#i'm actually turning 30 tomorrow so... yeah

[poisonofthepaint]

Day After Tomorrow - Part Two

read part one here! part three here!

a/n: here is part two, i hope u enjoy!! the next part will be the last part. i'm having a lot of fun writing these, thanks for all the likes and reblogs on the first part!!!

content warnings: age gap between jack and reader, reader spills hot coffee on herself but it's nothing serious, lots of me repeating phrases i think lol, that's all!

Today, you woke up with a mission. You would not go to work tired. You would be prepared this time. Prepared for Jack Abbot. You wake up at 2:30 A.M. this time, and you get ready like it’s a regular hour of the day. You still don’t know if he’ll even come in. Yesterday, you spiraled when you allowed your brain to think. If he doesn’t come in, you also thought of a million excuses for him. It doesn’t have to be because of you! It could be that he is piled up with emergencies, he’s stuck in surgery, maybe the time got away from him. 

You get to work and try to slow yourself down. You’re anxious, pacing around. You know if you finish all your tasks early, you’ll just be waiting around for him. You count the money in the drawer three times. You clean every spot on the espresso machine twice. You brew the coffee with exact precision. You fix your hair more times than you can count.

You look at the clock on the wall. 4:00 A.M. You glance at the door and remind yourself to look away. You are trying so hard to not be disappointed. You don’t want to put your hopes and dreams into this man. You didn’t know him. But God, you wanted to. You had replayed the conversation in your head until you could mark it down to the minute it happened. You thought the way he looked at you before he left. How he seemed like he didn’t want to drag his eyes away.

You sigh and shake your head, opting to make yourself another London fog, hoping the drink will summon him. You try to distract yourself, but there really is nothing else to do. You don’t get any customers this early, Jack was the only one. Since your coworkers were in the back, you had no one to talk to. You check the clock again, 4:10. You sigh, trying not to feel disappointed.

But then, it comes. The bell on the door rings. It feels like Gabriel’s horn just blew. He walks in. You smile, and think maybe you shouldn’t. You wanted to be cool today, but you couldn’t help it. He actually came.

“It’s nice to know you’re a man of your word.” you say as he walks over to the counter.

“Course I am,” he says. Jack smiles too, a small one, but it’s a smile.

“Do you just want another coffee?”

“Yeah, I do. And your number, if that’s not overstepping.”

You blank. The lack of sleep catches up to you in three seconds, tops. Your brain falters, you try to remember how to form a sentence, “Yes.”

He deadpans, “Yes, it’s overstepping?”

“No!” you basically yell. You clear your throat, try again, “No, not overstepping. Yes, I’d like to give you my number.”

“Jesus,” he grumbles, shaking his head, laughing a bit, “Had me scared there.”

“Sorry, it’s early.”

“Right, yeah,” you can tell he doesn’t believe you for a second. You can tell he knows you're nervous. 

You decide you don’t want to be perceived anymore, and turn around to pour his coffee. But your hands are shaking. The pot slips a little, meaning you pour some of the freshly brewed, very hot coffee, on the hand that was stabilizing the cup.

“God, ouch!” you say.

Jack looks like he wants to jump over the counter. “Let me see.”

You turn around slowly, holding your hand. You decide to trust the doctor and let him take a look.

When he touches your hand, it’s like the burn amplifies, and your face feels as hot as the dark brown liquid that you just spilt everywhere. “I’m used to it, I’ll be fine.”

He lets out a sigh and shoots you a look that says, let me check it over thoroughly. You wonder how long he’ll spend touching you, you don’t know if you want it to end. 

He has your injured hand flat in one of his, while the other is slowly flipping your hand over, softly touching everywhere the coffee spilt. He gives your hand two, small pats, and lets go slowly.

“Yeah, it’ll be fine. Cool water if the burning feeling doesn’t go away.” 

You nod, bewildered, awestruck. You stand there like an idiot before remembering that he still needs his coffee. You pour the old cup out into the sink beside you, and throw it in the trash. You get him a new one since the coffee had spilled on the outside of the cup too. You pour the new one extra carefully, making sure to not spill it again. Although, you kind of wish you could, if it meant that Jack would touch you again.

“Will you let me pay today?” he says, a bit exasperated.

“You just gave me a free examination, obviously this is a fair trade.” 

He scoffs. Throws a five in the tip jar, just like he did last time.

You hold out the cup to him, he takes it, letting his fingers brush yours as he does.

“And the other part?” he asks. “I don’t see your number on here.”

“You know, we do have cellphones now. You could take yours out and I’ll give you it. Or do you want me to write it on a napkin for you?”

He laughs again. Just like the ones you’ve been thinking about from two days ago. “Old fashioned, remember?”

He sets the coffee on the counter and grabs his phone out of his back pocket. It’s an iPhone with a matte black case. He taps around on it for a second and then hands it to you. You put your number in, and your name in the first name spot. He watches you with intensity. You don’t even see him, but you can feel it. Can feel his dark eyes watching you. You glance up and meet them. You don’t break eye contact as you hand the phone back. 

He looks down at the information and then shuts his phone off, putting it back into his pocket.

You decide that you’re done being nonchalant. “I’m glad you came back.”

Jack nods, “I am too.”

You figure that you’ll need to get to know him a little bit better for him to give you a little bit more than that. He remains his mysterious self, but you’re glad you got a little bit of verbal reassurance. 

You smile, laugh, shake your head and look down. “You know, for a second I thought I had just imagined you, because you came and went so fast.”

“That’s one way to tell me I’m the man of your dreams.” he smiles smugly.

Your face gets hot again. This time, you can’t make eye contact.

“Very smooth,” you try to joke, but your voice sounds rough. Your throat is getting a bit dry from the flirting.

Jack laughs, you keep count in your head of how many times this makes. You wonder if you’ll ever stop doing that. “Listen, I do have to get back today. But I'll text you with plans, okay?”

“Okay, yeah,” you say, looking up at him now. You didn’t want to miss any more chances to see him.

“Okay, see you. And be careful with that coffee!” he points at you, eyes quickly looking down at your hand.

“Will do, Doc.” 

He looks crushed. His brows furrow, and he swipes his palm down his face. you want to understand why this name always seems to get to him, but you can't come up with any reasons in your head. He leaves the same way he did before. Backwards, slowly inching towards the door. Once he leaves. You look at the door for at least a minute, wishing he’d come back. When you finally tear your aways away from the metal entrance, you realize he left his cup of coffee on the counter, and didn’t even take a sip out of it.  You almost can’t believe it. He really did just come here for you this time, not because he needed any extra caffeine.  

You spend the rest of your shift about the way you spent the one before: out of it. You checked your phone more times than you care to admit, and googled what time night shift doctors got off. You were done trying to convince yourself to not spiral about it, because it was real, and it was happening. A doctor was going to text you and make plans for a date, and that was all that mattered in your mind at this moment. 

Your shift was long, and busy, but this time, the crowds of people couldn’t drag Jack away from your mind. Every customer you served, you thought about him. You imagined his face there instead, thinking about him being at the end of the long line. You got an order for a small black coffee and you peered around the cafe, trying to see if he came back.

When your shift ends, you check your phone again, and this time, there’s a text from an unknown number. 

Does Friday at 6pm sound good?

[luuvprincess]

✰࿎7࿎✰

Sierra

"So what exactly are we doing here?" I asked Jey as we pulled to Trin and Jon's house. Jey hadn't told me anything just told me to pack bag for 4 days and that he was picking me up. "I'll let Trinity tell you since it was her idea." He says as turns the car off. He gets out first as his sons got too and I get out myself.

"I'm gonna be honest im scared for what yall have planned." I said as I walked to back of car as he pulling out our bags. "Don't be scared."

"Hey yall!" I hear Trinity yell. I turned around seeing her and Jon and they're kids standing on porch. Jon and trinity started walking down towards us as Jeyce ran over to Jayla and Jayden leaving Jey to carry the bags in alone.

Jey shook his head at jeyce as he closed the trunk. "This boy and damn baby what the hell you pack?" He asked.

"You didn't tell what exactly I needed to pack for so I just picked a little bit of everything." I said as Jon and Trinity stop in front of us. "Hey girl you look cute." Trinity said as she pulled me in for tight hug I hugged her back with a little squeeze. "Hey Uce." She said as then hugged Jey as I hugged Jimmy.

"Hey Jim."

"Hey Cece, uce you need help?" He asked as we all watched Jey struggling a little.

"Hell yeah your nephew ain't shit for leaving me and this girl I don't know what the fuck she packed something told me I should have went over and pack her shit myself." Jey says. I rolled my eyes at him as I shake my head.

"So Trinity what are we doing anyways Jey told me you were gonna tell me." I said.

"We are going camping boo so I hope you packed some boots!" She yelled all excited.

"Who's camping?" I asked. "We are girl it's gonna be fun relax. I rented us a RV and this time we are gonna actually be able to some fun family activities." She said as she looked at the twins. I also looked at them as they gave us thumbs up cheesing hard.

"Yea relax ma it'll be fun. No phones, just us the trees, and some wild animals that live in woods." Jey says.

"Joshua you are not funny." I said.

We walked into the house, the kids were somewhere around the house I followed Jey to the room we'd be staying in tonight since we're leaving until tomorrow.

"So we're leaving around 9:30, 10 so be up." Trinity yells from the living room.

"You knew that had you told me what we were doing I'd say no that's why you didn't want to tell me." I said immediately turning my attention towards Josh.

"Yea I knew your ass would have said no, but I want you here." He said.

"Joshua you know ion do the woods." I said as I folded my arms. "Baby it's just 3 days you acting as if it's a week in woods." He said.

"Eww 3 days in woods. I better be getting this cookie ate or something." I said.

"I can make something work." He said with a smirk.

"I can't believe yall about to have my ass in the woods I gotta call my mommy and tell her I love her." I said as picked my phone.

"Your dramatic Sierra." He says before he walked out the room just as my mom picked up my call.

"Hey baby." She said.

"Hey mommy guess what?" I said.

"What's sup honey?" She asked. "My boss and his family got me going camping mom, you know ion do camping." I said.

"Cheer up honey it'll probably be fun." She said.

"Mom the last I went camping was when I was ten and

Saint and uncle Jameson chased me and Candace around in big foot a costume and till this day I still refuse to go camping." I said.

"Well looks like that will be changing soon." She said. I then hear someone in the background which sounded like my brother.

"Who's that talking?" I asked.

"Who's that on the phone?" Saint asked as poking his head in the camera. "Ah shit is that my big headed little sister." He said as he took the phone.

"Eww boy you ugly as hell." I said.

"If I'm ugly you ugly too we look alike little sis." He says.

"My man says other wise but later mom love you." I said.

"Love you more sweetheart, Saint gimme my damn phone boy."  She said.

"Hey hello where's my I love you big brother and when the fuck you get a boyfriend again." Saint says.  I playfully rolled eyes.

"I love you Saint I gotta go duty calls." I said.

"Love you too sis be safe miss you and don’t think we ain’t done with this conversation." He said. I rolled my eyes.

"I miss yall too later." I said ended the call.

I let out a sigh as I got off the bed walking downstairs as I joined Trinity the kitchen not seeing Jey in sight. "Hey boo." She said.

"Hey where the boys?" I asked.

"Out back they finna cook on that grill." She says.

"Good I'm hungry." I said. "Girl me too but aren't you excited for this road trip?" She asked.

"Honestly no last time I went camping my uncle and brother traumatized me chased me around in a big foot costume."  I tell hers

"Oh well that's scary I can see why you wouldn't to go camping now." She said trying her hardest not to laugh but she couldn't hold. "Haha ahh I'm sorry it really not funny I can only imagine you running around trying to get away from them."

"It's fine at the time it wasn't funny but now that I'm older and I know big foot don't exist it's funny to me now." I said laughing with her.

"What y'all in here laughing about?" Jimmy says as him and Jey walked in through the back door.

"About time I get chased by big foot when I was 10." I said.

"You know big foot ain't real?" Jey asked coming up next to me. "Yea I know he's not real Boohda and my uncle decided it was good idea to chase me my cousin in a big foot costume and that was the last time I went camping and reason I'm not a fan of camping now."

"It's okay bae I'll keep you safe." He said kissing my cheek making me blush. I turned hiding my face in his chest.

Omniscient

1am

Sierra woke up feeling Jey just now getting to bed. Him and Jimmy had decided to play the game before bed. "It's about time you came to bed." She muttered as she cuddling into his chest. He chuckled placing a kiss on her forehead. "I wasn't go for long." He said.

"It's one in the morning i came up here at 10 that's 3hrs you left me in this cold ass bed alone." She said. "Ight baby my fault." He said as tighten his arm around the her. "I get a personal cuddle bear, I'm in love." She said causing to let out another chuckle. "I love you too." He says.

"Is that so?" She asked. He sighed flipping them over so that he was hovering over her. She gasped as he grabbed face so she could look him in the eyes.

"You gonna keeping questioning my answers girl? I done told you countless times before Im the one that's in love with you Sierra, I see a future for us." He said.

"You hear me?" He asked.

"Yes I hear you Joshua." She said.

"Nah ion think you do." He says. "But I'm finna show you ass I'm deadass about you and about us...turn over for me and you take this off too. He said pulling at his shirt she was "barrowing".

Her eyes brows arched into confusion as she looked at him. "C'mon mama, don't act like you don't know what's finna happen."  He said. 

"I know your crazy but hello your kids, your brother, Trinity and your niece and nephew are literally down the hall." She said. He leaned down kissing her neck leaving hickeys in few places.

He knew he was finna get cuss out tomorrow when she sees them but he ain't care he’ll deal with that tomorrow.

"Josh seriously." She wishpered yelled slightly pushing him back. He sighed kissing her as he ripped her shirt off. She broke the kiss gasping at his action. "You clearly made your mind." She says flipping over on her stomach.

"Mhmm All you gotta do mama is be quiet...lift ya hips up a little." He said as reached over grabbing a pillow she lifted her hips up as he slide the pillow under her. "You feel comfortable mama?" He asked.

"Yes daddy." She said. He smirked as he began leaving a trail of kisses from her neck down her back down to her causing her to moan. He gave her as a little smack. "You not listening already mama." He said.

"Sorry daddy."

"You love me baby?" He wisphered as he got close to her ear. "Yes." She murmured. His hand wrapped around her neck as he pulled her in for a hungry sloppy kiss.

"Fuck you sexy." He groaned as he pushed his arosusal on her plumped butt. She tried her best to quietly moan his name.

He sat up pulling himself out his shorts. He spread her open with one hand sliding himself in her wet auora. Both of them letting out a soft quiet moan feeling each other.

"Fuck baby this pussy wet as hell." He groaned in her ear as he began moving. Her mouth opened but nothing came out. "Fuck." He groawled.

"J-jey." She whined. He grabbed her hair pulling her back. "You like that we could possibly get caught don't you mama?" She let out a soft moan in response.

"Mhmm yeah you do." He says with a smirk. "You so naughty baby."

"Fuck." She whimpered as his tip hit her g-spot. "Right here daddy."

"Right there mama?" He asked. She nodded her head eyes rolled to the back of her head as she bit down on her bottom lip. "Look at you pretty girl." He said.

Her walls started clutching around him making him let out a deep but quiet moan his hands grabbed on to her waist as he began picking up his speed. The room filled with the sounds of soft moans and groans, the sound of their skin slapping against each other was Jey sure that Jim and Trinity heard them.

As for kids he kids felt bad but at same time didn't after thinking back on how many times he's been woken up out his sleep to them all fighting and brickering at each other.

"Uhn uhh move that hand mama."

"F-fuck slow d-fuck I'm coming daddy." She cried out.

"Wet this dick up mama, cum on your dick." He says giving her ass a smack.

"Oh fuck jey." She moaned as she milked him. He continued to fuck her through her orgasm as he chased his high.

“Fuck this my pussy?” He asked.

“Y-yes Jey.” She muttered.

“Can daddy nut in his pussy?” He asked.

“Yes pleasee.” She begged. His strokes started getting sloppy. “Fuck baby I’m finna nut…ah shitt fuckk.” He grunted as his shoot warm seed in her.

“Fuck god damn baby.” He says as pulls out. His dick covered with their juice. “You good pretty girl?” He asked.

“Mhmm.” She mumbled as she began to fall asleep. He chuckled kissing behind her ear. “Imma go get you towel to clean you up don’t fall sleep baby.”

He got up walked the bathroom he grabbed a towel wetting it a little and went back to the room to find her passed out. He shook his head walking over to her and cleaned her up. He as few leaned down kissing her forehead.

“I love you baby.” He said then got in bed himself.

“WAKE YALL FREAKY ASS UP!” Jimmy yelled as he banged on Sierra and Jey’s door. Sierra groaned putting her pillow over her face. “AYE UCE get up dog.” Jimmy said as continued to bang on the door.

Somehow this man was still sleeping. Sierra sat up remembering that Joshua ripped her shirt off last night she used the blanket to cover her chest as she rubbed her eye. She looked to her side as she looked at Josh.

