,” You sighed out of partial frustration, “I’m not good at naming albums. I almost named the last one Gerard, but Ray told me no.” You could hear Ray lightly snicker remembering that.

“Really?” Gerard asked, a look of slight shock on his face.

“What?” You asked, “You act like you don’t know that entire record is about you.” He shrugged.

“It still flatters me.” “Well this one is kinda about you,” You admitted, “More about the picture the media has painted us out to be.” “You mean bad boy makes innocent girl bad?” He asked and you nodded.

“It’s almost set out as a character v. self, character v. character, and character v. society album.” You explained, “She’s frustrated with herself because she knows he’s bad but she loves him, she’s mad at him because he’s that way but she also loves him for it, and she’s mad at everyone who’s telling her he’s bad, because she knows it, but she can’t help it.” “So like an addiction?” Ray asked and you nodded.

“That’s why Clean is on there. It’s the last track, it’s her almost cleansing herself from everything.” “That makes sense.” Gerard nodded.

“I mean, I think it’s brilliant.” Ray began playing with a few more sounds while talking, “I hope people take it as it is, AKA it’s very ironic, but addressing that by making an entire record is pretty bad ass.” You lightly laughed.

“Thanks,” You smiled, “Maybe Gerard is making me corrupt, making me a badass and all.” You winked playfully at him.

“Ah yes, I’m going to make you my emo queen.” The three of you began laughing.

“I am thinking about changing my look to take on this alter ego,” You began, “You cut off all your hair and bleached it to be a representation of The Patient.” You looked to Gerard, “I don’t think I would do anything to my hair, but I would change up my wardrobe and makeup look.” “Like start off as you are and gradually get more rebellious looking?” Ray asked and you nodded.

“The paparazzi will love that.” You lightly smiled sarcastically, a few moments of silence at the end. “Thank you guys, by the way, for taking time off to help me make this.” “No problem,” Ray smiled and nodded, “Besides, everyone loves you and we’ve been having some writing block lately.” “And I didn’t have a choice.” Gerard said. You eyed him, throwing a pen which hit his head and he very lightly flinched at the impact.

“Oh stop it.” You rolled your eyes.

“Ready to go in?” Ray asked, motioning to the recording booth. You nodded getting up and grabbing a pair of headphones. You put them on, beginning to do some short vocal warm ups. Ray was sitting right outside through the glass window at the panel, Gerard leaning over and playing with a few things on the sound board.

“Ready?” Ray asked into the mic and you nodded, pulling out notes on your phone to read lyrics.

“We’re just doing verse and chorus, right? No belts or high notes or anything?” He shook his head.

“That’ll be next.” He responded and you nodded. The music started up, giving you a few seconds to prepare before you began singing the lyrics, both Gerard and Ray actively adjusting various switches and such. Finally, when the song wrapped up, you took a few steps back from the mic as they stopped the recording.

“How was that?” You asked.

“Incredible as always.” Ray smiled and you smiled back, “Now we have to work on high notes and belting for the bridge and final chorus, then we can do background vocals.” You nodded, “Let me just edit a bit of the track.” It only took him a matter of minutes before replaying the track, a huge smile plastered on your face the entire time.

“It’s sick!” You smiled and clapped, jumping a bit.

“It’s honestly incredible.” Gerard smiled too.

“Thank you.” You smiled back.

“Ready for everything else?” Ray asked and you nodded.

It took you another hour of recording and getting everything before you could finally retire the recording and production process for the song, getting out of the booth and grabbing a water.

The finished product was incredible, it had the perfect amount of everything from base to drums with a little bit of synth and a light echo attached to your voice.

“Do you think this new record’s gonna be as big as the last?” Ray asked you, all three of you now on various pieces of furniture in the studio and eating burritos, which had been jointly decided upon pretty quickly when you all grew hungry. “Mmm,” You hummed, thinking for a minute, “I don’t know. Probably not considering winning 10 Grammys in one night is a record,” “On top of the, like 40 other awards you got.” Ray laughed.

“Yeah, true,” You agreed, “But I don’t make music to win awards or anything. I make music because I want to and because I love to and other people like it.” You explained, “You guys are the same.” They nodded. “The awards are just something nice.”

“I mean, you’re basically on top of the world.” Ray responded.

“Yeah, but that’s what makes it all the more scary,” You began, “You kind of look down from your stance at the top, having everything you’ve ever dreamed of in your career, and you have to ask what do you do next. And then it turns in to panic because there’s no where to go. And that’s why Gerard is up with me every other night while I’m having a panic attack about what the fuck I do next.”

“I don’t think I’m much help.” He added.

“You’re more help than if I was alone.” You responded, “But I’m kind of excited for this new era. There’s no limits anymore, I feel like, so I’ll just take on this good girl gone bad character. Not in real life, of course, but my alter ego.” “So you’re gonna reset everything?” Ray asked and you nodded.

“Yeah, hopefully. Starting with my closet.” You took a bite of your food, “Gee, take me to Hot Topic.” He rolled his eyes.

“If you want to do that, then just take all my leather jackets.” “You have too many anyways.” “Do not,” He warned, “I take pride in my jacket collection.” This time you rolled your eyes. “You have an entire rack in your closet for jackets.” “Uh huh, says Miss ‘I have to have an entire room for my purse and shoe collection’.” “Oh, please, it’s part of my personality.” “Well jackets are apart of mine.” He fired back.

“You two are literally an old couple.” Ray interrupted.

“Kinda.” You agreed.

“But for real,” Ray asked next, “What is going on in the world of Y/F/N Y/L/N?” You sighed.

“For once it feels like nothing,” You admitted, “No brand deals really, almost no interviews, no tour because that finished up, just this I guess.” You took another bite and continued, “I did recently get the opportunity for there to be a documentary on me and my life though. Like a camera crew and everyone follow me around for a few critical weeks of the year, put it into a whole movie type thing about how I live, my fame, all that.” “Wait, what?” Gerard asked, now a mixture of shock and concern on his face. “You-you never told me.” He said next.

“Well, yeah, I mean I told them I would at least have to think about it. I was planning on telling you but I needed to figure out if I wanted to go through with it first. I was very indecisive about it. Still am.” “So what are you thinking?” Ray asked, clearly trying to break some of the tension.

“I still don’t know,” You admitted, “I mean, a part of me really wants people to understand why I’m so under the radar, why I’ve disappeared from the world for a while. But the other part wants to protect that privacy. Plus if we were to theoretically go through with this, Gee, you would have to be okay with it too since they’ll be filming in our homes, and very possibly me and you.” He nodded, “And plus, I don’t know if it’s the right timing. I’m starting this new era of me being private and taking on this alter ego for everyone else, it may just be bad timing too.”

“I think it would be interesting for people to be able to see you, like the real you. And how you deal with the fame and all.” Ray added.

“Yeah, but,” You took a brief pause to find words, “How much of my privacy am I willing to forfeit for that?”

You and Gerard got back to your New York townhouse, kicking off your shoes and almost immediately crashing on the bed. You had to admit, at least to yourself, that your mind was beyond conflicted with what to do. Your next album release would have been perfect timing to plan starting a family with Gerard. Release the album, stay completely under the radar, and go on a small tour with a few big shows. But the opportunity for the documentary to be made would make a huge deal to your life. It would be nearly impossible to do both at the same time, though.

You laid down, your head on Gerard’s shoulder, as you both laid in bed reading your books trying to wind down. But Gerard, being your husband, best friend, and soulmate, knew you were stressed. Just from even looking at you, although no one else could tell, he could.

“Talk to me.” He said softly, barely above a whisper.

“I don’t want to disrupt your reading,” You sighed, “Or annoy you.” “I like listening to you talk.” He glanced to you, your eyes meeting. You didn’t know how a man could be that gorgeous, he just was. “It’s soothing, even when you rant.” You lightly laughed, snuggling further into him. He willingly took one of his arms, swinging it behind you and placing his book down on his nightstand, marking the page. 

“Fine,” You sighed, moving down so your head was on his chest, feeling it rise and fall with every delicate breath he absentmindedly took. Your hands found their way there too, drawing circles on the shirt he had on.

So there the two of you laid, you pouring our your anxiety and worries to your husband, who seemed to understand what you were saying, translating every jumble of emotion you had into a symphony of calmness. 

“This is all up to you babe, I’m just along for the ride.” He said, “But maybe this is a sign, ya know? Maybe you should take this opportunity to have a documentary be made about you, because maybe people will begin to actually understand the extent to which your life has been thrown into the spotlight, and why you need that privacy. And maybe that sympathy will get us to an even better place where we can start a family, worry free from any chance that our child or children will be in the spotlight.” “You’re so smart.” You lightly laughed, nuzzling into him. “I’ll think about it, Gee.” And like that a lightbulb went off in your head. You squeezed out of his embrace, groaning and getting up out of bed, his face filled with confusion. “Where’re you going? Did I say something wrong? I-” “No, it’s a song idea.” You palmed your face in your hand, “Like a really good one.” You grabbed your phone to go record it. “You get it, right?” “Not really because I don’t record as many songs as you, but kinda.” You groaned again, his face so innocent as you eyed him.

“You’re an ass.” 

[pinballwitxh]

get down tonight - imagine - steven hyde x oc

Get Down Tonight, KC and the Sunshine Band

summary: after accidentally slamming a door into steven hyde’s face, a fellow classmate catches his interest and he pays her a late-night visit.

warnings: drug usage and cursing

a/n: I am so glad I am writing one for Hyde, my favorite character of that 70′s show!!!  also I know all the stoner terms since I myself am a hardcore stoner.  so this was an absolute blast to write!  enjoy y’all!  there will definitely be more to this, I may make it a small series of stories with this same character and their storyline.

1976 - KENOSHA, WISCONSIN

She could see him across the dance-floor, dark and brooding yet somehow still as handsome as ever.  She rolled her eyes and turned back to talk to her friends.  Somehow she was angry at him for being so cool but so bad. 

Steven Hyde always made her furious, especially at school.

When he wasn’t getting away with skipping school or sneaking out at night, he took the punishments without a care in the world, and continued to act so stupid.  He never got in the trouble he deserved.  

“Look at that burnout, always frowning.” one of her friends scoffed.

She nodded, “It annoys me.”

“Did you see him dancing with Donna Pinciotti earlier?  Clearly she had no interest, don’t blame her.” another friend said while sipping on a water. She glanced back to the wall he was leaning against, still in the same position with the same look.

Around them couples were pouring out onto the floor.  The girl sighed when she turned back to find her friends gone.  With a huff she stood and knocked her chair over.  The disco was supposed to be the most fun place around, a place where you could find friends and a partner to dance with.

She was expecting to waltz in and find a gentlemanly boyfriend, actually.

The bathroom was empty when she slammed the door open.  For a few minutes she stood in front of the mirror examining her makeup and tightly curled hair.  She frowned to herself and thought to herself, why does no one pick me?

After giving herself a quiet reassurance she left for the exit and was surprised to hear a thud on the other side of the door when she opened it.  She sucked in a sharp breath and peered around the frame and gasped quietly.

Steven Hyde was laying on the floor with a hand to his nose, groaning just the tiniest bit.  

She stuck a hand out, took it back, stuck it out, and finally held it back to herself with a wince.  If she left before he sat up she would be in the clear, she could pretend like she hadn’t just rammed a door into his scruffy face.

She turned on her heel and began to walk away quickly but quietly, wincing at the tone of his voice when he called out, “What the hell, man?  I can hear you walking away so don’t even think about walking away,”

Dead in her tracks, she took a deep breath and turned back to face him.

“Sorry, sorry, I thought-”

“Thought you could get away?  Yeah, I saw you.” he growled as he sat up slowly with his hand still gloved over his nose, “You know hit-and-runs are illegal?”

A small smile threaten to pull at her lips but she held back, leaning down to offer him a hand.

“I said I was sorry, let me help you up,” she insisted.

Steven sighed and took her hand tightly, allowing her to help him stand.  Dizziness took over upon standing up so quickly and he screwed his eyes shut, “What does a guy have to do to get a drink around here?”

“Wouldn’t know, don’t drink really.” she said as wiped her palm on the side of her dress.

Steven scoffed, “Why am I not surprised you don’t?” he smirked.

She frowned and crossed her arms, “What does that means?”

He shook his head, “I see the way you and your posse look at me.  It doesn’t make me feel any worse about myself, ya know?  My mother already does a great job at that,”

He watched her eyes flick to the ground, a telltale sign he had gotten his point across and that he’d probably made himself look even more like a delinquent.  With a sigh he shoved his hands into his pockets, “Don’t you have a group to get back to and gossip with?”

She laughed, “They left me for the dance-floor.”

Steven nodded, “Ah, yes.  Mine as well. . .”

For a moment it was quiet and awkward between the two.  The sound of the deep bass of disco thrummed in the air and she could feel the vibrations in her bell-bottoms.

“Wanna get outta here and smoke some Mary Jane?”

“Are you INSANE?” she shrieked, earning a shushing from Steven.

“No, I’m not, and I think you’d be a little more sane if you smoked some with me.” he smirked, “I see you at school sometimes, you’re way uptight.”

She shook her head, “I don’t really know who you think I am or what I do, but that is not it.”

Steven raised his hands in defense, “I get it, I get it, just thought I’d offer since I have some to share.  Spread the love, y’know?”

“Sure, spread the love.  That’s very kind of you,” she said.

The song ended and she could hear her friends calling her name amongst the crowd.   She turned back to Steven and crossed her arms, “Well, I’m sorry I slammed a door in your face.  I hope your night gets better,” she said quietly.

Steven shoved his hands back into his pockets with a shrug, “Yeah, you too or, whatever.”

- - -

It was 11:00PM and her eyes would not stay shut.  Her brain wouldn’t power down, either.  Sleep seemed to be a distant dream for now.  With a sigh she reached over and turned her lamp back on and opened one of the books by her bed.

Not five minutes later she could hear a faint tapping her bedroom window.  The curtains were pulled over and she was not going to check who it was.  Probably one of the Kelso brothers trying to bother her as they did once in a while.

The tapping stopped for a minute and she settled back under the covers and returned to her book.

Boom boom boom.

“Hey goody-goody, wanna see how my nose looks now?”

She jumped at the voice and set her book down momentarily to sit in surprise.  Was Steven Hyde at her window?

“I don’t have all night, I can see your light is on, too.”

She scrambled out of bed and through a sweatshirt on before drawing the curtains and pulling up the blinds.  There stood Steven Hyde in full-smirk glory, leaning on her windowsill.  She winced at his bruising eye and nose, apologizing once more to him and he merely waved it off, “Makes me look tough.”

She opened the window and placed a hand at her hip, “What are you doing here?  How do you know where I live?” she questioned angrily.

Steven shrugged, “Not that hard to look up an address.  Plus I was bored, couldn’t sleep.  Looks like we’ve got the same issue,” he grinned.

She crossed her arms, “Well I’m not letting you in here, I know what this means.  Kelso’s tried it thousands of times-”

“First off, I’m not Kelso.  Second, you don’t have to let me in.  I’m fine standin’ out here by myself.  And third,” he paused to reach into his jacket pocket and pulled out a freshly rolled joint, “Sometimes smoking alone isn’t all that fun.”

“What about that group you’re always with, Eric Forman? Kelso, that foreign kid?  And Donna Pinciotii. . .why don’t you go smoke with them?”

“Already did.”

“Well go do it again,”

“Nah, it was getting boring.  Plus, it’s hard to talk over Jackie Burkhart’s constant whining and her lips all over Kelso’s.”

The girl nodded silently and looked away, “Well I’m not gonna smoke it.”

