#i wonder what the staff room fridge looks like.

[fisheito]

OMG. that means... Cloaca Crew........

WAIT.

✨C l o a c a C r e w✨

[luvwestwood]

"Thank You For Your Service" - Toji Fushiguro, Ryomen Sukuna

4,341 words.

warnings. nsfw, firemen! toji/sukuna, food-play, oral sex, p in v, mildly dubious con, double penetration, unprotected sex, throat fucking, rough play/sex, praising kink, creampie, degradation/dumbification (slut, whore)

notes. as an owner of your own independent bakery, you deliver your local firemen some sweet treats as a 'thanks' for their service. although a few of the men at the station decide to have a little fun with you. aka toji and sukuna fuck you silly and stuff you with their cum like a profiterole. also this has been in my draft for ages and I wanted to post it before I get back to classes 😭💀

banner cred. @/yunonoai on twt/ig

After successfully balancing the cash register, you glance over to the clock on the wall that reads sharply, '4:30' in the afternoon.

The rest of the staff, aka the young students you've hired to work in your bakery were long gone, as you had let them off quite early today.

You walked over to the display fridges to see what's remained of the cakes from today. As expected, there were a good few things left such as profiteroles and small dessert cakes.

"Mmm, maybe I should give these to the firemen down at the station."

You smiled as you came up with the sustainable idea to gift the local fire station a box of sweet treats as a thank you for their service. I mean, who wouldn't want free cakes?

You hummed as you tied the pink ribbon over the box. Hopefully you put enough in there, you knew that those working at the fire station were hardworking people, so they needed a lot to refuel.

Glancing to the clock again, only fifteen minutes have passed. You decided it was time to make your way to the fire station. You made sure everything was left prepared for the opening staff tomorrow. Grabbing your coat from the staff room, you took the rest of your belongings, and the nicely wrapped box, making your way to the fire station.

The walk wasn't long, as the station was only located down the avenue. They put the station in a place to make sure it was accessible for everyone. It was convenient for you at this moment too.

Coming to the front of the fire station, you were met with the garage shutters open. You weren't sure if you should just walk in through there, or go around to the visitors entrance. The lights were on though, and you could hear a faint chatter coming from the inside.

Deciding to take a peek, you could see two men sitting in chairs and talking, which you assumed were the firemen on duty today.

You couldn’t really make out their faces, but you could tell one had coral hair, the other, a dark black. At the same time, you mentally slapped yourself for freezing in one spot, wondering why you were unable to move.

Your eyes scanned their bodies, the muscular physique they owned had only been complimented by the fitted navy shirt they were wearing. You could tell both had put in the work at the gym. For once, you wished you were in a burning building right now.

Suddenly, the coral haired man looked in your direction, and by now you could make out some strange tattoos on his face. You gasp, startled at the fact he had caught you staring for awhile like some idiot. Curious, the raven haired man turns his head as well, and speaks.

"Well.. what do we have here?" he continued, "You lost, doll?" his voice so deep, it only went straight through your ears, down to your pussy.

By now, you had the attention of the two men, and it sort of felt belittling in a way. Part of you wanted to turn around and leave, as if nothing happened. Or maybe you could act like you walked into the wrong place.

Gulping, you clutched onto the corners of the box out of nervousness. "No.. I work at the local bakery down the block. I came here to uhm...” Your voice trails off, you had forgotten what to say.

The coral haired one butts into the conversation.

"Oh Toji, you've made her all nervous. She's so soft spoken now." He motions his hand for you to come closer, the so called 'Toji' rolling his eyes at what the other had said.

Hesitant, you stepped through the garage entrance, now hearing it close behind you as you walked closer to the two men. I guess there’s no turning back now..

You still didn't know what the coral haired one was called.

As you finally stood in front of them, they respectfully did the same, standing from the chairs they were just on.

Your stomach churned as you noticed the difference between your heights, the men now towering over you had only made the nauseous feeling worse. It had caused you to look up at them, like some lost puppy. Am I really this sex deprived?

You could have sworn that you felt something purr down there as the so-called Toji crosses his arms, his massive biceps on show. His navy fitted shirt practically sculpted over his muscles.

Begging to get out of this place that made it more difficult to withstand each minute, you spoke first.

“I work at the bakery down the street,” you continued after a breath, “..and I just wanted to give you these goodies as a thank you for your service to this city.”

Wanting to compensate for discomforting you earlier, Toji speaks. “Ain’t that sweet? S’kuna, take the box and put it behind me on the table.”

Sukuna, gently takes the box from your grasp. You felt your face warm up as his more bigger, calloused hands made contact with yours. He smiled at you, possibly for a silent thanks. You couldn't help but do the same.

Tucking a strand of hair behind your ear, you blushed. Flattered that these men were praising you. “Oh, it’s nothing really..” you slowly took a step back. “Anyways, I better get going.”

Toji had only kept his eyes on you, as if he were to devour you at any moment. Leaning against the table behind him, Toji didn't dare to look at anything else in the garage. Sukuna was busy on the other hand, toying with the pink ribbon on the box.

“..Leavin’ already? Isn't that a shame, I thought that you yourself came with these desserts.” Toji snickered, looking at Sukuna behind his shoulder for a response.

Your lashes fluttered, in utter shock you were speechless.

Sukuna, could only laugh at Toji’s cheeky joke that was laced with filth. His own eyes watched you as he sucked the cake’s cream off his fingertips.

Awkwardly laughing, you brush off what just happened. “..I really.. need to get going. I have a bus to catch.” You lied, thinking that it would be able to get you out of here.

“C’mon, it’s not everyday we get the opportunity to share these cakes with a pretty girl. Right, ‘kuna?”

“Yeah, today’s our lucky day.” Sukuna hums, his sentence ending with a smirk.

Biting your lip, you thought about it for a moment. I mean, there wouldn’t be anything else for you to do as soon as you come home.

You knew you were going to regret this, but part of you wanted to stay. I mean, what could go wrong? “Mmm, okay fine, I guess I have a few minutes to spare..”

Toji grins, the scar on his mouth moving with his lips as you walk back closer to the two. "I promise, we'll make the most of it."

He stands back from the table, casually grabbing you by the waist and swiftly setting you atop the table as if you were a doll. You could only hiccup, taken aback by his sudden gesture. You immediately tug down on your skirt due to it rising up just now.

Flustered and warm, you made the sensible decision to take off your coat. Toji only takes it from your possession, setting the coat down on a chair nearby.

Your legs dangled off the edge of the table, slowly swinging back and forth, taking a few breaths to calm your nerves as you watch the men’s next move.

Toji stood in front, facing you, almost between your legs as he reached over to the box of desserts on your right side, grabbing one of the few cream cakes.

Sukuna on the other hand, makes small talk with you. “You make these yourself, beautiful?”

“Oh no, not just by myself. I have a few other staff at my bakery who of course help out.”

He nods slowly in approval, wiping the rest of the ganache off his hands using the pants of his cargo overalls.

You bit your lip, asking a sudden question out of curiosity . “Can I ask, where’s the rest of your crew?.. Is it just you two?”

Toji, busy taking a bite of the cake rolls his eyes. “That doesn’t matter right now,” the question stays unanswered as he changed topics, “God, the cream in this- whatever the fuck this is- tastes great. What you call these again?”

"It's called a profiterole," You watched as Toji took a huge bite, licking the cream off the corners of his mouth.

He uses his finger to swipe a small dollop of the cake’s cream onto his fingertips, bringing it closer to your mouth.

“Here, try it for yourself, It’s the best thing I’ve had.”

Does he expect me to suck it off his finger just like that..?

You knew better, this man was a stranger. Should you really be going around casually sucking on men's fingers? “Oh, I don’t know if I should-”

“Don’t leave me hangin’ doll! creams gonna slide off my finger..”

You shyly gabbed onto his hand, sucking the cream off his fingertip. Toji would be lying if he said that a tent didn’t just form in his cargos. He could feel his cock straining against his pants, begging to come out.

"'Atta girl.." Toji purred as he felt your hot mouth wrap around his finger.

He could only imagine what it would be like if you were to suck your own juices off his fingers after they had just been inside you.

This whole time, Sukuna was quietly watching everything unfold. He could feel a tinge of jealousy wash through him, angered at the fact that Toji was all handsy with you, and poor Sukuna couldn’t get a turn.

His index finger left your lips with a pop, his eyes never leaving yours. You heard Sukuna shuffle around with the box, his footsteps coming close to both where you and Toji were.

He gently pushed Toji aside, and unfortunately the raven haired sex fanatic took offense to that, Toji stabbing daggers into the back of Sukuna's head as he replaced his spot.

You shivered as Sukuna slithered his one hand onto your bare leg, the other hand holding another one of the cakes.

"How 'bout you share this one with me? Say ahh.." He brings the cake closer to your face, your face heating up from his hand slowly caressing the velvety skin on your thigh.

You grabbed onto his hand to stop it, "I'm really full, thank you th-"

Sukuna's hand suddenly moved down to your chest, smearing cake all over your blouse. The rest of the cake falling onto your skirt.

You jittered as you felt the cold cream manage to dribble down your sternum behind the fabric, a high pitch gasp escaping your lips out of discomfort.

"Oh my.." he continued with a devilish grin, "My hand slipped."

You gasped, your blouse now all ruined with red velvet cake and buttercream. "It's.. okay.. I'm heading home anyways."

"No, no-“ Toji behind him stepped in, "We gotta do something about that."

You tried to reassure them; using your hands as support to try hop off the table, "Guys, I promise it's nothing seriou-" but unfortunately Sukuna grabs the side of your thighs, setting you back on the table.

"Yeah no," thinking, Sukuna crosses his arms. "We gotta take that top off. In fact, take everything off."

Toji smirked, and let out a laugh. "I agree,"

Sukuna's large hands reached for the buttons of your blouse, pulling the top apart, the remaining fragments thrown to the other side of the garage.

The tiny buttons fly everywhere as you wince at the sight that unfolded before your eyes. You were able to see the evident change in the two men's demeanor as their eyes landed on the black lacy bra that was now on show.

"Ah-" Sukuna cooed, "She got some between her tits. Get this girl some tissue."

Toji walked around the garage in search of a tissue roll, and you watched him like a hawk, using your arms to cover your chest. "Can't seem to find any 'round here.."

Unable to form a sentence, you gape your mouth open at Toji, then to Sukuna.

"Well that's too bad.." he reaches for your arms, pulling them apart to expose your cake-stained chest back to him. “I wouldn’t mind licking it off.”

“Wait- I don’t think that’s-“ you’d be lying if you said you didn’t want this badly right now.

“Shh…” His hands snake down your chest to your abdomen, gently pushing you to lie against the table.

Your nipples go hard due to the contact of your back with the table’s cold surface, luckily they weren’t able to see that.

You felt as Sukuna’s wet tongue touches your stomach, slowly gliding up towards your cleavage that was stained with cream. You gasp, a breathy moan escaping your lips. That was enough to tell them both that you wanted this as much as they did.

You immediately grab onto his hair, and you could feel the smirk form against your skin.

You heard Toji’s footsteps come closer to your side of the table, he was suspiciously quiet for the time being.

Sukuna would only look up at you as he licked off the creamy residue all over your chest. The warmth from his tongue was ticklish, but this scene arousing enough to have a pool form between your legs.

“Think we gotta take this tiny skirt off too..” you felt him roughly grab on your skirt to slide it off, but not strong enough to rip it apart.

You could only clamp your thighs together, as the rest of your garments were stripped of you, the outcome being you all flustered that you were so exposed in-front of the two men.

Sukuna uses his hand to force your legs open, his head moving between your legs.

Until you felt another pair of hands clutch onto your panties and- rip!

You shudder as your bare pussy was met with the cold air of the garage, hoping to feel Sukuna’s warm, wet mouth but you were mistaken.

It was more cake.

Toji had smeared a Victoria-sponge dangerously below your lower abdomen.

Toji could only palm himself through his pants as he watches Sukuna devour the cake that was making its way towards your clit.

His tongue made its way to your dripping hole, slowly fucking into you back and forth.

“T-that feels.. so good..” you breathe out, Sukuna’s cock straining against the fabric of his pants as he heard this.

Unable to watch anymore, Toji stops palming himself through his pants. He makes his way to the box of desserts, disassembling a jam donut, scooping the strawberry glaze into his hands.

Horny, and jealousy filling his body like mad, he walks behind the table where your head was almost hanging off.

He eagerly unzips his cargos with an unoccupied hand, grabbing for his cock that has been nothing but a nuisance to him these past few minutes.

Too busy moaning in pleasure, you looked up to Toji, your vision of him upside down as you were laid against the table.

You could only watch as Toji’s heavy, thick cock slaps against your forehead, his jam covered hand wrapping around the base and making a mess of it on his length.

You felt his hand smear the strawberry residue all over your chest again, which was most likely for Sukuna to be able to lick.

“Better open wide you slut, or else it won’t fit.” You felt Toji’s hand grab onto your jaw, forcing mouth to open wider.

You moan as his cock fills your mouth so full, the sweet jam from the donut coating your taste buds. Toji wraps his hands around your neck, his two thumbs caressing your throat as he fucked his cock into it.

He groans, “Fuck, just like that..” throbbing as he felt the outline of his cock form against the skin of your throat. Squelching noises could only be heard as he staggeringly rut his hips back and forth.

You could hear Toji grunting above you from the sensation of the vibrations going to straight to his cock as you moaned. You felt Sukuna on the other end lapping at your clit, fucking you with two fingers of his fingers at the same time.

Taking a minute to close your eyes, you indulged in the pleasure you were receiving at both ends. At the same time, you were unable to tell who ripped your bra off you.

Toji pulls his cock away from your throat, leaving you to gasp for air. You shut your eyes tightly, disappointed at the empty feeling you were left with. Warm spit trickled down your face, Toji caressing your cheek but only to slap in after.

Toji doesn’t forget to plant a wet kiss on your lips before pulling away. You whimper as he leaves your side, but only this time he starts walking over to Sukuna’s end.

Sukuna pulled away from your dripping holes too, you wince and moan, praying that this isn’t the final moment that they’d have hands on you. You were too scared that the fun was cut short.

Using your elbows to prop yourself up, you watch the two men, speechless. You try to use this opportunity to catch your breath, but your head only falls back down onto the table. You stay sprawled out on the table, looking up at the bright lights of the garage.

“Feel like it’s time to stuff some cock in that pussy, don’t cha think?” Toji speaks, voice raspy from groaning.

“I think so too. But I’m fucking her first,” Sukuna replies.

A disagreeing Toji snaps back. “Nah, I want to.”

“Aren’t you forgetting we can both fuck her at the same time?” Sukuna suggests, your eyes widening at the thought of two men stuffing you full of cock at the same time.

You could almost predict that they could break you into two, and you have no idea how big any of them are yet. You use your elbows to prop yourself up again, your face showing an expression of disbelief. “I- I can’t do that.. I don’t think I can.”

Of course, they'd hardly take that as an answer. “We’ll see that for ourselves.”

You felt Sukuna grab onto your thighs once more, his fingers digging into your flesh as he pulled you towards him. He effortlessly picks you up, carrying you over his shoulder and walking towards what seemed like one of the fire trucks.

You heard a door open, Sukuna placed you onto a longer leather seat that was behind the driver in the truck cab.

Hearing a door open behind you, Toji follows inside, crawling onto the same leather seat. He lays back, hands pumping his cock as he watches you from the other side of the seat.

Dazed, you could only immediately crawl onto Toji’s lap, straddling him. He grins, his hands squeezing onto the soft skin of your tits and fondling as you waited for Sukuna to join.

Sukuna climbs onto the seat but this time behind you. Toji slightly moves his head to the side, taking a peek at Sukuna. Too bad, Sukuna was already busy fucking your ass with one of his fingers, making sure you were ready to be stuffed of his cock.

Jealous, Toji grips onto the doughy skin on your hips, aligning his tip with your dripping cunt before slowly sliding in.

You let out a long string of moans and curses, as you felt his thick length stretch you out as you sink down onto his cock.

“God, you feel so good around my cock. ‘S like your pussy’s made for it.”

Hearing a zip behind you, you disregarded it, as you were still trying to adjust to Toji’s size. This was cut short as you were caught by surprise by Sukuna filling you up with his own cock, this time in your ass. He was thick, but not thick as Toji. Although the length made up for it, you would think that he was all the way in but in reality it was only half.

Your eyes rolled to the back of your head as both of their cocks were stuffed deeply in both of your holes.

Your hands clutched onto the fabric of Toji’s compression shirt, wrinkling it all together.

Toji placed his soles flat onto the seat, using this support to harshly thrust into you upwards more faster than before as Sukuna behind staggered into you at a more slowed pace. Although he wanted you bad, he made sure to be gentle. He just wanted to indulge every inch of you.

Toji on the other hand, bottomed into you balls deep, his thumb cheekily creeping over to your clit, rubbing in continuous circles as they both fucked into you.

“Fucking slut,” Sukuna spits out, voice shaky as the plush flesh of your ass only clenched around him. “Both holes stuffed full of men’s cocks who you don’t know?”

Sukuna reached for your hair, grabbing a handful and pulling you back against his chest.

You whimpered, snaking one of your hands behind to his nape. Sukuna leaned in for a kiss, only to pepper more down your neck to your collarbone.

Toji kept his pace, which as quite impressive. You moaned back into Sukuna’s cheek, feeling a knot twist and form in the pit of your stomach.

“I-It’s too much- I can’t…” Your hand leaves the back of his neck, moving up higher to clutch on his coral hair as the immense pleasure had only washed through you.

Toji below you speaks, “You think we should let her cum?”

Slapping your face as he started to slow down, he could see you were drunk of their cocks. Fortunately, Sukuna was unable to see this as he was busy behind.

Toji thrusted into you balls deep each time in a consecutive pattern, bullying your cervix as your body jolted up and down along with your tits.

Sukuna moved his hands back down, away from your hair to be able to spread your cheeks apart. Groaning as he watched his cock slip in and out of your ass, he makes a decision. “Fuck, I think so. She’s been such a good girl this whole time.”

Toji grins, his hand moving to your cheek but this time roughly caressing your lip with his thumb. “You hear that doll? He says you were such a good girl.”

You were unable to form a sentence, your brains were fucked out at this point and Toji, wasn’t happy with this.

“Fucking answer me you whore,” surprised, you came back to your senses as Toji slapped your cheek harshly, leaving a red mark on your face.

“..Please, let me cum..” you hiccuped, “I can’t take it anymore.”

You watched Toji flash his same old devilish smile through your tear filled eyes, both of their paces picking up again.

Your moans turned shaky, the slapping of balls against your skin and wet noises filling the taxi cab.

Toji went back to lazily rubbing circles on your clit as both of them fucked you, making sure that you would cum on time with them.

This time, Sukuna’s hand wrapped around your throat, bringing your ear close to his mouth. “You want us to breed you? Is that what you want?”

Lost in a trance, you just went with whatever. You didn’t care anymore, you just wanted to be stuffed full of them forever.

You could only nod, but Sukuna couldn’t take it as an answer.

“Use your words baby, tell me what you want.” His warm breath tickled your ear, Toji’s thrusting making it difficult for you to speak.

You held onto Sukuna’s wrist around your throat, “I want.. both of your cum.. in me..”

Although your hand fell back onto Toji’s shirt as Sukuna gently pushed you back down. You sighed out loud, sobbing quietly as you felt his cock slide out of you.

Toji’s deep thrusts were the only thing you could feel, “Fuck, I’m coming.” He grunted beneath you, until you felt Sukuna’s cock entering the same hole Toji was in.

As you moaned out louder than before, the pleasure too hard to bear. You could feel yourself turning into jelly, your hands wrinkling the fabric of Toji’s shirt once again.

Your voice strained as you felt both of their cocks shoot warm, ropes of cum into you. Your orgasm comes crashing down on you, your chest heaving as Toji’s grip on your waist remained, but Sukuna’s hands slowly lost grip on your hair.

Both of them filled up your hole with seed to the point that it leaked out of you in no time.

Your eyes completely rolled back for tenth time this hour, feeling them both twitch inside of you, the white fluid leaking onto the black leather seats of the truck cab.

Sukuna leaves your hole first, moaning at sight of the generous amounts of cum that dripped down his length to his shaft as he slid out.

Followed by Toji, you could feel his cock slip out too, until his finger made its way back inside, making sure to fuck the escaping load back into you.

Both of them had left their mark in you, stretching you out so fully that no cock in the future can impress you but theirs.

You felt like a total cock sleeve, and your body yearned for more. But honestly, it felt like you were gonna break apart. So maybe next time.

All three of you stayed in the same spots, the windows were now fogged up to the point the entire truck cab smelled of sex.

“I can definitely point out one thing you and ‘em profiteroles have in common.”

⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⤳ © luvwestwood ‘24. all works are owned by me, and originally come from my own head. please do not re-post on a third party platform without my permission!

⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⤳ as always, thank you for the love on each and every one of my posts. 🎀🩷

[boldlyvoid]

Employee of the Month

eddie munson x reader

Summary: To make some extra cash before Christmas, Y/N takes a job stocking the grocery store shelves at midnight, unbeknownst to her that her high school crush also works there

Warnings: mutual pining, partial slow burn, parental death, mentions of Eddie's murder charges (now dropped), being ostracized by the town, teasing, flirting, sick Eddie, hurt/comfort, falling in love, first kiss, first times, virgin Eddie, virgin reader, making out, grinding, dry humping, cumming in pants. they're really horny touch starved adults

word count: 9k

In a last-ditch effort to make some more money this Christmas, she takes a job at the local grocery store to stock the shelves at midnight. It’s not too bad, there are only 16 shelves and about 30 feet of freezer to restock, she gets to bring a walkman and headphones and wear whatever she wants. As long as the shelves look nice come morning, the boss didn’t really care. 

From the first night she worked there she knew it was going to be a good fit, mainly because the other stock person she’s been partnered with is the same guy she had a massive crush on in high school. Eddie Munson had one hell of a year while she was trying to graduate, he was getting accused of murdering her classmates. He disappeared mostly after that, the school gave him a pass and his diploma so they didn’t have to see him again, the town pretended they didn’t try and murder him in revenge for an entire week and she didn’t see him again for a while. 

“Hey,” she waves at him with her lips pressed together in a tight smile, “I’m—

“Y/N,” he points at her name tag with a matching smile. “I take it you’re my new buddy?” 

She nods, “yeah… um, what are we doing tonight?” 

“The snacks and chips aisle, the milk fridge and the cheeses,” he recites the list as he pulls it out of his pocket and hands it to her. 

While she is just in jeans and a sweater, nothing too fancy, he’s in a navy blue jumpsuit with his name embroidered on the left breast, and just under it, the grocery store logo. He was in uniform… “why don’t I have to wear one of those?” 

“Oh, I got this for being the employee of the month,” he shrugs it off, not meaning to brag in the slightest. “You like it?” 

“Yeah,” she smiles like a fool, nodding quickly and looking at the list he handed her to avoid his eye contact. 

