#my dr was SO nice to me that i just burst out crying

[entropys]

if you are a professor you most likely experience students crying in your office so u give them a better grade but have you ever had a student crying in your office for an F

[massivedrickhead]

41. "Sleep. I'll keep you safe.”

Oopsie, I got a little serious with this one. Defintely more hurt/comfort than fluff. I don't know if this is good or not, I'm very tired and this took much longer to write than I thought it would.

Trigger warnings: violence, injury, blood, panic attack

Prompt taken from here

Read on AO3

-

Chloe’s hands were shaking as she gripped the steering wheel, her driving bordering on reckless, as she sped down the highway and towards the hospital.

Theo’s words were still ringing in her ears as she thought of every possible scenario, each one worse than the last. 

“Don’t freak out, but there was an incident at Beca’s show.”

Chloe laid on her horn as a car swerved out of its lane in front of her, and she forced herself to slow down.

She’d be no use to Beca if she got herself killed.

“What do you mean an incident?! What happened?!”

“She’s okay, but we’re taking her to the hospital.”

Her heart was hammering so hard in her chest that she thought it might break through her ribs. She’d never been so happy to see the sign for her exit.

When she reached the hospital she parked haphazardly in the first space she saw, and sprinted towards the ER, where she knew Theo was waiting for her.

“You don’t need to come-”

“Don’t even bother finishing that sentence.”

She pushed her way through the crowd of paparazzi that the hospital security was managing to hold back.

By the time they realised who she was Chloe had made it through the double doors and was marching towards Theo.

Their shouts and the flashing of their cameras chased her down the hall.

“Theo!” She said, as soon as he was in sight.

She saw him tense and brace himself.

“Chloe-” he began, his hands held up as if to try and placate her.

“Where is she?” 

He sighed and gestured for her to follow him. “She’s getting stitched up. I told you, she’s okay. She’s cracking jokes with the nurses and everything.”

Chloe had to swallow every ounce of anger she had because if she didn’t she would have hit him.

“Don’t tell me she’s okay,” Chloe said. “How the hell could you let this happen?”

“Don’t blame this on me,” he snapped back. “How the hell was I supposed to know some weirdo fan would bring a brick to a meet and greet?”

Chloe stopped walking, a cold wave of nausea sweeping over her. “What?” She asked, her voice now quiet and shaking, 

He grimaced and stopped too. “Sorry,” he said. “I hadn’t told you the details yet, had I?”

Chloe felt like she was going to throw up, or pass out, or burst into tears. “Someone hit her with a brick?”

Theo nodded.

“Wha… How?”

“He wrapped it,” Theo said. “Had it in a gift bag. Venue security didn’t question it when he went through the bag check.”

Chloe’s hands were covering her mouth as tears filled her eyes. “He could have killed her,” she said.

“She’s okay,” Theo said. “They did a head CT and it came back clear, it’s just a superficial wound.”

“Please, just take me to her,” Chloe said. Theo nodded and they carried on walking.

Chloe could hear the laughter before she got to the room, and she tried to quickly remove any trace that she’d been crying.

Theo opened the door to the private room Beca had been given, and Beca’s smile grew as she saw Chloe enter.

“Hey,” she said. “You didn’t have to come.”

“Shut up,” Chloe said, any attempt at trying to seem calm out of the window. “Of course I had to come.”

Beca rolled her eyes, which was difficult for her to do while someone was stitching up the gash on her forehead. “Everyone, this is my wife Chloe. Chloe, meet Dr Bauer, who is the head of plastics.” She gestured to the doctor stitching her up. “And this is his intern Dr Larson, who apparently isn’t allowed anywhere near me with a needle.”

“Not on his first week he’s not,” Dr Bauer said. “I’m not having you out there on tour with a messy scar because I let some intern botch your stitches. Nice to meet you, by the way,” he added glancing at Chloe.

Chloe just nodded.

“Here, honey,” a nurse said, who had been sitting at Beca’s other side. She gestured to her spot. “I offered to hold her hand until you got here.”

“This is Nurse Stevens,” Beca said.

“Trish,” the nurse said, shaking Chloe’s hand.

Again, Chloe just smiled politely and took the nurse’s seat. She took hold of Beca’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

She wanted all of these people to leave.

She needed them all to leave.

Because Beca might have seemed calm, but Chloe knew her wife.

Chloe knew when she was On, and Beca was On right now. She was Beca Mitchell the popstar. The Grammy winner. The celebrity.

These people would go home and talk to their friends and family about this. They’d remember it. 

And Chloe knew that Beca was doing everything in her power to mask how she was really feeling.

Because Beca had never been good at letting her guard down, and her years in the spotlight had hardened every one of her defences. Had made her an expert at putting on a smile and hiding how she really felt.

But Chloe could see right through them.

She’d always been able to see right through them.

And she knew without a doubt that, right now, Beca was terrified. 

They’d been able to read each other like a book for years now, and Chloe could see the fear burning in her eyes. Could feel it in the way that Beca squeezed her hand. 

Beca was running on adrenaline, and she was using it all to keep the shake from her voice. To keep the persona up. 

She hated Theo for not being able to see it.

He’d told her Beca was okay, but she was far from it. 

“Do you know how much longer?” Chloe asked, voicing the question that Beca couldn’t. 

“Almost done,” he said. 

Chloe ran her thumb back and forth across Beca’s knuckles and gave her hand another light squeeze.

You’re okay, I’ve got you.

“And she can go home after this?”

“Sure,” he said. “Neuro checks came back clear, so once these are done she’ll be good to go.” He looked at his intern. “What does she need to watch out for over the next few days?”

“Uh, headaches that don’t go away with painkillers, vomiting, loss of consciousness, seizures, memory loss, changes in behaviour, vision loss-”

“Kid, I’m not going to remember any of this,” Beca said. “And that’s not because of the head injury.”

“We’ll give you some pamphlets,” he said, blushing slightly. “All the information is in there.”

“Thank you,” Chloe said.

“Okay,” Dr Bauer said, “you are good to go, Ms Mitchell.”

“Thanks so much,” Beca said. “If I ever need a face-lift, I know who I’m coming to.”

“Really, thank you for everything,” Chloe said. She turned to Trish. “Thank you for taking such good care of her.”

“Just doing our jobs,” she said, smiling. “Ms Mitchell, if you want to hop in here, we can get you moving.” She patted the seat of a wheelchair that an orderly had just brought.

“Really guys, I can walk,” Beca said. Chloe could see that her edges were beginning to fray. 

“Hospital policy,” Trish said. “Come on, we’ve rolled out the red carpet and everything.”

Beca shrugged and smiled, and got into the wheelchair. 

“There’s, um, a few paparazzi at the main entrance,” Chloe said, trying to sound casual. “Is there another exit we can use?”

“We’ll take care of them,” one of Beca’s security guards said. 

“I don’t want them following us to my car,” Chloe said, lowering her voice. 

“We won’t let anything happen to her, ma’am,” he said. 

“Something already happened!” Chloe snapped. “I’m trying to stop it from getting worse!”

“Chloe,” Beca said, “it’s okay. I can handle it.”

But you shouldn’t have to, Chloe wanted to scream. 

They reached the hospital entrance and Chloe saw the lights already to begin flashing through the doors. Both Beca’s personal security and hospital security managed to force them back enough to form a gap for Beca, Chloe, and Theo to walk out.

They followed them to the car. Shouting questions, camera bulbs flashing. 

“Hey!” Chloe snapped, turning on them. “She has a head injury, can you fucking cool it with the flashing lights?!”

Beca tugged Chloe’s hand and they carried on walking.

The pictures didn’t stop. 

“Chloe.”

“I know,” Chloe said, squeezing Beca’s hand as they reached the car. “I know, baby.”

Chloe could hear it in her voice.

She was about to break.

“Keys,” Theo said to Chloe. She tossed them to him without a second thought. “Beca’s security will follow us back and keep watch tonight. I can call an Uber later.”

“Thank you,” Chloe said. 

They reached the car and Chloe helped Beca into the back before climbing in beside her. The cameras couldn’t penetrate the blacked-out windows, but that didn’t stop the photographers from trying.

“Fucking cockroaches,” Chloe muttered as Theo pulled out of the parking lot, laying on the horn when they crowded the car.

Chloe waited for Beca to make a joke about her potty mouth that only came out when Chloe was stressed, but it didn’t come. 

Beca was finally letting herself feel the panic. The fear. 

“You’re okay,” Chloe said, trying not to wince as Beca’s hand tightened around hers. “Just take a breath.”

Her breathing was coming in short sharp gasps, and Chloe knew they were in the beginnings of a panic attack that would likely last the rest of the night.

“Do I need to go back to the hospital?” Theo asked, glancing in the rear-view mirror.

“No,” Beca and Chloe said at the same time,

“I have her,” Chloe said to Theo. She focused her attention on Beca again. “I have you, okay?”

Beca nodded and tried to focus on her breathing.

“I thought I was going to die,” Beca said, between gasping breaths. “Why did he do that?”

“I don’t know, baby,” Chloe said. 

The drive home seemed to take forever, but finally, Theo was pulling up to their drive and hitting the button to open the gate. 

“Get her inside,” he said. “I’ll sort everything out, out here.”

“Thank you, Theo,” Chloe said. 

“Stay home for the next few days,” he said. “It’ll blow over.”

Beca seemed calm again as they got out of the car, and she walked steadily towards the house without looking back. 

Chloe followed, her hand resting on Beca’s back.

When the front door was finally shut behind them, Chloe wasted no time in pulling Beca into her arms, letting her own tears fall as she clung to her wife.

“I was so scared,” Chloe said. “I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

Beca clung back, her eyes squeezed shut as she buried her face into Chloe’s neck.

Her head was hurting badly, the gash on her head stung and throbbed as the local anaesthetic began wearing off, but that all felt small compared to the panic that was growing larger in her chest.

“Can I get you anything?” Chloe asked, unwilling to let her go just yet. “Water, or something to eat?”

“No,” Beca said. “Just… Please just hold me.”

“Okay,” Chloe said, holding her tighter. “I can do that.”

They stood there for a while in the entryway of their home, Beca wrapped protectively in Chloe’s arms until Beca spoke again.

“He looked at me like he hated me,” she said. “What had I done to make him hate me like that?”

“This wasn’t your fault,” Chloe said, finally ending their hug so she could look at Beca. 

Her eye was beginning to bruise now, and Chloe thought it might have started swelling too. There was dried blood in her hair and all down the front of her shirt. 

“He gift-wrapped it,” Beca said. “He planned it. What if… What if he’d brought a knife? Or a gun?”

“Hey,” Chloe said, cupping Beca’s face with her hands. “Look at me. He can’t get you now, okay? He was arrested, and even if he wasn’t, your security guys are right outside.” 

Chloe pressed a kiss to the uninjured side of her head.

“Come on, you need to rest,” Chloe said, taking Beca’s hand and leading her upstairs. 

Beca tried to change out of her clothes, but her hands were feeling too clumsy. She couldn’t get them to cooperate enough to un-do the buttons on her shirt, so Chloe took over. 

“I don’t feel good,” Beca said, watching as Chloe eased her out of her shirt. 

“Do you feel like you need to be sick?” Chloe asked, trying not to panic.

Beca shook her head, which turned out to be a mistake. She winced and squeezed her eyes shut.

“Bec, talk to me,” Chloe said. 

“I just feel…” Beca trailed off as she searched for the word. “I keep going from numbness to fear and I just… I don’t feel like myself.” She let out a huff as tears fell quickly. “I want it to stop. I want this day to be done.”

Chloe swallowed the lump in her throat. “I know you do,” Chloe said. “I do too. I wish I could say something that would fix this, but all I can do is promise that I’ll be with you every step of the way through whatever happens next.”

Beca nodded and gave Chloe the first genuine smile she’d had all night. Chloe helped Beca out of the rest of her clothes and into a baggy t-shirt.

“Thanks,” Beca said, climbing into bed.

“Does your head hurt?” Chloe asked, looking for something concrete that she could do to help. 

“Yeah,” Beca replied. 

“I’ll get you something,” Chloe said.

She grabbed a bottle of water and some painkillers, and while she was downstairs she looked outside.

She could see that the paparazzi seemed to have left, but Beca’s security team was still there, and that made her feel safer. 

She double-checked that both the front and back doors were locked before returning to the bedroom. 

When Chloe got back, Beca was scrolling on her phone, her bottom lip caught between her teeth.

“It’s already on the internet,” Beca said. 

Chloe didn’t tell Beca that she already knew. While they’d been waiting for the doctor to finish stitching her head up, Chloe had been fielding texts from the Bellas.

Chloe sat on the bed beside Beca and had to stifle a gasp when she looked at her phone.

It was one thing to hear about it, but quite another to see it in high definition. To see it looped, again and again. The brick connecting with the side of her head. The confusion on her face being quickly replaced by fear and then pain. 

“Okay,” Chloe said, taking Beca’s phone from her hand. She closed whatever app had been open and put her phone on the nightstand. “Here, take these.” She handed Beca the pills and the water. Beca did so without complaint. “You need to try and get some rest.”

“I can’t,” Beca said. “Everyone has seen it now. What if they all get the same idea? What if… what if they come here? The press knows where we live, anyone could have followed us home.”

“Shh,” Chloe said, gathering Beca into her arms. “That isn’t going to happen.”

“You don’t know that,” Beca said.

“I know that I’m not going to let anything else happen to you,” Chloe said. “I know that there are men and women outside right now who are here to protect you. And I know that you’re running on adrenaline right now and that sleep feels impossible, but you need to try.”

Chloe knew Beca wasn’t going to lie down and try to sleep willingly, she was too wired for that, so she adjusted their positions until Beca was lying with the uninjured side of her head on Chloe’s chest.

As carefully as she could, Chloe began stroking the hair from her face, making sure not to get anywhere near her stitches.

“Do you want an ice pack or anything for your head?”

“No,” Beca said, her breathing beginning to even out. “Please don’t leave.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Chloe said. “We’ll call your therapist in the morning to see if she can squeeze you in.”

“She’s probably seen the video,” Beca said. 

“Well, then she has all night to figure out what to say to make it better.”

Beca gave a soft laugh.

They stayed in that position for hours, the only sound was the occasional sniffle from Beca. At one point, Chloe asked if she wanted her to turn out the light, but Beca said she’d rather keep it on.

Chloe knew her eyes were fixed on the doorway, waiting for someone to burst through the door and attack her.

“You need to try and sleep,” Chloe said. 

Beca gave a grunt in response, and Chloe knew that was all she could manage. All her energy was going into just keeping her eyes open.

“Sleep,” Chloe said again. “I’ll keep you safe, I promise.”

It wasn’t a choice anymore, and Chloe felt Beca’s body finally relax against hers.

[ninadove]

Nina reads Dracula 🦇

May 24th

And we’re back, thank goodness!!! I’ve been so worried about my good friend Jonathan! I can’t wait to hear how he outsmarted the Count and made it out safely and —

Letter, Lucy Westenra to Mina Murray.

GODDAMMIT

But hey, it’s the girls! I love the girls! Let’s see if they’ve been building any castles in the air recently.

My dear, it never rains but it pours. How true the old proverbs are. Here am I, who shall be twenty in September, and yet I never had a proposal till to-day, not a real proposal, and to-day I have had three. Just fancy! THREE proposals in one day! Isn't it awful!

This is my idea of a nightmare actually. But!!! More points for the poly theory!!!

I feel sorry, really and truly sorry, for two of the poor fellows.

Nevermind, they didn’t pass the vibe check. (Or did they?)

You and I, Mina dear, who are engaged and are going to settle down soon soberly into old married women, can despise vanity.

Cottagecore sapphics anyone? 💖

I told you of him, Dr. John Seward, the lunatic-asylum man, with the strong jaw and the good forehead. He was very cool outwardly, but was nervous all the same. He had evidently been schooling himself as to all sorts of little things, and remembered them; but he almost managed to sit down on his silk hat, which men don't generally do when they are cool, and then when he wanted to appear at ease he kept playing with a lancet in a way that made me nearly scream.

Wasn’t he supposed to be the cool unaffected one? Maybe Lucy just has this effect on people.

He was going to tell me how unhappy he would be if I did not care for him, but when he saw me cry he said that he was a brute and would not add to my present trouble. […] And then, Mina, I felt a sort of duty to tell him that there was some one. I only told him that much, and then he stood up, and he looked very strong and very grave as he took both my hands in his and said he hoped I would be happy, and that if I ever wanted a friend I must count him one of my best.

GOOD!!!!! I LIKE HIM!!!!!

Well, my dear, number Two came after lunch. He is such a nice fellow, an American from Texas —

[Miraculous flashabacks] DON’T —

I know now what I would do if I were a man and wanted to make a girl love me.

Normal Things To Tell Your Bestie, 99th edition

Mr. Quincey P. Morris found me alone. It seems that a man always does find a girl alone. No, he doesn't, for Arthur tried twice to make a chance, and I helping him all I could; I am not ashamed to say it now.

😏

I must tell you beforehand that Mr. Morris doesn't always speak slang—that is to say, he never does so to strangers or before them, for he is really well educated and has exquisite manners—but he found out that it amused me to hear him talk American slang, and whenever I was present, and there was no one to be shocked, he said such funny things. […]

'Miss Lucy, I know I ain't good enough to regulate the fixin's of your little shoes, but I guess if you wait till you find a man that is you will go join them seven young women with the lamps when you quit. Won't you just hitch up alongside of me and let us go down the long road together, driving in double harness?'

OK BUT THIS IS LITERALLY SO SWEET he personalised it and even made fun of himself to diffuse the tension 🥺

And then, my dear, before I could say a word he began pouring out a perfect torrent of love-making, laying his very heart and soul at my feet. He looked so earnest over it that I shall never again think that a man must be playful always, and never earnest, because he is merry at times.

AND THEN MADE HIMSELF VULNERABLE!!!!! What a man!!!

I burst into tears—I am afraid, my dear, you will think this a very sloppy letter in more ways than one—

LUCY

Why can't they let a girl marry three men, or as many as want her, and save all this trouble?

Wait. THE POLYCULE IS CANON??? THE POLYCULE IS CANON?????

'If that other fellow doesn't know his happiness, well, he'd better look for it soon, or he'll have to deal with me. Little girl, your honesty and pluck have made me a friend, and that's rarer than a lover; it's more unselfish anyhow. My dear, I'm going to have a pretty lonely walk between this and Kingdom Come. Won't you give me one kiss? It'll be something to keep off the darkness now and then. You can, you know, if you like, for that other good fellow—he must be a good fellow, my dear, and a fine fellow, or you could not love him—hasn't spoken yet.' That quite won me, Mina, for it was brave and sweet of him, and noble, too, to a rival—wasn't it?—and he so sad; so I leant over and kissed him.

Honestly? Mood. I am utterly charmed by this cowboy.

Now number 3 has to be something.

P.S.—Oh, about number Three—I needn't tell you of number Three, need I? Besides, it was all so confused; it seemed only a moment from his coming into the room till both his arms were round me, and he was kissing me. I am very, very happy, and I don't know what I have done to deserve it. I must only try in the future to show that I am not ungrateful to God for all His goodness to me in sending to me such a lover, such a husband, and such a friend.

THAT’S IT????? A POST-SCRIPTUM????? GIRL THIS IS YOUR FIANCÉ

OK OK I am willing to accept that the strength of your feelings can’t be transcribed into words. But still.

In conclusion: these are Lucy’s three boyfriends, and yes, they eat garlic bread. 🧄🥖

(Also the contrast with Dracula’s roommates did not go unnoticed)

< Prev 🦇 Next >

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #1104: Dad to Dad Phone Call (Sonic)

11:34 a.m. at Crocodiles' Household: The Chaotix Detective Agency's Office........

TEAM CHAOTIX! Great Detectives! You want-

Vector: (Answers the Call) Yello? You've reached the Chaotix Detective Agency's Office hotline where we solve cases for an honest living-

A loud, wet sounding cry suddenly rings through the phone's speaker as Vector quickly pulls it away from his ears for a few seconds, recognizing that voice from anywhere.

Vector: Eggman? Is this really you?

Eggman: Yes. ('Sniff') It is I.....('Sniff') Dr. Ivo Robotnik Eggman....('Sniff') Evil scientist....('Sniff') And FATHER OF TWOHOHOHOHOOOO!~ (Continues Crying on the Other Line)

Vector: Uhh.....You good there, doc? You wanna....call later or-

Eggman: No! No. ('Sniff') Don't hang up. ('Sniff') There's something VERY important I need to tell you! ('Sniff') and it involves Sage and Metal.

Vector: (Eyes Widened Before Quickly Getting Up From his Chair He Was Sitting On) You serious!? What happened? Are they okay?

Eggman: Yeah. ('Sniff') They're just fine. ('Sniff') Wonderful even! ('Sniff') The best in the whole world! ('Sniff')

Vector: (Starts Getting Even More Confused by the Call) ......Ooookay. (Sits Back Down on his Chair) Sooo what did your kids do that made you wanna call here exactly?

Eggman: ('Sniff') Okay, so.....('Sniff') Earlier this morning, I was waking up, getting ready to ruin someone's day or whatever till the kids walked in the room and....a-a-and...I...

Flashback

Sage: (Shows Her Father of Each Drawing She and Metal Drew Together With a Sign that Says "The World's Best Evil Father" on the Top ) Here's Big Brother Metal carrying the sign while igniting his mechanic hover shoes.....

Metal Sonic: ('Scarps Noises')

Sage: Cubot blowing on this gold like musical instrument known as the trumpet, Orbot throwing the confetti around the area, and here is Sonic the Hedgehog groveling on the ground in defeat while you bask in the glory of finally defeating him once and for all. It's not much and our respective artstyles are not much to write home about, but we do hope that this gift is enough to show how much we love you and that we will continue to root for you until the ends of time and space as we know it.

Sage and Metal then puts on the biggest smiles on both of their faces towards their teared up creator and father.

End of Flashback

Eggman: IT WAS THE BEST DRAWING I'VE EVER GOTTEN IN MY MISERABLE LIFHAHAEEEEEE! (Begins to Cry on the Other Line)

Vector: (Burst Out Laughing) Ahaha man! Is this what the big fuss is about? A drawing your kids made?

Eggman: (Stops Laughing Before Growling in the Other Line) I am having an emotional breakdown right now and you are LAUGHING!?

Vector: (Dies Down his Laughing) Sorry, sorry.....I wasn't laughing at you. For the most part.

Eggman: LIKELY STORY!

Vector: I wasn't! Really! I was just laughing at the time when Baby Carrot drew a picture of me for Father's Day a year or two ago. (Chuckles Lightly at the Memory) It was so adorable and sweet that I went bursting into water works myself. I can show it to you if you want.

Eggman: (Finally Calms Himself Down) Sure, but..... ('Sniff') Do you mind showing it to me later? Something tells me my eyes wouldn't last a second seeing it without crying again. Is this really one of the few things you have to go through as a father? Tearing up over some..... basic drawing?

Vector: Hey, when it's your kids who went out of their way to make that basic drawing of you, you tend to get emotional real fast. It just goes to show how much they care.

Eggman: Yeah.....(Turns to see Sage and Metal Watching Something on Their Tablet Together) It's nice to have yiur kids fondly of me, isn't it?

Vector: (Happily Nodded) It sure is. I may not be their real, biological father or anything, but....It always makes me happy to see them look up to me as one, you know? It's like I have more of a purpose in life than just being a detective.

Eggman: Yes, well, I suppose despite that minor fact, you still managed to become a marvelous father in your own right.

Vector gets taken aback by a compliment from Eggman of all people, in a brief second before putting on a bright smile om his face.

Vector: Thanks, Doc! I think you're a good dad too. For a evil nut job.

Eggman: I'm an evil scientist, you mindless dolt! There's a difference.

Vector: Uh-huh. Suuure it is-

??????: Ohhhh Vector-Kins~

Vector turns to see his wife, Vanilla, and four of their kids standing together in front of the office's doorway holding freshly baked cake that says "Best Detective Dad" written in green icing. This, in turn, causes his eyes to widen in surprise.

Everyone: Happy Father's Day!~

Vector: No way....You guys did all of this.....(Eyes Begins to Water Up) For me?

Cream: (Smiles Brightly) Why, of course!~ There's no other daddies that lives here but you~

Charmy: And what better way to show how much you mean us than to make this awesome cake, which I call dibs on the one and three quarters of it by the way.

Espio: Charmy.

Charmy: What? This cake looks and smells delicious!

Cream: (Pouts at Charmy Along with Cheese) And it's meant to be shared by daddy and all of us!

Cheese: Chao!

Vanilla: (Gives The Young Bee The Motherly Glare) Charmy Bee, what do we say about sharing?

Charmy: ('Sighs in Defeat') Sharing is most certainly caring.......

Vanilla: That's right. And it would be very rude to eat most of it up from your father and the rest us. Isn't that right, Vector? (Turns to See her Husband in Tears) Vector?

Vector: (Too Emotionally Moved to Speak Properly)

Eggman: Uhh....Vector? Is everything alright over there?

Vector: M-M-My kids.....M-M-My b-beautiful wife.....THEY MADE ME A FATHER'S DAY CAKEEEEEEEEEEEE!~ (Finally Burst Out in Tears as He Drops his Phone Down on his Desk)

Vanilla: (Quickly Rushes Over to Her Husband's Side to Hug Him with Cheese and Cream Doing the Same Afterwards) Oh my sweet Vector-Kins, Its okay~

Espio: (Walks Over to the Gang While Holdimg the Cake I'm his Hands) It seems you've been holding your emotions in for a while now.

Charmy: Yeah......So does this mean I can have most of the cake now or-

Everyone: CHARMY!

Charmy: I'm kidding! I'm kidding!.....Sort of.

Eggman: So is this your way of saying I should call you back or what?

Vanilla: (Picks Up the Phone amd Continues the Call) Dr. Eggman, is that you on the line? Happy Father's Day!

Eggman: Yes, yes. Happy Father's Day to you too. Is your husband gonna be okay?

Vanilla: (Smiles Brightly) Oh, he'll be fine. (Gently Rubs Vector's Shoulder) He just need to let his emotions out from his system is all. Tell you what. If you're not busy at the moment, would you like to the park with us and then join us for dinner afterwards? I'm making lasagna~

Vector: BEST LASAGNA IN THE WOOOORLLLLD!~

Eggman: Hm. Don't really have much to do on my schedule at the moment.....Sure. why not.

Vanilla: (Smiles Brightly) Spendid!~ I'll call you back as soon as we get our hardworking detective to calm down. See you soon~

Eggman: Yes, you too. Bye.

End Call

Eggman: (Starts Stretching his Arms Up in the Air) Welp! It's better than doing nothing and cry all day along. (Turns Back to Sage and Metal Sonic) Kids, get yourself ready! We're visiting the Crocodiles again today.

Sage/Metal Sonic: (Holds Both Their Hands Up in the Air in Rejoice) Yay!~\('Scrap Noises')

Happy (Late) Father's Day!

@rechicken-and-waffles

@vectorfan2

@cyber-wildcat

@albion-93

@caleb13frede

[blue-mostacho]

~Cherry Bomb~

Sorry for taking so long to post chapter two, it's been crazy around here with all the holidays fuss. Hope you enjoy and let me know what you think in the comments.

Previous Chapter

Chapter two - Connections.