“Fine, more for me.” he said as he pulled a lighter from his pocket, “D’ya mind?”

She looked behind her and made sure the door was locked before giving him the okay.  He grinned at her approval and brought the lighter up to his face, holding the finely rolled joint between his lips.  

Which she was currently staring at and couldn’t seem to tear her eyes from.

The smell hit her first and she recoiled, “Why does it smell like a skunk?”

Steven laughed and took a drag, “I love it.”

“How could you smoke something that smells like that?” 

He shrugged his shoulders, “I guess you just get used to it, you learn to appreciate it the more you smoke.  You can smell the nature in it, y’know?  It’s a flower anyways, it’s got a sort-of earthy smell to it before you light up.”

She laughed, “You really are a stoner like they say,”

“What else do they say?” he asked, leaning closer to her from the windowsill.

She looked away, “A lot of things. . .”

“I’ve got all the time right now, sweetheart.”

“Don’t call me that,” she pointed at him, “Besides, none of it’s really nice anyways.”

“You think I care what a bunch of school girls think about me?” he said defensively, “I can assure you I have been called worse.”

“Don’t say that-”

“Why, cause it makes you uncomfortable to hear about how shitty my life is compared to yours?”

“No,” she said firmly, glaring at him.

He scoffed, “Okay, I’ll spare you the sob story then.”

“Why are you here, Steven?”

“Oh god don’t call me that, please.  Just call me Hyde, everyone else does.”

“Alright then, Hyde, why are you here smoking a joint at my window?” she asked as she stepped closer, arms still crossed over her chest.

He took another long drag and looked away for a minute, letting the wind carry the smoke from his lips in beautiful swirls and ripples.  She wondered for a moment if he could blow smoke rings, and how cool that would actually kinda be.

“To tell you the truth I don’t really know, but part of me wants to corrupt that good girl inside of you-”

“Gross, that is so typical!  All boys want is-”

“I’m not Kelso, remember?  And I don’t mean it in that way. . .at least not yet,” he waggled his eyebrows, “I just think you’re an interesting person, is that such a crime?”

She shook her head, “No, it isn’t.”

“Maybe I just wanna show you I’m not the guy your friends think I am.” he said quietly, looking away to take another puff.

For a few more minutes he sucked on his joint while she watched and awkwardly shifted her weight on her legs.  He was making her feel so guilty and she figured it was his intention.  One more time he offered her the joint and she passed, he simply shrugged his shoulders again and finished it.

He bent down to put out the smoking joint and stashed the roach in his pocket, “Don’t worry, I wont leave any evidence that I’ve been here,”

“Well, thank you for the conversation but I should be going to bed.”

Steven rubbed his hands together and smiled, “Alright, I’ll see ya tomorrow at the same time.”

He left before she could question his statement. 

[scatter-kinnin-patter]

Okay that's it I NEED to gush about my c! Wilbur timeline under the cut because it's so canon divergent but my memories are so so vivid I gotta gush somewhere

Man I haven't had a kin with mems this vivid in a while so it feels weird but here we go!

Leading up to the war with Pogtopia, I was like most other Aliveburs, and p canon compliant. Philza was my dad, Tommy was my younger brother, and Techno was my twin but only older by like, five minutes. I don't know how he got so much more of the Piglin traits than I did(I remember having pointy ears tho) but... Fratenal twins I guess lol. We were close as kids, but kinda grew apart when we got older. He went off to do his own thing, I stuck around with Tommy. I missed Techno and Phil a lot in early DSMP days. But I had Tommy! Tubbo was sorta like a little brother but moreso in the "hey this is my little bro's best friend so he's over for dinner all the time" way than the "guess I have another sibling" way.

Don't have much to say on the L'manburg revolution or the election arc or anything, those were pretty much just lined up with canon.

Pogtopia arc though... Whew. Here we go. Tommy and I got exiled, we fled to our ravine, yadda yadda it followed canon. I'll admit, I quickly fell into my paranoia and delusions. I think I was alone with my thoughts for too long, and with everything Schlatt was doing and such a delicate balance on the people of Manburg being with us or against us, especially after Eret betrayed us in the past, I just. I couldn't trust anyone. Except maybe Tommy, he was my lifeline of sorts, and especially when he called Technoblade. Having Tommy and Techno really grounded me: helped me remember that I was fighting for the people I care about, not just some presidency.

And then. Well. Techno and I were talking about Manburg's destruction, Tommy was more against it but still wanted to help take Schlatt down and get Tubbo back. But Techno and I started preparing for the worst. That's when I met with Dream about the TNT thing.

Now Dream kinnies, ily, but you might wanna skip this paragraph because I'm gonna rant about my Dream for a lil bit. Not you, you're valid and I love you lots, but this is a rant against my Dream. He wasn't just going to give his TNT to me for nothing, he needed something in return. So we went back to a temporary base he set up and did our deal there. He made me sit down in a chair, bound my wrists and ankles, and made me watch... something. It was almost like a TV screen? I don't know what it was, but it took a hold of my consciousness. Whatever this was, it was hypnotism. I don't remember much about it, Dream tried to make sure I'd forget, but I remember Dream using hypnosis to plant this idea in my head that I was the villain of the story. That no matter what I had to destory Manburg because thats what a villain would do. I. Really hate him for that. He just used me. But what's done was done, he gave me my TNT and sent me back to Pogtopia.

You know where the story goes from there- my corruption, the war on Manburg, Schlatt's death... and me blowing it sky high. I remember Philza shielding us with his wings. I missed Philza so much. But I couldn't get over the hypnosis I was under. I was still the villain, and heroes have to slay the villains, right? Philza stabbed me, and he held me... and then he was gone.

Now uh... Hehe, serious canon divergence time...

I didn't die. I don't know how I didn't, but I didn't. I remember waking up in a cold room on a single bed, no windows. Couldn't leave because it was an iron door. My chest was bandaged up, and it ached like hell. Eventually someone came in, someone new: Ranboo. He kinda freezes and goes "Oh. You're awake. Uh." And just leaves and shuts the door behind him.

Shortly thereafter, Tubbo and Quackity came in. We started talking(as much as we could, I had trouble staying awake for long) about what happened. Big Q found me while going through the rubble, and realized I was still breathing, so they brought me to a secret room under L'manburg. I was in a coma, for at least a few weeks, I don't remember the exact time. I lost a lot of blood, I was very pale... and I think it messed with my brain. I couldn't really.... remember anything in the weeks leading up to the war: my exile, my hypnosis, my unfinished symphony, none of it. They looked... unsure of what to do with me. Tbh looking back I don't blame them, I did a LOT of crime. But they decided to keep me in this room for now. They didn't tell Tommy or Philza or any of them yet. Apparently only Tubbo Quackity and eventually Ranboo knew about me.

One day though, I was sleeping when I feel someone shake my shoulder. I wake up and I realize it's Dream. I ask what he's doing here and he goes "It's time to go, Wilbur." And I don't really know what to do, but I take his hand and start following him out of the building and back to the surface. They were setting up for Techno's execution. Dream sent Punz in to distract the Butcher Army, but I call out for Techno. His eyes lock with mine and I've never seen him look like that before. Such- genuine confusion and relief? Looking back, I can see why. He must've thought he was seeing a ghost(hehe ghostbur kinnies I love you)

The anvil drops, and Techno lives thanks to his totem, but before I can call out to him again Dream grabs me and starts running off with me. I think Techno saw us because he yelled for me and ran after us. Dream took us down a random tunnel and let Techno follow, because once they got far enough from the fray, Dream just... shoved me to Techno and walked away without saying anything else. Before we could really do much else, Quackity showed up. He was confused that Techno lived, he was mad that Dream just helped him, and he was furious that Techno had me. Techno made sure he was between Quackity and I and they both fought, Big Q losing a canon life(sorry Quackity kinnies ily!!!)

Techno then just grabbed me and ran. He lead me back to his house and we had a long, long conversation about what happened. I missed him so much.

I'm still piecing together memories post-execution, but I know I spent a lot of time with Techno after that, including when Tommy was with us.

I'd try to remember more but I just realized how long this post got OOPS anyways if u read all this thank u, I just needed to share my Comabur timeline

[apex-academy]

Chapter 5: Caring Is a Hazard to Your Health (#21)

The rest of the day is a blur. Some pool. Some Centipede. Some vapid conversations I barely remember as I’m having them. A cooking lesson that’s more lecture on Japanese sauces than actual cooking.

I don’t run into Aidan again. I’m not sure if I want to. Certainly I’m not going to try anything now, but... I don’t know. I don’t know.

I end up in the sauna dangerously late in the day. The only exit is to the bathhouse, which closes at nighttime... Would I be stuck in here overnight if I stayed too long? Punished? I bet I could stay awake. Wonder what happens in the restricted rooms at night. Cleanup and restocking or something. Maybe I should try staying in the kitchen. Eat some coffee beans straight up to keep from falling asleep and see how the heck Monochap sneaks in and out of there.

But for now, I’m just...

“...”

It is kind of pleasant in here. I may be bundled up a bit too much for a sauna, but it’s supposed to be hot anyway, right? As long as I swig plenty of water after this, I should be fine.

“...”

“After this” might need to be “right now,” actually. No use getting too light-headed. Or, well, I don’t mind having fewer thoughts, but I probably shouldn’t be taking health risks. I can worry about nighttime escapades later. I should... attempt to get some sleep.

After a cold shower. I don’t think I’ll be needing a warm bath after this.

...

"Um, hello! Good morning! It is now 7:00, so the off-limits areas have been reopened! I-I hope you all have a nice day…!"

I wake up again. That’s always good.

But when I make my way towards the cafeteria...

“Sounds like some kind of ruckus going on.”

I open the doors, but...

“.....”

No people, less noise. Uh.

I back up into the hallway and try next door. The gym. Sounds like maybe the hubbub is in here instead? Did I miss a summons to an early morning sports tournament?

Is someone...

“........”

No, that has too be too many voices. Right? If someone had been discovered, the jingle would have played...

“......”

It still takes me a minute to open the door.

People are still talking over each other, but I don’t see any bodies on the floor or fists flying.

Knives, maybe. But not fists.

A thud rattles the still-collapsed bleachers behind Kaichi’s shoulder. In true Kaichi fashion, he hardly flinches.

“Woooooow!”

“I’m next, right? I’m next?!”

“No way, dude!”

“That’s right! No one is going next!”

“What?! Nono I’m next!”

“Wh...”

“This is a completely unnecessary risk! Cease at once!”

“Risk? Surely you don’t mean to question my skill.”

“Seems pretty skilled t’ me.”

“.............”

I always manage to forget I should worry much less about these people dying than just being idiots.

Before anyone can notice I’ve joined them, the knife digging into the stands slowly tilts, then falls. Kaichi manages to pull his foot to one side before the blade clatters to the floor.

“Haha, whoopsie! You okay?”

“Looks like I still got—” he tilts his head down to check—”ten toes, s’. Yeah, sure.”

“That—”

“That makes it clear how dangerous this is!”

“Like, nothing happened, though?”

“That was a matter of luck!”

“Fool! You think any part of this is merely a throw of the dice? No divine weapon of mine will harm anyone unless I bid it.”

“Considering how consistently you threaten everyone, I don’t find that comforting!”

“So, anyway, it’s totally my turn, right?”

“It’s no one’s turn!!!”

I walk inside just as he’s about to blow a gasket. The door falling shut behind me is enough to get a little attention.

“I would ask what’s going on, but I think I have a good enough idea.”

“Ah, Kogamino!”

“If you understand, would you mind talking them out of it?”

“I’m afraid I’m having little luck.”

Another thud interrupts before I can say a word. Ichiriki starts laughing.

“Woooow, that one was super close! Ahahaha!”

Standing stiffly, Kaichi cranes his neck just enough to get a good glimpse of the knife now separating his face from his surfboard.

“Nice.”

“There.”

“Now the next wretch may step up.”

“I’m the next wretch!!”

It’s surprisingly hard to jump in and stop something when you can’t fathom why they started in the first place. Are we seriously that bored? Didn’t we just wake up? At least eat before you start throwing crap at each other, geez.

“Nuh-uh! I’m next!”

“How did this even start?”

“Well, like, Yuks was gonna make omelettes this morning? So we all kinda ordered ‘em or whatevs, and, like...”

“...”

“Amid the conversation as we waited, that one saw fit to issue a challenge.”

“I did?”

“And then things happened, and now we’re here!”

He finishes, as if he’s being the most helpful one here.

“I had been assisting with the cooking when I realized everyone had left, so I peeked out to see what had happened...”

“And you were met with a fun surprise, huh.”

“Yeah-huh! It’s super fun!”

“That’s great.”

“Actually, I just came over to see who got the first omelette? Because it’s finished.”

“Ah, first should have been... Riseiin, I believe?”

“Nice. ’m out, then. Later, brahs.”

“I don’t think the rest are far behind, so if you’d like your food warm, you can come back to this later.”

“I suppose that may be for the best...”

“Consider it a mercy to those of you bound to time, hmm?”

And just like that, the party dissembles to go for the door. Tsunyasha walks—like a normal human being—over to the stands to retrieve her mystical-whatever knives. Mahavir stays back, presumably to make sure she doesn’t kill me while we’re still here.

...I really hope Yuki’s almost finished. Maybe I don’t need to follow everyone over all that quickly.

Tsunyasha gets all her knives put away in quick order, but we’re still the last ones out. Mahavir, as usual, spares me from having to open the door.

As we cross into the hallway, I see Monochap opening the doors to the dorm area. Before I can wonder what he’s up to now, Aidan wheels himself out, with an uttered sound that I don’t think is actually a thanks. Upon seeing us, Monochap gives a little wave and a disturbing giggle before fleeing towards the Main Hall.

Aidan seems a little more pleased to see us.

“Good morning! I hope I haven’t missed anything?”

“Nothing worth mentioning.”

“...”

“Has Monochap been opening doors for you?”

The handicap buttons in this place haven’t been working since we woke up here. I hadn’t spared them a second thought, but now we actually have someone in a wheelchair. Guess that’s how it usually goes.

“When necessary.”

“Unfortunately, my student ID was reset to its original settings before they gave it back to me. But whoever did that also added an option to signal Mister Monochaperone for assistance.”

“It isn’t my favorite recourse, and I’m not sure why it’s necessary when it isn’t that difficult to summon him otherwise, but it can be useful.”

“Ah, to have a demon at your beck and call.”

“Quite fitting for a black-hearted sinner like yourself, hmm?”

“Don’t you start this again...!”

Aidan holds up a hand.

“Calm down, Mister Attenborough.”

“Miss Tsunyasha, I appreciate saving your comments for a more private discussion, but I’m afraid they are still highly inappropriate.”

“You’re entitled to your opinion of me, but I fail to see how repeating it does you any good. I cannot take back what I’ve done, so I would prefer to focus on what I can do at the moment, if possible.”

“Oh? Is this a sorely misguided plea for mercy, worm? You think I must gain something from this?”

“It is merely my job to ensure those of your corrupted ilk cannot walk away from their sins freely.”

He’s not doing much walking at the moment, in case you haven’t noticed.

“You call this walking away freely?!”

“Mister Attenborough.”

“.......”

Aidan turns back to Tsunyasha.

“Whether it’s sufficient for your tastes or not, I assure you I have most certainly been punished.”

“I can’t ask you to approve of my sins, as it were, but if you truly care about doing the right thing, your priority should be ensuring the safety of the other people here.”

I only see a flash before there’s a knife at Aidan’s neck.

“Then I should eliminate you now, yes?”

Aidan stares evenly back at her.

