#just ✨WHOOSH✨ | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

the-californicationist · 4 months

Note

Hello Cali ❤️. Por alguna razón no te había visto más en mi muro de tumblr y me preguntaba si no estabas aquí, por eso busqué tu perfil y me di cuenta que tumblr me estaba jugando una mala pasada.

How are you??? I'm so busy because I have a loooot of work, pero me tomaré el tiempo de leer todo lo que me perdí de ti ✨✨✨

YOU ARE THE BEST, OK? I LOVE YOU ❤️💍

Quisiera que escribieras un smut de John Price CEO/Mafia con un Reader inteligente y astuto, que queda cautivado cuando John comienza a seducirla, porfis ✨

Anything for you, my friend!! I love you so much <3 <3

Wonderland

John Price is a famous mob boss... but you don't know that. All you know is that you've got a crush on a mysterious, handsome man, and you're willing to go all the way to find out if his bite is as bad as his bark.

The parking garage was dark, and the concrete seemed to hold in the cold like a freezer. It felt like ice on his cheekbone, and not even the blood from his eye socket was enough to warm the skin. He could hear his heartbeat in his ears, that odd whooshing sound, and in a distant memory he could recall the first time he had ever gotten a black eye. But, all that was gone now. He had ratted out the one man that no one had dared fuck with in the past five years: John Fucking Price.

Those fucking coppers had said they’d protect him. He even had his people outside his house every hour of every day. How could this happen? He had to admit, he wasn’t even scared, he was just pissed off. Fucking bastards. They’d get what was coming to them. Maybe he’d tell them so. Not like they'd give him any more chances.

“Fuck you, Price. I hope those pigs skin you alive,” he spit out the blood that had began to pool in his mouth, and hoped it hit those stupid boots John was always wearing.

John Price slid his shoe away from the red stain that had began to swell on the ground, keeping his kangaroo leather Berlutis from ruin. The fool beneath his feet had no idea what was about to happen to him, and John almost felt sorry about it, if only for a moment. He and Vinson had been friends once. Hell, he’d even stood up at his wedding.

“Vince, what did I tell you about that bloody mouth of yours? Said it'd get you into trouble, didn't I? Wish there was something I could do for you now, cause you and me, we used to be mates. But, I can't afford friends like you. Not anymore," Price gave the rat a quick shove with his heel and watched as the stain smeared in a thin streak across the cement. He turned to his men,

"Well, lads, I've got a party to get to. You wouldn't mind cleaning things up here for me, would’ya?"

"No, boss," was their quiet reply.

"You'll be sorry, you goddamn pussy!" Vinson was screaming now, "I hope they hang you from the fuckin’-”

Bang! The loud gunshot echoed through the hollow space.

Vinson didn't say anything after that.

"Let's get outta here, Gaz."

"Right away, boss," Gaz opened the door to the limo and prepared to drive John back into the city. There was a big gala at the Genting Casino tonight, and Mr. John T. Price was never late.

He was never early either. In fact, he was perfection incarnate. When he was younger, that wasn't always the case, but after his father died, he had needed to change. No one was fit to rule Liverpool in his stead, and he was thankful that no one had been foolish enough to try. His father had made this town what it is. Liverpool was built by his family, and even though everyone thought the Price regime had grown tired of their reign on the old docks, they couldn't have been farther from the truth.

John had his cut from all of the major casinos, and he traded security in exchange. He owned two of them himself, along with four shopping malls, five bars, three neighborhoods, two apartment complexes, and a golf course - not to mention the property that wasn't in his name. He made sure to give his men plenty of reign over their own enterprises, even if most of them were strip clubs. But, he didn't care. As long as tribute came in every quarter, he never messed around in their business.

He thought Vinson was one he could trust. He'd even given him a car dealership just last month.

"Don't run it into the ground, Vince," he had said.

But, no. What had the little bastard gone and done? Put a tracker on his car and dropped bugs in his office. After everything he'd done for him, that's how he was repaid? To tell the truth, John never liked violence. It was awkward. But, his father had given him fists and showed him how to use them, so there was really no going against it. Violence and fear were vital pieces of the only language that men like Vince could understand. Now, with another family coming to Liverpool, John had to be on his best behavior. Even if 'best' was a little more loosely defined.

As he lit the tip of his last cigar, he reminded Gaz to grab him another few sticks on the way home. Gaz would've never turned coat on him like Vince did. He'd give him the car lot.

"You want the dealership on Sefton street, Kyle?" He offered.

"Sure, boss. Thanks a lot," Gaz smiled, knowing exactly which business he was talking about, "You want me to pull around back?"

They had arrived at the main entrance. Throngs of people were craning around the limo, trying to see who was inside. John thought about it for a second, smushed his cigar tip into the ashtray, and adjusted his tie.

"Nah," he said, "We'll give them the show tonight."

"Sure thing, boss."

Gaz parked the car and leapt out of the cab. His hand was on the door before John could take another breath, and on either side of the door, some of Price’s own foot soldiers took up their posts as bodyguards. When he emerged from the muffled quiet of the limo, it shocked John for a moment to be in such a whirl of chaos.

"Mr. Price, can I get a photo?"

"Over here, please, Mr. Price," a cute reporter was frantic enough to step in front of his men. They picked her up and put her back in the crowd.

John made sure to smile and wave, shake hands with those he had seen before, but he knew it was safer inside.

The manager greeted him warmly and, he noted, by first name,

"John! Good to see you again, mate. We've got just the table for you, tonight. Wait til you see the legs on these girls! It'll be a night to remember."

"I'm sure it will."

"Ah, sorry, but we don't allow weapons past the main floor," the manager's face fell. So did Kyle’s.

Gaz cleared his throat,

"I'm sure you can make an exception for Mr. Price. We'll be very discreet."

It was more of a threat than a promise, and John smiled at his friend's heavy tone. Kyle was anything if not polite.

"Uh, yes, we can certainly make arrangements. Right this way, gentlemen," and now the manager was nothing if not nervous. Perfect.

The night continued as well as it could, but he had never really enjoyed gambling. Why make all this money if he was just going to throw it into the wind? But, he could mingle with the right people here. Except that these weren't his people. He had come as a favor to his long time friend, Alex Keller, but Alex was nowhere to be found.

"Passed out on his missus’ tits, probably!" One of the strangers guffawed at the other end of the Blackjack table.

"He’ll show, don't you worry," another replied.

Well, John didn't have all night to wait on a man to get to his own party. He needed a drink. When he rose to head to the bar, Gaz stopped him,

"I'll get it, boss. No need to bother yourself with it."

The table was silent. The strangers who had been so brassy before were now silent and transfixed on the pair of men at their table, one of whom was important enough to have his slightest whim catered to at a moment's notice.

"It's alright, Garrick. Play my hand, yeah? I'm headed out for a smoke."

"Yes, sir."

John retreated. The awkward stares and weird glances were too much for him to bear. Surely there was a patio around here, somewhere.

By the time he found one, he was disappointed to see it was occupied.

"Oh, beg your pardon. Thought I was alone out here," he said.

To his shock, it was a woman's voice that responded from the shadows. Your voice.

"You're fine. You got a light? Fuckin’ matches are all wet..." You fumbled with the book, striking to no avail.

He smirked,

"I have the fire if you've got an extra smoke."

"Fair trade," you smiled back jokingly.

You were dressed in a clean chef's coat, your hair was pulled up, and you might have been going without makeup, but it was almost too dark to tell. It certainly wasn't casino makeup, that was for sure. John watched as you tugged two cigarettes free from the box, put them to your soft lips, and covered his flame with your hand. Your fingernail paint was pink and chipped. You pulled in the fire of both cigarettes and offered one to him. He took it,

"Thanks."

You grunted in a minimal response.

"So, you're a chef?" He asked.

You raised an eyebrow at him, giving him the glare he deserved for such an obvious question.

He back pedaled,

"I mean, you work here as a chef. I just thought, with the coat...I mean, where's your big bloody hat? You need the hat."

You laughed. It was wonderful to hear, and he liked the way your mouth moved when you started to speak,

"Yeah, I work here. Have for the past three years or so. Bill signed me on as head chef, and I've been slaving away for him ever since."

"Bill?"

"Oh, he's the culinary manager. Runs all the restaurants in the casino and the hotel. When the last guy disappeared into thin air, they had to scramble to find someone, I guess. What about you? Where's your fancy hat? Based on that Hermes tie, I'm gonna assume you're here with the party."

He mindlessly adjusted his tie, noticing its feel on his neck as she called it out,

"Well, I might be."

"Yeah? You some kind of big-shot?" You eyed him again, challenging him to answer with something more than a yes or a no. You had heard yes and no plenty of times.

"I might be," he wouldn't give in.

"If we keep going like this all night, you might end up being the Queen, for all I know."

You both laughed, but then, you sighed,

"Oh well, Mr. Mystery. Keep your secrets then," you shrugged and turned away from him.

He couldn't have that.

"What's your name?" He asked.

"Sarah," you spun back around, "Rachel. Tiffany. Willamina. Might be anything."

You had the audacity to wink at him.

"Alright, you got me, love," he moved a little closer to you, "I'm John. John Price."

He extended his hand and waited for the bad news to sink in. No one who knew his name in this town would be dumb enough to be on a patio alone with him at night. He had dodged the media for a long time, but his trials always managed to get leaked. Twelve accounts of assault and battery, two separate accounts of theft, three murder charges - all acquitted of course. But, still, he was no stranger to ducking the law.

"John? Of all the names," you shook your head and smiled, taking his hand firmly, "Pleasure to meet you."

"You as well. You've never heard of me?"

"Oh, Jesus," you lamented, "Are you famous or something? Look, if I'm not in the kitchen, I'm at home asleep. Sorry. I don't even watch TV."

"No, nothing like that, I just - " He thought about it for a moment before you saw him decide to take a different trajectory, “Not famous.”

“Why is it that I feel a little bit like Alice tonight?” You took a long drag and let the smoke fall from your lips, “Like I’m following a white rabbit down a deep, dark hole.”

He chuckled, and you enjoyed seeing his eyes shine with his laughter,

“If you follow me down,” he sidled up to you, his face close enough to yours so you could smell the balsam in his aftershave, “I’ll show you just how deep the rabbit hole goes.”

A man’s voice cleared his throat behind you, and you both turned to look at who it was.

“Garrick?” John asked, clearly annoyed.

“Yes, sir. Johnny and Simon made it up. They said they know why Keller hasn’t shown.”

John didn’t answer. He simply turned back to look into your eyes, trying to divine some sort of future from them. He must’ve liked what he saw because the next thing you knew, you were being given a golden key card. Top floor.

Not famous, my arse, you thought to yourself.

“Why don’t you take the night off, love. Come see Wonderland, yeah? I’ll be right behind you.”

“My, my,” you said, palming the card from him, “No one ever tells you no.”

Another smile, a little colder than the first,

“No, they don’t.”

“Maybe I will,” you pulled the tiger’s tail.

“You won’t,” the tiger growled back.

As you watched him leave the small patio, his broad back stretching that expensive suit, his thick fingers flicking his half-smoked cigarette off the balcony’s edge, you were kicking yourself. You knew you were going up to his room, even though something inside of you really wanted to yank this guy’s chain. But, his dark, purring voice had made Wonderland sound so inviting… maybe just one little peek wouldn’t hurt?

You waited a whole five minutes before slinking off to the service elevator, cutting out for the night. No one was making dinner anyway; it was the bar that was slammed. You’d already cleaned and prepped your station, so no one would miss you.

You ducked into the bathroom just before the top floor, getting off on the service side in an empty hallway, checking your face for stray flour or coffee stained teeth. You smelled like a pizza oven, but maybe you could sneak a shower before he showed up?.

What a slut, you heard the angel on your shoulder chastise you.

So, what? The devil’s side replied, indignant.

You peeled the chef’s coat off of your body. All you had underneath was a black tee. It was cropped a bit too high for work, but you wore it anyway. Your black work pants were covered in flour and dried food. You brushed them off as best you could. It would have to do. You shoved your coat into your bag and headed back to the hallway.

Luckily, the main elevator was vacant, as was the hallway, so you wouldn’t run into any other guests on your way to Wonderland.

The angel rolled his eyes. The devil glared at him.

The elevator dinged, and you inserted the gold card, clicking the very topmost button to the penthouse.

You’d been up here before. Sometimes, you picked up cleaning shifts on your off days for the extra cash, so you knew the layout. But, that had been in the cold, hygienic light of day. At night, this floor was a sparkling vision. When the elevator doors opened, huge clear windows reached all the way into the ceiling, framing Liverpool’s city center, looking more beautiful than it ever seemed from the ground.

You took quiet, uncertain steps out of the lift, checking for any signs of life. There were none, so you made your way to the bathroom. Huge black marble monolith slabs were carved in a semicircle, a nautilus that curled around the four separate shower heads, all ready to pour their steaming water down your naked body.

You stripped, stepping into the stream, letting yourself pretend that you lived in this sort of luxury for a moment. A soft lather of soap and a little shampoo later and you were clean. The single-use toothbrush and paste was in the hidden drawer that no guest would ever notice, so you stole an extra set, scrubbing yourself to a minty shine.

A pair of black satin robes hung in the closet, so you stole one, tying it around your waist, fully aware that one stiff breeze and the loose-fitting garment would fly right off of you. The soft fabric lay against your skin in the most sensual way, barely touching you and yet making you feel touched.

You explored the hotel room a bit, avoiding Mr. Price’s suitcase like it would bite you. The kitchen came stocked with ice buckets of champagne, so you helped yourself to one, pouring a glass and lounging by the window, wondering how long you’d have to wait for your date.

Fortunately for you, only an hour had passed and you heard the elevator ding. Out from the dark lift came the man himself… bleeding from his lip.

“John! What happened?” You put down your wine and rushed over to him.

He held you back, waving you off like it was nothing,

“Don’t worry, love. Just a bit of a scuffle, tha’s all.”

“But —”

“Seriously,” he grabbed you by your arms and looked you up and down, enjoying the wide opening of the robe as it revealed your body to him, “You should see the other bloke. Let me get cleaned up. Pour me one of those, would’ya?”

Before you could protest, he ducked into the bathroom, out of your reach. You were left standing there, worried and a little concerned for your own wellbeing. You didn’t actually know this man at all, and here you were, lamb to the slaughter, eager and bleating happily.

While he was in the bath, you decided to do a little research. You searched up his name, and you were finding almost no hits, until you stumbled upon a mugshot.

There he was… the notorious mob boss, ruler of the English underground arms dealing circuit, enforcer and racketeering extraordinaire. And here you were, nearly naked in his room with not so much as a penknife within reach. This guy had been in the armed forces, special forces, black ops — the works. He retired and fell into the armed security world, making a name for himself by pushing out the competition by any means necessary. His father had maintained ties to the dark underground, and now John had taken over the family business, doing shady deals for the government and crime organizations alike. All of it was hearsay, of course, and none of the charges had ever landed a single hit… but you knew the truth.

John Price was the most dangerous man in the world; Liverpool’s crime arena was just a quiet little hobby for a man like him. If he wanted to, he could make you disappear like a magician behind a mirror. Gone without a trace.

What would you do? Would you run? Where would you go? How would you explain your sudden exit? Food poisoning?

Before you could even begin to formulate a plan, John was out of the shower. He looked incredible. His hulking, heavy form was steaming from the hot water, and his hairy chest was uncovered. He’d slipped into a pair of running shorts and nothing else, so his brutal body was on display for you. He was covered in scars, and he was heavyset, but his largeness was from his strength. His core was bulky and strong, and when he moved, you could see the tight muscles rolling around beneath the skin like a snake ready to strike.

He turned to you, but even though he wore a smile at first, the moment he made eye contact, his face fell. Somehow, he knew that you knew.

He sighed,

“What did you see?”

He rushed over to his suitcase but found it still locked, looking back to you quizzically. You didn’t move, you didn’t dare. John stepped over to you slowly, deliberately, almost as if he was ready for another fight.

You turned your phone towards him and showed him his own mugshot.

“Thought you said you weren’t famous,” you whispered. Your voice sounded so small and far away, you almost felt like you hadn’t spoken the words.

He smiled bitterly, tossing his towel on a nearby chair and sat beside you on the bed,

“Cat’s out of the bag, then?”

“Yeah,” you looked down at your phone, unable to look him in the eye.

“Go on,” he waved his hand at you, motioning toward the door, “Get out.”

You didn’t move. You should have. Every fiber in your being was telling you to make a break for it. Now was your chance. And yet… you stayed. It was silent for a long while. You could feel his gaze raking over you, hot and heavy. His breaths rumbled in his chest.

“Go!” He spat, “No one’s keeping you prisoner here, girl. That’s me, alright, and the newspapers don’t even know the bloody half of it. Just go.”

You reacted to his volume, shirking back a bit, but you still didn’t stand. You looked at him then, searching for the kindness you thought you saw on the patio just hours before, checking to see if it was still there, if it was even real.

When you met his eyes, his fury was masking a very real pain. He was angry, sure, but the ache of being cast out was apparent, even though you were the one doing the leaving, and you just wanted that bit of brightness back again.

John studied you, watching your every movement, trying to determine what you were thinking but coming up short. He stood right in front of you, his hips inches from your face, and he asked,

“What are you waitin’ on, love?”

A strong thumb lifted your chin, raising your jaw up to look at him again, and he used his enormous hand to grab your face, keeping you there under his will.

“I know you’re afraid of me,” he commented softly, “I can feel it.”

“So?” You replied, trying to keep your tone steady.

His voice was bitter and mocking, and as he leaned forward, you could smell his clean, warm skin,

“You wanna play with the big bad wolf, hm? See if I bite?”

He grabbed you a little too tightly, trying to scare you. It worked, but you tried not to show it. Instead, you decided to place both of your hands at his hips, your palms flat against his warm belly, feeling the dark hair that formed a faithful trail, guiding your eyes down to his waistband.

It was his turn to be surprised. You felt his breathing catch as you moved your hands up along his ribcage, rubbing gentle circles into his skin, petting him like a skittish hound, expecting him to snap.

Letting go of your face, he grabbed your wrist, and just as you thought he was going to stop you, he took your hand and placed it on his chest, stretching your arm all the way up from where you were sat, making you extend your spine as you reached up to him. Your fingers traced the fur that lay flat against his pectorals, and finally, you plucked at his nipples, not allowing there to be any question as to your intentions.

The tip of his wide finger dipped into the silken collar of your robe, swirling around your neck and following it down to the swell of your breast. He didn’t find your peak, but he didn’t seem to care to. He was just exploring.

Suddenly, John moved faster than you could even begin to understand what was happening. He had reached under you, lifting you, and then tossed you back down on the bed. You lay, sprawled, trying to catch your bearings, and then you were covered by his huge form, his wide body casting shadows over your vision, cloaking you in his own private darkness.

His mouth was on you like a hot flame, licking and burning and biting and sucking wherever he wanted to, eager to taste every inch of your skin, the imperfections of a wrinkle or a freckle seemed to go fully unnoticed as he devoured you, sucking you down like his last meal.

You were overwhelmed by the pleasure he was stoking inside of you, and you let a small mewling sound escape from your lips that caught his attention.

“Mm,” he climbed up your body so that you were face to face, “Enjoying your walk on the dark side, love? Think you’re tainted by me now? Or maybe that’s what you wanted, is it? Something naughty, just for a night?”

You didn’t understand his negativity, nor the self-deprecation, so you tried to protest,

“No, I —”

“It’s alright. I’ll show you how to be a bad girl. I’ll teach you, love. C’mere.”

His voice was smoldering and sticky, clinging to your ears with some of that same bitterness from before. But, you didn’t have time to worry about that. He was standing by the bedside again, and he grabbed your arms, making your head and shoulders hang part way off of the mattress. You were left staring at his thick thighs and scarred knees, worried about what he was up to.

Then, all became clear. He had dropped his running shorts, and the fattest cock you’d ever seen hung down, shining with drool, ready to be fed into your mouth.

Your eyes went wide, and although you reached your hand out to try and brace against his legs, it was no use. He supported your head from underneath and bent himself over until the tip of his swollen cockhead touched your lips, the gleaming precome sticking to you like gloss.

Unwilling to be frightened by his aggression, you opened your mouth for him, laving your tongue across his turgid flesh, allowing him to press himself inside of you.

His cock was slick on the head but dry on his shaft, so you did your best to wet him, licking and sucking as he pumped himself in and out, already nearing the back of your throat and not even halfway sheathed.

When he nudged your soft palate, making you gag a bit, you made a noise. You tried steadying him with your hand, and he grunted, grabbing both of your arms by the wrist, holding them above your face, clutched to his hip. Then, he continued to fuck your face, ignoring your writhing gasps for breath.

Your throat tightened around him, but you tried to stay calm. You’d never taken anyone this deep before, but you stilled yourself, ignoring the urge to panic, and you made a point to swallow, feeling your throat squeeze around his head. You could taste him as he painted the back of your throat, salty and sweet at the same time.

That made him moan, and you felt like you’d won some sort of battle. If he was trying to frighten you, it was going to take more than just a little rough sex.

“Mm, fuck… Maybe you are a naughty little girl, aye?”

You hummed, making sure you could feel the vibrations travel through his girth.

He removed himself fully, taking a trail of your own drool with him, gasping from the pleasure of your mouth.

“Fuck, I need to taste you,” he muttered darkly, crawling over you and settling himself between your legs.

You tried to lift yourself back onto the bed, but he kept you hanging there, pinning you down with his strong arm, pressing into your belly with his hand to prevent you from sitting up. Finally, after feeling him kiss and nip at your thighs, teasing you mercilessly, you felt the warm, wet slip of his tongue as it fell between your lips, tasting your throbbing pussy for the first time.

The robe was half-off, and only the tie around your waist was even providing any coverage, and you realized that as he began to eat you, he was yanking off your clothes as well, ripping through the knot of the robe to free you from the fabric.

Now, his mouth moved deeper, and you felt him seal his lips to your pussy, messily drinking you in. As he fucked you with his tongue, his mouth and jaw were strong enough to rock your body up and down on the soft bed, making it seem as if he were actually using his smooth wet muscle as a writhing cock, thrusting it up into you and reaching deep into your hole.

The scruff of his beard was enough to make you want to come, much less the power that he ate you with. Every deep, curling lick sent sparks into your core, making your pussy drip with eager stickiness. It was hungry for that fat, uncut cock, forcing you to imagine how delightful it would be when he popped his giant head into your pink flesh.

You were keening for him. Well, it wasn’t exactly for him, per se. The noises you were making were coming from your throat against your will. If you didn’t scream, you’d pass the hell out, you were sure of it.

“Fuck, that’s it, love. Get loud for me. Ungh… you taste… mmfh… so damn sweet,” he was ruthless, speaking between long suckles from his mouth, commanding you from below.

You wished you could see him, but all you could see from your hanging position was the giant window, looking out across the sparkling city. So, you called out to him, your voice thick with want, with need,

“John…”

That was all it took. He tugged your hips down until he was above you again, prowling over you like some sort of beast, all snarling unbridled lust and appetite. As soon as he was in position — and your body knew he was in position — everything stopped. He stopped.

John looked down at you and became… different. The flirty bloke from the patio was back, and he smiled at you. You smiled back, out of breath and already drunk with hunger, but that was all he needed. He kissed you deeply, making you taste your own musk, and as his soft lips slid over yours, you felt the pressure of his huge cock at your hole, pressing through your folds to reach your hot, soaked center.

You gasped through his kiss, both of you moaning in the same timbre as you felt his heavy dick fit into you for the first time, a sparkling desire swirling within you as every delicious inch of him buried itself in you. He began to thrust himself up into your aching slit, fucking you on half of his length, and then using your own sticky fluid to slip himself the rest of the way in.

“Bloody hell, this fuckin’ pussy… fuck me,” he groaned, wrenching his eyes shut from the pleasure.

“Holy shit,” you breathed.

“Yeah?” He asked, seeking your praise.

“You’re fucking huge,” you didn’t mean to sound so concerned, but there was a part of you that was.

He sat back on his heels, taking some of the pressure away, staring down at your body lecherously, savoring your tits and fondling them in his hands,

“Alright, love?”

“You feel so good,” you insisted, wrapping your hands around his arms as he enjoyed your body.

“Tell me again,” he said, grunting again as he fucked his cock deeper inside of you, reaching a new end before dragging himself all the way back out just so he could start the journey again. He upped his tempo, pounding into you with his weight, the loud smack of his body against yours beating into you like a drum.

“Tell. Me. Again,” he growled his warning, snarling down at you, pinching your nipple to punish you for your silence.

You were gasping for breath. He was so deep now, you could feel the pressure of it in your belly. Between sharp intakes of air, you hissed,

“You… feel.. so… fucking… good…”

“That’s my girl,” he bent over you again and that familiar pressure returned. His cock was too big, and yet you took it anyway. Your body was panic and pleasure all at the same time, and he had you pinned down for the ride of your life.

You weren’t sure how many hours passed that night. He seemed to have the stamina of a much younger man, and every time you dozed off, you’d wake up again to fingers or tongue or cock playing inside of your folds, coaxing you to open yourself up to him. You were happy to oblige, but you were properly fuck drunk. If someone asked you for the alphabet, you weren’t positive you trusted your answer. But, when John Price asked you to open your mouth or your legs for him, you were the top scholar.

A golden, creamy dawn was rising up over the docks as you stared out the window. John’s hand was rubbing your bare back in long, relaxing strokes, and he was leaving soft, lazy kisses down your spine. You knew you were a mess. Your hair was tangled; you’d thrown it up into a messy bun on the second runthrough, done with trying to pretend to be a pristine hot girl. Your body was covered in his marks. Bruises from his teeth and red welts from a delightful slap on the ass or two were painted across you like little tattoos to commemorate your coupling.

