#i'm just a nervous beast about even starting to approach the line

[the-tired-commander]

hey could y'all do me a favour?

Reblog if you're okay with "weird" compliments on your stuff!

things like "biting this" and such

[oncewhenalongtimeago]

Hello! I need something fluff with Hiccup, like the reader realizing she likes him, gets nervous and avoids him. But he ends up asking her what happens.

That's all! I hope you have a happy holiday with your family, and I'm looking forward to seeing "sorry, but I think I lost your plot" advance !

Sorry, but I Think I Lost Your Plot pt 12

Pairing: Onesided!Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III x Modern!Fem!Reader

Words: 1,251

You’re in denial. Hiccup is getting desperate.

Tags: Time Travel, Reader into Movieverse, half-fill

<Previous - Next>

You stared at the slightly wilted flower in your hand.

 It was a wildflower with small white petals, each a bit peach and tawny as an eggshell. One was a bit bent and smudged with what looked like soot.

“Thank you.” You said.

Toothless sat on the floor on his hind legs.

Hiccup stood in front of you, not quite looking you in the eye, possibly waiting for a response to his earlier question. You had to remind yourself what kind.

“Johannes and Mulch are feuding because Mulch lost a sheep. Johannes doesn’t believe him but he has one extra,” You said, after a moment, “Mulch paid me to smack him on the head. I’m just waiting for him to pick up on it.”

“Would you ever want to-?” Hiccup started and paused hesitantly, carefully, Toothless looking quite annoyed, shifting in his saddle.

“Yeah- Ha, ha! Okay bud, I’m- Let’s go,” Hiccup said awkwardly, voice cracking at nearly the pitch of a squeak and dipping at light intervals as Toothless nosed into him crossly.

You looked at him, face measured in normal proportion, his dragon scaled and leathered in a way that went beyond the style of animation.

You held a small package in one hand as you turned, wrapped securely with cloth in one hand as you walked up from the fields towards one of the many wooden planks lining the village, “I’ll see you later?”

“Yeah,” Hiccup said, as you left him behind.

The morning air was fresh, and though Vikings were early risers, this time the square was empty.

You glanced back after a while, then briefly looked back at the flower again once you were sure you were alone.

You thought, and your face heated slightly with embarrassment.

You felt like electricity was running up and down your spine, though you weren’t quite sure whether or not it was the good kind. You couldn’t say it was.

Did Hiccup like you?

Flowers and nice dates. Those he could do easily.

Then there were books, and chocolate. Hiccup would have to wait for Johann to come back to ask about the second one, and books were also expensive, sort of. He could probably make one.

Hiccup crossed his arms, laying his head on them and soaking in the afternoon light as he sat along a long bench, newly made and freshly varnished, set just outside the Great Hall. he scuffed his foot into the sparse grass clumps below, toe of his boot occasionally catching against them.

He wondered what kind of life you lived before, where gifts like books and chocolate were common instead of axes or swords. Or maybe he was too used to the latter kind being one of the people who usually had to take part in making them. Swords and axes could, too, be very expensive.

What kind of books did you like?

Hiccup scrubbed the back of his head.

He thought of how you helped him work on the fin for Toothless which he did, admittedly, make in an effort to win you over.

It was so easy to just exist like that, even if it was a bit tense. Even if Gobber did reprimand him later for letting someone else mess around in the forge.

Hiccup was too distracted to notice the crunching of footsteps as he approached.

“Why don’t you just a-ask?” Came a familiar voice from behind him, causing his shoulders to jump.

“Fishlegs?!” Hiccup asked, turning around to see the large teen in all his glory. He didn’t realize he voiced his question out loud, earlier.

Hiccup knew he wasn't very intimidating, especially with Toothless out for the count, snoozing away down by the field like the lazy beast he was, yet he scowled anyways.

They were usually on good terms after the Red Death, Fishlegs was the only other guy on the island who was anywhere near as different as Hiccup, though not quite and not really in the same way. Too bad he sucked.

“I-I wasn’t writing them for her,” Fishlegs stuttered, knowing exactly what Hiccup was talking about, even without words.

Hiccup glowered at him, “Then who were you writing them for?”

He sputtered, embarrassed.

“Yeah,” Hiccup grumbled, burying his head back in his arms, “That’s what I thought.”

Hiccup liked you.

How did you react to that? Did you react at all? Could you even call him fictional, anymore? Was this your new reality?

Why was that the first thing your mind jumped to? 

Work done, you let your feet wave, sat on one end of the docks, a part hidden under and around the large, unstable-looking pillars holding up the steep ramp back up to the village. The ocean waved under your feet, roiling and crashing, mimicking the larger waves against the rocks and craigs farther out.

The idea that you might have won over a fictional character somehow was sort of ridiculous. It seemed to breach some sort of unspoken boundary, some separation between reality and unreality.

There was a level of permanence to the idea that felt weird to you.

You blinked, the setting sun glazing over the world with orange. You wondered what the rest of the world looked like out here, if everything was the same, if you could venture out into the world and find the place your home should have been standing emptied, occupied by nature and nothing.

You felt at the flower stem in your hand with your fingers, letting it fall until it rested against your tips. You had a hard time believing it was real, keeping it safely tucked away in one of your pockets as you went about your daily life.

Were you and Hiccup even friends? You would like to say that, you realized.

You and he met up more than people who had nothing to do with each other did. He had at least three scars that you could name that had something to do with you.

A friendship was something real.

It was anchoring.

You shivered as the wind blew a cold sea spray onto your face.

You didn’t think you’d ever make it back home. It seemed unreal at this point that you had come from anywhere else, the grass under your feet and the splintered wood of Berk more real and tangible than anything you could reach from your old life with just your mind and your memories. 

So, in that way, it wasn’t something you could leave behind.

It was fresh.

How could you like him if you only just realized you were friends? 

You weren’t sure you could even muster up the energy to consider it.

You had a hard time believing everything was real sometimes, even as you nervously picked the grit out from under your fingernails.

You changed things. The idea filled you with nervous, jittery energy. It was sort of dangerous, made you feel sort of unsure. It made the world around you seem stranger, a little bit more dangerous.

Did the flowers even really mean anything? How common was it to give flowers here? Sure, it wasn’t that common, but you were certain you heard of it happening at least once.

Of course Vikings gave flowers. Everyone gave flowers, for a million different reasons. You didn’t exactly have an itinerary- no, an encyclopedia- or wifi to look up a reference.

Hiccup was probably just saying thank you or something. The idea made you feel easier, anyways.

It was harder to consider the alternative.

[weirdxstarseed]

✦ ꙳ Wildest Dreams . ⁺ ✦ part 2

Content: BridgertonAU!, HistoricalAU!, VictorianAU!, past lives, fluff, slice of life, strangers to lovers., rin okumura x y/n reader!

- Finally

- Y/N arrived at her home

- Unfortunately, her mom scolded her for arriving to much early

- So she send it again to the palace without listening to Y/N excuses

- She arrived at the time cinderella was running of the castle

- at 12

- “God damn it” she mumble. searching a place where she can hide all the noon and part of the morning.

- she saw behind the windows that all her neighbours were having fun and a desmotived sigh escaped from her lips.

- y/n entered to the ball room and some guys started to talked of who will be the braver to invited her to dance

- by the other hand

- all the ladies were saying good comments about the way she was dressing

- but unfortunately y/n was alone

- in fact, she wasn’t a friendly person

- all the guys were scared of her strong personality and all the girls were pissed by her logical judgment

- the party started to heat up when a battle started to hear above the music

- everyone ran to see the spectacle

- and y/n without admit it, went to see it by curiosity

- in the middle of the fight was this guy she run into it and another one that was a little bit in danger

- the guards didn’t hesitate to separate them but this wasn’t all

- when the blue-haired boy saw y/n in the crow

- he opened his eyes like plates and y/n blushed noticing that because of that gesture some ladies were watching her

- she started to walk backwards not before hearing some murmurs like "beast" referring to the blue-haired boy.