“Do you really consider me such a threat? I am incapable of physical combat, I am unarmed, and I would have severe difficulty engineering anything to kill another in this state. No one here has anything to gain from my death.” His gaze strains towards the knife. “This is nothing but a very rude gesture, and I would like you to stop now.”

“Oh? You still think I would follow a worm’s orders?”

“Why don’t you follow this?!”

Mahavir lunges at her. Aidan winces as the knife skirts along his jaw. Tsunyasha hops back an extra pace, and Mahavir tilts dangerously before catching himself on the wall. Huffing, he doesn’t seem able to push himself back up too quickly. I put myself between Tsunyasha and Aidan for good measure.

“So you’re relying on your little guard dogs, are you, whelp? You truly think they’re any match for a Holy Assassin?”

“I’m not a guard dog, you just need to stop?”

“I am not trying to rely on any physical enforcement here—” a pointed look at Mahavir—“nor am I giving you orders. I am merely pointing out that there is much more to being ‘righteous’ than harassing those you deem to be sinners.”

“So you question my judgment, worm?”

Your judgment is nothing if not questionable.

“More like questioning your ‘righteousness,’ or ‘holiness,’ or whatever else you’d like to call it!”

He finally shifts his weight back onto his feet.

“Regardless of who did and didn’t die, at least Doppler has done everything he can to help us!”

“What have you EVER done for anyone else here?!”

“Stir up trouble, mostly.”

“Hmph. Only just now I was providing you ungrateful whelps with entertainment, was I not?”

“And no one died, if I must remind you of that.”

“As a fluke! You easily could have injured Riseiin! It was only a matter of luck that he didn’t have any toes sliced clean off! And I shouldn’t need to tell you even foot injuries have the potential to be lethal!”

“...What did I miss here?”

“We can worry about that later.”

“The potential, certainly.”

“But a far less sure shot than firing a gun into someone’s chest, hmm?”

“But that wasn’t for amusement!”

“And yet it still happened.”

“I truly don’t understand how you could possibly favor that sinner’s actions, but I suppose your wicked ways are just that far beneath me.”

“It’s because you don’t understand that you’re the only threat here!”

“Oh, I’m quite a threat to those who would dare try taint my holy name. Would you like a demonstration, whelp?”

“No one would like any demonstrations!!”

“Of course you wouldn’t.”

“We get your freaking point, okay? You could stab a serious burn victim and a wheelchair-bound child to death with ease if you really wanted to. Congratulations.”

“You want to prove you’re such a great assassin, how about you wait until practically anyone here is in decent physical condition? You’ve held out this long. I’m sure you can handle a little longer. Or is patience suddenly not one of your holy virtues?”

“Hmph.”

“Don’t think for a moment you can understand the essence of a Holy Assassin, fool.”

“Oh, believe me, I don’t.”

She spins the knife once around the gloved part of her finger and sheaths it.

“Very well. I tire of these pitiful negotiations of yours.”

“I’ve a reward waiting for me, anyway.” 

She takes a few steps towards the cafeteria.

“Use this opportunity to think about what awaits you.”

Not an omelette on my end, I’m guessing.

“Any more of this and I assure you, whatever awaits you won’t be a reward.”

“Mahavir. That’s enough.”

“........”

Mahavir stares Tsunyasha down as she walks away. Even when the doors close behind her, he doesn’t turn away.

“......”

I hear a rattle and open my eyes again. Aidan’s started to wheel himself forward.

“Miss Kogamino. Thank you for stepping in.”

“No problem.”

“...”

“I’m halfway surprised you’re not upset about being called a child.”

“Well I don’t appreciate it, but I can understand it was for emphasis.”

“Right.”

He scoots himself closer to Mahavir.

“....................”

“Mister Attenborough?”

“.........”

“...I’m sorry. But she...”

“She can’t just...!”

“I know. She has no right to be making these sorts of threats, but pushing back like that will. Not. Help with her.”

“...........”

“So take a deep breath and come on. We have a meeting to get to.”

“........”

Aidan moves as close to the doors as he can, but Mahavir doesn’t follow yet. Guess it’s not that easy to let it go.

But everyone else is already in the cafeteria, right? No harm leaving him alone to cool down a bit.

I don’t want to think about what could happen if he ran into Tsunyasha again too soon.

[BACK] [NEXT]

[mor-beck-more-problems]

Juice Box || Morgan & Cece

TIMING: Current

PARTIES: @thebickedwitchoftherest & @mor-beck-more-problems

SUMMARY: Oh, right. The box. The box from Roy. The box stolen specifically from Roy. Roy’s box.

CONTAINS: ex-roomie shenanigans

Morgan would have gone to see Cece after she was out of the hospital anyway. She felt awful about what had happened at the morgue, and how it had probably cost her a friend, at least for a while. And then there was whatever weird pain and damage a banshee scream would have on human ears. Something like guilt twisted in her stomach as she adjusted in her old spot on the couch and set her water glass on Cece’s coffee table. This wasn’t anything directly to do with her, but she could probably afford to be a better friend than she had been lately. But maybe a little magic research would be a good distraction from the awfulness around them. They’d had enough adventures like this before, maybe Morgan was just feeling nostalgic for earlier times. “So,” she said, nodding at the box, which sat perched on a stack of books she’d brought over. “Any ideas?”

After the morgue incident, Cece was happy to relax at home with something to distract herself. She had felt a surprising amount of guilt following the incident in the hospital. In her less than 48 hour stay she had managed to piss off Grace and steal the memories from Janus the janitor. Both in an attempt to cover the tracks of a woman who refused to talk to her. Maybe Regan had been right, trying to build a friendship with a coworker or boss was a bad idea. It certainly seemed overrated at the moment. Morgan had enlisted Cece’s help to study this magic box. Cece didn’t have all the details yet, but was slowly pressing for more before attempting to open it herself. Before, when Morgan and Cece had discovered a magical artifact used when those lobsters were hanging about the artifact that drained magic. They had been able to quell it by working together and sharing the magic between the two. If this were a similar situation, Morgan didn’t have the same magical abilities she had before. “Well I’m sure it’s magically locked. Probably needs a spellcaster to open it. But I don’t know exactly how to open it. Or if it’s boobytrapped. What context can you give me about the box?”

Morgan laughed uneasily. “Uh, promise not to hate me?” She flashed Cece a sheepish look as she brought it onto her lap and ran her fingers over the markings on the surface again. “It belongs to a crime boss. Some undead asshole named Roy something or whatever. He’s after a friend of mine and she’s hoping to figure some stuff out so he can’t, you know, bump her off so easy. It’s important to him, enough that it was kinda hard to steal. This sigil here--” Morgan pointed to one and held it out for Cece to look at, “Gets used a lot in containment rituals, like when you’re trying to seal something up. It’s a little intense, so maybe whatever’s in here is volatile, or rare, or ephemeral somehow. Problem is, I can’t figure out these--” she pointed to the row of markings along the lid. “Are. Probably if I had done my homework a little more in grade school, I could read it. But I thought I’d ask my genius witchy friend instead of renting a time machine, you know?”

“A crime boss eh? I feel like I’m in a heist movie or something.” Cece wiggled her eyebrows and leaned around the box to study the sigils as Morgan pointed them out to her. She discarded the wine glass she had been holding, abandoning it on the coffee table as she studied the signs closer. “I guess I don’t want to know what a friend of yours is doing pissing off a crime boss?” Actually, Cece very much did want to know. As much as Cece had seen, a crime boss wasn’t something that she had spent a lot of time around. Cece loved trying new things. “They’re a mixture of things from the looks of it.” Cece slid off the couch and onto her knees on the floor, pressing her face close enough to the box that her breath fogged up the silver of the box. “Please, Morgan. Flattery will get you everywhere. Some of these are more containment spells, but some-” Cece pointed at the symbols as she described them, “Are hexes. I can’t tell exactly what they’re supposed to do. But my guess is that it’s a last ditch effort to keep the contents safe in case someone got it open.”

“Uuuuhhhh…” Morgan’s voice lilted up shrilly. Cece had enough mischief in her to pass for fae. It wasn’t hard to figure that she did want to know, but the whole criminal justice system thing was still...a lot for Morgan to wrap her head around. “I could tell you, but you definitely can’t tell your boss. I don’t think she’d be happy knowing I’m a corrupting influence. I’ve lost count of how much weird shit we’ve gotten up to together by this point. You’d think the whole me being dead thing would mean less trouble, but I think we’re getting worse.” She smirked as she spoke, and angled herself in as many weird ways as she needed to look at the hexes Cece had identified. “You ever wish people would just print out a nice label on these things? Like, beware, magic dynamite inside! Or, angry bloodclingers within! But, that looks kinda like some Irish curses I’ve seen in this book… Doesn’t it feel weird to you how light it is?”

Morgan set the box between them and reached over for the book in question, flipping through the pages too quickly to find what she was looking for.“Hey--” she said, turning the pages slowly now. You’d say if you weren’t okay, right?”

“Yeah, well. My boss and I aren’t exactly on speaking terms right now anyways.” And by that, Cece meant that Regan was not on speaking terms with Cece. Despite the repeated attempts on Cece’s part. The whole thing was bullshit. Especially considering that despite this, Cece had still gone out of her way to make sure that no one poked their heads around Regan’s business or questioned her abilities to do her job. “That being said, I love the idea that you’d be able to corrupt me. I for one cherish every moment we share getting dragged into some crazy shit.” Cece laughed. Sometimes it was easy to forget that Morgan had died. Especially since she hadn’t seen it for herself, “Well there’s nothing like the afterlife, am I right?” Cece had to admit that Morgan had a point. It would sure make things a hell of a lot easier. “Witches are way too dramatic to do anything as simple as that, unfortunately. They can never make anything easy.” Morgan pointed out how light it was and Cece had to agree, leaning in closer but not being able to tell anything further. “This whole thing feels weird to me. What would a crime boss need with a magically sealed box? There must be more than meets the eye with this guy. If I’m careful, I should be able to strip the hexes before I start working on getting the box itself open. But keep reading to see if you find anything I don’t know.”

The distraction wasn’t enough, since Morgan decided now was a good time to dive into the personal questions. “Me? Almost certainly not.” Cece laughed the question off. After a moment, she decided to not completely brush the question off, “If you’re asking about the morgue then I’m fine. I’ve had worse done to me than some exploding glass and an earache.” Cece hadn’t told anyone about her days with the coven but figured Morgan would be one of the few she would trust with the information. At least some of the information. Cece didn’t need all of her skeletons dancing around the house. “Nothing that a few glasses of wine and solving a mystery with you can’t solve.” As far as not talking about issues went, Cece wasn’t the only offender, “What about you?”

Morgan scrunched her face up in a way Cece was long familiar with. “I didn’t just mean that,” she said. “But that is good to know. I just… I mean as much as I can’t imagine leaving here anytime soon, I know it can be really cruel sometimes. And you’re all Miss Tough Gal with a smile, but you don’t have to be like that all the time, you know? I just don’t want you to slip through the cracks just because I’m not here so much anymore. I’ve been kinda swept up lately, but I do care about you, tough gal and all. And not just because you do so many nice favors. But if you’re good or you wanna say you’re good, then that’s…good. And, oh, you know me. Cursed or not cursed, apparently there’s always something. Lots of gory details we didn’t make it to sharing on the dash.”

It took Morgan a few more pages to find what she was looking for, but she hesitated before showing the witch, just in case there was more to say.

Cece supposed there was no better time than now to discuss this, though Cece usually preferred any serious conversation be prefaced with a lot of alcohol. More than Cece had drunk so far. More than Cece probably had in the house. “Honestly? I’ve always been like this. Full disclosure, I was in a coven before I came to town. Things didn’t end so well with them and it always keeps me a bit on edge. Even before joining the coven, I wasn’t really one to take life super seriously. I had a pretty laid back childhood with a surprising lack of trauma so I guess when I turned eighteen life decided I had to make up for it.” Cece talked with an airiness, trying to show Morgan that she was trying to be sincere without trying to sound too much like she was whining about her past. “I have plenty of things that should keep me up at night, but I promise the injuries from the morgue aren’t one of them. I’ll seriously be okay. But trust me, even living apart I know you’ve got my back. Same to you.” Gory details didn’t exactly inspire confidence. “Yeah, what the hell? I thought you were done with the whole curse and ghost bullshit? Because ‘gory details’” Cece made finger quotations to match with her tone, “doesn’t sound very fun.”

Morgan listened thoughtfully, smiling wistfully at the thought of a good or ‘before’ times that lasted longer than eight or twelve years. But how awful, still, to know exactly the stability you were losing. To never be able to exhale or relax. Well, that part Morgan  knew too well. Maybe that had something to do with why they got along so easily. You had to keep things light when you had one eye on the present and one over your shoulder. “Those are some pretty ominous Sparknotes. I’m starting to take back all those times tiny me wished for a real coven besides just my parents. If any of them come knocking, you’ll holler though, yeah? Partial magic immunity makes for a great zombie perk in a pinch.” Morgan smirked at Cece’s question to her. Fun was...definitely not a word to use for this. “You’d be right,” she said. “I...honestly don’t know what the sparknotes version of that is. So maybe you’ll have to drag me into a sequel session just to find out.” She huffed and held out the book. “Found our guy. Check out the common uses. What does ‘source’ even mean? Like...power source? Is that a real thing?”

“I’ll keep that in mind. But fingers crossed I never see any of them again.” Cece laughed, although the idea of any of her former coven members finding Cece’s location and showing up in town was anything but a laughing matter. Something told her they wouldn’t want to catch up. And if they did, Morgan wasn’t who she would want to get involved although she made a good point about the magical immunities. Cece had always figured that her best bet if any of them were to show up in town would be to count her losses and cut and run. As the two had talked, Cece slowly worked on rubbing the hexes away from the box. It was more exhausting than it looked, a constant string of magic being poured into her fingertips in order to break the seals without cursing herself into oblivion. Whatever those hexes did, Cece didn’t want to find out. “You’ve got yourself a deal. You. Me. Pick another night and get drunk off our asses. You can give me the sparknotes version of your story and I can try to elaborate a bit on mine. It’ll be a good time.” Morgan found something in the book and leaned over to see what she had found. A power source? It didn’t mean much at first, until she remembered that Morgan had mentioned that he was undead. Cece still couldn’t be sure, but suddenly something started to make sense. “Holy shit.” Cece let go of the box for a moment. “You said undead, right? Do you know what kind?” If they didn’t then…. “I think this is a fext. And if I’m right- yikes.” Cece didn’t know how else to describe it. Cece had heard of fext from the coven. To witches, they were a sort of horror story or monster under the bed type. A monster whose special power was stealing the magic from witches. Was there any fate worse than that in the eyes of a coven? “If he is a fext- then I have a feeling that I know what’s in this box too. I think I have all the hexes cancelled out. Now I just have to pop the thing open. Give me a minute.”

“A--a what?” Morgan stammered. She hadn’t thought about fexts in a really long time. Some old witchy wives tales, stories her mother would tell her to scare her into behaving one day and dismiss as folklore the next. It was never anything to devote a lot of headspace to. “Those are--real? They’re like what...witchy-vampires?” She searched Cece’s expression. Her friend looked very serious and certain. “What’s the big yikes? Can he do weird creepy magic things to normal humans? I mean, I know he set her house on fire, but does this mean there’s worse things? Magic things? Wait--” She gaped, mouth dropping as the pieces aligned themselves in her mind. “Is that--does mean there’s just...raw magic in there?” That definitely explained why it was so light for something that was supposed to be important. “Are you sure you want to open that? Is it going to--- do something?”