“You alright, love?” He checked in on you.

He’d been checking in all night. For all his ruthlessness, he never crossed a line, and he never forgot to make sure you were safe. Sometime in the wee hours, he’d even made you drink a bottle of water and eat some fruit to hydrate, teasing you with grapes like some sort of earthly Baccus.

“Yeah,” you nodded, “Looks like it’s time for me to get out of your hair. Not sure I should be seen by the public in my current state.”

“You have work, or…” John looked confused.

You thought about lying to him for a moment. It would hurt so much less for you to just break it off now in the soft dawn glow rather than a painful goodbye over cold breakfast. But, you didn’t.

“No, just… don’t wanna fool myself into thinking this was something that it wasn’t.”

Your truth hung there in the air for a moment, but before he could open his mouth to reply, you heard the elevator ding.

You turned to look at it, but he didn’t. Instead, he pulled you off the bed and forced you to the floor. It was so fast that you didn’t even realize what he’d done until your nose was in the carpet. Then, you heard a sharp, snapping pop of something hitting the bed.

You watched in horror as John’s hand reached under the mattress and pulled out a small pistol. He held it like a professional, calm and trained, and shot twice. Then, it was quiet again.

He helped you to your feet, and he was telling you something, but your brain wasn’t registering his words. What had happened? Why were there bullet holes in the mattress? Who had he shot?

Then, you saw it. A man’s body was laying across the door of the elevator. Wanting to descend, the elevator’s alarm wailed, beeping and beeping.

John grabbed your jaw and made you listen to him,

“We have to go. Now. Get your clothes on. Now. Now.”

“Okay…” You couldn’t move. It was so hard to even lift your arms. They felt like solid lead. You just wanted to sink back to the floor. Maybe if you could just…

“Hey! Now!”

He shoved your clothes into your hands and you started to put them on, doing your best not to look at the elevator. John was packing a black bag, half-dressed himself, and checking the windows over and over, looking for something in the streets below.

“There’s no time, c’mon, love.”

You felt his hand cover yours as he led you to the elevator. You watched him ruthlessly kick the body away from the doors and push you inside. Once you were in, the doors closed and you rode in silence with him. You could only hear your heart in your ears.

“...to my car. Stay close to me.”

“Okay…” It was all you could say. No other words even dared to come to mind.

“Hey,” he held your face in his as the floor numbers dropped to the teens, “You’re alright. I’ll keep you safe.”

“Okay.”

The doors opened, and you found it extremely weird that the lobby was empty. There were no workers, no guests, not even a custodian. It was just a big, silent cavern in what was usually a lively casino.

He was leading you out to the parking garage, and just as you stepped into the concrete enclave, you heard the screech of tires round the corner. John stood in front of you and gripped the gun in his hand, but he didn’t move away.

The car stopped in front of you, and you braced yourself, hiding behind your lover as much as you could.

“Get in, boss! They’re right bloody behind us. Soap, shove over,” a man’s voice came from the car. He was in the driver’s seat, and he was wearing a ballcap with the Union Jack emblazoned on the top. In his passenger seat was a man in a black balaclava, and in the back was a bright-eyed man with a mohawk who you guessed had to be Soap.

“C’mon, love,” John shoved you inside just as a black SUV rounded the same corner, the engine roaring when it saw Price’s car.

Gunshots rang out, and you knew some of them had hit the car. You worried for John, but he stood straight up, aiming carefully for the driver, and fired his gun. As if you were in some sort of action movie, the SUV careened off-course and slammed into several parked cars. Men began to pour from it, armed to the teeth.

John jumped in beside you and made you kneel in the floorboards, holding his body over yours protectively.

“How’d they find out? Gaz!” John yelled at the driver, shouting his name when he saw another SUV approaching from the side.

Gaz swerved, narrowly missing being rammed, and sped off down the highway, trying to run from his pursuers.

“No idea, mate, but they think it was us who tore up the warf. Banno’s man must’ve turned snitch. Only explanation.”

“Fuckin’ hell,” the masked man sighed, rolling down his window to fire shots at the SUV chasing you down.

“Who’s the bonnie hen, boss?” Soap peered down at you before turning his attention back on the car chase.

“Uh… she’s…” John tried to explain, but you realized that you never even told him your real name, “I dunno.”

“You dinnae ken?” Soap’s brows knitted together.

“Soap! Shut up and shoot, mate,” Gaz turned his attention back on the fight.

“Well,” the masked man grumbled loudly, “She’s stuck with us all the way to Hadrian’s Wall. Heading to Katie’s house. No place else is safe.”

“Aye, good call,” John agreed.

Finally, after leaving the city, your pursuers turned back around and left you to your escape. John helped you back into the seat and checked you for injuries.

“John… I’m…” Your voice shook with fear, and you felt all of that stress tumbling down into your chest, turning into shock and tears.

“Shh, it’s alright, love. I’ve gotcha. I’m… I’m sorry. Should’ve known better.”

“Better?” You whispered as he held you to his chest.

“Aye. Thought I could be a normal man for a night. Hit on the hot bird at the bar, go to a fuckin’ party. But, nothing’s normal right now. I’ve put you in this mess, and I’m sorry.”

You didn’t have a reply, not one that made any sense, and as he held you, you watched the English countryside come into view. Rolling green hills still wet with their dew made everything that had just happened to you seem so far away, but you could smell the gunpowder on his hands as he pet your cheek, and you knew that nothing could be further from the truth.

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queenariesofnarnia · 8 months

Text

the general and her boys

gif not mine!

wc: 2,025

fraternal poly! bad batch x f!reader (absolutely no clonecest)

warnings: 18+ content! mdni! porn with a sprinkle of plot in the beginning, nothing crazy, group sex, praise kink, use of sarge, anal, piv, unprotected, cum swallowing, oral (m receiving), handjobs, and i think that is it!

✨✨✨✨

All you asked for was a night of rest since you’re finally on shore leave. A night in your secret apartment gifted to you by Padme. Relaxing in your silk robe that matched the red in your squad’s armor, lined with black lace. You accomplished most of the self-care routine you planned for the night. Sipping on a glass of wine you picked up on Naboo, enjoying a trashy holofilm. Several knocks echoed through your apartment interrupting the climax of the film. You had a feeling this was going to happen, even though they promised you not to start a fight with the regs. You entered the code to the door, meeting five sets of eyes as it whooshed open. Standing to the side letting them in to find a seat.

“I don’t want to hear about who started it or why you got involved” you grumbled sitting back in your original spot which now has you nestled between Tech and Crosshair.

“We’re sorry general” Hunter’s gruff voice sounds over the film you went back to watching. You glance at him and nod before turning your attention back to the screen. Wrecker helped himself to whatever snacks he could find in your kitchen.

“Wrecker, were you even going to ask if helping yourself to the general’s food was okay?” Echo was the one to question the large clone.

“I don’t care at this point. That’s why I have snacks in the first place. I knew my night alone wasn’t going to last” you tell Echo without breaking your focus from the screen. Finishing your wine, you placed your glass on the table before leaning over Tech who was busy with his datapad to grab the bottle on the side table. This gave Crosshair and Hunter a view up your robe, while Echo and Wrecker had a view down your robe. Plopping back down to refill your glass the room went quiet except for the film ending.

“Why didn’t you ask me general?” Tech broke the silence amongst your squad.

“You seemed busy, so I just did what was easy” you sent him a smile before taking a sip of from your glass. Crosshair took the bottle from your hand taking a quick swig before passing it to Hunter who had his hand out towards his brother.

“Don’t worry about why she didn’t ask Tech. Let’s talk about how the pretty little general gave us a little show as she reached over you.” Crosshair informs his brother placing his gloved hand on your thigh. The action made you take a gulp of your wine.

“What’s under the robe mesh’la?” Hunter whispers in your ear causing you to jump since you didn’t notice he left his previous spot.

“Tech start recording” Wrecker chuckles at the order given by Crosshair.

“I have been recording since the moment she opened the door” Tech says a smirk reaching his face. In this moment you knew you were in for it. You jokingly flirt with the guys all the time. However, you never thought it would lead you here. Echo was now sitting with his legs crossed intrigued by what is unfolding in front of him.

“Take the robe off for us sarad” Crosshair orders you giving your thigh a squeeze. You stood after chugging down the rest of the wine for the courage you will need tonight to survive. Back facing them you untied the robe letting it glide off your shoulders hitting the floor. Your spine tattoo now exposed to them. Each of their helmets and their names written by them decorated your spine. A chorus of groans sounded in the quiet living room as they took in the sight of your tattoo and your backside.

“Turn around for us little tooka” Wrecker’s voice cracking at his own request. Their jaws dropped when you turned around. The signature skull and 99 inked above your left breast, a loth wolf started at your waist ending at your mid-thigh, a 5, a crescent, and jaig eyes decorated your left bicep.

“When did you get all these tattoos cyar’ika?” Tech’s question breaking the trance his brothers were in as they stopped looking at the tattoos that decorated your body and back to your face.

“We can discuss that later. Now is there a real reason why I’m naked?” you questioned smirking your arms crossed beneath your breasts pushing them up.

“Get in the bed and we can show you” Hunter’s voice sounding deeper than usual makes your stomach flutter and your pussy tingle. Making your way past them without a word your hips swaying as you make it down the hall into your room. In about five minutes after the boys have taken their armor and blacks off they were surrounding your giant bed. You pretended to be busy with your datapad until it was snatched from your grip by Crosshair. He tosses it on the lounge chair in the corner of your room.

“Get on all fours mesh’la” Hunter instructs you. Immediately obeying, they command you to arch your back for them. The cool air in the room hitting your back side showing off your anal plug.

“She looks so pretty” Wrecker groans palming his cock. The others agreeing each walking around you to get their own perfect view of you.

“Wrecker get in front of her. Crosshair, Tech each of you take a side, Echo get behind her and mesh’la let me get under you.” Hunter gives out instructions. You never expected this moment a pleasant tingle was sent through your body as each of them found their spots round you. You were thankful for a big enough bed, so Wrecker fit in front of you nicely. Echo removed the plug from your puckered hole slowly. The mewl it pulled from your lips made each cock twitch. You spit in each hand before wrapping one of them around Crosshair’s and the other around Tech’s length beginning to slowly pump each of them. Hunter’s skilled fingers quickly found your soaking pussy dipping to fingers in, and Wrecker tapped the head of his cock silently directing you to open your mouth. Opening your mouth wide, tongue licking the underside of his shaft before taking him in your mouth. This was Echo’s opportunity to position himself before entering your ass. Feeling him stretch you made you moan around Wrecker’s length as Hunter’s fingers found your clit, whilst mouth attached to your nipple. Hunter continued to toy with your clit which was bringing you to the edge quicker than you would hope. The sensation of his mouth attached to your nipple turned you into a moaning mess. Each of your boys whispering praises to you.

“Look how pretty you are” “Kriff, you feel good” “Just like that sarad” “You look exquisite” you took praise well. Echo’s scomp was resting on you lower back and you enjoyed the cool metallic feeling. You could feel Hunter line up with your pussy with one thrust up he was buried in you to the hilt. He and Echo took their turns thrusting in and out of you at a brutal pace. Hunter’s fingers still rubbing your clit and quitting before you could finish each time, he took you there. He left his marks all over your breasts. Wrecker’s thrusts were faltering each time you moaned around him. Using the precum from Crosshair and Tech’s cocks was helpful since spitting on your hand would have been a challenge. Crosshair doing his best not to fall apart and Tech not caring that he was practically melting under your touch.

“I’m not going to last like this pretty girl” Wrecker’s sentence was broken up between each thrust. “You gonna let me cum in your mouth?” you nod your eyes glossed with tears and your moans desperate. His final thrust you felt the warmth of his seed hit the back of your throat before pulling out to finish the rest of his load on your face. Smiling at him before swallowing.

“I hope you got that Tech” Crosshair said before a string of curses leave his mouth. Tech could only nod.

“Tech come here” you gesture in front of your face and take him in your mouth. Using your now free hand to cup and squeeze his balls. You knew he wasn’t going to last long so when you pulled back you slowly grazed your teeth on the underside of his shaft, before taking him back in your mouth all at once. When you gagged on him, he couldn’t help but release in your mouth making sure each drop was in your mouth before he pulled out your mouth.

“Go ahead and smile for me cyar’ika” he instructs you his hand wrapping around your throat making you him in the eyes. You smile again showing him his cum. “You may swallow” he nods at you and pulls away. Placing a kiss on the top of your head thanking you. Crosshair took over stroking himself for you.

“I’m going to paint your face now sarad. But I’ll be in you later.” He hissed before releasing all over your face and hair. Smirking at your cum covered face he gets off the bed.

“Do you want me inside or do you want me to pull out cyare” Echo’s tone is soft yet rough as he whispers the question in your ear.

“In me please” you whimper biting into Hunter’s shoulder. He pulled out for a moment for Echo to finish. Rough fingers gently wrapping around the back of your neck pulling you in for a keldabe kiss. Echo leans down placing a kiss on your shoulder as his thrust falter, releasing in your ass. He waits a few seconds before pulling out of you slowly, putting the plug back in you until Hunter has his turn to finish. When he got off the bed, he made his way to the lounge chair in the corner. Hunter flipped you over with ease, guiding his cock back to your entrance thrusting in you at a rough pace, bending your legs back to where your knees touched your chest with one hand. With the other his thumb circled your clit.

“Go ahead and beg for it mesh’la” His sergeant voice making your walls clench around him. “You look so pretty all used by us” he whispers in your ear nibbling your earlobe as he pulls away. “I know your close mesh’la beg for it. That’s the only way I’ll cum in you.” His pace made you lose your train of thought.

“Kriff, Hunter may I please cum?” your tone is airy as you gasp between words.

“No. You can do better than that. Come on mesh’la” he pulls his thumb away right when you could feel yourself at your peak. You let out a string of curses that make Crosshair huff with laughter.

“May I please cum Sarge? Pretty please” the neediness evident in your tone. His thumb returned to your clit as you kept mumbling ‘please’ for your release.

“Go ahead” he grants. The moan you release higher than you expected as your back arches. Your pussy convulsing around his cock. Moments later he collapses on top of you, painting your walls with his cum. Placing a soft kiss on your neck rolling off of you. Once he moves Echo comes back over to gently tug the plug out to let his seed pour out your other used hole. Tech making sure he gets this part for their recording.

“You did so well for us general” Hunter compliments. You could only smile and nod. You could feel the exhaustion. Crosshair went into your fresher to get you a warm cloth to clean you up with. Wrecker went to the kitchen to get you a snack and get dressed. Tech, Hunter, and Echo went to put the bottom halves of their blacks back on before coming back to your bed. Crosshair cleaned you up before going to grab his bottoms. You’re snuggled up in between them all as they pile in your bed to cuddle. A moment you could only hope to get on camera one day.

#tbb hunter x reader #tbb tech #tbb crosshair x reader #the bad batch x reader #tech x reader #wrecker x reader #crosshair x reader #echo x reader #the bad batch #clone force 99 #clone troopers #the clone wars #xreader

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aclowntiny · 1 year

Text

Ateez Taking Care of a Sick S/O

This was suggested 5EVERRRR ago by @jacobbaeluvr & I straight- up forgot about this fora bit 🥲 but this is for you babe! & me cuz I’m super sick thanks ✨recurrent illness✨ *to the tune of Vixx’s On & On* I need surgery la la la la la surgery

Hongjoong

♡ *fails to hide disgusted expression at your snot* ‘Hey love, is it alright if I throw some of these tissues on the nightstand out?’

♡ Feels your forehead with his hand, saying you feel warm & making you test your temperature just to be sure. Slides the thermometer in so gently knowing how uncomfortable they can be.

♡ He has this relaxing herbal heat pillow that he warms up for you- it’s good for muscle aches, chills, or even just plain aromatherapy. You’re skeptical but he hands it to you & you’re immediately in heaven!

♡ Pulls you in close to his chest & takes a nap with you 🥺 even when you wake up his arms will be around you, one protectively keeping your head near his heart!

♡ Knows exactly how much time has passed between medicine doses & is getting you to take it on time like clockwork, even setting an alarm for it on his phone!

Seonghwa

♡ Makes 👏🏻 you 👏🏻 soup 👏🏻 even if you don’t really feel up to having a whole bunch he’ll insist on spoon-feeding you a little bit because the warmth will clear your sinuses & make you feel better he promises 🥺

♡ If you fall asleep you’ll wake up with a new box of tissues magically replacing your empty one & a fresh water bottle there in hopes you’ll stay hydrated. Seonghwa likes feeling like a magical little healing fairy but his heart goes 💗 when you thank him

♡ Traces shapes on your back as you lay together, making sure you’re ok when your warm skin shivers under his touch & smiling when you tell him not to stop.

♡ Flies some of his lego ships around the room for you when you say you’re bored. You’re like I meant the tv right there but this is actually so much better. He was so into making the whoosh noises for you ok?

♡ Undresses you but not in a weird way, just getting you out of sweaty clothes & into clean pajamas or a robe, pulling you into it & kissing your shoulder, then your lips 🩷

Yunho

♡ Holds your hand in both of his & tells you he’ll do as much as he can for you, so please just ask ok?

♡ The type to insist you do not have enough blankets, take one more actually blankets cure everything

♡ Proceeds to then roll himself up into a matching blanket burrito until you two are wiggling around like ridiculous blanket worms & you know what? It cheers you up at least & gives you your first laugh in 2 days, so success in Yunho’s mind 😌

♡ TBH tells you so many jokes & does little performances to distract you. Blanket cape superman impression. Cute version of an Ateez choreography. Dramatic ritual dance to ‘scare the germs away’. ‘Get out of my (y/n)!!! *hand wave*’

♡ Lifts you up & carries you bridal style when it’s time for bed, laying you down so gently it’s like falling on clouds ☁️

Yeosang

♡ Smooths back your forehead to give you kisses even if you’re kinda sweaty 🩷

♡ Will 100% offer to read you a story, this man is far too precious 😭 if there’s a royalty figure in the story especially a beautiful one he’ll change their name to yours!!!

♡ ‘Now will you believe me when I say you need to bring a coat when we go out?’ ‘But I like yours 🥺’ ‘Ok, then I’ll make sure I have it with me.’ On the inside he was thrilled because free excuse to give you his clothes heck yeahhhh

♡ Wriggles in under the fuzzy electric blanket the moment he’s done spreading it over you, making you laugh with his cute satisfied smile & nod.

♡ ‘Hiyah!’ (That’s the sound of Yeosang fluffing your pillow with little chops until it’s nice & poofy for your heard again)

San

♡ Gives you the biggest 🥺 eyes the moment he sees you sprawled out feeling uncomfortable, wishing he could take your pain from you 🥺

♡ Big spoons you immediately & tells you he won’t leave you until you’re feeling better! You can feel him nuzzle into you like he can’t get close enough, lending you his warmth.

♡ Softly sings a love song while you guys cuddle to remind you that no matter what state you’re in he will always love you 🥰

♡ San brings over a whole bag of supplies without having to ask, so he’s already armed with decongestants, tissues, painkillers, vapor chest rub, a container of a soup you like, water, electrolytes & vitamin C, & a plushie at the store he saw & thought might cheer you up when he was buying all that!

♡ Puts the chest rub on you so softly, pausing to let you adjust to the cold & holding your half-raised head steady while he does it.

Mingi

♡ ‘What do you have though? How bad is it? Do you need the doctor? I’ll go get the doctor.’ ‘Mingi no it’s just a bad cold-’

♡ Sits at the side of the bed holding your hands so dramatically as if you were in an irl medical drama until you just pat the half of the bed next to you & have him lay down to watch some tv

♡ Absolute KING though of making you your tea exactly how you want to take it. Insists on the peppermint blend though because duh it’s good for congestion, inflammation, nasuea, & like everything you could possibly be feeling 💁🏻‍♀️

♡ You guys nap together & the moment you wake up he asks how you feel, if it’s any better. When you say yes, a little, he takes your hands in his & claps them, giving a little ‘yaaaay!’

♡ Acts, in fact, like your healing is a personal achievement. Hypes you up like ‘wow, this disease has nothing on you. Look at you go, beating it like a pro. It’s so amazing how well you’re fighting this off’ while you’re just sitting there like Mingi this is not voluntary. He won’t hear of it, though, nope. Too busy gushing over your amazing recovery skills because you’re the best at everything, actually, & you know what maybe he helped too 😎 you guys are both the best.

Wooyoung

♡ OML you are not going ANYWHEREEEE

♡ If you so much as stand up behind Wooyoung’s back he’ll be like ‘Ah ah ah no whatever it is I can get it’. ‘Wooyoung I’m going to the restroom’ He deflates a little. ‘Ah, I see. …oh alright fine’

♡ Part of the not moving scheme is so he can throw himself onto the bed next to your blanket pile self & throw a leg over you & get in all the cuddles his heart desires >:)

♡ ‘What do you want?’ ‘Maybe just some decongestants? Thank you so much!’ Wooyoung returns, dropping like 5 pill boxes & 2 bags at your feet proudly. ‘What is all this?’ ‘I wasn’t sure what kind you wanted so I bought them all. Also got some lozenges~’

♡ Squishes your face & tells you how cute you are even when you’re sick. Just when you think the doting is up is when he starts kissing all over your cheeks instead of squishing them 😘

Jongho

♡ Probably the only one to actually sit down by you on the bed & just ask what you need lmao

♡ Intense battle between ‘nO I CAN DO IT YOU NEED REST’ & ‘yOU’RE SICK & I LOVE YOU STAY STILL’ but you always lose because you’re going up against Choi Jongho & besides hearing him say I love you pretty much always gets him his way

♡ Lays next to you & chats, watches tv, even just goes on his phone & lets you play with his other hand so you never feel alone 🥺 it’s quiet time for him to just make himself available however you personally are comfortable!

♡ If you feel sore anywhere, he’ll offer to massage it in a heartbeat if he can! Even if you’re not specifically sore he’ll do it because you aren’t feeling good, the least he can do is pamper you a little 👸🏻

♡ 50-50 on if he teases you or gets shy, but it’s a 100% chance he will sing you a lullaby if you claim any struggle sleeping & ask for a song!

#ateez #ateez imagines #ateez reactions #ateez x reader #ateez scenarios #hongjoong #seonghwa #yunho #yeosang #san #mingi #wooyoung #jongho #ateez x gender neutral reader #gender neutral reader #requested #jacobbaeluvr #fluff #illness

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placeinthemiddleofnowhere · 2 years

Note

Is könig the type of guy to put a picture of sneaky in his wallet?

Because I feel like he is🧍🏻‍♀️

After the whole removing his shirt fiansco it might as well be a spicy-but-not-too-spicy-because-he-is-protective-like-that picture yk?

Ok so I know you've literally said that it could be something spicy *right* there, but for the sake of this super cute idea we're getting something fluffy ✨ with a hint of Sneak being naughty

You could hardly believe your luck. It was incredible, but you'd managed to find a day that both you and König were free after work and the rest of your team were too busy to question your absence from base. Price was dealing with something that required he and Gaz out of the country and Ghost and Soap were sent off on a mission elsewhere. None of them could track your movements and no one else was nosy enough to bother.

That left you and König time to wander into the city together, riding the bus like a couple of teenage runaways giggling to yourself in the stuffy shuttle, uncaring of the few nicotine addled people that rode with you. König leaned against the window and held you close to his chest, stroking your arm as he filled you in on the team’s antics. Apparently, despite heavily warning the 141 off of messing with their least favourite KorTac operator, the shits had decided to go ahead and do it anyway.

“MacTavish tried to jump out at me the other day, but I heard him blabbing to Ghost about it from way down the hall, so unfortunately for him it didn’t work! After that Price had tried to give me a telling off, but I ignored him of course, at which point I get assaulted by Ghost and Garrick when I walk out and-“

“Assaulted?” you groaned, cutting him off as he was in the midst of telling you.

Ghost had informed you that he’d had a polite word, but neglected to mention any kind of ‘assault’. At the time, you’d taken his lack of bloody knuckles to be a good sign, though according to sharp bitter tones in your lover’s voice - that wasn’t the case. You could only imagine what Ghost had done to König in the heat of his anger.

“He pinned me against the wall and practically strangled me, talking all this nonsense about ‘if you don’t leave Sneaky alone, you’ll find more embedded in that back of yours than nails’ as if he’s capable of that,” König snorted.

“König that’s awful!” you moaned, wrapping your hand around his arm.

“What was awful was the punch to the gut I gave him,” he said with a grin. “He let me go pretty quick after that.”

“He just let you go? Just like that?”

“Well, I might’ve run from him and his little companion, but that’s neither here nor there,” he said with a chuckle.

A whoosh of laughter burst free before you could stop it, but nevertheless you’d slapped König’s chest playfully and told him not to do stuff like that. It wasn’t worth riling Ghost up any more than he already was, he could be quite formidable when he felt slighted and the last thing you wanted was permanent damage on behalf of your so called ‘protection’.

Then, after the long winding journey had rolled to a close, you stepped out into town and grabbed something quick to eat. At which point you’d demanded to trawl the streets in search of a decent bar, looking for somewhere quiet to grab a cocktail. It was important you not go anywhere too crowded, but at the same time you knew that most of the old fashioned quiet places that König had pointed to were unlikely to make you anything nice if at all under the basis that cocktails ‘weren’t real drinks’.

Eventually, after a lot of discussion, sore feet from all the walking around, and whining on your part, you agreed to venture into a quirky little place with ocean themed decorations, ironically called ‘the dive bar’, that had a few customers and a relaxing vibe. The inside was lit by blue neon and dim yellow halogen bulbs and all the tables were made from old wood, like something off of a ship’s hull. It was cheesy, but it did a great Daiquiri and most importantly König wasn’t crawling out of his skin with crowd anxiety.

