#okay but let me geek out here for a sec

[the-pancake-writes]

Snippet: Prince Yugi/Bodyguard Atem AU - New Year’s Ball

If you saw this post you already know about this AU of mine. The title basically says it all. Prince Yugi, body guard Atem, forbidden love, drama. ;D

While I do love the Egyptian setting I’m glad I got to explore another favourite time period of mine: the 19th century! What a refreshing change!

Take this as a little thank you for your support throughout this year. My little blog has now a lot more followers than I had expected. Thank you all for following me on my writing journey! I wish you a wonderful new year and lots of love, health, luck and kindness! :)

Puzzleshipping Fluff!

Yugi whirled through the sea of swooshing skirts and capes around him. In his arms he held a girl of his age in a teal dress and with blond, pinned-up hair. The music came to a fading halt and all the couples stopped and bowed to each other. Everyone clapped for the orchestra and its conductor.

“My prince, that was such a wonderful dance! May I have another?”, the girl said with sparkling eyes. Yugi scratched his cheek.

“Actually, Lady Rebecca, I'm a bit exhausted…”

“Oh, of course! Let us have some hot punch, yes?”, she said, linked her arm with his and pulled him off the dance floor.  But a group of young women with lace fans and silken pouches blocked their way. They were all pouting and frowning.

“Rebecca, this is enough! This is your 8th dance with the prince tonight! Let others have a chance!”, the black-haired girl in the middle said. Rebecca's grip around Yugi's arm tightened.

“Just because you're jealous doesn't mean you have to ruin my evening, Vivian!”

“You're the one ruining everyone else's evening! You're not his fiancée so you have no right to always act like this! Besides, if the prince weren't so kind he'd have pushed you away a long time ago…”, Vivian said. Rebecca rushed towards her.

“You're lying! And who are you to say such things?! You're not his fiancée either…!”

As the discussion continued, Yugi stepped further and further away until he hurried through the crowd. He found a lonely spot between a statue and a painting and sighed.

In some distance he saw Atem, leaning against a wall and sipping on his champaign. He wore his ceremonial uniform in blue with white pants and black boots. He raised his glass at Yugi with a smile that wiped Yugi's worries away. Yugi approached him. Atem placed his drink on a nearby table and bowed with a hand on his heart.

“Your highness”, he said. “Once again quite popular with the ladies, it seems.”

“Urgh, they will be the death of me, I swear”, Yugi said and ruffled his hair. “What about you? I know at least a dozen people who had hoped to see a more casual side of you at this New Year's ball. You're not on duty tonight, after all…”

Atem played with the gold medal on his chest that marked him as the prince's Royal Protector.

“A good body guard should always be on duty, your highness.”

A pink tint appeared on Atem's cheeks. Yugi sensed a chance…

“Well then…would you protect me from that unit of poofy skirts over there and…dance with me…?”

The pink shade on Atem's face turned red.

“Y-Your highness, you know I don't dance at these balls. I'll only end up embarrassing you”, he said.

“I don't think so. I've seen you dance before”, Yugi said and chuckled. To the outside, Atem was always the man with the serious stare who never laughed and always rested a hand on his sword. Only Yugi and a few others knew he could also blush and stutter like this.

“Uhm…that was in private without hundreds of people watching…”, Atem said.

“We can pretend it's just us…”

Atem chewed on his bottom lip. Yugi's heart fluttered with the hope of Atem accepting the suggestion. But both turned their heads at the sound of a bell. Near the orchestra stood an elderly man.

“Now for the last song before we all head out for the Royal Lake! You all know the tradition: share the last dance of the year with someone special to thank them for their love, friendship or the kindness they paid you this year. So choose your partner…”

The crowd chattered and everyone asked another person to be that special someone for them. Some expected it, others gasped or blushed in surprise.

“My prince…! Where are you…?”, Lady Rebecca called. Yugi looked at Atem who's eyes were shifting over the floor. Disappointment punched Yugi in the stomach.

“Well, it was just an offer”, Yugi said and wanted to walk away.

“Your highness, please wait”, Atem said. Yugi turned and saw Atem stretching out his gloved hand. Joy bubbled up inside Yugi. “May I have this dance?”

Arms linked, they walked towards the dance floor. Some whispered as the two passed.

“Isn't that Royal Protector Sennen? But he's never danced before…”

“And with the prince too! How unusual!”

“Quick, someone tell the prince's club of admirers! I need to see their silly faces!”

Like all the other couples, Yugi and Atem got into the starting position. Atem placed a hand on Yugi's lower back while Yugi rested his on Atem's shoulder.

Yugi's gaze fell on Rebecca and Vivian and the girls around them. Their jaws had all dropped, causing Yugi to grin. He looked at Atem and his expression showed nervousness.

“Just focus on me, Atem. No one else”, Yugi whispered. A shy smile spread on Atem's face. The music started.

They began with the basic steps. To Atem's obvious relief, it was a slow piece. Still, his body was tensed up and his moves were wooden.

“There, you're doing great”, Yugi said and felt Atem slightly relax. Atem gave a little laugh.

“Should we try a spin?”, he said and Yugi nodded. The performed the move and Yugi found himself back in Atem's arms. How well-trained they were… Atem was probably strong enough to carry him… Their eyes locked. Atem's irises were red like a warm fire after a long walk in the snow. And what a perfect jawline and high cheekbones…!

To Yugi, everyone around them vanished, even the music faded into the background of his perception. Only he and the handsome man with the gold-brown skin across from him existed. Together they were floating over the floor. Yugi felt the need to be closer to Atem, to close that gap of propriety between their upper bodies. From Atem's longing gaze Yugi knew that his body guard was feeling the same… He wanted to pull Yugi closer and Yugi would be more than happy to indulge the wish…

But before that could happen, the music ended and it was as if Yugi woke up from a wonderful dream. Yugi returned to the hall with its chandeliers and paintings and all the other people. Atem bowed and Yugi realised he should do the same. They clapped for the orchestra. Atem shook his head, as if he too, had to suppress something too wonderful to be true.

“I think it's time to set off now, your highness”, he said.

“Y-Yes, of course.”

They made their way through the crowd and into a chamber where a maid was ready to help Yugi into his sapphire coat, lined with white fur. Another maid put on his scarf and brought his outdoor gloves while a third one gave his shoes a quick polish.

Atem put on his navy blue coat and feathered hat himself. He avoided Yugi's eyes as if he was ashamed of something. Maybe he had enjoyed the dance as much as Yugi…?

They stepped outside onto the stony veranda and a cold breeze greeted them. Behind a line of guards the other nobles were assembling as well and getting into their sleighs. At a statue, the queen was pacing back and forth. She wore a forest green dress under her dark grey cape. Her hands were hidden in a muff and her black, pinned-up hair was topped by a golden crown. She gave Yugi a smile.

“There you are, dear. I saw you shared your last dance with Atem. That was very kind of you”, she said.

“Yes. I guess it was”, Yugi said and looked at Atem in some distance, holding the reins of his tall, white horse. Now he was the prince's Royal Protector again, with a serious stare and erect posture. “So, are we ready yet? It's the same dawdling every year, right?”

His mother chuckled.

“That sounds like something someone my age should say.”

When everyone had assembled, Yugi and his mother got into the sleigh that was pulled by six horses. The other nobles would take the side paths while the one in the middle was reserved for royalty. The sleigh began to move and they rode past the barren, snow-capped trees, bushes and hedges.

They reached the gate to the outer parts that had been opened for the commoners like every year. They greeted Yugi and the queen with applause and Yugi waved at the smiling faces. His gaze fell on Atem, riding beside them.

He checked every direction, his brows furrowed in concentration. Royal guards were positioned everywhere and all the commoners had been checked for any weapons before entering. Yet, Atem displayed the same vigilance as always. Yugi wondered if it was out of duty to the royal family or maybe out of a personal desire to keep Yugi safe…

The sleigh came to a halt. They had reached the lake and the area was full of talking and laughing commoners. Some danced to the music of a band that played much more livelier songs than the orchestra at the palace. Others stood in line at food stands that spread the smells of sugary treats, fried meat, and fresh tea.

Near the jetty a stage had been built and decorated with fir branches. Yugi and his mother got out of the sleigh and entered the stage. Upon seeing them, the commoners cheered once more. Like the queen's body guard, Atem stood behind Yugi in a corner of the stage, one hand on his sword, the other behind his back.

The nobles were assembling in a restricted area to the left of the stage. As they walked there from their sleighs, the commoners admired their fine clothing and jewellery. A girl, sitting on her father's shoulders, pointed at Vivian's pink dress and said: “Look, daddy! What a pretty lady!”

Rebecca had already made her way to the front row and waved at Yugi. She wore an emerald green cape and bonnet and his her hands in a beige-coloured muff. Yugi raised a hand at her, then rubbed his palms together. Despite his warm clothing he was freezing.

Thirty minutes before midnight, the trumpeters played a short fanfare. The band stopped playing and everyone went quiet. All eyes were on Yugi and his mother. The queen took a deep breath.

“Welcome nobles and commoners to this new year's celebration! Behind us lies a year of many challenges but also many successes…!”, she said and held her speech. She listed many accomplishments of the country's politics. Yugi couldn't help but smile at those that he had worked to achieve as well. She left out some problematic issues but Yugi understood that at this event it was wiser to focus on the positive things. The people clapped when she had finished. “Now to the winner of the annual lantern contest. Once more, the children of the capital showed us how creative they are with all the wonderful designs they submitted. The most popular one this year has been built by Sonia of Red Leaf Elementary!”

Everyone applauded when a blond girl with pigtails stepped forward, holding her mother's hand and a round lantern that was bigger than her head. They entered the stage and both Yugi and the queen congratulated them. Yugi took the lantern Sonia offered and turned it in his hands. While the mothers talked, Yugi bent down to Sonia.

“So many stars…did you cut them all out by yourself?”, Yugi said.

“Y-Yes, your highness”, Sonia said, half-hidden behind her mother's skirt.

“You did that very well. Thank you for that beautiful lantern”, Yugi said and smiled. Sonia blushed, then came forward and pointed at some of the stars.

“I…I also made some purple…because I heard that's your favourite colour, my prince!”

She told Yugi more about the lantern with sparkling eyes. She was in the middle of the story of how she had asked all the neighbours for colourful paper when her mother tapped her shoulder.

“Time to go, sweetie”, she said and took Sonia's hand.

“Don't forget to make your wish for the new year on the fireworks”, Yugi said and stood up.

“I won't, my prince!”, Sonia said. She waved at Yugi as they left the stage and disappeared into the crowd.

“He's so good with children! As my future husband should be!”, Rebecca said and Yugi sighed.

“Be quiet, Rebecca! You can't even marry him! You're not a princess!”, Vivian said and poked Rebecca with her elbow.

“Well, neither are you!”

The two began to argue once more. Yugi and his mother walked down the jetty in front of them, he with the lantern and she with a lamp in their hands. The thick layer of ice on the lake had been cut open earlier today. At the shore, the water was already starting to freeze over again.

“We shall say good-bye to the old year like we welcome the new one: with hope and light”, the queen said. She took the candle from inside the lamp and put it inside the lantern. Yugi bent down and placed it on the water. It floated towards the centre and the people cheered, then stepped forward to launch their lanterns as well. Soon the lake was full of many little lights, similar to the starry sky above them.

Yugi looked at the clock of the bell tower in some distance. Only five more minutes. He and his mother returned to the stage.

“I'm sure Lady Rebecca and Lady Vivian have already thought of ways to lure you to the winter roses?”, the queen said.

“I suppose so”, Yugi said and rubbed his temple. To their right lay a secluded part of the royal gardens with many floral arches. They were blooming with flowers of a soft pink.

“It's just a silly custom to kiss someone under one of these in the night of the new year. Not a law”, the queen said. “If you're uncomfortable with rejecting them I'm sure Atem will take care of that for you.”

“Y-Yeah”, Yugi said and turned his head. Atem was still scanning the crowd while everyone else was watching the bell tower. No one could deny how handsome he was. But his serious stare and taciturn attitude managed to scare off his potential admirers. Despite that, Yugi knew that there was no kinder or more caring person at the palace…or in the whole world…

“One more minute”, the queen said and Yugi focussed on the clock like everyone else. The second hand was moving towards the number 12. Yugi couldn't help but smile.

“Three…two…one…!”, it came from everyone. With the stroke of the bell everyone erupted in applause. The first fireworks shot into the sky and burst into thousands of glowing sparks. Blue, green, gold, red, and all shades in between lighted up the sky one after another for a short moment. Yugi and his mother hugged and wished each other a happy new year.

They left the stage and joined the other nobles. Rebecca appeared beside him and grabbed his arm.

“Happy New Year, my prince! Have you already made a wish on the fireworks? I did! May we take a walk?”, she said with a broad smile.

“Well, I…”

Vivian appeared and smacked Rebecca's arm with her fan.

“How can you be so rude, Rebecca? I wanted to take a walk with the prince!”

“I was here first!”

Yugi chewed his bottom lip, wondering how to escape the two girls and the snickering nobles around them. Rebecca and Vivian stopped arguing when Atem stepped towards them. He bowed before Yugi, one hand on his heart.

“Your highness, there's a matter I need to talk to you about”, he said. Rebecca and Vivian pouted.

“Surely it can't be that important, Royal Protector Sennen”, Rebecca said.

“I'm afraid it is, my ladies”, Atem said and cut through Rebecca's grasp with a grab of her wrist that made her flinch.

“Well then”, Yugi said and followed Atem towards the arches where many lovers were now gathering to exchange kisses.

“I assume that was a rescue operation and there is nothing to talk about?”, Yugi said. Atem chuckled.

“Nothing serious at least. Was I correct to assume that you required a rescue?”

“Absolutely. I guess in that department my mother raised me a bit too well”, Yugi said and sighed. “But anyway, is there something you're looking forward to this year?”

“Serving you, of course”, Atem said. Yugi smirked.

“Apart from that?”

“Well…if you really choose to go on that diplomatic mission to Kallias…I hope to accompany you. I haven't seen the country I grew up in in four years”, Atem said with a smile that hinted at happy memories.

“Do you miss it a lot?”

“Sometimes. But it's fine. I found a new home…by your side, my prince”, Atem said. Yugi played with his scarf, hoping to hide the blush of his cheeks. Yugi's gaze fell on the queen in some distance. He stopped and so did Atem.

“I'm nervous about that mission. It'll be the first time I'll accept such an important task. I hope I won't disappoint my mother…and everyone else…”

Yugi's heart felt heavy at the mere thought.

“I have faith in you, my prince. And whatever happens…I'll be there for you”, Atem said and the words warmed Yugi from within like a cup of hot chocolate.

“My prince, my prince…!”, Rebecca and Vivian called and Yugi rolled his eyes. They gasped and attracted the attention of the other nobles. They all chuckled at Yugi and Atem. Yugi looked up and realised they were standing right under one of the rose arches. Yugi's cheeks glowed and so did Atem's.

“My, my! Looks like the Royal Protector gets two rewards from the prince tonight!”

“That would be inappropriate! Royal Protector Sennen is not a noble!”

“Oh hush, it's just new year's kiss!”

Yugi scratched his head, his thoughts moving back and forth. It would be against the etiquette…! But it was just a custom…and maybe his only chance to…

Atem took his hand and gave it a quick kiss. The nobles gave disappointed sounds and turned away. Yugi felt his intestines turn into stone. Atem cleared his throat.

“I believe that was the only acceptable solution”, he whispered.

“Y-Yes. It was…acceptable”, Yugi said. “Now excuse me, please.”

Yugi walked away from him, fast enough so neither Rebecca nor Vivian could follow him. He reached a dark corner of the shore and leaned against a tree. He looked at his hand.

Atem's lips hadn't even touched his skin, only his gloves. He had felt only a hint of warmth, nothing more. Curse these court rules! Curse Atem for always following them so closely! Curse himself for losing control of his emotions like this…!

He always managed to keep his feelings for Atem inside a cage but tonight they had broken free several times. He had to suppress them! It couldn't work out anyway. Yugi was a prince and Atem was his body guard. But no matter how often he told himself that, his heart always fluttered at the sight of Atem, whenever they sat next to each other and at the slightest touch. It was bliss and torture at the same time.

Yugi looked around, saw all the people praying as the fireworks above them were still booming and glowing. It was said that in the first night of the new year the gods were listening closely to all the wishes the people made…and if only the gods were listening…

Yugi folded his hands and looked up to the sky. He moved his lips, hoping the gods would hear his whispered wish among all the sounds of this cheerful night. Maybe even grant it…

[numberonephantompizza1]

Poppy Fanfic: “Ask Her”

For context: This is a fanfic I wrote in order to join the Poppy Milk dev team and show off my writing skills. Since the callout at the time said we’d need to write a lot of sidequests, I wanted to ask the question of what a Poppy-centered side-quest would be like. I got the idea that it would be from an Asker’s perspective, and everything sort of came naturally after that. Even though I’m on the dev team right now, it’s not canon to Omega Timeline: Poppy’s Story and even has some inaccuracies that contradict canon. With that said, please feel free to read the story below the cut.

---

You noticed something very different inside your room when you woke up. The lights were off and the sun hadn’t yet risen, but there was a certain… aura, coming from your door. You were filled with a certain trepidation, but… you approached it. It was hard to see in the light, but it looked… grey. 

Swallowing the lump in your throat, you stepped through...

...and found about the last person you would’ve expected. The spitting image of Frisk - CORE!Frisk, that was, looking up at you, in the middle of a white void.

“Wh- You’re real?!” you asked, dumbfounded.

“Of course I’m real. Have you been taking all this multiverse stuff for granted? Everything is real somewhere,” Core answered, simply. 

“I… I don’t… and you, me…” you panted, starting to feel a small panic attack coming on.

“Focus,” Core snapped their fingers, grounding you back in reality. Okay, this was happening now.

“Let’s get down to business. Simply: you don’t like me. And I don’t like you. But we BOTH like Poppy. Poppy, my dear, sweet angel… has unfortunately recently come to the realization that Askers ALSO exist in the multiverse. And now she wants to do a ‘meet n’ greet’ with one of her fans. Trust me, I TRIED to talk her out of it, but she can be darn persuasive when she wants to be. And as you’re now realizing, that’s where you come in. 

“I wanna make you a deal. You play along with whatever Poppy wants until she gets bored of this. If you’re on your best behavior - and that means, don’t give her anything bad, don’t tell her anything you KNOW she shouldn’t know, don’t use any magic, and be a general good influence - if you play nice, in exchange, I will allow you to hang out with ANY resident of the Omega Timeline. 

“Want to spend a day full of wacky hijinks with a Papyrus, or even an Underswap Sans? Consider it done. Want to know how Deltarune Chapter 2 plays out ahead of time? I know a Susie with your name on it. Whatever you want, so long as you play by the rules, and don’t ask for anyone obviously ridiculous. So… do we have ourselves a deal?”

You contemplated that offer, and everything that was happening, trying to suppress your inner urge to geek out for just a few moments. The Omega Timeline, Poppy, and all the AU’s you could think of and more were real. And you just got an invitation to visit them.

“Yeah, of course!” you nodded excitedly, though your enthusiasm only seemed to make Core more anxious.

“Don’t make me regret this…” Core sighed, as the whiteness seemed to melt away into a cozy-looking house with wooden floors and lime walls, where you were standing directly outside of a white door. Core seemed to have disappeared.

Technically, there was nothing stopping you from exploring. So you did just that. You walked up to a shelf with some family photos. One was a photo of Poppy, Core, Dusted and Rust all together, in some meadow, looking happy. At least, you assumed Dusted and Rust were happy, they didn’t show up well on camera. There was another photo of Poppy alone, looking somewhat younger than she did on the blog, seated on a chair in a photo that looked far more staged. She held an actual poppy flower in her hand and smiled brightly.

You opened the cabinet doors, curious of what knick-knacks you might find in there. Some crayons, a few random glass cups, some art by 3-year-old Poppy that was so poorly done its meaning was hard to decipher, and a locked box. You reached for the box--

“Getting a bit sidetracked, aren’t we?”

You jolted up, and faced Core behind you. Even though they were child-sized, they crossed their arms with the poise and authority of a stern parent. You laughed anxiously. “Ahahaha… ahaha… ha……..”

“...Strike one.” Core said, and vanished. The meaning of that was all-too clear. Deciding not to dilly dally any longer, you went to the room you suspected to be Poppy’s, and knocked. 

“Just a sec!” Poppy said, and opened the door. She looked up at you, and gasped. “Wow, Granpa really did come through…!” She twirled excitedly. “You must be my adoring fan, aren’t you?” she asked.

You stared down at the girl in stunned silence.

“To be honest, I kinda figured you’d be some gray guy with sunglasses, but that’s kinda silly in hindsight. How you doin’?” She asked that last line in a mock accent as you continued to stare.

“Baby,” you said.

“What?”

“Nothing,” you quickly tried to change the subject. “Yeah, it’s… y’know, it’s great to be here…” You clasped your hands together, biting your lip. You were in an Undertale AU, faced with the AU granddaughter of another AU character. You still weren’t entirely over that. Was this fever dream? Fandom heaven, or fandom hell?

“I know! Once I heard you guys weren’t from the Omega Timeline, I realized I hadn’t met even ONE of my fans… even if you guys are super annoying some of the time.” 

“Uhhh, yeah…” you wondered if you should apologize on behalf of the askers who put Poppy in the hospital that one time. Then again, it seemed kind of awkward, and it might have been best not to bring that up while Core was watching, which was always. Looking down at the cutesy girl, it was almost tempting to pull her into a hug, but you managed to keep your composure. 

“I wanted to do something a little more special than just some sorta interview, though, because you ask me questions all the time anyways,” Poppy said. “Granpa said you’ve never been to the Omega Timeline before, so I wanna give you the big tour!” Poppy went to the door. “I’m gonna be outside when you’re ready!” She left the room.

Seeing the empty room in front of you, you were tempted to snoop again, but you’d learned your lesson after last time. You headed straight out after Poppy.

You couldn’t help but gasp in awe of the serenity of the great outdoors as you were beckoned to it. You’d been outside before, obviously, but everything just looked so… nice. The blue sky, the grassy grounds, the ornate buildings… you’ve seen this place in pixel art and a couple drawings before, but seeing it with your own eyes was another story. And the next thing for you to nearly faint at was seeing the Undertale characters running around, Sanses, Undynes, Frisks, even goat moms. 

Poppy smiled. “...It’s nice, isn’t it? I KNEW taking you on a tour was a good idea.” She smirked. “Now remember, just because this is a meet-up doesn’t mean it’s free, and there WILL be a fee at the end of our ride.”

“...Uh… I left my wallet at home,” you said, patting your pockets, “And I don’t have any, uh... ‘G,’ I think. Unless the G stands for ‘Gratitude,’ amiright?” you did finger guns.

“G stands for Gold,” Poppy corrected you bluntly, unamused. She returned to her chipper attitude just as quickly, though. “Now, let me show you around!” She led you down the street. 

Walking with her, seeing so many versions of your favorite characters in the flesh, walking around… well, the temptation to talk to SOME of them was irresistible, Core be damned. You did resolve not to go too far off-track, but you shared some words with the folks you passed by, Poppy thankfully stopping each time you did. You met two Frisks - one boy, one ambiguous - an Underswap Undyne, a human version of Toriel, and surprisingly, a version of Princess Peach.

You and Poppy approached an elegant fountain, stood upon proudly by a statue of a mustachio’d CORE!Frisk. “This is the Timeline Plaza! It’s sort of the local park, where people meet up to do... stuff. Just hang out. Make a picnic. Play ball. All that good park-y stuff, y’know? And there’s stores in all directions, so it’s pretty good.” She proudly showed off her home to you, with a smile.

You talked to more on the way to the next place. An Inverted Fate Papyrus. A weird Ralsei who said his name was “Noyno.” An Asgore wearing a hoodie, who you assumed was swapped with Sans. (Poppy did scold you a little bit for this, telling you that just because someone has a hoodie you shouldn’t assume they’re swapped. You apologized.)

“This is Grillby’s! One of them, anyways. The nearest one to my house. It’s pretty good if you want an OK burger. Sanses love the place, though. It’s… kind of unhealthy. And a little gross.” Poppy said. “Especially when they just drink… raw… ketchup.”

“Can’t handle a little ketchup?” you smiled mischievously. “We drink it by the gallon back in my universe,” you lied.

“...I really hope you’re joking,” Poppy said, alarmed.

“Am I?” you smiled brighter.

“...W-well, we’re not going in there, so you can FORGET about drinking that much ketchup!” Poppy said, afraid of the sheer power of your ketchup-drinking.

You and Poppy moved onto the next spot. You met an Underswap Alphys who seemed to be trapped in a red-and-gold palette. You met a robot dressed as a circus ringmaster, who claimed to be a Chara. You met a Dummy dressed in a Frisk shirt. (You didn’t assume it was swapped with Frisk this time, which turned out to be a mistake, because it was.) Poppy stared at you awkwardly now, wondering why you were talking to all these random strangers. Finally, you and Poppy reached your next destination.

“The theater! Where we show off all the greatest hits! Including MY movie, which, not to brag, but it’s--”

Except, you’d been distracted by a hyperdeath Asriel, and were ignoring Poppy for the moment.

“...” Poppy spoke up. “That’s what I don’t get about you.”

“Huh?” that seemed to wake you up, and you looked at her. 

“Everytime it’s always, ‘have you met Underswap Sans,’ or ‘have you met JangoTale Frisk,’ or some other weird thing. You always ask that. But… they’re just people. Why do you always assume I know some random Sans or Frisk or someone?”

“I…” you were a bit taken aback. “...I don’t… we don’t assume you know them, they’re just… they’re just important.” 

“Important?” She asked. “...I-I mean, yeah, EVERYONE’s important, but, I don’t really get what you mean…”

“They’re all--” You paused, trying to collect your thoughts, think of everything you knew from the blog, and tried to actually talk to her. “...They’re like friends to me. Kinda.”

“...You guys are friends with them? I thought you were stuck in your world…” she frowned.

“No, it’s like-- I’m not ‘friends’ with Underswap Frisk, or-- or Storyshift Frisk, or Shifty or whatever, I’m just friends with… Frisk.”

...Poppy stared at you like you just said the ground was turning to jelly, or something equally bafflingly inane. “...I… think you’re confused. Look, sometimes newcomers struggle with this. Your Frisk isn’t the only Frisk--”

“I know! It’s… You don’t get it. This world, these worlds are so special and creative, and they mean a lot to me. I know we can be really edgy, and I know we ask weird questions about Dusted and Rust, but that’s all because… because...” you paused.

Poppy looked, seeming upset about hearing her siblings mentioned in the context of ‘edgy’ questions, not seeing what you were seeing. Core, standing behind her, holding up a hand signal.

The number two.

You were getting carried away. You overstepped.