Munson!- A voice muffled by the surrounding sounds yells his name, making Eddie turn around searching for the source. I see a smile spreading on his lips as his eyes land on a group of people sitting just a couple of tables away from the one we chose.

His gaze lands on me for a second before he speaks.

–Looks like you won't have to join the campaign after all.- A smug smirk tugging at his rose pink lips as he teases me, and i smack him on the arm as we make our way to their table.

–You're dying to play with me.- My right eyebrow raised as I speak with a side smirk.

–Where the hell have you been dickhead?- Dustin is sitting there, looking at Eddie as he speaks, his eyes catching mine.–Hey Vex.- the kid smiles at me as we finally stop beside their table, I nod my head in his direction once as a "hello".

–Busy.- Says Eddie shrugging. He drags an empty chair from a nearby table, flipping it in front of him so he can sit on it with his arms hanging on the backrest.- You missed me?- He reaches his right hand to ruffle up Dustin's curls, smiling once again.

–Been crying my eyes out every night.- Says Dustin with a hand on his chest dramatically to later roll his eyes.

–Don't sweat it Henderson, Eddie the Banished is back.- he teases with the boy.

While they keep bickering, I take a quick look around the table, realizing i still have the red candy in my hand, i place it between my lips tasting it once again. I see a blonde girl with short hair, blue eyes, and beautiful freckles spread all over her face. Next to her is sitting a guy, messy brown hair with blonde highlights and a hell of a volume. Jeez, how does he do that?

Anyway, in front of him and beside Dustin, a dark-skinned guy is adding to the conversation between him and Eddie. His eyes are dark as hell, thick lips and, from what I can see from here, he's taller than Dustin.

The first two seem to be around my age, they are laughing at something as they keep their own conversation going.

–Right Vex?- My head snaps in Dustin's direction instinctively at the sound of my name. I wasn't paying attention, I shake my head in hopes that it brings me back to reality faster.

–Sorry, I zoned out. What are we talking about?- Eddie laughs as I wait for Dustin's answer.

–They're arguing again about the Christmas campaign, just ignore them.-Says the dark-skinned boy.– I'm Lucas by the way.- he stretches his arm out across the table to offer me a handshake, I take his hand in mine shaking it and Dustin speaks again before I can properly introduce myself to Lucas.

–Oh right. Guys!- The older ones turn their head, focusing on Dustin.– This is Vex. Vex, these are Robin.-He points at the blonde girl.–And Steve.–Then at the fluffy haired guy.

–Steve, The Hair, Harrington.- Says Robin before she bursts out laughing.

–Hey, it's a nice hair.- Says Steve trying to hide the embarrassment and annoyance at the nickname. I laugh, it's a damn well-earned nickname. Robin's chuckling doesn't stop, only causing Steve's face to go a deeper shade of red.– Whatever. Nice to meet you, Vex.‐ He says, repeating Lucas's actions a few seconds before and shaking my hand.

–Yeah, same.-Robin adds with a bit of an amused tone still lingering in her voice.

–Nice to meet you too, guys.- I say politely with a smile.

–Aw look at you all polite and cute, who could think that you're such a pain in the ass?- Eddie mocks smiling without showing his teeth. I look down since I'm still standing beside him with my arm resting on his shoulder, meeting his gaze. I roll my eyes and I smack him for the second time tonight, but this time it lands on the nape of his neck. Eddie complains about it with an exaggerated "ouch" while rubbing the exact spot with his hand.

–Would you just stop abusing me?- He asks dramatically.

–Stop whining babygirl.- I nudge him carefully on the chin with my nuckle while taking a seat next to Robin, who moved to the side to make room for me. She cackles at the interaction. I make myself comfortable, my back resting against the leather seat as i place my right foot on top of my left knee under the table.

–You're just proving my point.- He says in response, pointing his finger at me, eyebrows raised as a kind of warning. I grin with the stick of the candy in the corner of my mouth.

–It's not m...- My answer gets cut off by a sudden wave of cheering. I turn my head to see what's the reason for so much fuss. Like me, everyone from the table gets distracted, trying to find out what's going on. I can barely see anything, so I stand up, propping my weight on my knee with my elbow resting on the backrest of the leathered booth.

I squint my eyes a little. Finally, dirty blonde curls appear into my line of sight. He's laughing with his friends at something, I can tell by the way his broad shoulders move under his blue shirt. He's holding a beer in his hand that keeps moving around as he speaks. They all laugh again, and I sigh, turning around and going back to my previous position uninterested.

At this point, everyone went back to their previous conversations, not paying attention to the blue-eyed boy in the other side of the room.

–Double cheeseburger with extra cheese and extra bacon.- Eddie looks at me with the menu resting between his hands. My eyes sparkle at the thought of it as my stomach growls.

–Please, and extra fries.‐I say dramatically, my shoulders falling down.

–Mhm...Ice cream?

–Chocolate.

–Definitely.- he answers immediately, flipping over the menu to take a look at the drinks section.

–Iced tea.- I say before he could ask anything else. He wrinkles his nose in disgust.

–Beer.

–Expected. Whose turn is it?- I try to remember.

–Yours.‐ He says placing the menu back in its place.

–You sure?- I question again, squinting my eyes at him.

–Yup, i did it last time.- I actually don't recall it, but I just sigh and get up, making my way to the counter to place our order. Not before asking everyone if they needed something else, since they arrived earlier and were already eating.

Right elbow resting on the counter while with my free hand I twirl the stick of the lollipop In my mouth, a bit more than half of it already gone. My eyes scan the establishment while I wait for the waitress. It looks like half of Hawkins was craving Richie's burgers tonight.

My gaze keeps lingering over different faces, some I recognize, some I don't. I look back at the guys for a second, Robin and Steve having a conversation of their own again. Eddie, on the other hand, is talking to Dustin and Lucas, showing off the soft dimples on each side of his face. His gestures are dramatic as he speaks passionately, making his wild curls move slightly. His arms are moving around, his chest flush against the backrest while he leans in, getting closer to the guys. They seem invested.

My eyes roam in the opposite direction again, searching for something entertaining. I can't find anything interesting enough until a deep blue gaze meets mine from a far, an eyebrow raised while his finger traces the border of the beer bottle that he's holding. He takes a sip, never breaking eye contact. Tommy H is chewing his ear off, clearly not noticing that the blonde is ignoring him. I turn around, raising my brows for a split second, moving the cherry sweet from my right cheek to the left one with my tongue. But as always, I can still feel how his attention didn't leave my form.

I look around behind the bar, trying to find someone to take my order so I can return to my place. Unsurprisingly, luck is not on my side.

Both of my arms now on top of the counter as I lean more into it. The music of the establishment is muted by the chattering and laughter of the customers, but I can still recognize the beat of "Last Christmas". I move my leg up and down slightly in sync with the song, growing more and more impatient as the time goes by.

–Weird to see you out of that store.- Even deep in thought I can still recognize his voice. I move my head in his direction, he's mirroring my posture. Half-lidedd eyes staring down at me while a small smile adorns his plump lips.

– I work for a living, wouldn't make much sense if the "living" part wasn't there.- My head shifts back to its original position, looking at the alcohol bottles on display on the shelves behind the bar. He let's out a soft laugh.

–You with the freak?- his deep voice questions while looking behind me, I follow the direction of his gaze, my eyes falling on Eddie one more time. He's just laughing, revealing his dimples again.

–None of your business- I say now looking at him. He chuckles again.

– Just wondering.- I ignore him turning my head to the front again.– Why are you so mean tho?- He asks.

–I'm not mean, I just don't like you.- I say nonchalantly.

–Ouch.- he hisses pretending that my words hurt him.

Just as he was about to say something else, the waitress finally shows up.

–How can I help you guys?- she asks kindly. Her blue eyes scanning my face through her thick lashes, she looks like she's around thirty-something. She's really pretty.–I'm sorry for taking so long, tonight is a mess.

–Don't worry about it.‐ I smile at her.– Can I have two double cheeseburgers with extra bacon and extra cheese?- I ask politely. She nods writing it down in a small notebook.

–Anything else?- A smile adorning her face as she looks up at me. Blue-eyed boy drilling wholes in my face during the entire interaction.

–Yes, a big portion of fries, two chocolate ice creams, and for drinks an Iced tea and a beer.- She nods again.

–And a beer...-she echoes to herself, writing down a dot at the end of the order on her notebook with an exaggerated gesture.–On the way, guys.

–Thank you.- I smile kindly at her before she turns around and makes her way through a door.

–Look at that, she can smile.-He speaks again, I can't help the annoyed expression on my face. I roll my eyes and look at him.

–What do you want exactly?- I finally ask. I've been wondering for a while now. When I first met him, he acted like a total douchebag. It wasn't directly at me, but to some other customer. Of course he didn't appreciate it when I called him out, so I guess after that he made it his purpose to annoy the shit out of me every time he went to the store. Can't find another explanation.

Sometimes he was nice and charming, mostly when he was alone, but when his friends were around, he acted like a total jerk.

My question seems to catch him off guard since he takes a while to answer.

–Actually, there's one thing that I would like...-he says, I raise my right eyebrow signaling for him to keep talking.–I would like to know what did I do to make you despise me so much.- I snort.

–Don't give yourself more credit than you deserve. I don't hate you, Blondie, I just don't like you.- The waitress comes back interrupting the conversation once again, this time holding a beer and a glass of Iced tea in each of her hands. She places them on the counter.

–There you go, sweetie. The food's not gonna take long.- She says before disappearing one last time.

I place the lollipop back in my mouth, then i take the drinks and start waking away, but before I can make it more than two steps far, he speaks again. I look at him with a snap of my head.

–There's a party on Friday, you should come and have some fun, maybe that will help take out the stick you have up your ass, smart mouth.- With each word getting closer to me, to the point where his face is five inches away from mine. Thick long lashes shielding his ocean orbs, his plump lips pressed into a smirk. His eyes travel down to my mouth as his free hand reaches for the stick of the candy hangin from my lips. He pulls it out to then bring it up to place it in his mouth this time, tasting the cherry flavoured piece of sugar.

–I actually like my stick, but thanks for the offer.-I turn on my heels, finally returning to my seat.

I place the beer in front of Eddie, and then I sit down, taking a sip from my drink.

Anger starts forming at the pit of my stomach. The need to get up and rush back to him and make him swallow that bottle of beer growing inside of me. I don't care if he flirts, but he acts like everything belongs to him, and boy he couldn't be more wrong.

– What took you so long?- Eddie's voice pulls out my attention from my growing frustration. He's looking back at the spot where I was standing just a few moments ago.

–Waitress wasn't there.- I shrug, but he keeps his gaze on the same spot, slightly squinting his eyes slightly before speaking again.

–Are you friends with Billy?- So that's his name... It sounds familiar, but i can't quite put my finger on why.

His question makes me laugh though, and I wonder how does he know him.

–You know him?- I ask this time.

–It's a small town, everyone knows everyone.-Says Steve, who apparently was listening to the conversation. I look back at Eddie, he's lost in thought, he didn't change the position of his eyes yet. He just nods slightly using his thumb to fidget with the ring in his left hand, elbow resting on the table and wrist standing high near his face.

–What's his deal, tho?- I twist the glass in front of me, pointing with my head in the blonde's direction.

–Typical Californian douche. Moved here a few years ago, in high-school he was a bully.-Explains Steve, my eyes widening a little bit. He's from California?

–He was nice for a while tho, but then he went back to his old self.- Adds Robin.

–Why?- I ask intrigued.

–Something...happened, he changed. It humbled him for a while, it didn't last long.-She speaks again.– Maybe it is a coping mechanism or something.-She shrugs. Curiosity peaks through me and I ask again.

–What happened to him?

–It's a long story, but the point is, dude's a jerk. He's always been.- Snaps Lucas. Eddie and Dustin don't add much to the conversation. It looks like the subject falls heavy on all of them so I don't push the matter.

Right on time to lighten the mood, the food arrives, making Eddie regain his previous demeanor.

The rest of the evening goes just fine, we eat, talk, and laugh between jokes. Although my mind keeps falling back on the previous conversation, still trying to figure out why the blondie-boy feels so familiar all of a sudden.

Soon enough, Eddie and I are heading back to my car. Small talk filling the lapse of time till we actually get there.

Once the wheeled metal box is right in front of us, I roam through my leather jacket, looking for my pack of cigarettes. Once I find it, I take one out and offer the little box to the long-haired guy. He takes it without hesitation while I flick at the lighter a couple of times before the small flame shows up. Then, I repeat the same pattern as with the cigs and hand it to him. A comfortable silence falls upon us while we both exhale smoke through our mouths. It's easy being around Eddie, even though he's a bundle of nerves... atually that never bothered me since i am worse than a cat on hot bricks. But what i really like about him is that he always respects boundaries, never pushes too far and, overall, doesn't give a single fuck about anything which means he's not judgemental at all. He's a nuthead, yeah, but he has so much more depth to him than meets the eye.

–Jeez it's freezing out here.- He says, breaking the silence. He opens the driver's seat door and sits down while finishing his cigarette, shielding himself from the cold air.–So, I spoke with the guys. Friday night, D&D Christmas campaign, you in?- He looks up at me with the cigarette hanging from the side of his mouth, a tinge of excitement in his voice. I raise one eyebrow.

–You weren't joking?- I ask.

–Nope, you really need to make more friends.- he says with evident fake concern in his voice trying to tease me. I roll my eyes at him.–Being your only friend is exhausting. I know you love me but...

–Oh shut up dickhead.-I cut him off, earning a laugh from him. He lifts his arms in defense.

–I'm just saying.- He laughs through his words.

–You wish it was like that.- I say, throwing the cigarette butt to the floor.

–Hey, I'm just narrating the facts, you can't live without me.

–You've clearly had too much weed.- A cold breeze brushes against my body and I shiver. I make my way to the other side of the car and hop in. Eddie closes the door on his side, putting the keys in the ignition and carefully driving through the parking lot.

–They are nice.-I say absent-mindedly looking out of the window. As I already said, I'm not very fond of people, and it surprises me every time I find myself enjoying the company of someone. I don't know why, but they all feel very welcoming.– Your friends, I mean.- I clarify.

–Of course, Eddie Munson only hangs out with the finest people.- I laugh a little too hard at that.

–I'll take that as a compliment.-I say glancing at him.

–You're just a charity project.- he bursts out laughing.

–You know, they say self-talk is healthy, but I think lying to yourself like that is not very productive.- This time, I'm the one cackling. He punches the side of my thigh playfully while shaking his head. Silence takes over the car, the conversation reminding me of his question and his reaction earlier in the diner, realizing that i never answered.–We're not friends.-I say suddenly.

–What?- he looks at me for a second with a frown under his bangs.

–Billy and I, we're not friends. I can't stand him actually.- I say while I look at the dark street through the fogged glass once again.

–Oh.- His demeanor changes again, but not like before. He doesn't tense up, actually it looks like he relaxes a little bit.–Can't blame you.-he mutters. I know Eddie is usually annoyed by...pretty much everyone, buy with him it looks like there's something else. I don't know if asking would be too much, but I decide to take the risk.

–What's it, with you and him?-I ask, remembering how Billy reacted too at the sight of Eddie earlier tonight.

–Not much.-He brushes it off, but I know him all too well.

–It doesn't look like that Eds.

–There's not much to it, you know. Bully, freak, high school. That's pretty much it.- he mutters the last few words of his sentence. He's bullshitting me, but I don't push it, instead I just nod. Although it does leave me wondering.

We change the subject, his mood lightening again, making the way back home a bit more entertaining.

[jerzwriter]

Tricky Treats

Book: Open Heart, Book 1 Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Kaycee MacClennan) Rating: Teen Category: Fluff/ Halloween Summary: Kaycee laments forgoing her Halloween plans when a lucrative opportunity arrives, but the evening turns out better than expected. Words: 1500 A/N: This was for a Halloween Ask I received where Person A is hearing scary noises while being home alone and calls Person B to help them “survive in this haunted house.” I changed it up just a little to make it fit for Ethan & Kaycee during the intern year. I'm not sure I did it justice, but I hope you enjoy it. I didn't have time to edit, so please be forgiving! :) A/N 2: Participating in @choicesmonthlychallenge - Spooktober - Haunted / @choicesficwriterscreations Naughty & Nice Event (Nice Prompt highlighted below) / @choicesflashfics - "I have a perfectly reasonable explanation for this"

“Come on, come on!” Kaycee anxiously dialed another number; desperation was setting in. “Please answer, please!” Voicemail…again. “Damn it!”

As the storm outside continued to rage, a deafening thunderclap left her trembling in a corner. Sitting in an unfamiliar home, with a blanket pulled up to her nose as if it were a protective shield, was not how she had envisioned spending her first Halloween in Boston. Her friends were scattered about the city living their best lives and having far too much fun to answer her calls. She was lamenting her decision to house-sit for Dr. Laverty. But when the elderly doctor said the gig paid five hundred dollars, it was music to the struggling intern's ears. She’d have to miss some parties on occasion, she reasoned. It was the adult thing to do! But as she frantically searched her phone, thinking of anyone who might join her. She felt like anything but an adult.    

Her last hope was Elijah. He was working a late shift and hadn’t headed to a party yet. Maybe she could convince him to join her instead of heading to Donahue’s for fun and revelry. The old wooden floorboards mysteriously creaked again as a lightning bolt filled the room with an eerie purple light. She nervously hit his name on her contact list… convince nothing. She would gladly give him the entire five hundred dollars Laverty was paying her if he’d just come over… bribery was officially on the table. As the phone rang, another thunderclap struck, and a harrowing screech came from the alley below.

Kaycee dropped her phone to the floor as she jumped from the chair where she had sought refuge. She rushed to the window to see what had caused the horrible noise, forgetting about her call to Elijah. She peered out the window to see a stray cat scurrying away and caught her breath.

“OK, OK. Kaycee, calm down. You’re going to be OK. It’s just a storm, and you’re just in a creepy old townhome that hasn’t had guests since 1972. There is nothing to be frightened of. You’re just…. AAAGGGHH!!!”

The wind howled, a door slammed, and Kaycee let out a little scream before bursting into tears. She just wanted to be home, where she felt safe. The discarded phone on the floor began to ring.

“FINALLY!” she sighed; someone would come to her rescue.

Ethan.

Not who she expected. Her mind instantly went to Naveen. They had left his bedside together hours before, and she was sure something had gone wrong. Filled with concern, she forgot about her spooky surroundings and answered the call without giving it a second thought. But a tremble remained in her voice.

“Hey, Dr. Ramsey. Is everything OK?”

“That’s what I am calling to ask you. What’s going on?”

“What… what do you mean?”

“You called me, and the next thing I know, I heard a slam, crying, and you were gone… are you all right?”

Could he define all right? Because accidentally calling Ethan, of all people, and making an idiot out of herself didn’t feel all right at all.

“Yeah,” she lied. “I Uhm. I’m sorry, I meant to call Elijah, and Ethan Ramsey is next to Elijah on my phone, so….”

“So why did you drop the phone? And why are you crying? Are you sure you’re….”

The wind picked up again, and the old windows began to creak. A moment later, the sound of breaking glass echoed through the cavernous home, and the power went out with a loud thud.   

“Kaycee…are you there?” Ethan panicked.

“Yeah,” she quivered, her nerves all but shot. “But I don’t know for how much longer. Because I don’t think I will survive in this haunted house!”

“Haunted… where are you?”

“I’m at Dr. Laverty’s.”

“Doctor… doc… what the hell are you doing at Dr. Laverty’s?”

“I’m house-sitting. But that’s irrelevant right now!”

Ethan ran a hand down the front of his face. “Send me your location.”

“What?”

“You know how to use an iPhone, Rookie! Send me your location.”

“Ethan, do you think it’s smart to….”

“Just do it!”

Kaycee waited in a small room off the main entrance. Every horror movie she ever told herself she shouldn’t have watched played over in her mind. While Ethan insisted on staying on the phone with her until he arrived, nothing gave her comfort until he said, “I’m at the front door.”

By the time he arrived, the storm had passed, and while the house was still dark, things had calmed substantially. Feeling foolish, Kaycee meekly opened the door.  

“Hi…” she muttered, eagerly taking a flashlight from Ethan’s hand. “I have a perfectly reasonable explanation for this.”

“For what?”

“For making you come here… see, my roommates were watching scary movies last night, and I let my inner twelve-year-old take over. I’m really sorry.”

“Relax, Rookie. You didn’t make me do anything, and I wanted to make sure you were all right. Are you?”

“Sure, I’m a twenty-seven-year-old woman who just made her boss come out on a stormy Halloween night because she’s too much of a fraidy cat to stay in a strange home by herself. Everything is fine… except my ego.”

“Nonsense!” He insisted. “Where did the breaking glass sound come from?”

“From the hallway, I’m sure it was nothing. I should have….”

“You should have done exactly what you did. Reaching out to have someone here under the circumstances makes perfect sense. Now, let’s go have a look.”

The power flickered back on as they made their way down the hall, and Kaycee let out a sigh of relief.

They located the broken glass, no more than an old window pane that couldn’t stand up to the strong winds. After locating supplies in the basement, they cleaned up and boarded the window. They fell into a comfortable conversation, but Kaycee couldn’t shake feeling foolish. Relieved for a moment alone when Ethan went to the bathroom, she retreated to the same couch where she had been so frightened before. When Ethan returned, he joined her there.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of ordering from Dumpling Palace. It should be here soon.”

“You ordered takeout from my favorite restaurant?”

“Well, you’ve had a bad day,” he smiled. “Work was difficult, and you stayed much longer than you should have to help with Naveen, and then you were rewarded with this fiasco. It’s the least you deserve.”

“Thank you. I’m really sorry I dragged you out. I hope I didn’t interrupt any plans.”

Ethan snorted quietly when he thought of where he was when he received her call. A mutual friend had set them up some time ago, but Cynthia lived in Chicago, and the commute to Boston did not make their match a convenient one. Still, if either was visiting the other’s town, they’d make plans, and one of those times was tonight. 

“Is everything OK,” Cynthia asked after Ethan excused himself to take a call.

“Unfortunately, not…”

“No, I wasn’t doing a thing,” he smiled. “I’m just glad I could help.”

He’d never admit it, but he was grateful that his number was next to Dr. Greene’s.

Kaycee smiled softly. She had been learning there was another side to Ethan Ramsey. He was more than a grumpy doctor who instilled fear in the halls of Edenbrook.  But as time went on, he surprised her more and more. She wouldn’t admit it, but she had never been more grateful for dialing the wrong number.

“I don’t like the idea of you staying here alone with a window broken on the first floor,” he continued. “Why don’t I stay on the couch? Then hopefully, you can get some sleep in the bedroom down the hall.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know, but I’d feel better if I did. Plus, we could head to work together and check on Naveen before our shifts start.”

“We could do that.”

“Just one thing,” he insisted. “We do not tell him about this.”

“And why is that, Dr. Ramsey,” she teased. “Embarrassed to be spending the night with your intern?”

“That’s exactly the rumor we don’t need spreading throughout Edenbrook.”

“Yeah, we wouldn’t want that,” she simpered. “I have a reputation to uphold, after all.”

“Are you done?”

“Nope. Admit it,” she smiled. “You were worried about me.”

“Of course. You’re the most promising intern in our program, plus you’re an invaluable support with Naveen, I….”

“… and you were worried about me because I’m not just an intern, am I?”

Ethan was stumbling to find his words when the doorbell rang.

“That’s the food,” he announced as he jumped from his seat. Saved by the bell. “I’ll go get it.”

“And I’ll clear the table.”

“I thought we could eat in here,” he interrupted. “Picnic style? We could watch a movie before heading to sleep.”

“We could do that,” she smiled as he disappeared down the hall. 

In the years that followed, they’d never forget their first Halloween, when the universe conspired and gave them such tricky treats.

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[babygirlwolverine]

DR. SEXY!!! ✨️🎉 I'm thrilled for you and I always knew you could do it! I'm kinda jealous of all the cute doggies and kitties and nice exotic species (yes, I know this because I always care about what you post heh) that will get to be treated by you! You're going to do great out there, hon, because you have your heart in the right place and lots of passion for what you do. Oh, and happy pride! 🌈🩷

JO!!!!! Actually and legit crying and blushing and ducking my face into my pillow because I can’t stop giggling and smiling over you calling me Dr. Sexy!!!! 🥹🫶🏻🤭 thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart for saying you’re thrilled for me and knew that I could do it!! that literally means more than i can ever say that you’ve been out here believing in me for so long!! omgggg don’t be jealous heheh! I promise to take pictures (when consented by clients) and tell you all about all the amazing doggies and kitties I will get to work with! also the fact you know and remember that i wanna work with exotic species because you care about the silly lil things i post is so freaking cute i swear I am legit tearing up and I wanna pick you up and spin you in a circle and hug you!! that honestly fills my heart to bursting, like to know i have friends like you who genuinely care and know me is just so special and so gratifying and it makes me feel so seen and heard and cared for, so truly, thank you forever and always!!

I start working on July 17th and I’m literally so excited about it I literally cannot cope with the excitement!! At this specific hospital i will be starting at for my first job, i will just be working with dogs and cats! But once I’ve gained some experience with those species first, my goal is to find a clinic where I can find a mentor who will train me with tearing exotics species and that’s my ultimate goal to learn to work with companion animals and exotic pets hehe!!

that literally means more to me that i can ever express in words that you think I’m going to do well at this job!! I’ve never been so happy to finally be able to advocate and care for both healthy and sick an animals and to further protect nurture the human-animal bond!

I literally want to give you my entire heart and soul!! thank you for legit the cutest sweetest most adorable ask ever!! ily ily ilysm!!! happy pride, my love!! sending you all the roses 🌹🌹🌹🏳️‍🌈🌈💖

[killerandhealerqueen]

Hi! What about the au in which Chen Yuzhi was abducted instead of Keing? The girl was waiting for her brother from work and witnessed his abduction. Yuzhi resisted to the last, but he was damn tired and the kidnappers were able to drag him into the car. Keing is horrified and asks everyone to help her brother, but no one agreed. She runs down the road and collides with Jian Yuelou. Yuelou tries to find out what happened and calm her down. What is his surprise when he finds out who her brother is. So, Jian Yuelou has to find Yuzhi and take care of Keing. In captivity, Chen Yuzhi shows stubbornness and fights with his captors. Will Jian Yuelou be able to save him in time?

*gasps and tears up* Girl, you spoil me. I might just have to turn this into a fic I love it so much

It was a normal night as Chen Keying sat on her doorstep, waiting for her brother to come home from work

She always waited on the steps because sometimes her brother would surprise her with little gifts or trinkets that his patients would give him…and sometimes it was just nice to see a familiar face when you came home

As she sat there, waiting, she noticed her brother walking her way, causing her to grin and shoot to her feet

“Gege!”

Her older brother, Dr. Chen Yuzhi, smiled fondly as he made his way to her

“A-Ying”

As he continued towards her, a black car suddenly sped out of nowhere and stopped behind him, the back door opening before an arm reached out and grabbed him, trying to pull him into the car

“Gege!”

Chen Yuzhi resisted, of course, but whoever was in the car was stronger than him and yanked him into the car

The car then immediately sped off, Keying staring after it in shock before she shook herself out of it and took after it

“Gege!  Gege!”

She continued to run after the car, screaming for the driver to stop, but the car just kept going, leaving her in the dust

She stared after the car with wide eyes, her chest heaving, before tears began to stream down her face

“Gege”

She then began to cry, her shoulders shaking with every sob, and as she cried, she didn’t realize someone was coming up behind her until she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder

“Are you alright, little one?”