She liked him so much in high school, and he was still so cute, it was all coming back to her. He’s much more laid back and reserved now, it has been over a year since she’s seen him in person, too. It made her wonder if he was still that same loud, opinionated nerd that she admired from a distance. 

He’s super nice about teaching her the right way to restock everything, bringing the old stuff to the front and the new things get pushed to the back of each shelf. They split up the aisles and met in the middle, trying to beat each other each time. He sang along to the radio playing over the speakers, and he danced when he thought she wasn’t looking… he was just as cute as he was in high school. 

They end up making a good team, they finish their list and pick up a few extra chores. They change a lightbulb in the guest bathroom, take inventory of the magazines and run disinfectant over every surface they could until their shift ends. It feels like it takes forever, they’re awkward when talking to each other but it’s kinda easy to hang out with him. This was going to be a good job for her. 

“You need a ride home?” He asks in the staff room after work, both of them putting on their coats and scarves. The November chill in Hawkins was not nice. 

She shakes her head and starts to point, “no, I just live—

“You can’t walk home in the middle of the night,” he cuts her off. “There’s too many creeps and animals out there. I don’t mind where it is?” 

“Okay,” she gives in easily. 

She gives him her address as they walk out to his van, he opens the door for her and lets her hop in before closing it for her too. He asks her about how long she’s lived there, trying his best to make conversation but it hurts. 

“Uh, we’ve always lived in Hawkins, my house is still a mess from the earthquake but the insurance is fixing it soon,” she assures, nervous for him to see the state of the place when he pulls up. “If my dad was still here he’d probably have it done by now, but it’s just me and my mom.” 

“God, I’m sorry,” he felt so bad for asking. “That was the worst fucking week ever.” 

“yeah… it sucked for everyone,” she doesn’t even know how to touch upon what he went through. “Glad it’s over.” 

“More than you know,” he sighs, turning onto her road finally. 

He doesn’t want to come in for coffee or anything, he gives her a smile and a wave and watches to make sure she gets inside her house safely before driving away. 

She thinks about him well into the morning when she should be sleeping. It’s easy to get sucked into an imaginary life where he asks her out after a shift and they hang out and fall in love and she finally gets to kiss that smile off his beautiful face… it’s not easy to make it come true. She would go to her grave with the fact she thinks he’s handsome and nice and funny and cute. She’s not big on sharing feelings, having no one to ever really share them with, in the first place. 

—

She doesn’t see him unless she’s working, which was only 3 nights a week, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

She uses those 3 nights wisely. She wears something nice but not too suspicious, and she always smells nice and does the best she can with her hair and makeup… she wants him to think she’s pretty. She wants to catch him staring at her instead of how many times he caught her looking at him as a teenager. 

He tells her that she looks nice every day in many different ways. 

“Did you come straight from the ball, princess?” 

“You know this is a grocery store, not a fashion show, right?” 

And her personal favourite… “It's too cold out there for you to come in looking so hot.” With a wink. A fucking wink. It almost made her pass out. 

He does it just to bug her, he likes to make her squirm and lose every thought in her head. He laughs when she stutters through a response and he always pats her shoulder gently and says, “I just mean you look nice today.” 

She has a hard time reaching the top shelves sometimes and he has no problem coming over and standing real close to her. “Here, I got that,” he says in such a low voice it felt like a whisper. He reaches up and takes everything down for her, “do you want me to put them up for you too?” 

“Sure,” she doesn’t mind, she works on the second highest shelf instead, still close to him, she watches him reach and extend his long arms and puff out his chest and ugh he’s so hot it makes her stare like an idiot. 

“You’re drooling,” he teases her. 

She wipes her face quickly, “what? No, shut up.” 

He just giggles and finishes shoving the new stock toward the back of the shelf. She bumps shoulders with him right before he heads back to his stack of things, he had boxes of croutons to unpack. She was now moving on to salad dressings and other condiments. 

She doesn’t dare start up any conversations, overthinking everything that comes into her head too much. She didn’t feel like he’d find anything she had to say interesting. 

They’re in the soup aisle when he finally speaks again. “Can I ask you something?”

She’s a bit shocked cause he’s been silent for so long, but she nods. 

“When you dream is there ever a specific topic you dream about the most?” 

“Tornados,” she can answer without batting an eye. “I had one the other night actually… I don’t know why but there’s always a tornado.” 

“That is an interesting one… did you just watch a lot of the wizard of oz growing up?” He teases. 

She can’t help but smile, “no, I’ve actually never watched it.” 

“You get more interesting every time you talk,” he means it as a compliment. 

“Yeah? Well, why’d you even ask about dreams? Do you have a good one?”  She turns the conversation back to him, taking a handful of soups and shoving them into the shelf. 

“I keep having dreams in high school where I’m failing again and none of the teachers will pass me,” he explains. “And I had one last night cause I guess seeing you again so much is reminding me of being back in school.” 

“Wait,” she turns to him full of shock and awe, “you remember me?” 

“Of course,” he doesn't see it as a big deal. “Your lunch table was beside ours, I saw you every day?” 

He saw me looking at him often… 

She wants to turn inside out with embarrassment. “Oh, I uh, I didn’t think you paid attention to that.” 

“How could I not? You always reacted the best when I did something stupid,” he reminisces, stepping in closer to her. “And I remember your laugh was cute.” 

She’s too nervous to even giggle awkwardly, he’s in her personal space and he smells good and his eyes are so inviting, “thanks…” all the air in her chest leaves as she melts in front of him. 

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t do all that shit just for your attention,” he admits, licking his lips as he stares at hers. 

It’s like time stops, her brain can’t process all the information so she just blinks a few times and stares back at him with a furrowed brow. “Really?” 

He nods with a laugh, pulling away and returning to the stack of boxes they had to put away. “Yeah, I uh, I should probably feel a little stupid telling you this now after all this time, but uh, you bring the stupid out of me… I kinda had a huge crush on you back then.” 

“Me?” 

“Yeah, you,” he teases. “You act like thats a total surprise? You’re so pretty and you were never mean to me, it was bound to happen.” 

She’s completely dumbfounded, “oh… that’s— I’m nice to everyone? At least I try to be.” 

But then she realizes what he really said, he used to have a crush on her, but that’s long gone. He wouldn’t tell her if he still had one, would he? Guys weren’t that open about feelings, it was always a game with them… right? 

“Sorry,” he realizes he fucked up by telling her. “I didn’t want to make things awkward between us.”

“No, no, it’s fine, it’s just weird for me. I’ve never been told straight up that someone had a crush on me,” she’s really taken aback. “Thanks… really.” 

“Anytime,” he blushes slightly, dropping it there.

He drives her home again like he does every night that she works cause he really can’t stand the idea of her walking home past midnight as the temperature drops. He has tried to offer to pick her up beforehand, but she doesn’t want to put him out, and her mom doesn’t mind dropping her off every night… but he asks again, anyway. 

Parked outside of her house, he turns to her. “Can I please come pick you up before your next shift?” He all but begs. 

“I guess,” she gives in, “why?” 

He shrugs, “I like spending time with you.” 

“Then why don’t you ever want to come in for a coffee?” She combats, really wanting him to come in. “I also have tea and hot chocolate…” 

“Okay,” he gives in right back. “I’ll come in with you, tonight.” 

“Really?” She lights right up and throws off her seatbelt, reaching for the door. 

“Wait, wait, wait!” He panics, rushing out first and coming around to her side to open it up for her, “you’re gonna make me look bad, walking you to the front door and not getting the door for you is a crime.” 

“If you say so,” she laughs at him as she hops out beside him. 

He slams her door closed and with a hand on her back, he leads her toward the front door. “You sure you’re mom's okay with me being in her house?” 

“Yeah, why not?” She honestly forgets. 

“Well, I’m me?” He awkwardly laughs, feeling incredibly nervous about his reputation. “It’s honestly why I’ve not said yes yet, I don’t know who hates me still…” 

“Oh god, no, she doesn’t hate you, she doesn’t hate anyone,” she puts up both hands in a sort of surrender that made him smile. She meant it. “She’s also asleep so you won’t have to talk to her at all.” 

“Okay,” he assures her, rubbing his hand over her shoulder with a smile. 

Every time he looks at her like that she wants to melt right into him, to swim around in the chocolate pools of his eyes for hours on end. He’s so beautiful, she’s never going to get over it. 

He leans in closer, looking at her through his lashes, “Are we going inside soon, it’s cold out here?” 

“Sure, yeah,” she remembers what they were doing, digging her keys out of her pocket. She unlocks the door and pushes it open, slipping in first and letting him follow. 

Inside he kicks off his shoes and hangs up his jacket beside hers before following her all the way into the kitchen. He’s as quiet as a mouse, respecting that her mom is asleep somewhere in the house. 

“So what’ll it be?” She asks, opening up the fridge to take a look while he sits down at the kitchen counter. 

“Oh, I’m good, I just wanted to come in with you,” he admits but by the look on her face, she doesn’t believe him. “Seriously, I’m just going to go home and sleep anyway, it’s fine.” 

“You’ve gotta have something… come on?” She stares him down, “Pepsi? Ginger ale? Water? What about a snack?” 

“I’m fine,” he means it. “What do you normally have when you come home?” 

“It’s always different, sometimes my mom makes something for us for dinner and other nights I just have like a pop tart,” she shares, opening the cupboard and taking out a box. 

“I could actually go for a pop tart,” he admits, eyes up the box in her hands. 

She laughs and opens up one of the silver, crinkly packets and hands him one. He takes a big bite and dramatically throws his head back with a groan, “fuck, I forgot how good these are.”

“And you would’ve kept forgetting if you didn’t come in with me, so I guess you have to from now on,” she teases, feeling a lot more confident with him suddenly… she felt like things could be fun between them. If he wasn’t going to fall in love with her, she might as well try for being his best friend. 

“You’re too cute to say no to,” he can’t help but smile at her. 

“Again, you’re the only one to think so,” she rolls her eyes, not believing him. He was just a flirt, it wasn’t the truth… right?

“More for me, then,” he shrugs, taking another bite from his pop tart and dropping it there. 

—

“Are you sure you don’t need a ride?” Her mom asks from the kitchen. 

“I’m fine,” she calls back, staring out the front window, watching the street for Eddie’s van. “My co-worker offered to pick me up.” 

“Oh, which one?” 

“Um, Eddie…” she turns around slowly to see her mom standing in the doorway now. “Eddie Munson.” 

“Oh,” she is a little shocked to hear that name after so long. “I didn’t know he was still in Hawkins?” 

“He works nights so no one has to see him,” she explains, “cause people are mean… he was really scared to come in last night after work cause he didn’t want to upset you by coming into your house.” 

“Poor boy,” she feels so bad, never wanting her home to strike fear in someone. “I knew you wouldn’t have a crush on a monster, and the police cleared him, this town owes him an apology too.” 

“I know,” she agrees but she doubts it’ll ever happen. 

Sometime during their chat, Eddie pulled up outside and made his way to her front door where he laid a few knocks. She opens the door with a huge smile, “hi, sorry you didn’t have to come all the way to the door.” 

“I wanted to,” he assures her, seeing her mom peeking over her shoulder. “Hi, Mrs. Y/L/N.” 

“Hello,” she gives him a little wave. “Have fun at work you two, I’ll see you, tomorrow sweetheart.” 

“Bye mom,” she slips outside with Eddie, knowing her mom was going to watch them walk back to his van. 

He extends his hand and holds hers as they walk down the few steps of her porch, he drops her hand only to place it on her back as he leads her toward the passenger door. He opens for her, like always. He runs around the van, sends a wave to her mom at the door and then hops inside, “ready?” 

“Ready,” she can’t bite back her smile anymore, she was so giddy about holding his hand that it made her feel like a little girl again. 

He pauses for a moment and looks her up and down, “did you get all dolled up 'cause I’m driving you?” 

She tilts her head to the side, annoyed cause he always asks, “I always look like this.” 

“Beautiful, you mean?” 

She walked right into that one. 

“Fine, I’ll let you have it this time,” she gives in. 

“Good,” he throws the van in drive and heads out of her little neighbourhood towards town. 

He’s quiet for a bit, she looks around at the street lights and the businesses still open, as well as all the houses with their Christmas lights up already. “I miss it was still kinda sunny out at 8pm,” she sighs, staring out the window at the full moon rising over Hawkins. 

“I like the dark,” he shares. “Less people are out.” 

“Why don’t you move? Not that I want you to leave, but wouldn’t it be more freeing to have no one know who you are? You deserve a real life,” she lets her feelings fall right out. “You’re not a bad person, you never have been.” 

“Thanks,” he reaches out his hand and rests it on her thigh. “But it’s ‘cause everyone I love is here, I can’t leave.” 

“Right, so are you still in your band then?” 

He lets out a very surprised chuckle, “yeah, I still have my band, we still play Tuesday nights, it's the only night I don’t work.” 

She wouldn’t know that cause she didn’t work that night either, “I’ll have to come see you play sometime, I don’t have any classes that night.” 

“Oh, I didn’t know you were in school still?” 

“Community college,” she doesn’t feel so ashamed telling him. “Most my friends went off to real schools but it’s the only place I could go to for free, so.” 

“Hey, at least you got in,” he celebrates the bare minimum. “I couldn’t even dream of it with my GPA. I was thinking I’d wait a few years and get some kind of degree when I’m considered a mature student, and when people forget about me.” 

She wants to tell him that she’ll never forget about him, she never did. She thought about him all the time. She couldn’t hear Metallica on the radio without thinking about him. Every jean jacket patch made her think about him. She took a double take when she saw a man with long hair hoping it was him. She thought about him before she went to bed, in her dreams and as soon as her eyes opened in the morning. 

She was completely in love with him. 

—

She was only going to work for the holidays, and now that Christmas was only a few days away, she was worried that she only has a few more weeks left with Eddie. And for some reason that makes her want to get him a Christmas present, almost as a way to buy a place in his heart so he doesn’t forget about her when she’s not his buddy anymore. 

And then he doesn’t show up for work… she’s been waiting to see him all week, and he’s a no-show.

So she asks her shift manager who says Eddie called out earlier in the day really, really sick. It makes her heart hurt knowing he wasn’t feeling good. 

So she pushes through her shift. It’s weird without him, but she does it. She walks home for the first time and it’s a lot colder than she expected. The wind on her face and the snow in her hair, melt as the heat from her body escapes from her head. She gets home finally and she’s shivering, she wants to wrap herself up in a blanket and sleep for days, instead goes right to the kitchen. She searches through her cupboards for a couple cans of chicken noodle soup and some crackers, she grabs a few cans of ginger ale and takes her mom's keys. There’s no way she’s going back out there 

She drives right into the trailer park and follows the road slowly, scanning the driveways for eddies van until she finally finds it. She parks outside the blue and white trailer and carefully heads towards his door, not wanting to slip with a handful of cans. 

She knocks carefully, the lights are all still on so it’s not like she’s waking him up… and then another man she doesn’t know answers. “Yes?” 

“Hi, I’m so sorry but is this Eddie’s trailer?” She panics. 

“It is.” 

“I brought him some soup, I heard he was sick and that’s why he couldn’t make it to work tonight…” 

“Oh, that’s sweet, come on in out of the cold,” he ushers her right inside the tiny trailer. “Sorry for the mess, we’ve both been battling this random cold, I got it at the plant and he finally got it from me yesterday.” 

“Oh no, I’m sorry,” she sympathizes as she lays everything down on his kitchen counter. “I’m Y/N, by the way.” 

“Wayne, Eddies uncle,” he introduces himself. “He’s talked a lot about you, I was wondering when I’d get to meet ya.” 

“Oh, really?” She can’t believe it. 

“yeah… you know, I can put that soup on, you can go down the hall there and see him, he’s just reading in bed, I think?” He points. 

“Oh, okay sure,” she doesn’t mind, she was honestly expecting Eddie to live alone and have an empty kitchen, not an uncle who loved him dearly there to take care of him. 

She shrugs off her coat and takes off her boots first and then she heads down the hallways carefully, she knocks on his closed door, waiting for the all-clear to enter… and his “yeah?” Comes out so sad and sickly that it makes her heart hurt. 

She pushes the door open carefully, “hey… I heard you were sick?” 

“Y/N?” He sits right up, fixing his hair and wiping his nose. “I didn’t think you knew where I lived?” 

“I just looked for the van, I think everyone knows you live in the trailer park,” she realizes how weird that sounds. 

“True, still I can’t believe you’re here?” 

She comes in and takes a seat on the edge of his bed, putting out her hand to hold the back of it to his forehead, “you’re all fevered, oh no… have you taken anything?” 

He nods, “yeah, some Buckleys…” 

“I brought you some soup, Wayne’s heating it up for you,” she explains with a soft smile. “He’s sweet.” 

“Where’d you think I got my charm from?” He teases, still well enough to try and make her smile. 

She brushes his hair off his face gently, “I’m glad you have him to take care of you.” 

“I’d much prefer you as my nurse… would you give me a sponge bath?” 

“No,” she holds back her laugh and just shakes her head with a smile. “But nice try.” 

“Damn,” he sighs, tossing his head back against the pillow and closing his eyes. Turning on the dramatics, he looks at her with the sweetest puppy dog eyes, “will you at least keep me company while I have my soup?” 

“Of course,” she planned to stay as long as he needed her. “I just have to bring my mom's car back before 8am cause she needs to go to work.” 

“I promise I won’t keep you long,” he reaches out for her hand, holding them with both of his own. “I really appreciate you coming to check on me… and might I say you look very cute today, I’m glad I didn’t miss this one.” 

She melts at his words, “you must not be too sick if you’re still trying to flirt with me.” 

“I’m going to remind you that you’re beautiful until the day I die,” he’s very stern about that. 

“Yeah, like you’ll know me that long,” she plays it off. 

He gives her hands a little squeeze, “I like to think I will… I might just be high on cough syrup, but I like to think I’ll find you in every life I lead, you’re so special to me, Y/N.” 

“You’re definitely high,” she teases, leaning in forward to kiss his forehead as she stands up. “I’m going to check on your soup… you sober up by the time I get back.” 

“Yeah, yeah,” he agrees but doesn’t drop her hands, he holds on as long as he can and then she slips away from him. 

Wayne’s just putting the soup in a bowl as she walks back into the kitchen, she grabs a sleeve of soup crackers and a ginger ale, it's plated and then Wayne turns to her. 

“You know he’s not kidding, right?” 

“What?” 

“He wouldn’t lie,” Wayne gives her those honest Munson eyes that she loves so much in his nephew. “And clearly you feel the same if you’ve come all the way out here at half midnight to make him soup.” 

She feels the colour leave her face as she’s caught red-handed, she was doing this because she loved him so dearly she couldn’t stand spending a shift without seeing him. She wanted to always take care of him. She loved him. It was as simple as that. She just loves him. 

“Life’s too short to not tell each other,” he adds some last words of wisdom and hands her the tray of her lover's dinner. 

She’s extra quiet when she brings him his dinner, and when she sits on the end of his bed to accompany him while he eats. He has a book resting face down, cracked open to keep its page, resting beside him. She reaches for it, checking the cover, it’s the fellowship of the ring. 

“I’ve never read The Lord of the Rings, is it good?” 

“It’s the best book series there is,” he assures her while taking another spoonful of soup. 

She keeps her thumb where Eddie was reading but skips back to the first few pages, reading it over quietly to see if she’d like it at all… it’s cute. “You can read it from the beginning if you want?” 

“Out loud?” She wonders if he’d want to hear that too. 

“As if you could get any better,” he manages to smile no matter how sick he feels. “Please, I’d really love that.” 

“Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.”

He basks in the way her voice sounds alongside his favourite book, words he’s read so many times and heard in his own voice now being retold in hers. He listens ever so intently, enjoying it more than she’d ever know as she watches the page, trying her hardest not to stutter and to pronounce all the words right so he didn’t laugh at her… but even when she gets stuck he just affectionately corrects her and admires her as she continues. 

She makes it through the prologue and the facts about hobbits and pipeweed and the shire by the time he’s done eating. He has enough energy to take his dishes out to the kitchen himself and returns with a smile. She made her way up to the pillows beside him and slipped under the covers so he could get in beside her, “come on, I’m reading you a chapter or two and then I’ve gotta go home.” 

“Right,” he gets into the bed beside her and snuggles right up to her, he wraps himself around her arm with his cheek on her shoulder so he can watch the page as she reads on through chapter one. 

He falls asleep like that, with a warm belly full of soup and a heart full of love, it pains her to get up and possibly disrupt him. 

She does get up, slowly but surely, replacing herself with a pillow that he snuggles up to instead. She kisses him on the forehead, he’s not as fevered as before, hopefully he felt better tomorrow. She takes a look around for a scrap piece of paper, finding one on his dresser with a sharpie marker. She leaves her phone number and a little note. 

Call me tomorrow, I want to know if you’re feeling better. Hopefully we can finish this sometime. 

xx Y/N

She slips it into the book and leaves it on his night table and then she’s off. She says goodbye to Wayne who’s still awake because if he sleeps he’ll throw off his schedule when he goes back to work. He also did night shifts, so he wouldn’t be there next time she comes over after work… that’s good to know. 

—

He takes the whole weekend off and it sucks, but she understands he needs the time to get better. He calls her to let her know that decision around 2pm on Saturday and they stay on the phone all the way up until she has to get ready for work. 

Waynes gone back to work, leaving him completely alone in the trailer after they hang up the phone… and all he can think about is how she’s going to have to walk home again. It rattles around his brain most of the night, he paces the trailer, feeling like shit but his love for her is eating him alive and it hurts more than his congested nose. At 11:52 he finally says fuck it. 

In his pyjamas and all, he throws on a coat and slips his feet into his boots, he snags his keys off the wall and he’s gone. He books it out of the trailer park, watching the clock on his dash to ensure midnight doesn’t sneak up on him. The streets are empty, so he doesn’t worry about racing through the yellow lights on his way to the store. 

He pulls up with just a few minutes to spare, his heart racing, he just parks at the curb by the employee's only back door and he waits for her. He reaches over to the passenger door to roll down the window, wanting her to be able to see him… as if she wouldn’t notice that it’s his van. She knew his van. 

She knew him. 

And she liked him. 

The heavy door slowly opens and he sees her, laughing with their co-worker as she buttons up the last few buttons on her jacket. She’s bundled up in a scarf and she has a hat on today, she planned to be warmer on tonight's walk home.  

“Eddie?” She lights right up. “What are you doing here.” 

“I may be on my death bed but I’m not letting you walk home in the dark, princess,” he assures her, pushing the door open so she can get in. 

She waves goodbye to their co-worker, finishing their conversation before she hops in the van and closes the door. She rolls the window back up. “Burr, you’re you’re going to get sicker with this open.” 

“I hope you don’t find it weird that I’m here?” He worries, “seriously, after everything that happened here, walking home alone at midnight isn’t smart… it killed me that you walked home yesterday and then still came to see me.” 

“I know, it’s okay,” she reaches out to hold his gently in hers. “You can pick me up and drive me home all the time if it makes you feel better?” 

“You’ve gotta want to spend time with me too,” he places his other hand on top of hers. “Don’t feel like you have to be nice to me, little miss I’m nice to everyone.” 