“...Um… I’m sorry.” You pulled her into a hug as Core vanished. “There’s really no reason for us to ask those questions. We can just be dumb sometimes.”

“...” She hugged back. “Yeah, it’s okay. I knew you guys were super weird and dumb before I convinced Granpa to let you in here, so I guess I should’ve seen this coming,” Poppy smiled, regaining her confidence as you did your best to not be offended at being called weird and dumb.

“Okay! I think I have just one last stop in mind to cap this tour off on a high note! Literally, hehehe…” She giggled mischievously. This time, you didn’t stop to talk to others, following her directly as you approached a peak overlooking the town. For yet another time, and probably the last, you couldn’t help but ogle at the town’s beauty. “Pretty good, right?” She sat down.

“Ha… with all the climbing, I was worried we’d fall down a mountain,” you joked. Poppy seemed to roll her eyes, as you sat beside her. “...I guess I get how you can call this place home. I mean, once I stop nerding out, anyways. You don’t see stuff like this in my… reality.”

“Just gallons and gallons of ketchup, huh?” she commented. You couldn’t help but laugh. 

“Yeah.”

And you two just stared into the distance for a while. ...She wasn’t just a character. She was a human being.

...Or, technically just a ‘being,’ scratch the human part. Still, you felt a bit desensitized to all this. And so did she. You related in that way.

“I can’t say you exactly passed with flying colors, but you fulfilled your end of the agreement well enough.”

Without any warning, you were back in a white void with CORE!Frisk, just like before. You almost forgot about the deal you made, what with all the time you spent with Poppy. You stood.

“Uh… yeah. So, my reward…” you drifted off, remembering the offer Core gave you. The chance to meet just about any AU character of your imagining… or at least, any that would be peaceful enough to be in the Omega Timeline. Which still left a WIDE variety of options…

Who did you want to see? What mattered most to you?

...

Thinking deeply… you told Core their name.

“...Oh. Really? Well, I guess it makes sense for you that you’d want to see them,” Core remarked. “I can’t guarantee they’ll give you what you’re looking for, but a deal’s a deal. Let’s head off.”

You and Core went somewhere else.

---

And that’s all she wrote! If you read this far, thank you. Working on the game since then has been fun, and I think you’ll like what we have in store. Until then, ciao.

[fuckallthegood0nesweretaken]

New World CH. Twenty One

Title: Thirty Days

Words: 4155

Warnings: Character death, canon-typical violence

A/N: It’s the beginning of the end of an era. Hope y’all enjoy!

Previous Chapter - Next Chapter

New World Masterlist

Daryl Dixon Masterlist

The Walking Dead Masterlist

Masterlist

~~~~~~~

Six months had passed since the Governor and you were thriving at the prison. The gates had all been fixed, and the walkers were out of the yard. Crops were growing food, some livestock had been found, and no one had died in almost a month. You had given birth to a beautiful little girl named Charlotte and you were the happiest you’ve been in a while.

 You had also remodeled your cell. You took the bottom bunk out, leaving the top one for storage, and Daryl had found a better mattress on a run a few months before Charlotte was born. You did feel bad that you had a nice thing to sleep on, but everyone assured you it was alright. Maggie and Glenn had found one a week after you got yours and you felt a little less guilty. Daryl also found a thick comforter blanket and some more pillows for you along with a kids bed for Adeline. Charlotte slept in her little playpen right next to Adeline in the cell next to yours. It was a little weird not having your kids in the same space as you, but the privacy was welcomed with open arms.

 Waking up with Daryl next to you felt amazing every day. His arms would be around you and his face tucked into the crook of your neck. His hands gravitated towards your belly, even after you had Charlotte, in his sleep and it made you smile every time.

 “Mornin’,” he mumbled into his pillow.

 “Good morning yourself.” Shifting, you kissed him and pulled yourself up.

 “Where ya goin’?”

 “It’s the Big Spot run today so we need to eat. Come on and get up, sleepyhead.” Daryl groaned and Adeline decided to join you in your cell and jump on him.

 “Get up, daddy, get up!” Her knee caught his junk and he let out a low groan before laughing.

 “I’m up, princess. I’m up. Ya hungry?”

 “Yes!”

 “Then get dressed so we can go get breakfast.”

 “Okay!”  

 The three of you got dressed and you met Beth in the common area.

 “Good morning. Excited for the run, I see,” Beth teased as she took Charlotte from you and put her in a double stroller with Judith.

 “I am. You got any requests?”

 “Um, a new notebook and some pens?” Beth asked. “But only if you see them! Don’t go out of the way.”

 “Will do, sweetheart.” Waving goodbye and kissing Lottie goodbye, you walked outside with Daryl and Adeline. Stepping out into the fresh air, you took a deep breath and made your way over to where Carol was handing out breakfast, Sophia coloring on the ground next to her. Adeline joined her best friend and you smiled at the sight.

 “Hey, Carol. Hey, sweetie. Good morning,” you said. “Smells good, what’s for breakfast?”

 “Some left over venison from last night.” Carol handed you a bowl and Daryl a bowl.

 “Thanks.” Leaning up against the counter, you looked out past the fences.

 “You two going on the run today?” Carol asked you.

 “Yeah.” You stuffed some meat in your mouth. “Dean too.”

 “Don’t talk with your mouth full,” Carol chided lightly. You gave her a sheepish grin, Daryl barely hiding a laugh.

 “Sorry. Dean’s coming too. We want to see if there’s anything we can use for, uh, hunting.”

 Carol nodded in understanding before leaning in slightly.

 “We ever going to tell everyone else?” She asked you.

 “I don’t know. The Council knows and everyone from our group does as well as Dr. S.,” you said with a shrug. “I think that’s all who has to know. Do you think we should tell everyone?”

 “No. People are still in a panic over the walkers happening. If they knew about everything else then it would cause mass hysteria.”

 “Fair point.” You turned back to your food and saw that Carol had put more in your bowl.

 “Don’t tell anyone,” she said with a wink. You laughed lightly and turned to face the tables.

 “Well, I’m going to sit down and eat. I’ll see you at the cars in a few,” you said to Daryl, giving him a kiss. To Carol you said, “Thanks for breakfast. It’s delicious.”

 “Of course. I’ll also make sure Adeline gets to school on time,” Carol said.

 “Thank you.” You gave your daughter and Sophia a hug and kiss before going to sit down next to Dr. S. and Sam, the two of them munching on their own food.

 “Who’s focusing on medical today?” Dr. S. asked you.

 “Sasha. Did you need anything specific?”

 “Just the usual but I’ll take anything really.”

 “I’ll pass the message on.” You shoved the last of your food in your mouth as Dr. S. gave you a nod of thanks. Standing up, you went to put your bowl away when Sam came up to you.

 “You and Dean are getting things for hunting right?” He asked you.

 “Yeah,” you said with a nod. “Anything we can find that could be useful.”

 “I know you always are, but be safe. Please.”

 “I will be.” You stood on your tiptoes to kiss his cheek before walking away.

 ---

 When you got to the cars, Zach and Daryl were already there. Beth was walking away and you heard Daryl mutter something about a romance novel.

 “What’s this I hear about romance novels?” You said, a teasing lilt to your voice.

 “Them kids,” Daryl said. “They’re so cheesy sometimes.”

 “Cheesy can be a good thing, Daryl,” you said, a smirk on your face. Daryl just rolled his eyes.

 “Sometimes it’s just bad,” he muttered.

 You snorted out a laugh and Daryl cracked a small smile at the sound. No one saw it but you since it disappeared when the others started coming to pack up the cars. You started helping and when you went to get in the passenger seat of the truck, you saw Bob walk up.

 “Hey,” Bob said. “I’d like to start pulling my weight around here.”

 “Bob, it’s only been a week since you got here,” Sasha said.

 “That’s a week of meals and a roof over my head that you’ve helped provide. Let me earn my keep.”

 “You were out on your own when Daryl found you, right?” You asked him. He nodded.

 “Yeah. I was.”

 “We just need to make sure that you can play on a team. That you know how,” Sasha said.

 “You know, he was a medic in the army,” Glenn said. Sasha looked at him then looked at you.

 “Your call,” you said with a shrug.

 “The two of you are tough sells, you know that?” Bob said.

 “You’re telling me,” Dean said with a snort. Giving him a glare and the bird, Dean just laughed.

 “Alright. You can come with,” Sasha said. “But you do as we say without any hesitation. That sound reasonable?”

 “Yes, ma’am.”

 “Let’s get going then.”

 She climbed into the driver’s seat of the car and you heard Daryl start his motorcycle. Dean got in the driver’s seat of the truck, Zach getting in the back seat. The mini caravan was almost at the gate when you saw Michonne standing next to Rick.

 “She’s back!” You said excitedly. Rolling down the window, you stuck the top half of your body out of it and waved at her. After she had waved back and her conversation was done with Rick and Daryl, she got in next to Zach.

 “Glad to see you’re okay,” Dean said once the door was shut.

 “Same to you.” She put her hand on your shoulder, giving it a squeeze, and you turned to give her a smile.

 “Did you find anything?” You asked her.

 “No.” Michonne shook her head. “You have any problems with some newcomers?”

 “Nothing of that sort. We’ve been lucky when it comes to that department,” Dean said.

 “What are you talking about?” Zach asked. You looked at him and shook your head.

 “Don’t worry about it.”

 “Alright.” Zach gave you a look, but dropped it. Turning to face the road, you leaned back with a smile on your face. Today was gonna be a good day, you could feel it.

 ---

 When you got to the Big Spot, you hopped out of the truck and lifted one of your empty bags onto your shoulders. Making sure your pistol was secured in its holster and your knife was strapped to your side, you made your way over to the fence where Daryl and Bob were.

 “The army came in and put these fences up, made it a place for people ta go ta,” Daryl said to Bob.

 “When we spotted this place last week, there were a bunch of geeks in here,” you said.

 “They was keepin’ people out like a bunch’a guard dogs.”

 “So they all just left?”

 “No. Listen.” Everyone went quiet and the faint sound of music could be heard.

 “You drew ‘em out,” Michonne said, impressed.

 “A boom box hooked up to some car batteries will do wonders,” you said.

 “Yeah. Now let’s make sure none of them bastards are left,” Daryl said. “Grab whatcha can, but be safe.”

 He walked through the hole in the fence and you followed close behind. You readied your rifle and walked through the maze of tents. Your eyes were peeled for anything you could use and they lit up when you saw a few guns. Slinging your rifle onto your shoulder, you checked all of the guns, happy to see that the magazines were still full and the weapons themselves in working order.

 “Find something?” Dean asked as he came into the tent.

 “Some automatics. They’re in good condition and still have ammo,” you said. Standing up, you held out one of the guns and Dean took it, automatically checking it.

 “Good find, sweetheart. I’ll go put these in the truck.” Dean took the guns and put them in a bag before heading back to the cars, Tyreese going along with him. You walked to the front of the store where Daryl was.

 You sat on the small wall outside and Daryl sat down a few feet away before banging his elbow on the glass.

 “Give it a sec,” he said. You put your chin in your head, eyes closing as the small breeze washed over you.

 “I think I got it,” Zach said after a minute.

 “Me or Daryl?” You said, cracking an eye open.

 “Both.”

 “Got what?” Michonne asked.

 “I’ve been trying to guess what Daryl did before the turn. [Y/n] and her brothers too,” Zach said.

 “He’s tried for, like, six weeks,” Daryl grunted.

 “Been wrong every time,” you teased.

 “I’m right this time, I just know it.”

 “Alright then. Let’s hear it.”

 “I think [y/n] was a teacher of some kind,” Zach said.

 “Of some kind?” You echoed, a little confused.

 “Well, you don’t seem like a traditional teacher. Like, English or history, stuff like that. But you’ve definitely taught something.”

 “You’re not wrong, but you’re not right,” you said. “I’ve taught people skills that I have, but that’s not what my main profession was before.”

 “Damn.”

 “Now let’s hear Daryl’s,” Michonne said.

 “Well, with the way you are at the prison and you being on the council and knowing how to track. You’re helping people but you’re still a bit, uh, surly.” Zach paused for effect. “Homicide cop.”

 Michonne started laughing and you couldn’t help but let out a giggle.

 “What’s so funny?” Daryl said, looking at the two of you.

 “Nothing. It makes perfect sense.”

 “Actually, the man’s right. Undercover.” Daryl looked at you and sent you a small wink before looking at Zach.

 “Really?” Zach said, surprised that Daryl was confirming he was right. You were doing your best to hold in your laughter but what Daryl said next made you lose it.

 “Yep. I don’t like ta talk ‘bout it ‘cause it was a lotta heavy shit, ya know?” Daryl’s voice was all serious and you laughed, causing Zach to look at Daryl.

 “Alright. I’ll have to keep guessing then.”

 “Ya keep doin’ that.”

 A few seconds later and a small group of walkers ran into the glass behind you.

 “You ready, detective?” Michonne teased.

 “Let’s do it.”

 You stood up and took your knife out of its sheath. Daryl took the crowbar Glenn handed him, Dean and the others coming closer. Glenn stood next to the door, you and Dean standing right in front.

 “Zach, you go stand with Tyreese and Bob,” you said.

 “But I want to help.”

 “This is only the second run you’ve gone on. Do as I say.”

 “Alright,” Zach muttered. He walked over to the two other men and stood next to them, gun at the ready just in case.

 It didn’t take long to clear the walkers, you and Dean making quick work of them. Once they were all dead and out of the way, you walked into the store to sweep it. You and Dean were a team and you quickly made sure there were no more walkers in the store.

 “Alright. What do we need the most?” You asked Dean.

 “Rock salt and silver. We’re almost out of rings and if we keep taking people in, we’re gonna need more.”

 “Okay. You look for those and I’ll look for anything we can use to make more bullets,” you said. “I know we have a fair amount, but it never hurts to have more.”

 “Let’s get going then. No time to waste.”

 The two of you went your separate ways and you immediately went for the dish section. You tossed anything made out of brass, iron, or silver into your cart and after everything was cleared out, you made your way to the weapons. There wasn’t any ammo left due to the army making camp outside, but all of the knives were still there along with crossbow bolts. Stuffing as much as you could in your bag then putting the rest in the cart, you made your way back to the front of the store.

 Taking the stuff and putting it in the back of the truck, you walked back inside. You had gotten all of the things you could so now you were just wandering the store, looking for anything that your group could use. Finding yourself in the kids clothing area, you pulled your duffel around to your front and started shoving clothes that looked like they might fit the kids, taking some bigger sizes too. When the bag was halfway full, a crash reverberated around the store.

 You zipped up the bag and went running towards the source of the noise. Daryl had beat you there and you saw him crouched down next to two fallen shelves.

 “Ya alright? Got any cuts or somethin’?” You heard Daryl say.

 “No, but my foot is caught, man,” Bob said back. You let out a small sigh of relief to hear that it wasn’t Dean caught under there.

 “[Y/n]!” Dean yelled, skidding to a stop. He saw you and wrapped his arms around you. “Thank god you’re okay.”

 “I’m fine, Dean,” you said, hugging your brother back.

 “What happened?” Glenn asked, coming around the corner.

 “Bob’s stuck,” Daryl said.

 “Everyone’s fine. We’re over in wine and beer,” Zach called out.

 With a grunt, Dean and Daryl lifted the first shelf and you helped Zach steady it.

 “I was moving too fast, man,” Bob said. “Ran right into the drinks.”

 “You lucked out, dude,” Dean said.

 “If this thing had come down the wrong way I don’t want to know what could have happened,” Tyreese said.

 “Let’s get you out and finish the run.” You went to grab the other shelf, but a loud crash sounded. Looking up, you saw a walker had fallen through the roof.

 “We should probably go now,” Glenn said.

 “Bob’s still stuck! We gotta get him outta there,” Daryl said. He rushed towards Bob, Zach right next to him.

 “You two get him and we’ll take care of them,” you said.

 More and more walkers were falling from the ceiling, your eyes widening at the sight. Some died on impact with the floor, their heads being bashed in when they fell. But most managed to fall without any damage. You spun the duffel around so it was on your back and grabbed both your pistol and knife, having both at the ready.

 “[Y/n]! Go!” Dean yelled.

 You backed away, Tyreese at your side. He grabbed your wrist and the two of you went running towards the entrance before being cornered by four walkers. Tyreese shot one in the head and you ganked two. The third one managed to duck Tyreese’s next shot and you surged forward to stab it in the head. Blood sprayed on your face and you wiped it away before continuing on.

 Metal began to creak and you looked up to see a helicopter starting to fall through the roof. When you saw that it was almost directly where Bob was trapped, you started running that way. You and Tyreese managed to get there right as Bob got free and Zach was bit.

 “No!” You cried as Zach was pulled down by the walker. His screams were loud and you surged forward to grab him but Daryl pulled you away.

 “We gotta go!” Daryl yelled.

 The creaking of metal was getting louder and with a look up, you saw the helicopter fall. Running as fast as you could, you got outside the building and to the cars. Most of the supplies people had gotten belonged to the walkers now, but some of the group had managed to shove things in bags before shit hit the fan.

 When you were safely inside the truck, you leaned back and let out a sigh. It had been thirty days since someone had died on a run and you wished it had been longer.

 You were wrong about it being a good day.

 ---

 When you got back, it was dark. You were silent as you helped bring the hunting gear to your little shed. Dumping the metal, you got to work sorting them out and putting them in their own little piles. You were so submerged in your work, you didn’t notice someone had come inside the shed until the door closed. Turning around, you saw Beth standing there.

 “Beth,” you said quietly.

 She said nothing but ran into your arms. Her body was shaking and you could tell that she was holding back tears. Shushing her softly, you held her tight, rubbing your hand up and down her back.

 “He’s gone and I never even said goodbye,” Beth whispered after a few moments.

 “Who told you?” You asked her.

 “Daryl.”

 “Did you want to go back? Or did you want to stay here for a while?”

 “Can I stay with you?”

 “Of course you can, sweetheart. If you’re up to it, I could use some help sorting these.” Holding up a cast iron skillet, you waved it slightly.

 “I think I can help. What do you need me to do?”

 You smiled brightly before explaining what you were doing to Beth. It took little over an hour for you to sort everything and prepare it to be melted down in the morning. You could have done more, but you saw Beth yawning and trying to stay awake.

 “I think it’s time for bed,” you said. Beth nodded sleepily and you wrapped an arm around her to keep her from falling.

 When you got to her cell, she was asleep on her feet. Taking her boots off and putting a blanket on top of her, you kissed her forehead before leaving the cell. Quietly walking up the stairs, you got to your own cell to find Daryl waiting for you. He opened his arms and you fell into them.

 “I saw that Beth went ta ya after I told her what happened,” Daryl said after a moment.

 “She did. She seemed pretty shaken up about it but I took her mind off of things with menial tasks.” You sighed and shoved your face in Daryl’s chest. “He didn’t deserve a death like that.”

 “He didn’t. But it happened and we can’t do nothin’ ta change it.” Daryl kissed the top of your head and held you tighter.

 “I know.”

 ---

 When Rick’s alarm went off, you woke with a start. Daryl had already left for his watch shift and you groaned quietly, you covered your head with your blanket before throwing it away completely to get dressed. Putting on a stained tank-top and an old flannel, you pulled on a tattered pair of jeans and your boots. Walking out of your cell, you grabbed a protein bar before making your way down to the shed with Dean. Shoving the rest of the bar in your mouth and rolling up your sleeves, you started working.

 About ten minutes after you got the fire going and when you were about to put the metal in, you heard gunshots. Head whipping around, you made eye contact with Dean before rushing to the main buildings. Dean put out the fire and ran after you.

 “Help!” You heard Lizzie yell. “Come quick!”

 “Carol, what the hell is going on?” You said, panting slightly from running.

 “I have no idea!”

 “There’s walkers in D!” Glenn yelled, running up to you.

 “What about C?” Rick asked.

 “Where are the kids?” You said, eyes widening in fear.

 “It’s clear!” Sasha said. “We locked the gates to the tombs.”

 “It ain’t a breach!” Daryl said.

 “Hershel’s on guard and watching the kids.” Sam came up to you and Dean before everyone went running to D-Block.

 When you got there, everything was in chaos. A man was shooting a shotgun and Daryl quickly took it from him, handing it to Rick. You were quick to save a child from getting bit, stabbing the walker in the head before picking her up and handing her to Sam. He got her inside a cell and closed it before going back over to you and saving you from another walker.

 “Thanks,” you said.

 Turning around, you saw a walker get behind Rick. Flipping your knife, you threw it at the walker, hitting it in the back of the head. Bounding up the stairs, after all the walkers downstairs were dead you checked the cells with Glenn. Daryl was close behind you and when Glenn was attacked by a walker, he shot it. Carefully making your way over, you looked down and saw that it was Patrick.

 “It’s Patrick,” Daryl said quietly.

 “That’s all of them,” Sam said.

 Your stomach was twisting at the sight of all the dead people you knew and you took a deep breath before going back to look in the cells. When you saw someone without a head wound, you stabbed them before moving on to the next cell. When you got to the downstairs and saw the people who remained, your heart broke at the terrified expressions on their faces.

 Suddenly, Daryl was next to you and you found yourself holding onto him tightly. It was short and you were moving up the stairs, Sam and Dr. S. leading you to a cell.

 “There’s no bites or wounds,” Rick said, motioning to the walker in front of you. “I think he just died.”

 “Awfully, too. Pleurisy aspiration,” Dr. S. said.

 “Choked on his own blood.”

 “Patrick looked like that,” you said. “He had the same lines on his face as Charlie here.”

 “And I’ve seen them on a walker outside the fence,” Rick chimed.

 “The lines on his face are from the internal lung pressure. It builds up, like if you shake a can of soda and pop the top. But imagine your eyes, ears, nose, and throat being the top.”

 “Is it a sickness from the walkers?” Bob asked.

 “No. These things happened before they were around,” Dr. S. said.

 “Could it be pneumococcal?” Sam said, crossing his arms.

 “It could be. Most likely an aggressive flu strain.”

 “Someone had good timing when they locked him in,” Hershel said.

 “Nah. Charlie sleepwalked. He locked himself in,” Daryl said. “How can someone die in just a day from a cold? He was normal yesterday.”

 “There was a sick pig. She died quick. I also saw a sick boar in the woods,” Rick said.

 “Birds and pigs are how these things spread in the past.” Hershel looked at Rick. “We gotta do something about those hogs.”

 “Maybe we got lucky and these two cases were it,” Dr. S. said.

 “No one’s that lucky,” you muttered.

 “[Y/n]’s right,” Bob said. “Bugs like to run through close quarters. Doesn’t get any closer than this.”

 “All of us here, we’ve been exposed to it.”

 You looked around at the people next to you and bit your lip in worry.

Taglist:

@jazzy1118

[smolthealmighty]

Spinaraki Week Level 2 Day 1: Chase

Give Myself To You

When Spinner had the idea to visit his hometown and show off his old hideaways to Tomura, he thought it would be romantic. He could turn these sad places where he went to cry into secluded havens where he could spend some quality alone time with the love of his life, and do something he's wanted to do since their third date. He was not expecting a neon orange pickup truck to interrupt the date by hurtling towards them at high speed.

In which Spinner's old bullies want to run him over with their truck, Tomura wants to beat the shit out of them for daring to try, and Spinner just wants to pop the question.

~~~~~

This was not how this date was supposed go. Spinner just wanted to show his boyfriend around his hometown, give him a tour of all the isolated spots he would hide away in before he eventually shut himself up inside the Iguchi house. It was gonna be a nice romantic getaway, where the places he associated with some of his worst memories could be re-contextualized as he turned them into secluded little havens where he could woo his boyfriend –and eventually propose to him– in peace.

There they were, sitting together at the edge of the forest that semi-surrounded the town, watching the sun start to set over the hilly meadow that lay below them. Tomura was fully relaxed for once, leaning heavily on his boyfriend as he reminisced about the utter disaster that was the one time they tried to go clubbing, while Spinner was mustering up his courage and fidgeting with the rings in his jacket’s pocket. Just as he turned to face Tomura and was about to start the speech he had been revising in his mind since –admittedly– their third date, he saw the unmistakable neon orange pickup truck that belonged to Spinner’s worst nightmares, Nōtarin, Iyaga, and Rase, speeding in the background. And the truck was gunning straight for them!

“Oh no.”

“Hm, what do you mean ‘oh no’?” asked Tomura, who also uttered an “oh no” once Spinner pointed towards the truck that was now only a hundred meters away. With reflexes that were still etched into his bones after years of dealing with the trio, Spinner clutched his boyfriend close and launched the both of them down the hill in a barrel roll, barely missing the thick tires of the truck as it blew past them.

“What the hell was that shit?” yelled Tomura, as Spinner shot up, grabbed his hand, and lead them towards one of the few trees that dotted the meadow.

“Those are the assholes I told you about, the ones who always went after me. One of them must’ve seen me and recognized me, and now they’re picking back up from where we last left off!”

“You last left off with them trying to turn you into roadkill?!”

As they ducked into the hollow, a chorus of brash voices with heavy country accents boomed across the meadow.

“Shuichi, you purse designer’s wet dream! Why don’t you let us mount your lizard head to the wall like the hunting trophy you are!”

“Nōtarin, I saw someone with him, hey gecko geek, do you mind if we mount your friend too?”

“Damn Iyaga, keep it in your pants. Though to be fair, compared to talon-hands you’d probably be a better fit!”

At this point Tomura was already struggling against Spinner to march out of the hollow and wreak vengeance. “C’mon Spinner, I’ll mount their heads on our base’s wall!”

“Would you just gimme a sec to cool down a bit?!” Tomura relented and stopped squirming, letting Spinner hold him as he tried to stop trembling.

“Ugh, I swear, they always know how to get under my skin. And I really thought I’d be over them by now.”

Tomura turned to face Spinner and squeezed him back, taking his boyfriend’s scaly beak and pressing it into his scarred neck. “You’ll be alright. You’re just a little stuck, I’m right here if you need a push you know.”

Spinner sighed as he nuzzled the curve of Tomura’s shoulder. “I know I’m not the pinnacle of dating material but damn, people can have different tastes.”

Tomura snorted, “Oh please, as if those hillbilly bitches know anything about ‘good taste’. If your loyalty and empathy for empty husks like me aren’t enough to prove ‘em wrong, then you having the muscles to be able to wield a giant ‘fuck you’ sword should’ve done the job. The fact they can’t see any of that just shows that their IQ scores are all in the negatives.”

Looking up and seeing Tomura’s self-assured smile, the smile graced his face whenever he was so sure that he was right, knowing that he truly believed that his boyfriend was really all that, melted Spinner’s heart into a puddle of goo.

“Marry me.”

Maybe melted it a little too much.

“Huh?”

Realizing what just came out of his mouth, Spinner blushed violently and tried to start some damage control. “Uh shoot I mean um-”

“Hey Nōtarin, let’s ram into that tree! I think I hear them over there!”