Keying turned and looked up to see a tall man with light skin, brown eyes, and short black hair looking back at her, concern in his eyes

At the sight of him, Keying let out a wail before she threw herself into his arms, the man blinking in surprise as his arms went around her

“Woah”

He then looked down at her before he gently began to stroke her hair

“It’s okay.  It’s okay, you’re okay”

Keying, however, just shook her head and continued to cry, causing the man to sigh softly before he looked at her

“Okay, sweetheart, come on.  Let’s get you inside”

He then gently pulled her away from him and took her hand, guiding her back to his house before he walked over to his couch and sat her down as he knelt before her

“Shh, shh.  It’s okay, just take a deep breath.  Just breathe, sweetheart, it’s okay”

He then reached out and gently wiped away Keying’s tears, gently hushing and soothing her until she calmed down and once she had calmed down (well, reduced her tears to sniffles), he looked at her

“Now, can you tell me what happened?”

Keying looked back at him before she sniffled

“My gege was kidnapped”

The man’s eyes widened

“Kidnapped?”

Keying nodded

“I watched them do it too!  I tried to stop them, I ran after them and told them to stop but they just kept—”

She then burst into tears again, causing the man’s eyes to widen before he reached out and gently wiped her eyes

“Okay, okay.  Okay, shh…shh, sweetheart.  Shh…can you tell me your brother’s name?”

Keying sniffled and wiped her eyes as she looked at him

“Dr. Chen Yuzhi”

The man looked at her in surprise; why would anyone want to kidnap a doctor?

“Mister—”

The man blinked before he looked at Keying, who sniffled

“Are you gonna help me get my brother back?”

The man blinked before he nodded

“As Chief of the Anti-Drug Brigade, I will do my best to help you get your brother back”

Keying looked at him in surprise

“You’re a police officer?”

The man smiled

“Chief Jiang Yuelou, at your service”

Just then, a white and grey ragdoll hopped up onto the couch and crawled into Keying’s lap, causing Keying to look at it in surprise

“Kitty!”

Jiang Yuelou smiled

“He likes you”

Keying smiled softly and gently began to stroke the ragdoll’s fur, humming softly

“I like him too.  He’s fluffy”

Jiang Yuelou chuckled before he looked at her

“Have you eaten?”

Keying shook her head

“No…I was waiting for gege to get home”

Jiang Yuelou hummed

“Well, let me make you something quick”

He then pushed himself to his feet and headed into the kitchen, whipping up something quick while Keying stayed on the couch, playing with the ragdoll

Jiang Yuelou then came back a little while later and held out a warm bowl of congee to Keying

“Here.  Something warm”

Keying looked up at him and nodded, taking the congee before she began to eat, Jiang Yuelou watching her to make sure she ate her fill

After she ate, Keying placed her bowl on the coffee table and dipped her head

“Thank you”

Jiang Yuelou nodded

“You’re welcome”

Keying then removed the ragdoll from her lap and placed him on the couch beside her before she pushed herself to her feet

“I should go home…”

Jiang Yuelou’s eyes widened and he shook his head

“No, no, you’re staying here.  I’m not letting you sleep by yourself”

Keying looked at him and frowned

“But—”

Jiang Yuelou shook his head

“No buts.  Unless you want me and Xiao Bai to come over to your house and stay with you there”

Keying thought about it for a moment before she nodded

“Yes please”

Jiang Yuelou nodded

“Alright then”

He then reached out and picked up the ragdoll, Xiao Bai, holding him in one arm while he held out his hand to Keying

“Come on, let’s get you home”

Keying nodded and took his hand, both of them heading out of Jiang Yuelou’s house and over to Keying’s house, Jiang Yuelou’s eyes widening in surprise at how close her house was to his

They then stepped inside, Jiang Yuelou letting go of Keying’s hand

“Alright, go ahead and get ready for bed.  If you need anything, I’ll be out here”

Keying nodded and headed to her bedroom as Jiang Yuelou placed Xiao Bai down and looked around the house, noting the degrees up on the wall

‘An accomplished man’

After he had looked around, Jiang Yuelou walked over to the couch and sat down, Xiao Bai soon hopping up to join him

He then began to pet his ragdoll, just sitting in silence, when Keying came out of her bedroom, a nervous look on her face

“C-Chief Jiang?”

Jiang Yuelou looked over at her and raised an eyebrow

“Mm?”

Keying lowered her gaze

“Um…gege usually reads me a story.  I…do you think—”

Jiang Yuelou smiled softly before he pushed himself to his feet and walked over to her, placing a hand on her head

“Sure.  Come, let’s go”

Keying grinned and nodded, quickly heading to her bedroom as Jiang Yuelou followed behind

Once inside her bedroom, Jiang Yuelou walked over to the edge of her bed and sat down on it as she handed him a book

“This one, please”

Jiang Yuelou smiled and nodded, taking the book before he opened it and began to read Keying, Keying snuggling under her blanket

After reading for a while, Jiang Yuelou looked over to find Keying fast asleep, Xiao Bai curled up against her (he had no idea when the cat had entered the room, but it was a cute sight to see nonetheless)

As soon as she was asleep, Jiang Yuelou quietly stood up and placed the book down on the bedside table before he crept out of the room and closed the door behind him

He then headed to the living room and made himself comfortable on the couch, keeping his eyes on the door

He didn’t know if the same people who had kidnapped Keying’s brother would come back and try to kidnap her but if they did…they would be in for a rude awakening

Meanwhile, in a warehouse by the docks, Chen Yuzhi found himself bound and gagged with his kidnappers standing before him

“What are we going to do with him?  Sell him as a slave?  Use him as an organ donor?”

The other kidnapper shrugged

“I don’t know”

He then reached out and grabbed Chen Yuzhi’s face in his hand

“He’s pretty, that’s for sure…maybe someone will buy him”

While he continued to hold Chen Yuzhi’s face in his hand, Chen Yuzhi growled behind his gag before he wrenched his face out of his kidnapper’s grasp and glared at them

His kidnappers looked at him before they laughed

“Oh, he’s a feisty one…we’ll have to break that out of him before we can sell him”

At their insinuation, Chen Yuzhi’s eyes widened, just as one of the kidnappers looked at the other

“But not tonight…it’s too late.  After we get off the boat tomorrow…then we’ll break him”

The second kidnapper nodded before they headed out of the warehouse and closed the door behind them, leaving Chen Yuzhi tied to a pipe, in the dark

The next morning, while Keying was still sleeping, Jiang Yuelou slipped back to his own house and got ready, showering and changing into new clothes before he headed back to her house and headed to the bedroom, quietly opening the door

“Keying?  It’s time to get up”

Keying let out a soft noise and slowly sat up, blinking at Jiang Yuelou before she nodded

“Okay”

Jiang Yuelou then tilted his head

“Do you have school or—”

Keying nodded again

“I have school”

Jiang Yuelou nodded

“Okay, you get ready for school, I’ll make breakfast”

Keying nodded again as Jiang Yuelou turned and headed to the kitchen to begin making breakfast

As soon as he finished, Keying stepped out in her uniform, Jiang Yuelou smiling slightly as he walked over and placed a plate of food before her

“Here”

Keying grinned

“Thank you”

Jiang Yuelou nodded and while she ate, he cleaned up, as he didn’t want to leave the house messier than he found it

After she had finished eating, Jiang Yuelou took her plate and quickly washed it before he looked at her

“Alright, grab your things, let’s go”

Keying nodded and quickly rushed to grab her backpack before she and Jiang Yuelou headed out of the house, Keying leading Jiang Yuelou to her school

“Alright, come to the police department when you’re done with school, understand?  I’m going to try and start a search on who might have taken your brother and where they might have taken him”

Keying nodded

“Thank you, ge-Chief Jiang”

Jiang Yuelou chuckled softly

“You can call me gege, if you want”

Keying looked up at him with wide eyes

“Really?”

Jiang Yuelou nodded

“Mm”

Keying grinned as Jiang Yuelou smiled

“Now go.  You’ll be late”

Keying nodded and turned, rushing off to school as Jiang Yuelou turned and headed to the police department

At the police department, Jiang Yuelou headed to his office, just as his two subordinates, Song Rong and Sun Yongren, stepped inside

“Boss”

Jiang Yuelou looked at them and nodded

“Good, you’re here.  I need one of you to go ask around the docks and see if anyone noticed a Dr. Chen Yuzhi getting on a boat and I need the other to head to the train station and see if he got on a train.  Ask if he was alone or if he was with people”

Song Rong and Sun Yongren frowned

“Dr. Chen Yuzhi?  Why are we asking about some doctor?”

“Because his sister witnessed his kidnapping”

Song Rong and Sun Yongren looked at him in shock

“What?”

Jiang Yuelou nodded

“She witnessed his kidnapping, and I promised her I would help bring him back so start searching.  Go”

Song Rong and Sun Yongren nodded before they turned and headed out of the office to start their search for Chen Yuzhi while Jiang Yuelou stayed in the office and began to work on paperwork

A little while later, when school got out, Keying rushed to the police department and headed inside, looking around before she walked over to an officer

“Where’s Chief Jiang’s office?”

The officer blinked in surprise before they pointed to her left

“Down the hall, that way”

Keying dipped her head to them before she turned and headed down the hall, soon coming upon Jiang Yuelou’s office

She then knocked on the door before she stepped inside

“Gege”

At her voice, Jiang Yuelou lifted his head and when he saw her, he smiled

“Hey.  How was school?”

Keying nodded

“It was okay.  Did you find any leads on gege?”

Jiang Yuelou hummed as he pushed himself to his feet and walked over to her

“My men are working on it right now.  Why don’t you sit and have some tea?”

Keying nodded and walked over to the couches in his office, sitting down as he walked over and poured her a cup of tea, handing it to her

“Careful, it’s hot”

Keying nodded again and carefully took the cup, taking a sip just as Song Rong and Sun Yongren stepped into the office

“Boss”

Jiang Yuelou and Keying looked over at them before Jiang Yuelou frowned

“Anything?”

Song Rong shook his head

“Nothing at the docks”

Jiang Yuelou then looked at Sun Yongren

“What about you?”

Sun Yongren nodded

“Dr. Chen was seen getting on a train with two other men.  They purchased three tickets to Hong Kong”

Keying looked at him with wide eyes

“Was gege okay?!”

Sun Yongren and Song Rong looked over at her before they looked at Jiang Yuelou

“Who—”

“Dr. Chen’s little sister, Chen Keying”

Song Rong and Sun Yongren looked at Keying with wide eyes before they both dipped their heads, Sun Yongren clearing his throat

“Um…according to the ticket salesman, Dr. Chen seemed relatively unharmed…irritated, but unharmed.  Though, he swore he thought his wrists were bound, but he couldn’t tell from how the man watching him was standing”

Keying looked at him with wide eyes before she looked at Jiang Yuelou

“Gege…”

Jiang Yuelou looked back at her before he walked over and knelt before her

“Don’t worry Keying, we’ll bring your brother home”

Keying nodded

“I want to come with you”

Jiang Yuelou’s eyes widened and he quickly shook his head

“No.  No, you can’t come with me”

Keying pouted

“Why not?  I want to save gege too!”

Jiang Yuelou nodded

“I know you do, but Hong Kong is a big place and you might get lost…besides, I’m sure your brother would want you to stay safe”

Keying pouted again before she nodded

“Okay…but you promise me you’re gonna bring gege back safely?”

Jiang Yuelou nodded

“Yes, I’m going to bring your brother home”

Song Rong then frowned

“But Boss…we don’t know what Dr. Chen looks like.  How can we find him?”

Jiang Yuelou hummed

“That’s a good point”

Keying brightened

“I have a picture!”

Jiang Yuelou, Song Rong, and Sun Yongren looked at her in surprise as she turned and reached into her backpack, pulling out a small wallet before she opened it and reached inside, pulling out a photo which she then handed to Jiang Yuelou

“Here”

Jiang Yuelou reached out and took the photo, looking at the serious young man before he hummed

“Alright.  I’ll keep an eye out for him”

He then took the photo and carefully stuck it in his wallet before he looked at Keying

“Now come on.  I’m going to drop you off at a friend’s house”

Keying tilted her head

“A friend?”

Jiang Yuelou nodded and held out his hand

“Mm.  Now come”

Keying nodded and took his hand, hopping out off the couch as they headed over to the door, Jiang Yuelou looking over at Song Rong and Sun Yongren

“Pack your bags.  We’re heading to Hong Kong”

Song Rong and Sun Yongren’s eyes widened before they nodded

“Yes sir”

Jiang Yuelou nodded before he and Keying headed out of the office and out of the police bureau

A little while later, Jiang Yuelou and Keying arrived at a large mansion, Keying looking up at it with wide eyes

“Woah”

Jiang Yuelou chuckled before he knocked on the door, the door soon opening to reveal an older man

“Chief Jiang”

“Qiu Ming.  Is he in?”

The servant, Qiu Ming, nodded before he motioned them inside

“Please”

Jiang Yuelou dipped his head before he and Keying stepped inside, Keying looking around with wide eyes

“Wow…your friend is super rich, gege”

Jiang Yuelou chuckled

“He is, isn’t he?”

“Who’s rich?”

Jiang Yuelou and Keying looked over to see a tall man with light skin, brown eyes, and short black hair dressed in a maroon suit walking down from the second floor

“Zhan-xiong”

The tall man, Zhan Junbai, smiled

“Jiang-xiong.  What brings you here?”

Jiang Yuelou motioned to Keying

“Would you be willing to watch her for a few days?  I have to go on a mission”

Zhan Junbai raised an eyebrow at Keying in surprise before he smiled and walked over to them, kneeling before her

“Hello there.  What’s your name?”

Keying blushed

“Chen Keying”

Zhan Junbai smiled slightly

“Hello Keying.  How do you know Jiang-xiong?”

Keying grinned

“He’s gonna save my gege!”

Zhan Junbai raised an eyebrow before he looked up at Jiang Yuelou, who hummed

“I’ll explain in a moment”

Zhan Junbai nodded slowly before he looked at Keying and smiled

“Are you hungry?  Why don’t you go with Qiu Ming and get something to eat in the kitchen”

Keying nodded as Zhan Junbai looked up

“Qiu Ming!”

Qiu Ming soon arrived and Zhan Junbai motioned to Keying

“Please take Miss Chen to the kitchen and get her something to eat”

Qiu Ming nodded and motioned for Keying to follow him to the kitchen, Keying glancing up at Jiang Yuelou, who nodded in reply

“Go on”

Keying nodded and let go of his hand, following Qiu Ming to the kitchen as Zhan Junbai looked at him

“What is she talking about?”

Jiang Yuelou sighed

“She witnessed her brother being kidnapped the other night…and I promised to get him back.  We got a lead that someone saw him getting on a train with two other men to Hong Kong, so we’re heading there”

Zhan Junbai frowned

“You think they’re going to traffic him?”

Jiang Yuelou sighed heavily

“I’m hoping and praying they don’t because I don’t know what I’m going to tell that kid if they do”

Zhan Junbai looked at him before he smiled and patted his arm

“You’ll find him.  Knowing you, you bloodhound, once you catch a scent, you never stop following it until you finally have your prey”

Jiang Yuelou laughed

“Yeesh, what a compliment”

Zhan Junbai chuckled

“It’s true though”

Jiang Yuelou hummed before he looked at him

“So?  Can you watch her?”

Zhan Junbai nodded

“I’ll watch her for you”

Jiang Yuelou dipped his head

“Thank you”

He then turned and headed out of the mansion, Zhan Junbai watching him leave before he turned and headed into the kitchen so that he could get acquainted with his new charge

Meanwhile, Jiang Yuelou quickly headed to the train station to find Song Rong and Sun Yongren waiting for him

“Did you get the tickets?”

Song Rong nodded and handed him one

“Yes sir”

Jiang Yuelou nodded before he motioned to the train

“Alright, let’s go”

When they arrived in Hong Kong, Song Rong sighed

“How are we going to find him?  This place is so much bigger than Jing City…we don’t even know if he’s still here…”

Jiang Yuelou shook his head

“He has to still be here.  I promised Keying I would bring him home and I’m not breaking that promise”

Song Rong and Sun Yongren looked at him before they nodded

“Yes sir”

They then began to walk around the city, searching for any sign of Chen Yuzhi and his kidnappers, but like Song Rong said, Hong Kong was so much bigger than Jing City…they were going to have a hard time

Meanwhile, in a hotel room, the two kidnappers were meeting with a potential client while Chen Yuzhi sat on the bed, his wrist bound in front of him

As he sat there, silently plotting how he was going to get away, the client walked over to him and smiled

“You’re mine now”

Chen Yuzhi looked at them calmly

“Are we staying here or are we going somewhere else?”

The client chuckled

“Of course we’re going somewhere else.  I’m not taking your first time in this shitty hotel”

Chen Yuzhi’s eyes widened before he lowered his gaze, the client chuckling at his “demureness” before he walked over to him and grabbed him by the arm

“Come.  Let’s go”

He then helped Chen Yuzhi off the bed before he led him out of the room, both of them heading downstairs but before they left, Chen Yuzhi looked over at them

“You should untie me.  It’ll look suspicious if we’re walking around and my wrists are bound”

The client hummed

“You’re right”

He then reached out and untied Chen Yuzhi’s wrist, Chen Yuzhi immediately striking him in his meridian point in his neck, watching as he collapsed to the ground, unconscious

“Idiot”

He then turned and rushed out of the hotel, beginning to run through the streets of Hong Kong, when he slammed into someone, causing him to stumble and fall on his ass

“Ow”

“Are you okay?”

Chen Yuzhi looked up to see Jiang Yuelou looking at him in concern and he nodded

“I’m fine”

Jiang Yuelou then held out his hand

“Sorry”

Chen Yuzhi shook his head

“Don’t worry about it”

He then reached out and took Jiang Yuelou’s hand, Jiang Yuelou helping him to his feet before he looked at him

“Dr…Chen Yuzhi?”

Chen Yuzhi’s eyes widened and he frowned

“Who are you?  How do you know me?”

Jiang Yuelou smiled and reached into his pocket, pulling out his badge

“Chief Jiang Yuelou of the Anti-Drug Brigade.  Your sister Keying asked me to save you”

Chen Yuzhi’s eyes widened

“Keying.  Is she alright?”

Jiang Yuelou nodded

“She’s fine; she’s currently staying with a friend of mine while we came here searching for you”

Chen Yuzhi stared at him in shock before he nodded and let out a shuddering breath

“O-Oh”

“HEY!”

Jiang Yuelou and Chen Yuzhi turned, Chen Yuzhi’s eyes widening when he saw his kidnappers running towards them

“We need to go.  We need to go now”

Jiang Yuelou frowned

“Why?”

Chen Yuzhi shook his head

“We just need to go, now, please”

Jiang Yuelou’s frown deepened, just as the two men ran over and stopped before them

“Give him back”

Jiang Yuelou narrowed his eyes

“Who are you two?”

The kidnappers huffed

“What does it matter to you?  Give him back”

One of the kidnappers then reached for Chen Yuzhi, only for Jiang Yuelou to pull him close and away from him

“Not until I know who you are”

The kidnappers growled

“You—”

Just then, Song Rong and Sun Yongren rushed over to them, both men looking at Jiang Yuelou

“Boss”

The kidnappers looked at them with wide eyes

“Boss?”

Jiang Yuelou then looked at them and smirked

“Arrest them”

Sun Yongren and Song Rong blinked but did what they were told, quickly arresting the two men

“Hey, hey, you can’t do this!”

Jiang Yuelou pulled out his badge and showed it to them

“Police.  You’re under arrest for human trafficking”

The kidnappers’ eyes widened as Jiang Yuelou looked at Song Rong and Sun Yongren

“Take them to the police station”

Song Rong and Sun Yongren nodded and quickly dragged the men away as Jiang Yuelou looked at Chen Yuzhi

“Are you alright?”

Chen Yuzhi looked at him before he let out a shuddering breath

“There’s another man…back at the hotel.  He…he bought me”

Jiang Yuelou’s eyes widened before he growled

“Take me to this hotel”

Chen Yuzhi nodded and slipped out of Jiang Yuelou’s protective grasp before he began to head back to the hotel, Jiang Yuelou on his heels

When they arrived, the man Chen Yuzhi knocked unconscious was still out cold, which Chen Yuzhi was grateful for as he pointed to him

“Him.  He’s the one who bought me”

Jiang Yuelou looked down at the man and growled before he reached down and yanked him to his feet, rather grateful that the lobby of the hotel was empty, before he looked over at Chen Yuzhi

“Let’s head to the police station as well.  You can give your statement to the officers there”

Chen Yuzhi nodded and followed Jiang Yuelou out of the hotel, the three of them heading to the police station

At the police station, Jiang Yuelou, Song Rong, and Sun Yongren presented the kidnappers and the client to the officers before Chen Yuzhi recounted his story, the police officers humming

“Alright, Dr. Chen, we’ll just take your statement really quickly and then you’ll be free to go”

Chen Yuzhi nodded and followed one of the officers to a private room to give his statement as Jiang Yuelou stepped forward

“Can you check the client to see if there’s some sort of paper contract on him?”

One of the officers blinked before they nodded, quickly searching the man before he pulled out a piece of paper and opened it, reading it over before he handed it to Jiang Yuelou

“Here sir”

Jiang Yuelou took it and read it through before he hummed

“Anyone got a light?”

One of the officer then pulled out a lighter, Jiang Yuelou reaching out to take it before he flicked it open and flicked on the fire, holding the contract over the flame

He then walked over to a nearby ashtray and held the contract over it, watching as it turned to ash before he handed the lighter back to the officer

“Thank you”

The officer nodded, just as Chen Yuzhi came out of the room and walked over to them

“Are you done?”

Chen Yuzhi nodded, causing Jiang Yuelou to nod in return

“Alright, let’s get you home”

After leaving the police station, Jiang Yuelou, Chen Yuzhi, Song Rong, and Sun Yongren headed to the train depot, Jiang Yuelou buying four tickets on the return trip home

When it was time to depart, Jiang Yuelou and Chen Yuzhi got into one compartment and Song Rong and Sun Yongren got into another compartment so that Jiang Yuelou and Chen Yuzhi could talk privately

Once they were alone, Jiang Yuelou reached out and gently took Chen Yuzhi’s rope burned wrist in his hands

“Does it hurt?”

Chen Yuzhi hummed

“A little…but I’ll be okay once they heal”

Jiang Yuelou hummed and gently rubbed a thumb over the rope burns as Chen Yuzhi looked at him

“Um…thank you”

Jiang Yuelou raised an eyebrow

“For what?”

Chen Yuzhi blushed

“For coming to save me”

Jiang Yuelou chuckled

“You saved yourself…I just put them away”

Chen Yuzhi huffed

“Still…thank you”

Jiang Yuelou smiled and dipped his head

“You’re welcome”

Chen Yuzhi then tilted his head

“So…Keying sent you?”

Jiang Yuelou hummed

“Yes…she asked me to bring you home safely…and that’s what I intend to do”

Chen Yuzhi looked at him with wide eyes before he lowered his gaze, a soft blush on his cheeks

He then sighed heavily

“I can’t wait to see her…”

Jiang Yuelou smiled and gave his hand a gentle squeeze

“And I’m sure she can’t wait to see you”

Chen Yuzhi lifted his gaze and looked him in the eyes as he smiled

“It’s going to be a long journey back.  You should get some rest”

Chen Yuzhi blinked before he nodded, slipping his hand out of Jiang Yuelou’s before he laid down on the bench, almost immediately falling asleep

As he slept, Jiang Yuelou watched him for a moment before he shifted so his legs were stretched out on the bench before he leaned his head back and shut his eyes, beginning to whistle softly

When they returned to Jing City, Song Rong and Sun Yongren headed to the police station while Jiang Yuelou and Chen Yuzhi headed to Zhan Junbai’s mansion, both men stepping inside

“Keying!  We’re back!”

Just then, Keying came running into the room from the dining room, where she and Zhan Junbai were having snacks, and when she saw Chen Yuzhi standing beside Jiang Yuelou, her eyes widened before she gasped

“GEGE!”

She then ran over to him and threw her arms around him, Chen Yuzhi blinking back tears before he knelt down and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly

“Oh Keying.  Oh, A-Ying.  I’m so sorry.  I’m so sorry”

Keying sniffled and shook her head

“It’s okay, gege.  It’s okay”

She then pulled away and looked up at Jiang Yuelou, who was looking down at them fondly

“Thank you gege”

Jiang Yuelou smiled

“You’re welcome”

He then motioned with his head towards the door

“Come on, let’s go get something to eat.  I’m sure your brother’s starving”

Keying nodded and took Chen Yuzhi’s hand, Chen Yuzhi smiling softly as he pushed himself to his feet

They then began to head out of the mansion as Jiang Yuelou stayed behind and walked over to Zhan Junbai, who had stepped out of the dining room to see the reunion between the siblings

“Thanks, Zhan-xiong”

Zhan Junbai smiled

“Anytime.  Anything for a friend.  And tell Miss Keying she’s welcome over here any time”

Jiang Yuelou chuckled

“Will do”

He then turned and walked over to Chen Yuzhi and Keying, who were waiting for him, before they all headed out of the mansion together

Later, the three of them sat at the wonton stand, enjoying dinner when Jiang Yuelou looked at Chen Yuzhi

“Let me take a look at your wrists for you”

Chen Yuzhi looked at him in surprise before he shook his head

“Oh, there’s no need for that…I’m a doctor, I can do it—”

“Yuzhi”

Chen Yuzhi’s eyes widened at his tone before he nodded

“Alright”

Jiang Yuelou smiled and nodded as he went back to his dinner

After dinner, the three of them headed to Chen Yuzhi’s house, Keying heading to her bedroom to play with Xiao Bai while Chen Yuzhi and Jiang Yuelou sat in Chen Yuzhi’s living room, the supplies before them on the coffee table

“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

Jiang Yuelou huffed

“Don’t underestimate me, Dr. Chen”

He then carefully cleaned his wrist before he applied the medicine and bandages, carefully wrapping his wrist tightly but not too tight that it restricted movement and blood flow

Once his wrists were nicely bound, Jiang Yuelou smiled and looked at him

“Well?  What do you think?  Not bad, huh?”

Chen Yuzhi looked at his bandaged wrist and hummed

“No…not bad at all”

He then looked at him and smiled slightly

“Thank you”

Jiang Yuelou nodded, just as Keying came out and looked at them

“Gege.  Can you read me a story?”

Jiang Yuelou and Chen Yuzhi looked at her

“Sure”

Both men then looked at each other before Jiang Yuelou blushed and cleared his throat

“Excuse me, I should probably go.  Good night, Keying.  Dr. Chen”

He then pushed himself to his feet and headed out of the house, Chen Yuzhi and Keying watching him leave before Chen Yuzhi looked at Keying and placed a hand on her head

“Come on, sweetheart, let’s go read you your story”

The next day, around noon, as Jiang Yuelou was working on his paperwork, there was a knock on his door, making him look up

“Come in”

Chen Yuzhi then stepped into the office, causing Jiang Yuelou to look at him in surprise

“Dr. Chen.  What are you doing here?”

Chen Yuzhi smiled slightly

“I…I wanted to properly thank you.  For saving me.  So I was wondering…if you’d maybe like to get lunch?”