- after hearing that nickname a strange annoyed feeling began to climb over her body

- she went to another room, more cold and dark but with much privacy than the other

- it was irrelevant to feel a mix of feelings with a guy that she didn’t even know

- and also JUST FOR A COMMENT

- and his eyes

- god damn it

- ok, you take a big breath and focus to clear your mind

- obviously the night couldn’t get any worse

- or that was your thought

- you heard someone entering in the room you were hiding and you contain a bunch of curse words when you saw the person who was invading your space

- it was him

- “what are you doing here?” both of you asked at the same time

- “i asked first” both of you repeat again.

- you sighed.

- “Alright, madame” he said, “you started first interrogating”

- “Thank you" you uttered, rising from the window frame revealing a beautiful view of the moon outlining your figure.

- The boy did not overlook that detail and letting out a gasp of astonishment, he contemplated you from a distance, very attentive to what you were about to tell him.

- “Well, first of all, what’s your name, sir? You know mine, but I don’t have an idea who are you”

- “I’m sorry, my lady” the blue-haired guy said “I’m Rin Okumura, the duke of Gehenna”

- “Gehenna?” y/n asked confused.

- “Yes, is a land far away from here. We’re starting to communicate with other kingdoms to make alliances”

- "And... I guess now with what just happened in the great hall, they will be inconvenienced and probably no longer want to communicate with you or am I wrong?" you raise an eyebrow in her direction.

- He laughed nervous about your words and nod in an affirmative mode.

- "Well, sir. Okumura, I'm glad to know that you are too honest to answer a stranger's questions, but I'm afraid I must be going" you said, starting to walk to the exit.

- “Wait, lady y/n” he said, approaching to you, tentative to take your hand.

- You notice much better his face by the help of the moon light and when you were the most nearest to him, you watch a fine line of blood was running to his head. you asummed this was from the fight before and without thinking twice.

- you literally cut a piece of your dress and put over the wound

- at first

- your rude touch scared the duke and he was going to scream you

- but when he notice your action

- his face was surround by a messy blush

- “What the hell, duke?” you scold him, complaining with the piece of cloth that was dying in red. you were so frustrated. it appears that some deity was trying to mantain both of you near each other.

- “Lady y/n” he started.

- “What now?” you reply pissed.

- "I appreciate your kindness and more because you can't seem to get rid of me, a stranger”

- “Just shut up and let’s go to another place” you declared “I’m sick of being here”

- “Me too” he smiled happy for your words and taking your hand, both run over the hall to the exit.

- by now on, you thought this was the strangest shit you ever did in your life, full of randomness and coincidences.

⨯ . ⁺ ✦ ⊹ ꙳ ⁺ ‧ ⨯. ⁺ ✦ ⊹ . * ꙳ ✦ ⊹

- since that day

- something had change in both of you

- at least rin’s feelings became so pure for you

- of course

- THIS BOND WAS A SECRET

- nobody has to know that you talked with a strange duke of other lands

- sometimes when you went to the market

- you find him over there pretending he was going to buy something

- but the truth was

- he only visited those places because he knew that you’d be over there!¡!¡!

- sometimes you talked to him and joined to his activities

- another times you didn’t ever see him cuz you were to scared of being discovered by some local citizen

- just one day

- you decided to stayed in your home

- you don’t even know why you were acting so secretive with a complete stranger

- maybe the last moment you shared were magical and unbelievable

- BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN YOU HAVE FEELINGS RIGHT?

- you layed in your bed

- just watching the ceiling

- at least you started to notice your feelings

- of course, you can’t have 5 minutes of peace cuz suddenly

- your mother

- entered to your place and started to mumbling a lot of incomprehensible words

- you showed her a bad gaze and when she finally met your eyes

- she started over again

- “can you believed it? they’re going to organize another dance!! another freakin’ dance!! do you know what that does it mean???”

- you deny

- “THAT MEANS ANOTHER DRESS!! ANOTHER DRESS MEANS WE NEED MORE MONEY”

- you groan so loudly for her complaints and when you finally process the information that she threw

- you started to panic

- what if he went to the dance?

- what if all noticed that you were catching feeling for a duke of another land???

- “well done, y/n”, you said

- you were sharing feelings for a stranger and from a different country

- finally, you decided to stand up from the bed and started to enlist everything

- in the deep of your heart

- you were a hurricane and a bunch of nerves at the same time

- in the other hand, rin was so excited for this evening

- he was waiting the moment to talked with the only person who has been very nice with him

- also, he was desperated to ask you something very important

- something that could change everything between you two

- inmediately. when he finished

- the blue-haired guy went out of the house, ready for meet his lady ¡!

⨯ . ⁺ ✦ ⊹ ꙳ ⁺ ‧ ⨯. ⁺ ✦ ⊹ . * ꙳ ✦ ⊹

- everyone in the room were dancing, enjoying the music, talking effusively and sharing their anecdotes

- except y/n, she was in the corner of the room, as always

- waiting her best friend or someone she could knew to dance in the middle of the room like the participants

- her best friend notices her in the back of the place and with one hand, she helped her to get in the mood with the others

- in fact, it was a win for them

- y/n was having a lot of fun. jumping, singing and dancing with her friend in the middle of the room

- getting some curious gazes

- maybe she looked a little bit intimidated when she had a serious semblant

- but she has *something* that when her mood was in the top, nobody can’t take their gazes of her

- do you remember that scene in pride and prejudice when everyone is dancing and then everyone is in silence cuz the richess came in the room?

- well, that happen exactly when rin and yukio entered to the room

- y/n hearbeat was racing so fast that she need her best friend’s help to calm down

- the organizers quickly approached to introduce them and rin being the one who relaxed the atmosphere, everyone started to dance as they were doing it

- y/n could not help but overlook this gesture and with a slight smile, continued to dance with her friend

- rin immediately noticed y/n and couldn’t help smiling broadly

- a gesture that was not overlooked by his brother and some of the guests

- In the blink of an eye, the effusive music stopped and a ballad accompanied those present.

- y/n's friend left the dance floor, claiming she was too tired from dancing, leaving y/n somewhat restless on the dance floor.

- some boys were ready to pounce on the protagonist of this story, but the blue-haired was quicker and took y/n's hand with an endearing subtlety

- everyone in the room was astonished by this scene and, without looking away, they observed the foreigner's attitudes with suspicion

- on the other hand, y/n was so engrossed in the boy's clothing that, for the first time in her life, she completely ignored everyone around her

- music began to play

- and the two souls began to dance

- that waltz caused some to stop dancing to appreciate the new couple making their way among the guests

- a few others joined the dance, filling the dance floor

- However, the young main characters of this story, were so self-absorbed that they could not even converse

- or rather, it was noticeable that they were conversing with their eyes.

- y/n was so focused on the brightness of the blue-haired boy's eyes that she didn’t allow herself to recognize that the boy was just as lost in the color of her orbs

- the waltz ended and all the participants applauded for such a spectacular piece, causing the laugh of y/n and rin for their moment

- both of them bow at theirselves thanking for the dance and saying their names at the same time

- once again, you went outside to have a walk through the inmense garden around the mansion

- “did you have a good time over there?” he dared to ask

- “it was…magnificent” you replied in a laugh

- the boy couldn't help but laugh in the same way at the words y/n used to describe such an evening, but he simply agreed

- “y/n, i mean, lady y/n…” rin started. "If not inappropriate to ask... may I ask you a complex question?”

- “depends on the question, of course” you played, covering your arms of the cold weather

- “ok, smart lady, it’s about a voyage” he said.

- “are you going to travel?” you ask without notice the disappointment in your voice.

- “yes, but i´m planning to travel with some company…”he continued.

- “oh” you said, with a bitterness climbing through your throat

- “but…” rin started again, taking out his coat to put it over your shoulders “i’d love to have the company of a woman”

- at first instance your face was a poem

- you were analyzing his words but you were being so skeptical that you didn't know if he was implying that you should accompany him.

- maybe you didn’t want to accept that he was proposing indirectly to be his mate in this new journey

- “i think you should go and follow what your hearts want with the people you want” y/n said firmly, starting to walk faster as she could.

- “y/n wait!” rin exclaimed, following your steps easily.