“I am,” she feels offended. “I know you’re not stupid, you’ve gotta see I love spending time with you.” 

“I like to hear you say it, sue me,” he smiles, his eyes flicking back and forth between her eyes and her lips. He’s so close to her already that he could kiss her. 

But then he’d get her sick. 

So he pulls back a bit and pats her hand as her grip loosens. “Let’s get you home.” 

“Yeah,” she settles into her seat and puts on her seatbelt, he waits for the click and then he’s off, taking the familiar route back to her place. 

He asks her about her day, what they did, and how they’re doing without him. She missed him, he can tell by the way she complains about being partnered with someone new. “They didn’t do anything the way you do, it felt so wrong.” 

She thinks I do things the right way…

His heart soars the whole ride and then it ends too soon. He parks at the curb with a sigh, “I’m going to be up for a bit if you want to call me?” 

“You don’t want to come in?” 

He shakes his head, “I can’t get my germs all over your place.” 

“Right, no I get it,” she understands, but she lingers. He stares at him for a sec, “walk me to my door at least?” 

“Sure,” he can’t say no to her. 

She stays put this time, he runs around to her door and opens it, expecting her to jump right out but she pulls him close, using her height in the seat to her advantage. She touches his forehead gently, “you’re not fevered today, that’s good at least… I’d hate to miss another week with you.” 

“I’ll come get you tomorrow, but I’m not working,” he compromises, knowing he hates not getting to see her too. 

She hops out of the van and takes his hand on the way up to her door, “I could get used to this treatment.” 

“You should,” he agrees. “Cause I’m not giving up.” 

In sickness and in health and all that jazz… he’d be there through it all if she wanted him. 

At her door, she gives him those same eyes as in the van, and he wants to kiss her so goddamn bad but he can’t. He simply pulls her into a hug and holds her tight, cheek pressed to the top of her head. She holds him around the middle just as tightly, it's a beautiful goodbye for a couple of friends. 

—

He comes to pick her up for her next shift once again, only this time he pulls her into a hug at the door and kisses the top of her head, “hey, sweetheart, ready for work?” 

She can only nod against him, soaking in the hug as long as she can get. “What was that for?” She asks as he pulls back. 

He shrugs, “just cause… I missed you, I guess.” 

“I missed you, too,” she wraps her arm around his middle and holds him close as she joins him on the walk back to his van. “Which is funny 'cause we’ve been talking more than ever, lately.” 

“I know,” he loved it and it was evident in his voice. 

Every night that she’s not working they talk on the phone, from the time she’s done with her classwork until he has to leave for his night shifts. It was a lovely little tradition now, he loved to learn about all her projects and reports, and he even let her read things over for his opinion. More than once he’s called her a genius, but the best thing he’s ever said to her was “your future kiddos are going to love you.” In regard to the class of students, she was going to teach one day. 

It’s a day like any other, they have little conversations on their way to work, clock in together and head right to the first aisle on their to-do list. He dances around to the music, they toss things at each other, he makes dirty jokes, and she shakes her head with so much love you could see hearts float around her head. It’s so completely normal. 

And then she almost drops a whole shelf on herself, he’s quick to swoop in and catch it for her. They put it back in place and carefully let it go, making sure it stays put before she turns to thank him… only he’s about an inch, maybe two from her face. 

“That was a close one,” he whispers, staring at her lips. “Would hate to lose you to the soup aisle.” 

She can’t help staring back at his lips, wanting to kiss him so goddamn bad she forgets how to breathe for a moment. It’s like time stops while she stares at him and he stares back. 

“I’d hate to lose you at all…” 

“Why?” Even she’s surprised to hear it come out of her. 

He doesn’t say anything, he simply leans in more, and so does she. Meeting him halfway, their lips touch slowly and then all at once. A hand of his cups her face, holding her in place while she holds his sides, pulling him closer so their chests are pressed together. 

Breathing each other in deeply, she feels her soul intertwine with his at that moment. Everything makes sense. She was supposed to take this little job and spend all this time with him for this moment right here. It was always supposed to happen. 

They were meant to happen. 

They pull away with a matching smile, giggling as they come to terms with the fact that just happened… it finally happened. 

“You understand what I mean, right?” He teases. 

She nods, “yeah… I get it, but could you say it just one more time?” 

“Here?” He teases, kissing her cheek. “Or here?” He kisses her jaw next and moves towards her ear, “I could say it all over you if you let me.” 

“We’re still at work,” she reminds him, pushing him away slightly before he could kiss her neck and start something he couldn’t finish in the freaking soup aisle. 

“Do you want to come over later? To kiss a bit and read more lord of the rings?” He offers, making it sound a lot more innocent than either of them wanted it to be. 

“Only if you read the chapter this time,” she teases, heart racing in her chest at the prospect of being alone with him. 

Him. 

The one and the only crush she’s had for the last 6 years of her life. 

He flirts with her more than ever after that, he steals kisses every time he passes her and even serenades the love songs on the speaker to her. She pokes his sides when she passes by him, learning that he’s ticklish and he yelps every time she does it. 

In his van on the way home, after not being able to keep their hands off each other most of the night, they have to so he can focus on the road. 

“Does this make us more than friends?” She wonders aloud, hoping he had the same worry. 

He nods, “I’d hope so… but if you want me to ask, I can?” 

He holds her hand in the middle of the centre console again, rubbing his thumb over her hand gently. 

“What if I want to do it?” She teases. “I want to make you my boyfriend, I’ve thought about it for years.” 

“That’s crazy,” he can’t believe it, shaking his head as he drives a bit faster, wanting to be home with her so bad. 

“Why?” She sounds so defeated. 

“I never thought you liked me, I thought you were just really smiley… you could’ve been mine this whole time,” he explains just how crazy it was for him. In a very good way. 

“I can’t even imagine having a boyfriend in high school,” she admits. 

He slows down when he enters the trailer park, follows the poorly plowed path towards his own trailer and parks. Finally turning to her again with a smile, “I’ve never had a girlfriend before either, it’s all really new to me too.” 

“Was that your first kiss too?” She whispers, scared that it wasn’t. 

She was right. 

He shakes his head, “Cheryl Lenetti in grade 7… she liked to pet my head when we made out, she said my hair felt like a seal pup when it was shaved. So fuckin weird.” 

It makes her laugh a bit, “I can’t imagine it short…” 

“I’ve got pictures,” he assures her, “Wayne’s kept all my life well documented. He likes to tease me and say that he’ll sell the embarrassing ones to the tabloids when my band blows up.” 

“I need to see them,” she agrees and lets go of his hand finally, reaching for her door but once again, Eddie rushes out to beat her to it like a bat out of hell. 

She shakes her head with an affectionate smile, taking his hand again once outside and carefully treating through the lightly shovelled snow leading up to his trailer. He helps her out of her coat and hangs it up for her, leaving her to kick off her boots and awkwardly stand in his main room. It’s a lot more put together than the last time he visited. like he planned to invite her over, so it was clean this time. 

“You want anything to eat?” 

She shakes her head, “no… honestly I’m too nervous to eat anything right now.” 

“Oh, why?” He moves into her space, hands on her shoulders, slipping down her arms while pulling her in closer. 

“You’re handsome and you want to kiss me and I have no idea what I’m doing and— and,” she stops with a sigh and a shrug. 

“You’re so fucking cute,” he says with so much affection his smile makes his cheeks hurt. His eyes glisten back at her, and he shakes his head ever so slightly, amazed that she likes him back this much. “You don’t need to be nervous, there’s nothing you could do that would make me stop liking you at this point.” 

She takes the plunge this time, she presses her lips against his, holding his waist she wraps her arms around his back and holds him there. He’s shocked at first and then he settles, hand coming up to cup her face as he kisses back. She’s not completely sure what she’s doing, but she’s seen enough movies to imitate what she’s seen. He smiles into the 4th or 5th peck she presses to his lips and pulls back. 

“Do you want to go sit down?” 

“Like in your room?” 

“If you want?” 

She nods, cautious as ever but she wants to spend the whole night kissing him. He walks her down the hallway, into his dark room where he flicks on his side table lamp to show off his perfectly made bed and clean-ish room. “Welcome back,” he teases. 

“You planned this,” she calls him out. “Did you know you were going to kiss me at work today?”

“Not at all,” he assures her, taking a seat on the edge of his bed. Legs spread so she could stand between them, and she brushes her hands through his hair while he looks up at her. “I was going to ask you to come over, yeah, but kissing you was a surprise to me too… I like you so much it’s fucking crazy.” 

“I like you just as much,” she leans in, bumping their noses together with a smile. “You want to teach me how to make out?” 

He laughs, scooting up to the head of the bed, resting against the headrest, “you want to lie down or sit in my lap, or what?” 

“Um,” she bites her lip, deciding to be daring, she kneels on the bed and straddles his lap. “This is good, right?” 

“Absolutely,” he rests his hands on her hips, smoothing his thumbs over the fabric of her pants. “I just want you to be comfortable, princess.” 

She rests her forearms on his shoulders, hands in his hair, and she brushes his bangs out of his face to get a good look in his eyes. His big beautiful chocolate brown eyes that she loves so fucking much. “You’re so pretty,” she whispers. “Has anyone ever told you that?” 

He shakes his head lightly, “no…”

“There,” she smiles. “You get my first kiss and I get to tell you how pretty you are—

“You can have all my other firsts too,” he whispers, selling his soul to her in the way he stares at her. She knows he’s giving all of himself to her at that moment. “You can have all of me.” 

“I— I uh, I think we can start with kissing,” she frightens right up again. 

“Sorry,” he runs his hands up her back gently, “I’m not expecting anything… I just wanted you to know there’s a lot I haven’t done with anyone either, I’m just as new to this. We’re on the same level.” 

“Not yet,” she finally leans in for another kiss, holding his face in her hands to keep herself steady more than anything.

He licks at her bottom lip, it’s strange but she follows his lead, coming back in with an open mouth their tongues touch for a moment and then he sucks on her tongue. Again and again, they both come back in, exploring each other's mouths while his hands trail up and down her back and she plays with his hair once again. 

She doesn’t mean to grind against him, but her hips take over like they have a mind of their own as the pace and rhythm are set with through tongues. He moans into her mouth, pulling back with a shade of embarrassment painted across his cheeks. “sorry…” 

“It’s fine,” she’s a little breathless, so enamoured with him. 

He stares back at her fondly, taking in how cute she looked with lust-blown eyes and swollen lips, he smiles, “you’re good at this…” 

“Feels like it,” she teases, making him think she can feel how hard he’s getting under her and he panics. 

“You don’t have to sit on me if it’s uncomfortable, I did’t mean to—

“To what?” 

“Get hard…” he whispers, “it’s embarrassing.”

“Oh,” she hovers and looks down between them, more turned on, herself, than she realized, as well. “Oh.”

Maybe I am ready to do this…

She settles back down against him and shakes her head, “no, I’m not uncomfortable… it— it’s nice to know I did that, actually.” 

“Can I just—“ he reaches between them and adjusts himself because it was a bit uncomfortable for him, he was hanging to the left and thats where her thigh was rested, and now he’s right under her… “sorry, it hurt a bit.” 

“Sorry,” her cheeks heat up, she can feel his girth through his jeans, she has to fight every single urge not to grind down against him again, but she knows it would feel good. 

For both of them. 

“It’s okay, kiss me again?” He begs, pulling her closer. 

Their lips collide again but with much more passion and need this time, knowing what she’s doing a bit better, she’s all over him this round. Biting his lip, making him whine, tugging on his hair, she grinds against him again, not so by accident because his hands on his hips help glide her over himself perfectly. She does it again this time, he gasps into the kiss and rests his forehead against hers as she does it again and again, dragging her hot core over his aching, clothed, cock. There’s so much friction from their jeans, they feel like total fucking teenagers dry humping in his bed like they can’t get enough of each other. 

He kisses her jaw and down her neck, he sucks on her pulse point which makes her moan, it's so sweet and sexy that his cock twitches under his jeans in response. She feels it and whines, wanting more from him but not knowing what… it feels so fucking good she wants to just say fuck it and let him take her right here and now, but she’s still scared. 

She grinds down a bit harder, the seam of her pants rubbing against her clit just right. “Oh my god,” she’s so out of breath, it feels too good. 

“I’m gonna cum in my jeans if you keep this up,” he warns her, breathing against her neck between kisses. 

“Me too,” she assures him, doing it again and again, she tugs on his hair to bring his mouth back to hers, wanting to be kissing him when it happens. 

His hips come up to meet hers, his hands on her ass this time so he can help her press against him as hard as she can each time she grinds down against him. Her legs tremble a bit, his breathing sputters, and they’re a completely sweaty mess with too many clothes on. 

She feels the all too familiar heat build in her stomach and spread throughout her body as she cums with a long drawn-out sigh, which ends more like a moan as he finishes underneath her. His grip on her ass tightens, and he groans deeply as his hips sputter under her, their foreheads resting together as they catch their breath, eyes still closed. 

She feels so weightless and free, resting her head on his shoulder instead and cuddling into his chest. “Oh my god?” 

His chest still rising and falling heavily, he laughs slightly, “wasn’t expecting that.” 

“Me either…” she sighs, playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. “But I liked it.” 

“Me too,” he can’t help but smile. His hands roam all over her back, holding her close and soaking up the moment as long as he can. “You wanna stay here tonight?” 

She nods against him, not at all ready to leave his side. “I would love to.” 

Slowly but surely, they get up, he lets her use the bathroom first, giving her some boxers of his and a t-shirt to wear when she comes back out. He changes quickly in his room, hiding all the evidence of what happened in his dirty laundry hamper. He matches her in a new pair of underwear and the same shirt from before, smiling when she comes back into his room with her things in her hands. She rests them on his dresser, she’d have to wear them again tomorrow when she goes home. 

“You’re so cute in my things,” he compliments her, wrapping her up in his arms and kissing her forehead a few times. 

“Thanks,” she giggles, completely blown away still that this is all real and he’s her’s and it’s happening. 

They get into bed, and she snuggles into him the same way he did with her just last week with the lord of the rings. It’s cute, it feels right, and she feels at home in his arms. He runs his hands over her back. He kisses the top of her head a few times, she plays with the hem of his shirt in her hands and eventually slips her hands under his shirt to play with the slight dusting of hair on his tummy. They’re so content together it’s like they’ve always been this close. 

And they always would be too. 

part two

General Taglist 

@ncsls0515 @stevesmunsons @reidsbookclub @sweetyyhippyy @manuosorioh @mrs-dr-reid @k-k0129 @eddiemunson-rp @squishyturtle 

Eddie

@fightingdragonswithwho @kyomito @reidselle @venomsvl @nomajdetective @girl-with-an-orange-cat @blairscott @princesseddie 

@idkidknemore @eddiethesexy

[kyunkyunscans]

A blu-ray preorder special edition for Beyond the Period came with a special drama extra. So here's my fan translation of that.

----

Yotsuba Tamaki: Ummm, did it start recording?

Rokuya Nagi: Perfectly.

Yotsuba Tamaki: Alright! Let’s go.

Rokuya Nagi: Ok.

Yotsuba Tamaki: Ready, and-!

Both: Charge! Beyond the Green Room!

Rokuya Nagi: Shortened to,

Yotsuba Tamaki: BtGR! [1] Umm, this movie is a dream live show called Beyond the Period featuring us from the four groups IDOLiSH7, TRIGGER, Re:vale, and ZOOL, for a total of 16 idols. 

Rokuya Nagi: Before the Day 2 performance today, IDOLiSH7 is bringing you a look into the different green rooms.

Yotsuba Tamaki: We, IDOLiSH7, told the staff we wanted to do this project, and they suddenly gave us the OK. Isn’t that awesome?

Rokuya Nagi: We wanted to share with you all of the details of what’s going on behind the scenes between rehearsal and the live show. 

Yotsuba Tamaki: We’re using the cameras on our smartphones, and behind us you can see the dancers in the hallway. You guys good?

Rokuya Nagi: They’re waving to the camera for us. Oh! Tamaki, what were you just eating?

Yotsuba Tamaki: [through a mouthful] Fancy seedless grapes from the refreshment corner

Rokuya Nagi: Oh, the gifts from Re:vale. In one corner of the hallway, there are many refreshments like this that we’ve received from everyone involved lined up.

Yotsuba Tamaki: Pudding and other things that need to be chilled are in the fridge. Amazing, right? There’s plenty of fruit and sweets and drinks, too. Over here, we also-

Rokuya Nagi: Tamaki. I think that’s enough. This is turning into Charge! Beyond the Refreshments.

Yotsuba Tamaki: Sorry, sorry! Ok, now let’s move on to the main segments, yeah?

Rokuya Nagi: Then let’s start with this group’s green room. Hello~!

Both: BtGR!

Isumi Haruka: You took so long!

Yotsuba Tamaki: Isumin!

Rokuya Nagi: Did you go out of your way to wait for us?

Isumi Haruka: I didn’t go out of my way. You were making a racket in the hallway without making any progress so I was just checking on you.

Natsume Minami: Isumi-san, most people would say they were waiting especially for them. 

Isumi Haruka: I dunno about most people, but whatever, I’m not saying that. 

Rokuya Nagi: With that, Tamaki and I will introduce you to ZOOL’s room!

Yotsuba Tamaki: Here, Isumin, Minami, wave to the camera.

Natsume Minami: Hello, let’s enjoy our time together until Day 2 starts. You’re really recording this on your own smartphone, aren’t you. 

Rokuya Nagi: Yes! We decided it would make it look more natural. 

Yotsuba Tamaki: Hey, Isumin.

Isumi Haruka: I’m not waving.

Natsume Minami: Isumi-san…

Isumi Haruka: Just waving is boring. What the people watching this really want… is this, right?

Yotsuba Tamaki: Huh? Are you pinching something with your fingers?

Rokuya Nagi: Oh? But you’re not holding anything.

Isumi Haruka: I’m not pinching anything! It’s a finger heart! You guys even did this too for fan service, how do you not recognise it?

Rokuya Nagi: Amazing! Isumin’s fan service…

Natsume Minami: After receiving so much energy from everyone yesterday during Day 1, we talked about how it would be good to return the favor with fan service. Right, Mido-san, Inumaru-san?

Inumaru Touma: [quietly] Got it. You really went for an offer I couldn’t refuse, huh. 

Mido Torao: Yes. Let’s pump it up with your power. I’m looking forward to it. 

Inumaru Touma: Leave it to m-uwah! Rokuya, Yotsuba, when did you get here?!

Isumi Haruka: A bit ago. But Marucchi, aren’t you a bit too surprised? What were you and Toracchi talking about?

Mido Torao: Ah, Touma was just-

Inumaru Touma: Stop! Don’t say that here!

Mido Torao: Well why not? You’re just-

Inumaru Touma: Shut up! If Haru and everyone find out, we’ll be teased like idiots!

Yotsuba Tamaki: Huh? What are you talking about?

Natsume Minami: I wonder…

Inumaru Touma: Maybe or maybe not, but probably. But this time I’ll get these shredded

Isumi Haruka: Shredded?

Yotsuba Tamaki: Marucchi, were you cooking during the live show?

Isumi Haruka: Cooking during the show?!

Inumaru Touma: No, it’s not like that-

Natsume Minami: Live cooking, hm? Serving meat roasted in scorching magma on top of shredded cabbage with ZOOL’s love. 

Mido Torao: It’s stimulating not only the visual and auditory senses of our fans, but also their olfactory senses.  Okay, now above the live show-

Inumaru Touma: Are you an idiot? No way we can do that.  I more or less know what we were talking about but, what kind of trauma are you trying to start?  

Mido Torao: I’m joking, I’m joking. If you’re feeling nervous, I thought I should hype you up

Inumaru Touma: No way, I just gotta make my mind up.

Isumi Haruka: Seriously, what the hell are you talking about?

Yotsuba Tamaki: Good luck, Marucchi. I don’t really get what’s going on, but I’ll cheer you on from the wings!

Rokuya Nagi: Me, too. Everyone on the other side of the camera and sitting in the audience will also be looking forward to see what Inumaru-shi cooks up-

Inumaru Touma: Support all four of us in ZOOL, okay?!

Natsume Minami: I look forward to seeing you from on stage.

Isumi Haruka: See ya.

Mido Torao: Spend an unforgettable day with us. 

Rokuya Nagi: Now, let’s introduce you to the next green room!

Yotsuba Tamaki: Iorin, Yama-san, Sou-chan! 

—--

Osaka Sogo: Tamaki-kun, Nagi-kun, thanks for the hand-off.

Izumi Iori: As he indicated, the next green room charge will be led by myself, Nikaido-san, and Osaka-san. 

Nikaido Yamato: Now, who could we be visiting? Let’s do this~ Huh? It isn’t opening. Excuse me, it’s BtGR time. Re:vale, can you two hear me? Ah, sorry, I spoiled who’s inside. 

Izumi Iori: It was unavoidable in this situation. But I wonder why the door isn’t opening.

Osaka Sogo: They should have expected we would be coming for the Charge.

Nikaido Yamato: They should but…

Momo: Yamato! Sogo! Iori!

Nikaido Yamato: Momo-san, what’s going on? Why is the door-

Momo: It won’t open!

Yamato, Sogo, Iori: Huh?!

Nikaido Yamato: By won’t open you mean…

Izumi Iori: Why so suddenly?

Momo: I guess the lock broke but it suddenly stopped working halfway through. Ah, Darling!

Izumi Iori: What happened? Did something happen to Yuki-san?

Yuki: It hurts….

Momo: Darling, are you okay?! Darling! Someone! Help! Someone please help us!

Izumi Iori: This is bad. Nikaido-san, hurry and tell the staff-

 Nikaido Yamato: No, no, this is clearly a prank

Osaka Sogo: Out of the way!

Nikaido Yamato: Sou?! What have you got-

Osaka Sogo: I borrowed some tools from the staff. It’s okay, I’ve removed a door once before.

Momo: Ah, the door!?

Osaka Sogo: Don’t worry. I’ll get you two out of there in no time.

Nikaido Yamato: Wait, Sou, you don’t need to go that far…

Osaka Sogo: What are you saying? Yuki-san is in danger. I have to remove it right away.

Momo: Wait, wait! Don’t remove it! I’ll open it! I’ll open it!!!

[a moment later]

Momo/Yuki: We're sorry.

Osaka Sogo: Please stop that. I can’t have Re:vale, whom I respect, sitting in seiza. If you must sit, please sit on top of me. Here!

Yuki: Are you sure? Well, okay…huh, your butt is surprisingly soft. 

Osaka Sogo: I’m honored to receive such a compliment. 

Momo: Don’t actually sit on him!

Yuki: Momo, Would you like to sit, too? There’s half a butt left for you.

Osaka Sogo: Please go ahead, Momo-san.

Momo: Ah, really? Then just for a bit…wow, it really is soft! 

Nikaido Yamato: Don’t freaking sit on him, you two! 

Izumi Iori: All three of you, please stand up. At any rate, it’s a good thing nothing happened to Re:vale. 