“Exactly. Or something like that at least.” Cece couldn’t speak with any certainty. She had never seen one for herself. “The coven used to talk about them. Supposedly they can drain magic from spellcasters and then use their magic.” No word on whether the witch lost their magic completely or not, but all the horror stories claimed they did. Could just be a part of the chill factor, though. “Exactly. Chances are that fire was taken from another witch.” Cece nodded her head. Chances were that it was. The problem was, without seeing for themselves they had no idea what kind of magic it was. That wasn’t going to help Morgan’s friend. “I don’t know. Things could go bad. But knowing what kind of magic is stored in here might help your friend.” She couldn’t guarantee it. For all the things that didn’t scare Cece, this one at least made her a by apprehensive. “Moment of truth. Do we open it or not?”

“Shit.” Morgan took the box for herself, looking it over. “Why couldn’t I be a dead witchy vampire?” She grumbled. “I mean, obviously: very spooky. That is some dark, sketchy shit and a hard diet to work with sustainably. I’m just saying, it wouldn’t be the worst thing if I could work some magic after death. Why do things like this have to happen to assholes who light funeral homes on fire and run underground organ trading rings? That’s just not fair, is all I’m saying.” She examined the markings and little groove the lid depended on. “I’m a little worried about what would happen if we did open it. Hypothetically, I have the least amount of risk of getting whammied by something, but what should I be on the lookout for?”

“You’d make the coolest dead witchy vampire.” Cece agreed, “And you’d definitely use your power for much better than Roy uses his for. What a prick.” Cece didn’t know the man but just from the bits and pieces she had learned she had to say that he didn’t seem like a stellar dude. In fact, he seemed like an ass. “You got the short end of the stick for sure.” It wasn’t surprising that Morgan was offering to open the box and take the brunt of the spell for the two. Morgan was selfless like that. And although Cece was worried about it’s contents, she had a list a bit of confidence that things would mostly be okay. “Well- what the coven explained to me once was that spellcasters and artifacts acted as a sort of conduit to magic. Without it, there’s no where for the magic to go. Using that same logic, it might be that raw magic is just that. If we open it it’s just a mass of magic until someone that can use magic channels it.” The logic wasn’t exact, but based off of what she did know about magic this at least seemed semi plausible. “On the flip side, if this is some sort of summoning spell, it could already be activated and take effect as soon as the box opens. Hypothetically opening it could literally summon a demon. But the chances of it being that are pretty low. Probably.”

“Probably?” Morgan squeaked. “Okay, come on, grab something powerful, we’re doing this outside.” She took the box, held out in front of her and pressed between the tips of her fingers like it was hazardous waste. “I really don’t want to punch a demon or chase one into the woods, but I think our evenings together have taken weirder turns, so--” Morgan opened the back door with her elbow and walked out into the yard. She couldn’t tell if she was overreacting (because who would seriously leave potent magic just in a booby-trapped box? There had to be other layers, right?) or if this was the most reckless thing she’d done yet. “Maybe, uh, stay back--?” She called, looking sidelong at Cece.

Come on. Waiting wasn’t going to change what’s inside. They had to know for sure if they wanted to correctly identify this asshole. One eye pinched shut, Morgan thumbed the lid open.

No flashing lights, no demon. Morgan finally risked a look inside. “Oh. That’s a little anticlimactic.”

“Well I can’t see the future Morgan!” Cece defended herself. She very rarely spoke in absolutes. She couldn’t be blamed or held responsible if shit went south if she told them probably or most likely. “Divination is not one of my skills.” Nor one of her interests. For all of the planning that Cece liked to do- her escape from the coven had taken more than a year to pull together- Cece had no interest in seeing her future. At Morgan’s request, Cece hopped onto her feet and began following her outside, only to spin back around and grab her wine glass and falling behind Morgan again. “You said grab something powerful.” She shrugged, taking a sip and standing with her former roommate out in the backyard. Now it was time to actually open the damned thing.

When Morgan did it was… well it was boring. Morgan was right, that had been anticlimactic. She stepped closer to Morgan and leaned in to get a look at the vial. “Can I squeeze in real quick?” Cece reached her arm in, running her hand over it without actually touching it. Magic was different. In some ways it felt alive or like an aura. And every aura was different. If someone was familiar enough with a certain branch of magic they may be able to pick it out just like someone could look at someone and see what color their aura was. “Well, bad news is that I’m pretty sure this actually was summoning magic. Whoopsies.” Cece sucked air through her teeth and slid away from the box again, “But on the plus side it didn’t summon whatever is in there! So another point for the former roommate dream team!”

Morgan’s stomach turned. There was no consciousness in the box, no traces of who the spellcaster had once been, but after what Roy had done to Erin’s home, she felt pretty confident that they were dead. She knew, on one level, that it was the same as the stock of brains she kept in the fridge. But thinking of his cruelty, the way he crushed people for nothing more original than gain, she felt disgusted. Morgan snapped the box shut and turned back to Cece. “Thank you for this. You’re a really good friend, you know?” She pulled her in a one armed hug. “I’ll make sure this guy get’s destroyed, okay? Do you want to hang onto this, in case you need it someday? I’d rather it be with a real witch than with Roy.” She squeezed her friend carefully. “But definitely, definitely another score in our dream team column. We are, without a doubt, the most badass pair in the Crest. Maybe we should start charging the town for all the favors we do them, huh?”

“I’m supposed to be holding up my tough girl reputation Morgan. Don’t expose me. You know this unbeating heart only flutters now and again for you.” Cece playfully shoved Morgan’s shoulder, careful not to do it hard enough to jolt the vial resting in the overdramatic box. “He sounds like a real dick, so I can’t say I’ll be mourning his loss or anything. But you and your friend need to be careful. If Fexts are even half as scary as the stories are, you don’t want to underestimate this guy. He’s going to be dangerous as hell.” Cece had no idea what kind of nightmare fuel this bottle could summon. Keeping it around probably wasn’t the greatest idea. But if Cece could figure out what it was, she may be able to use it someday. “I will happily take this little container of evil. What could go wrong, am I right?” What an awful question to ask. It’s like she was begging for demons to fuck up her life. Good luck trying to screw up something that was already so royally fucked, demons. “We really do. I’ll brainstorm some business titles. Double bubble, toil trouble? Never mind. We’ll keep workshopping.”

[barnesandrogersfanfics]

With All Your Heart - Part 3

"Jesus Y/N where is your head at today?" Nat scolded you as she knocked you on my ass for the 100th time in the past hour.

"In the gutter Nat where else" you smirk at her, it wasn't a lie! All you kept thinking about was Bucky!! How nice it was waking up in his arms.... how you wanted more!

"We need to get you laid girl!" Nat laughed holding her hand out to help you up off the floor.

"I know right!" You admitted whilst grabbing your towel from the side and wiping the sweat from your brow "I've got all this pent up energy i need to get out of my system.... even being in here aint helping! Especially when we've got half naked super soldiers standing across from us" you nod in the direction of where Steve and Bucky were working out in just a pair of shorts, both doing weights and making the most sexual grunting noises you have ever heard in a gym!!

"Is it just me or are those grunting noises...."

"Sounding very sexual??" She finished and nodded her head "its not just you"

"Oh thank god" you laughed and caught the attention of the two grunting soldiers.

"You ladies okay?" Steve called over sitting up on the bench.

"Peachy Cap" you called back while turning your back to them to hide your laughing.

"You sure?? You seem to find something quite amusing"

"Its nothing Steve, just girl talk" Nat winked at him as you both walked over to the treadmills.

"Well if you need anything we'd be happy to assist you" he said politely and Nat and you both burst out laughing before starting a quick paced jog on the treadmills.

"What??" You hear Steve ask as he walked over to us, he wanted to know what was going on now. Bucky was looking over curious to what we were talking about.

"The kinda help she needs is a little outta your job description Steve"

"Natasha!!" You snap shaking your head at her, the woman had no filter sometimes.

"Oh.... oh you mean...."

"Sex Steven, you can say it. Its not a bad word" Nat said teasing him at how uncomfortable he looked.

"Nat leave him alone" you say hitting the stop button and slowly coming to a stop.

"Steve can you help me stretch, if i don't do it properly I'm gonna cramp like a bitch later"

"S..sure" he nodded quickly with a smile and walked over to the mats. He led you through some basic stretches, then he was kneeling between your legs pushing one back towards your chest a little further than you could manage on my own. It felt so good you let out a quiet moan and instantly felt your cheeks flush red "you okay?" Steve asked looking concerned, you nod quickly and laughed nervously "yeah I'm fine, that just felt really good"

"Oh my god get a room you two" Nat laughed as she walked passed.

"Nat i swear to god I'm gonna kick your ass you keep on" you called after your best friend.

"You don't stand a chance while that mind of yours is in the gutter Stark!"

"Shes right" you huff throwing your arm over your eyes dramatically.

"That we should get a room??" Steve asked wide eyed making you laugh.

"No, about me not standing a chance while my mind is in the gutter" you sat up and tapped him on the arm "don't worry cap i wont corrupt you".

"Maybe id corrupt you" he shrugged casually "how would you know??"

"Fair point" you smirked getting to your feet "id be too much for you to handle though Cap" you say patting his chest and walking out.

"See ya later Buck" you smile sweetly at him as you passed.

"What the hell was that about??" Bucky asked Steve once they were alone, Steve shook his head looking just as confused as Bucky.

"I have no idea!!"

"Was you coming onto her??"

"I.... i don't think so"

"Well do you like her?"

"Of course i like her"

"You know what i mean!"

"I don't know Buck, i think i just got caught in the moment" he shrugged then looked at his best friend with wide eyes "wait... do YOU like her??"

"W..what.... no of course not" he said quickly but the red blush that crossed his face said he did.

"Bucky you can tell me pal, I'm not going to judge you. It will stay between us i promise" Steve said to his friend, now he thought about it he couldn't believe he didn't see it sooner.

"So what if i do like her Steve?? Y/N will never see me like that" he said sadly.

"How do you know that?? You haven't even given her a chance"

"Come on man if shes into anyone its you! She's always so open and flirty with you. Don't think i haven't noticed the way shes so comfortable around you, the touches between you"

"Maybe shes trying to see if she gets a reaction from you when shes close with me. You were always so stand offish with her.... she didn't think you liked her pal"

"She makes me nervous okay!" Bucky suddenly snapped "i don't know how to act around her! And then she was always sitting there talking about all these terrible dates she was going on.... i couldn't stay and listen to her talk about being with other guys, so id just leave the room"

"Well then maybe you should ask to take her out yourself??" Steve smirked.

"She'd never say yes to me Steve" Bucky said dropping his head sadly.

"Well you better make your move pal, that girl is needing some attention and she'll go on more of those ridiculous dates to get it" he slapped Bucky on the back and went to go take a shower.

***

After the show put on by the super soldiers in the gym and having Steve between your legs while stretching you were super horny! On the way back to your rooms Nat had suggested a girls night which you instantly agreed to. Now you were in the shower with your vibrator trying to relieve some of the sexual tension you were experiencing before going out. Your breathing was heavy as you felt yourself start to clench tighter.... your mind replaying the images of a shirtless Bucky and those amazing grunting noises he had been making. It was enough to send you over the edge and let out a loud moan as your free hand grabbed hold of the wall to steady your wobbly legs.

"Fucking hell" you sighed closing your eyes and trying to catch your breath, this was getting ridiculous! It was then you heard a knocking at your door "just a second" you call out quickly turning off the shower and grabbing a towel, you wrap it around yourself and make your way through your room to open the door.

"Oh.... S..sorry!" Bucky stuttered looking away from you when he saw you in just a towel.

"Its okay Buck" you say smiling up at him "whats up?"

"I just... i thought we could talk"

"Id love that, really i would but I'm getting ready to go out for girls night with Nat and Wanda"

"Oh okay never mind... it was just an idea..." he said looking flustered at you rejecting his offer.

"Hey, how about tomorrow morning? We can go to that diner down the street that you like, Just you and me?" You offer and he smiles instantly.

"Yeah id like that" he nodded "have a nice night" he gave you a smile before making his way back to his room.

****

You chose to wear a tight fitted burgundy dress (that didn't leave too much to the imagination but made you feel sexy) and a pair of black heals, your hair was curled loosely and your make up natural looking with a slight smokey eye. You were ready for a night out with your girls and you felt good about yourself!

You head out to the kitchen to meet Nat and Wanda. Wanda was already out there waiting for us like usual making some drinks before we started our night.

"Y/N dear?" Tony said looking at you over the papers he was reading.

"yes brother?" You say in a tone that warned him you were not in the mood for his witty comments, of course that didnt stop him.

"Did you loose half of that dress??" He asked, making you instantly roll your eyes "i mean your almost exposing your....." he waved his hand over his groin area.

"Im perfectly covered, you cant see anything" you assured him.

"Im just saying you could have picked a dress with a bit more material to it sweetheart"

"I bet Nats is worse than mine and you wont say a word to her"

"Like i said before Nat is not my baby sister"

"Tony im not a baby anymore you dont have to worry about me"

"You will aways be my baby sister and i will always worry about you" he stated simply "im sorry kid but i cant just turn that off".

"Wow!"

"Jesus christ...."

Came the voices of Steve and Bucky as they walked in and saw what you were wearing.

"Oh god your gonna give these old men a heart attack walking around dressed like that Y/N" Tony commented.

"Well i think she looks hot" Wanda smiled hooking her arm through yours and giving you a smile.

"She does! You both do!" Steve nodded

"Hey dont forget about me!" Nat said as she strolled in to join us finally.

"You all look stunning"

"Thank you Steve, we do look pretty hot tonight ladies" Nat said as she pushed the drinks Wanda had made towards us "drink up and lets get this party started!!"

You, Nat and Wanda down your drinks and start to get ready to leave, Bucky had walked over to get a bottle of water from the fridge behind you and as you was about to leave he leaned in and quietly said "you look real nice doll" with a killer smile that made your insides turn to mush. You feel your cheeks burn but wasn't sure if it was from your drink or Bucky's compliment!!

"Thanks Buck" you reply quickly following the girls out before you make a complete idiot of yourself in front of Bucky.

[ruvatia]

MaintenLance I

Pairing: Lance x Reader Word count: 2,5k Context: The paladins find a third pod in Lance’s quarters, and you’re sleeping in it. You had worked before with the king of Altea on building the Lions. (lowkey doesn’t really work anymore because this was all written during season 2-3 but that’s ok)

----- *。ヾ(｡>ｖ<｡)ﾉﾞ*。-----

Whenever he wasn't training or lazing around, Lance liked to walk around the castle. Sure, by now he should have memorized the whole structure by now, but since the corrupted castle's attempt to kill him at least twice (or was it just twice, he wasn't sure) Lance hadn't gone around the castle that much. He'd spent more time in his room, alone with his thoughts. Usually thoughts about earth. About home. This afternoon was no different. It was hard to tell since they were in space and all, but it was an afternoon.

Right?

He checked his phone that never left his room. Yup, 2:12 PM. Definitely the afternoon.

Lance got up from his bed and stretched his arms upwards, chucking his phone on his bed. Time for some exploring, it's been a while since he'd done that. He stepped out of his room, and looked to the hall down to his right. There were a few more rooms before a wall. The lights were always on in the hallways, which reminded the paladin of cruise ships a little bit. He remembered a cruise that he went on once. Their parents had finally saved enough to bring him and his immediate family, and he got to have a room to himself.

Okay, maybe it was shared with someone else but his parents' room was down the hall from theirs, so it was like they weren't there most of the time. For a young kid with a rebellious gleam in his eyes, it was heaven.

