#he would probably only hug wholeheartedly if money is on the line

[httpdabi]

Strawberry

Genre: smut, romance? Idk?

Summary: The reunion with your childhood best friend took some turns, and instead of hugs and tears all you wanted to do was kill the familiar stranger, that made your day at work worse.

(Ye, I suck at describing lmao)

Word count: 6.7k

Warnings: 18+ (MINORS DNI), unprotected sex, dom!Dabi, creampie, a bit of dacryphilia, a bit of teasing, rough sex, choking, facefucking.

,,Girl, just hop into the water’’ Mina screamed, taking all the attention you were giving to your phone. You were already regretting the decision you made to join her and Bakugo. You’ve never liked those public pools, and you never understand people who did. Like seriously, children there pee in the water, some of them even poop, who knows ? And its not that you are some hygiene freak, it’s simply a no go for you.

,, Nah, I’m good over here’’ You screamed back, hoping she heard you, as you hid under the shadow of the tree. Sun was also a big minus for you, since 10 minutes were enough for you to get sunburnt and end up with Yoghurt all over your body trying to pamper the burning stings. Plus your pierced nipples didn’t help in this case either, heating up too fast in the sun, since the only peace of clothing that covered them was your swimming suit.

,, You are no fun’’ she pouted, hoping her puppy face will work on you.

Usually on your days off, you liked to enjoy your time at home, reading a nice book or simply lazing around watching a movie, cooking for yourself, and doing simply anything that didn’t include contact with others. Yeah, you had enough contact with people since you were working at the famous café in the city.

People who saw you working there thought that you loved your job. Always smiling, always having so much patience. Truth to be told, you were exactly the opposite. You hate it wholeheartedly. You couldn’t deal with children screaming around all the time, while their parents ignored them, you couldn’t deal with drunk dudes, cat calling you all the time, and you couldn’t deal with rude costumers always complaining about something. Fuck it, you couldn’t deal with anyone.

You felt more than happy once the day came to an end and once you waved goodbye to your co-workers. Nothing against them of course, you loved Mina and Bakugo, but sun, water and loud crowd of people drained your energy out. At that point you found yourself appreciating your apartment and your bed more then ever before.

The next day you woke up pretty late, since you had late shift. Not that you were complaining, you liked sleeping longer, but the fact that you will be working till fucking 10 PM, if not even longer since it was summer, was driving you insane.

Sure waking up early isn’t amazing, but in the morning there wasn’t that much work, and it was much more quiet then in late shift. And sure, some people would consider calling sick, but you didn’t want to be such an asshole toward your co-workers.

Since you will be the one getting the orders on the counter and maybe, only maybe work with ice cream, you decided to wear your favorite comfy skirt, not too long, but also covering everything up. Once you found your fav comfy shirt, you tucked it inside of your skirt and did your casual make up before you left your apartment.

You didn’t like your work, but you were thankful that you could at least get a free meal there, since it saved a lot of time for you. It wasn’t anything special, but at least you didn’t have to prepare anything or stop to buy something before work.

,, DROP THE BEAT’’ Bakugo yelled once he saw you coming, making some weird noises as you gave your best to give them a Top Model walk.

,, TC, TC, TC’’ you repeated, waving your hips from side to side in the beat with the weird sound you and Bakugo made. You hopped beside them, as you took the small pack of cigarettes out of your bag.

Usually after the end of the morning shift, you and your co-workers sit together, enjoying the last minute of the shift exchange together. Of course if there’s a new costumer, one of you would go to work immediately. But most of the time, the café was almost empty at that time, giving you a chance to catch up a bit.

,, Today was pain in the ass, I swear’’ Shiggy said, taking one cigarette out of your package, while Bakugo told you everything you needed to know, if there was something to do and so on. Nodding your head, you lit a cigarette for yourself, preparing yourself for one hell of annoying day that was waiting for you.

Once Bakugo and Shiggy went home, you made your way toward the small counter, preparing everything you needed for the late shift, as you waited for Mina to arrive. You were glad that there weren’t any new costumers, since it gave you lots of time to prepare everything, from ice cream, to sandwiches and drinks.

,, Hiii girl, sorry for being late’’ Mina greeted you happily, while you placed the new drinks into the fridge. It wasn’t anything new for you, she was always late, but you never minded it at all. Your team had some up’s and down’s, but after all, all of you worked great together.

Around 7PM you wished you never got that fucking job. The café was getting fuller and fuller, and people were getting more and more annoying.

,, Can you please serve that table ?’’ Mina asked, pointing on the table where some boys were sitting down. Nodding your head, you took the small notebook and pen, before you made your way towards the table you had to serve.

,, Heyy, what can I do for you?’’ you asked, acting all happy as you prepared the small notebook to write the order.

,, Well, you can blow me off if you are asking that nicely’’ one of them said, making the rest of the boys laugh loudly. Taking one deep breath, you almost rolled your eyes in annoyance.

,, Can I take your order ?’’ you repeated yourself, ignoring the rude comments they gave you, talking about your skirt and how you looked, like you weren’t standing right in front of them.

,, Five beers. Sorry, they really don’t know how to behave’’ one of them, mature enough, said. Giving you one small and apologetic smile. Nodding your head, you just hurried back, wanting to finish their order fast enough, before you did something you would regret later.

Once you bought them their beer, and once they gave you the money, you almost smacked the bottle against the blondies head, when he started checking you out shamelessly. What pissed you even more was the fact that the line waiting for fucking ice cream was already waiting for you.

The whole day was a complete disaster and you wished more then ever to finish your shift and leave the fucking café. At least you had Mina by your side, as the two of you gave each other encouraging words.

,, What can I get for you?’’ you asked, faking a smile at the woman with a child. You were so done with that fucking job, but you couldn’t let the costumers figure that out.

,, Honey, what do you want?’’ she asked her child, as she prepared her wallet. The fact that she was waiting for you to come, and than ask her child what she wants was lowkey pissing you off. They could literally decide before you arrived, but whatever.

,, I want vanilla… Hmmmm, I want mint and strawberry!’’ the little girl screamed excitedly, as you prepared the cone, already putting the vanilla ice cream in it.

,, I’m sorry, we are out of Strawberry ice cream’’ you said, giving her a small smile, as the child started screaming and crying around how she wants strawberry. You had to give your best and stop yourself from throwing the cone against the child’s face. That little girl was old enough to understand what a no means.

,, Sorry sweetie, do you want anything else?’’ you asked, hoping she’ll stop with the whole theater.

,, Noooo I want strawberry’’ she screamed, crying loudly.

,, Just give her raspberry’’ the woman said, rolling her eyes in annoyance like it was your fault that you were out of the strawberry ice cream. Mina noticed that your blood was already boiling, as she asked you if you need some help. Once she heard you saying how everything’s fine, she continued with her work.

NOTHING WAS FINE FOR FUCKS SAKE, NOTHING.

,, What can I get you?’’ you repeated the same question, as a guy approached, holding his phone in his right hand. You looked at him, giving him one fake smile, as you analyzed his face. Black hair, scarred face, few tattoos and lots of piercings. His appearance was pretty much freaking you out, but you had to stay professional and just wait for his order.

,, Hey, strawberry and chocolate’’ he said, casually scrolling the screen of his phone with his thumb. The moment you heard him say strawberry you wanted to quit that fucking job and just move to Poland or whichever country.

,, We are out of strawberry, sorry’’ you breathed out, hoping that the last cell in your brain didn’t die at that moment.

,,Oh ok, then only strawberry is fine’’ he said, giving you a small smile. At that moment you were more then sure that he was making fun of you, even a deaf person was able to catch up that strawberry wasn’t an option anymore after that stupid child made a scene. And that’s when you finally snapped, having enough of everyone’s shit.

,, Which part of we are out of strawberry you didn’t understand?’’ you asked, slamming the cone onto the counter, almost regretting your actions. But once you noticed the way he was trying not to laugh made you snap even more.

,, Are you making fun of me ? Is this funny to you ?’’ your voice was raising with every word you spoke. Once Mina realized that you were having your half mental breakdown, screaming at costumer, she hurried toward you, repeating your name all over again as she tired to catch your attention.

Hearing your name, his eyes widened in surprise, now totally focused on you instead of his cellphone and if Mina wasn’t there, you would probably start a bitch fight with him for even looking at you that way.

,, Woah, what’s going on? ‘’ she asked confused, as you gave the dude death glares.

,,This guy here is going on. He’ll be my 13th reason why’’ you screamed waving your hands in air, not even trying to calm down anymore.

,, Chill out, we only have 30 minutes more till we close’’ she said, patting your back slowly, as she mouthed small sorry to the guy.

,, Oh, 30 minutes ? We’re out of the ice cream’’ you hissed, slamming the glass down, giving him a clear sign that he won’t lick shit tonight. If your boss heard and saw you at that moment, you would be fired in just a second.

After 20 minutes, the two of you happily told the costumers that they have to leave. Before you could leave, you took two corona tests, already working on your own test as Mina went to the toilet to change.

,, OH MY GOD, YOU’RE PREGNANT’’ she screamed, placing one hand over her mouth.

,, Bitch, this is corona test’’ you hissed, loud laugh following your words. ,, And it’s only one line, which means that I’m negative. What the fuck’’ you laughed, placing one test in front of her, thinking about where the fuck did she get all her informations from, since she thought that one line means pregnant. Ignoring the fact that she thought that corona test is fucking pregnancy test.

,, You really overacted today, maybe he didn’t hear’’ she said, as you puffed onto your cigarette.

,, Girl, even my grandma from nursing home could hear that we were out of strawberry, and trust me her hearing aids ain’t worth shit’’ you rolled your eyes, making Mina giggle quietly.

,, But still, he might tell to boss, you don’t know that guy’’ she whispered, as you watched the guy sitting on the bench with his friends. She had a point sadly, he did look like someone who would cause trouble just for fun.

,, You’re right, I’ll go and apologize’’ you said once you saw him wave goodbye to his friends. Taking one deep breath you hugged Mina, before you forced yourself to walk fast enough to catch up with him.

,, Hey’’ you screamed, almost running behind him, hoping he actually heard you. Once he turned around, giving you one hella confusing look, you sighed in relief, placing both of your hands on your knees as you tried to catch your breath.

,, Wow, such a sporty spirit’’ he joked as he watched you fight for air.

,, Yeah, oh my god. I just wanted to apologize for what happened earlier’’ you managed to say somehow, ignoring his comments.

,, Yeah, that wasn’t very nice of you’’ he pointed, taking one cigarette and placing it between his lips. ,,I was ready to write a review on google about the way you treated me’’ he joked once again, but you completely misunderstood it.

,,I KNEW IT, I FUCKING KNEW IT’’ you screamed, pointing your finger in his direction. ,, Look man, I already hate my job, don’t make it any worse’’ you whined loudly, not getting the irony in his voice.

,, Well, let me treat you with dinner, what do you think? And then I’ll think about the review’’ he smiled, using the way you misunderstood his words in his advantage. Once you heard him say that, you definitely regretted the way you acted one hour ago.

,, That won’t work, I have a cat waiting for me home and trust me, he ain’t capable feeding himself on his own’’ you spat, hoping he’ll understand and simply leave you alone, but once you saw him raise his eyebrow at you and giving you one questioning look, you almost rolled your eyes on him.

,, but you can come with me and we can order fucking tacos or whatever’’ you added, surprised that you went that far and disappointed once he accepted your invite.

,,Taquitoooo, I’m home babyyyy’’ you screamed, kicking your shoes as you got inside your apartment. Turning around you found the tall man looking around, analyzing every corner of your apartment.

,, Taquito? You’ve gotta be kidding me’’ he laughed at you. Even tho you just met the guy, it felt like you knew him for ages for some weird reason.

He sat outside on the balcony, as you prepared the two glasses and drinks for the two of you, while he ordered some food.

,, Anyway, what’s your name ?’’ you asked, remembering that you don’t know shit about the man sitting in your apartment.

,,Ah yes, I totally forget that, the name is Dabi’’ he grinned, taking the glass away from you, as he made himself at home.

,, Why the fuck did you call your cat Taquito?’’ he asked, as your cat jumped onto his lap, purring softly, making you just stare at them surprisingly. Taquito didn’t even like your family and friends, yet he was all cuddly with some fucking stranger.

,, Yeah long story short, I was drunk as fuck, found him on the street while I watched the stupid Tiktok about a girl that bought a turtle and called it Taquito’’ you said fast, as you sat there waiting for the food. Once you had a good look of him, something felt off. Nothing weird or scary, but you only felt like you already knew him. Sure, you definitely wouldn’t forget a face like his, but something about his eyes was telling you that you met him somewhere.

,, Anyway, enough about my cat. Did we meet somewhere?’’ you asked, staring at him shamelessly as he played with Taquito.

,, Maybe ?’’ he said, wiggling his eyebrows at you.

,, Cut it. Your eyes are familiar. I swear, I feel like I know you from somewhere ‘’ you confessed, placing a finger on your lip, as you tried to figure out from where you know him.

,, Yeah, I have such a pretty eyes, don’t I’’ he said, blinking fast as he tried to give some weird effect with it.

,, You can’t be that stupid doll’’ he added, when he realized that you still can’t remember him. Sure he changed, sure he went thru some shit and ended up with scars, and sureee he colored his hair black, but still he felt a bit disappointed when he realized that you have no idea who he is.

,, Does a name Touya tell you anything ?’’ he asked, raising his eyebrow at you playfully, laughing loudly at your confused face.

,, Nah, go fuck with someone else, that can’t be true’’ you hissed, crossing your arms on your chest. If you saw Touya, you would remember him, your childhood best friend.

,, Monday, 2PM, old tree house?’’ he said, almost asked about something only the two of you knew, trying not to laugh at your shocked expression.

,, It can’t be’’ you gasped, eyes wide enough, almost popping out of your skull. ,, YOU PIECE OF SHIT WHY DIDN’T YOU CONTACT ME?’’ you screamed jumping suddenly, making Taquito run form his lap, scared from your sudden reaction.

,, Honestly, I forgot what your last name was, so I couldn’t find you anywhere’’ he admitted, happy you finally remembered him. Sure he didn’t recognize you at first either, but once he heard your co worker calling you by your name, he immediately figured everything out, and understood why you seemed so familiar.

,, Are you serious ? And what kind of reunion was that ? I was ready to choke you with a fucking ice cream cone’’ you laughed, still not believing that the stranger sitting in front of you was no one else than fucking Touya Todoroki, the best friend you once had that left you behind and went overseas.

,, Yeah that was one iconic reunion if you ask me’’ he laughed out, thinking about the way you acted few hours ago.

The two of you talked about everything possible, about his life overseas, about the past, your shitty job, your cat and his dislike on every living being. Once it was too late, he wanted to leave, but you simply couldn’t let him go home at such a late hour, since people at the city were pretty weird and the city isn’t the quiet and safe one and after a long time of your insisting he finally agreed.

When you woke up, Touya was nowhere to be found, but he did leave a small piece of paper, with a number and apology written on it. You grinned to yourself, as you hurried to get ready for your work, since you stood up too late.

The day was much better than the last one, only instead of Mina who always managed to calm you down, you had Bakugo who was even more aggressive then you are by your side. You had the same task as last night, but once you saw Touya and his group of friends making themselves comfortable at one of the tables in the corner, you told Bakugo that you’ll take their order.

,, hayyy, alredy know your order ?’’ you asked excitedly placing your hands on Touya’s shoulders from behind, the smile on your face being honest for a change.

,, My girllll, why didn’t you text me ?’’ he whined, as he grabbed your hands and pulled you down, forcing you to hug him.

,, Didn’t the two of you have a huge fight last night because of strawberry ice cream?’’ one of his friends asked, totally confused.

,, We talked it out’’ you laughed, as he placed a small kiss on your cheek, before you finally took their order, almost forgetting you are at work.

If you were being honest, the whole shift was better with him and Bakugo who was cursing every second costumer around. Almost every 15 minutes Touya would end up at the counter, asking for a strawberry ice cream. Every time you would tell him that you are out of it, he would simply ask for the Book of complaints, making you roll your eyes playfully at him.

You were surprised when you noticed that he was actually waiting for you, laughing loudly when Bakugo commented how this whole romantic shit is making him sick.

The next few days the two of you spend way too much together, and first time in forever you actually liked having someone around. Every day he would drop by at your work, and wait till you are done and then the two of you would go home and have a late dinner, while he had cuddle season with Taquito.

On Saturday, you were looking for excuses to call sick, and once Mina told you that the only person who would be forced to jump in was no one else than Rumi, you immediately called them, acting all sick and everything.

After you called, you gave yourself one good deserved nap, not feeling bad anymore since Rumi was the co-worker no one liked.

The loud knocks at your door woke you up, grabbing your phone your eyes widened in shock once you realized that you slept almost the whole day. Rubbing your eyes, you rushed to open the damn door.

,, What the fuck?’’ Touya hissed, once he saw you healthy and alive standing there in nothing but oversized shirt.

,, what? I overslept a bit’’ you gave him a weak smile, as you let him in. You were surprised yourself that you slept that long, but you totally deserved it.

,, I swear, once your co worker told me you’re sick, I thought you died or something’’ he added, following you inside.

,, Yeah, I just needed some rest’’ you laughed, hoping he’ll chill the fuck out. Thankfully he calmed down real fast, almost forgetting about all the worry he had once he saw you all healthy, and once he saw Taquito running happily to him.

There was something comforting in having Touya around again. Somehow it made you feel like a child again, and the fact that he’s staying this time, for real, made your heart skip a beat for some weird reason. He was all the time around, at your work waiting for you, giving you a ride back home or walking you back home, dropping by on your days off with your favorite snacks and so on. Usually you wouldn’t like it, but since it was him, you embraced the affection he was giving you wholeheartedly.

You even became a laughing stick at your work, as your co-workers always made jokes about your new lover boy. Especially Mina and Bakugo, turning every conversation into Touya related one.

Making the drinks some costumers ordered, a yawn escaped your lips. Still sleepy as fuck, you somehow managed to put your attention on your work instead of the lack of sleep.

,, So, how was the date last night ? What did you two do ?’’ you asked, remembering that Bakugo met some girl he liked so much last night.

,, See when two people come together, they perform an intimate act called getting fucking railed’’ Bakugo said, trying to sound as romantic as possible.

,, You’re disgusting’’ you gasped, throwing the small sponge at him, as he laughed loudly, making his way to the costumer that just got in.

You were completely focused on your work, until Bakugo told you that your lover boy is there, and he’ll be the one to get his order. Rolling your eyes, you just let him do it, as you continued with the work you already did.

Bakugo was much louder than usually, probably because his little date went good, singing around you and joking around every now and then. Not that it bothered you, in fact, you were so glad that he showed his unusual side that day, since he’s grumpy and mad almost all the time.

,, I swear the headache is killing me today’’ you whined loudly, hopping beside Touya once you got the chance. You took one cigarette from him, and lit it up, enjoying the peace with almost no costumers around.

,, You seem pretty close with that guy’’ Touya said, also taking one cigarette.

,, Huh? You mean Bakugo?’’ you asked and he simply nodded his head, not taking his eyes from the spiky haired guy. ,, Yeah, we are pretty close’’ you added, puffing onto your cigarette.

,, You like him ?’’ Touya’s eyes met yours, making you feel a bit uneasy with his sudden behavior.

,, No, we are literally only friends and he’s much younger, wait, why ?’’ you were too confused, finding it hard to proceed the whole situation. Changing the topic, he simply asked what you wanna do after work, acting as nothing happened at all.

,, So, that Bakugo guy, he has a girlfriend ?’’ Touya asked, as the two of you made your way to the nearest store.

,, At this point I’m not sure if you are interested in me or Bakugo’’ you joked, dragging your feet lazily.

,, In you, obviously’’

After that day Touya was giving his best to show you how he felt, he was giving his best to show everyone to who you belong. Being a little too touchy in front of his friends and your co workers, in a way that seemed innocent to you, yet clear to everyone else. Small kisses he usually placed on your cheeks, were getting closer and closer to your lips. The hand he usually places around your shoulders, was getting lower and lower.

Even when he comes over, he was using every little chance he had to touch you, using everything you liked into his advantage. He knew how much you loved when someone caressed you, and he did it more than gladly for you. Tracing his fingers against your soft skin, starting with your arms, only to end up with his hand under your shirt, caressing your back slowly, until you would end up falling asleep in his arms.

,, What do you want to watch ?’’ you asked, placing the bowl of popcorn onto the table, while Touya waited for you patiently on you couch. The weather was perfect for nothing else than a lazy movie evening.

Hopping next to him, you made yourself comfortable as you listened to the storm outside. The sound of strong wind and thunder was more then relaxing to you, and for some reason you enjoyed weather like that.

Gasping loudly, you jumped a little once your cat tried to climb onto you, destroying your small enjoyable moment.

,,Taquito get the fuck off her, she has a boyfriend’’ Touya pushed the cat away gently, joking around, as you just sat there and watched him, eyes wide in shock.

,, Do I?’’ you asked, not moving at all.

,, Fuck yes, you do’’ he added, wrapping his right arm around you, pulling you closer to him, as he looked for a perfect movie to watch. He took his time searching for anything interesting, mumbling some words of disappointments as he couldn’t find anything on Netlfix. At the end he played Oh, Ramona! , since none of you watched it and it was it was simply in Netflix recommendation list.

Pulling you closer to him, he started tracing his fingers along your arm, both of you concentrated on the weird movie that was playing on the screen of your Television. You always begged your friends to caress your arm, since you loved the ticklish feeling that always made you sleepy, yet they would always refuse it, giving you some lame excuses how they’re tired and so on.

Now that Touya was doing it without you having to ask him, you tried to enjoy every second of it. If you only knew, how much Touya enjoyed it, almost as much as you did. The feeling of your soft skin under his fingertips was driving him crazy, as he traced them down your tattoos, mesmerizing every inch of them.

The air got steamier in one moment, and you weren’t sure if it was because of the overly erotic scenes that were showed in the movie, or because his hand was now under your shirt, slowly moving from your back, to the side of your hips.

Trying to calm yourself down a little, you grabbed your phone, checking out all of the unread messages in the group chat. The way he moved hiss hands from side to side made you almost way to shaky. It took you some time to write a reply to your friends, and you almost dropped your phone once he put a little bit pressure into his touch, making your skin burn under his palm.

,, You should concentrate on the movie doll’’ Touya said, not stopping his movements.

,, Yeah, sorry’’ you mumbled, dropping your phone beside you, as you tried not to close your eyes in pleasure.

Once the movie got too erotic fro your taste, you found yourself with your phone in your hands again, trying to hide the blush that was spreading across your cheeks. Of course, that didn’t go unnoticed by Touya. Annoyed groan left his lips, as he snatched the phone away from you.

,, You really don’t listen’’ he pointed, hiding the phone away from you, as you complained quietly. The hand that was under your shirt was suddenly wrapped around your neck, pushing you slowly into the couch, there was no pressure in it, but the sudden turn of the whole situation made your eyes widen in shock.

,, Are you bored doll? ‘’ he asked, his face only inches away from yours as he locked your body under his own.

,, No, it’s just.. the movie is too much’’ you whispered, gulping on your saliva as he slowly tapped his fingers around your neck. This time you didn’t have to ask yourself, you knew that he was the one turning you on, and not the fucking scenes from the movie.

,, too erotic’’ you mumbled, making him laugh loudly.

,, You should have kept your eyes on me, instead of your phone, if it was getting to much for you’’ he gave you a smile, a dangerous one.

,, That won’t help’’ you confessed, making him smirk widely as you spoke those words. How could it help, when he was laying beside you handsome without even trying, as his hand was caressing your body gently.

,, Oh, am I turning you on?’’ he asked, mocking you shamelessly, as you tried to avoid his eyes.

Touya didn’t need your reply, the way you acted in the moment was enough for him, and God did he want to fuck you senseless in that moment. His hand moved a bit up from your neck, holding your jaw in one place, as he connected his lips with yours.

His hold on your jaw grew stronger, forcing you to open your mouth just enough so he could slip his tongue inside. Not breaking the kiss, he parted your tights apart, as he hovered on top of you, his hips between your legs, slowly grinding against your clothed core.

You wrapped your arms around him, pulling him closer into the kiss, not giving a shit about the movie or your phone anymore. The way he was grinding against you, the way you could feel his hard dick rubbing against you, made you insane in that moment and you found yourself wanting more and more.

,, On your knees’’ Toyua commanded, breaking the kiss as he sat onto the couch, spreading his legs enough to give you some space between them. Without thinking twice, you obeyed, positioning yourself down, between his legs, as he pushed his hips just a bit to pull his sweatpants and boxers down.

Touya looked down on you, not hiding the smirk on his face, as he slowly caressed your hair. Kissing the tip gently, you looked up through your long lashes, satisfied with the fact that he was going crazy as much as you do. He cursed something under his breath, as you gave him one lick, taking your time and making sure you licked every inch of it.

,, Don’t tease me doll, you’re not in position for it’’ he hissed, as you placed your lips on the tip of his cock. His hand found its way to your hair, gripping onto it, as he brought your mouth farther down him. You wanted to take your time, to play at your own pace, but Touya didn’t let you, he waited too long for this to happened and teasing wasn’t something he needed in the moment.

,, Open your mouth a bit more’’ he growled, gripping your hair tighter then before. He wanted you to obey him, he wanted you to do everything he wanted in that moment and you did, you gladly did.

It was the first time you had someone’s dick deep down your throat, and the feeling you weren’t used to made your eyes glossy so fast as his tip hit the back of your throat, making you gag a little.

Without giving you any time to get used to it, he started moving his hips, as he held your head in place. You could feel his hardness more then clear now, as his hips thrust into your mouth at some lazy, yet strong pace. Focused on his dick, you didn’t even realize that tears were rolling down your cheeks, vision getting blurry as his moves got much faster, not giving you a chance to breath properly.

,, You look so pretty when you cry’’ Touya groaned, getting even more turned on as he watched you get ruined because of his dick. The small amount of mascara you had, was all gone, turning your tears into blurry shade of black. You started gagging, and without even knowing you tried to move away a bit, giving your best to breath through your nose.

Looking up on him, you saw him squeeze his eyes shut, head swung back into the edge of your couch. You could feel your saliva dripping down your chin, and if you weren’t in that position at the moment, you would probably end up blushing. But none of that was possible, since all you could focus on was his dick hitting the same spot of your throat.

Touya stopped his movements, slowly petting your head, as you fought for your breath, coughing loudly, while tears rolled down your cheeks. If it was someone else, you would probably told them to go to hell and throw them out of your apartment, but it was Touya, and all you wanted was to do was make him feel good.

,, My good girl’’ he praised, pulling you up into his lap. You wanted to stay in his lap a bit longer, you wanted to snuggle into his neck and enjoy the moment, but just after he gave you one sloppy kiss, you found yourself under him again.

Touya took your shorts and panties off, throwing them across the living room together with his shirt. In less then a minute, the two of you were all naked, enjoying the feeling of each others skin.

,, Touya, please’’ you begged, feeling his hard erection between your legs, as he sucked onto your neck, leaving wet love bites all over it. Taking one deep breath, he started rubbing the tip of his dick up and down your clit, making you beg for him even more.

,, Needy baby’’ he mocked, placing his tip only a bit into your core, as he continued to tease you, loving every second of the way you were almost breaking down for him.

A loud scream escaped your lips as he entered his full length into you, kissing your jaw and giving you some time to adjust his size. The moment he looked down your body, to see his dick buried deep inside your core, something else grabbed his attention. Cursing loudly, his eyes focused on two shiny pieces of metal, pierced thru both of your nipples.

,, How didn’t I notice this earlier’’ he hissed, lowering his head just enough as he sucked onto your nipple, the contrast of the warm feeling of your skin and the cold metal against his tongue made his curse all over again. His hand found it’s way to your left boob, slowly pinching and twisting your nipple, making you throw your head back, and making it hard for you to concentrate on anything else than his dick that stood still inside you, while his tongue was working wonders on you.