“Joshhh.” She groaned shaking him out his sleep.

“Mmm.” He groaned swooshing her hand away.

“Wake up so we can get ready.” She said. They both eventually got up and went to the bathroom. “Can get me my pills from my bag please.”

“Which pocket is it in?” He asked.

“In the left pocket.”

He came back in the bathroom with her pills handing it to her. While he used the bathroom she took her pills.

“Joshua Samuel Fatu why?” She said groaning as she seen her neck that covered with fresh hickeys. “Joshhhh!” She whined.

“W-oh I forgot I did that.” He said with a smirk. She rolled her eyes grabbing her tooth brush and began brushing her teeth.

Sierra throw on some leggings a spaghetti strap crop-top and a grey hoodie with her grey and white dunks that hey got her.

Jey throw on a Nike hoodie no shirt and a pair of his famous hoochie daddy shorts with his black and white dunks and Nike hat.

Once Sierra saw what he was wearing she immediately felt got wet in her panties. They made their way downstairs grabbing some food.

After everyone ate they checked their bags and made their they had everything the needed for the trip before hitting the road.

Tag list 🏷️💗: @uceyliyahh @mselenalovebug @theusotwinzcom @isabella-2025 @dstark-0706 @4milly @zillasvilla @charmed-dreamssss @sheaabuttaababyy @levissslutt

[ysrjune]

now what would scott do if mr.justin ran into him at the store or something while he was holding leo and with his girl? like would he run and avoid quietly or start saying stuff to his gf about it or idk anything lol idk i felt like scott’s interactions were mad funny

Mr. Justin is such a talker. He doesn't know how or when to shut up. Actually, he does, but he likes to bother his students because THEY bother HIM.

Reader, Leo, and Scott are at Macy's or something, looking for clothes and jewelry (for reader cause she's a #baddie and always needs more cute clothes and accessories). Scott is holding Leo outside of the dressing rooms. He's sitting on one of the chairs.

Leo's smiling and making all sorts of noises, grabbing onto his dad's hands. Scott's not really paying attention. He's looking around and back at Leo a few times.. but then he hears a familiar voice. His eyes widen as Mr. Justin comes from the corner with his wife.

"Mr. Barringer!" The man calls with a smile. "And.. Mr. Barringer." He looks down at the baby. "Honey, this is the student I've been telling you about!" Justin's wife smiles and extends her hand to shake Scott's. "It's nice to meet you, sweetheart. If you don't mind, I'll be going into the changing room." She nods and smiles at Leo then leaves.

Scott kept his gaze away from his teacher, keeping it on the floor. "What brings you here, Mr. Barringer? Shopping with your mother, I'd assume?"

"No. I'm here with my girlfriend. I'm waiting for her."

"Ahh, yes, yes. It's very nice that you two aren't split." Justim shoves his hands in his pockets. "Your son looks just like you.", "Yeah, but he's got his mom's eyes." Scott looks into the baby's eyes and smirks. "They've got the best eyes."

Then, Scott's girlfriend comes out in a pair of jeans that she wanted. "Babe, what do you think of these?" She gives him a spin. Scott would have said something perverted, but his teacher was right in front of him, so he didn't. "They're cute, I like them." Is all he says. "Ms. L/N. It's nice to see you again." Mr. Justin speaks up.

"Oh, hi.." She suddenly feels embarrassed. Tight jeans and a crop top in front of an older man.. yikes. Not that Mr. Justin was weird to stare. He'd never. Justin is actually a very respectful man, but she couldn't help but feel embarrassed. "Um, it's nice to see you.." She smiles awkwardly.

Scott wanted to kill himself. "No, it isn't. Don't lie to your elders." He mutters and rolls his eyes. Justin laughs and shakes his head. "Oh, Mr. Barringer. I'll be right out of your hair as soon as‐" "Why don't you get out of it right now? Get out of my business, geezer."

She and Justin kept talking.. and talking.. and talking. Scott was fed up. He bounced Leo on his knee and kept rolling his eyes here and there. "Don't become a teen dad." He moves a hair from Leo's face. "And do everything in your power to not have Mr. Justin."

She finally went back inside, and Scott sighed. "Can you leave me alone now? And don't tell anyone you saw me here." He glares. "Macy's is such a mom store." Scott scoffs. "I guess that's why Ms. L/N is shopping here." Justin laughs and shakes his head. "Well, alright, Mr. and Mr. Barringer. I'll be on my way, waiting in a different place. By the way.. I need your project turned in tomorrow."

"I'm not going to be in your class tomorrow. Leo has a checkup at 8:30." Scott replies. "The day after tomorrow, then." Justin offers. "Just get it done before the end of the week." He smiles and walks away. Scott looks at his baby. "Finally. And where's your mom? Takin' forever." It had only been 3 minutes since she went back into the dressing room.

@bxbyysstuff @anakinstwinklebunny @lovethestarrs @valloos @anisangeldust @xo-yaaaaaasxo @anakinca @dollfilmz @alexlovesysrjune @sockiess @sythethecarrot @speaknow-sw @loveamira @alealuvshayden @mvst4far

[kelpies-inthe-marsh]

"Talk To Me"

Braxton x Reader

A/N: like all my fics, this is really self indulgent, and maybe one day it'll lead to me writing for other jon bernthal characters but for now. This is all I got

Warnings: mentions of nightmares, otherwise none, its cute

It was late.

It was really really late, about 2:30 in the morning, kind of late.

Or was it early?

You really weren't sure, you supposed It depended on the type of person you were whether it was late or early.

It was late for you specifically though.

You were only awake because you'd had the most vivid and horrific nightmare and you just had to make sure Braxton was okay. You'd woken up panting, sweaty, your blankets bunched at the bottom of the bed, clearly you'd thrashed around quite a bit before you'd finally bolted upright.

He wasn't answering. This shouldn't have scared you as badly as it did, Brax was working, and you weren't even sure what country he was in, to know what time it was. It could have been just as late, or the middle of the day, you had no idea. All you really knew was that you desperately needed to hear his voice. You just needed to know he was okay.

You'd never actually been so disappointed to hear his voice mail message, instead of leaving one after the tone, you hung up and tried again. The fingers of your freehand drummed a random pattern against the mattress as you silently begged whatever god was listening for Braxton to just answer his phone. Usually he'd pick up on the first ring, because of his ever present earpiece, it would annoy you when he'd wear it at home, but now you were cursing the fact that he didn't have it.

The third ring, and then the fourth. It stopped ringing, “hello?” There was his voice, finally, you'd never been so grateful to hear him.

The relieved sound you made was clearly heard by Braxton, because he asked, “sweetheart? Are you alright? What's goin' on?”

You took a really deep breath, and let it out before you started speaking, “I'm really sorry for calling, I know you're working, but I just, I had.. a nightmare and it was so real, and you- I just had to make sure you were okay.”

You heard stuffing through the phone, and the tell tale click of a lamp turning on, “I'm here, sweetheart,” he murmured, “I'm ok. How can I help?”

You couldn't help but sniffle, even when you were waking him up, Braxton was still ready to take care of you, “just, can you um, can you talk to me? Just about anything, just for a few minutes-”

“Yeah, yeah absolutely- I'm right here-” he agreed almost instantly.

You got nice and comfy in bed again, rolling over to his side. You'd definitely have to change the sheets, but that was an issue for tomorrow. As soon as you were settled you asked him, “how was your day?”

That must have been a very loaded question, because he was off. Braxton told you about his boss, and the insane demands the client had, “like I'm talkin' horse head in the bed, sweetheart, how fucked is that?” He tossed in, clearly annoyed.

You couldn't help but laugh, and in turn it made him chuckle, “they think I'm like, a mob enforcer- which sure I can pretend, for a price right? But they're not willing to pay the fee- so I'm just doing the job, should be done today actually, and then I'll be home, how's that sound?”

The sound of his voice always relaxed you, so you were really near falling asleep again, but you nodded, knowing he couldn't see you, “sounds good Brax, miss you-” trailing off with a yawn.

He smiled, running a hand through his hair with a small huff, “miss you too, so much, you think you can get some sleep for me? Maybe if we're lucky, I'll be home by the time you wake up, hm?”

You yawned again, cuddling into his pillow, “yeah, mhm, I can do that, love you.”

He shook his head, the smile never leaving his face, “love you too sweetheart, so much-”

He didn't think you would reply, but he stayed on the phone anyway, just until he heard your breathing really slow, and deepen. He only hung up after that. Running a hand across his face, he sighed, he was already awake, so there wasn't any reason why he couldn't get the job done early.

The sooner he finished, the sooner he could get home to you, and that was all he really wanted. Just to get home, and hold you. If he finished quickly, maybe you'd still be asleep, and he'd get to sneak into bed, and lay with you for a while.

That was all the motivation he needed to get out of bed, handling this while everyone was still asleep was probably the best way to go.. thank god he didn't have to outsource a horse head for this job. The little victories, and the idea of you waiting for him at home, would carry him through the completion of this job

[damascus-crowned-king]

Foolish love, but damn if it isn't true

Fool!Guy and Fool!Honey

It's really fucking bad yall

They were bored.

They were the only one awake at 6:30 AM, and they hated it. Years of waking up early out of fear that they would be late for some sort of event or that if they didn't wake up early enough, they wouldn't be as productive was biting them in the ass.

So they decided to bother their adorable, grumpy, currently asleep boyfriend.

"Guy."

"Baby."

"Darling."

"Sugar."

"Flour. Egg. Butter. Vanilla extract. Baking soda. "Salt. If you don't answer me, the pet names are just gonna get weirder, Guy."

"Nothing? Alright."

...

Radio silence.

"My oatmeal cream pie. My tomato soup."

"My honey-"

It only took a second for Guy to grab the back of their head and shove their face into a pillow and lay on top of them. Rendering them immobile.

"Oomph!"

"First of all. I call you honey, not the other way around. Second of all, It's too early and you should go back to bed. Third of all, why were almost all of those "pet names" food related?"

"I'm bored... and I can't go back to sleep, and also, I'm hungry, and who said that you trademarked the nickname 'honey'?!"

He replied dryly. "I did."

They squirmed for a minute before giving up under him. "Can you get off of me now?"

He questioned them slightly, still mildly crushing them under his weight. "Are you gonna chill out?"

"Maybe..."

"..."

"....Okay I'll calm down... lame-ass..."

"Did you say something?"

"Nothing, sweetheart~"

"That's what I thought." He got off top of them and laid on his side while Honey wrapped their arms around him so he could nuzzle his face in their chest.

They eventually started scratching his scalp, and they made a small smile at him leaning into their touch. "Your roots are kinda showing. Do you want me to touch 'em up for you?"

Guy scrunched his face in confusion and slight judgment at their behavior, still mumbling into their neck. "Honey. Did you just sniff my hair?"

Guy buried his face in the crook of their neck and wrapped his arms around them even tighter, mumbling a tired response. "Yeah... Tomorrow."

Honey slightly shivers at Guy's warm breath on their neck, smirking at his clinginess. "Okay." Letting out a soft confirmation before burying their face in his hair, taking a deep whiff of his natural scent mixed with his coconut and mango shampoo.

Honey smirked at Guy's convicting tone. "What? You smell good."

Guy scoffed at honey, finding their fascination for his smell odd. "You're such a weirdo..."

"What? You want me to say you smell bad? 'Cus I could."

"I mean, you could, but then you'd just look like a liar..."

"Do you want me to appreciate your smell or say you smell gross?"

"You could just... not smell me. That's an option." He says, throwing out the proposition, knowing full well it won't be taken into consideration.

Honey, fake-considers his suggestion, very obviously not actually thinking about not smelling him. "Mmmmm nah I'll pass."

Guy rolls his eyes and holds Honey tighter, wrapping his legs around them like a koala. Squeezing them tightly while they play with his hair.

This was the life to Guy. Silence and cuddles, Honey's fingers tangling into his hair and Guy secretly taking in their scent. (Hypocrite) Who wouldn't love this serene, still moment...

"Has anyone told you you're absolutely perfect?"

Guy was stunned to say the least. For Honey to say something so out of the blue and something so sappy had his heart skipping a beat.

"Um... no? What's up with you?" Guy was confused. Confused but not that surprised. His Honey was always one to speak their mind, but sometimes they said things that had him flustered. And he wasn't exactly the best at preparing for their unaware sweet words.

"Just sayin'. You're adorable, you're sweet, you smell amazing all the time, and you feed me. That seems like perfect boy behavior to me."

Whoooo boy. Yep. This is how he dies. Four years of being together, and he still turned into a bashful mess whenever Honey was all mushy with him... which was most of the time.

"God you are so..."

"Sooo...? What?"

Guy lets out a soft, resigned sigh and leans into them. "Charming."

Honey snorts at Guy somewhat dropping the tough-guy act and admitting he finds them charming, their ego rising at his simple word of affirmation.

"And that's all the sappy shit you're getting out of me today. No more."

"Ahhh I knew it... you're no fun..."

"Not my problem."

"But you know what is your problem?"

Guy groaned, clearly not excited for whatever was about to come out of his Honey's mouth. "What?"

Honey spoke up with a smirk in their voice. "Breakfast~"

"Ughhhh...."

"Soooo. What should we have for breakfast? We could have waffles, hashbrowns, Omelettes, grits? Ooh! We could have French toast and sausage?"

Guy rolled his eyes as they rambled about various breakfast foods, but deep down he knew he'd make a four course breakfast meal for his Honey. Because they deserved it. They deserved the world after dealing with his sass and sarcasm and monotone, lackluster personality, and his absence of... everything for years and even deciding to date him after putting up with all of it.

So he'll gladly make them breakfast.

And gladly give them the whole world if they asked.

Anything for his Honey.

[jammiee097]

Don't call her back

Warnings: Bestfr!end Changb!n x reader, jerking, couch sex, mak!ng out, teasing, random confession, cutting off, kissing, tit play, rubbing clit. let me know if I forgot something 🙈 Enjoy!!

'What happened?' Changbin asked as he looked me up and down, crying in the doorframe of his appartment. My clothes drown in the tears of the coulds. My white shirt getting clear, letting him see my Bra and hard nipples. Making his dick twitch a little. A thunder was seen and he went back to reality, 'Y/n.. Are you okay?' He asks again, trying to find my eyes.

I look at him, my mascara drowing under my eyes looking at changbin's soft face. 'I- I need to tell you something.' I say, catching my breath from running to his house while crying. 'Come in..' He says. I walk into his house to find a girl sitting on his couch. I knew he had a date, that was why I came. But he didn't have to know.

'Oh.. I'm I'm sorry. I will uhh talk to you later.' I say and walk to the door again. 'No, tell me. Did something happen? I need to know if your okay?' He asks again. 'Wait here, I will bring you some clothes.' He says and walks to his bedroom. I awkwardly wave at the girl. She smiles and frown his eyebrows. Clearly not happy with my visit.

30 minutes earlier my friend, Mirae, called me up. We had meet up earlier that day, she called me because of a thought she couldn't hide from me. She told me how blind I was for not seeing how in love Changbin was with me, and how he talked to her about me constantly. But that was not the only reason, she was in hands of us getting together, Because only she knew that we both liked each other but didn't tell because of the risk losing our friendship. It was complicated, Yes. But I needed to take my chance with him, as she said it.

I knew he had a date, I knew, but I also knew that If I didn't confess to him know.. He would date this girl and maybe fall in love with her, hurting myself knewing we could be together..

He came back with a hoodie and some pants. 'Thank you.' I say and smile. 'You know what.. I will come back tomorrow, your "Friend" needs you.' The girl says. giving changbin a kiss on his cheek. 'Call me.' She says before walking out of the appartment to her uber. Changbin sighs. 'I'm sorry for ruining your date..' I say hoping he doesn't get mad. 'No it's okay... So are you finally gonna tell me what's wrong?' He says and sits down on the couch, signaling for me to come sit next to him.

It was very quite in his appartment. Too quite. 'So, the lousy neighbour is on vacation.' I joke he laughs. 'Yeah, it's quite nice tho, It was starting to get-'

'I'm in love with you.' I say, breaking his sentence. 'What?' He says, confused his eyes big. 'I'm in love with you.. I have been for some time, well actually for almost half a year now.. I thought you didn't like me back because you were constantly on these dates. And at first I just thought I was scared of losing and that was the reason why it hurted.. but Mirae helped me think that it was because I liked you and didn't want you to date any else than me.' I say and wipe away the mascara under my eyes. He looks at me.

'Please.. Say something.' I say, feeling horrible. I knew this was going to happen, I ruined it. 'You really like me..' He says and looks at me. 'Yeah..' I begin. 'And I understand if you don't because-' my words get cut off by his soft lips. kissing me oh so gentle, like he didn't want me to break more. When the kiss stopped our heads went against each other. 'But the girl.' I whisper. 'Y/n... I only dated those because I couldn't get you out of my mind..' he says making my heart fluster.