“I like this place,” you’d declared, looking around at the kitschy décor while you sipped your fruity drink. “It’s cosy.”

“It’s not so bad I suppose,” König replied, picking at the dewy label on his beer bottle.

“Oh c’mon, admit it, it’s fun!”

“If you think pirate decorations and hardly being able to see is fun,” he shrugged. “Then yes. Very fun.”

“Don’t be a spoil sport! Plus look, they have pool over there and foosball and… oh my god a photobooth!”

He groaned at that and narrowed his eyes, giving you a look as if to say not in a million years.

However, never one to deny you, he’d dutifully marched over for a game of pool (which you’d let him win of course, just to butter him up a little) and watched as he smiled victoriously when he’d potted the black ball. Though, he wasn’t so easily convinced into your next suggestion. Apparently getting König into a photobooth was harder than any other feat you’d accomplished yet.

“Those eyes won’t work on me,” he shrugged, taking a gratuitous sip of his beer. “I’m not falling for it.”

“But…pleeeeaaasseeeee,” you whined, dragging out each letter like it was molasses pouring from a tin.

“In case you’ve forgotten I can’t have pictures of my face floating around, Sneaky, you know this.”

“But you can put on your neck warmer!”

“I don’t have it,” he sniffed.

“Liar! You always keep it in your back pocket if you’re not wearing it,” you challenged, poking at his chest.

“Been staring at my arse much, hm?”

You felt your cheeks heat up, but nevertheless stood your ground. You were determined, you weren’t going to let him change the subject. You were high on the light buzz of overly sweet alcohol and you desperately wanted something to hold onto when you couldn’t have him near.

“You know I have been,” you winked, recovering quickly and embracing him. “And look – I’m right.”

He growled out and snatched the cloth from your hands, his eyes narrowing down at your ‘butter wouldn’t melt’ face. If you were anyone else, you’d be dead or held up by one of the decorative nets on the ceiling, but by virtue of being you, you were allowed to remain standing. Hell couldn’t beat the heat firing from his eyes, but even despite that, he broke and started to put the neck warmer on.

“You’re paying.”

You could hardly believe it, but you weren’t going to waste time standing there contemplating where the depths of König’s devotion lay. You followed him into the booth and planted yourself on his lap, excitedly slotting the coins into the machine, listening to them rattle, watching as the screen flashed and presented you with your options. Apparently you could choose a range of different filters and frames, though, ever a fan of the classics, you opted to go for a black and white filter and no frame.

“Look happy, grumpy man,” you chastised, looking over at him while preparing for your first photo and fixing your hair.

“This is me happy.”

“Don’t seem to recall you looking like that in the hotel room,” you whispered, brushing your lips against the side of his neck. "And I seem to remember you were very happy then."

The first photo flashed and you sniggered as you saw it dissolve into view, you looking sultry and pleased with yourself while König looked flustered under the mask. That one was a keeper for sure, no matter the protests that he made. He didn’t have much of a chance to put it down though. In a matter of seconds the timer was counting down again and you tried to do a silly pose, sticking up peace signs until König broke you by tickling your side.

“Hey! That’s not fair,” you said, half giggling half groaning.

“You got me, so I got you. Fairs fair, Sneaky,” he chuckled.

“You’re such a meanie!”

“Yeah, and you love it,” he said, his eyes glinting with a smile. “Otherwise you wouldn’t have stuck around this long.”

The third and final photo was taken when you were looking into each other’s eyes, locked in a gaze that betrayed the sickly lovebirds you were underneath all the playfighting and cool exteriors you both tried to preserve. Neither of you said a word as it came and went on the display, both admiring how the other looked, stuck in your adoring silence.

Though soon the screen went dark and König sighed, petting your thigh so you’d stand from his lap. You obliged and wandered out, going to fetch your paper strip of photos when you were beat to your prize. König snatched them first and held them up at a height, inspecting them again while you jumped and screeched like a Tasmanian devil.

“Hey! I paid for those,” you growled, trying to grip onto his shoulders for leverage.

“Maybe so, but I’m afraid I have to confiscate them,” he said in a fake somber tone, easily batting your hands off of him like a kitten. “They’re classified, you don’t have the clearance for them.”

“But they’re mine!” you whined.

“Mine now,” he grinned, slipping his temporary mask down so that he could stick his tongue out.

You huffed, but eventually you vowed to steal them later, not missing König sticking them in his wallet and making sure to secret it away in his front pockets away from your sneaking reach. You would get those photos somehow, someway, you’d told him. His bullshit arm span couldn’t protect him forever!

#könig #a rocky start #a Rocky oneshot

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pedrito-friskito · 2 years

Text

strawberry wine - joel miller x fem!reader

during - part seven

series masterlist | main masterlist | read on ao3

tommy takes care of joel as best he can, and you try and make a break for it.

a/n: y’all I am having way too much fun writing this story. part 7 earlier than planned, and tbh I’ll probably post part 8 tomorrow if I can. the inspo is REAL and thank you all for the comments and reblogs and messages and general love and support - you have no idea how happy it makes me!! 🤍

word count: 4.6k

warnings: MY BLOG IS 18+, MINORS DNI, angst, canon-typical violence and injuries, death, blood, near-death experiences, questionable decisions on the military’s part

✨follow @friskito-library for updates on new works/chapters!✨

Tommy watches his brother fall apart.

It’s one thing after another, and he can’t blame Joel. The world’s ending; everything else is falling apart, it only makes sense that he would too. But still, it hurts. Watching his big brother — the only constant in his life for as long as he can remember — break down, it makes Tommy hurt in a way he can’t fully comprehend. It’s not fair.

He thinks about the soldier, in the days that follow. He’d come up the ridge just as the gunfire sounded, already looking for his brother and niece, never expecting to find them the way that he did. Joel was pleading, already hurt, his hands in the air, as good a white flag as any, and the soldier just didn’t care. It went against everything in Tommy, but when the soldier lifted the gun again, Tommy fired first.

But then…Sarah.

There was so much blood. He should be used to it, being who he is, seeing what he’s seen. But it’s different, it feels different, it sits in the back of his mind and haunts his every step. She was so young. So bright, so good. And then just, gone.

“Tommy, help me!”

He’d never heard Joel like that, so desperate, so lost. The only moment that rivalled it was when they’d been in the truck, Tommy driving, Joel with his cell phone pressed to his ear. Talking to you, asking where you were, if you were safe.

“It’s everywhere,” Joel had said, and Tommy had felt a distinct feeling of helplessness wash through him. Whatever was happening, it wasn’t just in Austin. He focused on the road, tried not to look too closely at the chaos in the distance. Shit was hitting the fan, in every sense.

He tightened his grip on the wheel as Joel continued talking to you. You were hurt, Joel telling you to patch yourself up. “I’m not hanging up until you do.”

Tommy could hear the ache in his brother’s voice. Joel had never let you go, not completely, and Tommy knew it. He didn’t blame Joel for it; having you around was the happiest he’d seen his brother in a long time. He liked you, too, liked your laugh and your sense of humour, the way you looked at Joel like you were seeing him for the first time, every time.

He had to swerve the truck as another car barrelled down the road in the opposite direction. Joel grabbed for the dashboard, phone still glued to his ear. “I’m gonna find you, you hear me? Just get out of Boston and I swear to you, I’m gonna find you!” A pause, and Joel stared at the phone. Tommy could see his brother’s hands shaking. “It’s dead.”

A moment later, the radio — which had been spewing news reports since Joel had picked Tommy up — went silent. Joel tossed his phone onto the truck floor, slammed his fist into the dash a moment later.

“Fuck!”

“She okay?” Tommy asked, and Joel scrubbed a hand over his face. “Joel?”

“Boyfriend attacked her,” Joel grumbled, rubbing his forehead again. “Tried to fuckin’ bite her. She said he’s dead.”

Tommy had balked. “She did that?”

“Dunno,” Joel had replied, and huffed a humourless laugh, the noise almost flat. “Is it fucked up if I say I hope she did?”

Tommy had pressed the gas a little harder, the truck speeding down the road. “Everything’s fucked up, seems like.” Silence hung over them only for a moment, punctuated a moment later by the loud whoosh of flames as a car down the road collided with a telephone pole. Joel cursed under his breath, Tommy kept on driving. “What are we gonna do, Joel?”

“We get Sarah, and we go,” his brother replied, and despite the waver in his voice, he sounded sure. Surer than Tommy felt. “East.”

East, Tommy thought. Boston. You. Like he’d expected anything different. “You really think you can find her?”

“I can sure as hell try.”

The conversation feels like a year ago, instead of the handful of days it has been. Maybe a week; he’s starting to lose track, already. They’ve been holed up for a few hours now, tucked in the garage of an abandoned house. They crossed the state line a few hours back, and so far, Arkansas looks the same as Texas: fucking ravaged. Joel sits on the floor, knees up to his chest, face buried in his arms. Tommy feels antsy.

“I’m gonna go look inside, see if there’s anything worth taking. You good?”

“Yeah.”

Seems like every neighbourhood they come across has been evacuated, the houses all empty. They have guns; he already had his own, and he’d swiped the rifle from the soldier that had attacked Joel and Sarah. Though he was quick to give Joel his, take the soldier’s for himself. Something about Joel touching the weapon that had killed Sarah made Tommy’s gut twist. He didn’t like it either, but it was out of necessity.

The house has obviously been picked through, toppled furniture and broken glass as far as he can tell, but they get lucky: a first aid kit, a mostly full bottle of whiskey, and some cans of beans. Tommy grabs it all, heads up the stairs. Clearly an older couple, but there’s a few men’s jackets in one of the closets, a pair of work boots, plain t-shirts. He takes the lot, offering the boots to Joel when he gets back to the garage. “These your size?”

His brother takes the boots with a flat expression, pulling the laces to peer at the sole. “About there, yeah. Don’t need ‘em though.”

“Take ‘em with us, for when you do,” Tommy counters, offering Joel one of the t-shirts next. “You should change.”

“M’fine.”

Tommy hooks the gun over his head, setting it on the ground beside him as he crouches in front of Joel. “You’re covered in blood,” he says, and his brother snatches the t-shirt. “Need to change your bandage, too.”

“And what exactly do you want me to—” Joel starts, but shuts up when Tommy tosses the first aid kit to him.

“Need help?” he asks as Joel gets to his feet, pulls his stained t-shirt off, tosses it aside. They’d found a half empty kit in a cafe back in Austin, dressed Joel’s wound before they took off completely. Joel was lucky, just a graze, but Tommy knows it must hurt like hell, and it’ll leave a scar, a reminder of that night, of what was lost.

Joel winces as he pulls of the old bandage, tossing it in the same direction as the t-shirt. “Don’t suppose you found any water in there?” He digs through the first aid kit. “No antiseptic.”

“No water,” Tommy confirms, but holds up the bottle of whiskey. “Just this.”

It’s not ideal, using the alcohol to clean the graze — and Joel nearly puts his fist through the wall despite the healthy sip he takes before Tommy wipes a piece of gauze damp with the whiskey over the wound — but it’ll work. They have to make do.

Joel sinks back onto the concrete floor once the wound is redressed, the new t-shirt pulled over his head. He takes the whiskey with him, and Tommy sits beside his brother, both of them with rifles in their laps. They sip the bottle in turn, and Tommy savours the burn as it slides down his throat, warmth spreading through his chest. It loosens his tongue, makes him regret the question the second it’s out of his mouth.

“You think she made it?” He knows he doesn’t have to call you by name. Not now.

“I have to,” is his brother’s only response.

They stop you at the gate.

You don’t know what you’re thinking, but after staking out the giant metal fence for a few hours, you at least know that trying to sneak over is only going to result in a bullet finding a home somewhere it shouldn’t. The soldiers were firing at anything that made a break for the gate, and running full-force didn’t make you brave, it made you stupid. It made you look like one of them. Infected. Mindless. Blood-thirsty. A few have come sprinting up to the post you’ve been watching, and the soldiers have put them down without batting an eye.

As you’ve watched, a few groups of people have approached the post. All the same, their hands in the air, desperation in their voices, carried to you on the smoke-tinged breeze. Please help us. You’ve watched them get directed away from the post, towards a still-standing building a few yards from the gate, where a military-issue tent is set up. Some of them walk back out, are directed towards an armoured truck parked along the gate, and then the truck disappears, only for a new one to reappear in its stead a few minutes later. It’s like clockwork, but only some end up in the trucks.

Others are carried out the back of the tent, bodies dumped into one of the pits left by the bombing. It makes your skin crawl.

It takes a while, lacking the confidence to put yourself in the line of fire when you could just keep hiding in the city. The soldiers might find you eventually — if the Infected didn’t find you first — but if you could just keep going, maybe there was a break in the fence somewhere, a way out besides what lies ahead of you. But finally, after a few hours of squatting in the rubble, your limbs aching from staying pressed against brick, you step out of the alley, and put your hands in the air. You’ve pulled down the sleeves of the hoodie you’re wearing, letting it cover the bandage around your arm, and you grip the cuffs with your fingers as you raise your arms.

“I’m not infected!”

A flash of movement, and the barrels of at least ten rifles are pointed directly at you. The hair on the back of your neck stands up, bile rising in the back of your throat. A suitable reaction, you think, and you swallow back the fear that makes you want to run. It’ll only get you killed that much faster.

“Name!” one of the soldier’s shouts. You can’t tell who; they’re all wearing helmets, visors covering their faces, turning it into a sea of darkness staring back at you. Your fingers flex, and you call you name back.

“I need to leave.”

One of them starts laughing. Another two look at each other, sharing a look you can’t suss out. A few lower their guns, and the prickle along your spine fizzles slightly. A visor lifts, revealing a soot-streaked face, a grim expression. “Why on earth would you wanna do that?”

“My family is in Texas,” you say, your voice surprisingly strong, if not a little thready from the smoke. “I have to go find them.”

“You’re gonna walk halfway across the country,” a faceless voice asks, “with a baseball bat? Girl, you don’t have a hope in hell.”

“Beats sitting around here, waiting to die,” you throw back, and the soldier that had lifted his visor lifts his brow. “Let me pass.”

“Can’t do that,” he replies, and steps up in front of you. He’s got a strange face, eyes a little too dark, hair hidden by the helmet, a scar on his mouth. Something about him reminds you of Dean, but a much harder version, his face more angular, the voice slightly deeper. “No one gets out of the city, we have orders.”

“You can’t hold me hostage here,” you start, stepping towards him. Your hands are still in the air. “My family is out there, I need to—”

“No one gets out,” another soldier interrupts. “FEDRA’s orders.”

Your brow creases. “FEDRA?”

“Federal Disaster Response Agency,” the strange-faced soldier answers.

“So the military is taking over?”

“I never said that.”

You sigh, rolling your eyes. “Just let me go, please? I can’t stay here, my family—”

“Is in Texas,” the soldier replies, nodding along. He hefts his gun slightly, adjusting his grip, and you don’t miss the meaning, the silent threat behind it. “And you’re here, in Boston. Now you don’t have a car, or any real weapons, and we have orders. You’re not going anywhere.”

You bite back the protest that crawls up your throat. If you’re getting out, it’s not through here. “Then where am I supposed to go?”

“There’s a shelter,” he tells you, “in the mall. There’s food, water, beds. It’s temporary, but it’s safe.”

“Temporary, like the gate?”

He gives you a long look, then gestures towards the tent you’ve been watching them shuffle people through. “Let’s get you checked out, and then we’ll get you there.”

You match his stare, setting your jaw, digging your heels in slightly. The muzzle of his rifle dips just slightly, and his eyes pinch, narrowing at you.

“I’ll only ask nicely once.”

Heart in your throat, you drop your hands, and when he gestures towards the tent again, you go. Every single part of you is shaking as you head for the canvas structure, and once you’re inside, it’s no different. It’s shockingly clean, a metal table in the middle, a smaller one to the side. “Put your bag there,” the soldier orders, that familiar stern military tone, pointing to the bigger table. “The bat, too.”

You do as you’re told, seeing from the corner of your eye that he’s still got both hands on his gun. “I’m keeping the bat,” you say over your shoulder, pulling it out from where you’d slid it between the straps of the bag, resting against your lower back. The metal rings when you set it on the table. “For the record.”

“Never said you couldn’t keep it, did I?”

“You want me to go to that shelter in the mall,” you say, sliding the bag off your shoulders, placing it next to the bat, and then turning back to the soldier, “with every other terrified person in this city, and you expect me to believe you’re gonna let me walk in with a weapon?”

The soldier’s jaw goes tight, eyes even tighter. “Strip.”

“Excuse me?”

“Take your clothes off,” he says, clearly getting exasperated. “I might let you keep the bat, but there’s no way I’m letting you into the mall shelter knowing you’ve been bitten. Strip.”

“Bitten?” you repeat, your mind sparking at the new information. “Is that how this is spreading?” To appease him, hoping he’ll give you a bit more information, you pull the hoodie off, disentangling your arms slowly. “That’s what’s turning people into those—”

The hoodie comes off, revealing your bandaged shoulder and forearm, and the gun is pointed back in your face again, a soft click reaching your ears. “You’re injured.”

“Y’know, I usually like to at least know a guy’s name before he sees me half-naked.”

He ignores you. “You’re injured.”

You heave a breath, tucking the edge of the gauze around your arm back into place. “You dropped bombs on this city. I dare you to find someone out there who isn’t injured.”

The soldier just stares at you. You just stare back.

“Take the bandages off,” he orders, and your hands curl into fists. “I need to see.”

“Tell me your name first,” you counter, still holding his gaze.

“This isn’t a negotiation.”

“I’m aware; you’re the one holding the gun. But I also know you’ve been taking bodies out of this tent more than you’ve been sending people to the shelter. So, again, tell me your name.”

He leans back slightly, takes a deep breath, eyes darting to the side before meeting yours again. “Corporal Nicholas Cowan, ma’am.”

“Ma’am?” you repeat, almost laughing. “That’s a bit much, but—”

“The bandages.”

“Okay, okay.”

Carefully, you peel back the gauze on your shoulder. It wasn’t deep enough to need stitches or anything, and you’d slathered it with some kind of ointment in the first aid kit. It still looks pretty awful, and the tape along the edge of the bandage has left little indents in your skin, but it’s definitely healing. Your arm is next, that wound fresher, and it starts to bleed as soon as you pull the gauze away. Cowan gives you a new piece of gauze a moment later, tossing it onto the table between you rather than handing it right to you. “What happened?”

“I was in the bookstore, down on South Street, when you all decided to start dropping bombs. Fucking lucky a bookshelf didn’t fall on my head.”

He still has the gun pointed at you, though the grip is slightly more relaxed, and he circles you slowly, eyes glued to your shoulder. “Those look like claw marks.”

“That’s because they are.”

“So that happened before the bombs.”

“It did.”

“I’m supposed to shoot, the moment I see anything like that. I have orders.”

“It’s not a bite.”

“I know that.” He swallows so hard you can see his throat bob. “They haven’t figured it all out. The bite seems to make it happen faster, but I don’t know if—”

“I’ll tell you what, Corporal,” you interrupt, reaching for your bag, pulling the first aid kit out and fishing out new bandages, “I start to turn into one of those things, and I give you my full permission to blow my fucking brains out.” Cowan balks, his eyes widening for a moment as he stares back at you. “But for the record, it’s been seven days, and I’m still here, faculties intact. So, politely, go fuck yourself, and just let me through the gate.”

He doesn’t.

Cowan lets you redress, once your bandages have been hastily rewrapped; you’d protested and he told you they’d give you proper treatment at the shelter. Once that was done, you grabbed your pack — and the bat, which Cowan barely seemed to notice — and he grabbed you roughly by the arm, dragging you out of the tent and steering you towards one of the armoured trucks parked at the fence.

You’re all but stuffed inside, and Cowan gets into the passenger’s seat, a masked soldier behind the wheel. “The mall,” he says simply, and the soldier just nods, and the engine rumbles to life, pulling away from the chain link and heading back into the city.

You keep the bat in your lap as they drive, your eyes glued to the window, to the mess that now only partially resembles Boston. You’d seen enough of the destruction running through the streets, but the truck takes a few pathways you hadn’t. Some roads aren’t as destroyed, obviously not targeted by the bombs, and the asphalt is even, still intact. There’s no getting past the bodies, however, and that pulls your eyes away, staring down at your bruised and dirty hands, wrapped around the bat.

When the truck stops outside the mall, the driver doesn’t get out. You lift your head then, taking in the space around you. It’s more of the same, but the mall looks mostly undisturbed, except for the broken windows, the burned displays. Cowan slides out of the passenger’s side, pulls open your door a moment later. “Let’s go.”

There are three more soldiers standing at the entrance, and as Cowan starts to lead you through, one of them stops you, lifting a hand. “You can’t take that in there,” the soldier says, pointing to the bat. “Give it here.”

“No.”

Cowan sighs, turning back to you, waving off the soldier. “C’mon, just—”

“No,” you say again, your voice harder. “You’re out of your fucking mind if you think I’m walking around this city without it.”

“You’re safe in the mall,” Cowan says, nearly rolling his eyes at you, but you just lift a brow. “It’s a shelter, and we’re patrolling from the outside.” He points over his shoulder, and sure enough, you see a few more armoured trucks rolling across the street, armed soldiers trailing behind it. Like it makes a difference.

You almost laugh. “Nowhere is safe anymore.” You tighten your grip on the bat. “You really think your chain link fence is gonna save us from those things?”

He gives you another one of those hard stares, but relents, waving off the other soldiers and grabbing the handle on your bag, all but dragging you through the entrance. “If she attacks someone, it’s on you, Cowan!” one of the soldier’s shouts, and he just grumbles under his breath.

“Do me a favour,” he says to you as he releases you, making you stumble a step before he falls into step beside you, “don’t be more trouble than you’re worth.”

“And what am I worth, Corporal?”

“You’re alive, and you’re not one of them,” he says, and you don’t miss the thread of…is that hope, in his voice? “So that makes you worth something.”

He’s quiet, the rest of the way. There’s no electricity, the overhead fluorescents dark, and Cowan clicks on a flashlight, lighting your path deeper into the mall. There’s the whir of generators, as you get closer, big lights that looks like they were taken from construction sites. You see the food court has been turned into a makeshift hospital, and Cowan tells you the big department store on the main level is where you’ll sleep, for the time being.

There aren’t that many people, which makes your throat go a little thick. How many people have died, how many have turned, how many made it out of Boston before they put up the fence?

Cowan takes your arm again as you walk towards the food court, calling for someone as you get closer. “Deanna! I got one for you.”

An older lady, maybe late fifties, pokes her head out from behind one of the triage curtains. Her face is both kind and harsh at the same time, bright green eyes, grey-streaked hair pulled into a long ponytail, blood-stained scrubs and a tool belt around her waist that’s filled with medical instruments instead of actual tools. It almost makes you laugh.

“Must be special,” she says, her voice a little gravelly as she approaches you, wiping her hands on her pants. “You don’t usually escort them all the way down here, Nicky.” Her eyes drop to the bat in your hands and her brows raise. “Or let them come in armed.”

Once she’s close enough, Cowan releases you and takes Deanna by the arm, steering her off to the side. You stand there awkwardly, the bat banging against your leg. Your forearm is a little sore, and you’re half-sure it’s soaked through the bandages you’d haphazardly retied after Cowan’s inspection. You glance over at the pair a few times, seeing them both shooting you looks before turning back to each other. Deanna looks confused, then upset, then almost forgiving. You can’t quite figure out Cowan’s expression.

After a few minutes, she just nods, and Cowan turns on his heel, heading back in the direction you came, leaving you alone. Deanna gives you a once-over as she walks towards you again, putting a warm hand on your back and starting to steer you towards one of the curtains. “Let’s get you cleaned up, honey.”

She leads you behind one of the curtains, then another, and once you’re in the little makeshift room, she pulls another curtain into place. “Nicky said we need to be quick about this,” she says, leaning up on her toes to peer over the curtains, assumedly to see if anyone is coming. “And quiet.”

“Okay.”

You let her take your bag, set it on the chair that’s set to the side. You’re reluctant to let go of the bat, but when you finally let her take it, she puts it beside you on the cot. “You’ve been out there this whole time?” she asks, her voice just above a whisper. You nod. “Even the bombs?” Another nod. “Show me where you’re hurt.”

You hold your breath as you peel off the hoodie. You were right, your arm has bled through the bandage, and your shoulder aches with the movement. Deanna doesn’t say a word at first, her brow furrowed as she looks you over.

She tends to your arm first, wiping the blood from your skin, using some sort of glue to close the wound before she wraps it in fresh gauze. She circles you slowly, just like Cowan had, and you hear her sharp inhale when she sees your shoulder. “What have we here?” She wipes at more of the blood, and the sting makes you tense, your hand twitching towards the bat at your side. “What did that?”

“…boyfriend.”

You look over your shoulder to see her staring at you, a look that toes the line between sympathy and fear on her face. “Was he…”

You give a slight nod. “He was.”

“And is he…?”

“Not anymore.”

Her brows raise. “You did that?”

Another nod. “I did that.”

She blows out a breath, shaking her head side to side. “Damn, girl. Remind me not to get on your bad side.”

It’s the first time you’ve actually laughed since your birthday.

They give you some clothes, stuff that actually fits, pilfered from one of the stores. Toiletries even, and you spend far too much time brushing your teeth. No showers, unfortunately, but the pack of baby wipes you’re offered instead makes up for it. It nearly makes you cry to see your skin clean of the dust and ash and blood.