At night, there was only the peekhole, or 'door viewer' as his cousin corrected him many times, on their door that let light into their room. Other than that, it was always pitch black. Lance remembered how on the first night he was a little scared, but then grew accustomed to the darkness quickly. It was a little different here, where the doors shut out any light at all from the hallway.

"Urgh, no. You came out of your room to distract yourself. Stop thinking about home." he thought, as he shook his head.

Right. Comparing the ship with earth would only make him miss it more. He walked over to the end of the hall, and stopped before the door. This was Blue's hangar. Most lions had rooms beside their hangars, and so the paladins settled in the rooms closest to their lions. It was sometimes a little bothersome to have to walk all the way to the ship's control center when something happened, but it was in the center at least, and not at at end of Lance's opposite side. That was Keith. On his right was Pidge, and on his left was Hunk. Shiro's room was closer to the center hangar, since that was where Black was. Pretty much everything was in the middle, now that he thought about it. The dinning hall, the control center, the big room they received those little aliens and the main training deck was there too. As well as Allura and Coran's rooms.

Since that was where he was most of the time, if not in his room or his wings' training deck, Lance decided that he would explore his own wing a little bit. Starting with the room next to him.

He opened the door and found nothing interesting, same thing with the other one next to it. And the other one too, and the one after that too.

After 4 rooms, it got boring. He even bothered to look in the drawers! There wasn't anything that seemed interesting. Actually, there was nothing at all. All the rooms had a little bit of dust in them, which was nice because Lance was expecting much more, with the castle being ten thousand years old. But the entire castle was clean. As if no one lived in these rooms. Why were they build then?

In the last room before the end of the hall, he found something. Clothes were in the closet, books were on the table and nightstand, and in the drawer were papers that he found himself reading the moment he discovered them. To his surprise, they were all blueprints about his lion. Everything was in Altean so he didn't understand jack but they seemed to describe where certain parts went on his lion. So many schematics were of very complicated screws that he'd only seen the top of on Blue's joints were scattered between walls of Altean. These were probably what helped him become Voltron's leg.

He took just the papers and rushed to Pidge's lab, her lion's hangar. He quickly opened the door and found that she wasn't there. Could it be that she was training?

Lance hurried along to the center wing and noticed that everyone was going up the stairs.

"Guys, guys! I have something to show you!" he shouted, getting his team's attention.

"Lance! There you are!" Pidge said, coming down to join him halfway. "You weren't in your room when I came to get you for dinner. Where have you been?"

"It's already time for dinner?" he asked, tilting his head. How long had he been looking at these notes?

"What's that in your hand?" Keith asked, looking over Pidge's head.

"Right! These!" he brought the papers up high, in Pidge's face. "I need you to translate these! I found them in a room next to mine, and I think they're blueprints for Blue's parts!"

"Blueprints?" Shiro said, coming down a few steps.

"Yeah, blueprints! And they're written in Altean, so I can't read them. I figured that you probably have a translating software or something like that, just like how you can translate Golra gibberish into English, kind of."

Pidge frowned as she skimmed over the notes. “Hey, my software is able to give very clean translations, thank you."

----- *。ヾ(｡>ｖ<｡)ﾉﾞ*。-----

"Lance, about those notes you found yesterday..." Pidge said, tapping away on her laptop.

"Yeah?"

"Some of the papers you gave us weren't notes. They were letters."

"Letters? What kind?" Keith asked, leaning onto his knees.

Pidge turned her computer on the table in the middle to both the guys, letting them read it. The first lines were scratched out on the original picture but the software was able to tell what was written anyways. It read:

"My dear, Darling, Dearest, I need to talk to you. You probably know what this is about already but I still want to tell you. It can't wait any longer, I want to do something about the distance that's settling between us because you've noticed the motive behind my actions. Please, I know you're going to be frozen along with the princess if the need shows itself so I want to make it clear and sort things out. Please, just a little bit of your time would be enough for me. I could tell you everything with a letter, but you know me. I like talking but more than writing. Yours, Yuira."

On other page, there were notes from Yuira to another engineer. The same person they wrote the letter to.

"Dear , I've heard that these screws were very hard to craft, since the metal needed was so hard. I guess that the best weapon in the universe needs to best materials to fit it."

The rest were little notes like that along the drawings, with little faces that the boys thought to be Yuira. Looks like this person, whoever they were, really liked Blue's assigned engineer, who was the most talented of the five, according to his praise of them. After reading through everything silently, Lance just stared at Pidge.

"That means that there's another Altean that was frozen with the princess?"

"Guess so. But he or she definitely wasn't frozen with her and Coran. There are still a few places none of us have checked out, so we should explore them to see if we could fall on their pod." the girl said, readjusting her glasses on the bridge of her nose.

"Is it possible that a pod can fit in one of the rooms though? They're a little smaller than they look, really." Keith commented, getting up.

"Only one way to find out." Lance said, closing Pidge's computer. "Time for some hide-and-seek, amirite?"

A big sigh came from Keith. "Sure, buddy."

----- *。ヾ(｡>ｖ<｡)ﾉﾞ*。----- 

All had agreed to look in their respective wings, and since Pidge had to wait after Lance and Keith, the others already had a head start on their search.

"When you're finished, come back to the lounge!"

Lance ran over to his wing, wondering what kind of person this engineer would be. Was it a girl? If so, was she pretty? Another girl on this testosterone-filled ship would be a great addition.

The blue paladin opened the first door and found nothing at first glance, but didn't waste anytime starting to dig in the closet. Who knew, maybe there was a secret switch or something? He touched almost every inch of the closet's inside walls, then did the same for the room. He was determined to do the same for every room.

And he gave up on that idea quite quickly.

The rooms left to his were empty, and all that wall-touching seemed ineffective. He tried running his hand along the hallway, mumbling "come out, come out, secret switch" as he made his way to the rooms he'd checked out this morning. He checked Yuira's room first. That's where he found the notes and blueprints, maybe he'll find her there too. Who knows. Unfortunately, he didn't.

Lance dragged his feet back to the lounge. He was the last to arrive.

"Any luck?" Keith asked as he sat down beside him.

"Nope. Nothing. Nada."

"Well then, looks like their pod isn't in the wings where the rooms are, so let's check the rest of the castle." Allura said, hasty to find another Altean.

Coran and her were overjoyed at the idea of finding another person from their kingdom. Their positive vibe kinda rubbed off on everyone and managed to sweep Lance's gloomy clouds away. Team Voltron got up and started to look around the center area of the castle, leaving to stone unturned. Or was it no deck unturned in this case?

Regardless, they found nothing.

They all decided to eat dinner and continue their search later, but even after that, nothing. Coran, Pidge and Hunk wondered if there was a special button somewhere and inspected most of the control panels around the ship, but nothing was sticking out. There wasn't even a clue that there could be a special combination to opening a secret door or something, like Lance thought. Coran and Allura's pride was hit the most, as they knew the ship inside out. Where could this Altean be?

At the end of the day, they all decided to sleep on it for today. This person had been sleeping for a little over than ten thousand years. What's one more day to them?

Lance let his fingers intertwine behind his head, laying down on his bed. He felt something poke against him, and pulled out the phone he chucked on his sheets this morning. He sighed as he unlocked it, pushing himself up to sit. He put his headphones on and pressed the "randomize" button, putting the volume up a few bars.

--- NOW PLAYING: LONE DIGGER BY CARAVAN PALACE --- 

Oh, this song was one of the songs that never failed to get him up on his feet. Phone is one hand, Lance let his feet work the frustration off. His arms joined in at some point, then his spine and neck.

When the last chorus hit, he accidentally chucked his phone in the air.

"OH SHI--"

He tried to grab it with his hand, and thanks to his long reach he got it, but just like many times when he and his team form Voltron, Lance tripped and landed face first on the side of his bed. To his surprise, the bed was pushed back and revealed a pod beneath it. It happened so fast that he hit his face a second time on the pod's glass wall.

His eyeball suffered a little bit of damage, compared to the rest of his handsome face but he got to see the engineer that Yuira wrote to so... Passionately.

He pushed himself up with both hands, his eyes falling on a pair of lips he wouldn't mind making out with any day. Preferably on a Monday afternoon. He inspected the rest of the sleeping person's--uh, alien-- features and recognized long eyelashes, fair skin and nice-looking hair and body that could only belong to a woman. A big smile settled itself on his face before he shouted:

"She's a girl!"

He rushed out of his room and to Pidge's lab. It was the closest to him, in his opinion.

"Pidge! Buddy! I found it!" he almost screamed as the door opened.

"What? What did you find?"

"The engineer we've been looking for! And she's a girl! We gotta tell the others!"

"O-okay! Give me a minute!"

The brunette was almost brutally pulled up on her feet by Lance, barely having the time to set her laptop aside. They ran towards the ship's control room, where Pidge took out the intercom speaker and told everyone to gather in Lance's room.

Hunk was at Lance's door first and Keith last. Pidge and Lance had run into Shiro, Coran and Allura on their way back from the control room. They all entered the room at the same time (sort of) and examined the pod that was in the ground, right where Lance's bed should've been.

"Nice job, Lance." Shiro praised, a hand on his shoulder.

Lance puffed his chest out a little bit, a smile making him seem like a child illuminating his face. Being praised by Shiro wasn't that rare, but it felt nice because he always meant it.

"How did you manage to push the bed?" Pidge asked, wondering if it could be pulled back.

"I.. kinda hit my face against it."

"How did you--? You know what, I don't even want to know."

"Guess that explains the small bruise beside your lip then." Keith said, pointing at it.

"Urgh, no way! I actually got a bruise from that?"

"Still, she really is pretty." Pidge said, looking at her through the glass.

While he was talking, the pod was opened by Allura. Everyone rushed over to see the girl awaken over her head or shoulder.

She rose just like someone that was getting out of bed, her eyelids seeming heavy and her movements quite sloggy. She looked around, her gaze traveling from face to face, stopping on Allura, that was in the middle of them.

"What time is it?" was the first thing she asked.

----- *。ヾ(｡>ｖ<｡)ﾉﾞ*。-----

[akane171]

You definitely don't have to worry bout that😂🙈

Yeah, I don't get why it did that in the first place...It's been doing that with my "asks" to LW too and I still don't get why it would do it either there or here🙈😅

I was exaggerating but there are definitely A LOT more people where I live compared to your 12k😅 But lol, 35 People? That IS kinda just two streets😉🤣🤣😶 The peace and quiet sounds very nice tho🙈

Yup, they do😅

😅😅🙈🤷🏻‍♀️

Ahh, right, the priests 🤦🏻‍♀️ Sorry, I half-forgot about those already, what, with the whole message didn't get through thing🙈🙈😅

Cakes are REALLY awesome and same, I want some, too😅🤤

HAHAHAHAHAHA well, that escalated quickly, tho rap-song-writer!you sounds like it could be funny af🤣🤣😉

Yeah, okay, that really sucks if they only reused older "scenes" and didn't care to give characters their own "twist"🙈🙈🙈

...Putting feelings into boxes? Oh god, that sounds so unhealthy, I'm actually kinda glad I have seen barely anything after Season 3😅😅🙈🙈

Jup, agreed, her story would have been awesome like that and a nice little message for everyone watching, too🙈😅

Hmm, good point🤔😂 Okay, so Lex as the headmaster🤣 Ohh, imagine Lillian and Rhea being on the School Board/Comittee/Board of Education🤔🤔😰😅 

But wouldn't Max be able to deduce that because he's brilliant?🤔 Tho I imagine he'd clearly not be impressed, tho I doubt anything involving Kara impresses him😅😅🙈

🙈🙈🙈 Still, sorry!

PS2: Exactly!☺🤗

Ohh, well, my condolensces then?😅🙈 *hands over a few boxes of tissues*

Thanks, you too and happy Monday!😉😊

XXX

Problem sooooolved then xD

Who knows, tumblr is a void and eats the messages?

It's exactly two streets, one hidden behind a forest xD

It is nice. Minus the fucking birds at 5 am sitting on your balcony and screaming HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO like madmen.

On the other hand I can go to the forest and theoretically scream too, so.

Our talks are so messy I'm still not sure why you murdered kangaroos :P

Yeah, day later I still didn't eat it. But I had pancakes for the dinner, so I guess it's good too and well, KARAMEL ALL THE WAY!

...no, thank you.

I mean there for sure were some original cute scenes, whatever, but I was already annoyed and didn't care.

SEE? You didn't even watch and you know how stupid it sounds! And here we had Lobotomizer, the genius of the series, corrupting idiots with her ideology. I fucking hate it. I fucking hate it, how they made her look sympathetic, made her say half ass sorry, how they didn't make her pay a single thing for her horrible actions and she is "redempted" just like that. Because she is pretty white privileged powerful woman. Fucking show for a kids. Giving them this message. *throws up*

Sorry, but this shit annoys me like hell.

But I guess it would be soooo difficult to write, right? And would take away screen time from Lobotomizer and her sister, right???? And who needs a powerful, well written mine character to shine and be simply awe and some, right?????

That would be heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell. All tou know, maybe we would not need dramas and no villains, just making them a little crazy and annoying. Like Lex being a lazy headmaster, cool and not giving a fuck, Lillian and Rhea being intense competitors in the WHO IS THE BEST MEMBER OF THE COMITTEEEEEEE etc xD And Lobotomizer could die in some explosive experiment or something

I think his brain woul dprotect him from mentally imaginating what the fuck (pun intended) happened there, involving his little naked brother wrapped in completly naked krypotnian :P

LET'S JUST STOP APOLOGIZING TO EAHC OTHER! But not like karamel, but really xD

PS HE WON, so it was a happy cry xD thanks :D

Have a nice... evening? night? day? sleep?

[nicknchris09]

Once In A Lifetime Chapter 49 Trip Down Memory Lane

Melissa's POV

We have already been at in the small town for a few days.  We never decided how long we would stay.  We just wanted time with my father while he was well enough.  I knew I didn't want to stay when he got worse, especially with the kids there.  They didn't need to see him get sick and I think apart of me couldn’t handle seeing him that way.  But for now, we wanted to make the best of the time we had.  I didn't want to go back to LA anytime soon.  I was happy being with my family.  My mom kept her religion talk in check around Seth and my dad and Seth had bonded quickly.  It warmed my heart to see my family finally accepting him.  But I hated it came to this for that to happen.  Seth also made sure to be there for me or the boys with all this.  But as my dad kept his spirits high, we were actually happy.  Happy with the time we had with him.  There was no sadness except for the first day.  My dad might have been a grump at times but he knew how to make everyone cheer up.  Just seeing him smiling and laughing, made me happy.  I knew he didn't want to spend the time he had left sad or angry.  So, he always was smiling.  Mom said he was in higher spirits since we arrived as he wanted us there.  We were the only of the family who didn't live there.  My youngest brother got out of the army and settled down back at home.  He got married and had a little girl now.  So, he lived close to our parents.  The town was quite small so everyone knew everyone.  Part of the reason I couldn't wait to leave that town.  I hated small town living growing up.  But now with all this happening, I actually missed the small town.  Missed the feeling it had.  LA didn't feel the way that place did.  It was much colder.  One afternoon, my mom asked me to go into town and get a few things.  I asked Seth if he wanted to join.  I thought he get a kick of the downtown area.  It was something you would only see in the movies.  Seth agreed.  The kids wanted to stay but I wasn't too keen on keeping James there as my parents didn't understand him.  But KJ reassured me he would look after him and help translate if need be.  So, I left all the children there as Seth and I drove into town.  We parked downtown and walked a bit before getting the items my mother asked for.  I showed him the little mom and dad shops in town.  He loved the family based businesses.  My town refused to corrupted by big business.  We walked as we held hands and I pointed to different places, sharing memories I had there.  Seth listened very intently.  I loved he would actually be very interested in everything.  One of the reasons I fell in love with him.  He actually listened and enjoyed listening to me.  He took it all in.  As we walked, he asked, "Do you miss it here?"