- “it’s okay, duke” you continued without looking back “i get it, believed me, i totally understand your desires and that’s why i’m saying is a good idea”

- he stood in front of you in a glance, surprising you, and seeing directly your eyes, he said: “you aren’t understanding me, i want you to be my company in this journey, i want you to know my kingdom, i want you to be part of my day-to-day”

- you opened your eyes astonished

- he was confessing so honestly that you felt embarrassed for doubting your feelings

- “duke okumura I-“

- “i would totally understand if you rejected me, it’s to soon to confess my feelings but i can’t hide them anymore”

- you blinked effusive by this, immediately your blood was running so fast in your system that you need to watch apart to analyze his words

- obviously you liked him

- but if it was just a summer love? if this really believable? where was the joke?

- rin was very nervous for your silence

- he started overthinking that maybe he precipitated a little bit

- maybe you didn’t like him and there he was exposing himself

- “sorry for wasting your time, my lady” he said, covering his face with his hair and starting to walk to the entrance of the garden

- but same as him, you stood in front of him

- he was so nervous that he didn’t notice your future actions

- you decided to turn off your mind for a second and standing in your toes

- you, finally, kiss him

- he was so shock by your action

- cuz he didn’t expect that

- in fact, he expect anything than that

- you were going to separated from him after noticing his tension

- but rin, being one step ahead of you, grabbed you by the waist to deepen the kiss.

- you were so focused on your moment that you didn’t notice where you were until an old woman shooed you away

- y/n and rin left the place laughing about what happened and being in a more convenient place, you took his hand and said something that made the blue-haired heart swell with enthusiasm

- “Maybe I was to scared to admit my feelings for you, but now on I’m sure I want to travel with you, Rin. I want to be with you and being your company, no matter what happen in the future, I just want to see the world outside this kingdom and it would be a pleasure to discovered it by your side”

- and when you finally said those words, he hugged you so tightly that, for a moment, you felt that your doubts were completely settled

- there was only one thing left to cover

- your mother

- but that would be rin's job, for now, both of you enjoyed each other's company in the moonlight.

- just like when they met for the first time

- that night when their feelings changed completely

- that night when two strangers hit it off as if fate wanted them to be together.

[enbyleighlines]

Leigh plays Tellius prt 13

Time to defeat the Black Knight!

I think it's weird that they included the line "if I were a swordfighter" here, considering that Mist can, in fact, wield a sword. Again, I'm sad that there aren't any magic damage dealing swords in Radiant Dawn, because Mist wielding the Sonic Sword makes her a terror on the battlefield.

I was so nervous starting this map. My Ike was lagging behind in terms of HP and defense, so I knew that defeating the Black Knight wasn't going to be easy.

However, getting to to the Black Knight proved to be a piece of cake. I had Kieran, Oscar, Nephenee, and Reyson tackle the left side of the room, and had Jill, Mist, Mia, and Ilyana tackle the right, with Ike and Soren heading straight down the middle. Soren was a beast, dodging every incoming attack and triggering adept on every other enemy.

As much as I love Path of Radiance, I kind of hate this trope, where the hero has to face the big bad on their own, as a part of their character arc. Like... for what purpose? Teamwork makes the dream work, or so they say.

At the very least, they should allow Soren to follow Ike, so long as they have reached A-rank in their support. I really missed having that nice avoid bonus during the BK fight.

I do wonder, was this on purpose or an accident? The Black Knight seems too skilled to make this sort of mistake, but for what purpose would he promise a swift death to Ena, only to intentionally break that promise? Despite his villainy, he's a man of his word, isn't he?

Okay, so here was how everything looked when I approached the Black Knight. It wasn't the worst odds, but man, I wasn't entirely confident, either.

Aaaaand, perhaps unsurprisingly, Ike almost immediately died to BK triggering Luna. And thus I was forced to do the entire map from the beginning...

On my second go at the Black Knight, Mist got this amazing level-up! Unfortunately, right after I took this screenshot, Ike again perished at the hands of the Black Knight...

On my third try, this particular line from BK seemed a little too on the nose. Determined not to die to another Luna, I gave Ike a seraph robe to increase his total HP, so he had a higher chance of survival.

Unfortunately, while I did perform better on my third try, I ran out of time. I spent a long time deliberating whether I wanted to try this battle again. On one hand, I just wanted to move onto the next chapter. But on the other hand, I really didn't want Nasir to die...

And so, with a heavy heart, I reset the game yet again.

Thankfully, the fourth try was a success! Ike managed to trigger an Aether on the third turn, slaying the Black Knight and by extension saving Nasir's life.

Whew!

This was definitely the most challenging chapter for me. However, I really wanted to defeat the Black Knight, mainly to keep Nasir alive. I don't even plan on using him, I just get sad thinking about Ena having to live in a world without her grandfather.

At least it's finally over.

Next up: The Twisted Tower!

[boop-le-snoot]

masterpost ☀️ main masterlist ☀️ taglist

previously on...

Two chapters over the weekend because I was ✨ inspired ✨ and my neighbors can't stop fucking (noisily!) and I'm,,, envious.

Strange adventures in Hell. There are descriptions of desperation and doom, lots of magic and - hear me out - forced/reluctant hand holding 😌 Oh my God, they held hands!!!

"What. Were. You. Thinking?!" Strange was seething, his enormous figure and broader height towered over me, the blood-red of his cape vibrating, the only spleck of colour in the grey and dusty dark world.

"I had no choice in the matter," I replied as calmly as I managed, gritting my teeth, memories of our past stand-off fresh in my mind. We could have bickered until the end, until one of the beasts flying overhead spotted us and decorated the bleary grounds of this forsaken planet with the crimsons of our life blood. "I think it's best if we get to safety first, argue later. I have no desire to become somebody's lunch."

That much was true: I had taken a good look at our surroundings as soon as I recovered from the vacuum-like sensation of being pulled into a magical gateway; the visibility was terrible, the planet's natural light very scarce. Several suns were hardly visible in the sky, their rays barely penetrating the mists and the ashes freely floating in the air.

There was oxygen even if breathing in a full lungful seemed impossible; I tried not to think about the contents of the air, or the possibility of radiation poisoning, as the multiple amulets and charms seared into my skin where they rested under my clothes. I had four bottles of water, some bandages and salves and a sacrifice for a single ritual to my name and absolutely no conviction that Mother Earth would be able to hear the call of an earthling gone so astray.

But it was hope, so I held on.

"Fine," Stephen sighed, suddenly looking tired and weary, glancing around with furrowed brows. "Let's see if I can open a portal," his hands did that complicated set of gestures that I'd grown to associate with a golden circle and sparks on the ground. The thing flickered, once, twice, before disappearing, as if the Sorcerer's magic had run out of batteries. "Yeah, I thought so," he whispered to himself, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"The bad news first, please," I interpreted his hesitation with a realistic outlook on our predicament.

"I can't open a portal just anywhere on this planet. We need to find a... Rift, of sorts," the man was anxiously looking around. "And those things, they'll smell us... Right about now," his eyes shot up at a winged, rapidly approaching shadow. "No good news, I'm afraid."

I allowed myself a small sigh of disappointment, keeping a tight leash on the panic slowly creeping up my body. The feeling of determination, the power of Gaia within me was still present, laying in a cozy dormant ball slightly south of my solar plexus. "Give me your hand, please," I reached out to Stephen only for him to promptly recoil.

"You should've thought about the consequences of your actions, I'm not going to hold your hand because you're scared shitless," his words were sharp but they lacked the venom. He wouldn't, or couldn't, meet my eyes.

"I know you have scarred hands. I'm a healer and you don't have to feel embarrassed or ashamed I, I've seen worse," I stated in my best 'mutant nurse' voice as Stephen's eyebrows shot up and his eyes widened. "Those things can't sense me. And I know they won't be able to sense you too if we have skin-to-skin contact. So unless you want me to get under your... Robes," I gestured to the layers upon layers of clothing he had wrapped himself in. I considered the possibility of his whole body being covered in scars, too, and couldn't help the pang of sympathy. "Take one glove off and give me your damn hand before this trip to Jurassic Park goes full pterodactyl massacre!"

I saw the thing in the sky open it's mouth - but no sound came out, the clouds reducing it's outline to a vaguely triangular shadow. There was something very unusual about this planet's atmosphere.

With a couple of jerky movements, Stephen slid off the glove from his left hand, looking away as his large, dry, warm palm encompassed mine in a gentle, trembling grip. It made no sense to interlace our fingers, so I help onto him like a child holds onto their parent; the size difference of our hands and his imposing aura surely made me feel like one.

