#otherwise. here i made muffins for everyone

[roley-poley-foley]

contains: consensual non-consent

"What's that you've got?"

Folio glanced up at Jolly, but kept thrusting. "Found him. I think he's lost. Look."

He grabbed the human by the hair, lifting his head for Jolly to see. He was gagged with a rag and a cheek was covered in dirt and pine needles, but his eyes were warm and gentle.

"Pretty, right?"

"Sure."

Folio dropped him and adjusted his position, fucking harder. The human could do nothing to save his fall as his wrists were bound behind his back.

"Good pussy, too. I think I'm gonna keep him."

Jolly had to admit that his ass looked appetising in Folio's hands.

"Just for yourself?"

"No way, dude," he assured him, "You gotta try this. Nick, too."

He sighed heavily, thrusting faster. The human grunted a little at the rougher treatment, brow furrowed. Before long, Folio was groaning and cumming inside, corrupting the pure creature.

"You guys are good," he murmured, "But human meat hits different."

"I hear that."

He pulled out. "C'mon, your turn."

Jolly started by turning the human onto his back so that he could see his round, pretty face, then tore the hole Folio had made in his trousers larger to examine him.

"Pretty dick," he commented, taking it and tugging down the foreskin.

Shuffling between the human's legs, Jolly lifted his hips and pressed his dick in. His hole welcomed him easily, used as it was, and Jolly set a quick pace that matched his hand on the human's dick.

The human grunted, whined through the gag. He probably hadn't been expecting to get much attention, as hard as he'd gotten under Folio's care, but Jolly liked to play. A warm hole wasn't everything.

The human shifted a little in Jolly's hands, but seemed to be resisting the pleasure, breathing deeply instead of moaning, keeping his legs stiff and tense.

"Come on," Jolly goaded, "Have fun with us. I want you to enjoy this too, you know."

The human tensed as he came, spilling over Jolly's hand.

"Good boy," he praised with a smile, "You don't have to hide how you feel with us."

He kept jerking the human's dick, and he looked up at Jolly with fear, whimpering.

"That's it. Come on."

He felt his legs twitching, then kicking as Jolly overstimulated him. He thrashed, whining and moaning in agony and Jolly had to release his dick to hold him close and keep fucking him.

"Let me help," Folio offered, dropping to his knees and lapping up the human's nectar before taking the dick in his mouth.

The human's hole felt incredible as his body fought to escape their ministrations. Fucking into a sleeve was one thing, but Jolly liked his prey to fight back: if the meat was too stubborn or broken by the others, overstimulating it was a reliable solution.

"You guys torturing puppies or some shit?"

Jolly glanced up at Ruffilo. When had he appeared between the trees? "Something like that. Folio found a new toy. He wants to keep it."

"No pets."

Folio stopped sucking. "It's not a pet if it's useful," he argued.

"It doesn't lay eggs and you can't milk it. It's a pet."

"Jolly milked it pretty good."

Jolly moaned as Folio's mouth returned to the dick and the hole spasmed around him. "Just give it a shot, yeah? This is a good one."

Ruffilo walked over, nudging the human's face with his foot. "You just want it 'cause it's pretty."

"It's a good hole."

"So's Nick."

"He likes what I do to him. And I can't train him."

Folio looked up at him with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Jolly rocked harder into the human. "Fuck."

He came hard, tainting the hole further as it twitched and coaxed more corruption into itself.

Folio pulled off. "Aw, you made him cry."

Tears were indeed streaming down the human's face. He looked deflated, sapped of energy.

Jolly pulled out. "Try him, Nick."

Folio lapped at the human's tears. "You better work, human. Else he might tell us to just kill you."

Ruffilo grabbed him by the scruff of his coat and dragged him to the nearest tree before turning him over. "Hold yourself against the tree."

The human was unsteady on his knees as he got up on his knees, bracing a shoulder against the trunk.

"You're gonna make me cum," Ruffilo told him, "We don't need a useless pet."

The human nodded.

Ruffilo sidled up and pushed in.

The human's movements were awkward and stilted as he fucked himself on the dick, like he hadn't quiet gotten the strength back in his legs. Ruffilo, ever merciless, raised an eyebrow at Folio.

"Give him a minute, we just wore him out."

"So I can't use him after you two? He just gets too loose and lazy?"

The human mumbled, moving faster.

"That's more like it," Ruffilo sighed, "Come on, nice and tight, human."

He let the human please his dick, holding his waist with a loose grip.

Folio reclined on the forest floor beside Jolly to enjoy the show. "Human knows his master when he meets him."

The human looked at them, then fixed his eyes on the ground, cheeks red.

"Aw, don't be embarrassed! It's cute."

"He better know who his master is," Ruffilo commented, gripping his hair and leaning in close, "I'd hate for him to be more trouble than he's worth."

The human shook his head, rolling back against Ruffilo.

"He responds well to threats," Jolly noted.

"You guys overthink," Folio replied.

"You're just happy when you have a warm hole to fuck. Me and Nick have refined tastes."

"He seems like he can sate them," Ruffilo admitted, gripping the human's waist tighter and finally fucking him.

The human had little opportunity to prepare, shoulder bruising against the tree with the force of Ruffilo's thrusts. He grunted and tried to meet them, haphazard and desperate to please his new master.

"He's gonna need to be washed," Jolly said, "Before we bring him inside."

"You just wanna get a better look at him," Folio teased, "Check out the goods."

Maybe. Who could blame him?

"We'll see how much Nick wears him out," Folio suggested.

As if the human had much left in him after being subjected to Jolly and Folio anyway...

By the time Ruffilo stilled, fingers digging into the human's flesh, he looked like those fingers were all that help him upright. Sure enough, as Ruffilo moved back, he fell back onto his heels and started tipping sideways.

Jolly darted forward to catch him and pull the gag from his mouth. "You good?"

"The river's cold," Noah mumbled, gripping Jolly's arm with a shaky hand, "I don't wanna wash."

"That's okay, we'll just go home."

He buried his face in Jolly's neck as Jolly picked him up.

"Playtime's over?" Folio asked as he and Ruffilo got up to follow Jolly, "I guess he's gonna need some cuddlin'."

"Not from you," Ruffilo replied, "You're gonna be busy making dinner. It's still your turn."

[helloalycia]

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐋𝐎𝐑 𝐄𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 [𝐓𝐖𝐎] —𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐋𝐎𝐑

summary: Jackie and you become closer and she takes it as a challenge to make you fall for her charms.

warning/s: none.

author’s note: part 2 is finally here, sorry for the delay! i’ve had a migraine all day otherwise i would’ve posted this earlier 😅 hope you like it!

one / three / masterlist / wattpad

A month passed and any reminder of my conflict with Leroy and Tiffany had faded into oblivion. Jackie was correct in assuming they'd drop their beef with me, and once my hand was healed and Jackie's face no longer looked like an overly inflated balloon, there was nothing left to remind me of the incidents that occurred.

The only thing to come out of the whole experience was being a little more than acquaintances with Jackie. I couldn't go as far as saying we were friends, but she definitely felt the need to greet me more whenever she saw me in class, and I didn't mind returning the favour.

The real shift in our relationship began when Van, Jackie, Shauna and I were grouped up for a History class project. It was a presentation we needed to pull together, so we'd all made plans to meet up to discuss everything over coffee, which is how I found myself driving there with Van in my new car.

"You know you're gonna have to take me everywhere now," Van pointed out from the passenger seat with a grin. "I'm gonna be your passenger princess."

I laughed. "Hey, I don't mind. It's a bit of a rust bucket, but it beats skateboarding everywhere." I paused, then added, "Who am I kidding? I'm gonna miss skateboarding everywhere."

"We can still hit up the skate park every now and then," she promised. "But driving is a lot easier, you can't lie."

I smiled in agreement. After using some of my savings and convincing my parents it was time to get a car, they bought me an old, second-hand banger from one of my dad's friends who owned a garage. It wasn't the best looking car, but after a wash and a little bit of sprucing up with some car accessories, it looked decent enough to serve its purpose.

Conveniently, I pulled up at the coffee shop at the same time as Shauna, who was parking a few spots down. When Van and I jumped out the car with our bags, Jackie and Shauna were already approaching us.

"Hey," Shauna greeted us both with a smile, before nodding with approval at my car. "Love the new ride, Y/L/N."

"Thanks," I said with proud smile.

"You got to the part where you have to fill the tyres with air?" she asked with amusement. "It's so awkward when everyone watches you do it."

I snorted with amusement. "I'll be lucky if I get that far. This thing is trying its best right now."

She chuckled and glanced over it once more. "It's still pretty nice. Gets you from A to B, right? Driving saves so much time, trust me."

"Very true," I agreed, before I noticed Jackie checking it out curiously, having greeted Van already. I quirked a brow as I jokingly asked, "What? Not up to the princess' standards?"

Van and Shauna exchanged amused glances whilst Jackie shot me a playful glare.

"That's not what I was thinking," she said matter-of-factly.

I stopped by her side to look at it like she was, giving her a sideways glance. "I was kidding. Kind of."

She gave me a knowing look. "It's nice."

I tried not to laugh as I said, "Thank you."

She rolled her eyes playfully before the four of us headed inside to find a table. After claiming a booth in the corner, we pulled out our supplies and textbooks to get started.

"I'll go order our drinks," I offered, before we got stuck in. "Everybody know what they want?"

After they shared their orders with me, I slid out the booth to get in the queue, but Jackie slid out alongside me.

"You might need more hands to carry it," she said, when I quirked a brow.

I shrugged and the two of us got in line to order. It didn't take long to reach the front, and after giving the barista our order and paying, Jackie decided she wanted a muffin that was on display.

"Shoot, I'm so sorry to be annoying," she said with her signature smile, albeit a little apologetic, as she pointed to the muffin. "Please can we get that too?"

The guy, probably no older than we were, nodded eagerly and got the muffin for her, placing it on the tray. "Of course. It's on the house."

