#developing friendships | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

bluejaysandblackbats · 5 days

Text

In The Soup

Fandom: DC Comics, Batfam, Superfam

Summary: Jason Lives AU where he and Superboy become friends, despite Bruce's disapproval of Superboy. (ft. Jason's service dog, Gromit)

Chapters: 9/?

Characters: Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Barbara Gordon, Conner Kent, Roxy Leech, Rex Leech

Relationships: TBA

Additional Tag: Jason Todd Lives, Jason Todd Has Chronic Pain, Jason Todd Has PTSD, Conner Kent is Superboy, Good Friend Jason Todd, Protective Jason Todd, Overprotective Bruce Wayne, Barbara Gordon is Oracle, Disabled Characters, Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne Get Along, Good Parent Bruce Wayne, Developing Friendships, Sneaking Around, Disguise, Fluff and Humor, Secret Messages, Hiding in Plain Sight

Chapter Nine: Pho

Jason let his fingers dance through the mess of curls on his lap. Conner’s weight wasn’t suffocating like most things were. Conner woke up and lay in place. “Hey,” Jason whispered, “Hey…"

“Are you okay?” Conner murmured, almost purring at the sensation of fingers in his hair.

Jason made a soft noise. “My head hurts, but that’s normal. My dad’s gonna be pissed that I trashed my chair… But then again, he might not find out if I can replace it before he gets home,” Jason mumbled. “Oh crap, I’m—. Sorry, the pain medication always makes me weird. Why am I touching you?” Jason removed his hand from Conner’s hair as his face went red-hot.

Conner didn’t budge. “You don’t have to stop… It was nice,” Conner mumbled. Jason hesitated before returning to Conner’s hair. “Should you call your dad?”

“No… I don’t want Bruce to be worried. No use in both of us being worried about each other,” Jason answered without thinking.

“He’s your dad, though,” Conner whispered. Jason nodded.

“I know, but—. I don’t like to make him worry if it isn’t serious. I’ll heal… Probably before he gets home. He doesn’t have to know,” Jason half-pleaded. A knock on the door startled them both.

“Jason, can we come in?” Barbara asked. Conner sat up, and Jason told Barbara to enter. Gromit rushed to Jason’s side, and Jason giggled.

“Gromit. Hey buddy. Did you eat?” Jason asked as he leaned forward to receive an affectionate kiss on the cheek from Gromit. “Hi, sweet boy. I missed you too.”

“Jason, your left wrist is only sprained,” Barbara announced.

“I figured. You didn’t tell Bruce, did you?” Jason asked.

“No, but this is why I talked to you about the other thing yesterday—.”

“And I said okay,” Jason interrupted.

Jason reached out with his uninjured arm, and Barbara squeezed his hand. “I’m gonna sign you out. Get dressed, and I’ll wait for you. I’ll take both of you kids home,” Barbara whispered, “I brought you a change of clothes.” Barbara gave Jason a bag.

Jason removed the hospital gown and pulled his shirt out of the bag. Jason fastened the magnetic buttons with his uninjured hand. Conner sat with his face hidden in his arms. Jason figured it was out of respect for him while he got dressed. Jason pushed the blankets aside and finished getting dressed. “Conner, I’m done getting dressed. You can look now,” I replied.

“Okay… Sorry, I don’t—. You didn’t ask me to leave,” Conner stammered.

“I didn’t wanna be alone,” Jason explained. Gromit whined. “No offense, Gromit. I love you, but sometimes a guy needs a human friend to talk to.” Jason scratched under Gromit’s chin.

Jason put a foot down and shifted his weight. Gromit took his place at Jason’s side. Jason winced and clutched his ribs on one side. “Jason—.”

“I’m fine. I mean—. It could’ve been worse if you weren’t there,” Jason interrupted. He stood, wavering before grabbing the support handle attached to Gromit’s harness. Conner stood up, making sure Jason was okay. “It’s the medication… That’s all. I’m just dizzy.” Jason shut his eyes, breathing through his nose. “You can never get used to how the hospitals dope you up. Hungry? We could stop and get some pho on the way home.” Jason laughed.

“You still wanna hang out with me?” Conner asked.

“Yeah… Do you?” Jason questioned.

“Chicken or beef?” Conner smiled. Jason chuckled.

“Beef, definitely,” Jason chuckled. Conner held the door and followed him.

“Did you guys eat dinner last night?” Barbara asked as she led them to the car.

“Nope,” Jason replied before groaning. “My meds—.”

“Got you covered. Also, I have you covered on the chair too… But you owe Gromit a movie. He didn’t get to finish The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” Barbara interrupted.

“Gromit, that’s our movie,” Jason whined. Gromit kissed his cheek. “Oh, flattery will get you everywhere. I forgive you, sweet boy.” Conner chuckled.

“What do you guys wanna eat? We can eat anything as long as I don’t have to cook,” Barbara replied.

Jason lay back and shut his eyes. Conner answered Barbara’s question, and she took them to the restaurant. Jason leaned forward, breathing heavily, and Gromit lay over his lap to support him. “Is he asleep?” Barbara asked.

“Mhm,” Conner answered.

Jason slept most of the afternoon, waking to eat or tell Conner he felt fine. He lied. Gromit curled up beside him, keeping watch. “Gromit would tell us if something was wrong with him,” Barbara whispered. Conner nodded. “Are you alright?”

“I’m practically invulnerable—.”

“Emotionally, Conner. What’s going on up there?” Barbara asked.

Conner shrugged. “Don’t know… I guess it doesn’t matter because he’s okay now,” Conner replied.

“It matters,” Barbara interrupted.

Gromit tugged at Conner’s pants leg, and Conner followed him to the bedroom. Jason gasped for air, kicking and clawing at nothing. Conner listened to Jason’s heart and lungs and didn’t hear a disturbance, so he sat the sleeping boy up, allowing Jason to rest on his shoulder. Conner rubbed his back, gently humming so Jason could feel the vibration. He continued until Jason went limp in his arms, and he gently laid Jason back on his pillow. “It’s okay, Gromit,” Conner whispered. Jason curled into a ball, and Gromit took his place on the bed. Conner stayed behind, watching Jason until he fell asleep as well. Jason woke up, confused by Conner’s presence but not alarmed. He grabbed the back of Conner’s sweatshirt and pulled him away from the bed’s edge, wrapping his injured arm around his chest because he wasn’t strong enough to do it on his own. Gromit helped, and Conner rolled onto his back. Jason hesitated before letting go of Conner’s torso and scratched behind Gromit’s ears.

“I’m not lonely, Gromit,” Jason mumbled. Gromit’s ears perked up. “Oh, don’t do that. Whatever happened, you could’ve handled—.”

Conner sharply inhaled and stretched out. “Jason, I’m—.”

“Conner, it’s late. You can apologize all you want to, but—. I’m tired, and it’s cold,” Jason mumbled as he rolled toward the wall and let Conner climb under the blankets. Jason was ice cold next to him.

“Jason… Do you remember your nightmare?”Conner asked. Jason sighed. “I’m sorry if that was personal—.”

“I have nightmares about my claustrophobia,” Jason mumbled, “Always different scenarios… What did you do when you came in?”

“I sat you up and let you lay on me until your breathing slowed down,” Conner answered. Jason made a soft noise of acceptance and shut his eyes. Conner yawned and fell asleep shortly after Jason curled into him. Gromit lay on Jason’s other side, offering enough space for Jason to roll over when he needed to. That night, everyone slept peacefully.

16 notes · View notes

wangxianficrecs · 1 year

Text

Three changes. by orange_crushed

Three changes.

by orange_crushed

M, 18k, wangxian

Summary: Wangji risks a glance across the aisle; Wei Ying’s gaze is tilted down to his book, a model of diligence. But he’s smiling as he writes, and when his eyes flick over to Wangji’s, just for a second, they’re alight with something beautiful. This is love, Wangji realizes, right then. This is what it feels like. It's happening afresh even as it dawns on him. He copies the next line wrong, and the next.

Mojo's comments: Ah, this was so sweet and tender and fluffy. Lan Wangji slowly realizes that wwx isn't teasing him to be mean, and his feelings unfurl and blossom as wwx steadfastly includes him in his friendships and adventures and thoughts and feelings. The summer is hot and so is lwj, struggling to adapt himself to this new yearning and these powerful new desires.

canon-divergence, cloud recesses shenanigans, friends to lovers, romantic comedy, kissing, mild sexual content, falling in love, no sunshot no war au, everyone lives/nobody dies, sparring, harm to animals, developing friendships, lan wangji makes friends, teenagers in love, hurt/comfort, mild blood, first time, pov lan wangji, sexual awakening, getting to know each other, @robotmango

~*~

(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

115 notes · View notes

atths--twice · 1 year

Text

Better Than Fiction

Fox Mulder, new in town, meets Dana Scully- a waitress at the diner he visits every day. Immediately intrigued by her, he becomes even more so when he learns more about her...

Last year, I set out to write 25 Christmas stories. Well, I made it to 23 and had to admit defeat when I knew I would not be able to meet that goal. The reason I had to stop was because THIS story in particular went far beyond what I would have been able to finish in a few days time. So, I have been working on it steadily for the past year. Off and on, I have been adding to this story and I am so excited to finally share it with you all.

Chapter One

J & M’s Diner became like a second home to Fox Mulder when he first moved to the city.

Every morning he would arrive by nine a.m. and walk to a small two person booth, near the back and out of the way. Out would come his laptop and mouse, a notebook and pen, and his glasses case. His bag was then placed onto the other seat and he would sit, cracking open his laptop, and waiting for it to wake up.

A cup of coffee and a pastry would be placed onto the table, the waitress smiling at him as she lightly touched his shoulder and walked away. He would smile as he watched her, staring at the haphazard way she tied her apron bow. Every time he saw it, he both wanted to fix it and leave it be, the bow drawing his eye throughout the day.

He was a writer and worked as he sat in the diner, finding he got more done there than at home. Not only for the ease of not worrying about food or drink, but also for the stimulation of the employees and the patrons who frequented the diner.

Living alone in a modest sized high rise apartment not far from the diner, he would find excuses not to write, procrastinating horribly. He would clean, organize, do laundry, taking the time to fold everything methodically.

He had found a chip in the paint on the wall one day, which had led him to the hardware store to buy new paint. What should have then been a quick touch up job, had turned into a five day project, the entire living/dining room repainted and then rearranged.

And not one word had been written.

Being at the diner was better for him, his fingers flying over the keyboard as ideas filled his head.

A white woman with a silver gray bob, whose age he could not determine, in wide tortoiseshell sunglasses and a long fur coat, (real fur he was certain) became a heiress in his mind. A torrid love affair had left her near penniless, her fur coat one of the last items she kept that was of any value.

The Hispanic man who came in every morning wearing his large white headphones, never speaking much but bopping his head to the tunes only he could hear, became a record executive, trying to find the next new up and coming artists.

The thin older black woman who always dressed to the nines and sat quietly in her booth by the window sipping her tea, had lost a lover years ago and the diner had been where they had used to meet, happy and laughing the day away.

His fingers had fumbled over her story, finding a deep sadness within it, and he’d had to stop writing it. Instead, he had sat down with her one day and asked her about her life. Her smile had changed her whole face, her dark brown eyes sparkling and the smile lines around her mouth deepening.

She had agreed to allow him to record her stories and they had spent days talking and laughing as she told him about her child and adulthood. She had been so much more than even he could imagine and he loved speaking to her every day, then transcribing her words later at home.

The Puerto Rican family who stopped in on Friday evenings though, they were his favorites. Husband and wife, with six kids, would come in for dinner and dessert. Laughing and singing, the husband and wife would dance around, the owners of the diner playing music and joining in with the excitement.

He imagined them as a happy family, money a bit tight perhaps, judging by the adults' clothing, but the children never went without. Friday at the diner, kids ate for free, so those nights were special, something to look forward to the most.

Not until he had been frequenting the diner for awhile, did he learn that they were actually family members of the owners. They could have actually come in any day and eaten for free, but they kept it only to Friday’s, something Fox found endearing.

Those nights when he stayed later than usual, he would not write, but watch them with a notebook in front of him. He would sketch them, capturing the images of them dancing, the kids laughing with huge sundaes before them, and the other patrons smiling and joining their happiness.

He loved Friday evenings.

In the two months of getting to know everyone, right down to the delivery men’s days and times, his reason for coming to the diner began to evolve. He now mostly came to see and speak to one of the waitresses.

Her name was Dana and every time he saw her, she made him smile. She was funny, sassy, and kind. He watched the way she treated customers, with firmness if needed, but mostly with kindness, laughing as she brought them their food.

She worked the morning shift and though it was generally busy, it would slow down at times, affording them a chance to talk and get to know one another.

She was twenty eight, with blue eyes and red hair she usually wore in two French braids looped together into a low bun at the base of her neck.

Incredibly intelligent, their discussions of topics flowed far more easily than any date he had been on in his life. Current events, politics, religion, movies, television shows, literature- they discussed it all. She was well read and they often swapped books.

He loved reading her books as she did not treat them gently or carefully, something in which most people took pride. Hers were worn in and well loved. She highlighted the bits she enjoyed, in many different colors, underlined passages, leaving little notes and even questions in the margins.

As he read, he would jot her notes down into one of his many notebooks, making sure to discuss them when he returned the book, her eyes lighting up and hands flying excitedly as she shared her thoughts with him.

One morning, after he had returned a book, he helped her refill the spices and condiments. A waitress had called in sick the night before and as a result, Dana had to catch up on some extra work. He offered to help her, which meant he had her attention for even longer than usual.

They discussed the book as they refilled the sugar dispensers and then she told him about a holiday trip she had taken when she was younger.

If she had quizzed him later about what she had said, he would have been unable to tell her. His attention instead drawn to her expressions, the way she licked her lips, and the blue of her eyes.

Days and weeks of being around her, if he were asked to pinpoint when he fell for her, it would have been that moment as they refilled the sugar, the jukebox in the corner playing a collection of Elvis songs, and he listened to her sing along quietly with a smile.

Yes… he had fallen hard.

On a Monday morning in December, he looked around as he arrived and set up his work station, saying hello to the other employees, not seeing Dana walking through the diner. He had another of her books to return and discuss, if she had a spare moment, but she was not there.

Lucy, one of the other waitresses, came over bringing his coffee and a danish, smiling softly at him.

“Is Dana not here?” he asked her, knowing her scheduled shifts, and Lucy shook her head. “Oh. Is she okay?”