We stood a foot apart, watching the shadow in the sky begin to circle the place we stood in, it's gaping maw opening again and again, before it zigzagged across the sky with a strong dash of confusion, it's graceful glide becoming a series of rapid turns and twists. With a final inaudible shriek, it flew off into the dusty greys of the horizon, becoming a dark spot far away in mere seconds.

The silence was so loud in this world. Like the eerie stillness of my, undoubtedly haunted, apartment, I was eager to dissipate it with something beyond our combined heavy breathing. "Please don't tell Tony," I timidly gave our touching hands a sway. "He'll never leave it alone."

A chuffing noise coming from above had me whip my head up to see Stephen holding in a puff of nervous laughter; his shoulders dropped slightly as he eyed me in turn. "What makes you think I won't tease you about it?"

"You wouldn't dare," I took mock offense, rising my leaking nose to the skies.

The grumble and the eyeroll I expected, the smirk that faded into a ghost of a smile I did not. "We should go. Usually there is a rift within a few miles of every location everywhere," he tried to keep the content expression as he spoke but the storm in his eyes betrayed his concern. They were so blue, I felt like I was drowning.

I let myself to be tugged in a direction - everything seemed exactly the same, a never-ending ashen wasteland with the occasional dark grey rock that crumbled to dust as soon as the heel of my shoe touched it. My light blue sweater quickly became the colour of rotten wood, a sickly, dull monotone between brown and gray.

The complete lack of any kind of natural noise brought out the desolation of this wretched place; if we gripped each other's hands tighter, neither of us chose to acknowledge it. It was too easy to get lost in your own mind when the surroundings were dead set on rebuking anything that was in any shape or form alive.

I caught myself thinking that this must be what people think Hell should look like.

Strange walked briskly for the most part, periodically clearing his throat and eyeing me when I struggled to keep up with his long strides. It could have been an hour, or maybe two, of aimless wandering and rapidly imploding portals accompanied by Stephen's increasingly overcast face before I made the man stop and offered him a water bottle, which he insisted we split between us two.

It didn't take me a tarot reading to figure out our chances were grim. Needless, I gave him the same look I give to injured, scared mutant children when they come to the bodega for the first time; a look of quiet temperance.

And then we walked, and walked again, as Stephen grew moodier and moodier, marching on with the force of a seasoned soldier, only taking breaks when I forced him to stand still and breathe with me. As cautious and closed-off as he was, I pressed onto the fact of me being a healer of sorts, and he relented if briefly, always reluctant, always seasoned by a great dose of bewilderment.

"Do you feel that?" Stephen's stride halted, both feet firmly planted on the ground.

The ground had tremors had coming from deep within, small shocks that could have been easily missed if not for the complete lack of sound on this world. My nod was mute, I didn't trust my voice not to break when I clearly knew there was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, endless fields of nothing all around us.

"Hold onto me," promptly, I was grabbed and pushed into his chest, his long arms easily picking me up, encouraging me to wrap my legs around his waist. "Hold tight, I might need my hands," my face grew hot as I wound my arms around Stephen's neck, clinging to him like a monkey, a palm resting on the soft fine hairs if his nape. It felt too intimate somehow, in the wake of imminent danger.

The Cape that previously swayed behind him in rhythm with his steps billowed, the red fabric of it tough as it levitated us a few feet above the ground. I felt Stephen tense with each tremor; within moments, the surface shook and stuttered more and more, cracks appearing in between the dust, turning the plains into a marble-patterned patch of darkness.

We rose above it, high enough that I could see the veins resulting from the quake stretch far out into the wasteland, jagged, abrupt lines of even more concentrated darkness. And as quickly as the quake started, it was over, leaving little evidence as the ground settled.

Stephen floated us to a larger patch of the ground, criss-crossed with thinner, less prominent lines, poking the ground with his foot before allowing it to fully bear our weight. He was shaken, there was no doubt. "That was... Something," he stated lowly.

"Mhm," I hummed, fighting the urge to frantically look around, forcing my hand from clutching at his palm like a lifeline. I had decided on a plan while I was busy playing baby koala - not that there were many other options except to wander these god forsaken bare badlands until our painful demise. "Listen, Strange, I'm aware you don't hold my people in particularly high regard but you're going to have to trust me on this," my words came out derisive as I placed his palm on the back of my neck and kneeled, forcing him to do the same behind me.

The contents of my bag greeted me grimly with out last bottle of water and the couple knick-knacks that gathered the black dust on them. I hastily poured the water into a bowl, dipping my fingers in it, and added the crushed bones to the mixture.

The time that was required to make a paste-like mixture, I used to address a bewildered Stephen. "This is a last resort. I don't know if it will work, we're not on Earth," I briefly breathed my distress. "I don't even know how far we are from home. But I refuse to die here, in this grotesque Hell, without putting up a fight and Gaia has always looked out for her flock. I might get very, very sick if this is successful."

The warning had him attempt to object before he cast a long look around us, shoulders sagging, as motioned for me to continue, those piercing blue eyes boring into my face. "Tell me what do I need to do," his voice quietly attempted to soothe my very obvious fear.

I was terrified, both of dying, nameless, faceles in this world full of Nothing; the prospect of withering away after depleting all my resources was, perhaps, equally unappealing, but dying on my home planet sounded better than dying here. "Have faith," I replied curtly, beginning to chant softly under my breath as soon as Stephen's expression hardened.

My eyelids grew heavy, limbs filling with lead and molten lava as I summoned the forces of Mother itself; my body was aching, exhausted by answering her call as it was. The warm ball in my chest that previously comforted me grew, spreading its smelten power through every vein, every vessel. No part of my body was left cold. A sense of purpose filled me, pushing me forward, driving me to move, to run, to leap.

"This way," even to my own ears, my voice sounded pained. It felt as if I was walking through swamp waters, full of clay and debris, each step taking my barely coherent form through an individual bog full of pins and needles. The force of Mother Nature burned inside of me, enraged at the state of her surroundings.

Stephen spoke to me but all I could hear was mumbling, thousands of voices, low and shrill, unintelligible to the human mind. I could feel the sorcerer's pain; the itch and burn in his throat, the constant, dull throb in his scarred, broken hands. His hand in mine only intensified the situation and I fought with his injuries like I fought with the black dots in my eyes, I forced down the unpleasant sensations, setting fire to them, letting the reigns of control on the raging inferno within me slip just the smallest, tiniest bit.

The steps of his long feet stuttered as I felt the discomfort lessen yet I simply towed him along. Time leaked through the cracks in my eyes, which were mostly unseeing anyways. The useless things grew blind at some point, not that I noticed it on the greys and blacks of the surrounding scenery. It was harder to walk, my breathing grew laboured with the extertion as we finally reached the place that felt right.

"Here," I rasped, voice so quiet it could have been mistaken for a breeze. I craved to feel it; the soft puffs of wind, the sound of running water. I had called for Earth and she demanded its child back.

The portal appeared without a stutter even though Stephen's hands shook; I saw the uneven channels, the energies traveling through them at an uneven pace. As soon as I pushed through the wormhole, coming to my senses in an unfamiliar, light room, I fell to my knees.

Stephen's pained moaning told me he was probably experiencing the same stinging, burning sensation on his skin; my eyes, they were the worst - my eyeballs felt like they were melting, leaking out of my sockets into thick, gelatinous tears streaming down my face. I blindly groped for the sorcerer's hand, directing the forces within me to soothe his hurts much like I had done in the wastelands.

"Strange?!" A masculine, shocked voice exclaimed before footsteps crashed into my sensitive ears with the force of an elephant herd. "Oh my God, they're here! Tony, come!"

"Stop fucking screaming," Stephen gasped out as I felt him curl into himself.

"Friday, scan them," I recognised Tony's voice, the tiredness and desperation standing out in it more than it did in the rest of the whispers in the room.

"They appear to be experiencing a sensory overload. I would recommend to engage Peter's Cooldown mode," the mechanical voice replied, barely audible. The noise still grated on my ears after spending... How long were we gone?

"Do it, Fri," Tony's soft footsteps reached us; I smelled the spices of his cologne next to my and Stephen's prone forms. "You gave us a scare there," the tone was admonishing but gentle.