They give you food, too. A grocery bag filled with non-perishables, more granola bars and cans of soup and whatnot. You try not to chug an entire bottle of water when they give you a second bag filled with drinks; not just water, but sports drinks, random cans of pop, clearly raided from the mall vending machines. And a hot meal, courtesy of one of the food court hot plates. It’s some kind of stew, noodles and meat and veggies, and for a moment, all you can think about is the Thai food that was waiting on your kitchen counter.

Feels like a lifetime ago.

Deanna walks you to the department store, gives your name to one of the soldier’s standing guard. He points you in the right direction, and she goes with you, a steady hand on your back, until you find the cot you’ve been assigned, tucked in the corner of the section where all the towels would have been, the displays still up on the walls. “We took them all already,” she tells you, giving you a half-grin as she picks up the blanket on your cot, unfolding the fabric. “Those extra-plush suckers make great bandages.”

You’re quiet, tucking your bag and your food and clothing under the cot. They’d refilled your first aid kit, too. Your knees are almost shaking as you lower yourself onto the edge of the bed, and the relief that washes over you is almost overwhelming. Tears spring in your eyes, but you don’t have the energy to wipe them away.

“Get some sleep, honey,” she tells you, and puts a soft hand on your shoulder as you slip sideways, collapsing onto the pillow. “You’ll be safe. Sleep as much as you need.”

She pulls the blankets over you, and it’s silly, but you clutch the bat to your chest. You’d wiped it down, too, cleaned the blood and dirt from the metal. Sleep takes hold as soon as you let your eyes close, and you pray no nightmares follow.

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#my fics #strawberry wine #joel miller #joel miller fic #joel miller x you #joel miller x reader #joel miller smut #joel miller fluff #joel miller angst #the last of us #the last of us fic #the last of us spoilers #comment reply #kay talks to people

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faery-wizard · 2 years

Text

Whoosh!

✳️✨❇️✳️✨❇️

You've been hit with my spell BANISHMENT TO ALTERNATE TUMBLR DIMENSIONS!!

12 notes

🗡️ swiftattacker_03 Follow

death of the corrupt duke in 2024 like to aim reblog to strike

7,345 notes

🪨 hedgeknighted Follow

just beat the knave brother of the king and must now duel Marloth of the kings guard but we stay silly :3

834 notes

⚔️ blades-oath Follow

heroes: This is my blessed sword Icethorn it was forged in the frost of the mountain Rothynn and quenched in the blood of the giants

mercenaries: this is helmsplitter it splits helms

#shitpost #wizardposting #fakeposting

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cookie-0wo · 5 months

Text

Overanalyzing

Part 3: The Ocean Saga

Storm

- Intense song that I rarely listen to

- Full Speed Ahead

- stooorm whoosh

- "what?"

Luck Runs Out

- Odysseus' nylon guitar

- In Odysseus' mercy speech, you can hear Polites' motif

- When Odysseus makes Eurylochus step aside, the music's more intense

Keep Your Friends Close

- Aelous is a god, but voiced by a girl (not that I have a problem with it)

- Aelous' instrument is flute

- "Everything's changed since Polites"😭

- ✨PeNEloPE✨

- "Everything's changed but I'm the same" lol wait until he goes to the underworld :P

- stooooorm whoosh

Ruthlessness

- His intro is literally the danger motif

- There's a wave in every beat

- Poseidon's song keeps going upwards to show suspense

- Athena's piano coming back just to say I told you so

- The crew cries out captain in the danger motif

- When Odysseus speaks about the bag, he says it in the same tone as Aelous does.

- Poseidon says the same thing that Odysseus says to the Cyclops

Troy Cyclops Circe Underworld

#epic the musical #epic the ocean saga #odysseus

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agirlwholovesrockstars · 1 year

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drenched

☆AGATHA'S MASTERLIST☆

☆ EDDIE MUNSON'S MASTERLIST ☆

warnings : 18+ MDNI Eddie Munson x FEM!reader, language, SMUT‼️, friends to lovers, establishing a relationship, protected sex, no use of y/n, Eddie and reader are both 21

note to reader : welcome to my first mini fictions hehe I have so many ideas but so limited time to write them all 💀

author note : I have so many thoughts about reader doing laundry and something else happened 👀 it's been a while since I made ✨another spicy fic✨ here ya go- hehe

You've been neighbors with Eddie since 2 years ago

He's nice, like super duper nice, better than any of the guys that you met before in highschool

Without him, maybe, you ended up stranded having no else to call for help not that you can't do it by yourself but it's nice to have someone

You got the house all to yourself, you got settled down, you pay your bills & taxes, you even have a job that isn't stressing you

Eddie on the other hand, have gigs and sometimes a mechanic, his house is not that much but you love how simple it is

Sometimes, you wonder, what if.... you'll date him? You'll let him if he asked you out but you can't assume that he likes you that way...

You can wait, you'll just have to wait and see if something happens

8am in the morning, you're in the backyard of your house, doing your other laundry by hand washing them

Your hair is tied up into a messy bun with lil' bit of hair flyaways on the front, you're just wearing a white tank top with white shorts that keeps riding up whenever you try to move

Eddie came home after he took a night off at Gareth's place, slightly had an headache but the moment he saw you in there

The ray of sunshine hits your skin so perfectly, the morning breeze whooshes your hair, the suds in your hands dripping with water

He doesn't even noticed that his jaw dropped at the sight of you

He accidentally dropped his keys on the wood floor on his porch making a thud sound

"Eddie? Is that you?" You say while clipping your rinsed clothes on the wire

"Damn- uh- yeah, it's me" he clicks his tongue and shakes his head feeling like creep, checking you out like that

"How's the show? Was it good?" You asked while squeezing out the water from your clothes

He can't even pick out the lock from his front door, he is staggering "Y-yeah, it was great"

"Oh, I wish I was there to see it!" After you hang your wet clothes, you squat down to hand wash the other ones

"Uh- yeah- me too" he finally unlocks it and throw his things on the side and walk towards at your backyard

He is standing there, wearing a black muscle shirt, with denim pants and white Reebok's

He hangs his arms around the small door of your backyard, watching you

The soap bubbles are covering your hands, Eddie watching you as he licks his lips witnessing the other strap of your tank top falls off, you reach out to put it back on your shoulder

He clears his throat, you rise your head up you're so focused on what you're doing you didn't even noticed he was there

"Oh, goodmorning, Eddie" you beam at him while tucking a piece of hair on your ear

"Goodmorning to you, darling" he smiles shyly

"So, uh- what are you doing later?" He asks while he catches your short riding up, giving another glimpse of your exposed skin

You reach it out again to pull it down

You pause at what you're doing to think for a moment, you turn your head directly at him "I don't have any plans for later, why?"

"M-Me either"

Oh shit, maybe- he's finally asking you out

You act casual but deep inside, you're grinning so widely

"Just say it, dumbass" he mumbled to himself

"What I'm trying to say was- can I take you out for dinner?" His hands are grip onto your small door and he looks like a kid waiting for an answer, god- this man is too precious

"Sure, you can" you stand up, holding the basin in your hands filled with soapy water

"is that a yes?"

"Yes, Eddie, you can take me out" you chuckled

His eyes sparkles with so much joyfulness

"Oh- great, um- pick you up at 7?"

"yeah- that's fine"

He nods and runs his hands on his sides

The moment you moved too fast to take out the water, it splashed onto your shirt making it look like a bit see through, he glanced on your stomach, he saw your white chiffon cotton bra

"Oh, goddamn it!" You exclaimed, you sigh, you throw the left water from the basin

You shake down your hands making a water splatter everywhere

You look at Eddie, there's a look you can even read but you said "I'm sorry, but I'll see you later, I'm gonna go clean up" you point out from your backdoor

You didn't gave him a chance to reply, you're already inside the house

He blinked and gulped, he is harboring feelings for you ever since the first time you moved here

He reach down the lock from your small door and he lets himself inside

He opens the door and he finds you, still wet from the soapy water, your messy bun is perfectly styled, your hair is sticking onto your skin, you winced at the uncomfortable feeling of wet clothes

You heard something behind you, you turned around to see, Eddie, his eyes are like the predator and you're the prey, but he looks menacingly good

You're confused, "Eddie- what are you doing in here?"

He walks towards you, he reaches down to grab your chin, your eyes widen of what he's about to do- he slammed his lips onto yours

My god, he is kissing you, Eddie Munson is kissing you!

You didn't even care you have soapy hands, you kissed him back, you run your hands through his chest and onto his waist

He shivers at your touch, he grabs the plush of your ass while he pulls you closer as he deepens the kiss earning a moan from you

He smirks through the kiss, he holds your waist putting his hands under your damp shirt as he touches your skin, he mewled when you run your fingers through his hair

Both of you, break the kiss, feeling breathless, his eyes filled with lust and yours with desire, he scoops you up and you yelped

Placing you down at the couch, he quickly melts into your touch the moment you pull him from the shoulder as you kiss him burning with love and affection

He palms your breasts and you lock him with your legs, you make out like it was the last days of your life

He kissed your neck, making love bites, giving him more skin as you move your head onto the side

"you smell so good" he whispers to your ear, you clench your legs at his warm breath

"So, do you" you bat your eyes at him and he laughs devilishly

"Keep talking like that, I might ruin you"

"So, destroy me"

He looks at you with daggering stare, he pulls you down and you squealed, he chuckles darkly

He became softer for a sec, he runs circles on your bended knee with him kneeling down between your legs

"Look, I don't want to rush you, sweetheart"

"Eddie, I know you want to eat me, you have my permission" you say with frustration

He raised a brow at you, looking at down at you- eyes with mischief

He slowly unties your shorts, he removes it and puts it down on the floor

"Holy shit" he stares at your soaking wet panties, he laughs at disbelief

"I didn't know you had a effect like this on me, sweet thing" he covers his mouth with hands as he couldn't comprehend the situation

You rolled your eyes as you bring your legs together as you wiggle out your underwear and you threw it at him and he catches it

"I am keeping this" he smirks putting it in his back pocket

He looks down at your naked cunt, his mouth waters at the sight of it- you grew flustered at how he stares at it

"I'm going to take real care for you, darling, don't worry" he assures you by winking

He goes down and he kisses you again, he goes down slowly, his hot breath is on your cunt and you moaned

"I'm not even doing anything yet!" He laughs

"Are you gonna-" you shout angrily

He eats you with no warning, and you gasp- he devours your cunt like a starved man

"O-Oh my god" you breathe heavily

He dips his tongue on your hole, he licks a stripe on your dripping cunt

You look down and he is watching your face contorts in pleasure as you throw your head back and start grinding at his face, he groans at your action

Your legs starts to tremble, he watches you fall apart for him, you can feel the familiar forming on your stomach, you moan wildly

He puts your legs over his shoulders

"Eddie- wait- what are you"

He continues his work by eating you in a new angle and you whimpered

"You're so g-good, Eddie- oh" you kept grinding at his face as he hums in agreement

You can't even speak that you're close

you screamed making the band snap at your core

Ragged breathing, with his mouth agape at the beautiful moment that you squirted at him

You put a hand over your head and you laugh breathlessly "I'm so sorry, Eddie- it just feels too good, I can't help it"

He licks your come and you watch him do it "I knew it, you're delicious"

He puts a finger over your stimulated cunt

"But I'm not done yet" he says with a pointed look on his face

"Eddie- you can't- oh" you protest

"Oh, yes I can, let me hear your sweet voice again" he has that evil look on his eyes, you can't escape from this

He plays with your clit, biting your bottom lip at the sensation

He puts another finger inside of you, he curled it up as he bullies your clit- making you close your legs but Eddie forbids you by doing that as he opens your legs wider

You arch your back, you hold his arms gripping on it for your dear life

"Fuck, Eddie- ah-" you moaned as your face scrunches up in pleasure

He finger fucks you like there's no tomorrow- he pulls it in and out

"Love it when you cry out for help" he smirks while he watches his fingers slip in and out of your pussy, making squelching sounds

"Hear that? sweetheart? That's all for me? I'm so honored"

"Y-yes" you moaned again "It's all just for you"

You hold his wrist as he finger fucks you deeply, making you grind at his fingers

"You're so fucking hot, goddamn" he grunts

He made you come, twice

You screamed his name again as you ride your high

He licks his fingers clean again with his mouth

You mewled while watching him do it

This feeling you're having, you need more, you want more, you can't let him go feeling like this

You reach out to undo his belt but he grabs your wrist

"Woah, there, sweetheart, I'm not going to do that unless you really sure of it" he drew circles on your wrists

Why is he so gentle?

You look straight into his eyes, he cares about you, there's that unreadable look again

"Eddie- please, I want this" you beg

He grins wickedly, he jerk his head towards your bedroom, you nod at him aggressively

He chuckles at your eagerness, he carried you with fine ease, he opens the door, placed you down on the lavender sheets of your bed

He locks the door, you lay down using your elbows to straighten yourself up as you look at him lustfully

He doesn't tear his eyes from yours as he undresses himself, settling only his boxers

He puts himself between your legs, your messy bun is now falling apart as you remove the tie and let it fall down onto your shoulders

The flowery scent from your hair lingers the air, he kisses you again but this time is much more hungrier

He pulls down the straps of your tank top, he palms your breasts again as you reached for the clip behind your back, you unclasped it

Never breaking the kiss as you remove the bra

Here you are completely naked for him, your pussy and your breasts full on display for him

He breaks the kiss just to check you out

"Oh...." He says, as he scratches the back of his neck

You blushed, he stares at you for so long, he chuckles

"My dear, I'm just admiring your beauty" he places his hand over his chest with that chocolate button eyes glimmering with so much kindness

He knows you're impatient so he removes his boxers with your lips apart, you look up from his gaze

"That's- tha- that's not gonna fit" you giggled nervously

"you can, honey- you'll survive" he chuckles evilly

"Just tell me to stop if it hurts okay?"

"Yes"

"Good girl, answering verbally"

You trust him, if you tell him to stop, he'll stop

He picks up his denim pants as he fishes down on its pockets, he has a condom? he bought it?

You push him down playfully using your feet, he laughs

"Do you knew that this is going to happen?" You snorted

"I always bring it, you know, just in case" he chuckles as he wiggle his eyebrows at you

"Who would've thought" you smiled feigning innocence

He kisses you again shutting you up, he slowly grabs his dick directing into your awaiting hole

You felt the tip invading your cunt, you gasp at the contact- you closed your eyes in pleasure

He's bringing himself in, you felt a twinge of pain and pleasure at the same time, but it feels so fucking good

"You okay? sweetheart?"

"Yeah, I'm okay, just give me a minute"

He kisses your forehead, he smirks when you starting squirming down

You can feel him splitting you open, the moment when every inch of him is now inside of you

"E-Eddie, you can m-move" you stuttered

"Attagirl" he praises you and you rolled your eyes back when he started thrusting

"Jesus, you're so tight" he moans

"Ah- Eddie- please keep going" you grip on his shoulder blades

He keep up in his pace as he slips in and out of you- you look down to see his dick disappearing inside of you and you moaned loudly

You hold onto him became aggressive as he's going faster and faster, your moans turn into a high pitch when he hit that sweet spot of yours

"Deeper" it's the only thing you can say

He watches your breasts bounce up and down as he makes love bites all over your chest and you bite down your bottom lip again, it might bleed at how hard you nibble it

"I think I'm going to stay in your pretty little cunt forever" he says as he places your legs over his shoulders

"Yes, please, you can stay forever" your eyes are heavy-lidded, you're so cock drunk

The moment he starts bottom out at the new position, you gasp and started moaning, your voice is hoarse

"That's it! Eddie- ah" you grip onto the sheets tightly

"You feel so a-amazing" you screamed his name again forming an "0" on your mouth

You arched your back and he can feel your legs shake, your eyes are now prickling with tears

"Aww, my sweet angel crying" he caresses your cheek

"Y-yeah, cause' you feel so good, E-Eddie" you can feel him so deep inside of you, hitting every spot that you didn't know that it could reach

He puts your legs down carefully as he grabs you, you're now straddling on his waist

"Ah- Oh-" you moaned and he laughs but it turns to moan when you started riding him

Your naked bodies pressed together, the warmth of him feels so nice, both foreheads a bit sweaty, you wrap your arms around him as you continue to ride him and he just groans

"Christ- you're good" he kisses your neck, you pulled him back to kiss him sloppily

He starts squeezing your breasts and you just whimpered, you placed your hands over his shoulders

You start grinding him and it brings another flow of arousal

"Eddie- god! Don't you fucking dare move!" You shout out loud

He just nods and licks his lips as he watches from your naked chest to your cunt, still so fucking wet is dripping down the sheets, you grinding him and he just loves it

Eddie brings you down as he fucks you roughly

"Eddie- wha-" you moaned, both skins slapping against each other, you embrace him

He places himself on the crook of your neck as he continues to thrust

The band on your stomach, snapped- you kept saying "Eddie, Eddie, Eddie"

He went undone the same time you screamed

He starts bottoming in and out slowly as you calm down

You kissed his head and you can feel him smiling at your touch

You start caressing his head

"How's that?" He asks turning his face to see you

You hummed "I feel wonderful" you turn your head onto the side, you smiled at him

He carefully peels himself off of you, you seethe at the pain but Eddie is so caring that he cleaned you up knowing that you can't move, your knees might buckle if you try

From your drawer, he grabs clean clothes, an oversized t-shirt and clean pair of underwear

He wears his boxers and goes back to your side, squeezing you tight and you smiled in content

You rest your head against his shoulder, both of you remain in comfortable silence

You're awaiting for a confession but you don't want to push him for it until he breaks it

"I-I have feelings for you, sweetheart, ever since you moved here"

Your eyes are now glossy, you're finally having the man of your dreams

"Me too, Eddie"

He turns to look at you, unbelievable expression sitting on his face

"Really?"

"Yeah"

"You do?"

"I love you, Eddie" you cupped his cheeks

"Oh" he smiles widely as he pulls you even closer

"Kinda wanted to that ever since"

"I'm very glad that you did"

"I just wanna say, you're smoking hot by doing that laundry earlier"

You laughed, "I'm all aware that you're checking me out, Eddie"

He became shy and embarrassed "Oops, I'm so sorry, I hope it doesn't come off like weird or anything, I don't wanna be a creep"

"Why didn't you say something before?"

"Because I didn't know that you like me that way!"

You giggled "I really really like you that way"

"So, you done all of that on purpose, huh?"

"Yup"

"Luring me in, leading me into your trap"

"Maybe"

He chuckles, "I love you too"

Your eyes flashes with so much adoration and gratefulness, you hugged him and he kisses your lips once more

"I wanna be drenched in yours again" he says as both of you fell asleep on each other's arms

#eddie munson #eddie munson smut #eddie munson fic #stranger things 4 #eddie munson x fem!reader #eddie munson x female reader #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson x y/n #eddie x fem!reader #agirlwholovesrockstarsfics

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notjustjavierpena · 1 month

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WIP WEDNESDAY (but it is Thursday)

Thanks for tagging me @ace-turned-confused @sawymredfox and @mountainsandmayhem !! I'm sorry I am so slow 💖

Below are three stories I am working on!

Have a sneak peek on chapter 2 of Ubi tu Gaius, ego Gaia ✨

“Carissima,” Marcus soothes gently. He dares walk to stand in front of you, his bare feet quiet on the cold floor and even though he can potentially reach out to put his hands on you, he does not, “Goddess Nox has given us plenty of time to take things slowly before dawn. These stories you have heard… I wish you would not think of me as such a brutal man. Our chambers are not a battlefield.”

You reach up with the back of your hand to swipe away the tears that have started to continuously fall from your chin, catching some on your cheeks before they even manage to go so far. You feel a pang of guilt at your assumptions because Marcus is right and the proof is in the way he kissed you so carefully yesterday when you had asked.

“I’m sorry,” you cry unhappily and stare down at your feet again, hating the way you come off as a scared child. You are married to a general of the great Roman Empire, meant to exude grace and strength even when the two of you are alone in your home. Your home. These chambers will forever be yours too.

“I know this is difficult but this is something we must do to start our lives together as man and wife,” Marcus coos back at you. He dares to put at hand underneath your damp chin to tilt your head up again, looking into your eyes with his own that seems to be miles deep with their brown color. You whimper but he shakes his head, “No more of that. I will not have you remember your first night in these halls with remorse and terror.”

And into pre-hubby and wife's life too 💖

“Whew,” Connie and you place the glasses upside down on the countertop. She looks like someone who is about to say something but then she nods in the direction towards the door, making you whirl around when no one is close enough for you to bump into, “There they are.”

Time stands still as you lay eyes on the infamous Javier. Handsome is not the proper word because he is so gorgeous that you can feel your thighs heat up just from glancing briefly at him; aquiline nose, mustache that reminds you of Burt Reynolds and wearing a white shirt that sits so tight around his shoulders that you feel scared the buttons might pop.

“Don’t even go there,” Connie says into your ear when she catches you staring. She catches your wrist to gain your attention properly, “Serial romancer. Forever bachelor.”

You whine animatedly and yank at your top to make your tits look better, making her roll her eyes, “Connie, what if I’m supposed to marry him?”

And into hubby and wife now!

“Is everything alright?” Javier asks with worry, taking note of the lack of reaction.

“Yes, everything looks great,” Martina reassures, holding the stick in her hand in place while she taps a few buttons on the keyboard, “Hold on for a moment, let me just zoom in here... There we go.”

She presses yet another button to unmute the sound and the sound of the baby’s heartbeat fills the room, a rhythmic whooshing that you’re familiar with. However it is doubled right now, beating parallel to another sound just like it. Your stomach drops in shock at the realization.

Javier takes a look at you before he tenses up too because you’re blinking in astonishment, mouth opening and closing a few times with no sign that something will come out anytime soon. He is just about to ask Martina for confirmation but she is quicker, with surprised glee on her face, “Double trouble alert. You’re having twins! That’s so exciting!”

npt: @javierpena-inatacvest @yxtkiwiyxt @mermaidgirl30 @msjarvis @vivian-pascal <3

#siggy talks #tag game

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naneun-no · 9 months

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✨New positive self-talk phrase unlocked! ✨

(unrelated to BTS heads up).

I hesitate to even share this 1) because it’s kind of vulnerable and 2) because it’s probably so obvious to so many of you, but I think maybe it could help someone who struggles with a harsh inner critic like I do so here goes. A couple of days ago I started using a new phrase when my inner critic comes out pointing fingers at something I (debatably) didn’t do exactly right, and here’s what it is:

“Ah, I didn’t do it perfectly this time.”

That’s it.

Lemme splain. Like most anxious, highly sensitive people (like many of you probably), I am a perfectionist. Debilitatingly so, sometimes, and it’s really silly, because I KNOW that I cannot achieve perfection. I know it consciously, at least. But subconsciously, the quick as lightning, mean little voice in my head that criticizes me every chance she gets must actually believe it’s possible. And I realized that when I say it out loud it highlights how futile and unrealistic that expectation actually is.

I was walking to my car and noticed that I parked a bit wonky. Not even that bad, I was well within my lines, but it wasn’t perfectly straight like I for some reason expect it should be every time and my little inner critic was like “wow nice parking job dumbass, didn’t your dad teach you to swing wide and cut sharp? What’s wrong with you?” And I just decided to chuckle and say, “ah yeah, I didn’t do it perfectly this time.”

And boom, it was like suddenly the voice in my head was the dumbass, not me. It made the expectation that I could park perfectly every single time sound petty, and very inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, and like something that I could try next time, since I will have countless more opportunities to park my damn car again and it’s literally a nonissue.

Last night I was consolidating expressed breast milk into one bottle, a task I commonly undertake in the dark of the night by light of a kitchen nightlight and while operating on about 2 hours of sleep in the last 24, and I spilled some. It sucked, and breast milk isn’t the easiest for me to come by, and I wanted to actually break down in tears but instead I said, “Ah, I didn’t do it perfectly this time.” And whoosh, what a sense of relief. There’s always next time.

Obviously there are times when that phrase won’t work, when there’s an actual problem and you need to take accountability and figure out how to not do it next time because it causes actual problems, but when it comes to the snarky inner critic?

Make the snarky inner critic look rude, by exposing how unrealistic its expectations really are.

Try it on your inner critic! Or outer critic, next time your mother-in-law or rude family member or friend who’s actually kind of a bully makes a snide little remark about something you didn’t do perfectly. Cause at the end of the day, you did it, and that’s a hell of a lot better than the alternatives.

#inspirational thoughts #inner critic #random thoughts #if you follow me for solely shipping/BTS stuff I’m sorry to randomly wax philosophical #I promise we’ll get back to our regularly scheduled programming once I get some sleep

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variahq · 2 months

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✧Flames of Cloud’s Sun~ {Part 1}

୨୧୨୧୨୧୨୧୨୧୨୧୨୧୨୧୨୧୨୧୨୧୨୧୨୧୨୧୨୧୨୧୨୧୨୧୨୧

DISCLAIMER: Typical yada of "I do not own any of the Hitman Reborn! characters"- and this is true! Aha! Anyway, another thing I want to caution for this fic is that the Hibari in this fic hints some of my original Cloud Varia OC's traits- He's basically Kyoya's cousin, a Hibari too, ehehe... I wanted to add subtle hints to kinda have 'sneak peeks' on how my Cloud Varia OC may be like. BUT THIS FIC IS STILL KYOYA HIBARI. Also, other caution I have is that this fic has a very big symbolism regarding Final Fantasy VII. BIGGER WARNING: Specifically regarding the Cloud x Aerith ship. So ya, if you don't like that, please refrain.

RATING: M (Due to language used, harsh topics, and some really violent scenes.)

GENRE: Friendship... Fluff... Hurt/Comfort... Romance... And... MY specialty~✨, ANGST!

CHARACTERS: Kyoya Hibari (blended), and OC chosen, "Hikari". Some others are also named, hinted, or even referenced. But those two are the sole main focus of this story.