Momo: Sorry. When I heard you three were doing the BtGR I thought I just had to do a fun prank…

Nikaido Yamato: Do you have to always have to do a prank? And there must have been a million other things you could’ve done that would’ve been quieter

Yuki: But I wanted to see Yamato-kun freak out. Right, Momo?

Momo: Right, Yuki.

Nikaido Yamato: There was no need to panic, though. It was obvious you two were up to something. 

Osaka Sogo: I’m sorry I didn’t see through such an obvious prank. 

Nikaido Yamato: No, that’s not what I meant.

Yuki: You don’t need to apologize, Sogo-kun. If this wasn’t a prank, you definitely would have saved our lives. Thank you. 

Osaka Sogo: That’s… I would without hesitation.

Izumi Iori: That aside, Re:vale really likes surprises, don’t you. There was that other time you tricked us before a recording, too. 

Nikaido Yamato: It’s just like Re:vale not to feel nervous even on days like this. 

Yuki: To that I say Yamato-kun is too stiff. You could relax a bit more.

Nikaido Yamato: Haa?

Osaka Sogo: In other words, you surprised us in order to calm our nerves? Re:vale is amazing…

Momo: Exactly. This one was mostly Yuki’s idea. 

Yuki: If we, the most senior idols, did something like this, everyone else would feel a little more at ease, right?

Momo: My darling is way too ikemen! I want to show this thrilling moment to everyone in the audience right away!

Izumi Iori: Right away?

Momo: When I talk with Yuki, every minute and every second I think, my darling is unbelievable. It makes me want to tell everyone, you know?

Nikaido Yamato: You’re reminding me of Sou when he brags about how much Tama’s grown. 

Osaka Sogo: Me? Really?

Izumi Iori: That’s something you don’t really notice when you do it yourself, isn’t it. 

Yuki: But, Iori-kun is the same way when it comes to talking about Riku-kun.

Izumi Iori: Huh?

Yuki: Huh?

Izumi Iori: Huh?

Yuki: Oh right, I thought of a way to share the thrill Momo gets from me with everyone.

Izumi Iori: Wai- Yuki-san, what does that mean?

Momo: [overlapping] What, what? What kind of way?

Yuki: It’s a secret for now.

Izumi Iori: Wait, I just said-

Momo: What do I do~? Ikemen darling made an appearance! So that means everyone in the audience, be prepared for a surprise from Yuki today!

Yuki: That’s it for Re:vale’s green room. 

Momo/Yuki: Bye bye!

Izumi Iori: But what did you mean by “the same way?!”

Nikaido Yamato: That’s just how Yuki is.

Osaka Sogo: Ah, to the next green room! Mitsuki-san! Riku-kun!

-----

Izumi Mitsuki: Alright! Sogo, Iori, Yamato-san, thanks for the hand-off. 

Nanase Riku: Next, Mitsuki and I will be charging into TRIGGER’s green room.

Izumi Mitsuki: Alright then, without delay, Charge!

Nanase Riku: : BtGR!

Yaotome Gaku: Ah, well done you two.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Welcome.

Kujo Tenn: Thanks for coming.

Mitsuki/Riku: Thanks for having us.

Izumi Mitsuki: Jumping into it, how was yesterday’s Day 1?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: It was so exciting! It was really so much fun, and multiple times I found myself wishing it would never end. 

Yaotome Gaku: On top of that, Day 2 will be exciting in a whole new way.

Kujo Tenn: That’s right. I’ll be counting on you again today for Incomplete Ruler, Nanase-san. 

Nanase Riku: Of course, Tenn-ni- Kujo-san. Same to you!

Yaotome Gaku: I’m looking forward to another fiery masturi from you two. 

Kujo Tenn: Is Incomplete Ruler a fiery masturi?

Yaotome Gaku: In terms of the energy! You’ve gotta be intense enough to blow the snow away and vaporize it! It’s a live show! Right, Nanase?

Nanase Riku: Yes, plus it’s a duet with Kujo-san!

Yaotome Gaku: So a matsuri.

Nanase Riku: It’s a matsuri. 

Kujo Tenn: Nanase-san is being kind. Sorry for Gaku making you go along with him. Although, with him that would be a different song. 

Nanase Riku: It really would…

Izumi Mitsuki: That reminds me, Yaotome is always in matsuri mode. I noticed yesterday during the MC. 

Yaotome Gaku: Do I really say it that often? 

Kujo Tenn: You do.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Especially during live shows, yeah. 

Yaotome Gaku: Well yeah, because a show is a matsuri, isn’t it?

Kujo Tenn: But Incomplete Ruler isn’t a matsuri.

Yaotome Gaku: Then what is it? A festival?

Izumi Mitsuki: Why are you breaking out the loan word? [2]

Yaotome Gaku: Because that’s not a matsuri.

Kujo Tenn: Festival means the same thing, though.

Nanase Riku: I get what you mean, though. Being in katakana gives it a more stylish image.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I see! Just like how a stylish person might say trousers instead of pants.

Nanase Riku: Exactly!

Izumi Mitsuki: Is that really the same?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: So if it’s different depending on the song, which would Daybreak Interlude be? 

Yaotome Gaku: Well that would be a matsuri.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: What about Crescent Rise? 

Yaotome Gaku: Hmm, I’m not sure but since it’s a song from a musical, it might be a festival.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: In that case, what about Last Dimension? 

Yaotome Gaku: Let me think… 

Yaotome Gaku: A matsuri. Kujo Tenn: [simultaneously] Isn’t it a festival? 

Tenn/Gaku: Eh?

Kujo Tenn: No, Last Dimension would be a festival. It’s also a song from a musical. 

Yaotome Gaku: No, it’s a matsuri. The theme is fiery.

Kujo Tenn: Even though you said Crescent Rise was a festival? 

Yaotome Gaku: It’s not like it’s a festival just because it’s a song from a musical. 

Kujo Tenn: What the heck, I don’t understand your logic.

Yaotome Gaku: I said it was a matsuri!

Kujo Tenn: A festival! [arguing continues in background]

Izumi Mitsuki: They got into an argument right before the show…

Nanase Riku: What should we do? If TRIGGER’s performance is affected by our charge on their green room…

Izumi Mitsuki: It’ll be fine. This kind of thing happens to us everyday, right?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Right, don’t worry about it and watch this. Hey you two, calm down. Take a moment, how about a carnival?

Tenn/Gaku: That’s not it.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: See? In perfect sync.

Nanase Riku: I should have known, Tsunashi-san!

Izumi Mitsuki: To even say it in the same breath is impressive coordination. And I think carnival is good, too. 

Kujo Tenn: Excuse us for getting into a sudden debate in front of you. 

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: You could say that’s Tenn’s and Gaku’s fiery passion coming out. 

Kujo Tenn: I’m extremely reluctant to admit this but...

Yaotome Gaku: Hey.

Kujo Tenn: But it’s true that this heated exchange of opinions may just be the warm-up for today’s Day 2.  Actually, it may be one of the requirements.

Yaotome Gaku: Tenn… Alright, let’s keep going all out for Day 2, too!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Burning with all we’ve got, right?

Nanase Riku: We’ll give it our all, too.

Izumi Mitsuki: Alright, changing to the last scene for our Charge! Beyond the Green Room for this segment.

----

Nanase Riku: Manager, are you filming, are you filming? Thanks!

Momo: Okay, everybody line up! Is everyone here?

All: Yes

Momo: Then before our performance, I’d like to hear some words from my King of Darlings. 

Yuki: Hello, I've been given the title of the King of Darlings, also known as Yuki from Re:vale

[laughter]

Yuki: Now, we can celebrate safely reaching Day 2 of this miraculous live show with 16 people. We have to go beyond. Beyond the invisible wall between the audience seats and the stage.  Beyond the large or small shackles within each of us. Beyond the period called today. In order to make the miracle that lies ahead of us happen again, this show is the first step towards our goal.  In order to cross paths with everyone here tonight once again, let’s give it all we’ve got!

All: Yeah!

----

[1] They shorted it to Beyo-控 (the first part of green room). So a similar way of shortening it is to abbreviate it.

[2] "Matsuri" is of course a Japanese word meaning festival. "Festival" has been adopted as a loan word, so it's pronounced similarly and written in katakana. A few lines later, "carnival" is used the same way - pronounced similarly and written in katakana.

Thanks to Snowpuff for proofing, any remaining mistakes are my own. We are not professionals and aren't associated with the series in any official capacity.

[yellowbunnydreams]

Bunny Ears (Part 7) ~William Afton X F! Reader~

~Sorry for the very silly previous part, it was part of a headcannon me and friend had and it was too good to not write about. *Cue 'was that the bite of '87?!' Meme here*~

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

Tag List: @ruh--roh-raggy @h4nluv @sleepy---head @do-double-g @confiscated-peaches-main @dij-ology @viviennemuerte @robin-the-enby @shari-berri @randymeeksisafinalgirl @hallow1090

Cw: CW: Minors DNI, (18+ ONLY), Female Reader, legal age gap (Reader- 20's, William - 30's), divorce/processing divorce, Afton being a sarcastic hot ass, Henry being such a dad, grumpy x sunshine . Faz-Fuck TM

Half-way through the day, you were only half-way through your shift and you felt as if you could curl up and go to sleep then and there, but you knew you were in for a late night anyway since you still had to wait to be driven home. Henry had been taking you a lot more lately, but tonight he was going to his kid's recital and so you had to wait for Afton, although he was going to be working late in the parts and services room and so you would have to hang around and wait for him.

Looking at the drink in your hand, you went into the staff fridge and grabbed some more water, humming as you moved along the back corridors and kept out of the way of people. Nodding to people as you went past, it was a strangle quiet day at Freddy's. But apparently the local school had a big recital on that night so most kids were there, you almost wondered if William wouldn't be going to his daughter's.

Knocking on the door to parts and services, you peered in cautiously. "Are you decent this time William?" you jokingly called out and you heard his deep rumbling laugh in response.

"Depends on what you find decent, sweetheart." He felt the grin spreading across his face as your silence filled his ears, knowing that your cheeks were flushing and you were getting that slightly glazed look as he put the thought in your head.

"But if you mean am I wearing clothes and not shorts today, yes, yes I am very much decent." He chuckled, hearing you step into the room and letting the door close softly behind you. Appearing from behind a shelf with a bottle of water in your hand, smiling in that way that made his chest tight and his body ache to have you curled against him.

"I brought this for you, I figured you would probably be thirsty."

"Cheers sweetheart, I didn't realise the time honestly." He admitted, looking at his watch and smiling at the little bunny bracelet sat just beneath it, knowing you would see he was still wearing it too. Taking the bottle and unscrewing it, gulping down half the bottle in one breath before he gasped for air, feeling better for the cool water as he wiped his brow with his forearm. Not caring as it almost got on his shirt sleeve that had been rolled up as he focused on the animatronic hand in front of him again.

Frowning, you look at your own watch and then back at William, hands on your hips as you realise this was one of the rare times your head was above his whilst he was hunched over and working.

"Do you even eat whilst you're here William?" You asked, not noticing the slight pause as you said his name, turning and raising an eyebrow at you as he sat back in his seat, crossing his arms for a moment and assessing you before he leaned forwards to work again.

"You're spending too much time around Henry, he's being a bad influence." William scoffed, reaching for a fine tipped screwdriver from the bench and reaching into the mechanism he was tinkering with, slowly and carefully turning the pin-fine screw that he hoped would still be stable enough to support the connection he had put it in.

"Oh and you're a perfect influence?" You ask cheekily, smiling at him as you watched him work, leaning in to get a better look at what he was working on.

"Didn't you know I was a perfect school boy growing up? Would never do anything naughty, especially with an innocent young lady like yourself present." Chuckling as he finally managed to get the screw to the perfect tightness and was about to start tightening another nearby, placing down one screwdriver for another as you spoke up.

"What makes you think I'm so innocent William?" You'd stepped closer and almost whispered it against his ear, not close enough to be considered intimate, but your breath barely scraped his ear and he froze. It was your turn to break him as he felt every muscle tense in his body at your words, swallowing hard as a different kind of ache burned in his stomach instead. Clenching his fists and unclenching them as he slowly turned the swivel chair to face you.

His eyes that were usually such a silvery grey seemed almost charcoal under the light as he looked up at you, his expression totally serious despite there being a little sparkle inside them still. You watched his adams apple bob repeatedly, his hands clenching slightly as you stood before him and his eyes seemed to slowly trail up your body. Your stomach sank as you wondered if you had pushed your friendliness too far with him.

"I suppose I deserve that for making you so flustered all the time." He swallowed, averting his eyes from you as you felt guilty at his expression, shoulders sagging slightly and fingers intertwining together and keeping your eyes down on the floor. William ran his hands through his hair and sighed, his head tipped back slightly as he closed his eyes.

"You've got the worst of both us," he joked, opening his eyes and noticing your quizzical look as he tipped his head towards you. "you're caring like Henry and you've now developed my flir-....humour." he said, catching himself before he called it flirting. He was struggling, and he looked at his hands himself.

"I don't think either of them are bad things." You say softly, coming in close to him and nudging him with your shoulder playfully, your fingers brushing against his arm as he looked at you. "I like your...humour, William. I'm sorry I caught you off guard."

"Apology accepted sweetheart, I guess I just wasn't expecting it to come from you." he spoke softly, letting his hand come up and meet yours briefly like some forbidden touch. His ring catching the low light, making you feel ashamed all over again.

"Still friends?" You asked hopefully, your brow furrowed in concern as he gave you a sweet, lopsided smile.

"I wasn't aware we'd stopped."

~~

It became part of your ritual during your shifts after that. For the next two weeks you brought William water and home-made packed lunches, claiming you'd made extra by mistake and it would only go to waste otherwise. Spending what time you could listening to him talking about his projects whilst you both ate, or him listening to you complain about working with the general public. The kids could be great, but the parents could be nightmares, and he fully understood where you were coming from.

But it was a Saturday once again, and the place heaved with children and grown-ups alike. You'd been running around on your feet all day and you were sure your hair was a mess, face an intense smile or locked in concentration unless something snapped you out of it.

A kid came running up to you, although they didn't scream for attention like some kids so you crouched down and spoke to them softly and evenly. "Are you lost kiddo?"

"No..." Their voice was very soft, clearly nervous that you had taken the time to speak to them rather than them being able to run off again. "You're miss spring-bonnie aren't you?"

You blinked at the question, your cheeks heating up as you were asked and tried to think about how to answer.

"Can you clarify what you mean buddy? Like.. how am I miss Spring-Bonnie?"

"You helped him when he fell over!" The kid beamed and suddenly you understood what they meant, chuckling as you nodded. They lit up as you answered and grinned at you leaning in and whispering to you conspiratorially in the loud way that only children could do. "Will you say hello to him for me?"

"Of course! I'm now going to see him, so I'll say hello then." Watching the kid running off and skipping happily as you headed through to the breakroom. Grabbing your lunches out and some sodas as you walked through the back-halls.

The route to parts and services was familiar now, and you knocked on the heavy door to let William know that you were coming in as you stepped through, his head barely turning as he focused intently on the endoskeleton sat between his knees. Shoulders clamped between his knees as he deftly worked on the wires in the head, you carefully stepped around him and placed his lunch down, opening the box and cracking the drink for him so that he could get straight to eating when he was done. Not having to wait long before you heard the creak of metal and a grunt from William as he hefted the metal skeleton onto a stand opposite where he was working.

"This looks great! Thanks for bringing me this, although I'm suspicious about how much you 'overcook'." He said playfully, his hand brushing your back as he raised an eyebrow at you, making you blush and look at your feet before you spotted a clean spot on the workbench, jumping up onto it and sitting facing him as he remained standing, stretching himself out slightly.

"No, really, I'm just shit at measuring whilst cooking." You lied slightly, whilst you weren't the best cook in the world, you were fairly good at estimating only how much would feed you. But you were happy to be cooking extras and that he seemed to be enjoying them.

Eating in silence for the most part, you were always surprised how quickly he ate. Like he was starving or simply that he was worried somebody might take his food from him if he didn't eat it then and there. Taking a swig of his soda, William smiled and placed his hand next to your thigh, making you think he was picking something off the bench next to you.

"Thank you, bunny." he spoke softly, closing the small gap between you and planting a kiss on your lips, leaving you breathless despite the briefness of it. Taking a second to comprehend what happened just as it took William a second to realise too.

"Did..Did you just kiss me?" You asked, blinking and reaching up to your lips and brushing them with your fingers as you watched William's face fall at the same time he looked relieved.

"I guess..I did, didn't I?" He asked, clarifying you were both on the same page. He rubbed his face and groaned into his hands, thinking about how you would react to him making an impulsive move.

"You stole my first kiss." You murmured, making William's head snap up, still covering his mouth with his hands and looking at your expression for any signs of joking, but when he saw none he groaned louder and ran his hands over his face again, one going into his hair and staying there.

"Shit, I am so, so sorry." Afton felt his heart pounding in his chest as he realised what he'd done, he'd taken your first kiss. You'd just looked so right sat on his workbench and bringing him lunches that were clearly made with love, and he'd acted impulsively as he thought that the time might never be as perfect as the peace the two of you had carved out in the workshop.

"Why are you sorry?" Your voice broke him out of his thought spiral, looking back up at you and adjusting his glasses, seeing you smiling at him in the way that made his chest tight and his stomach flutter nervously, so vulnerable and trusting.

"You're not mad?" Swallowing softly as you shook your head in reply, he took a careful step towards you again. His hand going back to where it had been whilst the other hovered over you shoulder, breathing deeply and raggedly as you saw the darkness that you had seen once before back in his eyes. Hungry, untamed as he met yours. "Then... Can I kiss you again?"

Instead of answering him, you placed your hand against his cheek, feeling the stubble beneath your fingertips and how he leaned his head into your hand slightly, shuffling forwards and your knees sitting either side of his hips as you leant up slightly. William smiled and placed his large hand on your cheek and kissed you back, tender and soft despite the fact his beard scratched slightly at your skin. Taking your breath away again as suddenly all those thoughts you had had where you thought he was handsome, or a million and one times you had stared at him and wondered how his hands felt against you felt justified.

Pulling back after a moment, William placed his forehead against yours, catching his breath and allowing you to as well. You suddenly broke out into a grin and giggled, remembering what the kid had said to you earlier, William raising an eyebrow in question.

"A kid called me 'Miss Spring-Bonnie' earlier, apparently they were psychic." William snorted a laugh out as well, pulling his forehead away and leaving his hand on your face, thumb stroking over your cheek and feeling how soft you were beneath him.

"Oh, you're all ready to be 'Miss Spring-Bonnie' are you, little bunny?" He teased, making your cheeks flush hot at the comment and he chuckled again, leaning in and taking another quick peck from your lips. "How about we seal that with a kiss before you go back to work?"

And you happily obliged as you pressed your lips to yours once again.

[velvetcloxds]

LITTLE BIRD- CHAPTER TWO | S.B.

word count: 1.8k

characters: mafia!sirius, secret agent!regulus (not related to sirius in this au), prince!james, princess!reader, potter!reader, bodyguard!lily, future prince!remus

series warnings: blood and violence, non-canon characters and places, no magic, time lapses between parts, non-conventional viewing of monarchy and other social systems, mafia characters, semi-legal things, love triangle

summary: regulus confronts you about going to see sirius alone, your parents being home forces you to lie about how you solved the crisis in their absence and even amid damage control you're still thinking about sirius, seems he's thinking about you too

previous chapter | series masterlist

You half expected them to be waiting for you, ready with the full set of questions they usually have you run through, your mom with James, your dad with you, conveniently working to your advantage even though they’ve yet to figure that out. Your mother always got James to squeal, just the right amount of pressure and he’d sing like a bird, his own praises of course, some pile of lies about how he saved the day, made it all work out to his good without the real details, which you’d fill up for him with your dad, despite the knock to your own pride. However, the palace was eerily quiet when you and Lily arrived, the staff at hand and ready as always but your parents weren’t waiting in the dining room after you’d trekked your way there, James was eating alone, the table set yet empty still but there was some food missing from what would’ve been their plates.

“Look at you, home just in time for your warm welcome,” he spoke over a nearly empty glass of wine, messily setting the glass down next to his plate. “How’d you do it, little sister?” it was a slurred question, one he’d probably been pondering since you left and you were ready as always too, prepared with a line-up of stories fit for the situation but your curiosity got the better of you, you wanted this conversation to end quickly and find them soon after. Whatever they’re flawed parental endeavours, your parents were torturously insistent on having dinner together every night it was possible, especially after long trips away from their children, especially after a crisis.

“Regulus,” the easiest lie, also the one that prompted the least number of questions, you didn’t expect him to scoff, didn’t expect him to smirk at you either and you were just about to question that when you heard the man in question’s voice, followed only by your father’s.

“I heard my name,” Regulus looked as handsome as ever, more so in his uniform than you remember from growing up and mostly just seeing him prancing around in a loose shirt and jeans, your dad was smiling so brightly you’d think he hasn’t seen him in ages though really you all saw him the day they left, still you believe age was making him softer than before, you’d never tell him that. Regulus smiled over at you as well, his face distorted momentarily as your dad forced you into a hug, a quick kiss placed to your cheek as you just barely caught the little nod that Regulus gave you, it said enough, it promised that Sirius came through in more ways than one. “Good to see you again, Princess, heard my friend helped you out,” Your dad didn’t let go, didn’t ask for confirmation either but you knew if your mother was around that wouldn’t be the case.

“I’m sorry I’m late, I got stuck in traffic on the way back- can’t believe you beat me home,” you lied, gripped your dad’s waist as one last welcome home before he let you go and drifted right back to Regulus’ side. “And all of you at that, actually, where’s mom?” you had to wonder if Regulus had caught her up yet too or was that your task to do.

“She’s waiting for you in the kitchen,” Your dad wasn’t one to pretend he didn’t know she spent the whole time away simply waiting to be back to gossiping and eating the night’s dessert right from the fridge before the boys got to it, the only little bit of royal rebellion she had left in her after all this time. “Leave some for the rest of us, won’t you,” he joked, and you smiled, a familiar thing, it felt good having them home after all, despite the drama and the lies that was ahead of you.

“Actually, can I have a word with you first?” the question was for you but it was aimed at your dad still, he nodded, didn’t think much of it really, mumbled something about having the server set up some new plates for him and Regulus who took hold of your arm gently to guide you as far away from curious ears as he could without looking suspicious. “What were you thinking?”

Honestly you should’ve expected him to push back, even if you were the one to set up the agreement between Regulus and Sirius, Regulus was very serious about never speaking to him alone, without protection- had he only known how common that was, how many nights you’d snuck off right into danger without a single consideration about what might go wrong. It started out as a deal for peace and peace was definitely still the goal, but there was something intriguing about Sirius, about a man brought up in the role of his family, no choice, not really and somehow there still seemed to be so much more to him, behind the title and the danger and the threat of his very being. Maybe you related to him in the most mundane way, carrying a burden that was yours way before you were even born, fighting a battle that was started even long before that.