'Can I kiss you again?' He asks, I nod and smile. My arms folding around his neck, his hands on my waist. squeezing them slightly. The kiss get rougher, he slips his tongue inside, playing with mine. We both moan softly at the touch of each other.

Finally.

The kiss quickly turns into a makeout. He stops the kiss by putting his shirt of laying me down on the couch. I giggle at the sight of his beautiful well build body. It always made me fluster when he showed it innocently. I putt off my wet shirt too, not a surprise to him what color bra I was wearing. 'Your so fucking beautiful..' He softly says under his breath and starts sucking at my neck. Sloppy, as if he always wanted to have this moment with me. I softly whimper while he moves his kisses to my collarbone.

Just then it came into my mind, what was about to happen. I was about to fuck my best friend. 'Wait..' I say and he looks up at me, his eyes big. 'Did I go to fast I'm sorry..' He says. 'No No... It's just.. Are we sure. I don't want this to be a one time thing.' I say and cup his soft cheeks. He melts into them, a soft smile appearing on his face. 'Baby.. You know how hard it was for me these last couple of months to not rip off these silly little clothes and fuck you numb? mhm?' He whispers into my ear. I gasp. 'You don't know how hard you make me everytime you open the door in your underwear because im your "Bestfriend".. Mhm?' He whispers again. 'Alright alright..' I moan softly. He chuckles into my ear and goes to my tits. 'So.. should I continue..' He says, a dark gaze in his eyes. 'Yes please.' I say and he squeezes one of my boobs, the other he sucks, licks and kisses on.

It drives me crazy, so crazy that my pussy is starting to hurt. He's teasing, knowing I want his dick inside of me. 'Changbin.. Please..' I say and he looks up at me, slowly opening my jeans. 'What do you want princess' He says and puts his hand into my pants, folding his hand around my wet pussy. 'You want me to work on that fucking wet pussy of yours.. Mhm?' He whispers into my ear. 'Please.' I say and he kisses my cheek.

He pulls down his pants, not all the way, but enough for his hard dick to pop out. I gasp at seeing him for the first time, I waited so long for this moment. He pulls down my pants and my panties. Leaving me naked. 'You loon so pretty like this baby.' He says and positions himself onto me.

He fills me up and we both moan at the final touch of each other. 'So tight baby..' Changbin moans and put my legs onto his shoulders, allowing him to go deeper, touching my oh so sensitive G-spot. I moan out loud at the touch of him. 'Fuck baby.' I say and arch my back a little. He smirks, the hottest smirk I had ever seen.

He kisses my ankles and puts his hands on my hips. He goes faster in and out of me. putting himself at a fast pace, a little too fast if you ask me. We both lost each other in the moment, my pussy getting sore of the pleasure he was giving. 'Binnie.. I'm, Fuck, I'm gonna cum.' I moan out and grap his biceps. 'Such a nasty girl.' He moans and lets go of my hands moving close to my face. slowing down a little bit, his thumb started making little circles on my clit and before I knew it, I couldn't handle the pleasure.

I come around his fat dick, my cum all over him. 'Fuck baby, so tight.' He moans and pulls out of me, jerking off. He comes loudly all over my stomach. While he starts to catch his breath I make eye contact with him. Putting my finger through the his fresh cum, licking it off my finger. He smirks.

'You know just how to turn me crazy.' He says and kisses me. I could never get enough of those kisses. 'Come, let's get you cleaned up.' He says and carries me to the bathroom. we step into the shower and make out again..

The night was not about to end...

[tange-my-rine]

borrow some sugar || Tangerine × gn!reader

Summary: You were living in the city, on your own. It was your dream though, you'd known it was far from home but you needed the space. Well, wanted the space. Didn't mean it wasn't lonely. The one time you actually met your neighbor, of course, you put your literal whole life in danger.

TW: blood, guns, murder, threats, cursing (it's Tangerine), protective!Tangerine (eventually), kidnapping, threats, and all things bullet train.

[[A/N: love a good normal person × Tangerine, and this is the epitome of that. Except you get way too wrapped up in it.]]

"Yeah, I know," you echoed out, fetching your keys out of your pocket -mindlessly walking through the hallway, "-I'm always safe, you know that."

Pressing your phone onto your shoulder, you heard a sort of bang -a heavy thud really, on the wall.

You furrowed your brows, the neighbor on that side was usually quiet. Like unusually quiet. You'd seen him, maybe once or twice in the hallway -he'd never said a word to you. Always wearing a suit and a super serious face, you'd assumed he was some sort of corporate worker with insane hours.

"Look," you spoke, unlocking your handle, "-I have to go, but I'll call you back tomorrow. I'm home already."

Slipping into your apartment, you sighed, pushing your phone into your pocket, dropping your keys, and taking off your shoes by the door. With the familiar thrum of your fridge, you mindlessly wander up to your couch and drop your bag.

It had been a terrible day at work, your boss was... well, your boss. And your work was exhausting, your feet hurt and your brain was working on the migraine of the century-

You just wanted to eat and watch your comfort TV show and turn your brain off -for an hour, at least. If not for the last few hours before you went to sleep, that was dream case scenario. Finally, when your brain was succumbing to the buzz of the voices, your eyes drifting shut, and the couch seemed so fluffy, there was a noise.

At first, you ignored it -figured it was your brain or something out in the hallway.

But then, it came back -a clear, harsh knock.

'2:30 am,' flashed across your screen as you looked at it, and then again, seriously, you thought you imagined it. Because who would that be?

You were fully awake now, leaning up on your couch, staring at your door -waiting, testing if it was real.

Knock.

Huh, you stood up -wiping at your eyes, and slowly slinking to the door.

"Hello?"

You don't know what you expected, but it certainly wasn't what you saw.

It was your neighbor, sweaty with ripped clothes (a suit, you think) -was he ever in anything else? His eyes were lidded, nose bleeding, it stained his mustache, and you were pretty sure there was a knife in his shoulder-

"You 'ave any first aid?" He had an accent, a crazy accent that somehow suited him but you didn't expect at all.

"Are you-" you were in disbelief, "-Are you okay?"

He paused, before retorting -frankly, "Did you hear a fuckin' word I said, love?"

"Sorry, sorry," you swallowed, beckoning him inside, "-I think I have one in my bathroom. Just- Just sit at the counter."

"Right, thanks."

You weren't even sure your feet were touching the ground at this point, but still, you were quick -sifting through your cabinets.

A man is bleeding out in my kitchen, your brain panged, -a man is bleeding out in my kitchen.

Blinking, you mindlessly -in an entirely different way now- but directly made your way to the kitchen. A kit in your hand, you pinched yourself for a moment -this would be one weird fucking dream.

As you said, the man sat on a stool -blood dripping down onto your tile. You briskly wondered how to get that out, before sliding all the supplies across the countertop -the clatter filling the quiet air.

Pulling yourself onto the stool opposite him, you licked across your lips -fidgeting with some packaging.

"You couldn't just borrow some sugar?" you mumbled, taking out an alcohol wipe.

"What?" He furrowed his eyebrows, frown still present on his lips -it seemed like it stayed there.

"This-" you motioned to him, "-is the first time we've met. You couldn't do a normal neighbor thing? Like borrow sugar-"

"Sorry, love," he rolled his eyes, "-I'll think of it fuckin' next time, yeah?"

"You should," you scoffed, "-I don't think every neighbor would appreciate bloodstains."

"And you do?"

"No," you stressed out, dabbing at a cut along his cheek -not the worst one but the first one you could handle right now, "-I am barely awake right now, and I'm half convinced you aren't even real-"

"Very real," he tsked, less biting this time.

You digested that information, swallowing dryly. A man, in some business, was on your stool, bleeding.

"Honest question," You pursed your lips, before focusing on another cut above his eyebrow. You were blatantly ignoring the knife, you literally had no idea-

"Go ahead," he huffed out, breaths puffing out of his chest.

"How the hell did you get stabbed?"

The man paused, thinking over his answer (why did he have to think?), "Break-in?"

You raised an eyebrow, tossing out the wipe, "You sure about that answer?"

"Better if ya didn't know, love," he mended -blue eyes slinking over your kitchen.

You hummed, picking through the material -thank god you took that sewing class, "Kind of expected that, mysterious suited neighbor."

"Tangerine."

You flicked up your eyes, confused, "Is that... Is that your safeword, or...?"

"Fuckin' hell," he sighed, using a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, "-'s my name."

"Your name?" you questioned, tone raising.

"My brother-" he began before shaking his head -solidly, "-Doesn't fuckin matter, are ya gonna get to the knife wound or?"

"Listen," you spoke -a little pressed, "-I'm not one to stitch up wounds, Tangerine. I have to remember my sewing class-"

"You gonna stitch up my fuckin' shirt then, love?"

"Oh my god," you exhaled through your nose, "-no wonder you had to come to a stranger."

He opened his mouth -eager to bite back, but you promptly interrupted him.

"I have no experience," you said, taking the knife handle into your hand, "-but I'm pretty sure this is going to hurt like hell."

"Lucky for you, love," he spoke through labored breaths -wrapping his fingers around yours, "-I'm very fuckin' experienced."

And then without hesitation, he tugged it out.

The next few moments were bloody and unreal to you -your hands working quickly but your brain significantly falling behind. You could cross 'stitching up a wound on a handsome man' off your bucket list if it was ever even on there.

Now, you sat on the stool -hands sticky red, and your shirt (one of your better pjs, sadly) stained just the same. With a roll of bandages, you wrapped his shoulder with tedious little movements -eyes focused only on the skin. Only looking up when you'd tied it off, mind finally settling.

"Is that everything?" You asked, careful to not put your hands anywhere except your shirt.

"Yeah," he spoke, softer, "-just some bruisin', I think."

"Let me get you some peas," you echoed, sliding down from your stool -steps slow, you were just tired.

He didn't speak a word, as you dug through your freezer -finding one at the very bottom, of course.

You extended your hand, the cold sensation keeping you up -aware. Right now, your brain was in overdrive, probably ever since he'd shown up at your door, and your body merely just followed behind.

He shifted, grabbing it from you -you saw a kiss of a tattoo that you were curious about but not enough to ask. Your eyes sunk along his shirt, which was not a shirt anymore, all bloodstained and ripped up.

Before you could stop it, you were asking, "Do you need new clothes?"

Tangerine paused, looking at you like you grew a third head. You were past that point, you had his literal blood on your hands -there was no need to be shy now.

"'Had a boyfriend about your build," you clarified, "-I never gave him back like 10 shirts, so-"

"10?" He interrupted and you thought you might've seen a smile quirk onto his lips.

"He smelled good," you offered, before spinning to the kitchen and proceeding to scrub your hands with no hesitation, "-You want one or not?"

"Yeah," he sighed out, a little awkwardly, "-Yeah, thanks."

"While I'm at it," you spoke over your shoulder, "-do you need a place to stay?"

He pursed his lips, hand pushed into the peas against his ribs -you imagined it would be a big bruise in the morning.

"I'm pretty sure whatever happened," you emphasized, "-left a mess. I have a couch if you need it."

"Bein' awfully fuckin' nice to a stranger," he hummed, eyes tired.

"I figured you would've killed me way earlier," you remarked, finally drying them on a nearby towel, "'Had some good opportunities."

He smiled then, you actually saw it with your own two eyes -you almost thought you were hallucinating. His head tilting back, as his shoulder pressed against your counter -he looked kind of like a painting, all twisted angles and sharp jaw.

"What's yours?"

You furrowed your eyebrows, "My what?"

"Your name, love," he answered, soft and attentive -much different than before (you kind of thought he might've lost too much blood).

"You wanna know that now?" You laughed, but even still you told him -there was something about him that made you feel at ease. He really shouldn't have.

He stayed that night, cozied up in your ex-boyfriend's shirt (which he looked surprisingly good in) and freshly showered. You didn't see him when you woke up that morning, and you didn't know why you had expected it.

A few weeks go by, and you were pretty sure that he moved out. Which, in retrospect, made sense, even still something in you felt kinda disappointed. He was the first person you'd actually talked to in months.

Coworkers didn't count.

You shook your head, he was literally covered in blood. In a business he couldn't talk about, and you missed him? You were officially losing your mind.

"Stupid," you muttered, eyes dipping across the TV -some sort of cheesy romcom that you'd never seen before in your life but still felt nostalgic to watch. It wasn't the worst thing you'd ever seen.

Good enough to sit and eat your favorite meal to, it was interesting enough to keep you awake.

When you finally slinked off to bed, and tossed into your fluffy comforter and soft pillows, you were exhausted. Far too exhausted to stay awake any longer. So, you didn't.

The sun was creeping through your window when you woke up, but not a morning sun -a too early sun. You groaned, looking to your phone and seeing without a doubt, it was 4:15 am. At first, you didn't know why you'd woken up so early but then you heard it.

A knock.

Initially, you were not going to move because it was warm here and you were tired.

But then you thought about if it was him, and if in the morning you'd see him dead on your doorstep. That would be suspicious, and you'd probably end up in jail-

You sighed, pulling yourself out of the bed and pattering to the door. And when you swung it open, you were met with familiar blue eyes.

Before you could stop it, you asked, "Don't you have any friends?"

He barked out a laugh -chuckle really, but something in him seemed nervous (like he wasn't sure if he should have come), "Lovely to see you too, love."

"Right," you agreed, before shuffling to the side and letting him in. He relaxed ever-so-slightly.

The first thing you noticed was a split on his forehead, just a cut -it wouldn't need any stitches (thank god, these pajamas were your favorite), and then you dipped to his clothes which were actually in tack. It was a blue suit, really complimented his eyes, and you wondered distantly if he did that on purpose. He seemed the type.

His pants though were dirty, and you could see him limping -only slightly. He was definitely not in as bad as shape as before though; you really wondered why he was here.

"Sit," you motioned to the stool and disappeared into your bathroom.

You got much of the same things and climbed onto the stool beside him, eyes sweeping across his face. Now that you were closer, you could see little cuts along his skin -teeny tiny.

"Glass bottle," he offered before you could say anything.

You hummed, nonchalantly, "Coulda guessed."

Your brain was numb at the moment, still sleepy and you once again thought this might've been a hallucination. He was handsome after all, and you did daydream about handsome men so it definitely could be. And you guessed you could have a saviour thing-

You stopped your train of thought, interrupting the silence as you dabbed at his forehead, "You know I'm not a doctor, right?"

He spoke, frankly, "You talked about a sewing class when you needed to stitch up my bloody fuckin' knife wound, love."

You nodded, fair point, before continuing, "Then why are you here?"

Tangerine paused, and you thought distantly he didn't have an answer, until he answered, "'Hard to do myself."

You thought for a moment, before replying, "What about your brother?"

"Not in the fuckin' country," he answered simply -something frustrated in his tone. But then again, when wasn't there?

"Hmm," you hummed, before rubbing the rest of the tiny cuts -he hissed slightly, "-different job?"

"No," he exhaled, "-just a different... mission."

"'Make it sound like you're a super spy," you laughed, "-but Tangerine isn't a very cool codename."

"Fuck you."

"You are such a joy," you remarked, debating bandaging the top cut, "-Are bandaids too baby for you?"

"Plasters?" He asked.

British, right, you nodded -waving one in your fingers, "Yeah, I think it's all I've got for your wounds. Well, unless you want it wrapped around your head-"

"'s fine," he muttered -low but you still caught it.

"Good," you assured, sticking one to his skin -fingers fluttering along his skin (when was the last time you touched someone?).

"Alright," you leaned back, gathering up your supplies -promptly ignoring the thought, "-all done here. Your leg-"

"Bruised ankle," he clarified -explaining the limp.

"Oh," you spoke, "-I'll get the peas again."

Your eyes dipped to his pants, covered in... something (maybe a mix of blood and dirt?), "And a pair of pants."

He didn't say a word, merely staying seated, as you grabbed the peas -sliding them across your counter. Before stalling slightly, asking-

"Do you even still live here?"

He pressed his lips together, apparently debating telling you -which you were slightly offended by, "No."

"So you're staying?" You asked, neutrally.

"Don't 'ave to," he spoke -not combative, and you really thought you were hallucinating then.

You tilted your head, confused, "You can stay, didn't I say that before?"

He nodded, still so wordless, and you were honestly the most confused you ever could be. Tangerine was quieter, softer, and it was nothing like the time before; he even seemed grateful.

"Honest question," you started.

"Yeah, love?"

"Are you okay?" You decided, careful wording with eye contact strong. You two were kind of close, he left his life in your hands -it was strangely intimate. Your relationship was very confusing, but it felt right to ask.

"Yeah," he answered -furrowing his brows, "-these wounds are fuckin' nothing, love. I have been far, far closer to death."

"No, I mean-" you clarified, "-like mentally. You're being too nice."

He raised his eyebrows, "Too nice?"

"Yeah," you stressed like it was obvious, "-you are like grateful and shit. You've barely cussed at me."

"You saved my fuckin' life, love," he questioned, "-shouldn't I be kind for 'at?"

"You should," you agreed, before contradicting, "-but you don't."