I looked up at him and just shrugged.  "I do at times.  Especially times like now.  Being so far from my family is hard.  Right now my dad is going through so much and I can't be there.  Then I look at it as maybe it is a blessing in disguise.  My kids don't have to watch their grandfather slowly pass away, I know they would have a hard time with it.  So, I guess it is kinda of a toss up.  But I do miss the small town living after living in LA for so long, I will admit that."

He looked at me and asked, "Do you want to come back?"

"I know that could never happen.  I am not naive.  I would love to but now I have you and we both have our careers in LA and not done with them yet.  I know you love LA."  I told him.

He stopped walking as did I.  He looked at me and asked, "You would stay in LA cause of me?"

"Yeah."  I said with a smile.

"Even if it is not what you want?"  He asked.

"Yeah."  I said again.  

I saw him look away from me and look at the ground.  I could tell he felt guilty.  Then he looked back at me and asked, "If I said I would be okay with living here, would you want to come back?"

I thought about it for a moment, then smiled.  "Yeah, I would."

"Then how about this."  He said.  "After we get done with our careers and we feel we did as much as we could do with it, we move here.  Live out our days in the town that is your home."  

"You would do that for me?"  I asked, almost stunned.

"It would make you happy, right?"  He asked.  I nodded and he smiled.  "That is my answer then.  I only want to make you happy, love.  That is all I have ever wanted was for you is to be happy.  Plus, this place isn't so bad.  Be a nice place to live out my retirement."

"What about your hometown?"  I asked.

"I think I have acclimatize to LA.  I don't think I could live in a cold place again.  This place seems to be perfect all around.  I loved my hometown, but I have also put that place in my past.  I never planned to move back there.  But this place kinda reminds me of it, the feel that is and has the warm environment I am so use to."  He smiled.

I smiled happily.  "Seth MacFarlane, you never seize to amaze me."

I leaned in and gave him a small kiss.  When he pulled away, he said, "I just want you happy, love.  It's all I ever want.  For me, home is where you and the boys are."  I bit my lower lip as I smiled.  He hitched an eyebrow and said in a low tone, "Baby, you know what that does to me.  So you might want to stop that."  I looked away as I laughed slightly.  I looked back at him and was just in awe of him.  "Come on, love.  I think we need to get those things for your mother."

I nodded.  We turned around and walked back to where we needed to go.  As we walked, I heard, "Lissa?"

I looked up to see a familiar face.  I smiled and quickly said, "Oh my god, Kyle."

I hugged the man and he hugged me back.  He then asked as we pulled away, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see my family."  I told him.  

He nodded in understanding.  "I heard about your father.  I am so sorry."  

I gave him a small smile.  "Thank you."

"How is he doing?"  He asked.

"Right now, he is doing very well.  In high spirits actually."  I told him.

He smiled at me.  "That is good to hear."

Then I heard Seth clear his throat.  I forgot for a moment that he was there.  I quickly said, "Oh, I'm sorry.  Kyle, this is my husband, Seth.  Seth, this is Kyle.  He is an old friend from school."

They shook hands and Seth said, "It's nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine."  He said to Seth, warmly.

Then I said to Kyle, "So, I heard you married, Sydney Williams.  And had little ones of your own."

"Well, they aren't exactly little ones anymore.  And I was married but we divorced about two years ago."  He told me.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."  I said quickly as I felt bad.

He smiled and shook his head.  "It is quite alright.  It was for the best."

Then I noticed Seth was getting a bit antsy.  I said to Kyle, "Well, I have to get going.  But we should catch up."

"That would be great."  He said, warmly.

We said our goodbyes and parted ways.  As Seth and I walked away, Seth leaned in and said, "Old friend, huh?"

I smiled as I knew what he meant.  "Okay, so maybe he was an old boyfriend, before I dated Kevin.  But that is ancient history.  It was a brief fling in high school."

He smiled.  "I knew it was something more then just old friends."

"What do you mean?"  I asked as I didn't noticed anything and didn't think I acted any different.

"The way he looked at you."  He said, still smiling.

I rolled my eyes.  "He wasn't looking at me in anyway."

"Yes, he was, love.  Like you were the one who got away.  I know that look all too well."  He was loving this.

"Whatever, Seth.  You think every guy wants me."  I only said as I smiled.

"Cause they do love.  You are beautiful, talented, and famous.  What guy wouldn't want you.  I was just lucky enough to snag you and lock you down."  He said almost in a cocky matter.  Then he asked, "So it was more like a fling?"

I looked up at him and exhaled.  He always saw more then what most people did.  "Yeah, well, we were in high school.  We only dated a couple months."

"Yeah, but I feel there was more to it."  He said.

"Okay, there was.  You know how Cindy blurted one day that Kevin was my first."  I said.

"Yeah?"  He seemed intrigued.

"Well, that wasn't true.  I never denied or said if it was, cause well, my friends didn't know the whole truth as well.  Kyle was my first.  But afterwards, he kinda became a douche so I dumped him.  Then Kevin came into the picture."  I told him.

He smiled.  "So, I'm the only one, outside of you two, who know the truth."

"Yes.  And don't start.  You still to this day, haven't told me the name of your first, which I will not understand why."  I quickly said.

"Cause it was very awkward and just a one time thing.  I guess I was embarrassed by it.  I never told anyone the name of the girl who was my first, not even my parents."  He said, a little flushed that I brought it up.

"Why was it so awkward?"  I asked, with a small smile.

"Nope, not happening, love."  He smiled back.  "I love you, but that is one thing I will keep till my grave."  

"Fine."  I breathed.  "But do not give me shit about me not telling you about Kyle then."

"I wasn't planning on it."  He smiled.

"Good."  Then I said, quickly.  "Oh, and do not tell my friends or anyone else that he was."  

"Your secret is safe with me."  He looked at me with a grin.  I just rolled my eyes.  Then he asked, "So, what is it about you and the pretty boys?"

"Kyle is not a pretty boy."  I almost laughed.

"Oh, come on.  Did you not see the guy?"  He almost exclaimed.

I just laughed.  "Okay, so he might be a bit of a pretty boy.  But at the end of the day, I have you.  I married you and plan on spending the rest of my life with you.  So, none of that matters.  You captured my heart."  

He smiled as he stopped walking again as did I.  He leaned down and gave me a small kiss.  Then moved an arm around me as we started walking again.  "I am one lucky guy at that."

I just laughed as we walked to our destination.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seth's POV

A couple more days went by.  Lissa grew closer to her father.  The kids also enjoyed being with him.  One night, I wanted to take Lissa out, just to help get her mind off things.  I asked Margaret if she would look after the boys as we did.  She quickly said yes.  I was in the kitchen with James and Ralph when Lissa walked in.  "Hey, what's going on?"

I said with a smile, "James is teaching your dad a few things in sign language."

She smiled, brightly.  "Really?"

Ralph said, "Yeah.  I know a few words.  James is an excellent teacher."

Just then, James smiled as he signed, "Thank you, papa."

Lissa watched as Ralph signed as he said, "Your welcome, James."

I could see it warm Lissa's heart that her dad was trying to learn.  Then I looked at Lissa and said, "So, love, I need you to find the prettiest thing you brought and go put it on."

"Why?"  She asked as she eyed me.

"Well, I thought we could go out tonight."  I told her.

"I don't know, Seth.  What about the boys?"  She asked.

I smiled.  "Love, KJ and Jacob are old enough to watch after themselves and your parents said they have them."

"I don't know."  She was unsure.

Ralph quickly said, "Lissa, go out with your husband.  Your mother and I have the children."

I saw her smile and she looked at me.  "Okay, I will go get ready."

I watched as she walked away.  Ralph then looked at me and asked, "Where do you plan on taking her?"

"I have no clue as I do not know this town."  I told him, truthfully.  "But she really needs a night out."

He nodded.  "How about I give you a few suggestions."

I asked as I smiled, "What do you have in mind?"

An hour later, my woman appeared, looking as beautiful as ever.  I smiled as I moved closer to her.  I put my hands around her waist as I said, "Love, you look amazing."

She blushed.  I loved that I could still do that after we have been together for so long.  "Thanks, Seth."

I gave her a small kiss and Margaret walked over to us and smiled.  "Oh, you two look great."  I moved away from Lissa as I smiled at her.  "You two go and have fun.  We got the kids and don't rush to get back.  They will be okay."

Lissa smiled at her mother.  "Thanks, mom."

I took Lissa's hand and said, "Come on, love."

We walked out the door and got into the vehicle.  I drove to our first destination.  It was a small restaurant.  We got in and Lissa smiled.  "Why did you choose this place?"

"Your dad actually suggested it."  I told her, honestly.

"I should have known.  This is where my dad took my mom on their first date.  He also proposed to her here."  She said with a happy smile.

I smiled as I loved that Ralph suggested somewhere that meant a lot to him.  We sat down and ordered our food.  The whole night, we talked and ate.  Even after we finished we just kept talking the night away.  It always felt amazing that we could still be that way.  Lose ourselves in conversation.  I heard a lot of people say marriage gets boring but I began to wonder when that would happen as nothing in our life was boring.  We never allowed us to have nothing to say to one another.  We didn't even allow the sex to be boring.  Nothing was boring in our marriage.  I was proud of that.  After I noticed it was getting late, I said, "We should go.  We have somewhere else to go."

"Oh, our night is not over?"  She asked as she hitched an eyebrow.

"Nope, not even close."  I smiled.

We got up and quickly left.  We drove to our next destination.  It was to a lake and it was dark out. She looked at me and smiled.  "Let me guess, my dad?"

"How did you know?"  I asked.

"Cause I spent many weekends and summers here.  My dad loved to go fishing here and us kids would play on the bank or go swimming."  She told me.

I slightly laughed.  "Seems like your dad is just getting me to take you down memory lane."

"I love it, though."  She smiled.  "I had so many memories here.  I am glad I get to share one with you now."

I smiled and gave her a  small kiss.  We both got out of the vehicle and I went to the back.  I got a few blankets I had placed in there as she got ready.  We walked close to the lake and I quickly laid one of the blankets out.  I sat down.  She quickly sat in front of me as my legs were on both sides of her.  She laid her back against my chest and I wrapped my arms around her.  I felt her arms move on mine as she held me close.  She seemed really happy.  "Thank you." She said, softly.

"For what, love?"  I asked.

"For tonight.  I needed this.  Needed the trip down memory lane and the night out."  She looked up at me and said.

I smiled at her as I said, "I told you, I would do anything for you."

"I know you would."  She said, softly.

I leaned in and took her lips softly.  Our kiss lingered.  I felt her hand move off my arm and move to the back of my head.  She held onto me as she deepened the kiss.  Our kiss became more passionate.  She turned to me as she got on her knees and I let go of her.  Once she was turned to me, my hands moved to her waist.  Our kiss never broke. She pushed me back gently and my back moved to the ground.  She laid on top of me as we continued kissing.  My hand moved over her body.  I felt her hands move to my chest and she started to unbutton my shirt.  She moved her hands over my bare chest once she had it undone.  She broke the kiss and sat up.  She quickly took off her shirt.  She moved back to me and took my lips again.  I felt so drunk on her kisses.  I moved my hands to her bare back till I got to her bra.  I quickly unsnapped it and moved it off of her.  I then grabbed her around her waist and turned us around so I was on top.  She moaned in my lips as I did.  She loved when I took charge.  I moved my hands to her skirt and grabbed the hem.  I pulled it off of her as I broke the kiss and quickly pulled off her underwear as well.  I also quickly took my shirt off that was still on my back.  She sat up as lust took over and quickly moved her hands to the button on my pants.  She began to undo it and I grabbed her wrist to stop her.  She looked up at me, confused.  I said in a low tone, "Baby, I want us to take our time."

I moved back in as I kissed her again.  I let go of her hands as I gently pushed her back to her back.  I kissed her deeply.  I then moved my lips to her neck and I heard her breathing hitch.  I smirked at this.  I kept kissing her as I moved lower.  I got to her breast and slowly rained small kisses around her nipple.  She hissed as she wanted more.  I finally took her nipple in my mouth and she moaned out as I did.  I moved a hand down from her breast to her womanhood.  I slowly pushed a finger into her.  She moaned out, "Oh, god."

I smirked again.  I was loving the affect I had on her still.  I moved my finger inside her as I kept sucking at her nipple.  She moaned out as I knew I was making her feel good.  I felt one of her hands moved to the back of my head.  Her fingers ran though my hair.  I inserted another finger inside her.  I heard her moan out again as I did.  I pumped my fingers inside her as she squirmed under me.  I kept going with pleasing her.  She was loving it.  I felt her fingers in my hair grip a lock of my hair.  She was close.  She moaned again.  I pumped my fingers faster inside her and kept sucking at her nipple.  I felt her other hand move to my bicep.  Then I heard her moan out loudly as she came.  "OH, GOD!  SETH!"  

I felt her walls contract around my fingers.  I kept pumping till I felt her calm.  Once she did, I moved away from her breast and removed my finger.  I looked at her as my breathing was hitched at this point.  I was so turned on by what just happened.  We never took our time anymore as we never had the time to.  Her eyes were closed as she basked in her orgasm.  She finally opened her eyes and we were looking into each other's eyes.  She was breathing heavy.  So was I, from lust.  She then breathed, "I need you."

Her hands moved to my pants and this time I didn't stop her.  She undid my jeans and slid them down as well as my boxers.  I removed myself to take them off, quickly.  I moved in between her legs and looked at her.  She looked at me with so much lust.  I then slowly pushed into her.  As I did, I closed my eyes as I moaned out.  The anticipation had build when I was making her feel good.  She moaned as well as she felt me push into her.  I didn't move once I was inside her.  I looked back at her.  Once her eyes met mine, I kissed her.  I started to move inside her.  She broke the kiss and moaned again.  I felt her leg move around my thigh.  I moved my hand to her thigh and held onto her.  I pushed even harder and deeper inside her.  She moaned loudly at this.  I moved my lips to her neck and kissed and sucked at it.  Slowly my movements became faster.  In no time, I was close.  I felt her hands grip my back as I knew she was close to.  "Please, Seth.  Keep going."

I pumped into her faster as I stopped kissing her neck.  I just breathed against her neck as I was so close.  I moved so fast and hard in her.  I then came, hard.  "Oh, fuck."  I breathed into her neck.

She then came as she moaned out, but no words came out this time.  I pumped as I released all of me into her.  I finally stopped.  I laid still against her body as I felt relaxed.  She moaned in satisfaction.  I felt her hand move to the back of my head as her fingers ran though my hair.  I breathed heavily.  We didn't speak.  We just laid stayed that way, relaxed and in bliss.  After some time, I moved off her and laid next to her.  I then said, "Come here."

She did, quickly.  We laid there and I felt her shiver.  "You cold?"  I asked her.

"A little."  She said.

I sat up and grabbed another blanket.  I opened it and put it over us.  I laid back down and she laid her head on my shoulder as I moved my arm around her.  She looked up at me and smile.  I noticed and asked, "What?"

"I was just thinking this is definitely one memory I will love of this place."  She said with a grin.

I slightly chuckled.  "Definitely will be one to remember."

She then said, "Thank you, Seth.  For tonight.  I needed this."

I kissed the top of her head and said, "I know you did, love."

"I love you, Seth."  She breathed.

I looked down at her and said with a smile, "I love you too, baby."

I moved in and took her lips gently.  I laid back down as I enjoyed the peace with the woman I love.