I resisted the urge to smile as I raised an eyebrow, watching Jackie laugh flirtatiously.

"No! Really?" she asked with bright eyes. "You're too sweet!"

The guy shrugged casually, his cheeks turning pink as she gave him all her attention in this moment. Before we knew it, our drinks were added to the tray and I picked it up to leave.

"Thanks again," she said with a tilt of her head and a matching smile.

He watched her leave distractedly, and only when we were walking away did I let out a quiet chuckle at what I'd just witnessed.

"What?" she asked, glancing at me, as if she didn't know what she'd done.

I gave her a look of disbelief. "Seriously?" Her confused expression forced me to continue. "You just bat your eyes and get what you want?"

She looked up thoughtfully before nodding. "Pretty much."

Breathing out through my nose, I shook my head with amazement. It made sense that even strangers fell victim to the Jackie Taylor effect.

"Can you get some napkins?" she asked, flashing me the same smile she gave the barista, but I would be damned if she thought she could fool me.

"Not a chance," I said with a stifled laugh, equally amused by her frown as I was her audacity.

I returned to the booth as she went to grab some napkins for us, and the four of us got stuck in immediately. As well as getting the base of our presentation researched, we also had a nice bonding session. To be fair, Van already knew Jackie and Shauna well, but I enjoyed getting to know them too.

I especially learnt that Jackie was pretty used to getting what she wanted whenever she wanted, and having people fall head over heels for her. This was something that came to light the more time we spent together working on this project. I guess you could say that the project is what intertwined our lives again once more.

—

After yet another studying session with Jackie, Shauna and Van in the library last night, I realised I grabbed Jackie's notebook by accident and planned to return it to her the next morning at school. I found her by her locker, but she was in a conversation with Jeff and I debated whether or not to interrupt.

They weren't together, the two of them surprisingly staying broken up unlike the many other times they'd somehow got back together, so it was odd to see them talking. But it wasn't any of my business, even if I was a little curious to whether they were back together – especially after everything that happened – so I just sucked it up and politely interrupted.

When I stopped by their side awkwardly, their conversation fell quiet and Jeff glanced at me, no doubt thinking of the whole Leroy incident. Without another word, he walked away, leaving Jackie and I alone.

"Sorry," I said to her uncomfortably, before holding out her notebook. "I just wanted to give you this."

"Oh, thanks," she said, blinking, before accepting the notebook. "I was looking for this all morning."

"Yeah, I must've grabbed it by accident," I said with a small smile. "My bad."

She nodded, and I was about to leave, but then she met my eyes and said, "That wasn't–"

She'd stopped, so I prodded, "Wasn't...?"

Uneasily, she explained, "He's been trying to get back together with me. Jeff."

I chewed on my lip, unsure what to respond, because she didn't owe me any kind of explanation. But a small part of me was nosy enough to want it.

"I'm not stupid, obviously," she continued.

"Obviously," I repeated in agreement, otherwise stumped for words.

"But yeah," she finished, a small, awkward smile on her lips. "That's it."

I mirrored her smile, nodding. "Awesome... er, thanks for the update."

She cleared her throat, nodding too, and then an uncomfortable silence filled the air. I was relieved, though I would never admit it, to know that she wasn't considering going back to him. It only reaffirmed all she'd said about listening to me, and it showed that she respected whatever friendship we seemed to share.

"I'll see you in class," I said, straightening up.

She relaxed her shoulders. "Yeah. See you."

—

Shortly after finishing our group assignment together, Jackie felt the need to work with me more often, for whatever reason. She had a lot of friends, so I couldn't see why she needed me in the mix also, but I guess I wasn't totally against it.

I was walking into Chemistry class when I spotted the blonde sat where my usual lab partner, Dennis, sat. Getting a sense of deja vu, I watched her questioningly as I set my stuff down in my seat.

"Is there a particular reason you're sat there?" I asked, when she flashed me a nonchalant smile.

Placing her chin in the palm of her hand, she stared at me through her lashes. "I feel like you don't know me well enough. So, I switched partners."

I resisted the urge to laugh, oddly intrigued by whatever game she was playing. "I mean, we've only been in the same classes all our life, but–"

"It's not the same," she insisted with a wave of her hand, making me laugh.

Not caring enough to be opposed to her trading seats with Dennis, I took a seat beside her and began to get my books out. As I did, our teacher, Mr Turner, approached our table with a stern expression.

"Miss Taylor," he addressed her. "Can I ask why you're not sitting in your assigned seat?"

I watched on with amusement, wondering how she'd get herself out of this one. But if she was sweating in the slightest, it didn't show.

Shooting Mr Turner her signature smile, she said, "I'm sorry, Mr Turner. I was just about to come and ask you permission. I thought moving beside Y/N here would help improve my grade and be less of a distraction than my old partner."

I quirked a brow, glancing between him and her, and watched as his expression softened slightly. Holy shit. The Jackie Taylor effect worked on teachers too?

"Very well," he conceded. "I suppose that's alright, if it's for the betterment of your learning. Just don't let me catch you chatting through my teaching, alright?"

She nodded innocently. "Of course. I'd never disrespect you like that."

My mouth opened slightly with disbelief, her pure arse kissing astounding me. Mr Turner nodded appreciatively before returning to the front of the classroom, and Jackie turned to me with a cheeky smile.

"I'm impressed," I admitted. "Everybody really loves you, huh?"

As she grabbed her book, she shrugged, though gave me a sideways glance as if she was pouting. "Almost everyone."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "C'mon, Jackie. You have the whole school– heck, probably the whole world at your fingertips. Why are you so adamant on making me like you?"

She raised her brows impatiently. "Because I'm likeable!"

The pink tinge on her cheeks, darkening her already-existent blusher, paired with her impatience only served to make me grin. If I'd known treating Jackie Taylor like this would get her so flustered, I would have done it more often. It was definitely entertaining, and she was going through more effort than she needed to, which only made me laugh more.

As amusing as it was though, I knew she'd give up soon. I simply refused to let myself slip under the Jackie Taylor spell that she had over everyone – doing whatever she wanted, treating her like she was god's gift, there at her beck and call... Unlike every other poor soul who genuinely believed they had a chance with her, no doubt because she had a power to make you feel that way, I wasn't naive. Jackie Taylor was out of my league, as a friend or anything more.

I wasn't blind. Her powers of seduction were rooted in her beauty and ability to turn heads wherever she went. It was normal to have a tiny crush on her, I was sure of it, but I'd never let it be more than that.

Of course, there were small micro-moments where I'd let myself indulge for once, to be a little selfish and delirious. Like now, as she sat beside me in class, nodding along to what Mr Turner was explaining. From the corner of my eye, it was easy to make out the perfect curve of her jaw, the glossiness of her lips, the flutter of her eyelashes. And it would have been even easier to give into it all, especially when she asked me to grab her a lab coat from the back of the classroom, a soft smile on her lips and a single bat of her eyelashes.

But all it took was one relinquishment of power and I'd be just another fool who let Jackie Taylor create delusion in their heads. And I refused.

"I don't know what the arrangement between you and your last partner was, but here, you do things yourself," I said with a suppressed smile, appreciating the way her face dropped.

She tensed her jaw slightly, before trailing along behind me to grab a lab coat. After suiting up, we returned to our desk and I got out the lab equipment whilst she read over the worksheet we'd been given.

"Okay, first step is to turn on the bunsen burner," she read aloud, glancing at me expectantly.

"Great." I pushed over the bunsen burner to her. "Go on."

Indifferently, she straightened up and began to connect the hose to the bunsen burner, shooting me a knowing look as she connected the whole thing to the gas tap.

"I know how to do things myself, y'know," she said disapprovingly.

I chuckled. "I know, it's just fun watching you actually do it."

She huffed dramatically before twisting the gas tap without warning, making me jump back quickly as the flame lit up. Her eyes widened as she twisted it off, before falling to me with both concern and amusement.

"Shit, are you okay?" she asked, hand covering her mouth, but a smile was threatening to break out.

I released a breath, touching my shirt which almost set on fire, and shot her a look. "I am, yeah. No thanks to you!"

She began to laugh quietly. "I'm sorry. See? If you'd just done it for us, that wouldn't have happened."

"Oh, if I'd just done it for us?" I asked sarcastically, mimicking her voice.

"Yeah, you should've just listened–" she started, eyes darting between mine with entertainment.

"I should've just listened," I agreed, still as sarky as ever.

"Yes," she agreed between laughter.

I sighed, giving into my smile as she watched me with dismay. This was going to be a long lesson.

—

As much as I hated to admit it, I was enjoying having Jackie as my lab partner, looking forward to the hour lesson where she was as careless as ever when it came to our experiments, but to the satisfaction and humour of me. Of course, she could never know that all of her efforts to sway me were working, so I played it cool.

I definitely didn't expect to see her beyond that, so I was especially surprised when I showed up to the local community centre after school with the intention of improving my college application and saw her waiting outside with a few other students. I did a double take, her face being the last I expected to see.

"Hey," she said when she recognised me, moving to stand beside me with her usual blinding smile.

"Are you stalking me, Taylor?" I asked jokingly.

"You wish," she retorted with a playful eye roll. "I'm here because it looks good for my college application."

"Ah, of course."

She lifted a brow. "You?"

"Same," I admitted sheepishly, making her laugh.

Once the other students turned up, there were thirteen of us in total and the manager of the community centre met us outside to brief us. We were to work on the community garden over the coming weeks, helping to clean it up and plant some fresh produce and flowers to brighten up the place. Only once it was complete would we get a certificate of recognition for our efforts.

We got stuck in straight away, everyone assigned to different areas. Jackie and I were working on planting the flower beds, so the first thing to do was bring over the soil to the designated area. I heaved the giant bag of soil over my shoulder and brought it over, dropping it to the ground with a sigh and wiping the sweat from my head.