He was quiet then, eyes not meeting yours as his fingers tapped against your counter -seemingly running things over in his mind. It was awhile that he was doing that, but you patiently waited. You suspected opening up at all wasn't his forte.

Finally, still looking around your living room, he mumbled, "'Needed to see someone."

You took him at his word -not dwelling because it really felt like he didn't want to, and the rest of the night was the same. He took the pants, slept on the couch, and was gone in the morning -even though he couldn't have slept more than a few hours.

It started happening pretty regularly after that. You'd fix him up, he'd talk, you'd talk, he'd stay over. You started loosening up, talking about your job, and your life -nothing super specific. He stayed clammed up about his job, but his personal life he did talk about -there wasn't much, but he did talk about his brother.

You felt like that was a big thing.

And then, after quite a few months between visits, you heard a knock at your door. Super late as always, you made your way to it -expectant and in routine. This time though, there were two of them: a familiar Tangerine, and a man with bleached tips and a surprisingly big smile.

"Hello," he smiled and it was very odd -Tangerine hardly smiled, "-lovely to meet ya, I'm Lemon."

You could assume from the name, even still, you felt a little out of place, "Nice to meet you."

"Brother," Tangerine motioned to him -frustration nearly radiating off of him, as he made his way inside.

"Rude," Lemon spoke, "-can I come in?"

"Yeah, of course," you exhaled, letting him in.

Tangerine was relatively well -bruised knuckles, a busted lip, and a mild slice on his collarbone. Lemon was even better with just a black eye, atleast on the surface.

Instead of on the stool, Tangerine beelined straight to the bathroom -slamming the door.

You pursed your lips, turning to Lemon for answers, "What the hell is wrong with him?"

"Annoyed 'im into takin' me 'ere," he answered simply, "-'Wanted to meet who my brother was talkin' about."

He talks about me, you thought for a moment -you fully believed that you were a little miniature part of his life, not something he'd talk about. Especially to his brother.

He must've seen your confusion, because he continued.

"Oh, he never shuts up, love," he laughed, "-'Feel like I already fuckin' know ya."

"Huh," you responded, puzzled.

You thought about it for a second, running over the idea in your mind. What did he have to talk about? Your life? Your boring job, your lack of love life, your favorite cheesy movies? He told that to his brother? His brother with the same unbelievable life?

Why the hell would he do that?

"Please, sit on my couch," you finally spoke, wandering towards the kitchen with intent, "-I'll get you something cold for your eye. And then, I'll deal with the tantrum."

"Thanks," Lemon smiled, tottering off to your TV and without hesitation, popping it on.

He really was very comfortable for not knowing you. How much had Tangerine said?

You stepped into the living room, offering the same peas to Lemon (did you even like peas?) that you often gave Tangerine. He smiled gratefully.

"Do you need any like Tylenol?" You asked, further -eyes swiftly drifting over his eye, it was a nasty sort of yellow, "-that one is a shiner."

"So nice," Lemon hummed, "-no wonder my brother was hoggin' ya. But, I'll be alright, 'ave had worse."

You nodded, before slowly making your way toward the bathroom. Raising your hand, you gently knocked -nothing compared to his on your door in ungodly hours of the morning.

"Tangerine?" You offered.

The door slid open, and your eyes swam over him -taking in his wounds that you had before like in confirmation. He really wasn't hurt bad, not like other times.

Turns out, you didn't care and still wanted to help.

He was leaning against the counter fidgeting with his hands -you think there was blood on his rings. You spoke before you could think about it.

"You want me to wash those?"

He quirked an eyebrow, "What?"

“Your rings,” you clarified, mentally cursing yourself, “-or… do you need help with your wounds?”

He seems to think about it for a moment, eyes dashing across his knuckles -his rings, really. You only watched him for a few moments, half convinced you had dreamt this all up, that maybe he didn’t even exist. Maybe he was a figment of your imagination, he was certainly handsome enough. And his name was Tangerine. This could definitely all be a dream.

“Think I can do the rings myself, love,” he laughed a little -you still weren’t used to that sound, “-and the wounds aren’t ‘at bad.”

You looked at him for a moment, peering along the busted lip and the slice on his collarbone, “You sure? It’s kind of all I do, is it not?”

He smiled, mustache quirking up, “If it makes you feel better, you can clean the cut. But really, love, I’m fine.”

You pursed your lips, taking in his breaths that swirled with yours -the bathroom was small, “I’ll just get you some ice for your knuckles. But if you die from infection, it’s not on me.”

He really laughed at the one, as you spun on your feet back to the kitchen -digging out some other frozen food you hadn’t gotten around to eating yet. With a solid motion, you extended it forward (it was maybe tater tots?), offering it to Tangerine.

“Sorry it’s not the peas,” you spoke, pointing to Lemon -who at the time seemed to be half asleep on the couch, “-your brother stole those.”

“The fuckin’ twat,” he hissed out, a little too personally -you thought it was probably about something far bigger than your frozen peas. He could definitely be that petty though. So, it was possible.

"Woah, somebody's pissy today. Bad day?"

Tangerine seemed to pause, eyes swimming over you -like he was committing you to memory, you briefly wondered why.

"Yeah," he said, solidly -not elaborating. You knew better than to expect him to.

"Well," you spoke, a little awkwardly -not sure where to go, "-I've got... icecream?"

He looked at you like you were insane, but then again, when wasn't he? You said a lot of things without a filter in front of him. Handsome men, what could you say?

"Like..." you clarified, clearing your throat, "-to eat."

"Yeah, love, I fuckin' got 'at part. Why the hell would I want icecream?"

There it was. Tangerine in his true form.

You opened your mouth to respond, but someone else cut you to the chase.

"Sorry," Lemon perked up, "-did you say icecream? Because 'at would be really lovely with this movie, a great pair-"

"Yeah," you turned to him -his presence was a lot warmer (why was his name Lemon?), "-I've only got one flavor, but..."

"Fine with me," Lemon responded, with a big smile, "-brother, are you gettin' any?"

Tangerine huffed out of his nose, genuinely frustrated apparently -much different than a moment ago. What was he even angry about? There was nothing-

"No," he spoke through a snarl.

"Ouch," Lemon put his hands on his heart, replying flatly, "-really hurts, mate. Not used to your shitty behavior at all."

You decidedly left the room (not really it was all open concept), waltzing toward your kitchen with a focus in mind. As you were digging around, trying to find the pint you'd hidden from yourself, you were interrupted.

"Do you..." you turned at his voice, Tangerine, he didn't look very certain of his words, "-Do you need any help, love?"

"Help?" You questioned, raising an eyebrow, "-With icecream?"

"Well," he was suddenly very grumpy -probably embarrassed, "-you help me all the fuckin' time, so I just thought- Excuse me for fuckin' offering."

"You..." you started, standing and now facing him, "-You were going to repay me for saving your life, by helping me with icecream?"

"'S hardly saving my life," he grumbled, under his breath -you still heard it.

"You had a knife-" you motioned harshly to stress the word, "-in your shoulder the first time we met."

"Not deadly," he retorted, a bit pompous.

You rolled your eyes, "Look, give me the benefit of the doubt-"

Tangerine quickly said -almost on instinct, "I certainly will fuckin' not."

"-let's call it even," you continued, ignoring his remark, "-I save your life, you save mine."

"That's..." he started, "-That's makin' it even?"

"Well, yeah," you tilted your head, "-a life for a life."

He furrowed his eyebrows, you took it as him not understanding.

"Let's say that I'm getting chased down an alley," you clarified, before interjecting, "-Ooh wait, or maybe I'm getting robbed-"

"Are you fuckin' excited at the idea of gettin' robbed, love?"

"No," you quickly mended, "-it's just a better story. Plus, that's not relevant-"

His lips quirked up into a little smile.

"-What I'm saying is," you started, "-If I'm in trouble, you have to save me. To make it even."

"And how am I supposed to know when you're in trouble, then?"

You paused, pursing your lips -good point, "Uh, I don't know. Do you guys have like a bat signal? Like I hold up a fruit stand sign to the light-"

"Very funny," Tangerine interrupted -flatly, "-Look, just take my phone number, yeah? If you're ever in trouble, you can ring me like a fuckin' normal person."

"You're one to talk," you responded, before furrowing your eyebrows, "-Wait, you guys have phones?"

"Yeah," Tangerine stressed, "-who do you think we are?"

"Well, I don't know," you explained, "-don't phones have trackers? Won't that out you guys? When you're on... jobs?"

"Burners," Lemon quickly clarified, "-well, kind of. 'S on a secret network, basically."

"So," you started, processing, "-you want to give me your secret phone number?"

Tangerine hummed, realizing but seeming to settle, "Well, it's not like you've given me a reason to not trust you, love. Should I not?"

"True," you responded, "-I have not snitched on you. Even with... all the blood, and the knife, and the job you won't talk about-"

"We get it, love," he groaned out, "-just give me your fuckin' phone, yeah?"

You without hesitation gave it to him, he seemed to quickly put your phone number in his, and then his in yours -handing it back to you open on the contact. With a smile, you made his name the tangerine emoji.

"You put me as the damn emoji, didn't you?"

"Oh, yeah," you laughed out, pocketing your phone in one fellow swoop.

You ended up seeing them both a few more times after that with varying injuries. (Once Lemon had a broken nose, and Tangerine had a broken finger. No more knives, thankfully.)

They were starting to be familiar to you -friends even. Despite not telling you about their job, you had gotten to know them well; you hate to brag but you were pretty good at settling their arguments. It made you integral to their dynamic.

You probably should've known one day you helping them stay alive would come back and bite you in the ass.

See, if you were asked, you'd probably assume they had many enemies. They were, at least, fighting people on a daily basis -you don't do that if your job is a positive one. And fighting people, almost regularly, is a surefire way of saying 'somebody hates me'. They probably had an enemy in every other city, if you were realistic.

You don't know why you hadn't thought of that.

That day, it was just a normal one. You worked until the sun went down, and then went home. Or you were supposed to.

Your shift at work was long and exhausting and you kind of wished your bed was right in front of you -so, to be honest, you weren't in your most aware state. It was always dangerous walking the streets tired, you knew this, so you usually had someone walk home with you. This night, in particular, was a lone shift (hell on earth) with a manager you didn't like, so you didn't ask.

And maybe that was stupid of you, but you doubted they would say yes.

Your feet pattered along the sidewalk, street lamps fading in and out of your view. Every few steps it'd get dark and then light again; to be honest, you were too tired to feel scared when it was dark.

And then, right as you stepped into the light, you heard the screech of car breaks (which you were kind of used to) and then suddenly there were hands all over you. Gloved hands, black-gloved hands.

Before you could say a word, you were thrown into the back of a van -no seats by the way, and enveloped in darkness.

It took you a minute to adjust, head spinning and hands shaking against the cold metal underneath you. It kind of felt like when you met Tangerine for the first time, like you weren't really there. Like you were experiencing something so bizarre, it couldn't be real-

Shit, you thought to yourself, Tangerine.

You patted yourself, ruffling over your pockets -trying to find your phone. It was dark and you couldn't even see. You guessed that was why, your phone went clattering onto the metal, away from your hand -loud.

There was something in you that hoped that these guys were stupid. That they'd look over the noise and ignore you until they took you wherever the hell they were taking you.

You weren't that lucky.

The van was distinctly pulled over, tires even scraping along the bumpy texture. And within minutes, the door to the van was flung open.

They were just a shadowy figure, light framing them so you couldn't see any of his features at all. He was just a shadow. You didn't know if that made him any scarier.

"What the hell are you doing back here?" His voice was low and gruff -like a smoker.

"I didn't-" you started, trying to avoid your phone -it was shadowed in the dark. You doubted he could see it-

And then his eyes flicked directly to it.

You literally could not have had a worse day.

Instead of reaching for it, he eyed for you to instead. And for a second, you thought he might've been trying to help you. That was wrong.

With your phone in your hand, the man promptly put a gun to your head. From a distance, yeah, but still trained directly into the center of your forehead. Was he going to kill you? Just like that?

This was suddenly very real, you swallowed back tears and nearly dropped your phone -trying to raise your hands up.

"Please," you begged, slowly and shaky but clear enough for them to hear.

"Shut up," he hissed out, "-listen. Take your phone, and call 'em."

"C-Call who?"

"Don't play dumb with me," the man echoed out, and you heard the click of the trigger pulling back -dear god, "-we know you're close to the twins, we've been watchin' your place for months."

"Okay, okay-" you breathed out, it felt like your lungs were full like you were suffocating-

Tears burned at the backs of your eyes, as your fingers, shaking, scrolled around the contacts app -he hadn't texted you or anything so all you had was his contact. Only for emergencies, he'd said.

You almost wanted to scare him once, but the idea felt so very stupid now.

Clicking call, the man nudged your hand, speaking lowly, "Put it on fucking speaker, now."

You dutifully did so, even if it took a few tries to hit the button -your hands were shaking enough to blur the screen. Your head was spinning, and the only thing your could feel was the cold metal beneath your legs.

Why did you ever think this was a good idea? To get caught up with... with bloody men who had a mysterious job?

You were moving back home if you made it out alive -the city wasn't worth this.

"'Ello?" His voice was spent, and you could hear the raggedy breaths puffing out of his chest -somehow hearing his voice calmed you just a second.

The man nudged you again, so you spoke, "Tangerine?"

He must have not been paying attention, because your shaky whisper -wet from your tears, you were crying, went relatively unnoticed.

"Little busy at the mo-" you heard a solid hit and what sounded like a crack, "-ment, you sure this is important, love?"

The man kept his eyes laser-focused on you, you took it as a sign to keep talking.

"T-Tangerine," you repeated, more inflection -the shake in your voice unavoidable.

The noise on the phone, suddenly got very quiet -you heard him mumble something to Lemon 'you got 'im?' before seeming to pull his full attention to you, "Everything okay, love? You sound... Is somethin' wrong?"

The man looked at you, expectantly. You took it as to tell him what was happening, clenching your nails into your skin -it might bleed. The pain was distracting, even just for a moment.

"I-I'm," you tried, but your voice cracked, and your breath turned into a sob, "T-There's a man, he has a gun to my head, I don't- I don't know why-"

"Jesus fuckin' Christ," Tangerine spit out, something fierce in his voice, "Lemon-"

The man snatched the phone from your hand, voice low and in a growl, "Seems I got something you want, Tangerine. It's only fair."

"Who the hell are you?"

"Doesn't matter," the man deflected, "-all that matters is that I have your little nurse, and you have no idea where we are."

The van, suddenly without warning, started up again -swinging back onto the road. You braced yourself against the wall, mindlessly blinking -this isn't real, this isn't real, this isn't real.

You could hear the pounding of his footsteps -rushed, like he was trying to get somewhere, "If you lay a hand on 'em, I will fuckin' rip you apart, piece by excruciating piece. Slow and fuckin' steady, for hours-"

"You say that as if you know where we are," the man responded, "-as if you have a chance of finding them in time."

In time? your brain chimed, and everything felt so far away now.

"I swear to fuckin' god-" he spit out, venomous, "-if you hurt 'em-"

"Yeah, yeah," the man retorted -confidence in his tone, "-I got that part, fruit."

You breathed out, swallowing back tears, and wiping your eyes so hard that you were seeing spots; maybe this was all a dream, maybe you had just fallen asleep at work-

"Hate to do this to you," the man echoed out, "-but we have to go. Let's hope we see each other later, for your sake."

Tangerine nearly yelled through the phone, but that didn't stop him from hanging up.

At the next stop, the man moved back to the front -taking your phone with him. You sat alone, in the back of a van, in complete darkness.

Would this be the last thing you ever see? Really?

It was just like you were in the city, so incredibly alone. At least you had a chance then, to remedy it. Now... Now you weren't even sure you'd be breathing in a few hours.

"Oh god," you breathed out a big exhale, a sob bubbling up your throat -you had so much left to do, "-oh god."

The van didn't stop for what felt like forever, bumpy roads and quick turns -they were speeding the whole time, and you had no idea how they weren't pulled over. But maybe it was because of the hour, it was fairly late.

The door swung open before you could think about anything else, two men rushing in and grabbing you by the shoulders -dragging you out.

"If you scream," you felt cold metal to your neck, "-you're dead."

"Aren't you going to kill me anyways?"

"Only if your friends," the other man retorted, "-don't behave."

They tied something around your eyes, leaving you completely in the dark -gloved hands squeezing your shoulders so tight, they were definitely going to bruise. Three sets of feet pattered along what sounded like concrete, as your mind went numb -the cold, bitter air filtering over your skin.

It was echoing now, after you heard the swing of some heavy doors opening -must have been a big place. Your mind was reeling, you felt like you weren't even really there.

Then, without a word, they threw you forward directly into a brick wall -seemingly latching a door behind you. Your head spun for a moment as you tried to reorient yourself -blindfold still on, as you pulled it off you felt a stickiness on your forehead.

Pulling your hand in front of your face, you realized it was blood. How hard did you hit your head?