“Oh, don’t start, alright, Lily was with me, and we were careful,” you checked the door, made sure he closed it properly just in case your whispered words weren’t soft enough. “You being here, saying that to my dad, that’s more cause for suspicion than anything else,” you were right, he knew that too, and logic couldn’t explain why he said what he said, he just wanted to show you that he knew, show you that he was unhappy being cut out when you were only ever supposed to be the one in the middle.

“I’m sorry,” he pulled a hand through his hair, rolled his eyes into the air as if annoyed with himself, for a man who taught you to think through every action, every word, he wasn’t doing a very good job living by that. “Listen, I don’t like the idea of you being too comfortable around him, around his people- he’s helping us now, but don’t confuse his willingness for alliance.”

“I know,” you did, so why you were annoyed at hearing it was beyond you. “He’s a means to an end, Regulus, I know that and so does he- I needed help, he was willing to provide that, don’t confuse my ability to play at your game for naivety.”

You caught him on that and there was more to be said but your mother was calling for you, your brother was hallway through another drunken rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody sung at the top of his lungs and your phone was burning a hole in your pocket, begging you to text the very person you swore you could not care less about.

“If your mother finds out now, before we’re ready, it’ll ruin everything, we’ll cause a war.”

“And if she finds out you’re the one making me hide it from her, there will be much more than a war for you to worry about,” you had grown tired of this conversation, wanted to be anywhere else. “Goodnight, Regulus, it was good seeing you again, but we have a system for these types of conversations, don’t bring this up in the palace again.”

Fresh off what anyone would consider a victory, you were more annoyed than relieved, there was something to be said about being a powerful woman in this family. Your mother had taken a crown meant only for her corrupt father and built a country up from ruin, ended the reign of the mafia threatening to destroy the entire monarchy and she’d done so while raising two children and facing the constant ridicule of marrying her military advisor and still- beyond all logic, woman still had to earn their place in this palace. It was frustrating, the only person who’d yet to question your abilities was Sirius Black, the very man you should stay as far away from as possible.

“There’s my girl,” you’d found your mom crossed legged on the counter, she was about as far away from a royal example as you could get, yet still she never looked out of place, even with remnants of chocolate pudding smudged on her chin and your father’s dress shirt thrown over her sleep pants way before it would be acceptable for the staff to see her as such.

“Mom,” she opened her arms for a hug, one hand balancing her bowl, the other taking you into her chest just like she did when you were a kid and you laughed lightly at the sight of her, used the sleeve of your shirt to wipe her face, earning a warm smile from her lips as well. “I’m glad you’re home safe,” what else could you say, truly it wasn’t the first time your parents had disappeared without a word or warning, and you considered it might not be the last, while you considered your future, they were still putting out fires from other parts of their past.  “We missed you.”

“I hear James saved the day,” you both scoffed at the same time, laughed because of it, of course she’d never fall for the pretty tales told in her absence, if only she knew. You slipped onto the counter with her, took the extra spoon she offered and scooped a large bite from her bowl. “Thank you,” you hummed around your spoon, shrugged it off quickly, as much as it did your ego good, you didn’t want her to create an opportunity for you to lie to her. “Your dad and I are very proud, you know, can’t imagine it was easy having to deal with this mess just the two of you.”

“Well, I mean we had help.”

“Regulus, of course,” she wasn’t technically wrong so you saw no reason to try and correct her. “Well still, dove, you were very brave,” the words sent your mind adrift and as if his ears were burning all the way across town your phone vibrated in your pocket, two times, just like you’d set it to and while she was reaching over the counter for some more sprinkles you couldn’t help stealing a glance to see what it said. “Think your dad would want some cherries with his?” you nodded, hummed, you’d think you were entirely focused on her but really you were going over the sentence a few more times in your head.

From Padfoot:  Glad you got home safe, little bird, I’ll let you know how I’m planning to collect my debt soon.

[woso-fan13]

NO. 29 WHAT DOESN'T KILL ME...

Sleep Deprivation 

You staggered into the hotel like you were drunk. Even though you could legally drink in Europe, there was no way that you could be drunk. You hadn’t had time to fully shower in the last 48 hours, you didn’t have time to go out. 

“Y/N, babe, you okay?” Emily asks. 

“Just peachy, thanks,” you respond, your tone of voice indicating that you were not, in fact, just peachy. 

“Seriously kid,” oh great, Kelley’s here too, “what’s up with you? You tripped on your own feet walking inside.” 

“I’m good, really,” you assure them. “I’m just tired.” 

“I feel that,” Emily agrees. 

“I know,” Kelley sounds almost sympathetic. “Time zone changes are tough, especially when we have practice as soon as we get here. But we’re having lunch now and then you should be able to nap for an hour or so before weight training.”

“Time zones suck, but I’m pretty used to them. We had to travel a lot when I was growing up, so I got used to sleeping weird hours.”

“I forgot about that,” said Emily. “Then you should have an easy transition over. As long as you got solid sleep the night before, you should have been able to get enough sleep on the plane to count for a night. As much as I hate flying overnight, it is convenient.”

“I wasn’t able to sleep on the plane, I had a bunch of schoolwork to do. My teachers gave me all the assignments I’ll be missing for the tournament before I left, and I doubt I’ll have much downtime here.”

“That’s rough, I’m sorry kid.” Kelley says, “but missing one night isn’t too bad. As long as you slept the night before.”

You stay silent. 

“Y/N?” Kelley probes. 

“I couldn’t. I’m sorry, but I didn’t have time.”

“Babe,” Emily questions, “when’s the last time you had a full night of sleep?”

“A full night? Sometime last week. But I’ve been able to get in naps, just not for a few days.” 

“Y/N M/N L/N,” Kelley sounds mad. “No, you can’t do that. Come on, we’re taking you to bed.”

“I’ll go,” you yawn, now thinking about bed, “but you guys go get lunch. I’ll be fine, and I’ll see you at training.”

You turn towards the elevator, eyelids drooping as you wait. A warm hand on your back causes you to turn slightly, Kelley giving you a soft smile. She puts her arm around your shoulder, pulling you into her. 

“Emily is going to grab us something to snack on. I’ll get you ready for bed, we can eat, and then you can sleep. Okay?”

You nod, too tired to argue. 

Kelley looks at the elevator, wondering why it’s taking so long, “sweetheart, you know the elevator comes a lot faster if you hit the button.”

She steps forward, pressing the call button. You furrow your brow slightly as the warmth and comfort leave, but they soon return. The elevator arrives shortly and Kelley ushers you in. Once you reach your floor, she pulls you down the hall and opens a door. 

This is definitely not your room. Judging by the king sized bed and suitcases, it appears Kelley and Emily were able to convince the coaching staff that they were responsible enough to share. 

Kelley opens a suitcase, digging through slightly to find a pair of pajamas. She then quickly turns to you, pulling your clothes off and dressing you. After so many times in the locker room, you two have no sense of modesty. 

A short knock is heard before the door pushes open. Emily walks in, giving Kelley a quick kiss before kissing your head. She pulls sandwiches from a bag, handing one to Kelley and moving to put another in the fridge. The last one she keeps for herself. 

She also pulls a granola bar from her bag, handing it to you. “Eat this, then you can sleep. You’ll have something real to eat when you wake up, but you need to sleep more.” 

You quickly manage to eat the bar, looking towards the couple for guidance. Emily puts her lunch down, guiding you into the bed. She settles you in the middle, pulling the sheets over you. Within 2 minutes, you are fast asleep. 

Kelley and Emily then quickly finish their lunch, settling on either side of you. They lay down, snuggling you into them, talking quietly. You were so soundly sleeping that they could have been shouting and you wouldn’t have woken up. 

Kelley starts the conversation, “I texted Coach while you were tucking her in. Everyone is having a bit of jet lag, so weight training is pushed back 2 hours and cut short.”

Emily simply nodded, grateful for the shortened workout. Although it was nothing compared to you, she was feeling the time change. 

The two women settle fully, wordlessly deciding on a plan. Kelley sets a quick alarm on her phone, tossing it on to her nightstand. Emily props herself on one elbow, looking towards Kelley. 

“I’m obsessed with this kid. Can we keep her, Kel? Please? I promise I’ll feed her and walk her.”

Kelley laughs at Emily’s overeager child impression, “I think we have to. It’s a bit too late to drop her at the pound.”

[aliorsboxostuff]

Hi I was wondering if you still taking requests if you could do a Tangerine x Male reader where reader has a more dominant personality and tries to teach him how to cook? Could lead to smut or not completely up to you 😊

A/N: ohohooo i like your idea anon, nice one. Alright so we all know our twins can't cook for shit (this is true they told me themselves) and live out of takeouts so this fits them SO MUCH. I've actually never written anything involving cooking or food in general so this is gonna be interesting. This turned out more of ‘Teasing tangerine while you serve the best Stir-fry vegetables ever’ than a cooking fic my bad anon 😅 

Stirred Up

Tangerine x m!merc!Reader

Tags: Tangerine x m!reader, reader is a merc, duo mission with Tangerine (Lemons taking a vacay), slight mention of violence, slutty!Tangerine, dom!reader, not brit-picked, Reader is taller than Tangerine, cooking, domesticity, five-star hotels shenanigans, fluff, fluff and smut, implied smut

Coming back from a tiring mission in the middle of the night calls for dinner, and luckily you’re skilled enough to actually cook and not call in takeouts. Tangerine is mesmerized by your arms but that's besides the point. 

—

At the stroke of midnight, a very tired, very disheveled Tangerine barges into your shared hotel room with yours and his luggage. You carried the valuable briefcase that contains your mission before closing the door and double-checking the lock for it.

“Oh thank bloody Jesus,” Tangerine practically deflates into the king-sized bed in the other room, making you chuckle while you store the case inside the hotel's safe. 

“You better not mess up the sheets with your dirty suit,”

“Hey! My suit ain't dirty!” He huffs when you enter the room. While you stood near the door, taking off your cufflinks, Tangerine spreads the expanse of his lean body on the dark blue sheets—silks it seems, you chuckled thinking a 5-star hotel would do any less—having shed his suit jacket, he arches into the mattress, his shirt riding up revealing a sliver of skin. You had to physically turn yourself to the ensuite bathroom before you had the mind to jump him.

“Clean up Tan, we’ll eat something after,” You started arranging your cufflinks—the expensive ones Tangerine bought for you on one leisure stroll around France—and taking off your jacket before you heard a groan from your boyfriend. 

“Eat? At this hour? Don't think room service is still serving, mate,” They were, you knew, but it's not in your nature to bother some poor hotel staff, even if it's a pretentious hotel in the expensive part of America. 

“Well, we’re lucky then,” You exited the bathroom to Tangerine sitting at the edge of the bed taking his shoes off. He turns when you entered. “This room was stocked earlier today, I'm sure the kitchen has something for us,” 

“Would it?”

“I booked in advance, remember? They got to have something,” Tangerine follows you through the vast expanse of the room. Now that you’ve taken it in, the large room has a living space, kitchen, bedroom, and ensuite bathroom. The decoration follows a sparce and modern setting, with a generic marble counter for the kitchen, while everything else follows a monochrome color scheme with a touch of beige. You spotted a potted plant near the tall windows, no doubt fake. 

Tangerine sat on the kitchen island while you scavenge the fridge. It did come stocked much to Tangerine's surprise. You pulled out enough ingredients to start a simple dinner and arrange them on the counter. While you looked around for the utensils, your eyes met Tangerine’s sly grin as you rolled up your shirt sleeves, the habit of getting ready for cooking. You chuckle, making your way to him before standing between his thighs, your arms casually resting on either side of his body. 

“What?” You grin, which makes Tangerines smirk.

“Nothin’” His eyes ran down your exposed arms before you hummed, earning his attention. 

“Sure honey,” Tangerine’s face promptly grows red which makes you chuckle. 

“Just… Y’know,” He plays with your folded sleeves. “You look good like this,”

“Oh do I?” Your body leans closer, face inches away from your boyfriend. Tangerine cranes his neck to meet yours, his breath ghosting your lips. 

“Yeah,” He grins and you nodded before capturing his lips in a slow kiss, running your tongue on his bottom lips, eliciting a moan from him. Your hands found purchase in the soft plane of his hips, pressing soothing circles, making Tangerine arch closer into your chest. 

“Darling…” His voice wavers as you bite down the column of his neck, nipping slightly just beneath his jaw and making him squirm. “God please,”

“What do you need, baby?” Your voice made him physically shudder, gripping at your shirt until his knuckles ran white. Your hand rubs slightly on his inner thigh. Tangerine sighs while he displays the his neck. 

“I need-” 

A sudden rumble broke your and Tangerine's focus. It lasted for a minute, before you slowly lowered your head to look at Tan’s stomach, then back to his burning face. The silence stretches, both of your eyes wide and mouth slightly agape.

You crumble first, a chuckle that gradually turns into a full laugh which Tangerine follows. His head falls to your shoulder, burying his giggles into your neck until it makes you continue to laugh from the tickling sensation of his curly hair, his day gell long gone. 

“What you need is food, mister,” You pulled back, smiling at the mirth on Tangerine's face.

“Doesn't eating you count?” he tilts his head, an innocent gleam in his eyes, but you know better than to believe those striking blues.

“My cum does not count as a nutritious substance, my dear,”

“Yeah? Says who?”

“Every doctor within a mile radius?” You laughed, finally moving away from your boyfriend's reach, making his scowl. “Besides, I didn't pull all these out for nothing,” 

You busy yourself with locating a saucepan and other utensils before setting them out on the counter. Finally gathering all the things you need, you begin to recall an easy dinner recipe you used to cook back before you joined the agency, a paid merc working for anyone. It accompanied you on most cold nights where you're going to either die from the cold from the shit motel they put you in or die from hunger—either way, not a cool assassin's way to die. Stir-fried vegetables, simple and filling even if you discount the rice.

You cleaned the dished-out vegetables under running tap water before setting them aside to dry, starting your preparation for the sauce and spices. While you poured the necessary ingredients into a bowl to mix, you found Tangerine curiously making his way beside you, watching from enough distance so as to not disturb you. When you move to your right to mince some garlic, from your peripherals you spot his head cocked to the left, eyes glued to your hands. You grin as you put the garlic inside the bowl, suddenly turning to Tangerine’s widened eyes, his arms crossed, an adorable blush colored his cheeks.

“You wanna help?” You nodded to the dry vegetables set aside. His head perks up before darting a fleeting glance at the colorful assortments beside the sink. “Your hand is insane with a knife, I’m sure you can handle that,” 

“S-sure…” He coughs. Tangerine hops down from the counter and accepts the knife you handed over. He steadies a carrot on the provided cutting board, his hand shakes slightly, unbeknownst to you who’s mixing the contents of the earlier bowl.

“Just cut them slightly sideways, not too thin but small enough,” You focus solely on the mix in your hand when you hear an affirming grunt from your boyfriend. A minute passes when you finally finish mixing and sit the bowl down, you turn to Tangerine. God forbid you laugh until you cry.

There, stood Tangerine, dress shirt sleeves rolled up, beads of sweat underneath messy curls, brows furrowed while he struggles cutting up a carrot. He’s not even halfway. You stifle a laugh, instead moving behind him silently which shocks the merc, almost sending the knife flying.

“Fucking hell-”

“Baby, you gotta hold it like this,” His arms quiver as yours snakes above them, holding them firmly both on the vegetable and the knife. Leaning against his back, your lips level with Tangerine’s ears, making him twitch when you correct him.

“Your hands hold the knife like this, alright?” He nods jerkily.

“Then slice the carrot, nice-” You smirk as you lean closer. “And easy,” 

“Y-yeah, I got it,” He swallowed. You grin before kissing the shell of his ear, making Tangerine shiver, then moving away from his body. He quickly misses your body heat as he glares at you, turning the blade to point at you. “Quit teasin’ me love, or you’ve got anotha’ thing coming,” 

Your giggle turns into a laugh, Tangerine still glaring—quite literally—daggers at you. When you finally sober up, you quickly move to his side and hold his hip. “Cut those right and you’ll get dessert after this,” You whispered.

Tangerine could've strained his neck with how fast he turned, eyes wide. “You promise?”

“Of course dear,” You nodded, your eyes growing warm as you spot the glints in those stark blues. You reach over Tangerine to grab the other vegetables that have yet to be chopped, before getting comfortable on your own cutting board and knife. You slice them into appropriate sizes before setting them aside into their own bowl, your eyes drifting to your boyfriend who has finally succeeded in cutting his carrots.

"Well this is easy!" His lithe fingers twirl the knife, grinning in triumph. "I could cut these all day!"

"That's good honey," You answered without moving your eyes from the pan you're heating up with olive oil. unbeknownst to you, Tangerine currently has his mouth wide enough for a fly to wander in, his eyes wide when he spots the bowls of colorful vegetables next to your cutting board.

"I- what- Did you cut all those…" You finally turned to him, utterly confused by his expression. "By yourself?" his finger points lamely.

You tilted your head, before following where he was pointing and spotting your bowls. "Oh! Yeah, figured I did the rest so we can finish cooking," you shrugged.

Tangerine, either fueled with anger or embarrassment, shoves his bowl of carrots into your side and dumps his knife and cutting board into the sink. "Yeah, well, you didn't need my help then," 

Oh darling, You thought, pulling at his hips to press a kiss to his temple. "You know it's not like that Tan. I did need your help, and I appreciate what you did. Thank you, my love, you did an amazing job,"

While his lips are still pulled at the edges into a frown, his lovable stache following his top lip makes you giggle slightly as he grumbles, Tangerine can't help but sway in your direction when you bring him to press against your left. Before you could move, his hands grips the collar of your shirt and pulls. Said soft lips press against yours and you couldn't help but smile into them, hearing Tan growl slightly before pulling harder, making you bow slightly to match his height. He slowly loosens his grip, still holding you against him as you part from him. His breath ghosts your lips "That desert better be worth it," he growls.

"Of course my love," Your eyes sharpen, spotting the lake of desire slowly pooling in Tangerines eyes. "Go set the table,"

He reluctantly strips himself from you, grumbling all the way from where he retrieved the plates and utensils to the kitchen island. You chuckle, eyes watching the way your boyfriend's body arches as he grabs a plate from the cupboard, too tight dress shirt accentuates his waist. Bites and bruises flash over the sliver of skin when the shirt rides up Tangerines body, you had to physically shake yourself in or else you'll burn the already hot oil.

You dropped the vegetables from their bowl into the pan, using a wooden spatula to saute them thoroughly on low heat. When you deemed them ready, you pour in the sauce and begin stirring, making sure the sauce is mixing with the vegetables. When you turned to check on Tan, he was sitting on a barstool facing you, engrossed on his phone with a small smirk on his lips, no doubt talking to Lemon about his day. You wondered what time it would be in London while you plated the stir fry on a large plate. 

"Here we are," Tangerine perks up when you present the dish in front of him. "Stir-fried vegetables, enough to get us through the night," 

You're not a great cook, god forbid you to try anything harder than a chicken pot pie, but simple dishes get the job done and most times you prefer takeouts on missions anyways. But the one thing every retired agent wants you to learn is always; cooking, so you picked up a book one day and said 'fuck it'. The stir-fry in front of you and Tan is one of those outcomes.

"Darling…" His eyes rake over the colorful assortments of vegetables, hits of brown from the sauce that peeks out from underneath entrances him. "This looks amazing,"

"Really? I think street vendors in Asia plate these better," You take a seat next to Tangerine who immediately snaps his fingers at you.

"Oi, no undersellin' yourself." He bites. "If I didn't knew any better, I'd think this is from a Michelin-star restaurant,"

"Tan we've been to a Michelin-star restaurant," You sigh as you begin plating yours and Tangerines serving. 

"Yeah and this is basically the same," He scoops a spoon full and begins eating, so you do the same. Not another minute before he hums and licks a stray sauce on his lips. "And I stand corrected, this is amazing love,"

"Well, thank you then," While you continued eating, you couldn't help the sheepish smile accompanying it.

Tangerine and you ate in relative silence, the comfort of each others presence enough to compensate for the otherwise cold hotel room. while the clock turns to 1 AM, a pitter patter could be heard from the far window, the start of rain. Your eyes follow the droplets as they begin to spread on the glass, making the various lights of the city blur into no recognition. The weather coincidentally turns into the perfect condition for cuddling, you turn to Tangerine with a warm smile tugging on your lips.

Once the two of you finished dinner, you collected the dishes and began to wash them. While you run water and scrub the plates with dish soap, Tangerine plays the role of drying them. You hand him the clean dishes while he runs a clean cloth on them, making sure to get every drop of water. 

Tonight was surprisingly domestic for two mercs who tortured their target, acquired the needed briefcase, and ran through an alleyway shootout from the opposing gangster not two hours ago. You recall holding Tangerine's hand while you guide him through cutting vegetables, eating in mutual silence and finally doing the dishes. Those thoughts would feed into your fantasy of living in the suburbs of London, or anywhere in the world, maybe doing woodwork or farm work while the glint of your and Tangerine's wedding ring reminds you of each other's eternal vows. You had to blink for a second in order to not let a plate slip, those fantasies stay as fantasies for a reason.

Once the last utensil is cleaned, you hand it over to Tangerine and begin to wash your hands, still slightly dazed from all the intoxicating warmth of domesticity. Strong arms suddenly wrap around you and for a second your instincts kick in, before soft curls nuzzles into your nape, followed by presses of lips and moustache, making you giggle.

"Tan, hey," You chuckle, drying your hands before your boyfriend's swaying would take you away. Demanding hands turn your body so that you face a putting Tangerine, back pressed to the counter, his leg stands dangerously between yours. His lips collide with yours in a hurry, moving in tandem with yours. He bites slightly, asking for entrance at which you grant easily, feeling his heavenly tongue take his fill. Tangerine smirks, begins biting down your jaw, he pulls at your hips, he feels your arousal and so do you, making you grunt. He has the gall to chuckle, then bites down just under your jaw, making you shiver from the way he laps over it, definitely leaving a mark in the morning. You could only grip the counter harder, suppressing the urge to slam Tangerine against the kitchen island and take him then and there. 

“M’pretty sure…” Tangerines eyes sharpen, a viper slithering up your body until he captivates your eyes. “I was promised a dessert,”

You could only chuckle as Tangerine pulls you into the bedroom, closing the door with a slam, before he pushes you against it. Your thoughts drift slightly, thinking of more cooking you should do to get these rises out of your boyfriend. 

My requests are open <3

[namelysane]

Wouldn't it be funny if when hellspawn... well spawned garm/misako called wu and the ninja to try and tell them to come over (and bring baby stuff while their at it) but the situation was so chaotic that the ninja only understood a small part of it and, with the little info they had; concluded that lloyd was turned into a baby?

Takes place sometime before s3.

Don't get him wrong. Cole had always been someone who liked kids.

Just...just not these kids.

"Being a teacher is hard work," Kai complained, plopping down a nearby chair as soon as he could step into the break room. His usually well-gelled hair was beginning to droop miserably. "If my work of art gets another spitball when my back is turned again I swear I'll—"

"Work of art? FSM, who told you that lie?" Nya snorted, only to receive a very nasty glare from her brother at that comment. "That's a mess."