Jiang Yuelou looked at him for a moment before he smiled and pushed himself to his feet

“As it so happens, it is time for my lunch break so…sure.  I’ll take you up on that offer”

He then walked over to him and motioned to the door

“Shall we go?”

Chen Yuzhi smiled and nodded, heading out of the door as Jiang Yuelou followed behind

As they headed to lunch, Chen Yuzhi looked over at Jiang Yuelou

“Thank you for also looking after Keying.  She told me everything”

Jiang Yuelou chuckled

“Not a problem.  Couldn’t just leave her to fend for herself, you know?”

Chen Yuzhi hummed

“Still…thank you”

Jiang Yuelou smiled

“You can stop thanking me…I was just doing my job”

Chen Yuzhi huffed

“I know…but I just feel the need to thank you”

Jiang Yuelou chuckled

“Then you can thank me by paying for lunch.  How about that?”

Chen Yuzhi laughed and nodded

“Deal”

[jolienjoyswriting]

Parallel Diagnoses (ft. Farfalla Chou), Ch. III

Chapter 3 (the final chapter) of "Parallel Diagnoses," a Mega Man fan fiction story.

A normal human being tries to fight a combat robot… with surprising results!

Word count: 3,202 – Character count: 18,895 Drafted: March 7th, 2023 –

Rockman, Roll, the Dr. Right Numbers, Heatman, the "Rockman" series, and related characters and concepts created by and © Capcom Co, Ltd. Farfalla Chou, the Dr. Chou Numbers, related characters and concepts created by and © jade-green-butterfly Joseph Dominique and related characters and concepts created by and © Jo Li

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    "You know… I was trying to be nice."     Both Joseph and Farfalla stared with wide eyes as Heatman caught the lead pipe in his hand.  They were sure he wasn't paying attention to anything but his forceful affections…     "But, I guess some idiots just have to play the hero," he continued.  "So, tell ya what…"     Joseph blinked… then he yelped and let go of the pipe as it suddenly turned red-hot.     "If you wanna play hero…" the robot said, tossing the pipe, "then I'll be your 'bad guy'."     He stood, ignoring Farfalla as she seemingly ran away.  He then cracked his neck and rolled one shoulder with a grin, looking amused.     "I just hope you know what you're in for, 'hero'," the fire-based robot told the man.  "'Cause you're about to have a hot time in the old town tonight!  Heat Mode!!"     Joseph shouted in surprise as Heatman threw his arms out, bursting into flames!  The heat was so intense, he ended up stumbling backward to get out of range.  Unfortunately for him, the evil robot wasn't going to let him off the hook that easily.

    "You tried to hit me with a pipe," Heatman said as he walked closer to the man.  "That wasn't cool…  You interrupted my make-out session with the cutest nurse 'bot this side of town, too.  Heh.  I bet you're the jerk that made her cry in the first place."     The flames grew brighter and the heat grew more intense.     "I told her to forget about you, but now that I'm actually seein' you…"     Heatman planted his feet on the bubbling tarmac and drew his arms back.     "Maybe I should do her a favor… and burn you down to the ground.  Atomic Fire!!"

    Joseph turned and ran the moment he heard the word "burn" – and with good reason!  The fiery robot swung his arms, throwing three large balls of fire into the air!  One landed directly in front of Joseph, blocking his escape as it exploded into a pillar of flame!  The other two crashed haphazardly in no particular places behind him, but the flames were still intense enough to get his attention.  The pillars quickly fizzled out, leaving some small fires burning the road and sidewalk.  However, fear had left its mark.  Joseph… was trembling.     "C-c-can't we talk about this…?" he said, turning back toward Heatman.     Heatman's grin turned malicious as he suggested, "You wanna hug it out, bro?"     Once again, the robot pulsed with heat and flame.  Joseph shrieked a panicked "Nooo…!!" as he fell over backward, falling onto his butt.  He was trying to crawl away again, but Heatman was happy to follow at a leisurely pace.     "What do they make roads out of, again?" he asked, changing the subject.  "Melted rubber?  Whatever it is, it's stickin' to my boots pretty bad…"     The robot took a familiar "ready" stance…     "Guess I'll just have to turn up the heat…"     Heatman's fiery aura grew in intensity and size as he bellowed out a primal shout like he was from some Japanese fighting series.  Joseph was quick to get to his feet and run even farther away, but there was no fleeing from the fight.  Heatman wasn't done with him…

    "Burst Fire!!"     The robot launched himself forward in a blaze, scorching a path around the man and stopping him cold.  Once again, Joseph fell on his butt and stared, terrified of the flaming, metal devil before him.     "What do you want from me?!" he screamed, crying and shaking, overwhelmed with fear.     "Say you're sorry," Heatman calmly told him, standing there in an almost heroic pose.     "I'm sorry!!"     "No," the robot said, "say you're sorry to my jade butterfly."     Joseph frantically looked around.  He couldn't see anyone else there.  Just Heatman.     "I'm sorry, jade butterfly…!!" he cried into the night sky.     "Man… what a wienie.  You're no fun."     Heatman chuckled a little, crossing his arms over his boxy frame.     "Well… I guess it's time to roast this wienie…"     "D-don't kill me…!!"     "Relaaax, dude…"     The robot raised his hands above his head, gathering an increasingly large amount of flames into a bright sphere of light and heat.     "This won't hurt for long…"     Once again, Joseph's fear overtook him and he curled into a ball.  There was no way out of his situation!  That walking, talking lighter really was going to kill him and he was completely powerless to…     "Stop it!!"     A voice cried out in the night.  And strangely enough… Heatman actually did stop what he was doing to stare in disbelief.

    "Butterfly…" he said after half a minute.     Joseph blinked… and paused, looking up from the hot pavement.  To his surprise… Farfalla was standing in front of him, arms out and legs wide in a protective stance.     "Hey, you might wanna move, alright?"  Heatman shooed Farfalla with one hand.  "Wouldn't wanna scorch your pretty little wings…"     "I'm n-not going to let you harm this man!" she defiantly shouted through her nerves.     "Butterfly, Butterfly, flutter away…" the fiery robot said in a sing-song.  "Live to fly another day.  Okay?"     The nurse 'bot shook her head.  "No!"     "Wait…"  Heatman scratched his head.  "Are you saying you want me to melt you?"     "Joseph tried to save me from your unwanted advances!" she yelled, ignoring the other robot's genuine confusion.  "N-now, it's my turn to save him!"     Heatman walked toward Farfalla with his flame barrier up.  Joseph ducked back down, but Farfalla stood steady, glued to the spot by her courage.

    "You know… I can melt through steel beams with my Atomic Fire.  I'm hotter than thermite in more ways than one.  Turning you into a pile of metal mush would be no problem.  Is this what you want, though?"     She shook her head again.  "Do what you will!  I don't care!!" she cried.     "Yeah, well… I kinda do.  Move it."     "No!"     "I said 'move it'…"     "I will not!"     "I said…"     His aura flared and he reared back.     "Move it!!"     Joseph yelped as a ball of flames cascaded out of the evil robot's hand.  However… it didn't land anywhere near either of them.  In fact, it landed well behind them.

    "Look, I'm tryin' to be nice, here…"     "Burn me if you must," Farfalla challenged, "but I will not move away from this man!"     Heatman grimaced.  "Don't make me do this, Butterfly…"     "I'm not making you do anything," she countered.  "You're doing this all on your own!"     "Look, I just wanna nuke that jerk for making you cry and–"     "I'm not moving!"     Heatman sighed… then, unexpectedly, he let his flames go out.     "You stress me out, girl…" he said, sounding dejected.  "I need another smoke…"     Farfalla remained standing between Heatman and Joseph, watching the latter pat himself down, looking for something.  She didn't care what.  She still wasn't moving.     "Oh, dang…" he eventually said.  "I think I burned my smokes when I was…"     The robot shot a glare at Joseph who was still cowering behind Farfalla.     "Oh, whatever…" he sighed, shrugging.  "I'll just get s'more at home…"     Another sigh passed his lips as he reached up to one of his… ears?     "One to teleport," he said, fingers in the green energy port where his ears should be.  "Later, Butterfly.  Later… you."

    The robot in the lighter-shaped armor gave a two-fingered wave to Farfalla before turning around.  He took two steps… then he disappeared in a stream of light, shooting high into the night sky.  With him gone, a relative peacefulness fell over the area.  Some things were still on fire and there were several massive, melty gouges of rubber in the road where Heatman had melted the asphalt… but it was far less scary since he wasn't there to keep it going.

    "You… you saved me."

    It took a long while for Joseph to realize what had happened…  He stayed petrified for a long while after Heatman left.  When he did finally notice the temperamental robot was gone, though, he looked up and spoke to Farfalla… who was still shielding him.

    "Farfalla…  You… you saved my life from that… that maniac…"     Joseph slowly… shakily… got to his feet.  He stumbled a little but managed to stand.     "You're… you're a hero!  You're my hero!  I–"     The man paused.  He'd caught the sound of something…     "Farfalla?" he called.     She didn't respond.  However, she was making some sort of sound.     "Far… falla?  Are you… okay?"     Farfalla continued to stand there, her back to Joseph and her arms and legs wide open.  She was taking hard, fast breaths… almost like she was hyperventilating.  It was confusing to listen to, especially since he didn't think robots needed to breathe.     "Farfalla?" he called again.  "Hey…  The… the scary robot is gone.  You can… stop protecting me, now?"     She didn't seem very interested in moving.  Or responding.     "Farfalla…?"     Joseph noticed something else, though…     "Farfalla…  You're… shaking."     The robotic nurse wasn't responding to Joseph's voice at all.  She continued to stand her ground, arms out and legs apart, violently shaking and raggedly breathing.  Something was wrong with her.  It was almost like she was in a completely different reality…  The man didn't know what to do… so he did the only thing that he could think of.

    He walked in front of her… and hugged her.

    Slowly… very slowly… and stiffly… very stiffly… Farfalla seemed to return to her senses.  With some effort, she eventually let her arms find their way around Joseph's shoulders, one hand squeezing one of his shoulders while the other dug into his T-shirt.  Her body wouldn't stop vibrating and her breathing refused to calm…  She couldn't stop crying, either.  It was like something within her just… broke.  All she wanted to do… was hug Joseph for all he was worth.

    Late into the night, the fire department came into the area.  When that happened, they took both Joseph and Farfalla aside and took care of any of the small fires that remained.  The police arrived not long after and Joseph had to explain what happened.  When the name "Heatman" came up, the officer just rolled his eyes and groaned.  Apparently, he was very familiar with that particular robot.     Eventually, the fire department left, as did the police, satisfied with the report Joseph had filled out.  They offered the two a ride home, but Joseph declined.  The two sat at the bus stop bench after, though they certainly weren't waiting for a bus.  Farfalla had seemingly gone into shock after her ordeal.  She wasn't shaking, crying, or breathing heavily, anymore.  However, she was refusing to acknowledge the man any further than she already had.  It was worrying…

    "I'll never be able to pay you back, you know…  For saving me, I mean."     Joseph smiled, watching Farfalla sit there and stare at the pavement.     "That was one of Wily's robots, huh?" he asked.  "I've… never seen a real, live Wily 'bot, before.  I'm only familiar with a handful of them besides, like, Springman or, um…  Well, I guess just Springman.  He was a really surprising contestant in that whole 'Battle & Chase' race from a few years ago!  Nearly won the whole thing 'til Wily revealed it was one of his evil plans!  Good thing Rockman was there to stop him, huh?"     He waited for about a minute, hoping for a response.  When he didn't get one, he looked away and frowned.     "I'm… sorry.  I'm sorry you had to end up saving me like that.  I… I had no idea what I was dealing with.  I just saw that stupid jerk kissing you and you struggling, and I just…"     The man shook his head.     "I'll know better, next time.  But… knowing me…"  He weakly smiled.  "I'd probably try and clobber him again…"     Joseph sighed.     "We should go home.  Can I offer you cab fare?  I'd offer you a ride home, but–"     "You're going to leave me?"     "Wha'?"     The man blinked and stared.  Suddenly, just like that… Farfalla was looking at him.  She looked genuinely distressed, too, her green eyes shining with frightened tears…     "N… no, I–"     "Do you despise the idea of me being a robot so much that you would just abandon me?  Even after everything that's happened tonight…?"     Again, Joseph blinked and stared.  "What… what's you being a robot have to do with anything?" he asked, genuinely confused.     Farfalla blinked, a look of realization coming over her.  She was doing it again…

    "F-forget I said that!" she shouted, looking away with an embarrassed blush.     "No."     The man reached over, gently turning her head back his way.     "Tell me what's wrong?" he softly asked.  "And… tell me why you stormed off earlier.  I'm pretty sure it wasn't just because of how I acted… but if I said or did something wrong–"     "Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Wily…" Farfalla said, gently moving her head away from his hand, "the general consensus of robots like me… robots that can think and act independently… is… not good.  Human-robot relations are at an all-time low.  Even heroic robots like Rockman and Breakman are considered untrustworthy by most people.  Some even think it's a big conspiracy… like the Drs. Right and Wily are just performing some sort of… stage play… to artificially bolster human-robot relations!!  Even independent roboticists such as Drs. Lalinde, Cossack, and even my own father, Dr. Chou, have been dragged into this public relations nightmare…  All because one crazed roboticist felt like he never got his proper dues…"     Joseph looked at the sidewalk.  "Oh…  I… see."     "That's all you have to say?  'I see'?"     "What?"     He looked back at Farfalla… only to see her angrily staring back with tears in her eyes.

    "I give you the full explanation of my irrational behavior and why I'm so utterly terrified by the thought that my being a robot would change your opinion of me… and all you can say is 'Oh, I see'?"     Joseph thought about that question for a while before telling her… "Yeah."     The brevity of the answer seemed to his Farfalla like a slap in the face.  She blinked a couple of times… then she smiled… then she started laughing.  It didn't last long, however.     "What you must think of me, Mr. Joseph Dominique…"     The woman sighed.  A few seconds later, she stood and looked up into the night sky.     "Yes… we should return home," she told him.  "My family is probably worried…"     She looked his way with a sad sort of smile.     "Today has been… enlightening."     The woman leaned down, placing a soft kiss on the man's cheek.     "Whatever you may think of me… know that you'll always have a place within my robotic heart.  Good night, Mr. Dominique.  And… thank you for saving me."     Farfalla turned and started to walk away… only to feel a familiar tug on her arm.     "Somehow… I had a feeling you were going to stop me, again," she sighed.     "Yeah, well… that's because I have something to tell you."     The woman didn't bother looking back as she asked, "What is it?"     She heard him rise from his seat.  Then, she felt his arms wrap around her shoulders.  For some reason… she found herself leaning back into his warm embrace.  Even if what he had to say wasn't worth listening to… she would at least have the comfort of one last hug before they parted ways for the final time.

    "I like you, Farfalla…"     "I… I liked you, too, Joseph."     "No, I said I like you," he countered.  "As in, I currently like you."     "Even though I'm a robot?"     There was no hint of sarcasm or "play" in that question.  She meant it exactly as asked.     "What is this weird, self-deprecating stigma you've made for yourself?"  Joseph sighed and squeezed the woman.  "It's like you don't want me to like you…"     Farfalla softly sighed.  "I've just… come to expect certain things from certain people, I suppose.  The stories I could tell you of humans who, upon realizing that I wasn't one of them, turned against me and my employers…"     "I'm all ears, Farfalla…"     She hummed with a soft smile.  "Not tonight."     "Then… some other time?" the man asked.  "Maybe… we could make a date of it?"     She chuckled, shaking her head.  "You're utterly incorrigible, Mr. Dominique."     "I'm not hearing a 'nooo'…"     Farfalla brought her arms up, hugging his as he continued to hold her.     "If you're serious about this…" she whispered, "then prove it."     She squirmed loose only to turn around and give him a proper hug.  He smiled, returning the gesture.  It was nice to see her smile, again.

    "Earn my trust," the nurse said.  "Show me that not all humans are alike."     "Aren't most of your co-workers human?"     "Yes, and they're quite nice.  None see me as 'dating material', however."  She closed her eyes and whispered, "It would be very hard for me to start a family, after all…"     "Is that something you want?" Joseph asked, resting his forehead against hers.  "To start a family with someone?"     "Someday, perhaps…" she half-sighed.  "I'm quite focused on work at this time."     She then opened one eye to look at him.     "That doesn't mean I don't get lonely, however."     "I get lonely, too…" he whispered back.  "Maybe we could be lonely together?"     "Incorrigible…  Utterly… utterly… incorrigible…"

    The clouds from earlier in the day seemed to dissipate as the moon reached its apex, shining its radiance on the two new friends as they stood there at the bus stop, simply holding one another.  Some would say it was a magical moment, meant to be shared between lovers…  For them, though?  It meant something else.     "It's getting cold…"     "I don't get cold, Joseph."     "You really don't…"  Joseph smiled, tilting his head back.  "In fact, you're pretty warm."     "It's part of my design," Farfalla replied, giving a smile as warm as her frame.     "Wonder what other functions Dr. Chou built into you…"     "If… that was an innuendo, Joseph…"     The two shared a grin.  It was definitely an innuendo of some sort…

    "Seriously, though," Joseph continued, "you're a marvel of modern science!  I'd love to get to know more about you.  And not just the 'robot' parts.  I wanna know what makes you tick, Ms. Chou!  Ah… no… pun intended."     "In due time, Mr. Dominique…"     She sighed, finally sliding out of his arms.     "For now… I must be homeward bound."     The man nodded.  "Can I give you a lift?"     "Maybe some other time."  She grinned as she told him, "I'd prefer you not learn where I live before our first proper date."     "Chou Manor," Joseph answered without missing a beat.  "The big place on the hill?"     Farfalla smiled and went wide-eyed.  "W-well!  I… I guess it was somewhat obvious…"     The man chuckled.  "Kinda."     "Still… I'll take a taxi cab tonight.  Nothing personal," she said as she offered another smile, "but… I meant what I said.  Earn my trust.  I'm faithful that you can."

    With some hesitation, the two went their separate ways.  After the day they'd had, they certainly had a lot to think about.  Joseph, in particular, slept restlessly.  He could still feel the furious flames of the robot known as Heatman haunting his dreams…  Despite that, though?  It seemed like they were well on their way to a new… and very interesting… friendship.

[delicatetaysversion]

the way my parents are terrified of me losing my head and crying at any time is so funny, like besties, i am your daughter, if im not an emotionally unstable adult like u would we even be related

[tedesquire]

Could you write smth with Egon x reader, your writing is all so good and they make me so happy. Please I’m begging :’) anything you want topic-wise, as long as it’s with Egon. Thank you and ily :))))

It's a Date

Description: You and Egon have been dating for weeks, though it would help if he knew that.

A/N: Had this idea in my head for a while… It’s probably something that would happen to me if I was 2% more unstable. Again, I love when people say "write whatever you want" but then I am faced with the reality of wow I get to write what I want... for a public audience...

-

“Egon, are you aware that there’s a woman at the bar who hasn’t taken her eyes off you all night?” Peter jutted his chin to gesture behind where you and Egon sat, a glint of mischief in his eye.

The gang had invited you and Janine out to a bar after their most recent bust, and while Janine declined, you couldn’t resist an opportunity to spend time with your boyfriend, Dr. Egon Spengler. It had only been a few weeks, but you were as infatuated with him as ever.

It began when he had asked you to tag along with him on a run to pick up some yeast and mold samples he had purchased a few towns over, inviting you to dinner as well. He made you smile, laugh, and he offered to pay for your meal.

“Wow, it’s almost as if this was a date.” You had teased, taking a sip of your wine.

“Well, we’re currently two people in a social engagement at a particular time, so yes, a date.” He shrugged his shoulders.

You were over the moon, smiling for the rest of the night. Since then you had been on multiple coffee and dinner dates, park outings, and sweet nights just resting at your apartment.

“Aren’t you going to talk to her?” Ray asked, bringing you back to reality.

You laughed heartily, shaking your head. “Ha ha Stantz, nice try.”

“Oh?” Wintson chimed in, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “And why wouldn’t he? Some girls like the nerd-type you know, look at Dana and Peter.”

“Hey, I resent that!” You raised an eyebrow, ignoring Peter’s cry of outrage.

“Because… Egon’s seeing someone…?” You were taken back by their lack of knowledge, eying the man in question, waiting for him to chime in. Was he trying to keep it a secret?

“Spengler, you dog! I take back everything I said about you! Well, a good 98%, at least. Who is the lucky fossil?” Venkman laughed, elbowing a chuckling Winston. You felt your heart sink. Did they really not know?

“No, I bet it’s Janine. Is it Janine?” Winston asked, genuine excitement in his tone.

“What about that woman from the bust last Saturday who was eyeing you… what’s her name…” Ray thought out loud.

“He won’t say anything! Y/n, you know who it is! Tell us. C’mon tell us.” Venkman begged, and you looked towards Egon, whose dark brows were furrowed in confusion.

“Me…?” You muttered weakly, the end of the sentence more posed as a question. The table burst into cheers, but you couldn't focus on anything other than Egon’s shocked expression.

“What’s wrong?” You asked, placing your hand on his arm.

“I wasn’t aware that we were in a relationship.” Panic bubbled in your stomach.

“What do you mean, we’ve been dating for weeks!” The table had quieted by now, all men equally lost as to what the hell was going on. Egon remained quiet, allowing you to think out loud. “You… you asked me to go pick up yeast samples and have dinner with you and you said it was a date.’”

“Oh my god,” Venkman cut in, not that you were paying close attention. “Is that an ionized class 4 apparition? We’re going to go check it out.” The three other men slid out of the booth faster than you had ever seen them move before in your life.

“And then,” You continued, voice started to crack as your throat became tense. “We had coffee, I invited you over for a movie, we’ve had dinner multiple times…” Realization dawned on you, instantly sliding out of the booth and standing.

“Oh my god.. Oh my god! You… you didn’t think we were dating. Because we weren’t. You didn’t say it was a date... You just mentioned it was a date, like an appointment. And I’m an idiot.” The music felt too loud, your heartbeat racing in your ears. You peered over your shoulder to find Winston, Peter, and Ray at the bar staring at you guys, immediately breaking contact to pretend as if they weren’t witnessing the most humiliating moment of your life.

“I thought you didn’t like touch too much so I didn’t try to…” You weakly tried to justify your actions.

“Y/n-” Suddenly it felt like everyone was staring, recognizing that you were a moon-eyed fool who believed in love so much you had made up a relationship with your coworker. You could feel your cheeks heat up in embarrassment, tears welling and starting to pour down your cheeks.

So you did the only rational thing you could think of to do, you ran.

-

Oh god, how could you think that for one second Dr. Egon Spengler, an intelligent, handsome, and caring man, would take one look at you and want to date you? He had his pick of fans and fellow members of academia, and who were you? Just a little nobody.

You could picture it now; him laughing with the guys about obsessed with him you were, telling this story to women who hung off his every word. Soon the whole city would know about your foolishness.

As soon as you had started running you knew you couldn’t think of anywhere to go where Egon or the team wouldn’t find you, ruling out work and your apartment. And since you left your coat and wallet at the bar, that eliminated the option to hail a taxi. So the only place you could think to go to was Bryant Park, hopelessly believing that the fountain might cheer you up

How were you supposed to go to work? You couldn't quit- could you? No, that would be too rash, too babyish. You’d suppose you’d have to suffer through Venkman’s quips and the pitying looks from Stantz and Zeddemore. And you would have to muster up enough courage to be in the same room with Egon, look at him, or speak with him.

Maybe you could think about that quitting idea later.

“No wishes?” A deep voice startled you out of your thoughts, grabbing a large rock you had placed on the ledge earlier and pulling your arm back to throw it. “Woah, woah! Don’t- uh! It’s me! Egon!” You met his eyes and sighed heavily, throwing the rock down by your feet to wipe your tear-stricken face. If you weren’t so upset you would have laughed at how panicked he seemed at the thought of you hitting him.

“Do you often sit alone in the city with a rock to defend yourself with?” You could tell Egon was trying to make the atmosphere less awkward, and usually you would love him for it but all you felt was shame.

“I’m a woman. It’s the 80’s. It’s late.” Your sentences were clipped, throat tense from crying. “What do you want, Egon?” You sighed, turning your head to face the reflection again. “Come to make fun of me?”

“I would never, you know that.”

“Well, I did believe we were dating so clearly my mental accuracy is unstable.” You sniffed softly.

“That’s not the conclusion I came up with.”

“How did you find me?” You jumped, noticing he had sat on the ledge beside you.

“You mentioned it weeks ago, when we went to check out the new additions of the occult section at the public library. You pointed it out through the windows. If I recall correctly you mentioned your fondness for the fountain and how you went ice skating near it a few winters previous.”

“You remembered that?”

“I remember everything you say.” You tried to stop your blush as tears threatened to spill again.

“Egon-”

“Let me explain. Please?” He waited until you nodded, standing back up to his full height and pacing in front of you as he spoke.

“While it’s true, I had no idea that you felt a romantic inclination towards me. But looking back it seems so obvious, I should have noticed. You let me talk to you about my theories and recent work, though you’ve told me time and time again you have no clue what I’m saying. You came with me to collect samples and eat out on a Saturday night when you could have been doing anything else. Every time you invited me for a movie you had multiple options and let me pick what I wanted to view. You made dessert each time because you know I have a sweet tooth.”

“You stack the basement full of water bottles to make sure I’m taking in enough fluids, you bring me coffee first in the morning before anyone else and make me non-caffeinated tea after 5 pm in hopes I will create a steady sleeping schedule. And you avoided trying to make me uncomfortable by touching, even when you thought we were dating.”

“Egon-” You tried to interrupt, unsure of where he was going with this.

“Everything you do, whether you realize it or not, reflects your true feelings for me, and I failed to recognize it. You care for me and accept me as I am…”

“Egon-”

“Please! Y/n!” He shouted, stopping his walk and pinching the bridge of his nose. “I- I’m trying to say something.” He took another deep breath, standing in front of you, tipping your chin upwards to look at him.

“I was so shocked at the back at the bar because I had a hard time accepting your romantic view of me. That you believed if I was in a relationship with you that I would not take you out on dates, take you to a restaurant, pull your chair out for you, pay for your meal. That I wouldn’t compliment you or call you beautiful, and you are, objectively speaking, so, so beautiful.” His thumb softly rubbed your cheek, his hand cradling your face.

“I can’t comprehend what would lead you to believe that I wouldn’t tell our friends about us the second we got together. That I would not hold your hand, hug you, or.. Or kiss you.” He seemed nervous now, breath shaky. His fingers were still weakly pressed against your chin. “I would be willing to do it all, if you were the one I was with.”

His hands never left your skin, an arm wrapping around the small of your back to pull you in close, his warm breath mixing fanning across your face. His eyes flickered between your eyes and mouth, muttering something unintelligible before softly pressing his lips against yours.

You had been waiting, wanting this for so long, eyes fluttering shut and pressing your palms against his broad chest. Could he hear your heartbeat? You wondered, it was fluttering so loudly.

Egon invaded all your senses, the taste of the beer he nursed earlier on your tongue, the smell of his cologne, the softness of his lips and small calluses on his fingers against your skin.