Giggling made me look up, and I watched as Jackie got some freshman to grab her bag, twirling her hair and fluttering her eyelashes as he dropped the bag beside mine.

"You're too sweet, Johnny," she said with a classic tilt of her head, touching his arm. "Thanks again."

He shrugged casually, clearly affected by her attention. "Anytime. You need a hand with anything else, just let me know."

She nodded in agreement and watched as he walked away before her eyes found mine.

"What?" she said like it was obvious. "It would've gotten my nails dirty."

I glanced down at the soil staining my shirt, before giving her a knowing look. "Wait until you start to plant the seeds."

Kneeling down, I used the spade provided to dig out the old dead plants from the flower beds. She kneeled down beside me, careful not to dirty her skirt as she did, and watched my hands work.

"I'm curious," I said, glancing at her. "Were you planning to help at all?"

She straightened up with a sense of pride. "Of course." And then reluctantly, she used her hands to help me remove the old plants, but not without pulling a face.

I tried not to laugh as I watched, finding a sense of satisfaction as her fingernails did indeed get stained with soil. Working alongside her, I used the spade to dig out the next plant, but it skidded across the soil, the plant too firm, and I ended up flicking a handful of soil at Jackie.

"Oh, shit," I said with a stifled smile, watching as she looked down at her clothes. "Sorry."

She breathed out slowly and dusted the soil off, but it left dark tracks in its midst. "It's fine."

"Good thing you wore your old clothes, right?" I asked, biting my lip to contain my smile.

She hummed in agreement, jaw tensing slightly, and a grin fell upon my lips. Everything she wore looked too nice to be considered old. Poor Jackie was probably not expecting to lift a finger.

For whatever reason, whether it was to prove me wrong or to prove her own point, she actually helped me with our tasks, no longer using freshmen to get everything done. It was fun, working with her, and it only gave me more time to appreciate spending with her.

Once we'd done our assigned two hours, it was finally time to leave for the day, and Jackie and I walked out together. Parked a few cars down from mine was Shauna's, and I gave Jackie a look of disbelief.

"You made Shauna pick you up?"

"Duh," she said with a shrug.

I breathed out slowly, looking up and shaking my head. "Why do I still get surprised?"

"What? That people love me?" she asked with a teasing voice.

"Yes."

She rolled her eyes, lips pressing into a smile. "I'm sure you'll figure it out. Until then, see you tomorrow."

I waved goodbye to her as she kept walking, trying to understand the hold she had on everyone. Her and her silly smiles and silly hazel eyes and silly raspy voice.

Annoyingly enough, I was starting to see it.

—

I found myself in Chemistry class later that week, doodling on my notebook as I waited for class to properly start. Jackie arrived as usual, greeting me, and when I looked up, I took a moment to find my words.

"You look different," I said without thinking, trying to figure it out.

"I'm pretty sure I don't," she said with a chuckle, sitting beside me like always.

But no, there was something different about her today, something that had me admiring her a little more closely than usual. And as I was subtly studying the freckles on her face, the slope of her nose, the golden flecks in her eyes, it hit me.

"Your hair," I said with realisation, making her look up. "It's up. You never have it up."

She lifted a brow with amusement. "I guess, maybe not often, but..."

She'd worn her hair up before, obviously, but her signature look was to leave it out, freshly curled. So, seeing her with it up just happened to draw my attention more, and also show off her pretty face a bit more, which I guess is why I noticed.

Satisfied that I'd figured it out, I nodded. "Yeah, that's it. It looks pretty like that."

Her lips curved into a soft smile, eyes darting away from mine in an uncharacteristic manner. "Er, thanks."

I didn't think much more of it as I returned to my doodling, but then from that day onwards, I noticed she began to wear her hair up more often. And every single time, I found myself admiring her secretly, letting myself indulge just that little bit more.

—

Promising to pick up Van from soccer practice today, I headed to the field to wait in the bleachers for her, having killed time studying all I could before my brain would fry itself. I was a little early, so the Yellowjackets were still practicing.

I took that as my opportunity to get comfortable at the bottom of the bleachers, feet leaning on the ones in front of me as I pulled my headphones on and focused on my book. I was deep into it when something hit me and I jumped, startled.

Yanking my headphones off, I looked down to see a bottle cap, and then looked up to see a laughing Jackie stood by the bench on the field, bottle of water in hand.

"Thanks," I said sarcastically, before tossing the cap back at her, which she swiftly dodged.

"What are you doing here?" she asked with a grin.

Admittedly, she looked really cute right now, dressed in the school gym kit, a little sweaty and her face flushed pink from all the running she'd done. But I would never give her that satisfaction, so sarcasm was my next best defence.

"Oh, I just had to come and see Jackie Taylor in all of her team captain glory."

She raised her brows, pausing. "Really?"

"No. I'm here to pick Van up."

She scoffed gently, rolling her eyes.

"As much as your many admirers would love to watch you practice, I'm not one of them," I teased.

"Hilarious," she said with narrowed eyes, making me grin. Dismissing my mockery, she asked, "Are you coming to the pep rally tomorrow? First game of the season is this week."

I leaned back, thinking about it. "Eh, why not?"

Hand on her hip, she shot me a disapproving smile. "Don't sound too enthusiastic or anything."

I crossed my legs comfortably as I met her challenging stare. "I'm not big on the whole soccer thing. I'm just going to support Van. That's what a good friend would do."

She began to smile, a glint of amusement in her gaze. "A good friend, huh? Pat yourself on the back much?"

"Someone has to."

She looked away with disbelief, hiding a smile. "Wow, I see."

I quirked a brow, smile forming on my lips. "See how annoying that is? That's what it's like having a conversation with you."

She pursed her lips as she looked over me with feigned irritation. "Touché, Y/N."

I flashed her a satisfied smile as she finished the last of her water before flipping me off then jogging back to the others. I chuckled to myself as I watched her leave, admittedly checking her out as I did. Stupid Jackie and her stupid cute face.

—

We were well into October when it happened. I couldn't have seen it coming in the slightest.

Lottie, one of Van's teammates, was hosting the ultimate Halloween party at her mansion of her house, able to get away with it because her parents were away. Everybody was attending, and if Van herself didn't invite me, at least ten other people had because of how awesome it was supposed to be. Naturally, I said yes, loving a party more than anyone else but especially a costume party.

So, I showed up with Van and Taissa, the latter opting for a Catwoman costume that she very much pulled off, and Van and I dressing up as two of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – her as Michelangelo and myself as Leonardo. They were iconic outfits, what could I say?

Of course, I may have felt a little stupid when we met up with the rest of Van's team, including Jackie who looked drool-worthy in her Supergirl costume.

"Wow, you two look...," she began when she saw Van and I, eyes flickering between our matching costumes. "It's very you."

Van swung her nunchucks in agreement. "I thought so too. Love the sexy Supergirl getup."

Jackie stifled a smile as she nodded in acknowledgement, before her eyes fell to me. "Which one are you? Raphael?"

I pointed to the blue bandana over my eyes. "Leonardo, obviously."

A grin broke out on her lips as she touched the bandana, pulling it over my eyes a bit better and also sending goosebumps all over my skin at her touch. "Obviously."

I swallowed thickly, trying not to let my eyes drift below her head, because her costume was very tight and she looked very good right now.

"Nat's pouring everyone drinks in the kitchen," she said, looking between the three of us. "You coming?"

"Hell yeah," Van spoke for us all, raising her nunchucks in the air, before glancing back at Taissa and I. "Leonardo and Catwoman, on my six!"

I cracked a smile as I readied my sword and followed after my idiot best friend. 

It was admittedly an eventful first few hours, with Van and I stressing Taissa out enough times that she was forced to take our pretend weapons off us for the rest of the party. Apparently assuming the personas of our costumes wasn't going down well with her, which, in hindsight, was fair when I remembered how drunk we got.

At one point, I found myself rambling to some random guy about the lore of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, aware that he was passed out on the couch beside me but still talking anyway, when Jackie strolled over to me, just as drunk as I was.

"There you are," she said with a grin. "Come dance with me."

"Jackie, I'm in the middle of a conversation," I said, motioning to my passed out friend.

"He's asleep, idiot," she pointed out, before outstretching her hand and wiggling it. "Come on."

I batted her hand away. "I don't dance."

She lost her smile as her patience ran quicker now that her inhibitions were lowered. "Y/N."

Finding it amusing, I motioned around us. "There's a billion people here. One of them would kill to dance with you. Why not ask them?"

"I'm asking you," she said through gritted teeth.

Not really aware of her anger, I pushed myself off the couch with a stretch. "I'm hungry."

She glared at me as I walked away, pushing through the party-goers and intending to find the kitchen, but Lottie's house was huge and I'd already forgotten the layout. I opened several wrong doors, and then on the last one – some sort of games room – I felt someone shove me from behind, forcing me in.

"Hey–!"

"Why does nothing work with you?!" Jackie interrupted my complaining, shutting the door behind her and fixing me with a frustrated stare.

I blinked, confused.

She scoffed, uncrossing her arms and rolling her eyes. "I've been trying to get your attention for months, you idiot! I even started–" she faltered, embarrassed, "wearing my hair up because of one stupid compliment you gave me."

My brain was working slower than usual, so her words were catching up to me little by little. "I noticed that."

Still not happy, she narrowed her eyes at me. "Why do I even try?"

Realising this was about the Jackie Taylor effect, as I'd rightly dubbed it now, I said, "Everybody loves you. Why is it so important if I don't?"

Her eyes flickered between mine, and I was certain she was going to slap me or berate me or shout at me. But then her expression softened and she admitted, "Because I want you to."

I didn't get chance to register her words before she stepped forward, pressing her lips to mine. Her fingers curled around the back of my neck and I found myself melting under her touch, falling right into her. Her lips tasted like alcohol, tobacco and strawberry lipgloss, and I was suddenly eager to taste her concoction even more, all my senses heightened as I pulled her close.