Your fingers flitted across it again, and you hissed. Apparently very hard.

You tried to look at your hands, see how much blood, but it was all shadowed -the darkness didn't change much from what you saw in the blindfold.

Hands shaking, you leaned yourself against the wall -tears steadily making their way down your cheeks. You could cry now, freely, as you finally were brought back down to your body.

This was really happening. You were in some dingy old room, and there were men outside who wanted to kill you to get at someone else. You were expendable, a pawn.

Any moment, any feeling, and they could just kill you. You'd die here, and nobody would know what happened to you.

You'd be one of those news stories you couldn't believe.

The brick scratched against your head, but it was kind of numbed by your headache -pounding where you knew the split of skin to be. Or where you could've guessed it was anyway.

That couldn't mean anything good.

Your breaths were starting to hollow out, low and slow, your body coming back to the cold concrete floors. You were grappling with your helplessness, what the hell would you do? What could you do?

You were... you couldn't do anything. You were done. This was it, all that work for... for you to die in some dingy old room alone.

And then, you thought of something you hadn't thought to. Something you'd never let your mind dig into, not really, because at the time it seemed stupid.

Tangerine.

You'd always known there was something there, something bubbling under your skin. Even with everything, you still... there was something.

Something warm in your chest at the idea that he came to see you. That it wasn't just for the help anymore. And he was handsome, and he promised to save you and his eyes and his arms and his hands-

Before you could think about it for too long, something interrupted you.

Boom.

It made your ears sting, the noise bouncing along the walls -you flinched where you sat. Breath sudden in a gasp, you stilled. Almost like as if someone could see you, like you were hiding.

There was some shuffling outside, someone messing with the latch on the door -they were struggling. Maybe because their hands were shaking? They were trying to get in-

And then, right outside the door was an even louder-

Boom.

It makes your head sting, squeezing your eyes shut so hard that you see spots. You swallowed, trying to calm the pounding in your head, rubbing at your temples.

Gunshots, you recognized, suddenly, they were gunshots.

Your heart stuttered in your chest, they were right outside the door. With a gun. With a gun-

Before you could think of anything to say, the rattling at the door started again -the scratch of metal against metal. It sounded more frantic now, somehow, and your whole body froze. Maybe if you didn't move they wouldn't hear you?

The door swung open, light pouring in that made your eyes sting. The door pounding against the wall -loud and opposing.

Squeezing your eyes shut, you held your breath, staying completely still -hoping the shadow hid you against the walls. One hand covering your face, waiting until a figure steps into the room.

And when one did, cast in shadow, you sat very still. Watching their head twist around the room, back and forth -looking, searching.

You bit back a sob, let me live, let me live.

Then, they spoke.

"Love? Are you in 'ere?" He echoed out, "-Or was that fuckin' twat lyin'-"

"Tangerine," spilled out of your mouth as you rushed forward -wrapping your arms around him in a huff, "-holy shit, Tangerine-"

He stood frozen for a second, unfamiliar with the affection, you assumed. You inhaled a shaky breath in, the whiff of his cologne keeping you stable, there. You were safe-

His arms slowly met around you, unsure, but settling comfortably. Holding you for a second, just a second.

"Are you alright, love?" He pushed back a little bit -blue eyes scanning over you, "-Did he fuckin' lay a hand on you?"

"No, just-" you breathed out, pushing through the pain, "-he slammed me against the wall, I hit my head pretty hard, but that's-"

"Your head?" He asked, grabbing your wrist and pulling you into the light, "-Come out 'ere, love, so I can see."

"It's not really-"

Tangerine let out a big sigh, turning back to you, "Let me help you, yeah?"

You pursed your lips, eyeing him for a moment -he was relatively unscathed, just a blood stain on his shirt and maybe some busted-up knuckles. His hair was still in place and his suit jacket uncreased, he felt composed -sturdy. Stable, really.

"Okay," you whispered out, letting him guide you out the door -you hissed at the little light you did see, almost instinctively squeezing your eyes shut.

"Sorry, love," he spoke, soft and gentle, "-can't control the sun for you."

"You could block it," you remarked, "-god made your shoulders insanely broad for a reason."

He laughed, moving in his place so less light shone on you -hands moving to hold your face (tilting the wound into the light), "You think my shoulders are broad, then?"

"Duh," you responded, something in your head woozy -you stumbled a little in place.

"Shit," he reacted, hands smoothing to your shoulders, holding you up, "-Can you 'ear me? Stay fuckin' awake, yeah?"

"Okay," you blinked heavily, trying to see him clearly.

When you did, he stood there eyes desperately searching yours -looking at you, concerned. They scattered all over you, settling on the split on your head for a bit too long -it was still pounding in your head, made you flinch a little.

"Do you think-" you started, "-Do you think I need a hospital?"

"No," Tangerine breathed out, fingers dusting along your wound, "-just need someone to watch ya overnight. And to clean you up a bit."

"Wouldn't..." you echoed, "-Wouldn't a hospital do that?"

Tangerine met your eyes, his lips quirking into a smile (just barely), "You think you're fuckin' funny, yeah?"

"I'm just making a point," you deflected.

"Just-" he sighed out, before connecting your eyes again, "-let me help you. I want to, yeah? I really fuckin' want to."

"Okay," you echoed out, relaxing into his touch -relaxing finally, "-fine."

"Good," he tsked, and without hesitation wrapped his fingers around your wrist, "-now, let's get out of 'ere, shall we?"

You did so, eyes squeezed shut tight because all the light did was hurt. But Tangerine soothed you, hand still on your wrist, ("Close your eyes if it hurts, love, I've got you.") and guided you along, even sitting you down in the car and pulling the seat belt along your body.

"You know I could do that myself, right?" You spoke, eyes squinted open -the car was much darker.

He didn't dignify you with a response, sliding into your side and shutting the door behind himself. He silently settled into the seat beside you, like the passenger seat was taken. Which it decidedly was not.

His blue eyes kept darting to you, and you could feel his leg pressed against yours.

"You know that I'm fine, Tangerine," you exhaled, looking to him, "-don't you?"

He didn't respond, so you continued.

"You looked at my wound, I'm alright-" you laughed a little, "-I can sit in the backseat by myself."

Tangerine seemed to think for a second, before speaking decidedly, "If you go to fuckin' sleep, love, you won't wake up. I'm 'ere to keep you awake."

You could feel his breath fan over your face, and you swallowed. You could hear your heartbeat pounding in your ears, as your eyes stayed on his (blue, blue-). With another intake of breath, you snapped them away -eagerly looking out the window.

Well, you thought to yourself, you're doing a really good job, Tangerine.

The city blurred by, as it made way to more familiar silhouettes but not... not yours. Not ones near your home.

"Um," you spoke, particularly to Lemon (who was driving) "-are we not going... home?"

"You serious, love?" Tangerine offered, blue eyes decidedly matching yours.

"Are we not-"

Lemon interrupted -catching your eye in the mirror, "You were kidnapped, mate. Do you not remember 'at?"

"No, I do," you huffed out, eyes dashing between the two of them, "-they didn't get me at home though, they got me off the street."

"Doesn't mean anythin'," Tangerine countered, jaw twitching ever so slightly -he really didn't like talking about them, "-'Ey 'ave eyes on your home, 's how they made the connection to us."

"Tangerine-"

"He's got a point," Lemon responded, fingers tapping along the wheel, "-takes too much effort to prove 'im wrong, trust me."

"Lemon-"

"Why do you even want to go home, love?" Tangerine interrupted, eyebrows furrowed -genuine curiosity.

"Because it's my home," you reiterated, "-it's familiar. I know you guys may have forgotten the feeling, but it... it would make me feel a lot better to be home."

Tangerine sighed, a deep heavy sigh, "How about a compromise?"

You pursed your lips, eyes flickering across his face (god, was he pretty), "I'm listening."

"We stay at the hotel a few nights until they cool off," he offered, "-and then, you can go home."

You sighed out in relief.

"But," Tangerine clarified, "-me and Lemon need to stay with you for a while. There's not a fuckin' chance you're goin' alone after this. Especially so soon."

"What so-" you started, "-you guys are going to constantly be around me? I have work, and I... I need to get groceries-"

"We 'ave to be, love," Tangerine spoke in almost a whisper, soft, "-these people, they're not goin' to be as fuckin' nice next time. Lemon and I know 'at."

Right, you thought to yourself, mysterious jobs. They've probably done something like this before.

You involuntary shuddered, thinking about the darkness and the gun and your life-

Tangerine looked at you, eyes darting around your face -a slosh of concern sliding over his features, flickering in his eyes. It was no wonder those thoughts had come to the forefront of your mind, he was so protective of you. There's only so much you can resist feelings for someone who so very much values your life.

A handsome someone, your mind tsked.

Before he could open his mouth though, you turned your head back to the window. A familiar swirl bubbled into your stomach, you couldn't chance looking at him. Afterall, getting flustered with him was surely a dead giveaway and there was no way in hell Tangerine felt anything remotely the same.

And that was plain embarrassing.

You felt suddenly like you were in school again, and were crushing on a jock -that never even looked your way. It felt pretty hopeless, and even though it did, it didn't stop you from going to every game -just to pretend for a little while.

Was that what patching him up was? Your own sort of way to be close to him, to pretend for a moment that everything was different.

Shit, you thought, that is embarrassing.

Luckily, you severely doubted Tangerine would ever know. You were pretty good at keeping secrets. Hence, well, the whole reason you were even here in the first place -you regularly housed assassins.

It took only a few minutes after that (feeling blue eyes boring into your side the whole time) when Lemon pulled into a parking spot and you arrived at the hotel. Lucky for you, it was far from a dingy old place on the side of the road.

This place was way above your paygrade. You had never even dreamed of living such a luxury; all golden accents and marble floors. You hardly even knew this place existed in your city.

"I take it back," you whispered to Tangerine, as Lemon strode up to the front desk to request a room change, "-we can stay here forever."

You saw the woman point to you, clearly in concern and you suddenly remembered the wound on your head. Your fingers smoothed along it, and you grimaced, Lemon seemed to come up with some sort of explanation, though. And she promptly looked away.

Tangerine laughed at your words, a quiet little chuckle, and fell rather silent. You peered over at him, wondering why he hadn't said anything back; and when you did, he seemed to be stealing little looks at you -silently fidgeting with his rings.

You pursed your lips in thought for a moment, debating asking him about it.

Before you could, he opened his mouth to say something -eyes lingering on your face, like he was trying to memorize it (something in your chest fluttered), "Love, I-"

"Sorry, mates," Lemon interrupted, eyes dashing between the two of you for a moment, "-rooms are booked tonight. Lady says we can try again tomorrow but she doubts it'll 'ave changed."

"So," you swallowed, "-just two bedrooms?"

"Yep," Lemon popped the p, "-and hate to say it, but I'm gettin' one by myself. You lot can figure the rest of 'at out yourselves."

Something was gleaming there in his eye -something mischievous; you frowned -heartbeat stuttering in your chest.

Maybe there's a couch, your mind chimed -a little patheticly.

As fate would have it, there was. And an entire kitchen and living space -an expensive kitchen and living space. You were truly floored by this place.

"This is a hotel, right?" you questioned, eyes lingering on the high ceilings (you decidedly did not have those).

"For rich blokes," Lemon clarified, "-the kinds 'at hate to 'ave anythin' besides luxury."

You spun around, eyes darting between the two of them, "Like you two?"

Tangerine frowned, and Lemon snorted -disappearing off into the kitchen; leaving just you and Tangerine alone in the living space. That being said, each room was actually divided, with no open concept -just archways.

You slung yourself onto the couch, inelegantly (but when were you ever elegant) and were pleased to find it felt like clouds, "Why, if you could pay for this, did you ever come to my apartment? They probably have an on-staff nurse you could page, good god-"

"Eh," Tangerine mended, voice calm and confident, "-like the company better 'ere."

You smiled to yourself, small and quiet, heart fluttering in your chest. You are not making this easy, fruit man.

You cleared your throat, about to shift the subject because you frankly could not address the fondness in his eyes. Instead, Lemon came to your rescue with a smile.

"Well," he spoke, "-I'm fuckin' exhausted, I'm off to bed. If you need anythin', ask Tangerine."

And then, with that, he left -disappearing behind one of the doors down into the hallway.

"You can't sleep," Tangerine said suddenly, "-your head... We've got to get you to a doctor in the mornin', so they can look at it."

"Why not tonight?"

"I truly fuckin' doubt anyone of credit would be open this late," he explained, sauntering up to your side and sitting down (when he had the whole couch).

"Tangerine," you spoke, "-the emergency room doesn't just... close."

"I just," he sighed out, leaning back into the couch "-I want you safe for tonight, yeah?"

"I doubt they'd show up to a hospital," you reasoned, weighing your words.

Tangerine frowned.

"Look, I just-" you paused, "-you don't have to be on watch duty. You need sleep. Just take me to the ER, and I'll-"

He scoffed, repeating, "There's no fuckin' way you're going alone, love."

Swiping the keys off one of the tables near the door and shooting Lemon a text, he grabbed your hand and guided you outside.

The night was a surprisingly quick one, as you were taken into the ER and looked at. They quickly bandaged and stitched your wound, even sending you in to get your brain looked at. Tangerine was dutifully by your side, all night, even when they told you they'd rather keep an eye on you tonight. Something along the lines of what Tangerine said, keeping you awake.

He did, however, end up getting some sleep -slouched over in a hospital chair. One of those plastic ones that really could not be comfortable, and you knew his back would ache in the morning. But when you asked him to, he straight refused to leave ("No fuckin' way, love"); so, you were sort of glad he had gotten some sleep after all.

Then, the next morning, they set you on your way. Quickly reminding your husband (it was the only way Tangerine could stay overnight) of all the bandage changes and consistent eye he should keep on you; he seemed rather serious when listening -eyes intent, and almost as if he could, he would take out a notepad and write each thing down extensively.

You were touched, something in your chest swirling widely.

Was this how he felt when you took care of him?

Well, you sort of doubted so, because they were different circumstances. Despite the closeness and the fingertips on the skin, it was less protective and more domestic. Something very different in the closeness there, and the presence of him now.

Even now, as you leaned onto the couch, scrolling through channels -you felt his eyes solidly on you.

"Tangerine," you tsked, bandage smoothed across your head, "-I'm fine."

He blinked, as your eyes swam over his face and a pink dusted along his cheeks, "That's not what I- I was just... just lookin', love."

You furrowed your eyebrows, curious, tilting your head, "Why?"

Tangerine paused, blue eyes bubbling along your skin -like he was considering his answer, or maybe deciding on one. You thought for a second that he wasn't going to say anything -wordless, as always.

"Need to change your bandage," he deflected, getting up, grabbing some supplies, and roaming over to you on the couch.

You groaned, leaning your head back against the cushions -so soft and cloudlike that you almost couldn't stay frustrated, "We just did that."

"'At was yesterday, love," Tangerine hummed, smiling ever-so-slightly, "-the doctors said-"

"The doctors said," you mocked his accent, shaking your head with the words, "-spare me the speech this time, Tan."

He smirked, face so close to yours now (peeling the old one off, rough fingertips dusting along your forehead), "Fuckin' argumentative today, yeah?"

You swallowed, eyes darting between his -back and forth, responding shortly, "Maybe."

Tangerine furrowed his eyebrows at the quickness of your response, dabbing at the wound quickly -cleaning it. He was gentle, with tiny little movements; it was hard to imagine these were the same hands that hurt others. He was so soft with your wound, why-

"You alright, love?"

He was a breath away, blue eyes (upon finishing the bandaging) matching yours, intensely. Tangerine just had an intense stare, like you simply held the world in your hands. It was like he didn't blink, even though you knew he did.

You swallowed, for a moment, eyes dashing along his face -it really was totally unfair. Your cheeks grew a little hot at the closeness, you saw his eyes dart to it -eyebrows furrowing together.

Good god, it really was like high-school again.

"What, yeah-" you laughed, awkwardly -eyes darting away from him, "-why would I not be?"

Tangerine hummed in thought for a second, and you could nearly hear the gears in his head turning, "Love... you're actin' really fuckin' odd right now."

You fidgeted with your fingers, watching them in your lap -you couldn't think straight right now. This was all new in your brain, and when was the last time you had feelings for someone-

"I'm not," you answered, finally -a bit like a toddler who was getting in trouble but the meaning all the same.

He sighed out a breath, seeming to settle on something and you could almost feel his eyeroll.

And without another second, you felt his fingers on your chin. Rough fingertips brushed against it, as he tilted you back to face him.

You blinked.

His blue eyes flickered along your face, slow and tedious, "You know you're safe with me, yeah?"

"Tangerine," you exhaled.

"I'd-" he started, eyes dipping away before coming back to yours -so genuine, "-I'd save you without the deal, you know 'at? Anytime, anywhere-"

"Tangerine, that's not-" you faltered, he was so broken open, vulnerable, to you right now. Something in your chest heavy, and your heart ready to spill on your tongue.