The kiss deepened, a deep moan escaping from Egon’s throat. He had thought of this moment for just as long, if not longer than you. The first moment he laid eyes on you, applying for extra help, he knew he had lost his focus and resolve. He wasn't as smooth or charming as other men and therefore was quite hesitant about breaking the barrier of your friendship.

He snuck a guilty peek at you every time he came back for air, just to make sure this wasn’t another dream, or a hallucination. The way you gripped him tightly, your body fitting perfectly against his, it was as if for the first time in his life he didn’t feel shy.

You both separated, gasping for air, Egon pulling your head in to rest on his chest, petting it gently.

“Let me show you what it would be like to be my romantic companion. Let me try again. I will never make you feel unloved or unwanted, I promise.” He pressed another his to your forehead.

So yes, that night would go down in history as being one of the most embarrassing moments of your life, but in the years to follow, you wouldn’t change it for a thing.

[mindofharry]

In which bucky realises the mistake he made and does everything in his power to get you back.

losing you masterlist: here!

smut!! fluff!! angst!! i’m so fucking in love with this series. mean!bucky, sex and a bit of grovelling! ALSO!!! thank you for 2k, i never expected to get this far with this page. writing has always been a passion for me so thank you guys for taking time out of your day to read my stuff. i appreciate and love you all immensely <3 happy reading!

The first thing bucky notices about you not being here, is the how quiet and lonely his apartment is. Usually, your moans, whimpers and giggles fill the small space. Not anymore. The only noise he can hear is you saying those words to him.

“You’re selfish and mean. And i deserve better”

It felt like it was ringing in his ear, no matter how loud the tv is or the children running up and down the hall, it was on a continuous loop. Selfish. Mean. Deserve better. It was meant to be no strings attached, something to let off a little steam. But then bucky got those butterflies, he wanted to take you dancing, take you to meet his friends. He didn’t like the feeling, so he didn’t the only thing he knew how to do.

Push you away.

Bucky didn’t like how he felt with you, he couldn’t understand it. He felt like he couldn’t be that person for you no matter how fucking hard he tried, bucky couldn’t be the one you cuddled up with after a stressful day. He couldn’t be the one cooking dinner for you. And he most definitely can’t be the person loving you, he’s just not programmed for that. Bucky hasn’t felt love in decades. He doesn’t know how to process it yet.

Bucky knew what he did was wrong and now laying on the ground, his back against the hard wood, the only thing he wanted was you. Y/N.

Bucky wanted Y/N.

He decided then and there, he would fix himself up, go to his therapist. And get you back.

Back in your apartment, you were still in your dress, only this time your make up was smudged and your date was cancelled. Who were you kidding? Nobody could replace bucky barnes, nobody. Fuck, you love him so much. This feeling, it’s so big. It feel like it’s taking up all of your body, this fire so big that no one can put out. Bucky is a drug, and you’ve definitely become addicted.

After what felt like hours staring at your wall, you decide it’s best to head to bed and just forget about what a disaster this night has been.

“So” Dr Raynor said, crossing her legs over. Bucky was sat in front of her, his legs bouncing up and down as his therapist tried to figure him out. Bucky hated therapy. He hated everything to do with it, he would rather be put in jail than do this bullshit sharing feelings thing.

But if he wanted any chance of getting you back, in his bed, kissing him than he would do it.

Bucky barnes was officially smitten.

“Tell me” Dr Raynor said, leaning foward. “What’s going on, james?” She asked and bucky sighed placing a hand over his eyes.

“I need help” He said and Dr Raynor nodded. “Well, yeah. That much is obvious” She teased making bucky roll his eyes.

“With a girl” He said and his therapist grunted leaning back in her seat. Bucky hasn’t been this embarrassed since middle school when he peed his pants and had to go home early, everyone laughed at him in the playground. He never forgot that, but right now, his therapist trying to keep her laughs in made him feel a little small and fragile.

“Fine. I’ll find someone else” He mumbled, moving to get up. Dr Raynor settled herself down and held her hand up to stop him. “Oh, be quiet. Tell me about this girl” She said putting her notebook down. Bucky looked down at his hands and smiled.

It almost startled the therapist, she’d never seen him smile like that. Or ever, for that matter.

“Y/N” He started.

“Y/N is the most beautiful and wise woman i’ve ever met” He said. “Always there for me, willing to do just about anything i asked her to do. Fuck, she’s the best thing that’s happened to me, since well ever” Bucky said and the therapist nodded.

“But i fucked it up. Said somethings i didn’t mean and now she won’t even look me in the eye. I was so shitty to her just because i couldn’t admit my own feelings.” Bucky groaned and Dr raynor nodded agreeing.

“James, what do you want me to tell you? You messed up, now go and apologise” She said and buckys eyes widened. “I can’t just apologise to her” He said and his therapist lifted her hand up.

“Exactly. Problem solved”

Bucky made a noise of complaint while dr raynor packed up her stuff. “See you next week, lover boy” she said walking out of the room and leaving bucky to his own thoughts.

Flowers? Chocolates? Dancing? A poem? What do women like you, like these days? God, he’s still way too new in this world to be thinking about these things. But he really fucking needs you. He needs you and your jokes, you and your witty nature.

Bucky just needs you, and he’s about to do anything in his power to get you back, starting with an apology.

You were sitting in your living room a glass of wine in your hand and new girl on in the background. Your mind was somewhere else, you’ve just felt off all day. You keep zoning out, not being able to concentrate. Is this what a broken heart feels like? A knock on the door brings out of your thoughts and back to reality. A shitty fucking reality. You sigh and put your wine down on the table and make your way over the front door, you nearly tripped over your stiletto heels on the way there. You didn’t move them last night because you were so exhausted and out of it.

Opening the door you see bucky. Just the man you didn’t want to see, you begin to close the door in his face when his foot blocks it. “Please, just hear me out” He begged and you sighed crossing your arms over your chest.

“Can i come in?” Bucky asked and you scoffed.

“Why should i let you come in? Do you remember what you did the last time?” You said and bucky placed a hand over his eyes, obviously frustrated. You didn’t understand why, he made your place in his life pretty clear.

“I should come in because i need to apologise to you. For everything. The way i treated you and the things i said. I need to apologise, so please let me in”

You sighed and opened up the door wider and walked down the hallway. You sat back down on the couch taking a gulp of you wine. You were so easy, you thought. You barley put up a fight, you should’ve just closed the door in his face. But you did want to hear what he had to say, what bullshit apology he’d come up with.

“So?” You said and bucky nodded sitting beside you.

“I miss you” He started and you rolled your eyes. “No, fuck. I do miss you, but i’m sorry. I’m really fucking sorry” Bucky said grabbing your hand. You wanted to pull away but you just couldn’t, his hand felt so good in yours. You leaned over and put your wine on the coffee table. Bucky took that as permission to take your other hand.

“I had feelings for you, no i have feelings for you. I just, i’m not good at expressing myself, i’m working on it. My therapist told me to get you flowers and shit, but i left them in my apartment and this is just a whole mess” Bucky ranted, you had to bite your lip to make you not burst out with laughter.

“You talked about to your therapist?” You asked, giggling. Fuck, even your laugh is beautiful. What is there not love about you?

“I’m sorry” He said, his thumb rubbing over your knuckles. “I have feelings for you, and i didn’t know how to express that. So i pushed you away and treated you so badly. I’m going to apologise for that until the day i die. I just, i like you a lot Y/N” he said and you could feel your cheeks burn.

You really weren’t expecting that.

“My thought process was that i would never be that person, you know that boyfriend who’s ready to cook dinner and take the dogs for a walk” He said and you nodded understand.

“But i’m willing to do that for you, if you’d give me another chance”

You looked up at him, staring into those beautiful wide eyes. This is what you’ve been waiting for.

“Bucky....”

He moved closer to you bringing a hand to your cheek. “Please, i have hundreds of flowers and like 10 boxes of chocolates back in my apartment. Come back with me? Please?” He asked, so much vulnerability could be heard. You sighed and looked around.

You didn’t deserve what happened, but you know he’s sorry. Maybe a little more grovelling? Make up sex is the best, though. You contemplate a little longer and then nod.

“Yeah, i’ll stay at yours for a bit”

Bucky nearly cried when you said that. Maybe he’d actually have a chance.

He helped you up from the couch and watched you get your shoes. He could get use to this. “You ready?” He asked holding out his hand, you nodded taking it. It felt nice to be wanted.

After a short walk to buckys apartment, your met with (literally hundreds) of yellow flowers. You could cry, he did this all for you? You lift your hand to your mouth and look around the room.

“Do you hate it? I can get better-“

You interrupt him with a peck to the lips. He was shocked, but he didn’t hesitate with kissing you back. He placed both of his hands on the side of your head and as you gasped, he slipped his tongue in.

“Fuck, i missed you” you said in between kisses, you moved your hands to his chest. Bucky pulled away and moved back.

“I just want you to know, that i wasn’t planning on seducing you or anything. If you want i have sex we will, if you don’t, then we’ll watch a movie. There’s no pressure” He said reassuring you. You smirked and pecked his lips.

“Why don’t we go to your bedroom?”

Bucky pulls you along to his room, lifting you up once he opens the door. “Your room is messy” You said and Bucky laughed. “Hasn’t been the same without you” He said and you pouted, kissing his lips.

“I’m sorry about that, let me help you?” You said taking your shirt off, leaving you only in your pjs short and bare breasts. Bucky was staring at you intently, making your nipples harden. He reached out and ran his fingers across your nipples making you moan with pleasure. His finger was cold and just what you needed.

“Strip and then you’re going to ride me. Been too long princess” Bucky said and you nodded quickly taking your shorts and skimpy underwear off.

“Fuck” Bucky said as you lay down on the bed, legs wide open. You were dripping wet, your hands coming down to play with yourself a little. “You’re gorgeous,” He said, kissing the inside of your thigh.

“Seems like you’re wet enough for me, yeah? i’ll play with you more later” He said and you nodded, just wanting him to be in you.

Bucky rolled over and took a condom out from the door, he quickly got out of his clothes and you almost moaned at the sight of him putting on that condom. He really does like hot doing anything.

Bucky lays down his head on his pillow and you quickly and swiftly move to sit on his lap, your knees either side of him.

You placed his cock, in your dripping pussy and loved the sound he made. Bucky groaned, his hands coming to your hips immediately, to guide you at a good pace. Your hands moved to his chest, scratching at it slightly, bucky moaned at that too. Pain kink, you figured that out pretty quickly. You began to move your hips and created a good rhythm.

“Oh, god” You whimpered, as you bounced on Bucky's cock.

“Missed you, and this” Bucky said and you nodded, your hips bucking.

You begin to move faster and faster, the bed frame hitting against the wall and bucky groans and your whimpers the only thing you can hear. God, you missed him and his cock so much. Bucky is so deep inside of you, you can feel everything. He’s so good at this, sometimes he doesn’t even have to try.

“This…. is so good…..” You said whimpering, leaning down to peck his lips. Bucky responded, moving his hands to your breasts and giving them a squeeze.

“Are you gonna cum?” He asked, bucking his hips up fucking you faster. You nodded and moaned.

“Please! Oh fuck” You screamed, feeling that pleasure start to build up. As the both of you came down from your highs, bucky brought you into his chest.

“I’m never losing you again”

Taglist: @formulamendes @ityagirljay @josegandulfo @youre-a-wallflower-charlie @beminetokeep @jbcalway @lxdyred @idkwhttocallmysrlf <33

[phykios]

honesty and promise me, part 14 [co-written with @darkmagyk] [read on ao3]

She escapes into the bathroom during the applause, and misses Percy’s grinning bow, his presentation of his fairy princess. She misses having to hear the crowd go wild for him.

She already knows how perfect he is, how beloved. She doesn’t need the reminder. As she dabs at her eyes and tries once again to tame her hair, she tries to think about the fact that her investment in cry proof mascara and eyeliner was a good choice, and not think about… everything else.

Breathing deep, she looks at herself in the mirror, and then decides to venture back out, meet her dad, and then run home. Run away. She can’t stand this anymore.

There's more of a crowd in the lobby when she gets out. Saturday night at the ballet, it's mostly older people taking in a New York classic. But dotted through the crowd she sees children. Some are twirling away from their parents, some are walking along, chattering animatedly, and a handful are asleep, held securely in their dad’s arms.

She puts her hand on her own belly. Mindful, so very mindful of being that in just a few years time. And the father of her child is in this building. She can’t ignore that. Even if so much of her wants the shame and the embarrassment and the heartbreak makes her want to.

It’s not about her. It’s about him, and their child. Percy deserves to know. End of discussion.

She’s talked with Dr. Vesta about a million and one ways to tell him. This is not one of the ways. And yet, it's perfect. Like ripping off a bandaid. It will not allow her to back out again and again until the baby’s in college.

“What a show,” her father says, when she meets him at the doors. “I am so impressed with those dancers. Just, so much work. So much artistry.”

They’re just stepping out into the cold winter night when Annabeth finally gets up the courage to ask. “Hey,” she says, grabbing her dad’s sleeve. “Do you want to meet them?”

“Hmm?”

She has to stifle a laugh, even now. No matter where he is or how nicely he’s cleaned up, he still has a permanent “deer in headlights” look whenever you catch him off guard. “The Cavalier. I don’t know if I mentioned it,” she knows she hasn’t, but hopes he doesn’t realize it, “he’s my friend, Percy,” and she’s proud of how little she stumbles over the f-word. “Do you want to meet him?”

He’s nodding before she finishes her sentence. “Of course! I’d love to meet your friend. Are you thinking of inviting him for dinner tomorrow?”

“Actually, I was thinking we could go storm the stage door?” She asks, knowing he’ll say yes, because if he says yes, then she can’t run away. This is the lynchpin of her whole brilliant, sudden plan, and she doesn’t think she’ll be this brave ever again.

Her dad beams at her. “I’ve always wanted to do that!”

Twenty minutes later, Annabeth and her dad are still waiting in the small crowd outside the stage door, but that hasn’t dimmed Frederick’s enthusiasm anyway, practically bouncing up and down. “I have to say,” he says, rubbing his hands together to keep warm, “this isn’t what I expected when you invited me out to see you.”

She breathes in sharply through her nose, hoping that the cold air will freeze her tear ducts before she starts crying. Again. She’s going to have a serious case of dehydration if she keeps this up.

“Oh, no, I don’t mean that in a bad way,” he hurriedly continues. “This weekend has been absolutely lovely. I simply mean, I didn’t think you’d become a ballet aficionado.”

“I’m not really an aficionado,” she admits. “But Percy… he makes it interesting.”

“How did you meet?”

She closes her eyes against the fresh wave of tears that threatens to burst, remembering the sweet, buttery smell of perfectly made pancakes. Before she can explain, however, there is a burst of noise from the crowd as the dancers exit the theater.

Percy is escorting the woman who danced the Sugar Plum Fairy, holding her arm as they walk down the steps. Immediately swarmed by her acolytes, armed with only a pen against the onslaught of programs and adoring fans. She looks older than she had onstage, but no less gracious, accepting each program with a smile and a heavily accented “Thank you,” even as Annabeth can see just how tired she is. Her shoulders are tight, and she has just the tiniest limp as she moves to the next person in line. Percy stands next to her, supporting her, even as he is cautiously approached by his own fans and admirers--not nearly as many as hers, and not nearly as many as he deserves.

He looks tired, she thinks. The lines on his face are deeper, caked foundation melting into his frown and smile lines, the color just… a little bit off. Maybe a little too orange for him. In the harsh light of the streetlamps, no amount of concealer can hide the bags under his eyes. And Annabeth would know.

This was a mistake. He’s not going to want to see her; he made that very clear. But just as she’s about to lose her nerve and do something stupid like throw herself into oncoming traffic, he turns his head, and he sees her.

It takes him a second. She watches him look at her face, then her hair, then her eyes again, his own widening in recognition. He says something to his partner, and she smiles, sending him off with a kiss on the cheek.

She blinks, and he’s right in front of her. His whole body is tense, like it is just before he does one of his gravity-defying leaps. “Annabeth,” he breathes, unbelieving.

“Hey,” she says, weakly.

“Hi.” Then, after a moment of silence, “You cut your hair.”

“I did.”

“I almost didn’t recognize you.” His gaze flits to her almost-empty ears, to the wisps of hair flying off them like she’s stuck in a wind tunnel. “It looks nice.”

It looks terrible. Even a few months ago, he would have told her outright that it looked terrible, but he would have smiled, and kissed her anyway, and he would have used his fingers to ruin it further.

Focus. Please. “Um, Percy,” she says, turning her body to bring her dad into the conversation, “this is my dad, Dr. Chase.”

Percy’s eyes practically bug out of his head, his mouth dropping a little.

“Dad,” Annabeth continues, “this is my… friend, Percy.”

Seized with enthusiasm, her dad takes Percy’s hand, shaking it vigorously. “You were absolutely magnificent, young man, really, just an absolute pleasure to watch.”

“Um… thank you.” He dips his head, a gesture of deference. Or maybe he’s just hiding his shock. “I’m so glad you enjoyed the show.”

“Would you mind signing my program?” From one of his pockets, her dad produces a pen, the cap missing. “You know, when Annabeth called me up last month and asked me to visit, she promised me that we’d do all of the typical touristy New York city things, and getting an autograph at the stage door is right at the top of my list!”

Percy looks at her, curiously. “Yeah, of course I can sign your program.”

“I must confess, our whole family is from Boston, historically, and I haven’t yet had the chance to really visit New York, but it’s been an absolutely wonderful weekend so far.” This he says to Annabeth, proud and fatherly smile firmly on his face. “I saw in your biography, you worked with Boston Ballet?”

“I did,” Percy confirms, signing his program. “Right when I was starting out.”

“That was during your freshman year of college, wasn’t it, dear?”

“Yeah, dad,” she says.

Percy must be able to sense her reluctance, still, because he jumps in. “Unfortunately, I didn’t really get to see much of Boston; it was my first big job, and I spent most of my free time practicing.”

“Well, clearly it has paid off,” says her father, accepting the signed program and folding it up, probably smearing the wet ink, and tucking it back into his pocket. “You are very, very talented, young man, and I do sincerely hope you’ll make it out to the West Coast at some point. Unfortunately, it may be a little too expensive for me to keep flying out to New York to see you perform.”

Annabeth does not have a favorite Percy smile--that kind of thing is way too sappy and lovey-dovey, especially for a guy who publicly disavowed her--but the one he gives them at this moment is pretty nice. She’s struck again, just how open and honest he is with his feelings. Love isn’t a burden, for him. Joy isn’t something to hide.

But then again, he is a really good actor.

“We’ll see,” he laughs. “You know, I have family in California, too--I have a cousin there, Jason. He works as a programmer for Lupa Industries.”

“Then you two have no excuse not to come visit,” her father says.

Percy gives her a smile: small, tentative. But hopeful. “Maybe we will.”

‘You two.’ ‘We.’ He said, ‘we.’ He said ‘we’ like he didn’t hate the idea of her and Percy, together, as a unit. She can feel a solitary tear running down her face. In the corner of her vision, Percy’s hand twitches.

“I’m sure you must be very busy, but if you have the time, would you like to come out to dinner with us? I’m only in town for a few more days; Annabeth can give you the details.”

“Let me check my calendar,” Percy says. “Annabeth and I can work it out.”

‘Annabeth and I.’ She’s crying freely, now--any minute it’s going to get really ugly. Her father, though, doesn't mention it. “I’m so sorry to run out on you, dear, but I just remembered, I need to get back to the hotel and make a call. Will I see you tomorrow for lunch?”

She nods, unable to speak.

“Well, it was wonderful again to meet you, Percy. You have a very bright future ahead of you, I can tell.”

“Thank you, Dr. Chase,” he says, shaking her father’s hand. “It was great to meet you, too.”

He kisses her on the cheek, squeezing her in a hug, then trots off to the curb, sticking out his thumb like he’s trying to hitchhike instead of calling a cab.

Once he’s gone, Percy turns back to her, incredulous. “You… called your dad?”

She nods. Sometimes she can’t believe it either. “I called my dad,” she sniffles, rubbing her nose, “invited him out here, and we just… got to talking.”

“He’s really nice.”

She nods. “He is. He--he said he knew a couple of architecture firms that were hiring, and he offered to put in a good word for me. I asked him to help update my resume.”

“That must have been really hard for you,” he says, neutral. She can’t tell if it’s approval or disapproval.

Annabeth snorts, watery and gross. “It was.” She hates how her voice squeaks, she hates that she’s out here, two seconds away from falling to pieces, and most of all, she hates how he’s just standing there, and she can’t figure out what the hell he’s thinking. “But I--it was time. I’d been so afraid of him, so scared to ask him for help, but he… he didn’t even blink. I mean, he didn’t even care that I’d ignored him for two years. He was just happy to hear from me.”

“And the hair?”

“The undercut wasn’t growing in well.”

“I don’t…” Percy bites his lip. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you look like Kate Gosselin.”

That startles a laugh out of her, but some wires must have gotten crossed on the way from her brain to her mouth, because it comes out as a sob instead. “I do, don’t I!”

Percy’s hand twitches again, like it has a mind of its own. “Are you okay? I--I feel really bad about how things went down at Hazel’s party. I meant to call you, honestly, but…”

“It’s okay,” she says, sniffling. “I’m sure you were busy with rehearsals.”

“Yeah,” he says noncommittally.

The silence that follows could definitely be classified as awkward.

If her heartbeat were any stronger, it would tear its way out of her chest and into him. The crowd at the stage door has dispersed by now, leaving them alone. The noise of the city falls away, until it’s just him, and her, and… “I have to tell you something,” she says.

He says nothing, but waits for her to continue.

“I didn’t… I didn’t want to say anything in front of my dad. And I didn’t want to distract you from the show. I thought about calling you a million times, but I knew you must have been so busy, and I didn’t want to… anyway. The point is, I should have told you sooner, and I’m sorry I didn’t. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you a lot of things.”

This, too, must be him acting. His eyes are showing nothing at all, as calm and unflappable as the surface of the ocean. She has no idea what his reaction will be. Still, she has to say it. But will it be enough? “Percy, I’m pregnant.”

Everything freezes: the noise of the city, the snow that’s started to fall. His expression, a perfect mask. Her heart, desperately afraid.

“I’m not asking you to do anything. I’m not even expecting you to do anything, even though I’m pretty sure you’d be the most amazing dad ever. I know I’ve probably blown any kind of chance with you to hell, but you deserve to know.”

“You’re pregnant?” His mouth barely moves.

“That’s why I was throwing up at the gallery. That’s why I cut my hair and called my dad and asked him for help, because I didn’t think I wanted this baby but I really, really do--because it’s a little you inside of me, and I love you so much I will do anything for this fucking kid. I’m going to be a better mom to this baby than mine was to me, and that starts with getting my life back on track. It starts with telling the truth.” At some point, she realizes that she’s stopped crying. Finally. “I love you, and I love our baby. And even if you never want to see me again, I just wanted you to know that.”

There’s a sniffle, and for a split, idiot second, she thinks it’s from her--but it’s from Percy. His lower lip is trembling, and there are tears in his eyes, too. “You’re,” he sniffs, clears his throat. “You’re having my baby?” His voice is thick, and wet, but he’s smiling. He’s happy.

“I am.”

And then his arms are around her, her chest pressed to his, her face tucked into his neck, enveloped in the arms she missed so much. She closes her eyes as she presses her nose into his skin, breathing deep the scent of sweat and smoke and makeup. Oh, she missed this. Oh, how she missed this.

He pulls away, looking down at her, at the swell of her stomach which slumbers, hidden beneath her sweater dress. “Can I…?” he asks, hushed and reverent, like they’re standing in a cathedral, instead of a busy, dirty alleyway.

She doesn’t even know what he wants, but she nods.

Slowly, precisely, he reaches out a hand, laying it over her belly, sea eyes wide with wonder. It’s far too early to feel it kicking, to even really see that it’s there with all these layers on top, but she can feel the warmth of his hand all the way down to her toes… and hopefully, their baby can, too. “Wow,” he whispers.

It’s such a perfect picture, she has to stop herself from bursting into tears all over again. “I’m sorry,” she says, hoping he’ll be able to figure out what for. “Um, do you mind if I tell my dad?” she asks the crown of his head, watching it move from side to side.

“Only if I can tell my mom.”

Annabeth stiffens. His mother--who she still hasn’t met. “S-sure. Yeah.”

Then he looks up, traces of that familiar grin crossing his face, and her heart stutters. “Looks like you can’t weasel out of dinner with her now, can you?”

Biting her lip, she looks away. “Are you sure? I--I don’t want her to…” Hate her? Think poorly of her? She’s not sure she could handle another mother’s disapproval, especially not her boyf--... friend’s.

“Of course I’m sure,” he says, easily. “She’ll love you.”

The L-word, even though it’s not from him, drops like a bomb in the middle of the street. He retracts his hand, and Annabeth shivers.

She watches, anticipating, as he swallows, clearing his throat.

“...Listen, Annabeth--”

“Yes?” She blurts. God, shut up, let him speak!

“I…” His gaze is unfathomable. What she wouldn’t give for a red sky right about now. “It’s… it’s getting kind of late. I should get home, get some rest.”

“...Oh.” Of course. “Yeah, I--I didn’t mean to keep you. I’m sure you’re tired.”

“But--thank you,” he says, his hands in his pockets. “For telling me.”

“Of course.”

Silence again, for a few seconds. Who is waiting for whom, she thinks?

“I, um…” and he reaches up a hand, scratching at the back of his neck. “I just… need some time to think, yeah? Like, maybe a day or so?”

She nods, throat full. “Sure.”

And then he moves his hand like he’s going to slide it back into his pocket--but he doesn’t.

Instead, he reaches for her, his hand landing on her waist. She steps to him--or he steps to her, partners in a dance they’ve done a thousand times by now. He cups her cheek, thumb rubbing against her cheekbone, brushing the tears which have begun to fall again.

And he kisses her.

He pulls back, his forehead resting against hers. “Text me when you get home?” he whispers, his eyes closed, even as Annabeth’s are wide open, drinking in every single lash, every bit of smeared eyeliner, every little bit of Percy that she never imagined she’d get to see again.

“I will.”

“Okay.”

She stays with him until he can manage to hail a taxi, then he leaves her with another kiss and a gentle squeeze of her hands, watching her from the backseat of his cab even as it rounds the corner of the block and disappears from view.

Raising her eyes to the heavens, opening her mouth, she sticks out her tongue, and tastes the fresh, clean snow which falls around her, and she smiles.

[hey-hamlet]

BNHA AU Ideas : Your blessings are your curses.

Also on AO3

TL;DR:

Dead All Might acts as a guardian angel to this heroic quirkless kid he runs into. Izuku gets put into a dangerous situation and turns out – DNA wasn’t needed to pass OFA. Just intent. Izuku gains the ability to see All Might along with the ability to use his quirk.

Sadly, AFO notices.

Now Izuku is on the run with a ghost for a guardian after AFO’s goons kill his mother.

Your blessings are your curses:

TL;DR: Dead all might, acts as a guardian angel to this quirkless kid he runs into. Izuku gets put into a dangerous situation and turns out – DNA wasn’t needed to pass OFA. Just intent. Izuku gains the ability to see All Might along with the ability to use his quirk.

Sadly, AFO notices.

Now Izuku is on the run with a ghost for a guardian after AFO’s goons kill his mother.

So – In the fight between All for One and All Might six years before canon, All Might loses.