She moved her lips against mine eagerly, fingers sending shivers down my spine as they tickled my skin, and I pushed my tongue between her lips in retaliation, not even thinking about anything other than her. We broke apart for air, barely seconds passing before our lips reconnected, and I was infatuated with every part of the blonde that had been on my mind these past few months.

Time was a drunken haze – we could have been there for seconds or hours for all I knew – and we were unfortunately interrupted by the sound of the door suddenly opening. Our sloppy movements meant we pulled apart a second too late, and we turned to see Van standing there in her Michelangelo costume. God, did I look that stupid right now?

"You're both trashed," she said, words slurred, before she looked to me. "C'mon. Catwoman is taking us home." Then she looked to Jackie, adding, "Shauna's looking for you."

I glanced at Jackie, heart still racing and her taste still on my lips. The state I was in made everything feel like it was so distant, as if it was happening to someone else, so I still hadn't truly acknowledged what had just happened between us. Jackie was already looking at me, eyes half lidded and cheeks flushed. I almost wanted to kiss her again, but Van impatiently calling my name snapped me out of it.

"Coming," I told her, before tearing my eyes from Jackie and following after Van.

[april015]

The Three of You - S.R. / A.H.

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner x BAU!Reader / Spencer Reid x BAU!Reader

Word Count: 984

A/N: Hey pookieeesss. I actually had a whole lot of fun writing this one. I feel like Aaron and Spencer are super different in personality sometimes. Thought it would be fun to see them fall for the same person. Enjoy <3

Although the enitre team knew that there was a line that had to be drawn between professional and personal, many of you seemed to cross that line in more ways than one. From the moment you joined the BAU, you had a feeling that your team was keeping something from you. You couldn’t exactly pinpoint what it was, but you figured it wasn’t anything important.  

You walked into the bullpen with a radiant energy and smile as always. It was a new day, and you had a good feeling about it. Everyone said their different variations of “Good mornings” or “Hey.” When you finally sat down at your desk you found a breakfast muffin being placed in front of you.  

“You really didn’t have to buy me this. Thank you, Spence.”  

You waited to eat it because you really wanted a cup of coffee first. You made your way to the break room and found Aaron preparing two cups of coffee.  

“Rough night, huh?”  

“One is for you actually. Here”  

“Oh. Thanks. How’d you know how to make it?”  

“You make it the same way every morning. I just observe.”  

“So, you’re stalking me now.’’  

You walked alongside Aaron while you carried on the conversation. Spencer giving you both a jealous glare every once in a while, that you weren’t aware of at the time.  

“Easy there, pretty boy.”  

“Shut up, Morgan.”  

As you sat back down at your desk, you opened up the bag that the muffin came in. 

“You eat muffins now?”  

“Spencer gave it to me. Play nice Aaron.”  

Once again, you were unaware of the look Hotch had been giving Reid.  

- 

After a long day, you took your usual seat on the jet. Before Aaron or Spencer could steal a seat next to you, Emily and JJ sat next to you.  

“So, what’s going on with the three of you?”  

“What?”  

“C’mon you can’t really be that clueless.”  

“What three? I don’t even know what you guys are talking about right now.”  

Before they could explain, Hotch called you to a more separated part of the jet. Far from everyone that it would be hard for them to hear the conversation.  

“Is there something you want to tell me?”  

“Why is everyone being so weird today? I have zero clue as to what you guys are talking about.”  

“You and Reid.”  

“Umm. Nothing? Not that I’m aware of at least. Why?”  

“Just wondering.”  

“You have that look on your face. The look that tells me you think otherwise.”  

“Maybe I do.”  

“Talk to me, Aaron.” 

“I shouldn’t. It’s a professional line that I cannot cross.”  

“It’s obviously bothering you. If you don’t want to talk that’s fine, but don’t let that so called professional line be your excuse.”  

“We can talk later. In my office.”  

You let out a sigh. You weren’t exactly sure what it was he needed to talk to you about. You were almost freaking out. Wondering if you did something wrong.  

As you walked out of the jet, you walked alongside Spencer.  

“Are you ok?”  

“Aaron said he had something he needed to talk to me about. I’m worried I did something wrong. I have no idea what he’s thinking right now.”  

Spencer scoffed and shook his head a little in disapproval.  

“What?”  

“Nothing. Better not keep him waiting then.”  

He walked away after that. He was upset. Heartbroken even. He was angry at the fact that Hotch had beat him to the only thing he really wanted. You.  

You walked into Aaron’s office with him following right behind you. He closed the door swiftly to give the two of you the privacy he wanted.  

“What’s this about, Aaron? You’re worrying me.”  

“Do you know that you’re the only one from this team that calls me by my first name?”  

“What does that have to do with anything? I can start calling you Hotch.”  

“No. It- I mean, you’re the only person I allow to do that. And I’d be lying if I said it didn’t do something to me every time you said it.”  

“Aaron-”  

“Please just listen. I’ve been feeling like this for a long time now. I’ve tried to bury those feelings, but they just come back stronger and stronger. I care about you. Every time you step onto the field. I worry. I worry about the whole team, but I worry differently when it comes to you...”  

“You have feelings for me?”  

“I do. I don’t need an answer tonight. I want you to go home and sleep on it. But if you’d let me, I'd like to take you out to dinner sometime.”  

“Wow. That’s... That’s a lot to think about. I don’t mean that in a bad way, but I’ll think about it.” 

“That’s all I ask.”  

“Goodnight, Aaron.”  

“Goodnight.”  

As you walk out to your car with a small smile, you see Spencer. He had been waiting for you the entire time.  

“Hey. What’re you still doing here.”  

“I wanted to talk to you too, actually.”  

“About?”  

“Ok well you don’t have to say anything. And I- I know this isn’t great timing, but really, when is it a good time? I really tried to stay professional. I really did. You don’t have to tell me anything. You could honestly just walk away and never talk to me again. I would understand it if-”  

“Spencer. Just say it.”  

He took a deep breath while contemplating telling you the truth or not. How could he form the words to tell you.  

“I... think I like you. More than a friend.”  

You had a moment of realization. The jet, when Emily and JJ asked about the three of you, they meant Spencer, you and Aaron. How could you miss it? You were speechless. How could you ever choose one if it meant you were breaking the other’s heart. Now what?  

[itrithenbartist]

lil spicy hc's for sdj

literally 18+, any and all blogs that's ageless DNI otherwise you'll be blocked. Any minors DNI.

so with all that out of the way, here's my personal thought process for the dang man. also this is going to be gn for everyone to enjoy. and try to censor myself as much as possible so i don't get clocked by tumblr lol...also added is that i only recently got into this game and that i don't know everything so im sorry if there's a lot of things that aren't really good listed...thank you <333

-of course if you played the extended demo, you know he loves to praise mc, right? Oh man now can you just imagine the power he has??? Mr. Jack will use that for basically anything like to condition mc to go back to him...sort of like pavlov's experiment.

-now, if you uno reverse poor jackie boy...the outcomes is without fail, so good. he'd be all flush and whiney, immediately just do everything he can just to be told he's good. he's not above groveling. just to hear mc call him "good boy" makes him into a puddle of jello.

-now putting into perspective of joseph/jack...one's weakness doesn't go away when they transform. the weakness is the filthiest sloppy toppy mc can give. it doesn't even have to be that good, pretty sure especially jack would just love seeing how excited mc is to give it...he's about to blow no matter what...

-he loves giving head, favorite thing ever to do. sure he can stick it in...but why would he do that when he can give mc the best head they've ever had in their life??? he has to make mc nut (i hate how i have to use that) at least, like 2-3x before he even Considers helping himself. what a gentleman.

-is 100% okay with letting mc top. proper equipment or bought equipment, doesn't matter, he would be so proud of mc. the entire time he's getting absolutely demolished and ravaged by mc, he's still praising them, telling how good they feel, and how good they are to him.

-obviously we've seen how he tops, how he absolutely loves tearing mc apart and putting them back together again...he just adores watching mc's face as they get closer and closer to the edge. the best pleasure for him is to see mc getting the pleasure they deserve

-most def a tease. he always wants to please mc, don't get him wrong. but also he loves how borderline delirious he's made mc, making them work hard and 'earn it'...of course his rewards is so delicious.

-now if mc would flip the table on him...he'd be putty in their hands...and he would be pouting the entire time. being unable to do anything but just sweetly beg for some release off his c*ck...

-if mc says anything about how big he is...it's a wrap. jack is not egotistical in the slightest, but he will no forget what mc said. will be thinking about it Forever

-we all know the premise of the game, he's so possessive it's safe to assume he'd leave Marks all over mc's body. only stops putting it in visible places when mc complains how many times parents scolded them for leaving the apartment like that

Here's a bit softer hc's i think:

-loves when mc and him laugh during s*x...it makes him so elated that even when mc is asleep, he replays the memory in his head over and over again

-he's been locked in that tape for so long...of course he's touch starved. this man Yearns for any form of affection.

-genuinely loves to get to know mc, their favorite music, and pictures, and just everything, it makes him so happy to know everything about mc

-going back to about how he wants so much affection and attention...literally is the epitome of when someone says "i want to crawl into their skin, that's the only way i can be close enough"...yea that's him. cannot stand being without mc's touch for a second.

-loves when mc does small...nothings. like simple things that most people would just skip over. take for granted...not him, not jack. jack would worship everything that mc does.

last one:

-jack/joseph love fat mc. like big belly, smaller belly, whatever. apron belly? muffin top? they eat that shit up daily. chef's kiss thank you for coming to my ted talk

[rubydubydoo122]

In every universe Jason Peter Todd dies young. It’s a fate sealed across the multiverse. Maybe he could hope that there’s one universe where he doesn’t. aka, Jason, Dick, and Bruce go multiverse hopping, and are not having a fun time. (Ps, when I started writing this fic I hced Jason as Latino, but I don't really believe in that hc anymore, so just a heads up if you don't like that hc)

TRIGGER WARNING -> Cancer and mentions of previous child death

It’s been a week and Jay still hasn’t told Bruce or Alfred.  Jason spent the first couple days walking around Gotham trying to stop his heart from exploding out of his chest. Then he beat the shit out of the training simulations– which he failed multiple times because he hit the fake version of the Joker with multiple lethal shots. 