Previous Chapter / Masterlist / Next Chapter

[woods2006gal]

Chapter 03 - Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)

Zoey looks out the window as the SUV drives through Gotham. It was a far cry from Smallville. And it wasn’t anything like Star City. Gotham was full of gleaming art deco buildings and glass skyscrapers. The tallest building in the city was the Wayne Enterprises building. It stood in the center of the financial district. The only symbol on the building was a giant ‘W’ at the top. It was a reminder to the citizens of Gotham of which family had built the city. Through to others it was seen as a reminder that the upper echelons of Gotham society had destroyed the city. One didn’t have to go far from the gleaming financial district to see the reality for many of Gotham’s citizens. Crime, homelessness, drugs. 

“The Wayne Foundation has dedicated itself to restoring the city of Gotham to its once famous glory,” Max says, reading the invitation of the annual Wayne Foundation gala. They were dressed in formal attire. Max in a tuxedo with his light brown hair slicked back. Zoey wore a strapless black tea length dress. Her hair was pulled into a slick ponytail, a light layer of makeup accented her natural features, and a pearl necklace was the only jewelry she wore.

Zoey had never been to the gala before. She had heard about it from her parents and Max. “Does that mean they’re going to start going after the people who actually caused the problems? The financial district assholes who wear ugly suits.” She notices the driver subtly nod in agreement with her. “Or will it be the corrupt members of the city government who allows organized crime carte blanche?”

Max shoots her an unamused look. “I see someone has been watching the local news today.”

“I don’t understand why I’m here, Uncle Max. This is your scene, not mine.”

Max sighs. “Zoey, you’re growing up. Which means you’re going to start taking a more active role in the company. And part of that role is going to galas filled with rich assholes.”

“What if I don’t want to be part of the company?”

“As far as I’m concerned, Zoey, I want you to have the choices that I didn’t get to have. The choices that your mom didn’t get to have. But you still have to do the dog and pony show.”

“Like going to galas filled with rich assholes.”

Max nods. “I think of it as a way to either get laid or get some blackmail material. Like if someone is cheating on their spouse.”

Zoey shakes her head, trying to keep the smile off of her face. “I highly doubt either of those will happen to me tonight.”

“Zoey, sweetheart, you’re forgetting that your fuck buddy from over the summer will be there. Just make sure to steal some decent booze,” Max tells her, lightly patting Zoey’s leg.

“How did you get Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Martha to agree to this anyway,” Zoey questions.

Max shrugs. “I lied. Said I was in Metropolis for the weekend and wanted you to come hangout at the hotel. That you needed some cheering up what with Mike moving away. Through I promised Jonathan that I wouldn’t go too extravagant.”

Zoey snorts. “Yeah, the private jet and invitation only gala go way past extravagant.”

Max smirks. “Just a bit.”

~*~

Zoey looks around the stately home. Well, more like manor. The annual Wayne Foundation gala was always held in Wayne Manor. It’s part of the reason that being personally invited was something that many societal people envied. Zoey had been to Wayne Manor once before. Through she had been eight years old and the mood at the time had been very somber.

“We’re in the same club now,” Zoey softly says, sitting on the empty swing next to Bruce. She had left Max inside with the adults. Bruce doesn’t look up at her. “Ollie calls it the dead parents club, but…he didn’t see his parents die…Ollie doesn’t feel guilty about his parents dying. I do. If I…if I had never wanted to go home that night, if I had just managed to get through the slumber party at Stacy’s house they would still be here. I made them come pick me up.”

“I fell down the well,” Bruce quietly begins. “I was stuck until my dad came and got me. There were a lot of bats down there. I went to a play with my parents. And there were bats. I got scared. My dad saw that I was scared and we left. If I had…if I wasn’t scared of bats then we would have never been in that alley.”

Zoey grabs Bruce’s hand and squeeze. “I guess we’re in an even worse club.”

A hand slips into hers and Zoey looks behind her to find Bruce. It was the first time she had seen him at the party since she and Max had arrived. She starts to say something, but he holds up a finger to his lips. Bruce leads her away from the party. She doesn’t say anything as they make their way up to the library. Zoey watches as Bruce fills a glass with some undoubtedly expensive scotch. She knew what her options were. The first was to go back to the party. But that would mean having to listen to people talk about how much they missed her parents and how she had grown into a lovely young woman.

Zoey closes the door and Bruce turns to her. She walks over to him and plucks the glass out of his hand before taking a swig. He stares at her, then grabs another glass. “Hate to break it to you, but your party kinda blows,” she softly says.

“It’s not really my party,” Bruce replies. Zoey looks around the room. A bookcase lined the wall and it was filled to the brim. She doesn’t move when she hears him move up behind her. She holds up her glass and his fingers brush hers as he takes it. Zoey turns when he walks back over and takes the glass. Her eyes never leave his as she takes a swig. He takes the glass from her and she raises an eyebrow as he takes a swig. She moves close enough to leave only a few inches between them.

Bruce sets the glass on the desk and closes the gap between them. The kiss is filled with desire and permeated by the scotch. He unzips her dress and it falls to the floor along with his jacket. She kicks the clothing to the side as she undoes his bow tie. Her legs hit the chaise lounge and she falls back onto it, pulling him down with her. Zoey’s hand slips in between them and palms his growing erection. He pulls back and looks down at her. She reaches up and pulls her hair out of the slick ponytail.

She reaches up and starts to unbutton his shirt. Bruce suddenly stands up and Zoey can’t help but to think that maybe he had changed his mind. Hurt fills her as she watches him search the floor. She slowly sits up and blinks in confusion when a ball of fabric hits her. She looks up at him and he pulls her into a kiss. “We’re going somewhere more private,” he murmurs, gently pulling her up. He takes his coat and drapes it over her shoulders.

Bruce leads her out of the library. Her hand clutches the coat, hoping that no one would happen across them. They go up a set of stairs and down a hallway before coming to a stop in front of a door. He opens the door and she barely has time to look around the dark bedroom before his lips are on hers. She quickly unbuttons his shirt as they reach the bed. Her bra lands on the floor as she falls backwards onto the bed. 

His lips trail down her body. Bruce pulls back and grasps her panties, gently tugging them down her legs. His hands run up her legs, pushing them apart. Zoey gasps when his tongue trails over her clit. Her hands grip the silk sheets as her orgasm overcomes her. His lips trail up her body before meeting hers. Her hands make quick work of his belt and pants, pushing them off. She gently grips his cock. He grabs her hand and holds it above her head.

Zoey moans when he enter her. All pretense of gentleness was gone. It was about each of them finding a release. Her nails scratch down his back as his thrusts grow harder. Neither of them cared about the party still going on downstairs. They knew that nobody would be looking for them. They knew that people would be more wrapped up in making business deals with the respective companies that their ancestors created.

Bruce groans as his own orgasm reaches him and he fills her. He collapses on top of her and Zoey wraps her arms around him. He closes his eyes. “Fuck, I forgot—”

“I’m on the pill,” Zoey softly interrupts. He pulls out and lays on the bed next to her. She shifts. “I should get cleaned up.”

“Don’t. Stay the night. Alfred will take you back to the hotel in the morning.”

Zoey shoots him a soft smile. “Well, this bed is way more comfortable than the ground.”

~*~

Max runs a hand through his hair. The fact that Zoey hadn't made it back to the hotel last night was weighing heavily on his mind. He had been so wrapped up in his own one night stand that he hadn't even registered that Zoey had left the gala without telling him. The hotel door opens and he looks to see Zoey. She wore a pair of form fitting sweatpants and an oversized sweatshirt. He doesn't miss the garment bag under her arm. "Don't worry, the photographers outside didn't see me come back. Alfred dropped me off in the underground parking lot and I took the back elevator up."

"I'm just glad that you're okay," Max says, tightly embracing her. He eyes the hickey on her neck. "In fact you seem better than okay.”

Zoey rolls her eyes. “I got make up in my bag to cover it.”

She starts to walk past him, but Max grabs her arm. “Hey, everything okay?”

“I’m just tired. I didn’t exactly get a lot of sleep last night.”

“Bullshit. What’s wrong? What’d Bruce do?”

“Bruce didn't do anything. I just…I don’t look forward to the lecture that I’ll end up getting when I get back to Smallville.”

“Lecture?”

“The sex is a special thing between two people who love each other. And I shouldn’t fuck Bruce because I’m fifteen. That I should wait until I’m older. That lecture.” Max sighs. He knew of her frustrations of living with Jonathan and Martha. “I wish they would just not ask questions.”

“They just worry about you.”

Zoey looks at her uncle. “You worry about me and don’t give me stupid lectures.”

“That’s because I’m not going to lecture you on things that I was doing when I was teenager. I know that you’re being safe. That’s all that matters.”

Zoey bites her lip. She eyes the designer shoes in her hand. “Can I take these back to Smallville?”

Max shrugs. “They're your shoes.”

~*~

Zoey yawns as Jonathan drives down the two lane highway. She was surprised that her godfather had chosen to pick her up at the hotel. Her and Max had been delayed in Gotham because of weather, which lead to them getting into to Metropolis very late. “What did you and Max do that caused you to miss school today,” Jonathan questions.

Zoey shifts. “Uh, we stayed up all night, talking with Austin. We had a total chick flick marathon.”

Suddenly, a truck behind them starts honking the horn and flashing its lights. “What’s your hurry, pal,” Jonathan asks, glancing in the rearview mirror. The truck rams Jonathan’s truck. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hey!”

Zoey grabs the door handle. Jonathan starts to pull off the side of the road. The truck, impatient that Jonathan was moving slow, starts to speed around them. It goes too fast around the curve and overturns. “Holy crap,” Zoey exclaims. Jonathan pulls his truck over and jumps out. Zoey quickly undoes her seatbelt and follows her godfather. She stands back as he pulls the driver out.

“You all right,” Jonathan asks, pulling the driver out. “I’m gonna put you down. All right.” He sets the unconscious man on the ground. Zoey kneels down next to him. “Can you hear me? Are you okay?”

“We need to get him to the hospital,” Zoey says. The truck explodes and Jonathan pushes her down, keeping her away from the flames. Neither of them notice the large yellow flower on the ground or that it emits a mist of pollen.

~*~

The troubling report that Dr. Hamilton had given Lex was playing on his mind. It wasn’t that it had been some flower that had been extinct for one hundred years had been brought back that was bothering him, it was that someone had stolen the flower and some equipment that had been used to bring it back was bothering him. The fact that Jonathan Kent had been the one who pulled the thief out of a burning truck hadn’t bothered him. Lex stands up from his desk and pulls on his suit jacket. He starts to walk out of his office, but bumps into someone.

It takes Lex a moment to realize that Zoey was standing in front of him. She wore a short jean skirt and a tight black tank top. The platform heels she wore made her a few inches taller. “Zoey, I don’t have—”

“I spent the whole weekend in Gotham,” Zoey interrupts, walking around him. Lex watches as she walks over to his bar. “And part of that weekend I spent in bed with…well, that part isn’t important.”

“Why were you in Gotham,” Lex asks. “Clark said you were in Metropolis with Max.”

“Wayne Foundation Gala. Anyway, on my flight home early this morning I was wondering if you were bald everywhere,” Zoey asks. She pours some Scotch and takes a sip. “This is some really good Scotch. Now, take off your pants so you can answer my question.”

Lex frowns. “Zoey, are you feeling okay?”

“I feel great,” Zoey answers, walking towards him. She takes another sip of Scotch. “In fact, I haven’t felt this good in a long time.” She starts to run a hand down his chest, but he grabs her wrist.

“Zoey, tell me everywhere you been today,” Lex demands.

Zoey smirks. “What do I get if I do?”

Lex presses her against his desk. “Zoey, were you with Jonathan when he pulled James Beales from a truck?”

Zoey rolls her eyes. “Yes. I helped Uncle Jonathan save some douchebag with an extreme case of road rage.”

Lex runs a hand over his face. He wraps a hand around her wrist. “You’re coming with me,” he says.

“Will you finally answer my question?”

~*~

Zoey was pissed. She hadn’t expected to be handcuffed to a bed in one of the bedrooms in Lex’s mansion. She pulls at the bed frame, but it doesn’t budge. She was burning up. “Hey, this is kidnapping,” she shouts, yanking at the bed frame. “Lex! Let me the fuck go! Lex!”

Zoey starts coughing. She felt even hotter than she had been feeling. She falls to the ground. The door opens and she looks over. Her gaze was unfocused. “Zoey,” Lex exclaims. He had just been checking in on her. He gently grasps her face. “You’re burning up.” He pulls out the key to the handcuffs and quickly undoes it.

It’s while he’s at the hospital, when Lex learns that Jonathan had been admitted to the hospital with the same symptoms as Zoey. He also learns that James Beales was in the hospital and had just fallen into a coma. After paying a visit to the local library and doing some research, Lex makes his way to Dr. Hamilton’s lab. “Be honest with me, Dr. Hamilton,” Lex angrily says, entering the lab.

“I told you,” Dr. Hamilton replies, frustrated. “It’s under control.”

“Three people with an unexplained illness, for which no one seems to know the cure, isn’t my idea of under control. I did a little research of my own into your unauthorized botany experiment. Apparently, in 1871 a strange contagion struck the Morelly Settlement and two hundred people died almost over night. A priest, who witness the scene left a diary. His last entries described how the settlers began acting out of character. He claimed a local flower was to blame. ‘On God’s green earth, this flower was the thief in the temple, the silent temptress that, with a single sneeze, brought out the basest instincts in men and drove them to violence.’”

“That’s been relegated to folklore in scientific circles,” Dr. Hamilton argues.

“If you don’t believe in this, you won’t mind if I lift the lid and smell the flower,” Lex counters, walking over to one of the flowers. “Why’d you bring it back?”

“These flowers were believe to have toxins that, while deadly, might have other applications.”

Lex glares at him. “I’m not here to bankroll your pet projects. I’m only interested in the meteors.”

“You wanted to know what they could do.”

“Putting people in the hospital wasn’t part of the plan.”

“Every discovery has their consequences.”

“If Jonathan Kent or Zoey York dies, you’re gonna lose something a lot more valuable than your tenure. Pack up one of these flowers. I’ve got a team of specialists in Metropolis waiting to work on it.”

“It’s my research.”

“I don’t give a damn about your research. I just want to find a cure.”

~*~

Zoey sighs as she looks out the window of her hospital room. She had no idea what was going on or how she had ended up in the hospital. No one had visited her. The doctor had just said that she had an infection and an old Native American cure had taken care of it. A knock on the door causes her to look away from the window and she finds Lex standing in the doorway. “I wanted to see how you were feeling,” he greets, walking into her room.

“Confused,” Zoey answers. “The doctor said I had some kind of infection and that a Native American cure healed me.”

Lex frowns. “Clark or Martha haven’t been by to see you?”

“You’re the first and only visitor since I’ve woken up in here.”

“I’ll go let them know that you’re awake and doing fine.”

“Don’t bother,” Zoey softly tells him, turning her gaze back out the window.

Lex wanted to press, to find out more about her relationship with the Kents. Especially given that the Kents seemed to have a picture perfect family or at least they had portrayed their family to be that way. Through Zoey didn’t seem to have that picture perfect relationship the way Clark did with his parents. “I’m glad you’re doing better.” Zoey doesn’t say anything. Lex nods and starts to walk about of the room, but stops and turns back. “What do you remember?”

Zoey frowns. “Um, last thing I remember was Uncle Jonathan helping some douchebag with a major case of road rage after he crashed. I got out to help. Then I woke up in here.” She shoots him a questioning look. “Why?”

“No reason.”