SETTING: Kind of an alternate universe. Basically other Vongola don’t appear in this fic at all. (Kusakabe is also not present.) Though there can be hints. Also Hibari in this ends up taking a job instead of ever connecting to the mafia. Dying Will Flame concepts still exist though.

WORD LENGTH: Around 1k words and more. (YES, it is super long, so sorry in advance.) The drabble one-shot is overall “18” parts. But it is divided into two segments of "9" thanks to Tumblr's word limits.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Foul language, implied innuendos, violent fight scenes, themes regarding 'death', and... Character death.

SYNOPSIS:

‘ It all started with prom, and a banter in the gaming room, where Cloud Flame Disciplinary Prefect, Kyoya Hibari, and a quirky Sun Flame user, Hikari Kobayashi, had their relationship start and grow over time.’

(Author's Note✨: Ahh... I just hope you all enjoy somehow this really long one-shot✨✨💖)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BAM! WHOOSH! BAM! BAM!...

I saw in front of me, again, a fight between some bullies and... The scary prefect.

He literally beat them up with just few swipes of his tonfas. And now one of his legs was on them. He... Was truly scary.

He looked at me out of notice. His cold, blue eyes with hints of those piercing, orangey at the center, started to unsettle me like they always did whenever my luck made me stumble upon one of his fights. I.... Quickly scurried away... Towards the gaming room where I usually hanged out.

Weeks passed...

Finally! I was graduating this year! Exams just ended. In a week from now not only was graduation happening, but also prom. I decided to attend after all since this was kinda a once-in-a -lifetime event. And... I kinda wanted to show off my cosplay skills too through the dress I planned to make and wear.

At the moment I was waiting in cue now with my prom form, which I had to submit to the prefects who had the submission box for it. And hopefully get a token in return once it's in the box. I noticed today though... It was the scary prefect handling the forms.

Hibari Kyoya was utterly bored while he was stamping the forms. He didn't understand anyway to begin with why a “prom” was even necessary. But alas, he had to follow through what was ordered by the school board. Today he was handling the submissions. Practically all the forms were the same: herbivores' (highschoolers') names, contact info, health issues, what the dress or suit would look like, Dying Will Flame types if they had, who was going with who, and etc. But he noticed, the current form he got was kind of... Peculiar. "Name: Kobayashi Hikari', "Description of dress / suit: Going in a demon, princess themed, pinkish, unique~ Gothic Lolita dress", and, "Going with who: NONE OF ANYONE'S BUSINESS". Kyoya cocked an eyebrow at it, and then at the herbivore named, "Kobayashi Hikari".

"Answer me herbivore, who are you going with?", Hibari inquired.

"Huh?", Hikari was stunned.

Hibari felt some annoyance by the lack of answer, he inquired again, "Who are you going with herbivore?".

Hikari now... Started to get annoyed. 'It's my personal stuff!', "Ahh, it's personal, sorry", she sheepishly replied with a smile, with a hint of annoyance as well.

Hibari now started to frown. He got up, with the form in hand, and went closer to Hikari. Some students from afar started to notice this and began to hurdle around them.

'Ugh, why did I have to get crap luck today?', Hikari thought to herself irritated, it was bad enough she was one of the school rejects, and now! Of ALL prefects! She had to get the scary one to cause a commotion.

Hibari looked down angrily at the student, "Who are you going with, herbivore?", Hikari was starting to lose her calm too. "It's personal! And what's with you by calling me a herbivore? My name is Kobayashi Hikari! I'm a human being!". Students started to ogle at them, anticipating what seemed like a fight...

Hibari was now furious. He was trying as much not to get his tonfa out... But… This defiant, bratty herbivore was making it harder to control his anger.

"We have to know in order to maintain as much discipline here! And abide to the rules of the school!", Hibari began to raise his voice, it did make Hikari flinch. But... She also continued to argue back.

"I know it's a school rule but, seriously! I mean... These things can be personal, not everyone is okay in disclosing!", she shot back.

That's it... Hibari was starting to lose his patience. He began to get closer to Hikari and wanting to grab her shoulder, and grip them so that she could finally give him a proper answer.

As Hikari noticed this, she started to panic, "Huh!'. And as a natural reflex of hers, her Sun Flames started to come out. And doing their usual quirk: be a display of Sun Flame fireworks.

Her flames kept popping and popping, and falling and falling... Students started to stay away, and, even Hibari was taken aback. Hikari once out of her panic, realized this was her chance to just get her token and run! She first swiftly grabbed the form from Hibari's hand, the Sun Flame's 'Activation' enhancing her speed and strength. She quickly stamped her form, put it in the submission box, took her token, and started to run!

Hibari soon grimaced as he realized what happened, "Come back here you herbivore!", he screamed so loud that it shaked practically the entire student body present. But Hikari was out of sight.

Kyoya got so angry that he broke his chair with just one press of his arm. He huffed, grumbled, and then went back to his main Disciplinary Office. Just letting the remaining duties go to the other prefects present.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prom day was finally here! Hikari was so excited as she felt she had succeeded in being super creative with her dress. It was basically a floral pink, long dress, customized to be a Gothic Lolita dress, by adding black and red laces, Victorian-like trinkets and other features of a Gothic Lolita dress. And also a certain pocket... She was going to wear black, high combat boots and fingerless rocker gloves. And a spike, heart collared choker to highlight the punk aspect of her look. But the best features of her look was the custom tiara-like headband she made, and... The wings she added to her dress by stitching and taping in, discreetly sprayed on as well, dragon wings that were rainbowy and sparkly in colour. Before she headed out, she also took with her the black cat plushie bag, Hina. Now she was set to go...

Prom was already bustling, Hibari and the Disciplinary Committee were assigned to oversee the event, as usual. Hibari as always, despised this event. Seeing all the herbivorous graduates starting to go wild, disgusting! He made sure to always flare his tonfa at every new entree he had to (begrudgingly) admit into the hall. He was allowing and allowing, and then, he noticed... Them. The bratty herbivore.

She was coming his way with her token. He noticed her unusual getup, he scoffed at it. The Gothic Lolita look coupled with... Dragon wings? It was just all so weird in his opinion. He grunted further. He noticed that she did come alone. 'Hnn!', he thought. He could see that she had, for a second, slightly flinched when she noticed him at the entrance. However, she still came as she had no choice. She was trying her best to avoid eye contact with him.

"You're only lucky that the submission box was locked for opening by staff, otherwise, I would've rejected you immediately", Hibari snarled at her, making very sure she saw his glare and tonfa.

He noticed at first she gulped, but then… Rolled her eyes, and... Slightly snickered at his tonfa. Before Hibari could get further annoyed, she quickly made way to the hall, "Hmph! Typical brat herbi-Hey! You! Why are you wearing a horse mask!"...

Hikari made way into the prom hall. She felt a sensation of contentment and excitement. It was the first time she ever went to such a big school event. And it was prom after all. Even though she got some weird stares, she also did manage to get looks of awe at her look. Those made her feel really happy. Hikari though was mostly excited for the food as she quickly nabbed a plate to queue in all the lines of food she wanted. The colourful cakes, pasta and etc. All looked so scrumptious!

As she got her food, Hikari went to sit and eat at the far end corner of the hall. Once the gates for prom could finally close ( to Hibari's satisfaction ), Hibari and the other prefects went in to oversee the hall of students. Hibari and co were suited up for the event. They still had their Disciplinary badges and jackets. Hibari was just staring at everyone now. Including... Resentfully so, the brat.

He saw she was just eating and eating, a voracious appetite she had, he sighed and clicked his teeth, 'Typical'. After some time... Romance music begun. Hikari, saw this as a signal to go to the gaming room, one last time, as she graduates literally in two days. Hikari got up, cleared away her table and plates properly, and went to the gaming room. Hibari noticed this, 'Where is she going?', Hibari took the chance to follow her...

Hikari was in the gaming room rummaging through all the games. "Where is it, where is it...", she muttered to herself anxiously, going through the boxes of games relentlessly. Hibari was already behind the entrance of the gaming room, he was just contemplating whether or not he should go inside now or... Give the herbivore a surprise scare later .

"Aha!", Hikari finally found the game she wanted! She held it up happily like a victory pose. Then exuberantly went to the PS console to put it in and play .

"My favourite game!", Hikari mused joyously.

Hibari was eavesdropping the whole time outside the gaming room's doors. He... Got curious as he glanced through the doors' windows. He decided to wait. He actually wanted to know if it was a game he knew as well (yes, Kyoya did play games, but rarely. Before he used to play it with...)

On the screen it began to read: 'Final Fantasy VII'.

Ahhh... Hibari did know this game. His... Ex used to play it a lot in front of him and with him before. Hibari started to feel some melancholy… He shrugged it off. The past was in the past. Now he just wanted to see how the herbivore would fair in this game.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To Hibari's surprise, the herbivore dared to go on the "Ultimate SOLDIER Mode", basically the game's SUPER hard level. (Admittedly, even Hibari's ex and himself never played on that.) His interest piqued further that he decided to stay silent a bit longer.

Transitioning from battle to battle, to boss battles and etc. So smoothly in such short time, and upgrading the hero, 'Cloud Strife', with such unique items he didn't even remember existing in the game, Hibari- begrudgingly, acknowledged that the herbivore seemed to be really good at this. And.. He hated to admit as well, he kind of enjoyed their playing style.

Their excitement, fist bumps to the air, and exclamations like: "Wow!", "Yeah!", "LET'S MOSEY!", made Hibari chuckle quite a lot, albeit in a controlled way to avoid causing noise. The herbivore really seemed like a little kid.

Hibari then noticed, "Huh?", the brat chose 'Aerith Gainsborough' over 'Tifa Lockhart' for the choice options. 'Pfft, Tifa is better, everyone knows that!', Hibari shaked his head at them. He was surprised that the herbivore technically chose the more... Weaker. And less screen-time character. He just continued to watch from afar to see how the herbivore progressed with their gameplay.

Apparently the herbivore was very invested in the scenes that included interactions between Cloud and Aerith, either pausing for two minutes approx. to ogle at them, squeal at them, take screenshots from their equally childish phone, or... Just stare at them intently, with an emotion he couldn't surmise? Hibari was actually curious at that, why so? He continued to watch how this herbivore would play further...

So a scenario called "Wall Market" came, and Hibari very much noticed she enjoyed this scene the most. 'Poor Cloud', Hibari thought to himself, how can anyone enjoy a scene where the character practically feels awkward most of the time? The bratty herbivore just kept giggling and giggling, "Eehehehehehe!". Hibari... Couldn't help but slightly chuckle himself along with her giggling, 'Hehe, huh! Stay quiet Kyoya!', he shot to himself sternly inside. He couldn't believe he was chuckling with them in the first place!

Hikari continued to play, she was aiming to get the bonus ending when completing the game. She just finished her favourite scene, "Wall Market", as the entire scenario signified what she loved about Cloud Strife: his dorkiness and willingness to go far for those he loved. And... The entire scenario also signified to Hikari how she imagined her dream relationship to be. One of adventure and fun. She felt a bit sad though as she thought on further... As... Hikari ignored those thoughts. She continued to play.

Hibari saw how the herbivore continued to play in a more unabating way after the "Wall Market" scenario, he guessed this was probably a reflection of one of the plot points of the game he did vividly remember.

Aerith's death scene now came.

Hibari admittedly did feel some... Sad emotions when he saw that scene. It was a beautifully made, bittersweet moment overall.

He carefully leaned a bit closer to see how the herbivore reacted? Just as expected. But also... A bit unexpected.

He did see the herbivore tear up, that was expected. But... What he didn't expect was some... Strange distant look in their eyes that he couldn't quite point out.

Hikari played even more intensely after that scene! She will get the bonus ending! AND BOOM! She made it! She managed to beat the villain's, Sephiroth's, "Ultimate Battle" in the time limit specified.

Hibari was... Impressed. By how quick and intensely the herbivore played to get to this 'new' ending Hibari wasn't aware of. Hibari did have the urge to just enter and reveal himself now, but... Curiousity again won him over.

On the screen the bonus ending began to play...

A field of yellow flowers are shown in a vast plain...

A moving silhouette of a motorbike then comes closer...

It's Cloud Strife and his now modified bike, that had an edgy looked inspired by mythology...

Even Cloud looked different, he looked rougher and, older...

He just kept riding through the field of flowers...

He rode and rode until he reached at the end of the road...

Cloud then get's off his bike and looks at the end of the path with the sunset in the backdrop...

As he takes his sunglasses off...

On the sunglasses lenses...

Aerith's face is half shown...

Her ghost, was smiling at him...

But as Cloud completely takes off his sunglasses...

Aerith is not there.

Cloud then looks on to the setting sky ahead.

The screen then fades to black and begins to read, 'Thank you for playing till the Bonus Ending!'.

Hibari completely did not understand this scene.

Except that it was very bittersweet.

Hikari was very engrossed in the scene. She tried not to tear up...

Hikari then looked at the clock and saw that two hours of prom still remained. "Oh, wow! Ugh, I don't wanna go back to the hall. Welp! I can always replay the game for different scenarios, ahahaha!", Hikari began to replay Final Fantasy VII.

Hibari resigned outside and decided to continue watching on as well instead of barging in.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"AAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!", Hikari was now replaying "Gold Saucer", this time she got the 'Bros. Date'. Basically characters known as 'Vincent', 'Cid', 'Barrett', and even 'Cait Sith', joined in with Cloud to have a 'date'. "AHAAHHAHAHHAHAH!", Hikari just kept laughing.

Even Hibari actually found this scene funny, he started to laugh a bit as well to his stoic demeanor, "Haha...". "Huh!", Hikari suddenly stopped

She heard the laugh. She put down the controller.

"Who's there!", she began to shout at the doors. She started to flare her Sun Flames.

Hibari... Decided to just finally reveal himself. He began to open the door... Hikari flinched.

"Well, well, little herbivore just loves to play games.", Hibari greeted in his own way.

Hikari retorted back, "Aren't you supposed to supervise?"

Hibari just smirked, "Well, there's a Disciplinary Committee for a reason." (Meanwhile for comical purposes of this story... The other Disciplinary members were watching on but were struggling with party animal students.)

Hikari just looked at Hibari with annoyance, still flaring her Sun Flames.

Hibari though, he kind of changed his plan. He decided to let the herbivore off for tonight. And... Maybe instead inquire them. "So you like Final Fantasy VII a lot?", he asked her calmly with a smirk.

Hikari was shocked that he was trying to... Start a discussion? "Uhh, ya, I do", Hikari replied as much normally, she tried to avert her gaze though, she was admittedly still very much scared of the scary prefect, still flaring her Flames.

Hibari naturally felt the fear they had of him, of course. He did feel smug on that. But again, he'd let them off for tonight, "Hey, I won't bite you to death tonight, so don't be too scared and stop flaring those annoying fire crackers? I just, want to inquire some stuff?", he said coolly.

"Huh? Bite to death?", Hikari was actually disgusted at those words. Hibari at first scoffed, but again... He tried his best to keep his intention of letting them off. "It's just a phrase I have for herbivores like you. I like to show my authority over you all as much. Again though, I'm just here to simply chat, so please stop flaring your Flames at me", he said coolly again.

Hikari just rolled her eyes at him. But she did start to stop flaring her Flames at him. Even though he was literally the scary prefect, she did find him at times... Ironically even more immature than herself with words. Hibari continued talking to them, "You're actually really good at the game I saw. Like... A pro.".

Hikari's eyes widened. She realized he may have been there throughout her entire playthrough.

Hikari had to reply though, "Uhh... I'm not a pro, I just... Love the game, a lot. So I always replay it. Trying and trying, again and again, playing and playing."

Hibari felt... Impressed by their humble and somewhat, honest answer. The herbivore seemed, despite being bratty, to be humble in their gaming approach. Hibari just nodded in affirmation.

"That's good, yes. Practice is important. But better you use it in real life more", he sneered at her.

'Ugh...', Hikari grimaced. She was starting to get annoyed by the scary prefect.

Hibari then continued his inquiry, "I noticed... Why do you like Aerith? I mean, everyone chooses Tifa," Hikari just looked on stunned. Because it did confirm that he did watch her entire playthrough. And also she was astounded at how superficial he seemed.

"Ugh! I don't need you to lecture me on what to choose and not to, stalker!", Hikari countered, narrowing her eyes at him. Hibari also narrowed his eyes in return.

"I'm just stating facts herbivore, everyone chooses the better character. And for your information, I don't stalk nuisance brats like you!", Hibari answered back in his usual, cold, matter-of-fact way, with a hint of rising irritation at the end.

"Well, I'm not everyone! And LOL! Then how come you mentioned things that I KNOW I PLAYED!", she riposted. "Yes, Tifa is awesome, I don't doubt that at all. In fact, I know on the surface realistically I kinda look and should relate to her more. But... It's just... I actually do relate to Aerith more! She's... Weaker... But! She also has a strong will! She fights back in her own way! I aspire to be that! And... I.. Also relate to her on how she interacts with others. She's goofy and a dork, she's not really a melee fighter, and-", Hikari then paused for a second.

She... Wanted to avoid talking about that.

She quickly continued on, "Aerith is also my dream cosplay! And I hope to find my own Cloud Strife one day and marry him!", Hikari ended her passionate explanation.

Hibari noticed the strange cut-in the herbivore did in between her explanation, but he simply ignored it. Probably something insignificant.

Her overall reasoning though, was so... "You're such a child!", Hibari said ever so bluntly. With ever so deadpan eyes.

Hikari started to grit her teeth. "Ugh! Well, you got the answer that you pestered for!", she said bluntly back at Hibari! She was starting to glare at him.

'Gosh! He's such a prick!', Hikari thought to herself annoyedly. "Anyway, prom is ending, so please allow me to go home at least!", Hikari started to storm out of the door.

Hibari felt annoyed at her, gritting his own teeth. He even had the urge in wanting to stop her way as it felt like, begrudgingly, she was storming over his pride. But… As he kept his word... He let the brat go and be...

Hikari stormed out of the gaming room, she was now in the hallway that linked to the main hall. Midway, she felt a sudden tug on her... Dragon wings! Like someone was trying to pull them off!

"Hey! Let go of my wings!", Hikari shouted furiously at the culprit who turned out to be one her fellow colleagues, who looked drunk. And gave a Cheshire smile that gave bad vibes.

"Aww, come on, Hikanoob, why don't you just enjoy with us instead of being on your own"; "Ya, Hikari! You're such a bore, maybe change that tonight, ehehe"; "Your dress is actually cute for some fun", suddenly then behind that one colleague, two more joined, equally drunk and gave gross wolf-whistles.

"Screw you guys!", Hikari started to flare her Sun Flames furiously at them! They were taken aback by her Sun's natural fireworks quirk. But... Then all three started to glow their Dying Wills. The one that tugger her wings was a Storm Flame, while the other two were a Lightning and a Cloud. A small fight seemed to commence.

The Cloud one first threw some of his flames at Hikari, hoping she'd get caught in them. Hikari managed to dodge thanks to her Sun's Activation's agility. The Lightning one then helped the Cloud by trying to make the multiple flames tossed at Hikari be heavier in weight. Then the Storm one started to shoot his Storm flames at her like she was some shooting game.

'Ughhh...', Hikari started to feel exhausted as she kept dodging. "Agh!", suddenly one of the hardened flames and Storm shoots reached her left side, knocking out her left dragon wing as well. Thankfully Hikari still stood, but she needed to act fast! As the attacks still kept coming!

Dodging and dodging still... Hikari got an idea. She quickly used her Sun's Activation to now enhance her vitals, as she felt extremely energized, she then went forward in an instance, throwing an air punch that emitted big ball-flickers of Sun Flames on the three. Her Sun Flame's blazes began to burn and sting their eyes.

"We'll get you, YOU BITCH!", they were all now starting to glow furiously. Hikari did start to feel worried, even wanting to opt to just run now.

But then: BAM! BAM! BAM!!!, "OW!"; "ACK!"; "AAHHH!"...

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!".

All three began to scream together in pain. As they all got hit by...

The scary prefect.

Like always... With just a few swipes of his tonfas, and added anger, the scary prefect, yet again! Managed to knock out all three, utterly.

"Harassing a fellow herbivorous female student! AND AT PROM NIGHT! DRUNK AND VIOLATING! USING DYING WILL FLAMES UNJUSTLY! WILL DELAY ALL OF YOUR GRADUATIONS!", Hibari began scolding them in a very severe way!

The three students just groaned, their faces still with stars in their unconsciousness.

Hibari then looked at Hikari. His expression still... Monotonous. In the sense, he still looked like his usual cold self. Hikari though, she smiled at him, and wanted to say...

"Thank you...", as she began to say, she then... Looked at the name tag of the scary prefect. She did know his name once before. But she also did always avoid him, so she forgot. She finally now remembered it again...

'Hibari Kyoya'.

"Thank you so much for helping me, Hibari!" Hikari thanked him, also giving him a customary Japanese half bow that was done out of courtesy for thanking.

Hibari at first was slightly taken aback. He didn't expect gratitude from the brat. He did feel his pride swell though. He just grunted and responded, in his own way, "Just stay out of trouble, herbivore, Hikari".

Hikari smiled again. She then noticed the clock on the wall of the hallway. It told her she was about to miss the bus home!

"Oh no! I'll be late!", she started to run to the bus, flaring her Sun Flames again to help with her speed. Hibari just watched on. But then...

He noticed a black cat plushie bag on the floor.

'Tsk...', Hibari picked it up and went on...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hikari was waiting at the bus stop. She... Had missed the bus.

But she still waited hoping another one could miraculously come.

She sighed. She did feel uncomfortable standing as she started to notice some of the students acting either horny, creepy, or just plain annoying.

She then felt a sudden tap on her shoulder...

"Huh!", she flared out her Sun Flames as defense.

"Tch! It's just me herbivore", it was Hibari.

He stepped back a few centimeters as he actually disliked Hikari's Sun Flame fireworks. It... HE NEVER WOULD ADMIT, did startle him. Hikari stopped flaring her Flames.

"What are you-", she then noticed her black cat plushie bag, Hibari was handing it to her. "My plushie bag! Thank you!", she began to hug it lovingly. "I'd cry so much if my Hina wasn't with me", Hikari exclaimed.

"Pfft! Hina? You name your bags?", Hibari snorted.

"Ugh!", Hikari now turned away.

She found Hibari to be very nerving again.

Hibari just smirked. He also noticed she missed the bus. He started to act snide, crossing his arms. "Well, well, you missed the bus herbivore. Have any way to go back?"

Hikari got annoyed by the "herbivore" term. "Stop calling me herbivore!".

Hibari just chuckled quietly. He was starting to like getting under her skin. Since she was such a brat.

"I call everyone that, you're no one special"; "Ugh!", Hikari turned away again.

Hibari though, deep down... Did start to get concerned. Everyone was beginning to go home, even the drunk, annoying, horny, and creepy students, all gradually went with a ride back home.

Hikari was now became the only student waiting, and at the bus stop.

From afar, Hibari could sense and make out that much more unwanted attention could wander here.

Hibari began to look at Hikari again, "Herbivore, listen. As the Head of the Disciplinary Committee, it's my duty to oversee students going back home safely. That unfortunately, includes you too. You are also my responsibility. So I will have to drop you home by my bike."

Hikari just shrugged it. She was looking away as much. She... Really found him so rude and annoying. Hibari just huffed, crossed his arms again and stood unmoving. He knew... He'd win over her stubborness eventually.

Hikari was starting to feel nervous. She could also feel the more unwanted attention coming their way. And no matter... Even when she hated him now! The scary prefect... Hibari... Was undoubtedly a better option for a way back home compared to what may come.

"Fine", she finally gave in.

Hibari's stern lips then curled into a very smug smirk, "I knew you'd lose patience".

Hikari just rolled her eyes. Hibari beckoned her to follow him...

They eventually reached his bike which was parked at the school’s staff parking. Hikari actually looked at his bike in awe, “You have a Suzuki Katana? Awesome!”.

Hibari was surprised by her comment. But he smirked back.

“Ya. How come you know bikes though?”, Hibari questioned with a raised eyebrow.

“My fave’s a Yamaha! And oh, uhhh… Cause of Cloud Strife, ehehehe….”, Hikari began to sheepishly say and blush.

Hibari now cocked both eyebrows at her. “Really? You really are that obsessed and determined to find a Cloud Strife, herbivore?”.

Hikari felt nerved by Hibari again. But… She did respond to answer the question.

“Ya, I do. Actually, it’s the reason why I didn’t even get a dance partner. I hope to find my perfect Cloud Strife one day, ahhh...”, Hikari began to daydream, Hibari just rolled his eyes. He got back to the business at hand.

"Where's your home location?", he demanded, showing his phone's GPS so she could type in the location.

"Oh, right", Hikari snapped out of her daydream and typed it in. Once she did that, Hibari began to connect his phone to his bike's GPS.

"Here, wear this', Hibari handed her an extra helmet. “Just wear this, buckle up, and hold on tight to the handle here”, he pointed to the handle at the front of the small passenger seat, Hikari did as instructed.

Once she did that, Hibari began to wear his helmet, took his seat and seatbelts, began the engine...

"Let's Roll!", Hibari declared loudly, and off they go!

Vroom!

"Ahahahaha!", Hikari was laughing, Hibari glanced back slightly at her, curious to why she was laughing?

"Why are you laughing, brat?", he asked in a curt tone, he never left his eyes off the road.

"Ahaha! I just like! Ahahaha! The feel! Ahahaha! Of the ride! Ahahaha!", Hikari loved the breeze that was passing through her.

Hibari began to smirk.

"I see", Hibari then... Decided to speed his pace.