“She is. I think she’ll be here later, hon.” She smiled at him again and walked away, leaving him feeling confused and slightly worried.

He drank his coffee and ate his pastry, one eye on the door, until he became engrossed in his writing.

A couple of hours later, he stretched as he rose from his booth and brought his plate and cup to the counter. Setting it down, he glanced over at a little girl sitting on a bar stool by herself.

She had reddish brown hair in two long braids and she wore denim overalls over a long sleeved black shirt and pink boots with fuzzy gray tops.

She twisted the barstool back and forth, drinking milk as she looked at a book. He was not good with knowing children’s ages, but he assumed she was probably about six.

She looked up, catching his eye, and she stopped her movements. Taking the straw out of her mouth, she smiled at him, her blue eyes shining.

“Are you Fox?” she asked and he frowned.

“I… I am…”

“My mommy told me about you.”

“Your… who?”

“My mommy,” she said with a giggle, pointing across the diner to Dana who was speaking to Joe, the manager, and his frown deepened. He had not heard or seen her come in and he certainly did not know anything about her having a daughter.

“She’s your… mom?” he asked, looking back at her and the little girl nodded.

“Do you want me to move? My mommy said that you like to sit here sometimes.”

“What? No, you can stay. Could I sit here next to you?”

“Okay. But that stool doesn’t turn like this one,” she said, twisting the stool she sat on again. “I’ve tried all of them, but this one’s the best.”

“Why do you think I usually choose that one?” he asked as he sat beside her, trying to make sense of who she was and why he had never heard of her in all of the conversations he’d had with Dana.

“You like to spin the stool?” she asked him, drinking her milk again.

“Of course I do. I enjoy the squeak it makes,” he said and she giggled with a nod as the stool indeed did squeak.

“Ivy, don’t drink all of that milk. I have Manny making you some…” Dana stopped speaking as Fox turned his head to look at her. “Oh…” Her face dropped, as did her shoulders, and she sighed deeply.

“Mommy, Fox said I could stay here,” the little girl said to Dana and he nodded in the affirmative, wanting to reassure her.

“She was already there…” he said, smiling slightly, but Dana did not return it with one of her own.

“Dana, Ivy’s food is up,” Manny, the cook and other owner, called with a smile and Dana turned around. Walking to the counter, she lifted the plate with a thank you as she walked back to them.

“Honey, get your things and we’ll go sit in one of the back booths, okay? I’ll bring your food over.”

“Okay, Mommy.” She slid off the stool and picked up a pink backpack and teal colored puffy coat. Sliding the backpack on, she carried her coat and glass, walking to a booth near his own as Dana followed behind.

Confusion filled his mind as he followed them, watching her with the little girl as she set down her plate of food and brushed the loose strands of hair back with a smile. She said something to the girl and she nodded as she set her glass down and took off her backpack, putting it and the coat on the seat beside before sliding into the booth.

Kissing her head, Dana turned and walked toward him, her eyes downcast. As she reached him, she raised her eyes and sighed deeply.

“You have a lot of questions, I’m sure,” she said, glancing back at the little girl.

“Just one,” he said, smiling softly at her. “Did you say her name is Ivy?” She stared at him and he raised his eyebrows.

“Yeah,” she said, frowning at him. “You don’t have any other questions? Really?”

“You don’t owe me an explanation,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m… a patron of this diner and your life is your own.”

“A patron? I thought… I thought that we were friends?” she asked, looking down again before glancing at Ivy and then back at him, her eyes sad as she bit her lower lip.

“Yeah. I think we are too,” he agreed quietly and she closed her eyes for a second. When she opened them, they were full of tears.

“Joe, I need a few more minutes,” she called, her voice shaky, wiping at her eyes as Joe nodded with a smile.

“Take as long as you need, hon,” he said and she sniffed with a nod back at him.

“Can I buy you breakfast?” she asked Fox, biting her lip again and exhaling a breath through her nose.

“How about if I buy you breakfast? You look exhausted,” he said softly, taking in her rather disheveled appearance, especially her hair in its messy bun and the tired expression on her face. She stared at him with her eyes wide and he shook his head. “That sounded better and far less… insulting, in my head.” She laughed bitterly and sighed.

“I have a five year old daughter I care for on my own. I think I’ve been, and most likely appeared, exhausted for years.”

“No. I don’t think that’s true. Sit down and tell me whatever you want me to know about her, or anything else.”

She sighed again, sitting down beside Ivy with a nod. He sat opposite her and smiled at Ivy, who was eating pancakes and eggs.

“Mommy? Can I watch a movie?”

“Yes, baby. Can you get your headphones though, so it’s not loud for the other people?”

“Yes.”

She wiped her mouth across her sleeve and Dana groaned, reaching for a napkin as Ivy opened her backpack, taking out a tablet in a large case and her headphones; cushioned pink ones with rainbow cat ears. She plugged them in and turned on a movie, as she continued to eat.

“She’s cute,” Fox said, smiling at her as he watched her pause in her chewing to smile at something on the screen.

“Thank you,” Dana whispered, touching Ivy’s head and sighing as she looked at him. “I didn’t mention her to you because-”

“Dana, your life is your own. You owe me no information when it comes to anything personal,” he said softly, glancing at Ivy. “To be fair, I never asked if you had a child.”

“Why would you have?” she asked quietly with a sigh.

“Well, have you ever asked me that question?” he asked softly and she frowned for a second.

“Do… do you have children?”

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “There, now we know that detail about each other.” He smiled and she sighed again.

“This part is funny, Mommy,” Ivy giggled and Dana smiled, touching her head again.

“I moved here, we moved here, almost a year ago. I wanted a change and a chance to… grow up a bit I guess,” she said quietly. “Her father isn’t in the picture. We had our set of problems as a couple and most definitely should have split up before… well, before her, but then…” She looked at Ivy and smiled with a shake of her head.

“We tried to make it work, but he wasn’t… wasn’t what either of us needed. When Ivy was three months old, he left. He said he wasn’t ready, that he had his own plans and dreams and a baby… well that complicated those plans.” She shook her head again and exhaled heavily. “He left the state and I’ve not heard from him since.”

“Really?” Fox asked incredulously, his hands balling into fists.

“Yeah. I know we weren’t perfect together, but…” She breathed softly, running a finger across the tabletop. “Not sure what his “big plans” were, but my sister found him on Facebook recently and he has a wife, a toddler, and a baby on the way. Guess he was ready, just didn’t want that with us.” She sighed again and shook her head.

“Sounds like he was a real bastard,” he said quietly, feeling angry at any man who could just walk away from his child and forget all about her while he lived a different life.

“He didn’t start out like that… no, he kind of did but I… Yeah, it sure ended that way,” she said with a nod and a sigh.

“What does she know about him?” he asked, gesturing to Ivy and watching Dana’s face.

“Not much. She hasn’t asked about him. Not him anyway, but she knows she doesn’t have a dad the way some kids might. But, she doesn’t remember him at all and I don’t talk about him, so he’s like a… a nonperson to us. She doesn’t know a different life and she sees kids at school who have just a mom, or a dad, or two moms and two dads. Every family is different, I always tell her, and that’s what makes us special.” She shrugged and he nodded. Raising her eyes to his, she blinked back tears. “I didn’t tell you about her because… well, there’s pain in my past when it comes to-”

“Dana,” he interrupted her, wanting to touch her, but refraining from doing so. “Like I already said, you have every right to keep your life private. We barely know one another, aside from what we do know. It’s…” He shrugged and glanced at Ivy with a smile.

“I still feel like it was a big thing to omit.”

“How many siblings do I have?” he asked quietly.

“What?” she asked, frowning.

“How many?”

“I… I don’t know.”

“Where did I grow up?”

“I don’t know…”

“You see?” he asked kindly. “We’re… friends, but also… we’ve not divulged every detail about ourselves.”

“Yeah,” she whispered. “I suppose.”

Manny came over to the table and set down plates of food, though they had not yet ordered anything. He smiled with a nod and then walked away.

Pancakes, waffles, bacon and eggs, mashed potatoes, and chocolate pudding sat before them and Dana smiled as she pushed the pudding toward Ivy.

“Oh! Yum. Pudding! Thanks, Mommy,” she said, a bit too loudly and Dana laughed.

“You work days while she’s in school,” Fox stated and Dana nodded. “But today she’s not. She’s not sick. She doesn’t look it anyway and I can’t imagine you’d bring her here if she were.”

“No. She’s not sick.”

“But something happened.”

“You could say that,” she said, rubbing her hands across her face. “I got an email late last night that her school has had an outbreak of lice and is shutting down for the rest of the week.” She looked at him and sighed. “I woke her up last night, feeling as though I was covered in them and needing to check her head. I felt terrible as she kept crying and saying she wanted to sleep.” She shook her head and stared at him with tired eyes.

“She’s obviously okay. Both of you are.”

“Yes, but I still took nearly all of our clothing, towels, and linens to the laundromat and spent the last few hours washing them. We also saw a hairdresser friend of mine and she checked both of us and we’re fine, but…” She glanced at Ivy, who was paying attention to her movie, and then looked back at him. “It’s been a really long fucking day.”

He raised his eyebrows, surprised as he had never heard her swear. Nodding, he looked down at the food.

“Yeah… I think that pudding may have been for you,” he said and she laughed softly.

“The potatoes are,” she said. “I love mashed potatoes. It’s my comfort food.”

“You’ve had a bad day. You deserve all the potatoes.”

“Thank you. For listening. For understanding,” she said, smiling at him as he handed her the bowl of mashed potatoes.

“Of course,” he said, dishing out the plates of food, making sure she got most of it. “So, you’ve been up all night.”

“Pretty much,” she replied. “I knew she was in the clear, but I wasn’t sure about myself as I couldn’t check very easily. I showered, washed my hair twice, then put it up in a shower cap, bagged my clothes and hers, and stripped the sheets as she slept on the couch. I washed what I could in the laundry room of our apartment, but it wasn’t going to be enough and it would have taken too long to wash everything. I knew we were okay, but I also couldn’t stop scratching at my head and skin. I wasn’t going to take any precautions.”

“I completely understand.”

“Now, I have to work and I have no idea what to do with her while I do.”

“Take the day off, I’m sure Joe already told you you could.”

“He did, but I… need the money. I can’t miss a day.”

“You have to have sick days…”

“Yes, but I need to save them for when she’s actually sick.”

“I could…”

“No,” she said, her eyes hard.

“You didn’t let me finish,” he said softly. “I was going to say, I could watch her. Keep her here with me through the day.” Her expression changed, but she shook her head.

“No. I can’t ask you to do that.”

“Dana, I’m already here,” he said, touching her hand and smiling. “We’ll be right here, you do what you have to do, and you can check in on us whenever you want.”

“You have to write,” she said, turning her hand to hold his thumb, shaking her head. “I can’t ask-”

“You aren’t. I’m offering.” He squeezed her hand and she opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted.

“Mommy, can I have some water?” Ivy asked, tapping on her arm. “I’m thirsty.”

“Yeah, I’ll be right back.” She let go of his hand and left the booth.

He glanced over at Ivy, watching her pause with a spoonful of pudding near her chocolate covered mouth, smiling and laughing before she ate the bite. He smiled at her as he shook his head.

Dana came back with a tray of drinks, water and orange juice for all of them and coffee for the two of them. She set it down and sat back in the booth with a sigh, sliding Ivy her glass of water.

“Be careful, okay? Two hands.”

“I got it, Mommy,” Ivy said, lifting the glass to her mouth and taking a long drink.

“Joe told me to go home and get everything sorted out and not worry about work today.”

“Good. That’s what you should do.”

“I hate leaving others in a lurch. And the money… I really need it, especially this time of year.”

“But…”

“I know. I need to take care of things at home. I have laundry to fold and put away, and the apartment to clean. I’m just so tired.”

“I can help you if you’d like-”

“Fox…”

“Dana…” he began again, clearing his throat, putting his hand up to ask her to listen. She sighed and nodded her head. “First of all, you know Joe, and from getting to know him myself, I know he won’t let you go the day without being paid. I’ve been coming here for two months and not once have you missed a shift. You’ve even covered for others when they’ve called out.”

“I know but-”

“Joe and Manny know your value. They know you have a situation that’s out of your hands and well… you should take the day.”

“I know,” she said with a glance at Ivy. “The tips I would get though, that’s what I rely on every day.”

“How much would you get in tips?” he asked and her eyes came back to look at him.

“Why are you asking me that?” she questioned him with a frown. “Fox, I don’t-”

“We’re friends right?”

“We… we are…”

“Friends help each other out.”

“But, I don’t-”

“Let me be your friend. Let me help you.”

She stared at him as he smiled and she opened and closed her mouth, frowning as she shook her head gently, but finally sighed with a curt nod.

“But I won’t take money. I don’t want… that won’t sit well with me.”

“That’s understandable,” he said, putting his hands up in surrender. “Let’s eat and then whatever you need help with, that doesn’t involve anything monetarily, I’m here for you.” He smiled and she sighed again as she nodded in acceptance. “Good. Now, eat your mashed potatoes and we’ll get going.”

“When you see all there is to do, you may regret offering your assistance.”

“Nah,” he said, reaching for the syrup and pouring some onto his pancakes. “I enjoy completing tasks.”

“Hmm,” she hummed disbelievingly, shaking her head slightly as she took a bite of potatoes.

He only smiled at her as he glanced at Ivy, already intrigued to learn more about her and the new side of Dana he had yet to meet.

#the x files #xf fanfic #holidays #diners #new friend #new in town #first meetings #surprises #alternate universe #modern setting #developing friendships #msr

56 notes · View notes

trashyswitch · 1 year

Text

Cheer up, Roxy!

Roxy is in a really bad mood, and Chica is trying to figure out why. When she finds out why, her next step is to find out how to cheer her up. But how do you cheer up a difficult person like Roxy?

This fanfic was suggested by an anonymous user. I hope you enjoy!

Roxy had been acting grumpy and annoyed all day. She wouldn’t stop grumbling behind people’s backs or sighing in clear annoyance every time someone would say hi to her. Chica knew she was gonna break eventually. But she wanted to help her get better…maybe help her relax…maybe even give her a chance to talk about what’s bothering her.

“Hey Roxanne?” Chica said, walking up to the animatronic.

Roxy groaned and rolled her eyes. “What.” she said back, looking at Chica out of the corner of her eyes.

“I think we need to talk.” Chica told her. Roxy groaned a bit louder at Chica’s words. “Whyyyy?” Roxanne asked.

“Because you’re grumpy and irritated, and I wanna know why.” Chica replied.