Playing with the small piercing, Touya started moving his hips at a lazy and sloppy pace, making you feel every single inch of him. Touya groaned against your nipple, deciding to waste no time, bringing his cock out and then slamming it back inside almost urgently.

Your hand reached up to his hair, tugging it roughly, as your other hand went up to his back, scratching red lines down helping release some of the pleasure you felt in the moment. Touya rocked his hips quickly, gaining depth with each thrust he made, as you were pulling at his hair lightly, eyes shut strongly as you moaned his name loudly.

He loved how you felt around him, he loved the way you were scratching his back and tugging his hair, yet he wanted more. Placing his hand around your throat, he gave it a small squeeze. It looked like he was asking for a permission, but he wasn’t. In fact it was more like a sign, a little sign for you to prepare yourself for what’s coming.

You didn’t get the little hint he gave you, totally unprepared once his grip around your throat grew stronger, making your breathing stop, as he slammed his hips at ruthless speed. He enjoyed playing with you, giving you only a second to fight for air, before he puts the pressure around your neck again, wrapping his fingers firmly around it.

In one moment you weren’t sure if he forgot about the fact that you couldn’t breath, hand wrapped around your throat for too long making your eyes roll back. You clenched his hair, yanking it tightly, giving him a sign that you need air, only for him to smirk in response as he held it even tighter, thrusting into you with much more force then he did before.

You were more then grateful when he gave you a whole minute to breath properly. But even without his hand around your neck, you had trouble catching your breath since he was hitting your sweet spot all over and over again. Of course, that was your problem and not his.

Feeling your walls getting tighter around his dick, he once again put the not so small pressure onto your throat, forcing the tears out of you as he continued to reach your g spot each time he slammed back inside. Scratching his back, your grabbed his hand that was wrapped around your throat with your own, closing your eyes shut as you found yourself coming undone. You weren’t sure if it was because of the lack of air, or because he didn’t stop his movements, but the orgasm that hit you was the best one you ever had.

In that moment, Touya left your neck alone, smirking to himself as he noticed the marks of his fingertips buried deep in the skin of your neck. Placing his hands onto your hips, he sped up, rocking his hips against your at animalistic speed as he reached his own high.

Groaning loudly he came inside, body collapsing on your own as he slowly fucked his seed into you, as he repeated how much he loves you all over again.

Once the two of you finally calmed down, Touya helped you clean yourself, being extra careful like you were a small piece of glass that was about to break any moment.

Hopping back onto the couch, you rolled your eyes at the view of the ending of the stupid movie Touya found. He wrapped his arm around you, snatching the cigarette that was hanging between your lips and placing it between his own.

,,Oh God’’ you gasped loudly, as your cat jumped on top of you, making you jump a bit in surprise. ,, Fuck off Taquito, I have a boyfriend’’ you pushed your cat lightly away, repeating the words Touya said few hours ago, making him grin widely as he placed a kiss on your cheek.

[internalsealpanic]

Monster Monster

I wholeheartedly blame this pic for the existence of this fic. I just wanna hug him and ruffle his hair. 

Summary: Parent Teacher Conferences are very scandalous. 

a/n: This is actually one of my few fics where reading some of my previous fics will help. I highly recommend reading Of Midnight Smoothies and Murder Mysteries to get a better feel on Dick and Reader’s relationship but anything on the Dick Grayson masterlist works too. Special thanks to @littleredwing89​ and @americasmarauders​ for proofreading. Thanks to @littleredwing89​ and @batarella​ for help with the ending. 

warnings: A slur is mentioned but it gets shut down. Also, swearing. 

Main Masterlist

Series Masterlist

“Tt, stop staring at me.”

You bite back a smile and what was probably a laugh rising in your throat. “Hmmm, no.” You hum, carding your fingers through Damian’s curls. The corners of your mouth twitch into a frown when you feel an angry bump against your fingers. It’s dry and there seems to be no break in the skin as far as you could tell. You let a little sigh of relief escape you which has the unintended consequence of upsetting the gremlin in front of you.

Damian attempts to swat your hand away, snarling as he did. You grin at him, all sharp teeth and pettiness. You, being childish,  do not take your hand away and instead ruffle his hair more. An adorably petulant pout settles on Damian’s mouth making the kid look ten-years-old for once. It takes everything in you not to squeal in  delight. 

“Unhand me. I do not require your mothering and you would do very well to leave the scolding to Richard or Pennyworth.” You can easily picture Alfred scolding Damian but Dick? You try to picture Dick, hand on his hip, trying his damndest to be mean to the kid but you just couldn’t. Sure, Nightwing can be terrifying, even Batman but Dick? Especially with a kid? Not even feasible. You snort openly, the noise echoing in the deadly silent room. The woman on the other side of the room sitting next to a boy with a faceful of bruises and probably a couple of chipped teeth glares at you. Specifically, the woman scowls at your arm, skin festooned with bangles of coiled serpent tails and glittering blades. You fight the urge to stick your tongue out at her. Instead, you tug a bit at your sleeves, baring the golden lines streaked with old gashes. A low humorless laugh escapes you causing her scowl to deepen. 

Damian follows your line of sight. His face folds in utter contempt. The boy next to her flinches. Their size difference made this all the funnier.  “[What did he do?]” you ask in what you hope are the correct words in Arabic. Damian crosses his arms not meeting your gaze. His leg kicks out, the restlessness thrumming in his bones. “[Your accent is atrocious.]”

Your mouth twitches uncontrollably, edging into a fond smile. You tamp it down with a click of your tongue lest the little demon tear your head off. “[I’m out of practice, child,]” Damian grabs at a space beside him only for his hand to close on nothing. Something inside you dies when you stop yourself from cackling. Thank goodness, Bruce has--had--the good sense to take the kid’s katana away. 

“[Anyway, what did he do?]”

“[How are you so sure he did something?]”

“[Because you’re a brat but not stupid. You are by far the most annoyingly reasonable child I have had the displeasure of conversing with.]” Damian’s eyes widened in surprise. It seems the assumed hatred was mutual. You watch as he folds his face back into a glower, not quite fast enough to evade your attention but certainly fast enough to fool  the untrained eye. Unfortunately for him, you’re used to the acrobatics of faces, the chaotic cacophony of microexpression. Most people in your life are, after all, awful at broadcasting their feelings even when it was sorely needed. This is probably why you gravitated to Dick so easily. The man believed in openness, in communication.

Distantly, you can hear the woman across from you tap her foot impatiently against the carpet. A flick of your eye tells you she was sneering at both of you likely eavesdropping (and failing) on your conversation. Why she needs to know what you and a ten-year-old with a stick up his ass were talking about you weren’t sure. Damian turns his head slightly towards you, angling his chin upward to mask the uncertainty in his posture. “[If you must know, he-]”

“Gypsies”

The syllables ring like a loud staccato of gunshots despite how quietly she’d hissed it. You freeze. You can feel Damian stiffen right beside you. Understanding flowed into you molten and bubbling. You feel your throat itch, unkind words coalescing into a lump in your throat. You turn your body to Damian who was now still but you can feel the anger wicking off him. You sling your arm over the head of the chair behind him drawing his attention back to you. 

He arches a brow at you, challenging. The expression falters when the next few words leave your mouth. 

“[You’re off the hook.]”

Principal Jameson is a nasally man. It isn’t his anything to do with his voice. Though, you would be remiss to say that his voice was pleasant. You’re actually half tempted to turn your bad ear on him, block out the words coming from him but that would negate the point of you coming here. His voice isn’t that unpleasant but his entire demeanor rubbed you the wrong way. You’ve seen jellyfish with more backbone than this man. Then again, this might just be a by-product of your presence. Dick, and several other batbrats, have helpfully informed you that you were in fact pants pissing scary to civilians. You would like to say you couldn’t see it but standing in front of this man it was clear as day.  

“Y/n L/n,” you offer congenially. His shoulders ease a fraction but did not offer you a hand. You smother a sigh before offering an additional “I believe Mr.Grayson-Wayne had informed you that I would be coming in his stead to discuss this-” Shit show, your mind supplies but thankfully, your mouth was quick enough to bite it back. “- incident.” Beside you Damian scoffed. You stop yourself from kicking the kid because that really would not do. 

“Yes, well, Ma’am your-” Jameson halts frankly unsure of your relationship to Damian because of course, Dick would leave the leg work to your socially allergic ass. You make a mental note to kick him later. “- charge.” you supply, feeling a modicum of sympathy for the drowning man.Your eyes flick to Damian. His face is impassive, ire still directed at the thirteen-year-old sniveling behind his mother. The term is too cold for your taste but as of right now that’s all you were. Maybe you’ve finally found a Robin you wouldn't get attached to.

“Well, ma’am, you see your charge, Damian, he’s punched another student and has yet to even apologize. He even started a full on brawl.”

“Mhmm, I see,” you drawl tilting your head. You feel Damian stiffen at the ease of your response. You don’t have to look at his face to know that he was glaring at you with something in his eyes withering from the betrayal. The woman across from nods agreeably as if you had said something sensible. Jameson for his part nearly sighs with relief. You click your teeth a little irritable from their responses but more fascinated than anything. ‘I see’ is barely an answer but they each filled in the gaps with their own assumptions. “And has that young man over there apologized for what he said to Damian? Or for the lump on Damian’s head? Surely, you sent Damian to the clinic as well.” you voice out looking as scandalized as possible. 

The room froze. 

Your eyes will probably roll into the back of your head before your meeting is done. Judging from Jameson’s posture, they didn’t. They should have at least checked if the kid had a concussion. A familiar sort of ire rose in you. Oh boy, you’re going to have a field day with these people. You sigh in exasperation before continuing. “Not only did you neglect to send him to the clinic to check on the lump on his head, but you were also planning to let the other boy off the hook?” you accuse, voice rising with some effort.  Your voice has a tendency to draw low when your temper is flaring. It’s an intimidation tactic you'd learned from a while ago. It would probably be ill advised to use it on a man who looked like he was a second away from a heart attack. 

Jameson leans forward, reaching out appeasingly.“Ma’am, we-”

“From what I recall, Gotham Academy has a strict zero tolerance policy on derogatory language, does it not?” You cut him off, voice suddenly vicious. You shift your body in front of Damian putting yourself between him and everyone else in the room. He bristles at the gesture but you and your habits aren’t exactly concerned with his pride. 

“Ma’am I-“

“I rest my case. Please, feel free to contact Mr.Grayson-Wayne if you have more to say.” You settle a hand on Damian’s shoulder. You’re surprised he didn’t fight you or swat your hand away. Taking it as permission, you pull him closer to you as you leave the red faced woman and the paling man gob smacked and silent. Damian himself doesn’t make the sound as you made your way down the hall. You squeeze his shoulder gently hoping it comes across as a reassuring gesture. His posture does not loosen but you do not let him stray from you. You close your eyes as the elevator doors shut. 

“I did not require your assistance.”

“I know.”  Of course, he doesn’t. He is a Robin and an Al Ghul but that doesn’t mean he isn’t gonna get it. You drum your fingers against the steering wheel, the dull beat only serving to irritate your nerves. You swear the traffic in Gotham was somehow infinitely worse than everywhere else in the world even with working traffic lights. Maybe that’s why there were so many crazy people here. Maybe Bruce should have invested his money on better roads. Maybe-

Your eyes slide towards Damian who is somehow shrinking and pressing into the side door. Still, his face is twisted skeptically and braced for a continuation to your statement. You looked heavenward not even hiding the weariness in your smile. The brat is truly a bat-- suspicion and all.  You turn your body towards him, opening up your posture. You fold your leg and rest your chin on your arm. Damian meets your gaze head on, looking imperious as he crosses his arms over his chest. His posture is artificial, probably uncomfortable from the weight of your attention.

You roll your shoulders and reshape your features, reconfiguring yourself from understanding to teasing. “I know. I know but you see, they needed telling off and your tiny gremlin ass isn’t scary enough. And, I promise I won’t tell Dickolas that you defended him so vehemently.” you wink, a conspiratorial grin spreading across your face. Damian straightens, his body is bowed like he was about to spring for your throat but the shape his limbs took on was more natural and seemingly relaxed. The knot in your shoulder loosens. You reach over and ruffle his hair again.  He really is still a kid. You stare each other down. Your smile is as unwavering as his glower.

Both of your stomachs grumble. The sound was loud and abrasive in the closed space of the car. You check your watch and hum, shifting back into your seat. Wordlessly, you switch on your signal light. 

You leaf through the pages of the thoroughly used book in your hands, eyes skimming through the blocks of texts not really absorbing any of it. You  never really found the appeal in fiction. The stories are too neat compared to what you experienced daily. You suppose there is simplicity in them but you find that in nonfiction, the kind of books that explained the mechanics of things. They made sense of the world and were much more useful in your opinion. You’re much more interested in the messy scribbles on the margins, the etchings of a loud mind on yellowing pages. Jason’s notes were written in the same tone of voice he used when he spoke, deceptively layman but upon further inspection was frighteningly insightful. You smile at the little comments and complaints, the snarky little remarks. Remnants of the little boy he had been before. You frowned. You should probably give this back to him once you have the chance and maybe come up with some excuse of why you still have it. Or you can just keep it. 

You look up at Damian who is drumming his fingers impatiently against the lacquered table. His posture is artificially relaxed, likely something he learned from the league or maybe all nervous gremlins do it. You look down at the book again. The sight reminds you of Jay. You tip your head, the loud thunk of your skull is felt more than heard since it was your bad ear that is pressed against the glass. The sound startles Damian who was deep in thought. You hold out the book to him. He must be bored waiting for your order. He pointedly ignores you. 

"I don't need that childish drivel." He snipes. You click your teeth feeling a little defensive of the book. 

You sound exactly like your grandfather, you think but have enough sense to keep it to yourself. No child needs to be compared to Ra's Al Ghul even if he is a brat. 

"Not a fan of-" You look at the book's spine and frown. "-Robert Stevenson?" What kind of dork reads Robert Stevenson for fun? Oh wait, it's the same dork that quotes Shakespeare while bashing heads. 

"I have no need for such things." 

Of course, he didn’t. 

"No, I suppose you don't need anything with the actual text but the margins are quite fascinating." You hold out the book to him again. His eyebrows shoot up looking at you skeptically as he reaches for it. There is no  actual written indication that it was Jay's and the kid likely hasn't spent enough time with Jay to actually tell from the way it's written. You look out the window to turn your good ear to him, listening for any reactions he might have. Every now and then you hear a huff of amusement. You smother the smile threatening to form on your lips with your hand.

"Well, the person who owned this certainly had a lot to say." Damian says carefully, handing the book back. 

"Jay really was a mouthy kid."  

Damian looks at you, little face scrunching up in confusion. You suddenly notice just how easily the booth swallows him up. Why is he so tiny? "If this is Todd's, why do you have it?" 

You clasp the book in your hands, your thumb tracing over the creases. "He leant me this book shortly before he died. He-- Well, I told him that I wasn't fond of adventure stories. I prefer books about science and culture. They're much more useful, yanno?" Damian gives a slight nod. You relax into your seat with his understanding. "Well, he thought it was just that I've never read a good one so he gave me this one. Never quite finished it though." you admit a little sheepish after realizing just how sentimental you felt. Your eyes trace over Damian's expression. It's clear that the sentimentality bled through your words and some childish part of you winces at the vulnerability of it. Damian says nothing and doesn't even sneer in derision. 

You hum, the tune musical but offkey. “Jason, actually did what you did today awhile ago.”  Just like that you begin down a rabbit hole telling the little gremlin about all the stupid shit the older bats have gotten into. And oh boy, there’s a lot. 

“So do either of you want to explain what happened and why GAs headmaster called me sounding like he was gonna piss himself?”

“Hmmm, probably not ” you say around your spoonful of mahalabia, not even looking up from your book. Hilariously enough, Damian had also elected to leave Dick’s presence unacknowledged and busy with his own mahalabia.  Dick scoot into your side of the booth, purposefully squishing you against the wall with a shiteating grin. He loops his arm around you and pulls you closer, planting a sloppy kiss on your cheek. You blanch and push half heartedly at his chest as he laughs. That laugh makes your heart warm and a relenting smile spreads across your features softening them. Your body twitches forward to kiss but you still when Dick freezes instead you plant a kiss on his cheek as well. Dick relaxes at the familiarity of it and you two settle down. 

 Damian stares at both of you befuddled. A heat creeps up your cheeks realizing that Dick is practically sitting on you. Dick, on the other hand, seems perfectly content with your current lack of personal space, so you leave it alone despite the incredulous look Damian is giving both of you. Dick snatches up your spoon taking a heap from your dessert. You make an offended noise in the back of your throat which he simply answers with another broad smile.  Your lip twitches uncontrollably and your shoulders go slack.

“So what happened?”

You and Damian exchange a look. Damian rolls his eyes at you and you shrug at him performatively. “Nothing.” you two say in a chorus of nonchalance. It only succeeds in annoying Dick, so it was partially successful.   

Dick pouts taking another bite of your desert. You stare in disbelief as the grownass man sitting next to you attempts to give you the puppy dog eyes as he eats your desert. You sign on exasperation because it's working and the bastard knows it. Richard John Grayson-Wayne is a manipulative asshole and you are a certified sucker. 

You turn to Damian pleadingly begging him to please either help you or end you. Instead, he simply looks the two as if searching for an answer to a question forming in his mind. You run your hand over your face ready to concede when something clicks. 

"Man-Bat got into GA and Damian fought him off." you say, praying Dick would catch on to the game. For a terrifying moment, he doesn’t. He blinks at you in confusion and your stomach sinks then a smile slowly spreads across his face lighting up every feature. Your heart swells at the sight.

"Bullshit. What was Man-Bat doing in GA?"

"Dunno,maybe bullying students. I don't know what bat creatures get up to." you say grinning. The picture becomes clear from every outlandish story. To your surprise, Damian joins in with a few vague details of his own giving even more details than you'd initially gathered. 

Lunch passes pleasantly with outlandish stories and good food. 

“NEWS: Dick Grayson-Wayne, New Face of Wayne Enterprises, Caught in a Torrid Love Affair with a Mystery Woman. Who Could this Exotic Beauty Be?”

“NEWS: Young Wayne Heir Being Extorted by Mystery Woman?”

“NEWS: Wayne Heir with Secret Family?”

Dick wants to evaporate somehow. He stares at the headlines mortified beyond what he ever thought possible. Maybe the floor will be merciful and it’ll finally swallow him as Jason reads another headline in a ridiculous newsreel voice. 

“No, no wait.  This one is fucking priceless!”

“Jason, please, I am begging you. STOP.” Dick whines, his face flattening against his work table. Tim shrugs, an amused smile adorns his face. Dick is going to scream. “Tim, please please please, make him stooop.” Tim ignores Dick in favor of scrolling through his own tablet looking, frankly unsympathetic. 

“Oh a tryst!”

“Jason, you are making it sound so much worse.”

“Dunno, big bird, some of these make it sound like you fucked her over a table in the restaurant.” Jason watches in absolute delight as his older brother attempts to merge with the work bench, the tanned skin of his neck and ears burning a bright shade of crimson. Tim snickers, unhelpfully. Dick loved that his younger brothers were getting along for once. He just hated that for some reason they just had to be united against him. “All I did was kiss her on the cheek and eat her food.”

Jason gasps theatrically, feigning fainting. “Premarital kissing?! Dick, how could you? What’s next? Premarital hand holding? Think of the children.” Jason exclaims, dramatically pointing to Damian who at this point had been ignoring the ruckus Jason was causing. 

“Jason, you’re awful and you’re being extremely dramatic.” 

“Dick, you don’t exactly have any room to talk in that department.”

“Yeah, Mr. Pretty Man Down, Baby Bird has a point.” Jason says smugly as he offers Tim a fist bump which Tim reciprocates by shaking Jason's fist, a joking smile on his face. Jason snorts as if getting the joke or whatever movie reference this was from. 

Tim's face folds into a barely held back smile. The laughter bubbling in the back of his throat straining his features. “I will say it is really funny that they didn’t recognize Damian.” 

“You know how they are. They probably came up with something like the whole Damian being Bruce’s kid was actually just a cover up for Dick.” Somewhere in the background Damian makes a very displeased noise but Dick can't be bothered to lift his head to check. 

“Please no. That doesn’t even-”

“Here’s one, NEWS: Dick Grayson-Wayne’s Baby Mama? Who is this mysterious woman?” Tim reads out flatly. 

“The PR team is going to kill me. No, wait. Y/n is going to kill me first.”

“She won’t. She probably finds this hilarious.”

“How would she even find this funny?”

“Well, she does enjoy your suffering- Oh shit. This one might piss her off.” Jason clears his throat, sliding back into the newsreel voice. “DICK GRAYSON, HANDSOME PLAYBOY - WITH YET ANOTHER GIRLFRIEND - WILL HE EVER SETTLE DOWN?”

Dick is half tempted to throw his own tablet at the wall. What did he do to deserve this? You certainly don’t.  

“Hey, at least, they called you handsome.” Tim laughs placatingly. It doesn’t work, of course. 

Dick looks up at his little brother ruefully. “Oh yeah because the stuff about my looks was definitely the issue.” 

“Well considering your morning routine...”

“I haven’t even been on a date so who are these other girlfriends?!”

“Well, me and Jason thought the same thing.” Tim shoots down sneering. When did his sweet baby brother turn to the dark side? Likely, Jason’s influence but deep down he knows Tim has always been capable of evil. Jason is cackling proudly. 

“I don't see why you're concerning yourself with this drivel.” Damian says, swiping the tablet right in front of Dick forcing him to look up. Dick smiles at him wearily. “Dami, it’s a little hard when a photo of me kissing y/n on the cheek is plastered everywhere with weird headlines.” Damian tilts his head considering it but he shakes his head muttering something about pointlessness. 

“Goddammit, Disco Stick!” The sound  of your voice ringing out into the bunker sends their banter crashing to a halt. Dick feels his heart jump to his throat. He-- This was how he was going to die and for once  he wasn’t sure he deserved it or not. You stand at the doorway haloed in bright light. At least, his angel of death would be the prettiest one, he thinks-- all the oxygen leaving his lungs. 

Crumpled in your fist was a newspaper. Dick can feel his brothers take a step back as you draw near. Your footfalls were as steady as a pulse which made Dick’s own heart rate ratchet up. Your face is carefully impassive the way it always is when your anger was dosed with something else. Dick is sincerely hoping Jason is right about you being amused by the headlines. 

You stop in front of him, eyes narrowed and jaw tight. You glower down at him frankly looking murderous before you snort and your face breaks into a smile. The thick tension in the air dissipates and the room releases its collective breath. The smile on your face grows even brighter. Nope, this is how Dick dies, his breath catching in his lungs as his mind fizzes out from the sight of your smile. 

“I’m sorry?” Dick lifts himself off the table just barely, still bracing for any sudden wave of anger that will, justifiably, roll over you at some point.  

You lean your body on to the spot next to him, letting the table support your weight. Straightening the newspaper in your hands, you frown. “I look terrible in this.”

“You look beautiful.” Dick blurts out. You raise your brow at him incredulously. Jason folds over trying to hold back laughter, his shoulders trembling. Tim just shrinks from second hand embarrassment. 

“No, she is correct. She looks repulsive.” Damian says flatly as he snatches the paper from you.

You let out a breathy laugh. “To be fair, anyone would look repulsive next to professional pretty boy Dickie Wayne.” There was no sharpness in your teasing. You look at the photo over Damian’s shoulder. It was a cute photo actually. Dick’s arm loops around your shoulder as he gives you a kiss on your cheek as Damian blanches at Dick’s very public display of affection. It was hilariously easy to see where they got the idea that you two were a couple. You weren’t. You haven’t been for awhile.  The thought wrenches something a dull ache inside you. You flatten your lips preventing the edges from dipping into a frown. 

A look crosses between Jason and Tim. Tim leans over, asking in a hushed whisper, “I thought they were back together.”

“Dunno they act like it.” Jason shrugs watching your movement. As if to prove his point, you and Dick lean into each other’s space as you bicker about the merits of Gothamite photographers. Jason is half tempted to shove you two together.  

“What are you two talking about?” You ask, finally leaning away from Dick. 

“Nothing-”

“They were pondering the state of your relationship. I myself have been pondering it.”

For a moment, your eyes meet. For a moment, you are back in a drab hotel in Moscow. For a moment, you are crying your heart out in his arms trying to push him away. 

You click your teeth and stare Damian in the eyes not entirely sure what kind of emotions they were betraying. “We were a thing.” Damian’s brow shoots up. You hear someone’s hand slap against their forehead. 

You flush wanting to  disappear but hold your stance. You hear Dick chuckle beside you as he stands shoulder to shoulder with you. Something in you eases with the closeness, like a gap being filled. “We used to be a couple.” Dick supplies, saving you from your flailing. You tap your finger against the back of his hand as a silent thank you. He taps yours twice in reciprocation. You look down trying to hide a smile. 

Jason and Tim look at each other again and nod. 

“We should probably go.” Jason says carrying Damian under his arm.    

“Todd, unhand me! We are not done here!”

“We’ll see you two later.” Tim waves giving Dick a knowing smile. Dick’s heart jumps up to his throat while his stomach drops to the floor. Is this really the time for his brother’s to play cupid? 

You lean in, letting your body press into Dick’s side as you listen to their footsteps fade away. Your head settling on his shoulder hand bracing you against the workbench. You let the stillness settle and make everything around you more solid. 

Dick shifts a bit, his fingers lacing in with yours. The gesture makes your heart twinge, the chasm in your chest yawning with longing. You swallow. The air is thick with unspoken words like smoke clogging up your lungs. You think that if you could just pluck the right one out of thin air, you could clear the air. 

‘I love you’ itches in the back of your throat but what right did you have to say that to him even after all this time. 

Beside you, Dick is smiling and relishing your presence. The silver glint of your earring winking at him from beneath your hair. He had gotten you that on your first date, a little souvenir you got to commemorate the occasion.  

Dick pivots in front of you making your breath catch. His free hand brushing your hair behind your ear revealing the silver robin on your ear. Silver robins. You had at the time laughed at the absurdity of it but here they were years later. Dick’s hands settle on either side of you boxing you in against the table. Even when he’s got you trapped like this, you feel at ease knowing Dick would never hurt you. Dick leans his forehead against yours, his fingers still intertwined with yours. Your pulse is loud in your ears. You lean your forehead against his, eyes sliding close soaking up the contact. 

“It’s always been you.” Dick says breathlessly. The words do not register, too dreamlike in their conception. You always hoped and wished that you could take it back, that you had never left, that he would love you the same way he did before but you were never foolish enough to hold on to things like that with both hands. Yet here Dick was whispering things that you only let yourself dream of. 

“It’s always been you.” He repeats as if the repetition could make it more real. You swallow the lump in your throat trying to find your voice but you’re afraid that once you speak, the room would  catch fire and the dream would dissolve into harsh reality. 

Dick gently cups your face and for a moment you let yourself be lost in the sea of blue. The stinging in your eyes makes you blink even if you don’t want to. You lick your lips as if somewhere on them were the right words. 

You can’t even fathom the combination of words that could encapsulate the cocktail of longing and love you felt for him. 

Your tongue darts out, wetting your bottom lip as your eyes focus on his lips. You swallow again your throat feeling thick even as you lean into his space, pushing off the work bench. Your nose rubbing against his, his long lashes fluttering against your cheek and tickling your skin. Dick leans in, his lips on yours, the pressure barely enough to make contact. You twitch forward, lips melting against his.  The world around you stills and disintegrates leaving only him in its wake. 

The kiss is all tender softness, a promise of love and loyalty quietly exchanged between you. A delicate push and pull. Undemanding yet uncompromising in its gentle intensity. 

You both pull back, only barely. Your skins still thrum with hunger for contact. Dick leans in again, his lips brushing against yours making them tingle at the sensation. Murmured breaths exchanged between you. This time you both find the right words. 