The roads were thankfully clear and peaceful in this small town of Namimori.

Hibari decided to take advantage of this to show off some of his bike skills, and his bike's speed.

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“AHAHAHAAHAHAHA!!!”, Hikari was laughing profusely throughout the ride.

In the middle though...

She had accidently hugged Hibari's back as a grip.

She got annoyedly flustered naturally though, immediately letting go and gripping back her seat grip, much harder.

Hibari was at first stunned at the time by the contact, but as she let go, his smirk came back and he continued to speed.

Finally, they reached Hikari's apartment building.

"Ahahahahahaha....", Hikari was still laughing while taking off her helmet, she felt quite breathless. And... Suddenly... She felt that weakness too

'Ugh...', Hikari then immediately went through her dress, for the small pocket... Out of that specific pocket, she took out a little container. And out of that container, was a red pill. She quickly plopped it into her mouth and swallowed it.

Hibari at first while taking off his helmet, was going to further tease her laughing behaviour. But... When he saw that.

"Are you okay?", he showed a rare display of concern. His prideful smirk from the ride now replaced with a stern furrow.

"I'm fine. Just... The ride thrilled me! Ahahaha...", Hikari replied back normally as much.

Hibari furrowed his eyes further, he... Didn't quite believe it. But he went along as Hikari went back to her bratty self.

"Ahahaha! Thank you for dropping me scary prefect!", Hikari chirped at him.

"Tch! Whatever herbivore." Hibari rolled his eyes and smirked. He did like she at least said "thank you".

"Anyway, thank you again for everything and good night, Hibarisan.", Hikari smiled back, bowed politely, and quickly walked back into her apartment building.

'Good night?', Hibari was still surprise, and quite impressed, by how... Polite the brat can be.

He smirked slightly, began to wear back his helmet, and rode off.

Hikari meanwhile...

Went back into her small apartment. Tt was dark and quiet, as usual. Her guardian was... Rarely ever there. She began to prepare for sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today was graduation. Hikari just couldn't wait to graduate! She finally went upstage, got her diploma, and...

"YES!!!", Hikari ran out for what she called, "FREEDOM!!!". But...

Hikari still had her full-time working job she had to do from now.

Hikari had worked at the local Namimori arcade. Now that she graduated, Hikari applied for a full time job there. Before she mainly was part-time, usually working there during the holidays and the last of weekdays.

She was now wearing her uniform, serving the customers through the cashier counter...

Hibari happened to be patrolling the Summer, something he had (unadmittedly) volunteered for the Council of Namimori annually.

He still wore his school uniform with the Disciplinary sash with pride.

He didn't like troublemakers and took note that it was the Summers that usually had an increase in them.

He noted while on his bike from afar, the bratty herbivore working at the arcade.

Though he was aware long before that she had worked there due to his previous patrols, the recent contacts since prom have made him more familiar with her. And since he was kind of free now, bored and nothing to do, he decided to pay her a visit.

"Here's your tokens!", Hikari was tending to the customers as usual,

"How may I help you? Would you want... Here's your tokens... How may I help... Here's your... How may I- huh!", Hikari was surprised. In front of the counter now was Hibari.

Hikari was perplexed, "Ummm... How come you're here Hibarisan?",

Hibari just looked at her nonchalantly, "I notice you work here, is it due to your game obsession?.

Hikari got slightly annoyed by Hibari's use of "obsession", but she never wavered her 'smiley face'.

"Well, yes, I enjoy working here thankfully because I love games.", Hikari's smile was genuine though. She really enjoyed working here, as the perks were whenever she was free, she could always eat at the cafeteria here and play any of the games she wanted with her savings.

Hibari just gave a smirk. Even though it was really a harmless smirk (as Hibari really actually sucked in continuing most conversations), Hikari took it internally as an offense, thinking he was being condescending of her.

Hikari got annoyed further when she realized he was just standing there in front of the other potential customers.

"Is there anything you want?", Hikari asked in a light yet sharp tone. All with a big smile.

Hibari was kind of taken aback, very subtly, by her sharp tone. Also realizing he was at the front of a growing line, he quickly answered back, "No, I just wanted to check this place around". Hibari then left to take a seat in the sitting area of the arcade.

Hikari just slightly huffed while she watched him take a seat. She finally could continue tending back to the other customers, "How may I help you...".

'Whew!', Hikari could now take a break. She began to order her usual large burger and big chocolate milkshake. She began to feast.

"Ehuhu...", Hibari chuckled a bit, with his hands covering his lower face as he slumped on the table with elbows. He saw from afar where he was at that, despite how short she was, he noted the herbivore like last time at prom, truly had a voracious appetite. It amused him.

Hikari could hear and feel his snickers and slight stare from afar too. 'Jerk!', she ignored him and continued to eat.

After Hikari was done and cleared her table, with the remaining time left of her break, she began to play the games in the arcade. She played many games, from the new 'Street Fighter', 'Final Fantasy Legends Remastered', and 'Pokkén Tournament', and now.. The plushie claw machine.

She usually got most of her plushies- if she won, by these games. Today she saw...

"It's so cute...", Hikari muttered in amazement. She was in total awe over a: black, blue eyed, orange pupiled, big pointy-eared, dark peached-nose, Japanese bob-tailed cat? She couldn’t make out. Overall, it was a SUPER cute and SUPER fluffy-looking plushie! It was there in the middle of the pile of plushies.

Hikari immediately played it!

Again!

Again...

Again... Again...

And many times again!

She just...

Couldn't win it.

"Nooo!!!", Hikari now moaned loudly in despair. She was going to go on her knees if she continued to lean forward on the claw machine's glass.

Hikari had ran out of tokens and didn't have enough savings to spare. She...

Very reluctantly left the plushie.

She had her work anyway due again. She looked back at the plushie though one last time, she...

Felt sad truly she couldn't win it.

From the outskirts of seats, Hibari had seen Hikari's entire failed attempts in clawing the plushie. He laughed, albeit quietly, a lot, throughout her failed attempts. Even relishing in her anguish! Though...

When he saw her sad face... He...

"What would you li- Huh? Hibari? What do you want?", Hikari now asked Hibari with furrowed eyes as he was now the one at the counter.

Hibari with his usual stoic expression, asked, "Can I get some tokens?".

Hikari was surprised. She never would've expected him to ever buy tokens. Even to play at the arcade to begin with.

She anyway did her job. "Uhh... Sure, how many do...".

Once Hibari got the tokens he wanted, he left.

Hikari was still puzzled but continued to work.

Time passed...

Hikari was finally done for the day.

It was late evening now so the arcade was going to close in half an hour. As she was about to go the changing room, she had a tap on her shoulder. "Huh?", she turned around saw it was Hibari standing next to her.

"Uhh.. What do you want Hibari?", Hikari asked him, slightly annoyed though.

Hibari was still typically cold and stoic in expresioon. But... Strangely... Hikari noticed he was slightly trying to avert her gaze.

Hikari just huffed as she waited for his answer. Whatever it may be. But then... From the corner of her eyes now... She saw...

"Hey! The arcade is closing! You can't play that machine!", Hikari began to run towards a teenager that was trying to... Bust a claw machine. The expensive mystery box one.

"Hey! The arcade is closing! You're not allowed to-", Hikari was cut off, as the teenager began to glow and flare at her dark Indigo Flames, Mist Flames.

"Uhh...", Hikari then noticed that her surroundings were starting to change. The arcade machines now became enormously horrific. Some of them started to attack her!

"EEE!", she screamed! Luckily she managed to dodge the lunges of the machines.

Hikari had to try and remain calm... She remembered back in 'Flame classes' at school that Mist Flame attacks were usually illusions, they shouldn't harm her as much. Hikari now glowed her Sun Flames.

"Aahahaha, seriously? Tinkerbell Flames!", the teen hollered.

'Ugh!', this teen was a literal kid, Hikari thought.

The teen began to send a barrage of attacks on her, mainly making the monster machines jump at her more.

Hikari dodged these easily thanks to her Activation enhancing her stamina and speed. She even managed to push back a monster machine on the teen.

"Ahahahaha, Tinkerbell got ya!", Hikari cheekily taunted. The teen looked even more furious now.

"Let's see who's laughing after this!", he then snapped his fingers.

Lights of the arcade suddenly closed.

Then... flashes came. Of...

Demonic virtual characters coming to life.

Hikar was starting to feel nervous.

But then...

"Herbivore, your left!".

Hikari looked at her left immediately and saw a virtual demon trying to lunge at her swiftly!

SHE DODGED IT...

THANKFULLY.

Hibari also now came into the scene.

He began to glow his purple Flames, Cloud Flames. Beginning to light his tonfas as well with them... He now was bashing EVERY virtual demon that came his way with his tonfa strikes.

BAM! BAM! BAM BAM! BAM! BAM...

The Mist Flame user was starting to get annoyed at Hibari. He then...

Did a dirty old trick of this town.

From above began to fall...

Sakura petals.

Hibari... Noticed the petals.

He started to get hives on his body...

He realized what the Mist user was trying to do.

Hikari was just looking at it a bit confused, not aware.

"Sakura petals?", Hikari motioned...

Hibari immediately looked at her.

Seeing the petals now swirling towards her, he screamed!

"HERBIVORE GET AWAY FROM IT!", he pushed her instantly.

Hikari fell onto the floor...

And the swirling petals...

BOOM!!!

Exploded.

Heavy swirls of Mist emerged.

"H-Huh!", Hikari was completely frightened, slightly shivering. Hibari just glared, deadly, at the Mist user.

The Mist User just laughed sinisterly loudly, "Aahahahahahahaha!!!".

Sakura petals began to become immense and swirl around them...

Hibari didn't really feel calm. He was slightly fidgeting his tonfas, and the use of his Flames. He was debating if...

If he had to use his 'last resort'.

But then...

Hikari decided to do something she thought could maybe work.

"UHHH!!!", Hikari began to twirl and spin and spin!

Her Sun Flames glowing more with each spin! And her fireworks quirk popping more and more!

WHOOSH!!!

Hikari created a small Sun Flame cyclone which dissolved all the sakura petals.

And cleared away much of the Mist.

Hikari fell to the ground. Feeling dizzy by her swirls.

Hibari feeling energized by the breeze, took his chance to lunge at the Mist Flame user before he could run.

"OWWW! OWWWWWW!!!".

Hibari managed to hit and catch him.

The dilemma finally over.

Hikari was now sitting up, still dizzy... Quickly popped in her red pill.

Hibari was just phoning the police now to take away the offending Mist user...

Once the police arrived and took away the Mist Flame user, Hikari's manager hurriedly came to her and Hibari, thanking them for their efforts. Hikari was now getting up to stand properly.

"No problem boss...", Hikari managed to say.

As she was getting better, she then heard Hibari say to her, "Good job, herbivore." Then...

Hikari felt a quick tug at her hands.

Something...

"Fluffy", she felt.

Hikari looked at her hands now curious, and gaped.

"This... This is the plushie I wanted!", she began to chirp. She... Felt so happy.

She smiled wide, with rosy cheeks! Beginning to look up back again, "Thank you Hibari-", she saw...

Hibari already left.

She huffed! But...

She didn't feel much annoyed at him now. I mean... He did help her as well in defeating the dangerous Mist user.

She looked at her plushie again and began hugging it gently...

Once she arrived back at her apartment, she went straight to her room happily. Even though today did kinda upset her as her guardian didn't even attend her graduation...

Hikari plopped her newest plushie with the other plushies. "Hmmm... What should I name you?", she began to question. As she pondered for a name, she... She couldn't help but feel the plushie reminded her of something? Or maybe, someone?

She was clueless though on what to name it. But...

Then she finally got it!

"Cloudy!"

"I'll name you Cloudy!"

"You're fluffy as a cloud, I love Cloud Strife, and Hibari who gifted me you, is a Cloud Flame user, ahahahaha!!!", Hikari declared joyously!

She just felt so happy all night with the plush she was hugging tightly, Cloudy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A week passed since the Mist Flame user incident at the arcade.

Hikari didn't see Hibari at all as well since then. She... Really wanted to give him something.

Hikari anyway today decided to relax at the nearby park once finishing work early today, as it was a Friday!

Hikari went in her normal jeans and pink frilly shirt, and her hair was tied up due to the heat of Summer. She began to take her pink flip-phone out of her pink bag. It was quite an old model. But she loved it!

Despite the social hurdles at first, Hikari had customized her phone very personably throughout the years. It's further pink coating, shiny punk stickers, red ribbon front, numerous amounts of of mobile charms and keychains and bells hanging, represented Hikari totally! She opened her phone now to play one of her favourite mobile applications, "Pokémon Go", an app that basically allowed you to catch virtual monsters through real-time AR.* (*Basically a virtual reality mix game.)

While she was trying to catch her current monster, that was apparently hopping on a rock, a voice began to talk to her.

"What are you doing, herbivore?", Hikari right away turned, it was Hibari. He was looking intently at her phone.

"Hibari-san! Ahh, I'm trying to catch this Pokémon!", Hibari… Was confused.

“Pokémon?”; “Yes, Pokémon, Pocket Monsters”.

She continued playing her game, and...

"Yes!", Hikari fist bumped to the air, "I caught it!", Hikari started to victory dance.

Hibari... Looked very confused still. "Caught what, herbivore?", he asked, puzzled.

Hikari then realized, "Oh! Basically this Pokémon game allows you to catch virtual monsters real-time! IN REAL LIFE! Here...", Hikari began to show him her next monster to catch. She tossed a virtual ball at it to catch it, all by her thumb movements on her flip phone's keyboard sensorAnd... "Voila!", Hikari caught another virtual monster.

Hibari smirked. He was... Very intrigued. "This does look interesting,", he actually confessed, his eyes showed genuine interest.

Hikari was surprised at first by his reaction, but she then continued to suggest, "Oh, you want to download it then? I can instruct ya how to, if you want?".

Hibari... Actually nodded. He got out his phone, a flat touch screen one, and Hikari instructed him the ways on how to download and apply. Once that was done, Hibari was finally able to play. Though... He soon started to get irritated.

His stubby fingers kept making the virtual balls jerk and miss the target. Hibari began to furrow his brows... Grit his teeth... And now completely glare at the mobile screen! He just kept missing and missing.

"Urghh!", Hibari Kyoya now put down his phone! And... Actually gave up.

Hikari more than stunned, got worried. She noticed how red Hibari's face had become in such short time. "Uhhh, you can just uninstall it," she suggested quietly.

Hibari agreed. Hibari uninstalled the game.

"That was frustrating, I never want to play it again!", Hibari bellowed. Hikari was slightly taken aback. She... Started to feel bad. She made him play the game to begin with. Hibari noticed it… He got an idea.

He began to speak, "You know... Real Pokémon are better".

"Huh!", Hikari now looked confused at him. Hibari knew this would be her reaction. He continued, with... A very small rare smile.

"Ya, real Pokémon, they are much better. I...Have some at my front yard, if you want to see?", Hibari though stoic in most of his tone and expression, had a touch of pleasantness to make his words seem... Convivial. Hikari just couldn't believe what he was saying.

"Real Pokémon? Really?," Hikari looked at him questionably but with a smile, Hibari... Continued his small smile, and slightly nudged her with his eyes trailing to the exit of the park.

"Yes, really. We should actually go now before the sun sets.", Hibari then began to stand in front of her and...

"Huh!", grab one of Hikari's hands.

He was now trying to lead her out of the park.

"Is this... Okay with you?", Hikari asked sternly, slightly blushed by his action. As it was unexpected. His rough hand made her feel slightly uncomfortable...

Hibari noticed her tension, and let go. "Yes, just follow me, herbivore.', Hibari continued to walk in front of her. Hikari was glad he let go. As she agreed and followed him...

THUD!

"Ow! Huh... Huh! HEY!!!!", Hikari began to call out furiously!

Seeing her bag now get stolen by a hooligan who purposely bumped into her! He was running to the other entrance of the park.

By instinct, Hikari flared out her Sun Flames and began to run behind them!

The guy was pretty fast!

Once he sensed Hikari getting closer, he glowed blue Flames to create ice steps for him to slide on. He was a Rain Flame.

He slided and slided...

Hikari was slightly behind now but she still ran on and on...

She didn't realize now that she was running and through, a desolate neighbourhood.

Only the sounds of their runs could be heard echoing.

She now... Reached what looked like a small junkyard.

The Rain Flame thief then stopped, looked back at her, grinning.

Then...

Steps from around the junkyard began to come to them.

Hikari... Started to feel scared.

She quickly from her shirt’s pocket took in a red pill too.

She then... With her utmost Activation... Lunged forward at the Rain user to try and get back her bag!

The thief dodged and shot Rain Flames at her. To trap her with her with it's solidification.

Hikari had the Rain's ice encircling her from the waist and arms. She immediately glowed her Sun Flames all over her body and managed to thaw it.

But... A bombardment of other Flames began to rain at her.

Hikari managed to dodge and dodge, but...

"AHHHH!!!", Hikari cried in pain. She got hit and fell down onto the floor.

A Sky Flame managed to get her.

As Hikari lay on the floor, desperately trying to heal her wounds with as much Sun Flames possible...

A brusque, huge, young man began to walk towards her...

He was the one who shot Hikari, his Sky Flames burning greatly.

"Awww Rain-Man, you brought such a cute thing here~", the Sky Flame began to coo in a sick way...

Hikari...

Started to shiver...

She...

Also started to cry.

The Sky Flame was starting to get... Dangerously close to her.

Hikari just closed her eyes, and started to scream out, her Sun Flames also contributing to the strength of her plea:

"Someone! help me! Please!!!"

Her voice just echoed and echoed...

And the gang just began to laugh and laugh. Especially the Sky Flame user. As...

His hand began to reach Hikari...

炎炎THWHIP!!!炎炎

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

The Sky Flame user started to cry in so much pain!

He was now on the floor. Holding his entire arm. His arm felt like... It had been severed. Despite being still on.

What caused it this way...

Was...

A thick, long formation of extremely burning Cloud Flames.

From afar...

They...

"Hi-Hibari?", Hikari managed to say.

What she saw also scared her.

Hibari...

On his back...

Looked like...

He had two tails of Cloud Flames.

One of those tails just hit the Sky Flame user from afar.

The other...

Was ready to hit anyone else.

Hibari's eyes...

The orange center, in his blue, began to glow, ominously.

It was like an actual animal was staring at them at them all now.

Some of the gang admittedly, shaked while they looked at him.

They began to attack despite the fear.

Hibari...

“Kamikorosu”

‘I’ll Bite You to Death’

And with that Hibari began to attack.

炎THWHIP!炎

炎THWHIP!炎炎,

炎THWHIP!炎,炎THWHIP!炎

炎THWHIP!炎

Hibari easily swatted away each gang member that came his way with just a single hit from his Cloud tails.

As the gang's repeated attacks became more aggressive...

Hibari then used his two Cloud tails to merge with his tonfas.

His tails turned steely at the tip, with bar like protrusions sticking out all over, he began to hit each new members lunging at him harder and managed to dodge with more ease.

炎THWHIP!炎,

炎THWHIP!炎

炎THWHIP!!!炎

Hikari noted...

How Hibari was just giving into his bloodlust.

She began to remember...

The other rumours about the "scary prefect".

She remembered how there was gossip in school...

About the scary prefect using this power she now saw in front of her.

Only really bad bullies were the ones who could "live to tell the tale".

She remembered at one point in her classroom, there was a boy who managed to record some of it.

In that video she was able to peek at a bit...

All she remembered that it was a short video, half blurred by the door, but Hibari... The scary prefect... He...

Had a glow to his eyes like he was now.

From afar...

Even in that video, he suddenly slammed the bully to the door without moving from his position.

Rumours and gossip began to spread like haywire after that.

Apparently it was even allegedly confirmed that the school staff did delete the videos that depicted Hibari's other powers.

Hikari...

Remembered the other name that students would specially give to him, when it was those powers...

"Yako".

A term that meant,

'Demon'.

Specifically...

Demonic Fox.

Hibari began to smirk now...

His horn-like Flame ears burning more.

The Sky Flame user he attacked first now wanted to come at Hibari with what looked like a long knife.

"YOU'RE DEAD FREAK!!!", the Sky Flame user began to lunge with his all at Hibari.

He managed to cut his two tonfa tails by the over usage of his Sky Flame's Harmonization.

The tonfas fell to the ground as the Cloud tails dissolved. And Hibari...

“HNNNSH!!!", Hibari hissed, a gash came on his shoulder.

The Sky Flame started to laugh out loud. Thinking he had won.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!".

Hibari then...

From the back of his school jacket...

Brought out a broad, heavy bokken.

He made it grow larger by the use of his Cloud Propogation from his hands. And then... His hands...

Hibari's hands now turned into Cloud infused claws.

Hibari then grew back to the horror of everyone watching, his two Cloud tails, but now... Even a third formed! He then swiftly put the heavy bokken into the third tail.

The third Cloud tail now became a larger heavy bokken hybrid!

The Sky Flame user now looked at Hibari like he was "THE WORST NIGHTMARE" he ever had in his entire life.

"AHHHHHH!!!"

炎炎炎THWHIP!!!炎炎炎

With just one-punch-up by his third tail, Hibari threw the Sky Flame user afar. Completely.

All the remaining gang members decided to just run for their lives. Including "Rain-Man".

Only Hikari and Hibari remained there now.

Hikari... Was still horrified by what she had witnessed.

Hibari... He... Started to look down a bit.

His Cloud tails and claws began to dissolve. His heavy bokken dropped to the floor but he picked it up again, to put it behind him as there was a holder on his back. He then... Began to roam his eyes on the floor and... And then headed towards a pink bag with keychains, Hikari's bag, to to pick it up. He then headed towards Hikari...

His eyes still glowed that eerie glow, it made Hikari flinch. Hibari noticed the flinch.

He looked down the whole time while speaking to her.

"H...Hikari, here's your bag.", Hibari gestered the hand with the bag at Hikari.

Hikari... Noticing how Hibari looked down the whole time, and how... Downcast he seemed. She... Did actually feel bad for how scared she was reacting to him. So she stopped.

She now grabbed the bag, but also... Held Hibari's hand firmly with the other hand, as she got up.

Hibari was surprised.

"Thank you so much, Hibari, for saving me.", Hikari said to Hibari, eye-to-eye. She never wanted to be scared of him from now. She then smiled at him, glowing her Sun Flames lightly out of respect, warming his hand with some of it’s powers. She then let go of his hand and stopped her Flames.

Hibari... Felt touched. He smirked back at her. But he still somehow looked down. Then... Hikari noticed.

"Your wound!", Hikari then flared her Sun Flames, making her hands hover over the gash on Hibari's shoulder. Hibari... Wanted to protest that she didn't have to... "It's okay, herbivore, you don't need to-", Hikari cut him off harshly!

"You're bleeding a lot! This... Is the least I could do.", Hikari then made her Sun's natural healing properties heal Hibari's wound. And she managed to heal it fully.

Hibari was quite impressed by her healing proficiency, "So... You're good at this?"

Hikari responded with a mock offense. "Ugh! Of course! That's what we Sun Flames are known for!".

Hibari just chuckled quietly and rolled his eyes.

His eyes glow... Naturally dimmed as this moment went by.

Hikari then remembered when she saw that the sun still had time to set.

"Hibarisan! Didn't you say that you had real Pokémon at your front yard?", Hikari then looked at him teasingly, but also eagerly, with her arms crossed.

Hibari also then remembered!

"Oh ya, let's go quick..."

So as they finally went back to the normal town and suburbs of Namimori via a mix of walking (running!), and then Hibari's bike...

They... Finally reached what seemed like Hibari's home.

It was surprisingly to Hikari's expectations, a very small, and quiet looking, medium walled around with a fence at the front, very old looking, traditional Japanese-styled house.

It was pretty mute in colours. And even in location. It was nestled between towering apartment complexes that were beside and around it basically.

Also...

It seemed no one else was home from the looks of it.

But Hikari didn't want to pry, ever.

She... Understood that some things were not needed for answers.

As Hibari officially opened the door of his fence, he beckoned Hikari to come in through it. And once she stepped in, she saw...

"OH MY GOSH! THEY ARE SO CUTE!!!", Hikari began running towards the little animals, that were Hibari's pets.

There was a flock of very fluffy looking, roundish, yellow birds that were all now singing when they saw Hibari, what seemed to be... The Namimori School anthem? And then there was also a small, cute, ashen looking hedgehog, that was peacefully walking in the garden. And then finally there was a little brown, naughty looking mole, who was trying to attack some growing flowers.

"AHHHH!!!", Hikari just gushed at them with sparkling wonder.

"Meet my Pokémon, herbivore!" Hibari said quite openly, with a hint of pride.

"AHAHAHAHA! You're right, real Pokémon are truly better" Hikari responded to him and just continued to look in awe at all the cute animals.

Hibari felt pleased with her reaction to them. Hibari began to formally introduce them to her.

"The hedgehog is named Roll, he's shy and peaceful, the mole is named Rock, well... He's kind of frustrating but he can also be very cute", Hibari narrowed at Rock who managed to, yet again, tow down another newborn flower. Hikari just laughed lightly.

"Aww... Roll and Rock, like 'rock and roll'? Ahahaha.", Hibari... Gave a small smile. "Ya, I... Kind of did name them after that".

The fluffy birds then began to sing the Namimori school anthem again, "Namimori~!", Hibari... Went slightly flustered in embarrassment. "Uhh... The canaries, are Hibirds, a local and surprisingly rare breed only found here, in Namimori Town. And... They are named after me as I had found them with a fellow colleague around here. The principal then gifted me most of them. That's also why... They sing the school anthem." Hibari explained but still flustered.