Obviously, he has checked on Jay, and apologized for freaking out, and tried to convince him to tell Bruce, but the kid always managed to evade doing just that.

Hence why he was currently stress cooking.

Maybe four dozen chocolate chip cookies, 3 batches of blueberry muffins, and an ungodly amount of chili dogs were excessive, but he needed to otherwise he would find himself storming up to younger Bruce and just telling him. Which wouldn’t be the worst thing, but it might make things difficult.

It would be so much easier if the kid just spilled the beans himself. But Jay was holding onto that god damned can so tight. Now if Jason could just… loosen the grip…

They were all currently eating dinner on the patio, because the early April weather was nice for once. Tim was also there, because Jason had made too much food, and Alfred encouraged Jay to invite the kid. Jay had also apparently wanted to invite Babs, but obviously since Kori and Dick were engaged it would be awkward considering a version of Dick was at the manor.

Jason hummed, “I feel like we’re missing someone.”

Tim looked around at everyone, “Our Dick?” His face turned red, “That came out wrong.”

“Well, yeah, but that’s not it.” Jason knew exactly where he was going with this, but he had to play it right.

Dick grabbed another cookie, “Damian, Stephanie, Duke and Cass.”

“I’m not as close with them as you are, dude.” Jason took a bite out of his chili dog, and chewed as he pretended to think about it, “Oh! I know! Uncle Clark.”

Jay immediately sat ramrod straight. If Uncle Clark was here, he’d immediately see the giant brace on Jay’s knee. Then he’d use his x-ray vision, and he’d immediately make that face like someone kicked his puppy and tell Bruce. 

Then the anxiety washed off Jay’s face, and was replaced with a glare, “Seriously, Jason?”

Younger Bruce’s face went blank, “Clark… is dead.”

“You mean he hasn’t come back to life in this universe?” Jason… totally forgot about that. To his credit, he was in a coma at the time– or catatonic.

Younger Bruce frowned and then glanced at older Bruce, “Not that I’m aware of…”

Older Bruce grunted, “He didn’t come back until early May. At least for us. It could be different in this universe.”

“Oh.”

God damn it.

Jay wanted to bang his head on the table hard enough to knock himself out. He couldn’t sleep a wink last night because of the incessant throb in his knee.

He gritted his teeth, “Jason Peter Todd, I swear if you play ‘Drops of Jupiter’ one more time, I’m going to–” cry. He was going to cry. That’s what he would do. He was going to cry. Who plays songs about their mother who died of cancer at 7:30 in the morning? “I’m going to kill myself and blame you.”

Dick immediately whipped his head to Jay, so he added, “Hyperbole. But I will smack my head on this granite and blame it on you.”

Jason frowned, and then wordlessly switched the song to ‘Ronan’, by Taylor Swift.

And it’s not like Jay didn’t know exactly what Jason was doing. He knew what he was doing as soon as he came down and the song started playing. God he was an asshole. 

Though… it was probably an asshole move for Jay to ask him to keep it a secret. He just needs time to…gather his thoughts and figure out the right way to tell Bruce. 

Dick patted Jay’s shoulder, “Want me to drop you off at school?”

“Please.”

Dick handed him his crutches and grabbed his backpack for him as he hobbled to the garage, “April’s not the best month for him. He died on the 27th, so… that’s probably what’s with the mood and the sad songs, and all the cooking.”

He felt something twist and knot in his gut. He was making Jason’s already traumatic month so much worse, and even more traumatic because he’s reminding him of Mami and–

“Jay? Are you ok?”

He nodded, “I was just thinkin’ about how Jason really is Jesus. Did he die on Good Friday?”

Dick chuckled and ruffled his hair, “I dunno.”

It took him an unnecessary amount of time to get to lunch. Not only was he slower because of his broken tibia, but crutching around had him winded. It forced him to sit with Tim and his friends, because the table he usually sits at fills up before he can get to the cafeteria.

Now he didn’t mind sitting with Tim and his friends, it just felt odd as a Junior sitting with a bunch of Underclassmen. But, they also didn’t pay much attention to him. Usually he just napped the entirety of lunch. 

Well, he didn’t nap, because he could not sleep around people he didn’t trust, but he rested his eyes, and to everyone else it probably looked like he was asleep. 

Most of the table got up to get cookies, but Tim stayed behind with Jay. Then he felt the table shift on the opposite side. Except the weight shift wasn’t as drastic as it usually is with the guy who usually sits there, so it was probably someone new. 

Jay didn’t have the energy to check who it was.

“How asleep is he?” Oh! It was Stephanie. Wow, this feels like a crossover episode.

He felt a gust of air blow on his face, and jokes on Tim, Jay’s known how to fully fake sleep since he was ten. Meaning no flinching during sleep tests, “He’s out. I guess.” To Tim’s credit he probably knew he wasn’t fully asleep.

“Ok, you’re like a Batman and Robin superfan, aren't ya?”

He heard Tim pause, “How did you know that?”

“Your screensaver is subtly Robin themed, your backpack is subtle Batman, whenever they’re mentioned you pretend to not pay attention to the conversation, even though you are, and,” She let out a snicker, “I saw the stack of photos you have of them when you let me take gum from your backpack. They’re really good by the way.”

Jay knew that Tim was beet red, “Oh. Thanks.”

“Anywho, do you know the last time Robin was seen out? Cus people have been saying the last time he’s been seen was the warehouse explosion by the docks.”

Why was she worrying? He told her he was going to retire.

He could feel Tim trying not to glance at Jay, “Yeah, That was the last time he’s been spotted. Though, I’m sure he’s just recovering or something.”

“Ok. ok.” She drummed the table with her fingers, “Fuck, can you keep a secret?” There was a pause where he assumed Tim nodded, “Alright.” She leaned closely across the table, and he felt Tim move in closer as well, “I’m Spoiler, and I kinda know Robin. I don’t know who he really is or anything, but I’d consider us to be close. He told me he was planning on retiring.”

“What?” wait, he hasn’t told Tim about that yet, “Did he tell you what he’s planning on doing? Is he gonna stay in Gotham, or move to New York like Nightwing?”

“No. He said he was retiring retiring. Like no more fighting.”

“He’s giving up being a hero?” Tim’s voice was blank, “Good for him, I guess.”

“That’s not–” She sighed, “The last couple times I’ve seen him, he’s been…tired. Not as quippy or flippy. I think… I think something’s wrong.”

There was a pause, “Now that you mention it–”

Jay picked up his head, “Ya know Barney, if you were really this worried, you coulda called.” 

Stephanie’s eyes blew wide in realization– Bruce is going to go berserk– Then she glanced over at Tim, who rolled his eyes, “Ok, I know too.” Then he turned to Jay, “Jason, why the fuck didn’t you tell me you were retiring, but you told her?”

He shrugged, “Professional courtesy. And it never really came up between us. I only told B after I got half my hair singed off. I still haven’t told N.”

“So you’re officially retired?” Stephanie raised an eyebrow, “I would’ve thought you’d make your last appearance as Robin special.”

“Technically, I have two and a half more weeks, but, uh, seeing as…” He looked at the crutches, “Can’t exactly do much.”

Tim nodded, “And as far as Gotham knows, you went out with a bang.” 

Stephanie hummed, “My mom works at Gotham General and has been talking about this kid who’s apparently obsessed with Robin. Apparently she tells the other kids stories about him. Maybe you can make that your last appearance. I can come too if ya want.”

Jay smiled, “That sounds like a good idea. Is the kid gonna be there this weekend?”

“I’ll ask my mom and get back ta ya on that.”

Jay looked at Tim, “Wanna meet your mini you?”

Tim shook his head, “I would love to, but it’d be odd for a random civilian to be hanging out with two vigilanties.”

Jason was currently in the middle of whipping up his second batch of raspberry meringue cookies– by hand– when both Bruces decided to corner him.

Honestly he wishes it was Dick. At least he could get him to eat half of the cookies to then justify Jason making more. 

“Jay, lad, your baking is really good, and we all enjoy it, but…” Older Bruce looked at the multiple tupperware and gallon sized ziplock bags filled with assorted cookies and cakes, “I think it’s beginning to teeter on the excessive side.”

He looked up from examining his peaks and determined they weren’t stiff enough, “This isn’t nearly enough. I was planning on bringing these to the homeless shelter for easter.” He continued whisking the meringue.

Younger Bruce picked up a Robin themed Peep he made and squished it, “Easter’s not for a week, Jason. You’ve also been stress cooking for a while. What’s got you all strung up?”

“Strung up? I’m not strung up. In fact, I’m Pinocchio after he got turned into a real boy. I got no strings on me.” He started whisking the meringue faster. That was probably the worst lie he’s ever lied.

There was a sharp inhale from the doorway as Jay crutched in, “If you’re Pinnochio, your nose is gonna poke a hole straight through the wall.”

Jason inspected the meringue peaks again, and was unsatisfied. “And yours could touch the moon.”

Jay froze as both Bruces immediately frowned at Jay, but Jason only needed younger Bruce to scrutinize Jay, so he gave him the boxes of raspberries, and pointed to the sink.

Younger Bruce held up the Peep, “Peep, for a peep?”

Jay groaned, “I don’t wanna Peep.” He sat down on the kitchen stool and leaned his crutches against the countertop.

“But he does have something to Peep.” Jason added. 

Older Bruce set the raspberries down next to Jason, “Can we stop saying Peep?”

Jay’s eye twitched as he glared at Jason, so Jason just grinned back. 