Hearing that brought Spinner back to his senses, and he dragged Tomura out of the hollow, Nōtarin swerving just enough to only nick one of the headlights off the truck before resuming the chase.

“Son of a bitch, I had it all planned out and I messed it up!”

“Had what planned out?” asked Tomura, still in a whirl from what he was pretty sure he heard Spinner blurt just seconds ago.

“You know what, it’s fine, I’ll just do it on the fly. Follow me!”

They booked it across the meadow, Spinner weaving them around the hidden hills and valleys camouflaged beneath the waist-high grass. The truck kept slowly gaining on them, but the constant bangs and thumps of the truck bouncing against the uneven ground and the arguing between the driver and his passengers betrayed how little the tormentors knew about the terrain.

“Dammit, stay still you lizard-fuck!”

“Nah, let him keep running. Makes the chase more exciting!”

“Maybe if you’d gotten your driver’s license, you’d actually be able to hit him Nōtarin!”

“Fuck off Rase!”

Jumping over a particularly thick mud puddle, Spinner finally began the speech that had been previously interrupted.

“I’m sure you already know that I fell for you pretty fast-”

“Understatement of the year, but I’m not one to talk.”

The neon orange paint was splattered with mud, with the new coat of brown getting bigger as the wheels spun, sluggishly making its way through the puddle.

Spinner laughed breathlessly as he continued, “-yeah, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able put how much the love you gave me in return means to me into words. I couldn’t do it even if the ocean was made of ink and the earth was paper, it just wouldn’t be enough.”

“Shuichi…”

“And, well, since I can’t use words, I thought I’d show my devotion with some kind of gift, but I don’t really have much to give you except myself. Still, I’ll give that to you for the rest of my life if you want it.”

By this point they had stopped just a few feet in front of a moss-covered boulder, one that blended in with the green grass and was in the direct pathway of the truck that continued driving towards them at top speed.

Ignoring the oncoming truck, Spinner took Tomura’s other hand into his own, and softly asked, “Tomura, will you marry me?”

The truck hit the rock, skyrocketing up and over the couple. The screams of the driver and his passengers fell on deaf ears as Tomura gazed into bright, cherry-petal eyes and answered the proposal:

“You’re more than enough for me, you’re more than I could ever dream of asking for. Of course I’ll marry you.”

Not even a moment after he accepted, a loud crash echoed across the meadow as the truck collided with the ground, flipping over as it did so. The bullies were quick to exit the wreck and make their way towards the still lovestruck duo to attack them. It was a farce from the start, the newly established fiancés barely paying them any attention as they began to brawl.

“Look at you all smiley and shit,” said Tomura as he kicked Rase across the field.

“Why wouldn’t I be all smiles? I’m gonna get to marry to the love of my life! You should see your face right now, looks like your smile’s gonna split your face in two with how big it is!” exclaimed Spinner, dodging Nōtarin’s sluggish punches with ease.

“Touché, fiancé. I bet you’ve already got a plan for everything that comes next, you gooey romantic.”

“Well, I was thinking we could have a small ceremony, just us and the league. Nothing too fancy, we’d just do the vows, ring exchange, ‘I do’s’, and sealing it with a kiss, all within fifteen minutes tops. That way we can splurge on the reception, the best music-” Nōtarin screamed as his arm was sliced by Spinner’s hunting knife.

“-the most delicious food and drinks-” Nōtarin gurgled as the knife ran through his neck.

“-and a cake so big that’ll make everyone sick. We’d just have to grab someone to officiate the thing and make it official.”

“We can get Giran to do it, he’s got just enough connections that he could make it happen.” Iyaga howled as his chest caved in.

“And for the honeymoon, I was thinking about taking a joyride on the coastline. We could stock up the van and make stops at all the beaches, and maybe get rid of a few heroes along the way if we’re up for it.”

“That sounds good to me, I’m certainly looking forward to having some fun alone time to ourselves!” Tomura cried happily, as Rase joined Iyaga in the pile of dust that lay at his feet.

~

By the time they came down from the high of the fight, the sun was dipping below the tree line, Tomura and Spinner sprawled out next to each other on the bloodstained earth.

“Ah shit,” said Tomura, “I just realized that there goes my future date idea of murdering your hometown bullies.”

Spinner chuckled at his fiancé’s annoyed tone, “That’s okay, we only murdered a couple of them. Next time we can take down the town leaders who encouraged everything, make a day out of it.”

“Hmm, alright, but I’m planning it. It’s only fair.”

Satisfied, Spinner let out a sigh before suddenly sitting up. “Oh right, I gotcha these,” he said as he pulled the rings out of his pocket.

“It’s just a pair of those plastic rings from the arcade we went to a while back, but I figure we’re not gonna wear these for too long because they’re just engagement rings. We can rob a jewelry store together to pick out the wedding rings.”

“Sounds perfect,” said Tomura, as they each took turns slipping the rings onto each other’s fingers. Taking a second to let the presence of a ring on his finger sink in, Tomura smiled and said, “I don’t think I’ve ever been more grateful that Re-Destro only snapped off my first three fingers.”

“Well, that’s one way to say you’re happy to be engaged,” Spinner joked.

“Hm. Then I’ll say it more romantically, just for you.” This time, it was Tomura who took Spinner’s hands into his own as he spoke his piece:

“Shuichi, you are one thing in this world that I could never hate, and the only person I will ever promise myself to. I’ll do whatever it takes to give you the life you want to live. I love you, and I’ll continue to love you until the stars grow cold, and even after that.”

If that speech hadn’t already swept Spinner off his feet, then the deep kiss Tomura initiated sent his heart skyward with how much it fluttered. When they both came down to earth, they went about flipping the thoroughly beat-up truck right side up, and as the last rays of sunlight disappeared beneath the horizon, the newly engaged couple drove off into the ink and lavender sky.

[legolaslovely]

Summer Rain

A/N: Happy Fili Friday! Today, Iolaus is also getting some love! BECAUSE HE DESERVES IT OKAY. Sorry, I’m a little emotional. Hope you guys enjoy this one! I certainly loved writing it. Get ready for some ROMANTIC FLUFF.

Pairing: Iolaus x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 3,186

Warnings: fluff, makeout sesh

Summary: BF&GF Playing hooky< all you need to know. But also (lemme geek out for a sec) I like to think (Y/N) is the top cadet academically and she HATES Iolaus for his cocky and lazy demeanor UNTIL Fiducious asks her to tutor him. Then she falls head over sandals in love with this golden boy’s true heart because wouldn’t we all

A Note About the Poetry/References: The poem (please just read it for me and my romantic little heart, okay?) is called A Lover’s Sigh, written by Anacreon who lived in Ancient Greece (in Teos AKA across the Aegean Sea from Corinth) around 500 BC. ISN’T THAT COOL. Also, some of The Odyssey (translated to English, of course) is quoted here. 

LOOK AT HIM LOVE OF MY LIFE 

(Y/N) loved falling asleep to the symphony that came with the falling rain. Whether it be a downpour slapping against the soft grass or a sprinkling of misty drops landing on a roof of thatch, the lullaby was always welcomed. However, it was especially cherished after a day of endless drills and exams that left her with an exhausted mind and aching muscles to match. When she climbed into bed, her woes were forgotten and replaced with nature’s soft tune raining down and the scent of fresh earth sneaking through the cracked windows in the academy. (Y/N) loved every part of the rain.

Except training in it.

She woke the next morning with a start at the rumbling thunder that snapped to a crack right above the academy. Some of her classmates were already awake, watching the storm from the doorway and planning their route across the wide grounds to the dining hall’s entrance. She had rebraided her hair for the day by the time those cadets had mustered up the courage to skitter out from under the doorway and across the fields. She snorted as she pulled on her boots.

“Don���t laugh, (Y/N),” Hercules said from his bed above. “That’ll be us next.”

“Can’t you ask your dad to chill out with the thunder already? He’s been at it all night.”

Hercules noisily mocked her. “Yeah, sure, I’ll send a request right up. Anything for your convenience, (Y/N).”

“I appreciate the diligence,” she said. She chased Hercules to the door and pushed him outside into the drip. Cold droplets fell down the back of his neck and he shivered and cringed, dancing back into the shelter. He grabbed her shoulders but she slipped out of his grasp, giggling. “Not fast enough, Herc,” she said.

Jason stepped between them, acting as (Y/N)’s shield as Hercules shook his dripping hair. “Listen, the quicker we run to the dining hall, the quicker we can eat, okay? By the time we go to morning drills, we’ll be dry.”

“Just in time to get soaked again,” Iolaus said. As usual, he’d been the last to wake up. He ran a hand through his messy curls and placed the other discreetly on (Y/N)’s back for no one to notice but her. “You know they’ll make us train in the storm today.”

“It builds character,” he and Hercules said at the same time, both mocking Chieron perfectly. 

“I’m not intending on training anywhere on an empty stomach so are you all coming to breakfast with me or not?” Jason said.

“You’re grumpy,” Hercules mumbled.

(Y/N) laid a hand on Jason’s shoulder. “All right, all right. Herc, take the starving king to breakfast, I’ll meet you guys there,” she said, having to gather her scrolls and bag for classes. Probably a few towels as well.

She turned and dug her things out from under her bed, sighing to herself. 

“I thought you liked the rain?”

She leapt from her place in fright. “Gods, Iolaus, you scared me. I thought you went with the guys.” She set down her scrolls and watched the wet sheets fall through the doorway again. “I do like the rain, but not when I have to go out in it.”

Iolaus hummed, following her gaze. He didn’t notice her sneak behind him until she rested her head on his shoulder. 

“I’d much rather spend a day like today in… the hay loft? The barn is empty until after dinner is served anyway. No one will be up there, especially on a day like today.”

“Are you, (Y/N), stealer of library scrolls, actually suggesting we play hooky?” Iolaus asked.

Her head snapped up. “I do not steal scrolls!”

“Only the ones Fiducious doesn’t let you borrow,” he said with a poking finger. “You aren’t supposed to know about that.”

“Oh, (Y/N), you are forgetting about the life I led before I came to this charming academy. I know a lot of things I’m not supposed to know.”

She scoffed, but grabbed his hand and her bag. “Fine, then, Master Burglar, how do we get to the barn without being seen?”

He led her to the opposite exit of the small building. “Considering the barn is on the other side of the grounds and we will have to pass the window of Chieron’s office and his horses don’t exactly like me-”

“What did you do to the horses, Iolaus?”

“Not important- we just have to RUN!” 

He dragged her out into the rain, shushing her surprised squeal with smiling lips. Their sandals squeaked in the wet and squished in the mud as they ran past the well, jumped over the short wall, and skittered along the side of the main building of the academy. 

“Wait!” he cried out in a harsh whisper. “Wait here. That’s Chieron’s window.” 

Before he could formulate a plan, (Y/N) slipped from his clammy grasp and bent forward, crawling underneath the window. She called him to follow. “We’re almost there!”

With no roofs to slither under, Iolaus tore off his vest and it quickly became their umbrella for the second half of the journey through the wide field. As they neared the barn, (Y/N) was just as relieved as Iolaus to see the horses already inside. That meant they truly would be alone in the hay loft until someone came to feed the animals at night. The barn was all theirs. 

“Do you think anyone saw us?” (Y/N) asked after they’d slithered inside and closed the barn door. Iolaus held the ladder for her as she climbed up to the hay loft.

“I don’t think so,” he said. “Everyone is in the dining hall at this hour.” He followed her up, sending nervous glances to the horses below. A shiver ran up his spine. Whether it was from the dark eyes staring up at him or the icy beads of rain still trickling down his bare skin, he wasn’t quite sure. 

He threw his sopping vest over a bale. “Well, I won’t be putting that back on any time soon,” he said with a wide mouthed wink.

(Y/N) shook her head at his never ending antics, but smiled at him all the same. “Good thing I brought something dry and warm for you, then.” Out of her bag came one of his own tunics he didn’t realize had been stolen. 

“You sneaky little cadet,” he said, putting it on. “You planned this.”

“Maybe.” She had pulled her braid apart and was squeezing her hair dry with one of the towels she’d brought. 

“Lucky for you, I too came prepared.” He slid the tunic over his head and it didn’t take long for drenched, golden curls along with a dimpled grin to pop out of the neck. Then he reached for his bag, rummaging around the small rips in the lining until he uncovered two loaves of fresh bread. He gave one to (Y/N) with a flourish and a bow, savoring her laugh. But as she leaned forward to take the treat from him, a stiff, crinkling chattered that was just loud enough to hear over the rain outside. He watched her sit quickly upright and hide her twitching lips behind the crust of bread. “What was that?” he asked.

“Nothing.”

“No. You-you didn’t.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said around the hunk of bread in her mouth.

“You brought a scroll? We are playing hooky and you brought homework! I knew this was too good to be true.”

She stood, pulling the small scroll out from under her shirt. She’d managed to pack everything else for the day when Iolaus wasn’t looking, but this was a last minute addition that didn’t quite make it into her bag. 

“It’s not homework,” she said. “It’s for pleasure.”

“That is no pleasure I’d like to be a part of!”

She laughed out loud at that and Iolaus only half enjoyed it. She skipped to his side, turned his stubborn face to her, and wrung out his curls into her towel. “Come on, Iolaus. With all our exams coming up, I never have time to read anymore. Especially not poetry because we haven’t covered any of it in our modern literature classes yet. Now I have the whole day free to-”

“To read poetry,” he grumbled.

Her soft touch through the towel traveled over his shoulders and down his chest, collecting the raindrops that still gathered in the hollows of his tanned skin. “I know you don’t like poetry much, but what if I promise to read you something I know you’ll enjoy?”

“Then you don’t know me very well.”

She took his chin in her fingers. “You are such a grump! Let me read for one hour and then we can do what you want.” She wriggled out of his grasp that consisted of roaming hands and squeezing fingers. “Within reason!” she said, snapping the towel at him.

A childish, roaring groan filled the barn as she sat on a bale of hay. She patted the spot next to her, beckoning him to sit. “Just trust me.” 

Heavy feet stomped across the loft until Iolaus sat on the floor beneath her, scooting around until he could lean back between her knees. He looked up at her, chin to the sky and blue eyes gleaming. “Tell me about this poem.”

“It comes from across the sea,” she said, unrolling the scroll by its pins. “Listen.”

“The Phyrgian rock that braves the storm Was once a weeping matron’s form; And Procne, hapless, frantic maid,  Is now a swallow in the shade. Oh that a mirror’s form were mine,  To sparkle with that smile divine; And like my heart I then should be, Reflecting thee, and only thee! Or could I be the robe which holds That graceful form within its folds; Or t-”

“Wait, wait, wait, wait. This is a dirty poem?” He spun and took the scroll from her, turning so fast, his hair sprayed droplets over her and the parchment. He stared at the words, then turned to her. “You read dirty poetry?”

She laughed. “They’re not all like this.” She swiped his curls over his shoulder, running a fingertip around his ear and down his neck. “Read the rest of it.” Gentle hands turned his shoulders forward and she asked again. “Read to me, Iolaus.”

He coughed, unconsciously leaning toward her breath on his bare skin.

“Or could I be the robe which holds That graceful form with-”

She was kissing his neck. Warm, soft lips over his jaw, under his ear, down his neck to the bit of shoulder his tunic left open to her. The little clicking sound of her mouth against his skin sounded louder than any lightning crack Zues could send down to them. He curved into her hold.

“Keep reading,” she said.

“How am I supposed to concentrate with you… kissing me like that?”

“Does it feel good?” The tip of her nose traced over the sensitive skin that her lips left damp.

He could only hum his appreciation. Her hands rolled forward to the front of his tunic, wanting the deep rumble to sound again so she could feel it in her palms. 

“Keep reading or I will stop.”

He grumbled. “Her gifts were mixed with good and evil both.”

She breathed out a laugh, tightened her grip, and sunk her teeth into his skin. He lifted the scroll.

“...Within its folds; Or, turned into a fountain, lave Thy beauties in my circling wave; Or, better still, the zone that lies Warm to thy breast, and feels its sighs! Or like those envious pearls that show So faintly round the neck of snow! Yes, I would be a happy gem,  Like them to hang, to fade like them. What more would thy Anacreon be? Oh, anything that touches thee, Nay, sandals for those airy feet-- Thus to be pressed by thee were sweet!”

Iolaus rolled up the scroll and set it aside, turning in her arms to kneel between her legs so they were face to face. Her damp hair fell around her as if to frame the portrait of a goddess. He kissed her lips.

“Did I not say you would enjoy the poem?” she asked.

He kissed her cheek and ran his fingers through her hair. The sight of untied tresses was rare, and he took this chance to feel their softness and marvel at the delicate waves. “I would enjoy anything as long as I am with you.”

When he drew away from her cheek, he saw her eyes had closed from his tender touch. Half of him wished she’d open them for they were the brightest light there was on this dreary day. However, the more selfish half of him wanted them to stay closed. She’d never permit his staring if she saw the way he was watching her, taking her in. His finger curled over her forehead down to her chin to hold her face still. Even as her curious eyes opened to him, he gazed on.

“Never have I set my eyes upon such a beauty, in either man or woman. I look at you and I am bedazzled,” he said.

All breath left her. “Where did you learn that?”

“I said I would enjoy anything as long as we were together. Do you really think I’d ignore your passion for poetry and stories? That I’d leave you alone in it?”

She shook her head, left speechless by his words. 

Just as a log split open by a heavy ax, so seemed Iolaus’ armor of deceptive reputation: cracked and gaping, revealing a true, tender heart underneath. From its center radiated unmatched compassion and care that shone brightly enough to play the part of the sun on this murky morning. Her own thoughts cowered from his brilliance.

“No, I-just-”

“I love you, (Y/N).”

She kissed his lips, arm circling his shoulders to pull him close. His dimples caved in under her thumbs as she cradled his face, pouring her appreciation, astonishment, admiration- all of it into her kiss. 

“I love you too,” she whispered against his lips.

He dove into her again- lips, tongues, hands, fingers- and she keened, falling into his lap on the floor. 

“Iolaus.”

Over her own sigh of his name, she barely heard someone else’s voice. She drew away to listen, but Iolaus’ lips only fell down her cheek to her neck, serving as a further distraction.

“Do you hear that?”

He hummed against her skin.

Thunderous footsteps banged outside, squishing and spurting in the puddles of mud while the looping chains of the hitching posts crashed together, sending a harsh, bright clanging sound up to the loft of the barn.

“What is that?” (Y/N) asked.

“You know exactly what that is,” Iolaus said, tugging her hips closer.

The slam against the barn door sent the large handle rattling and yanked Iolaus from his heated stupor. Surely the storm’s angry power couldn’t be the manifestation of a godly punishment for two students playing hooky, they thought. But that fear shifted as the warning voice outside eventually gave them a different, but no safer, solution. 

“I don’t think (Y/N) and Iolaus would be in here, sir, Fiducius, sir. I really don’t. But if you insist, I guess we’ll have to go inside the barn and see!”

The pair in the loft shared a look. Eyebrow waggles and waving hands gave silent orders of “Tuck in your tunic” and “Tie back your hair,” while soggy clothes and bread were thrown into their bags. A wicked bale of hale sent Iolaus hurdling to the floor. Then the barn door below slid open. The drumming of rain and Fiducius’ prattling of Iolaus corrupting his best student were deafening to ears that had grown used to accelerated breaths and soft whispers. 

“(Y/N), are you in here? With that Iolaus?” Fiducius called.

Her eyes blew wide, wordlessly begging Iolaus for advice. “Um, yes! Up in the loft?”

Iolaus holding his head in his hands told her she’d given the wrong answer. She slapped his shoulder. The rungs of the loft’s ladder squeaked and Fiducius’ head popped into view.

“What are you doing up here? You should be in class!” he said.

“Is it that time already?” Iolaus asked. He shut his mouth when (Y/N) pinched him.

“I’m sorry, sir,” she said. “I lost track of time. We were only trying to get some studying in before breakfast.”

Their teacher’s nose wrinkled. “Studying?”

“Yes. I’ve been helping Iolaus with his classwork in the mornings and this is the best place to go. It’s… quiet.”

“And!” Hercules added from below the loft. “And with all the rain this morning, you had no idea what time it was because-”

“Because there was no sun,” Fiducius finished. “I see.” His eyes narrowed in on Iolaus’ strategically covered lap. “What is that scroll you have there?”

Iolaus shifted on the bale of hay, moving as far from (Y/N) as possible in the small space. He inspected the scroll, wondering if it could give him any answers for this type of exam. “Poetry, sir. (Y/N)’s been teaching me about… Anna-cree-on…”

“Anacreon,” she corrected.

“Yeah. His poetry. From across the sea.”

Fiducius was not impressed. “Odd thing to study since we’ve never covered modern works in class.”

A noise caught in Iolaus’ throat. He looked to (Y/N) for help. 

“Iolaus asked for it,” she said. “He enjoys poetry.”

Another suspicious hum traveled across the loft. “Come down here now, please. I will escort all of you to class this instant.” Then his head fell as he descended the ladder. 

Before (Y/N) could rise from her seat to follow, Iolaus pulled her into one last kiss. Though it was against her nature, she could have defied all orders to steal another, but Iolaus only smiled at her and stood, leading her to the edge of the loft.

He climbed down the ladder first, ignoring (Y/N)’s mumblings of “I don’t need help” and “I’ve fought off gods, I can handle a shaky ladder.” Before her foot could touch the ground, he grabbed her hips and pulled her out of the barn, clear from Fiducius’ view.

“You didn’t get your hour of reading,” he said.

She shrugged. “I think I got something just as good.”

They parted as Fiducius emerged from the barn and led the way to the main building of the academy, thanking the gods for stopping the rain and mumbling about students turning into muddy hogs to be slopped. He was easily ignored by the couple behind him twisting together like vines of ivy.

(Y/N) looked up to the sky as if watching the dark, rumbling clouds move on to the next village. Truthfully, she was leaning into the arm Iolaus was holding around her and looking into the summer sky of her love, all clear blue eyes and curls like golden rays of sun.

@emrfangirl​ @misslongcep​ @raindancer2004​ @ladybugg1235​ @xxbyimm​ @burningcoffeetimetravel​ @fire-flv​ @nerdbirdsworld​ @dashesofink​ @teagarages​ @dreams-of-wander​ @winchesterandpie​ @bluebellcotton @tumblinglringlring @fxngsfogxarty @specialagentsnark @afeistyfairy12 @queenofmankind @karlthecat15722 @sagabriar @marymegger 

[hugsandharrifield]