"We were scared shitless ourselves," I attempted to speak, only now noticing how grating my voice sounded. "We were in Hell," I mumbled to myself, slowly removing my hand from Stephen.

"That," he coughed up the word, breathing through his nose before speaking again, his voice sounding much better than mine. "That place was as close as possible to biblical pits I have ever seen," there was shuffling and gentle murmurs as the two men ensured each other of their presence and well-being.

The burning sensations receded back to my core, the embers of the fires dying out, leaving me feeling like deflated beach ball, all shell and no filling. With a groan, I rolled over onto my back right in the middle of the pristine carpet on the floor, forcing my eyes open and breathing through the pain until I could somewhat see the champagne coloured ceiling without black dots obstructing my vision.

Shuffling noises reached my ears as a familiar round face with light red hair came into my line of sight, Wanda's gentle features concerned. "Star, do you need to go to medical?" She eyed me almost suspiciously but the question was earnest.

The idea of a doctor fixing a magical burnout was bizarre to me, as if it ever was that easy; I chortled sardonically. "No, Wanda, there's nothing wrong with me that a doctor would be able to fix," I replied honestly. "I should call Odette."

"I've called, she said to notify her when you return," Sam's voice was gentle as he approached. I could feel him glaring daggers at a rapidly reddening Wanda. "She was the one who said you'll definitely come back," he offered me his hand.

I had to choke down a moan of relief as I grabbed it. The warmth, the life of another human being, the precious gift of a beating pulse under my fingertips was divine. "You should listen to her. She knows her stuff." It was easy, talking to Sam as if he was an old friend. He had one of the most pleasant auras I've seen on a human being.

"I'm a doctor," Stephen suddenly perched up, sounding almost bashful. "And I can aid the healing process," he stated over Tony's disgruntled mumbling. "If you can explain to me how the hell you managed to hold a... an entire sun's worth of energy!" The more he spoke the more bewildered he became, tone growing in pitch, ending the sentence with an exclamation.

"I don't know," I replied with a sigh. The whole indignation in this man, I was not prepared to face. "When I took this up," I gestured vaguely to the burned, bent metal adornments I began to remove off my body. "I thought I was going to get an increase in tips and a better outlook on life. Help my friend with her asthma as much so she wouldn't have to use her inhaler every time she gets suprised or scared," my jewelry hit the floor with a dull clank, piling up into bent silver I wouldn't even be able to cleanse and repurpose.

Sam whistled lowly, poking at a necklace that had twisted on itself, a grotesque spiral of dull ashen grey.

"I certainly didn't think that a bleeding mutant accepting his fate as cannon fodder will call for the Earth itself," my tone grew vicious. Exhaustion was nesting in my bones. "And that Mother Nature would take over my body, pour lava into my veins and bleed recklessness into my thoughts. But here I am, freshly out of Hell and alive and kicking."

A stunned silence was interrupted by Tony's frantic whispering. "You are not leaving my penthouse for the foreseeable future," as the weight of the incident set on him. The knuckles of his hand clutching Stephen's dirty tunic turned white.

"I am," Stephen eyed me with a strange look in his eye, as if he was seeing me for the first time. His eyes then turned to Tony, who'd began rambling, arguing with Stephen. The sorcerer stopped the word vomit with a grim confession. "I'd be dead if not for Starlight. I'd be meat and bone, splattered across a barren, radioactive land in the deepest, darkest pits of the universe."

I felt my face droop in slow-motion. My throat flexed, swallowing a thick lump of filthy mucus, I coughed up, "Ra-radioctive?" As soon as I could work my voice without it squeaking.

Taglist: @couldntbedamned @mikariell95 @letsby @sleep-i-ness @toomanyrobins2 @mostly-marvel-musings @persephonehemingway @schemefrenzy @lillsxd @bluecrazedandbeautiful @slothspaghettiwrites @xoxabs88xox

[giggleandtears]

Crimson Renegade, Part 3

What it feels like to match wits (With someone at your level) 

Summary: Danvers and Kirk enjoy winding McCoy up

Pairings: OC/Jim Kirk(Platonic), OC/Leonard McCoy(Eventual Romance)

A/N: If you haven't seen Star Trek Discovery season 2, Pike makes it well worth it. ;-)

Enjoy!

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Guiding me to the closest patient area, McCoy offers his hand to assist me in sliding onto the bio-bed. Jim quirks a brow at the chivalrous gesture but McCoy has already turned away to gather a few supplies for the exam. When Jim saddles up beside him, my mind runs wild with comparing the two men. Though they are roughly the same height, the air that surrounds them couldn’t be more different.  

Jim’s flaxen hair, crystal blue eyes, and perfectly chiseled jawline, screams fairy tale prince more than captain. Unless you use Captain Pike, circa 2250, as a barometer. Jim’s the type to whisk you off for an idyllic weekend getaway in a cabin, nestled between snow-capped mountains. A roaring fire would await, champagne chilled and at the ready. I think Dr. McCoy would take a slightly different approach. The fire would remain, as would a refreshing beverage. But replace the champagne with bourbon laden hot chocolate. The cabin would stand resolute against the onslaught of swirling flurries, having been built with the strength of his bare hands. Jim and McCoy are two sides of the same coin but only one is commanding my full attention.

"Ok, what you playin' at?” McCoy whispers to Jim, like salt through a grinder. It’s not standard practice for the captain to escort an uninjured crew member to the Med-bay just for a friendly hello. Jim looks on in unabashed amusement and lets McCoy continue his tirade. “We almost got shot to tarnation and you’re here to introduce a woman? Good god man! Have you no shame?” He says in a huff, gathering and regathering the same tricorder and PADD. “Are those boots even regulation?”

“They are.” I chime in sweetly, like honey flowing fresh from the comb. The boys slowly turn at McCoy’s covert mutterings being so easily overheard. “But the tights sadly are not, yet.”

Walking over to me, McCoy places the PADD beside me and can’t stop his eyes from wandering down. Under further inspection, my boots are indeed regulation, stopping just above my calves. The tights, however, are of my own design. Dark mesh blends expertly with my boots before shifting into a less opaque hue, coming to a point over my knee. Tracing McCoy’s gaze downward, I completely understand why the higher hemline of my dress uniform and the illusion of knee-high boots leaves the doctor’s mouth a bit parched.  

Clearing his voice before he continues, McCoy begins to run the tricorder around my head, then on a steady path from my forehead to abdomen and back. “So, what brings you to our favorite tin can in the sky?”

“I'm working on a new shield prototype with Scotty. Can't steal your head engineer, so here I am.”

“At least he's not on that ice planet anymore.” Jim says, with a nearly imperceptible shiver.  

“You always say that, but I had fun on Hoth.”

Shaking his head, Jim snorts wryly. “You’re about the only one.”

McCoy raises his brow at the name, no doubt never hearing of that planet in any star system. Sadly, that also means his knowledge of historical fiction is sorely lacking. How it’s not a more beloved genre is beyond me. Jim mouths ‘You don’t want to know’ to McCoy and lets it drop.  

“Keenser’s hooch always kept me warm. And what else do you really need besides that and good company?” I say. “Besides, it never seemed to be as cold as everyone whined it was.”  

A small smile highlights McCoy’s handsome features as he continues my scan. Although the warmth of his smile is unmistakable, the delicate lines around his eyes seem to narrate a tale of inner weariness. Something tells me coffee, a nap, or even a stiff drink couldn’t lessen whatever’s weighting on his shoulders.  

Returning to the conversation at hand, McCoy’s asks about my position on the Enterprise. “If you're a commander, doesn’t that make you chief engineer?”

“A commander is usually the head of a department. If Scotty needs me, I’ll be there to lend a hand but the prototype is my first priority.”

McCoy hums lowly in understanding, although his gaze has been diverted. He's concentrating deeply on the tricorder in his hands. After each tap of the device, his expressive brows grow closer and closer together.

“Something wrong?”

“Yea.” McCoy begins in a huff. “This darn thing is on the fritz again. I tried a few tricks Scotty taught me but nothin’s workin’. I assumed you were human and bypassed the initial scan but that didn’t help. You are human right?”

“To my knowledge, I am. Is trans-species a thing?”

“You’d be surprised.” McCoy says wryly. “All I got was you’re alive, but a bucktooth gopher in a melon patch is less obvious than that.”