All I want is you, come over here baby All I want is you, you know you make me go crazy All I want is you, now baby don’t be shy You better cross the line  I’m gonna love you right Cause all I want is you

[woods2006gal]

Chapter 03 - Parties

Zoey looks out the window as the SUV drives through Gotham. It was a far cry from Smallville. And it wasn’t anything like Star City. Gotham was full of gleaming art deco buildings and glass skyscrapers. The tallest building in the city was the Wayne Enterprises. It stood in the center of the financial district. The only symbol on the building was a giant ‘W’ at the top. It was a reminder to the citizens of Gotham of what family built the city. Through to others it was seen as a reminder that the upper echelons of Gotham society had destroyed the city. One didn’t have to go far from the gleaming financial district to see the reality for many of Gotham’s citizens. Crime, homelessness, drugs. 

“The Wayne Foundation has dedicated itself to restoring the city of Gotham to it’s once famous glory,” Max says, reading the invitation of the annual Wayne Foundation gala. They were dressed in formal attire. Max in a tuxedo with his light brown hair slicked back. Zoey wore a strapless black tea length dress. Her hair was pulled into a slick ponytail, a light layer of makeup accented her natural features, and a pearl necklace was the only jewelry she wore.

Zoey had never been to the gala before. She had heard about it from her parents and Max. “Does that mean they’re going to start going after the people who actually caused the problems? The financial district assholes who wear ugly suits.” She notices the driver subtly nod in agreement with her. “Or will it be the corrupt members of the city government who allows organized crime carte blanche?”

Max shoots her an unamused look. “I see someone has been watching the local news today.”

“I don’t understand why I’m here, Uncle Max. This is your scene, not mine.”

Max sighs. “Zoey, you’re growing up. Which means you’re going to start taking a more active role in the company. And part of that role is going to galas filled with rich assholes.”

“What if I don’t want to be part of the company?”

“As far as I’m concerned, Zoey, I want you to have the choices that I didn’t get to have. The choices that your mom didn’t get to have. But you still have to do the dog and pony show.”

“Like going to galas filled with rich assholes.”

Max nods. “I think of it as a way to either get laid or some blackmail material. Like if someone is cheating on their spouse.”

Zoey shakes her head, trying to keep the smile off of her face. “I highly doubt either of those will happen to me tonight.”

“Zoey, sweetheart, you’re forgetting that your fuck buddy from over the summer will be there. Just make sure to steal some decent booze,” Max tells her, lightly patting Zoey’s leg.

“How did you get Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Martha to agree to this anyway,” Zoey questions.

Max shrugs. “I lied. Said I was in Metropolis for the weekend and wanted you to come hangout at the hotel. That you needed some cheering up what with Mike moving away. Through I promised Jonathan that I wouldn’t go too extravagant.”

Zoey snorts. “Yeah, the private jet and invitation only gala go way past extravagant.”

Max smirks. “Just a bit.”

~*~

Zoey looks around the stately home. Well, more like manor. The annual Wayne Foundation gala was always held in Wayne Manor. It’s part of the reason that being personally invited was something that many societal people envied. Zoey had been to Wayne Manor once before. Through she had been eight years old and the mood at the time had been very somber.

“We’re in the same club now,” Zoey softly says, sitting on the empty swing next to Bruce. She had left Max inside with the adults. Bruce doesn’t look up at her. “Ollie calls it the dead parents club, but…he didn’t see his parents die…Ollie doesn’t feel guilty about his parents dying. I do. If I…if I had never wanted to go home that night, if I had just managed to get through the slumber party at Stacy’s house they would still be here. I made them come pick me up.”

“I fell down the well,” Bruce quietly begins. “I was stuck until my dad came and got me. There were a lot of bats down there. I went to a play with my parents. And there were bats. I got scared. My dad saw that I was scared and we left. If I had…if I wasn’t scared of bats then we would have never been in that alley.”

Zoey grabs Bruce’s hand and squeeze. “I guess we’re in an even worse club.”

A hand slips into hers and Zoey looks behind her to find Bruce. It was the first time she had seen him at the party since she and Max had arrived. She starts to say something, but he holds up a finger to his lips. Bruce leads her away from the party. She doesn’t say anything as they make their way up to the library. Zoey watches as Bruce fills a glass with some undoubtedly expensive scotch. She knew what her options were. The first was to go back to the party. But that would mean having to listen to people talk about how much they missed her parents and how she had grown into a lovely young woman.

Zoey closes the door and Bruce turns to her. She walks over to him and plucks the glass out of his hand before taking a swig. He stares at her, then grabs another glass. “Hate to break it to you, but your party kinda blows,” she softly says.

“It’s not really my party,” Bruce replies. Zoey looks around the room. A bookcase lined the wall and it was filled to the brim. She doesn’t move when she hears him move up behind her. She holds up her glass and his fingers brush hers as he takes it. Zoey turns when he walks back over and takes the glass. Her eyes never leave his as she takes a swig. He takes the glass from her and she raises an eyebrow as he takes a swig. She moves close enough to leave only a few inches between them.

Bruce sets the glass on the desk and closes the gap between them. The kiss is filled with desire and permeated by the scotch. He unzips her dress and it falls to the floor along with his jacket. She kicks the clothing to the side as she undoes his bow tie. Her legs hit the chaise lounge and she falls back onto it, pulling him down with her. Zoey’s hand slips in between them and palms his growing erection. He pulls back and looks down at her. She reaches up and pulls her hair out of the slick ponytail.

She reaches up and starts to unbutton his shirt. Bruce suddenly stands up and Zoey can’t help but to think that maybe he had changed his mind. Hurt fills her as she watches him search the floor. She slowly sits up and blinks in confusion when a ball of fabric hits her. She looks up at him and he pulls her into a kiss. “We’re going somewhere more private,” he murmurs, gently pulling her up. He takes his coat and drapes it over her shoulders.

Bruce leads her out of the library. Her hand clutches the coat, hoping that no one would happen across them. They go up a set of stairs and down a hallway before coming to a stop in front of a door. He opens the door and she barely has time to look around the dark bedroom before his lips are on hers. She quickly unbuttons his shirt as they reach the bed. Her bra lands on the floor as she falls backwards onto the bed. 

His lips trail down her body. Bruce pulls back and grasps her panties, gently tugging them down her legs. His hands run up her legs, pushing them apart. Zoey gasps when his tongue trails over her clit. Her hands grip the silk sheets as her orgasm overcomes her. His lips trail up her body before meeting hers. Her hands make quick work of his belt and pants, pushing them off. She gently grips his cock. He grabs her hand and holds it above her head.

Zoey moans when he enter her. All pretense of gentleness was gone. It was about each of them finding a release. Her nails scratch down his back as his thrusts grow harder. Neither of them cared about the party still going on downstairs. They knew that nobody would be looking for them. They knew that people would be more wrapped up in making business deals with the respective companies that their ancestors created.

Bruce groans as his own orgasm reaches him and he fills her. He collapses on top of her and Zoey wraps her arms around him. He closes his eyes. “Fuck, I forgot—”

“I’m on the pill,” Zoey softly interrupts. He pulls out and lays on the bed next to her. She shifts. “I should get cleaned up.”

“Don’t. Stay the night. Alfred will take you back to the hotel in the morning.”

Zoey shoots him a soft smile. “Well, this bed is way more comfortable than the ground.”

~*~

Max runs a hand through his hair. The fact that Zoey hadn't made it back to the hotel last night was weighing heavily on his mind. He had been so wrapped up in his own one night stand that he hadn't even registered Zoey had left the gala without telling him. The hotel door opens and he looks to see Zoey. She wore a pair of form fitting sweatpants and an oversized sweatshirt. He doesn't miss the garment bag under her arm. "Don't worry, the photographers outside didn't see me come back. Alfred dropped me off in the underground parking lot and I took the back elevator up."

"I'm just glad that you're okay," Max says, tightly embracing her. He eyes the hickey on her neck. "In fact you seem better than okay.”

Zoey rolls her eyes. “I got make up in my bag to cover it.”

She starts to walk past him, but Max grabs her arm. “Hey, everything okay?”

“I’m just tired. I didn’t exactly get a lot of sleep last night.”

“Bullshit. What’s wrong? What’d Bruce do?”

“Bruce didn't do anything. I just…I don’t look forward to the lecture that I’ll end up getting when I get back to Smallville.”

“Lecture?”

“The sex is a special thing between two people who love each other. And I shouldn’t fuck Bruce because I’m fifteen. That I should wait until I’m older. That lecture.” Max sighs. He knew of her frustrations of living with Jonathan and Martha. “I wish they would just not ask questions.”

“They just worry about you.”

Zoey looks at her uncle. “You worry about me and don’t give me stupid lectures.”

“That’s because I’m not going to lecture you on things that I was doing when I was teenager. I know that you’re being safe. That’s all that matters.”

Zoey bites her lip. She eyes the designer shoes in her hand. “Can I take these back to Smallville?”

Max shrugs. “They're your shoes.”

~*~

Zoey yawns as Jonathan drives down the two lane highway. She was surprised that her godfather had chosen to pick her up at the hotel. Her and Max had been delayed in Gotham because of weather, which lead to them getting into to Metropolis very late. “What did you and Max do that caused you to miss school today,” Jonathan questions.

Zoey shifts. “Uh, we stayed up all night, talking with Austin. We had a total chick flick marathon.”

Suddenly, a truck behind them starts honking the horn and flashing it’s lights. “What’s your hurry, pal,” Jonathan asks, glancing in the rearview mirror. The truck rams Jonathan’s truck. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hey!”

Zoey grabs the door handle. Jonathan starts to pull off the side of the road. The truck, inpatient that Jonathan was moving slow, starts to speed around them. It goes to fast around the curve and overturns. “Holy crap,” Zoey exclaims. Jonathan pulls his truck over and jumps out. Zoey quickly undoes her seat and follows her godfather. She stands back as he pulls the driver out.

“You all right,” Jonathan asks, pulling the driver out. “I’m gonna put you down. All right.” He sets the unconscious man on the ground. Zoey kneels down next to him. “Can you hear me? Are you okay?”

“We need to get him to the hospital,” Zoey says. The truck explodes and Jonathan pushes her down, keeping her away from the flames. Neither of them notice the large yellow flower on the ground or that it emits a mist of pollen.

~*~

The troubling report that Dr. Hamilton had given Lex was playing on his mind. It wasn’t that had flower that had been extinct for one hundred years had been brought back was bothering him, it was that someone had stolen the flower and some equipment that had been used to bring it back was bothering him. The fact that Jonathan Kent had been the one who pulled the thief out of a burning truck hadn’t bothered him. Lex stands up from his desk and pulls on his suit jacket. He starts to walk out of his office, but bumps into someone.

It takes Lex a moment to realize that Zoey was standing in front of him. She wore a short jean and a tight black tank top. The platform heels she wore made her a few inches taller. “Zoey, I don’t have—”

“I spent the whole weekend in Gotham,” Zoey interrupts, walking around him. Lex watches as she walks over to his bar. “And part of that weekend I spent in bed with…well, that part isn’t important.”

“Why were you in Gotham,” Lex asks. “Clark said you were in Metropolis with Max.”

“Wayne Foundation Gala. Anyway, on my flight home early this morning I was wondering if you were bald everywhere,” Zoey asks. She pours some Scotch and takes a sip. “This is some really good Scotch. Now, take off your pants so you can answer my question.”

Lex frowns. “Zoey, are you feeling okay?”

“I feel great,” Zoey answers, walking towards him. She takes another sip of Scotch. “In fact, I haven’t felt this good in a long time.” She starts to run a hand down his chest, but he grabs her wrist.

“Zoey, tell me everywhere you been today,” Lex demands.

Zoey smirks. “What do I get if I do?”

Lex presses her against his desk. “Zoey, were you with Jonathan when he pulled James Beales from a truck?”

Zoey rolls her eyes. “Yes. I helped Uncle Jonathan save some douchebag with an extreme case of road rage.”

Lex runs a hand over his face. He wraps a hand around her wrist. “You’re coming with me,” he says.

“Will you finally answer my question?”

~*~

Zoey was pissed. She hadn’t expected to be handcuffed to a bed in one of the bedrooms in Lex’s mansion. She pulls at the bed frame, but it doesn’t budge. She was burning up. “Hey, this is kidnapping,” she shouts, yanking at the bed frame. “Lex! Let me the fuck go! Lex!”

Zoey starts coughing. She felt even hotter than she had been feeling. She falls to the ground. The door opens and she looks over. Her gaze was unfocused. “Zoey,” Lex exclaims. He had just been checking in on her. He gently grasps her face. “You’re burning up.” He pulls out the key to the handcuffs and quickly undoes it.

It’s while he’s at the hospital, Lex learns that Jonathan had been admitted to the hospital with the same symptoms as Zoey. He also learns that James Beales is in the hospital and had just fallen into a coma. After paying a visit to the local library and doing some research, Lex makes his way to Dr. Hamilton’s lab. “Be honest with me, Dr. Hamilton,” Lex angrily says, entering the lab.

“I told you,” Dr. Hamilton replies, frustrated. “It’s under control.”

“Three people with an unexplained illness, for which no one seems to know the cure, isn’t my idea of under control. I did a little research of my own into your unauthorized botany experiment. Apparently, in 1871 a strange contagion struck the Morelly Settlement and two hundred people died almost over night. A priest, who witness the scene left a diary. His last entries described how the settles began acting out of character. He claimed a local flower was to blame. ‘On God’s green earth, this flower was the thief in the temple, the silent temptress that, with a single sneeze, brought out the basest instincts in men and drove them to violence.’”

“That’s been relegated to folklore in scientific circles,” Dr. Hamilton argues.

“If you don’t believe in this, you won’t mind if I lift the lid and smell the flower,” Lex counters, walking over to one of the flowers. “Why’d you bring it back?”

“These flowers were believe to have toxins that, while deadly, might have other applications.”

“I’m not here to bankroll your pet projects. I’m only interested in the meteors.”

“You wanted to know what they could do.”

“Putting people in the hospital wasn’t part of the plan.”

“Every discovery has their consequences.”

“If Jonathan Kent or Zoey York dies, you’re gonna lose something a lot more valuable than your tenure. Pack up one of these flowers. I’ve got a team of specialists in Metropolis waiting to work on it.”

“It’s my research.”

“I don’t give a damn about your research. I just want to find a cure.”

~*~

Zoey sighs as she looks out the window of her hospital room. She had no idea what was going on or how she had ended up in the hospital. No one had visited her. The doctor had just said that she had a infection and an old Native American cure had taken care of it. A knock on the door causes her to look away from the window and she finds Lex standing in the doorway. “I wanted to see how you were feeling,” he greets, walking into her room.

“Confused,” Zoey answers. “The doctor said I had some kind of infection and that an Native American cure healed me.”

Lex frowns. “Clark or Martha haven’t been by to see you?”

“You’re the first and only visitor since I’ve woken up in here.”

“I’ll go let them know that you’re awake and doing fine.”

“Don’t bother,” Zoey softly tells him, turning her gaze back out the window.

Lex wanted to press, to find out more about her relationship with the Kents. Especially given that the Kents seemed to have a picture perfect family or at least they had portrayed their family to be that way. Through Zoey didn’t seem to have that picture perfect relationship the way Clark did with his parents. “I’m glad you’re doing better.” Zoey doesn’t say anything. Lex nods and starts to walk about of the room, but stops and turns back. “What do you remember?”

Zoey frowns. “Um, last thing I remember was Uncle Jonathan helping some douchebag with a major case of road rage after he crashed. I got out to help. Then I woke up in here.” She shoots him a questioning look. “Why?”

“No reason.”