Younger Bruce was looking at Jay patiently as the kid played with a part of his knee brace, “I’m pretty sure I have…” He clamped his jaw, and then took a deep breath, pressed his lips together, “...no interest in finding a partner of any sorts.” He held up little jazz hands, “I’m Aro/Ace.”

Jason set his forehead down on the countertop, and banged it once, “That’s… not what I wanted him to tell you. I did not mean to out him.”

Younger Bruce ruffled Jay’s hair, “Either way I’m proud of you, Jason.” Bruce gave him a small smile, and Jay leaned in closer. “Ok, so you’re pretty sure you have what?”

Jay looked up at Bruce, “A new Robin I would like to pass the mantle to. I’m also planning on telling Dick when I visit him next week.”

Jason made a buzzer noise, “Nope, Try again.”

Jay scowled, cracking his fingers,“I also might’ve told Stephanie Brown that I was Robin.”

Younger Bruce frowned, “You what?”

“Bruce, I think she’s a really good person, and I trust her.”

Older Bruce cleared his throat, “It takes us some time, but we trust her too. In our timeline, she becomes Robin for a brief period of time, and she’s currently Batgirl.”

“I was actually debating on making her Robin. I guess she’ll be the backup if Tim says no.” He turned back to younger Bruce,“She’s a good person. We’re also planning on visiting the kids in Gotham General as Robin and Spoiler this weekend.”

Jason paused, “The kids who… have been affected by rogue attacks, or who are… sick?” Because, yeah, Jason tries to make it a point to help out in Leslies clinic, but seeing the patients who have been diagnosed with cancer is always hard. Mainly because Leslie’s clinic doesn’t have the resources to give those patients proper care.

Jay's face contorted like he ate something sour, “Fuck you.” He spat out, standing up and grabbing his crutches, “You’re not Jason Todd, you’re a shitstain of an excuse that crawled out of his grave.”

And suddenly he was 19 again. Coming home soaked in blood wondering if he was tainting his own memory. He was 18 staring at an empty grave knowing the kid who died would’ve hated the person he became. He was 17 holding a detonator in his hand; not recognizing the person he saw in the mirror.

But this wasn’t about him. This was about a 16 year old kid with cancer, who was too afraid to tell his dad about it for God knows what reason. And Jason has just been prodding and prodding, and– “Jason–”

“I don’t need a dead man’s opinion on how to live.” He crutched out of the kitchen and Jason started to follow him when younger Bruce grabbed his wrist.

Jason twisted his wrist out of the hold and pointed in Bruce’s face, “Watch the damn cookies. And don’t you dare eavesdrop.” 

He continued after Jay, “Wait, Jason, I didn’t mean it like that.”

Jay started hopping up the stairs, “I– Don’t– want– to–” He almost missed the step, but he landed on his bad leg to regain his balance. Jason supported him by the armpits and slowly lowered him to the ground before he could go crashing down.

Jay’s eyes began to water and face screwed up. He punched Jason in the chest, which hurt, but he stayed still as Jay attempted to get back up, but failed. He punched him again, “I hate you!” It could probably be heard from every point in the manor, “I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!” 

Each hate was reinforced with a punch, each one with less power behind it, until Jay was sobbing into his chest, “I want them here. Why aren’t they here? I just want Mami and Papi.” 

Jason felt his eyes start to burn as he wrapped his arms around the kid.

“And I-I love Bruce and Alfred, but I want them. I miss them. I-I need– I needed them.”

Jason nodded, trying to figure out something to say, but he couldn’t. His heart had crept into his throat and was squeezing his vocal chords.

He… He needs to be a real adult and tell Bruce. None of the sideways routes to get Jay to spill. He has to be direct. 

After Jay stopped crying, Jason made sure he got up the stairs safely and went back down to the kitchen where younger Bruce looked like he was having a crisis and older Bruce was staring at the cookies. He would’ve laughed at the sight if it weren’t for the circumstances.

“Bruce, Jay–”

Bruce picked up his head so fast, he probably got whiplash, “You died?”

“Yes. But Jason–”

“Died, as in, your heart stopped.”

“Yeah, but that’s not important–”

“Not important? Jason you died.”

Jason blinked, “Yeah, but you’re focusing on the wrong thing here. Jason–”

“I do not think I am focusing on the wrong thing. Why are you so calm about this?”

He groaned, “It happened like… eight years ago. This body doesn’t even have any of the same cells as the one that was buried–”

“Buried?”

Jason threw his hands in the air, “Whadaya think Bruce did with my body? Kept it on a table for six months?”

“Six months? I thought your heart just stopped, and then CPR! How–”

“Oh so you accept Superman coming back, no problem, but when it’s me, suddenly it’s impossible.”

“He’s Kryptonian! And you–” Bruce buried his face in his hands, “you would’ve been… you wouldn’t have known–”

“I don’t understand why this is such a big deal when Jason–”

Bruce uncovered his face, leaving only bafflement, “Am I not allowed to be distraught over my son dying?”

“Yes! You’re allowed to be! But I am not your son. Your son ha–”

“But you are my son! Doesn’t matter what universe. In every universe you exist, I will always see you as my son, and I will always want the best for you–”

“It never ends well for me!” His voice cracked on the last word. 

Bruce frowned and took a step forward, “What– what do you mean by that?”

 “Fuck.” He ran his hand down his face, “You’re watering the wrong plant.” 

That seemed to snap Bruce out of his state of distraught, sending him out of the kitchen. 

Jason went back behind the counter to pipe more meringue roses, but found himself just staring at the tray.

He couldn’t even tell him.

He literally took over the Gotham drug trade before he could legally drink, and he couldn’t tell a father that his son had a tumor.

“Jason, are you alright?”

He snapped out of whatever trance he was in, “I just hate April.”

Bad news is, Bruce definitely knows something’s wrong and is very much doing his hovering but in the Batman way– thing. 

Good news is, because Jay dropped the Dead-Jason bomb, he was hovering around Jason and not Jay. 

Bad news is, Jay feels super guilty for all the things he said to him, especially considering he stayed with him while he was having his episode, and even though he’s been a complete ass about it, he still hasn’t told Bruce or Alfred about the tumor.

Good news, Bruce let him drive the Batmobile to Gotham general since grappling wouldn’t work well with his knee, and Alfred couldn’t drop them off unless they wanted to risk their secret identities.

He pulled up right next to Spoiler, and rolled down the window, “Get in loser, we’re going shopping.”

Jay was 90% sure that Stephanie was grinning under the mask as she slid in, “Wait, how are you drivin’ with your knee?”

“When your partners are generally under the age of 16, you tend to realize that autopilot features are more practical.”

She nodded and glanced at all the buttons, “I’m assumin’ you’re gonna to tell me not to touch any of them.”

“Most of them are speed enhancers or shock absorbers. You can touch them, but they won’t activate unless we’re going over 70mph.” Product of Dick’s ADHD.

“Is there an aux cord?”

“Dude, there’s bluetooth.”

Jay parked the Batmobile in an alleyway a couple buildings from Gotham General. Did that mean he had to crutch around farther? Yes. But Bruce told him he can’t just park the Batmobile in a normal parking space. Was that a while ago? Yes, and he didn’t think to ask if the rules change if he has a broken knee.

“Oi, Tinky-Winky, would ya mind grabbing the cookies in the trunk?” 

“‘Course, Mike Wazowski.” She went around back, “How the fuck do I open this.”

It took them about 15 minutes to walk into Gotham General, mainly because of Jay's incredible crutching skills, and when they got there the receptionist was not impressed.

“What’s with the cosplay kids? If you’re gonna commit to being Robin, ya gotta at least wear the short shorts.”

Jay gave the receptionist (Drew) his signature Robin grin, “I wore the short shorts for almost four years. I got the road rash to prove it.”

“Look kid, if ya wanna get your knee checked out for free and without anyone contacting CPS, try the free clinic in Park Row. Ya don’t needa wear your upcycled Halloween costume there.”

“I don’t need my knee–” Well, he does need his knee to be checked out, but that wasn’t why they were there, “I’m really Robin, do you have one of those TSA bucket things? I’m about to start pulling outa buncha bat-themed things.”

Drew rolled their eyes, then looked around and gave him one of those empty paper bins. He started with his utility belt, “Ok, so I have my rebreather, some batarangs, and my grapple gun.” then he moved to his right pocket, “Some tranquilizers, a lockpick, and a universal tool,” He reached into his left pocket, “smoke pellets, bat-bolas,” He then reached into the pocket that was near his left knee, “A first aid kit, various antidotes to fear toxin, Ivy’s spores and Joker Venom and… some bat shaped goldfish.” He grinned, “I also have some stickers in the pocket under my brace.”

They blinked, “How do you fit all of that…?”

Jay gave her a little shrug, “Because I’m Robin.” He began taking the things and putting them back in its place. 

Stephanie stole the goldfish before Jay could put them back in his pocket, “We heard there was a Robin superfan, and we just wanted to say hi.”

“Let me check with Pediatrics.” Drew dialed a number, “Hey Ruth, I have Robin and one of his caped friends down here. Think I can send them up?” a pause, “Hold up, let me ask,” They looked back to them, “How long are ya kids free till?”

Jay looked to Stephanie, “I’m free for the whole day, but I’m your ride home.”

She shrugged, “I just gotta be home for dinner.”

“Before the sun sets. We took the Batmobile.”

Drew nodded, “The kids are sayin’ around 7:30. So that’s about four hours in each unit.” Another pause, “Well, I can give ‘em the bands, but you’re gonna have to figure that out.” another pause, “I’ll send them up in like… five minutes. Oh and Robin’s on crutches.”

Drew settled them with visitor passes, and Stephanie traded them for a ziplock of cookies, and they hobbled to the elevator, and went to the pediatrics floor. 

They met Ruth, who was a sweet old lady that almost refused the cookies they had brought, but did for the sake of her colleagues, and guided them to the Medical Unit.