Dick turning to reader seeing the familiar glint of her earing

“I still love you.” 

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

I was thinking it was just them in the cave standing next to each others fingers twining with each other leaning into each other's space

he brushes the strands of her hair away

After brushing her hair away he presses his forehead against hers and he just kind of comes out with it

like he'd been holding back on saying it but couldn't anymore

 Why not have the reader do something like this?

What if she nudges her nose against his? Or rubs her nose against his, like an Eskimo kiss? And it’s silent, her eyelashes flutter against his cheek. They say in Inuit, when you feel eyelashes stroke on your skin like that, it’s a way of saying “I love you” without actually saying it.

And maybe Dick knows that? Without her actually saying the words and he just smiled and captures her lips in a delicate kiss. And when they pull back, they both say it at the same time against each other’s lip, all hushed and murmured?

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

Thanks for reading!

Taglist:  @batarella , @anothertimdrakestan , @lucy-roo , @multifandomgirl-us , @idkmanicantenglish ,@birdy-bat-writes ,  @boosyboo9206 , @americasmarauders , @l-inkage , @arestorationofbalance , @cloudie-skay , @wunderstell @hyp-oh-critical

[lesbianavatarverseimagines]

You Left Me - Part 1 of 2

Pre-Redeemed!Princess Azula x Reader

Anon Asked:

Could you do an AzulaxReader where the reader grew up with both of the royal children and always kept them in place, especially Azula, knowing that she had mommy issues? As they get older and grow closer, the reader is suddenly declared dead after her war ship is blown up before Azula is named Firelord, which is the last strike to Azula losing her mind during the final battle? Thanks AJ! 

The events will be stretched out so that I can make them older during the canon events!

(A/N: I’m kind of surprised by the requests I got overnight, but I love it! Thank you everyone! I love you guys! The next one will either by Mai, Kyoshi, or Rangi! If I’m up to the task, I may even do all three haha - AJ)

***

It all started with my parents selling baby me to Fire Lord Azulon. Apparently they needed money that bad and wanted me to have a 'better life' knowing damn well I would probably become a palace servant. However, the Fire Lord seemed to take pity on me after learning that I was a firebender at the young age of 2, when I started learning to cook. After I impressively firebreathed at my caretaker, who refused to give me a chili pepper, he immediately heard of the incident and placed me in the care of General Iroh, who was to train and teach me the arts of firebending.

At the impressive age of 5, I’d mastered fire using non-conventional forms. I studied waterbending and airbending forms and used those to make me more effective as a master of the arts. I also took great pride in Iroh’s teachings of the mind, body, and soul. It opened my eyes to the great things I could accomplish if I had the ambition. I was also introduced to Prince Zuko and Princess Azula, the royalty that I'd be personally guarding once my training was finished. They both latched onto to me very quickly, as I had that playful charm, but a powerful aura that made them feel safe. 

***

By the time I hit 8, I was made the personal guard of the prince and princess. 

“You are to guard them with your life and keep them in line, behaviorally and training-wise, Private L/n. They are to respect you as they would me. You know what to do if they do not.” Fire Lord Azulon had told me during my official inducting ceremony. I bowed, honored to have been given a position that thousands of so-called 'masters' fought so vehemently for.

As soon as I was dismissed, I ran to the courtyard where Azula and Ty Lee were doing somersaults. Mai was sitting against a tree fiddling with her fingers while Zuko walked with his mother, Ursa. As I walked over to the three girls to tell them the news, I watched Azula fail to stick her landing. As a result, she retaliated when Ty Lee landed perfectly by pushing her to the ground. I stopped walking once I reached them and gave Azula a stern look.

“Azula, you need to stop being mean to your friends. Just because you’re a princess doesn’t mean that your behavior is acceptable.” I grunted out. She stopped laughing after seeing that I was completely serious and helped Ty Lee from the ground, apologizing after. Azula then skipped over to me and gave me a hug before waving her friend over.

We huddled together for a second before she whispered, “Watch this.” She skipped over to Ursa and urged her to let Zuko play with us. Once he came over, Azula demonstrated the ‘game’ that we would be playing. “We have to try to knock the apple off the other person’s head, like this!”

She shot an orange flame at Mai’s head and caught the apple on fire, prompting Zuko to panic and save Mai from catching on fire. However, he ended up tackling her into a water fountain that was behind them. Azula, Ty Lee, and I laughed and started cooing them until they walked away in embarrassment.

***

At the age of 11, we all learned that General Iroh’s son had passed away during battle and that Iroh was coming home. It hit home for me, as Lu Ten acted as my older brother after I was taken in as Iroh’s pupil. Time seemed to pass by very fast until I was suddenly in the throne room of the palace with Prince Ozai, Prince Zuko, Princess Ursa, Princess Azula. Ozai had requested an audience with Fire Lord Azulon to show the advancement of his children’s skills.

As usual, Azula excelled like a master in the making, but Zuko wasn’t at the same level yet. In the end of it, Azulon ordered me to escort the kids out of the room for a private discussion with Ozai.

While we walked out, Azula grabbed my hand and we all snuck back in to listen. I didn’t really pay attention to the heated conversation between father and son, as I was solely focused on the princess’ hand in mine. At some point, a frightened Zuko ran out, but Azula and I stayed until the discussion was over.

We ended up walking to my room, which was between theirs. After I closed the door, I sunk to the floor. I never got to express my grief about Lu Ten’s death because I was constantly expected to never show deep emotion. I forgot that Azula had come in with me, so she watched as I quietly broke down in sobs. It almost surprised me when she sat next to me and cradled my shoulders in comfort, knowing that I was going through a hard time. She didn’t say anything even after I was done and helped me out of my armor and into bed. 

“Get some sleep, Y/n. A lot of things are going to be happening tomorrow.” She said as she walked out and closed the door.

***

At the age of 13, Fire Lord Ozai challenged Zuko to an Agni Kai, making me jump up during the war council to object, as it was my sole duty to defend the prince, no matter who it was to. “No! As my duties pertain, I am the one who will participate in this Agni Kai! The prince shall not be harmed, my Lord!”

Fire Lord Ozai widened his eyes for a split second, surprised that one his most trusted and obedient guards was speaking out against him, during a war meeting nonetheless.

He fumed. “It may be your duty to protect Prince Zuko, but he needs to learn discipline! I will give you a day to train him before the challenge, but that is the only mercy I will give. Now, take him and get out of my sight, Private L/n!”

I grabbed Zuko by the upper arm and pulled him up. I then dragged him out of the throne room that had noticeably grown hotter in temperature.

Once we were far away enough, I led him to the training grounds and punched a purple fireball at him, catching him off-guard. He yelled and dropped flat on the ground, narrowly avoiding the flames. “What are you doing?!”

I angrily got into my stance. I bent my arm to where my right elbow was next to my ear with my fist parallel to the side of my face. My left arm stuck out like a punch, except my hand was opened rather than in a fist. It matched Zuko’s stance since he took inspiration from me and wanted us to have an identical fighting style.

“Fight me.” I growled angrily. “Iroh and I warned you not to speak up during the council, yet you did! Show me what you’ll do during the Agni Kai, Zuko!”

He shakily got up, realizing how angry he’d made me. He got into his stance and sent weak firelashes toward me, not putting enough momentum behind his strikes. I cut through the fire in a rage, not caring that it was burning my skin. How dare he be so weak when he had an Agni Kai tomorrow!

I firebreathed at him with what sounded close to a dragon roar. The flames spread everywhere as my anger only rose. “Y/N!” Solid arms wrapped around me, cooling me down a little bit. Azula yelled through the roaring, “Y/N, STOP! YOU’RE HANDS ARE BLEEDING!”

I listened to her on command and realized that I had obliterated most of the training equipment. Zuko was lying on the pavement again, cowering in fear while Azula held me in place. Wetness ran down my face uncontrollably. My brother would be no match for the general he was to face and I wouldn’t be able to protect him. Another person I care about would die tomorrow along with my honor.

How dare he?!

***

At the age of 16, I was promoted to captain and given my own ship to command. By this age, I'd begun to hate Fire Lord Ozai with a passion.

A while ago, during the Agni Kai, everyone was surprised when they found out that Zuko would be fighting his father rather than the general he spoke out against. When Zuko bowed and started begging for his life as Ozai approached him, I’d gotten up and almost ran on stage until the same solid pair of arms wrapped around me and held me in place again.

“I’m sorry, Y/n, but he has to do this on his own.” Azula had said. As much as I’d grown to love her, I had to disagree. He couldn’t do this on his own. He was a child, as were we.

I flinched away from the memory, focusing on my current mission at hand. I was to find Zuko and bring him back to the capital, as he and Iroh were both apparently traitors. Honestly though, how surprising. You give him a huge scar and then banish him, expecting him to remain loyal to you?!

I scoffed in contempt. Once I completed that task, we were to find and retrieve the Avatar, dead or alive, which was something I was wholeheartedly against.

I sighed and rubbed my forehead as a familiar voice spoke out from behind me.

“Are you just going to sit in here and sulk all day, or are you going to train with me?” I heard Azula say from the doorway of my room. I chuckled and turned around to see her giving me that signature smirk.

Azula was to be the successor of Ozai instead of Zuko, as she was the promising prodigy. Ozai tried turning her into a monster, but I was the line that he couldn’t cross. Part of the reason why he promoted me was to get me away from her so that he could turn her, but she always found a way to be at my side and get my advice. I knew she was a ticking time bomb due to the level of her father's abuse, but I loved her too much to leave her on her own. I wouldn’t let her turn into her father so long as I was alive. And that was what I worried about these days.

I smiled and bowed, to which she snorted. “Of course, O’Princess Azula. We shall duel!”

She came over and kissed my cheek before grabbing my hand to lead me away from my thinking. “I am glad that you think of me so highly, Captain Y/n.”

***

After I’d turned 19, Sozin’s comet was nearly here. I was to participate in the raid on all of the nations and burn it all to the ground. I, of course, wasn't going to do that and had joined Team Avatar to stop Ozai. 

Azula didn’t know that I switched sides, as her father sent me away a couple months ago on a ‘scouting mission’ before declaring her Fire Lord and then declaring himself Phoenix King. I knew that she would be stressed under the weight of the title without me there, so I tried my damndest to go back to her and convince her to switch sides. However, fate decided differently. 

An explosion rocked my ship and soon sent me spiraling into blackness.

I’ll find my way back to you, Azula. Before it’s too late for you.

***

(3rd POV)

As soon as Azula learned of your death, she broke. Her mental state completely broke into pieces right before her.

She banished everyone from the palace and went into a frenzied state, seeing you and her mother everywhere she looked. She’d just got done cutting her hair when she looked in the mirror and saw you smiling. Illusion!You didn’t even have to say anything for her to start crying uncontrollably. Why did the fates have to be so cruel? You should be here ruling at her side!

When she blinked, it was her mother, Ursa, standing in your place, telling her that she was loved. A brush was thrown at the mirror and shattered the glass on impact.

After Azula got dressed and went outside for her coronation, the ceremony was stopped by her annoying brother, Zuko, and Katara, the Water Tribe peasant.

"You want to be Fire Lord? Fine, let's settle this. Just you and me, brother, the showdown that was always meant to be; Agni Kai!"

Zuko agrees to the challenge after seeing that something was off about her.

"I'm sorry it has to end this way, brother." Azula growls out.

"No you're not."

***

Once the battle was over and Azula was in chains, she started thrashing around while screaming and crying. "Y/N!" She sobs. "WHY?!"

Why did you have to leave me?

***

End of Part 1.

(A/N: I hope you enjoyed!! I actually cried a little bit with this one. Azula deserves a redemption, so I'm gonna give her one since they did her dirty in the comics ;). Azula is 18 at the end of this but will be 19 in the next part, while you'll be 20. Part 2 will most likely be uploaded later today 8/15/20!)

As always, REQUESTS ARE OPEN.

[birdwonder]

Hey, I was just wondering could you do a Phantom Blood Dio x female reader where they sneak around everyone's backs to be together and pretend they don't get along when with others? Thank you and have a wonderful day.

|| Love the request ! This is going to be set before Dio puts on the stone mask and George’s death, but both he, Joseph and the reader are young adults.

Phantom Blood Dio | Behind Closed Doors

“Come now, Dio, certainly Lady [L/N] isn’t as irksome as you claim her to be,” the calm yet mildly concerned voice of George Joestar spoke, a heavy sigh following his speech as the stubborn frown upon Dio Brando’s lips refused to falter or leave.

The blond crossed his arms tightly around his chest, refusing to directly face the man that he had taken in him despite his need to show him the upmost respect.  “I have told you repeatedly father, that ... impudent girl has no tact nor manners to her high end name! She is a thorn in my side no matter how pretty her petals may be.” He spoke with such disdain and venom in his voice that he would believe the older man to be brain dead to not understand how he felt about you.

The ageing father of both Joseph Joestar and Dio Brando pinched the bridge of his nose slightly, a hand gripping his cane as he tried to recall exactly when the feud between [F/N] and Dio had came to be. 

“But father! I don’t want to be betrothed to some girl I’ve never met,” a younger, yet still just as well mannered as now, Dio complained, internally retching at the idea that George was attempting to have him marry some unacquainted, noble child who was probably as juvenile and pretentious as all the other high standing  sons and daughters he had met through his adopted father’s parties.

“Dio I am only doing this so that finding someone to wed won’t be a concern in the future,” his father attempted to explain, placing a gentle hand on the teenager’s shoulder, “you have shown no interest in any other young females that you have met, or in finding someone to love at all!”

With a huff, Dio continued to desperately convey why an arranged marriage was out of the question, “what if I wholeheartedly dislike her, hm? What if she talks too loud or flirts with other men behind my back or doesn’t even like me?”

“None of which will happen, Dio. Lady [F/N] is a polite, upstanding girl who is always happy to greet me when I visit her family’s home. Imagine coming home from work to a beautiful, welcoming smile? I’m sure that’s any man’s dream.” 

The blond quietly scoffed, as to not insult his father directly, and refused to listen to any more reasoning. George did nothing to pester him further however, a bright smile on his mouth as he gestured towards the door of their home where a butler was approaching and starting to open. “No matter, she should be here now! Look smart now, Dio, and do try to smile a little.”

Dio was not ready to be meeting her right now. Or at any point in time for that matter, but especially not now. With slightly widened, golden eyes he glanced over to see that the doors were now open and two figures were entering. A woman who was definitely close to George’s age, if not a few years younger, and a man around the same age too, both dressed as fine as aristocrats as if they were attending a meeting with the queen. ‘Rich people. Too much money for their own good,’ Dio thought, looking the presumed couple with a hidden disgust. 

“Ah, if it isn’t the great [L/N]’s! Looking as dashing as ever,” George greeted with open arms, only to then shake the man’s hand with a hearty laugh and ‘good day’ , afterwards politely kissing the woman’s gloved hand. 

“I’m sorry if we have kept you long, our little flower was a little difficult to convince to come, I think it’s just a young woman’s time where she’s too bashful to talk to a man face to face,” the woman joked, a light-hearted look and sound to her as she side stepped from her husband, hands moved to gently push a third person in front of her.

There, stood in a neutral pink frock, was a fairly beautiful girl, hair pinned, neatly teased and brushed back to be styled into a perfect bun, with the small  exception of a few strands purposefully let loose to carefully frame the delicate face of a young lady. Her eyes seemed to travel anywhere but somebody’s face, as her hands laced in front of her fiddled tenuously. 

Even with an averted gaze, Dio could tell that her eyes had a pretty look to them, though he couldn’t tell if it was the colour or how long her lashes were, or if it was even something as trivial as her eye shape altogether. No. It couldn’t be any of it! She was just some girl, nothing about her was special at all!

“This is [F/N], our little diamond girl, she is so enthusiastic to be meeting your son, Dio. I can already tell the two of them will be make for a great pair!” The man introduced, something Dio was quick to disagree with in his head. He hadn’t so much as made eye contact with the girl yet and they assume they would be perfect, how stupid.

After some encouraging from her parents to say hello, she finally looked directly at the other teenager, eyes scanning him from his shoes all to way to the top of his head. It made him feel a little awkward. It was like she was judging him in her head, or analysing every detail of him, while most women he knew just threw themselves at him in an instant. 

“He’s nothing special. I don’t see why I have to marry him,” she finally said, monotone and blunt, eyes dull and general expression no different. Dio almost choked in response, gawking momentarily at your words.

“Young lady! You should not speak about your future husband in such a manner,” her father scolded while the mother gasped and looked down at her with disappointment.

Similar to Dio’s attitude earlier, [F/N] huffed and continued to speak tersely, “future husband or no, he’s just some child. I don’t even want to be here!” 

Something in her had seemed to snap as in the next second, she had spun on her heel and made a bee-line for the front door, dashing outside to who knows where.

Instantly, both of the parents began to apologise on behalf of their daughter, even bowing their heads in shame to which George reassured them that it was no problem. Dio was only standing there, staring at the ghost of where the girl once was near the door and hummed to himself with thought. It didn’t take him long to ponder over his decision since he quickly knew that he wanted to find out what could possibly drive a woman to not only go against her own parents, but a man too, something that was frowned upon by everyone.

“It’s alright, I’m sure it is just the nerves,” Dio added in, sending the three elders a warm yet faux smile before he started to head out the door. “I’ll go find her and talk to her! After all,” he paused at the entrance, turning his head with a closed eyes, “is it not a husband’s duty to support his wife?”

That was as much as George was able to remember of your first meeting, never truly understanding what had brought upon your reaction unlike Dio, who knew a lot more than what he did.

After five minutes maximum of searching, Dio had finally spotted a pink blob in the distance and knew it could only be you. You were under a tree, knees hugged to your chest which caused you skirt to ride up slightly and crease in the most un-lady like fashion, head buried into your arms as small sobs came from your balled up figure.

Now Dio wasn’t the best at comfort. In fact, he hadn’t been able to recall a single moment where he had tried to ease anyone side from his crying mother once upon a time. Nonetheless, he knew that if he couldn’t get to you, he’d never find out what brought one such a display earlier.

“Oi, woman. Stop your crying,” he demanded, realising a little too late that wasn’t exactly the most or at all comforting thing to say, but it did cause you to raise your head and look at him with watery eyes and tear stained cheeks. A pitiful show, and still Dio thought of it as an oddly precious look. He’ll just pretend that’s the pity talking.

“What...What do you want? If you’ve come to convince me to marry you, forget it! I won’t marry a man I don’t love, know or need, ever!” You yelled, unafraid of the consequences that would come from being a woman with such an outspoken voice. 

Clicking his tongue against his cheek to make a ‘tsk’ sound, Dio placed his hands onto his hips and looked down at you with a stoic expression. “Who said I wanted to marry you, girl? I’m only here because your parents are causing an unnecessary ruckus and I’m here to understand why you’re being so damn difficult.” 

You blinked up at him. A tear rolling down because of your fluttering lashes, even if you were no longer crying. Sighing, you gazed ahead of you at a serene scenery that captivated you well enough to soothe your inner troubles. A lake weaved before you, water glistening underneath a setting sun which was slowly painting the sky different hues of pinks, oranges and yellows; even a purple was blended in somewhere in the mix. It was so beautiful, and all you could really come back to was the issue at hand. 

“I... Don’t take this personally, Dio was it?” You checked, to which he affirmed by nodding once, “I don’t hate you directly, and it’s not that I loathe my parents either. It’s just that I don’t want to live the rest of my life under another man’s roof who I hardly know, and love, while being expected to sit around all day until he comes home so that we can try to have a child I probably won’t care for because all I’ll see is the product of an unhappy life.” Your longwinded rant paused briefly, as you inhaled quickly to continue.

“I want to live on my own! Under my own rules and start my own business where I can provide for myself and work hard for what I need and want, not have it boringly handed to me on a silver platter.” 

After you were done, Dio blinked a few times in amazement. Were you really telling him all this? Something so controversial and so strangely endearing? Fascinating. He was actually quite hooked on your story, and understood where you were coming from. Dio would feel identically to you had he been in your position.

“I see. Well, there’s only one way to go about this then.” He piped up, kneeling down beside you with slight cringe as he sort of wanted to avoid dirtying his trousers. Giving him a curious look, you tilted you head to ask ‘how’ when he suddenly placed a hand on your cheek. 

“From now on, we’ll show those stupid old people that we have no other relationship than one filled with hate, and if we’re successful enough then they’ll have to release us of our burden to marry.” His plan sounded fool proof, at least it did when he said it in such a confident and certain way, though you still had doubts. 

“What if they get angry and disown us? Or worse...” You trailed off, cringing at the harsh hands that could come into play if things went south.

“Then you’ll just have to be Mrs Brando and live only to bear my children,” he returned, smirking in a way that reminded you of a smug cat that had caught the canary. Shuddering, you shook your head. 

“No, that sound horrible!”

“Oh? Does [F/N] Brando not have a ring to it? I think it’s quite fitting.”

“Don’t joke like that!”

The memory faded there as the rest wasn’t important to Dio. From that day, for at least two years the two of you have yelled, bickered, insulted, chastised, teased and even lightly hit each other to send across the message that there was no romantic interest between you and still, the both of you were pressured into marrying. It was like the message wasn’t going through their thick skulls!

Some things had changed since then as well. The two of you had slowly grown closer, away from your parents’ eyes of course, and even found comfort in each other’s company. Dio had somehow ended up confessing his backstory to you and his dislike for Jonathan, in which you assured him that he wasn’t any less of a man for coming from a poor family, and you had even given him a comforting kiss on the cheek. The rest of your time together was in embarrassing silence, mainly for Dio as you were contently resting your head on  his shoulder after you had teased his denied blush,

Honestly, even some of your fake arguments were like flirting, but just ten times more attractive and it made Dio genuinely want to see you again every time you left.

Snapping back into reality, Dio realised that George had resumed conversing with him and to his luck, it was to remind him that you would be shortly arriving for another one of your ‘arranged dates.’ 

Acting disgusted, the trickster scowled. “Does she have to come? She’s better off a thousand feet from me and then some.” 

“Dio, please. It’s been years, surely you have warmed up to her enough to at least not talk about her in that way!” George scolded, raising his cane to gently tap his son’s head with it. 

“You could stretch my life span to an infinite amount of years, and it still wouldn’t be enough.”

No more was said then as a butler had entered the room, announcing your arrival in which you entered on cue, cold as ever and not even greeting your supposed fiancé, just a ‘hello’ to George who sighed and greeted you in return, shortly excusing himself to his study to leave you two to do your own thing, expecting the both of you to carry out your arranged date though he doubted it.

As soon as he was gone, you smiled at Dio and giggled, slowly walking up to him once the door was closed by the exiting butler. “My, Mr Brando, don’t you look god awful today,” you noted, a joking flirt in your tone as you hooded your eyes and pinched your skirt to raise it a little.

Dio had managed to both scoff and smirk at the same time as he slightly opened his arms out, allowing you to approach him ever closer and press your blouse covered chest against his broader one, one hand slowly mimicking a walking motion up from his chest to his neck so you could wrap your arms around him. “Not as wretched and hideous as you, Mrs Brando. Did you just roll out of a sewer or is this your usual afternoon attire?” He teased, loosely holding your waist and staring down into the eyes that he had noticed so well when you first met. Still as perfect as ever. 

“Oh love, you know all of this is for you. If you’re good, I’ll let you see what’s under all this sewer gunk,” the purr in your tone and the feeling of your breasts pressing onto him made his mouth dry and you only laughed at his reaction to your unabashed tease. “I’m only joking, Dio, I can’t very well go sleeping with you just yet if I want to prove to my family I can be independent!”

He cleared his throat slightly and nodded with agreement, “of course, of course, we can do no such thing,” he recited, coquettishly grinning at you before he repeated one of your words, “yet.”

You gasped and stuttered, slapping his arm gently. “Oh hush! You know what I was going for.” You really didn’t know where your relationship with Dio was heading, if the two of you really were going to marry due to your parents or your own free will, or if it would all be over once you had your business plan approved, but you made an effort enjoy what strange intimacy you had now. 

“Do I, love? Perhaps you should explain it to me in further detail,” he hummed, moving his head down a little to brush his nose against your own. 

“No! Now be quiet, shouldn’t you be taking me somewhere?” You reminded, quickly changing the subject and taking a step back. Tittering, Dio starved for the feeling of you against him once more, moving to walk beside you with a hand on your lower back, guiding you to the door. It was arranged that he would take you to a restaurant in a carriage and spend until the evening at least socialising and perhaps touring the town. You both knew that you could actually talk until tomorrow’s sunrise, but for the sake of the message you wanted to send, it was better to cut it off sooner than that.

The two of you continued to silently banter all the way to the carriage.

Dio, in all his years, had never been more happier to spend time with a woman, as sharp tongued and stubborn as you were. He knew that once he had gotten rid of George and Jonathan Joestar, that he would appoint you head of his household and name you his wife and let you do as you wish, provided you swear to love him until death do you part.

[not-close-to-straight]

More Than Words (Spideypool)(One)

Welcome to the story! This will be a time traveling shenanigan ft. Modern!Omega!Peter and Mountain Man!Alpha!Wade! Buckle up for 25 chapters (and growing!) of all the sass, sweetness and smexiness we love about Spideypool!

(For anyone new to my Spideypool: None of these characters are SM:HC/FFH. I pick my faves from Tobey Maguire/Andrew Garfield movies, and everyone else pretty much comes from the comics!)

(also, if anyone cares. The Title is from this cover of THIS SONG)

MTW MASTERLIST HERE

Enjoy!

**************** 

“To Peter, who managed to not only expose a terrible corporation for it’s greed and lack of morals, but also managed to shake Tony Stark’s hand without melting into a puddle of fan boy goo--” 

“Harry!.” Peter pinched the Alpha in the side and Harry oophed theatrically. “Either give me a proper toast or shut the hell up!” 

“I got one, I got one.” Gwen stood and raised her wine glass. “To Peter, who literally changed the world with his expose on Hammer Tech, and proved that the little guy can and does make a difference.” 

Peter rolled his eyes over the little guy comment but raised his drink anyway, and Gwen blew the Omega a kiss. “We are really proud of you Pete. Way to get famous.” 

“Way to get famous!” Johnny cheered and clanked his cup with Peter. “Also? Way to land that hell of a check. How many zeroes were on that thing?” 

“I counted three before the decimal.” Mary Jane tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear and leaned close for a quick kiss on Peter’s cheek. “Way to go, Tiger. Taking on powerful corporations, writing inflammatory exposes and catching the attention of Tony Stark? Not bad for a punky kid from Queens.” 

“It’s not bad.” Peter echoed, tugging the other Omega in for a one sided hug. “And meeting Tony Stark was pretty amazing, even though I think half the reason he gave me the grant was to rub it in Hammer’s face. Apparently those two hate each other.” 

“Look at that.” Johnny drawled. “The rich and famous are just like us , they have petty rivalries and everything.” 

“Hey, if their petty rivalries mean Peter doesn’t have to pay rent for the next year, then keep the bullshit coming!” Gwen decided loudly and Mary Jane murmured an agreeable, “I’ll drink to that.” 

“Was it really enough to pay your rent, Pete?” Harry raised his eyebrows. “All because of your story?” 

“Mr. Stark said something about how I couldn’t focus on saving the world if I was worried about my rent.” Peter shrugged off his friend’s wide eyed disbelief. “So he cut me a check from the Stark Foundation and told me to keep searching for the truth. And now--” despite his attempt at modesty, Peter’s smile stretched wide. “And now I’m not worried about my rent.” 

“So I’m thinking you and I should be roomies now since I would love to not pay rent for a year.” Gwen chimed in and Johnny snorted a laugh. “But let’s circle back to that later, because I found you something amazing when I was out thrift store shopping and this seems like a wildly inappropriate time to give it you, so here we go.” 