Not horribly. All for One is still left almost dead and retreats into hiding, but All Might falls unconscious never to open his eyes again, later dying of sepsis in the hospital. His eyes may never physically reopen, but he does awaken – translucent and noncorporeal.

For a while he doesn’t know if it’s a latent quirk, or maybe something All for One did as a final blow, but no – it’s One for All. One for All has a mind of its own and refuses to disappear until Yagi has found a successor. Not that Yagi knows that.

His old haunts are too painful to hang around, the whole nation is grieving for him and seeing that pain on his old friend's faces burns something fierce. So he does what he’s always done. He helps.

Midoriya Izuku is nine when his favourite hero dies. He sees how the nation is grieving and his desire to be a hero only burns brighter. The bullying he suffers worsens, hate crimes against the quirkless and those with ‘villainous’ quirks uptick. Japan isn’t a pillar of safety and security anymore – crime rates have risen to match or overtake worldwide averages.

Still, he feels almost, safer? He gets luckier – the book his classmate stole shows up in his bag by the next period, bullies trip more often, and sometimes as he runs from villain attacks or classmates with their quirks popping against the nape of his neck, he feels a broad hand push him forwards, giving him an extra burst of speed.

He decides it must be the All Might charm he bought the day before the news of All Might’s death broke. A small solid plastic charm meant for a phone with a bright yellow bell attached, along with a tag reading “I AM HERE”. He fills the bell with scraps of paper so no one can hear it ring as he holds it tight in his hand when he gets nervous.

Midoriya Izuku is nine when he is almost killed.

With All Might gone, organized crime spikes. Quirk trafficking rings spring up – very rare, but no less real. It’s one of these such rings that kidnaps Izuku on his way home from school. He awakens, sore and blurry-eyed in a warehouse with a half dozen other crying children. One by one they are forced to show off their quirks, to gauge their value.

Izuku has no quirk to show. He has no value to these people. They growl at him to stop playing around, to stop pretending to be a hero (his All Might charm is almost cutting into his hand from how hard he holds it. He needs his luck more than ever please all might save me one more time - ). He can't bring himself to shut his eyes as a flaming hand reaches towards his face.

For a moment it feels like he's being held. He feels safe.

A shockwave levels the warehouse, leaving he and the other children untouched, the villains buried in the rubble. Green sparks sink into his skin, dancing over the rapidly purpling bruises decorating his arm. He runs.

He comes back to himself in a park, sobbing and shaking, arms wrapped around his shaking form and an oddly familiar voice murmuring apologies and praise as a broad hand runs gently through his hair.

It seems One for All never needed DNA, only intent, to pass itself along. With the passing of the quirk, Yagi should have dissipated, but he refused, clinging to the child he’d accidentally burdened with his legacy, the same quirkless child he’d been playing guardian angel for all this time.

When Izuku sees All Might he freezes. It’s not All Might as he knew him, rather – this is the All Might that died. He’s translucent, faded around the edges, with a tattered and bloodstained costume, thick padded bandaging over his stomach hiding stiches staining to close infected wounds, doing little to stop the blood oozing through. Still – All Might’s eyes are bright blue and kind and his smile is as it always was. Izuku throws himself onto his hero and sobs.

All Might – Yagi, as he insisted Izuku call him – led him to the nearest police station, as he tried to explain what had occurred. It wasn’t easy considering Yagi didn’t seem to be sure himself, but Izuku was pretty sure the quirk he’d been accidentally gifted was sentient.

Izuku held his arms up to the sky, stretching his fingers to the pinpricks of light in the night sky. Sparks of glittering gold, green, white, blue and red jumped across his skin, like the static shocks he’d get when he wore his wool socks in bed, but less painful. They almost felt playful.

“What are they called?” Yagi looked at him, confusion clear on his face. One of his spikes of hair drooped, and if Izuku could ignore the dust and blood that ran through it it would almost be funny.

“They? My boy, do you mean the sparks? If so, they don’t have a name.”

Izuku frowned, letting his hand drop. He could feel the sparks gently brushing his injuries, almost soothingly. “No, I mean your quirk. They should have a name, they’re so nice to me.”

Yagi coughed, dark blood spilling from his mouth, never to hit the ground. “One for All. It’s called One for All.”

Izuku’s frown deepened.

“All Might, mama says it’s rude to call someone an it.”

Inko is reunited with her only mildly injured son, now excitedly gushing about a quirk he’d somehow manifested. She privately thanks whatever spirit finally decided to smile upon her son, even if it took so long.

Their happiness doesn’t last long. Days later Izuku receives a summons to the head office. He freezes when he sees the police officer, Yagi’s comforting hand on his shoulder the only thing that keeps him from running.

It was a villain attack, the officer says with kindness so forced Izuku wants to cry. Yagi looks angry. If you’ll just come with us so we can get you to the safehouse with your mother –

Yagi almost growls with rage. “She’s lying.” He whispers, habit enforced despite the fact Izuku is the only person alive that can hear him. “Follow her out of the school then run” Izuku does exactly that, quirk sparking up his legs and pushing him forwards, down the familiar path to home. He takes the stairs six at a time, quirk chipping the edges of the concrete as he hurls himself forward.

Their apartment is in shambles, bookshelves tipped, small objects laying scattered on the floor, a pale arm laying limply from a half-open bathroom door.

Yagi pushes him out of the apartment and confirms the identity himself. He urges a sobbing Izuku to say his goodbyes to his mother’s corpse as they quickly gather all the money in the house, a few spare clothes and whatever food and water Yagi could knock down from the pantry shelves for him. Izuku crams it into his backpack as he sobs, Yagi guarding the entrance as he boils with rage and guilt.

He didn’t think All for One would find Izuku. He didn’t think he would even be looking. He was wrong and now his boy was paying the price.

So starts his time on the run.

He meets Shinsou first, saving him from some rubble in a villain attack. He meets him again later, battered and bruised – not from a villain, but from his foster parents. Shinsou joins him, no matter how Izuku explains hes in danger. Shinsou wants to be a hero, and if the only way he gets to be a hero is stubbornly keeping Izuku out of trouble? That’s not a bad trade-off, considering izuku was the first person to save him.

A little while later the two run into Shouto feverish and badly burnt and try to nurse him back to health as best they can. A few days in Touya and Toga run into their little camp guns blazing, expecting them to have kidnapped Shouto only to see Izuku patiently trying to feed him rice porridge with a veritable pile of ‘liberated’ fever reducers on the floor beside them.

They apologise but Shinsou and a still feverish Shouto refuse to talk to Touya or Toga for like three days bc they made Izuku cry.

They refuse to leave no matter how Izuku explains he has a centuries old villain after him. These kids are ride or die. So Hitoshi, Shouto and Izuku are like 9 and trying to learn what they can from libraries and newspapers, never settling down for too long. Toga (12) and Touya/Dabi (14) try and keep them all alive by working or stealing what they need to live. It doesn’t take long for them to evolve into a mini vigilante group.

Aizawa becomes familiar with the messy group of short vigilantes that seem to bounce from prefecture to prefecture every second day, to the point that the force is pretty sure one of them has a teleportation quirk because they don’t seem to have any kind of home base. He’s completely uninterested in trying to arrest them in the beginning – they aren’t hurting anyone and are not half bad at what they do.

That changes when he meets them.

Battered and bleeding out in a rainy alley with a villain looming over him with a knife, Aizawa is pretty sure this is the night he dies. The knife swings back, glinting in the streetlights as he tries in vain to scramble backwards with heavy limbs. It never connects. The villain jerks back as a brilliant blue plume of flame cuts him off, burning the tips of his hair. Not expecting backup the villain bolts. Aizawa feels small hands helping him into a sitting position – his stomach starts to sink. When the short masked figure with curly hair speaks he feels his heart turn to ice. The figure couldn’t be older than 11, probably closer to 10.

He wakes up in the hospital and he makes it his mission to save these kids.

Ghost All Might is having a rough time. His boy is in danger and the best he can do is rattle windows and trip sprinting villains. He can’t help them enough.

He has a plan though.

He warns Izuku that he’ll be gone for a while and to keep safe without him and he goes out scouting. Being invisible and impermeable is normally a curse but when trying to find a paranoid 200-year-old super villain? It’s pretty damn useful. It takes months but eventually he’s not only tracked down All for One’s main hideout he’s also memorised his schedule. It’s nothing impressive considering the man is still mostly bedbound after what All Might did to him, but he won't be a pushover. It’s a start, though.

Izuku cries tears of joy when he sees All Might again and cries even more when he shares what he found. It’s do or die time. He offers every one of his friends the chance to split now because there is a good chance they’ll die, but none of them wants to leave him. With that, he starts planning.

They’ll need Eraserhead, no bones about it. Without him, there would be no way to strike the final blow. They spend a few weeks refining their stealth then they seek Aizawa out.

They knew he’d have a price for helping them, but they never expected it would be so high, but simultaneously so kind. In exchange for his help and a vow of silence he wants each child to let him help them, to find them a safe place to live, a school to go to – a future. Izuku has spent his whole life being told he doesn’t have a future, from when he was diagnosed quirkless to the almost 2 years spent on the run from Japan’s most dangerous villain. He’s still not sure he’ll have one, even with All for One dead, but he knows he wants his friends to grow up happy and safe.

He accepts.

With Aizawa’s help, with Dabi and Toga clearing the way and Shinsou standing in the wings as the last resort, Izuku kills All for One as he sleeps. Nothing flashy, nothing fancy, just quiet footsteps, a sharp knife and shaking hands.

Aizawa is horrified this child just killed someone in front of him, but Izuku is sobbing and All for One is notorious in underground circles so he keeps his quirk up until the blood stops flowing from his neck. He takes the children and flees.

[ellana-ravenwood]

Sick Day - Batfam x Fem!Reader

Synopsis : It’s never fun to be sick. Duh. But when  you have loving parents there to take care of you, maybe it isn’t so bad ? Just short little snippets of the first time each Batkids fell ill in Wayne Manor, and how Bruce and his wife (you :D) dealt with it. 

Another “burst of the moment inspiration” story, just a little drabble. Promise I’ll post something more elaborate soon :), hope you’ll like it : 

My master list blog : @ella-ravenwood-archives

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(Thanks to that anon who mentioned the kids getting shots, that gave me with this an idea on how to start this fic :D. The original beginning was different, I think I like that one better hehe.)

"Mister Wayne, if you keep doing this, I'm not going to be able to give your son-Bruce for god's sake !"

Leslie Thompkins, for the first time in her long career, was about to lose her patience and give up on...giving a simple shot to a baby. 

She has seen worried parents before, of course. The one that clung to their child’s hand, or those who would cry because their little one was in pain…

Babies that young, who had to get vaccinated for the first time, never really experienced this sort of quick pain before. 

A lot of them would cry more out of surprise than because it really hurt. Oh and when the parents were extra worried, you could be sure the baby was even more likely to burst into tears, sensing his parents' distress.

Yes. doctor Thompkins gave shots to a LOT of babies, and saw a LOT of worried parents before…But never had she met someone quite like Bruce Wayne.

He always came to her when his kids were sick. He could go to a fancier office, or to one of those pricy fancy private hospitals. But no. 

No because, when it came to his kids’ health, there was no one he trusted more than Doctor Leslie Thompkins. 

So it was no surprise when he brought his youngest son, Thomas, to get his first shot ever. What was a surprise though, was his reaction.

"And now you know why I'm always the only one in the room when this happens."

You say, smiling apologetically to the doctor. But ah, at least your husband's reaction eased a little the tension in your body brought by the mere idea of your baby being hurt. 

Every single time Leslie got the syringe close to your little one, Bruce would reflexively grab her wrist and stop her from giving the shot to his son.

Ridiculous, really. 

But it seemed it was something he couldn't fight. 

He apologized the first time he did it, as Dr Thompskins smiled and said it was ok, rather amused. But then the second time, it was getting clear he didn't seem to quite control himself. At the third time Bruce was visibly sweating. Dr Thompkins finally snapped as she tried for a fourth and fifth time to give a shot to little Thomas (who, at barely 2 months old, was much too young to even understand what was happening, but by his little smiles it was clear he was happy every time his father would come into his vision).

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I just…I thought I could do it, but I can't."

And oh. Oh it's adorable the way he turns to you, his eyes saying "I'm sorry" as he takes his son back in his arms and holds him against his chest. You weren’t sure if it was to comfort little Tommy, or if he was comforting himself. 

"I think I should just let you two handle this ?" He asks, unsure. He doesn’t want you to be mad or to think he’s abandoning you. 

"I think this is a good idea Bruce, yes."

You smile at him reassuringly. It’s fine. It was always fine. 

"I'm sorry, sorry I'm letting you do this alone once again. I just can't…"

"Oh it's ok my Broosh, I know you hate shots. I can handle it, and little buddy here sure can too."

Thomas coos happily as you pick him up delicately from his father's arms. Bruce resists a bit, before finally giving in and letting you take hold of the little one. 

He lays a hand on his son's head, looking fondly at him (of this look he only gives his children, of this pure look full of unconditional love, and a hint of “what did I do to deserve this sort of happiness ?”) and then sighs, press a soft kiss to your forehead, murmuring a last “I’m sorry, my love” and leaves the room. 

He feels a little ashamed to let you do this once again, but you've always been the strongest one out of the two. After all, you willingly decided to marry a man like him…

"Alright Mrs Wayne, ready ? And here we-oh not you too (Y/N) !"

"I'm sorry I'm sorry, I don't know what took over me, it was just a reflex too !"

You apologize, as you let go of the doctor's wrist…

Yeah, it was just a gut reaction to seeing a scary needle approaching your baby's thigh. In your line of um, nightly work, you came to be very wary, of syringes. You still remember vividly that time Tim got hit with one of Scarecrows’ needle, and how terrible this night had been...

"Ok ok, now is fine. Go. I'm ready. Go fast though, now. Now I’m not looking. Go. Go. Go."

Tears welling up in your eyes at the mere thought of this happening, you look away as you hold your son still (something he doesn't like as clearly shown by his little sound of protest, and as he starts to fuss about), and in one, two seconds…it's done. 

And not a peep from your son. 

He just stopped making any sound (he've always been rather vocal), his eyes went wide, and he made a face that looked like he wasn’t sure if he was supposed to cry or not. Then there’s one more second, and Leslie had a soothing bandaid on his little leg, and you were holding him against your heart, and the pain was so fleeting and already gone, that he just gets over it quickly, feeling your love.

Calming down instantly, not noticing the tears in your eyes (thank god, or it’d be a sure way to make him weep too).

And so he doesn't cry. And everything is ok again.

“Well, that wasn’t so hard, was it ?”

“Actually, it was.”

You say, barely holding your tears in, your son cooing in your arms 

“Um...I was talking to Thomas.” 

Leslie answers, amused. And just like that, you both burst into laughter.

After a few minutes of this uncontrollable fit of giggles, you thank Leslie for her help, and leave the room, joining your husband who had been walking back and forth in the waiting room, nervous. 

He comes immediately to you and Thomas, and as soon as the boy sees his dad he smiles widely and giggles. Bruce gives him a soft smile, before turning to you : 

“How was it ?” 

“For me ? Not great. For Tommy ? He didn’t even utter a sound. Our little guy is brave !” 

You kiss your son on his forehead, and he giggles and coos even more. There’s a short silence, before Bruce says : 

“I’m sorry...”

And then he takes you in his arms, sandwiching little Thomas who’s protesting a bit. Damn, his parents could be so clingy ! 

“It’s ok my Broosh, I already told you. It’s ok.” 

You sort of knew since you stepped into the doctor’s room that you’d end up being the one having to hold your boy anyway.

You knew oh too well how squeamish he was whenever HE had to get a shot done (and oh who would’ve thought the big bad bat hated getting shots so much uh ? You were pretty sure he would rather getting actually shot than take a tiny needle in his arm any day of the week...Alfred always had to fight with him to inject anesthesia when treating him for wounds). It was actually sort of a requirement, that you’d be next to him to give him your hand when he absolutely had to get a shot.

So understandably so, he always skipped on his children’s vaccins. He just couldn’t bear to see anyone he cared for to get that very things he hated so much, it just made him feel ill.

And you’ve always been fine with this. Since that very first day when you took Dick there...But Bruce always felt bad.

Because whenever you’d get out of the doctor’s office, you’d have fresh tears in your eyes, because you were just too pure for this world (is what Damian would say).

Dick always took advantage of this. He was never really scared of shots, and thought they didn’t really hurt...But oh, oh he would always cry a river of crocodile tears just so he’d get extra cuddles and ice cream.

And then, that cheeky little bugger passed that knowledge of “when we get shots, or we get sick, the parents literally let us do WHATEVER we want !” to his little siblings (you were actually pretty sure your kids would pass secret ways to manipulate you and Bruce along to their younger siblings and..you were oddly fine with it. You loved those kids too much to care, really).

This thought reminded you of that very first time Dick fell sick, shortly after you and Bruce officially adopted him. 

And how much you guys freaked out. 

It was both a pleasant, and terrible memory. 

And oh. Oh you already dreaded the day Thomas would have his first real fever...You still remembered how it happened, with all your other children. 

“What is it ?” Bruce asks, always knowing when something was on your mind. And so you say : “Nothing bad, this just reminds me of when Dick got sick for the first time while with us...”

A light of recognition ignited in Bruce’s eyes, he knew exactly what you were talking about. 

Bruce only had fond memories of when he was sick and his mom and dad would take care of him.

He thought they were the best, wether they’d hold a “barf-bucket” for him, or stay up all night because he was too feverish...

What he never realized though, is that having a sick child was actually absolutely terrifying ! Bruce often felt sick himself, when the kids were ill.....ah, but nothing ever beats those first time each of them got sick.

DICK 

Dick wasn't as young as Thomas, when he first came into your life. None of them were. But he was still a cute little bean, your baby. 

Eight years old, and oh so sweet and nice and cute and you could just squish his little cheeks all day (albeit from the few outburst of anger at times, but hey, he was but a child, every kid throw tantrum from times to times).

He had been living with you and Bruce in the Manor for the past six months, when you had your first fright, and realized that being a parent meant being worried about your kid's well being for the rest of your days

Dick was definitely a tiny kid when he came in your life. He was rather short, only having a growth spurt when he was around 14/15. Barbara Gordon used to tease him to no end about this, up until he finally caught up with her and ended up being taller.  

But yes, his small stature for his age, maybe made you baby him even more than the others, sometimes. 

Ah. That first time little Dick Grayson was sick at Wayne Manor. 

You. Freaked. The. Fuck. OUT. 

You and Bruce, both. 

Coincidentally, Dick became ill ON THE ONLY FEW DAYS OFF ALFRED WOULD TAKE A YEAR !! 

Every year, for a theater festival, Alfred would take off to his homeland, to England, in London to be exact, for but a few days. 

The three of you were in the batcave. Bruce was getting ready to go out, while you were on the bat computer and Dick was training on the side, doing some acrobatics on the trampoline Bruce installed. 

And then he came to you, pulling on your sleeve, and he was so pale...

“I don’t feel too well.” 

He said, right before throwing up for a few way too long seconds, as tears welled up in his eyes...it was never nice to throw up, and once again, no matter how mature he acted, you were reminded that Dick was but an eight year old child. 

But he wasn’t only crying because throwing up fucking sucked. He was also crying because he thought you were going to be mad at him. 

You reassured him, as you cleaned his little face up, and Bruce (who looked quite green himself...later on, you’d discover than when his kids or you were sick, he felt sick too...quite a strong reaction, really) carried him upstairs. 

You were frantically googling how to take care of a sick child, as Bruce stayed with Dick, holding a bark bucket to his face, and drawing soothing circles on his back with his hand. 

The panic dumbed the both of you down. It seemed like you couldn’t think, as you tried to make Dick as comfortable as he could. 

You could feel your anxiety blowing through the roof, and knew that Bruce was close to have a panic attack himself (he was prone to them, although you and Alfred were the only one who knew).

You didn’t know what was worst, the fact he was sick and had no idea what you were supposed to do, or how much Dick was sobbing and apologizing. 

“Should we call Dr. Thompkins ?”

“I don’t know her number, Alfred is the one that calls usually...” 

“Should we take him there then ?” 

“I don’t know, Alfred is-” 

This went on for a little bit, as Dick was throwing up and crying. Saying “sorry !” every two seconds. But...Instinctively, Bruce was trying to soothe him with those warm pats on his back. And you were caressing his hair, empathetic. And...

You decided to not go to the doctor today, Dick was sick, but not sick enough to take him to an emergency. And in Gotham ? Leslie was needed for a lot, especially in evenings like this. 

“Alfred um, gives me flat soda when I have a stomach ache ?”

“On it !” 

You say, bolting on your feet and running to the kitchen, taking a cola and opening it up. Meanwhile, Dick’s fit calmed down, and he seemed to instantly feel better as he probably threw everything he needed to up... 

He seemed content, cuddling against Bruce as the man was softly patting his back in small circles, and using his other hand to hold his head delicately. 

You and Bruce were definitely not experienced parents yet, and it showed. 

It showed by those first few minutes of utter panic, as your child got suddenly sick. And it showed as how you instantly just thought of calling Alfred...

That day, you both realized though, that you couldn’t always rely on the butler when it came to raising your son. For situations exactly like that one.

Both you and Bruce were still young, and scared to make mistakes but..You had to try. And you had to keep a cool head. Your motherly instinct kicked in.

It was so odd, seeing the big bad bat, wearing his costume without the cowl on (he didn’t have time to take it off as he rushed upstairs with the boy in his arms), looking so worried... 

Bruce was so pale, and you could see that in a way, he felt his son’s pain too...Which just made your head click, and take action. 

“Ok, ok we can do this. Keep the barf bucket close, let’s wait for the soda to get flat, and um...let’s try to distract him. A movie, perhaps ?”

Dick nodded, and although he wasn’t throwing up anymore, he seemed too weak to stand up (or maybe he was faking, could be, honestly, with that one...doesn’t matter) so Bruce carried him again. 

And it was a sight. Bruce was a tall man. And Dick was a very small kid. 

It was cute. and in that moment...In that moment it felt like you both suddenly realized what it meant, to be a parent.  

Bruce, holding his son in his arms, feeling the little one’s heartbeat and slowed breath as he was kinda nodding off...was this how his own father felt, when holding him ? It was nice. It was a surge of pure love, and knowing that he would die for that kid if he had to. Hell, he would burn the whole world, for that kid. 

It was so odd. The situation wasn’t that crazy, Dick probably just ate something bad, and with the trampoline and all the jumping around...he got sick. 

As a child, you had those rapid sick moments of having a bad stomach ache, which would turn into throwing up, to then feel better. Those sudden moments when your own parents would take care of you...

Ah. You hadn’t realized how much worry being a parent would bring. Bruce didn’t either. You guys adopting Dick felt like an obvious thing to do. Felt like it was meant to be...

But it wasn’t just yet, that you felt like a mom. Or a dad. 

It took some time to build. Just like it took time for Dick to call you “mom” and “dad”. And in that moment, as your kid (yes, your kid) was sick, that was it...

Finally. Yes. That was it. 

You were a mom. 

Bruce was a dad. 

Dick was your son. 

Of course you panicked as he suddenly got sick. But now, it was in your hand to properly take care of him. And thus started the first ritual you’d ever make with one of your children. 

Dick, when sick, liked chicken noodle soups. Made by you. He liked cuddles, up until he turned 12 or 13, then he acted as if he was too grown up for them. This eventually stopped when he turned 19, not long after Jason’s death...He regressed back to a little boy in some ways, and needed you. And Bruce. 

You’d often drive to Bludhaven just to give him chicken noodle soup and sprite, when he got sick. Even as he grew older and older...He loved it. No one could ever beat his mom babying him, when he felt under the weather. 

JASON 

"Hey buddy, are you ok ?” 

“Yes, yes I’m ok mom.” 

He smiles at you sweetly, his eyes half-closed, and clearly still relishing in the fact that he can finally call someone “mom”. But this happiness he felt whenever he realized he was finally safe, and had a home, was oddly dimmed, this morning. 

“Are you su-OH MY GOD !” 

Your hand is burning, as you lay it on his forehead. 

He’s burning up !

“Hey wow hey, kiddo, come here, you’re not feeling well are you ?” 

But Jason shakes his head, and says : 

“No I’m good. Just tired, but I’ll wake up soon.” 

He smiled again, but it felt all wrong. 

Of course, you didn’t take his words for it, even if you knew Jason wasn’t a liar. But the fact spoke for themselves, your kid was NOT alright. No matter what he was saying. 

Turned out, you were definitely right. He really wasn’t alright. 

In fact, Jason had...pneumonia. A bad case of it. That he probably caught when he was playing earlier that day, in the snow, with Bruce, staying out up until his lips were blue and he was soaking wet !! Bruce could just never resist him, and didn’t have the heart to say “no” when the kid kept asking on playing more...

He dearly regretted it. But you reassured him, this wasn’t his fault. It wasn’t. 

You rushed to the hospital, Bruce holding a tiny little Jason wrapped tight in a few warm blankets. And the doctor confirmed you made the right call, taking him to the ER. 

It wasn’t like with Dick, where it was obvious the boy had a mild sickness. No. Jason really looked bad, and ready to drop. 

You and Bruce let once again your parental instincts kick in and...It was the right call. 

When Jason woke up, he let out a string of apologies and you realized...You realized the kid was terrified you wouldn’t want him anymore if he bothered you too much. Was scared to death that you’d want to take him back where you found him, that you’d give up on him. 

His real life father bolted at the first signs of troubles. His mother was a drug addict for whom he was never good enough to try and get cleaned up. 

He was abandoned, over and over again along his short life and...he was absolutely terrified that if he was too much of a nuisance to you two, you and Bruce would leave him as well. That you wouldn’t bother. 

And it broke your hearts. 

Softly, when Jason finally got better, after a few days of utter nightmare for you and Bruce, you took him home. He still needed some rest, as he was a little sick, so you tucked him comfortably in his bed and finally, you told him : 

“From now on, you promise me to tell us when you don’t feel ok ? Wether you think it’ll bother us or not. You will never bother us, little buddy, ok ?”

“Ok”, Jason said, unsure. 

“What do I have to say or do, to convince you you’ll never be a nuisance to us ?” 

The question took Jason by surprise, and he wasn’t quite sure of what to say. In his feverish state anyway, he had a hard time thinking. He heard himself say : 

“Stay with me ?” 

“Of course. Always little one, always.” 

And as he softly drifted to sleep, feeling the cold and soothing towel you would wet over and over again to put on his forehead, he heard you hum a song from your childhood, that would become a song always sure to put him to sleep. 

He was out, when Bruce said : “I’ll stay home tonight.” A shame, really. Because maybe, maybe if he heard that the Batman was going to skip patrol just to keep an eye on him...Then he’d know he would never bother him. Ever. 

That he would forever hold a dear, prime place in his heart.

Jason woke up the next morning, and found you and Bruce asleep on the floor, right next to his bed. You were still holding a towel that had long since dried up, and one of Bruce’s hand was clutched tightly on your shirt. 

The basin full of cold water laying on his bed side table was almost empty. Jason smiled. 

He felt better after a few hours of good sleep, and slowly got out of the blankets, pulling them with him, to then lay down next to you two, throwing the thick quilt over all of you. 

Later that day, Alfred found the three of you all cuddled up. He snatched a picture. Picture that was framed, amongst some of your favorite of your children, in your office. And in Bruce’s. 