I fail at holding back a snort.  “I have absolutely no idea what that means but it was certainly entertaining.” Offering to take a look, I extend my hand. “Let me see.” The blueprint for each circuit board and screen readout, run through my brain with ease. Fiddling with the small piece of technology is as natural as breathing.  Feeling the heavy gaze of a man no more than 2 paces away from me, is not. Widening his stance, McCoy impatiently crosses his arms after I open the back of the tricorder. I don’t think my brooding companion takes kindly to anything impeding his work, especially a pesky piece of equipment. “The circuits and connectors are in perfect condition, not charred or corroded. So, it must be a programming issue.” Replacing the back of the tricorder, I widen a few scan parameters and disable a couple more, then hand it back to McCoy. “Here, try this.”

After restarting the scan, the familiar steady beeps resume.  

“Well how ‘bout that.” McCoy says, with quiet astonishment. “How’d you know to do that?”

Swinging my legs like a schoolgirl, “Engineers are more than contraband and a good time, Dr. McCoy.”  I say, with cock my head and a cheeky grin. “Or haven’t you heard?”

“I’ve heard a lot of things but that don’t make’em true.”

Leaning the tiniest bit forward, “Is that a challenge?”  

McCoy meets my eye with a sumptuous quirk of his brow. “Only if you can deliver.”

A smile slowly spreads across my face. His steady gaze is electric, sending waves of heat to tickle my skin. Neither of us is backing down. With each passing millisecond something becomes abundantly clear; I am in trouble. Jim clears his throat, breaking us of the spell neither of us intended to cast. Honestly, I forgot Jim was even here.

Leaning back, I straighten my spine and clasp my hands in my lap. Professional as always. “So, did your scan turn up anything interesting?”

“Yea. Are you always this hot?” McCoy asks innocently, without any trace of innuendo.  

This is just too easy.  

Before I can reply, McCoy corrects himself.  “Is your temperature always this high?”

He’s learning  

“Yes. My temperature is usually above average for most humans. 99.3 to 102.4 is normal for me.”

“That’s oddly specific.”

Smiling, “I thought doctors liked specificity.”  

I expected to hear a smart quip but it never comes. McCoy’s face has grown dark.

“There’s also a fair bit of pressure at your temples and occipital lobe.”

Jim stiffens, instantly on alert. A nervous stab blooms in my stomach. I just got here. I can’t be grounded already. McCoy places a calming hand on my shoulder but addresses Jim. Silently they spar, only using their expressive eyes to communicate. I can read Jim like a well-trained empath but McCoy is a completely different beast. The altercation only lasts a few seconds but the decision is final.  

Jim sighs and stuffs his hands roughly in his pockets. “I’ll be right over there, ok?” After nodding, he saunters up to nurse and starts a friendly conversation. Jim manages to only look back once, our concerned expressions mirroring each other.  

“If only he was as protective with himself as the rest of us.” McCoy says.

Smiling weakly, I hum in agreement. With an ever-increasing nervous energy, I pick at the jagged edge of my thumb nail. I’m willing the pressure in my head to subside before McCoy takes the tricorder to me again.  

As if I'm a doe in a wooden glen that’s easily spooked, McCoy speaks much softer than before. “On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is the pain?”

I rub my forehead. “5, maybe.” Even to my own ears, it sounds more like a question than an answer.  

McCoy stares at me disapprovingly. Maybe I don’t have as good a poker face as I thought. He asks how long I've been having headaches and if they make my duties more difficult. I have to think back but it's been over 6 months. I can handle the pain but the dizziness that sometimes accompany them is harder to shake off. I've been found in a dark supply closet more times than I care to count. McCoy bobs his head with each detail I recount, though his lips remain pursed. He picks up the tricorder once again but decides to hand it off to a passing nurse.  

“Do hypos help with the pain?” McCoy asks. Vigorously rubbing his hands together, he steps forward. Meticulously, he feels around my throat and neck.  

“Only for a few hours.” I answer honestly.  

“What did your last physician say about them?”

“Since I could still fulfill my duties, not to worry until that changed.”

McCoy’s hands still. Exhaling harshly, his nostrils flare. “What kinda bonehead, idiotic...” With a sigh, McCoy calms himself. Letting the matter drop, he continues his exam. McCoy softly eases my head to the side to rest in his large palm. His nimble fingers purposefully flutter up and down the tendons in my neck, even into my shoulder blade. When he tilts my head back, I can’t help but stare. McCoy is so, determined. It’s as if my pain and discomfort are the only thing important to him. For a moment he closes his eyes to concentrate more intently on what he feels beneath his fingers. Smiling to myself, I close my own eyes before I’m caught.  

A slight sting radiates at the base of my neck where McCoy was focusing his attention.  His deft fingers and what I suspect was a sly hypo start to alleviate the pressure that’s been building for hours. Releasing a heavenly sigh of relief, I slowly blink open my eyes. Having them closed for only a few short moments; my lids have become quite heavy.  

McCoy tips my head back with a knuckle under my chin. When my eyes catch the light, he inhales suddenly. “Well I’ll be-.” He whispers, astonished. He slowly moves forward as if an invisible string is pulling us together. I’m enveloped by his impressive stature. His warmth seems to seep into my every pore and somehow, I already know I’ll miss it when he moves away. A sly smirk creeps onto my lips when McCoy’s eyes round in amazement. Imaging myself through his eyes is intriguing. Warm brown eyes of amber with flecks of maroon. It’s a fairly typical combination in this day and age, except they weren’t always like this. The longer the light shines in my eyes, the red specs bend and shift until it nearly overtakes the brown. I found the change to be off-putting at first but I've grown to like it.

McCoy leans in closer and cocks his head to the side. “Retinal morphic photoplasia.” Taking a pen light out his pocket and sweeps it over my eyes. “With a nearly a 47% increase in your concentering rate. That’s mighty rare.”

I shrug nonchalantly.  “Yea. It’s just one of my many tricks.”

McCoy smirks until he realizes how close he is to me. His hand has inched up from my neck and is cradling my cheek in his palm.  Clearing his throat, he gently guides my head down and releases me. Dr. McCoy returns to his PADD, tapping harshly. His faced is etched in frustration as he mumbles to himself. I sigh inwardly. I miss the teasing back and forth, the banter. I’d even settle for Mr. Grumpy Pants.  

I speak as light and airy as possible. “So, am I dying Doc?”

“No!” McCoy says, jerking upright. “Why would you go and say somethin’ like that?”

“Because you're looking at my readings like I have the plague.”

“Now that would be a magic trick, since it's been cured for over 600 years.” Sighing, McCoy places the PADD down. “I’m just not too keen on mysteries in my Medbay.”

McCoy explains my scans are in normal ranges, though a little odd. The headaches could be stress related but he’s concerned about the duration. Since I can't think of any triggers and I couldn’t have come into contact with any alien contagions, McCoy decides to take a few samples and run some more extensive test.  After getting a nurse up to speed, McCoy gives me some very pointed instruction.  “Tell me immediately if the headaches get worse. It doesn’t matter if you can still do your duties.”

“Sure thing, Dr. McCoy.” His name rolls easily off my tongue. However, McCoy’s pinched expression looks like his mama forgot to sweeten his lemonade. “Did I say something wrong?”  

He shakes his head ‘no’ but doesn’t offer any further explanation for his sour expression. I’m starting to think maybe that’s just his face.  

Shaking it off, “So, am I good to go?”

“Yes ma’am. No palpations, fever, or hives to speak of.” McCoy drawls.  

Smiling, “Great!  Thanks Doc. I'll try to keep it that way.” Hopping off the bio-bed, I look around the Medbay.  “Now where did my escort get to?”

“Jim,” McCoy says, hollering over his shoulder. “Don’t you have a ship to run?”

Jim says a few last words to an utterly bewitched nurse and walks away. He leisurely walks over, smiling to himself. “So, what I miss?”  

“I don’t know. Home trainin’?” McCoy says, dismissively. I snort softly into my hand and McCoy rewards me with a small smile. But Jim’s piercing gaze is squarely on McCoy, waiting for my results.

McCoy answers simply, all joking aside. “The commander is cleared for duty-”

“Glad to hear it!” Jim says. His jovial-self returning.