Roxy scoffed. “Like you would ever understand…” She muttered. “Your character and image has been known for almost 50 years. You’re famous! World-famous!” She yelled. “And I was literally just introduced to the crowd…” She grumbled.

Chica bit her beak. “That doesn’t mean anything.” She told her.

“See? I knew you wouldn’t get it. You are contradicting what I’m saying, because you seemed to draw crowds the moment you were created and presented.” Roxy told her.

Chica looked down. “That’s not what I meant…”

“How could a copy of an influential character possibly understand what it’s like to have no fans?!” She reacted.

“But you do.” Chica told her. “You have lots of fans.”

“I know I do.” She remarked. “But not as many as you do.” She reminded her.

“I know…I have lots of fans. But not as many as Freddy does.” Chica replied.

Roxy frowned a bit more at her words.

“And not as many as Bonnie had before he was decommissioned.” Chica added. “I actually think the crowds diminished for a short time after Bonnie was shut down and never seen again.” She told her.

Roxy softened her expression just a tiny bit upon hearing that. “I just…” She sighed. “I’m scared that the fans will never like me.” She told her. “I’m scared the fans will all flock to you and Freddy, leaving me and Monty in the dust.” She added.

Chica nodded slowly and thought for a moment. “Monty has even less fans than you do, Roxanne. And he rarely complains about it.” She told Roxy.

“...Doesn’t mean he’s not thinking about it…” Roxy muttered.

Chica sighed and walked up to Roxy. “Would you like me to get Monty?” She asked.

“Why?” Roxy asked next.

“Cause…I feel like he would understand your situation better than I do.” Chica replied.

Roxy shook her head. “I don’t want to talk to him.” She told her. “I’d rather talk to you, honestly.” She admitted.

Chica nodded, smiling slightly. “Okay.”

“Even though you’re being a bit of a bitch.” Roxy muttered.

Chica looked at Roxy and huffed with a frown. “I think it’s time for you to cheer up.” She declared.

Roxy scoffed. “And how could you possibly cheer me up?” She asked. “Jokes? Because those don’t work on me.” She told Chica. “Impressions? I doubt you’ll be able to make me laugh with that.” She added.

Chica narrowed her eyes as she tried to think. How could she make Roxy laugh…There had to be a way. But with Roxy, it’s a bit more difficult. She’s a tough cookie, who doesn’t laugh at things as much as Freddy would. And she doesn’t like slapstick humor like Gregory does. Nor does she like impressions like Monty…Not even silly faces could make her laugh! But the Daycare Attendant would be rolling on the floor, cackling if she pulled a silly face.

Hm…The Daycare Attendant.

He’s a silly animatronic. He loves kids. And they love him. He likes to do crafts with them. He also likes to play games with them. And they love playing with him too.

The Daycare Attendant once told her that sometimes when they’re being playful and naughty, he’ll tickle the kids. And he sometimes gets tickled back by those same kids in response. According to the Daycare Attendant, tickle fights are common in the Daycare.

Hmmm…Tickling?

Chica looked at Roxy, slowly smirking. She knew exactly what to do to make her laugh now. Chica slowly walked herself up to Roxy, crossing her arms. “Oh don’t worry about me…I have my ways to make you laugh.” She told her.

Roxy raised an eyebrow. “What are you planning?” She asked, a tinge of anger and worry in her voice.

“Oh nothing…Except your doom.” She replied evilly.

Roxy soon began to theorize what she was planning. And she was NOT gonna like it. “...Chica…I’m warning you.” Roxy warned, putting her hands up in defense. “If you so much as touch me-”

“You’ll do what?” Chica asked. “You’ll kick me? Throw me across the room?” She asked next, drawing a finger up the middle of Roxy’s chest. “...Tickle me baaack?” She teased as her finger reached Roxy’s lower neck.

Chica quickly tickled Roxy’s chin before jumping to the side to dodge Roxy’s attempt at a tackle. “You- GET OVER HERE YOU-” Roxy squeaked as she felt two index fingers poke either side of her lower rib region. “aAAH! NO! GETYOURHANDSOFFME!” She shouted.

“Come oooon, Roxanne.” Chica whined as she snuck under Roxy’s legs and picked her up with her shoulders. “Can’t you handle a few cheer up tickles?” She asked as she skittered her right hand on Roxy’s right foot.

“CHICA- PFFTAHAHAHA! OH NO-” She yelled, kicking her feet wildly. “STOPIT! STOOOP IIIT!” Roxy shouted, kicking her feet wildly.

“Stop what? Stop teasing you?” She asked, poking her vulnerable paw pads. “Or…Stop tickling you?” She asked next as she danced her fingers on her lower paw pad.

Roxy squealed and leaned back completely, pulling Chica down with her with a loud, earth-shattering crash. But Chica didn’t let this stop her. The moment she had come back to life, she brought both of Roxy’s lower legs together against her right shoulder, and held her ankles in a choke hold with her right hand while tickling both her feet with her left hand.

Roxy arched her back like a bridge, and wheezed. “AHAHA! AHAHAHAhahahahaha! CHIHIHICAHAHA IHIHI SWEAR TO GOHOHOHOD!” She shouted, throwing her arms all over the place.

“You knew this was going to happen eventually. So why not just give in and let me cheer you up for once?” Chica asked.

Roxy shook her head and pulled on her feet, but to no avail. “NOHOHOHO! LEHET MEHEHE GOHOHO!” She ordered.

“Naaaah. I’d rather not.” She replied.

“PLEHEHEHEASE?” Roxy asked next.

“Ooooh! Throwing in a please too?! My goodness!” She reacted. “You’re making it harder for me to say no to you!” She added. “But…” She moved her evil little fingers up to Roxy’s three toes and started to skitter. “Please isn’t going to stop me this time.” She said with a big smirk on her face.

Roxy yelped and laughed helplessly. “WHYHYHYHY?!”

Chica chuckled. “Because you’re being a grumpy miss grump grump! And no child or animatronic wants a grumpy miss grump grump.” She teased.

Roxy finally managed to get one of her feet free and started pushing against Chica to get her other foot free. But Chica rolled her eyes and let her other foot free. “There.” She replied. “Happy?”

Roxy placed her head against the ground and let out long breaths. “Thank you…thank you…” She mumbled.

Chica turned herself onto her stomach and pushed herself into the crawling position. “Was it really that bad?” She asked, poking her side as she laid down beside her.

“I…The…” Roxy put her index finger up. “The tickling was not that bad.” She told her.

Chica raised an eyebrow. “......But?”

“But I would prefer no restraints.” Roxy told her.

“Really?” Chica asked, almost whining. “But it’s hard to tickle you without pushing you down to prevent injury or revenge.” Chica told her.

“You are only allowed to tickle me if you let me move around. If you feel like you can’t do so, then don’t tickle me.” Roxy replied.

Chica nodded and thought for a moment. “Okay…” She mumbled. She tried to think of a way to create a compromise, but it was really difficult to do so. “Would…” Chica looked at Roxy. “Would I be allowed to hold your one arm up while I tickle your armpit?” She asked.

Roxy raised her eyebrows. “Like this?” She asked, grabbing Chica’s arm and raising it up to provide an example. Chica nodded. “Yeah, like that. Your right hand, and both legs would be free.” Chica replied. “I wouldn’t restrain anything else. I would only hold your left arm up, and make due with that being my only restraint.” Chica asked.

Roxy thought for a moment, using her grip on Chica as a way to understand what she might be getting into. Then, Roxy let go of the chicken’s hand and nodded her head before scooting closer to Chica. “Alright, deal.” She finally replied.

Chica smiled and took Roxy’s left hand gently, and placed her right hand on her chest to gently lean Roxy back so she could lay down on the ground. Chica then lifted Roxy’s arm above her head and wrapped Roxy’s arm around the back of her pink shoulders. “There. Is that comfortable?” She asked.

Roxy nodded and smiled a bit at her. “Yeah, it is.” She replied.

Chica then laid down beside Roxy with a bit of room between her and the wolf. With Roxy and Chica both ready, Chica started gently tickling Roxy’s armpit with only one scratching finger.

“Kkkkhehehehehe! Ahaha lihittle bit mohohore thahan thahahat.” Roxy told her.

Chica smiled as she increased the tickles to two fingers. “Is this better?” She asked.

Roxy leaned her head back as her giggles grew a slight bit louder. “Hehehehahahaha! Ihihit’s ahaha bihit behehetter. Buhuhut-” Roxy started to say.

Chica rolled her eyes with a smirk as she changed to using all 4 of her fingers. “This better, Miss picky-pants?” She teased.

Roxy widened her eyes and finally laughed quite loudly. It wasn’t hysterical laughter, but it did sound louder and more joyful. “YEHEhehehes! Yehes, thahahahat’s behehetteheherrr!” Roxy replied. “Sohohoho muhuhuch behehetteher.”

“Great! Glad you’re finally content with my tickle methods.” Chica responded.

Roxy continued to laugh herself silly as Chica tickled her and occasionally teased her. Overtime, Chica began to make things a little more interesting. She would draw letters and numbers on her armpit with her finger, while making Roxy guess the letter. Sometimes she could guess it right. Other times, she mixed up letters like M and N, F and T, even Q and G. But the longer they played, the quicker Roxy was able to guess the letters and guess the words.

Chica drew the next letter.

“R.” Roxy guessed.

Chica drew another letter.

“O.” Roxy guessed next.

Chica drew the next letter.

“X.” Roxy guessed.

Chica drew the last letter.

“Y.” Roxy guessed. “Roxy.” She guessed.

Chica giggled. “Correct! Now guess the next one:” She drew the first letter.

“I.” Roxy replied.

“Uh huh…” Chica drew the next letter.

“S.” Roxy guessed, slightly hesitantly.

“Right! Roxy is…” Chica started drawing the next letter.

“T.” Roxy guessed quickly.

Chica drew the next character.

“I again.” Roxy guessed.

Chica nodded. “Uh huh.” She drew the next letter.

“C.” Roxy guessed.

“Yup.” Chica drew the next letter.

“K.” Roxy guessed.

Chica drew the next letter.

“L.” Roxy guessed.

Chica nodded and drew the next character.

“I again.” Roxy guessed next.

Chica nodded. She drew the next letter.

“S.” Roxy guessed. “S-T?” Roxy asked.

“Nope.” She replied as she drew the last letter.

“H.” Roxy guessed.

“Bingo!” Chica declared as she let go of Roxy’s arm. “What’s the word?” Chica asked.

“Uuhhh…Roxy is…” She started to hesitate, feeling her snout with her now-free hand.

“T…I…” Chica started to say.

“T-I…” Roxy repeated.

“C-K-L-”

“Ticklish! Roxy is ticklish! CHICA!” Roxy yelled as she pushed Chica down. Chica bursted out laughing as the tickly letters finally made sense. Roxy groaned and covered her face out of embarrassment. “Nooooo.” She whined. “Awww, come on, Roxy…” She teased, pushing her shoulder. “Don’t be like that.” She told her.

Roxy rolled her eyes and pushed her shoulder back. “Shush.”

“Hey-” Chica pushed her shoulder back in response.

“What?” Roxy asked, pushing her shoulder again.

“Stop!” She reacted.

“Never!” Roxy laughed.

“Feeling better yet?” Chica asked, pushing her shoulder again.

“...Maybe.” Roxy replied before pushing her shoulder back.

Chica switched to poking her sides and belly. “Tahake that then!” Chica declared.

“Hehehey nohohohoho!” Roxy laughed trying (and failing) to poke her back.

And yet another silly fight broke out between the two girls.

But at least Roxy’s feeling better, right?

#annoyed roxy #cheer up tickles #letters #boundaries #developing friendships #ticklefic #ler!chica #lee!roxy

24 notes · View notes

seokiepout · 7 months

Text

sanctuary

“I would definitely appreciate that!” the boy beams, his heart-shaped smile puffing up his cheeks even more. “But—er—.”

“Chan. You can call me Chan hyung.”

Chan doesn’t think he’s capable of sustaining hope any longer against a reality that weighs him down with every passing day, but what he doesn’t expect is a reminder of it—heart-shaped and beaming—to quite literally burst through the door.

posted on ao3.

fandom: stray kids

ship: bang chan & han jisung (chansung)

status: completed

tags: general audience, 2.2k

#stray kids #chansung #fictober23 #canon compliant #pre relationship #hurt/comfort #platonic #developing friendships

6 notes · View notes

rebelmeg · 2 years

Link

In the Childrens Ward

by rebelmeg Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers (Marvel Movies) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Tony Stark, Thor (Marvel), Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Clint Barton, Bruce Banner, James "Bucky" Barnes, Loki (Marvel), Background & Cameo Characters Additional Tags: Hospitals, Kid Fic, Kid Avengers, Injury Recovery, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Fluff and Angst, Humor, Developing Friendships, Tony Stark Has A Heart, Bruce Banner Needs a Hug, Natasha Romanov Is Not A Robot, Deaf Clint Barton, Loki & Thor Bro Feels (Marvel), Protective Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes is So Done Summary:

Stuck together in the hospital for a couple of days, a group of injured kids start to get to know each other.

Notes: This fic is for ALL THE BINGOS! My @mfbingo square G4 - Enemies to..., my @tonystarkbingo square K4 - Avengers, and my @buckybarnesbingo square C3 - free

Title: In the Childrens Ward Collaborator: rebelmeg Squares Filled: TSB, K4 - Avengers MF Bingo, G4 - Enemies to... BBB, C3 - free Main Pairing: N/A Rating: Teen Major Tags: implied/referenced child abuse, hospital, injuries, developing friendships, angst/fluff/humor Summary: Stuck together in the hospital for a couple of days, a group of injured kids start to get to know each other. Word Count: 5500

#rebelmeg's fanfic #mcu #fanfic #tony stark bingo round 6 #mfbingo2022 #buckybarnesbingo2022 #tsb6 #bbb2022 #multi fandom bingo #avengers #kid fic #kid avengers #hospital #injuries #implied/referenced child abuse #they're sweet and injured and need hugs #developing friendships

20 notes · View notes

wikiangela-fanfics · 2 years

Text

Fictober22 - 28. We all have our reasons

Fandom: Marvel

Ship: Sam/Bucky

Summary: Sam and Bucky have a conversation while looking at the stars in Wakanda.