The way you sung him to sleep when he was sick...When he died, it was the last thing he thought about. When he saw the bomb would explose before Bruce could save him. 

He thought of how soothing it was, to be taken care of by you. And your humming voice rung in his ears, as he realized he was going to die. Right there. 

Oh. Oh he wished he could be a little sick eight years old again, forget all his worries, and just fall asleep with the sound of your voice in his ears, while his dad would hold the both of you in his arms...

TIM 

“Timothy Jackson Drake-Wayne, go back to bed this instant !”

Tim was the most difficult one, when he had a fever. He was a bit of a workaholic (like father like son ?), and always wanted to help. He hated being too sick because then he felt useless.

Your boy just wanted so much to be there for everyone, that he often forgot himself in the process and...yes. 

His first real fever/sickness was punctuated by you constantly trying to get him back into bed.

You almost never even knew Tim was sick !

The boy was so used to taking care of himself, that he tried to handle everything on his own. He even took an appointment to the doctor himself ! But then, before having the chance to go there, he passed out in school, which resulted in a call from his principal that ended in Bruce almost having a heart attack. 

You understood him of course. It wasn’t really a nice feeling to be called out during a business meeting to have someone tell you your son passed out in school ! 

It was just a little flu, but the fever and lack of sleep got the best of him. 

Bruce didn’t even tell anyone where he was going, as he rushed to the school. You met him there, as he was walking out of the building, with a little sleepy Tim in his arms. 

“I can walk, I swear I can walk.” 

The boy was saying, yet his head was on his dad’s shoulder, and the up and down bobble of Bruce’s walk was clearly putting him to sleep. 

Your husband settled your son in the car, and drove home. 

“He was trying to convince me he could finish his school day, and that he had a group work today and didn’t want to let his friends down...”

“Sounds like Tim alright...”

You said, looking back at his sleeping form in the back seat. 

Bruce nods, but you could see something was on his mind. You always knew, when something was on his mind. Brushing a few fingers on his cheeks, you ask : 

“What is it, my Bruce ?” 

His eyes are on the road, of course. But he flicks them quickly to you, and he knows. He knows he can’t lie to you, or get away with telling you half-truth. 

You’ll know, if he’s not really telling you what has been worrying him. He takes a deep breath and, with a small voice says : 

“Is this...my fault ?” 

At first, you don’t understand, and you say : 

“I’m pretty sure it’s because that boy never wears a damn sweater, and we’re in Gotham in the middle of Winter haha.” 

But then...Then you realize what he means. 

He’s talking about the fact that Tim always seem to overcompensate for something. Always seem to want to be there for everyone, forgetting sometimes he’s just a ten years old boy. 

Tim was the only one out of his siblings that became Robin for no personal reason, but just because he loved Batman and wanted to help him. Just because he wanted to help people. 

He didn’t have a tragic backstory (although he unfortunately got one later on...), he didn’t have a reason to become Robin, other than his good nature and really wanting to help...

And Bruce let him. Allowed him to do this. Even after what happened to Jason, he let Tim sneak in your life and become Robin. 

You’d argue that Tim didn’t leave you guys much of a choice, and sort of had a “well I’m gonna help you no matter what, deal with it” sort of attitude. But you understood your husband’s worries. 

He was afraid that he was the one that made him that way. That it was because of him, that Tim worked his health off. 

“Oh, Bruce, my Heart...No. No it’s not your fault. It’s just how this amazing little boy is wired. I actually think that thanks to you, he’s more focused and taken care of. The gods can only imagine what Tim Drake would’ve done if he hadn’t been trained by Batman himself...If you said “no” to him pestering you about becoming your Robin, he would’ve taken it upon himself to go out there anyway. And then...I can only imagine what would’ve happened. So no. No it’s not your fault. It’s just...how he is. He reminds me of you a lot, actually. And I’m so, so glad he managed to convince you...Couldn’t imagine my life without that little one in it. Even if he does give me grief often, overworking like that. But it’s not your fault. It’s not. On the contrary.” 

It took you a while, to convince Bruce he didn’t create Tim the way he sort-of created Dick and Jason. But you managed to, as you always did. You could be very convincing. Plus, the boy helped. It was clear his dedication came from himself mainly, that he was just born this way. 

Too clever and smart for his own good, destined to be a Robin...and maybe a Batman, one day ?

Yes. Tim was the only one that wasn’t in it for himself. For personal reasons. He just wanted to help...

But after that first time he got sick, he understood that sometimes, it was ok to rely on you or his die. That in fact, he would gladly do so ! 

That day, Bruce carried him to his bed, even as the boy protested he was alright. Finally, you’ve had enough and ended up sort of lecturing him...gently. 

“You need to rest, sometimes, ok ? If it’s too much, if you’re too tired, physically AND mentally, you need to take a few steps back...and let others take care of things, and of you. Ok ?” 

“But-”

“No buts Timmy. It’s important. If something bad happens to you because you’ve been ignoring your own body, your own self...What will happen to those you want to help ? In order to continue what you’re doing, you need to take some pauses. Like right now. You are sick. You passed out in school. So...It’s gatorade and crackers time.” 

Gatorade and crackers. 

Tim’s favorite drinks and food. 

Gatorade and crackers. 

Two things that were rarely found in Wayne Manor. You always tried to give healthy balanced meals to your kids. Especially to Tim, who had the opposite of a balanced diet when he came into your lives (the fact he often had to take care of himself as his parents were too busy meant he often chose his own food...and of course he’d rather have ice cream than broccolis). 

But the fact that you were now giving him Gatorade and crackers meant...Meant that Dick was right. When they were sick, you would do anything to make them comfortable. 

Coincidentally though, Gatorade and saltines helped out, when one was sick. 

On that first time he became sick after starting to live with you, Tim found that it was ok, to relax sometimes. That he didn’t have to waste his life away 24/7 for others, and that he could enjoy some down time. 

It only happened when he was sick, to your great dismal. You constantly tried to convince him to take a break (just like you did with Bruce...but although it worked with your husband, especially as he got older, Tim was just very stubborn, and wanted to help too damn much). You even had to trick him into it often. 

So although you hated seeing your kids in any kind of pain, you were almost glad when Tim got sick. Because it meant he would really take care of himself. Or rather, letting you take care of him. 

That first time he got sick, he ended up leaving his bed...only to go cuddle up in yours and Bruce’s, and enjoy some down time. And learn that, it was ok, to take care of himself. 

Hell. You’d hammer this fact in his head if you had to. 

Gatorade and crackers, while watching movies in yours and Bruce’s big bed, was why Tim thought that in the end, being sick wasn’t too bad. 

Extra points if you two were in the bed with him, snuggled up all nice, safe and warm. 

CASSANDRA

Cassandra didn’t like TV, when she was sick. Instead, she liked you reading her stories better. And you’d read to her all day, if need be. Switching from time to time with your husband. 

She had trouble sleeping, even when sick and weak. Listening to your voices telling her all those wonderful stories was soothing beyond measure. 

The first time she fell sick while at Wayne Manor though, her first reflex was to go hide. Because when she used to be sick with the man who called himself her “father”, with David Cain (that scum), he used to get so mad at her. 

As if it was her fault, she became sick. 

So she’d run away. Curl into a ball. Wait for it to pass. And then face him, healthy again. It was easier to confront him when she was ok...So she’d rather run away and face the consequences, rather than stay around him while sick. 

And so, her first instinct was to go hide. 

She went to the attic, and did what she used to do. 

Curled up in a ball, in front of the round window. And wait. Alone. 

It’s Bruce, who found her. He was casually checking the GPS he put on his children. They still thought they got rid of it, the sweet kids...but as if he’d only implant one. He knew it wasn’t really ethical, but after what happened to Jason, he wasn’t willing to take any chances. 

During the day, he would check a few times, and usually during boring office meeting, to see where they were. That day, he saw Cass in the Manor’s attic, and didn’t think much of it. Cass was a curious one, who took it upon herself to explore everything in the house. 

But when he came home, and she was still there, his guts told him something was wrong...He rushed to the attic, and found her. 

And his heart stopped, when he saw her laid on the floor, curled up into a ball, and softly moaning because she had a bad fever. 

She wasn’t asleep, even in this state she fought sleep, afraid to have nightmares (and while having a fever, she couldn’t just wake up to escape them...). 

Bruce carried her out of the attic, holding her tight in his arms, his heart bleeding as he realized why she isolated herself while she needed help. 

People often misjudged Bruce on that matter. Saw him as a cold harsh man. But oh; oh if it was touching his children or you...He would feel so much. Too much, even. He just loved you all to death. 

When he brought her downstairs, and you saw her, you immediately entered “mom mode” and fussed over her, getting everything you needed to make her comfortable...but as it turned out, all she wanted was to feel yours and Bruce’s presence. 

To hear your voice, and feel you were there. 

And so without thinking, you picked up a book and started to read it to her. And you could feel her relax, let her guard down. A rare occasion she would truly let herself be chill. 

The first time Cass got sick while living under your roof, her first instinct was to hide and lick her wounds all by herself. It was to lie on the floor and hope it would pass fast. It was-

The second time she felt under the weather, she immediately went to you. It was early in the morning. And it’s only thanks to Bruce’s amazing reflexes that Cass didn’t throw up all over you two, as he pulled you away from her just in time...To then take care of changing the sheets, while you held your daughter’s hair as she threw up in the master’s bathroom’s toilet. 

And then Bruce went downstairs to take a “barf-bowl”, the one actually, that her mom used to take for him...ah. He always used that one for all the kids. Call it nostalgia. 

The second time Cass got sick while under your care, she didn’t hide. She wasn’t dreading it, even as she got even sicker than the first time. No. 

No because now, she knew she’d always find you so you could take care of her. Ah, and Dick, Jason and Tim gave her many tricks to fake being sick and have you all for herself...

DUKE

Duke was older than any of your kids were when he started to live at the Manor. He was already in his teens. He wasn't a tiny bean like the rest of them, when he came in your family...

And yet. Yet the first time he fell sick, you babied the hell out of him. 

So what if he was sixteen ? Doesn’t mean he couldn’t have all the care a child should have when he wasn’t feeling well. 

And so you were ready to take care of him, when Alfred came to you this morning to tell you “Master Duke” wasn’t feeling well. 

However, when you got to his room and indeed saw he was feverish, he refused to talk to you and just wanted to be alone. 

And then it hits you. 

Duke was sixteen. 

He wasn’t a lost little eight years old boy who had just lost his parents, or never even had parents. He wasn’t a child in dear need of love and cuddles.  

He was sixteen. 

And he wanted HIS mom. 

What happened to his parents was too fresh. 

And they weren’t dead...In a way, seeing them lose their mind with no chance of ever getting better was worst. 

Duke was sixteen. 

And there, sick, all he wanted was to have his mom’s care again.

Yes. Duke’s case was different than all your other children. Because his parents were still there. Because he was older. Because everything was so fresh, at the moment. 

In time, in the coming years, he would come to feel just like his siblings did. But right there, just mere few weeks after he moved to the manor, and mere few days after Bruce helped him find his parents...

Duke was homesick. 

He missed his dad. But he missed his mom even more. Probably for the same reason that your kids loved to have you around so much, when they were sick...

There was no doubt in your mind that Duke’s mom was amazing at taking care of him when he felt ill. She probably had her own tricks, to make him feel better. Tricks that you did not know...And so you asked. 

You simply asked. 

Because you wanted to make him feel better. You wanted to be there for him, even if right now, he didn’t want you around. 

If he truly wanted to be left alone, you’d leave some medicine and leave him be. But your guts were telling you he was just sad, and the sad was translated into him pretending he wanted to be alone. 

Your guts were right. 

Duke wanted his mom. Yes. But he also didn’t want to be alone with his thoughts, right now...He just didn’t want to hurt your feelings. He knew how motherly you could be.  He didn’t want to project his mother on you. He-

“What do you need ?”

You asked, and the answer came to his mind instantly. He spoke before even realizing he was doing it : 

“My mom used to make a perfect drink of warm water, honey, ginger and lemon.”  

And as you tried to recreate his mom’s drink, never quite getting the measurements right (you could see on his face it wasn’t like his mother’s), Duke slowly felt better. 

Because...Because yes. He missed his mom. And the way she took care of him. Especially on sick days. But...It wasn't everywhere that one could find someone who cared so much, that they were willing to spend their entire day trying to get a drink right, right ? 

And when Bruce came home, and asked him if he was “alright champ ?”, Duke realized one thing... 

Yes. He wanted his parents. Yes, he missed them like hell. Yes, his sick days would never be the same...

But he wasn’t alone. As Bruce joined in trying to make the perfect drink of “warm water, honey, ginger and lemon”, Duke came to the realization that his situation wasn’t as desperate as he thought, this morning, when he woke up feeling under the weather, and without his mom to take care of him. 

Because you were still there. And were planning on staying there for a very long time. Of course, you could never replace his mom. Just like you never replaced Dick’s, or Damian’s...You just, became another mom to them. 

And Duke...That first day of being sick in Wayne Manor ? He felt like he was finally willing to let you become his second mom. To let Bruce become a father figure. To have this found family, in this tough times...

Sick days were never the same than when he was a little kid and still had his parents around. 

Duke was sixteen. Growing up wasn’t easy, especially after what he went through. And sick days would never be the same...But it didn’t mean they wouldn’t be nice, as he slowly let you and Bruce, and his newfound siblings, take care of him. 

Yes. To have this found family in this tough times was quite a joy. 

DAMIAN

To the surprise of many, Damian actually didn’t resist too much being taken care of when he first got sick under your roof. 

Damian actually loved being sick, because it meant snuggles time with you, safe and warm under a blanket on the couch, watching his favorite movies. It meant your soothing fingers running in his hair, making him feel peaceful and relaxed. 

It also meant that he’d have you all for himself. 

With five siblings (with a sixth one on the way), it wasn’t always the easiest thing ever, to get his mom only for himself. Yes. He loved to be sick, and babied by you. 

The first time he got a bad fever, a few months after he arrived at the Manor, he dreaded falling ill because...

Well. Because he was raised in the League of Assassins. And being sick, no matter how much, was not considered reason enough to not train. To not do what his grandfather told him to do. 

He used to work through the sickness. Even if he felt like passing out (and he did, a few times, which earned him hours from his sleeping time taken away...). 

So Damian hated being sick. 

Until. Until he became ill for the first time when living with you. 

By that time, you and Bruce had learned how to manage a sick child. And although Bruce still felt physically ill too whenever his children were, he managed nowadays to be somewhat ok and take care of them without wincing. 

It happened not long after Damian started to call you “mom”. He fell asleep while you guys were watching a movie and...it’s what instantly told you something was wrong. 

No matter how bad a movie would be, Damian would NEVER fall asleep in the middle of it. 

Ah, and sure enough, as you checked his temperature you realized he had a bad fever. And so you carried him to his room, tucking him into bed. 

He woke up as you were doing that, and looked at you, utterly surprised. What was going on ? 

“Get some rest buddy, you’ll feel better soon.” 

You said, smiling. And at first, Damian didn’t understand. He had been so conditioned in ignoring his own well being, that he didn't realize something was wrong with him. But then, you laid a hand on his forehead, and said : 

“Ah it doesn’t seem like it’s such a big sickness, I’ll go get you some medicinal tea and...What do you want to eat ? If you’re hungry ? Maybe you’re not, sometimes when I’m sick I just don’t wanna eat anything.”

Sick ? Was he...Sick ? Yes. He was. But it was so mild, that he didn’t even think he needed to rest. Or...Didn’t he ? He was just so used to still work even when sick. 

“What-What about school ?” 

He asked, and he was surprised his voice sounded so weak and tired. Was he always feeling like that when sick ? Yes. But...Something was different. 

And then it hit him. 

“I think it’s ok if you skip a few days’ buddy.”

The difference was that, when he was sick while amongst the League of Assassins, he was always terrified that his grandfather got tired of him and send him hitmen (it happened a lot before, while he was sleeping for example, and it always happened to test him, test if he was ready, and willing to kill and ask questions after). That he didn’t find him useful enough. 

While here, with you, he felt safe. He felt loved. He felt warm. 

And so his body wasn’t in a “fight or flight” state. He was just...sick. As any normal kid would be. 

When with the Al’Ghul, he somehow managed to convince himself to keep going, to work through the pain. And oh, it’s wonders, what the brain can do when you really want to. 

But here. Here he didn’t have to act tough. To keep walking or he’d end up dead. Here. Here he was safe. And loved. 

So he felt the sickness, the fever. He felt it’s true effect. 

“What do sick people eat ?” 

He asked, and at first you didn’t think much of it. You started to tell him Dick loved chicken noodle soup while Tim preferred saltines. Cass would never eat much, neither would Jason, but they’d always say yes to some flat sodas. 

He seemed unsure of what he wanted, so you asked him a simple question : 

“What do you usually eat, when you’re sick ?” 

It was such an innocent question. But it made him almost cry. 

Usually ? 

Usually...

“Well...”

He hesitates, and you sense there’s more to things than you originally thought. Finally, after looking at your encouraging smile, he says : 

“When I was sick before, I still had to train. And then they’d tell me I’m weak.” 

In one sentence, you understand everything. And you could punch yourself for ever thinking that he got taken care of when sick. And then the next second, you hold him tight in your arms, and once again, Damian is surprised. 

But pleased. He had been touched starve most of his life, this was nice. 

“My poor baby...”

He didn’t even complain you called him a baby, and let you hug him. And then...Then you spend time with him, trying to find the perfect ritual to make him feel better while he was sick. 

You had such rituals with everyone. Formed on the day they first got sick. Damian needed his own thing too...

Thus was created the “couch nest”. 

It involved covering the living room’s couch with at LEAST one quilt, then Damian would bring the pillows (and maybe some stuffs animals, or even real ones...Titus often sneaked in) from his bed, and you would tuck him in with one or two more quilts. 

He would then spend the rest of the time watching TV and movies with you. Or with his siblings. Or his dad. 

And it was so comforting, to be wrapped up like that. Almost like laying in a hug. It made him feel like he was perpetually held by you. 

Damian used to hate being sick. Because he hated being weak. 

But this changed. Just like he changed. Thanks to his family. Thanks to you. 

Now, just like Tim, he almost loved, being sick...

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

“This sort of reminds me of that time Dick got his first fever...”

You were thinking about all those terrible, yet sweet days, of your children being sick, as you walked up the stairs to your house, a hand tightly weaved around your husband’s. 

Bruce was holding a sleeping Thomas in one of his arm (the boy was so small he could even fit in one of his hand, really), and felt relaxed. Here. With his son, and his wife, the love of his life. And with the knowledge than when you’d push the door to your house open you’d-

“Father ! Mom ! How is he !?” 

Both you and Bruce quickly put a finger on your lips, and Damian throws his hands on his mouth, regretting his scream. But he was just so worried. 

He couldn’t come with you to the doctor’s office as he had school (plus you were pretty sure he would’ve been 100 times worst than Bruce, trying to stop Leslie by any means necessary), and had been thinking about his little brother’s first shot all day. 

Damian, just like his dad, wasn’t very fond of shots. He hated that his brother (wether the youngest one, or one of the older one, really) had to go through this. 

It was always silly to you, how both Bruce and Damian, who’ve been through much worst than small little shots, hated those so much...Silly, and very cute. 

Damian was looking critically at his brother, checking him silently for any signs of distress, for any “mistakes” Doctor Thompkins would’ve done, and seemed satisfied that the boy was fast asleep in his dad’s arm.

And Bruce...Bruce was smiling. 

He felt so relaxed. And happy.

When you pushed that door, it opened on Damian rushing to the two of you, worried about his little brother. But it also opened on Alfred, who baked some comforting food, and brewed some tea for you, knowing how hard on you this sort of things could be (and yet how you insisted to take your kids to the doctor yourself, and not let Alfred do it, because you wanted to be there for them). 

It opened on Cass smiling, and ruffling Damian’s hair as to reassure him. 

It opened on Tim, who took a small break from his college study to come down and spend some times with his siblings, ready to relax in front of a movie (it was family movie night !). 

It opened on Duke, who’s hands were full of DVDs, and who was excited to try to convince y’all to watch “Ninja and Pirates 6″, or something of the like. 

It opened on Jason, who was smiling in such a way that no one would ever know all the things he went through. And it made Bruce feel all nice and warm inside...even as the little shit mimicked him having to take a shot. Squirming and looking as if he was about to faint. And ah, he hated to admit it, but his boy was impersonating him really well. 

And it opened on Dick. His first kid. The one that, one day when getting sick, was who made Bruce realize what it truly meant to be a dad. The one who knew the best how much he hated  seeing any of his children sick, or getting shots. 

On Dick, who was laughing really hard at Jason’s impersonation, and giving him feedbacks about what to improve to make it even better. 

The door opened on his family. 

And as the ruckus surrounding him woke Thomas, as Damian yelled at Jason and Dick for being so loud, and as Bruce’s eyes fell on you, while you looked at your little tribe with love in your eyes...

Bruce felt relaxed. And so, so, oh so happy. 

________________________________________________

This is yet another one of those stories I’ve been posting a lot lately, that do not take me very long to write and in which I don’t put that much effort, but that I really enjoy writing nonetheless ^^. And I hope you enjoyed reading it :), I’m nervous actually this isn’t up to your standards hahaha...Yes, hope you still liked it. Don’t hesitate to leave a little feedback etc etc ^^. Thanks in advance ! 

See you soon with something much longer and on which I spend a lot of time working ;). 

[yandere-society]

The Devil in the ICU

Pairing:

Synopsis: You’ve rarely spoken to your neighbor Jimin, but he’s always been kind to you. When you get into an accident that lands you in the ER, you’re grateful to see who’s taking such good care of you. It isn’t until later that you start to wonder… will you ever be leaving the hospital?

Word Count: 6.6k

Warnings: Blood, murder/death, yandere themes, stalking themes, needles/IVs

Admin: @psycho-slytherin​

Request:

How did you wind up here? 

As you slump back into your bed, with him lying on the floor next to you, a hazy thought informs you that it must look like a scene straight out of Romeo and Juliet.

Although, you think ruefully, glancing down at the sharp shard of glass clenched in your fist, I don’t think Juliet would have done this.

“Merry fucking Christmas.”

~Three weeks earlier~

Taehyung, leaning against the doorframe with a steaming mug of coffee in his hand, looks as handsome as the day you married him. “Have a good day at work!”

You give him a quick kiss, shivering in the brisk morning air. “You too. Remember that we have that dinner tonight!”

Tae laughs. “Is that what we’re calling the awards ceremony? You know you’ve earned bragging rights.”

“Shush!” You boop him on the nose before turning and making for your car. On the other side of the fence, you can see your neighbor Jimin step out onto his porch. He catches your eye and, as Taehyung goes back inside, you smile amicably and nod at Jimin before getting into your car. You see him at his front door every morning, and he’s always friendly.

On your drive to the university campus, you think about tonight’s dinner. You’ll be presented with an awards for Arts Education despite being one of the youngest professors in the university’s faculty. You were thrilled when the dean of the school contacted you for the honor.

Once you park, you speedwalk to your first class of the day and burst through the door. You soon find yourself looking at twenty students, some bright-eyed, some more zombie-like.

“I’d apologize for being late,” you say, “But at this point I don’t think anyone is surprised.” The more awake students laugh, and you sling your bag onto your desk at the front of the room. “Let’s get started. Yoongi, you’re up first for workshop. Why don’t you stand up and read?”

Of all of your students, you think Yoongi is the most likely to pursue his career in creative writing. 

He nods and stands. You can see his hands trembling as he clutches the paper. 

When he sits back down after reading his poem, there’s a smattering of applause. “Very nice,” you say. “Now, who’d like to offer their feedback?”

~~~

Hours later, you dismiss your last class. You can’t wait to go home and tell Taehyung all about your day.

“So this one kid really decided the best move, instead of asking for an extension, was to plagiarize Twilight. Fucking Twilight!” 

Taehyung laughs as he buttons up his shirt. “What did you tell her?”

“Ugh, I hate to report anyone for plagiarism, I told her to write something new and turn it in for half credit.”

“No wonder your students love you. I think you’re personally responsible for all of the creative writing majors on campus.”

You finish zipping up your dress. “Probably. Let’s get going, yeah?” 

“Your wish, my command,” Taehyung says, gallantly bowing you out the door. You giggle as he opens the passenger side door for you. “For real, Y/n, want to get away for a weekend to celebrate? This is a nationally recognized award!”

“Hm…” you pretend to think. “Maybe we could go somewhere warm and sunny, with lots of beaches.”

Taehyung interlaces his fingers with yours, lifts your hand to his mouth, and kisses your palm. “Whatever you want. Christmas is coming up, maybe we can travel somewhere for the winter.”

You smile and look out of the window as Taehyung begins the drive. The ceremony is being held at a hotel twenty minutes away. And in a few weeks, you’ll be spending Christmas with the love of your life somewhere warm.

Under the twinkling night sky, everything feels so peaceful. Suddenly, you see a flash of light overhead. “Tae! A shooting star! Look-”

BANG. You hear the sound of crunching metal, feel a violent jerk, and everything goes dark.

~~~

“When she wakes up, start her on 20 milligrams of morphine. If her blood pressure is still low, go ahead and add saline to the IV. She shouldn’t need a transfusion unless anything opens up again.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

Doctor. Are you in the hospital, then? Was there an accident? “Ugh…” You blink hard in the blinding light. You’re woozy, and your mouth tastes like copper.

“Y/n! Doctor, she’s awake!” You hear a familiar voice, and feel a hand grip your own.

“M-Mom?”

“Y/n. Thank heavens, you’re awake.” Your mom’s voice is strained and thick, as though she’s been crying. When your eyes finally focus on her, she’s sniffling, and her eyes are bloodshot. She’s wearing a formal black dress – did she come straight from the ceremony?

“What happened?” You croak.

“You were in an accident,” your mom says, her voice breaking. “A bad one. We weren’t sure if you would make it.”

You wince. That doesn’t make sense, and the cost of a hospital stay isn’t in your budget. “Where’s Taehyung?” 

Your mother is silent for a moment too long, and you feel your chest grow tight. “Mom, where is Taehyung? He was in the car with me!”

“He… he didn’t make it. I’m so sorry,” your mom whispers. “The doctors did everything they could.”

No. “You’re lying.” Of course she is, she has to be, he’s your husband, he can’t be gone. “Don’t lie. He’s fine.” 

“Y/n, baby…” 

“No!” You weakly pull your hand from her grip. Angry tears form and begin to spill down your swollen, tender cheeks. “You’re lying!” Please, you beg inside your head, please be lying. Not Taehyung. He’s healthy, strong, smart, he has to be fine. 

You can see unshed tears shining in your mother’s eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

“We weren’t going that fast,” you say desperately. “It can’t have been bad.”

“You broke a leg and a rib, fractured your collarbone, and punctured your lung,” Your mother says quietly. “They said you were lucky to have no brain damage.”

You sit back, stunned. It’s true, you’re wrapped in bandages and the parts of your skin that you can see are black and blue. When you lift the blanket, you can see a small clear tube protruding from your chest. Still, it’s impossible. You had only been driving for a few minutes. “What happened? The accident?”

“I-It was a hit-and-run,” your mother responds shakily. “They T-boned your car and drove away. There were witnesses, but no cameras and nobody got a license plate. They put out a notice for the car.”