“And she knows where to find me if that changes.” McCoy gives me another pointed look for good measure.  

Inwardly I chuckle to myself but stand straight at attention. I give the doctor an emphatic though comical two-finger salute. I know we haven’t had an active military in centuries and technically McCoy and I have equal rank. But he understands me nonetheless. Or I should say we understand each other. If my condition changes and I don’t tell him, he will hunt me down and there will be hell to pay. McCoy nods curtly, satisfied with my answer. After a beat, his eyes soften and the corner of his mouth lifts just a touch. Relaxing again, I smile in return.  

Jim sees our mostly silent exchange and shakes his head. He looks like the cat that caught the canary and I’m not sure I like where this is headed. “You know I always thought you two would get along.” Jim may be right but that doesn’t mean he has to point it out. “You never let me have any fun.” Oh, how I wish that was true. “Both of you can drink me under the table.” True. Jim pauses for good measure. “And you both hate people.”

And there it is.  

Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose.  

“For Christ's sake-” McCoy growls.  

“I do not hate people!" We say in perfect unison.  

Slowly, McCoy and I look at each other with the same horrified expression. Brows in our hairlines, eyes bugging out and mouth agape.  We even mirrored each other’s tilted head. Neither of us know how to address what just happened, so we quickly act like it didn’t. McCoy becomes intensely interested in his PADD and I kick myself at falling for Jim’s bait so easily. His smirk is already insufferable but I do address his previous assertion.  

“After an 8-hour shift, who wants to be around people that can't hold a conversation, let alone a drink?” I ask rhetorically.  

“Couldn’t agree more darlin'.” McCoy says, clearly on my side.  

Trying to bite the inside of my cheek does little to disguise my smile. “Thank you.” I’m not sure what garners my appreciation more, his immediate understanding or being called darlin'. I haven't been called that particular term of endearment since I was a child. Oddly, I’m not averse to it. Especially coming from the doctor’s lips.  

“Wait,” Jim interjects, “are you finally admitting there are people you don’t like Commander?”

“Yes, and you are quickly becoming one of them Captain.”

This is quickly ramping up into a tit for tat situation and McCoy is having none of it. “Jim, can you let my patient get a hot meal before you start up again?”

Snickering, I mouth ‘Thank you’ and head for the door. As the doors slide open, I stop and look behind me. Jim is slowly walking with his back towards the door, whispering something to McCoy. I don’t know what he’s saying but McCoy crossed his arms in a huff. “Jim, you coming?” Jim turns smoothly on his heel, not missing a beat. The moment Jim’s back is to McCoy something peculiar happens. His arms drop and he … chuckles. His broad shoulders gently shake until he sighs to himself. For a moment he stares into space. The makings of a smile start to form-

“Danny, you coming?”

Jumping slightly, I turn towards Jim’s voice. He’s mere inches from my ear. After scowling in his general direction, I try to get one more glance at McCoy but he’s already gone. We walk in companionable silence toward my quarters but Jim is determined to spoil it. He keeps smirking like he has a secret every time he catches my eye. Its driving me nuts.  

Exhaling slowly, I mourn my sanity. “I know you have something to say. Spit it out.”

Jim shrugs nonchalantly but smiles nonetheless. “Oh, it’s nothing. Just that you owe me a bottle of whiskey.”

[love101imagines]

Closer

request: Could you please write a picture w prompts 3,10,11,17 (Second list) for Sinan? maybe with y/n staying at his house until later, talking and drinking, so she decides to ask if he really likes her

tag list: @sinanfails @zaynlikfalls @wwafangirld

prompts used: 3. sometimes i wonder if you even like me...it sure feels like you hate me most of the time. 10. did i do something? 11. you don’t know what you do to me, do you? 17. how can you drink that stuff?

When you first met Sinan, you two were late to class and your teacher wouldn’t allow you to come in. On any normal day, you would have probably skipped school and he would have gone to the infirmary to sleep, but your teacher sent you two to the library to help to place books on the shelves.

It was a boring task, and you wouldn't do it all on your own. So you woke him up from his slumber over a desk and after a few minutes, you two started talking, creating a small bond in the next days.

You weren't sure how, but that bond slowly deteriorated.

It started with a few things, like not talking as much as you did, him continuing to isolate himself as usual and you spending more time with school and other things. But you did your best to continue talking to him, making sure that he ate something most days and that he slept as much as he needed.

Then the whole expulsion thing happened and every time you were in the same room, he would just ignore everything you said or make one of his snarky comments that left you confused and, to be honest, hurt. You tried to convince yourself that Sinan was always like that, but you still wanted answers.

It didn't help that once you started a conversation with him it would only end up in a fight.

Right now, you were biting the inside of your cheek sending daggers at the boy who only continued with his lunch, the rest glancing at the two of you to see how you would react after what he had said.

"I'm going to the bathroom." You mumbled, grabbing your bag angrily before walking away.

Eda punched Sinan's arm. "God, you're such an idiot!"

She stood up from her seat on the bench before following you, Sinan only rolling his eyes while Işik sighed.

"I'm gonna head out too." She said. She waited a few seconds to decipher the boys gaze before continuing. "That was a really rude thing to say, Sinan."

"Really shitty.” Osman added.

The boy only scoffed before taking a long sip of his flask. On the other hand, you were walking in the halls with Eda, stopping once you heard Işik approaching both of you.

"(Y/N)! Wait, listen..." She started, taking a deep breath while gathering her thoughts. "I don't know why he said that..."

"Well, I do." Eda interrupted her. "He's an asshole, everybody knows that."

You pursed your lips into a tight line, mindlessly pulling at a loose thread on your shirt. "I know but..."

"He has a crush on you!" Işik blurted out, her cheeks a bit red like she was nervous and her eyes slightly widened.

You furrowed your brows at her words. "Işik...what did you just say?"

Eda parted her lips to talk, but no words came out, obviously in shock as well.

Işik fumbled with her hands, scrambling over her words trying to find the right ones to explain herself from her sudden outburst. "Well, Sinan...he might uh-he may have a small crush on you."

"People who have crushes on other people don't treat them like Sinan treats (Y/N)." Eda remarked raising a brow.

"I don't know." The blonde girl mumbled. "I think he's just nervous around you, and he doesn't really know how to act." She continued with her rant.

As much as you tried not to, your cheeks reddened slightly, even if it was stupid that Sinan could have a crush on you. There was no way he did.

"That doesn't mean he gets to treat me like that." You rolled your eyes. "The next time he does, I swear I'll..."

"Just." Işik tried the last time. "I know it's hard, but it's harder for him. I don't think he's used to having someone who cares for him."

It could be true. You knew everything that had happened with his parents and how he seemed disappointed in humans. But still, while one side of you was euphoric because holy shit, he had a crush on you and you had always thought he was kinda cute and smart, on the other hand, he had been acting like a brat to you the last days.

There wasn't any way you could avoid him, always ending up at his house with the rest to discuss something for the plan. You didn't even care right now, still angry because of the last "conversation" you had had with the boy.

But still, you couldn't help your surprise when he suddenly grabbed your arm to hold you back while the rest left.

"Can we talk?" He asked nervously, his voice almost shaky. "Please." He added.

You pursed your lips, taking your arm out of his grasp to cross them over your chest. "Fine. What do you want?" You snapped.

He swallowed hard, his gaze on the floor before he finally looked up at you. "Uh, do you want something to drink?"

You thought about it for a moment, almost chuckling at how polite he was acting all of a sudden but you resisted it. "What have you got?"

You followed him into the kitchen, almost gasping as soon as he opened his fridge. "Jesus fuck, you don't stop, do you?" You asked sarcastically trying to count the many bottles of beer and whiskey inside.

You weren't looking at him but could feel the eye roll he was emitting. Trying to stop stalling and get to the point, you grabbed the only bottle of wine he had.

"How can you drink that stuff?" He asked incredulously handing you a glass.

You only shrugged, slowly pouring it trying not to spill anything while he grabbed a can of beer. "Why do you have it then?"

He didn't answer, almost making your heart flutter at the thought that he may have thought about you when he bought it, knowing that you only like red wine instead of vodka, whiskey, or any other alcohol.