Ao3

Words: 985

Note: Tbh there's a reference to them meeting before, and it kinda can be a call-back to prompt 2 - Nobody warned you about me? - since this one kinda fits as a follow-up, tho I didn't intend that haha

***

The moon shines brightly above them among glittering stars, and the breeze is pleasantly cooling during the hot, summer Wakandan night. The grass they’re sitting on is cold and damp, but it doesn’t bother them. It’s just the two of them now – Bucky and the angel with wings – Sam, his mind supplies. His memory is still wonky at times, he tends to forget things momentarily, but somehow never Sam.

Steve and Natasha went to bed already, but Sam wanted to stay up and sit with him. Bucky doesn’t mind. He’s relieved, actually. People can be overwhelming, but he likes Sam’s company. He treats him like a normal human being, doesn’t talk to or look at him as if he could snap or break at any moment – and he knows Steve means well, but they’d apparently known each other before, which clouds his judgment – Bucky remembers only bits and pieces. The only other person who treats Bucky like Sam is Shuri, but it’s different, since she’s also trying to cure him. Everyone’s really nice and supportive and trying to help him, which is also a bit overwhelming. After everything he’s done… why would they do this?

“Sam.” he says suddenly, clearly surprising him. They rarely talk – well, Bucky rarely talks, but he likes to listen to Sam. Right now they’re just enjoying the quiet night, though, and it’s not like Bucky to break the silence first. Sam looks at him with a curious expression.

“Yeah?

“Why are you here?” Bucky asks after a few moments, not sure how to phrase it. Sam snorts. So, maybe Bucky’s tone didn’t sound very nice, so what? He’s still adjusting.

“What do you mean?” he smiles. He has a very nice smile. Bucky involuntarily tries to shyly smile back.

“I mean, why- I get why Steve helped me. Why did you, though?” he frowns. “Why did any of you? And why are the Wakandans?” he looks back at the moon. “It doesn’t make sense.”

“We all have our reasons.” Sam responds quietly. Bucky hears him lie down. “As for me, originally I was trying to help Steve. Captain America showed up on my doorstep, what was I supposed to do?” he chuckles. It’s a nice sound, Bucky wants to hear it again and again. “And later I went chasing a ghost for him. Until that time we met and talked in Europe. Then, it was for you.” his voice is quiet, but firm. Bucky recalls them meeting, and Sam being so casual and unafraid. It was a welcome change. That was the first time since Bucky died that he felt almost normal.

“Do you regret it?” Bucky dares a glance at him. Sam meets his eye. “Since you’re on the run now and can’t go home because of all that?”

“Nah.” Sam answers immediately, grinning. “I wasn’t sure about you at the beginning, but now I know that it’s worth it. That you’re worth it.”

“Why?” Bucky frowns again, even more confused now. And slightly uncomfortable. Why is Sam being so nice?

“Hm. Maybe I’ll tell you one day.” Sam just says with a playful smile. His eyes shine in the moonlight. “Let me be the mysterious one for once.” he adds teasingly. A short laugh escapes Bucky. It’s not like he tries to be mysterious. He just tries to find who he even is. “You should do that more.” Sam muses.

“Do what?” Bucky tilts his head, curiously.

“Laugh. Smile.” he shrugs. “It’s nice.”

“Um-” Bucky doesn’t know what to say and feels his cheeks get warm. What is happening? Is he blushing? He doesn’t blush. Sam didn’t even say anything that crazy. But he looks at Bucky in a weird way, that he can’t really name now. So, instead of responding, he lies down, too, next to Sam, feeling the dew from the grass seep into his shirt. He’s not close enough to Sam to be touching him, but he feels the warmth radiating off of him. It’s pleasant and comforting, having someone next to him. Particularly Sam, he doesn’t think he’d feel this good with anyone else. “I like nights here.” he whispers.

“Yeah?” Sam’s tone sounds genuinely curious, prodding, like he wants to know more, like he wants Bucky to keep talking. It makes Bucky blush harder, and smile. Out of the corner of his eye he sees Sam observing him, smiling, too.

“Yeah. It’s quiet. Peaceful.” Bucky’s looking at the night sky, but is aware of Sam still looking at him. “The stars are beautiful.” he adds quieter.

“They are.”

“I like just lying here and looking at them.” he’s saying more this evening than he has any day he’s been here. It just feels like he can open up to Sam. Maybe not completely, not yet, but he just feels good with him. Like himself. “I can’t remember the last time I could do that, before.” he clears his throat. He doesn’t want to think about before. Not right now.

“You know any constellations?” Sam asks gently, as if sensing Bucky’s mood was about to change.

“Yeah, actually.” he smiles widely, which feels weird on his face, he hasn’t smiled like that since before, probably. “Shuri got me a book-” he starts talking. And talking. For a long time. He’s not sure why, this is all very new and weird. He just enjoys Sam’s company so much.

And Sam – Sam listens attentively, all the time. He’s genuinely interested and asks questions, and then they try to find constellations in the sky, and it’s all just so nice. Bucky never wants him to leave. He wants to spend every night like this.

He still has a lot of questions, there’s so much that he wants to know. For now, though, he likes just being with Sam, having a normal, casual conversation under the stars. Even years later, this night remains one of his fondest memories.

#fictober22 #fictober 2022 #fictober #sambucky fic #sambucky #sam and bucky #wikiangela writes #my writing #marvel #marvel fic #sam x bucky #fanfic #conversations #fluff #pre relationship #developing friendships #developing relationship #getting to know each other

14 notes · View notes

pinkjunepeanut · 2 years

Text

Where’s the Beauty in this Beast?: Chapter 4

It proved to be the easiest thing to do… nothing. Simply sitting on his hunches and waiting passively for the tension to die down between the two canine-like types, and for realization to dawn on the tiny creature that he meant no harm. It seemed to be working, the little male’s brows knitting together in confusion at Sonic’s behavior, before amber eyes widened a second later. Red-violet fur peeked out from behind the stone and cautiously tip-toed closer, visibly ready to sprint if the need would arise.

Although excited at his progress, Sonic steeled himself and resisted any temptation to greet the creature again; that reaction would only be his downfall. Tentatively walking closer, the small creature stopped about a foot away and curiously warbled another line of nothingness. Sonic frowned at the garbling but sensed the meaning through the little one’s tone and voice. Pulling his ears back and smoothing out his fur, Sonic stooped down and rumbled softly, making sure to hide his fearsome fangs from sight. The small creature tilted its head slightly before baring its stubby canines and beaming happily. Enlightened by this accomplishment, Sonic’s tail happily wagged behind him, the whirlwind stirring up swaying grass, and he leaned forward to sniff his new acquaintance. The bubbly little male laughed at the touch and gently shoved Sonic’s muzzle back a few paces, still giggling to itself.

An energizing warmth swelled in Sonic’s chest that trailed down to his speedy tail and he panted excitedly, happy to have changed the little guy’s mind of him. Little guy? He paused from his playfulness and perked up, gazing at the rising sun poking over the horizon and the light encompassing such brilliant beauty. That same warmth seemed to have spread throughout his body and now was basking him in its heat, a sudden new awareness taking place in his mind all the while. By the time the light and warmth dissipated from his body, thousands of questions came tumbling through his mind, more specifically… What just happened? He peered down at his form and was surprised to see his original cobalt fur coating his body, along with peach arms and a tan stomach painting his features. His brows knitted together again. “Wha—” He felt for his throat in alarm. He could talk again. What the heck was going on?

“Um… e-excuse me… Mister Monster Guy?”

Sonic peered down at a much clearer version of the stranger he was just interacting with. Indeed, it did seem to hold certain dog features, a Chihuahua hybrid of some sort, with maroon fur and tufts of white fluff coating its underbelly, tail, and hair. Like he witnessed before, fairy-like wings were jutting out of its back, and on the center of its chest… Was that a green stone? Sonic rubbed his head at the new information and looked back at the awaiting stranger. Clearly it had said something from before and was waiting for a response. Embarrassed at the predicament, Sonic scratched the back of his head and chuckled, “Sorry, little guy. I couldn’t get the last part you said. Mind repeating that?”

The little chihuahua blinked at him, hearing Sonic’s true voice for the first time, but then shrugged it off. “I was wondering how you did that. That was amazing!” It was clearly a he, with the scratchy tone in his voice, and the ball of fluff jumped into the air, beating his wings incessantly and flying around Sonic from all directions, his mouth going at blinding speeds. “First you were with those teeth! And those claws! And then BAM! You’re now a… a…” He halted his chatter, clearly trying to find what to call Sonic.

“Hedgehog.” Sonic scratched under his nose lazily. “Sonic the Hedgehog.”

“Sonic, that’s a cool name! I like that name!” The little guy pumped up a fist in mid-flight and then looked back at Sonic curiously. “But how did you do that changing stuff?”

Sonic suppressed a sigh and placed a hand on his hip, “Honestly, I have no idea.” He off-handedly muttered, “but I hope I don’t go through that again…” His friend cocked his head at that. Sonic turned back towards him, “You got a name?”

The maroon fella frowned in thought till looking down in worry, contemplating over something. “Hmmmm… huh?” He jumped in alarm, “what IS my name?” He dropped to the ground and started running in circles. “AHHH! I don’t know! I can’t remember!”

Sonic was taken back by this news. Can’t remember? Does that mean… He hoped he was wrong, but only one way to test that theory. “You forgot who you are?” He had run into amnesiacs before, Shadow being the most popular, and adding another one to the list was not something he was looking forward to. The Chihuahua’s little nod was all the confirmation he needed.

“Yep. I remember something falling from the sky…” He reenacted the scene, quite clumsily, and continued, “and everything just going all white… and then nothing! I can’t remember a thing past that!” He sulked in defeat, clearly troubled by his dilemma.

Uh oh, did I fall on him? Sonic sweat dropped. It was bad enough when someone lost a sense of who they were, but to be the one to cause it? This couldn��t possibly get any worse. His thoughts were interrupted by the poor amnesiac again.

“Oh, MAN, what am I gonna do?! What CAN I do? Where do I go from here?!” He was flying in every which direction, talking to almost any innate object (or Sonic) around in his panicked state. “What’ll I… Oof, I’m hungry.” He fell from the air like a sack of potatoes, Sonic’s quick reflexes being the sole savior for the little guy. Catching him with ease, Sonic chuckled to himself.

Reminds me of Charmy. He hadn’t spent much time with the Chaotix in a while, but just spending a day at the trio’s HQ can prove how much of a handful Charmy can “bee.” Looking on the bright side, Sonic chose to be the voice of reason. “Hey, don’t worry! I’ll help you get your memory back.”

Amber eyes blinked owlishly at him in awe, and he fainted a smile, “Really? You mean it?” He leapt out of Sonic’s hands and plopped on his head, Sonic not minding at all.

“Absolutely!” He takes a couple steps, beginning his new quest. “I’m sure we’ll find somebody who knows you if we look around.” Though talking-dog-fairies might be harder to find.

A maroon-and-white- face leaned over his head and peered into his eyes with a wide grin, jumping off and resorting to flying side-by-side. “Oh, thank you! You’re the best, Mister Monster Gu—I mean, Sonic the Hedgehog!”

Sonic grinned at lifting his friend’s spirits and slapped five with him before looking out into the distance and spotting the towns from before. He glanced back at his flying buddy and jabbed a thumb in said direction. “Wat’ya say we check out that town then. There’s bound to be something they know, and who knows, good grub too!”

His companion excitedly nodded and seated comfortably on his head, holding onto his quills for support. “That sounds great! Ready when you are!”

And with that, the Blue Blur took off and without knowing, was on the start of a new adventure, one that would be changing him in many ways for the better.

14 notes · View notes

goldenjedikenobi99 · 2 years

Text

A Lion's Pride, a Stag's Fury - 1

Hello there! This is my first story. It is also posted on FF.net and AO3 under the same name. I had taken quite a long break away from it, but recently I started writing again. So, to give myself more time for the next chapter I decided to post the first chapters here. I hope you enjoy it!

Summary:

After the battle of the Bells, a goshawk arrives in Casterly Rock carrying a message for Robert Baratheon. Tywin Lannister makes a simple decision that will alter destiny itself.

Chapter 1: Tywin I

"Tywin?"

The gentle voice of his brother made him turn his head sharply from the serene view of Lannisport. He hadn't heard his door open. He had once again been thinking of Jaime while breathing in the fresh air when Tygett's quiet tone almost made him jump. Having been a silent witness to his growing from child to man, Tywin had come to respect his second brother for developing a keen and strategic mind. He respected him even when they didn't see eye to eye. He even dared to say that he loved him in his own, pragmatic way. But for the life of him, he could not recall a time when he had received such softness from his brother. And that meant only one thing. Something had happened. Something utterly serious that had affected even the bitter third son of Tytos Lannister.

"What news do you bring, brother?" he asked sternly without wasting time for small talk.

"We intercepted a goshawk carrying a message addressed to Robert Baratheon." Tygett's voice was still gentle as he passed him the parchment.

Tywin raised an eyebrow. "This is unsealed."

Tygett considered him with a calm expression on his face. "I was curious," he admitted, and before Tywin could protest, he continued. "Just read it."

Intrigued by his brother's behavior, Tywin concentrated on the words in front of him.

Robert, You always said that Proudwing would never fly. You were wrong. She does fly. Just not a long distance. She is not ready for what I am asking of her. Most likely, she will never reach you. But she is my last hope. His fatness has succeeded in hitting all the ravens we have been trying to send. No matter. You are not only my brother but also my liege lord. I have a duty to inform you that our position is far from pleasant. Our people are dying one after the other. There is simply no food left. We have been eating our horses for the past two moons. There are none left. Not even the pony that you gifted Renly. He hates me for it. He doesn't understand that I am only doing my duty. You asked me to hold Storm's End. And I will die first before surrendering our ancestral home to that cow of a flower. He is mocking us. We can smell the roasted meat even inside the castle. And I am afraid that I cannot keep our people loyal to me. They are asking for you. They mock me. They, like Renly, do not understand that I am only doing my duty. The only things left to eat are cats, dogs and rats. And there are not many. We have to take short portions to keep living for at least one more moon. You know what my feelings for the Gods are. But even I am praying for a miracle. I am giving more than half of my meals to Renly. He is a boy, Robert. A boy. He needs to live. And he needs parents to look after him. To help him grow. What would they say if they saw me? Mother would be furious with me. And Father? He would be so disappointed. What does a second son know of running a keep? Isn't that what he used to say when I judged your unlordly behavior? He was right, of course. What do I, a second son, know? I miss them. And I miss you as well. You would know how to calm our people. I am scared that Cressen will die. You would probably be laughing right now with my sentimentality. But I am not expecting you or anyone else to read this. And for once in my life, I want to express my feelings. To let go of my pain so that I can die peacefully. Because I know with absolute certainty, I am not going to survive this siege. No matter. Let this be my last act. I swear that Renly will live. And he will be the brother that you have always wanted. If I see that things get worse, I will smuggle him out to a safe place. I will not let him die. I swear. Farewell Robert My brother, my blood, my liege

Tywin returned to his previous position by the window and took a deep breath. Stannis, he thought. The second son of Steffon Baratheon and acting Lord of Storm's End. He had met him only once in what now seemed to be a very long time ago. He had still been the Hand of the King when his childhood friend had introduced his two sons to the court.