Harrifield Modern Day College AU Ficlet #4

Stars in the Sky - Steve X Dwight Modern Day College AU ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Steve and Dwight walked out of the theater among the crowd of people Dwight pretty animated and babbling about the movie they had just watched and it's cinematography. " The camera work was so amazing, it's too bad the story itself was kind of mediocre." Dwight sighed wistfully. "I will say that there were some good scares there though." "Really?" Steve said playfully  " I wouldn't have known by the way you grabbed onto my arm." Dwight brought his hand to the back of his head and looked embarrassed. " Sorry, I kind of get drawn into movies like that." Steve drifted towards Dwight and lightly shouldered him in the side. "I'm teasing you man! Feel free to grab onto me anytime you want." Steve grinned evilly. The young astronomy student looked nervous but immediately shot his hand out and grabbed Steve's as they continued on towards Dwight's automobile which they had decided to take together. Steve's smile broadened and his thumb rubbed the palm of Dwight's hand softly. "So it's just a little before ten and it's a Saturday night. Do you want to just go home?" Steve smiled as they reached the car. Dwight looked thoughtful "I have an idea. If you don't mind a little drive." he ventured. "What were you thinking?" Steve said as he looked at his phone. "Would you be interested in looking at the ssstars with me... " Dwight stuttered a little looking very nervous. Steve looked into the night sky seeing that there were no clouds did see that the sky did seem to perfect for that. "That sounds like it could be nice but why do we have to drive anywhere?" "We are way too close to the city the lights are way too bright. Trust me on this."  Dwight seemed pretty sure of himself. "Sure what the heck, why not." Steve nodded as he reluctantly let go of Dwight's hand so he could get into the car. Dwight had this giddy look on his face and jumped into the driver's seat. Steve popped into passengers side and leaned back on the plush seat putting on his seat belt. Dwight fiddled with the radio and turned it on. Immediately some 80's power ballad started to play.  "Sorry, I'm a total dork, we can change the station if you want." "Nah man I kind of love 80's music." Steve shrugged. "Cool" Dwight said as he fiddled with his phone getting some directions. After a few seconds they were off, Dwight mostly paying attention to the roads. But he and Steve still were chatting about various subjects. Dwight's right hand straying over to Steve occasionally when he didn't need to concentrate too hard. It was a pleasant drive with pleasant company, time seemed to go by pretty fast and then Steve noticed that they had found themselves on a  gravel road. Steve looked shocked "Where are we?" "We are about 45 minutes north of the campus. I wanted to get away from the light pollution" Dwight explained. “There is a side street over here I'm gonna pull over.” They came to a stop and Dwight popped out of the car and popped open his trunk. Steve got out too and looked up. "Oh my god!" He looked at the night sky there were so many more stars than the ones he had seen while they were in the parking lot of the theater. "It's amazing isn't it?" Dwight called from behind the trunk door. Steve wandered over wanting to know what Dwight was doing.Dwight had pulled out a case and opened it. Inside was what looked like a reasonably spendy looking telescope. "Just a sec i'll get it set up." He looked so proud. "You just have a telescope in your car ready to go?" Steve teased. "Umm I have several telescopes but yeah usually one stays in the car."  Dwight laughed looking a bit sheepish. "I mean you’re an Astronomy Major I guess that should make sense."  Steve leaned his back against the car and stared into the night sky. The air was cool as it was only late spring, and a light wind was blowing.  He looked around at the area along the gravel roads, their were fields of corn so they must have been in farmland. "Got it set up." Steve looked over at Dwight who was waving his hand at Steve to join him. "How much did that cost you?" Steve ventured "You know you probably don't want to think about it." Dwight laughed as he adjusted some dials and looked through the eyepiece. "Here I thought you might find this cool." Dwight indicated that Steve should come over and look through the eyepiece. Steve came over and bent down just slightly. His eyes focused for a second and there in front of him was clearly Saturn. It was a little less colorful than he imagined but there it was. It was so weird seeing it for real, for the first time ever. He hadn't ever looked through a telescope before and the really amazing thing was how it had depth to it. Like obviously it should but he was so used to looking at pictures that the idea that it was actually round and actually three dimensional just it really hit him. Cause you could clearly see that through the telescope. And the rings they just popped out, it was so cool. “Wow that's so weird! I just I never thought i'd be seeing it like this."   Dwight came up behind him and put his hand on his shoulder.  "Is this your first time seeing it?" He said curiously "Yeah it's like really crazy, I know this sounds stupid, but it all of the sudden seems way more real now."  Steve pulled back and leaned up against Dwight and shivered a bit. " No I totally get it, i remember when I first saw another planet through a telescope when I was younger. It's one thing seeing it in books but it's so different when you see it with your own eyes. Makes you kind of feel small." Dwight sounded wistful " Are you cold?"  He notices Steve shivering. Steve looked embarrassed "A little. I don't have as many layers as you have on." He laughed.  "I have a blanket in the car give me a second." Dwight rushed over and opened his trunk again and pulled out a fleece blanket. He quickly returned and draped the blanket over Steve's shoulders and wrapped it around him. Steve felt immediately warmer "Thanks." He looked over at Dwight and saw him flush a bit.   Steve laughed "What's wrong?" "It's... I just want to kiss you again..." Dwight stuttered out. Steve got a wry look on his face. "Well are you going to make me wait all night?" Suddenly Dwight got a very serious look on his face and he grabbed the sides of blanket that had slid down Steve's back and pulled Steve forward their lips crashing together. Dwight's lips were so soft and sweet but also very aggressive. His hands slid under the blanket and around Steve one drifted to the back of Steve's head the other to his lower back.  A small moan escaped Steve and Dwight took immediate advantage by nipping lightly on Steve's lower lip. There it was, Dwight's tongue dancing against his own. Dwight's mouth tasted strongly of the minty strips that he had told Steve about earlier that day when they had lunch, it left a cool tingly feeling in his mouth. The blanket fell to the ground as the two jostled around. Dwight pulled back "Sorry i'll just grab...". he made a motion to bend down to grab the blanket. Steve scowled and yanked on the front of Dwight's shirt. "I didn't give you permission to stop."  He pulled the geek back in and immediately his mouth was open tongues fighting for dominance. Dwight's hand had threaded through his hair lightly tugging, and  his other hand had drifted all the way down just under the bottom part of his belt resting it just on the top of Steve's rear. Steve felt a light tug as Dwight indicated that he wanted Steve to move. Steve's feet were tangled in the blanket though so he was having a difficult time. Dwight laughed and stopped kissing him for a second. "That needs to be taken care of or this will get awkward." Steve pretended to be miffed but let Dwight bend down to pick it up. Dwight rolled it up and grabbed Steve's hand and tugged on it dragging him closer to the car. "Just a sec." He let go of Steve's hand and draped the blanket on the front of the vehicle. He pulled on Steve's belt maneuvering him and then grabbed Steve by the waist with a loud grunt yanked the man up and sat him down on the hood. "Whoa man!" Steve laughed "Don't  hurt yourself I'm only like a quarter of an inch shorter than you. " Dwight did take a second to pause. "I'm fine" He laughed and he pushed forward lips connecting, hands wandering, skin touching. Steve had been friends with Dwight for months but had never seen him so in charge.  His tongue had started to explore Steve's neck and god did that feel good. He felt Dwight lean farther in and their hips were right on top of each other. Then the movement began and their waists started to grind against each other as Steve felt his pants tighten intensely. This is so good, like really really good, but he needs Dwight to slow down. "Hey hey..."  he pushes lightly on Dwight's chest. Dwight pulls back immediately. "Sorry... I ... Sorry... I just didn't think that me and you would ever be doing this." he laughed  "i'm getting a little over enthusiastic, sorry sorry." He looks so red and flushed. "Hey it's okay man." Steve patted on the hood of the car.  "Sit down... Lets talk for a second." Dwight joined him on the roof of the car never taking his eyes off Steve having a dopey cute grin on his face.   Steve started . "So..... Definitely going on another date I guess." "YES!... I mean if you want to." Dwight tried to play it cool but failed miserably. Steve couldn't help but laugh " I don't think you have to worry, i feel like I've become absolutely on board with this kissing a guy thing." "I was so sure, that you wouldn't ever actually be interested. " Dwight babbled " Super hot frat guy? Ladies man? I mean I've thought you were so cool and laid back, but I didn't want to say anything about liking you cause I didn't want you to think I was a creeper. And then the other night I was worried that you'd be mad cause you were tipsy." " Why would I be mad?  I'm the one who decided to kiss you. Honestly, you know it probably would have never crossed my mind. But your mouth was clearly running off because of the booze, and when I went in for that kiss... Well let's just say ...Boom fireworks!" Steve laid back and stared into the sky "It's so nice being with you out here the sky is so beautiful." He felt Dwight lie down next to him as he too stared into the sky. They sat in silence just looking at the jeweled expanse in awe for a while. And then slowly Steve turned his head and Dwight tilted his too when he felt the movement as they looked at each other. Steve took one of his hands and ruffled Dwight's hair. "You know... The stars are amazing but your eyes are so gorgeous." Steve breathed.   Dwight flushed super red "Oh god!" He play punched Steve on the shoulder. "You’re horrible." "It's true though." Steve laughed as he playfully punched him back. Steve made the first move this time as he drifted in closer for another electric shock as their lips met again.  It was short but very satisfying. "Okay okay. We should go before this gets out of hand." Dwight laughed.  "You've never been with a guy, I am not going to push you to hard or fast." Steve gave a look like he was pouting but nodded in agreement. "I mean I guess we should save some things for a few dates in." Dwight popped off the hood of the car and started walking towards his telescope. "Could you grab the blanket?" "I got it." Steve slid off the car and grabbed the blanket folding it up.  Tonight had been amazing, it was like floating on clouds. Steve hoped there would be more nights like this.

[mirkwoodshewolf]

Wizard of Oz Queen x pre-teen reader Chap. 3; Meeting the handsome Scarecrow

*Author’s note*

And here we go with the first person to fully join on your quest, and who (with the help of some Wattpad users) on who helped me choose the role for the Scarecrow in this Queen style fic. So I hope you enjoy this part and until the next part comes out which will be very soon :)

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things​

@waddles03​

@psychosupernatural​

@ixchel-9275​

@simonedk​

@queensdivas​

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels​

@platawnic​

@queendeakyy​

@kairosfreddie​

@geek-and-proud​

____________________________________________________________

Follow the yellow brick road. Follow the yellow brick road. Follow the…..oh great.  Now instead of just one yellow brick road, as soon as we reached a cornfield, the yellow brick road now broke away into a fork-like path with two roads going left and right, and the last going straight on.

“Oh great. Now which way do we go?”

“Pardon me, that way is a very nice way.” A voice said. I turned around but saw no one. No one except a scarecrow that was pointing towards the road that went right.

He was—a strangely handsome scarecrow to say the least, I mean if I were a bit older I’d fall for his looks but right now my biggest concern was who had just spoke to me.

“Whose there? Show yourself!” it was then Toto started barking right up at the scarecrow. “Oh don’t be ridiculous Toto, scarecrows can’t talk.”

“Although that way looks just as nice too.” The voice said again.  I looked back toward the scarecrow and saw that he was now pointing in the other direction.  Wait what?!

“Wait a sec—wasn’t he just pointing the other direction?” I asked Toto who just looked up at me.

“But then again people do go both ways.” This time I saw for myself.  The handsome scarecrow talked. He talked! And was now pointing in both directions with his arms crossed over him.

My mouth was gaped in shock.  I walked up towards him and asked him.

“You! You did say something didn’t you!?” He shook his head as he bit his lip.  He kept shaking his head till finally a wide, cheeky grin spread across his face and he nodded. “Are you doing that on purpose? Or can’t you make up your mind?”

“That’s just it, I can’t make up my mind. I don’t have a brain, only straw.” He said as he gestured to his long straw-like hair that fell past his shoulders.

“Then how can you talk if you don’t have a brain?” I asked him skeptically.

“I don’t know. But most people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don’t they?” he retorted back.

“Yes I suppose that’s true.” I walked up to him and I continued, “Well since we’re now talking to one another, introductions are in order.”

“Why yes, yes indeed.” He said with a bright smile.

“Good afternoon Mr. Scarecrow.”

“Good afternoon to you my dear.” He bowed his head. “How are you?” he asked me.

“Very well thank you, and you?”

“Oh sadly I am not doing very well at all.” He said glumly. “You see it’s quite impossible to be good when you’re stuck here all day and night with a pole shoved up your back.” He said as he dangled there along the wooden pole.

“Yeesh, that does sound uncomfortable.” I groaned. “Can’t you get yourself down?”

“Down? Well no you see I….” he tried to reach back but he couldn’t quite get his arms to reach all the way behind his back.

“Here, let me help you.” I said as I came around and got behind him.

“Ohh that’s very sweet of you. Thank you, thank you.” I felt around the pole but I couldn’t feel a string that usually holds a scarecrow up (or at least that’s how we hold ours up back home).

“Umm…..I uhh I’m afraid I don’t see a string or—”

“Now I’m not one for thinking much, but maybe if you just bend that nail in the back maybe I’ll slip off?” I looked at the pole and low and behold there was a large nail.

“I see it, you ready?”

“Yep.”

“Okay, 3, 2, 1.” I counted down before I bent the nail back and like a shot, the scarecrow exclaimed as he fell right off the pole and collapsed right on the ground, some hay falling right out of his shirt.

“Oops there goes some of me again!” he laughed as he picked up the ball of hay.  I ran over to him and asked him worriedly.

“Doesn’t that hurt?”

“Oh no, no, no, no. I just keep picking it up and putting it back in again.” He said as he stuffed the hay back into his shirt. Like a newborn colt, his legs wobbled as he stood up. “Man it feels so good to be FREE!!” he suddenly spun and toppled over the fence and fell on the other side.

I shrieked and hopped over it and knelt down beside him.  He quickly got on his hands and knees as he said to me in a strange overly excited tone.

“Did I scare you?”

“No, no. I just—thought you hurt yourself?”

“So that’s a no?” his tone quickly changed to a solemn one.  I shook my head no and that’s when he sat down on his bum and stated glumly, “I didn’t think so.” A crow soon perched itself on the fence cawing. “Boo! Scat! Get out of here!”

The crow showed no sign of leaving as it now perched on top of the scarecrow’s head and picked off some of his hair before flying off.  The scarecrow with a look of defeat blew a puff of air as he said.

“Yah see? I can’t even scare a crow. They come from miles around just to eat in my field and laugh in my face. God I’m such a failure. If only the farmer’s daughter didn’t wish for a handsome scarecrow then I’d show those crows a thing or two.”

“That’s why you want a brain. So that you can find a way to scare them off.” I answered softly.  He nodded sadly.

“I’d even be better if I were made scary and brainless. That way one look at my face, and them crows could be flying for the hills.” He said as he pressed his chin to his fist.

“Well I don’t know about that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well…..it’s not necessarily the crows but just in this moment now. Had you been made with a scary face, I—don’t think I would even be brave enough to help you down.”

“You wouldn’t?” he asked as he looked at me curiously.  I nodded.

“But just know that if you were my scarecrow back in Wales and they saw you walking and talking, the crows would be scared to pieces.”

“They would?” his tone spoke with excitement. I nodded. “Where’s Wales?”

“That’s where I live. And I want to get there so badly that I’m going all the way to Emerald city to get the Wizard of Oz to help me.”

“You’re gonna see the Great Oz!?” he said with wide eyes in shock.  I nodded again. “Do you think that if I went with you, that he could get me a brain?”

“I couldn’t say. But even he didn’t, you’d be no better off than you are now.” He shrugged and bobbed his head muttering.

“That’s true, that is true.”

“But it’s best if you don’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’ve got the Warlock of the West after me, and I don’t want anyone getting hurt.”

“Oh that guy? Please. He’s about as frightening as a fruit fly. Plus he walks like he’s got a hump on his back.” I choked out a giggle. “Besides, I’m not afraid of anything!” he gloated.  Before he suddenly shrunk down and looked around before leaning in close to me. “Well—Except a spark of fire.” He whispered.

“I don’t blame you.”

“But I’d crossover a thousand fire fields at the chance of getting a brain. Look,” he took my hand in both of his. “I won’t be any trouble to you because I don’t eat a thing. And I won’t try to manage things because I can’t think. Oh please oh please won’t you take me with you?”

With that puppy eyed look he was giving me how could I possibly say no?

“Okay. You can come along with me.” I said proudly. The scarecrow smiled widely and cheered as he hopped up.

“WOO-WHOO! WE’RE OFF TO SEE THE GREAT OZ!!” Once again he stumbled around but I managed to catch him in time before he fell over again.

“You’re not starting off so well though.”

“Oh don’t you worry I’ll try though. Really I will.”

“To Oz?”

“To Oz!” we then skipped on down the road straight ahead and wondered further down the yellow brick road.  While we walked along the path, the scarecrow and I shared our life stories and I even told him of how I got to the land of Oz.  

With each word I told, he listened intently and not once interrupted me with questions until the end of my tale.

The day went by and soon it was starting to get dark.  So far the scarecrow and I hadn’t seen a single trace of a house or farm anywhere. As night finally fell upon the sky, I let out a quiet yawn.

“Maybe it’s best we make camp for the night (Y/n).”

“No, no it’s fine I can…..” I was interrupted by another yawn.  The scarecrow looked at me with crossed arms and a ‘you were saying’ look. “Okay maybe I am getting a little tired.” He chuckled and guided me over to the open fields.

“Here, you can sleep right here.”

“But what about you?”

“Oh don’t you worry about me I’ll be fine. I’m a scarecrow, we don’t really sleep. Kinda a 24/7 job to always be on guard.” He found a patch of grass that had no visible trace of soil or dirt being shown. “Here we are, lay down here.” He helped me lay down and that’s when Toto came up and lay close beside me.

“Thank you scarecrow.”

“Don’t mention it. Here, take this too.” He then took out a bunch of hay out from his shirt and padded it together before laying it down in front of me.

“No, scarecrow I—”

“You helped me off that pole and believe me a cricked neck is nothing to look forward to when you wake.” I smiled up at him and rested my head on the pile of hay.  The seed head of a few pieces of hay tickled my nose but after brushing it away I felt better.  “If you get cold just let me know too, I can give you some more hay to keep you warm.”

“Thanks scarecrow, goodnight.”

“G’night (y/n). Sleep well.” He whispered softly as I felt his hand rest on my arm.  Soon enough I fell fast asleep with the scarecrow guarding me all through the night.

My last thought was that he started to remind me of someone back home.  But it wasn’t Auntie Em or Uncle Henry.  It was like—darn it why can’t I remember his name? But even for the short amount of time when I met this man back home, he reminded me of the scarecrow.

Protective, kind hearted, loyal, always had a child-like excitement to him, and he might’ve been handsome too.  I wish I could remember his name, then I could tell scarecrow about him and how probably him and the man back home could’ve been best friends with each other.

[therainroguefanfiction]

⁂ Children (Sehun Oh)

Genre: Comedy, Fluff, Angst, Crossover, Romance ☁

Word Count: 3,826 ☁

Pairing: Reader x Oh Sehun ☁

World: Exo ft. Seventeen ☁

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Music was playing through the studio as the members of Seventeen relaxed, dancing like maniacs to the pop music pumping through the speakers. Woozi, as usual, was absent, huddled in his own little space with his laptop as he worked on a new song. Everyone else had opted for a well-earned break.

It wasn’t anything special, just hanging out in the practice room, dancing and singing to whatever happened to come on the radio. Pandora was on shuffle, each member having chosen their own station. One second it was an English pop song, the next it was Japanese rock and then a Korean ballad. The mix of genres and languages was highly amusing to you as the members switched their acting to match the mood of each song.

You sat at the back of the room on the sofa, watching with amusement as the boys went wild. No matter what you were feeling, they always managed to make you smile and you couldn’t help but be grateful for that. To you, working for Seventeen was literally the best job in the world.

Vernon held out a can of soda as he took the seat next to you. “Hoshi hyung has so much energy. I’m exhausted!” As if to prove his point, he huffed dramatically and let his head fall onto your shoulder.

You chuckled, pushing him off you playfully. “You’re all young, you should have an endless amount of energy.” The soda was ice cold and crisp as it went down your throat.

He hummed, turning his body to face you. “What about you? Were you energetic at our age?”

You went to answer but quickly caught yourself, looking away with a sheepish grin. Actually, you had been a pretty lazy kid growing up. Laying on your bed or sitting at your desk and browsing the web, watching videos or playing games. You rarely left your house unless it was necessary.

“Noona?”

“Umm, well… I guess everyone is different.”

Vernon turned smug as he poked your shoulder repeatedly. “You were lazy, weren’t you?”

You scowled, batting his hand away. “I can neither confirm nor deny that accusation.”

He burst out laughing, hopping off the couch and running towards the large pile of bodies in the center of the room, probably to tell everyone the breaking news that their noona was, in fact, a lazy geek.

Your phone vibrated in your pocket, but you hesitated when you saw the caller ID. Why would Sehun be calling you? It had been months since you last spoke and last time you checked, you were public enemy number one to SM Ent. You glanced around the room, satisfied that everyone was pre-occupied, allowing you to slip away from the room without being seen.

You took a few steps down the hall before finally answering the call, setting it to your ear. “Hello?”

“Where are you?” Same old Sehun. He didn’t bother with niceties or greetings, he just got straight to the point.

It annoyed you enough to not answer the question. “That’s really none of your business, is it?” You could hear him scoff on the other line.

“I need you to come to pick me up.”

You raised a brow in question, looking out the window which covered the entire wall from ceiling to floor. It let you have a beautiful view of the snow-covered street. “Do I look like a taxi to you?”

“Just do it. I’ll send you the address.” He hung up the phone without waiting for a reply. True to his word, a text came through just a moment later revealing his location.

You groaned in annoyance, resting your head against the glass. What the hell did he want with you? Did he finally have enough and ran away from SM? But what if he was in trouble? A part of you couldn’t just ignore that possibility. You’ve seen plenty of crime shows to know what’s out there.

You groaned again, this time in frustration, as you headed for the office where Woozi was working. You knocked but didn’t wait for a response to enter. You knew Woozi well, and you knew he wouldn’t be doing anything indecent – he took his music too seriously. “Hey, can I talk to you for a sec?”

He removed his headphones and swiveled his chair to face you. “Sure, what’s up?”

“Umm, a personal issue just came up. I gotta leave early. Can you let your manager know please?”

“No problem,” He wanted to ask what the situation was, but he knew if you wanted him to know you’d tell him voluntarily. That was another thing you respected about him.

“Thanks, Jihoon.” You offered him a smile before backing out of the room, heading for the elevator.

As soon as you stepped out of the building, the cold air hit your exposed skin, stinging like the prickling of a dozen needles. The snow wasn’t deep, but it was enough to be a bit of a nuisance, especially when it came to walking across an icy path. Thank god your boots had a good grip.

You loaded up the address into the GPS on your phone and started up your car. It took about twenty-five minutes to reach the destination, which turned out to be a house in a quiet neighborhood. You parked on the side of the street and stepped out, walking around the stone fencing.

Sehun was sitting on the porch steps, bundled up from head to toe – it was fairly obvious that he was cold, but that isn’t what shocked you. No, that emotion came from the thing wrapped tightly in his arms – it was a child, about three or four years of age.

Sehun scowled at you when you approached. “It’s about time.”

You were too surprised to reply and could only watch as he stood with the boy and headed toward your car. You followed behind, claiming the driver’s seat as he climbed into the back. You didn’t own a child seat for obvious reasons, so he pulled the seatbelt behind his back and around the child so he would be safe. As if it added extra protection, he finished off by wrapping the boy in his arms once again.

You turned on the heater before turning in your seat to get a better view of the pair. “You should have told me you had a kid with you, I would’ve – ”

“Gotten here sooner?” His scowl was still in place.

“Why the hell didn’t you go inside?”

“Gee, why didn’t I think of that?”

You glared at him, not appreciating his sarcastic remark. His eyes softened slightly. “I came outside to get the mail and when I came back, the door was locked. My keys are inside, and the only spare is with my mom.” He sensed the question forming and answered before you could ask. “My mom is on a…. trip with my aunt and cousin. They left this morning and won’t be back for another week.”

“And the kid…?” You started the car and began toward your apartment.

“My nephew, Eun. He was too young to go with them.”

“Okay,” You wanted to ask why he chose to call you, but you figured the best thing to do for now was to get the kid safe and warm. You didn’t really want to open that can of worms, anyway.

You made it to your apartment without a word being spared between the two of you. Your keys landed on the table beside the door and you watch as he sets the boy down in front of the coffee table.

“Do you have any toys or coloring books?”

“No,” you shifted in thought, “But the people next door have a boy about his age. I’ll see if I can borrow something.” You didn’t wait for a reply as you headed back out into the cold. Being around him was stifling, the atmosphere heavy. He knows that the relationship is rocky at best, so why bother calling you? It was driving you crazy, but at the same time, a part of you didn’t wanna know his reasoning.

You knocked on the door, shoving your hands into your pockets. You didn’t have any problems with your neighbors, but you weren’t close to them by any means. Sure, you’d say hello in passing, but that was the extent. As far as you know, they were fairly nice people, though.

The door swung open and a man appeared, probably about thirty years of age. He smiled kindly. “How may I help you?”

“My friend and I are babysitting, but we don’t have anything to occupy him. Do you happen to have some crayons or something we can borrow?”

“Yeah, of course. Please come in.”

“Thanks,” you smiled softly as you stepped inside. The apartment was full of life, with paintings decorating every wall.

A woman exited the kitchen, throwing a dishtowel over her shoulder.

“Honey, this young lady is looking for some crayons for a child she’s watching. Can you go grab a pack?”

“Sure!” She smiled at you before heading farther into the apartment.

The man turned to his son as he played with Legos. “Jaebum loves to color, but he tends to lose or break them, so we keep several spare packs of crayons on hand. How old is the child you’re watching?”

“About the same age as yours,”

The woman came back with a large pack of crayons. “Here you are, sweety.”

“Thank you very much.” You bowed, politely.

“Anytime!”

After saying goodbye, you headed back over to your apartment. Sehun had taken some blank paper and was showing Eun how to make different shapes. You handed him the crayons.

“Thank you, noona.” The small boy squeaked.

You smiled instantly at how cute he was, rubbing his black hair. “You’re welcome,”

“Are you hungry?” Sehun questioned – you noticed that his tone of voice was much softer than the one that you had gotten used to. “I’ll make you something.”

You followed Sehun into the kitchen, taking a seat at the small round table. He gathered ingredients from the fridge. “What took you so long?”

“What?” You hadn’t expected him to speak given the thick tension still hanging above you both.

“What took you so long to come and get us?” His voice was even, but you knew how easy it was to sway his mood – he could get pissy pretty easily, especially when it came to you.

“I was working.”

He scoffed. “With your new boys.”

You raised an eyebrow at the tone of his voice. “Yes, I work for Seventeen now.”

He scoffed and it suddenly dawned on you. Your lips twitched up into a grin as you leaned toward him. “Oh my god… You’re jealous!”

“What? That’s ridi – Ow!”

You jumped up when he nicked his finger with the knife. He turned on the faucet and ran his bleeding finger under the water. You came up behind him, your hand over his to keep it under the water, Your free arm rested across his torso.

“You are jealous.” You grinned.

With his infamous scowl, he pulled away from you and went back to cooking. The cut was minor so it quickly stopped bleeding.

For a good minute, you just watched him continue to cut up the onions. “You know I gotta get back to work, right?”

He acted as if he didn’t hear you, not even bothering to acknowledge your words.

You knew teasing him would make him pissy, but it was too hard to resist. “If you need anything, just give me a call.” You set your bank card on the counter beside him. “Feel free to use it.”

He didn’t respond, not like you expected him to. With a sigh, you headed back to the Pledis building.

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You glanced at your watch – it had been about three and a half hours since you returned to work. You figured Sehun would probably need help with Eun, so you decided to call it a night. Just as you were about to approach Coups, your phone rang. The number seemed familiar, but you didn’t immediately recognize it.

“Hello?”

“Hello, dear.” It was the little old lady that lived across the hall. She’s very kind and motherly, probably because she has so many grandkids. “I just wanted to let you know that a group of boys just entered your apartment.”

You recognized the description she gave you – Chanyeol, Baekhyun, Suho, and Kai. “Thanks for letting me know, granny. They’re friends, so don’t worry.”

“Alright, dear. I just wanted to let you know.”

You hung up the phone, sliding it back into your pocket. If the boys are over there keeping him company, there’s no reason for you to go home just yet. Arms wrapped around your shoulders and DK’s face appeared in your vision. “Are you leaving, noona?”

“Nope. Did you guys finish gathering your things?”

“We’re ready~” Hoshi gave you a peace sign as he followed their manager out the door.

“Alright, let’s get going. Who’s riding with me?”

“Me!” DK, Vernon, and Minghao raised their hands and spoke in unison.

You chuckled, following after them. As expected, Hoshi had taken the front seat, leaving the other three to pile into the back. The ride to their dorm consisted of constant radio station changing and loud, purposeful off-key singing.

When you made it back to their dorm, you carried DK and Vernon’s bags inside for them, taking them to their respective rooms while the boys debated on what to eat. Normally, you didn’t mind being the one to order food for them, but since Sehun had your card and you only had about ten bucks on hand, their manager split the bill with a couple of the older boys.

After eating and helping Dino take out the trash, you decided it was finally time to head back to your place for the night. You spent ten minutes saying bye to them – which consisted of one hug each, aside from Hoshi and Dino, who insisted on two hugs each.

You didn’t live too far from their dorm, so it didn’t take long for you to reach your apartment. The sun had set by the time you arrived and, upon entering, you found the boys asleep in your living room.

Baek had taken the recliner. Chanyeol was on the floor using Baek’s leg as a pillow. Kai was on the couch with Eun between him and the cushions. Suho was on the floor below them with only a pillow below his head.

You followed the sound of clinking and found Sehun washing the dishes. He must have heard you enter because he spoke as soon as you stepped inside the kitchen.

“Soon is not five hours.”

Pissy Sehun was still around, you see. “Does it matter? You had the boys here.”

He rolled his eyes, muttering about taking a shower. Feeling annoyed at his attitude, you followed him down the hall, stopping the bathroom door from shutting with your foot.

He scowled at you. “What are you doing?”

“Finding out what your problem is.” You scowled back. You entered the bathroom, closing the door behind you before leaning back against it. “You’ve been pissy since I picked you up. If you were gonna act like this, why call me?”

“You’re the one who left.” He was getting angry, but so were you.

“I left because Exo told me to. You all decided I was guilty without even hearing my side. I’m not even allowed in the SM building anymore!”

He bit his lip, knowing that what you said was accurate. You expected him to yell and only get angrier, but his eyes changed – they became glassy and he swallowed hard. “I missed you.”

His tone had been so soft, you weren’t able to catch his words. “What?”

“I missed you!” He grabbed you, wrapping his arms tight around your shoulders. “I thought… I thought you chose Luhan hyung over me…”

“Why would I do that?” You lowered your voice.

He shook his head, squeezing you tighter. “I really missed you.”