Peter shot a curious and maybe suspicious glance towards the usually prank happy Alpha, and tore the wrapping off the box while Harry protested, “I didn’t know we were supposed to bring congratulatory gifts tonight! That’s not fair, way to show us all up, Gwen!” 

“Well Har, I’d say give Pete a chunk of those famous Osborn millions, but I think he’s got the money part covered now.” Johnny leaned back in his chair and cocked his head in a clear challenge to the Alpha. “Which means you got nothing to give him, don’t it? Nothing to offer the Omega at all.” 

“And what exactly are you gonna give him?” Harry retorted, and Johnny bared his teeth as he replied, “Well a kiss, of course. Exactly what every Omega wants from a good lookin’ Alpha.” 

“Giving something I can get anytime isn’t really a present.” Peter deadpanned and Mary Jane giggled at Johnny’s affronted expression. “You give away kisses like you’re going out of business, Johnny. No Omega wants kisses that cheap.” 

“Brat.” Johnny huffed, scowling when Harry chuckled at Peter’s sass. “You’re just irritated you didn’t think of it, Harry. Gwen got Pete a present, I’m offering to give him kisses, so you’re the only Alpha around that doesn’t think enough of Pete to treat him well.” 

Harry’s lip curled in a snarl and Johnny echoed with one of his own, and just as Peter started to look annoyed, MJ cleared her throat and announced, “Boys! Alphas who act like knot heads won’t be invited to any more parties!” 

“Yeah, cut it out.” Gwen gave each of the other Alpha’s a swift kick beneath the table and scowled at them. “Stop ruining Pete’s big day.” 

“... sorry, Pete.” Harry deflated first, Johnny’s muttered apology coming next. “Sorry. Open your present and we’ll behave.” 

“Thanks.” Peter gave each Alpha a sweet smile, and went back to his present, quietly and wholeheartedly grateful for things like scent blockers. 

Nothing was worse for an Omega than getting a nose ful of hormone heavy Alpha scent, and today of all days, Peter didn’t want to play patient with a couple of jealous, horny Alphas. Usually Johnny and Harry were low key about their interest, but lately Johnny’s jokes had skewed towards sexual and intimate while Harry’s friendly protectiveness was inching towards possessive and Peter really just--

--oh God, he really just didn’t want any part of it. 

No thank you.

“Oh my god.” Attention diverted from the Alphas by his present, Peter burst into laughter when he saw-- “Gwen, is this a romance novel? ‘Claimed by the Mountain Alpha’?! Why would you buy me this?” 

“Oh please.” Gwen looked pleased as hell that her gift had made the Omega smile. “I have it on good authority you have an entire shelf full of smutty romances, Pete! And I know all your favorites are falling apart because you read the sexy parts over and over while you--!”

“GWEN!” Peter turned bright red and the Alpha almost cackled with laughter. “For the love of God, stop talking!” 

“I just thought you’d like something to read while you drink your champagne tonight.” Gwen amended, sounding only slightly less wicked. “You can get bubbly drunk and swoon over the x rated parts and I promise to only tease you a little for itt.” 

“Hey now, what an Omega does with their smutty novels--” Mary Jane started to defend Peter, and then paused to ask, “Wait. Were you going to drink champagne alone tonight, Peter? That is the saddest thing I’ve heard in my life! Champagne isn’t meant to be drank alone!” 

“I don’t think it’s the saddest thing in the world!” Peter protested. “Lots of people drink alone!” 

Harry was recovered from his earlier embarrassment and winked as he cut in, “Besides, I think it’s probably for the best Peter drink it by himself. I think we all remember what happened last time Pete got champagne drunk in public.”  

“Can confirm.” Johnny held up his phone and waggled his brows. “In fact, I still have the pictures! Shall we take a stroll down memory lane?” 

“That’s enough from all of you.” Peter said loudly and the group of friends dissolved into laughter. “Honestly though, Gwen. Did you set out to find me the cheesiest historical romance ever, or was it just a happy accident?” 

“I don’t want to say I went searching specifically for it.” Gwen’s glee over Peter’s embarrassment was almost comical. “But I did check six stores and ask people’s opinion about the purchase.” 

“Kill me.” Peter groaned. “Gwen--” 

“Holy crap!” Johnny snatched the book and ogled the cover, eyes overly wide. “Look at the tiddies on that guy! Are we sure he’s not the Omega?” 

“Not all Omegas have breasts, moron.” Harry took the book next, furrowing his brow at the scantily clad Omega clutched in a brutish Alpha’s arms. “Besides, that’s an old school Alpha right there, look at those fangs. No one has fangs anymore, they started yanking those on Alphas in the seventies. Gwen how old is this book?” 

“Apparently older than the seventies.” Gwen ran her tongue over her decidedly fangless teeth. “It’s nice they don’t just rip our fangs out anymore huh? A few hours at the cosmetic dentist and all us Alphas are perfectly socially acceptable.” 

Both Johnny and Harry grunted in agreement, and Gwen turned back to Peter. “Anyway sweetheart, I thought you’d like the book mostly for the vintage feel. It will fit right in with all of Uncle Ben’s records and Auntie May’s cross stitched pillows you keep around.” 

“I do like old fashioned things--” Peter began, but he was interrupted by MJ, who flipped a few pages of the novel and shouted, “WOW! Pete the sex in this is amazing!” 

The three Alphas at the table immediately began clamoring for the book and Peter could have just died when Harry read a line out loud about the Omega being taken roughly against the door and Johnny moaned through a description of the Alpha’s turgid--

“Alrighty then.” Peter snatched the novel and shoved it in his bag , blushing hard enough that the scent of embarrassment filtered out even through his suppressants, effectively shutting up the Alphas and making MJ automatically purr at him. “Please don’t read my smutty things out loud, and definitely don’t shout lines at the top of your lungs, mkay? Thanks.”  

“Aw Pete, we’re just teasing.” Johnny drummed his fingers on the table, clicking his tongue soothingly until Peter’s scent mellowed again. “Sorry about that.”

“We didn’t mean anything by it, Pete. But come on, be honest.” Harry waved down the waitress and motioned for another round of drinks. “An Omega like you doesn’t really want an Alpha like that, right?” 

“What do you mean an Omega like me?” Peter sipped at his wine and scowled at his friends. “What does that mean?” 

“You refused to kiss me until I had my fangs filed down.” Gwen pointed out. “And we were thirteen. They were barely fangs, Pete!” 

“You wear suppressants even on dates.” Johnny said next and Harry added, “You only call one of us for your heat at the very last minute when you can’t handle it anymore, then kick us out right after getting knotted.” 

“I called you Omega last week and you about bit my head off.” Gwen stated. “One time when we snuggled, you purred real sweet so I growled and called you pretty, and you kicked me off the couch.” 

“Okay okay okay!” Peter held up his hands in surrender. “Alright fine. Yes, Gwen I’m very happy that Alpha’s don't have fangs anymore because honestly, yikes. And seriously how is the growling thing hot? Growling is practically a threat!. I wear suppressants on dates so the Alpha has to pay attention to me and not my scent, but lots of Omegas do that, it’s not just me. You Alphas wear scent blockers too, how is that any different?” 

“And kicking you out after I get knotted? I mean--” Peter didn’t even have the grace to look ashamed. “What else do I need an Alpha for? What’s the point of you guys sticking around? I don’t want stinky Alpha cuddles after my heat, I want a shower and a pound of pasta.” 

Predictably, the three Alphas erupted into arguments about how post heat cuddles were necessary and that their knot wasn’t the only thing they were good for, and amid the commotion Mary Jane leaned over and whispered, “Okay, but you don’t really hate Alpha scent and growls, do you?” 

“It’s not my favorite.” Peter whispered back. “What’s sexy about an Alpha getting possessive and growling? They’re like a dog acting greedy with a bone, except instead of a bone they have knots!” 

“Oh my god.” Mary Jane muffled a giggle. “You’re absolutely right about that, but I stll think it could be romantic! An Alpha being driven so wild by my scent they are reduced to growls? Imagine having your true mate, your soul mate absolutely speechless, reduced to nothing but their basest instincts when they see you. Or wow, to actually be scent bonded? For an Alpha to know you are meant to be theirs just because of your scent?”

“And fangs?” She lowered her voice some more. “I know Alphas don’t have fangs anymore, but come on, Tiger. You’d totally melt if an Alpha pushed you against a door and ran their teeth over your neck. Imagine it with sharp and dangerous fangs. Just think about it.”

“I think you’re just a horny Omega who needs a good knotting.” Peter decided and MJ squealed at him. 

“I’m being serious! You don’t think it’s romantic? Not at all?!” 

“I think that our grandparents literally had to march on Washington to give Omegas the right to vote.” Peter said flatly. “Your parents campaigned to have their Omega-Omega bond seen as legal just so they could adopt you. It took years and years of serious legislation before Omegas had access to reliable birth control and suppressants so we could lead lives outside the house and it was May’s generation that demanded Alphas use scent blockers so the rest of us aren’t subjected to their aggression and hormones.” 

“Well sure but--” 

“Remember forced marriages because Alphas would scent match and imprint, and the Omegas had to mate so the Alpha wouldn’t snap feral and hurt someone?” Peter pressed. “Omegas and even Betas in the hospital for emergency or plastic surgery because an Alpha raged out and tore them up with their fangs? You’d rather have this sort of dynamic--” Peter pointed to the book, to the fangs and the Omega’s clear submission in contrast to the Alpha’s nearly animalistic dominance. “Then what we have now?” 

“Well it doesn't have to be all or nothing.” MJ groused. “Just because I like Alphas getting growly and maybe fantasize about getting stuck with some fangs doesn’t mean I want some Alpha to scent bond me and then force me to mate. Sheesh Pete, lighten up a little.” 

“History has proved, it’s pretty much all or nothing.” The Omega lifted on shoulder in a half hearted shrug. “It’s either fangs and no chemical regulators and a society where we Omegas are literally at the mercy of an Alpha’s hormones, or a world where everyone takes their medicine, Alphas get rid of the weapons in their mouths and Omegas can lead normal lives.”

“Pete.” Mary Jane rolled her eyes. “You talk like you have no use for Alphas at all. Look me in the eye and tell me you’ve never once read one of these stupid romance novel and wanted a mate of your own. Social things and work and all that aside, you really don’t want a mate? You’re twenty four and never even had a serious relationship. Don’t you wonder what you’re missing?

Something awful flitted through Peter’s dark eyes then, painful and vulnerable enough to make Mary Jane catch her breath in surprise. “Oh honey, are you okay?”

She reached for him, but Peter leaned away and schooled his features, managing a nearly bland, “I dunno, MJ. I think I prefer this life. Mates and scent matches are about as necessary as fairy tales, you know? I’m not missing out on anything.” 

“Pete--” Mary Jane whispered, but just then the Alphas decided to stop arguing and rejoin the conversation and Johnny stuck his nose in to ask, “What’s this about mates? Pete, are you finally thinking about settling down?” 

“Nope.” Peter slashed his hand through the air and shook his head. “Don’t get your hopes up. I was telling MJ that mates and scent matches are unnecessary, but what is entirely necessary is my next project, so I need to get home and get started. Mr. Stark didn’t give me all this money so I could blow it drinking with my friends.” 

“What’s your next project, Pete?” Harry reached for the bill before the Omega could, and passed his card off to the waitress. “I thought the Hammer Tech story was your entire workload.” 

“I’ve been working on a side project for a while now.” Peter blew the Alpha a kiss as a thank you for buying his drinks. “I was going to do one of those genealogy charts as a present for May and was tracking our family through secondary biologies, but then I came across an article that said almost all male Omegas have a mutant in their family tree. So I started researching mutants and it sort of spiraled from there into a --”

{{AUTHORS NOTE: This fic will include themes of racism towards mutants and will reference things such as WW2 concentration camps and past treatment of different religious/ethnic/indigenous groups at the hands of the government. It is talked about in a “It was terrible what they did back then” sort of way, and as the fic continues, I will try and TW anything notable with in the chapters so you can avoid/skip as needed}}

Peter stopped when Johnny and Harry shared very uncomfortable looks, and Gwen’s eyes widened in alarm. “...what?” 

“Pete.” Gwen cleared her throat, visibly thinking through her words before speaking. “Uh… the mutant thing isn’t really… I mean, people don’t talk about that, you know? No one talks about it. Maybe steer away from that when you do you family tree.”

“What?” 

“There used to be a lot of hostility towards mutants.” Johnny said slowly. “And even though they aren’t around anymore, people still get up in arms about it. Hundreds of people died in the mutant uprisings through the last century. My grandpa died in one of those riots, Pete.”

“I know he did, Johnny.” Peter tilted his head and trilled comfortingly at the Alpha. “And I’ve come across some pretty horrifying accounts of what happened on both sides of those fights. I’ve read about mutants in the camps during World War II, I’ve read about different battles across the country, the riots in the seventies-- I’ve read it all.” 

“Well, a lot of people think the mutant population is better off gone.” Harry spoke up then. “And no one wants to talk about it. It’s one thing to take on big companies who are ruining the earth, but the mutant control they enacted in the forties and fifties… there’s still people around that would take serious offense to you digging around in that. It’s better off left alone.” 

“I’m not trying to step on anyone’s toes.” Peter waved off their concerns. “I’m trying to uncover anything, I’m looking for some answers about my own family tree and that’s it. Male Omegas being the last of what we could consider mutants is pretty interesting, but I’m not looking for anything inflammatory, just my own history. I’ll be fine.”  

“Promise me you’ll be careful.” MJ worried at her bottom lip. “I know what it means to look for who you are, Pete. Being adopted means I don’t know anything about my family and I understand wanting to look, but a connection to mutants…that’s not great, Tiger. You don’t want that, or at least you don’t want to make a big deal about it.” 

“I’ll be fine.” Peter repeated, slinging his bag over his shoulder and blowing kisses to his friends. “Thank you for the drinks and the little party, Gwen, thank you for your present. I’ll talk to you guys in the morning?” 

There was no reason to worry his friends with more details about this particular project. They didn’t need to know Peter’s research had skewed far past ‘ancestry’ and deep into concerning accounts of brutality and forced assimilation. They’d hate if they knew Peter had found scattered stories about experimentation and what scientists had done in a horrifying attempt to advance science, about schools that were more like prisons and prisons that were more like concentration camps right here in their own country. 

Peter had found hints of a settlement near the Canadian border thought to be a mutant village that had rallied and revolted, attacking a military installation, and killing every soldier, every woman and child. But worse were the hints Peter found about the same settlement, hints that said it had been less of a revolt and more of a massacre, less of an uprising and more of a slaughter, that the women and children had been taken from the village and held captive and the attack was an attempt at a rescue. 

It was horrifying, stomach turning, the sort of thing Peter couldn’t just leave alone--

--and then among the scraps and barely there information about the village had been a picture of a man who looked so much like him it was almost terrifying, and Peter’s growing interest in the project had taken an abrupt turn towards obsessive. 

There were blood stained secrets in the wilds near the border, secrets that involved someone related to Peter, and he fully intended to find out every single one. 

******************

“Journal, check. Extra battery for my camera, check. Couple of changes of clothes, check. Hotel itinerary, check.” Peter muttered to himself as he packed a backpack. “Ibuprofen, check. Phone charger, check. Digital recorder, check. Gwen’s terrible romance novel in case I get bored, check. Toiletries, check--” 

His doorbell rang and interrupted his packing, and the Omega wrinkled his nose in annoyance. He’d told the Alphas he was busy, Aunt May never came around without calling first, it had better not be the maintenance guy finally showing up to fix the leaky faucet at eight at night. “Hold on a minute!” Peter finally called when the bell dinged again. “Give me just a second to get-- Oh. Mary Jane.” 

Peter checked down the hall to see if anyone else had come along with the redhead. “Hey. What are you doing here?” 

“I would have called, but my phone is dead. Can I use your charger?” MJ pushed right past Peter and into the apartment, holding up a bag of Peter’s favorite take out as she went. “I kept thinking about you drinking that champagne alone and that drove me crazy so I stopped and got food and came to share the bubbly.” 

“You’re very sweet.” Peter stepped close to the other Omega and brushed his nose across her cheek, smiling when she trilled softly and returned the gesture. “I’m not doing much, so dinner and champagne sounds great. Thank you.” 

“Are you already working on your new project?” MJ’s coat landed over a chair as she went right for the champagne. “Or have you started that book Gwen got you? I swear Pete, would it kill you to do some relaxing outside your apartment? All you ever do is work and--” 

The pretty redhead paused when she caught sight of the half packed backpack, her gaze sharpening in curiosity. “--Pete? Where are you going? You didn’t say anything about leaving when he had lunch today.” 

“Yeah.” Peter scratched at the back of his neck uncomfortably. “Yeah, um about that. I’m heading for upstate tomorrow, gonna do a little hiking and poke around up by one of the lakes. Some rest and relaxation, you know? I won’t be gone more than a few days.” 

“Uh-huh.” Mary Jane narrowed her eyes. “Why didn’t you say anything?” 

“Well I mean--” Peter tried for casual, trying to make his friend laugh and hopefully distract her. “Remember the last time one of us tried to leave town for a mini vacation?” 

“Mm-hmm, Gwen was going to road trip to visit her Nana and we all ended up crammed in her Subaru and driving to Disney World.” Mary Jane picked up the legal pad full of Peter’s notes and read through the first few lines. “I vividly remember having to sit on Johnny’s lap the entire time-- Pete, this is all notes about mutants. Why do you have all these, you said it wasn’t that big of a project, just an ancestry thing.”

Damn it. “Yep.” Peter shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “That's-- that’s what I said.” 

“Then what is all this?” Mary Jane flipped through a few more pages. “Newspaper clippings and quotes and what’s this, a piece from an old book? What happened to researching your family tree?” 

“I... was.” Peter hedged, taking the legal pad from her hands. “I was researching. But then it turned into something else.” 

“Something else what.” MJ prompted. “Why are you so interested in mutants all the sudden? Where’s the mystery in it, Pete? They used to exist and now they don’t, and every book you pick up is going to tell you the same thing--mutants disappeared in the seventies and no one knows what happened.”

“Someone has to know what happened, MJ.” 

“Well.” The Omega huffed. “Sure someone has to know, but this is like chasing aliens. Everyone has accepted that mutants don’t exist anymore, and the people who haven’t accepted it get treated like they’re crazy until they get overly nosy and irritating and get visits from men in black suits. Is that what you want? To have everyone think you’re nuts?”

“Doesn’t the visit from men in black suits prove there’s something they’re trying trying to hide?” Peter pointed out with a small smile. “And yeah, I read all the books MJ. I tracked down newspaper articles, I’ve done my research on the claims the tabloids print about super powered humans and dangerous mutants. I know it’s crazy and I know--” he blew out a deep breath. “-- I know working on this could cost me every bit of credibility my last article gave me. I know that.”

“Then why are you risking it?” Mary Jane gestured to his bag, to the stack of information. “Don’t you remember Doctor Connors from a few years ago? He got hooked on research about mutants and genetic experimentation and ended up in a padded cell, screaming about turning into a lizard and regrowing limbs. All his research has been trashed, the books he’s written discredited, and everyone thinks his mental state was so compromised that his previous findings can’t be trusted. That could happen to you, Pete.” 

“It know it could, but I have to find out anyway.” Peter shrugged helplessly and Mary Jane threw her hands up in frustration. “I gotta find answers about this. If there’s a mutant in my family tree somewhere, I have to know who they are.” 

“This is about what happened at lunch.” MJ suddenly realized. “When we were talking about you missing out on something because you don’t have any interest in relationships. You got this real awful expression on your face. What's wrong, and what does it have to do with mutants?”

Peter looked at his friend for a long long moment, and then finally asked, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up every morning and grieve for something you don’t know you’re missing? It’s something essential from your core, from your very center of being, and you can’t even breathe for lack of it, but you don’t know what it is.”

Mary Jane only blinked at him, and Peter sighed, dropping onto the couch and putting his face in his hands. “I feel like that every day, MJ. It started after I lost my parents and it got worse when I had to move schools and a worse again when I moved out of May and Ben’s to get my own place. I have a great life, you know? I have great friends and a wonderful career-- I mean hell, I won an award today. Because of my work, those slums will be bulldozed and Hammer Tech has to pay to build quality housing for their workers. I did that, and I’m very proud of it.” 

Peter tapped at his chest. “But I’m still empty. Hollow. Something is missing from me and lately it’s been getting worse. I’m hardly sleeping, I can’t concentrate, I’ve lost like fifteen pounds cos I can’t make myself eat. I think I’m depressed but why would I be depressed?” and then with a self deprecating laugh. “I’d say I’m in love and needing my Alpha, but I’ve never been in love in my life.” 

“Oh, Tiger.” MJ clicked her tongue sympathetically and joined Peter on the couch, budging close and wrapping her arms around his waist. “I’m so sorry.” 

“This is why I became a reporter.” Peter suddenly sounded tired, exhausted really, more weary than Mary Jane had ever heard. “I’m looking for something in my life and being a reporter means I get to go places and meet people and research and maybe one day I’ll figure out what’s gonna fill this void inside me. I love you so much, MJ, but it’s not friendship I need. And before you say anything about me needing a bond, I am telling you--” 

Peter actually shuddered as he said the words. “I am telling you, the thought of mating with any of our Alphas makes me want to run away. Gwen is perfect and Harry is gorgeous and Johnny is hilarious, they are all amazing Alphas, amazing people and would be amazing mates, but I can’t be with them. They aren’t enough, they’re almost...they’re almost boring. I’m bored with them.” 

“You’re bored.” Mary Jane echoed, clearly not understanding but trying her best to be supportive. “What does that mean?” 

“You know why I read those terrible romance novels?” Peter offered her a wobbly smile. “Because those characters are completely fulfilled by whatever they find, whether it’s a life they didn’t know they wanted or a romance with someone unexpected or an adventure they didn’t think they were ready for. They are content and I don’t think I’ve ever been content. It’s like there’s a piece of me out there that I can’t get a hold of and until I find it, I can’t rest. I can’t rest, MJ. I’m just running in place, breaking my own heart over something I don’t understand.”

“And you think the thing you’re missing has something to do with this settlement up North?” She clarified. “Why do you think that?” 

Peter chewed at the inside of his cheek for a few seconds, then reached into his pack for a folded photograph and passed it over. “Because of this.” 

The other Omega studied the grainy picture for a minute before her mouth fell open in an ‘o’. “Pete, when is this photo from? This guy could almost be you, is this your great grandfather?” 

“I don’t know.” Peter admitted. “I’ve traced my family history back as far as I can trying to find him but there’s a point about a hundred and fifty years ago where the family split and the tree gets real messy in some spots and very blank in others. But when I was looking into the Haven settlement by the border, I found this picture in the very bottom of an old box of newspaper clippings and--”

“-- you think whoever this person is, he’s in your family tree somewhere.” Mary Jane guessed. “And if he was in the village upstate, then he was most likely a mutant and that’s why you’re chasing this story so hard.” 

“It’s a part of my past.” Peter ran careful fingers over the time yellowed photograph. “And maybe understanding more about the time period and more about who this person is could help me understand myself.” 

He placed the picture back and shook his head ruefully. “I know I sound crazy. And I’m definitely grasping at straws. This is probably nothing more than a coincidence but it also could be really important and as crazy as it sounds?” Peter waited for Mary Jane to meet his eyes. “MJ, this is as close to feeling whole as I’ve ever been. The search for answers is keeping me up at night but it feels good, it feels like I’m finally on the right path. I don’t even have words for how relieved I am every time I find something else. It’s just-- it’s just--” 

“Sometimes when our souls are involved, it’s more than words can say.” Mary Jane offered simply. “That’s what Ma says when she talks about how she and Pop fell in love. It was their souls recognizing each other, and there isn’t any words for how incredible it is. If this project is pulling at your soul, then no wonder you can’t let it go.” 

“Yeah.” Peter managed a smile. “It’s my soul. My soul is relieved every time I get a little bit closer to figuring this out, so I can’t stop looking. I won’t.” 

“And I don’t think you should.” Mary Jane handed Peter a few more notes from the table. “If this is what you’re called to do, then do it. I’ll support you, Tiger.” 

“I love you.” Peter breathed out shakily and leaned into his friend’s arms. “Thank you. I’m sorry, I know this was supposed to be food and champagne and then I got all intense and--” 

“Stop.” MJ hushed him, petting through Peter’s thick hair and purring softly until he went limp against her. “The food and champagne will keep. Let’s just hold each other for a while.” 

Despite Peter’s insistence that life was better with suppressants and blockers, that Omegas were better off not having their hormones and scents control their emotions, there was something to be said for the way two Omegas could connect and bond and soothe each other. 

Mary Jane always scented like sweet peaches and spicy ginger and Peter tucked his nose into the crook of her neck and breathed in deep as the Omega’s scent flooded rich with comfort and affection and MJ only trilled in approval when Peter stretched out on the couch and brought her down onto his chest so their suppressant muted scents could mingle for a while, calming them both. 

“You won’t do anything reckless up at the camp site, will you?” Mary Jane asked sometime later and Peter shifted beneath her until he could tangle his fingers in her long hair, tugging at the strands idly. “Pete? Promise me you won’t do anything crazy.” 

“I won’t do anything crazy.” Peter promised.

“Take some bear spray.” 

“MJ, I’m not taking--” 

“Take some bear spray, Pete.” 

“Fine.” Peter kissed the top of her head. “I’ll take some bear spray.” 

“Thank you.” 

Only after Mary Jane had closed her eyes and snuggled close again did Peter glance over at his phone when it lit up for the third time in just a few minutes. 

He had joined a chat group and message board several weeks ago, one dedicated to asking questions about mutants and Peter had asked a lot of questions. He had an entire list of things he had to know, and he sat up for hours every night reading answers and threads and following links and taking notes. 

And then finally, sort of suddenly really, someone named Nathan Summers had contacted Peter privately, promising answers to some of the harder questions. 

Peter had told him about the village up North and Nathan had known immediately what he was talking about. Nathan had suggested they meet up and walk the site together, Peter had only hesitated for a second before agreeing. 

He had to know. 

Peter’s phone lit up with another message from Nathan right then, probably double checking what time they were going to meet at the hotel tomorrow, and Peter swallowed back a flash of trepidation as he reached with one hand to type a message back. 

This was probably a terrible idea, but he wasn’t going to turn back now. 

He had to know. 

**************

**************

It took nearly five and a half hours to make it to the hotel Peter had booked, and he only stopped long enough to check in and drop off his computer before getting back in the car and continuing North. 

The supposed camp site was two hours off the highway, down a dirt road and nearly running into Lake Haven in some areas, skirting the edge of the mountain very closely at others. Peter craned his neck to take in as much as he could see without driving off the increasingly sketchy road, looking for signs or landmarks or anything that resembled the less than rudimentary maps he’d found. 

Winter warped the landscape here every single year, avalanches wiping away trees and displacing huge pieces of mountain, the rains flooding in the spring and summer washing away roads and swelling rivers until they jumped their banks and created new pathways. A dam built twenty-something years ago had created a lake where there hadn’t been one before and dried out a previously hidden valley and Peter knew he could be on a wild goose chase. The odds of finding anything resembling ruin or evidence of a village were slim anyway, but after a hundred and fifty years everything he was looking for could be hidden under water or swept under a mudslide or a rockslide or shit, New York even had tornadoes, it could have been a tornado--

“Oh thank God.” Peter breathed a sigh of relief when he finally made it around a final corner and into what was left of the parking lot of an old campground. The State had tried to make this area close to the border more accessible to the public, but no one came this far North without wanting to see Ontario or continuing West to the falls or just skipping the border to get into Canada, so the dozen or so installed campgrounds had fallen to ruin. 

Thankfully this one still had a mostly paved parking lot and what looked like permanent outhouses, and since Peter knew no one would randomly stumble onto his car here, he felt perfectly safe leaving it locked as he hefted his backpack and took off hiking into the woods. 