He still remembered both boys.

Robert, the heir, had been overconfident and arrogant, despite his young age. For the few days the family had stayed in the capital, he would always be found training with the knights and the young squires, bloodying his fists and bragging about his love for fighting while laughing loudly.

On the contrary, Stannis had been a very reserved boy. At only five name-days old- if Tywin remembered correctly- he hadn't expressed the desire to play around. He hadn't done anything that children his age usually do. Instead, he had been his father's shadow. Wherever Steffon went, Stannis followed dutifully one step behind, paying attention to everything and everyone without asking questions. His quietness had made most people forget about his presence. Tywin himself, despite his initial intrigue about the serious little one, had usually ignored him. That is until the boy had finally opened his mouth.

On their last day in King's Landing, Tywin had invited Steffon to dine with him in his private rooms on the Tower of the Hand. He had wanted to have some privacy with his childhood friend. No masks, no fake courtesies, no formality in front of the other lords and the royal family. Just a small dinner between brothers. Of course, Steffon had brought along his sons.

Everything had gone smoothly, and after dinner, Tywin had suggested enjoying a cup of wine near the fireplace. That, unfortunately, had been a bad idea. Because after sharing some of their fondest memories with the children, Robert had decided that he was bored. And he, as per usual, had started talking about fighting in wars and spilling his enemies' blood. Tywin had honestly felt pity for his friend, who had only sighed as if from exhaustion. Little Stannis, however, had not been able to hide a snort or two, which had resulted in his brother turning on him and using all kinds of inappropriate words to describe his grumpiness. Stannis had said nothing. He had just lowered his head and clenched his jaw so hard that Tywin had thought that his teeth would shatter. Steffon had admonished his heir, but Robert had not seemed to hear a word. He had stared at his little brother and then very childishly told him that once he was Lord of their House, he would send Stannis away without giving him anything. And to make things even worse, the older boy had loudly wished that his 'Ma' and 'Pa' would give him a real brother so that they could finally get rid of spare Stannis. Steffon had been so appalled that he had instantly run and lifted his second son in his arms while holding his head softly as if that could have taken back the poisonous words. Tywin had only raised an eyebrow disapprovingly. He had been contemplating sending the boys to their beds when Stannis' small voice had broken the silence.

"Maester Cressen taught me two new words," he had murmured with his head hidden in his father's black hair. "Duty. Loyalty. He said I am too little to know what they mean."

He had hugged his father with more force. Tywin had seen the tiny arms trembling.

"But I wanted to know," he had said louder with all the seriousness of an adult. "He said I have a duty to do what you tell me to do, papa."

He had finally lifted his head and looked at his father's blue eyes.

"I said alright. And he said I must do what the King tells me to do. I said alright. And he said I must be loyal to my family. To love and protect papa, mama and my big brother. And I said I am loyal. He said I must be loyal to my people and protect them."

His voice had become more frantic.

"I am little. I know. I am not as strong as Robert. I know. I will not be Lord of anything. Robert says so. He is my big brother. So he is not lying. I know I don't understand a lot. But I know Maester Cressen says to protect is to have peace. To have peace is not to fight and kill with no reason. He says sometimes war happens. Grandpapa died in a war. And I don't want you to die in a war, papa! I, I, I don't understand. How can Robert love war, if it means... How, how can he love fighting and killing? Where is his duty? His loyalty? And, and you see, papa, how tall and big and mag-mag-mag-ni-fi-cent Lord Ty is. I thought he was the King. And I wished to be like him when I grow. And you told us about the Raynes of Casta-mere. And the song in the feast. I know it happened cause they were not loyal to him. Not dutiful. So he had to punish them! He saved his people from war! He never smiles, so, so he doesn't love spillin' blood. He did his duty! I'm five, but I would have done the same!"

Stannis had looked at his father with passionate eyes. And Steffon had embraced his boy even tighter than before. Tywin had seen the pride and the silent tears in his friend's eyes when he had approached him and, after inclining his head, had left the room with quick strides. He had only stopped at the door and looked sternly at his firstborn, who had quickly followed after his father.

The last thing Tywin still remembered seeing was Stannis' eyes. Stormy blue. The mirror image of his father's. He had not slept that night. He had spent hours and hours thinking of the little boy with a Lord's heart and mind.

Even years later, after his son had joined the Kingsguard and he had returned to Casterly Rock bitter and angry, he had thought of that same small boy, who had in childish sentences proved to be wiser than the King and his Small Council.

And now, a man grown, Stannis Baratheon continued to impress him. In a situation most dire, he still held on his duty. He had an iron will that could not be bent. However, seeing the world in black and white was no less than naive. Stannis had no one to teach him that lesson. But he was young. And Tywin knew that with the right person to guide him, Stannis could become someone great. Someone powerful. Someone who could rival even a good king.

Lost in his thoughts and unconscious machinations of the future, Tywin almost missed his brother's question.

"What are you planning?"

He didn't answer. He tried to clear his mind from his musings and concentrate on the very delicate matter.

"Surely you are planning."

Tygett's voice was a little more stressed.

"What is there to plan?" he pretended to be bored.

"How to save the Baratheon boy!"

Tywin finally looked up.

"Either you are that oblivious, or you have forgotten the most important detail. As long as Jaime is in the hands of that mad dragon, I cannot act," he reprimanded him. "And before you interrupt me once again, let me make myself clear. I will never endanger my son's life."

Tygett seemed to calm down hearing this explanation.

"I know that, Tywin. I would never endanger any member of our family, either. I am not asking you to join the rebellion. It would mean death for my nephew. Or maybe worse. After all, Aerys did burn the Warden of the North."

Tywin stared at him.

"What are you asking, then, Tygett?" he asked in a dangerously low tone.

Tygett took a deep breath.

"You, brother, are the most intelligent person I know. It pains me to admit it. You know it does. I have always felt this rivalry between us. You have always been the Golden Lion and I the third son. That will never change. Since we were children, I have tried to be better than you. I have tried to make you seem smaller. But of course, that will never happen. Because when my wish is to be more than you, yours is to make our House bigger, more respectable, more powerful. What matters more to you is not the selfish desire of being powerful. No. If that were the case, you would have never left King's Landing. You would still be the Hand. You would probably be working with the Crown Prince to overthrow his Mad father. You would use everything for your gain. No. I understand that now. You do not wish to be powerful. You only wish for the family name to remain powerful. Everything you do is for the family name. That is what will always make you better than me. Whatever I achieve in my life, I will never exceed that. And I have finally come to terms with that."

Tywin looked at his brother's eyes. They had a distant look. He had always known he was the cause of Tygett's bitterness. He had never craved for this antagonism with his own blood. But the two of them had too many similarities to be able to thrive together. They just never seemed to find common ground. He had accepted that they would never be close. But he had promised himself that he would always care for his brother because of their family. He was, as Tygett had put it, the Golden Lion. And a lion always protects his pride.

"I always envied your relationship with Kevan, you know," Tygett said after the silence had become awkward. "I wanted that for myself. I wanted your love. And now I know I have it. It is your way that made it difficult to understand. But, what I never understood was how you could love someone who was not of your blood more than me..."

Hearing that, Tywin raised both of his eyebrows.

"Whenever you spoke of Steffon Baratheon, I felt that... that should have been me. Your admiration, your fondness, and yes, your irregular affection. I craved that..."

At that, his brother gave him a tentative smile.

"That's why I am asking you, Tywin, to think hard. This boy who is ready to die of starvation is your chosen brother's son. So I am certain that you will help him because you never step away from your family. You always look out for us. And this boy is your family, too."

Tygett didn't give him time to answer his plea. He bowed lower than expected of him and left his solar.

Tywin remained silent for a long time.

#tywin lannister #stannis baratheon #jaime lannister #renly baratheon #fanfic #ned stark #king tywin #brotherly feels #developing friendships #young stannis #stannis deserved better #game of thrones

10 notes · View notes

hellcheerficdatabase · 1 year

Text

long way home

Author: @cunnninghams

Rating/Warning: Mature

Chapter Count: 2/?

Description:

A pizza chef, a divorcee, a vlogger, an art student, a criminal justice major, and a codependent pair of best friends are all complete strangers flying from California to Illinois.

When their flight gets cancelled, their only option is to make the 25+ hour drive home. Together.

Tags: Alternate universe- no vecna, Modern au, roadtrip au, strangers to friends to lovers, slow-burn, misunderstandings, developing friendships, forced proximity, ONLY ONE BED, fluff, eventual smut, Eddie POV (so far), multiple chapters, status: WIP

6 notes · View notes

c-atm · 2 years

Text

SQUISH

"God damn it, I knew I should have worn closed-toe shoes."

"Did say we were going to go through some rocky terrain."

"Well, I didn't expect some climbing."

"And you wanted to look cute."

Patricia 'Tricia' Isiah looked at her companion with an arched brow, lips slightly pursed.

"Not saying you aren't." Steven Quartz Universe sheepishly assured, hands raised, "Love the purple nail polish."

"Hmm." She gave him a slight smirk before walking, tapping his stomach with the back of her hand. "Come on, gem boy. They're waiting for us."

Steven nodded with a chuckle as he followed the sassy woman. It was a rare situation being alone with Tricia, despite knowing her for at least half a decade, and it was not like they never talked or weren't friends, far from it. Just that they mainly talked when they were with Connie, Daniel(Danny), Peedee, and Jeff were around.

They were close, though.

Close enough to be staples in each other's lives. To know each other's favorite color (purple for her and pink for him), tv show (under the knife was his, while she was a fan of a rom-com show called Fighting Flirty), music (Rock and Soul respectively), and a handful of other trivial things.

They were comfortable around each other, but he couldn't help but feel slightly nervous as he followed her up the trail, looking her up and down, taking in the woman she had developed into. While not abandoning her modest fashion and her hijab completely, Tricia did incorporate more flashy and revealing clothing, like what she is wearing now (purple twist Front Tube Top, black maxi skirt with a front slit with buckle details and side zip closure, black ankle booties that have a scalloped opening, lace-up closures, peep toes and back zip closures, along with a brown headwrap and pink headphones on top of her curly hair the flowed to her waistline). It fit her personality, calm, collected, a bit mysterious but playful, dynamic, and sweet.

"And attractive." He muttered as he watched her climb the steps. It was both an objective and subjective truth.

"Hmm?" Tricia asked as she turned around, stepping up. "Thinking 'bout your berry, gem boy?"

Steven scoffed at the toothy smug grin," aren't I always?"

"And here I thought you were talking about me; you broke my heart." She laughed in jest.

"I mean, you are attractive, in your own way." Steven scratched his cheek bashfully.

"In my own way, and what way is that?"

"A strictly platonically and objective way!"

Tricia blinked, hearing his quick exclamation, before giggling, "What's up...Having not so platonic thoughts?"

"No...No...just thinking about..."Steven sighed, " You don't feel...nervous being here with just me?"

Tricia blinked, "Nooo...Why should I? Do you?" Seeing Steven's flushed face had Tricia's brows rising, feeling a bit of unsettling heat on her face. "Hey, I'm flattered..but we both-."

"We're close friends, right!?" Steven asked, interrupting her. "I mean...True friends..."

"Steven." Tricia started with a small smile. "What's going on? It almost sounds like you have a crush."

"I..." Steven started rubbing his arms, " I mean..maybe..."

The mental alarms were blaring in Tricia's mind.

"A strictly platonic one..." He added quickly.

"A squish."

"What?"

"A squish." Tricia said with a smug smirk," You have a squish on me." She chuckled before walking down to him.

"Ah... well, if that means wanting to be closer friends."

"Why Steven Quartz Universe...are you confessing deep camaraderie to me?" She teased fingertips on her chest and palm on her left hip.

"Yes, I am." He puffed up his chest.

"Well, I don't see any confession of friendship."

"What, you want an Olive branch?"

Tricia narrowed her eyes before pressing his nose.

"Hey."

"I want you to realize we ARE close friends, true friends." Tricia smirked," I mean... You helped me get the courage to embrace the more freeing side. You're just as close to me as Connie is." Tricia stated before hugging him.

Steven chuckled, hugging her back, "Thanks, Tricia."

"Hey, don't thank me yet." She smirked. "Definitely, gonna tell everyone you have a Squish on me." Tricia broke from the hug to turn and run up the stairs, only to trip and fall back into Steven's arms as he caught her from around her bare belly.

"Karma." Steven laughed as he sat her down on her feet.

"laugh it up." Tricia playfully sneered before wincing as she took a step and kneeled, rubbing her left ankle.

"You ok?" Steven asked, concerned.

"Yeah, I might have sprained my ankle, is all." Tricia presumed as she unlaced her bootie, "It's swell." She confirmed before pulling the bootie off.

"You want me to Spit on it for you?"

"UMMM?" Tricia looked a bit apprehensive as her face turned red.

"Healing saliva, remember?" Steven reminded Tricia.

"Bet it smells like Robitussin," Tricia remarked, making Steven chuckle.

"Healing saliva smell like cookie cats," Steven said, maintaining his smile.

"Okay, spit on it." Tricia nodded.

"Gross."

"You could have offered to kiss it."

"True, but that would be giving you teasing ammo." Steven mused before spitting on her ankle.

Tricia's eyes widened, feeling a tingling sensation. She looked down at her ankle, looking a bit swollen before shining pink and glowing. She brought her foot up, tapping the tip on the ground, feeling a bit lighter and agile.

"Good as new?" Steven smiled.

"Wow..." Tricia blinked."You really are good at healing." Tricia brought her foot down and leaned over to hug Steven. "Thank you."

Steven smiled, hugging her back, " it was nothing."

"No..." Tricia said, "It's is something... It means a lot to me."

"Tricia," Steven said, breaking from the hug as he sat her down and sat down next to her," I understand where this is coming from, and it's not the ankle." He said before rubbing his brow. "I didn't mean to make you feel bad or awkward; it's just..."

"I know." Tricia nodded, " And I don't feel bad and awkward, Steven. I'm just...surprised." She sighed, "But I'm not mad."