“I missed you, too. I figured you hated me like the others.”

“Never,” he slowly pulled away, shoving his hands in his pocket and acting like the hug hadn’t happened. “And the others don’t hate you either.”

You didn’t wanna pull back the bandage any further so you let the subject drop, choosing to remain silent.

“Now get out.” He turned around, pulling his shirt off.

You grinned at his back. “What if I wanna watch?”

“Out!” He threw the rolled up shirt at you but you dodged, leaving the room before it hit you. You didn’t miss the smirk playing on his lips before the door closed.

Feeling almost nostalgic, you headed back to the kitchen and grabbed a glass to pour yourself some soda. You saw movement out of the corner of your eye and you looked up to see Suho standing in the doorway. He was biting his lip and holding his left elbow, keeping his eyes trained on the floor.

When Kris, Tao, and Luhan had left and you took the blame for it, Suho had been the angriest at the time, so being around him now was extremely awkward and tense, but you never had anything personal against him despite everything, so you opted to play nice.

“You uhh… want something to drink?”

“Water… please.” He took a seat at the table and you grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge after pouring your soda. “Thank you.”

You nodded, taking a seat across from him as you sipped your drink to avoid talking.

“I’m sorry.”

You nearly choked, staring at him blankly. Had you misheard him? “What was that?”

He repeated the apology, finally meeting your eyes. You were surprised to see tears welling up. “I over-reacted back then. The things I said… I… I didn’t mean them. I was just…”

“It’s fine, Joonmyun. I understood then and I understand now.”

He nodded, but the tears had already begun to roll down his cheeks. He sniffled, apologizing for beginning to cry. You were about to comfort him when Sehun entered the room, his hair still wet from the shower.

“You made hyung cry?” Sehun pushed you over to the next chair and took your seat.

“No, she didn’t do anything.” Suho palmed at his eyes, wiping his tears away with a small smile. “I’m going back to sleep. Goodnight.”

Sehun watched his hyung disappear into the living room before looking at you suspiciously.

“He apologized.” You said simply, falling back against the chair.

“Really?”

“Yeah,” You rubbed the back of your neck, glancing at him. “I guess he overheard us arguing.”

“Told you he doesn’t hate you.”

“Wipe that smug smirk off your face, brat.”

“Brat?” He scowled. “You’re only three years older.”

“Your point being?” You raised a brow, ruffling his hair as you headed for your bedroom, Sehun at your heels. “Why are you following me?”

“There’s nowhere to sleep in the living room.” He shrugged, pushing past you into your bedroom. “I’m sleeping in here with you.”

You didn’t bother to argue – you knew you wouldn’t win.

━━━━━━༻🌧️༺━━━━━━

Kai stirred in his sleep, but something prevented him from re-entering dreamland. Something felt off like something was missing. He sat up, rubbing at his tired eyes as he tried to figure out what that something was. And then it hit him like a bucket of ice-cold water – Eun was gone. He jumped up off the couch, forgetting about Suho being on the floor beneath him. Being stepped on forced him awake with a grunt of pain.

“What… What’s happening?” Suho asked, half-asleep.

“Hyung, he’s gone!” Kai whispered loudly.

“Who?”

“Eun! He’s not here!”

Hearing that information knocked all of the sleep out of the older male as he jumped up, eyes scanning the room. “Check the front door.”

While Kai did that, Suho checked the glass door leading out to the balcony. Both were shut and locked tight without any sign of disturbance. From there, they woke up Baekhyun and Chanyeol, and the four checked everywhere for the boy – under furniture, inside the clothes hamper, inside cabinets. Anywhere they could think of. At one point, Chanyeol even checked the cookie jar!

Without any sign of the young boy, they realized what they had to do – face Sehun.

After a quick game of rock-paper-scissors, Baekhyun, being the loser, slowly pushed open the bedroom door, peering into the darkness. With a gulp, he flipped the switch and bathed the room in light, only to feel his heart skip a beat in relief.

Eun was in the bed, curled up against his uncle while holding your hand tightly in his smaller one. Panic now replaced with mischief, he pulled out his cell phone and snapped a picture before making a quick escape.

The other three looked at him expectantly, but he only snickered and held up his phone. The three let out a collective sigh of relief. After going from straight panic to relaxed, Kai and Baekhyun passed out pretty quickly after – Kai back on the couch and Baek sprawled across the coffee table. The sun would rise soon, and Suho and Chanyeol both had schedules, so going back to sleep would serve no purpose; they headed back to their dorm.

When Sehun woke up that morning, he found himself in bed alone. He entered the kitchen with a yawn. Eun was sitting at the table, eating the pancakes you had made him. You were sitting across, playing on your phone.

Sehun grabbed a bottle of water and leaned back against the counter. “Are you going to work?”

“Kind of have to. I was just waiting for you to wake up.” You answered, putting your phone away and giving him your attention.

“As long as you come back.” He mutters, more to himself. You still heard though and responded with a grin.

“I don’t really have a choice. It IS my apartment.”

“Not funny,” He growls, smacking your shoulder when you walked by.

“I’ll see you later. Don’t trash my place!” You joked as you grabbed your keys and left the apartment.

Sehun ruffles Eun’s hair before heading into the living room.

Baekhyun was waking up and he grinned when he saw the male. “Sehunnie~! Guess what?”

He raised a brow.

Baek didn’t respond, but pulled out his phone and showed Sehun the picture.

He grabbed the phone from his grip. “When did you…?”

“Last night.” He grinned proudly, but that grin disappeared when Sehun started pushing buttons. “What are you doing?”

“Deleting it.”

“What? No!”

By the time Baekhyun got his phone back, the picture had been deleted. He facepalmed, wondering why he hadn’t made copies or sent it to someone first.

Little did he know, Sehun had sent the picture to someone before deleting it; himself.

━━━━━━༻🌧️༺━━━━━━

📜 Read more by checking out my masterlist 📜

[msjr0119]

Return to New York

Part 2

Riley Brooks never returned after being thrown out of the Coronation. Liam cleared her name, and they tried to find her with no luck. One day they returned to New York and by fate she turned up at a cafe due to Daniels ‘meddling’.

Using combined tags for this one shot turned series, if you want to be removed as always let me know 👌

@pedudley @kacie-0156 @loveellamae @annekebbphotography @burnsoslow @ladyangel70 @kingliam2019 @bbrandy2002 @butindeed @bascmve01 @drakewalker04 @captain-kingliamsqueen @duchessemersynwalker @insideamirage @of-course-i-went-to-hartfeld @kozabaji @texaskitten30 @ibldw-main @kimmiedoo5 @nikkis1983 @gnatbrain @walker7519 @lodberg @cmestrella @hopefulmoonobject @addictedtodrakefanfic @angi15h @liamxs-world @rafasgirl23415 @notoriouscs @yukinagato2012 @dcbbw @qammh-blog @nz1091 @cordonianroyalty @custaroonie @seriouslybadchoices @rainbowsinthestorm @princess-geek @jared2612 @desiree-0816 @twinkle-320 @queenjilian

*****

“The reason myself and Kiara didn’t work was because of you. She knew that I was in love with you.”

Liam, Maxwell and the rest of the restaurant jumped in reaction to the echo of the glass shattering everywhere- the floor now covered in a sticky residue due to the mixture of alcohol. The two men jumped out of their seats, immediately rushing over to a shaking Riley- and witnessing Drake behind the bar stood dormant not knowing what to do.

“What did you do to her?” Maxwell shouted at his friend, assuming it was his fault as he hadn’t rushed over to help her.

“He did nothing, he was helping me with the drinks- you know how much of a klutz I am Max. I got distracted, they just slipped out of my hands.” Riley lied, not knowing if the two men knew the truth about Drakes feelings- his confession was still sinking in, not knowing how to react- not knowing how they would react to her secret, something she lied about a mear few hours previously.

“Lady Riley, you are not clumsy. Are you okay?” Noticing Liam picking up all the broken glass, she began to panic.

“I’m fine Liam. Go and sit down, I’ll clean it up then go on my break.”

“It’s fine, just get us a brush and something to put the broken glass in- I insist. I’m a king but I’m capable of cleaning up a bit of mess.” Riley nodded knowing she couldn’t refuse king’s orders even if he was in her city. Watching her leave, the two men snapped their attention towards Drake as he eventually moved from his position behind the bar.

“What did you do her?” Maxwell repeated his previous question. “Clearly she’s freaked out by something, she isn’t a klutz.”

“I... I told her that... fuck. I told her Kiara knew I was in love with her and that’s why we never worked. She wasn’t lying when she said they slipped out of her hands.”

“So why would she react all shaken up? Surely girls love it when a man tells them that they love her?” Maxwell was confused by her reaction, deep down he knew she had feelings towards Drake also. Everyone could see it, their stolen glances were noticed even if the two of them didn’t realise they were doing it.

*****

Sitting in silence, the three men cleared the glass up as Riley went on her break. Going back to their table, they slowly tucked into their meal- none of them wanting to mention her name. Not realising why they were still lingering in New York- hope. Hope that she would return with them was most likely the reasoning.

“Mommy!” The three men all turned their heads towards the bar, Riley had finished her break and was preparing a milkshake for a little girl sat on the edge of the bar.

Mommy they all said in unison, Maxwell was now wondering if that was the reasoning behind her panicking before. A man in a suit walked up to the bar and kissed Riley on the lips. Briefly focusing her gaze over towards the table- she knew they were going to question her immediately. Max, I don’t know what you’re on about? I’m definitely single, and I’ve definitely not ‘popped’ any kids out- thank you. At that moment in time saying this, she believed that they would be rushing back to Cordonia, she lied about being single because she didn’t want to hurt them all- especially Drake.

“Sorry i keep telling her to not call you mommy.”

“It’s fine, besides I’m going to be her mom soon. Is my ring fixed?” Retrieving the box out of his pocket, Riley grazed her finger over the diamonds.

“Of course it is. Here you go...” The man knelt down on one knee, sliding the elegant ring on to her finger.

“Riley Brooks, when I met you and hired you to look after my daughter- I instantly fell in love with you. I can’t wait to call you my wife.” The three of them all hugged each other- Drake gulped watching the interaction, Liam looked concerned at his friend who was clearly heartbroken. Maxwell on the other hand needed answers. Abruptly standing up, he stormed over interrupting the sweet family moment.

“Hi I’m Maxwell. And you are?” Scrutinising the mans body, Riley could tense that Maxwell was annoyed with her- she decided to begin with the introductions praying that the usual calm yet fun lord wouldn’t cause a scene.

“Erm Harry, this is Maxwell a close friend of mine, practically my brother.”

“Hi Maxwell, I’m Harry- this is my daughter Lissy.” Harry held his hand out towards Maxwell, who rudely ignored the gesture.

“Ah so this is the kid you look after.”

“Yes my soon to be step daughter.” Flaunting the ring in Max’s face, he was happy for her - but he knew she still loved Drake and that this was probably all a facade. It was difficult now a kid was involved. Mouthing I’m so sorry to him, he focused his gaze towards the little girl who was clearly in awe of Riley.

“Nice to meet ya, high five Lissy.” Lissy followed Maxwell’s actions. “Can I borrow you a sec Riley. Please.”

“Sure, I’ll see you two at home in the morning?” Giving then a brief hug, she followed Maxwell away from the bar- still in hearing distance for Liam and Drake to ear wig.

“So this is news..... I thought you was single and you couldn’t tell me?”

“You’ve been out of my life for three years Maxwell. I didn’t want to hurt any of you.”

“Yeah I wonder why you’ve been away for so long? We looked for you... couldn’t find you.... we all care for you.... has he got a big dick or something?”

“Well actually.....”

“Don’t answer that, it was a rhetorical question. What about Drake? He loves you...” Well actually I’m still madly in love with Drake. Harry doesn’t compare. I can’t break Harry’s heart, he’s done so much for me.

“He got in a relationship with Kiara when I left. I didn’t see him making much of an effort. Then he comes here admitting his feelings for me, the same feelings that I held for him. And only him. I’ve moved on Max, he should do the same. You guys are from Cordonia, I’m stuck here.”

Drake stormed out realising that he had lost her, realising now that she seemed happy- happier than she was during the social season. Liam was debating going after Drake, or speaking to Riley instead- choosing the second option he knew Drake was the type of person who needed to cool off before being confronted.

“I hear congratulations are in order Lady Riley.” Even though you insisted that you was single, he muttered to himself but still was able to wear that infamous stoic expression.

“Thank you your Majesty, I’m sorry for lying to you all.” Maxwell shot Liam a look of disapproval- in his head they needed to get Driley together not congratulate her and push her away from them.

“What time do you finish?” Maxwell asked changing the subject.

“In a couple of hours why?”

“Before you go home, come to my hotel room- I want to spend time with my sister before I leave you again.” Scribbling the hotel name and room number on a napkin, she agreed to see him. Liam shook his head, knowing exactly what his friend had planned- it was a dangerous game that Maxwell was playing.

****

Walking down the road to the Crowne Plaza, she got in the lift to the 30th floor, feeling dizzy in the lift she wasn’t sure if it was due to the lift skipping fifteen levels or nerves about spending time alone with Max. Knocking on the door of 3007, her eyes widened seeing someone other than Max- now realising that the younger Beaumont had set her up.

“Hi... is Max here? He told me to meet him at this room.” Little shit bag.

“You’ve got the wrong room Brooks. He’s on the floor below.”

“Okay, thanks. Have a safe flight back. It’s been good to see you Walker.” Fuck he’s got no shirt on, I need to get out of here quick.

“Riley wait...” Grabbing her hand, she felt that spark as she did all those years ago. “Come in for a drink? A brief catch up? If you... don’t want to .... it’s fine.”

“Whiskey?” She smiled softly at him, avoiding trying to look at his muscled body.

“That’s the most idiotic question you’ve asked. Of course there’s whiskey.” Opening the door wider, he allowed her in. Unknowingly to the two of them, Liam and Maxwell stood in the hallway and both high fived each other before returning to their separate rooms.

*****

“Here.”

“Thank you Drake.”

“So I now know why you freaked out... Congratulations Brooks, you deserve all the happiness in the world.” Not able to look at him in the eyes, she sighed before walking over to the window- looking down onto Times Square. Seeing everyone rushing about, witnessing couples taking selfies and sharing a smooch, watching people dressed in costumes conning people out of money in an instant.

“Thank you. But he’s not you....” Regretting this slip of the tongue, her mind was now confused more than ever.

“As Kiara was never you...” she heard him whimper as he laid on the bed. “I hoped that you would have returned to Cordonia on your own accord after we couldn’t find you. I imagined you coming back, I thought about how to woo you back, treat you like a girlfriend not like a suitor. Funny how things change.” Noticing her fidget with her engagement ring, he was jealous of her fiancé immediately. “Nice rock ya got there Brooks.”

“It’s too big and heavy, it slipped off my finger when we first became engaged and it became damaged. It feels weird wearing it again. It’s not me at all, I’d much prefer a simple ring- something that had a sentimental meaning.” Something like my grandmothers ring then, Drake thought before shaking his head.

“What happened to the little girl’s Mom?”

“She tragically passed away. I will never be her mom. I will never replace her mom, she just calls me it.”

“You’d make a brilliant mom Riley, she’s lucky to have you, as is he.” Standing up he poured himself another whiskey, staring deep into the brown liquid she joined him. Placing her hand over his, she took the tumbler away from him- placing it gently on the table along with her engagement ring that she had removed from her finger.

“Drake... there’s something you should know... I couldn’t let you return to Cordonia without you understanding something..” Keeping her hand resting over his, she turned to face him- sorrow in her eyes.

“Riley it’s fine, you don’t have to explain anything to me. I’m fine. As I said twice before you deserve happiness.”

“I do though, because you are acting as if I never loved you the way you stormed out of the restaurant.”

“I did that because I couldn’t see you with him. I blame myself for letting you go. Loving you in secret throughout the social season kept me sane, made me look forward to attending events for once in my whole life- I could have died saving Liam and Kiara from the assassins. All I thought about was you...I was thankful that you wasn’t there.”

“I heard that you was quite the hero huh?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Sure it isn’t, many people don’t jump in front of a bullet risking their own life.” Hovering her hand over his chest, she placed a gentle kiss on his scar. The only reason she knew the exact location was because of Hana and Olivia informing her of his injuries. Riley had insisted on returning, but they advised against it as he was in an rocky relationship with Kiara at the time.

“I lost you, maybe I thought that the risk was worth taking- I had nothing left.” He whispered in her ear- his hot whiskey breath lingered around her neck. Moving a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, they both stood frozen, fixated on each other. Seeing him gulp as he admired her, she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer. Their foreheads brushing, neither wanting to regret what could potentially happen. His hands went around her petite frame, effortlessly lifting her on to the mahogany desk. Caressing her cheeks, his gentle touch was deja vu from the night of the Coronation. Leaning down he had nothing to lose, if she wanted to punch him she could, if she wanted to kiss him back- this complicated things. Moaning into the kiss, it felt as if the world around them had melted immediately- nothing like when she kissed Harry. In the back of her mind, she felt guilty as she was engaged, but in this moment in time she felt lust towards the man who instantly stole her heart in Cordonia. Breaking the kiss, she looked at him feeling breathless- as she did that last time she saw him all those years ago.

“Please don’t marry him.”

[utt-a]

So Marauders 13# is-

THE GOOD FOOD!

Best St.orm and St.orm centered X-Book IN YEARS! I love the setup of O.roro having to risk her relationships with T'.Challa, S.huri, R.amonda, and the people of W.akanda, not just for mutants but for the universe. Also, possibly triggering a war between W.akanda and K.rakoa. (There's only one lill nitpick I have about this, I'll get to in a sec.) O.roro struggling not with the decision but still dreading the outcome seeing no other way. It really comes through in the talks with K.itty and S.huri, while also highlighting her familiar love for both.

By the time I got to the second half of the issue, I was excited and NO, NO, PLS NO for the inevitable square off between S.huri and O.roro. It seemed to go by fast, but I think only because I enjoyed the weight of it so much.

V.ita A.yala seems to enjoy writing for St.orm. Same love showed in their work for I.ron H.eart and S.huri. (OMG WILL WE GET RIRI AND ORORO THINGS?!) (Note to self stop wasting time and dive into EVERYTHING with their name on it.) Kid me geeked out for more than a second about X-.Men, about S.TORM in the hands of a Queer Afro-Latinx writer. Take my money for X .of Swords, ST.ORM AND SWORDS HAVE ALL MY MONEY!

Okay, now the one, the ONLY thing I wish was different about this issue (aside from the St.orm art) is the very end. More specifically, the way T'.Challa's and O.roro's dialogue deflates the sense of consequence. T'.Challa letting her walk away, his words to his guards along with O.roro's words to K.itty when she returns-

"We have not lost allies, but there will be a lot of work to get back trust."

It makes me feel like there won't be any significant shake ups from this, not even her relationship with T'.Challa. I think the possibility is strong with S.huri and R.amonda. Still, it would have been nice to be concerned for problems between the couple and their countries after X. of S.words, carrying that 'Shit O.roro doesn't get to breathe' in my head while going through the rest of this arc. I would prefer if T'.Challa hadn't let her walk away, and everything was up in the air.  It's comics, and nothing is permeant, super couples have worked through far worse heck T'.Challa and O.roro have worked through worse, give me passing fear for them.

I don't think T'.Challa was written as a bad guy here, as some people do. On other X-Books, it's debatable, but in this, he was as reasonable and nice as you could expect him to be for what was happening and the amount of time he's in it.

[sliverfoxyglitterdream]

"Its right there"

You havent even toched your oatmeal my love. Everything okay?

i looked up at my mom and i was exshuasted for what ever reason i couldnt think of. I thought i went to sleep around 8 the night before, so why were the bags under my eyes taunting me? I respond. Yes mother im okay. Just slept wrong i guess.

Okay well hurry up and finish or your gonna be late.

dont forget to brush your teeth and wash your face. i have some cream in the my cabinet for those eyes.

I know my mom just cares too much but sometimes i dont know if she knows she hurts my feelings. anyways. Im Krystal. with a k. Im 17 and some weird shit has been happing to me. And i dont mean like body changes and hormones. I mean like luicd shit. Im mean i my body has def been changing but its werid. i use to be ugly and kind of a geek. But since i became friends with the new girl i got hot. i mean like 40 pounds lighter with glowing skin. Theres something off about her though. She wont let me go to her familys house for some reason and i only see her in school. Here where things get fucked right. I kinda got some lev so i decided that since me and her arent that close that it wouldnt hurt her to bad if i stopped being friends with her. we got into this ugly fight and thats when i started to see it. This shadow that followed me and sat in the corner of my room while i slept. at first it was harmless. Then it started to talk to me. Telling me to do awful things. at first it would only come at night and i was able to drown it out by chuging down some zzzquil. Then it would show up during the day light. The more i ignored this thing. The more identified it became. It was odd. Scary. I could close my eyes for 5 secs and it be gone but come right back when im least expecting it. Like a hybrid of a wolf and rabit. Stood like a warewolf. Its back was hunched over pretty far witch made it even more creepier when i realized i could seen its spin stick out thourgh its skin. What was it and what exactly did it want.

In first peroid i didnt see it. Maybe it was preocciped with another 17 year old girl. Second space , nothing. I became to think i could actually brethe but as i opened my locker door in the mirror it stood by the waterfoundtain behind me. Tuanteing me like this was its favorite game and i was losing terribly. Im beging to think i have pscho or something. Like maybe im losing my mind. i looked through the mirror again and there she was. Kathy. Standing with it. Nearly holding its Goddamned hand. This was all her. This bitch is the devil. Or one of his childern. Maybe if i apologize to her she knock this shit off. But i have to be sincer or she wont bleive me. I closed my locker door and turned around to head to her but they were both gone.

I didnt see either of them for the rest of the day. Maybe she had her fun and decided that it was enough. As im walking past the creepy woods the i have to pass to get to my house , the feeling in my stomach reminded me that i was terribly wrong. I looked up to see This bitch ass naked and standing beside the monster she created. then she takes off. Oh no were gonna finish this. I finally catch up to her and knock her down. It rained earlier so we both ended up in a puddle. She looked at me and starts to cry begging me to stop and call off my monster. I look at her confused. What the fuck are you talking about your the one who casted their monster to terrioze me. I got up gave her a hand and the hoodie off my hips. We sat both in a daze. She turned to me and softly whipsered. You really dont see it? WHy are you whipsering and no. She whipserd again , Its right there. RIght behind you. Then i realzied it. This was my demon. That has always followed me. And was telling her to mulitplate me into thinking it was her all this time. My mother created this one. Not kathy. The monster then Ripped kathy to pieces and helped me carry the pieces to the graveyard i remeber i created now. when i was 11. I was my own monster. I hope mom is proud.

[talltalesandbedtimestories]

A View To A Winchester (Part 12)

Series Page

Summary: Julie’s starting a new life after divorce in a home with a very nice view.

A Dean X OFC story. I got this idea staring out the view of my home office window and thinking how nice it would be to have Dean Winchester to ogle.

Section Word Count: 4,300    

Section Content: angst, R-rated language, show level violence

~~~~~

“Welcome to Makenzie’s.” The same chipmunk-cheeked twenty-something from last night smiled at Dean when he approached the hostess stand. Her smile extended a bit wider in recognition. “Winchester, right?”

He flashed his best smile back. “Devin, right?”

She nodded with exuberance. “What can I do for you?”

“Some information would be great, Devin.”

“Sure, just a sec.” Devin handed the waitress standing next to her a few menus and chatted. The obvious flaws in Dean’s original plan smacked him in the face. I’m just going to get escorted out if I try the FBI approach at a place I’ve already been to. Badge says Barrow. Dean canvassed the dining area with his eyes. There was no sign of the woman he was trying to track. The smell of charred flesh made his stomach grumble. He realized he hadn’t eaten anything since lunch, a couple cold pieces of pizza at Cas’s.

“Actually, if it’s alright, I’m just going to head to the bar?”

“Absolutely. Tables are all booked up for a good two hours, at least.”

He nodded and beelined to the bar.

~~~~~

Dean left the bar fifteen minutes later when he got what he needed from the chatty male bartender. Picking up on the gay vibes immediately, Dean turned up the flirting and got Chad to overpour two bourbon shots along with the information. A healthy tip accompanied the cash for a half-eaten plate of onion rings and the liquor. Dean had the first number on speed dial ringing with a flippant push on the exit door.

“Dean?”

“Hey, Sammy. I need your nerdiness.”

Sam huffed. “My computer skills, you mean?”

“Sure. If that makes you feel better.”

“What’s up?”

Dean eased into the driver’s seat and loosened his tie. “I’m not sure, yet. It’s one of my neighbors. She’s gone missing today.”

“Missing?”

“Yeah. I’ve got the name of one of the last people who saw her. Think you can get me an address?”

“I’ll try. Who am I looking up?”

“Ina Rever.”

“I-N-A? Rever, like lever?” Sam confirmed.

“Yep. See if anything comes up in Delaware.”

“Alright, gonna take a little time.”

“I’ll wait.”

Sam sighed.

“Unless I’m interrupting something?”

“No. Well, I was studying. I could actually use the break. Eileen’s out, getting groceries.”

“I thought you two just foraged around in fields for your food.”

“Funny. I can’t get Eileen to eat healthy for shit. Maybe now with a baby on the way...”

“I still can’t believe you’re going to be a dad,” Dean interrupted. “Poor kid.”

“Jerk.”

“Bitch.”

“So, who went missing?”

“Neighbor. Name’s Julie Felton.”

“Wait. Julie? The Julie?”

Dean sifted through his spotty memory rolodex. He was pretty sure he hadn’t mentioned Julie to Sam in any recent conversation. They’d only spoken a handful of times over the past couple months. “What do you mean ‘The Julie’?”

“Cas called this morning and told me all about her… and your date last night.”

Of course he did. “Nothing much to tell, Sammy. It’s just important that I find her.”

“Right, right, of course.” Sam shifted to consoling mode. “You can tell me all about her after you find her. Okay, I’ve got an address for Ina.”

“Great. Text it to me.”

“Yeah, Dean, already done.”

Dean’s phone buzzed at the text from his brother.

“Do you need me to see if I can track Julie’s phone?”

“If you can. But, I checked her mom’s phone - they have one of those family apps that share location - and, it looks like it last shows her at the house this morning. Called up my connection at the police station to see what he could find. Her car turned up in a parking lot at a shopping center, not far from the house. Cop’s goin’ store to store.”

“You called Marty? How’s he doing?”

“I didn’t get a chance to ask.” Dean had mentioned the detective to Sam a few times, being one of the handful of people he could call a friend. “Just sent her number to you.”

“Maybe I can get something else from the cell towers. Finding a car out in the open is pretty good news, Dean. It might all be nothing and she’s safe and sound. You know, a big misunderstanding. Wait, though.” He hummed. “Weird.”