"Those kids are the mess," Kai grumbled, hands reaching up to comb through his hair to find any remaining atrocities. "They're even worse than the baby gremlin version of Lloyd. Can you believe that?"

"You're telling me," Cole rubbed his eyes. "I come in ten minutes late and someone lets Ninjago's most poisonous scorpion walk around the classroom."

"How did they even bring one in, again?" Nya sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose wearily. "Enough said. We need stricter rules."

"As if that'll stop them," Kai huffed, chucking his file across the room. "Keep dreaming."

" 'Educating the future of Ninjago' my butt. Wu definitely hates us."

"Bad day too huh, zaptrap?" Cole winched sympathetically, watching Jay's head dip in a depressed nod as he made a beeline for the freezer.

"We went from saving Ninjago to needing to be saved," Jay stressed, eyes scanning through the contents of the refrigerator before then widening. "Hey. Who took my pudding cup?"

"You had a pudding cup?" Cole blinked, his gaze briefly falling on the empty plastic container in front of him on the table. At that, Jay's eyes locked on it as well. "Um...sorry?" He tried, grimacing at once.

"Bullied by my students, and now bullied by my friends," Jay said miserably, slamming the fridge door shut at once. "This is just great."

"Perfect for a villain arc," Kai said helpfully, only to receive incredulous looks from everyone else in the room. "What? Literature is finally growing on me."

"I can't believe I got stuck with history," Jay groaned, sounding as though he was tempted to bang his head against the table. "Zane's the walking textbook. He should be teaching history."

"Unfortunately, that would leave a vacancy for the science teacher position," Zane replied, walking into the room — weirdly percent timing, Cole thought suspiciously. "I believe Wu does not wish to look elsewhere for a replacement."

"Yeah," Kai rolled his eyes. "So he can continue to pay us like—"

"But Nya could teach science," Jay suggested, looking at her pleadingly. "Right, Nya?"

Nya seemed to contemplate that thought. "I guess I could—"

"See?"

"But you're gonna have to take over math," Nya told him, chewing on the inside of her cheek. "You have to spend the rest of your life hearing those kids talk about how much they hate you and—"

Jay blinked. "Wait, what—"

"Yeah," Nya shrugged. "And then, they start debates with you asking why the heck do we have to learn this—"

"Well that's normal for me," Jay said, and then frowned. "Anyway, why are we forced to learn math, again?"

"I often wonder that myself," Sensei coughed.

All of them nearly jumped at that, not having seen him enter. The old man merely shook his head.

"You five have become less vigilant," he stated exasperatedly, the bottom of his bamboo staff colliding with the floor as he continued to step forward. "Such carelessness could be your downfall."

Kai just stared at him in disbelief. "So is that why those brats keep scheming against me?"

"Probably," Jay suggested, only to earn a scowl in response. "And by the way Sensei, I kinda have a teeny, tiny little request as a teacher—"

"Oh, I've already heard that," Sensei replied, giving him a brief knowing look. "As long as Nya and Zane are alright with this new arrangement, I don't see any reason to refuse you."

"I have no issue with this," Zane chimed in, and Nya nodded in agreement.

"Oh, those kids don't know what's coming, alright," she grinned mischievously. "I can't wait for the experiments—"

It was then when the sound of ringing cut the air.

Cole's eyes immediately fell on the telephone.

"I will get it," Sensei told them, before any of them could bother getting up. Cole felt his eyebrows knit into a frown. Hang on, hadn't the last time that phone had gotten a call been when—

Jay's face was suddenly as pale as a sheet. "Please tell me they aren't going to enroll in another—"

"Hello. This is Darkley's Boarding School For Great Children how may I — brother?" Sensei blinked, sounding genuinely surprised at the fact the former dark lord was calling him at this point of the day. "Is everything alright?"

Cole watched questioningly as the old man's expression suddenly tightened, before then proceeding to take the deepest dive into confusion in the history of Ninjago.

"What do you mean?" Sensei asked incredulously, both of his eyebrows rising high enough to be concealed by the shadow of his straw hat. "Brother, of all the methods you could use to antagonize me—"

"What the heck is going on?" Jay whispered.

"No idea," Cole mouthed, continuing to listen intently with a deeper frown. Had Garmadon sprouted another pair of arms again or something?

Then, suddenly, the old master stilled, his golden eyes far wider than they had ever seen them. The knuckles of the hand holding the phone were visibly white with how tightly he was gripping it.

It was a while until he managed to bring himself to speak once again.

"A baby, Garmadon — what was he thinking—"

"What?" Nya gasped, and Kai's jaw dropped open at once, the hothead looking as though he was about to faint. Even Zane was no different.

What. On Earth. Was Going On.

"He is more like Father than I thought," Sensei lamented miserably, as though he very much regretted that fact.

He, Cole realized, taking note of that detail immediately. That could only mean Sensei was referring to—

"Alright, alright," Sensei sighed, his grip on the phone faltering slightly. "We'll be there, brother."

Then, he placed the telephone back on its holder, pushing it away immediately.

"What was that about, Sensei?" Nya asked.

The old master met her gaze tiredly, appearing as though he regretted hearing the sound of ringing in the first place.

He heaved out a sigh. "Garmadon has called."

Kai shot him a deadpan stare. "Yeah. We could tell—"

"I'm afraid we will need to leave the academy in the care of Dareth until we return," Sensei said, running a hand over his face wearily. "Garmadon requires our presence. As soon as possible."

"Well care to tell us why?" Jay crossed his arms. "And what was that about a baby?"

"You also used the third person pronoun 'he' at the three minute and thirty one second mark of your conversation," Zane pointed out, sounding genuinely curious. "That would most likely mean—"

"—that this is something related to Lloyd," Cole finished, unsurprised that the others had pieced it together too. "Master," he then asked hesitantly. "is Lloyd okay?"

"What the hell is happening?" Kai yelped.

Sensei closed his eyes, raising his head as though to stare at the ceiling in despair. "Dear First Spinjitzu Master."

"I think we broke him," Jay whispered mournfully. For the first time in his life, Cole was forced to agree.

"I believe this will be easier to explain once you have seen it for yourselves," Wu finally admitted, his voice painfully strained. Cole held back a grimace. "In the meantime, gather as many items that can be used to care for an infant as possible—I'm sure Garmadon will greatly appreciate it," he told them, giving them all a weak smile. "Now excuse me, I must go find Dareth."

Jay looked at them all in bewilderment after the old man had turned around and left. "But we don't even have baby stuff—"

"Exactly, so screw it," Kai hissed, something in his eyes now ablaze. "I'm going to head there now and storm the place until I find out what's going on. Who's with me?"

"Me," chorused four other voices without hesitation. After that, Nya suddenly furrowed her brow in concentration.

"I just really don't understand the baby part," she muttered, her forehead creasing as she continued to ponder on that thought. "You know, at first I was convinced that Sensei G and Misako had welcomed a baby — but then, that thing about Lloyd came along."

"Or maybe Lloyd's the baby?" Jay offered.

Cole's mind went blank.

"What?"

"You're kidding me," Kai said, his tone edged in disbelief. "No. There's no way."

"But what if there is?" Jay begged. "I mean, didn't Sensei mention something about Lloyd and the FSM?"

"He is correct," Zane confirmed with a nod. "There was a moment where Sensei expressed regret at their similarities — thus hinting that the current matter at hand is something the First Spinjitzu Master experienced himself."

"And what does Lloyd have that the FSM did, again? Power," Jay said, flailing his arms for emphasis. "We're not talking about just any power here — the golden shit."

"So you're saying Lloyd turned himself into a baby," Nya actually sounded more amused than scandalized at the suggestion. "Actually now that I think about it, that makes sense."

Cole stared at her like she'd just conjured a dragon. "Sense?"

"Yup," she hummed, and then gestured to Kai as though she was showing all of them an artistic masterpiece. "Just look at who's his mentor."

Kai let out a pained groan as all eyes fell on him. "Why is it always me—"

"I had hoped you would have an explanation for that," Zane said dryly. Kai buried his face into his hands.

"My baby brother, here I come," he mumbled, shaking his head.

Wu to Lloyd later : There is something I haven't told you—

Thanks for the ask!

[elizmanderson]

"a kiss to anger a third party," perhaps from this post? elizmanderson. tumblr. com /711617943947067392

okay so fun fact, I am actually an idiot who read right over “another kissing prompt” on the post this kissing prompt came from and rb it just intending to like save the list of different kisses for later

but then I was too embarrassed to admit that in response to this ask WITHOUT writing something so long story short instead of researching lighthouses today like I was supposed to, I wrote a 1,700-word short story about fake girlfriends who kiss in the hallway outside grandma’s sewing room to piss off some shitty relatives

so. yeah. uh. enjoy I guess.

A KISS TO ANGER A THIRD PARTY STORY THAT I DIDN’T MEAN TO WRITE BUT HERE WE ARE

Fake dating has been going shockingly well, considering you’re terrible at real dating and also at lying, and somehow faking dating is both. Then again, family get-togethers are always awkward as fuck. Your cousin and his wife always share a chilly silence; your uncle has a casually off-color comment for every occasion; your mother judges everyone like doing so is an Olympic sport; and your grandparents desperately try and fail to keep the peace. So no one notices that you and Maeve stand across the room from each other instead of holding hands and melting into each other’s bodies the way two lovey-dovey newlydatings should allegedly do.

Rather, if anyone notices, they figure it’s normal. That’s how relationships are in your family, grandparents aside, and everyone has long since written them off as sweet old weirdos. The only reason you don’t think the lingering gazes you share with Maeve are more action than your relatives have ever had is the existence of multiple generations of biological children.

You share a gaze now. Not because you’re actually into Maeve, although you’re not not into Maeve; you picked an attractive fake girlfriend. Tall, with an undercut and dark eyes and a crooked nose and muscley arms that sometimes you think would be really great for picking you up and throwing you onto a bed, before you remember this is fake and please brain do not.

The corner of Maeve’s mouth turns up. You look away, biting back a smile.

You would like to stand here not-smiling at Maeve all night—or at least until the end of the torturous family cookout, which hasn’t even technically started yet because your uncle decided to “help” Grandpa with the grill and ended up setting all the food on fire instead, and the second attempt at dinner just went on the grill three minutes ago—but you seriously have to pee. In lieu of food, you’ve downed three cans of Coke from the drinks fridge in the garage. You cross the kitchen, accidentally-on-purpose brush against Maeve as you exit, and head down the hall to the half bath.

When you come out, you hear voices. Snatches of words. Your mother and cousin-in-law, sitting in your grandma’s sewing room. They’re supposed to be organizing it for her, but instead they’re sitting on bolts of fabric, gossiping.

“...tried to tell me they’d found someone, but they look absolutely miserable with that girl they brought,” your mother says. With a jolt, you realize she’s talking about you. “Maybe they’ll sit together at dinner, but with how far apart they’ve been standing since they arrived, I doubt it. And that girl has been scowling at everyone.”

“She’s worse than Luc,” your cousin-in-law says smugly. “And god knows he has the worst resting bitch face I ever saw. Sometimes I don’t know why I fell in love with him. No offense.”

“None taken. He’s not my kid.”

You don’t even like Luc, but your fingers curl into fists. As usual, you wonder what the fuck you did in a past life to be born into a family of people who spend all their time hating each other.

“Anyway” —your cousin-in-law examines her nails, fresh from a day at the salon, where she surely treats the staff hellishly— “I don’t think it’ll last. They’ve hardly spoken two words to each other all afternoon.”

Your fists tighten. She’s one to talk. She and Luc have hardly spoken to each other since the day of their wedding; on the rare occasion you do hear them speak, they’re picking fights. She gushes about her perfect marriage to anyone who will listen when her husband isn’t around, but their marriage—your uncle’s marriage, your parents’ marriage, every marriage around you except your grandparents’—is exactly the reason you’ve been so reluctant to date. The reason you asked Maeve to fake being your girlfriend, so your relatives would stop offering to set you up with someone. They all make each other fucking miserable.

And they think you and Maeve won’t last?

Okay yeah sure fine, you and Maeve aren’t a thing in the first place. Not really. You’re neighbors, and coworkers, and maybe friends now.

But since Maeve agreed to fake-date you, you’ve shared more with her about yourself than you have with...anyone, maybe. Definitely more than you’ve shared with anyone in your family. Definitely more than they share with their respective spouses, or each other.

Silly things, mostly. You like it when the front door of a house is painted bright, aqua or magenta or chartreuse. Your favorite flowers are all the yellow ones, like dandelions or forsythia, even though otherwise you’re not that fond of yellow. You always like the sad songs and love ballads more than the fun, fast-paced songs that steal the show. Things that don’t matter, except that they do, because now Maeve points out all the brightly colored doors when you walk back to your apartment building together after a shift.

Your mother and cousin-in-law are still talking. The conversation has moved on now—apparently your uncle has cheated on his wife, again—but you’re angry. Your skin prickles. Your nails bite your palms. You could nudge the door open and confront them, but confrontation has never been your forte.

Instead, you tiptoe to the kitchen and touch Maeve’s back.

She half turns, an eyebrow quirked. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I just. I need you to come with me.”

“Why?” Maeve asks, but she’s already following you back down the hall.

“Because my relatives suck and I need you to kiss me.”

You stop far enough from the sewing room that your mother and cousin-in-law probably won’t hear you. You turn toward Maeve, leaning against the wall with your arms crossed. It hasn’t occurred to you that the words I need you to kiss me actually just crossed your lips. Maeve’s dark eyes flicker over you, but she mirrors your posture and waits.

“They’re all in shitty marriages,” you say in a low voice, “except my mom, because she’s in a shitty divorce that was so shitty it was almost as bad as the marriage, except that it was over faster. But because we’re not attached at the hip or making googly eyes at each other, they think my relationship with my new girlfriend is a dead-end that’s going to end before it’s begun.”

Maeve snorts. “Fuck them. I may not make googly eyes at my fake girlfriend, but they’re nuts if they think I wouldn’t go to the ends of the earth and back for my fake girlfriend. Or, like, bring home takeout every night after work, or always do the laundry because they hate doing laundry, or whatever.”

That gets you for a second, because okay yeah sure fine it’s all fake, but Maeve still just kind of said she’d go to the ends of the earth for you. And bring you takeout. And always do laundry, which honestly might as well be a marriage proposal, because someone doing the laundry so you don’t have to is well and truly your love language.

“So.” Maeve’s eyes rove over your face. “Not that I object to kissing you, but how exactly is kissing going to help this situation?”

Right. You asked her to kiss you. Or more accurately stated slightly desperately and angrily that you need her to kiss you. You tense, trying to sound cool and nonchalant when you’re now thinking about kissing Maeve.

“When my mom and cousin-in-law come out of that room,” you say, nodding back toward the sewing room, “I want them to see us kissing. Like, really kissing. You know.”

The corner of Maeve’s mouth lifts again. “Really kissing. Gotcha.”

You flush. “Yeah. That. I just. I want...” You want some really great kissing. Focus. “I want them to see that we’re actually fucking into each other and super affectionate with each other even if we don’t feel like turning it into a performance so everyone else will believe we’re in love.”

Maeve tilts her head. “Even though it’ll literally be a performance so everyone will believe we’re in love?”

Your flush deepens. “Yeah.”

Maeve shifts closer, her eyes flickering over you. God, her eyes. Dark and intense and always just a little bit sad.

“I think I can sell being fucking into you,” she says quietly.

Shit, you think vaguely, poor choice of words on your part, because fucking and you are the only things you can think now that Maeve has repeated them back to you. But the thought slips away, because now Maeve is an inch away, her tall body curving over you, and her hands are cupping your face and oh my god she is actually really for real going to kiss you.

Her lips brush over yours, soft and sweet. Your breath hitches.

The door opens down the hall. As your relatives step out of the sewing room, Maeve crushes your lips under hers. Her hands slip into your hair, your arms wind around her neck, you pull her down, closer, closer, and now you’re kissing her back, your fingers playing in her hair just because they can, your eyes closed, your skin glorying in the warmth of her breath, the press of her body against yours.

Behind you, Luc’s shitty wife makes a sound of disgust and says, “Oh my god, get a room!” Your mother hisses, “Do you want to give your grandmother a heart attack? Right outside her sewing room!”

But (a) your grandma is safely outside by the grill, far away from the sudden make-out session, and (b) your grandma, if she saw you kissing a pretty girl, would almost certainly say something along the lines of “isn’t that sweet!” or “good for them!” And frankly you don’t remember why it was important to kiss Maeve where your mother and cousin-in-law would see it. Or whether there was a point to kissing Maeve at all, unless kissing Maeve was the point.

Your brain is preoccupied with Maeve’s lips on yours, her hands cradling your head, your body crushed beneath hers. But as your relatives slink past and disappear, as the sliding door in the kitchen opens and slams, as Maeve goes on kissing you like her life depends on it, as you fail to say something along the lines of okay we can stop now—as you fail to say, in fact, anything at all—you think, distantly: maybe this dating is less fake than I thought.

[ittybittyito]

The Innocent Two Faced Cat

Notes: MINORS DNI!! This fanfic will be about an AU if we were able to romance Avery from Colored Gaze! Please check out their game!(This will contain spoilers as chapters 1 and 2 will be mostly based off the demo before going off on imagination) This is my first fanfic so it might not be very good but I hope you enjoy ^^

Chapter 1

Waking up from your peaceful nap to the loud alarm going off your phone. You groan while getting up slowly before getting ready for work. “You need the money Y/N, we got this! Gotta stay positive!” you tell yourself with energy before letting out a small sigh as you change. Staying positive is harder said than done especially with all these memories of the past haunting you these past few nights.You started to pick up the pace as you realized the time when you took a glance at your phone.

…..

“FUCKKKK”, you thought as you stuffed all the things you needed in your bag before hastily sliding on shoes and booking it out of your small apartment.

Running through the dark streets of the night, people who saw you run by were confused as it probably looked like you were being chased by the boogeyman. You didn’t notice how fast you were going as you were so focused on not being late because of how you really needed this job. When you got to the block where the convenience store was, you started to slow down while trying to catch your breath. You took out your phone to check the time, sighing in relief as you actually got to work 3 minutes early.

Your body felt extremely exhausted after what felt like a whole marathon run, you couldn’t help but groan. You stared at your phone a bit more as you dragged yourself to work, it was strange how Avery didn’t message or call you about getting to work today as he would do it very often.

“Maybe he’s busy talking to one of his many “lovers”, he has more than your fingers could count” you thought as you put away your phone as you entered the store.

You spotted Avery, who was behind the counter as soon as you entered the store and he looked very annoyed.

It seemed like he was cursing the world as he glared at you. You never did anything to offend or annoy him before so it puzzled you as to why he was looking at you in such a way. Perhaps something bad happened to him today and he was just taking out his anger on you with his look. You hurried over to the staff room to get ready for your shift as you realized that you forgot to tell him that you were coming to work. After changing, you opened the door to see Avery still standing there.

“Sorry Avery, I forgot to text you when I was coming. You can clock out and enjoy the rest of the night now”, you said to Avery with a small smile while you slid next to him behind the counter.

I can’t”, he mutters under his breath.

You couldn’t hear him clearly and saw that he didn’t move a muscle, staring at the automatic doors so you thought that he might��ve not heard you.

“Avery you can go no-” you were cut off by his loud groaning as he ran his hand through his hair in frustration before looking straight at you.

“I CAN’T leave Y/N, I’m stuck here for an extra shift for the next two months because I FUCKING broke the fridge by accident! This is so fucking stupid, it’s not like I meant to and now I have to work without pay until I pay off everything with this goddamn job. My stupid uncle won’t even accept any other payment and wants me to work hard to pay it all off. I’m literally trapped here instead of going on all the dates I had planned! It was already annoying enough with some of my lovers and my stupid family.”

You were taken back as he practically shouted everything at you as you stood there, wondering how he even broke the fridge in the first place.

You were never close to Avery due to only meeting at the convenience store briefly and you didn’t agree with his fake personality for his scammy dating tactics. Despite knowing all that, for some weird reason, you didn’t actually think of him as a bad person and didn’t mind his presence too much besides some of his nagging moments. In a way, you almost felt bad for him. Who knows how many people actually accept him as himself and not this character he built.

“Oh um, sorry to hear that. At least you won’t be alone during the spooky nights?”, you said while trying to lighten up the mood with an awkward smile. Avery scoffed and started to head to the staff room.

“Stay here and take care of the store. I have to cancel the dates and visits I had planned for this week around this time” he said before slamming the staff door shut behind him.

You let out a sigh as you hoped that he won’t be this way for all the shifts to come. You take care of the few customers that come in shortly after. The time always seemed to pass so slowly during your boring shifts as if it was agonizing you. Avery still didn’t come out of the staff room, although you can already figure out that he probably won’t come out until the end of this shift to leave.

You started to doodle in a small blank book you packed in your bag as there hasn’t been a customer in about an hour. “Ugh every shift is so boring and scary because of how dark it is outside. I can’t wait to get back to my apartment and rest”, you mutter to yourself until you hear the automatic doors open and spot a tall man covered in black walk in and roams around the store.

You straighten your posture, watching the stranger as thoughts raced around in your mind. You remembered how the news was filled with thefts that happened at stores during night recently and how terrible some of the outcomes were for the victims. You hoped that it would never happen to you but now you’re not sure and stranger’s height was intimidating.

The thoughts and nervousness started to heat up your body as you imagined all the scenarios that could happen if you get robbed and how you could die. You snapped back into reality as the man was now in front of you with his hand pointing behind you.

“Huff n’ puff” he says from behind his mask.

You stammer around a bit while looking back and forth between the man and the item he was pointing to.

“Oh-um of course sir!” you replied a bit loudly before quickly grabbing it and ringing it with the piece of candy he left on the counter. “Will that…be it?”, you say slowly as you make eye contact with the tall stranger. His beautiful red eyes mesmerized you, causing you to stare for a while before he snaps you back into reality once again, asking if you’re okay. You felt your face flush and started to ramble as you were trying to get your act together.

“OH! Yea I’m fine sorry, I just thought that your eyes are really pretty so I couldn’t help it. The total will be $20 and sorry for forgetting to welcome you.” You shut your mouth quickly after and looked down slightly as you felt yourself dying inside with embarrassment.

You felt so embarrassed and guilty for suspecting him to be a violent thief and how you blurted out how you were just staring at his beautiful eyes.

He lets out a small soft laugh behind his mask, causing you to glance up with your flushed cheeks.

“No it’s okay. I’m flattered. I don’t hear that often. What’s your name?” he says amused while slowly reaching out for a $50 bill. Both of your attentions are then drawn to the door of the staff room opening as Avery exclaims, “Y/N! Come deal with this new deliv-”, pausing as he made eye contact with the tall red eyed man.

“Seth what the fuck are you doing here? Are you stalking me for an apology or something?” with an annoyed tone while walking over. Seth then puts away the $50 bill and places $20 in your hands for you to put inside the cash register.

“Sorry about this Y/N, you should go do the thing Avery said. This won’t be pretty for you”, he whispers to you before you slightly nod and finish up your business. You didn’t want to get stuck between some mess you have no idea about so you hurried to the staff room to meet what seems to be a new person, just awkwardly standing there after Avery left him abruptly.