You swallow. Despite your injuries, it seems like you’re unable to feel anything at all. Please, no… 

There’s a soft knock at the door. “Y/n?” You look up and through the dark fog in your head you feel a tinge of shock.

Standing in front of you, wearing blue scrubs and a mask, is… your neighbor.

“Jimin?”

Jimin nods. “I’m sorry for what you’re going through. I just need to adjust your IV – are you in pain?”

“No- yes.” As soon as the word escapes your mouth, feeling spills back into your body. Fuck. Suddenly you can’t breathe, your chest feels like it’s on fire, and your leg… “It hurts really badly.”

“Let me increase the morphine dosage.” He steps towards the machines and IV to which you’re hooked up and fiddles with some buttons.

Your heart feels as though it’s stopped on Taehyung. You refuse to believe it, and so you refuse to grieve. “I didn’t know you were a doctor,” you say to Jimin. Your voice sounds like a robotic copy of itself. Out of the corner of your eye, you see your mother glancing at you with worry.

“I’m not, I’m a nurse,” he replies. 

“You take good care of her, you hear?” Your mom says to Jimin, clearly understanding your silent signal not to bring up Taehyung. She was lying – he has to be fine.

Jimin nods firmly, the ghost of a smile on his face. “Yes, ma’am. She’ll be up and about soon, but for now she needs rest.”

As your mom rises slowly from her chair beside your bed, she grasps Jimin’s hand in hers. “Make sure she’s okay.”

“I will.”

Once your mom leaves, your eyelids feel heavy. Your brain is foggy with distorted thoughts of Taehyung. Why can’t you remember anything? “What time is it?”

“Three in the morning,” Jimin supplies.

That surprises you. “It’s been hours.” 

“It has.” “Do you know what happened to the awards ceremony?”

“The… what?”

Of course he doesn’t. Why should he? You sink as far as you can into your pillow, wishing only that it would suffocate you. It feels like there’s an all-consuming black hole in your chest, clawing at every part of you. Taehyung. Taehyung. Taehyung.

“I’m sorry about your husband,” Jimin says gravely. “I met him several times. He was a very kind man.”

“He’s not gone,” you reply stubbornly. He can’t be. “I just need to get better and get home.” Tae will be there.

Jimin pauses. “We’ll do our best.”

“Thank you.”

“The doctor will be back in soon,” Jimin adds. “I can give you something to help you sleep after.”

“Oh, you’re an angel.” After everything that’s happened, you don’t think you can ever sleep again. At least, not until you’re with Taehyung. Surely, the doctor will be able to tell you the truth. 

The doctor comes in, a middle-aged Black woman who introduces herself as Dr. Greene. She walks you through your injuries and the path to recovery. “Luckily, they could have been a lot worse,” she says, eyeing your chart appreciatively. “You should be discharged in two weeks, give or take. After that, it’ll be a while still with your leg in a cast. You’ll have to come back for more check-ups. And as soon as your lung heals, we want you to start physical therapy to counteract all the bed rest. Do you have any questions for me?”

“Where is my husband?” You ask desperately. Behind Dr. Greene, you see Jimin’s face has turned stony. “He was in the car with me, his name is Kim Taehyung–”

“Your husband has passed away,” the doctor says simply, quietly. “I’m sorry.”

At last, with this authority figure having sealed his fate, you allow yourself to cry for Taehyung. Loud, animalistic sobs tear from your chest until your abused ribs and lungs can’t support you anymore and you collapse, screaming silently into hands that hurt to lift. 

“Y/n…”

“It’s not fair. It’s not fair! It should have been me.” The two of you were only on your way to the dinner because of you. It’s your fault. Your fault. Your fault. “It should have been me!”

You feel fingertips lightly touch your aching shoulder. From his earlier position near the doorway, Jimin is suddenly right next to you. “No, it shouldn’t have. And it’s not your fault, Y/n,” he says. 

“Grief is natural and necessary, really, for the healing process,” Dr. Greene adds. “But Nurse Jimin is right, you shouldn’t blame yourself.” She looked back at her chart. “Jimin, you’re on call for the night, yes?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. Keep an eye on her pain levels. Y/n, if you’re uncomfortable or need anything during the night, press this button and Jimin will come check in on you, alright?”

You nod numbly. You don’t care. You hope you do die during the night, so you can at least be with Taehyung. 

Jimin leaves and returns in what feels like both an hour and two seconds, holding a clear bag full of liquid and a bottle of pills.

“Take one of these to help you sleep. This is for your blood pressure – it’s still low – and we’ve added more morphine.”

You simply hold out your hand for the bottle, shake out a pill, and swallow it down without water. Why would you need water when the love of your life is gone?

“Remember, press the button if you need anything,” Jimin says. “I’ll be right here for you.”

“Mm.” You turn over as much as you comfortably can and almost immediately fall into a hopefully dreamless sleep.

If only you were so lucky.

The crash. The moment of the shooting star. Over and over and over again.

“Y/n! Come on, baby, wake up!” You can’t see anything, but you can hear his voice. “They’ll be here soon, you have to hang on for me, okay?”

7.

“Help! Somebody help! No, she’s worse than me, hurry up!”

H.

“Miss? Can you hear me?” 

“Shit, he’s coding!”

L.

“Y/n?” You feel yourself being gently shaken, and still half-dreaming, your body gives a great shudder from the accident. “I’m sorry to wake you. I just need to take your vitals.”

“Blue,” you reply, barely able to form the word. You saw it. “The car was blue.” 

When you look up, you realize that it’s not Jimin, but a nurse you’ve never seen before. She pauses for a moment, clearly perplexed, before she blinks.

“Oh! You were in a car accident?”

“The car was blue,” you continue, scared to lose the thought. You’re a professor of writing at a top university, you should be able to express yourself more fluently. But your words seem to escape you before you can capture them. “License 7-H-L.”

“Oh, my… the nurse looks around before grabbing a pen clipped to her scrubs and scribbling the numbers onto a notepad beside you. “You’re a regular detective!”

“Where’s Jimin?” You ask. You don’t know this new nurse, but at least you trust Jimin.

“Oh, his shift ended,” she replies. “He’ll be back tonight! In the meantime, can you tell me how you feel?”

“I’m… dizzy. My heart…” You can hear it pounding hard in your ears, far too quickly, and leaving you lightheaded. Your whole body hurts, centralized in your leg and chest, far worse than last night.

“Your blood pressure must have gone back to normal, let me get that saline off for you. How’s the pain? Your morphine should have worn off by now.”

You wince. “Bad.”

“Okay, I’ll adjust that.” The nurse fiddles with your IV before turning back to you. “I think your mother will be here soon. In the meantime, is there anything I can do for you?”

“Actually… can you tell her not to come?” A wave of guilt tries to wash over you, but it’s overpowered by the darkness already inside. “I just want to sleep today. She shouldn’t bother.” You pause. “I don’t want any visitors.” “Ah- sure thing, whatever you’d like,” the nurse chirps hesitantly. “Oh, and… what happened to your hair?”

“What do you mean?”

The nurse points. “You’re missing a chunk of hair, I’m guessing from the accident. Hey, maybe when you get out you can try a new style!”

“Yeah, maybe.” You lay back down and stare at the ceiling, wishing only that it would fall apart and crush you. What’s the point of anything without Taehyung? But… what about your students, your classes?

The day passes in a blur, and your intermittent napping keeps you barely aware of your surroundings. You don’t dream of the crash again – it’s a blessing, but at the same time you wish you could remember the rest of the license plate. You finally awaken for real once dusk has settled on the hospital.

You press the button, and immediately Jimin is in your room. “What can I do for you, Y/n?”

You take a deep breath. “Can you please bring me a pad of paper and a pencil?” You were a teenager when your father passed away, and writing was the only thing that saved you then. Perhaps it will be your healing salve now.

“Sure, there’s paper right-” Jimin pauses beside your bed before handing you the pad of paper. “Here, sorry. And you can use one of my pens. How are you feeling?”

“Groggy,” you reply. You’re surprised by how weak your grip on the pencil feels. “Numb. It hurts, but…”

“I’ll make a note for the doctor. Don’t worry, I promised your mom that I’d help you get better. Your lung should be healing soon,” Jimin says. “But I need to change the bandages on your chest tube, if that’s okay?” “Yeah.” You forgot it was there, the clear tube coming out of your chest. It’s held in place with bandages, which Jimin carefully removes before cleaning off your skin and placing new ones down. He’s wearing a silver locket that you’ve never noticed before. It suits him, shining against his skin.

“Thank you,” you say as he finishes taking your vitals. 

“I’m happy to help.”

The next week passes in a blur; between crying fits for Taehyung, assuring your mother that you’re alright, scribbling down everything on your mind, and forcing yourself to sleep simply to avoid the reality of waking hours, you barely have a second to consider your own healing process.

It isn’t until Dr. Greene beams at you that you register: physically, you’re feeling a lot better, and after a week of bed rest and god awful depression, you’re ready to try hobbling around. 

“Looks like you might actually get out a few days early,” Dr. Greene says. “We’ll be able to remove that chest tube tonight.” Beside you, your mother begins crying with relief. 

“Wonderful.” It’s still hard to smile, but you manage a weak attempt. Later that day, you hear a bit of commotion in the hallway, and soon the nurse brings in a huge basket of cards, flowers, and stuffed animals.

“Woah… what’s all this?” With effort, you sit up and take the offered basket. The sweet smell of the flowers is a welcome change to the cold sanitation of the hospital. 

“From your students!” The nurse says happily. “Some even sent you books!”

“Aww, they’re sweet.” You flip through one of the books and notice that all your advisees have signed the title page and scribbled well-wishes in the margins of the chapters. Their kindness and love sparks your first real smile since the accident.

You spend the day reading, counting down the hours until your chest tube is removed. When you’re finally wheeled to the OR and numbed up so they can sew the hole in your chest shut, you feel relief. Your leg is still in a cast, but at least your body is fighting for you. 

That night, you’re drifting off to sleep when you feel a painful tugging on your chest, right where your stitches are. “Mm?” You blink sleepily and see Jimin’s silhouette standing over you.

“Ah, Y/n. I’m sanitizing your wound so it heals well, don’t mind me. How are you feeling?”

“I’m a little sore,” you reply honestly. “It’s not too bad, though.” “Let me fix that for you.” You can see Jimin’s dark figure change something on your IV. “That’ll help you feel better.”

“Thanks,” you mumble, feeling sleep begin to overtake you.

“It’s my pleasure, Y/n.” That night, your dreams are choppy and chaotic. At one point, you dream that your body is on fire; at another, you’re back in the accident but instead of Taehyung, it’s Jimin. The sun has barely risen before you bolt upwards. “Gah!” Your throat is burning, dry, painful – it feels like you’ve swallowed sand.

It must be extra early, because Jimin is still there. He rushes to your bedside. “Y/n? What’s wrong?”

“I- who are you? I need… water…” you croak, your vision swimming before you. You don’t know who this man is, and you don’t know where you are. You can vaguely feel yourself falling backwards.

“Okay, let me get you some- wait, Y/n!”

~~~

You awaken with Jimin, Dr. Greene, and another nurse standing over you. Packed in bed beside you are several ice packs. Even so, you feel your body sweating. 

“What… happened?” You manage. Your tongue feels thick in your mouth.

“You woke up with a bad fever. It’s lucky Jimin thought fast and worked to cool you down.” Dr. Greene said. “We’ll have to keep you monitored for longer than we anticipated.”

“W-Why do I have a fever?”

Dr. Greene’s brows knit together. “I… I’m not sure. We’ll keep an eye on you for the next couple of days and see if anything changes.”

Your fever goes up and down throughout the day, occasionally spiking dangerously enough that the monitors around you begin to beep in alarm. Around noon, Jimin comes in with water and a bottle of pills. He’s wearing a lopsided Santa hat along with his scrubs.

“Merry almost-Christmas. Here, take two for the fever.”

“What are you doing here?” You ask weakly. Even in your fever-addled mind, you remember he only comes at night.

“My shift changed. You need more urgent care anyways, and I volunteered.”

You swallow down the pills and nod. “Thanks.”

“Your bruises have improved,” Jimin observes, lightly touching your face.

“I guess. Fuck.” You feel the sudden urge to douse yourself in cold water. “I just want to get out of here.”

Jimin is quiet for a moment. “Have they found the car that hit you?”

“How would I know?” You feel a wave of dizziness hit you, likely brought on by a heartbeat that never seems to slow down. “Jimin, please…” Save me.

“We’ll see how you’re doing tomorrow,” Jimin says. “For now, you should stay awake. What’s your favorite color?”

“Uh, green.”

“Favorite food?” You can barely think. “Sushi.”

Jimin grins. “Favorite neighbor?”

You try to summon a chuckle. “Whichever one is saving my life.”

“Fantastic. I’ll see you later tonight. Your mother should be in here soon – let me adjust your pain meds, we kept you off of them from the fever but they might just help.”

The night feels eternal; you can’t sleep a wink, and your mother stays with you the whole night. Your fever continues to climb and although at first your breathing is rapid to cool you down, by the time the sun rises it feels as though your lungs have stopped working entirely. You don’t know if that’s normal for a fever.

“Doctor!” Your mother calls for what feels like the thousandth time. 

Dr. Greene hurries into the room, Jimin right behind her. “Is it her fever?”

“No, it’s…” Your mother points wordlessly at your hands. You can’t see what she’s talking about, but when you raise your hands you see your fingertips are blue. You can’t think. You can’t breathe. You don’t care. Everything is fuzzy, so fuzzy… the monitors are beeping again, but you can barely hear them. You’re gasping for air now, choking on nothing. You can’t breathe.

“Doctor Greene,” Jimin says loudly, “I think she’s overdosing.”

“Lord, you may be right. Get the Narcan!”

Jimin darts out of the room and returns just as your eyes begin to flutter closed. Taehyung… 

~~~

There’s a cliff. Taehyung is there, you know it. You just need to jump. The moment you start walking, though, it’s almost as if you’re being pulled away from the edge. No! You open your eyes. Has it been minutes? Days?

“Dear god,” your mother says breathlessly. “She’s awake.”

“How on earth…?” Dr. Greene wonders, wiping her forehead. “Jimin, props to you for your quick thinking. But an overdose? How?”

“Doctor, it’s possible that with her weakness and weight loss, plus the fact that we held off the morphine for several days, an average dose might have caused her to OD.” Jimin suggests. His voice seems to carry more authority than even Dr. Greene’s.

“Yes, perhaps… but the fever?”

“Hm…” Jimin reaches forward and prods at the stitches on your chest. You immediately flinch, your raspy voice yelping in pain. “An infection. Possibly blood poisoning.”

“You know, you really might be right,” Dr. Greene says thoughtfully. “It’s not impossible. Okay, we’ll start you on an antibacterial and switch to lower-grade painkillers.” With this note, Dr. Greene and Jimin file out, leaving you with your mother.

“Momma, did you ever find the car?” You ask, gripping her hand urgently. The owner of that car killed your husband; you want them brought to justice.

“No, sweetie, I’m sorry.”

“What about the license plate?”

“Well, none of the witnesses saw it-”

“No,” you shake your head. “I- the nurse wrote it down. On…” you point to the notepad beside you. “The first page.”

Your mother picks up the abused pad of paper, filled with random journal entries and doodles, and flips to the front. “Y/n, there’s nothing here. It’s blank. Maybe you dreamed it?”

“What? No.” You’re sure that the nurse wrote it down for you. “Check on the floor.”

After a brief but thorough search, the paper doesn’t turn up. What had happened? You can’t possibly remember the partial plate now. Shit. And even so, it was a literal fever dream – you could have made the numbers up.

“Y/n, I’m going to go for an early Christmas dinner at Aunt Ella’s, but I’ll be back tomorrow morning, okay?” 

“Sure, mom.” She’s barely slept, after all. 

The next several days pass and you gradually begin to recover. The lab tests confirmed your blood poisoning, and you feel more grateful than ever that Jimin managed to catch it early – it could have killed you. It’s now been more than two weeks since the accident, and finally the doctor tells you that you’ll be ready to go home soon. As Christmas approaches, you’ve heard holiday music float through the air and bows and wreaths appear in your hospital room and down the hall. Even with the holiday cheer, the loss of the license plate weighs heavy on your mind.

“Merry Christmas Eve! Time to get up and try walking around!” The afternoon nurse says cheerfully as she helps you out of bed. With your heavy green cast making your leg feel detached, you clunk around while holding the nurse’s arm. You near the window, which overlooks a parking lot decorated with dirty snow, and gaze down onto the cars. Can you ever feel safe in a car again?

“Which one’s yours?” You ask the nurse absentmindedly, suddenly struck by another bolt of grief. Her life is normal. She has a car and goes to work.

“That white one right there next to the blue Prius,” she replies, pointing. You mindlessly follow her finger, when suddenly –

Blue. You clutch at your chest and stumble backwards, nearly falling if she hadn’t caught you. “That’s…” No, it can’t be. But in your heart and deep, deep in your memory… “Can you read the plate number on that blue car next to yours?”

“Uh, it’s a little too far away,” she replies, squinting. “I think it’s Jimin,’s though, I always see him pulling in just as my shift is over.”

Jimin. “Does it look dented at all?” You manage. “His car?”

“Ah… a little? I’m not sure.”

Jimin does have a blue Prius, you know that from seeing it in his driveway every day. So why, today, did the thought strike you so violently?

“You know, I think I’m tired. I’m going to lay down.”

“Oh, okay. Do you want some water or to go to the bathroom?”

“No. I just want to be alone.”

“Okay.” The nurse looks worried, but leaves you settled back in your bed. Night falls quickly and you hear a knock on the door. Jimin lets himself in, a bottle of pills in his hand.

“Hey, I heard you’ll be getting discharged soon,” he says cheerfully. He’s still wearing the Santa hat.

Blue. “Yeah, hopefully.”

“Awesome. Well, you need to take these,” he says, shaking two pills from the bottle in his hand and handing them to you.”

“What are they for?”

“They’ll help you sleep and let your blood vessels dilate to regulate your blood pressure.”

“Mm.” You wash them down with his offered water. Almost as soon as you swallow, you feel your body rebel against you – you lean over and vomit onto the floor. The smell makes you gag and you feel everything you’ve eaten come up a second time, the stomach acid burning your throat.

��What- what did you give-” you can’t finish your sentence as your stomach convulses again. Jimin rushes over to you with a bucket and you lean into it, retching. You continue dry heaving long after your body is completely emptied, while Jimin rubs your back reassuringly. “G-get the doctor,” you croak.

“Are you going to be okay alone-?” “Yes. Please, just…” your body shivers as he gets up and leaves. What did he give you? You’re doubtless that those pills caused your vomiting. Just the thought sends you back to your bucket, although you’ve no more left to give. 

“What on earth happened?” Dr. Greene says, rushing in. Jimin is close behind her.

“He gave me pills…” you gasp as your body tries to vomit again. The muscle contractions leave you feeling boneless. “They made me throw up.”

“You’ve got no known allergies on file…” Dr. Greene says, consulting a chart by your bed. “Jimin, what did you give her?”

Jimin produces a bottle clearly labelled DOXEPINE. “Just to help her sleep, she was asking for something earlier.”

Your heart drops. “That’s not-” you’re interrupted by another gagging fit. You want to scream at your body that there’s nothing left, but you can barely speak. “Not the same-” fuck.

“She must have a sensitivity to the Doxepine,” Dr. Greene says thoughtfully. “Jimin, make sure she stays hydrated. If she keeps throwing up we’ll need to keep her longer for observation.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

“Ngh… no…” Dr. Greene leaves before you can tell her that that wasn’t the same pill bottle.

“Here, drink this,” Jimin says, offering you a bottle of water.

“What did you give to me?” You ask, panting. As soon as the water touches your tongue you reach for the bucket, your body rejecting it immediately.

Jimin blinks innocently. “Sleeping pills.”

“Fuck off, that wasn’t the… same bottle.”

“Y/n, you’re sick and grieving, it’s understandable that your eyes are playing tricks on you-”

“No. You… poisoned me!” You summon what strength you have left and swipe at the nurse, who’s now leaning over you. Your fingers catch the silver chain around his neck, and the motion knocks the locket open.

Fluttering out of the locket and onto your bandaged chest is… hair?

No, not hair. Your hair. The color, and texture… it’s exactly the same.

You’re missing a chunk of hair, I’m guessing from the accident, the nurse had said.

Not from the accident. Almost in slow motion, your eyes travel up to meet Jimin’s. 

“Y/n, you’re acting erratic.” As if nothing happened, he plucks your hair from the bed, tucks it back into the locket, and straightens his Santa hat. “I’ll have to tell the doctor to consider sedatives. Merry Christmas, Y/n.”

“No-” Your stomach contracts once more and by the time you look up, gasping for breath, he’s gone.

You spend another sleepless night in the hospital, growing more paranoid by the minute. You refuse to eat or drink anything you’re given – you’re still nauseous, and what if it’s full of sedatives? 

When dawn breaks on Christmas Day, you’ve never felt less cheer. You’re concerned about Jimin; the car is surely a coincidence, but the hair? And the pills?

“Y/n?” Dr. Greene knocks on the door. “Merry Christmas. How are you feeling?”

“I want to get out of here,” you respond immediately.

Dr. Greene smiles. “We’ll see how you do moving around today. How’s your nausea?” 

“Better,” you lie. Anything to leave. You can handle nausea at home.

“Wonderful. Well, Nurse Jimin will be taking care of you today, since your other nurses are off duty. Press the button if you need anything.”

You nod, shivering. Should you tell Dr. Greene? Before you can consider it, though, she’s left the room.

Hours later, Jimin pops his head in, his Santa hat crooked. The locket is still swinging from his neck. 

“Hey! Dr. Greene said if you’re doing well by the end of the day, you might be discharged for tomorrow!”

You stare at him. Can he really pretend nothing is wrong? “Great.”

“Let’s get you up and walking around.” Jimin offers you his arm. At first you don’t want to take it, but your legs are too weak on your own. He slowly leads you out of your room and down the hall before circling back. You pass another window overlooking the parking lot and there, in the same spot, is the blue car. From this window, you can see much better.

“Which car’s yours?” you ask quietly.

“That blue Prius next to the white one,” he says cheerfully, pointing.

Finally, when you squint you can read the license plate: 7HLC946.

7HL. Your body stiffens. It’s the same car. Then, that means… you swivel slowly until you’re staring at Jimin, who’s still looking out of the window. He killed your husband.

He leads you back to your room. You feel frozen, and not from the wintertime. When you go inside, you hear a soft click. Your eyes widen. He locked the door.

“How are you feeling?” he asks softly from behind you.

“F-fine. Perfect,” you reply, your voice shaking.

“You know, you really have to stop getting yourself in trouble,” he says, strolling to the bed and smoothing down your sheets. Your eyes dart to the locked door. If you made a break for it with your cast, he could still beat you to it. “Every time you’re supposed to get discharged, something happens, and then who has to save you?”

“I’ve recovered,” you say firmly. Is it an ego thing? He wants credit for doing his job?

“Before, you always had your husband to save you,” Jimin says, standing. His eyes are drilling holes into you. “Do you know why he’d always see you off at the door?”

“Wh-what are you talking about?” “It’s so I couldn’t even look at you. He was always around, but not this time. And this time it was me that saved your life.” Jimin is advancing now, still smiling serenely. Your heart pounding, you back away, your cast clunking against the floor. 

“It was you,” you whisper when your back hits the window. “Your car. You hit us.”

“Almost gave me a heart attack when I saw you remembered my plate,” he says now, examining his nails. “Lucky I saw it before your mother did. How is she, by the way?”

“You… you killed my husband!” Your scream is more animal than human when it rips from your throat. You’re fully prepared to leap at Jimin and take the life he took from Taehyung when he pulls out a syringe.

“Shhh…” he says, stepping forward. “What did I say about sedation?”

Your blood runs cold. You don’t want to know what’s in the syringe, or what he’d do to you if he injected you with it.

Caught between him and the window, you freeze. You have to get away from him. You turn around and swing your heavy cast at the window. 

With a painful CRASH, the glass shatters. Shards fly everywhere, several of them catching and slicing your skin. You hear commotion outside and below as you shoot for the window and try to grab onto the windowsill. You nearly sob when the glass in your grip breaks off the windowsill. Almost… just like your dream of the cliff, though, you’re dragged back from the escape. Jimin locks one arm around your neck and pulls you away from the window.

You feel a sharp prick in your arm and, seconds later, your muscles seem to melt. If Jimin weren’t supporting your weight you would have fallen. Shit. What did he do to you?

“It’s for your own good, my love,” he says, carrying you to the bed and tucking the blankets in around you. Your tongue feels too heavy for your mouth; you can’t speak, and you can barely move your arms. 

There’s a loud banging on the door. “Y/n! Are you alright?”

“One second,”Jimin says to you before striding to the door and opening it.

“Jimin! What happened?” The voice belongs to a doctor you don’t recognize.

“Hey, Dr. Kim. Y/n started being combative and went for the window. Luckily, I got her calmed down and back into bed.”

Help. Your vocal chords won’t respond to you. “Hhe…”

“Goodness. We should get her moved out while the window is being repaired.” “I agree, but she did just fall asleep and she hasn’t slept in a while. I suggest giving her an hour.”

“Alright, well, please keep an eye on her.”

“Sure thing, Doctor.” Jimin shuts the door and locks eyes with you. 

“I’ve waited for you for a while, you know,” he says, sitting on the edge of the bed. His position pins down your left arm, but your right is still free. If only you could move it. “You never got sick, or hurt. I checked. You never even came to visit.” Jimin continues smiling, but his eyes are cold. “That wasn’t very nice. It’s your fault that I had to make you come visit.”

“Stuh… you,” you gasp, forcing your head to clear. “Psy…” Let me go, you want to scream. You’re straining with the effort just to lift your head.

“I know, I know, why didn’t I just talk to you at your house? Well, your guardian was always there. But here, I’m in control. And I’m the one that can save you.”

You can sense feeling returning to your arms. If he keeps talking, it might give you more time to recover from your paralysis. Luckily, Jimin seems so relieved that he can finally tell you everything that he doesn’t seem close to shutting up. 

“Do you know how many times your mother has thanked me for saving your life? How Dr. Greene said I was her favorite nurse?” Jimin caresses your cheek, becoming more animated as he speaks. “Even you, Y/n, you called me your angel.”

You try to bite him when his hand gets close, but your jaw muscles are slack. C’mon… 

“And you’re right, I am your angel. I’m your guardian angel, and I’ll always keep you safe.” You can almost lift your hand. At his words, he leans in to kiss your forehead and with enormous effort, you use the same moment to lift and swipe your bloody hand, still gripping the jagged glass from the window, at him. The glass catches Jimin right in the neck and he gasps and sputters, pressing a hand to his throat as bright red blood gushes from the wound, spattering you and staining the bed. Meanwhile, you collapse, your strength entirely spent.

Jimin staggers upright, hand outstretched towards you. When he tries to speak, his voice is a mere gurgle.

“Y/n- you… no…” with that, he falls to the floor. You see him try and fail to rise again before Jimin sighs and is still at last.

How did you wind up here? 

As you slump back into your bed, with him lying on the floor next to you, a hazy thought informs you that it must look like a scene straight out of Romeo and Juliet.

Although, you think ruefully, glancing down at the sharp shard of glass clenched in your fits, I don’t think Juliet would have done this.

“Merry fucking Christmas.”