"I'm sorry." He apologized.

"No, don't be." Tricia stated, " Seriously, I'm not mad, I mean..." She looked at him with a small smile, "You're you, Steven. You're not the most forward, bold or confident person when it comes to humanity and such, but you have a special place in my heart as one of my closest friends." Tricia hugged him, placing her head on his shoulders, "And I'm very, very glad you're in my life, Gem-boy."

Steven, his face in her hair, held her back, "I am too, Tricia."

"For what it's worth." Tricia said, "I'm flattered you hold me in such high regard." She teased as she broke the hug and brushed her hand against Steven's cheek.

"As you should." He responded in a posh tone, rubbing his cheek as she laughed.

"Well, whether you do or not, I hope this will be the start of a beautiful, Platonic friendship," Tricia said before pulling away from him.

"I do too." Steven sighed, "Not that it's not already." He added with a sheepish smile.

"Well, Squish." Tricia smirked, "I'm still going to tease you about that." She laughed, "But I'm glad we hashed this out."

She winced as she slowly got up and put her bootie on.

"You sure you're good to go?" Steven asked.

"Yeah,"

"You want me to carry you to the top?"

"Yeah, that's sweet, but I'll..." Tricia chuckled, seeing him already in the piggyback position, ready to carry her. " Well, how can a girl say no."

"Right." Steven teased as she climbed on, wrapping her arms around his collar, resting the back of her knees in his palms, and slightly pressed against his back.

"You ok?" Steven asked.

"Yup, ready when you are." Tricia smiled, " don't drop me, though. I'm a fragile cargo."

Steven laughed," You and Connie are two of the most sturdy women I know."

"Ok, I'm precious cargo."

Steven chuckled, "Yeah...you are, my friend."

Tricia giggled as she held on a bit tighter as he jogged upstairs, being tickled by his palms.

#steven universe #steven universe future #steven universe fanfiction #older steven #patricia su #developing friendships #older characters #friends #platonic fluff

8 notes · View notes

bluejaysandblackbats · 1 month

Text

In The Soup

Fandom: DC Comics, Batfam, Superfam

Summary: Jason Lives AU where he and Superboy become friends, despite Bruce's disapproval of Superboy. (ft. Jason's service dog, Gromit)

Chapters: 6/?

Characters: Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Barbara Gordon, Conner Kent, Roxy Leech, Rex Leech

Relationships: TBA

Chapter Six: Market Stepmommy

Conner waited for Barbara to let him past the security system, and he followed her directions to the kitchen, where Jason scrambled to make their sandwiches. “Hey, Jason?” Conner asked. Jason froze in place, staring up at Conner. “How hard did you fall?”

“Oh, not hard. I have nerve damage. Like today isn’t a bad pain day, but it’s a numbness day,” Jason explained, “It’s funny how a few hits to the head can do a lot to your body in the long run.”

“Sports?” Conner asked.

“Not exactly,” Jason replied as he finished making breakfast. “Gromit, here, buddy. Thanks for the pick me up this morning.” He fed Gromit two slices of bacon and washed his hands. Gromit brushed his face against Jason’s ankle. “I love you too, Gromit.”

“Food smells great,” Conner replied as Jason gave him his plate.

“Thanks… Barbara! Food’s done!” Jason hollered.

“Why are you yelling? Just use the intercom,” Barbara complained as she entered the room. “Hi, Baby Boy, watch out,” Barbara whispered as Gromit walked past her, proudly chewing his treat.

“Oh, Barbara. Conner thought you were my stepmom,” Jason chuckled.

“I would never date Bruce, though… That’d be gross, but I might start telling women at the grocery store that you’re my son. Do you think that works the same way it does for cute babies in sitcoms? How about it, Jason? Do you wanna help me find you a new stepmommy?” Barbara joked.

"I thought you were talking to that computer guy?" Jason asked.

"I can't have a backup plan? Besides, what if you don't like your future stepdad—?"

"Eww, okay. This joke is getting gross. Conner, she isn't my stepmom, she's a friend of the family. We wouldn't know what to do without her. Hey, Barbara, could you get Conner into school with me?" Jason asked as he took three pill bottles from Gromit's backpack. Conner watched as Jason washed his pills down with half a bottle of water.

"Mhm, I'll have him enrolled by Sunday night," Barbara answered.

Conner looked up from his sandwich. "Whoa, you guys were serious? That's—. Wow. Thank you," Conner smiled.

"It was easy. Don't worry about it. Do me a favor and make sure these two get outdoors,” Barbara requested, “And we’ll call it even.” Conner chuckled and nodded.

“Jason, where do you like to hang out?” Conner asked.

“I haven’t been to the museum in a while,” Jason replied, “Oh, and there’s this place called The Sewer, and they play live music sometimes. But it’s only cool at nighttime…” Jason looked at Barbara with wide eyes.

“I’ll watch Gromit while you hit the teen club tonight, but only because he’s great at keeping me company. How about it, Gromit? Do you want to work with Auntie Barbara tonight?” Barbara asked as she scratched under Gromit’s chin.

“Nothing too dangerous,” Jason warned her. Barbara nodded. “Does anybody want another sandwich? I’ve got a bunch of leftover bacon.”

“Please,” Barbara replied. Conner nodded along with her.

After breakfast, Jason let Conner go to his room with him while he got ready to go out. “Thanks for coming over. Are you gonna spend the night after The Sewer or—? Sorry, I haven’t been out and about a whole lot, so I’m excited to have somebody to hang out with—.”

“It’s okay. I don’t mind. I don’t have anyone normal like you to hang out with, so it’s nice to be able to chill with you,” Conner smiled. Jason threw on one of Bruce’s old beat-up flannels and pulled on his pants. Conner laid back and stretched out on Jason’s bed. “What’s it like living with Bruce Wayne? Is he like your dad or something?”

“Yeah, he is my dad. I love him a lot, but he’s got this weird vendetta against you because he thinks you’re gonna hurt Superman or something,” Jason confessed, “Which is why he can never know you’re Superboy. He’d flip his lid if he knew we were friends.”

Conner turned on his side and grinned at Jason. “So, we’re friends?” Conner asked.

Jason’s cheeks went rosy. “Shut up,” Jason giggled without meaning to. “We can do whatever you want between the museum and The Sewer tonight.”

“What is The Sewer exactly?” Conner questioned.

“It’s a nightclub for teens. After eight, it’s sixteen and up,” Jason replied, “I snuck in once when I was eleven… But I haven’t been able to get in since.”

Conner chuckled. “I’m sorry. I’m not—. Well, I kind of—. I imagined a tinier you in a nightclub moshing with teenagers,” Conner laughed. Jason snickered, and it built into a full-body laugh that left him doubled over.

“Oh, it was terrible,” Jason laughed, “I got tossed around like a ragdoll.” Conner and Jason laughed until tears rolled down their cheeks.

“I would’ve given anything to be a real kid,” Conner mumbled. Jason stopped laughing.

“You are a real kid,” Jason replied. Conner smiled and shook his head.

“I’m a science project being passed off as a kid,” Conner replied, “You don’t have to be nice about it. I know what I am—.”

“Clone or no clone, you’re a regular sixteen-year-old kid to me—. No, you’re better than most sixteen-year-old kids. You’re empathetic. You’re not judgmental. You’re funny. You’re friendly—. I mean—. I’m glad you were made in a lab because that’s what it took for me to get a friend like you,” Jason stated. Conner smiled.

“Thanks, Jason,” Conner whispered, “Hey, do you like fast cars?”

“Do ducks fly south for the winter?” Jason replied. Conner laughed.

“How ‘bout I take you flying on the way home tonight?” Conner suggested.

"Yeah, I'd love it, but my chair—."

"I can carry the chair too. Just fold it up. What do you say?" Conner asked. Jason nodded, his mouth open at the thought of flying. "It'll be fun. I promise."

Barbara knocked on the door. "No curfew tonight. It’s Saturday, and I think the chances of you two getting arrested are slim to none,” Barbara whispered.

Jason’s phone rang. “Oh! Hold on, it’s my dad. Mind if I take this?” Jason asked. Conner shook his head. “Hi, Bruce. Everything okay from abroad?”

“Mhm… I miss you,” Bruce whispered, “I don’t think I’ll be home this week, though… Jason, are you alright with Barbara until I get home?”

“Mhm… Are you gonna—? When are you and Alfred coming home? Do you have any idea?” Jason asked. A loud wind blew on Bruce’s end.

“It’ll be at least a week… Hopefully no more than a month, Jason—.”

“Is it dangerous?” Jason asked. Conner heard Jason’s pulse pick up speed.

“No more than the usual… I love you, Jason,” Bruce whispered.

“I love you too… Bruce? Um… If you’re in trouble—. Can you have Alfred write me or call me if something happens?” Jason asked.

“Uh-huh… Jason, are you alright?” Bruce questioned.

“Yeah… I just—. I’m hanging out with my friend tonight, so I might not answer my phone,” Jason replied.

“Okay… Be good, and feel free to call me if you need something,” Bruce whispered, “I gotta go.”

“Bye, D—. Bye, Bruce,” Jason whispered. He hung up and dropped his phone in his lap. “Okay. Ready to go?” Jason smiled, but there was no hiding his discomfort.

13 notes · View notes

atths--twice · 1 year

Text

Chapter Five

Fox takes Dana to a bookshop that he loves, to show her something he finds endearing.

“I liked this one,” Dana said at the end of her shift the next day, returning a book he had let her borrow. “It was interesting. Buuuuut…” She made a face as she sat opposite him in the booth, her gloves held in her hands.

“But what?” he asked with a smile, fingering the tear on the bottom of the dust jacket.

“I don’t know,” she shrugged.

“What?”

“The main female character…” she said, rolling her eyes.

“What about her?”

“She just… is it… do you really think someone could fall in love that quickly? That their eyes could meet and you just know?” She sighed and shrugged again. “Seems a bit like a fairy tale.” He laughed and nodded, knowing he had felt the same when he read it. “My eyes nearly rolled out of my head when I read that, but I genuinely liked the rest. And I did grow to love her, and even cried when she was separated from him, but it was slow going. I want that noted.”

“Did you write it in the margins?” he teased and she shook her head with a frown.

“I wouldn’t do that to your books. I… I know I do it to mine, but… I wouldn’t do it to yours.”

“I wouldn’t mind if you did. I actually like that you do. Shows a book’s been read in depth and has been enjoyed.”

“You mean that, don’t you?” she asked, searching his face.

“I do,” he assured her, nodding with a smile.

“But you’re a writer. I always thought you’d like books to stay in good condition. I was hesitant to share mine with you at first, thinking you’d judge me for the way I treat them.”

“No, I wouldn’t,” he said softly, looking down at his book, fiddling with the dust jacket again. Lifting his eyes, he smiled at her. “Can I take you somewhere?”

“Now?” she asked, her eyebrows raised.

“Your shift is over, right?”

“Yeah, but… aren��t you busy?” She gestured to his laptop and he shook his head.

“I can do it later,” he said, closing the laptop and packing up. “One of the perks about being a writer is that I’m my own boss. Well, sort of. My agent might say otherwise.”

“I don’t want to stop you from working.”

“Not at all,” he said, shaking his head and then stopping his clearing up. “Oh, maybe you have plans? I should have waited for your answer.”

“No. I don’t have any plans.”

“So… yes? You’ll come with me?”

“Yes. I will,” she said with a smile.

“Fantastic,” he smiled, packing up the remaining items and leaving cash on the table for Lucy. “Let’s get going.”

_____________

“Thanks,” Fox said, paying the cab driver and getting out, holding the door for Dana.

“I don’t think I’ve been down here before,” she said, looking around.

“I don’t come down here often, but…” He turned to the right, walking on the outside of the sidewalk while she walked on the inside. “There is a great bookshop just up ahead.”

“A bookshop?”

“Yeah,” he said, smiling at her. “When I moved here, well actually before I did, I checked the area for bookstores. There are the chain ones of course, and some small used bookshops, buuuuut, only a couple that I really like to visit. This is the best one.”

“Hmm… you’re living rather dangerously.”

“How’s that?” he asked, stopping at the steps leading down to the shop.

“Bookshops are rather my weakness,” she said and he chuckled with a nod. “That and bakeries. I mean, how am I supposed to decide on a pastry when they all look so delicious? Cream horns, Napoleon’s, croissants, petit fours… it’s impossible to choose.”

“So you usually get one of each?” he teased, starting down the stairs.

“Except for the petit fours. I have to get a few of those as they’re so small. And they also make me feel like Alice when she was in Wonderland, eating the cake to make her grow. That was my favorite story as a child. I like the movies too, both the cartoon and the live action one.”

He smiled at her as they reached the door of Lantern Books and she smiled back shyly, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

“I like this store because of the character it holds. I think you’ll like it too.”

“I’m sure I will. Probably too much. I’m not buying anything. Not buying anything…” she said quietly and he laughed as he turned the knob and opened the door, a bell tinkling overhead. “Oh no, I’m in trouble.”

The bookshop was not overly large, but it was packed with books on many shelves. Comfortable overstuffed chairs sat sporadically around the room, encouraging people to sit and enjoy the books.

It was dark inside, being at the basement level and having a lack of windows. The shop was instead lit by golden light from well placed sconces, adding to the ambience of the shop. It was as if a person had traveled to a different time, the world outside awaiting their return.

“I love it. God, doesn’t it smell so good?” she whispered as she took a deep breath. “The scent of books, especially old books… it’s intoxicating.”

“Could not agree more,” he said, smiling as he gently cupped her elbow and led her to the back, to the collection of books he particularly wanted her to see.

“I’ve spent a lot of time here,” he said, bending his head close to her ear. “When I first moved to the city, I would come in here and look around, missing my old shops back home and finding comfort in the books. I discovered this section back here and when you shared your first book with me, it made me think of them.”

“Why?” she asked as they stopped in front of a wide bookcase painted purple, and trimmed in gold. He smiled as he took an old blue hardcover book from the shelf and handed it to her.

“The shopkeeper calls these books “hallowed royalty,” hence the painting of the bookcase to signify it. Open it. You’ll see why.” He smiled again as she opened the book and exhaled a breath, looking up at him with a smile.

Inside the front cover was the previous owner's name, Ella Willows, written in beautiful cursive, and a drawing of a person in a chair, reading the same story Dana was holding. She closed the book and looked at the cover, the title written in gold with embellishments surrounding it. Opening it again, she smiled as she touched the drawing.

“Keep going,” he said, watching her as she turned the pages, knowing what she would find as he had looked at that particular book many times.