He was supposed to meet Nathan tonight at the hotel, so Peter had most of the afternoon to explore around the river and into the forest. The village was rumoured to be on the other side of the lake and he certainly wouldn’t make it that far today, but he could at least find a way through the forest so tomorrow hiking with Nathan would be easier.

“Tell me your secrets.” Peter murmured as he reached to touch a nearly faded plaque marking the site as one of historical significance. “I want to know everything.” 

Curiosity and the cat, right?

Peter lost himself for hours wandering around the massive trees, ducking under low hanging branches and climbing up and over boulders, stopping to take pictures as he went.

It seemed impossible that anyone could have survived here without machinery to clear a path, without lights to chase the shadows from the looming forest. How did they get water? How did they get supplies? Had the mutants considered themselves American and went to the Fort for supplies or did they cross the border and head further North? Was it a terrible life, a difficult life like the stories of settlers out West? Did they even speak English or was there a mutant language that had ceased to exist like so many other indigenous dialects?

Peter had so many questions, hundreds and hundreds of questions and he wanted to know everything and yet he found himself slowing, lingering, just looking as the urgency of it all faded away into awe and appreciation for the land around him.

It was beautiful up here, wild and open and Peter stopped just to tip his head back and breathe. He’d never noticed how polluted the city was until right now, hadn’t realized how loud traffic could be until he couldn’t hear anything but the birds and the hum of insects and the wind swooping through the trees. The sunlight filtered through branches in patches, lighting some areas golden and covering others in shade and if Peter tilted his head and listened, if he breathed deep and stretched his senses he could almost feel the lake close by. 

It was beautiful and peaceful and Peter thought maybe a bit of his soul settled as he leaned back against the sun warmed surface of a big rock and closed his eyes. 

Why did this feel so good?

Peter wished he’d thought to bring a tent just so he wouldn’t have to leave, but this time of year night came quickly, bringing the cold right along with it and with the sun already dipping in the sky, Peter had no choice but to leave the unexpected sanctuary of the woods and head towards his car. The road had been barely passable in the daylight and he couldn’t imagine how difficult it would be in the dark, and Nathan would be waiting at the hotel restaurant here in a few hours, so he really had to go.

Still, it almost hurt to leave and Peter touched the plaque again as he passed, lingering over the letters for a long moment and--

“You’re Parker?” a sudden voice from the gathering shadows, low, gravelly and frightening. “Peter, right? I didn’t expect you to be an Omega.” 

“Holy shit--” Peter whirled around, clutching at the can of bear spray MJ had demanded he bring along. “Who’s there? Who are you?” 

And then almost as an afterthought, “How do you know I’m an Omega? I’m wearing scent blockers and it’s half dark outside.” 

“I can smell it on you.” A shadow darker than the others separated and Peter caught a flash of Alpha red eyes from beneath a hood. “Those scent blockers you use only work on tamer Alphas. One like me can sniff out your biology without even trying.” 

“Ooookay. Well fair’s fair with that so if you don’t mind--” Peter swallowed a little and leaned in towards the stranger, flaring his nostrils and trying to gather as much of the Alpha’s scent as he could. 

But the Alpha reeked of blood and burning, of metallic and copper and smoke and when Peter sucked in a sharp breath ready to scream, the Alpha interrupted, “It’s not blood, Parker. It’s metal. Just metal and smoke is what you’re scenting. Don’t panic.” 

“You’re-- you’re Nathan Summers?” Peter bit at his lip and shifted nervously on his feet, hoping his suppressants were still working enough to choke the fear drenching his scent. Fuck this had been a bad idea. “You said we would meet at the hotel, what are you doing here? How did you find me?” 

“That doesn't matter.” A flare of a match and the end of a cigar lit cherry red between them. “And the name’s Cable. Haven’t been Nathan Summers in a long while now.” 

“It absolutely matters how you found me.” The Omega tried for a bravery he didn’t feel. “And alright Cable, you said you had some solid information for me, so I want it. It’s getting cold and dark and you’re wasting my time. What do you know?” 

“Mouthy little shit.” Cable might have chuckled, but it came out almost a growl. “Omegas always have too much attitude. I know you’re scared, I can smell it on you. You’re still gonna try and be a smart ass?” 

“Well I--” 

“You’re gonna stop looking into the meta humans.” Cable interrupted. “Your little project doesn’t exist anymore, alright? I had to get you face to face to make sure you weren’t a real threat, and now I’m telling you to stop looking into the meta humans.” 

“Meta--” Peter cleared his throat, his damned curiosity and the ache in his heart telling him to keep asking. “Meta humans. Is that what you called the mutants? Why meta? Are you saying the mutants have super powers? Or powers in general? I’ve only heard about physical mutations and there are a few recorded cases of feats of strength but--” 

“You’re not listening, kid.” Cable took a deep drag on the cigar and blew the smoke out over Peter’s head. “Stop asking questions, stop posting online, stop your research. Nothing involving meta humans ends well and you do not want the type of trouble this will bring. Back off, little Omega. Run along home.” 

“Go back to the meta human thing.” Peter ignored the flare of annoyance over being called little Omega and squinted in the dark when he caught a glimpse of something gleaming along Cable’s shoulder. “Just tell me yes or no. Powers? What about the settlement here, was it actually an uprising that brought the Army after them? It had to be an uprising if you’re talking about people with super powers, can you tell me if--?” 

“You’re trying my patience.” Cable grunted and turned further from Peter’s view. “This is your last warning kid. Stop digging around or I can’t be responsible for what comes knocking on your door. We’ve stayed hidden a long time just trying to live our lives, I’m not going to let some nosy Omega screw it up.” 

“No no wait!” There were a hundred things Peter should have done right then-- and all of them involved running away-- but instead Peter lunged forward and grabbed onto Cable’s left arm as the man started to walk away “Tell me! Tell me what’s going on! I’m tired of never getting a straight answer with these things and I have to know, you don’t understand I have to know--”

Peter had only a split second to realize he wasn’t feeling flesh but machinery under his fingers, and then a split second more to register an ear splitting noise like grinding gears before Cable flung him into the trees. 

Peter screamed as he went flying through the air, nearly bit his tongue in half when he smacked into a tree trunk, and lay there crumpled and stunned for a full minute. 

Machinery, the scent of blood, the weird clicking, the way Cable called them meta humans and not mutants and talked about-- 

“--We’ve lived a long time just trying to live our lives.” 

Our lives. 

Cable was a mutant and he’d just thrown Peter twenty feet without even trying. 

Oh my god, I could die tonight. 

“I didn’t mean to do that.” Cable was suddenly in front of Peter, over Peter, crouching down and reaching to check that the Omega hadn’t broken anything in the fall. “I know you’re just a kid and don’t mean to cause trouble but--” 

He stopped talking when panic turned the air bitter, and the Alpha covered his mouth when he gagged at the stench. “Parker, what--” 

“Your arm.” Peter’s eyes were very wide, his face very pale in the dimming light and Cable muffled a curse when he realized his hood and cloak had fallen away. “What the hell happened to your arm?” 

“It’s a long story.” Cable rotated the mechanism, grimacing over the grind of gears and the tug and pull of metal along his shoulder, up his neck and into his skull. “And one you don’t want to know. You think the rest of the world wants to hear about this? You think people want to know I'm walking around in the shadows?” 

“I--I--I--” Peter’s eyes darted from the mutant’s face to the metal at his arm, up to the eerie glow of one robotic eye and the flashing red of Alpha in the other. “How-- oh my god--” 

“I don’t even want to be like this.” Cable said then and he sounded bone weary, patting at a disc shaped object on the strap around his chest. “Kid, no one wants this. Whatever you are looking for up here? Let it go. Just-- Just let it go.” 

“I can’t.” Peter whispered and the Alpha’s expression flickered in what looked like resignation and maybe even understanding. “I gotta know and you-- you gotta help me.” 

“I’m not going to help you.” 

“But you have to!” Peter’s eyes dropped to watch when Cable touched that same disc again. “Why else would you come all the way up here?” 

“I came up here to warn you-- HEY!” Cable shouted in alarm when the Omega darted forward and snatched the disc away, kicking Cable right in the face before taking off running into the woods. “Goddammit Parker! Get back here right now! You don’t know what that thing is!” 

“Then tell me!” Peter cried as he fled. “Is this a mutant thing? Or a meta human thing? What is it? I want answers!” 

“Stop with the endless questions and just give me the damn device!” Cable muttered a curse when the Omega only picked up speed, swerving towards the parking lot. “No! No you fool! Give that back right now, you have no idea what you’re messing with!” 

Peter was gone though, sprinting through the trees towards the lights of the campground, the device clutched tight in his hand. He was almost to his car, almost to safety, almost there almost there almost there--

--It was like hitting a brick wall, and Peter screamed as he jolted to a stop, his entire body forced to stillness abruptly enough to make his head hurt and his fists clench, pain washing through his core. 

“What?” Peter tried to make his feet move, tried to make his hands move, tried to do anything but he was utterly trapped and as Cable marched up to him with one hand held out and a furious red glint in his one human eye, Peter knew it was the mutant Alpha’s doing. “Wh-what is this? How are you doing this?” 

“There are a thousand things in this world you cannot begin to understand.” Cable said shortly. “And believe it or not, I’m not even close to the worst of them. Hand me that device slowly and I’ll let you go. Slow and easy, kid. No one needs to get hurt, alright?” 

“No one needs to get hurt?” Peter repeated, the words coming thick through honey, his tongue not quite working right. “You’re chasing me through the woods and threatening me and I’m supposed to think you’re not going to hurt me?” 

“You’re messing with things you will never understand, and I’m not going to let you ruin lives because you can’t stop asking questions.” Cable held out his free hand and snapped his fingers. “My patience is gone, so here it is. We’ve got two options-- I keep you suspended so you can’t run and you hand me that thing willingly, or I rip you in half to get to it. What’s it going to be?” 

Peter didn’t answer though, and after a moment Cable snapped his fingers again. “What’s it going to be?” 

“...is this supposed to be ticking?” Peter asked very very quietly, holding up the disc as it began to glow. “Because-- because it started ticking a few seconds ago. What’s happening?” 

“Oh god dammit--” Cable dropped the hold on Peter and lunged for the Omega, lunged for his device but a second before his fingers made contact, the ticking stopped. 

“No no no no---!” 

A flash of bright light, the acrid scent of smoke and when Cable stumbled to a stop, both the Omega and the device were gone. 

Gone. 

“Oh no.” The mutant dragged both his hands through his silvering hair and groaned. “What have I done?” 

*****************

*****************

1872

The early morning frost crunched beneath Wade’s feet as he stalked through the woods, heavy boots breaking branches and kicking stones out of the way, three or four rabbits hanging limp over his broad shoulders, a rifle held securely in hand. 

This time of year the bears tended to be fat and lazy so the Alpha wasn’t too concerned about disturbing one of them, but he’d seen mountain lion tracks outside his cabin the other morning and again last night, and the big cats were a different sort of danger altogether. Wade kept his eyes sharp as he scanned the trees and bushes along his path for anything feline, kept his nose to the air so he’d catch anything dead that would attract the predators, and kept his rifle ready just in case.

Sometimes fangs and brute strength just weren’t enough to keep a man alive in this wilderness. 

Wait. The Alpha stopped in his tracks when the air tinged with a scent that didn’t belong-- smoky and burnt and brimming with panic, but beneath all that was the thready scent of Omega and that-- well that wasn’t right at all.

What the hell was an Omega doing all the way out here?

“Oh shit.” Wade dropped his gear abruptly when he saw a form at the base of a tree, an Omega laying limp in the frost like he’d been dropped from the sky and left for dead. “Shit shit shit, how did you get here?” 

Wade ran careful hands up the Omega’s legs to feel for broken bones, pressed gingerly to check for busted ribs, glanced at and then away from the unmarked bonding spot and reached for the Omega’s chin to tip his head back and -- 

“Oh.”  The Alpha gulped when he got a clear look at the Omega’s features, thick hair and freckle dusted skin and gorgeous lips, dark eyes fluttering open in confusion and fear and Wade automatically rumbled something soft at the Omega, murmuring “Hey, shhh. It’s okay. I dunno what you’re doing here, but I got you, okay? I’ve got you. Let’s get you off the ground, come here.” 

The pretty thing didn’t weigh enough to matter and Wade lifted the Omega without any effort at all, but when the Alpha got a nose full of heady lavender and sweet honeysuckle scent, his knees buckled and nearly sent them both pitching back to the forest floor. 

“Oh.” Wade wheezed, hazel eyes snapping red and a growl working in his throat as the Omega scent filled his senses and left him reeling, stumbling. “Oh fuck--” 

“Mmmm.” The Omega was barely conscious but he still turned and tucked his nose tighter to Wade’s chest. “...smell...good…” 

“Damn it.” Wade automatically held the Omega tighter, helpless against his biology’s sudden call of protect, and more worrisome, the soul echoing claim of  mine. “Where did you come from Omega?” 

There was no answer, the Omega slipping unconscious again and the Alpha swallowed hard, barely able to form the words to ask. “And how long will it be before Cable comes back for you?” 

*****************

SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE CHAPTER!

ASK TO BE TAGGED IN THE FIC!

*****************

@ships-galore @ceealaina @izziebladez @cwar1864 @hausoffro @lookuplaughing @tonystarkisanangel @multishippinglife @girlnic @iam93percentstardust @water-colouredmemories @paranormalmoonlight5 @igotloki @moosette05 @wayward-student-philosopher @kaz-brekkers-gloves @atomicfandombomb @desitonystark @ricecakeandhoney @ardatlily @fawnandgays  @bibbarnes @blackstar1602 @hi-inevitable-im-deadpool @scientifically-lesbian-jesus @bluedreamdino 

[snidgetsafan]

A Dog by Any Other Name

Rating: T for swearing

Length: 3.2k

Summary:  After her boyfriend finds himself arrested, Emma Swan is left with a broken heart, a trashed apartment... and her ex's dog. While she agrees to keep the dog, she draws the line at calling him such a ridiculous name. Killian Jones, her hot British neighbor, wholeheartedly agrees.

On AO3

Notes: Here is my contribution to @cspupstravaganza​! Thank you to @profdanglaisstuff​ and @kmomof4​ for organizing this event, and thank you to the lovely ladies on the discord for making this event so much fun! 

Thank you as always to @shireness-says​ for her amazing beta skills, even though her lack of faith in my puns is disturbing. That John Oliver quote is for you, even though I wholeheartedly disagree with it. 

Disclaimer: I do think the dog’s name is terrible, and I designed it this way. I in no way think this is a good pun, or even that you should pun when naming a pet.

Enjoy!

Emma sits on her couch, contemplating the mess that her apartment has become.

(Her life also has gone down the drain, but it’s easier to think about her living room.)

She says “her” living room, but yesterday it had been “their” living room – as in hers and Walsh’s, her now former boyfriend. Turns out she’s got a knack for dating losers, because just this morning as she was brushing her hair and Walsh was putting the coffee on, the police had banged on their door to arrest him and search the apartment. 

Walsh was accused of smuggling stolen goods and embezzling. Now she understands why he’d insisted on putting the lease in her name only; bastard wanted to cover his tracks.

Emma looks at the plaster and wooden frame scattered over the floor, all that remained of her ornamental mantle; she’d told Walsh that she’d always wanted a chimney when she was a child to hang Christmas stockings from and to spend cold days in front of. He’d surprised her when she had come back from a three-day stakeout with a new addition to their living room. She’d thought it sweet at the time, even if not what she had meant at all, but she now realizes that he’d had it built to hide money inside. Tens of thousands of dollars. That he’d stolen. Sleazy fucking asshole.

Not only does she have to piece her life back together, but she also has to get her living room wall fixed. She won’t rebuild the chimney; it was gaudy and useless. Who builds a chimney with no hearth, anyway? It was a lie, just like her relationship.

Her second biggest problem yips next to her on the couch. Oh, right. She’d forgotten for a moment that her ex had left her with his dog. His dog, not theirs. He’d had it before they met, and Emma had warned Walsh when they’d moved in together that she wouldn’t take over his dog duties.

Plus that dog has the stupidest name she’s ever heard.

Frantic knocking on the door announces the arrival of Mary Margaret, the dog’s barking picking up in volume. David must have told her – did she mention that it was her brother’s squad who had searched her apartment? Bringing in her next perp is going to be all kinds of awkward, now that Lieutenant Fa knows what’s hidden in the back of her underwear drawer. 

“Emma!” her sister-in-law and best friend says as she bustles in, gasping when she sees the state of the living room. “Are you alright?”

Emma snorts. Of course she isn’t alright, but for the moment she’s letting her anger overshadow her pain. Much easier this way. “My apartment is in shambles, my brother’s coworkers snooped through my whole life, and I learnt this morning that my boyfriend was a criminal. How do you think I feel?”

“Oh honey, I’m so sorry,” Mary Margaret says, hugging her. “Do you need anything?”

While an extraordinary amount of alcohol is Emma’s first answer, she swallows it back, not wanting to incur her friend’s disapproval. A bark and a little head bumping her leg give the blonde a more appropriate answer. “Yeah, do you have the number of a good shelter? I have to take care of this guy.”

Mary Margaret gasps as if she had just disclosed her plans to kill puppies in front of babies. “What? Why would you do that to your dog? Poor little Nacy, you can’t get rid of him!”

Emma groans at the mention of the dog’s name. Walsh had wanted to be clever when naming his dog and had called him Nacious in the most terrible pun to ever be uttered. Because his dog was a pug, so he was the pug Nacious. Pugnacious. “A ferocious little guy!” Walsh used to say, elbowing Emma as if she were in on the joke. 

 Turns out Emma had been the butt of the joke all along. Ha. Ha.

“He’s not my dog,” Emma snaps, “he’s Walsh’s, and right now? I want to get rid of every single trace of that idiot from my life. Including his stupid dog.”

“Emma!” This time she’s being scolded. “I know you’re hurting, but you can’t talk this way about Nacious, he is not stupid.”

She knows he’s not stupid. His name is, though.

Mary Margaret’s wheedling as they clean up manages to overcome Emma’s resolve to get rid of Nacious. Her attempts to get Emma to change her mind culminate in Mary Margaret holding the dog up to Emma’s face and looking at her with big round eyes. She will not call them puppy eyes; she has already had enough dog-related puns to last her a lifetime. 

Emma draws the line at the name, though. It has to go.

 ----

Emma had started looking for a contractor as soon as the apartment had been cleared of debris and everything either put back in its place, or in a trashbag if it belonged to Walsh. 

(Except the engagement ring. That had been quite the surprise – one that had made her sob for a whole night as Nacious licked her face, whining in worry. The ring she had kept, planning on pawning it off. It would pay for the repairs to her living room, at least.)

She finds one quickly, right in front of her mailbox while coming back from walking Nacious on the following Saturday morning. She’s on the phone with a building company, arguing with them about the price that they want her to pay for an expert to come assess the work that needs to be done. They seem to be under the impression that she isn’t aware making her pay $200 for a simple estimate is way too much. As she ends the call rather angrily, someone clears their throat behind her, making her turn around to come face to face with one of her neighbors. She’s seen him a couple of times in the lift, but apart from noticing how handsome he was, his striking blue eyes and the fact he was British, she didn’t know anything about him, not even his name.

“I’m sorry to have eavesdropped, lass, but I understand you seem to be in need of a contractor?” he asks her, smiling tentatively.

“Why, are you one?” Emma answers quite shortly, annoyed by her phone call and nosy neighbors.

“I’m not, but my brother is,” he says, rummaging in his satchel and fishing out a business card. “He does very good work, and he provides free assessments too,” he finishes mischievously.

Emma takes the card, still wary, even as Nacious tugs on his leash, trying to get closer to the man. Jones Contracting is written in a no-nonsense black on the card, along with a website and contact info. She could give them a try, she guesses. At least if anything goes pear-shaped, she’ll know where his brother lives.

“Thanks,” she tells him, slightly mollified, “I’ll – Nacious!”

The dog had managed to pull enough on his leash to reach the man’s – Jones, she guesses – legs and had started to play with his shoelaces, pulling on them and slobbering over Jones’ shoes. Ferocious little guy, my ass , Emma thinks disdainfully. The only way it would hurt a fly is if it drooled on it too much.

Jones looks down before squatting, reaching to scratch behind the dog’s ears. “Hello little lad! In a playful mood, are we?” Then, blinking, he looks up at Emma, “Wait, did you say his name is Nacious? Pugnacious? Really ?”

“Oh, believe me, not my idea. Blame my ex for that, he had the worst sense of humor ever.”

“Clearly, if he called his dog that . What that’s quote again? ‘Wit is the lowest form of humor, and puns are the lowest form of wit’?”. 

“And also the ‘worst form of human behavior.’ I watch John Oliver too,” Emma says, smiling slightly. “Although I have to disagree with him, as Walsh sank even lower than bad puns.”

“Ah, yes, and got himself arrested for it,” her neighbor nods as he straightens up. Emma winces. So everyone in the building knows about it. Great, as if she needed to be the subject of gossip on top of everything else.

“Sorry, love, shouldn’t have said it like that. Probably shouldn’t have said it at all, to be honest,” Jones apologizes, scratching behind his ear in embarrassment. 

“Nah, it’s fine. It’s not like his arrest was very discreet, was it?”

“No, it wasn’t. But still, thinking Nacious is a good name for a dog is criminal in and of itself.”

“Which is why I’m going to change it. Just need to find something appropriate.”

“Oh, as long as it isn’t Ilist, you should be good. Can’t sink any lower.”

Emma snorts despite herself. Who knew the gorgeous Brit had a sense of humor?

 ----

And so Emma calls Jones Contractors and talks to a bubbly woman on the phone, then a tall Brit in her apartment who comes to assess (for free) what needs to be done. He introduces himself as Liam Jones, and is very professional, despite a twinkle in his eye that is quite reminiscent of the one in his brother’s gaze. The quote is reasonable and in her budget, so Emma meets Belle, Liam’s wife and co-owner to draft and sign the contract.

Work on her living room starts the next week and advances quickly. Liam is a quick worker, and works cleanly. That is, until he accidentally hits a pipe while tearing out the ruined section of wall. He ends up completely drenched before he manages to stop the leak.

“Sorry lass, do you mind if I call my brother? I can’t continue like this and I’ve got a change of clothes at his flat, it would only take a few minutes.”

“Sure,” Emma agrees, shrugging. “I’ll start mopping while you do that.”

The brother – her neighbor – arrives five minutes later, his arms full and his eyebrow raised.

“Hello lass, heard my brother was making a mess?”

Before Emma can answer, excited yips grow closer as Nacious (or Spencer, as she’s started calling him, but she’s not a fan) bounds to the door, running between Emma and Jones excitedly. 

“Good morning to you too Nacious, has your mistress found a new name for you yet?”

“Nacious? I thought his name was Spencer?” Liam says as he comes dripping to the door.

“I’m… trying out new names,” Emma explains, taking Nacious in her arms.

“Good idea, Nacious is really weird for a dog.”

“You don’t understand, brother. What kind of dog is it?”

“A pug – oh you gotta be kidding me. A pun, really?” Liam exclaims, scrunching his nose in distaste.

“It was not my idea,” Emma insists. “It was my ex’s own brand of humor.”

“There’s no humor in that, lass, merely mediocrity. That arse deserves every day of jail he’s gonna get, even if only for that pun.”

Emma agrees, even if she can’t believe that even her contractor knows about her terrible taste in men. Then again, his brother probably had filled him in as to why she needed work done in her apartment. Still.

Liam takes the clothes from Killian and turns without another word towards the bathroom, muttering under his breath about arseholes and punsters and bloody crimes against humanity , leaving Emma and her neighbor standing a little awkwardly in her entryway.

“Well, that’s Liam,” Killian says, shaking his head slightly. “My brother has never managed to master social graces, I’m afraid.”

Emma snorts, before looking behind her and sighing. “Better get back to mopping, I guess.”

Killian curiously looks over her shoulder at the living room, and his eyes widen when he sees the mess of water and soaked towels on the floor. 

“That’s quite the mess you’ve got there, Swan,” he grimaces. “Would you like some help?”

“Oh no, don’t worry about it,” Emma says, putting Spencer down to grab the mop. “I’ve got it cov– Na– Spencer, no !”

Her stupid ex’s dog has run through the puddle and is now zipping across the whole apartment, leaving tracks everywhere and – oh no, he’s jumped onto the couch.

A light chuckle sounds behind her. “Are you sure you don’t need help, love?”

Without a word, Emma shoves the mop in Killian’s hands and goes to get her wet dog off the couch, wiping his feet with the last dry towel in her apartment before locking him in her bedroom. When she comes back to her living room, Liam has exited the bathroom and is working on fixing the burst pipe and bantering with Killian, who’s wringing the wet towels on the floor into a bucket before dropping them back on the hardwood. It feels… nice, her living room lively again after weeks of being an empty shell for her memories. 

Emma joins them after a few seconds to finish taking care of the puddle and clean the dirty tracks crisscrossing her living space. It seriously looks like a whole football team (and their probably less stupidly-named dog) have traipsed through her apartment after practice. Once it’s done, Killian doesn’t leave. They spend the afternoon trying to teach Spencer his new name as Liam pretends to work, though it seems the dog’s not a fan; Even his favorite treats don’t convince him to respond to their call, though they do prompt Liam’s laughter every time.

The next days pass in the same manner, with Killian and Emma trying to find a name that Nacious will answer to, Nacious spending his time either ignoring them or slobbering between them, and Liam alternating between repairing Emma’s wall and bantering with his brother and Emma. It’s nice, it’s comfortable, it’s warm . Emma also learns new things about Killian: he’s a professor of British history at Boston College and is on break right now, he loves Twain, despises Melville, and lost the fight to name his and his brother’s sailboat the Jolly Roger. It turns out, he is a huge nerd.

Emma is disappointed when Liam finishes at the end of the week, already missing her afternoons with the two Jones brothers – okay, one in particular, and it’s not the one covered in paint. Which is why she’s surprised to hear knocking on her door on Saturday morning, though Nacious’ excitement (or Windham, as they tried to christen him yesterday – Nacious isn’t a fan of British Conservatives, apparently) gives her a clue as to who might be behind the door. Seriously, it had been love at first sight for her dog; she’d be jealous of the attention Killian is getting, if she weren’t so vindictively satisfied that Nacious had never reacted this way to Walsh. There’s justice in the world, apparently.

Opening the door does reveal Killian, who smiles at Emma before greeting her dog, scratching behind his ears until Nacious’ tongue lolls out in bliss. Strangely enough, Killian keeps a hand behind his back.

“Killian! Can I help you?”

“Er, no,” her neighbor says, straightening up. “I just wondered if you’d allow me to give a small gift to Winston?”

Emma blinks, nonplussed. Of all the things she had expected, this was definitely not one of them. She watches as Killian gets a squeaky chicken toy dressed like a pirate from behind his back and holds it out to her. Emma takes it and can’t help but squeeze. Windham/Nacious turns towards the noise immediately, his eyes locking on the source of the noise and his little paws shuffling excitedly on the floor. Emma looks at the chicken, completely blown away. She had mentioned a couple of days ago wanting to replace Nacious’ squeaky toy as a throwaway remark, and they’d been joking about trying pirate names next. The guy had listened to her, and bought a pirate chicken for her dog. He was funny, clever, and handsome to boot. 

Also, there was no way tens of thousands of dollars were hidden in that toy. 

“Would you like to get coffee sometime?” she blurts out, raising her eyes just in time to see a blush steal across Killian’s face.

“Shouldn’t I be the one doing the asking?” he quips, raising an eyebrow teasingly.

“Well, I did it first,” Emma shoots back, smiling slightly. “So?”

“I’d love to, love,” comes Killian’s answer, as he smiles widely at her.

Emma smiles back, feeling giddy. So giddy, in fact, she doesn’t notice Nacious snapping the squeaky toy out of her limp hand and running back into the apartment, squeaks and yips sounding alternately. 