[jamespotterthefirst]

Always Beautiful (Ethan x MC)

Book: Open Heart, book 1 Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Lilac Allende) Word count: 950 Warning: Brief language and a slightly jealous Dr. Dumbass Premise: After a long shift, she feels less than appealing. Ethan thinks she’s still beautiful, but someone else tells her as much before he can. 

Note: Thank you @peonierose​​ for the beautiful prompt! 

“Come on, Lil! Get in here!”

Ethan passes the staff lounge in time to see Lahela, crouching down ridiculously in front of a gaggle of interns, all displaying ridiculous poses. His arm is outstretched, holding a cellphone aloft. He beckons to someone by the fridge, urging them to get in the shot.

“I don't look camera ready at all,” Lilac protests.

Lahela waives a dismissive hand. “You look great for a ten hour shift.”

“Ouch,” Varma says from the crowd. “That just means you look less like shit than the rest of us.”

The group dissolves into a cacophony of debate. It promptly ends when Trinh breaks away from the group and pulls Lilac by the arm. Before she can protest, Lahela repositions the phone in front of them.

From where he stands, he can see Lilac self-consciously adjusting her high ponytail right before the surgeon snaps the picture.

"Delete that,” Lilac laughs when she studies the screen soon after. “I look hideous, like I haven't slept in days!”

Ethan shifts on his feet, opening his mouth as though to argue. He remembers he's outside the staff lounge and doing so would attract curious, maybe even alarmed looks. Pressing his lips together, he flips a page on the patient record he holds to maintain the illusion that he's studying a chart and not longing for one of his interns.

“You look great, Lilac,” an quiet but admiring voice says from the fray.

Ethan glances up and identifies the speaker as a tall, handsome, bespectacled intern whose name he cannot remember. He's not one of the interns that typically hangs out with Lilac, but Ethan has seen him hovering around her before. Irritated, he wonders if he always has that idiotic, bewitched look his face or if he just reserves that for her.

Lilac's pager interrupts any response. With a hasty goodbye, she exits the room, completely missing Ethan in her haste. Much to Ethan's dismay, he catches the way the bespectacled intern follows her with his gaze.

Later, he's in a desolate conference room with Lilac sifting through a mountain of patient files. The vast space is ideal during the evening shift since anyone rarely uses it for its intended purpose. Over the past few weeks, it had served as their preferred workspace.

“What?” she asks when she catches him staring.

Ethan had been too preoccupied studying the delicate planes of her face. It's true that after over twelve hours of hard labor, she looks pale and exhausted. However, Ethan thoroughly disagrees with her assessment that she looks “hideous.”

“I didn't know you wore glasses,” he says instead.

She pushes them higher on the bridge of her nose. “I only wear them for paperwork or when my head starts hurting.”

“They suit you.”

The simple compliment startles her.

“You look—”

There's a knock at the door.

“Oh!”

It's Spectacles from earlier, looking taken aback to see Ethan. “Sorry, Dr. Ramsey. I was looking for Dr. Allende. I always see her in here at this time so I thought—”

Ethan doesn't reply, privately enjoying watching the intern stumble over his words.

“She's here. But she's busy completing her work, which is more than can be said for you.”

The intern nods, alarmed by the truth in Ethan's words. Before he turns on his heel, he brandishes a piece of paper from his pocket. Unsure of what else to do, he holds it out to Ethan.

“Could you give her this?”

By the time Ethan finishes reading three words scribbled there, Spectacles has wisely disappeared.

“Who was it?”

“An admirer of yours.”

Lilac glances up from her work at breakneck speed. “Who?”

“Tall, dark hair, glasses.”

“That sounds like Ben.”

“You should tell Ben that I'm not his messenger or mail carrier.”

At her confused frown, he sets the note in front of her. Lilac reads it and blushes in a way he would have found endearing in any other situation. Ethan glances at the three words, clearly shining in black ink from where he stands:

You're always beautiful.

“That was… nice of him,” Lilac comments when the silence has stretched for too long.

Ethan scoffs.

“He's a great guy for doing this,” she continues.

“For abandoning his duties to interrupt your own?”

“No, for taking the time to write this.”

She waves the note in front of him, as though the damn thing wasn't already impossible to ignore.

“Let's not praise him for stating the obvious, Rookie,” Ethan returns dryly. “It doesn't take a genius to make that assessment.”

By the time he meets her eye again, Lilac has gone very still, her expression set into one of stunned surprise.

“What?” he asks.

His pager interrupts any reply. Ethan glances down at it and sighs. “I trust you can finish this on your own?”

Strangely, Lilac is still frozen in slight shock. A small nod is her reply when she recovers enough. When Ethan exits the conference room, he is just as befuddled as she is for the strange and inexplicable reaction.

It isn't until he's in the elevator, on his way to the sixth floor, that his own words catch up to him.

“Let's not praise him for stating the obvious, Rookie. It doesn't take a genius to make that assessment.”

The obvious.

The fact that Lilac Allende is the most beautiful person Ethan has ever beheld has always been obvious to him. Lilac, however, had no idea Ethan thought messy ponytails and undereye bags had little effect on how stunning she was, so hearing him proclaim it so casually would have definitely been a shock. God, could he have been more of a careless idiot? He might as well have confessed how she's the only thing that occupies his mind on most days.

With teeth grit tightly, Ethan presses his hand to his forehead.

“Damn it.”

Note: Thank you so much for reading!

[catierambles]

Shades Ch.7

Pairing: Walter Marshall x Faith Culver (Vampire!OFC)

WC 1766

Warnings: Mentions of violence and organized crime

@brattymum96 , @ouroboros113 , @peaches1958 , @summersong69 , @henryownsme

If you want to get tagged in this specifically, let me know.

They never did end up having that talk, at least not when they woke up or any day after. The case surrounding her bar went cold as while they had their suspicions, they didn’t have any evidence and without evidence, they wouldn’t be able to get an indictment or even arrest her for anything. The surveillance on her house was lifted and the bar was reopened a couple of weeks before Christmas. Walter spent most of his time at her place, as it beat spending it alone at his or at the station. He ended up crashing out in her bed more times than he cared to admit while she played some game on her computer, or watched movies out in the living room. Despite not really needing it, the bed was insanely comfortable, more than his own, and the nights he spent there were some of the best sleep he had.

“What’re you doing for Christmas?” Faith asked one night as they sat at the dining room table, him eating from a container of Chinese food while she sipped at a brown glass bottle from her fridge.

“I usually spend it with my daughter, but I’m guessing that’s not going to happen this year.” Walter said somewhat sullenly. “Why?”

“While the bar isn’t open the day itself, I do have something of a party for members of staff who don’t have a family either nearby or at all to spend it with that night.” She said, “Was wondering if you’d like to grace us with your presence.”

“I’d like that.” Walter said, “I’d just be spending it by myself in my apartment anyway. Dress code?”

“Comfy, but ugly Christmas sweaters are highly encouraged.” She said, “I have a llama one that I wear.”

“A llama?”

“It’s hideous, but I love it.” She said and he snorted.

“Should I bring anything?”

“It’s potluck style for everyone else who can eat, so if you want to bring something by all means. Even if it’s just a dessert.” She said and he nodded.

“I’ll be there.” He said with a small smile.

“It starts at 7 pm but feel free to show up whenever.” She said.

“I noticed you don’t decorate.” He said and he was right, there wasn’t a light or an ornament to be found in the house.

“Not much sense when it’s just me.” Faith said, “I make sure the bar is and should be before the party. Would have been long before now if it hadn’t taken its sweet time being released as a crime scene.” He stared at her for a moment, squinting slightly. “What?”

“You’ve always had a bar, right?” He asked and she nodded.

“In one form or another, yeah.”

“Even during Prohibition?” He asked and she snorted, setting the bottle down and getting up from the table, and heading over to her bookcase. She pulled a different photo album out than the one he had flipped through and opened it, turning through the pages before she found what she was looking for and walking back over to the table. He pushed the food container aside as she set it down and his eyes went to the old-timey mugshot featured in the center of the page. She was sitting in a chair, dressed in a rather bespoke dress cut in the fashion of the time, the words “R.DOYLE” scrawled above her in what looked like a white pen. “R. Doyle?”

“Rebecca Doyle.” She said, “It’s what I went by back then.”

“What were you arrested for?”

“The illegal distribution of a federally controlled substance.”

“You ran a speakeasy, in other words.” He said and she nodded with a proud smile. “You do any time?”

“No.” She said with a snort, “Paid a hefty fine, though. Well, hefty for the time. The judge was a regular of mine, it’s the only reason why I got off so light. Publicly, he supported Prohibition, but the man loved his gin.”

“Good old corruption.” Walter said, “Ever run into organized crime?”

“Sometimes.” She said, “Extortion rackets were common back then. Protection money or a cut of profits so “accidents” didn’t happen.”

“How’d you handle it?”  He asked.

“By doing things I am not proud of now, but were necessary back then.”

“Such as?”

“Do you really want me to answer that question?” Faith asked, giving him a look and he thought for a moment.

“No,” He said finally, “No, I’m good.” He went to take the photo out of the sleeve, but stopped, looking up at her. “Can I?”

“Go ahead.” She said and he took it out, turning it over and seeing a location and date stamped on the back, making a mental note of it before putting it back again.

“Any other arrests I should be aware of?” Walter asked as he closed the album and she snorted again with a smile.

“No, Walter, that was the only one.” She said, “For reasons which I hope are obvious, I try to keep a low profile.”

Walter sat in his office the next day, working on his computer and doing a nationwide search for Rebecca Doyle, putting in the city name and the date that had been on the back of the photo. Her mugshot was the first thing to come up, as well as scans of the arresting police report, but there was an odd link in one of them and he clicked on it, the page changing over to a different mugshot, this one of a group with initials written above each man. His work phone rang and he picked it up.

“Marshall.” He said into it, still looking at his computer screen.

“Lieutenant Marshall? This is Lieutenant Hagan with the Port City Organized Crime Division.” He heard and he scowled slightly.

“How can I help you, Lieutenant?”

“Lieutenant, your credentials were used to access the Rebecca Doyle files?”

“Uh…yeah, I’m looking at them right now.”

“It’s nothing bad, Lt, Rebecca Doyle is a bit of a local legend in the office, so I was just surprised when an out of towner started looking into her. Thought I would reach out.” Hagan said, amusement in his voice.

“Local legend, how?” Walter asked.

“She’s a mystery, and I like mysteries.” Hagan said, “The first time the name Rebecca Doyle appeared in the records was back in 1923 when she was arrested for running an illegal bar here in Port City, officially anyway, but I think she was connected to organized crime.”

“Connected how?”

“Paul Constanza, also known as Paulie C was a low level hustler when Prohibition started, loosely affiliated with the Italian mafia. No one important, really.”

“Okay.”

“Then in one night, he goes from a small fry to a very big fish. The head of the local family and all his Lieutenants were killed in a spectacular display of violence, only Paulie C and his guys weren’t there when it went down.”

“So they got promoted.”

“That’s right. He was put up as the head of the local family in Port City and given everything he could ever need to make it work.”

“And the higher ups never suspected he was behind it?”

“Apparently Paulie and his boys were away from the club house that night on an errand the former boss had sent them out on at the last minute. There was no way he could have planned it ahead of time.”

“What’s this have to do with Rebecca Doyle?”

“Informant reports from the time state that Paulie gave strict instructions that Rebecca Doyle was off limits. The informant just figured she was Paulie’s dame, sorry, girlfriend, but I don’t think so. I think she was his partner.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Rebecca Doyle had a reputation for running one hell of an establishment. Girls, booze, anything you wanted to have a good time, she could get it for you. Besides one instance of her getting arrested, there was nothing, so she had to have had some high ranking law enforcement in her pocket. Bribes and blackmail were the name of the game back then, and she played very well.”

“Going back to Paulie C…”

“He said she was off limits, again, they thought she was his mistress, but I think it was a thank you for other services rendered.”

“You think she took out the former boss and his goons.”

“Don’t know how, but yeah, I do.” Hagan said, “She wasn’t blacklisted until after Paulie C took over, but there aren’t any records of if the former boss tried to run a racket on her. If he did and she took exception, she might have partnered up with Paulie to get rid of the boss and put him up as leader, with the stipulation that they left her alone. Rebecca Doyle was a scary tough broad, had to be to survive in that world.”

“So what happened that made her a local legend?”

“Besides the aforementioned? There’s informant records that state that at some point, they had a falling out and Paulie sent guys to her place to try to intimidate her, probably because Paulie got paranoid that she was going to turn on him. They got sent back in pieces.”

“Holy shit.”

“Yeah, then one night, Paulie and his entire crew were killed and the clubhouse burned to the ground.”

“Fuck.” Walter said, rubbing a hand over his beard. “And Rebecca Doyle? Was she ever questioned about it?”

“She vanished the same night, never seen or heard from again, like she never existed.” Hagan said and Walter sighed, his mind running over the information. “Enough story time, although I could theorize about Rebecca Doyle all day, what had you look into her file?”

“I um…” He faltered, “I think I know her great-granddaughter. She has a copy of Rebecca Doyle’s mugshot in photo album.”

“No shit, really?” Hagan asked. “What’s her name?”

“Faith.” Walter said, “Faith Culver.”

“Let me look her up, one second.” Hagan said, “No priors, but I found a DMV photo. Holy shit, they could be sisters, if not twins.”

“Yeah, strong genetics in that family, she looks exactly like her mom did at her age.”

“Yeah, no kidding.” Hagan said, “I might need to swing by your neighborhood sometime, see if she has any stories to tell about her.”

“Well, thanks for the history lesson.” Walter said.

“No problem, Lt, like I said, I could theorycraft about Rebecca Doyle all day.” He said and they said their goodbyes, Walter hanging up the phone and leaning back in his chair with a sigh.

[changingplumbob]

Villareal Household: Chapter 4, Part 1

Context: Luna and Devin were able to conceive despite both being female, the wonders of game code, and Luna is expecting twin boys. PandaSama has the most amazing Child Birth Mod for sims 4 and this part would not be possible without it. So happy it exists!

First part of the Villareal's is up. After a paused pregnancy it's finally time for Luna to give birth. Luna and Devin pass time at the hospital until they can welcome their sons. I took an abundance of birthing screenshots. Again massive thanks to PandaSama and the Child Birth Mod!

Time for a change of pace with a smaller household in the suburbs of Del Sol Valley. It's a calm Autumn morning when-

Luna: DEVIN

Devin: Hmm, what, I'm up

Luna: I think it's time

Devin: Time, right now? At 3 in the morning

Luna: I don't think they know time yet

Devin: Right, remain calm, remain calm

Devin: HELP! My wife is in labour, is anyone here

Luna: Let's get to the waiting room

Devin: Upstairs? In your condition

Luna: I'll be fine, maybe it'll help stimulate contractions

So the pair go upstairs. They make it to the top just in time for Luna's water to break in the corridor.

Luna will be attended by Dr Farias (pictured) who safely delivered Pollock Knightstone and Dr Eriksson who safely delivered Savannah and Mercedes Chopra.

Farias: Ready for your epidural

Luna: It won't hurt them will it

Farias: Not a bit, just let us know if it's not working

Luna: I... I think it is

Farias: Believe me, if it went wrong you would know

Devin: Thanks

Farias: You'll want to make yourself comfortable, labour can take some time

Luna: How much time, the Dr that did our ultrasound didn't say

Farias: I had a patient who gave birth in 12 hours but we have had a labour last over 2 days

(It was Fergus Pancakes, his labour took an eternity and a half)

Luna: 2 days! Schatz I can't be stuck like this for 2 days

Devin: 2 days isn't a certainty

Luna: Tomorrow is Harvestfest and we have plans, I haven't seen my brothers in forever

Devin: If all else fails we'll invite them to the hospital. Is there anything I can do to help

Luna: I did see something

The room has a yoga ball that Luna can use for exercises but at the moment she's dazed so Devin gives her a back massage

Devin: Is here the right spot

Luna: Maybe, it just all hurts

Devin: I'm sorry amore

Farias: Try a bit lower

Devin: Like this

Luna: Yes, it's definitely sore there too

Devin: Is the pain still there

Luna: Schatz I'm in labour, of course there's still pain

Devin: If you want I could do that thing with my tongue and-

Luna: Devin! We're in a public hospital. Paparazzi could be anywhere

Devin: Sorry! I just want to help you amore

Luna: Think you can find some food?

Devin races off

Turns out the ready meal vending option requires a microwave which is... not in the cafeteria. While Devin blatantly disregards the staff only signs Luna tries out some exercises. Suddenly I spot it. A mini fridge right in the room. Thank you original builder! Childish Luna has a pb&j sandwich.

Devin: I'm back! And you found a sandwich

Luna: I did, sorry I sent you searching

Devin: You do not need to be sorry. I could only purchase vending food for myself not storage. I tried

Luna: I know you would have

Devin: I just feel so useless

Luna: You just being here helps

Devin: It does

Luna: Yes

The next time Dr Farias checks in Luna is resting soundly and Devin has had a costume change before having a nap of her own. Luna can't seem to sleep for long though and pain wakes her sooner rather than later. She's hungry again. She knows her wife wants to help but Devin looks so peaceful.

She can't bear to wake her knowing the twins will be disrupting sleep soon enough. As quietly as a person in labour can she slides from the bed and grabs a bowl of cereal.

Devin: What are you doing

Luna: Getting food, you were asleep

Devin: I would have got up. Please Lu, you have to let me help

Luna: Sway with me, that'll help

Devin: Is the pain still bad

Luna: I was able to sleep for a bit but this pressure, it hurts

Devin: I'm so sorry

Luna: Don't be schatz. It's a miracle that you and me could make these twins. My biggest fear after mum disappeared was being left alone

Devin: It was?

Luna: I'm may be older than you but accidents happen. With our kids, I shouldn't ever be alone

Devin: Hey now, nothing is going to happen to me

Luna: Because you think you're the watchers favourite

Devin: Exactly, I'll be with you forever amore

Luna: I wish I believed in them

Devin: I'll believe for the both of us

Dr E: How are you dear

Luna: It must be go time by now right

Dr E: Let me check. Sorry dear, only 6cm dialated, we need 10

Luna: Bother

Dr E: Why not try a small walk, it helps some patients

Luna: I guess

Meanwhile Devin is again using staff facilities to work out to prep for her next acting gig.

Full disclosure, I did NOT build this hospital. It was EA ID: Corrinus. I just changed one of the birth rooms into an ultrasound office upstairs. I'll probably need to renovate if a sim wants to become a doctor but this works well for now. Luna checks out some rooms wishing it was birthing time.

After walking in circles she returns to the main room. She decides to have another go on the yoga ball, she wants to be home for Harvestfest. Maybe she can exercise the twins out. Devin having finished her exercise turns to practicing her lines for the gig. It's a cop drama this time.

Devin grabs some food and checks on her wife.

Devin: Hey you had a costume change to

Luna: You inspire me

Devin: As I should

Luna: It's so weird having boobs this big

Devin: I think you naturally have the flattest chest of any woman in game and I kind of miss it

Luna: Me to, I hope I can get back

Devin: If you can, you can. If you can't, you can't. We'll adjust and I love you no matter what you look like

Luna: Devin

Devin: I know, I know. I'm meant to say you're beautiful and glowing and you totally are

Luna: Devin

Devin: And we both know I'm hot and have the most perfect boobs-

Luna: DEVIN

Devin: What's wrong

Luna: I think it's actually go time

Devin: Oh damn like pushing time

Luna: Yeah

Devin: Okay okay, don't move, I'll find the Dr

Luna: We can meet her in the theatre

Devin: Right yep

Sure enough Dr Eriksson is ready and waiting in theatre for Luna who is fully dilated

Dr E: Hold on just a second

Devin: What's wrong, is the baby okay

Dr E: I was just checking, yes he seems to be in the right position. It's safe to push

Luna: Ooof, oh this feels so weird, you definitely wouldn't like being pregnant

Devin: I knew it. You can do this amore mio, I believe in you

The delivery is not like Luna expected. More pressure and less breathing breaks. It isn't long before she's completely exhausted.

Luna: I don't think I can do it

Devin: Sure you can, you want to meet your sons don't you

Luna: I want... to meet... our sons!

Devin: Then keep pushing

Dr E: We have a head

A total 14 hours of labour, not quite record breaking, and we have twin 1

Luna: Oh look at him

Devin: He's so small, the ones we get on set are never this small

Dr E: He'll grow soon enough, don't worry

Luna: Alfred

Devin: Really Lu

Luna: I do like his movies that you showed me, the master of suspense

Devin: We'll see

Luna: One... more... push

Dr E: Here's boy 2

Luna: Boy 2

Dr E: Well done dear

Devin: You did it amore mio

Luna: He's just as beautiful

Devin: Rilian

Luna: You mean it

Devin: It's a unique name from those books you love, I’ll love it, and him

Luna: Our boys, Alfred and Rilian, the best blend of me and you

Dr E: I'll give you all a moment while I fill in the paperwork

Devin: I can't believe they're finally here

Luna: I'm sure I was pregnant for years

Devin: Do you know how proud I am of you

Luna: Schatz

Devin: I mean it. You grew these two boys and gave birth and I love you and them

Luna: Our family

Previous Part (New Goth) ... Next Part

[cloudbattrolls]

Everything, Everything

Ullane looked up from the operating table, her hands covered in red blood, her face streaked with sweat and grime. She lowered her medical mask, spattered with blood and other fluids.

Readings glowed a stable, gentle green on the machines surrounding the human child. She’d had to do the stabilization almost entirely herself, aside from robotic assistance and help from Friday.

It wasn’t as if she could trust most of the clinic staff with an alien. Especially one that had just lost an arm.

Though Ailene was so fascinatingly similar to a troll, the hornless girl’s resemblance to trollkind almost eerie. As if she was a mimic.

One like her gruesome caretaker.

Right now the child was unconscious, recovering thanks to Ullane’s own psiionics, regenerative serum, and - she would reluctantly admit - Vannyn’s quick thinking. Sealing the wound with skin from their worms was creative, and it had certainly allowed Ailene to survive the flight to the clinic.

Not that the healing process would be easy. Loss of a limb - especially at this age - was always a painful, messy process. Ailene would need check-ups and likely to have assistance coping with the following trauma.

At the moment, she needed rest. So did the yellowblood.

First, though, she had to speak to the worm swarm.

They were on the phone to someone, sitting alone in the room she’d ushered them into, speaking quietly. They sat on a simple gray plastic chair, posture tight with their free hand clenched in their lap over their black pants.

“Yes, I found her...no, she’s not well...feed my snails, please, we’ll have to stay overday. Thank you, Srevni.” They sighed and hung up, their long ears drooping, then looked over and noticed her.

Their bright green eyes had always unsettled Ullane, but there was nothing in them to be afraid of now. Only a deep weariness and concern, a frightened anticipation as they leaned forward, clearly aching to know what had happened.

“She’ll live. But yes, she’ll be here at least a few days.” Said Ullane calmly and directly, running a hand through her hair.