“What?” Dean plugged the address into his phone’s GPS and started the engine as the route calculated.

He switched Sam to speaker. His voice wielded priority over the robotic female starting to spout directions. “Well, I’m not finding anything else on this Ina Rever. No history. Nothing before her poofing into thin air in Delaware.” Dean could hear computer keys tapping. He shifted into drive and rolled out of the parking spot. “Let me just…”

“I’ve got ten minutes before I get to this place, Sammy. Whatever you can find, find it quick.”

“I ran the photo from the driver’s license through a bunch of databases. Got facial matches, all under different names, all over the country… over the past five decades it looks like.”

“Five decades? Woman’s maybe in her thirties.”

“Her Delaware license says she’s 33. Dean…”

“Shit.” No. Julie.

“Something supernatural.” Sam finished.

“What the hell? I got nothing to go on here! No idea what I’m walking into! Vamp nest? Werewolf pack?” Dean yelled at the phone.

“Calm down, Dean. Let me dig into some of the places where this woman’s been. Do you know anything about her?”

“Julie can’t spare a minute for a trip down memory lane.”

“She can if it helps find her. And, you’ve got eight minutes before you get there.”

Dean split his focus between the GPS directions and anything he could remember that Ina mentioned over the dinner table last night. “She’s a waitress at a restaurant. Sounded like she just moved to Delaware a couple months ago.”

“Okay. Whatever it is, if it’s got a routine or needs to…” Sam cleared his throat. Dean knew Sam stopped himself from saying “feed”. “Some weird stuff might have happened a couple months after she moved into these other places. “Missing persons, maybe?”

Dean clenched his jaw, not wanting to speak the next request. “Look for missing persons that turned up dead.” Keyboard clicks went on for a while. “Five minutes, Sammy,” Dean reminded.

“Not helping, dude.” More agonizing seconds ticked by. “Got something. One of the missing persons was found a week after they disappeared.”

“Alive or dead?” Dean took the ramp off the highway, staring out at the business and industrial section of New Castle to his right.

Sam sighed. “Dead.”

Dean kept his focus on the job at hand and took a deep breath. “Where’d they find the body?”

“Looks like it was in an abandoned warehouse.”

“Fuck me!” Dean barked.

“What?”

“This thing’s place of residence is like a minute away from warehouse central! Miles of it.”

“Stick to the plan, Dean. Check out the house first.”

Dean nodded with intent even though Sam couldn’t see him.

“Oh.” Sam mumbled.

“What?”

“The cause of death was exsanguination.”

“Vampire?”

“Maybe. But, I got into the police records. Does this sound familiar? Body was found hanging by its wrists, trussed up. The reporting officer said it looked like a blood bank in there. Needles, tubes, collection vials. Like the person was being drained. Slow.”

Hope sprung back into Dean’s mind. “A Jinn? With an MO like the one that was feeding off me for days? That means there’s time to find her.”

“Maybe. But, it could still be a vamp or some other bloodsucking variation.”

“But if it’s a Jinn, she’s got a shot.” Run down houses lined the blocks of the neighborhood he rolled through. Parked cars squeezed into every inch of available space along the narrow streets. Soft, setting rays angled onto the cheap, dirty vinyl siding on the house that matched the address. “I’m losing sun, Sam. What kind of car does this thing drive?” He parallel parked Baby into a tight spot and shut off the engine, glancing around the street.

“Green, Honda Civic.”

“Great. Nondescript and basic. Like every other car. But… I don’t see one here.”

A barking dog barreled towards Dean’s car in the unkempt yard of the house. It stopped feet short of the chain link fence, whining, as the long leash went taut.

“Son of a bitch. Cocoa’s home.” Dean mumbled.

“What?” Sam asked, confused.

“Nothing.” The car door squeaked. He hurried to the back. A swerve of his head noted no one out on the nearby street or sidewalk. No one hung out in the vehicle behind him, either. He popped the Impala’s hood and readied to hang up. “Let me get in there.”

“Dean?”

“What?” The phone pressed to his ear, pinched between his shoulder and cheek. He lifted the false bottom of the trunk up for peek, reached for his Colt where it always was, and checked the cartridge had silver bullets. They’d been the standard go to for years now. His backup monster insurance. Fresh out of lamb’s blood to dip a silver knife in. Plan B - Bash the thing’s head to chili if it is a Jinn.

“Keep me on the line. You know, in case something happens. I might be able to help.”

The hood clicked close. Dean sighed. “Alright. The phone in the pocket, camera thing?”

“Yeah, that works.”

Sam requested a FaceTime connection. Dean squinted at the screen, walking and talking on the path toward the front porch. “Dude, you look like you’re auditioning for the lead in a Jesus musical... ‘Go Tell It On The Mountain” or some other hippie shit. Your hair. And again with that fucking beard.” Cocoa kept up on the other side of the fence, no longer barking. It didn’t look out of the ordinary. Tail wagging, begging for attention.

Dean could barely make out Sam’s bitchface under all the hair. “Shut up. Remember…”

“Switch the camera angle. Put yourself on mute, would ya?” The phone slid into the jacket’s chest pocket.

“I will.” Sam’s voice was muffled. “That’s perfect. Be careful. Going radio silent.”

Geek.

Dean knocked, surveyed anything he could of the small cottage house through the window panes. “Hello?” He called out and knocked again. The knob rattled under his grip, locked. Flimsy ass door. He looked around to ensure no one was passing by or in his sightline. Dean stepped back and kicked the door dead center. The weight and force behind the sole of his dress shoes propelled it open on its hinges. It swung back almost to the original closed position.

Sam’s probably busting a blood vessel right about now. He tapped the door with his foot to get a lay of the land. “Hello?” Strolling in, he called out. “Door was open.” His hand reached around to his back under the jacket, ready to pull out his gun if needed. “Ina Rever?”

The inside of the house was neat, tidy, and what he thought would be called shabby chic or some shit. It smelled of incense.

“Fuck this.” He mumbled and pulled out his gun. Around every corner, he rounded with an unflinching focus on the front sight and the view just beyond. His feet were quick, two stepping all throughout. His breathing steadied to control his grip and aim. Every closet and room searched, including the basement. The backyard was empty. Nothing.

Dean slipped the gun back under his jacket before stepping onto the porch, shutting the door with the mangled lock best he could. “Still there, Sammy?” He could hear the irritation in his own voice.

It took a couple seconds for his brother to respond. “Yeah.”  

“Anything on Julie’s cell?” He rushed to the car, phone in hand and glanced at his brother’s face.

“Nothing.”

He shook his head and stared out at the countless warehouses on the horizon. “If the car’s not here…”

“She probably drove to where she’s got Julie. I was searching near your location while you broke into the house.”

The undertone of disapproval from his little brother was obvious. He placed Sam on Baby’s hood and removed his jacket and tie, tossing them in the back seat. “And?”

“Three abandoned warehouses.”