----

4 years later

Emma sits on her couch, contemplating the mess that her living room has become. Toys, both for kids and dogs, litter the floor as screams and splashes sound from the bathroom. From the noise alone, Emma guesses she’ll have to take the mop out… again. Her cheeks hurt from smiling.

Just as she’s about to get up to start tidying up, someone knocks on the door. She wonders who would come at this hour on a Sunday night. She hopes it isn’t Mrs Johnson from down the hall again; the last time she had lent her neighbor her toaster, it had come back smelling like cabbage, of all things. 

It’s not Mrs Johnson, though – it’s Walsh, of all people.

“Hey Em,” he says, smiling so widely it looks more like a grimace. “Long time no see, eh?”

“Yeah, weird how being locked up kills your social life, doesn’t it?” Emma snaps back, already tired with his shit. 

“Look, I’m not here to argue, I’m just here to get my things,” Walsh says, finally dropping the smile.

“Your things? Dude, they were either donated to Goodwill or thrown out years ago, did you really think I would keep them for you?”

“I… what?” The asshole actually has the gall to look outraged for a second before he rallies, frowning. “Half of what’s in this apartment is mine, Emma, you know it. I want my share.”

“Actually, no. According to the lease, this apartment is mine, and mine only. Anything else?”

Even after all these years, Emma is deeply satisfied to see Walsh flounder as he stands in the hallway. She can hear a tell-tale squeak and yip coming from behind her. Walsh hears it too.

“Nacious? Is that Nacious? You still have my dog?” He sounds actually hopeful. As if.

“Not your dog anymore, dude.”

“Damn right it is!” Walsh exclaims, raising his voice in anger. “Give me my dog back right now, I paid more than a thousand for him, he’s mine !” he goes on, thumping on the door. “Nacious! Come here, boy!”

And oh, does her dog come. He comes right at Walsh’s ankle, biting it as his former owner yowls in pain, hopping in place and looking at him with a mix of anger and incredulity.

“Westley!” Emma calls, before Walsh can get it into his mind to kick her dog. Westley jiggles to Emma smugly, visibly proud of himself for saving his mistress. Emma picks him up, and look at Walsh, who’s still jumping and swearing in the corridor. The opportunity is too beautiful to pass.

“Quite the ferocious little guy, isn’t he?” she chirps, before saying in a much sterner tone. “Never show your face here, ever again. Next time, I’ll be the one to take care of you.” 

And then she slams the door.

“Love, is something the matter?” Killian asks, exiting the bathroom with their giggling daughter in his arms. 

Emma smiles, looking at the sight of her husband completely soaked, with suds slowly dissolving in his hair as Westley and their baby girl yammer at each other.

“No babe, everything is absolutely perfect.”

[crappyfics]

Formula 1

F1!AU + Street race!AU

Baekhyun x reader

Word count: 1 857  

Masterlist

Baekhyun was the most popular and most promising driver in the Formula One.

Like most of the other drivers, Baekhyun Byun came from a very wealthy family from South Korea and since his teenage years he had a liking for cars.

No surprise that at the age of 16 he could drive already, but only at the age of 19 he finally started training professionally.

From playful kart races as a kid, to huge partnership, contracts and sponsorship with multi millionaire business from around the world, Baekhyun had his first entry when he was only 21.

Now I have to say, he was pretty good. He quickly became an idol and everyone in South Korea knew who he was. Soon enough, the entire world knew his name.

The race in Abu Dhabi was his first win. With his Ferrari car, he posed for pictures and gave quick interviews to the sports tv reporters. He walked to the podium to receive his trophy.

Of course they handed him an expensive bottle of champagne which he shook and popped making it rain golden drops.

He was living the dream. He had everything he’s always wanted. The job of his dreams, the car of his dreams, the house of his dreams, the lifestyle of his dreams. Everything was perfect.

Everything was perfect until the race in Singapore.

Baekhyun was in third place. And although it was a pretty good ranking, it wasn’t enough for him.

Upset and disappointed, Baekhyun  was having a hard time to keep his position in the podium. He could blame himself, he could blame his car, he could blame the companies technology, but no one really knew what was happening.

After his raking on the fourth position for the third time in a row, rumours started to spread. The news talked about him all the time. What happened to the racing hero?

Baekhyun could be responding to the rumours in many different ways, but no response would change the fact that he was no longer the F1 star. He didn’t want to admit it because couldn’t accept being what he always feared to be. A loser.

And he was losing motivation and enthusiasm each day that passed. Until that one night when he was driving his car in the dead and excluded part of the city. Seoul was a bright place but it had its dark side.

The sound of loud cheers, music played from huge speaker in the trunk of the cars, people hanging around as the street drivers aligned their cars on the street. Baekhyun felt his heart accelerating.

The whole idea of street racing, to him, always sounded pretty dirty. But the cheerful and dangerous atmosphere of that place got him curious. It made him park his car near the people and get out of it to reveal his face.

Everyone was starstruck.

Let me tell you something, Baekhyun could not be the best racer at the moment, but he was still a professional Formula One driver. He was much more than a street racer could ever be.

And because of that, he thought that it would be fun to race that night.

The thrill of doing something new, dangerous, illegal, had him high with all the adrenaline.

Everyone was stoked to watch him race in his uptight fancy car. It was already quite obvious who was going to win that night. At the sight of Baekhyun positioning his car in line, the crowd started renewing their bets as some other people started moving forward to watch the drivers more closely.

Baekhyun was already seated in the driver’s seat when he heard a knock on his window making him turn to the side to find you. A curious look on his face was replaced by a smirk on his lips.

He lowered the glass window and looked up at you ready to use his charms on you. Maybe also ready to fulfil your dreams of getting his autograph or something.

“You have to leave now.” you said and he quickly changed his expression again. “You can’t race.”

“Do you know who I am?” he asked you and at that very moment you felt like pulling him out of his car by his hair.

You told him he had to leave because you couldn’t risk having people posting photos of him on the internet and the police finding out about the VERY illegal street race. Baekhyun thought you were concerned he was going to show up on the news and he made it very clear that at that point he didn’t care.

But you couldn’t care less about him. All you wanted was for him to leave so you could have your race with no risks of getting caught.

“Let’s make a deal, yes? You let me race tonight, and I’ll give you something in exchange for it.” he proposed.

“Like what? What are you gonna give me for letting you race tonight?”

“My phone number, perhaps.” his smirk made all your internal fluids boil! He was damn attractive but also so cocky and out of his mind. It got you on your nerves.

“I’m not interested. I guess I’ll have to ask you to leave or else my friends over there will have to take you out of here.” you pointed to the serious looking boys that watched your conversation from the other side of the street.

“What if I take you to an actual circuit? If you’re nice enough, I let you drive my car.” he kept his stupid smirk on his face but you grew to like it only because he was willing to do anything to race with you informal fellow racers and you as well.

Thing was, Baekhyun was desperate for being the first place again. He knew that he would win that night, he knew it meant nothing, but he also knew that he needed that experience.

You didn’t have to say a word. The way you turned around to walk away meant a concrete yes. When you were already a few step away you hear “Hey, baby!” and it was Baekhyun’s voice calling you out. The pet name made you smirk just like he had done. “What?” you say.

“Wanna make another deal if I win?” and you just laugh as you walk away knowing that there was no way he would ever lose in such a competition.

So… he took you to the circuit in Seoul as he promised you to. He even let you drive his car but it wasn’t his Formula 1 car of course because you weren’t trained for it.

But that whole experience was extremely exciting! You loved races just as much Baekhyun did. The only difference was that he had money to invest in his passion meanwhile you could only fulfill your dreams of becoming a racer by street racing.

As much as the entire thing was pretty dirty and there was a lot more going on that just racing cars, you actually enjoyed that whole thing. But nothing compared to being in a professional circuit in a fancy ass car and Byun Baekhyun, still Korea’s biggest idol, seating in the passage seat as you drove like there was no tomorrow.

Not only you had a good time. He did as well. So much that he invited to come along with him to Monaco. It was his next race and in his heart he claimed you as his lucky charm.

You couldn’t just say yes because it felt wrong and ill intentioned, but he had invited you wholeheartedly which made you feel special in a way. So you said yes.

And a week later you found yourself in the Principality of Monaco, in quite fancy outfit for a race. It was a sunny weather and the smell of summer in Europe was very different than in Korea.

Baekhyun gave you a free pass to the circuit which gave you access to the VIP area and the company sections once the race was over.

It was about to start and you had your hands close to your heart trying to calm you down for a bit. Like never before, watching the Formula One race was really important to you.

You knew how poorly were Baekhyun’s performances lately, but in the bottom of your heart you believed he was still the bright and great Baekhyun Byun, your generation’s idol.

It started so fast. Baekhyun in disadvantage for not having had great ranking in the past circuits. But quickly enough, after two laps, he was already growing stronger and the new adjustments on his car seemed to be making great difference to his driving that day.

And on the 30th lap, Baekhyun was consistent on the third position. Still not even half-way through the race, you could hear the loud cheers whenever his car passed by that sector of the circuit. The scenery was beautiful and Monaco was alive during the GP weekend.

From third place Baekhyun moved to second and stayed consistent for another twenty laps when already on the 70th lap he was on a tight competition with the first place.

He had already gone through a pit-stop on his 40th lap, and now it was too late to afford another one although his tires were getting too worn out by the second.

75th lap and Baekhyun was in first place! It was incredible and the crowd cheered. The entire world was watching Baekhyun make his way back to the podium but there were still another 3 laps to go and it could take a few minutes. Anything could happen.

When he finished his 78th lap, Monaco had never shaken like this before. Baekhyun Byun was, after 5 failed GP’s, in first place again.

You were probably the loudest amongst everyone else watching the race. You celebrated like never before, taking Baekhyun’s success as if you own.

Again he was beside his car, holding his helmet in his hand, downing his water in one single chug and breathing heavily as he heard the people cheer for him and scream his name. He felt whole again!

The tv and the radio reporters came to interview him but soon the wall of people opened when you came down running with you all access pass. Your eyes focused only on him, your champion.

“You made it!!!” you said as you hugged him as tight as you could. He wrapped his arms around you and buried himself in your embrace.

“Only because of you.” he said. “You are my lucky charm.” and he moved his face close to yours to kiss you. All cameras captured that moment. It was going to be on the news worldwide.

Baekhyun was victorious but he wasn’t the only one.

He had to let you so he could run to the podium to receive his well deserved trophy. And as he did so, you watched it all from down there and all you could see was Baekhyun Byun shining like a star. His smile was the brightest thing in the entire world and you heart could only grow fond of him.

[toumakibangs]

Oh when I woke up tonight I said I've gotta make somebody love me (and now I know that is you, you're lucky lucky)

SERVICE NOTE: Here we are with the last prompts of the TouMaki Month! I’m so very sorry for the delay, but I went long with writing because of work issues and after that I’ve been without internet for a while (still am, technically)! If you’re reading this, it means that he last fics have been queued and they’re being uploaded as we speak: a post every two hours, from 3pm to 5am, CEST time. My advice is to check the blog if you don’t want to miss any, because if you’re going to browse the tags (‘toumaki month 2018’ and ‘toumaki’), Tumblr will only show you three posts per blog.

Anyway, at 7am CEST time we’ll upload a recap post featuring ALL the entries to the Month, so you can browse them more easily (I’m also saving the final Goodbyes and Thank You-s for then).

My apologies again for the wobbly schedule and I hope you’ll enjoy these last fireworks!

Prompt: “Things you said on the phone at 4am”

Jules’ Notes: Did somebody say ‘Paradise Kiss’? Not an AU, but whenever I think about Makishima’s life in London I feel influenced by that manga. So, if you’re familiar with it, you might recognize a certain situation… but I’m positive it will end differently for Maki-chan! ;)

Toudou’s phone blasts off in the middle of the night, and it’s only halfway through the fifth ring that Toudou sees it’s freakin’ 4am in the morning. Right after that, Hana, for the adjacent room, proceeds to remind him just how late 4am in the morning is for the average person. Caught between sleep and the literal wake-up-call, he has barely the time to mentally chastise himself for always forgetting to put his phone on vibration mode before he sees the caller’s ID. It’s Makishima. Who is the reason Toudou always forgets to put his phone on vibration mode. They have an hard enough time just trying to keep in touch, lately, it would be absolutely unthinkable, in Toudou’s list of values, to miss a call from Makishima or let a text or a mail unattended. Even if Makishima never calls after 9.30pm (Tokyo time), not to disrupt Toudou’s sleeping schedule. And even if he insisted Toudou didn’t have to reply to his messages right away, that was the whole point of leaving them, to give Toudou the chance to answer when he was more comfortable.

But Makishima is clearly calling him right now, in the middle of the night, and the ringtone has been going on for so long that it can’t be a mistake. Why would he do that, if not for a huge emergency?! If not for something very serious!? Like, an accident, or breaking up with Toudou over this long-distance-relationship that is clearly more effort than it’s worth?!

Hana solicits him again (this time by slamming her platforms towards the wall they share, by the sound of it) and Toudou answers the call out of reflex. The picture of Makishima that is associated to his contact switches to the black screen, but Toudou’s ears fill with a well-known, much beloved, totally missed voice.

- Jinpachi!!!

It’s not, Toudou notices, the tone of voice of someone that is going to announce a tragedy, but he kind of feels too drowsy, still, to trust his own judgement.

- M-Maki-chan..?

- I’ve sold it, Jinpachi, I’ve done it! I’m sorry, I know it’s late as fuck back home but I had to tell you!!! I’ve sold it!

Even half-asleep, he doesn’t miss the affectionate way Makishima addressed Japan and called it home. A few months ago, he wouldn’t have. It puts a smile on Toudou’s lips and calms his racing heart more than the rest of Makishima’s words. That, so far, still hold too little meaning for him to make something of them.

- …w-what are you talking about?

- My dress, Jinpachi! One of the pieces I’ve left at some boutiques! It has been sold!

It’s something they’ve been talking about, recently: Makishima still helps his brother with his brand but lately, with the complicity of a few classmates, he has started developing his own side-brand, and Ren encouraged him to put a label on his creations and try to propose them to some few, selected underground shops among his own. So far, the experiment hadn’t given much results. Although it was to be expected, since unique pieces were more difficult to place than mass-produced ones that could be made available in every size, it still was a little disheartening for a wannabe designer to hear, day after day, that nobody wanted your stuff. Until today. When, apparently, right before closing time someone had walked into an indie store looking for Ren’s Design novelties and purchased a whole outfit labelled Spider’s Web.

Makishima’s first sale as an independent designer.

- That’s AMAZING! Oh my god Maki-chan I’m so happy!!! Are you happy?!

He hears a loud chuckle at the other end of the phone, along with the clinking of glasses and a whooping noise that sounds too much like Ren partying on his own in their tiny kitchen.

- K’ha! Of course I’m happy! It’s a real sale, Jinpachi! I mean, in a real shop! Somebody walked in, tried my dress and liked it so much that they decided to buy it! And they picked the accessorizes too! I mean, isn’t it amazing!?

What’s amazing, in Toudou’s opinion, is his boyfriend’s absolute marvel at a gesture that is at the very base of his dream profession, and he jokes about it lightly.

- Isn’t it what you’ve always worked so hard to achieve, though? People buying your stuff?

- Yeah, but you don’t understand: I’ve sewn things for Ren that have been sold, I’ve even suggested him some designs that he’s managed to turn into something desirable, but people never really liked my clothes enough to buy them! I mean, this is real!  They’ve given me the money they made from the sale! I am currently drinking the fruits of my labour!

Toudou would like to hug and kiss him senseless. To congratulate and celebrate him, of course, but mostly because right now Makishima is too adorable for words.

- Drink them to the last drop, then, tiger. You’ve earned it.

- I did. I mean, I really did. It’s unbelievable.

There’s a pause, and Toudou hears him gulp down something, most probably expensive beer, if he knows him and Ren. Then there is a sigh, and when he resumes speaking Makishima sounds more sober than earlier.

- What if it’s real, Jinpachi? What if this is the real thing?

The subtext is clear: what if it turns out this is not a scam, and all my efforts pay off, and my future starts to take a definite direction, and it’s a route that doesn’t involve Japan, at least not in the short term? What if I make it, and my dreams come true? What happens to the rest?

Toudou exhales loudly, failing to hide a chuckle. Because despite the untold questions, he can’t help but feel enthusiastic at his boyfriend’s success.

- This is the real thing, Yuu. Which means that you were right all along, and that you don’t have to stop now, but work harder than ever. Strike while the iron is hot, or what is it than they say in London: go get your rightful place among all the professionals that populate those streets!

- …you make it sound so easy.

- I know what you’re capable of, and I believe in you. I’m proud of you: congratulations on your sale.

He hears Makishima swallow.

- I… I wanted to tell you right away. As soon as I knew it. T-They called me and the only thing I thought about beside my own exhilaration was ‘I have to tell Jinpachi’.

Toudou sniffs, and dries his eyes with the back of his hand.

- T-Thank you. I’m very h-happy to hear that.

- …I love you?

Makishima never says the words first. He always reciprocates them wholeheartedly, but he doesn’t say them first, usually.

- I love you too. I… I wished I was there to celebrate with you.

There’s a pause and Toudou knows Makishima is worrying his bottom lip and pinching the bridge of his nose.

- M-Me too, Jinpachi. Honestly.

They don’t say anything for a while, merely breathing into the phone and listening to each other. Toudou puts his own device on the pillow and lays down himself: like this, if he keeps his eyes closed, it almost feels like they’re beside each other.

- …sorry for waking you up? I mean, what time is it on your side, 4 am?

- Twenty past four, right this instant.

- Go to sleep, Jinpachi.

Toudou yawns.

- Talk me into it: what are you having for dinner? Going out to celebrate?

- K’ha! No, not at all: we’ve ordered take out, I’ve been craving spring rolls for a while. And Ren keeps handing me beer that I swear I don’t know where it’s going.

- You’re drinking it, Yuu. I can hear you swallowing and you’ve been doing that for a while.

- You’re lying.

- I’m not and you’re going to get drunk.

- And doesn’t that bother you?

Toudou whines.

- It does, but it’s not like I can stop you from here, can I?! At least I know you’re home and you’re safe.

- I’m not safe, my brother is totally irresponsible.

There’s an indignant exclamation in the background, followed by a thud, and Toudou knows Ren has thrown Makishima a slipper: he chuckles.

- Love that you’re so lively…

The commotion is followed by silence, as if Makishima locked himself into another room.

- Where are you, now?

- Bedroom.

- Me too.

- Yeah, I guessed as much.

- …tell me about the dress you sold.

Makishima knows Toudou doesn’t really care for the details of the outfit, but he does understand that asking Makishima to talk about his work is the easiest way to get to hear his voice for a long period of time. It’s a game that Makishima plays willingly, and he knows he’s going to lose Toudou before he arrives to the description of the matching hat and fake suspenders, but he doesn’t care. The breathing on the other end quiets down and stabilizes at the shoes, but he rattles on in a low reassuring tone and then stays silent, listening to the faint murmurs coming from the other end of the line.

It almost feels like Toudou is sleeping beside him.

He doesn’t hang up for a long time.

[coffee-for-himchan]

Not Your Usual Birthday Surprise (Himchan)

(A/N) So, I am super tired and super busy currently, but I tried to do my best in order to write this for our sunshine Himchan’s birthday! Hope it turned out fine! ❤

This is not what he had in mind when he had overheard you telling one of your friends that you had a surprise planned for his birthday.

The vivid image of you from that evening was still engraved into his imagination - all curled up in a weird but comfortable, or so he guessed, position on one of the kitchen chairs, knees pulled to your chest as one of your hands was fiddling with your loose pajama shorts while the other held up your phone to your ear. He just wanted to get himself a glass of water, nothing more or less, his footsteps tired and sloppy as they filed the hallway that connected the bedroom and the kitchen. Yet as he saw you there, he froze a little.

Trying to become one with the wall located to his right, he stilled to the extent that the only movement coming from him was his chest rising up and down with every breath he took. And maybe his eyes drifting from one part of you to another every now and then, his lips slowly curling into a smile as he watched.

It was a cheesy, sappy moment. One of those movie scenes where the main hero lovingly stared at his love interest with only the best of thoughts about them in their mind. With a lot of appreciation for simply finding you like this - in the middle of his kitchen, late at night. Going on about your life, making him happy by just the fact you could be anywhere in the world currently, but chose to be here with him instead. For some reason, felt his body getting all warmed up at just the thought of all this. 

And he swore, he wanted to just pass by and get that water. Maybe give you a quick forehead kiss while he passed by just to see your smile unfold. He wanted to be honest, he really did. But then he heard his own name - not being a call for him to come or something, but being a mention to whoever was on the other end of the line.

And then he ended up eavesdropping.

That's how he learned a detail or two, and how absurd ideas of all that could possibly happen crept into his mind. He knew you were one to spoil him out of your mind on many occasions, despite the fact he did not always await such attention directed his way. He knew you could be up for anything realy. And only having heard one half of the conversation, he was not sure of what that surprise that you had planned for him was. 

But he knew there would be one, and since he had heard the phrase "I'll leave him hints", the first thing he did in the morning upon opening his eyes was immediately kneading his eyebrows together and starting to look for clues.

How comes he understood them only now, when he was already about to go and had no way back?

"Sun's shining~" your arms wrapped around his neck from behind, and he smiled at the way your head rested against his, your nose ruffling through his hair as you kissed his temple, "And skies are extra blue. For my birthday boy~"

He waited for you to depart and sit across of him, adored the way you two stayed around at the breakfast table a little longer than usual, knowing he liked mornings to start off slow. The occasional laughter, the recently-developed spring heat coming from the cracked open windows. The smell of warm coffee and the way you always lightly kicked him underneath the table when he said something hilariously stupid, resulting in a mess of giggles, scurrying away and more kicking war. Remind him, how old was he turning today? He though he acted like he was five again, but as long as you did not mind, he could care less. He could just continue feeling comfortable in his own skin.

The mentions of the sky were hint one, he figured now. Hint two had to be the conversation form a little later that same morning.

"Himchan, save me. There's a wasp in the bedroom."

He both rolled his eyes and chuckled, and, straightening out his back and shoulders to look like your brave savior and knight in shining armor, he left your distressed frame behind to go and take care of it. Were wasps even supposed to be a thing at such an early time of year? He had guessed those came around a little later, more near summertime. But that wasn't the point of this.

As he came back and gave you a thumbs up, your face looked like you had just regained those five years you had originally aged upon seeing the insect first. A few swings of one of your magazines and it was out the window, Himchan said. He clearly took pride in chasing it out without killing it. Yongguk would be proud of him too.

"Aren't you afraid of wasps?"

"Not really," he though out loud, "Just an insect. Nothing big."

"Himchannie.. what are you afraid of then?"

He remembered thinking it was an unusual topic of conversation while getting ready in the morning, but who was he to judge or not answer? His mild fear of heights he mentioned only briefly was what seemed to spark your interest, as you were glued at his side the second he mentioned it.

"So, like, you would not climb up a tower to see the town underneath?"

"I mean, I would, probably.." he though, thinking of what even was scary. Horses were scary, for example - he did not trust those at all. Yongguk was scary those two or three times Himchan had seen him angry, as his anger was silent, and nothing was scarier than silent anger. And heights.. Were scary too, but to some extent. He would climb towers, sure. But other things.. He would have to think about those.

"Ready?" he snapped back to his surroundings, looking over at you. Oh god, you were drowning in those big frame protection glasses, and it looked so cute. In fact, the whole gear looked rather amusing but at the same time fascinating, and as he had been focused on it for a little bit too long, you mistook it as hesitation.

No, in reality, he was hesitant about this. But somehow the thrill to do it kept him from making a run from it.

"Maybe we should have done something else.." your hand linked with his, and he squeezed it a little, smiling at you, "Damn, I knew this was a stupid idea-"

"No, it wasn’t. You just gotta remember I have a glass heart, so if I scream like a schoolgirl, you'll have to silently accept it and tell anyone who might ask afterwards that yes, I did scream, but those were manly screams."

That made you, as well as both instructors nearby who had coincidentally heard that lone phrase and nothing more or less than that, laugh out loud, and you looked back at him wholeheartedly, knowing that in reality he would scream his head off. God, you could practically hear his heartbeat from afar, all fast and really audible now. But his smile told otherwise. He was scared, yes. But he was thrilled beyond that.

It was worth his facial expression when you drove there just a little after lunch out with his friends, was worth the way he looked like he was about to make a run from the scene as soon as he understood were you were taking him to, and even more so when he signed the papers and got acquainted with equipment and all that he would have to do now while pacing around, displaying smiles, fear and nervous excitement all at the same time. But there was no way back.

He figured he should’ve known about it after “Skydive”  started playing on your way here, but he thought it was too crazy to be true. Who would take him out to do that? The scaredy-cat Himchan, out of everyone? This would be Junhong’s cup of tea more than anyone’s, maybe the others would try it too, since they were a little braver than him on most occasions. Even after he was already more than 12,000 feet above ground level, he still could not believe what he was about to do now. But there was no time left, as the instructors started moving around and motioning for the two of you to get ready, with a last reassuring look, you watched as he and his instructor stepper up front, and after another moment where they shouted their goodbyes and told you you’d meet back on the ground, were gone.

Falling down in a free fall.

Only in the very evening, upon being back in his apartment and having the rest of B.A.P coming over spontaneously, he figured he would remember this forever. 

Everyone seemed to have known about your plans for the day, which Himchan thought was nowhere near fair, but quite self-explanatory. Yongguk had a mild smile on his face upon hearing how it had gone, that smile being genuine and without the teeniest tint of bad intention of mockery to it. Junhong pouted at how he would sure want to go skydiving himself sometime in the future, and Jongup had the most chill yet supportive smile on his face, as if he did not doubt this idea from the very start and was silently proud of Himchan. Daehyun and Youngjae, on the other hand, were in total disbelief that Himchan had agreed to do it at all, and he laughed as you scolded them for placing a bet that he wouldn’t do it just to find out you were the one they had the bet against, and now owed you. You ended up not taking their money, their facial expressions of disbelief being more than enough for you already, and you watched as they bombarded you two with questions, their eyes shining excitedly at all the stories you told.

And despite the fact you had actually obtained both your reactions on video and it could clearly be seen that none of Himchan’s squeals and loud screams were as manly as he had claimed them to be, everyone, despite having a good laugh from the footage, was aware how this had been a good idea, as while soaring through the skies and falling down at an exciting speed, his eyes had shone with both, excitement and disbelief, and continued doing so even after he had landed on the ground already. Even after he watched you landing too and did nothing other than scoop you up in happy hugs afterwards. Happy, mildly still nervous and shaky hugs, but no one was supposed to know that.

And though he did get teased about how afraid he must’ve been by just about any friend or acquaintance that got to know about his plans for that day, it had all been worth it. Because he had never thought he would be brave enough to do something like this, but he guessed that the encouragement you had offered him was enough. Because he did not have to do it on his own, just like anything else at least mildly concerning in his life recently.

And it was once again that same, sappy and cheesy moment - with him getting warm all over at just the thought of you always sticking by his side and making him do crazy, exciting things he thought he would never do. Just because you were you, and weirdly, your encouragement seemed to be enough for him to do just about anything he wanted to, no matter how unusual, exciting or scary.

[justeeyore-blog1]

Describe your character; How do you see your character in your own eyes and not based off the bio. How have you developed this character into your own?

Eeyore, oh, sweet, sweet Eeyore. She’s my sad little bean and I love her more than words can express. I never would have planned on applying for her or any of the Winnie The Pooh characters... but I made the mistake of reading her biography. (I don’t view her as a mistake for the record.) I was immediately struck with this vision of her, by a paragraph and a half in, and it was so strong and specific that the thought of someone else playing her differently actually pained me. I was afraid that my love for her would vanish as quickly as it came but it’s only grown so much stronger and she may have been a spontaneous decision but when it comes to roleplaying or probably even life in general, she’s one of the best I’ve ever made.