The smell of blood still lingered, and she marveled that it didn’t seem to bother Vannyn, though they had a medical mask on themself as a precaution.

“Thank you.” They murmured. “Thank you...I...I will need to speak to my kismesis, I’m afraid I’m a little low on funds at the moment...”

“Don’t you work for Latrai as well?” asked Ullane, neutral but curious.

“Sometimes...” said the rainbowdrinker absently, looking at the wall instead of the lowblood’s face. “She has other people to look after her. She’s involved in some spaceship company mess at the moment, she’s hardly going anywhere she’d need me for...Amdzah is there, and her new assistant she’s very fond of...Chimer will be fine. How is Ailene?”

“Stable. She likely won’t wake up for a while, we’ve set up IVs and will see she’s clean. Luckily her cells aren’t too different from our own.”

“Good, good.” They murmured, still seeming slightly out of it. “Very good. Now. Do you have any spare blood around here? I am on...very heavy appetite suppressants at the moment, as it took a great deal of energy to fly here quickly. It’s fine if you can’t provide, but then, I will need to go elsewhere...”

Ullane’s lip curled in instinctive disgust, but then she sighed. She couldn’t blame Vannyn for asking.

“We need it for transfusions. However. Come with me.”

Part of her screamed that she was insane as she led the worm swarm along, to the part of the clinic that was all gleaming laboratories and fridges full of samples, engineering technology side by side with biological wonders in tanks.

At least, she considered them wonders.

An opinion many trolls did not share.

“Ah, reminds me of Nott...” They said, a bit vaguely. “Except so much more. You’ve really moved up in the world, haven’t you...”

She snorted.

“Administrator as well as medic. Nothing special.” She dismissed.

Vannyn looked at her curiously, but didn’t comment as she walked briskly to a specific fridge and pulled out what looked like half of a corpse...except no, it smelled wrong to the rainbowdrinker. That pale flesh now placed on a rolling cart had never been truly alive...yet, it was not dead.

As Ullane pushed it across the floor and hooked it up to a biowire rig with clicks and presses of buttons, they could smell the life from it...but it was not natural.

Then she sparked, pinkish-red, her eyes lighting up, and she pumped life into her creation, sparking the electricity in its brain, starting its pulse.

It had blood. Real, flowing blood.

Tuuya hardly registered ripping their mask off before they practically leapt over to it and sunk their needle-like fangs into its neck, sucking up nearly all its blood in seconds. It went limp, almost crumpled in on itself.

Ullane once more felt disgusted, but far better this than a real troll.

They delicately wiped their mouth with a handkerchief they took out from their sylladex before putting it in their pocket.

“Ah, it has a strange taste, but it works. Though I could use at least four more of those...what is this? An artificial helm?”

The yellowblood nodded.

“Do you, ah...have others?”

Ullane had three artificial helms that were in proper shape for Vannyn to feed on, and she sighed as she calculated how much time it would take to repair them. At least regenerative serum would make it a matter of nights, not weeks.

Tuuya looked far more alert after eating, and gave the mediculler a closed-mouth smile.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” Muttered Ullane, completely serious.

They laughed lightly.

“Easily done...I imagine you need rest. Don’t mind me, I won’t bother anyone. Except to say hello to Ashe, if he’s around.”

She looked at them as they turned to leave the laboratory.

“How do you do it?”

She said.

They blinked.

“Do what?”

“People love you.” She muttered. “You have this whole...group, quadrants and children...friends...so many people know you and like you. You don’t even pretend to be a troll as much anymore. How? How can you do it, and I...”

She shook her head.

“Forget it.”

A look of gentle sympathy spread over the false jade’s face, and they gave her their full attention.

“You have friends, mustardseed.” They said, the nickname they’d once said bitterly, mockingly now so soft in their sharp mouth. “You do. Ashe adores you...Thrixe likes you very much. Glasya, too. Doubtless there are others I’ve no idea about.”

She looked at them.

“I killed a cavern of traitor jades. I helped make weapons that kill people, worse, that threaten them, make them live in fear of QPIN...I’ve cut open the thinking undead because...because holding what made them think in my hands made me feel like I had some control. I...I let an alien rip open Thrixe’s skull once, eat part of his brain. He ran away, he became a full horrorterror for the first time...I...I...”

Yellow tears leaked out of her eyes as her voice became deeper and rougher, her usual carefully trained higher tone slipping away.

“I hurt someone I love...even if I didn’t love him then, I hurt him so much...I was bad to Cheran...”

She clenched her fists, digging her nails into her flesh hard enough to bleed. She didn’t care it was in front of Vannyn. What did it matter.

“I go and I talk about what I’ve done and how to fix it and how to be better and how to not hurt people and how, how, how to do everything right, and nothing makes me feel like I am better.”

She punched the wall of the lab, bruising her bleeding hand, hardly caring about the pain. She could heal. She could always heal.

She could fix anything.

Except what really mattered.

“That’s because you’re waiting for something that won’t come, mustardseed. You’re waiting for an answer...there aren’t any. There never are, for people like us...there is no way to make sense of our atrocities.” They said, gentle but blunt, hands clasped in front of them.

“We are terrible people, and we must live with it...breathe it, every night, never let ourselves forget. But...we can’t let that stop us from living. I think...you are afraid to live, because you are so much more familiar with death, with killing as much of yourself as you need for ambition, for survival...for control, really.”

She laughed, slightly hysterical.

“If I could kill as much as I needed to be someone different, I would! What is there here, Vannyn...? What is this person? Clever, useful, but what is she? I don’t know.”

“No one can decide that but you.” They said with mild amusement. “You keep hoping you can see yourself reflected in what you do...I think you need a different mirror, mustardseed. I think...you should go away for a time, work elsewhere, at the very least. Ask Chimer for help. She’s good with this sort of thing.”

Ullane breathed deeply, in and out.

“Yes. You may be right. I am a medic. Always, a medic. But...what else?”

“You’ll just have to find out.” They said, amused, and walked out the door.

Ullane watched them go and stood alone in her laboratory, then looked at the biowire rig behind her.

An experiment. Everything was an experiment to learn from, if only she approached it the right way.

Everything.

Maybe that was her problem.

[uknowyato]

Hatori Yoshiyuki no baai volume 1: chapter 3

Disclaimer:‌‌ ‌‌I‌ ‌do‌ ‌not‌ ‌own‌ ‌Sekaiichi‌ ‌Hatsukoi,‌ Hatori Yoshiyuki no baai ‌and the characters within the stories. Please support Shungiku Nakamura by purchasing the official emerald releases. Thank you!

Raw cre‌dits go to the lovely Vera and Froggy!

Proofreader: Akane

"…It’s getting cold.” Hatori tugged at the collar of his coat to protect himself from the blowing wind. It looked like it might actually start to snow.

His body, warmed by the alcohol, had already cooled down. Hatori hurried from the station to his apartment.

Today was the last day of work, and he had a year-end party with the editorial staff.

They thanked each other for their hard work over the past year and broke up after the first meeting. He had been drinking without much appetite, but now he felt a little hungry.

I should have eaten well.

Hatori took out his room key from his bag and opened the front door to find the light on. He was sure that he hadn't forgotten to turn it off when he left the house. So, there was only one conclusion.

“Welcome back.”

“Yoshino.”

Yoshino came out from the living room to greet him. As expected, Yoshino had used a duplicate key to get in. He had changed into more *comfortable clothing and seemed to be completely relaxed.

It had been a long time since Yoshino was in Hatori's room. He said that he felt more at home in his neat and tidy room than in Yoshino’s messy one.

Hatori somehow thought it would go away as he grew older, but the habit still persisted.

“What took you so long?”

“The editorial department had a year-end party. Did you say you were coming over today?”

He searched through his memory, wondering if he had forgotten his promise.

“You don't have to say anything, you can just show up. I'm here to discuss color composition.”

Yoshino’s shoulders slumped, he looked disappointed. 

“In other words, you've come to eat.” He guessed it was a pretext to ask for advice on the composition.

“That's why I'm asking about composition!”

“Okay, okay. So, how hungry are you?”

“Hmm, not really hungry.”

“I don't have many ingredients, so I can't make anything more than a simple meal.”

“I don't care what it is, anything Tori cooks is good.” The way Yoshino was waiting for his food, like a baby bird, was so funny that Hatori’s mouth slackened.

“What are you laughing at?”

“Nothing. I just thought that nothing has changed since the old days.”

He took off his coat and jacket, washed his hands, and scavenged for food. Hatori looked into the refrigerator and saw that it did not contain any good food.

There’s really nothing here… 

Hatori was always careful not to run out of food in Yoshino's kitchen, where he kept his purse for food, but he tends to neglect his kitchen at home.

Even at home, he replenished stock when he had time, but he tended to neglect it before finishing proofreading.

It wasn’t a hassle to cook a meal for Yoshino, but at home he always ended up with something simple. Hatori liked to cook, but it was only because he had someone who would eat it and say it was delicious.

The only things Hatori had in the fridge were eggs and some fried tofu that he was going to use for miso soup. The rest was just milk. Lately, he had been having breakfast at the café in front of his apartment.

Do I have any dried food left?

When he peeked into the shelf, he found some dried udon noodles that his mother had sent from her travels. If Hatori boiled it, it would be enough for two people.

“Yoshino, is udon okay?”

“Yeah. I like udon.”

"You tell me to eat better, but you really don't care about yourself, do you?"

"……"

He didn't expect Yoshino to tell him the truth. Hatori couldn't argue and fell silent.

“I'm not sure what to say. It's a good thing that you eat at home more often."

“That might be possible if you're always on top of things."

He said to Yoshino, who seemed to have gotten it.

“Ugh.”

Satisfied that he had gotten one back, he prepared to boil some udon. Hatori rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and put a large pot of water on the flame.

On the other stove, he made tsuyu dashi. Yoshino prefered the sweet *Kanto style. He stewed fried *aburaage together with the soup to soak up the flavor. Add an egg, and you have *Kitsune Tsukimi Udon.

“It's dried noodles, so it will take some time.”

“I don't mind. I'm staying over anyway.”

“You’re staying over?”

“It's late and I don't want to go home. You got the day off tomorrow, so why not?”

“What are you going to do about work?” He could do the plotting and writing at Hatori's house, but he didn’t have the right environment for drawing.

“The rough sketches are almost done, and I'm supposed to finish the inking by the end of the year and have my assistants come back after the new year.”

"…What's with you now? Are you really Yoshino?" Yoshino’s progress was going so well that it made him uneasy.

“That's rude, some people are working so hard!"

“No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I was so surprised.” He didn’t know what happened to Yoshino, but it was good that he was motivated.

“Wow, I can't believe I'm doing so well. Can I help you with something?”

“Well, get me a bowl.” If he let Yoshino stand in the kitchen, it might become a problem. It was fine if he could do it, but it was better to prepare by himself.

“Roger.” Yoshino fetched a bowl from the cupboard and brought it to the kitchen.

“Oh, I want the soup stock to be sweet.”

“I know.”

“Hey, it needs time to boil, right? Let’s look at the color composition.”

Yoshino went back to the sofa, took something out of his bag and came back to Hatori's side. He thought it was just an excuse so he could beg for a meal, but it seemed he was really going to ask for advice.

“I think I should trim the size, which one do you like, Tori? I don't know, it doesn't feel right because it's a different size than usual.”

What was presented was a rough color manuscript. There were three composition patterns, and it seemed to have gone a bit astray.

“None of them are bad, but wouldn’t this one be good, since it most reflects the content of the story? I think it makes it easy to tell what kind of story it is. Only it might be difficult to put the logo in, I suppose.”

“Couldn’t you put it there?”

“If you did that, the character’s hand would be completely obscured. Keeping the overall composition like this, what if we move the hand over here?”

“Ah, that would probably work.” Yoshino’s expression brightened at Hatori’s advice.

“If you just wanted to consult about the composition, you could have sent it by email without having to bring it over, you know.”

Hatori would sometimes come to Yoshino’s place to confirm things directly when the timing allowed, but normally, issues like this could be settled by email or fax. 

“W–well it’s just…once in a while, it’s okay for you to come over, isn’t it?”

“But it’s not just once in a while.”

“Don’t be such a nag! Ah—the water is boiling! Here, quick, you have to put the noodles in.” Yoshino deliberately changed the subject. Since he couldn’t leave the pot unattended, Hatori broke off the conversation for a moment. He turned abruptly away from Yoshino and flung the dry noodles into the steadily boiling water, then stirred the pot with chopsticks while he set a timer.

Hatori glanced over at Yoshino, who was standing next to him, gazing at the pot with an air of awkwardness. They had some time before the noodles were boiled. Hatori began speaking again.

".....Yoshino. Is anything wrong?”

“Huh?”

“Lately, you’ve seemed off. It’s not just today either.” 

The tension in the room became strangely heightened, and suddenly Hatori was in a very bad mood—partly because Yoshino was trying so hard to stay close to him today. But he was also worried about the meaningful glances that Yoshino kept sending his way.

“N–not really, I wouldn’t say that anything’s wrong…”

“Really?”

“Yes, really!”

“You have a habit of hiding things.” 

When Hatori said this, Yoshino gulped and made a face. He was clearly trying to feign innocence, but really, even if he were not a well-known lifelong friend, Hatori would have been able to see right through him. Yoshino’s “habit” was hardly a special skill. His face showed everything, his eyes watered, and his movements became obviously uneasy. He would cross his arms and then uncross them again as soon as he thought about it, and his hands would fidget pointlessly.

“Habit—what habit?! I wasn’t doing anything just now, was I??”

“Wouldn’t it be better to tell me yourself? I wouldn’t be able to tell whether you’re hiding something or not.”

“Well, that’s true I guess, but…”

Seeing Yoshino’s desperate demeanor, Hatori supposed that he hadn’t intended to reveal any of the lies he was currently spewing. He was amazed that Yoshino thought he could hide anything, given the way his facial expression kept changing and changing back.

For one thing, the lies he was always babbling weren’t even good. If he got stuck in his work, he would suddenly say that he had a fever or that his PC broke or something like that, and then try to cut off all contact with Hatori.

Yoshino could never run away, though, even if he wanted to. That stuff was just how his psychology manifested itself.

“If you’re not worried about anything, then what’s going on? There’s something you want to tell me, isn’t there?” Hatori asked as gently as he could, and Yoshino’s stubbornly closed mouth relaxed a little.

“Well I…”

While Hatori was awaiting Yoshino’s halting words, a cell phone rang. He tried not to click his tongue in annoyance at the terrible timing.

I guess Yoshino’s not the only one struggling to keep his composure… He sighed at his own immaturity.

“Tori, your phone is ringing.”

Hatori looked at Yoshino’s relieved expression with a slight twinge of disappointment. It would probably be better to wait until Yoshino himself wanted to talk, instead of forcefully pursuing the matter. He took his cell phone out of the pocket of his trousers.

“...”

When Hatori unthinkingly frowned at the sender’s name, Yoshino immediately asked about the person who had texted.

“Who is it? Someone from the editorial department?”

“It’s an author.”

The email was from Nakahara. During their phone call the day before yesterday, they had arranged to talk again after everything was finished, but she had sent emails both yesterday and today.

It probably would have been better not to give her his personal contact information, since she was always the type to send frequent communications.

“Perhaps, is it that new girl again?”

“Uh…”

He must have guessed the sender from the face that Hatori made. Although Hatori’s expression never changed very much, Yoshino was very sensitive to the fluctuations of his mood. It was probably another result of their long acquaintance.

“Didn’t you say that your work was finished for the day? Why are you getting messages on your cell phone? Especially at this time of night…”

Hatori was surprised at Yoshino’s murmured rebuke. 

“I didn’t think you of all people would care about what time it is.”

“Well yeah, that makes sense, but…”

“For one thing, you get that me consulting with you about the composition just now was also work, right?”

“I can’t disagree with that…”

When he pointed out the contradiction, Yoshino’s face fell into a pained expression. Most of Hatori’s overtime work involved Yoshino. Of course, he tried to be careful at least to avoid the hours when Hatori was sleeping. But if an idea came to him, he would text immediately, or if he was hungry after finishing a fight scene, he would call.

Yoshino was always hounded by deadlines. In addition to the monthly serialization, a mountain of fine-detail work accompanied the mixed media. If he could consistently work at the same pace, he would be able to adjust to the amount of work without problems. But for that aspect of Yoshino’s condition, he had Hatori.

Besides that, Yoshino couldn’t even manage a basic schedule. He would get absorbed in one thing, and wouldn’t be able to see the big picture. Keeping up with those features was the job of the managing editor, but Yoshino’s tendencies were out of the ordinary.

It had to be said that there was perhaps an expectation of indulgence because they were childhood friends, but it certainly wasn’t that Yoshino was lazy or that he ignored his work. Because he understood that, Hatori was entirely complicit. And since good work was produced as a result, he figured it was all for the best.

Yoshino’s position was different from other authors, of course. Hatori’s indulgence toward Yoshino was due to the length of their relationship. As childhood friends, they had always been as close as if they were family by blood. 

It was actually only since they had begun dating that Hatori had begun to feel the need to restrain himself. After being so closely connected all this time, now he carefully measured the distance between them, and took extra care to maintain a polite demeanor. Maybe, Yoshino was also trying to figure out how they should comport themselves as lovers in his own way.

“But really, aren’t you getting too many messages from that girl lately? The emails are coming more frequently these days, right? Surely other authors don’t send that many emails to your cell phone.”

Hatori couldn’t deny that this was a little too much, just as Yoshino said. It wasn’t his first time being responsible for a rookie author, but the intervals between communications were getting shorter and shorter day by day. And to make matters worse, he was receiving more and more of these messages during the time he spent with Yoshino. Hatori never said who the sender was when Yoshino asked, but Yoshino could at least partly guess it from his reaction.

“She’s worried about the name, apparently. Since she debuted, this is essentially her first work as a pro, so you know how it is. She’s probably just a little nervous, is all.”

"Worrying about the storyboard is the manga artist’s job though, not the editor’s.”

“Yes, but she’s a rookie. She doesn’t know the ropes yet.”

“....well, that’s a bit…”

Normally, Yoshino wouldn’t stick his nose into Hatori’s job like this. They both had a mutual respect and understanding for each other’s work. Hatori was surprised by the sullen grumbling.

Does he just have a burr under his saddle because he’s hungry?

When Yoshino was hungry, nobody could be in a good mood. Maybe if he ate the udon, he’d calm down about whatever hangnail was bothering him.

“I need to reply, please wait a minute.”

When Hatori went to write a reply to the email, Yoshino’s face suddenly became deeply sullen.

“...right now you’re with me though, so can’t it wait until tomorrow?”

“Did you say something?” Hatori hadn’t heard it clearly, since Yoshino had mumbled at a near-whisper.

“.....Nothing.”

Hatori asked again, but couldn’t get a straight answer from Yoshino.

“If there’s something you want to say, please say it clearly.”

If frustration is bottled up, eventually it will make a mess. Even if it hits where it hurts the most, it’s better to get things spoken out loud when you’re thinking of them.

(Photo)

"I told you, it's nothing! That’s it, I'm leaving now."

Yoshino suddenly started preparing to leave. He was busily putting away his files in his bag and putting on his duffle coat.

“Hey, Why don't you at least eat before you leave.” The udon would be ready soon. If Yoshino went home, his meal would be wasted.

“I'm not hungry.”

“You said you were hungry-”

“I’m not hungry!”

The moment he said that, Yoshino's stomach rumbled briefly. Yoshino's face instantly turned bright red at the sound.

“I'm sure you're hungry. It will be ready soon.”

“I'm leaving!”

“Hey, Yoshino?”

“I don't want you to see me off!” Yoshino said stubbornly, and hurriedly left.

On the way, Hatori heard a rattling noise coming from the front door, as if Yoshino had bumped into something. It was late at night, so he hoped he would be careful about the noise.

“…What the hell is going on?"

Hatori twisted his head around at Yoshino's inexplicable behavior. Telling him that he was hungry, and his stomach rumbled while Yoshino told him he wasn't hungry.

Hatori wondered what he had said that had offended him.

In retrospect, he couldn't think of anything, but Hatori was aware that he was not very sensitive to the subtleties of the heart. He must have unconsciously said something insensitive.

"Oops."

He watched him leave for a moment, but then he came back to reality.

Hatori hurriedly turned off the heat, but he had overcooked the noodles. It wasn’t inedible, but he didn’t think he could expect it to be firm.

I wonder if I should have chased after Yoshino… 

"Let’s eat.” In the empty room, his whisper echoed in the air.

Hatori prepared a bowl of udon for himself and brought it to the table. He had been feeling reasonably hungry a while ago, but he had lost his appetite.

He took a bite and put the chopsticks down. There was no need to hurry, since they were already separated.

Hatori opened Nakahara's email again, trying to finish up what he could.

From the impression he had gotten so far, Nakahara was the type of person who would raise suspicion when left alone. The longer she waited for a response, the more anxious she became.

He had told her many times that basically the only time he was working was when he was at the office. But she seemed to be too occupied with her own affairs to think about their situation.

She’s still a student…

When she got carried away, she lost all sense of time, just like Yoshino. She became immersed in the story she was creating.

Less than a minute after Hatori sent the email to Nakahara, his cell phone vibrated.

Hatori had hoped that it might have been from Yoshino, but it was a reply from Nakahara. He was dismayed at himself for being so obviously disappointed.

If he was going to be disappointed, Hatori might as well have chased after him. He regretted that he couldn’t act on his thoughts.

There was one time when he acted out of intense emotion.

...I regretted that time too.

No matter what choices one made, one may regret them to a greater or lesser extent. Hatori wondered how many people in this world are living a life without regrets.

Hatori tried to send an email to Yoshino, but he couldn't figure out what he should write.

As long as he didn’t know the reason for Yoshino's frustration, a face-to-face phone call or email may cause even more problems.

If he were to apologize without understanding the reason, there was no way his sincerity would be understood.

Changing his mind, Hatori looked down at his cell phone again. In the email from Nakahara, she said she wanted to talk to him directly. He supposed she just couldn’t shake her anxiety

“I’ll see you at…” 

Although he was on vacation, he had plenty of time to spare. Hatori sent a text message saying that he could spare some time tomorrow.

Footnotes

Comfortable clothing: The literal translation is "loungewear" so I decided to use comfortable clothing for the sake of wording. Basically casual clothing one wears when they're at home.

Kanto style: Kanto cuisine is known for being more strongly flavored than food from the Kansai region of western Japan. (taken from here)

Aburaage: Japanese deep-fried tofu pouches made from firm tofu (taken from wikipeidia)

Kitsune Tsukimi udon: Kitsune Udon is a Japanese noodle soup in dashi broth, topped with seasoned fried tofu, pink-swirl narutomaki fish cake, and scallions. Tsukimi udon, which is named for the poached egg that symbolizes the harvest moon (taken from here and here). In simple terms, the main part of the udon is Kitsune and the Dashi and the poached egg also makes it Tsukimi, hence Hatori naming it Kitsune Tsukimi udon.

Never thought I'd have to research so much about food for this chapter. But it was intereting I must admit!