"I'd shoot 'im over and over again if it made ya feel safe, love," he continued, fingertip brushing along your skin like he was cradling your face, "-I'm sorry I ever let 'im put a fuckin' hand on you, you 'ave to know 'at."

"Tangerine," you sighed out, soft, "-That's not your fault."

"It is."

"Tangerine-"

"You're afraid now, aren't you?" He echoed out, a soft sort of whisper but filled with intent, "-How does 'at not mean I'm responsible? I never should've-"

"Tangerine!" You exclaimed, resorting to using your hands to cup his face -bringing him back down to earth, "-I'm not... afraid."

He paused.

"Well, yeah, I am, but it's not-" you tsked, before sighing, "-I know you'll keep me safe. I don't know how I know, I just... do."

He furrowed his eyebrows, "Then why-"

And then, as normal, your brain stopped functioning, words coming out before you could think them over, "You're very pretty."

He opened his mouth, a smirk smoothing onto his lips. You didn't let him continue.

"And I'm not immune to a pretty man caring about my well-being," you clarified, swallowing -somehow maintaining eye contact, "-I'm not... good at handling it."

"You're..." he started, a quirk of a smile on his lips (not that you were looking), "You're fuckin' flustered, love?"

"Mortifyingly embarrassed," you corrected, your voice squeaked out.

Tangerine laughed a little, "Ya sure you didn't hit your head too hard?"

"Ha ha, laugh it up, mustache," you responded, rolling your eyes -much more comfortable. The banter was easy.

"Well," he tsked, and you were suddenly very aware of how close his face is to yours, "-you apparently fuckin' like it, love. What's 'at say about you?"

You swallowed, "Didn't say it doesn't suit you."

"Hmm," he hummed, and there was a flicker of something in his eye -mischievous, "-guess not."

"Nope," you popped the p -awkwardly. Your eyes darting between his frantically, you felt something building in the air a moment -heavy as your eyes sat on his, and his on yours.

It was almost as if, a look, one glance held your entire being in the balance.

"I think you're quite pretty too, ya know," he echoed out, low and gravelly -you could feel his breaths scattered across your face. He was suddenly very close to you again, the fuzziness that banter provided snatched away.

Something twisted in the bottom of your stomach, as you opened your mouth -letting out a very quiet, "Thank you."

He seemed to take those words, just absorb them in the heavy silence that had bestowed upon the room. There was a part of you that wished Lemon was still here, that he could pull you apart but he left early that morning. And now, here you were, and all you could think about was his lips and that stupid fucking mustache-

You blinked, clearing the fog, and clearing your throat -backing up and standing to your feet.

Tangerine slowly came to the realization, the haze drifting out of his eyes, as they came to default onto yours -still intense but not as close. You could handle this.

"Anyway," you bit your lip, "-I'm kind of starved, do you... want anything?"

"Do I fuckin' want anythin'," he mumbled to himself for a moment -hands carefully putting the old bandage on the table and arranging all of the supplies so they wouldn't fall off.

And with a slow measured breath, he rose to his feet -steps teetering closer to you. His hands found solace in his hair as he rifled it up a bit, and on the cuff of his shirt -you saw a little blood. Was that from you? From your bandage-

"I've got somethin' in mind," he finally said, a little distant from you, but nothing like before (maybe just a few steps away from the closeness of the couch).

"Yeah, um," you cleared your throat, but it still felt dry, "-what do you... want? I think we've got like some... fancy tortilla chips and salsa, which... is a good one, or-"

He laughed a deep sort of low chuckle, erasing those steps you talked about before. You swallowed, words trailing off; there was a little spark in his eye when he noticed that you had -pride.

"You are really un-fuckin'-believable, you know 'at, love?"

"I think you've told me before."

He laughed at that, shaking his head, and you felt the breaths of each one scattered along your face -brushing onto your lips. You snapped your mouth closed at the thought.

Deep breaths, you thought to yourself, deep, deep breaths. You can do this.

Tangerine grew rather silent, before words seemed to bubble out of him without thinking, "You."

"What?"

"I want you, love," he clarified, "-in particular, I'd really love to fuckin' kiss ya right now, is 'at alright?"

"I didn't think you were the type to ask," you quipped, before you could really think about it, again.

He furrowed his eyebrows, a bit in defense.

"No, I mean-" you scrambled for a minute, "-you feel like the kinda guy that does it-"

"It?"

"-in like an emotional rush. You know? Like no words, just... just..."

Tangerine sighed, but you could see the quirk of a smile on his lips -you hadn't scared him off yet apparently.

"Sorry," you squeaked out, and you definitely saw a smile smooth across his lips.

"I'm fuckin' askin' ya, love. Say yes or no, yeah?"

"Yes," it came out in a rush of breath, a little like it clawed up your throat with desperation, "-yes."

Tangerine didn't hesitate a second longer, pushing forward with a force unmatched -big hands coming to cup your face at the hinge of your jaw. It was desperate, almost like he'd been waiting to do this awhile and the idea of that, made your breath catch.

You briefly wondered when it started, before he pushed into you further -hands righting themselves just below your ears on the back of your neck. He made you bump into the wall behind you. Tangerine promptly swallowed your squeak at the sensation, as easy as breathing.

Of course he was good at kissing too, your mind chimed, so unfair.

And then a more coy voice spoke up, but hey, he does want to kiss you though, I'd count that as a win.

Yeah, you decided as his mustache scratched ever so slightly at your upper lip and his hands dropped to your waist, definitely a win.

He pulled back a moment, breaths ragged and slow -eyes darting over yours, "Was good, yeah?"

You decidedly didn't answer him, pushing forward to kiss him again -this time a little slower, less rushed. He was just as slow, fingers holding your waist just slightly tighter like he didn't want you to leave.

Why the hell would I leave?

Tangerine was the one to part that time too, eyes slow to open like the kiss had affected him just as much. Your heart beat a little faster at that.

"Take that as a yes, yeah?"

"Oh, definitely," you laughed, hands coming to rest between his chest and shoulders.

He's strong too, your mind unwillingly retorted.

He didn't move, like he was simply absorbing your breaths and to be fair, you were pretty sure you were doing the same. He was nearly panting after all.

Words slipped out before you could stop them, "When I told you to borrow sugar, this was not what I was expecting."

Tangerine paused for a moment, gears working. Before his face flickered into something of annoyance, frown so prominent.

"Good god, fuckin' shut up, love."

"Make me," you offered, laughing.

And he certainly did.

[soapflavoredtea]

Dogwatch | Denji

Pairing: Denji x Black Reader

Word Count: 1.3k

Summary: Denji sees a black person for the first time

Content/Warnings: Denji being an absolute idiot, Not beta read so some typos

"[Name], could you be a dear and cover my shift?"

There they were. The words you had been waiting–anticipating even, to come out of your coworker's mouth the moment she strode in.

"Hard pass."

Your coworker tightly grasped her hands into a prayer as she gave you puppy eyes. A tactic that would’ve been a million percent more effective had it not been for the small fact that she was a grown woman approaching her thirties. "This'll be the last time, I promise!"

"That's what you said last time, Hanami."

“I actually mean it this time!”

She had also said that last time.

Shrugging on your thin jacket you rolled your eyes at her woman before heading towards the door. It was a quarter until ten on a Sunday. You had school first thing in the morning, and to say that you were a little behind on work would be the understatement of the century. 

Hanami quickly moved in front of you, arms spread wide with zero intention of letting you leave. "Please [Name], my feet are extra swollen today and--and the doctor told me it isn't good for me to be working late shifts like this. Me and the baby need rest!”

Usually, you posed zero complaints to the prospect of covering her shifts. Doing so always gave you somewhat of a valid excuse for turning in assignments late and the additional pay was never something to complain about. Also because she was pregnant. That too was very important.

But today, you couldn't find any reason to say yes. Even if for some reason you did agree, you wouldn't be getting home until at least 5:30 in the morning. Leaving you with an hour, if lucky two, to sleep and another to get ready before you had to start booking it to your homeroom. 

Yeah, definitely a hard pass.

Sidestepping her with ease, you resumed your way to the door, pushing it open to be met with the nice feeling of the late summer breeze against your face. The familiar chime of the convenience store rang through your ears leaving you deaf to her continued pleas. 

"I'll talk with the boss about that raise you always wanted!"

At her words, you slammed the brake in your steps. Hanami and the boss had always been close. Perhaps a little too close. (Because for all you knew, the baby was probably his.) But at the end of the day, a raise was a raise and you were never one to stick your nose where it had no business being.

"I'm listening."

Her eyes widened in surprise at your sudden change in attitude. "Yeah...yeah! Tomorrow I'll make sure to talk about it with him and–uh we can go from there."

And though reluctant, in the end, you decided to do it.

______

Working the night shift was a lot less adrenaline-inducing than you had initially thought, and after two hours of working it, you could quickly tell it was going to be nothing like the many horror stories you'd spent your nights reading.

No attempted robbery. No mass murderer. No spooky paranormal experience. Nothing,

A small, small fucked up part of you was wishing for something to happen so you could guilt Hanami into never throwing another shift on you again. 

For a brief moment, you thought the moment was coming when a creepy man. He had an odd, faraway look in his eyes and kept staggering around the store. Mumbling to nobody in particular but himself. However, after closer inspection, it was very apparent he was just a tired guy trying to go home and not some random pervert. 

As much as you were grateful for it, the lack of shoppers left you with nothing else to do but drown in your boredom. You silently cursed yourself for not bringing any of your schoolwork. You'd rather be doing that than rearrange soup cans again. 

The store’s bell, for the second time that evening, finally rang again. You shot up to straighten your posture so fast it was a miracle you didn’t pull anything. Looking to the door you saw a familiar top knot and a not-so-familiar messy head of blond. The former's look of surprise was evident on his face as he, and who you could only assume was his comrade, made their way to the counter.

"Since when have you worked the night shift?" Aki asked.

"Since today, or tonight or…this morning, I guess.” You were tired. Oh so very tired.

"Tell them to move you back. It isn't safe for kids your age to be working this late."

A devil hunter trying to lecture you about safety? You almost laughed at the irony.

You gave him a swift, half-assed salute, "Will do. So the usual?"

He responded with a curt nod.

Grabbing the small pack of cigarettes you moved it up to the scanner ready to recite the price listed on the screen before he interrupted you.

"Actually, add another pack, please."

"Long day?"

His dark blue eyes narrowed at his partner, "You have no idea."

“That makes two of us then,” you replied, repeating the action of scanning once more before telling him the total.

As the young adult fished down into his pocket you finally got a chance to look at the boy who accompanied him, and at that, your brows furrowed in worry. 

You knew what Aki's job was and the many risks that came with it. Over the past three months of working here, he had come in with quite several recruits before they eventually stopped coming. And by the way, the look in his eyes became more diminished–well it didn’t take a genius to put two and two together.

The boy who accompanied him was the same age as you, if not a bit older. Kids had no business being anywhere near an industry like that but you knew it was out of your control and for that you pitied him.

Or you would have if not for his staring problem.

His head was tilted with eyes that were boring into your soul. You recognized the look on his face easily. It was the same one you would have when you’d be in the middle of taking a test and seeing a question you knew for a fact was never taught. Even if the teacher claimed up and down that it was on the study guide. None of this was cute or flattering. Just deeply, deeply unsettling.

In an attempt to give him the benefit of the doubt, you glanced behind you. Because surely with an expression like that he had to be looking at something else. But just as you suspected there was nothing. You briefly brought your hand up to your chin to make sure there wasn’t any drool on your chin that you had unknowingly let slip. But again, nothing.

"Aki,” you started, “would your friend want anything?"

He looked offended at the statement but let out a sigh turning around to speak with the boy, whose face was still contorted in deep thought. "Oi, Devil, do you want anything?"

"Why..." he pondered for a moment, "why is yer skin like that?"

"Like what?" you responded warily as you slid the cigarettes across the counter.

"So dark."

The packs of nicotine hitting the ground was the only sound that filled the store, safe from the flickering lights.

Aki's face was completely mortified.

Yours’s in utter astonishment.

While the teenage boy just stood there. His eyes darted between the two of you before shrugging his shoulders and turning to the magazine section.

He hadn't even got one step in before Aki was dragging him out by the collar, throwing a large wad of cash onto the counter before doing so.

That night you'd been left with the biggest tip of your life. And the afternoon following, as promised, you received the raise.

[solnerao]

Alone

LOG ENTRY: SOL 90

It occurred to me today that someday someone from earth might actually listen to these logs, so I figure I should record a needlessly expository one to get everyone up to speed.

My name is Lena Luthor.

It's been 90 martian days since I landed here with the rest of the crew. That's what, 92 earth days? Mars spins just a little on the slow side.

On sol 6 a dust storm was going to knock over the rocket we brought to take us home, so the rest of the crew went home and left me behind to die. Well, they thought I was already dead and left. To be honest, not their fault at all.

So I'm alone here on mars, no way home, no way to communicate, only enough food for a year, and everyone thinks I'm dead. Which sounds miserable but luckily I do have this disco music to listen to, courtesy of Commander Lewis.

And, if I can get these potatoes to grow in martian soil, which I definitely can, then I can survive long enough for the next mission to arrive.

Which should be in about 4 years.

Which does honestly sound like a long time to be alone. But I've been alone before. Most of the time, to be honest, it's how I do my best work.

I don't know, maybe I could have done things differently. Asked out that reporter when I had the chance. Not gone to fucking mars.

On the plus side, if I do make it home, she'll be so impressed she'll have to go out with me. I'm pretty sure the president is basically obligated to deliver a eulogy for every astronaut who kicks the bucket up here so everyone in the country must know my name by now. They'll probably show the satellite images and everything— actually, I wonder if they've figured out I'm alive by now. What else do all those NASA technicians even do all day?

Anyway, that's basically the situation. Feel free to keep watching these if you want to hear about my adventures cleaning solar panels and fixing the water reclaimer. Yeah, that'll sell movie tickets.

LOG ENTRY: SOL 91

Fuck. Oh god. Okay. Something just opened the airlock from the outside. There's no locks on it, because why the fuck would there be? There's not supposed to be anything else on this planet. I have like 30 seconds before that airlock opens and I have no idea what to do. Obviously there's no windows in the airlock for structural reasons, I guess the engineers back at NASA didn't consider the hab might be invaded by space aliens. Alright. If this is my last message I have some things I want to say. Commander Lewis your music is awful. Lex you can rot in hell. Kara I always thought you were hot.

Oh shit here we go—

Kara?

Kara Danvers stepped into the hab. She was wearing a button down shirt and khakis, no space helmet. "I've never held my breath that long, that was crazy." She said, panting slightly.

"Kara, what—" Lena began. But before she could finish forming a sentence, Kara was hugging her.

In the hierarchy of times you wanted to run into your crush, not having showered in 3 months in a room full of manure was pretty much bottom of the list. But right now, Lena didn't care. The hug lasted at least 30 seconds before Lena pulled back.

"Kara, what the fuck is going on? How are you here?"

"Oh! I'm Supergirl" Kara said simply.

"That… actually makes a lot of sense"

"I was at the office when I heard you were still alive and I just—" She shook her head. "NASA had some complicated plan to get you home, but I just thought, how far away can Mars really be?"

Lena laughed.

"You ready to go home?" Kara asked.

"Very." Lena was already crossing the room to don her spacesuit.

"Also, I was wondering" Kara said, more hesitant now. "Do you have plans for dinner tomorrow?"

Lena turned to look at Kara. "Do I have plans for dinner tomorrow?" She repeated, smiling. "Kara, I live on mars."

"I— right. Do you want to have dinner with me tomorrow?"

"I would love that."

"Great!" Said Kara, "It's a date! I promise it'll be—" "Don't you dare say it." interjected Lena. "—out of this world."

[nitewrighter]

Can't wait to see your Mauga fanteractions!

Ahhh it's been a while since I've written dialogue for him! He really is a delight, though! And now he gets to join the whole roster!

---

Mauga: Hey, so I got a question.

Ramattra: *weary sigh* What is it?

Mauga: Why don't you stay as the big guy the whole time?

Ramattra: The capabilities of the nemesis form are not applicable to every combat situation.

Mauga: And you like the stick?

Ramattra: It's called the void accelerator, it's not a stick.

Mauga: See, I'm looking at it, and I'm seeing a stick. A stick with a ball, if I'm being generous.

Ramattra: *audible seething*

---

[During setup on attack in Circuit Royale]

Mauga: Oh, great, I love it when they have these things. Uh, yeah, could I get a hot towel service to our room, a wake-up call for 7:30 AM tomorrow, oh, and also, when's last call for the hotel bar?

Echo: Um--I'm--I'm not a concierge AI.

Mauga: Oh, sorry. *speaking more loudly* COULD I GET A LIVE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE?

---

Baptiste: Mauga! You--um... you... look well.

Mauga: Thanks! I've been able to take some time, get my mind off of stuff, focus on me. I've thought a lot about forgiveness.