“Let’s go.”

~~~~~

“So, this girl?” Sam glanced at Dean from the phone’s screen, mounted on the dash.  He was giving Dean directions, using his location tracker to monitor his movement. A clear blue sky framed Sam, sitting out in his backyard. It was still sunny and 6:00 pm in California. The sun, however, had set on the east coast. The road in front of Dean was dark, lit up golden by Baby’s headlights.

Dean knew what Sam was up to. His way to distract his older brother from spiraling. Act first, think later was never Sam’s approach. And, almost always his.

“She’s not a girl, Sammy. Every ounce of her is all woman.”

“Yeah.” Sam cleared his throat. “I checked out her social media accounts. Very nice, Dean. Another two miles. Make a right at the next crossroads. It’ll be a half a mile on your right.”

Dean closed his eyes as he drove the straight patch of road to the second warehouse on the list. No way my luck would have had her at our first stop. Images from last night flashed in his mind. Julie staring down into his eyes with those big brown ones while he worshipped her. Gorgeous, thick, wavy brown locks of her hair tickling the tips of his fingers kneading her ample chest. Her plump lips parting in arousal and want. The curve of her breast dipping over and above his mouth as he suckled. He could almost taste the slight sweat and salt. The way her hard yet pliable nipple rolled against and pushed into his tongue. She struggled to moan his name. It was the sexiest thing he’d heard in forever.  

A truck coming at him on the two lane road blared his horn. Dean jolted and steered back into his lane. Dammit.

“You okay?” Sam’s forehead wrinkled like the skin folds of a Shar Pei puppy.

“Yeah.”

“Cas said you were pretty wound up last night, about Julie. Really upset that you had to cut the date short.”

“Are you really talking to me about this? Now?”

“I can never keep you on the phone for more than five minutes, Dean. Captive audience right now.”

“And you think I stick my foot in my mouth?”

“Sorry. It’s just… you like her. A lot. Yeah, saving people, it’s ingrained in us, part of our DNA. But you wouldn’t knock a door down the way you did for just anybody.”

Dean drove way over the speed limit.

“When we find her, safe, you’re going to tell me all about her.”

Dean refused to reply, to reveal the thoughts tripping over each other, as he continued down the road. He didn’t speak again until Baby’s headlights washed over the back bumper of a Green Honda Civic parked around the corner of a two story warehouse by a large dumpster. He slowed down and killed the engine, rolling to a quiet stop.

“Looks like the jackpot is behind door number two.”

Sam’s face lit up. “Let’s get in there.”

Dean shook his head. “No. This is what I need you to do. I’m texting you Marty’s number. If you don’t hear back from me in ten minutes, you call him. Tell him who you are, where I am, and what we think we’ve been tracking. He’ll take it from there.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. I got this, Sammy.”

He nodded. “Be careful.”

Dean gave him a small smile and ended the call. He texted Sam the number, made sure he got a response back that Sam had it, and set his phone to Do Not Disturb. He rummaged through the glove box and found his pocket knife. A small flashlight gripped tight in his fist as he left the safety of the car.

Gravel crunched under his feet, eventually merging into a blacktop near three loading bay doors. The roll-up of the center door was not flush to the ground; left open enough for someone to slide under. Here we go.

Dean wasted no time and scooted on his chest into the building, no longer concerned about the condition of his dress shirt and pants. He jumped to his feet in the pitch black of the warehouse. Breathing slowed. Eyes adjusted while he refrained from using the flashlight. He always wondered how good a Jinn’s eyesight was in the dark. Ceiling high racks and shelves of steel framework came into slight focus. They created three long rows in front of him.

A lingering smell of sawdust filled his nose. He afforded seconds to close his eyes, tilting his head like a satellite dish to zero in on the slightest noise. Aside from the ramping of his heartbeat, there was nothing to hint of occupants other than Dean. Might as well make my presence known. She has to be here. He swallowed, pulled out his gun and turned on the flashlight. His body steeled into a military stance. Grounded, steady steps marched forward. A path down the center aisle would give him the best view of the massive warehouse floor. The flashlight above his gun lit the way, sweeping back and forth along the concrete.

“Julie!” His voice boomed, echoed back. Empty cardboard boxes, pilfered through by vagrants or scavengers, lay along the floor with packing material. Dean zigzagged through the maze. Bubble wrap popped under one foot. He froze, waiting for the sound to subside. “Julie!” He called out again. Not sure if it was his eyes playing tricks on him, he thought he saw a shadow flicker farther down the dead end he was headed straight toward. Movement got his attention along his right in the other aisle. God, I hope it’s just one of ‘em.

More boxes came into focus. But these were neatly stacked, forming a partition and one narrow entrance Dean would be forced to take. He made certain no one was behind him. He inhaled and exhaled slow, then rounded the corner and inventoried the space.

It was a bare bones phlebotomy lab. Three rolling carts had needles, tubes, IV bags, and other random medical equipment atop them. He opened a cooler with the tip of his shoe and noted two filled blood bags atop ice cubes not even melted. Definitely still here.

His eyes were drawn to translucent sheeting hung from steel shelving in the back corner. The halo of light revealed a silhouette behind the milky colored plastic. He straightened, cocked his shoulders back, and approached with his gun aimed, ready to fire if necessary. One of his hands reached for the side of the plastic and ripped it away, hard.

Material swooshed. Clips clanged onto the floor. “Julie.” Dean whispered.

Julie’s wrists were bound in thick twists of rope. Her body hung from the shackling. Dean’s eyes widened at her disrobed state. She’d been left in only a tank top and panties. The toes of her bare feet were the only part touching the floor. A needle had been inserted into her inner thigh. Julie’s blood traveled through the tubing, filling another bag by her feet. Femoral artery. Quick drain.

His neck craned from one side to the other. He peered into the adjacent aisle to see if they had company. When he was certain there was no one, his mind assessed the situation. He holstered the gun behind his back into the waistband. Placing the flashlight on the closest cart illuminated Julie’s grim and dire state. Gotta get her down, at least slow the blood flow.

The pocket knife sprung open in one hand. His heart ached as he stepped toward Julie. He stared down at the disheveled hair falling in front of her slumped figure. “Julie?” He whispered. Two of his fingers went to the side of her neck. Hope sprung back when he felt the faint pulse. “Can you hear me? It’s Dean. Gonna get you out of here, okay.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and held her in a vice, pressing his body to hers for support. Her body lifted off the ground an inch or two. The rope went a bit slack. The knife’s blade pushed taut against the give and sawed.

Julie’s head lolled back between the arms still tied above her. Her hair parted to display the face he’d grown fond of staring at. She looked peaceful, with closed eyes and the hint of the tiniest smile. Dean knew from his own run in with a Jinn that there was a good chance she was in some idyllic dream state. Hopefully not the nightmare kind. “Gonna be okay.” He murmured more to ease his own thoughts. “Come on.” He voiced his impatience at the rope.

He grunted when the frayed rope released its hold. Julie’s arms tumbled to her sides. He let the knife fall to the ground and embraced her tight with both arms, cradling the back of her head with the palm of one hand. “Gotcha.” He whispered and brought her to the floor, resting her gently on the concrete.

Dean rose. Gotta get her help. Before he could search for the phone in his pocket, something barreled from behind right into his lower back. He arched backward at the force and slammed into the side of one of the medical carts and finally into the wall of cardboard boxes. His mind at work the entire time, he righted himself in an instant. A quick hop to his feet and he pulled out his gun, aiming where the attack originated.

All five feet of the petite Jinn, using the name Ina Rever, stood between him and Julie’s slumbering frame. Her blue eyes shone in the shadows. He could make out the intricate tattoos forming on the surface of its skin. She’s charging up her poison. Can’t let those hands touch my skin. Dean closed the distance between them. She knelt to the ground.

Shit. If he took a shot at her now, he risked hitting Julie. The Jinn rotated and spun, extended a leg outward, connecting into Dean’s shins. He dropped to the right. The gun flew out of his hand and he landed face forward onto his chest. Shit.

A tiny elbow with concentrated energy rammed into the center of his spine. He groaned. Fast little fucker. She sprung back up, stepped back, and landed on top of him again, elbow in between his shoulder blades.

She stood up and sounded out of breath. Dean could only see her sneakers shuffling from side to side like a boxer. Julie lay behind her, dead to the world. Dean’s eyes lit up at the pocket knife a couple feet behind the Jinn as well.

“This one wasn’t much of a challenge. Dangle a lost dog in front of her and she willingly offers to drive me back to my car at the shopping center and hand out flyers. Of course, if it wasn’t for naive, helpful people like Julie, I might starve.” Ina’s perky little voice wafted down to Dean. The pain in his back radiated into his limbs. “I didn’t think she’d be missed so soon, though. But, I should have known it would have probably been you, after seeing you both at dinner last night.” He hooked his fingers into a deep grout line on the concrete floor and pulled his body a few inches. Ina kicked him in the stomach, which only helped spur Dean closer to the knife. “She’s got it bad for you. When I fed off her just a little while ago, straight from the tap, I got a glimpse at her happy place. She is all about the happy endings with you. Dean, right?”

“What can I say,” he groaned. “I have that kind of effect on women.” Keep monologuing, bitch. I just need to get a little closer.

“I guess her occupation with you is another reason her guard was down. So, thank you for that.”

“Don’t mention it.” He slammed his hand onto the pocket knife and then catapulted up, plunging the blade into Ina’s thigh. She screeched. He held on with everything he could and forced the knife through the muscle like a lever. Crimson splattered and flowed down Dean’s arm and white dress shirt.

She collapsed to the floor, clutching at her leg. He was on her in a flash and captured her between his kneeling frame. A slash of the blade along her neck sputtered blood. Then, he pummeled at her face over and over again until the body stilled.

Dean was pretty sure she was dead. He slammed her head a few times into the concrete for good measure. He huffed, rose to his feet and closed the pocket knife. He caught sight of his gun on the floor, grabbed it, and slipped it into his pants. When he pulled out the phone he saw Sam had tried to call him numerous times. He called him back.

“Dean? What’s going on?”

Dean kneeled next to Julie. He swept her hair away and checked for a pulse again. “I found her. She’s alright, I hope. But she’s in one of those fairy tale comas, I think.”

“So, it was a Jinn?”

“‘Was’ being the key word.”

Sam huffed. “Well, I hope Marty is as good of a guy as you say he is. He’s on his way there.”          

“How long ago did you call him?”

“I called him as soon as I hung up with you. Maybe twenty minutes.”

He smiled against the phone as he heard the bay door roll up. “Dean!” Marty called out.

“Thanks for not following my directions, Sammy.”

“Anytime, Dean.”

Part 13

Series Page

[canyouevencauseicant]

Who is she? - Part 2 (Peter Parker Imagine)

Writer’s note: Hey guys! So, I’ve received some comments and requests asking for a part 2 of my first Peter Parker imagine, “Who is she?”. So, here it is! Sorry it took so long! Please let me know what you think and please request more imagines!

Read Part 1: Who is she?

Word count: 4k

“Oh, goddammit!”

You grumbled under your breath as you were literally knocked over by a group of people fleeing from the giant spaceship above. In another life, you might’ve been way more panicked and probably would be running away with those people. But after having met literal gods and seen alien invasions before, this was just another day in the life of agent (Y/N) (Y/L/N). 

Thankfully, Mr. Tony Stark himself had given your suit an upgrade after having seen you fight in Berlin. “You’re a smart kid, (Y/L/N), and you’re not a bad fighter, either. But, I gotta say, that suit really isn’t doing you any favours. No, you need a suit that can keep up and do as much as you do. I think it’s time for an upgrade to match your attitude, huh kid?” 

You had to really resist the urge to roll your eyes at Tony because, the truth was, you REALLY wanted a new suit. Sure, you loved the one you had, but it was slowly falling to pieces and you truly needed something that could keep up with your constant crime-fighting. 

Boy, Tony really delivered.

Your new suit was nanotech, and Tony had even been nice enough to include your own A.I., who you jokingly named Artoo after the Star Wars character R2-D2. The new suit was a thousand times stronger than the one you had previously donned, and was black and blue with white accents with a hood and mask that automatically covered and uncovered your face. It was surprisingly stylish but man, it did exactly what it needed to do; protect you and allow you to be a better fighter.

Your suit was kept in a set of two bracelets, and you wore them both at all times, one on each wrist, for emergencies. Just like the one you were currently facing. 

You swiftly crossed your wrists, activating your bracelets which let out the suit automatically. The nanotech spread across your body and quickly solidified as your suit, your mask and hood popping up and your built-in vision goggles lighting up, the display appearing in front of your very eyes. 

“Artoo! What am I looking at?” You shouted, quickly initiating your A.I. as you sprinted towards where the spaceship was. 

“It’s called a Q ship,” the cool male voice of Artoo spoke matter-of-factly as you wove through masses of people fleeing for safety, “It’s definitely a spaceship because no airforce on Earth has technology like the stuff I’m detecting on the Q ship.”

“Oh, well that’s just fantastic,” you muttered under your breath. This didn’t look good at all, but you knew you had to help, “Artoo, contact Iron Man!”

“Contacting Iron Dad,” Artoo confirmed, the nickname you had set for Tony making you chuckle slightly; while Steve was like you adopted dad in the Avengers, he wasn’t the only one who took on a sort of paternal role in your life. Tony was even more overprotective than Steve was (surprisingly), and could be a really great mentor when he wasn’t being sarcastic or teasing you. 

“(Y/L/N)!” Tony’s voice spoke up over the call, to which you immediately responded, “Where are you, Stark? I’m on my way. What’s happening?” “Squidward and his buddy from space are after the Bleaker street magician’s necklace! F.R.I.D.A.Y., send (Y/L/N) my location,” Tony replied, and it took you a moment to realize that he was talking about Dr. Stephen Strange and the Time Stone he was tasked with protecting. 

“Location acquired, setting route to intercept now,” Artoo stated as you hung up on Tony, the route popping up on your display. You weren’t too far off from where Tony was fighting off the two aliens, so you triggered one of the new features of the new suit; the soles of your suit’s shoes popped out and turned into wheels like those on roller blades, and you managed to gracefully glide over to where Tony was.

As you turned the corner, you suddenly had to duck as a whole tree went flying and nearly took you out. You glanced over to where it came from and you spotted Iron Man, Dr. Strange and Wong fighting the two aliens; one was large and wielding a terrifying-looking weapon, the other much smaller and seemingly unarmed. However, the smaller one suddenly managed to lift a ton of bricks and turn them into spikes and sent them flying at Dr. Strange and Wong without so much as a wave of his hand. Tony, in the meantime, got launched by the larger alien and went flying, the larger alien in hot pursuit. 

“Artoo, who are we fighting?” You inquired, pulling out your knives and getting ready to engage the enemies before they noticed your presence. “Species unknown, but the smaller of the two seems to possess the power of telekinesis. Be careful, (Y/N),” Artoo advised you, and you nodded as you swiftly threw a knife at the smaller alien. 

Thankfully, you had the element of surprise on your side but the alien moved so the knife lodged itself in the alien’s shoulder instead of his heart, causing him to cry out in pain and surprise. The knives you had been equipped with were also an innovation on Tony’s part; they were designed to fly more efficiently, do maximum damage and be extremely difficult to remove. They were your favorite upgrade. 

You quickly moved out of the alien’s line of sight as made a beeline for Dr. Strange and Wong. “Strange! Wong! Where’s Stark?!” You shouted to them as you sprinted towards them. Wong quickly opened a portal for you to glide through that would take you to Tony’s location, and as you passed them, you shouted, “Thanks!” 

The portal transported you to a park, and to your surprise, you almost ended up crashing into a figure dressed in a red and blue suit as they swung by you. 

“Woah, who are you?! Where did you come from?!”

A familiar voice caught your attention, and when you took a good look at the person you nearly crashed into, your heart jumped slightly in your chest; it was the same hero from the fight in Berlin. The new hero who seemed to be as young as you were. 

Spider-Man.

At first, you were a little disappointed that he hadn’t recognized you. But then, you realized that Spider-Man had only seen you in your old suit and therefore wouldn’t be able to recognize you now. However, before you could speak up, Iron Man flew over to you and landed next to you, “(Y/L/N)! There you are! Watch out, this guy in dangerous. Try to stay out of his path and distract him while Underoos and I try to take him out.”

“Yeah, yeah, old man. How about you do the distracting and I do the ass-kicking for once?” You retorted, giving him a look that you knew he couldn’t see because of your mask. You noticed how Spider-Man’s head perked up at the sound of your voice, and you saw him observing you carefully. 

“Wait a sec, are you the same girl from the Berlin fight? The one who’s crazy good with her knives?” Spider-Man asked, the excitement and awe in his voice evident as he did so. 

“The one in the same, that’s me. Good to see you again, Spider-Man! Glad to see we’re on the same side this time!” You chuckled slightly. ‘God, how can he be such a dork but so cute at the same time?’ Your inner voice spoke up, but you quickly brushed it aside as a smile crossed your face.

“Peter, it seems like your temperature is rising. Is this because of the presence of the girl from Berlin?” Karen, Spider-man’s A.I. spoke up suddenly, which just caused him to blush harder than he was blushing before. “Not now, Karen,” Spider-man muttered quietly before taking a moment and then letting his excitement get the best of him.

“O-Oh, wow! Okay, um, I-I wasn’t expecting to see you again so soon! I, uh, I-I guess you’re here to help. Awesome, your suit’s new, it’s really cool. Mr. Stark, did you make her suit, too?” Spider-Man rambled off, slightly jealous of how cool your suit was and how good it looked and just happy to see you again. He could feel the heat spreading to his face. ‘Aw man, come on, Peter! You’re geeking out in front of this really cool girl and making a fool of yourself!’ Peter’s little voice sang, but that only made things worse.

Spider-man’s rambling was swiftly cut off when the large alien suddenly attacked and had almost struck him with his huge hammer. Spider-man leaped up gracefully to dodge the blow, and you swiftly side-stepped the attack at the same moment. 

“Again, you talk too much during fights, Spider-man!” You shouted out while laughing slightly, going into fight mode and grabbing your knives. The web-slinger was going to respond with a witty comment, but all that came out of his mouth was “What’s your name?!”

“Now’s not the time for flirting, Underoos! Ask her out after the fight!” Iron Man’s voice came over your comms, which made you snort quietly. Little did they both know that you would love that to happen. You stood by what you said to Spider-man the first time you met him; you thought the two of you would actually be really good friends. Maybe even something more.

You noticed the large alien going to swing at Peter, so you quickly threw a blade into the back of the creature’s leg, another into his arm and a third in his hand, pining it to the weapon’s handle. The creature roared in pain and turned towards you. You quickly went on the defensive and watched the alien closely, attempting to predict it’s moves. However, in a moment you hadn’t been able to forsee, the alien tore the knife from its hand free, and proceeded to throw it straight back at you. 

You didn’t move quick enough.

The sheer force with which the alien had thrown your knife back at you was enough to get it to go straight through your protective suit as if you weren’t even wearing it. Pain unlike any you had felt before blossomed in your abdomen as your own blade pierced through your suit and lodged itself in your flesh. You didn’t even have a moment to scream in pain before you fell backwards.

“Kid!” You heard Tony scream out, as well as Spider-man screaming, “Holy shit!”, but you couldn’t find where their voices were coming from. Suddenly, the large alien spoke something in a language you didn’t understand, and then, out of nowhere, a beam of light appeared on you and you found yourself being drawn upwards. Your body screamed in pain at the sudden movement, the knife digging in further, causing you to moan in pain. Suddenly, you felt something cool hit you and spread across your back. Spider-man had shot a web at you and caught you with it. 

“Hey! Miss! Hang on, I got you!”

You heard Spider-man yelling to you, and you had stopped moving for a moment. But then, the web connecting you to Spider-man snapped, and you continued being beamed up. You heard Spider-Man scream something, but your hearing had become poor and your vision went dark.

*TIME SKIP*

You must’ve blacked out from the pain, but when you came to, you were inside what you believed was the Q ship. What’s more, you weren’t alone; Dr. Strange was levitating feet away from you, with sharp, clear, needle-looking crystals only inches from his skin. You looked around and realized you, too, were levitating.

‘Oh, shit, (Y/N). What have you gotten yourself into? You’ve gone too far this time!’ The little voice inside your head screamed, and you went back into agent mode. You scanned your surroundings and tried to get your bearings. Then, you began forming a plan. What could you do to turn this situation around? 

Your whole body felt like you had been hit by a train and then some; a dull ache had settled into your bones and when you looked down, you realized you still the knife lodged in your abdomen. You suddenly had the overwhelming urge to vomit and panic rose inside you. Where was Tony? And Spider-Man? What happened to them? Were they even alive at this point? Were you going to die? Was this it for you? The end of (Y/N) (Y/L/N)? You were no longer in agent mode. You were freaking out and became a vulnerable, young teenager who was afraid to die and whose thoughts were racing a million miles per second. 

However, a slight bit of movement high above caught your eye. A glimpse of red and gold flashed by for a moment, and your heart jumped in your chest. ‘Tony... could that have been Tony?’ The little voice in your head asked hopefully, and it was extremely difficult not let your hopes up. You had to be realistic. That couldn’t possibly be Tony.

“Artoo,” you whispered under your breath, trying not to catch the attention of the alien and not letting him know that you were conscious, “Artoo, where are we?”

“We are inside the Q ship. The destination is still unknown. (Y/N), your life functions are getting close to critical. The knife lodged in your abdomen must be removed and the wound cauterized. Would you like me to analyze the best way to remove the blade?”

“Yes,” you hissed, “Also, scan the inside of the ship. Is anyone else here with us?”

After a brief moment of silence, Artoo spoke up once more, “There are a total of four other life-forms asides from you. Dr. Stephen Strange, the smaller, telekinetic alien, Tony Stark and Peter Parker are all on board this ship alongside you. Mr. Stark and Mr. Parker are currently 76 feet above you and are currently arguing about how Mr. Parker was not supposed to stow away on this ship.”

Your heart just about leaped out of your chest at the revelation. Tony was here. All hope wasn’t lost just yet. There was still a chance that everything could turn out okay. But...

“Who the hell is Peter Parker?” You asked Artoo quietly, confused by the name. You had never met anybody named Peter Parker. 

Before Artoo could reply, Dr. Strange began to scream in pain as the needles dug into his skin. 

“Painful, aren’t they?” You heard the alien speak, sounding somewhat smug, “They were originally designed for microsurgery. And any one of them-”

He suddenly stopped talking when a thud sounded somewhere behind him. The alien turned around slowly to see Iron Man standing there, hands up and lasers ready to fire at him before continuing, “-could end your friend’s life in an instant.”

“I gotta tell you, he’s not really my friend,” Tony said quickly, and had you not been in excruciating pain, you would’ve snorted, “Saving his life is more of a professional courtesy.”

“You’ve saved nothing,” The alien replied, bringing a large block of metal down towards him with his telekinesis as he walked slowly towards Tony, “Your powers are inconsequential compared to mine.” Another piece of metal also came towards him, and you knew he was gearing up to fight Tony. 

You tried reaching down to pull out one of your own knives, but you ended up crying out in pain as the knife in your abdomen dug in more. This caught the attention of both the alien and Tony.

“Kid!” Tony shouted, trying to get you to respond, but the alien simply raised his hand and a bar of flat metal wrapped itself around your mouth, effectively silencing you. He brought his finger to his mouth, “Shhh, don’t interrupt. You’ve already made more than enough of a mess of things.”

With that, the alien turned back to Tony, who replied, “Yeah, but the kid’s seen more movies.” 

As a small missile launcher popped up from Iron Man’s shoulder, you suddenly felt something cold and sticky on your back, arms and legs, binding you to the ground of the Q ship. Then, Iron Man fired the missile, which blew a huge hole in the side of the ship. The vacuum that was caused by the explosion sucked out the alien and ejected him into the void that was outer space. You screamed as you felt yourself being jerked and tugged towards the opening. You grabbed onto the webs that were holding you in place, hanging on for dear life and praying you weren’t about to die by being thrown into outer space. 

You heard Dr. Strange yelp and watched as he, too, almost got ejected from the Q ship to his death. His sentient cape, however, caught him and held him for a moment. But the vacuum was too strong. Dr. Strange slipped from its grip and your heart almost fell out of your chest because you genuinely thought he was going to die. But then, a flash of metallic colour went by and suddenly, before you could even figure out what happened, Dr. Strange was safe and there was not longer a hole in the wall of the ship. 

You slammed down into the ground, no longer being held up by telekinesis, and you cried out in pain again. You found it hard to catch your breath. 

“(Y/N)!” 

Tony’s voice called your name, and you found yourself being leaned against one of the walls of the ship.

“Artoo, agh!” You cried out, tears stinging your eyes at the pain. You tapped behind your ear twice, causing your suit’s mask to withdraw from your face. You brushed your hair out of your face, trying to understand what was happening. 

“The blade is lodged in (Y/N)’s stomach. Click the little button near the edge of the handle to release the blade from her flesh,” Artoo spoke out loud, instructing Tony on what to do.

“This is gonna hurt, (Y/N),” Dr. Strange spoke, and before you could even respond your vision went white as you screamed from pain. But it only lasted a moment and then, suddenly, you felt a lot better. You heard a faint buzzing noise and then a feeling of relief from your stomach. Tony had used a healing spray that was a feature in his suit to help your wound. 

“That should keep the wound clean and promotes healing,” Tony said, his suit disappearing back into his hoodie as he knelt down in front of you. He went full Iron Dad mode as he scanned you otherwise from head to toe, checking for more injuries, “Did you get hurt anywhere else, (Y/N)?” 

“No,” you breathed out, looking up at Tony and Stephen, “No, I’m okay.” You readjusted yourself so that you could sit up straighter and look around. “I do have a question, though. Artoo mentioned somebody named Peter Parker was on the ship with us. Who’s Peter Parker?”

“U-Uh, that would be me. I’m Peter Parker.”

A familiar voice spoke up, and when you looked over to where it came from, you saw Spider-Man himself standing there. However, his suit was different from when you had seen him earlier in the day. It was more... metallic. It looked like an upgraded version of his old suit.

“Spider-Man... Peter Parker... same person. Okay, that makes sense,” You nodded your head, giving a slight smile, “Looks like I should be jealous of you now. You got a major suit upgrade too!”

Peter chuckled in response, but he was still stunned by the fact that your mask was gone and he was just gazing at your beautiful face. ‘She’s so beautiful... And so skilled. Man, she’s so cool...’ Peter thought to himself. There were those eyes again, those (Y/C) eyes filled with fire and passion for doing what was right. But now, he saw your whole face. Your (Y/C), (Y/L) hair, your face, your smile, you. He was seeing the real you for the first time.

Boy, did he love what he saw. 

“Is your name (Y/N)? I heard Mr. Stark call you that, but i-is that your name? Like, for real?” Peter asked, stuttering lightly out of nervousness.

You smiled up at him and nodded your head lightly, “Yeah. I’m (Y/N), (Y/N) (Y/L/N). I’m an agent trained by S.H.I.E.L.D. and part of the Avengers as of a few years ago.”

At that, Peter had his own mask withdraw from his face, allowing his face to be seen by you. Your heart jumped in your chest and you felt butterflies in your stomach. ‘Oh no... he’s so handsome... and dorky and funny... crap, have I got a crush on Spider-man?’

Those brown curls, the softness of his brown eyes and the kindness on his face... it made your heart race so fast, you wouldn’t be surprised if Peter could hear it. 

“Nice to finally meet you, Peter Parker. I’m glad to see we’re allies this time,” You chuckled, slowly getting to your feet and trying to adjust to everything that happened. Peter stuck a hand out and quickly came to help you get up to your feet. When his hand grabbed yours to help you up, you could’ve sworn you felt electricity coursing through your veins. Maybe your suit just short-circuited. 

“Y-Yeah, haha! I don’t want to get my ass handed to me again by you. The bruises you gave me took longer than any others I’ve gotten to heal. My aunt got so freaked out she almost dragged me to the hospital!” Peter exclaimed, and part of you felt really bad for having caused him that much trouble. 

“I didn’t know that! I’m sorry that I did that to you, Peter. I honestly didn’t know how much of a threat you were and when I saw you fighting Sam and Bucky, I knew you’d put up one hell of a fight. I guess I went a bit overboard, I’m really sorry!” You apologized profoundly, turning bright red as you spoke and explained why you went as hard as you did. 

But Peter just shook his head and grinned a big, boyish grin, “No, don’t apologize! You were so awesome! Man, the way you shattered my web-shooter when it was still on my wrist with your knife but didn’t hurt me mid-swing, that was so cool! You managed to calculate the trajectory and nail the timing to achieve that without using any kind of computer or A.I. to help you! That’s incredible!”

Peter was geeking out about you and you about him, and the two of you continued chatting happily, despite being stranded on a spaceship headed who knows where in the galaxy. “You’re strong enough to stop a whole bus in less than three seconds when it’s going like 50 miles an hour! That’s unbelievable!” You exclaimed, completely amazed by the teenage boy in front of you. 

It turned out that the two of you got along really well and had a lot in common. The more you spoke to Peter, the more he liked you and the more you liked him. It seemed that your gut feeling had been right; the two of you got along really well and would be great friends. And one day, maybe the two of you would even become something more. 

Tony and Stephen watched as the two teenagers with extraordinary abilities bonded over ordinary things like their love of Star Wars films (”You named your A.I. Artoo after R2-D2?! That’s so sick!” Peter had exclaimed moments before) and their admiration of different superheros. 

“Do you think they’ll ever stop talking and realize that things are up in the air and we’re still very much in danger?” Stephen asked Tony quietly, glancing over to where the two kids were laughing together. Tony took a couple moments to observe (Y/N) and Peter and his heart jolted a bit at how much he was missing Pepper. He recognized young love when he saw it. 

“There’s a time and place for that. For now, let them be kids,” Tony replied softly, a small smile appearing on his face when he watched you punch Peter’s shoulder playfully, both of you still chuckling slightly and both of you pink in the face. “Let them be kids. Because after this, I’m not sure if they’ll have time to be kids anymore.”

[fourmisfitz]

Kinda maybe prompt reader passing out and roger being a full on biology geek that he is not letting anyone near them and gets snappy because "I know what I am doing go away "

“Go away, I know what I’m doing”

Gah I’m sorry this took me a hot sec to crank out! I kept restarting because I wasn’t happy with it, but I hope you enjoy the final product as much as I do! xx

(fluff & tension, not entirely historically accurate… hehe, enjoy my lovelies)

“Okay let’s go over…” You flipped over the review sheet in your hand, “Um- fractures, sure.” You impatiently shook your head, shrugging and dropping the paper in front of you.

Sat at a long table in the library on campus, you and your best friend, Nick, were going over concepts in an effort to cram for your kinesiology final. The pair of you were helping each other brush up on unfamiliar topics, but there were some you’ve avoided covering until the last while.

“Okay,” Nick agreed, reaching for his anatomy textbook.

Your leg was incessantly bobbing underneath the table until you noticed the water in your bottle beating with it.

“That’s on page-” He trailed off, pinching the pages as they flipped.

“-Eighty-seven.”

Your propped palm rubbed over one side of your exhausted face.

“Right.” He settled on a page with different fractures exhibited, both in cartoons and in real-life measure.

“After this maybe you could help me with the female anatomy.” He quipped.

You scoffed and rolled your eyes as he let out a chuckle.

Turning your head to your left, your mouth now hid behind your palm as your squished nose huffed over the brim. You glared out the large window across the room, watching the raindrops race down the glass. A pale, blonde student sat on the floor against the pane, his eyebrows furrowed as he focused in on a Biology textbook.

“Think you’re gonna need your book for this one, kiddo.”

Your eyes alone shot back to your right peripherals, analyzing the page for less than a second.

“ ‘m good.” You declared.

You sat up and leaned back into the chair, pushing against the edge of the tabletop with your hands.

“Just,” You outstretched an impatient palm at him, “Read it, and I’ll follow along.”

You returned your head to the gentleman, admiring the way his long hair swept aimlessly around his face, his eyes racing across the page.

“Okay, we’ll start with simple fractur-”

“-Hairline fracture. Next one.” You answered, now anxiously nibbling on a pen cap.

“…Right, but, the damage is only done to the bone. Like, here, for example,” Nick swiveled the book so you could see a depiction, but you just dipped your head back to ogle the dots on the ceiling tiles.

He let out an audible breath through his nose.

“You’re gonna need to be able to identify it on the exam, kid. Just look real quick so you know.”

“Just move on, Nick, I’ve got it.” You urged, not seeing him shake his head at you.

“Alright, alright, err- compact fracture.”

You continued to stare upward, the obnoxiously bright lights staring right back down at you as you rubbed your knees, trying to apply pressure and friction to offset the tingling sensation pecking at them.

You lifted your heavy head to face Nick, taking a deep breath. The last bit of your name left his lips as your ears adjusted to the pulsing beat flowing through.

“You alright?” His head bowed as he flipped the page but watched you cautiously.

“Y-Yeah, um, go on. Just continue, please.” You breathed.

Why was it getting harder to.. do anything?

“How is it that you can tell me all there is to know about muscle contraction but you don’t even know what basic fractures look like?”

You shrugged, dismissing him.

“Just. Go. On.” You huffed, resting your elbow on the back of your chair, leaning your head back into your palm.

He took a deep breath, ignoring it.

Trailing your eyes to your left peripherals again, you felt someone had been watching you. There he was, clad in denim that matched his eyes, making the moody weather seem calming. His statuesque allure was just sprawled out messily as his legs outstretched like a limp doll, but he looked so purposeful at the same time.

You bit your lip and glanced back to the upside down page Nick’s fingertips were skimming.

You felt your pulse in your ears - thrashing blood against your brain, it felt like.

“In a compact fracture, the bone will have broken through the skin-” his voice carried on, while the sound of your heartbeat flooded your head.

He prompted you with a blur of your name and you nodded, though it may have been delayed; you couldn’t really tell.

His voice pulled you out of it again.

“Comminuted fractures can be identified by-?”

Your eyes panned over the images again, page to page; no longer mere cartoons.

“Bones.” You breathed.

“I’m sorry?”

“Bone.” You muttered again.

Nick began to laugh admirably as your eyes stuck to the intolerable image.

“Yeah, I mean, you’re on the right track - it would be plural, I guess, but what’s special about it? C’mon, you know this.”

He noticed you were looking at the photos now.

“Here, take a look,”

Before you could protest, your eyes were glued to a photo of a patella, crushed. Fragments everywhere. You slid your palms off the table to wipe them on your pants, noticing you left sweat streaks on the tabletop. You gripped your kneecap to keep it in place; ‘though you knew it wasn’t going anywhere, you felt some threat seep into your head. All of this happened in a matter of seconds.

He spun his laptop around to show you an animated reenactment of a patellar fracture.

He curled his head around to observe with you while he pointed a finger- or two? Three? At different aspects.

“So, you see how it’s got this insane weight pressing down on it?”

You gulped, not being able to pry your eyes from it. Your lids began to flutter and twitch slightly.

“Bones everywhere but where they’re supposed to be.” You slurred, finally finishing the thought, laboured breaths coming and going.

“And then- SMASH!” He narrated as the fragile kneecap snapped, slamming an alarming fist on the table, and that did it. It pulled eyes from everyone, allowing the fellow students to witness what happened next.

Your head practically weighed a tonne as it guided you off the side of your chair, smacking the adjacent seat on your way down.

Nick was the last one to notice you were no longer seated across from him, having just felt the table rock slightly, but the audible smack had drawn his attention.

The last thing you heard was a faint echo of your name.

He exclaimed and shoved himself out of his seat to round the table to you, but someone else had already bolted over.

“Everyone back up and give her some space.”

Long blonde hair splayed across your cheek as he listened for breathing sounds. He lifted two fingers below your nostrils to feel for any exhuming air.

He swatted a dismissive arm behind him at a student who had rushed over about calling someone.

“No,” He felt a puff of air leave your nose, but it was small. “She’s gonna be alright; I’ve got this.”

“And who are you, may I ask?”

The blonde quirked his alert eyes up at Nick as his hands worked hurriedly, pulling your tucked shirt up from your waistband.

Nick knelt down on the other side of you.

“I happen to be her boy-… friend.” He defended, “Her- her friend who’s a boy…”

The frantic guy blinked and swayed his head expectantly - he was looking for a name.