Inside the pages, there were drawings on the margins, smiley faces, exclamation marks at the end of passages, underlined and boxed sections, and questions and comments at the ends of chapters. The printing was small, concise, and incredibly neat.

There were some notes written to someone named Zee, and Fox often wondered if Ella and they had shared the book. There were no corresponding comments, so his imagination ran wild as to who it could have been and if they had ever seen the notes.

“This is…” Dana said as she turned the pages, stopping to read some comments and tracing the doodles on the pages. “I’ve never seen anything like it. I… when I read, I find I have to make notes in the book because it helps me absorb it better. Like I said, I was almost embarrassed to share mine with you because I don’t know many people who draw or write in their books. Seeing this, I kinda feel a kinship to Ella. She’s got a lot to say and she obviously loved this book very much. Oh…” She laughed softly as she turned to the back cover. “It’s a detailed description of what she loved best. Wow…”

Fox watched her as she read, her lips moving slightly and she did, before curving into a smile. Her eyebrows raised and she laughed quietly, her thumb rubbing the cover in soft circles. She looked up at him, tears shining in her eyes.

“Oh. Are you okay?” he asked, frowning as he reached out to touch her arm.

“I am. I don’t know what the story is about, but I need to buy this book.”

“So much for your mantra before we walked inside,” he said with a small chuckle.

“It’s too beautiful,” she said, shaking her head and smiling as she wiped at her eyes. “It might be expensive though, I’ll have to see, but I’m gonna hold onto it.” She sniffled as she put the book in the crook of her arm and looked at the shelf, picking out another book.

He smiled as he watched her thumbing through the pages, her eyes lighting up as she looked at what others had written.

“You finding everything okay? Oh, Fox, hello,” a voice said and they both turned at the sound.

An older woman stood there, smiling happily at them. Her short white hair was styled impeccably and green eyes shined behind a pair of glasses, her face soft and round. She wore a dark green sweater with the outline of golden bells upon it and black pants. Small golden bells hung from her ears and a bell necklace laid upon her sweater.

“Mary, hello,” he said as they embraced. “Happy Holidays to you.”

“And to you,” she said, patting his back as they separated. “Haven’t seen you in awhile. Your writing been keeping you busy?”

“Uhhh… yes and no,” he said with a laugh and she smiled with a nod. “I’ve got it written here and there, but… it’s still percolating.”

“Best way to write, in my opinion,” she stated and he nodded, turning toward Dana.

“Mary, I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Dana. Dana, this is Mary. She owns this shop.”

“Nice to meet you,” they each said, shaking hands.

“Oh… I see you’ve discovered one of Ella’s books.”

“One of them?” Dana asked with a look of surprise.

“Oh yes,” Mary answered, nodding with a smile. “There are… four, I believe.” She stepped closer to the shelf and hummed as she searched, pulling one out and handing it to Dana.

“Oh!” Dana said, smiling with a small laugh. “It’s Alice in Wonderland! I… can you hold this one?” She handed the book she had just taken down to Fox and walked to the nearest chair.

Taking off her puffy coat, she laid it on the back of the chair and sat down. Placing Ella’s first book beside her, she opened Alice in Wonderland with a sigh and a small smile.

Fox smiled as he held the book and watched her as she gently touched the front cover. Looking back, he found Mary holding out another book. He reached for it, but when she did not let go immediately, he met her eyes with his eyebrows raised.

She cut her eyes to Dana and looked back at him. No words were voiced, but he heard the question in her expression loud and clear.

“Just a friend,” he said quietly, for only her to hear.

“Mmhmm,” she hummed, letting go of the book and taking the other one from him to reshelve it, her eyebrows raised.

“She is.”

“Mmhmm,” Mary hummed again, though the tone of it was different. He smiled and shook his head as her attention returned to the shelf, looking for Ella’s last book.

Finding it, she added it to the one he was holding. Glancing back at Dana, she nodded knowingly at him, squeezed his arm and walked away.

Shaking his head, he looked down at the books and he knew they would be leaving with all of them, regardless of the price. He would pay for them and anything else she wanted, if it meant he saw her as happy as she was right now.

Walking over to her, he set the books down on the arm of the chair and smiled at her. She looked up in surprise and he laughed.

“Were you somewhere in Wonderland?” he teased and she nodded with a smile, looking back down at the book.

“It feels like I’m sharing a book with a friend, as crazy as that may sound. Especially considering I’ve never even met Ella.”

“I don’t think it’s crazy at all. That’s why I’ve enjoyed reading your books. It’s like I’m getting a look inside your head, how you were feeling when you read it.” She lifted her head and he smiled. “You take your time here, I’m gonna have a look around.” He tapped the other books and nodded as he stepped past the chair and went to look around the rest of the shop.

He had seen it all many times, but Mary was forever getting new and old books in to fill the shelves. Not having a particular need, he simply walked around, seeing what was new or what caught his eye.

Turning to the right twice, he was in the children's section. Large floor pillows in rainbow colors sat on a black area rug with stars, clouds, rainbows, and happy faces.

Two little girls were lying on their bellies, the older of the two reading a joke book out loud, both of them giggling hysterically. He smiled as he passed their mom, sitting in a rocking chair and smiling as she took a video of them.

He was not sure what drew him to the shelf, but the first book he saw was a story about pandas. Smiling, he took it from the shelf and leafed through it. It was cute, but he put it back, the story not exactly what he was looking for.

“Oh…” he said quietly, noticing a shiny pink glittery book. Pulling it out, and looking at it, he nodded.

It was a book and journal combination with writing on only a few pages. On one side of each page was a short story and a blank page opposite where a picture could be drawn or the story could be continued. Thinking of the drawing Ivy had made for him, he wanted to buy the book for her, if Dana approved, to encourage her to draw more illustrations.

He continued walking around, hearing the girls laughing as he browsed the shelves, giving Dana time to look at Ella’s books. He found a few for himself and added them to the one he had chosen for Ivy, when Dana walked up to him with a smile.

“You found some then?” she asked, nodding to his books.

“I did. I actually found this as well and wanted to ask if it was okay for me to buy it for Ivy.” He handed her the book and she held it, Ella’s books held in the crook of her left arm.

“You want to buy this for her?” she asked, turning the pages and smiling softly.

“Yeah. If it’s okay. I don’t want to overstep,” he said, watching her face.

She sighed as she touched the pages, closing the book and handing it back to him.

“You bought us a tree and the trimmings-”

“It’s different,” he interrupted, still watching her. “I don’t want to… imply anything or have her… I just…” He stopped talking, not exactly sure of how to word what he was feeling. She smiled as she touched his arm, nodding slightly.

“I understand. I do,” she said softly. “My friend, Fox…” She sighed again as she held his gaze. “… I think she would love that book.”

It felt as though they were the only people in the bookshop. In the city. The world. Time seemed to slow as he heard what she was and was not saying and he understood the trust she was placing in him.

“Thank you,” he whispered and she squeezed his arm slightly in response as she nodded.

“Are you ready to go?”

“Yes,” he said with a nod, swallowing down the sudden lump in his throat.

They walked to the register and Mary smiled at them.

“Oh, I’m so glad you enjoy the treasures,” she said, reaching for Dana’s books. “I have always enjoyed reading Ella’s in particular.”

“I actually need to know the price before I buy them. I realize they are written in, but that only increases their value, in my opinion anyway. But I don’t know if I can afford all of them. Can you tell me how much they cost first?” She bit her lip and Fox wanted to tell her that he was buying all of them, but a warning glance from her silenced him.

“Well, as you said, they are written in, but they are also old editions and, aside from the writing, they are in rather good condition,” Mary said and Dana’s face fell even as she nodded in understanding. “Each of them is forty dollars.”

“Oh…” Dana said, sighing deeply and nodding again. “I’ll just take the Alice in Wonderland one then. I can’t… that’s all. I’ll put the other ones back.” She smiled tightly and took the other three, turning around and walking to put them back on the shelf.

He sighed as he watched her, looking back at Mary with pleading eyes.

“I’ll get them later,” she said and he thanked her with a nod. “You buying all of the remaining ones?” She pointed to the ones in his hands and to Dana’s.

“No. Just mine here. I’ll wait for her to pay first.” Mary smiled and glanced back at Dana as she joined them again, still smiling rather tightly.

“This is my favorite of the four,” Mary said, ringing up the book. Wrapping it in tissue before placing it into a small brown bag, she handed it to Dana. “You’ll have fun reading it.”

“I’ve enjoyed what I saw so far,” Dana said with a smile, a real one this time. “It was my favorite book as a child, I feel like I’m reading it for the first time, but sharing it with a friend.”

“Oh,” Mary said, beaming at Dana. “ I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. I know exactly what you mean.”

“We should stop and get some petit fours for your reading adventure,” Fox said as he handed Mary his books.

“Oh, that’s the only way to read it,” Mary agreed, taking Dana’s money and Fox’s books. “The prettier the better.” Dana laughed and nodded, hooking the bag over her arm.

They said goodbye as Mary handed Fox his bag. He raised his eyebrows at her and she nodded with a smile, waving to them as they walked out the door.

Catching a cab, they stopped at the bakery Dana liked where she purchased half a dozen petit fours, smiling happily as she watched them being placed in a pink box.

They were quiet as they walked to her apartment and he wondered what she was thinking. He did not want her to feel bad about leaving the other books behind, so he hoped she was not hung up on it.

At the door to her building, she turned to him with a smile.

“Thank you for this afternoon or… evening. And for sharing that shop with me. It was so beautiful and cozy and… exactly what a bookshop should be,” she said, looking down at the bags on her arm. “I’m going to enjoy my evening greatly. I’ll call Ivy and then settle in with my treats and a glass of wine.”

“Glad to hear it,” he said with a grin. “I’m happy you enjoyed it. I’ll wait until she’s back to give this journal to Ivy, if that’s okay.” She nodded and smiled.

“More than okay.”

“Good,” he said with a relieved sigh. “Well, enjoy your evening and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow,” she said with a smile. “Thank you again.”

“You’re welcome,” he said quietly, clearing his throat and stepping back. “Night.”

“Goodnight.” She turned and walked through the glass door, waving to him and he waved back with a smile.

Walking a couple of blocks, he flagged down a cab, and rode back to Mary’s shop.

The bell tingled as he walked in and she was standing just across the threshold as though she had been waiting for him. She nodded and he followed her to the register where Ella’s other books sat ready to be picked up.

He paid for them, taking the receipt and the bag of books. They were each wrapped in different colors of tissue paper and tied with brown twine, the lantern decal bearing the shop's name hanging from it.

“Thank you, Mary,” he said softly and she nodded.

“Just a friend, huh?” she asked, a knowing smile on her face.

“Yes,” he assured her and she nodded.

“Mmhmm,” she hummed with another nod. He smiled and stepped away from the register, waving goodbye once again as he walked out the door.

Who exactly are you trying to convince? he thought as he walked up the steps, smiling as he shook his head, not quite sure of the answer.

#alternate universe #modern setting #msr #diners #bookshops #date... light #the x files #xf fanfic #happiness #spending time together #getting to know more about each other #sharing the love of reading #new friendship #developing friendships

31 notes · View notes

trashyswitch · 11 months

Text

An Unexpected Roommate

Chapter 23: Guilt, Pain, and Communication

Jamie and Chase have a lengthy argument about what they feel is best for Robbie. Some angry words are said, some pain is felt, and a decision is reached. With Robbie's location now known, the boys decide to try and bring Robbie home.

It has been forever since I uploaded! I did not know that I would go 2 months without uploading this chapter...so, I hope it's worth it. Also, there is a lot of angst, and hurt/comfort in this one. So...read at your own risk. And despite the tears, I hope you enjoy.

Jamie was laying in his bed, mentally preparing himself for Chase’s footsteps to show up at his doorway. He knew he was going to do it. He knew Chase was going to be angry with him because of multiple reasons. But the one thing he knew he would be mad about…was the fact that he failed to tell Chase he had found Robbie. Cause that’s what led to the domino effect of ‘mistakes’ he made yesterday morning. Finding Robbie’s dog, buying Robbie food, and worst of all, his decision to not take the boy home.

Jamie couldn’t even sleep a wink that night because of all the stress. That, and the physical pain coming from his lower throat. The use of his larynx was affecting his throat tremendously. It hurt really bad, and he knew he needed to give it a break. But giving it a break didn’t stop the soreness from setting in. It still set in, and at full force. He wanted to groan in pain. He wanted to rub it till it got better. He was even willing to put ice on his throat to see if it would help. But groaning would’ve made it worse. Rubbing it wouldn’t help anything, and putting ice on it wouldn’t do anything besides make his throat cold.

Jamie closed his eyes in an attempt to try and sleep. But trying to sleep with one ear open is really difficult. And trying to sleep while also under immense stress is even harder. So…It was practically laughable that Jamie was attempting to sleep at this point. But…The man was tired and growing restless. Part of him wanted Chase to arrive as soon as possible so he could get the conversation over with so he can be stress-free. But…the other part of him wanted Chase to not arrive at all. It was a mix of complicated emotions caused by his guilt mixed with his fight or flight response.

Guilt was a complicated thing for anyone. Guilt is usually a feeling people experience when they do something wrong or lie to someone. That’s what kids were taught because it helped them stop lying. But…Guilt happens regardless of whether his choice was out of good intention. People assume others lie because they don’t want to get caught. But some people lie because they don’t want to hurt the other person’s feelings. As much as telling the truth is encouraged, telling the truth can create its own level of guilt. People feel guilt from telling the truth all the time because of how the person will react to the truth of the situation. Because let’s face it: Only your parents will thank you for telling the truth. Everyone else 一even your parents一 will get equally as angry at your mistake whether you told them the truth the first time or were found to have lied to them.

That’s just how real life works.

Jamie opened his eyes as he heard footsteps in the hall outside his room. He let out a breath as he readied himself for the confrontation to start. He got up off his bed and walked up to his bedroom door. And as the footsteps got closer, the man created a rule for himself:

No speaking. Only signs.

Jamie opened the door the moment he heard the first two knocks.

Jamie widened his eyes as a hand with a piece of paper slapped against his own face. A cloud of white with little bits of black filled his vision as he heard the words “Read this.” come from Chase’s mouth.