Hikari... Then started to notice, "Hibari, it seems you have a special connection to the school right?", she realized, he was always also in the school uniform, even today. She continued, "It's... Really nice how you show respect and dedication for the people and places you treasure. I... Agree everyone in a way should kinda be like that." Hikari gave a warm smile. She didn't want to pry at all. She just... Wanted to express how unique and endearing it was in how Hibari showed his dedication, pointing it out.

Hibari... Was still flustered mainly because of the Hibirds. But... He just looked on onto Hikari.

"Ya... It is very special to me. And that's why I will always continue in upholding Discipline for it wherever I go!", he gave her a fierce and triumphant look of determination. Hikari was happy to see that.

Time passed and the sun set... It was time for Hikari to go home.

Despite protesting as much, Hibari stubbornly dropped her home with his bike.

As Hikari got off, and was about to head home... She stopped in her tracks immediately. She remembered something important!

"Hibarisan! Wait!"; "Huh?", Hibari stopped, he was about to go back to his home. "What is it herbivore?"

Hikari then opened her pink bag. And out of it came two elastic... Belt holders for...

"This is for you! It's a 'thank you gift' for the plushie you gave me last time. And also for helping me a lot! These are sturdy tonfa belt holders! I hope they come in handy for you whenever you need to bash, ahaha!", she quickly ran up to him and gave it to him.

Hibari... Was quite shocked. He didn't really expect a 'thank you gift' from Hikari. "Don't worry, these will come in handy, at least for my first new fights, thanks.", he smirked.

"THEY SHOULD!", Hikari shot back. Hibari slightly chuckled at her slightly annoyed expression. Before he was going to head back, again...

"Wait!"; "What now?", he now looked at Hikari annoyed. Hikari... Started to look hesitant a bit, Hibari got curious. "Hikari, what?", he began to question, Hikari then began to speak.

"Hey Hibari, wanna exchange numbers? I mean... Can we be friends?", Hikari was straightforward. She... Felt lately they interacted a lot, and Hibari wasn't all so bad. He had helped her a lot. She... Hoped they could be considered friends. Admittedly also did feel nervous as Hibari gave her the usual dry expression she couldn't decipher. But then...

"All this drama for that? Okay.", Hibari smirked wide, Hikari again got annoyed by his words and attitude, as usual.

"WHAT DRAMA!", Hikari glared with slight sparks of Sun Flames, Hibari just chuckled again.

But ya...

Hikari and Hibari did become friends.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few years had passed now...

Hikari and Hibari were now young adults.

Hikari couldn't afford university still, so she went to a small college during the weekends. And still continued to work to be able to afford it. She sadly though... Left the arcade for a job at a local mall, in a café, as being an arcade vendor wasn't enough for both the education, and the apartment she lived in now.

Hikari had shifted out shortly after graduating from high school. Her current residence now was in a very small flat complex, in a slightly dangerous ghetto. But luckily her corner was 'safe' as most people usually ignored it thanks to it's lame setting. Huddled up in a plain, grassy corner. It was a super small flat with jut basics: a living room combined with one kitchen and bathroom, and one bedroom. But Hikari was happy as she decorated her house inside fully of her cosplay and geeky stuff.

Meanwhile Hibari... He had finally left as Namimori High's Disciplinary Head a few years back. He now worked at the local police as a junior officer after passing cadet rank. It was tough at first to leave Namimori High. - Accurately! It was so-SOOO-heartbreaking-for-HIM-that-Hikari-had-to-console-him-frustratingly-a-lot, as Hibari had to adjust to his new workplace setting of the police station. He still lived in his same house with his pets.

Life...

Was just going by for the both of them.

Now...

Hibari was on his break. He was currently waiting at the far, secluded corner of the café that Hikari worked at. His usual spot. He was just glad her café was an open space instead of some congested, small room.

Hikari now joined Hibari in her break. They had both grown significantly.

"Hi Kyoya!", Hikari greeted him, over the years Hibari had allowed her to use his first name.

"Hey, Hikari", Kyoya greeted coolly back. He was the same stoic person he always was. But... Hikari then teased.

"I'm so glad honestly you dropped saying 'herbivore' lately, ahahahaahaha!", Kyoya just grunted."Pshht, whatever"/

"Aahahaha!", Hikari just laughed, she had brought her and Kyoya's food and beverages. Now Hikari was feasting on her stuff.

Kyoya now took his chance to tease, "Still have a big stomach as always?

"Hey!", Hikari now huffed at him. Kyoya just rolled his eyes but chuckled slightly. "What? It's true.", he began to sip on his coffee.

Hikari then... Decided to do her Flames' quirk lightly, which she knew still startled Kyoya till this day. She noticed Kyoya was starting to eye her quite wearily, and subtly shifted his tray and his chair further away from her.

"Have table manners, Hikari!", Kyoya said harshly, slightly annoyed and facing away. He really didn't like how her quirk's pops of Sun Flames agitated him. How they still make him nervous till today.

Hikari started to giggle. "Aww, now you remember manners only 'cause my Flames make you nervous? Ehahahaha!"

"Shut up!", Kyoya said frowning, but with a hint of embarrassment, he tried so badly to hide. Hikari just continued to munch and tease...

Time went on and as the working day passed, Hikari and Kyoya were now at Hikari's place. Their usual casual hangout.

Hikari's place was quite mess as usual. The kitchen and dining area were thankfully clean, but her living room space was littered with Hikari's cosplay crafts that she did at the corner near that area. Kyoya noticed that the current cosplay Hikari was working on had... 'A big sword ?'.

"Hikari, who are you going to cosplay now?", Kyoya asked curious, with a stoic expression, of course.

"Oh, I... Ehe, Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII, Wall Market version", Hikari said quite quickly, blushing sheepishly. It was basically a hard cosplay she knew was hard to pull off. But... She felt determined. As...

"I want to apply again to the cosplay competition at the big convention this year. I... Wanna finally win.", Hikari said with a big smile, and a fierce look in her eyes.

Kyoya cocked an eyebrow, he knew Hikari always wanted to win. And he did agree Hikari was pretty good at cosplay, and she was cute. But... He questioned further, "Why a male character though?".

'Ugh, why is Kyoya like this?', Hikari thought to herself exasperated. She knew Kyoya was basically kind of a traditional guy overall. But these type of comments he made did irk her. "Ugh, you know this isn't the first time I cosplayed a male character. Plus, not my fault in fiction all the guys usually hog all the good stuff!".

Kyoya agreed that Hikari had a point. In fiction male characters usually got all the "good stuff", like the weapons and of course story points.

"Uh, ya, true", Kyoya sighed, agreeing (not defeated!). Hikari smiled back, and continued working on her cosplay.

Kyoya though... Noticed again something about Hikari's face. It... Concerned him. As he started noticing it for quite a while lately... He began to question that.

"Hikari, you look tired lately. You should go to sleep and just relax. Dark circles have been appearing under your eyes a lot lately."

Hikari... Drew back a bit from her cosplay making. She promptly replied, "Oh... It's because of my part time jobs and trying to keep up with college, ahaha... Come on Kyoya! It's natural.", she began working on her cosplay again.

Kyoya... He... Just accepted her answer.

Two weeks passed...

And now the big geek convention near Namimori was back.

Hikari had completed her Wall Market Cloud Strife costume and look. She was basically and truly, all dolled up! She temporarily dyed her hair blonde, spiked in the the front like Cloud Strife, and her hair was styled in small, yet thick curled, hime pig tails each side, adorned with red ribbons. She made the remaining hair untied to look like a cascading mullet. On top of her head was a cutesy princess tiara she made out of combination of plastic pieces. Her makeup was mainly heavy, smokey purple eyeshadow and glossy pink lips, with very blushy blush to her cheeks. She was in a dollesque lilac purple dress adorned with dark pink roses as sequins and pastel pink laces. It was a really girly look overall. But to make sure to give the Cloud touch, she added a spiked dark purple shoulder pad on her right, and wore high heeled, spiked, combat boots, and black, frilled skirt-pants combo underneath her dress for ease of movement. She also wore black fingerless combat gloves and the main, black sword holder at the back to hold her big Buster Sword worbla.

Kyoya had actually also attended the event. To his dismay, he was assigned as part of the security of the event, as cons also had high chances of having criminal activity taking place. But Kyoya groaned a lot. The congestion of the place was grating on his nerves, SO MUCH. He wanted to scream, but internally. He then... Spotted what looked like. 'Hikari?' She... Looked... Pretty. 'Huh? Ya, okay!', Kyoya groaned again, but headed towards Hikari.

Hikari was on her way to the backstage of the cosplay stage. She then got a harsh tap on her shoulder, she startled and flared her Sun Flames! "Yeesh! Hikari it's me!", Hikari saw it was Kyoya and immediately stopped. Though she couldn't help but laugh, "Ahahaha!", Kyoya's comical expression of fear of her Flames was still funny. "Ya, ya...", Kyoya just grumbled.

"Sorry! Aha. But wow, how come you're here?", Hikari stopped laughing (to Kyoya's contentment), and began to ask. Kyoya then explained that he was assigned here. "Aww, poor you, I get it. This is like your nightmare, ahahaha! But best of luck for your work! Gotta do what you gotta do to rise up the ranks!", Hikari cheered for him and gave him a thumbs up.

Even though it was such a childish reply, Kyoya smiled a bit at it. He replied with much determination," Ya, you bet! I will become in charge of Namimori one day this way." Kyoya still had ambition in being one of those who brought "order" overall in Namimori.

"Indeed", Hikari responded, smiling happily. She then... Remembered! "Ahh! Kyoya, I have to go! I have to go backstage now as the competition will start in fifteen minutes! Anyway, later and best of luck again!", Hikari began to run to the door of the backstage. Kyoya just watched on and smiled. He began to roam around the... 'Infestation!'.

Some time passed...

Hikari was feeling nervous. Her performance was about to start after this next cosplayer's performance.

Kyoya stumbled back upon the area of the cosplay stage. He had wondered if he had missed Hikari's performance? He decided to stand there, at the FAR BACK of the crowd. As he had nothing much to do, right?

Hikari...

It was her performance now.

She took a deep breath and went ahead!

Kyoya was actually glad to see that he hadn't miss Hikari's performance.

The scenario she chose was a battle with Don Corneo. But a 'remix' of it, as she put it.

Her performance began:

The background now was of a beautiful blue Moon in the night sky...

It then went down on a castle...

Zooming inside a hideout...

Castle walls now showed on the screen with machines known as "Mosca" at the front...

Then Hikari came...

The stage dimmed as the Moscas now started to attack her...

Hikari then glowed her Sun Flames which she also glowed onto her sword...

She then very well co-ordinately did jumps and swipes at each Mosca she hit...

Her Sun Flames looked epic blending in...

Then the scene shifted high up...

Back to the background of the Moon...

Then the actual "Final Boss"...

A bigger Mosca, came...

Hikari then glowed her big sword immensely...

Briliiantly!

She...

Swiped it in a mix of 'Cloud's Omnislash' and...

Some other unique gymnastics co-ordination!

THE FINAL BOSS WAS NOW SLAIN!

Hikari...

Now had some clouded mist surrounding her on stage...

She went in front of the Moon and did a badass 'Cloud Strife Victory Pose'...

Her dress blowed gracefully to the side...

Her big sword held behind her...

Her Flames still emitting...

Rose petals began to fall on the backdrop over the Moon...

Her performance ended beautifully!

Everyone in the audience gave her a standing ovation!

Kyoya included!

He was in actual awe over Hikari's performance.

He felt like he was actually there in that scenario.

If you could call that a feeling?

Anyway, he hoped Hikari would win too.

Hikari was now waiting on stage with the other cosplayers waiting for the results. And...

"Kobayashi Hikari, first place!! CONGRATULATIONS!", the announcer declared! Hikari and Kyoya were both so happy!

Hikari went forward to the announcer and judges, shaking hands with all of them, and standing now with her 1st place trophy and cheque.

Kyoya went immediately up to her when she got off the stage.

"Hikari, congratulations! You were great!", Kyoya said to her in rare... Enthusiasm. Hikari of course was more shocked on how happy Kyoya seemed of her winning. And also to begin with how he actually watched her performance!

"Uhh... Thank Kyoya, wow!", was all Hikari managed to say, she... Still couldn't believe she won! She blushed sheepishly out of humbleness.

Kyoya... Was just staring at her with a small smile.

Hikari... Was puzzled at him? She then began to rummage through her bag. "Kyoya! Can you take a picture of me with my camera phone?", Hikari began to hand Kyoya her familiar... Old pink mobile phone. Hikari actually never wanted to give that phone away, even when she got a new phone. It was very precious to her, so she had turned it into her photo-taking device, her "camera phone".

Kyoya was taken aback at first, was he in daze? He anyway took it from her and began to signal her to pose. "Sure, say..."; "CHEESCAKE! BAHAHAAHAHA!", Hikari began to laugh, Kyoya rolled his eyes, smirking though, 'Cheescake, still, really?, he took a photo of her. It came out nicely! "Thank you, Kyoya! Also, later!", Hikari chirped at him, took back her phone, and began to roam around the convention. Kyoya did the same, in the 'infestation'...

Hikari was now waiting in queue for a gaming booth. As she waited, she... Was starting to get get tired. That tired.

'Ugh...', Hikari then rummaged to that small pocket, took out a capsule, with the red pill in it, and swallowed it. She continued waiting again...

But she still felt tired.

And now...

Even moreso tired.

"Uhhh...", she was... Starting to sweat.

'It's gonna take effect soon, don't worry', she said to herself. But...

She still grew tired.

Her breathing also now...

Started to slow...

And then...

Thud!

Hikari blacked out.

She fell hard to the floor.

Everyone near the gaming booth even those who were in queue, started to surround her.

Kyoya...

Was actually nearby. He was wondering suddenly why people went in a circle formation? So he went closer to inspect as security. And...

"Hikari!"

Kyoya now knelt onto the floor next to Hikari.

"Hikari... Can you hear me..."

"Huh..."

Hikari...

Could hear Kyoya, but...

Very faintly.

She felt...

Very weak.

Kyoya seeing how fazed she was... Her eyes looking eerily dim.

He went straight to calling for an ambulance.

"Hey! Call 119! We have someone faint here! We don't know what's the cause, it's an emergency..."

Hikari...

Just saw...

Lights...

And more lights...

As...

She was being moved...

She...

Felt Kyoya was there the whole time...

She...

Now was outside...

Now was in some vehicle...

She was now hearing sirens...

An ambulance?

She just kept staring at the top...

Just staring at it...

She could feel Kyoya saying words to her throughout...

The words she could somehow make out now...

"It's.. Going to be okay, Hikari..."

Hikari...

Just felt very weak...

Kyoya was agitatedly pensive! He really was on the edge now!

Sitting next to Hikari, and... Holding her hand. He gripped it firmly, hoping it gave some form of life to her.

He really just wanted them to arrive at the hospital now!

And finally they did!

He immediately railed Hikari on the stretcher towards the E.R...

The doctors, thankfully to Hibari, were going to check her...

Hikari was now...

Able to wake up.

She was on the bed in a hospital room with IVs attached to her now.

She was at first surprised but then furrowed as she remembered... Her dizzy spell.

looked out the window at her side and saw it had become night. She... Started to feel anxious. It seemed hours passed.

She even checked the clock now to confirm. But...

As she went to look at the clock, she met with Kyoya's face. His expression very serious, looking at her.

Hikari winced.

She...

Didn't want this moment.

Kyoya noticing she winced though, he...

Tried to soften his expression a bit.

"How are you feeling, Hikari?", he asked in a slightly lighter, gentler than usual tone.

"I'm fine.", Hikari said curtly. She... Really wanted this moment in the hospital to end.

Kyoya just cocked an eyebrow. "I'm glad to hear. The doctor in a while soon will get your results to finally determine what caused your blacking out". 'Oh no... Ugh!', Hikari grimaced.

SHE REALLY HATED HOSPITALS.

The doctor now came...

"Doctor, Hikari is awake now, but do you know what caused her blacking out?", Kyoya went up to the doctor instantly.

Hikari just took a deep breath... Bracing herself...

The reminder.

The doctor then looked at Hikari. He spoke, " Hikari Kobayashi, you have Generation Disease, which I'm assuming you are aware of? As your blood tests indicate that you at least have taken medicine for Level 1. But... The results came in now. And... Well, you're now Level 2."

Hikari's eyes widened.

She...

Felt a lot of emotions swirling in her... At first... Sad. But...

She then replaced it with anger.

She huffed and then began looking out the window.

Kyoya...

Was just in shock.

He had so many questions...

But he asked the main one.

"Doctor, what is Generation Disease? And... Is Level 2 worse?", Kyoya asked very seriously at the doctor. Hikari rolled her eyes...

"Yes. Level 2 is worse. But Ms. Kobayashi is at the early stages, she should... Be able to delay it with continued intake of the medicine prescribed. 'Generation Disease' is a genetic disease that only affects 1% of the Dying Flame user population. But... In the recent years, the numbers of cases have increased, sadly. Basically this disease is like...", the next words of the doctor shocked Kyoya completely.

Kyoya's eyes now completely widened. Hikari just huffed and continued looking out the window...

"The disease is like cancer for those who have Dying Will Flames"., the doctor explained.

Kyoya...

"Is there a cure?"

"No.", the doctor said, as it was such a natural answer.

Kyoya just stood there, his eyes still widened.

Hikari was just annoyed at everything. She kept looking outside.

With that the doctor tried to smile, and left. In Kyoya's hand they gave the prescriptions of all of Hikari's new medicine. Kyoya now looked at Hikari, he saw she was obviously avoiding eye contact by looking out the window.

"Hikari, why did you never tell me?", Kyoya began to inquire her sternly.

"You're not the only one I didn't tell, Kyoya", Hikari began to roll her eyes, her tone detached. She still continued to look out the window

Kyoya began to clench his jaw, "BUT YOU SHOULD'VE TOLD! THIS IS SERIOUS!"; "I KNOW THAT!!!!", Hikari shot back! She now... Even glared at him. She then... Felt bad. She started to look down, sighed, and then... Slowly looked back out the window. "I'm sorry.", she quickly, quietly said.

Kyoya at first was taken aback by her anger. But... After seeing her latest reaction, he... Started to feel bad for being angry at her too. He began to approach Hikari...

"Hey...", he said, he was... Trying to console her, in his own way.

"I'm... Just worried about you? You know. You're... My friend.", he tried to talk in a gentle tone as much. Favorably to Kyoya, Hikari responded by looking at him too.

"I know... You're my friend too! I'm... Very sorry I never told you in all these years. It's just... I really, REALLY hate ever thinking about it. I mean... I literally knew this ever since I was seven. It... Made me feel... Limited in so many ways in life." Kyoya just gave her an understanding nod. He... Tried not to look so solemn at her. He understood that the topic of having this disease really hurt Hikari.

Moments passed, and after purchasing Hikari's new medication, Hikari and Kyoya were able to go back to their homes. Kyoya of course naturally wanted to drop her.

They were in Kyoya's car. Kyoya was driving, of course. And Hikari was at the back as she was still in her cosplay dress this whole time. Hikari was just looking out the window. She... Was just reminiscing. She especially reminisced how much she missed...

"I miss your bike.", Hikari spoke.

Kyoya just looked at her from the rearview mirror, "Ya... But cars are more practical", and that was true, the first thing Kyoya did when he started earning was to get a car for his police work, as it could offer many pros that the bike couldn't. Hikari pressed on though...

"I miss, those days on it though, ahahaha...", she was just smiling while looking out the window.

Kyoya... Started to smile back through the rearview mirror, "Ya, I also agree that... Those days were fun." He continued watching the road...

Hikari and Kyoya arrived at Hikari's flat.

Hikari got out of the car, and began to half-bow at Kyoya politely, Something that still annoyed Kyoya as she didn't have to.

"Thank you, Kyoya, for helping me today.", Hikari said now standing up.

"It's okay, Hikari, I mean... You did faint"., Kyoya responded, he tried to act normal. Hikari appreciated it. Then...

Kyoya's stomach growled. He grumbled. Embarrassed.

Hikari snickered.

"Uhh.. You wanna stay for late dinner? I can make your favourite burger real quick!", Hikari suggested.

Kyoya, sheepishly agreed.

It was a short, slightly argumentative, yet fun... Warm late dinner. Kyoya went back home full. Full of food and...

Memories.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Time had passed since the revelation of Hikari's illness.

Kyoya made sure to always visit her despite his many obligations. Both work and sometimes personal.

Hikari was grateful. But lately...

She started to feel that, certain loneliness.

She started to reflect more on her illness. Having...

More negative thoughts lately.

Seeing as how everyone around her, from her college friends to work colleagues, and even Kyoya, had dated around. Hikari felt...

She had to find her dream guy, her Cloud Strife, right now!

So Hikari searched and waited. Then...

One day...

She started to develop feelings...

She...

Found him!

He...

He was the perfect Cloud Strife.

He was a guy she had met through a college event.

One of the days, Kyoya came at Hikari's place after work to check on her. Kyoya had found it peculiar that Hikari hadn't opened the door yet as he rang the bell three times already, so he decided to phone her. As he was doing that though, he then saw Hikari walking towards her house. But Kyoya with... Some fair-haired guy.

She then noticed Kyoya, and greeted him as always, "Kyoya! You came today too? Ahh, so sorry if you had to wait!", Hikari apologized loudly.

The guy next to Hikari then noticed, Kyoya's hard stare. "Uh, see ya some time later then, Hikari?", the young man said smiling, Hikari then responded, looking back slightly sad, "Oh, okay, Claude. See ya! But please message back, okay, baby?", she said very lightly, and... Kissed him on the cheek. The guy chuckled a bit, blushed, and left.

Kyoya... Just looked on to the two of them. 'Baby?'.

"Who was that guy?", Kyoya directly asked.

"Oh, ehehe!", Hikari began to blush. Kyoya got... Very curious. Hikari continued on.

"He's Sakudate Claude. He's from the university near my college. He studies Business. He's half-Japanese. He's a Dying Will Flame user, a Cloud Flame. And... He's my boyfriend, ahahahaha!", Hikari blushed even more, giggling profusely. Kyoya...

"Oh, uh, that's... Good news, Hikari. I'm...", he... "I'm happy for you".

"Ahh, thank you Kyoya!", Hikari chirped back happily.

Kyoya... He smiled back. But... He started to get a strange feeling in his chest. It was probably because it was the first time he saw Hikari in a relationship. Ya... That was it.

So the days and weeks started to pass...

Claude would sometimes be there before Kyoya whenever Kyoya visited Hikari in her house. Kyoya didn't mind Claude. The guy... Was actually decent. Even if Kyoya... Didn't want to admit that he was very eloquent. Claude... Could keep up conversations that Kyoya couldn't. It... Did...Sometimes bother him.

Kyoya noticed as well that, Claude adapted well to Hikari's work and hobbies. He helped Hikari with her homework better. He calculated and advised Hikari better. He even used his Cloud Flames to help with Hikari's menial tasks like cosplays and her health better. He... Was just better for Hikari!

Hikari was always inviting to Kyoya whenever Claude was there. She always treated Kyoya like how she always did: being a good friend. She always gave Kyoya food whenever he visited, even sometimes asking what he wanted first? She always talked and listened to Kyoya. She... Never in a way made her attention to Kyoya less when he was there. But... Despite that...

Kyoya... He... Felt... That... Strange feeling... He... Didn't understand. It... Stirred... And it... Started to... Grow... And... Irritate him.

One day, while he was patrolling he saw Hikari from afar, in front of a park. Kyoya wanted to go up to her and just chat.

But then he saw her with Claude.

He stopped.

But again, walked.

And then...

Hikari and Claude kissed.

The kiss ended briefly.

Claude and Hikari began to blush and laugh now.

Kyoya...

He turned away...

He…

Felt…

That feeling...

Now grow...

BIG!

He...

Realized.

He... Started to feel dejected from Hikari.

Not only then...

But every moment from then whenever he saw or heard her.

He started to either avoid or simply ignore her whenever she interacted.

And one day...

A day where THANKFULLY for Kyoya! Claude was not there. He and Hikari were now hanging out in her house. Kyoya was on the couch. And Kyoya... Was pretty silent. That feeling... It was there... It had made him also get irritated of...

Hikari.

"Ahahaha!", Hikari was laughing to herself giddy in the corner of her small flat, where she always worked on her cosplays. She was making her cosplay for the "Cosplay Ball" event she and Claude had applied. It was still a dress in planning stages; six months away from the actual event. It was going to be an "Aerith dress", a character from Final Fantasy VII, a game Hikari had always loved, and being the character Hikari always wanted to cosplay perfectly. She was designing and just musing to herself happily...

Kyoya felt sick at her. He spoke.

"Why are you laughing so much?", he said, actually bluntly.

"Oh, sorry Kyoya. I'm... Just so happy cause me and Claude are go-", Kyoya cut her off.

"Well, it's damn annoying, keep it to yourself!", Kyoya said very coldly.

Hikari... Started to feel...

"Uhh... Okay. Sorry Kyoya, that... You're in such a bad mood", Hikari rolled her eyes at him, quite perplexed. She still felt...

Hibari had it. He got up.

"Bad mood? Psshht! I say that because you're still annoyingly childish as ever!", Kyoya started to retort aggresively at her.

Hikari... Was feeling her own anger rise. Just... 'Why?'.

"Umm... Sorry, again, Kyoya! That I just want to feel happy for something I always wanted", Hikari began to intensely gaze at him, as she also got up from her corner. She tried not to glare. But...

Kyoya continued, harshly.

"It's just a stupid event! For...", Kyoya... He... Deep down... Did want to stop. But... That feeling... Just... Wanted to make things worse.

"FOR FREAKS LIKE YOU!", Kyoya, shot at her, so... Much.

Hikari...