I try hard not to stray from bios, I let the development happen over time and with reason, but I will say she’s more talkative than I planned on. In my defense, it’s hard to play a character without ever giving someone dialogue to work with. So I try to push her to speak more just to make that easier for everyone else. She was meant to be more sarcastic because let’s be honest, actual Eeyore is kind of a butt. Her thoughts are bitter but they’re lacking in the cold humor. I try to bring that out because I feel it inside of her, but she’s not as rude as I assumed she would be.

Eeyore is my biggest struggle when it comes to muse because it’s both therapeutic and exhausting to play her. She’s so negative all the time. It’s great when I want to take out a bad mood and when I’m already feeling down and out. It usually makes me feel better in some odd kind of way. But I don’t like getting in that mindset when I’m not already halfway there. Eeyore’s muse is either extremely strong or non-existent, there’s no in-between with her, but I guess that was to be expected.

When I hear the line “it seems to me you live your life like a candle in the wind -- never knowing who to cling to when the rain sets in” it makes me think of Eeyore. Every. Single. Time. She isn’t distant from people because she wants to be alone. She’s distant from people because she doesn’t have much experience in them liking her, she’s got negative feelings towards strangers, and she figures her trying to befriend someone is just going to end in her being the laughing stock somehow. She has the worst insecurities of any character I’ve ever played before. And she’s extremely vocal about them too. That’s weird to me. Most characters and people for that matter only voice a few things in passing, or a comment will slip, something about how someone is prettier than them or they’re not good at this or that. But Eeyore is constantly saying those things. When she feels it, she says it. It’s usually during an inappropriate situation and it could seem like attention seeking but that’s the last thing she’s trying to do. She’s not fishing for compliments and she doesn’t expect someone to comfort her. It feels awkward to write sometimes, I feel like I’m constantly pulling the conversation away from the characters she is interacting with, but for her it is one hundred percent unintentional. Even if someone pointed it out her remark would probably be “oh, well, here I am being selfish again” not realizing that is ALSO bringing herself down in a way and circling the topic back.

It breaks my heart to think about how happy she used to be. She was such an adventurous little girl, so full of love and so full of life. And she ended up here. It’s so upsetting because no one ever meant for this to happen. Her parents did the best they could. They didn’t mean to take such a toll on her. And I’m sure none of the old classmates that teased her had any idea this would be the outcome, this shell of a human being, so sad about her own existence and focused on all of the things going wrong in the world, but that’s who and what Eeyore is. 

The real question is -- is there any turning it back at this point?

What’s your favorite thing about your character? What’s your least favorite?

It’s not okay for her to go around bumming other people out and I wish she would realize what a party pooper she is. She doesn’t try to hide how she feels and that’s admirable to me but she could be that way without telling everyone how miserable she is all the time. I’d say my favorite thing however is that even though she doesn’t want to and she’s complaining about it the whole way... Eeyore keeps trudging on.

What are some of your favorite relationships your character has formed?

First of all, can we talk about Daphne? She is everything that Eeyore wants to be. I can feel how much she envies her. She’s beautiful, inside and out, she’s nice, she’s fun to be around. In Eeyore’s mind she has everything that she doesn’t. She wants to consider her a friend but she’s just too cool for her so she’s waiting for her to forget her name and shrug her off. Every time they talk and she’s nice to her, it throws her off. A part of her is afraid to be pulled in because she thinks she’s going to end up being the butt of some cruel sick joke. But I think in her heart she knows better.

I love the whole Wendy/Eeyore dynamic and I can’t wait to see more interactions with them in the future. Wendy was so welcoming and helpful on her first day, showing her pure no-strings-attached kindness and honestly, she keeps waiting for it to be turned back around on her. She has trouble believing that anyone would be so genuinely selfless and nice to her, but here this girl is just selflessly offering her clothes in a time of need and it blows her mind.

Kandace wasn’t a biography connection but she was one of my favorite bios and I was ecstatic to see her brought to life. She’s the honorary mom friend, okay, and Eeyore has really grown to appreciate her presence and Joey’s existence as well. In this school of people she doesn’t really know, Eeyore finds comfort in having a familiar face, and Kandace is someone that she does believe wholeheartedly has the purest intentions, even if she’s waiting for her to grow impatient with her attitude.

Has your character changed you in any way? Or do you yourself in yourself in your character?

Eeyore represents me on my bad days, except, you know, x100. My negativity is as internalized as I can keep it. Most times I suffer in silence and no one knows I’m putting on an act. Eeyore on the other hand... well, she doesn’t bother trying to pretend she’s okay. I don’t see much of myself in her, and I can’t say she’s changed me, but I do think I can understand my own emotions and maybe other people’s as well more now after playing her.

Do you think your character has had a big impact on Walt? Is it a good impact or bad?

I don’t think she’s had an impact at all. Neither does she.

Favorite thing your character has done and worst.

The worst thing she’s done is probably in next gen when she keeps the fact that she isn’t the biological mother of 2/3 of her children from her children, but she means well. Eeyore always means well. However I don’t think she’s done anything I would say is my favorite thing just yet.

What is some progress you hope to have with your character in the future?

I want Eeyore to be happy. I know that’s asking a lot and I understand that’s a lot of freaking character development but I’d love for her to find that happiness inside of her, the joy she felt as a child, and pull it back out. Even if it isn’t so upfront. Just a smile here and there. A lighthearted joke. I’d like her to just see a flower without coming up with twenty negative scenarios that can come from that little plant. Even if she never believes the good outweighs the bad, it’d be nice if she could see them as even.

What is one thing you would tell your character?

Please stop being so hard on yourself, you are going to be more than okay.

What has been YOUR favorite thing about walt?

Besides other things I’ve mentioned, and the things I will mention if I ever do this for my other babies, the character portrayals are so spot on and lovely and I’m amazed.

Has your experience been a positive one?

Yaassss. (You know, I started saying that ironically and now I can’t stop.)

Got a favorite memory? Share it!

Daphne convincing Eeyore to go to that party with her was so sweet and pure and Eeyore was so lowkey honored and touched that it warms my heart to just think about.

What are you looking forward to in the future?

Using smiling gifs, hopefully. ALSO, getting the Hundred Acre Woods gang. I’m ready to wire someone money to apply for Pooh. I’m not kidding.

Have you had a favorite event? Favorite plot? Share it right here!

I’m looking forward to the possibility of 3gen.

Favorite character that’s not your own and why.

— Kandace fricken Roo. She’s exactly what I’d envision the human version of Kanga as, she’s such a mom and so kind and nurturing but she has her own stuff to deal with and figure out and it’s amazing how much pain she causes me. I want to scoop her up into a great big hug and assure her that she’s doing a good job. Looking back on her relationship with Danny, the self paras and reading her inner monologue, I feel like she could use an all expense paid trip to Hawaii or at least for Christopher Robin to come along. So if anyone’s listening... do ya thing.

— Wendy! I feel like I’m talking about Wendy a lot in this but whoops, I just love Wendy, what can I say? I’m not a big Peter Pan fan (I know, I know) and I haven’t truly seen it much, so I didn’t expect anything from her character but I absolutely fell in love with her! She seems so composed and it’s like I can hear her voice in everything that she says and I love when characters have such a feel for them that you don’t even have to guess what’s going to come out of their mouth. You just know.

— I feel like I probably should’ve already mentioned how much I love Wally. Have I not? Why have I not? He’s so complex and amazing and he and Oliver make me believe in love. Future Wally is everything to me. I’ve hardly ever had any interactions with him honestly but I’m so proud of that boy. It’s because of Zuley. Zuley is a queen and we all know it.

Ideas, shoutouts, request, dedications, questions? Put ‘em here!

@kandace-roo​ | This is a call-out post. I need to tell you to stop being so dang awesome. You always come along and swoop up a character that makes my life so much better. Your portrayals are always on point, your writing is always breathtaking, and you’re always beyond friendly. I’m so glad that you’re a part of this group because I genuinely just don’t think the rest of us would know what to do without you.

@darling-wendy-bird | You are so kind, I definitely see where Wendy gets it from! I’d love to plot with you more and I’m always so happy to see you on the dash. I didn’t realize I could love a Wendy so much. You never stray from her character, she is always 100% herself. It’s amazing the kind of grasp you have on her. You’re a very good writer and I can’t and wouldn’t want to imagine anyone else playing Wendy!

[overwatch-x-reader]

53 with a painfully oblivious s/o and Jesse

(Somebody got a bit carried away. I just love McCree, okay? It’s healthy…)

53: I’m flirting with you.

You watched as the sun poked it’s head out from beneath the horizon and began its steady climb upwards through the sky, marvelling at the wash of orange that the sky was now painted. Warmth glowed onto your face and you briefly closed your eyes to drink it in as a tingle shot down your spine. Any day you woke up in time to watch the sunrise was always a good day.

You washed and dressed before bounding downstairs for your breakfast in the Overwatch cafeteria. You had worked here for just over a year now, and had quickly become part of the team, your skills being a valuable asset to their missions and your friendly and upbeat nature helping you to get on with everybody.

None more than your favourite cowboy, Jesse McCree himself.

You had heard snippets of his ‘reputation’ before joining the team, but upon meeting the man, he changed your opinion of him completely. Yes, he dripped with charm and men and women dropped to his feet wherever he went but he was always a true gentleman toward you and you had become great friends in recent months.

It was for this reason that your grin increased twofold when that very cowboy graced you with his presence at breakfast, wandering up behind you and covering your eyes with a “Guess Who?”. Unfortunately for him, you could smell that cologne a mile off.

“Jesse!” You exclaimed happily, turning around and standing to jump at him and hug him tightly. He had just arrived back from a week’s mission and you’d missed his company and banter greatly. You were small and so your legs wrapped around his waist perfectly, arms hugging his shoulders tightly as you rested your face in the crook of his neck.

“Woah there!” Jesse chuckled but he responded just as wholeheartedly, catching you effortlessly and holding you up round the waist, resting his head stop yours and placing a little kiss on your forehead, secretly wondering how he managed this past week without these hugs. Unbeknownst to you, the man was besotted with you though you were so oblivious he could never act on his feelings.

It was painfully obvious to the rest of Overwatch however, there was even a bet on how long it would take you guys to get together, with many calling it as being years away. You didn’t even notice the fond shaking of heads and whispering around the cafeteria as you two hugged so excitedly.

Eventually, you hopped down from him and you sat beside each other, him making sure to bump your knee against his under the table every once in a while. It was beyond the point of trying to be subtle now. You engaged in your normal small talk, laughing more than you had all week. He was trying to flirt with you, as usual, either with random compliments or little touches but you were just completely immune to it, it seemed.

“You wanna go take a walk, darlin’?” He asked once you’d finished breakfast to which you eagerly nodded. You couldn’t really ever bring yourself to say no to Jesse and you knew why. Your little crush. You’d tried getting rid of it, as you knew he’d never feel the same with all the women he could possibly have if he wanted them. Sometimes there was a little tingle at the base of your spine when you thought he might be flirting with you but you had to remind yourself that he was just a naturally very affectionate person. Oh how wrong you were.

You arrived at the roof of the Overwatch building together, somehow from the cafeteria to here you were now holding hands, fingers intertwined and arms swinging merrily.

“This is one of my favourite secluded spots to come to and just think.” Jesse said, almost to himself as he walked you over to the edge. You smiled and glanced sideways at him.

“Are we even supposed to be up here?” You asked and he shot you a lopsided smile.

“Strictly…no.”

You threw your head back and laughed loudly, McCree finding himself mirroring your mirth. You stood there for a moment in silence, just taking in the view before Jesse untwined your fingers and slung his arm over your shoulder, re-intertwining your fingers in the new, closer position. You sighed happily and rested your head on his shoulder, his head leaning against yours. Both of your hearts beat faster in the intimate position but, as usual, neither of you noticed.

Jesse moved his head so that he could look at you and smiled fondly.

“You look so beautiful in the morning sunshine, honey,” he whispered to you and you blushed slightly. But just as he thought he was getting somewhere - you slapped his arm playfully.

“Don’t tease me, cowboy,” you accused him and his smile slid off his face, replaced by a tired frown. He tried again.

“I only tease you, y'know, Y/N,” he kept his whispering tones, his breath hot against your ear but you simply snorted with laughter and stepped back from him slightly as you doubled over. He sighed deeply.

“That’s the funniest thing I think you’ve ever said, Jesse McCree,” you giggled, wiping a joyful year from the corner of your eye. And after over 6 months of constant obliviousness you had finally done it.

You had made the always unfazed Jesse McCree very, very fazed.

“Sweet lord, Y/N, I’m flirting with you! I’ve been flirting with you non stop for the past few months. But you never notice, not once! Am I that repulsive that each time I try to make a move with you, you make sure to turn it into a friendly gesture? I love our friendship Y/N, really I do, but I. Want. To. Date. You.” He was practically shouting the last line and you were utterly stunned into silence.

What?

When you finally processed his words and found the right ones to answer him, you spoke quietly and without conviction.

“Do you want to date me, McCree?” Your voice was slightly harsh, despite it’s softness, “Or do you want to add me to your endless list of conquests?”

He reared back from you, stung. You knew you were probably being too sharp but you needed to know because the answer could be life changing.

“I guess I deserved that one,” he reasoned before taking a step towards you, “But it’s not like that with you. I’ve never pursued a someone for more than a week at most. You mean something to me and I’m not about to throw that away.”

You narrowed your eyes sceptically though you longed for nothing more than to believe him.

“Promise?” You asked, holding out a pinky and looking at him dead in eye. He raised an eyebrow at you but you didn’t bat an eyelash so he presented his pinky and linked it with yours securely.

“Promise.”

Your eyes lit up at the sincerity in his voice and you tried to keep your voice as calm as you could as you replied:

“One date.”

Jesse’s grin was infectious as he fist pumped the air and quickly picked you up bridal style, eliciting a small yelp from you and a “Jesse!?” He carried you down the stairs, two at a time, scaring you half to death.

Finally you arrived downstairs and he crashed through the cafeteria double doors, making all eyes snap to you both and your face to turn a shade of red that was only growing darker.

“We’re going on a date!” He exclaimed loudly to the room and you face palmed at his gesture. But, to your amazement, everyone began cheering and running up to you.

“Finally!”“It’s about time-”“I swear this was my guess, the money’s mine!”

“Money?” You turned to Jesse, eyebrow quirked in disdain but he just shook his head and laughed.

“Later,” he whispered, before squeezing you tighter into his body and planting a kiss on your forehead.

“Let’s get a picture then!” Lena shouted and everyone agreed, getting out their phones and cameras. You sighed, still smiling fondly however. After all, you knew it was going to be a good day the moment you saw the sun waking up that morning.

[pilawforhire-archived]

Happy Birthday, Morgan!! @mxladymorgan

Post the campfire seafood buffet dinner and the cutting of the birthday cake, and Happy Birthday sang enthusiastically over and over, tirelessly, the crew proud to showcase and show off their flawless pitch-perfect vocals, much to Law’s ignored displeasure --- Law would have preferred to bury his head in the sand, truth be told, than listen to that incessant racket --- the Heart Pirates line up to present Morgan their gifts in what Law considered an amazing and rare occurrence. His crew, queueing patiently, without fighting over the order of which they went? Bizarro. Law stood alone in the far corner like an ostracised kid at school, waiting for all Hell to break loose.

First up was Ikkaku, because she insisted, and when Ikkaku used her authoritative voice, the rest of the men dared not question nor dispute. Ikkaku strolled up to Morgan with a pleasant smile. She held out a dark brown leather journal neatly wrapped in a vintage floral wrapping paper. “Happy Birthday, Morgan.” Ikkaku planted a soft peck on Morgan’s cheek.

Shachi and Penguin bounced toward Morgan next. They were hardly ever seen apart, close-knit as twin brothers could get. Shachi and Penguin had reused wrapping paper from Valentine’s Day because they had previously stolen a shit-ton and it was either that or toilet paper. It went without saying that toilet paper was a crucial asset onboard the submarine and thus could not be sacrificed even for something as precious as Morgan’s gift. How else would they clean their bums? Shachi and Penguin, each with one hand on the gift, presented Morgan a packaging that contained a polka-dotted bright-coloured two-piece swimsuit. Penguin blushed a tinge but Shachi grinned wide and unashamed. He shook Morgan’s hand excitedly like she was the Queen or an empress. Shachi gave the back of Morgan’s hand a slobbery kiss before both troublemakers chirped in unison, “HAPPY AGEING!! BIRTHDAY!” Both then proceed to sing a duet of Happy Birthday a cappella. Shachi blew a party noisemaker in Morgan’s face and dragged Penguin away, but not before Penguin threw a bunch of flower petals over Morgan’s head.

Bepo stepped up, following the duo. Bepo wore the biggest, good-natured, warmest smile. “Happy Bar---Birthday, ma’am!!” Bepo outstretched his arms and gave Morgan a bear hug, super tight, though Bepo was careful not to constrict Morgan and hurt her accidentally. Bepo had plenty of practice on Law, and hence, Bepo knew just how hard to squeeze without causing someone to throw up or to suffocate. From his pocket, Bepo pulled out a small box. Inside, Bepo had bought Morgan, with real money, a bottle of perfume. Bepo had no idea if Morgan would appreciate the scent but he had asked around town and all passers-by had either ran from him or turned a blind-eye. In the end, Bepo observed other women shopping for perfume and figured that Morgan, being the classiest lady he’d ever met, could use a bottle too! Bepo quickly disappeared into the shop and after several rounds of profuse apologies, the shopkeeper sold him a bottle of perfume before chasing him out. By then, Bepo stank of sweat and could use the perfume himself. However, opening a gift was rude and Bepo would never do anything so selfish. Bepo beamed at Morgan and lingered for a moment a little awkwardly, unsure what he was waiting for, until someone pushed him out of the way.

Moving on, Jean Bart carried Malik on his shoulder. Malik promptly jumped off and struck a pose with jazz hands before hopping toward Morgan. Jean Bart managed a small, quiet smile he had spent hours in front of the mirror, hunched over, practising to get right. In his expression, he retained a tinge of self-consciousness he could not repress. Malik, on the other hand, his grin took up half of his face and Morgan could possibly count every single tooth of his, including all the decays. She could probably even yank his uvula from where she stood. Malik leaned toward Morgan and balanced a jewellery box on her head. Jean Bart had picked out a diamond necklace for Morgan, albeit stolen from an islander’s home. Nevertheless, being pirates, they were delighted with their gift and accomplishment and couldn’t wait for Morgan to open it up.

Uni shuffled up once Jean Bart and Malik had cleared off. Uni bowed low and gentlemanly. Out of everyone else, Uni was the only one dressed in a suit he had dug out from his secret closet. It was several sizes too big for his lanky frame, but he squared out his shoulders and postured confidence. In a voice unbecoming of a pirate, fruity and melodious, Uni sang, “Happy Birthday, milady.” From thin air, Uni materialised a stalk of a red rose. He lifted his top hat and pulled out a whole bouquet of red roses. Uni placed the flowers in Morgan’s hands. Then he took one of her hands gently and left her a box of white pearl earrings.

The rest of the Heart Pirates had collaborated on a gift instead. One of them jogged up to Morgan and presented her a rosewood box with soft velvet lining. They had procured a Queen Anne pistol on their last raid and wholeheartedly agreed that Morgan should have the pistol as a gift. Another of the crew brought out a scroll. In it, each member of the crew, excluding Law, had penned their birthday well-wishes for Morgan, along with their signatures, accompanied by Bepo’s paw print stamped at the bottom corner. “Happy Birthday,” they chorused, and then flashed her genuine smiles of pleasure that she was now almost like another member of the crew. It didn’t matter if it was not yet official, she was akin to a respectable sisterly figure every one of them greatly admired.

That night, after he had left his present under her pillow earlier, Law, in the midst of settling down to rest, padded toward the bed where Morgan sat. His expression impassive, unrevealing of his intentions, Law scooted closer to Morgan and smiled. A smile that was half genuine, half impish in manner. His hand shot out and grabbed the front of Morgan’s shirt. Law pulled Morgan in for the second kiss that day.

“Happy Birthday,” Law said, his voice soft. If Morgan strained hard enough, she might have detected a trace of affection in his tone. He had not wished her Happy Birthday yet, since he did not believe in singing Happy Birthday songs because he did not sing.

“Hmm… Just for tomorrow…” Law gazed fixedly into her eyes. His fingers toyed with the hem of her shirt, revealing just a peek of her belly button. “Just for tomorrow… We could pretend you were captain.” The corners of his lips curved into a little smirk. “Obviously, you don’t get to order me around… Or maybe you do…? Who knows, what might happen.” For the briefest of moments, his eyes glowed. Then, with a dash of boldness, Law leaned toward Morgan and gradually coaxed Morgan to lie back down. “…It’s your birthday…” He slid her shirt up slowly and nuzzled her chest, his lips pressing kisses down her sternum, over her flat stomach, heading south. With his chin hovering below her groin, his fingers tugged slightly at the waistband of her pants and underwear. His eyes flicked up to meet hers. “Allow me?” he cooed. He slipped the fabric of her pants down over her hipbones and waited for her consent.

[calcu-lass]

Question Tag Game Thing

I was tagged by @merinathropp Thanks so much Merina!! I love doing things like this! :D

I tag: @rcsistcnt​ @mildgeese​ @phantasmagoricfebruary​ and anybody else who would like to try this.

I didn’t answer one question just because I thought it was stupid, if there’s any questions you don’t want to answer, just cut them out like I did. Answers under the cut. 

A) What does the last text you sent say? And to whom?

I almost never actually text because texts are expensive as heck with my phone plan, so I use Telegram for all my texting needs. But the last technical text I sent was “Yeah, only jury duty for Dad came” to my Mom

B) What does the last text you recieved say? And from whom?

“Thanks” from my Mom. I’m such a popular person wow

C) What time do you wake up most mornings?

If I’m going to uni it’s around 5:20 am. Other days it’s anywhere between 7 and 9 am.

D) Are you afraid of walking alone at night?

As a female who lives in a city with a high crime rate, yes, yes I am.

E) What do you do to relax at the end of a stressful day?

Depends. Mostly message friends, watch youtube videos, listen to music, draw, and/or cook.

F) Where did your last kiss take place and with whom?

Yeah I’ve never been kissed or have kissed. No one’s interested in a 5′11″ introverted female math nerd I’m afraid.

G) Do/did you get into trouble a lot at school?

Nope I was homeschooled.

H) Do you enjoy your job? If unemployed, are you content being so?

I’m a student right now and I love my major, I can’t wait to actually work in the field. Otherwise, being unemployed sucks because I’m always broke.

I) Do you often pick up on double entendres and innuendos?

Dude, bro, buddy, I find double entendres and innuendos where there are none. I have spent  far too much time on this hell site. I’m thoroughly corrupted and my mind went into the gutter a long time ago.

J) Have you ever been offered drugs but declined?

Every single time. I don’t need an asthma attack.

K) Have you ever met someone who has completely altered your way of thinking?

Too many times to name. The people I met have shaped me into the person I am today.

L) Have you ever been offered drugs and accepted?

I’ve never accepted drugs.

M) Tell us something weird that turns you on.

Oh God why this. I’ve got a bit of a blood kink I think. People who have blood on them in a tasteful way and not a gory way are kinda hot. Please don’t judge me I’m being honest okay

N) When did someone last admit romantic or sexual feelings for you? Was the feeling mutual?

Sexual feelings yes. Romantic feelings no. Same person. I wanted to date, he wanted to be friends with benefits. Which was a very strong no for me.

O) What is something you have given a lot of thought to lately?

My future

P) When did you last swallow your beliefs to avoid an argument or confrontation?

The last time any sort of politics was brought up in family conversation. I honestly don’t believe what you say can ruin any relationship but rather how you say it. Except in my family they’re the exception you could agree wholeheartedly with them and still have an argument break out

Q) Do you usually initiate hugs?

I’m a very physically affectionate person, so if I can guess with a degree of certainty that the other person would be comfortable with hugging, I do. 

R) Are you a very affectionate person?

Yeah, if I like the person in question. If I feel lukewarm or cool towards someone there’s going to be at least 4 feet between us. But once someone’s crossed the line to someone I like, I want nothing more than to show the other person who much I care for them, verbally and physically. 

T) What are you looking forward to?

Summer break from uni!

U) Do you have any tattoos. Do you want any/more?

Not yet. Theoretically yes, because I think that some tattoos are cool as hell, but... I’m basically allergic to pain.

V) Are you mentally strong?

I like to think so. I’m still alive after all the crap my stupid brain put me through in the past and although my mental health isn’t perfect, it’s much better today than it was a few years ago.

W) Are you physically strong?

Nah. I don’t go to the gym

X) Do you think you’re a good person?

Well, I try not to harm people in general and I try to do everything I can to help the people I like, but I could be better by society’s standards, like going out and volunteering or something. 

Y) Name one thing you wish you could change about your life right now.

Probably have a job which wouldn’t cut too much into my study time which would give me enough money to afford to move out.

Z) What do you usually eat for breakfast?

I’m usually in a rush during the morning, so it’s just cereal and milk.

[artificialqueens]

Throwing Books At Poorly Constructed Walls (Bitney) -Lemonade

AN: Based on the prompt: “We live in adjacent apartments/hotel rooms and our bedrooms are on opposite sides of a very thin wall and one night I heard you crying and talked to you through the wall.” I think I deviated a bit from the original idea, but it laid the foundation for this fic. Most of the italics = inner monologue. Hope you guys enjoy!!! (also sorry to biadore shippers i got y'all next time) 

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Roy rolled his eyes, head falling back in frustration. “Does this kid ever take a fucking break? This is the fifth day in a row.” He sputtered under his breath as he stomped angrily across his bed room floor. “Hey, douchebag!” Roy pounded his fist against the dingy white wall. “These walls are paper fucking thin; You’ve kept me up for the past week, asshole.” There was a fleeting moment of silence which fooled Roy into thinking he’d actually be getting some sleep tonight. Keep going, was huffed out on the opposite side of his wall before the obnoxious moaning continued louder than before. Roy’s mouth dropped open. Now he was certain that his new neighbor was put on this earth for the sole purpose of making his life a living hell with a porno playing in the background. So for the fifth day in a row, Roy gathered up his pillows and blankets, headed for the living room couch. He was sure to throw the closest item, a book he never had the time to read, against the wall before exiting.

—

“Oh hell no.” The gross moaning almost everyday was one thing, but this? Absolutely not. Roy would rather have a constant audio loop of the Australian’s sexual escapades playing in his ear for the next five years than hear his shrill singing for the next five minutes. The blond was pulled out of his bubble as, yet again, his bitter old neighbor banged violently against his wall. “Would you shut the fuck up?! Seriously, are you incapable of being quiet for a millisecond?” Shane scoffed.

“Are you incapable of not complaining for a millisecond? You’ve been beating on my wall every goddamn day since I moved in!”

“Because you never shut up!”

“I can make all the noise I’d like to! It’s my apartment, I pay just as much rent here as you do.”

Shane heard an unknown object being tossed against their wall from the opposite side. “And throwing shit like a child isn’t going to solve anything.” He jumped as a heavier item was thrown.

—

It had to be a miracle. No sex noises. No singing. Just quiet. Peace and quiet. Roy pondered for a brief moment why exactly that was. Had he finally gained enough decency to not bring his hookups back home with him, keeping Roy up to all hours of the night? Was he just waiting until Roy got comfortable in bed before blowing him out of the water with some odd combination of his high pitched singing and kind of sexy, a hundred percent annoying moans and whimpers? Had he just dropped dead? Whatever the case may be, Roy wasn’t going to let this rare taste of serenity slip from his grasp. He hurriedly prepared for bed, hoping to be asleep before Shane inevitably started up his antics again.

Roy got in a few hours of sleep, admittedly more than he expected, before being awoken by his crude neighbor. He tossed and turned, attempting to ignore the sounds he was far too into unconsciousness to truly register. He danced on the line of slumber, ultimately giving up any chance of falling back to sleep when the racket emitting from the adjacent room grew more unsettling. Was he…crying? That was a new one.