"All right, I'll just start then." He said as you sat down on a chair next to his spot on the sofa. "...I'm sorry for what I said during lunch."

You faked being confused, your brows furrowed and your mouth slightly open. "What are you sorry for, specifically? You said a lot of things during lunch." You continued before taking a sip of your wine.

He continued fumbling with his hands, passing the can of beer from one to the other. "I'm sorry I said your only traits were being whiny and clingy. I was out of line.”

When you didn’t answer, he continued. “I don’t think you’re whiny. Or clingy. I mean, I don’t think those are your only traits but...”

“I only asked you if you were going to eat something or only drink the whole lunch.” You interrupted him, letting out a frustrated sigh in the end. “What happened to us?”

The words didn’t hit him as hard as he’d been expecting because it was true. He had been distant even if you continued spending time together, but things weren’t as they’d usually been because he was keeping something from you.

He didn’t look at you, continuing to pick at his nails. “What do you mean?”

“I mean...” You started, biting your lower lip while avoiding looking at him. “We were friends, and it was fun talking with you, but...did I do something?”

There was something in his demeanor that worried you, watching as guilt washed over him instantly by how upset you seemed.

You only continued. “At least you didn’t go full beast mode like that time Işik helped you with a test. Sometimes I wonder if you even like me...it sure feels like you hate me most of the time when you say shit like that.”

“I’m sorry.” He blurted out finally looking at you. “I...I tried telling you but I could never. Every time I try to, I fuck it up.”

You pulled your knees at your chest, your cup of wine almost empty, and Sinan leaving his flask after drinking most of it.

“It’s okay, Sinan. I know you don’t really mean it.” You reassured him, absentmindedly tapping your fingers against your knee.

Sinan eyes found yours and he nodded, the left side of his mouth curling up into a small smile and then fading. “...You don’t know what you do to me, do you?”

You felt your heart beating faster than usual. “What did you want to tell me?”

He seemed lost with words, trying to gather the courage to confess his feelings while you waited patiently.

“I like you, (Y/N)”

“Sinan, I like you.”

It was funny how earlier that day you were sending witty remarks and insults to each other and now you two had blurted out that you liked each other at the same time. But now, you could only smile softly, any trace of anger already gone.

“It’s pretty late, isn’t it?” You mumbled glancing at outside his house, the moon shining off the water, and a small glimpse of light coming from the lamppost.

“Yeah.” He nodded. “I’ll walk you home.”

Before you could argue, he stood up and began walking towards the door.

A comfortable silence settled between the two of you before you smiled softly at him. “I’m glad we fixed things. I um, wouldn’t know what to do if we continued like this.”

“Yeah, I’m glad too.” He added, a faint smile on his face.

You were truly glad because even if everything had been awful for the two of you, it seemed to be worth it now, with you holding his hand and a small blush on both your cheeks.

[atlas-of-a-human-soul]

Seeing Red (boxer AU)

Summary: When Shawn loses control, he loses his heart.

Warnings: angst, violence

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

He was never as angry as he is now, she could tell. During the span of their two year relationship, Shawn had never said a bad word to her, even when the fighting got bad. No, he'd always direct his anger to the punching bag, the sack he could hurt instead of saying things he would regret down the line.

Shawn never knew she was aware of that.

When their fight would reach its climax, Shawn had a habit of walking out and disappearing for hours and while she was alone at home, wondering if she could have done something to make him stay, he would rid of his anger and return with a milkshake they could share and talk things through.

Until now.

Y/N trusted him, loved him, stood in his corner in both life and ring, all because this curly haired boxer had arrived in a hospital during her first night shift and she never left his side. Even beaten half to death, Shawn managed to win her heart and he never lost it.

That's why she needed to know where he goes when he leaves the apartment they shared. So, completely aware she's insane, she sat in the car and followed him. Y/N prayed he didn't meet with some girl behind her back, someone who didn't push his buttons or dance on his nerves when it was clear she should inject love instead of anger, yet she couldn't help but spar with him and it always got them in a standstill. Both so headstrong, unwilling to back down from a fight as long as they thought they weren't wrong.

And while she was nervous about knowing the truth, gripping the wheel tightly as she parked, she let out a relieved sigh as he entered his old gym. It didn't necessarily clear his name yet, but she felt she knew why he was there.

Anger issues aside, Shawn was always a kind hearted man, so gentle she nearly cried the first time he touched her. But when the anger comes and he sees red, Shawn was different, an animal with no sanity, no reason. His training kept him in check, but she did wonder what would happen if he didn't spend his energy on the sack.

And that's where she found him, punching the bag over and over again, his curls untamed and bouncing on top of his head, a few sticking to his already sweaty forehead. She frowned deeply, her teeth sinking in her bottom lip as she cocked her head to the side, feeling like an invader of his privacy.

She heard his grunts and growls and the way he focused on the bag was intimidating. He was a machine in the ring, it's why he almost always wins...the only time he lost resulted in their meet and she always thought of it as destiny...serendipity.

His unwrapped hands already turned red and a few knuckles started to bleed, making her wince before deciding to step out of the shadows and be a grown up. She had to talk to him, let him know she was wrong about asking him to stop boxing because it is an integral part of who he is and who he is now is the man she fell in love with. Changing him would be the worst thing she could do, especially when it helps him, heals him...Boxing keeps him tame and she while she liked both the lover outside the ring and the fighter inside it, lately Shawn had a hard time keeping the line separate between the two.

"Shawn?" She called out for him, slowly approaching so he wouldn't get spooked and accidentally redirect his punches elsewhere.

He didn't hear her, even as she was a few feet away from his swollen muscles and prominent veins.

But his hands were bleeding, droplets of blood falling on her face and she couldn't let him hurt himself any longer, jumping on his back with her arms wrapping around him in hoped of restraining him long enough for the emotions to calm down.

"Please stop! Please, love, please!" She screamed out, crying at the sight of his cracked skin. The worst part of dating a boxer is always the aftermath of every match - broken nose, bleeding, bruises all over the body, cuts, concussions. It broke her heart.

Unaware of her presence, still too lost in his rage, Shawn's hands grabbed onto her forearms, pressing a little too hard as he twisted them, seeing red before he heard her cry out in pain and her hold relents, releasing him.

"Fuck!" He swore loudly, turning back so fast he felt his heart jump at the sight of his favorite girl, rubbing her forearms carefully as she looked at him like a wounded beast.

"Baby, I'm so sorry! I didn't know..." He trailed off, guilt overwhelming him as she shakes he head, taking a cautious step back at the same time he steps toward her.

"Please don't be scared of me." He whispered and while she wanted to indulge him and come closer, hug him fiercely, the pain in her arms stopped her. It's basic instinct, staying away from what harms us and Shawn harmed her, even if it was unintentional.

"I want to not be. I do." She croaked, her bottom lip quivering as he squeezed his eyes shut in frustration.

"I just needed to let the anger out." Shawn sighed, unable to look away from her even if he wanted to. His mind had already engraved the image for later torture, there to remind him what happens when he loses control and why he can never lose control again.

"I know." She spoke quietly, turning away from him. She needed to hide her face, the uncertainty in every line he adorned.

"I wanted to tell you I was wrong. You shouldn't quit. And I...I stand by that. I had no right to ask you this, but...I have every right to ask you to see a professional, Shawn." She looked over her shoulder, feeling his eyes are locked on her and while she loved how he would always watch her with unwavering affection, it just didn't feel right on that particular night.

"If you don't, I don't think we can work. Because I'm not the submissive girl who will back down and refuse to fight for herself and her opinions and I can't have someone who explodes without a warning every time I do." She continued, swallowing thickly as he ran a hand through his curls, his tongue dancing along his lower lip.

"Are you...breaking up with me?" He dares to ask, his heart shivering inside his chest, driving him to the brink of madness.

"That depends on you, Shawn. I just need a break." She drew a short, shuddered breath before continuing, the words just as painful as the already blossoming bruises on her arms.

"Get help. If not, don't come looking for me because I won't be home when you come back."

And while he wanted to scream, ask her why she's doing this now, two months before the big fight he had been preparing for, Shawn remained rooted to his spot, silent as he watched her go, wondering how he let things get so bad.

Tags: @beinscorpio @heyits-claire @ourlittleshawnie @esoltis280 @dolandolll @lanallaa