She... Felt...

More than anger...

Hurt.

Hikari's eyes widened. They... Started to burn.

She went to Kyoya...

And...

SMACK!

Kyoya, he was in shock.

His... Face hurt. A lot.

Hikari had slapped him.

She started to look down...

"Kyoya, leave.", her voice, for the first time to Kyoya's hearing sounded, so bitter.

"Really! Hika-", Kyoya was cut off immediately by the flare of Hikari's Sun Flames. They... Popped and burned instead of just glow.

Kyoya, he, "Why are you telling me to leave!"; "YOU KNOW WHY!!!", Hikari was completely furious at him now. Her Sun Flames had increased the volume, and rage, in her tone. She was completely glaring at him.

Kyoya... Had never seen such a cold expression on Hikari's face.

He wanted to respond further, but, "Kyoya, just leave. I... Never want to see you again."

Hikari's back was now facing him.

Kyoya... "Fine, I'll leave, for good". And with that he walked to Hikari's door, and stepped out. Closing it. It's echoes...

Hikari then fell onto her knees...

Kyoya he was outside now. He stood by Hikari's door for a moment. As he was about to take another step...

"Uhaahaahaaauughhuahhahh....", he heard that faint sound...

Of Hikari crying.

Kyoya, he... Started to lean onto the door with his back. He slumped. He...

Felt terrible.

Inside Hikari started to use her Sun Flames on her chest... Like she always did whenever she was in pain...

She cried and cried for what seemed to go on like hours now...

The sun had set, and it was now night.

Hikari had finally stopped crying.

Kyoya...

He finally got up.

He...

Wanted to knock at the door.

But...

His 'pride' wouldn't allow him.

So he left.

Without looking back again.

~~~~~~~End of first ‘9’~~~~~~~

I anyway hope you all look forward to seeing the reblog of the next “9” / ‘Part 2’❣️✨😭

If you wanna reread the first part? I recommend listening to these following songs!

youtube

And yes, these kinda helped inspire me! XD

And YES! This Summer IS ICHIGO KUROSAKI SUMMER!! BAHAHAHAHA!!❣️❣️✨🧡💛

You can also listen to the KHR fandom classic, Sakura Addiction💜✨🌸 as well, ahahaha...

youtube

Admin signing off now!✨❣️💞💕💖

~ Admin Nao ✨💜💖.

#KHR Canon x OC #KHR Imagines #variahq #Admin Nao #Hibari #Hibari Kyoya #KHR #Youtube #Kyoya Hibari

6 notes · View notes

angstyaches · 1 year

Note

thinking about mitsuko and bastian rn 😈

can you write sick bastian with caretaker mitsuko? we’ve never seen him sick before, right? 🍄

Hahaha OOPS, this got long.

Context: Takes place shortly before they become a couple (I thought that would be better, for the ✨angst✨). Also: a gold star for anyone who knows why Mitsuko growls and pulls away near the end 👀

Word Count: 4,700ish

CW: work stress, sickness, fever, dizziness, confusion, vomit, hiding sickness, food description, pining.

___

Sucking in air through a mask – when most of that air seemed to be made of steam – was proving more and more difficult as time went on. Bastian was starting to see stars at the edges of his vision, and it was getting less and less likely that he could keep powering through the ache that was building in his temples.

Somehow, every time he felt he was about to lose all feeling in his body and black out on the floor, he kept going.

He wasn’t sure if that feeling was met with relief, victory, or disappointment.

“Mendoza!” a raspy voice from across the kitchen barked over all of the other noise – the hissing, the crackling, the whooshing, the bubbling.

Bastian’s skeleton almost leapt out of his skin. For a heavy smoker with bad lungs, Chef Yamashita could make himself heard when needed.

“I need that sauce now!”

“Hai, Chef…” A spike of adrenaline made Bastian’s hands move faster.

For the next twenty seconds or so, his heartbeat was the loudest sound in the kitchen. He blinked and found himself dishing up food with hands that trembled like he was caught up in an earthquake, not in the average Saturday-evening-dinner-time rush.

As the bowls were promptly swept away, Bastian found himself wondering – with a queasy feeling in his stomach – whether the presentation had been up to scratch. He’d been focusing so hard on not spilling something over the edge of the bowl, he hadn’t paid much attention to how it had looked in the bowl. Oh, well. If he’d fucked something up, the owner would read about it online and Bastian would get an earful later.

It was, quite simply, not his problem right now. That was all he had, and he clung to it desperately.

Realising he had nothing to work on for the next few minutes, Bastian ducked away to the bathroom. As rare and wonderful as a toilet break could be, fresh air would have been much more appreciated; unfortunately, the restaurant was on the seventh floor and the only outdoor space adjacent to the kitchen was on the fire escape, and… well, Bastian could do without a bout of vertigo on top of everything else.

He gulped nervously just at the thought of it, his legs swaying as he pictured himself suspended on nothing but a sheet of metal.

As soon as he was alone, Bastian tugged off his face mask and gulped at the air. It wasn’t much cooler in here, but it was marginally less humid than the kitchen. In the mirror, his entire face glistened with sweat, beads of it glistening in the thick strands of his beard. He grimaced as he noticed that the mask in his hand was soaked through, almost transparent. He’d need to grab a fresh one at some point.

Bastian grimaced as he pulled his hand towel out of his pocket and scrubbed it unceremoniously over his face and neck. He ran cold water over his hands and wrists and splashed his cheeks with it. He felt slightly better, his soul no longer eager to evacuate his body to escape the stifling heat. But now that relative silence settled around him, he could no longer ignore the throbbing on either side of his skull, like a big set of tongs was squeezing him and preparing to flip him over.

He planted a hand on the edge of the sink, not liking how weak his arm felt under the weight of his body. The black lines of his tattoos started to swirl back and forth as he stared at them, so he shut his eyes.

And that was so much worse.

Nausea bubbled in the pit of his stomach, hot and acidic, like Bastian had swallowed something nuclear and it was cooking his insides. He threw that onto the ever-growing list of things he just didn’t have time to deal with.

Any second now, he’d hear Chef Yamashita roaring for him.

Five more seconds, he told himself, drawing a deep breath and savouring the tepid ceramic against his palms and the muted murmur of activity on the other side of the walls. None of it was particularly pleasant, but he knew he’d miss it once he was back out there amidst the hustle, bustle, and craziness. Five more seconds, and I’ll get back out there.

___

When he finally broke free of the kitchen and started making his way through the cramped, busy dining space towards the elevator, Bastian was just about ready to drop. He almost seriously considered curling up on the floor and going to sleep under one of the tables, just so he wouldn’t have to make the journey home.

But he forced himself into the elevator and slumped against the wall as the thing moved. His stomach protested at the disorienting shift, and before the doors opened, Bastian had muffled two thick, acidic burps behind his fist.

When the lift opened and the street came into view, so did a woman with two long, smooth pigtails tied at the crown of her head. She was wearing a pair of silky black shorts, and a cropped, puckered white blouse decorated with frills and bows. Her platform Mary Jane shoes made her look taller than she really was, but Bastian knew she’d still go up onto her toes when she hugged him.

He started to move a little faster, no longer caring about the dizziness in his head or the lurching in his stomach. He didn’t care about anything then.

Just Mitsuko.

She looked up from her phone – knowing her, she’d probably been playing Mario Kart – and her face lit up when she saw him coming. God, she was an oasis in the desert, a cool waterfall in the middle of a damp jungle, and all he wanted to do was lose himself in her.

“Hello!” She treated him to a gorgeous little two-handed wave.

Bastian couldn’t even greet her. He just sort of fell against her, scooping her body close to his own.

“Aw,” she said softly, rocking up onto her toes, just like he’d known she would.

For a couple of seconds, Bastian was surrounded by pure bliss. She smelled like honey. Did she know she smelled like honey? Did she intentionally smell like honey?

Then Mitsuko touched her heels to the ground again and freed one arm from the embrace. She seemed to be trying to do something with her other hand. He was in no way ready to end the hug, but it occurred to Bastian that he was pinning her inconveniently in place.

Plus, it wasn’t fair to subject her to the ungodly amount of sweat that was pouring out of him. He stepped away from her, but she didn’t seem at all disgusted or concerned. After all, it was Japan in August, and Bastian worked in an enclosed, fast-paced environment. With fire and hot water.

“Here you are. A present.” She handed him a can of his favourite cold coffee – which he immediately lifted and pressed against the side of his neck, all without breaking contact with her stunningly dark eyes.

“O-oh... thank you,” he said. There was a slight tremour in his voice. He couldn’t recall ever getting emotional over coffee before, but this coffee, coming from her? It seemed to break and heal something in him all at once.

Mitsuko’s eyelids dipped, and her smile deepened.

Bastian followed her out of the building, his smile wavering as the outside air hit him in the face and the throat. The sun had gone down, but the concrete and tarmac remembered the heat of the day, and spewed it back up at the people trudging home or to the izakaya. It was so humid, and Bastian was so thirsty, he was certain there was more water clinging to the outside of his skin than inside his body.

“So, wh-what are you doing here?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t miss you.” Mitsuko smirked over her shoulder. “I just wanted to take a walk.”

Bastian hurried to keep up with her energetic pace. Droplets of sweat clung to the back of his neck and his forehead. “Sure you did, cool girl.”

“And… to get McDonald’s.”

He fidgeted with the pull ring on the can of coffee she’d given him, feeling the condensation from the metal mingling – but not mixing – with the sweat on his hands. With how his stomach felt, the last thing he would have done after work was drink a coffee.

But she had gotten it for him. She had anticipated that he’d appreciate something cold after work. Not only that, she had... gone out of her way to see him? She was wonderful. And right now, the coffee was an extension of her, so it would be wonderful, too.

He cracked the can open and took a short swig. A sickly fluid started to flow into the gaps under his tongue, accompanied by a sharp tingling in his cheeks.

“How was work?”

“Oh, just…” Bastian pressed a finger to his mouth as the sweet, milky liquid seemed to stick in the back of his throat even after swallowing twice. He coughed to clear his throat, eyes widening as it occurred to him that he might just throw up from the contraction.

Thankfully, one more careful swallow got it down, and kept down everything that was already there. The over-production of saliva seemed to fade, too.

Mitsuko cocked her head as they walked, the slightest concern tugging at her face.

“It was just… so busy.”

“Mmm. You look busy.” Mitsuko shook her head at herself. “Mmm? No… dono yo ni...”

“I look like I was busy?”

“Yes. You look bad.”

Bastian let out a weak chuckle. “Mitch. We don’t say that.”

She turned her gaze up towards him, curious.

“’You look bad’ doesn’t really mean ‘you look like you feel bad’, it… It sounds the same as ‘you look ugly’.”

She shook her head and flicked the back of her hand towards Bastian’s torso. When it brushed against his stomach, Bastian had the strong urge to pin it there, imagining that it would soothe the ache a little.

“You’re handsome,” she said matter-of-factly. “You know this.”

Bastian almost choked on a sip of coffee. “Do I?”

“Yes, you do.”

He tried to mimic the inquisitive look she’d given him a few months ago, which made her crack another smile as she shrugged.

“You have so many photos of yourself.”

“I what?”

“On your smartphone!”

“Those – I-I – when did you...? Those are for checking my beard after shaving!” Bastian rubbed self-consciously at the side of his neck, instinctively feeling out how bad the stubble below his jawline was. “There are angles you just can’t get with a mirror.”

“You can delete them after look, then.”

“Okay, I also like tracking the progress of its growth…” Bastian poked Mitsuko’s shoulder. All he wanted was to keep hearing her voice. In fact, it was possible that her presence – in addition to the fresh(er) air – was healing him a bit, because he couldn’t stop smiling. “And what are you talking about, cool girl? How many selfies do you have on your phone?”

“They’re for my Insta!”

“It’s the same thing.”

Mitsuko shook her head and caught hold of his elbow. “Crazy boy.”

Bastian felt himself flush. He’d never had any friends who were big on physical contact, but she seemed to feel it was normal and acceptable. He wasn’t complaining; he just hoped she would assume he was sweaty because of the weather, not for some other reason.

He enjoyed walking with her, and listening to her talk about her day, so much that he didn’t mind walking with his head spinning and his stomach doing flips. He took tiny, frequent sips of his coffee and found it wasn’t so bad. He was thirstier than he’d realised, and it was helping to cool him down.

His pace did slow, however, as Mitsuko pointed towards the McDonald’s sign. The yellow ‘M’ had no business glowing so brightly amongst the cluster of signs full of kanji that Bastian couldn’t read. Even katakana was proving tricky for him in this state.

“You... weren’t joking about wanting McDonald’s?”

“Nope! Do you want something?” Mitsuko asked.

He peered up into the restaurant. The tills were close to the door, to prioritise takeaways, which made the ten people waiting to order and collect their food seem like a dense crowd.

Not to mention the smell of potato fries sizzling in oil hit him like a punch to the gut; after being stuck in the kitchen all day, the last thing he wanted was to be surrounded by the smell of food.

“No, no.” Bastian was trembling, his stomach rumbling uncomfortably. “I’ll wait for you here. I already had dinner at the restaurant.”

The flicker of surprise in Mitsuko’s eyes made his stomach flutter.

“Okay,” she said, but she didn’t let go of his arm. As much as he adored being so close to her, Bastian prayed she let go soon, because he was certain that he was going to need to burp in the next minute or two.

Luckily, she pulled away, blissfully unaware of the chaotic tossing of his stomach.

“Just a moment.”

“Take your time.” It was hard not to sound like he was begging.

He grimaced as he watched her go inside, and let the fake smile drop away as soon as she was gone.

He took a few steps down the street and sagged against a wall. Traffic noise swirled in his head and seemed to come from all around, not just the road. He felt sweat droplets coarse down through his leg hairs. He had stomach cramps so intense that it was a miracle he’d been standing and walking upright this entire time.

“Urp – ugh.” Bastian smacked his lips, wishing he could dispel the sweet flavour of the coffee. The last thing he’d eaten had been a portion of fish and rice mid-morning, and on top of everything else, he was tasting it again now. Right down to the parsley seasoning.

His stomach rumbled again, and he felt the vibrations all the way up in the back of his throat.

Not good. He’d have to think of some excuse not to keep hanging out with Mitsuko. He needed to get home. He was headed for a disaster, and he’d rather she were nowhere near him when that happened.

The way she’d looked at him just now... Was it possible that she was feeling something similar to what he was feeling? Not the nausea, dizziness, and general unpleasantness, but... the other feeling? The one that had prodded at his mind, kept him awake, made his heart skip beats, ever since they’d become friends?

It sounded too perfect to be true. But if there was a chance, he wasn’t about to mess it up.

“Hey.”

Bastian jumped, swallowing a mixture of saliva and acid. He smiled weakly at the sight of Mitsuko stepping out of the restaurant. Crap. He hadn’t even had a chance to get any burps up, or to think of an excuse to go home.

“Hey. That was... quick.”

“Uh-huh.” She was propping up a paper bag between her belly and her elbow. “It’s called fast food, Bastian.”

“Yeah, that’s... true.”

Although Mitsuko was clearly ready to get going, Bastian couldn’t bring himself to hoist his body away from the support of the wall, but he knew he needed to. Mitsuko hadn’t noticed his unusual posture yet – she was busy rummaging in her paper bag for a couple of fries, which she popped into her mouth – but she would, and she’d worry.

Oh, but the smell of the food was outside with him now, turning his stomach with its aroma of salt and grease.

A few more minutes, Bastian told himself. A few more minutes, and he could break down. Once he’d made his excuses, he just needed to get to the station, say goodbye to her, get on the train, and get home.

He could do this.

He stood up straight with a smile.

Mitsuko pulled her hand out of her McDonald's bag. She was holding a chicken nugget between her fingers, but instead of bringing it to her mouth, she was extending it towards Bastian.

"Would you like one?"

Bastian took one look at the crispy, gnarled coating of the nugget, and his teeth did him the unnecessary favour of conjuring up how the spongy texture of the chicken would feel as he bit through it.

And suddenly he was bent double, retching from the very pit of his stomach, as Mitsuko tottered backwards on her chunky shoes.

"Bastian!" she screamed.

His first instinct was to beg her not to be so loud, not to draw any more attention to them; but before he could say anything, he was doubling over again, his insides roiling and clenching as he dispelled some more thick, orange vomit onto the sidewalk. It splattered out in tiny droplets, speckling the concrete, and Bastian couldn’t help but wonder how many times this particular path had been the victim of someone’s stomach contents.

Mitsuko had a hand on his back, and she was fretting away in quickfire Japanese that his brain couldn’t even begin to keep up with. It wasn’t until she switched to English again that he began to feel like she was actually speaking to him.

“Bastian, how long do you feel sick?”

“I –” Bastian raised his head, and Mitsuko’s face split into two blurry copies of itself. He sagged against the wall again, clumsily sidestepping the pungent puddle he’d created. “Since I – mmph – ”

He broke off into a wet belch that felt like it had gurgled up from very low in his stomach, even deeper than his belly button. He gently pressed a hand to his queasy gut; he’d resisted doing this so far, but since being humbled by the reality of puking in front of her, he wasn’t so much bothered anymore.

“I’m s-sorry, Mitch.”

Her dark eyes widened as she tilted her head, peering up into his face as though she’d lost something in the thickness of his beard or his eyebrows. “Why are you sorry?”

“I didn’t want you to...” Bastian paused, eyelids fluttering against a wave of vertigo. He held fast against another bubbling belch that tickled his throat, and managed to swallow this back one down. “To see me like this.”

“Crazy boy. Dousho ka na...” Mitsuko mumbled, rummaging in her handbag for her phone.

That’s it, Bastian thought, panic seizing hold of his thumping heart. She was surely about to block him on social media, walk away, and never contact him again. And who could blame her? He was a disgusting mess, and she was stunning, elegant, perfect.

A burning streak of annoyance spliced the nausea for a moment. How had he let himself consider that she liked him?

He lowered his gaze, and it was then that he realised her glossy platform shoes had been in the splash zone during that second, powerful heave. His sick was streaking against the toes and buckles, and tiny splatters had made it into the white, frilled cotton of her socks.

Shit. Bastian didn’t often cry – didn't often feel the need – but a sob pressed on his sore, abused throat just then. Either the fever was truly messing him up, or he was in way deeper than he’d even realised.

She was the coolest girl he’d ever met, and he was a sweaty, struggling entry-level cook with barely-passable Japanese and what was possibly the most toxic-smelling stomach acid on Earth. He wished he could have at least moved away from the mess before collapsing against the wall.

While Mitsuko was on her phone, the blurry shape of a passer-by caught Bastian’s hazy attention. The person turned their head to scowl at his vomit on the ground, but instead of eyeing him next, they eyed Mitsuko. She was oblivious, still tapping at something on her phone screen, but it made Bastian’s blood boil and his sickly stomach drop.

Mitsuko didn’t deserve this kind of negative attention. She deserved to wear her pretty shoes and to eat her chicken nuggets in peace.

Oh, god, those damn chicken nuggets. Even though Bastian hadn’t put one in his mouth, the memory of the thought of the taste and texture rolled his stomach over yet again. He shut his eyes and pressed his lips together in a pitiful show of defiance, even as his body instinctively leaned to the side. The surface of the wall tugged on the fibres of his shirt and felt abrasive against his shoulder.

“Oh –” Mitsuko exclaimed softly, and suddenly a gentle yet sturdy hand was propping him up by the waist, so that he didn’t slide down the length of the wall and end up falling hip-first into his own sick. “Kawai so, Bastian. Are you okay?”

He responded with a thick mouthful of bile, noisily ejected. Mitsuko was out of range this time, but even if she hadn’t been, he wasn’t confident that he could have avoided her shoes.

“A taxi is coming,” Mitsuko said, with a tone so reassuring that Bastian wanted to wrap it around himself.

“Wh-what?” he stammered, the weight of his own saliva slurring his speech.

“We’ll take a taxi to your apartment now,” Mitsuko said. “If you are sick tomorrow, we’ll take a taxi to a clinic.”

A clinic? Through the hellish fever and nausea, Bastian almost chuckled. In his family, a visit to the doctor – or, God forbid, the hospital – was reserved for when someone was literally in danger of dying, not for chills and some tummy issues.

He knew Mitsuko was bring serious, though, because a few months ago, she had mentioned that her sister Yumi had visited a doctor when she’d had flu symptoms for more than two days.

What a different world he lived in now.

“Ah... I think this is ours.” Mitsuko was peering up the street, straining to see around the traffic that had built up at the nearest pedestrian crossing. The hand supporting Bastian’s waist smoothed a little reassuring circle through his shirt. “Ja. Yatte mi you. Are you ready?”

“Mm,” Bastian grumbled miserably. He was still processing the fact that she was even still here, let along that she was trying to help him.

Mitsuko wrapped her arms further around Bastian’s waist, tugging him towards her. Lips trembling and legs like jelly, Bastian turned his gaze towards her in disbelief. Was she... trying to make him lean on her? On her, whose head barely crested his shoulders in platform shoes?

“M-Mitsuko, I’m..” Bastian swallowed, trying not to focus on the churning in his stomach or the fact that she was holding him so tightly even now that he three times sweatier than before. “Too heavy for you.”

“I’m strong, Bastian. Believe me.”

In the moment, he found that he did believe her. Not that he had much of a choice. It was her or the wall, and he didn’t quite fancy camping outside the McDonalds’ all night.

He wasn’t sure if he blacked out, or if the fever warped his perception for a little while, but everything that happened between the sidewalk and the front door of his apartment was a nonsensical chain of confusion.

He slumped across the back seats and Mitsuko pulled his head to her shoulder; he was almost certain that was real. He hoped it was, anyway. She rubbed his shoulder – probably oblivious to how her touch set his skin ablaze – and whispered reassuringly as he struggled not to vomit on the floor of the car. He was fairly sure that all happened, too.

But Mitsuko had... Well, she’d said she was strong, but as far as Bastian could tell, she practically carried him all the way from the taxi, up the stairs, to his apartment. She didn’t scoop him up and hold him bridal-style or anything, but Bastian had the faint sense that, while he was leaning on her, she took about 90% of his weight the entire time. Impossible, of course, and therefore almost certainly a fabrication of his overheating brain.

“Should’ve tidied,” he heard himself mutter as they walked into his one-room apartment.

Mitsuko blew a little raspberry as she led Bastian, hobbling, to his unmade futon. “It’s nicer than Kaz’s place.”

He shivered as he lay, getting listlessly lost in the depressing thought that she put him in the same category as her younger brother.

But then he felt her gently unbuttoning his shirt. He swallowed thickly and tried to remain as still as he could, seated at the edge of his futon while she crouched in front of him. She had seen his bare chest and stomach before, at the beach, but his head felt like it was boiling from the inside as he became more and more exposed.

Mitsuko then slipped her hands inside his open shirt, brushing the fabric back towards his shoulders, attempting to get it off of him.

And then she jolted back from him, and let out a deep, animalistic growl.

A growl? Surely that wasn’t right. Bastian’s brain must have been muddling things up again. Still, he frowned up at her, reckoning he definitely looked as pathetic as he felt.

“A-are you okay?” he croaked.

“Yes...” Mitsuko stared blankly into the air, squeezing the fingers of her own hand as though they hurt. “Sorry.”

She didn’t make another attempt to remove his shirt, or mention it again; something must have distracted her. Bastian was probably reading too much into it, thanks to the fact that his thoughts felt like scrambled eggs. In the end, he shrugged the shirt off by himself and dropped it on the floor.

He didn’t remove the thick, silver chain that bore his grandfather’s crucifix. He rarely did, unless he was shirtless outdoors, where it might leave an odd tan line.

“Okay. Lie down,” Mistuko said.

Bastian did. His pillow case was crisp against his cheek and smelled faintly of plastic; he still hadn’t washed his bedding since buying it. He was suddenly a little self-conscious about how flimsy his life in Tokyo must have looked. He had been so exhausted after work every night that he hadn’t even unpacked all of his boxes yet.

Anyone might have thought that he was ready to leave the country at a moment’s notice.

And the last person he wanted to think that was here, nearly over his futon.

“Kawai sou,” Mitsuko whispered. She brushed a hand over Bastian’s hair, and he honestly thought he might float away to Heaven. Her hand was... shaking a little, but maybe she was just stressed out by how sick he was. “Did you feel sick at work today?”

Bastian sighed. “A little.”

Mitsuko shook her head. “A little?”

“A... A lot.”

Now it was her turn to sigh. “You work too hard, Bastian. You have so many new things in your life. It’s too much.”

Bastian felt his lower lip start to quiver.

“You have to be... kind to yourself,” Mitsuko whispered, with a wisdom and a sobriety that didn’t exactly match her personality. And yet, it seemed as familiar to him as her bouncy pigtails, her teasing smile.

He reached up to take her hand in his, hoping she could see past the clamminess and appreciate his appreciation of her. She let out a low sound – it could almost have been described as a wince, but again, Bastian could have sworn it'd been a growl – and pulled her hand free, but immediately gave Bastian her other one.

Odd. But before he could begin to question it, his ears were being treated to her soft voice again.

“You shouldn’t be alone when you’re sick. Kazuhito is going to bring his extra futon,” she said. “So I can sleep here and be here when you wake up.”

Bastian swallowed over the pain in his throat. He couldn’t believe he was spending the night with Mitsuko for the first time ever, and he was about ready to black out already. Not to mention he was probably going to sweat himself silly and spew his guts at least once during the night.

“Th-thanks, cool girl.”

“You’re welcome, crazy boy.”

#StW Bastian #StW Mitsuko #sickfic #emeto #emeto sickfic #emetophilia #stomach ache fic #fever fic #hurt comfort #hurt and comfort #anon #mushroom anon #🍄 anon

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