Jamie grunted and removed the letter from his face. Any other time, this act would’ve made him laugh! It was slapstick humor, after all. But…this was not a laughing matter. So he couldn’t laugh, even if he wanted to. Jamie looked at the letter and focused his eyes on the words. Thanks to spending his whole life reading, the man was able to finish a page in under 5 minutes. The man flipped over the letter, and read the last little paragraph:

[I know this letter won’t help much. I know it’s very hard to be separated right now. I miss you all so much. I’m sorry for everything I said and did before I left. But I am not completely alone. I have Bacon with me to hold and cry into when I feel the most lonely. And when I didn’t have Bacon, I had Jamie. Mustache man had found me and gave me my dog back when I was missing it most. He also bought me food and a blanket to keep me warm and full. He understood how I felt even when I couldn’t understand my own feelings. I’m sorry, but I’m not ready to go home yet. But, we can all be thankful to Jamie for the help.

Love,

Robbie]

Jamie lowered the letter and looked at Chase.

“You found him…” Chase said.

Jamie silently gulped.

“And you DIDN’T TELL ME?!” Chase yelled suddenly.

Jamie nodded his head and put the letter down. ‘I only intended to give him his dog.’

“And then you proceeded to BUY HIM FOOD, AND BUY HIM A-A GODDAMN BLANKET?!” Chase yelled.

Jamie frowned slightly. ‘He wasn’t ready to go home.’

Chase blinked, before rubbing his nose. “Oh my god-” Chase stood up. “If a kid said they are NOT READY…to go to SCHOOL, would you let them stay home?!” Chase asked.

Jamie frowned more. ‘You wouldn’t?’

“NO!” Chase dropped his own arms beside himself. “YOU NEED TO TEACH THE KID EARLY ABOUT PUSHING THROUGH! AND DOING IT, EVEN WHEN THEY DON’T WANT TO!” Chase yelled.

Jamie crossed his arms, but let the man listen.

“And- And another question:” Chase walked closer to him and hit Jamie’s chest with the back of his own hand. “Why does the person in this house…with NO PRIOR PARENTING EXPERIENCE…get to decide where Robbie should be sleeping tonight?!” Chase asked.

‘You fail to understand.’ Jamie signed.

“Fail to understand what?! Tell me, oh WiSe PaReNt…What could I PoSsIbLy not be understanding?!” Chase asked.

Jamie silently huffed. ‘What you want and what I want are different.’ He signed.

Chase widened his eyes. “What I want is for him to be safe at home.” Chase told him. “But you…YOU…” Chase pointed to Jamie with a fist below his index finger. “You seriously want Robbie to be sleeping outside tonight?!” Chase asked.

Jamie shook his head. ‘No no no! That’s what Robbie signed to me! Robbie signed the words ‘What you want and what I want are different’. You want him to go home but Robbie wants something different.’ Jamie signed to him.

Chase narrowed his eyes, slightly hurt to hear that Robbie was the person who said that. “What does he want?” Chase asked. ‘To just…I think he wants to have time to think about how to best approach you.’ Jamie told him.

Chase scoffed. “So you’re saying I’m unapproachable?” Chase asked.

‘I prefer the word ‘unpredictable’.’ Jamie told him.

Chase shook his head. “Anybody would be unpredictable if your child was living out on the goddamn street.” Chase said.

Jamie closed his eyes for a moment. ‘The boy knows about rationing.’ Jamie told him.

Chase softened his expression upon seeing those letters get spelled by Jamie’s fingers. “He…he does?” Chase asked.

Jamie nodded his head. ‘And the boy told me roughly what day he had died on.’ Jamie signed. ‘I did some math, and…He died on March 22nd, 2018.’

Chase looked down, visibly saddened by this new information. “...Oh…” Was all Chase could get out.

Jamie walked up and sighed. ‘He was born in 2010…’ Jamie signed.

Chase looked up at Jamie as tears fell down his own face. Chase walked up and wrapped his arms around Jamie, hugging him tightly.

With his mouth close to the man’s ear, Jamie decided to say one more thing. But this time…it was through a soft whisper of his own voice. “Robbie will be turning 13 on June 21st.”

Chase widened his eyes and stared off into the room behind Jamie. “He…He will?”

Jamie nodded his head as tears filled his eyes. “He will be a teenager in 2 months.” Jamie whispered into his ear.

Chase looked down and started to breathe slowly, but rather heavily. He slowly started to hug himself as his breaths grew deeper and a bit faster. Finally, the man collapsed onto his knees and let out long, heartbroken sighs. He breathed in and let out more cries of pain, mixed with excessive exhaustion from having to worry constantly. When Jamie had wrapped his arms around the pain-stricken man, Chase completely fell into his arms. He shoved his face into Jamie’s shoulder and just let himself bawl. He couldn’t believe that the boy was going to be a teenager in 2 months. There was NO WAY! And the kid had been living with them for 4 months by now! Which only meant one thing:

Robbie had been a homeless orphan for more than 4 years. If that doesn’t make a grown man sad, then I don’t know what will.

Jamie was crying as well, but much more quietly…and his throat was hurting quite a bit. But it wasn’t because he was using his voice this time…it was actually due to his strong need to cry. Sometimes when he feels like he has to cry and he’s unintentionally holding it in, he gets this achy pain in his throat and chest. And it never really subsides until he finally lets it out. And as much as he wanted to let it out…he didn’t feel like it was the time or place for it. So…He just let himself cry silently.

Chase eventually let go of Jamie and looked at him. He was grunting and wiping his eyes, struggling to pull himself together. But Jamie shook his head and cupped Chase’s cheeks.

“If you still need to cry…” Jamie whispered before moving Chase’s bangs out of the way. “Then cry.” Jamie finished.

Chase looked at Jamie, his eyes welling up with more tears. “This is the most you’ve ever talked to me.” Chase said.

Jamie bit his lip and let out a breath. “I know…” He said out loud in his croaky, hoarse voice.

Chase widened his eyes and covered his mouth. “You’re…going to a speech pathologist?” Chase asked.

Jamie winced as he felt his throat. ‘Not yet.’ He signed, coughing a bit.

Chase looked at Jamie with newfound worry on his face. “Maybe we should be getting you a referral to a speech pathologist…” Chase told him. “Or at the very least, get Henrik to work with you on your voice.” Chase said. “Because as much as I love that you’re talking…” Chase trailed off slowly as he bit his lip, too afraid to say it.

Jamie shrugged his shoulders. ‘I know. My voice sounds weird.’ Jamie admitted.

Chase gave him a nervous look. “Well…That, and…” Chase cleared his throat. “It looks like you’re in a lot of pain despite only saying a couple words.” Chase told him. “Do you know how much of your voice was removed?” Chase asked.

Jamie sighed and offered Chase a hand. When Chase took it, Jamie walked Chase further into his bedroom. He opened up a closet door in his room, and looked at Chase. He sighed and picked it up, staring at it for only a minute.

“...What is it?” Chase asked, not fully able to see the thing Jamie was holding in his hands.

Jamie turned around and walked up, showing him the jar of water with something in it. Jamie turned the jar a bit to reveal a sticky note with a specific date written on it in cursive.

Chase tilted his head as he read the cursive. “August 25, 1916.” He read. He tilted his head slightly. “What…” Chase looked at Jamie, who was poking his own throat, touching the scar on his throat. Things began to click in Chase’s head as he widened his eyes and pointed at Jamie. “It’s…the day you lost your voice?” Chase asked.

Jamie nodded and put the jar down on his nearby dresser. Chase turned the jar back around and looked at the tiny thing that was floating in it. It looked…really gross, to be honest. It made Chase want to hurl on the spot. But…He could slightly understand what the thing was.

Chase turned to Jamie and held out his hand. “Can…Can I touch it?” Chase asked, pointing to the scar.

Jamie softened his expression and nodded his head, lifting his chin up slightly so Chase had better access. Chase took some time to feel the scar and the larynx. Or, what was left of it. Chase drew a finger over the scar, and felt slightly up to the cage-like cover of the larynx. It was strange, to say the least.

Chase then brought his other hand to his own throat, and felt the same area. He wanted to feel any differences between his normal larynx, and Jamie’s semi-removed larynx. “I…don’t feel much of a difference.” Chase admitted. “Well…despite the hole that’s right about here.” Chase added, gently poking the dip of the thyroid cartilage.

Jamie nodded and pointed to the jar. ‘The missing piece of the cartilage is in there.’ Jamie signed.

Chase nodded and looked closer at the piece of larynx. “How long have you had this jar?” Chase asked.

Jamie froze for a moment. He thought for a moment, and let in a shaky breath. He let out his shaky breath and covered his mouth, before looking at Chase. He closed his eyes and whispered his words to Chase. “Too long.”

Chase widened his eyes and gently brought Jamie into another comfortable hug. He rubbed Jamie’s back while holding the man close, letting Jamie cry if he needed to. Jamie let the tears fall down his own cheeks, as he hid his face within Chase’s upper chest. It felt good to be held and consoled…just feeling loved no matter how much you fucked up.

“Have you ever considered getting Henrik to look at your larynx, and determine what parts you specifically lost?” Chase asked.

Jamie opened his eyes and looked at Chase. ‘No.’ He signed. ‘I’m too scared to even touch the jar half the time…why I still kept it despite how disgusting it is, I still have no idea.’ Jamie admitted with a dry laugh.

Chase smiled and looked at the jar. “Maybe get Henrik to do a biopsy on it…then when he’s done, we can burn it, or throw it away, or something.” Chase offered.

Jamie wheezed and doubled over, laughing. ‘Knowing Henrik, he may want to keep it for medical curiosity.’ Jamie admitted.

Chase widened his eyes upon seeing Jamie sign that. “Wait wait…” Chase grabbed out his phone and typed [local medical museums] into the search bar. Looking at the search results, he couldn’t find anything that would suit Jamie’s ‘medical artifact’.

Jamie shrugged his shoulders and tapped Chase’s hand. ‘We can ask Henrik after he looks at it.’ Jamie told him.

Chase nodded and closed his phone. “For now, we should focus on where Robbie is.” Chase told him.

Jamie nodded. ‘I know where he is.’ Jamie signed to him. ‘He’s in the park we went to back in March.’ Jamie told him.

Chase widened his eyes. “He chose to live in the park?!” Chase asked with pure shock on his face.

Jamie nodded his head. ‘He’s been sleeping there for the last few days.’ Jamie admitted. ‘And he’s been begging for money on the street during the day.’ Jamie added.

Seeing those words signed by Jamie, almost made the man cry all over again. He hated the idea that Robbie was willingly laying in the street, begging for money. But…it also didn’t make sense. If Robbie has been where Jamie said he’s been, then now was it that Robbie was begging on the same main street that Chase and Shawn had been driving up and down on?! How did he miss the boy that easily!? He couldn’t understand it.

“Okay. I’m grabbing Shawn…and all three of us are going to pick up Robbie.” Chase told him.

Jamie let out a small sigh, before smiling a bit. ‘Okay.’ Jamie replied.

“And if the boy refuses to go home…” Chase started. “Then…I’m gonna do all I can to convince him to change his mind.” Chase added.

Jamie let out an exhale through his nose with a smile. Chase always was determined like that…Especially when it came to his family and friends. Jamie walked up with Chase to get Shawn. When Chase told him the news, Shawn practically jumped out of bed, threw on some pants and a shirt, and left his bedroom. The fact that Shawn would actually leap out of bed and skip a painting day to pick up Robbie, said a lot about him: That though Shawn struggled with social anxiety, the man always had his priorities straight…Chase and Robbie (especially Robbie) came before anything else. And it was admirable.

Though both Shawn and Jamie knew it was gonna be difficult to convince Robbie to come home, Jamie sensed that Chase knew what he was doing. He knew Robbie the best out of all of the boys in that household. Though, this fact could both help and hinder Chase in this circumstance. But they’ll just have to see.

Shawn hopped into the driver's seat, while Chase hopped into the passenger side of the car. And while Jamie sat in the back, Shawn adjusted the front view mirror down slightly so he could see and react to Jamie’s signs. Signing the word ‘ready’ from the driver's seat, Jamie looked at the front view mirror with a soft smile as he signed the word ‘thanks’ to Shawn. Shawn put the car into reverse, and turned himself around to look behind the seat.

Jamie gave a small smile to Shawn. ‘Do you know how to get to the park?’ Jamie signed.

Shawn nodded his head. “Yup. It’s that park near the main street.” Shawn replied. “But I will need help remembering which street to turn onto.” Shawn added.

Jamie nodded back. ‘Okay.’ He replied as he watched Shawn put the car into Drive, and start to drive down the road. Jamie had always appreciated the other boys’ contributions to make sure that the man felt included in their conversations. And all the boys had shown Jamie how they could contribute to making Jamie, as well as their own, lives a little bit more manageable.

But no one showed their contributions more often than Chase. Way back in the day, Jamie and Chase had actually taken their time to determine how to talk to each other while living together. Little things like having dimmable lights in the kitchen, asking for Jamie’s opinion as often as possible, and maintaining eye contact with Jamie while he signed, were crucial to help Jamie feel included.

Specifically for the car, they found that fixing the front view mirror so they could read his signs, helped dramatically with the communication gap. In fact, it worked so well that Jamie even admitted he felt better sitting in the back instead of the passenger side. When asked why, Jamie would usually say something along the lines of ‘Turning your head to the left when you’re talking to me, is only going to limit your field of vision as a driver. And lord knows that I don’t want you risking crashing the car just so you can talk to me’.

Overtime, Chase would pass on this extra information to the others as more and more friends met Jamie and moved into the house. Eventually, Chase would also pass these helpful tips and knowledge down to Shawn –who had already met Jamie a couple years prior– and who was also planning to move into the house. And even to this day, Shawn made sure to practice these little tricks often. Just like Chase, Shawn didn’t want Jamie feeling left out because of his ‘disability’. Neither did any of the others in the house.

Jamie kept an eye on the road as they drove down the main street. Jamie signed the name of the street they were looking for, into the mirror for Shawn to see.

“Okay. That’s just a couple more streets down, isn’t it?” Shawn asked.

Chase looked at Shawn. “Parker street? Yeah, it’s 2 more streets down.” Chase replied.

Jamie nodded his head as he lifted up his hand to count down the streets. When Shawn passed the next street, Jamie put his fingers down from 2, to 1. And when he moved closer to the next street, Jamie put his index finger down and pointed at the street to turn right.

When the coast was clear, Shawn turned right onto the road, and prepared himself to parallel park on the street in front of the park. And there, behind a tree, was a figure covered in a big blue blanket while a familiar backpack hung on a branch above him…

#an unexpected roommate #chapter 23 #angst with a hopeful ending #angst and hurt/comfort #developing friendships #orphan child #seek the truth #i'm so sorry

2 notes · View notes