Baptiste: *skeptical* ...Forgiveness.

Mauga: Yeah, just the concept that forgiveness is actually really more about you than who you're forgiving, you know? Like just the willingness to let things go and let yourself move on so you can grow. I really like that.

Baptiste: *hesitant* I... like that too.

Mauga: *satisfied sigh and tongue click* Yeeup.

Baptiste: *still hesitant* Mm-hm.

*pause*

Mauga: I'm still definitely killing you after this mission, though. Just letting you know.

Baptiste: And there it is.

---

Mauga: Well, well, if it isn't the new model. I'm Mauga. We, uh, have a mutual friend.

LifeWeaver: So I've heard. Niran. Pleasure. I've heard a lot about you.

Mauga: Good things?

LifeWeaver: ...interesting things.

---

[During setup on Esperança]

Reaper: Why do you treat every mission like a vacation?

Mauga: Well, what's the point of going to all of these places if you aren't going to have a little fun?

Reaper: The mission. The mission is the point.

Mauga: Aw, come on, boss, don't be like that. Hey, you know what would cheer you up? I know the cutest little petisco bar here that would--

Reaper: FOOD TURNS TO ASH IN MY MOUTH.

Mauga: ...can you still drink?

---

[If Lifeweaver, Cassidy, and Mauga are all on the same team in set-up]

Baptiste: Hoo boy...

----

Mauga: *gets a cage fight multikill* I'm not in here with you, YOU'RE IN HERE WITH ME!

[wrathyforest]

Is there a story behind office robbery?

Okay, due to your curiosity, the office robbery lore :D

It was a stupid (because I'm dumb) and funny situation (though later when I was re-watching it in my head, I was terrified). It was time when I worked in the office, and my office was a filiation of another department. So, my office's work hours are till 17:30, the department's - till 18:00. Usually every worker at ours wants to go home early, so at 17:30, maximum 17:45, the very last worker left. The thing is that back then the department's secretary was sick and there wasn't anyone who could do that work, so they asked my boss to give them a capable worker for a few days or a week (you may guess it was me even though I tried to refuse, but huh life is a struggle), so I ended up at that place. During the lunch break I always went back to my original office to drink tea. That day I was in a hurry because there was a lot of work, so I drank my tea, but forgot to wash my mug (back then we also had an invasion of cockroaches), so I had worries someone can decide to sit there in my mug, so I decided to go wash it after work (which is after 18:00). Also an important detail: I was one of the few people who had duplicate keys - keys was given to me because of my unmatched punctuality (even office janitor lost to me when tried to come earlier 💀 ), so I thought that it was convenient to peacefully wash my mug after work and then go home. So. It was 18:10 or so. When I came to the office door, I put the key into the lock, BUT IT DIDN'T TURN. I was confused, I tried the door handle and it was open. And then straight out of the dark room to me a tall guy rushed out! I wasn't terrified, I was confused (yeah, sometimes I realize stuff later), he was obviously nervous (another funny thing that it didn't scare me but rather made me extremely chill like oh poor guy what's the matter? I know I'm so dumb), so I asked who was he. He began to vaguely tell me that he's fixing an internet?? And here another gag in my defense: that week my colleague invited some IT-guy to help build a web-site and some days they could stay for a few hours after work, so it confused me, because I have never seen the guy. Okay, so I asked who let him in, he vaguely began to explain but I haven't heard a single name of the people working here. I was asking a few questions like, "who let you in, come find me the person", to what he was answering sm like "YOU come find" and I was like ???? are you ok, dude? At this point I was rather pissed off by the situation.

So again. A dark 4th floor, with no one around. Me and him, and then I just came into the office room to check if everything is okay (back then we didn't lock out laptops in safes, everything were right on the tables lol). Everything visually was fine. The guy just went away, and there I spotted that he left his phone on the chair 💀 lmao and on the phone someone named "Melon" was calling him :D I giggled a bit and in a second the guy RUSHED BACK HERE AND WAS LIKE OMG I FORGOT MY PHONE!!! And I was like: is this it? Here. Anything else you forgot? And he: no, thank you, I'll come back tomorrow, And I was like: Okay, goodbye. Him: Goodbye.

Lol. After I immediately contacted my boss to clarify if there was someone staying in the office, and she told me that no, and like I GUESS SOMEONE TRIED TO BURGLARY US. And I was like whoa damn,,,, I need to check everything. I went into the office room again, turned on the light AND SUDDENTLY A LIGHT BULB EXPLODED. And only at this moment the thought "damn, some real shit is going on" crossed my mind💀. I tried to remember if every laptop is in place. Haven't noticed anything unusual, so I locked the office and went home thinking stuff like "what if the guy had a knife?" :DDDD (actually it still might not consider as a successful preventing robbery, because the next day it turned out that the guy has stolen a photo camera..... but who knows if he'd stole more)

The funny thing is that my mug was left unwashed that day.💀

[achillean-knight]

Woe, doodles be upon ye

HC's below the cut if you're absolutely interested in my Spiderverse Noir HC's + his world 👉👈

First the ones I agree with that I've seen a shit ton of people mention >:33

- He is a fatherly figure to Peni. I can imagine when they see each other again, she'd run to him and give him the biggest fucking hug ever. She experienced her Canon Event between ITSV and ATSV too, right? So I can see her needing comfort so badly, and the only ones she ever truly grew close to were Noir and Ham.

- He'd 10000/10 get along so well with Hobie. Along with Hobie legit mentioning his hatred for the AM, PM and fuckin NAZIS IN THE COMIC ,

he'd be rambling so much with Noir about common interests and get along so well with him. Imagine he badazzles him in punk attire and based on this image:

(I'll link where I found the image tomorrow when I'm on my laptop lol if I remember) but based on this image, he teaches Noir how to play the guitar and shit and OUYGG I WANNA SEE THEM INTERACT (they're my fave Spiderverse characters so 👉👈)

- OHOHOHO He loves the colour purple. So much. He can't see it, ofc but he has such a love for the colour that he sees any beautiful colour- or well, of what he can see of colours, and thinks every pretty colour is Purple.

- MJ see's Noir/Peter as a brother and he see's MJ as a sister in turn. There is no romantic attraction at all. Yeah, this means MJ see's Aunt May as a nice Aunt Figure she can go to and talk to about things.

Now onto some of my own headcanons- or some that I don't see mentioned a ton. These have probably been said before but oh well, these are just what I like and my brain go BRRR

- Felicia is taller then Noir. (For those unfamiliar, Felicia is a character from the comic.) Yes that'd probably make her freakishly tall based on how tall Noir is in the movie, but that comic panel of when he first meets her rots in my brain.

- Felicia still has her mask from her ordeals. However, unlike how she pushes away Peter, they actually become friends again. Comfort each other. They swore they'd never be in a relationship again.

- Noir is a combo of both his OG comics personality and 2020's comics personality. I see movie noir as anywhere between 19 - 21. He's learning and developing as a human still. He's calmer and kinder and resembles how his personality is in the newer comics, however, based on this deleted scene LOL, makes me think he looses his shit easily and goes actually feral.

(here's the link to where I found the video BC I actually saved the link lol yeah it's reblogged by yours truly, but the full post is there.)

- Oh yeah, Noir most definitely adopted Ding Ding btw. He probably is nearly at the newer comics stage of his life, being a private eye and such, drinking his fucking egg creams like newer comics noir SBSBBS So he found and adopted Ding Ding.

- Despite being young (19 - 21) he has serious eyebags man, dudes sleep deprived 😔 I'm also heavy on the Spiderverse portrait of him unmasked that I don't really draw/see him with facial scars but he could totally have them after the shit he went through 💀

- Noir is a part-time singer. I will not elaborate.

There's so many other things I wrote down that I want to share, but they're on my computer 😭 so you get these for now hhhh

Sorry if they're half-assed, it's 10:30 pm, I am tired

[guttednights]

You.

finally, you have done it. you had broken up with Simon. After months of torture, he sold as some forbidden paradise. the constant bickering, bossing you around, neglecting you, missing dates, and worst of all. not telling anyone he was even in a relationship. God it lit a fire so deep inside of you. you blocked his ass the second you broke up with him. sure it did no good cause he still had a key to your house but, that's a battle to deal with tomorrow. or at least you thought tomorrow. it was 2am and you had finally fell asleep

it wasn't long after you fell asleep you heard the door to your apartment being kicked down. you knew who it was immediately, I mean what other kind of physcopath just kicks down someone else's door?. you quickly get up wrapping a robe around you and walking out. there he is simon fucking Riley staring at you with pure anger.

"SERIOUSLY Y/N?!" "JUST LIKE THAT OUR 5-YEAR RELATIONSHIP IS OVER? OVER ONE FUCKING TEXT!"

as he gets closer, you back away.

"simon i explained everything in detail in that text." you spat with fiery. "I'm not doing this anymore" you look at you door, "and your buying me a new fucking door!"

He grabs you with anger and you panic, he would never hurt you. Right? he would never hurt you? shit I mean yeah he's a killing machine at work, but he's never been physically aggressive.

"thats what your fucking worried about right now? your stupid fucking door?" He practically shook you with his anger.

"Simon I'm not doing this, I already expressed that we're over. get out, Simon."

he towered over you, beginning to spit something at you, but held his mouth, sighing letting you go then turning around and walking out your broken door. attempting to shut it before disappearing.

you sighed as he walked away. it was really that easy all along? that's all it took? you questioned to yourself as you slammed your body into your broken door.

"fuck." you say to yourself as you realize the doors not gonna shut. you just hope for the best as you go back to bed. Simon is gone finally, you think to yourself as you finally fall asleep.

the next morning you wake up, and continue your usual routine. less than an hour later you walk out of your apartment, looking at the door trying to decide what to do. "we'll figure it out". you walk down your apartment complex before heading to work. it was a usual day at work. nothing too stressful.

it isn't 9:30 till you finally close up for the day. gripping your bag close to your side. your nail shop is down the street from a local bar, it's usually pretty busy during the weekdays. It is dark, and the lights from the bar light the walkway as you mindlessly walk. suddenly a drunken man from the bar grabs you.

"aye sweetheart why dont you sit down, and enjoy a drink eh?"

"no. thanks." you jerk away from him but he grabs your waist this time

"ah come on dont be unfriendly, lets have a chat sweetie. You too pretty to be sleeping on a beautiful night like this."

you chuckle trying to be nice "Yeah thanks but no" You attempt to jerk away again but this time the man pulls you hard

"Now dont be a bore," he says with anger as he drags you to the dark alleyway. this can't be how you die. for the first time in years, you're alone without Simon to call, everyone in the bar is too drunk to realize what's happening, and you're small compared to most men.

you panic as you try to break free, pushing him off at your most might. but he doesn't let go, his fingers practically dug into you. "please stop" you panic doing everything you can.

as soon as you start to scream, you hear a loud metal-sounding hit, you look back and see Simon standing over the man with a metal bat.

"she said leave her alone!" he boomed

the man held his head as he scurried off. you held your arm as you looked at him. you start to back up before Simon grabs you. "quit acting an idiot and go home." "before I actually have to kill someone."

you say nothing swallowing your pride and walking away but stopping. "are you fucking stalking me?"

"my stalking just saved your life sweetheart." "go home."

side notes/ babbling: I imagined Simon as joe Golberg in a alternate universe and viola came up with this. I really want to do a part 2, so lmk how y'all feel about this!!!

[cosmicobubisi]

Cosmic's Malleyuu Whump vs Flufftober: Day 30

RECOVERY hospital bed | holding back tears / "Forever?"

"And do you recall when-"

"Shhh. Keep it down, the hour is late."

Vil and Leona were sitting next to Yuu's sickbed in the infirmary, cracking jokes as they had been for the past hour.

It felt like just about everyone in the school had visited them bedside- most frequently, it had been a rotating carousel of their friend group, but almost everyone they knew, and a few people they didn't had stopped by for a chat.

Yuu had expected it to be exhausting, and it had been, a little, but they found hospital life surprisingly boring. When they weren't sleeping, the only thing it seemed they could do was stare at the ceiling in boredom, their concussion preventing most activities that required focus.

Right now, it was Vil and Leona keeping them company, Vil animatedly recounting a hiking expedition the two of them had been on as second-years, and he hadn't taken kindly to Leona's insinuation that he was being too loud.

Vil shot daggers at the beastman, who ignored him.

"And yeah, I do, if you're talking about that time when Diamond accidentally pitched himself over the edge of the pond leanin' back too far takin' a photo," said Leona.

"He did what?!" guffawed Yuu, disregarding the earlier reminder as they chortled, only muffling their sounds after a moment.

"It was awful for him," Vil sighed, a bit dramatically, fingertips draped over his chest. "He looked like a drowned cat."

"I think that was more the loss of his phone," grumbled Leona from the corner of his mouth. "He did make a pretty sorry sight, I'll give you that."

Yuu tried to let out the last of their residual giggles as quietly as they could, sides hurting from the effort.

"I'm not gonna be able to look at him without thinking of-" Yuu was cut off by their own laughs, the little devils having started up again at the reminder of the story.

Leona snickered. "Me neither," he concurred, leaning back in the chair as he folded his arms.

Vil just shook his head.

"I do fear you were right, Leona," said Vil, smoothing out the wrinkles in his clothes as he stood. "We should be going."

Yuu pursed their lips in childish frustration, but in truth, they relished the end.

Of the day, that was. Their concussion and other injuries, for which they were no longer being given the strongest tier of medication, made it tiring to stay awake, and so Yuu was anticipating sleep eagerly.

With the heaving sigh of a much older man, which Yuu suspected was exaggerated, Leona slapped his hands on his legs and stood up from the chair.

"The herbivore's right," he said to Yuu's sallow expression.

"Awwww," groaned Yuu. "But I'm bored."

"We'll be back tomorrow," said Vil. "Please, try to get some rest. You body needs as much energy as it can get if you're to heal your body, and your mind."

Yuu gave them a watery smile as they left, but before Yuu could truly tuck in, Leona returned.

They were about to ask what he needed, if maybe he'd forgotten something, before Leona leaned his head down right next to Yuu's ear.

"Don't dawdle," he gruffed. "Make a move."

Then he was gone, and Yuu was left all alone.

After a moment, they craned their neck up to look at the only other bed that was filled in this section of the infirmary.

It was actually surrounded by curtains on racks, but the shadows told Yuu the only person who would be in there at this hour was.

With a little adjusting, they got out of the bed and rolled it over to Malleus's. It wasn't possible to Yuu to move without the cumbersome burden right now, because they were chained to it.

So was Malleus, for the record, though his charges were quite a bit more serious. As it turned out, they'd both broken an assortment of magical laws in their respective overblots.

Given their injuries, it had been advised that they be held in the school's infirmary, lest they die before sentencing. As far as jail cells went, it wasn't so bad.

Yuu quietly pushed their rickety bed, trying not to wake Grim, before parting the curtains to Malleus's little room.

He looked totally despondent. That's the only way Yuu could describe him, lying half-melted into the bed.

"Hey," said Yuu softly, and he slowly creaked his head to look at them. Yuu could see the deep bags under his eyes, and the many bandages that wrapped his body didn't look particularly comfortable.

"Can I get in?" asked Yuu, and Malleus shrugged.

They knew he was just being sour. At least, that's what they hoped. It had all been quite the ordeal for Malleus, and they knew he had a tendency to put up his walls when hurt.

Yuu didn't get in, wanting it to be well and truly Malleus's decision.

"Have you gotten many visitors?" they asked instead, despite already knowing the answer.

Malleus nodded. "Silver and Lilia have been by, but the majority of my time has been taken up by Sebek."

"That's good," Yuu said placatingly.

Yuu knew. Oh, how they knew. By now, the sound of his voice endlessly droning on was wired into the very being of Yuu's brain, seemingly finding himself a chatterbox at the injury of his master.

At least it was some level of social interaction, and for this reason Yuu couldn't stay irritated for long, even as they wished to never hear his voice again.

They didn't know what they were doing here. Malleus was obviously despondent, unable to be roused from his depression.

Yuu just had to see him again. There had been this burning desire all week, and they supposed it was finally quenched. He didn't look to be in the mood for talking all that much, anyway, and so Yuu decided it was time to call it a night.

"Well," they whispered softly. "Have a good night."

They turned to walk themselves back to their spot before feeling an icy hand grip them, and in the next moment, Yuu's gravity had changed.

Suddenly, they were lying in the crook of Malleus's arm, freed from the handcuffs.

They squeaked in surprise, but Malleus simply rolled over onto his side, cuff rattling against the bars.

That reminded Yuu that they were currently free, their wrist unshackled from the manacle.

With nothing to tug on it, Yuu instinctively hugged Malleus, who responded by rolling over and trapping them on the bed.

"My therapist says I need to be more open with my feelings if I want to grow as a person," he said, straight into their ear.

Yuu could feel his warmth seeping in through their thin clothes. His arms kept them locked firmly in place, as Malleus found his new home in their neck and buried himself there.