Roy contemplated if he should even say anything. They hadn’t exactly been cordial to each other since Shane moved in. The sobbing grew more worrisome, no matter how malevolent Roy could come across he didn’t enjoy seeing (or hearing) anyone in distress. He knocked on the wall this time, a stark contrast to the usual aggressive pounding. A sniffle was audible through the thin structure. “What?” Shane answered with a sharp edge to his tone. Can’t this guy leave me alone for once? “I wanted to know if you were okay.” God, I try to be nice for once in my life and I get attitude in return. “I can hear you crying over there.” Oh, Shane thought. He felt embarrassed, more so by the standoffish way he first responded to Roy when he was only being kind, or the fact that Roy actually heard him crying, he wasn’t sure. Probably an even mixture of the two.

He swallowed down the growing lump in his throat, trying desperately to build a convincing facade before answering again. “I’m fine.” Shane croaked out, voice breaking at the last second. Totally believable Shane, great job. He internally rolled his eyes at himself. “That’s a load of shit.” Roy was quick to call him out. He could literally hear him crying, what was the point of lying to him? “Boohooing alone in your room isn’t going to solve anything. Tell me what’s wrong.” Roy always had this protective instinct. He if knew someone was struggling, he had to help. He tried to push it down as much as he possibly could, though it was a futile effort for the most part. Roy Haylock just had to accept that, he was in fact, a decent human being with a heart of gold.

“I’m lonely.” Shane blurted out. He felt idiotic the moment he did. What he felt was valid, he knew that, but something about saying it out loud made him feel almost juvenile. “You don’t seem very lonely.” Roy couldn’t help but to crack a joke. A heart of gold that may be a little insensitive at times. He was working on it. Shane rolled his tear filled eyes. “That’s just sex…” He trailed off.

Silence filled the rooms. Roy wondered if he offended the man with his poorly timed joke. He figuratively kicked himself in the ass for it. You’ve got to stop doing that. Not everybody copes the way you do. “Everyone I care about is back in Australia.” Shane’s voice cut through the grueling quiet. Roy’s eyes darted up at the sound, thankful he hadn’t added to his anguish. “I came here, and I’m making less money than I did when I was eighteen, living in a rat hole of an apartment.” We live in the same apartment building, asshole. “It’s wearing on me. I don’t want to go home and have to say I couldn’t make it, but staying here seems more daunting everyday.”

Roy could hear the pain and disappointment laced in Shane’s words; It made him want to engulf the man in the largest, warmest hugs he could ever give someone. His feelings for Shane were quite literally changing overnight. If someone told Roy he’d feel anything other than a deep seeded hatred for his disruptive, discourteous neighbor he would have thrown up on their shoes. “Look, why don’t you come to my show tomorrow night?” It was the oldest cliché in the book, but Roy wholeheartedly believed laughter was the best medicine. He’d lost track of how many times someone came up to him after a gig saying that for a few hours he provided an escape for them, that they had forgotten all of their problems temporarily and laughed without a care in the world. Shane seemed like he could use that.

“Show? What do you do?” Oh that’s right, I hated him up until ten minutes ago. He knows virtually nothing about me. “I’m a comedian.” Shane found that…interesting. He didn’t know much about the man in the opposite apartment, but comedy was the absolute last career field he’d guess he was in. Professional pain in the ass seemed more likely–Or a school librarian. Roy shushed him through a wall everyday; Shane could perfectly picture him doing it to a rowdy group of high school students.

“I’ll slip the address under your door in the morning.” Roy added.

“Sounds good.”

Silence fell over them once again. They both wondered if the other had fallen asleep.

“Roy?”

“Yeah, Shane?”

“Thanks.”

“If you really want to thank me you’ll be quiet for the rest of the night and let me sleep.”

What a cunt. I think I actually like him.

—

The next morning Shane found a piece of paper under his door as Roy promised. He was almost expecting the previous evening to have been a prank, or some hallucination brought on by extreme sadness. Anything seemed more probable than his perpetually disgruntled neighbor actually trying to cheer him up.

Shane briefly scanned the note, realizing Roy wrote more than an address:

I perform under Bianca, not Roy.

The opening act starts at 10:30, I go on a little after 11:00.

You should try to make the opening act. The kid’s extremely talented, he’s a singer too (though he doesn’t keep me up all night singing spice girls songs on the top of his lungs). I’ll introduce you to him after the show.

Though Shane rolled his eyes at the comment, he had to admit he was excited to meet this “extremely talented” singer. He would be excited to meet anyone new, really. He hadn’t exactly made friends since moving to America a few months ago. Still, all his curiosity laid with Roy–Bianca? He couldn’t picture him up on stage making people laugh instead of throwing books at poorly constructed walls.

—

What an interesting turn of events. Just two days ago Roy had been scolding Shane through the wall that divided them, now Shane was sitting at a bar waiting to see Roy perform, as per Roy’s request. He ordered a drink and waited for this opening act that Roy insisted on him not missing.

“Please welcome to the stage, Adore Delano!” This must be it. Shane couldn’t decide if Adore was a woman or just a really pretty dude in a wig, but that was hardly important. Roy was right, the kid was talented. Shane had been completely enthralled by their performance. Adore had a beautiful energy that washed over the entire room, lighting Shane up right away, before Roy–Bianca even came on stage. By the end of Adore’s set Shane was about ten times more excited to meet them. What if they’re dating? The out of the blue, unwanted thought seeped into Shane’s mind. So what if they’re dating? I don’t like Roy like that, why am I even thinking about this? But did he like Roy? He had to admit, Roy even bothering to check on him last night caused an odd feeling of warmth towards the practically-stranger. Then being invited here, given a glimpse into his life, made him feel more connected to Roy than he ever thought possible. Hm, maybe I do like him.

“Please welcome to the stage, Bianca Del Rio!” The hosts voice shook Shane from his thoughts, his complete attention turning to the stage, awaiting to meet this ‘Bianca’ character. When she stepped out, Shane noticed two things right away: the roar of the crowd and how polar opposite to Adore she was. She wasn’t traditionally pretty like Adore, but still weirdly beautiful in her own unique way. She wore a royal blue gown that hugged her body perfectly, making Shane’s mouth go dry. Adore had on ripped tights, a black thong, and a crop top; just one look at Bianca convinced Shane that he’d never have the pleasure of seeing her in something like that.

Bianca’s set had to be at least an hour long, but time flew when you were having fun and Shane was sure he hadn’t laughed as hard as he did tonight in years. His cheeks stung by the end of the show. Bianca was…hateful. An insult comic. Shane should have guessed that Roy would make a living taking the piss out of people. “Hey!” Bianca’s voice cut through the intense buzz of the bar as she crept up behind Shane, embracing him in a quick hug that she wanted to give him last night. “What’d you think?” Why do you care what he thinks, Roy? You’ve never given a shit about what anybody thinks before. "Eh.” Bianca’s face dropped and Shane cackled at how utterly broken he appeared in that moment. “I’m just fucking with you. You were incredible, I haven’t laughed so much in my life.” Bianca’s glorious smile returned. Mission accomplished, Roy thought. God, those dimples are adorable, and I haven’t even seen his ass yet. “I’m gonna go take this shit off,” Roy leaned into him, Shane’s eyes falling to the expertly painted ruby lips. Why is he doing this to me? “I’ll be back in a few minutes. I’ll bring out Adore so you can meet her too.” Bianca turned to the bartender. “Get him a drink on me, Matt.” The guy nodded. “Sure, B.” Bianca patted Shane’s shoulder before plunging into the crowd. His eyes following her until she was no longer visible.

“You know,” the bartender began as he made Shane’s drink. “it’s really cool to see Bianca with someone. She seems like a hard ass, but she’s a real softie under all that bullshit.” Shane felt his heart drop in disappointment. “Is she dating Adore?” Shane inquired. Why. Do. You. Care? His inner voice berated him. The quizzed look on the young man’s face told Shane no before he did. So who? “Oh, I’m sorry, a-are you two not together?” Me? Why would he think I was Roy’s boyfriend? I’ve only know him properly for a day. “Absolutely not, I can’t stand the cunt.” Shane brushed off the suspicion. “Sorry,” the bartender handed Shane his drink. “it’s just the way you two look at each other.”

—

“Hurry up!” Danny threw a pillow from the couch he was sitting on at Roy as he peeled away Bianca. “I wanna meet your boyfriend.” Oh god, here we go. Roy hadn’t had a proper boyfriend in years, he hadn’t even brought a guy back home just for the night in months. It was so rare for Roy to have a person around, that when he did, all of his coworkers were immediately down his throat about every last detail.

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

Roy tossed the pillow back in Danny’s face.

“He could be.”

Roy shot Danny a look that made him sink back into his seat.

“I’m just saying Roy, don’t be all cynical and ruin something before it even has the chance to happen. Let yourself be happy for once.”

Roy rolled his eyes. “You’re being a little dramatic, don’t you think? I barely know him. In fact, I hated him until twenty four hours ago.”

Danny shrugged his shoulders “So? You hated me at first too, we even got into that huge fight, remember? Now you love me.” He teased.

Roy was silent.

Shane was definitely his type, he could admit that, but what else was there? No, seriously Roy, what else is there? That was the problem: the most Roy knew about Shane was that he sung the spice girls on the top of his lugs at two in the morning, and his moaning was the sexiest (though annoying from a neighbors standpoint) sound he had ever heard. I wouldn’t mind being the one making him whimper like that. He knew he felt some sort of need to comfort him, to make him feel better. Then there was this strange want to impress him with his act tonight. And, truth be told, he did enjoy having someone in the audience watching just for him.

“You brought him here because he was sad. You never do anything nice for someone you genuinely hate.”

—

Shane and Danny hit it off immediately, finding their common ground in their love of music. The trio looked like old friends catching up, rather than strangers getting to know each other. Shane wasn’t half bad, Roy found out. The more they spoke the more he enjoyed being in his company. He had the same dry humor as Roy, and could keep up with his banter. Shane wasn’t as shocked as to find out Roy was fairly decent, he had already decided he liked him before coming out tonight. Maybe a little more than he’d actually admit to.

—

Roy and Shane took a lyft back to their apparent complex, neither were drunk, but far too buzzed to even think about driving themselves home. A comfortable silence had fallen over them as they walked back to their individual residence. Roy couldn’t have been more surprised at the way things were playing out. The two were getting in fights every day without even being in the same room, but once they got together it felt like they could have be best friends their whole life. “I had a really good time tonight, thank you. I needed it.” Roy chuckled. “What, did you think you’d have an awful time with me?” Shane narrowed his eyes at him. “Why do you always do that? Make everything a joke when someone’s trying to be sincere?”

Roy didn’t answer.

Good going Shane, call him out on a character flaw. That’ll really show him you like him.

Good going Roy, make him angry with you. That’s a great foot to start off on.

“I’m sorry.” They spoke in unison. The laughter erupting between them helping to break up the awkward tension. “I am really glad you enjoyed yourself tonight.” Roy said seriously. A soft smile bloomed on Shane’s face. Okay, he is pretty fucking adorable.

Roy thought back on what Danny said earlier that night, about not ruining a good thing before it even had the chance to start. He thought about how Danny only wanted the best for him, and how he would never give him advice he wasn’t a hundred percent sure of.

Shane was cute. Shane had a good sense of humor. Roy liked Shane.

Shane thought back on the plummet his heart took when he guessed Roy and Danny might have been dating. He thought back on the bartender, someone who must have known Roy for years, suspecting they were together just by the way they gazed at each other.

Shane didn’t have to think about it anymore, he had decided pretty early on in the evening, he liked Roy.

Maybe.

Maybe.

The two leaned into each other, neither anticipating the move from the other. Shane’s hand rested on Roy’s jaw, Roy’s arm snaked around Shane’s waist, yanking him closer to his body. The kiss came as second nature, as if they had lip locked a hundred times before. Roy’s lips had been softer than Shane expected them to be, they were perfectly plump and driving him mad.

Roy caught Shane’s lips in a series of pecks before finally letting them go. They stay pressed together, drunk on the moment with lust pumping through their veins. Shane reached behind him, grabbing for the door knob to his apparent.

“Would you like to come in?”

“I’d love to.”

[scdpersonnelfiles]

Armin Arlert

Age: “It’s a secret~”

Profile: “Queen of the very bad Jaegers~ I keep them in line and the great thing is no one challenge me for the position. I love my beloved Eren who is the King of all the Jaegers. I have an annoying mate name Erwin and he’s always and I do mean always nagging at me to not do this and to not do that. He’s lucky he’s an immortal because otherwise he’d be my walking dead pet. I mean would it kill my mate to stop nagging me twenty four-seven? The sex is good and all but, I get bored of him easily when he’s in his lecture mode. When was the last time we had a good time? Go to a movie go out to eat or go on a fucking vacation? Or shopping? Hell, I’d go for cuddling at him at home in front of a dumb ass tv show talking or drowning alcohol to forget all our problems and having wild uncontrollable sex just to have some time with him. But, no I get so sick of him I want to run away from him. Sex alone isn’t going to make me stay and he should know that already considering how many time I did up and left him for months on end. At least I don’t kill a lot of humans he should be glad for that alone. Eren already gave me a set of rules and since I got those said ‘rules’ I haven’t done any of the very bad shit he keeps nagging me of. Maybe, his so called God created him to just annoy me to death. I’m at a breaking point of just leaving his ass and taking the bad Jagers to our homeland. I love him but, his bitchiness gotta go. I won’t even sire his youngs if things don’t change soon.”

Likes: Talking, Shopping, Dreaming, Reading, Hacking, Cooking, Money, Sparring, getting attention and remembering the day Eren was born and his tiny hands reaching out to a purebreed bad blood like him. He also liked to remember the day when Erwin had accepted him wholeheartedly at first. In the present now Erwin doesn’t accept him at all despite he has changed his more evil side of himself of killing indiscriminately at random upon his mood. 

Loves: Erwin, Eren, Mika, Rena, Desserts, Snacks,Pastel, himself, and maybe the future children he might sire with Erwin someday. If not, well he can’t miss what he has never had before it will be a loss but, he’d get over it.

Dislike: Nagging, Being Suppressed, Unappreciated, Fighting with Erwin, Erwin forcing him to change

Despise: Fighting Erwin, Arguing with Erwin, Leaving Erwin, Beings who do not know their place, Children dying, abused and or killed. And Anyone who dares hurt his beloved Eren or his mate Erwin.

He listen to Erwin and Eren...but, no one else..

Eren: Hugs Armin and patting his head “There there...If you talk to him he’d understand.”

Armin buried his face in his chest “What’s the point? All he sees is a murder, a bad evil boy. He’s treating me like I’m his god damn seed. I’m older than that fucker and yet, he-” 

Eren hit him on the head “Don’t be stubborn I know how much you love him and talking is your speciality here.”

Armin rubbed his head moping “He accepted me when I was all cute and innocent but, the day he saw me kill some guy he did a one-eighty on me. And when I hacked into all of the government base military weapon to prove how easy to control a human who tries to mess with us he didn’t even let me explain. Just took my shit and banned me for doing a lot of shit and make up rules, and all that bullshit. I’m a Jaeger. A dark one so I’m a mad evil little Feraline. So what? All Jaegers have darkness in them and sometimes they all react differently depending how tainted or how dark they’ve became. If I had a kid or if we made a kid then what? Chain them up? Banned them? I’ll be damn if I let my own mate constrict me or my kids I birth or sire....”

Eren stroked his hair listening to him vent,

“He didn’t ask me...all we do is fight...sure we have sex but, it feels more like fucking then making love. Then there’s those female bitches who claims they’ve been up all over Erwin. They either fucked or had a kid or he’s talking to them or giving gifts. Sure, I’d lose my temper. What Jaeger won’t if their mate is doing shit their mate don’t like. He’s always working to the point he should married his damn job. I refuse to live with a man like that which was why I packed my shit and moved out of his place. I really love him, Eren...but, I won’t ever fuck him when I’m in heat. Those weeks I’d leave him he gets pissy and ask where was I or was I flirting with someone else. Or fucking someone and all that annoying bullshit. He’s my first and he dares challenge my loyalty to him that just burns me the fuck up. Younger immature males are a pain the fucking posterior. At least your man is maturing so you won’t have so much marriage problems.”

Eren: “You’re married to Erwin?”

Armin shook his head no, “We’re not. If he asked me to marry him I’d tell him no. Putting a ring on my finger won’t fix our problem and it sure as hell won’t build trust between us. I want the Erwin from before....If only he never stumbled into that alley way everything would have still be perfect...”

Eren “Want me to talk to him? I don’t like the crimes you do but, you do help us and you don’t attack people at random or harm childrens. You have morals even if he doesn’t understands it.”

Armin nuzzled Eren neck “Wish you were my mate....my own mate isn’t as understanding as you....but, then again you grew up with the old me so you grew an immunity to it I guess.”

Eren laughs “Those people were beast not humans.” Eren eyes were emotionless there was no light reflected in his eyes toward the men or women Armin killed back then. “However, you should still talk to him....You two could eat dinner at either of your places and watch a movie and talk. it. out. You could even be blunt and tell him to apologize or something before talking about your problem. I can tell you this if I were like you Armin I’m a 100 percent sure no matter what Levi would still love me. Mate or not, he’d do everything on his own and protect me from the shadows. If I needed to kill someone he’ll intervene and do it himself. He takes on that burden without my asking him too and all I want is for him to share that kind of burden with me. What kind of mate am I if I don’t stand beside him? This should be the same to you right? You want to protect him from harm you want to make him happy and if someone goes unpunished by the law despite being guilty you take it upon yourself to get rid of them permanently. He just doesn’t know our way yet, or can’t comprehend that what Jaegers do is to protect and assure their happiness. We’ll do anything to please our mate. The only thing we won’t stand for is abuse to ourselves or our children and he’s not the type to abuse. And he’ll compromise with you if not then it’s Erwin lost. He’ll lose the best thing that will ever happen to him, I know you Armin and I’m fine with siring your litter if the time comes for it and that is only when you can not work it out with Erwin okay?”

Armin nodded his head, “I’ll try talking to him and see if we can fix it... An apology would be nice....but he’s too much of a dick to admit that he’s wrong....so I won’t get my hopes up. He doesn’t trust me so I doubt the word sorry will come out of those lips.”

Eren smiles: “Well, Erwin’s not dumb he should know by now that what you say or agree to is a promise you’ll die trying to keep. Jaegers words are their bond and if you promised him or said the words of never to harm an innocent you’d keep it. If he doesn’t know that by now then he’s not worth to being your mate.”

Armin closed his eyes tired from ranting, “I only kill those who are bad who are evil and who deserves it. He doesn’t know I can read minds are see the future...the way thing is now its going down a very dark path. I want the other one....I want to argue with my future daughter that the big man in my arms is my mate and you can’t have him and all that stupid rivalry shit. I want Erwin to teach my boys how to be a real man a real gentleman you know? I want to keep thinking up different nursery themes for the next baby...I want us to go grocery shopping...and getting on him about leaving the toilet seats up and all that jazz...It’s such a nice future you know? I don’t mind changing if he gave me a chance...sure I’ll have slip up now and then but, I’ve tried hard this far right? I deserve some type of credits...some appreciation would be nice too you know?”

Eren kissed the top of his head “Mmhm,I understand now how about this I’ll kick Levi out of the house and we can have the whole place to ourselves we’ll eat some much ice cream the toilet would be out next best friend. Then we’ll do it all over again with all our favorite cereal littering the living room floor.”

Armin thought that was nice “Levi can stay...I saw that somewhere in the far future he’ll be giving birth to your kids. Might as well start the girl talk with him sooner rather than later.”

Eren blushed...he knew that future very well....

“Okay. I’ll make a shit ton of different cheese dips...and fried chicken and more.”

Armin rubbed underneath his red swollen eyes “Woot, sounds like a party.”

Eren “Yeah, it is. There won’t be any work and we’ll take days off work to cheer you up okay? You can spill all your woe on Levi. He’ll probably beat Erwin up into shape how does that sound?”

Armin eyes went crimson to blue.... “Sounds...wonderful.” Even though Armin had to kick his anger down. He didn’t like anyone hurting Erwin but, maybe that’s what Erwin needs to understand how real this situation is.

[shelenebryant]

Something like a storm - old collection

I have been sifting through some old notes I made on here, as well as old writings, from poems to novels, that I have written over the years. It is amazing how time can change you; your opinions, thoughts, your entire being.

Over the years, I felt the biggest impacts I have made in my life, is more so in education and having a good support system, thus in turn helping me make better choices, to become the person I am today. I am not saying as in school, but in life. I really wish instead of nonsense classes that we do not need, we instead, introduce education in regards to;

Real sexual education - as in sexual preferences to what you like and what gender you want to be.

How to function in real time - managing money, writing checks, avoiding scams, treating others with respect.

Racism - everyone is created equal.

Drugs - marijuana won't kill and taking twenty ecstasy pills will kill you. All children will eventually end up using something - this is a fact - and yes, liquor is a drug and is worse then some illegal ones. But if you teach them the proper doses, what each high delivers with the positive and negative, etc. This will prevent deaths in overdosing due to ignorance. Many drugs should also be legal to prevent some dumb teen wanting to try marijuana, getting caught and going to jail for 20+ years when he is still just experimenting with his life and making ignorant choices. Or buying drugs from a shady individual and are physically harmed by your dealer or killed by his laced product. We all made some good, and terrible choices, but we shouldn't go to jail our entire lives for it, especially when we are just kids.

There should also always be access to a good support system, especially in schools, and I am not talking about the horrible counselor who just tells you, that you want attention and sign off some drug that you don't need in order to treat it, but of course, just makes it worse but with a bonus of side effects. Good support is with family that care, friends who don't judge, counselors that actually listen, hot lines available 24/7, doctors who care more about you and not the money, etc. And it should be free. Health, whether mental or physical, is not something to be taken lightly. And with access to good people and proper etiquette, the rate of depression and mental health disorders would plummet.

I could mention many others much needed studies, but I am sure you get the jist of it all. But I do believe the major problem in this world, is lack of education and the access to thus said education. More jobs, less crime, more sensible people. I am a part of the statistic of low poverty that did not receive what I needed mentally (nor was it offered and or obtainable) and thus it has greatly affected my life. That coupled with upbringing - in regards to how my parents were, if they too had a better mindset on raising children, if everyone did, we could be well on our way to a better environment.

I only now feel, that after hitting thirty, and surviving many horrible things in my life, have I finally came to the realization on many things in this world. I wish I knew a lot of it when I was younger, not only would my body be in better shape today, I would also not have a disability, and I would probably be rolling in money, living in a big house with a car.

The mental problems that I currently have - I have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder - is because of lack of education, that lead me to a life full of choices that could of easily been avoided or corrected earlier, and with ease. I wouldn't of been around a bad crowd - considering you are the environment you place yourself in. I wouldn't of became an alcoholic, a drug addict, an abuser and abused, etc. All because my mother chose to believe that gambling would fix all her problems, my father's upbringing on racism, not being able to attend school, isolated, abused... I don't wish to go into the bitty gritty of my life nor the background of it all. Just know, everything has a connection to one another.

If my mother, who was Filipino, living in poverty, attended school and had a good social surrounding, she would of made a wonderful wife. My Dad, whose parents, not only bigots, but extreme racists, forced their views on my Dad, if this didn't happen, their is a chance he wouldn't of ignored me as a child because of the color of my skin. Only when my Dad's parents passed away, were his shackles removed. As the years pass, you get a bit wiser, and when we finally had a full blown break down with one another, did we finally mend ways. And it's sad, that it takes all those events to happen, just to bond a father and daughter. All because of people's ignorance.

I know their is also the argument of nature vs nurture. Even if you have the best environment, you can still oppose the upbringing and become someone of either great virtue or villainy. But considering the lack of standing when it comes to parents teaching their kids "common sense", more children are growing up thinking vaccines are the work of the devil, you can't get an STD from sex, that only black people commit crimes, iraq should be bombed, murder is okay as long as you confess, gay is wrong, etc. People can't obtain common sense unless they are properly taught. If someone grows up thinking racism is okay, they will spread this untruth and as they get older, their opinion will be harder to change, and then eventually come to a point were no one can change their opinion, whether or not they are right in thinking so. Stubbornness to learn the truth breeds more ignorance. As an adult, learning new things and accepting that you could be wrong, can hinder your way to the truth and it is difficult to overcome. That's why it is important to be taught as young as possible, that being wrong is okay and you should always be open to hearing what others have to say.

Learning about my disability is probably what I consider the biggest impact on my life. It lead me to get the proper education, help, medicine, and teach myself why it happens and how I can fix it. It has answered so many questions that I had asked myself over the years, not knowing it was a disease, but instead, blamed it on being crazy and that no one could understand. I was wrong. Many people suffer from this and their is help. People do get better. I am happier knowing what it finally is, that way I can treat it, and not let it fester and get worse, affecting my daily routines.

Second, I would say changing my environment was also a wonderful decision. Cutting "bad people" who do not care for your well being and surrounding yourself with healthy individuals who know and comfort you, can make all the difference in the world in how you view and love yourself. But you do have to love yourself before you can truly be there for others, but it always helps when their is someone there to tell you that it is okay to do so.

I also had to come to the hard and agonizing acceptance of coming to terms that nothing is forever. Everybody goes away in the end. Whether they are passing friendships or carried away by the hands of death. Sometimes friends who promise "forever" with you, will break it many years down the road, and that's okay. People change, so do friendships, in what you need and like. Its not my fault nor theirs. I had to let go of many people, as they have let go of me. For a long time I believed it was my fault and that I was a bad person - even if it was my fault - I should never blame myself and let it destroy me. And honestly, I live my life for me, so I should let go of someone who no longer wants to be a part of the life that I cherish. The only life I will ever have. I will also wholeheartedly admit, that I have very short and intense relationships, it is deeply imbedded into me, as part of the condition I live with and cannot escape from. I am a lot to handle in any relationship. I hold people in high regard, I cherish them, honest, brutal, and ever changing within seconds. I may love you one day and think you are invincible, but the next, I truly hate you and feel you have betrayed me, with no probable cause. Then their will be times I switch up my personality and cannot remember what I do or say while I am inside these different personas, but I always do keep the same goals - whether to feed my cats or hug my boyfriend - it dwells deep into a subject that is very hard to explain. The mind is a vast world of never ending cycles of flowing bubbles of different colors and shapes.

To continue, I tend to make any friendship unhealthy because of my disability, and many people will leave because they cannot handle the heat that I produce. I love too much, too hard and too fast. And I finally understand, this is who I am, I will not harbor any ill will towards those who cannot handle it, nor will I shackle them down to stay. We each have our own needs. That is why I am grateful to have my boyfriend, even though he feels sometimes he should give up, he has been the only one to stay. He knows me to my core and I love him for that. I know I will probably never have friends, but its okay, I will be okay. I tend to call the people I do know, acquaintances, because I believe true friendships last the storm and I will never allow anyone to get that close to me again (besides my boyfriend). I say this because it will be beneficial to them, but also to me, and will help keep the relationship alive. Whether it's a random lunch date or a talk over texts. A relationship with me is best kept in low moderations. I do not mean it as an insult when I refer people as acquaintances and not friends, but for me, it is still a form of love as you are a part of my life. I am a good person. I am happy. I would never betray. And I am good company. And the reason I only keep one intense relationship, is I feel that only one person should be allowed the privilege to be your soul mate, and thus are the only ones that can calm your storm. That is why people are always closest to their spouse and often times only hang out and communicate with them.

But I digress... I am still learning, even when I am old and gray, I am sure my opinions will change, depending on the subject. I will be always changing. I look back at the young me and weep, for all the things she had to go through, and I wish their could of been a better way. I just hope that the future will offer better choices for children, so they don't have to suffer like I suffered.

This has been your random ramblings of a bpd girl.