Jay decided to leave his crutches at the door (even though Ruth protested about bones not healing right– The bones weren’t growing right in the first place) just to preserve a bit more of the Robin magic. The brace and the limp were already breaking the illusion, he didn’t need the crutches to completely shatter that.

Maybe… maybe that’s why he couldn’t tell Bruce about the tumor. Because when they put on the capes they became close to gods. Except Jay could no longer be extraordinary because his bones were growing wrong. Something in his cellular makeup was fundamentally flawed. 

No.

Today is not about him. It’s about these kids. And they deserved to be blithe. So Jay refused to let himself allow any negativity take over his consciousness. Not when all these kids’ spirits were immediately lifted just because Robin had come to visit them. 

And he was glad Steph was with him, because even though not many of the kids knew who she was, they ended up adoring her. She somehow knew every time when Jay’s energy started to run low and found ways to keep the kids from noticing that. 

They took a break around 2:30 for a late lunch, where Jay once again rested his eyes. 

“What’s got you so tired? I thought you were off the night shift.”

“Knee won’t let me sleep.” It’s become more of a routine. Resting during lunch because he couldn’t fall asleep due to the stabbing bone pains in his knee.

“Why not just take ibuprofen or something?”

He shook his head. Even though he took it when he had those fevers, he’s not going to take it for pain he can power through. “Even if they’re in fancy packaging, I can never really trust them.”

She slowly nodded, “I think I get it. My mom got hurt when I was younger. Now, she’s…never off the painkillers.”

“My mom–” he played with the velcro on his brace, “She, uh, she had cancer. After a while we couldn’t afford chemo. So she switched to painkillers. Every once in a while they were laced.” He shrugged. “I guess seeing that at a young age hardwired something in my brain.” He doesn’t usually talk to anyone about this. Yeah, he’s changing the topic, “The Wayne foundation has a rehab unit. I, uh, added things into the program that I thought would help. Obviously it’s your mom’s choice, but you guys can talk to Bruce…Wayne about it when you’re ready.” 

“Thanks Robin.” She placed a hand on his arm, “And I’m sorry about your mom.” She paused and frowned, “We’re goin’ into the Oncology unit next. Are you gonna be ok?”

He gave her a small smile, “It happened a while ago. I’m fine about it now.” He’s ignoring the fact that he was crying for her like a much smaller child four days ago.

He’s also ignoring genetics and how technically he’s not fine about it now because it’s really cutting him off at the knee right now. Haha, that was kinda funny.

Not really.

If the tumor grows too large he might have to get his leg amputated. Was it already too big? He… he hasn’t really been thinking about that. Mami didn’t have to get her arm amputated. They caught the tumor early enough to scrape it off and blast any of the remaining bad cells with chemo. 

…If the tumor grew too big it could kill him. And Bruce and Alfred and Dick– they’d all be– 

He stood up.“I’m gonna call B real quick. Tell him how we’re doin’.” 

Stephanie nodded, “Can I have your sandwich?”

“Knock yourself out.”

He hobbled over to the family bathroom, shut the door behind him and pulled his phone out.

All he had to do was tell him. Three words. I have cancer. That’s all. They were just three words. They were each words that have been in his vocabulary since he was little. They weren’t foreign. They were just words. 

Words are easy.

He pressed on Bruce’s number, and waited as the line rang.

He could say it.

Three words.

I have cancer.

He would say it.

“Jay, Lad. How’s the visit going?”

“It’s goin’ good. It’s goin’ good.” He rubbed the knot forming in his chest, “All the kids love Spoiler by the way.” 

Bruce chuckled, “I already said I trust your judgment, I just need more time.”

“Yeah, I know.” It’s just three words, “Hey Bruce?”

“Yes, Jason?”

Three words. He could say three words, “I… love you.”

Those… were the wrong three words. He’s a wimp. He’s a schemiel. He’s the biggest cream puff to ever cream.

There was the sound of something dropping, then a pause, “Is everything alright?”

It’s ok. He can still tell him. He can– “We’re about to go to the pediatrics oncology unit.”

“Will you be alright? You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

He shook his head, “Nah, I’m alright. Besides, I still haven’t met the kid Stephanie was talking about.” Yeah, all the kids were excited to see him, but the way most of the parents acted wasn’t the way a parent acted when their child was meeting their hero. 

Wait, he’s distracting himself, “Bruce, I–”

“Do you want me to swing by?”

He paused. Letting the blood rush in his ears from the words left unsaid, “Yeah.”

“Ok. I have a couple things to finish up, but I’ll be there in 30 minutes.”

“Ok.” Jay was about to hang up.

“I love you too, Jay. You mean the world to me.”

“Yeah.” He sucked in a breath, “Cool. Amazing. I’m gonna hang up now. Bye. See ya.” He hung up and tapped his phone against his forehead. 

It’s ok. 

It was better this way. It was definitely a conversation that was better to have in person.

Obviously he wouldn’t tell Bruce in front of the kids, or in front of Stephanie, but he’d tell him.

He’d tell him. 

He went back out to where Stephanie was, only to find her talking with Ruth. Break’s over.

It was… It was a lot harder trying to stay upbeat for these kids. He was acting like a lifeboat for these kids and their parents, when really he was being pulled into the same riptide.

At least the nurse (Nancy) who was guiding them through was nice about it. She’d take a little longer while walking to the next room, pause in front of the door to tell them the kid’s name and if they were more shy or talkative. If today was a good day or a bad day. Then she’d take her time while telling the parents– she’d just give them more time.

Then Batman came, and Jay doesn’t know if that was better or worse. 

It was better for Stephanie. Since Bruce was there she let herself slip out, if the kid didn’t seem to pay Spoiler any mind. It made guilt bubble in his stomach.

Maybe it was better for Jay, because Bruce knew him better. That also made it worse. But better. It was better.

They paused in front of the only door they hadn’t been to in the wing, “So this is our last kiddo of the day, Evelyn. She’s nine and she’s a big fan of yours. We saved her for last so she could have the most time with ya, Robin. She says she met you a while back, so– well, ya know to at least pretend to remember her even if you don’t.”

He leaned his shoulder against the wall for support, “Nanc, have I let you down at all so far today?” 

“Yes. You’ve been walking around without your crutches. Giving all the medical professionals around here aneurysms.” though she said it with a playful grin, so she couldn’t be too upset. “She’s been pretty chipper all day, so, this’ll be great.” Nancy slipped into the room to give the parents a heads up. After a minute she peeked back out, motioning her head towards the room.

Jay stopped fidgeting with the end of his cape and followed Nancy in. 

He gave a little salute to the dad, and who he assumed to be her older sister, who was filming. When he was in the girl’s line of sight, she gasped, “Robin! You came!”

The memory of a seven year old girl lost in Robinson park during an Ivy breakout was brought to the front of his mind. He remembers playing on the monkey bars with her while they waited for both Batman and her dad to find them. “Of course I did.” He looked back at Nurse Nancy, “Ya may not know this, but Evelyn and I go way back.” He sat down in the chair next to the bed, gesturing to Stephanie, “This is my friend Spoiler, and you remember Batman. From last time. God, it feels like it’s been forever. Ya haven’t gotten caught up in any of Ivy’s schemes recently, have ya?”

She grinned at his recognition, “I haven’t, but by the looks of it, you have.” She pointedly looked at his knee brace.

“Puh-lease, ya really think someone could get the jump on me?” He lightly smacked the side of his brace, “This was a product of my own demise. Really I’m my own worst enemy.”

“We kinda match.” Evelyn shuffled around the blankets, showing off a yellow cast over her knee.

He froze. Huh, he guessed they did match. “Can I sign it?”

She looked at him with stars in her eyes, “You really wanna sign it?”

“What’s the point of having a cast if it’s not decorated?” He reached into his back pocket to grab a sharpie. 

Stay gold, ~Robin and then he started doodling a bunch of bats.

They continued talking– something about a tv show about a ladybug and a cat who were also magical superheroes– then she started talking about Harry Potter, so Jay obviously recommended Percy Jackson. Then she started talking about a tv show about gem people? And the universe? At least Stephanie understood the tv references and apparently her favorite stone was amethyst. Which made sense, because of the whole purple theme.

He could see the moment Evelyn’s Dad built up the courage to actually talk to Batman, “Thank you for coming. It really means a lot to my daughter and– thank you.”

Bruce hummed, turning his gaze from Jay to the man, “Robin has a big heart, so when Spoiler suggested visiting…”

“Wait, I gotta show you my drawings!” Jay turned his attention back to Evelyn as she reached for the bedside tray, but it was too far from her reach. 

She started to turn around to grab it, but her sister stopped her before she could hurt her leg in the process, “Let’s slow down a bit here. Robin’s not gonna magically disappear without saying goodbye.” Her sister moved the tray closer to Evelyn and sat down at the foot of the bed. Now that the camera wasn’t covering her face, he was pretty sure she was in his physics class. Crazy small world. Her name was Reagan.

Evelyn grabbed the papers off of the tray and handed them to Jay, “This one’s of you and me playing on the playground, because we never go to go on the slide, or the swings and those are the best parts of a playground.”

Jay grinned, “I would say the best part of a playground is the merry-go-round.” 

Evelyn’s Dad turned to fully face Bruce, “It still means a lot. You and Robin saving the little things.”

“This isn’t a little thing at all. If someone hurts Robin, I can punch them back. With this–”

“This one's you and Batman taking a vacation because Reggie says you guys really need one,”

“--You’re much braver than I am, Mr. Harris.” Bruce looked back at Jay, “I don’t know what I would do if I found out one of my sons were sick.”

“--and this one… this one is you fighting Cancer for me.”

Jay forced himself not to freeze. He kept his eyes glued on the drawing of Robin zapping a glob that was presumably cancer with the bat-cancer-be-gone ray, while Evelyn stood behind him.