"And I have strong feelings for you," he mumbled sleepily, "so promise to stay with me now, and we can discuss forever later."

Yuu didn't know how to answer at first.

"F-forever?" they stammered out.

"Forever," he sighed onto their skin.

Yuu lay still, hearing Malleus's breath even out as quiet settled over the hospital room.

"I have strong feelings for you too," they whispered, "and I'll stay as long as I can."

Reaching up to pat his cheek, Yuu closed their own eyes.

[ashen-vulture]

A Vulture In Therapy #3

The Appointment (Well, In A Few Months)

ashedink — 07/03/2024 10:15 AM

Hey so guess who just heard back from Doctor Erian's clinic after a month of waiting in the dark. I'm not scheduled until November, though Probably was too hopeful of me to think I'd have an appointment before my birthday

tigergirltail — 07/03/2024 10:17 AM Nice! Do you have an appointment then? Oh, heck, that's a ways off ashedink — 07/03/2024 10:18 AM November 14th, yeah But I guess it gives me time to prepare So… what should I expect going in? I've heard mixed things about Doctor Erian… tigergirltail — 07/03/2024 10:19 AM Oh boy that's the big question isn't it So for me, and I think for a lot of other people, he went right into the gatekeepy "one letter from a physician, two letters from psychologists, live as your preferred species for however many months" ashedink — 07/03/2024 10:21 AM He can't be too bad right? Oh yeah I've heard about the "live as preferred species" thing. Not sure he'll accept my response but that's one of the few things I am prepared for. tigergirltail — 07/03/2024 10:22 AM The thing is, I'm pretty sure it's all a secret test of your resolve and how well you match what you want He started hesitating once I got up in his face about how someone is supposed to live as a dragon for an entire year And he folded like a towel once I threatened to bite him But I saw him smirk, I think it was that I said 'bite' specifically ashedink — 07/03/2024 10:26 AM Huh. I guess I have some respect for that. Maybe a bitter respect but… uhg, I dunno, it's complicated. Like there are some things I certainly cannot physically do with my human body and that's the whole reason I want what I want. I really don't like arguing. This is gonna feel like my gallery capstone all over again. "No seriously I do know what I'm talking about, see it from this perspective" (strangling the Imposter Syndrome demon in the back of my head)

tigergirltail — 07/03/2024 10:27 AM Yeah I don't know if he would have approved it if I'd shown any kind of doubt But maybe it's different for non-predator theriotypes idk ashedink — 07/03/2024 10:30 AM Maybe. I wonder how they'll handle a scavenger. I guess there's only one way to know. Oh, do you know when you'll get your first prescription fill? Does it take a long time? tigergirltail — 07/03/2024 10:30 AM I'm supposed to get it in September, apparently if you're on gender hormones you have to wait for the one year mark, something about being 'biologically receptive' But you won't have that issue so you might get yours a lot sooner ashedink — 07/03/2024 10:33 AM I suspect part of the wait is having to formulate each therian's medicine individually. Giving me cat HRT probably isn't gonna turn me into a bird. tigergirltail — 07/03/2024 10:33 AM Yeah I guess this isn't One Size Fits Most like normal estrogen and testosterone are ashedink — 07/03/2024 10:36 AM Well. Nothing to do but wait now. Maybe getting on some of the Therian HRT support groups and hearing some more people's stories will help. Thanks for your input, hope your new therapy medicine arrives on time I might pester you with more questions in the future tigergirltail — 07/03/2024 10:37 AM Anytime! I'd be glad to help you along on this one ashedink — 07/03/2024 10:38 AM ^v^ (I've started using bird emoticons more, it's fun!) tigergirltail — 07/03/2024 10:38 AM I mean, you know how long I've been using cat emotes =3 So I get that

ashedink — 11/13/2024 11:01 PM

FIRST CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT TOMORROW WISH ME LUCK AAAAAAA- It's actually happening! It's actually happening!

tigergirltail — 11/13/2024 11:01 PM Gee I can't tell, are you excited? =3 ashedink — 11/13/2024 11:04 PM I am Anxcited Question: would it be considered too much if I came in with a folder of vulture facts outlining how similar humans and vultures are to each other, and how I've techincally been "living like a vulture" basically my entire life understanding that the parameters I need to fulfill exclude things that would literally kill me Because I already have the folder but now I'm second guessing myself and I can FEEL THE ANXIOUS INFODUMP INSTINCT I am either gonna say nothing at all or way too much HELP tigergirltail — 11/13/2024 11:07 PM Do it. Slap that gatekeepy doctor with every Cool Vulture Fact in your birb cranium Might improve your odds tbh ashedink — 11/13/2024 11:08 PM You are a cool and awesome friend and I am glad I have you to encourage me when I am a scattered anxious mess Thank you Alexis tigergirltail — 11/13/2024 11:08 PM You've got this Ash I believe in you =3

(featuring my long time friend and the person who acted as my gate into therian HRT, @tigergirltail)

[nowoyas]

koi no yokan 46: qualified (nishinoya yuu/reader)

First - Prev - Next - M.list 1-30 - M.list 30-60 - Ao3

Summary: The final days of the Spring Tournament qualifiers.

Warnings and Tags: eh

Words: ~2500

You might throw up.

You don't particularly want to, but Sawamura is getting checked in the infirmary and Coach Ukai is in there with him and you are here, in the hallway, bouncing on your toes and heels and trying to keep it together.

You think he's fine. The eternal walk to the infirmary didn't show you anything familiar in Sawamura's eyes—a lost tooth, some bleeding, almost certainly a bruise, but no disorientation, no headache, no dizzy. Still, it's hard to calm down like this—it took you so long just to be able to stand in the gym while they played again. If Sawamura got a concussion, he's out for the season, no matter what else happens today and tomorrow. And he's a third year, so he's not just out, he's done with volleyball entirely.

Silently, you plead for him to be alright. You fidget with your jacket sleeves. You take deep, calming breaths. You make a typo-ridden note on your phone—Sawamura hurt extremly anxious conccussiongs scarier than i thouhgt. You trust that the boys will hold everything together on the court until Sawamura returns, unconcussed.

The minutes crawl forward. Your heart lurches between making sure the Captain's okay and not missing the match. In the distance, you can hear the cheers from the gym. Outside, you're pretty sure you can hear the rain begin to fall.

When the door finally opens, you yelp, eyes snapping to where Coach Ukai stands alone.

"No concussion, as far as we can tell," he says at your searching look. "But Sawamura's bleeding a lot, and I'm having him rest for a bit, at least until the bleeding stops."

Your shoulders drop, tension bleeding away instantly. "No concussion. That's good."

"I have to head back to the match. But—"

"I can stay with him," you blurt. "I don't feel good missing the match, but…"

"I'm sure he'd appreciate it. You can sit with him, if it's easier."

So you poke your head in. You sit with him, his cheek fat with gauze where they've attempted to soak up some of the bleeding. With that, an ice pack to deal with the forming bruise.

You felt like you were dying waiting for the news, but now you feel stifled by the fact that you haven't really… talked to Sawamura all that much. Sure, you've had conversations, about volleyball and the team and reigning in the runaways, but you wouldn't call him a friend in the way you'd say of the second and first years.

"Coach says you'll be okay after some rest," you try awkwardly.

He laughs a little. "You were really worried about a concussion, weren't you?" His words are a little slurred, a little difficult, due to the gauze.

"Well, yeah. They suck. I couldn't even set foot in the gym for weeks after mine. If you'd gotten a concussion, your season would've been over, no matter how well everyone's holding down the fort for you."

"I'm sure it bothers you, missing the match, though. If you wanted to head back and watch it, no one would blame you."

"Not until you're ready to head back." You shake your head. "It wouldn't be fair to you to have to wait this out alone."

He smiles. He lets it go. You talk aimlessly to fill the space until the bleeding stops, not expecting a response and in fact hoping that he doesn't respond. When the time comes to walk back, you're just in time to catch the end of the third set, just in time to watch as Ennoshita seems to bloom into filling Sawamura's shoes.

It's a bit embarrassing, getting excited over the plays with one of the guys there to actually see you, but you can't help but get invested as the plays turn from scrapped-together to properly successful, as the score turns from neck-and-neck to snatching away the third set. You wait in the doorway with Sawamura, watch them celebrate their win. You're glad to be here, watching from the sideline. Glad to step aside so the guys can greet their returning captain.

In the stands, you hand out snacks and watch the team's next opponents with muted interest. When Seijoh wins, a strange quiet falls over your boys, the same resolve you see them slip into on the court.

"You guys are getting tense," you whisper to Noya. "Is Seijoh that scary?"

"We'll beat them," he replies, swift and firm.

Of course they will. "Never had any doubt," you reply after him.

In the downtime when the boys are warming back up, Shimizu tells you and Yachi about their last run-in with Seijoh—fighting their hearts out, only to come away crushed. It makes sense, with the way everyone is on edge—despite the fact that your boys are typically a force of chaos, they're borderline silent, with stern looks on their faces.

The same tension bleeds into you, helping out during their warmups. It allows you to move in time to save Yachi from a stray ball, the force glancing off your forearms hard enough to maybe bruise later. You're thankful to Noya for having taught you how to receive, all the time you've spent practicing with him during study sessions. Yachi seems thankful, too, based on the relieved sigh she heaves.

You turn a glare onto the Seijoh guy who'd been approaching her, baleful and protective. Tanaka hands him back the ball he'd been chasing with a stern look of his own. For just a moment, you feel like one of the boys.

Courtside, you have to grab Noya to make sure you get to talk before you head up to the stands. He nearly didn't get his lucky proposal out. You can't have that.

"Noya."

He blinks, the focus leaving him for just a moment to look at you. "You okay? That was a good receive earlier."

"Thanks. Are you gonna ask me to marry you, or is this the one match you don't want my luck?"

Like that, his exterior properly cracks. He smiles, bright and wide and everything, and yanks you into the hug you deserve. "Of course. Sorry. Marry me?"

"Promise I will. You just gotta keep asking."

"Thanks, Pretty Girl. I'll see you after we win, alright?"

You nearly kiss him. Instead, you pull back. Smile sweetly. "See you then, Senpai."

~

You think that this match here—Aoba Johsai, all in aquamarine and white, might matter to Karasuno more than even finals. They're good at focusing on the match in front of them, better at knocking their opponents off their guard, but Seijoh seems more or less ready for them and this seems more or less personal.

It doesn't stop you from enjoying the match—from the very first point, pride bubbles up in your chest at the way Noya executes that jump set. When the boys claw out the first set, that pride only grows.

It isn't as though you can help it—Karasuno is good, good enough that the onlookers are impressed, good enough that they wrest the entire match from a team that put everyone in the club on edge. Good enough that you feel no embarrassment when you find yourself lifted from the ground seconds after meeting up with the team, and good enough that, when you return to Karasuno for a meeting, to focus on the next match, you're all greeted by too many other students, calling down congratulations. The girls that rush out to meet you are, apparently, from the girls' volleyball team, starstruck and prepared to come along to watch finals tomorrow.

Before that, a meeting—one that has your nerves on edge as Coach Ukai hands out the dossier you'd worked so hard on. Pages on pages of notes, cobbled together and refined into something that feels almost creepily detailed, as much information as you could find for every player you could find information on.

"Kiyoko-san! You worked so hard for—"

Shimizu holds up a hand. You flinch. "No, it was almost entirely [name]-chan. Hitoka-chan and I barely did anything."

Kill me.

Under the attention, you wither—Tanaka's in tears, some of the older guys are flipping through with amazed looks, but you're too focused on the fact that a certain someone has gone quiet. He sits towards the back of the group, staring down at his copy in silence.

Later, when you've endured far too much praise from the boys, when the meeting is over and all that's left is to go home and rest up for tomorrow, he's still just as quiet, but on the walk home and over dinner, he stares at you. In his room, ready for bed, you feel his eyes on your back, but he still hasn't said anything about it.

He doesn't until you're nearly asleep, until he pulls you into his arms and squeezes you tight.

"You're amazing," he whispers. "Completely amazing."

"I'm not," you whisper back, leaning into his touch.

"Was all that why you've been so tired lately?"

"I think I've watched more footage of Shiratorizawa in the past month than I've watched you guys play at all."

He huffs against your neck. "As long as you look at me tomorrow."

Of course, you nearly tell him. I don't look at anyone else.

Instead, you shift a little. Close your eyes. "Get some sleep, Senpai."

"Marry me and I will."

You yawn. "How about you marry me, huh?"

Lips against the nape of your neck. A soft, quiet moment.

"Done."

~

Finals comes with TV cameras, a proper cheering section consisting of people from school you've never met and don't care to, a tight hug from Noya, and a familiar face sidling right up next to you in the stands. Satsuki takes her place between you and Yachi, a sly grin and eyes lingering on the latter girl before she drops all her attention on you.

"Does Noya know you're here?" you ask as her arm settles over your shoulder.

She snorts. "No. I didn't come here to support him, I came here to bully him and see my favorite girls."

"You're such a sweet older sister."

"Sweet's Mei's job. I'm actually here on guard dog duty."

"Guard dog?" You tilt your head.

She jerks her chin further up the stands. "Got word that a mutual friend was coming. He comes close to you, I'm beating his ass."

Your chest tightens uncomfortably. "Got it. You didn't need to do that. But… thanks."

"Don't thank me. You just trust in your big sis and keep making Yuu happy, alright?"

Over Satsuki's shoulder, Saeko raises an eyebrow. You wonder if Tanaka's told her anything. She certainly doesn't seem impressed.

Karasuno never ceases to amaze you. You're sure that, even if they weren't firmly your boys, you'd be well and truly impressed by them. Against that ace's cannon of a left arm, even Noya struggles, but not for long. They have their strategies, they have their information, and they use it.

Not to say it's easy. Not by any means. You can see how hard they're fighting, how even Tsukishima is working his entire ass off. When he jams his finger and heads to the infirmary, you go right along with him.

All five sets drag your boys to near-exhaustion, but when they're done, you cheer with the best of them, throat aching with exertion. You don't have the wherewithal to care about them seeing you cry when they drag themselves to line up. You barely have the strength to stand and let them see you at all—it's Satsuki dragging you to your feet, waving down to Noya.

When you meet them in the hallway, someone gets tackled, but it's not you. It's Noya, barely able to brace himself as you crash into him, jolting as the angles fail to match up and your nose crashes into the side of his skull. He laughs, bracing the back of your head as you bury your face in his neck.

"Are you okay? That was a hell of an impact."

A silent nod.

"Gonna marry me now?" he whispers.

Another nod, a tight squeeze of his shoulders. He focuses his attention elsewhere—on Satsuki, sauntering up like it's nothing.

"Nee-san. I didn't know you were coming!"

She laughs. "I came to chaperone your girlfriend in case a friend of ours showed up. Also, to flirt with your managers. Is Kiyoko-chan around?"

You feel him roll his eyes. "Did he show up? Please tell me he got to watch that."

"According to Hitomi-chan, he's here. I'm sure he's pissed."

You sniffle a little. You'd thought the tears were dried, but…

"Are you crying?" Noya says, pulling back from you a little bit. You pull away, wiping at your nose with a handkerchief.

"No, shut up," you grumble.

"But your nose is—"

"I'm not," you insist. When you pull away the handkerchief, it's arguably worse.

Your nose is bleeding.

Noya lets out a startled laugh at the sight, guiding the handkerchief back to your nose as the blood begins to drip. "Did—did you actually—pfft—"

"No, shut up—"

"You were so excited to hug me that you gave yourself a nosebleed?"

"Shut up!" you whine.

He laughs harder, openly and loud as he waves to Takeda. "Sensei! Can I—can we—" He gestures to you helplessly, nearly doubled over with laughter. Satsuki steps in on his behalf.

"Your manager has a nosebleed!" she calls. "I think he's asking if he can take her to get some paper towels."

He nods his agreement. You want to die.

"Oh, that's fine! What happened?"

Somehow, they manage an explanation through their incessant need to make fun of you, and then Noya's guiding you away, finding paper towels for you to sop up the blood. In the hall, caught between onlookers and Noya, you tilt your head forward, pinching the bridge of your nose, and consider punching him.

"Am I ever living this down?" you groan, voice nasally with your attempts to stem the blood.

"No. Never in a million years. I'm telling this story at our wedding."

"You do, and I swear I will—"

"[name]?"

You freeze.

You know that voice.

You're not able to move your head much, busy as you are with the nosebleed, but you manage to turn just a little bit to confirm—

Long black hair, perfect glossy lips. The Shiratorizawa uniform hugs her curves, which have filled out in the two years since you last saw her, and it hugs them well.

"Hijiri-san," you breathe. Her surname sticks in your throat. You're not sure if the blood you taste is from the nosebleed or the sight of her.

She cringes. Her nose wrinkles in a way you used to have memorized. "Oh, come on. Don't call me that. I'm just Kasumi, remember? Ka-su-mi."

Well. There goes your good mood.

Tags: @deeplightgarden @idonthaveanameideayet @dusstory @kazunish