“Nick.” He complied, incomplete without an eye roll. “And who exactly are you?”

“Roger. Right, Nick, she’s gonna be fine but I need you to either fetch some orange juice or back up.” He spoke quickly.

“No-”

Roger glanced up at him, one brow raised.

“N-No, I want to help.” He stammered.

“Alright, then, here- raise her legs about a foot in the air.” He instructed, his hands fumbling with the buttons of your shirt, just at the top, revealing the edge of your bra.

“Wait, what the hell do you think your-”

“It’s constricting her.”

Nick breathed unsteadily and glanced down to your face. You were pale as a ghost, a sweat sheath glossing your face and neck.

He noticed Roger swiftly sliding your belt off and tossing it to the side.

“And why are you-”

“Both are constricting her- God, do you know anything about unconscious hazards? Look, are you going to help or not?”

Nick stared at him for a moment, lips parted, taking way too much time.

“Oh, for God’s sake, move.”

With his left arm, Roger lifted your legs at such an angle that it sped up the course of blood towards your heart while keeping an eye on his watch. His eyebrows furrowed as he was now focused on nothing but you.

Nick settled back onto his heels under him, huffing at the fact that he was deemed pretty much helpless in this scenario, shoving a hand into his hair as he watched this stranger undress you.

After a moment, Roger shrugged his denim shirt off his shoulders and balled it up.

“Look, I know what I’m doing, so screw off or be of use to help your friend who’s a girl,” he mocked, “and go get her a damn drink, a’right?” He snapped, gesturing the crumpled shirt to the doorway.

“O-Okay, fine.” Nick complied, pushing himself to his knees and rushing out of the room as a few others meandered about the tables scattered around the big room.

Roger sighed, glancing back down at your ghostly limp body once he was gone.

“Alright, love, work with me here.” Roger coached.

You could feel a warm, widespread palm lift your heavy head, though your eyes weren’t open yet. It set you back down, but not all the way back to the carpet - something elevated your head, now.

He blew out a breath and tucked his dangling hair behind one ear.

Roger lifted your head from the balled shirt ever so gently and tilted it as he examined for any signs of bleeding. As he leaned over you to check the other side, your eyes fluttered open and you were awoken to the sight of a bare chest. You made a sound of pain as you lifted a hand to the side of your head, where you hit the chair.

Roger felt your head resist in his touch and noticed you were now awake.

“Are you hurt?” His endearing voice was low, brows pinched together as he searched your eyes.

You took a moment to process and shook your head slightly.

“Oh- right- my name’s Roger. You’re in the library, you fainted a few moments ago. I study biology here and-” He noticed the look of slight intimidation and cautiousness across your face. “How are you doing?” He restarted.

“Roger,” You repeated, drawing a soft smile from him.

You drew in your first deep, real breath, reaching the pit of your lungs, and you noticed the feel his fingertips from one hand beneath your neck as you lifted from the floor and settled back onto them.

“Roger,” You prompted, admiring his baby blues hovering about a foot above you as you reached a sweaty palm to the side of his face.

“Yes, love,” He spoke with a soft laugh at your delirious smile and gesture.

“Did I stick the landing?”

He swiped a sweaty strand of hair from your flushed cheek behind your ear as his smile grew, biting the inside of his lip.

“You certainly had quite the landing, love.” He offered.

“Roger,” You asked a moment later, once again.

“Mhmm?” He hummed, his expression half reading with concern and half projecting pure giddy admiration now that your eyes were able to make contact with him.

“Where’s my belt?”

His face pulled out of a trance as his eyes widened, reaching behind him.

“Oh, shit, right. Sorry ‘bout that.” He handed you the leather strap.

You reached a shaky hand to his outstretched forearm and traced a finger over his raised veins, ogling them and then back to his eyes again. You met his gaze that had shifted out to the rest of the room, outliers of students murmuring as they stood waiting to see if you were okay.

You glanced back at Roger and then began to hesitantly lift your arm, finally poking a stiff thumbs up into the air, trying to break the awkward tension permeating. Scattered applause erupted as Roger laughed breathlessly and dipped his head a bit more intimately towards yours.

“Do you have any idea what made you faint, love?”

You opened your mouth to speak and then choked out a breathy laugh before clearing your throat.

“I’m not the biggest fan of broken bones.”

“A kinesiology student?”

You nodded sheepishly, biting your cheek.

“-that doesn’t like… bones.” He teased.

You shoved his shoulder, shaking your head as he laughed again.

“Perhaps you just need a better study partner.” He quipped.

You looked around in confusion, realizing Nick was no longer around.

“Where’s- Where’s Nick gone? -My friend.”

Roger ignored his urge to smile and instead drew his bottom lip into his mouth and hung his head as he let out a small scoff-laugh, none of which you missed.

He returned his eyes to yours. Those baby blues gleamed and you felt your heart beating in your chest, fast, but, no longer overwhelming your ears.

“He’ll be back. Sent him to go do some good other than making pretty ladies sick to their stomachs.”

You shook your head, grinning wide before refastening your shirt.

He extended a hand towards you after he got onto his feet, lowered so he was able to keep a supportive hand behind you as you rose.

He watched your face as you adjusted to the blood rushing back down your body.

“Woah, woah, take it easy. ‘In no rush, darling.” He assured, his calloused hand still grasping your small one.

You took a deep breath and sat back down on the chair he pulled out for you.

He knelt down in front of you and your cheeks blushed a new shade of pink as his warm palms settled over your knees, his thumbs brushing the insides. He looked over his shoulder to see Nick standing there, clutching a juice box with pale knuckles.

“Nick.” You smiled weekly as Roger took the box from him, Nick’s gaze glued to you. Nick did something akin to a double take once he realized the juice had been taken and Roger was already aiding the straw to your mouth.

He looked back at Nick again as he let you take hold of the box yourself. He stood and reached out a hand for him to shake, but Nick just stood there, trying to unclench his jaw as he watched you over Roger’s shoulder, sipping quietly, a hand pressed to your temple.

“Did good for your friend, mate.” Roger offered a thin-lipped smile instead.

Nick swallowed hard, watching as he scooped up his shirt from the floor and dove his arms through it, not bothering to button it up.

Roger returned by your side, leaning down as he handed you a pen with a chewed cap stuck on the end of it.

You slurped the last gulp, feeling your energy return as you processed the situation with a much clearer head. You glanced up at him, a wide, genuine smile spread across his cheeks as his eyes delved into your own.

Setting the box aside, you took the pen from him, twirling it in your fingers as you eyed the familiar dented plastic of your doing, imprinted with teeth marks.

Before he could leave, you swiped his palm in front of you and Nick watched the two of you as you scribbled something down, unfolding his arms, his lips parting.

Roger stood up and frowned in concentration as he adjusted the proximity of his hand from his eyes, his glasses abandoned long ago with his textbook back by the window.

His smile returned as his moistened his lip in his mouth, looking back down at you nodding slowly, the cap-side of the pen being held between your pearly whites in a wide smile.

Roger turned back over to Nick as you did so, too, and sent a nod in his direction. He winked at you, and he was off.

You watched as he tucked his books into a bag with some drumsticks poking out and disappeared out a back door, the sides of his unbuttoned shirt flailing behind him.

“Don’t choke, kiddo,” Nick’s voice - oddly laced with a hint of a sternness - pulled you out of your daydreams as he stood in front of his laptop, promptly shutting it to discard the leftover animations of his study session. “Wouldn’t want you to faint again.” His eyes side-glared at you as he packed up the rest of his things.

You swallowed and removed the pen from your mouth, spinning it between your thumb and fingers again before glancing out the window to see a familiar figure strut past rushing students who opted to cover their heads in the rain. You saw him glance down at his hand and copy something into his phone from the smudging scribbles.

A shy smile crept across your lips as you breathed contentedly. You could see his hair becoming a shade or two darker from the rain soaking it.

You felt a brisk shove of air spritz your face, drawing a sound of surprise from you.

“Nick!” You laughed as he withdrew his hand, a squished, empty juice box clamped in it.

He chuckled. He had gotten you out of your trance, for a moment, before your gaze went right back to Roger, the guy in no rush in the rain…

Please let me know what you thought! Enjoy your days, loves of my life!

More written works in my masterlist,  and even more in my blurb page!

Permanent Tag List (inbox to be added/removed): @thesecondlastjedi @rogerinarogerina, @somekindofroger  (i lost track of some, sorry if this was the case for you; there were more but good thing i have a mastelist docking everything ive written there ;) )

[thegoodthebadthesickly]

Bad Things Happen Bingo Headache/Migraine-Peter Parker

Cross Posting this from Wattpad because I’m in love with how it turned out!

I copy/pasted, sorry if Tumblr flubbed the formatting!

@badthingshappenbingo

Request- Headache/Migraine

Fandom- MCU *Post End Game, but everyone lives*

Wow this is so long, but I just had way too much fun!

The aura hits him in fourth period,calculus. Peter wondered why migraines didn't have the decency to atleast wait until the end of the school day.

At first, it's just shimmering spots inhis right eye, like a wall reflecting the ripples of a pool. That,Peter can handle. He still has time.

By the end of the period, the tingling starts. Peter is just hopes he can make it through lunch at this point. Any time now. Leaving for lunch, he pulls up the hood of his jacket, hoping to block out as much light as possible. Maybe, just maybe, if he could stop the visuals auras, the migraine would change it's mind.

Peter is walking to the cafeteria,trying to focus on where his feet are going so he doesn't fall over,when Ned comes up behind him.

"Dude! I got the new limited editionIron Man lego set, with the mach 1 suit! My mom said I can stay overtonight and we can work on it, as long as it's okay with May. Ialready told my mom she said yes because May always says yes. What doyou say? Lego Bros? Or, do you have secret spider-man stuff to do?"Ned adds in a whisper.

Peter would be impressed that Ned had gotten all of that out in one breath, if the sudden noise hadn’t made him nauseous. Waiting for Peter to answer, Ned filled the silence, a skill he’d gotten all too good at.

"It's okay if you can't come over today. I bet you have something really cool going on with Mr. Stark. Are you working on a new suit? Are you working on his suit? If I got to touch an Iron Man suit, I think I'd transcend-" Ned rambles, waiting forPeter to respond.

"N-Ned, please, and I mean this in the nicest, most Lego Bro way possible, be quiet." Peter plead,stopping for a moment to lean his head against the wall. He thoughthe might be sick.

"Oh!" Ned mentally kicked himselffor not seeing it sooner. The not talking, the hood pulled up, andnow that Ned really looked at Peter, how pale he was could only meanone thing. Migraine. Peter had gotten them a lot when they were kids,but had grown out of them a lot in the last few years, only getting one every few months, and not getting any at all since the bite.

"I thought the whole Spider-man thingtook care of stuff like that." Ned said, at a much more manageablevolume this time.

"I thought it did too, but I guessthere are some things radioactive spider bites just don't account for." Peter said, stepping into line for lunch.

The spots in his vision are gettinglarger. Peter has to basically shift all of the weight off of hisleft side when the tingling gets so bad that he almost drops histray. He definitely wasn't going to make it to the end of lunch.

He and Ned find the table farthest awayfrom the crowd of chattering students, which is subsequently also thetable that Michelle has chosen. She looks up from her book just longenough to nod towards Ned and flip Peter off, but does a double takewhen she sees Peter. Usually when she sees Peter and Ned together,they're in the middle of geeking out over something, or talkingabout some big brain science stuff that she doesn't even try tofollow, her areas are math and literature. Something's wrong withPeter. Michelle looks him up and down, no babbling about nerd stuffor science stuff, no talking at all actually.

"What's wrong with him?" Michellenods her head towards Peter, who sits down and immediately pushes histray away to put his head on the table.

"Migraine." Ned quietly explains.

"I didn't know you got migraines." Michelle admits, there isn't much she doesn't know about anybody.

"The power of knowledge." Peter'smuffled groan comes from under his hood.

"Why haven't you gone home?"Michelle raised an eyebrow, making an effort to keep her voice at least a little quiet.

"I thought I had time." Peter moans.

"What?"

"I thought-" Peter starts again,cut off by something that sounds suspiciously like gagging.

"He got them a lot as a kid and used to be able to time them, and their symptoms, down to the minute."Ned explained once again, eyeing Peter and wondering if he was going to have to dive for the trash can. "Kind of like a super power."

"That is the worst super power I've ever heard of."

"Tell me about it." Peter deadpans.

"Why not just go to the nurse now? You've already been here for half of the day. You won't be countedabsent." Michelle pointed out.

Peter looked up at Michelle with dead eyes. Odd zigzags and shapes danced in front of his eyes.

"Do you want me to help you?" Ned asked.

Michelle almost offers to help, but that's really not how hers and Peter's friendship works, less caring words and offering to help him to the nurses office, more sarcastic words and shit talking each other. He would just think it was weird.

Peter weighs his options, he could wait to see if things improve, yeah he felt bad, but the migraine hadn't actually hit yet. If he went home now, there's no way May would let him out to patrol tonight. Secondly, the less desirable option, admit defeat. Even if he'd lost his touch, Peter knew that the migraine was on it's way, and it was probably going to be a big one. He could save himself some misery now by just going home.

Peter groans and lifts his head, uncharacteristically heavy now, and looks at Ned.

"I do have one problem with this scenario." Peter says.

"Peter, you can't st-" Ned starts, figuring Peter only wants to stay so he can do super hero stuff tonight. If he went home, there's no way May would let him out tonight.

"I'm not sure how well my legs work right now, basically my entire left side is numb."

"Is that normal?" Michelle asks, actual concern seeping into her tone.

"Sometimes." Peter shrugs, leaving out the part where he only goes numb if it's a particularly bad migraine. This was going to put him out of commission for the next two days.

Ned, not one to back down from protecting his friends, stood up and marched around the side of the table to Peter.

"Come on." Ned beckoned, moving closer so Peter could grab his arm for stability.

Peter took a steadying breath before grabbing Ned's arm and hauling himself up. The effort of standing had evidently only made things worse. Now, to accompany the ripples and sparks in his vision, the numbness and the tingling, there was a low ringing in Peter's ears and pain coming from somewhere around his neck, like somebody had been giving him a deep tissue massage a little to enthusiastically. Peter trips over his own feet as he maneuvers around to face the door.

"Woah" Ned catches Peter before he can fall on his face.

If Michelle hadn't been worried about Peter, she might have laughed at the sight.

"Ugh" Peter grunts, righting himself.

"Yeah, you need to go home, like, now." Ned observes.

Slowly, Peter and Ned make it out of the cafeteria. By the time they make it back into the main building with the nurses office, Peter can definitely feel the headache starting.

"I need a sec." Peter says, stopping to lean against Ned as a wave of nausea rolls over him.

"Are you gonna be sick? You're really pale." Ned asks, wondering for the second time if he'd need to dive for a trashcan.

"No. No. Keep going." Peter mumbles, his tone breathy. God, everything hurts. A feeling of "ick" had settled into Peter's bones, like he had the flu.

"Almost there, buddy. You good?" Ned asks softly.

"Good." Peter practically whispers.

Nurse Penny is all too surprised to see Ned Leeds practically carrying Peter Parker into her office. She's having lunch, a vegan macaroni and cheese, when Ned deposits Peter on the couch. Now, Peter Parker used to be a repeat offender in her office, but she hadn't seen him for months. In fact, he had stopped coming around for his inhaler and various other maladies right around the time that Spider-Man showed up in the city, but that was none of her business.

"Mr. Parker, Mr. Leeds." She greets the boys. "What can I do for you today?"

"Peter has a migraine." Ned says, knowing he doesn't have to explain anymore than that to Nurse Penny.

"Would you like me to call your aunt, Peter?" Penny acknowledges the pale boy on the bed, leaning his head against the wall and generally looking like death warmed over.

"Y-yeah." Peter tries to sound as dignified as possible, and then remembers that May left on a trip to see a cousin this morning. She'd offered to take Peter, but he needed to be available to the Avengers. May had softly lectured him about how he was still a kid and how he should at least take her time away to throw a party.

"Wait, she-she's out of town. She left this-this morning." Peter says. He could barely see anything for the rippling in his vision and the pain dial was slowly being turned up to twenty.

"Oh. Is there anyone else I can call?" Penny asks, looking at the approved caretakers. May Parker, Ben Parker, Tony Stark...Tony Stark?! Penny is sure she read that wrong. Someone must have put that down as a joke.

"Tony Stark." Ned offers.

So it wasn't a joke?

"Peter is an intern at Stark Industries. Mr. Stark wouldn't mind taking him home."

"N-no. I don't want to bother Mr. Stark. I can just wait it out." Peter says weakly.

Pursing her lips, Penny wonders what to do. She looks at Peter, who is getting paler by the minute, and at Ned, who just nods cryptically.

Still unable to believe that she's actually about to talk to Tony Stark on the phone, Penny picks up the phone and dials the number listed.

One ring. Two rings. Click.

"Tony Stark's phone. Pepper Potts speaking." Pepper answers, she hadn't said those words in a long time, but Tony was in the workshop blasting music and hadn't heard his phone ringing. She got up from the couch where she had been watching movies with Morgan, before she had gotten bored and left to see what Tony was doing in the workshop.

"Hi, I'm calling for Tony Stark. I'm the nurse at Midtown High and I'm here with Peter Parker. He has a migraine and needs to be picked up from school." Penny explains.

"Oh, poor thing. I'll let Tony know. Someone will be there shortly." Pepper says before hanging up, she can definitely empathize with Peter, having struggled with migraines for years.

"O-okay." Penny says, surprised. She wonders if Tony Stark himself will be showing up to retrieve the sick Peter Parker from school. Tony stark, with that hair, and that face, and that-Penny cuts her thoughts off.

Pepper takes the elevator down to the workshop, AC/DC getting louder all the way. When she steps out, the site that greets her is one she's seen all too often. Tony and Morgan are leaned over a machine with welding helmets on. Sparks are flying everywhere. Pepper tries to stand back, she already owns enough clothing with burn marks.

"Friday, can you pause the music?" Pepper says, knowing that she doesn't have to raise her voice for the AI to hear her.

"Sure thing, Boss Lady." Friday says happily.

The music stops abruptly. Tony and Morgan stop what they were doing and Pepper walks over to them, no longer in danger of ruined clothing.

"Tony, what have I told you about letting our child use your tools?" Pepper crosses her arms, seeing where sparks have burned little holes in Morgan's new shirt.

"I should always have her wear something over her clothes." Tony says sheepishly.

"You may be one of the wealthiest men alive, but you won't be that way for long if I have to keep replacing clothes as soon as I buy them. Also, Peter's school called. He's sick and they need someone to pick him up. I could have Happy-"

"What's the kid gotten himself into now?" Tony asks, trying not to sound as worried as he is, already taking off his welding gear. For a super hero, Peter Parker seemed to have more of a knack for getting himself into trouble than out of it.

"The nurse said he has a migraine. I didn't know he got migraines." Pepper admits.

"Me neither. I'll go get him. No need to call Happy, he's with his mom today." Tony doesn't want to admit that he struggles to trust anybody, even one of his best friends, with Peter's well being after the events of the past few years.

"Morgan, why don't you go upstairs and watch movies with mommy?" Tony picks up Morgan, placing her on his hip.

"Can I go with you and see Peter?" Morgan asks excitedly.

"No, not today. I don't think Peter feels too good." Tony explains as he removes the welding helmet.

"I can make him feel better." Morgan protests as Tony hands her over to Pepper.

"Why don't we go make up the guest room for Peter? I bet he's really tired." Pepper tucks a piece of hair behind Morgan's ear.

"He can borrow my Aunt Carol doll!" Morgan offered, referring to the Captain Marvel plush doll that Tony had gotten her for her birthday.

"That sounds perfect." Pepper said excitedly.

Pepper and Tony say in unison.

Tony gives Pepper a kiss and ruffles Morgan's hair before they head back upstairs and he leaves to retrieve Peter.

A Tesla pulling up outside Midtown high in the middle of the day was a weird enough occurrence, but when Tony Stark himself steps out of the Tesla, that's when things get interesting.

Tony thought lunch must have just let out by how many students were around to witness his arrival. He expertly wades through the sea of teenagers pulling out their phones and walks into the main building. He pulls to a stop at the reception desk.

"Hi, Tony Stark here to pick up Peter Parker." He says, taking off his sunglasses and hooking them to his shirt.

The secretary stammered for a moment before sputtering "Nurses office. Down the hall on the left."

"Thanks." Tony smiles.

He follows the secretary's directions and ends up at a door marked with a large red and white wreath reading "Nurse Penny". Tony knocks.

Nurse Penny, Tony assumes, opens the door and isn't quite quick enough with her expression to hide the look of surprise on her face to be opening her door to Tony Stark.

"Hi. I'm here for Peter." Tony looks into the room, the lights are dimmed and he has to strain his eyes to see inside. Once his eyes adjust, he sees Peter and his friend (Neville? Nehemiah?) sitting on the cot in the corner. On sight, Peter looks like death, and that's saying something. He's leaned against the wall with his eyes closed.

"This seems to be a particularly bad episode." Penny explains quietly. "He's become very sensitive to light and sound."

"May I?" Tony asked, stepping into the room.

"Of course." Penny side stepped.

Peter didn't react as Tony knelt in front of him.

Pete? Peter?"

Peter opened his eyes a sliver.

"Mr. Stark?" He mumbled.

"Yeah. It's me bud. I'm gonna take you home, okay?"

"M'head hur's" Peter whines.

"I know it does." Tony said, turning to Penny. "Were you able to give him anything?"

"I'm allowed to give him Excedrin, but I'm not sure how much that helped."

"Thank you, and thank you, Nathaniel." Tony turned back to Ned.

"I-it's Ned, actually, but I've been-I've been thinking of changing it." Ned stammers.

"Are you good to walk?" Tony surveyed Peter.

"Y-yeah." Peter whined. It felt like someone was driving an ice pick through his temple. He wished people would stop making so much noise.

"Let's get you up." Tony stands and holds a hand out to Peter.

Peter blearily opens his eyes and is met with Tony stark staring at him with his signature "worried dad" expression.

After a few attempts, Peter is leaning on Tony's shoulder, Tony's arm in a protective grip around his waist.

Now for the hard part.

"Hey Pete? I'm gonna open the door. It's probably really bright and loud." Tony says sympathetically, then he has an idea. "Here, put your hood up and put these on." Tony hands Peter his sunglasses, hopefully the absence of light would help make the short journey bearable.

Peter fumbled with the glasses for a moment before putting them on and once again pulling up the hood of his jacket, his vision was still blurry and he was only just starting to get feeling back in his hand.

"Ready?"

Peter mumbled something that Tony couldn't catch, he'd be lying if he said he wasn't a little freaked out by how despondent the kid was.

Tony opened the door and he and Peter set off. The teachers must have made the students go to class, not wanting to make a spectacle of Peter. Tony wasn't usually grateful for a lack of people looking at him, unless he had Morgan, but this time was an exception. He was glad he didn't have to wade through a crowd of people. With Ned following close behind, Tony and Peter slowly made their way to his car.

Once inside the car, Peter curled in on himself, trying to shut out as much sensory information as possible. Why did it hurt so much?

"Feel better man." Ned whispered sympathetically, trying not to breathe on Tony Stark's Tesla, before going back into the building with Nurse Penny.

Peter mumbled something unintelligible.

Tony closed the passenger side door as softly as possible and quickly walked around to the drivers side. Then they were off.

God, it's so bright. Peter thought. Everything hurt. Thinking hurt. Ow.

Peter thought the Excedrin that Nurse Penny gave him must have taken effect, because the pain, while it definitely not gone, felt slightly muted somehow.

"Pete? We're home." Tony's voice sounded far away behind the ringing in Peter's ears.

Peter looked up at Tony through the glasses. This wasn't his apartment?

"Mr. Stark, thi-this isn't my house." Peter mumbled quietly.

"Is there anybody at your house to take care of you?" Tony asked, already knowing the answer.

"No."

"That's what I thought you were going to say. I'll be happy to let you go home once you're feeling better, but I refuse to let you be by yourself in this condition."

"I'll be fi-"

"No. Nope. I don't even want to hear the word fine right now. You look half dead, Pete, and if you feel half as bad as you look, you definitely don't need to be alone. You'll stay with until you feel better, or your aunt gets back."

"How'd you know 'bout that?"

"Do I really need to answer that?" Tony asks, not expecting an answer. "Now, What do you say we get you inside, Pepper and Morgan made up the guest room for you." Tony smiled softly.

"Mmph" Peter grunted in agreement. Ow.

Peter looked up and Tony wasn't beside him anymore. The door opened behind Peter and then there was a hand on his shoulder.

"You ready?" Tony voice asked.

Peter tried to turn himself to face Tony. Everything was so bright. He could barely see.

Tony didn't wait for Peter to say yes. He pulled Peter into a sitting position as gently as possible, putting his hand on his back as he guided him out of the car.

"Ow" Peter muttered.

"I know it hurts. I'm sorry." Tony said ruefully.

Peter wanted to tell Tony to stop, the pain in his head was blinding, making him beyond nauseous.

"S-stop I'm-" Peter cried as he gagged, tears rolling down his face. His head was splitting open. He couldn't take the pain.

Tony fought the urge to step back, which would have definitely ended with Peter on the ground, as Peter vomited onto his shoes.

"I'm s-sorry, I'm s-so sorry." Peter cried, hiccuping.

If it hadn't already, Tony Stark's heart officially shattered. He felt so helpless, he just wanted his kid to feel better. His kid? Tony backtracked, he would have to unpack that later. He stopped and let Peter lean against the car.

"Hey, shh. It's okay. I can get new shoes." Tony reassured Peter, rubbing the kid's back and searching his pockets for anything to wipe the vomit and spit on Peter's face, the kid should at least have a little dignity. Aha! Tony pulled out a handkerchief that he never used, Jarvis, the original, had told him that a real gentleman always carried a handkerchief. He gently wiped the mess off of Peter's face and then, folding it up, tried to wipe away the tears.

"It h-hur's T-Tony." Peter moaned.

"I know, honey. Are you ready to go inside? Do you feel like you'll be sick again?"

Peter shook his head the tiniest bit, squeezing his eyes shut.

"Alright, take two." Tony once again wrapped an arm around Peter's waist and slowly pulled him into a standing position.

Slowly, the two made it inside. Thankfully, someone had turned out all the lights. Peter opened his eyes a little. Morgan and Pepper were at the door to greet them. Morgan, usually over the moon to see Peter, was silent. Pepper must have told her about Peter's condition.

Not one to ever ignore Morgan, Peter waved. Morgan waved back, remaining a safe distance away.

Pepper squatted and whispered something to Morgan and then they were gone. Tony and Peter worked their way up the stairs to the guest bedroom slowly.

After what seemed like an eternity, Peter was no longer upright. There was a pulling sensation at his feet. He opened his eyes a crack, thank you black out curtains, and sat up on his elbow and saw Tony untying the laces of his shoes and taking them off.

"You don't need to do that."

"Did you want to sleep in your shoes?" Tony asked sarcastically.

The pressure of holding himself up was too much. Peter could feel nausea creeping up again. He lay back down with a huff.

"I think I've got some old pajamas around here somewhere." Tony rubbed his neck as he put Peter's shoes by the door.

"I'm-"

"Peter Benjamin Parker, if you were about to say "I'm fine", so help me God." Tony lectured quietly.

Peter turned on to his side and faced Tony.

"It's just-" Peter squeezed his eyes shut again. OW. "I don't know how helpful I'll be at something like pajamas right now."

"Pete, I wrestle a six year old into clothing everyday. A seventeen year old can't be that different." Tony chuckled softly.

Peter's blushed, even more noticeable because of how pale he was, but he didn't protest.

Tony left and went to his and Pepper's room, trying to find the softest pair of pajamas he owned. He finally settled on an old t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants.

Tony walked back to the guest room. Peter hadn't moved. Tony hoped he may have fallen asleep. No such luck, Peter's face was scrunched up in pain.

"Pete?"

Peter opened his eyes, his face scrunching up in pain.

"I got you some more comfortable clothes, but I'm gonna need you to work with me."

As it turns out, undressing and dressing a near comatose teenager was different from dressing his fully coherent six year old. The removal was the easy part, but getting Peter back into clothing, that was going to be a challenge.

Tony started with the shirt. He carefully gathered the shirt and pulled the neck over Peter's head. Then came the arms. In his defense, Peter did try his best to help, but had pretty much lost all meaningful coordination and was basically the equivalent of a rag doll. At last, Tony pulled the shirt down over Peter's stomach.

The pants. The pants were more awkward than difficult. Being up close and personal with Peter's, ahem area, was not something Tony had fully thought through. Finally, he was able to pull the pants up around Peter's waist. He pulled the comforter up around the kid, who immediately curled up into a tight ball.

"Pete?" Tony sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Mmm?"

"Can I get you anything?"

"No" Peter said softly.

"Feel better, kid. Pepper and I are right downstairs if you need us." Tony stood up, gave Peter a once over and then left the room, quietly closing the door.

Peter didn't so much sleep as just doze for the next few hours, the pain didn't get any worse, but it didn't get any better either, and he couldn't ever make it all the way to sleep. Somehow though, his body must have given up, because when Peter woke up he could see a sliver of pinkish early morning light peaking through the curtains.

The migraine was gone, or at least the headache was gone. Peter still felt gross, like he was just getting over the flu.

Peter wondered how long he'd slept, migraines always left him disoriented. He tested each of his extremities, starting at his toes. He felt and groggy, all symptoms pointing to having slept way longer than his body was used to. He sat up slowly, knowing that vertigo would probably make him sick again if he moved to quickly.

Oh no. Peter cringed. He vaguely remembered something about throwing up on Tony's shoes and, yep, he wasn't wearing his own clothing, so the memory of Tony having to dress him was real too. Peter cringed even harder, if possible and worked to tuck both of those memories into the Do Not Read filing cabinet in his brain.

With his eyes adjusting to the darkened room, Peter saw a cup of something, probably Pepper's chamomile tea sitting on the bed side table. Peter reached out, it was still warm, he smiled. Next to it, there was a piece of paper. It was a get well card from Morgan. Peter smiled warmly.

After emptying his screaming bladder and drinking Pepper's tea, Peter walked down to the workshop, where he knew Tony would be, because the thought of Tony having a normal sleep schedule was laughable.

Sure enough, Tony was looking at a wall of holograms when Peter walked in.

"Mr. Stark?" Peter called.

"Oh shi-Pete! You scared me!" Tony jumped.

"What are you working on?" Peter laughed.

"A kid I know, Harley, has a tech startup and he asked me to have a look at some of the products." Tony smiled, running his hands through his hair. "How are you?"

"I'm good actually. Still not 100% if we're being honest, but better than, how long ago was that?"

"About 30ish hours." Tony provided.

"Woah." Peter didn't think he'd been out that long. "Can I help?" He asked, suddenly itching to do something besides sleep.

"Shouldn't you be resting?" Tony asked.

"I just rested for 30 hours." Peter shot back.

"True. I guess having you here is better than out there, getting yourself hurt." Tony admitted.

"Why? Is something happening? Do they need me?" Peter asked, on high alert.

"Kid, calm down. Everything is fine. I wouldn't be here if it weren't. Now, sit down and let me show you this kid's stuff." Tony patted a chair beside him.

Peter took a breath and sat down. He had to admit, Harley's designs were pretty cool.

[littlemarvelfics]

Come Back... Chapter One

Pairing: Bucky x Reader (eventually)

Word Count: about 1,000

Warnings: none

A/N: Ahh! Chapter one! I’m real nervous about keeping up with this and figuring out where to take it. Our boy Bucky is coming soon I promise! Please please please let me know what you think! This GIF was all I could think of. Send me an ask for a tag! You can find the series master list here and my main masterlist here. 

Previous Chapter

The next few hours seemed to go by impossibly slowly. You had finished your writing assignment and you had spent some time looking at old pictures. Pictures of you, Steve and Bucky as kids and through your teenage years. The three of you had been practically inseparable. Until Bucky decided to leave. Shaking your head to dispel the unpleasant memory, you slammed the photo album shut and put it away. You heard keys in the door and tilted your head in the direction of the door when it opened. Your boyfriend, Josh, wandered into the living room where you were curled on the couch.

“Hey, did you get dinner started at all?”

“Well hello boyfriend, I’m great thanks for asking,” you replied sarcastically.

He just raised his eyebrows in response.

“No, I didn’t. I got distracted,” you sighed.

“Oh,” he responded, clearly annoyed. “Well, I’m gonna get some stuff for work done. Call me when it’s ready?”

“Yeah, sure,” you said distractedly. And then you remembered your phone conversation with Steve earlier.

“Wait! Josh!” you said leaping off the couch after him.

He stopped and just hummed in acknowledgment.

“So, I got this invitation to a wedding in my hometown. I thought it might be nice if I went. I was hoping you would want to come with me?” you asked hopefully.

“I mean… why?”

“What do you mean ‘why’? So we could spend time together? So you could see where I grew up? So you could meet some of my old friends?”

“We spend time together already. I’ve already been to your hometown and you don’t talk to those people anymore so meeting them shouldn’t really matter.”

“I don’t even know where to start with all this,” you sighed. “We don’t spend time together because you’re always working or out with the guys. Which is fine or whatever. You haven’t been to my hometown, you’ve been to my parent’s house. They moved when I graduated high school. And these people are the reason I am who I am, so I would say they’re pretty important.”

“God, you don’t let anything go do you?!” Josh yelled, seemingly out of nowhere.

“Why are you getting mad at me right now? What could I have possibly said?” you said, desperately trying to keep your cool.

“Your dig about going out with the guys!”

“I barely even said anything! Can we please just go one week without another fight?!”

“Apparently not! I didn’t know I decided to move in with a psycho bitch!”

That stopped you dead in your tracks. You could feel any resolve you had breaking.

“Okay. That’s fine. Just fine and dandy,” you said tears threatening to spill.

Josh gave you a heavy sigh.

“I’m gonna go work.”

You didn’t say anything as he walked away. You took a deep breath. You never knew what to say when he started in on things like that. Maybe you were acting a little crazy. He was just telling you that he didn’t want to go to a wedding that you didn’t even want to go to either until Steve called you earlier in the day. Regardless of what he said, you needed to eat so you started on some pasta. About 15 minutes later you were standing at the stove, stirring the sauce when you felt two arms circle around you and a kiss on your shoulder.

“I’m sorry baby,” he whispered into your hair. “I’ve just been so stressed at work. I shouldn’t be taking it out on you.”

You sighed deeply.

“I know. I shouldn’t have brought it up. It’s fine,” you said in a tone clearly indicating it was anything but fine.

Josh either didn’t notice or didn’t care.

“We can go to the wedding. Maybe it will be nice to get away for a little bit.”

You smiled and turned around in his arms, wrapping your arms around his neck.

“Really? You’ll probably have to take some time off work. Steve texted me that he wants me to meet Peggy and reconnect with everyone. Plus, then I could give you the grand tour.”

“Yeah, that’s fine. I’ll figure it out,” he said, giving you a tight-lipped smile.

“Okay! I’ll book plane tickets tonight!” you replied, giving him a quick kiss before turning back to the stove to finish up dinner.

After eating dinner and cleaning up after, Josh headed out to meet some friends at the bar. You snuggled yourself up with your phone and a good book. You typed out a simple text to Steve.

Y/N: Hey Stevie. Count me and a plus one in for your wedding.

Steve: Yes! Wait plus one? Who?

Y/N: You said I could bring a plus one right? It’s my boyfriend Josh Phillips.

Steve: Yeah of course you can! I just didn’t realize you were dating. Who is he?

You paused before typing a simple reply.

Y/N: He is Josh and he’s my boyfriend.

Steve: Do I get anymore info?

Y/N: I dunno. He’s our age. Works for his dad’s company. We’ve been together about a year.

Steve: Gotcha, sounds boring which is not like you at all.

Y/N: Steve! Hush. He’s… stable.

Steve: Sure. A load of fun. The wedding’s on a Saturday. What day are you coming out?

Steve: Also where are you gonna stay? With me please?

Y/N: I dunno. I was looking at plane tickets. Maybe Wednesday afternoon? Leaving Sunday night?  And you want me to stay with you? The week of your wedding? Because I’m saying a big old hell no to that. Does Clint’s family still run that inn? Maybe I could get a room there?

Steve: Clint actually runs it himself now. But yeah, that’s where we’re getting married. I’ll text him and see what’s what. Hold on for one sec.

You put down your phone and thought about how easy already was to fall back into a casual routine with Steve. You would be lying if you said you didn’t miss him. You missed all of them. Even Bucky. You might be mad at him but he was still the first boy you ever loved. Feelings like that don’t just disappear. No matter how badly you wanted them to. Your phone buzzed again.

Steve: Alright m’lady. You’ve got a room Wednesday through Sunday. At least let me pick you up from the airport?

Y/N: Awesome! And that I will allow. Thanks Stevie!”

Steve: Anytime buddy. G’night.

Y/N: Night! :)

You shot a quick text to Josh letting him know the plan. You waited 30 minutes with no reply. Not that he ever answered your texts when he was out with the guys. So without his answer, you booked the plane tickets and hoped for the best.

Next Chapter

TAGS: @lovely-geek   @slender--spirit @londonlozzy