Jay took a deep breath, “Here’s the thing about Cancer. Its power is that it multiplies. If I tried to fight it alone, it could just multiply and take over.” The words clawed at his throat with hypocrisy. He undid the clasp to his cape, “but if we have more people to help us, like your doctor, and the nurses, and your Dad, and Reagan helping us, and we use chemo warfare–” He placed the cape over her shoulders, blinking because the lenses of his domino were starting to fog up, “And a little bit of Robin Magic, I think– I think we can fight Cancer. Together. And win.” 

Evelyn leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his torso in a hug, “Ya really think so, Robin?”

He returned the embrace, nodding, “Yeah. You’ll win.”

They dropped Stephanie back off in the Burrows, when Jay realized they weren’t headed back to the manor. They were going deeper into the city. 

Bruce must have sensed his confusion, but he didn’t say anything to clarify his thought process. However, Jay didn’t ask, because eventually they got to Wayne Tower, and Bruce grappled them to the top, so they were overlooking Gotham.

If there was any time to tell Bruce, it would be that moment. Or maybe it was probably when they were in the car, or when he broke his knee, or right after he got that first fever. But the past was the past, and he had to tell Bruce. He’s held it off for long enough.

He kicked his leg, “Hey Bruce?”

Batman grunted in acknowledgement. Cape fluttering in the wind.

“Thanks for bein’ here for me.” He wrung out his fingers.

He felt Bruce’s gaze turn to him, “I know I am not the best at communicating, but I’ll always be here if you need me.” 

Jay searched Bruce's eyes, wishing he wasn’t wearing the stupid cowl.

It’s just three words. He could say them. He inhaled slowly and opened his mouth to–

“I’m proud of you, Jason.”

He was going to scream. He was going to throw up. The unsaid words felt like they were growing and growing and soon they would be stuck in his throat, never to escape. “Bruce, I–”

“I mean it. I know it was tough for you, but you still tried your best to brighten up each one of those kids’ day. And you did. Just like you have mine, every single day since you hit me with that tire iron. You have a big heart, Jay. One that has grown with time.” Bruce paused, before placing his hand on top of Jay’s, “I think you would’ve made her so incredibly proud. Your mother. And your father. They would be proud of the man you’ve become, and the future you’re striving for. I know I am.”

His eyes began to burn as the lenses to his domino fogged up.  No. He wasn’t going to cry. He had to be strong while he told Bruce. He had to be.

Jay scooted closer to Bruce, who opened up an arm to wrap part of his cape around Jay, holding him closer than he usually did. Like a subconscious part of him knew that Jay was slowly slipping away. “What we do– it’s dangerous. If you– If what happened to–” Bruce paused and took a deep breath, “I’m glad you’re allowing yourself to live. I am beyond grateful you’re hanging up the cape.” Bruce rested his chin on top of Jay’s head, “Though I’m gonna miss having you by my side.”

“You’ll make sure to watch your six? And not spook any kids? You’ll–” His mouth twitched into a frown, which he immediately tried to turn around, but it was like the muscles in his face weren’t connected to his brain, “You’ll be ok without me?” 

“Jay, lad, I’ve been at this for a long time. I think I’ll do fine. Besides, you said you had a successor in mind.”

“I gotta get Dick’s blessing first. Then I’ll tell you. But they also have to agree, and it’ll still take a while for them to get up to Robin standards, and—”

“There’ll be some adjustments, but you’ll still be close. If I’m ever in any real trouble, I trust you just as much as I trust Dick. Active vigilante or not.”

Jay undid the top velcro on his brace and then tightened it. He has to be strong. He has to tell him. He undid the velcro again and then refastened it. Then again and again and–

“Jason, I know you probably feel guilty right now, but you deserve to be happy. This doesn’t have to be permanent if you don’t want it to be. I want you to be happy and let yourself move forward. No matter what that path looks like, or how many times you change directions, I’ll support you.”

He focused on the sliver of golden on the horizon, peaking through the cityscape, “I need to quit. Being a hero, it just– it won’t work anymore.” He took a deep breath, trying to sync up with the rise and fall of Bruce’s chest. 

He had to be strong. 

He had to tell him. “I…” 

‘I don’t know what I would do if I found out one of my sons were sick.’ 

“...Just realized, this is our last time out as Batman and Robin together.” 

He would tell Bruce. Just not now. Not when it’s supposed to be a happy moment. 

“It is, isn’t it?”

He looked up at Bruce, “We had a good run.”

Jason wanted to go home. The longer Jay held out telling Younger Bruce that he had cancer, the more likely it was that Bruce was going to pummel him for not telling him that his son was terminally ill. And it’s not like Jason hadn’t tried multiple times. He’s tried cornering him in the study, where it just turned into another conversation about his death. He tried telling him in the Batcave, but there was an emergency and Batman was needed, and he tried telling him while Jay was visiting the hospital, but then he got a phone call and had to leave.

Not to mention, the anniversary of his death was slowly creeping up on him, and he couldn’t even be alone because they were kind of stuck in the manor until they were found and brought back home.

How long does it take to find someone? Three someones? It’s not like Tim and Babs had to build a whole new machine. Obviously, time could be passing differently for them, but the more time they took the wider his gaping hole of guilt grew.

That was why he was currently encoding a message to add to the beacon that read ‘Come quick. I keep dying. This isn’t fun anymore. ~JT”

Suddenly, a hand rested on the back of the Batchair, and out of instinct, Jason was about to punch the person it belonged to, when he realized it was just Alfred.

And then he realized it was Alfred, the person he’s been trying his hardest to avoid because he would immediately know Jason was hiding something and he would feel guilty for lying to him.

“Master Jason, when was the last time you slept?”

Jason grinned, “Last night.” Albeit, it was only an hour or two because his mind has decided he isn’t allowed any peaceful dreams, but it was the truth, “Personally, I think you should be asking younger Jason that. That kid’s eye bags could replace his backpack and still have extra room.”

Jason knew he messed up when Alfred made his ‘that is precisely the topic I wished to discuss with you’ face. “So you know what is troubling the young master?”

“I’m not talkin’ to the kid.” He felt like a stupid little kid who had just been caught and was now grasping for any excuse.

He could tell him. He could tell Alfred and then this whole nightmare would be– it wouldn’t be over, it would probably get worse, but sometimes things need to get worse before they get better. 

He took in a deep breath, “Jason–”The door of the elevator in the batcave dinged, and out came the kid in question. “...Has something to tell you.”

Why in the world could he not get the goddamned words out? It was like some mystical force was stopping him from doing so.

Jay froze and gave Jason a pointed look, but then looked to Alfred, “Yeah, I do! I was wondering if Jason and Dick could come with me to visit the Titans. Apparently Roy, Donna and Kori really wanna meet you two.”

Jason stared at Jay.

Jay shrugged all innocently, “Dick said your deathiversary was soon too, so maybe being out of town for that would be a way to take your mind off…of…it?”

Jason turned to Alfred, “Can you tell your grandson that I am not talking to him.”

He raised an eyebrow, “And why might that be? I thought Master Jason had apologized to you for his outburst from the other day.”

“He knows why.”

Alfred looked from Jason to Jay, then back to Jason, “Well, I can assure you, I am not keen on playing telephone. I expect you both to have sorted out your issues before you make your way back upstairs.”

And with that, Alfred left.

And Jason, being the stubborn man-child he was, refused to talk.

“I really am sorry for throwin’ your death in your face.”

Jason glared at him.

“Ok, I know that’s not what you’re angry at me for, but can you really be angry at me for havin–”

Jason got up to leave. Jesus Christ, was he always this difficult?

“Hold up–Wait! I tried to tell Bruce, I really did! Multiple times. But every time I tried he would interrupt me, or it wasn’t the right time, and if ya really think about it, it’s kinda better this way–”

Jason turned around, baffled, because “Better this way? Please, explain to me how letting’ a tumor grow is better than tellin’ your guardian you’re sick.”

Jay paused, “When you put it like that, it sounds bad– but if I tell Bruce now, it’ll be nothin’ but x-rays and MRIs and blood tests, and then surgery and–”

Jason was going to smack his skull open on the stalactites.

“Yeah, yeah, I know, and I will… eventually… do those things, but knowin’ Bruce, if I tell him now, he’ll make me cancel my trip to New York.” Jay dragged the stool from the workbench closer to him and sat down, “What if I can’t tour Columbia by the time it’s gone? It’s my dream school. How can ya expect me to just throw away my dreams? The moment we come back from New York, I promise I’ll tell Bruce. I just want the week with the Titans to be…normal before everythin’ falls to pieces.”

Jason pinched the bridge of his nose as his intestines braided themselves together in a knot. Why was he about to… “If you don’t tell him as soon as we’re back, I’m gonna. Are we clear?”

“Yes.” Relief flooded onto Jay’s face, “Thank you.”

(Author here! We’re about to go to Titans Tower, and I’ve been re reading comic storylines and I don’t know what lineup I want, so, I am mixing and matching, so please don’t come at me. Also, my main knowledge of the Titans come from the show Teen Titans, so just a heads up if they’re not how they are in the comics. I also really wanted Raven in this, but if timelines are timelining, she should be evil right now, so… I guess that works in my favor plot-wise, but gosh darn it, I really wanted Raven in here. Oh well)

Out of everyone, Jason was pretty sure Dick was the most excited to see the Titans, which made sense, because Jason barely knew them at this age, and Jay had the impending doom of talking to Bruce about cancer. Jason also had the impending doom of getting the snot beaten out of him.

Still there was an odd energy about Dick. Like he didn’t also fully like the idea of seeing the Titans again. Which was somewhat understandable, because Kori was his ex and yada yada yada. Also, something about the wedding not working out because Raven went evil and crashed the whole thing. Maybe Dick should’ve given them a heads up on that, but also, props to Raven. It was pretty badass. Apparently Dick and Kori were still together, from what Jason could piece together, but honestly, he barely tried to understand their relationship on a normal day, and he wasn’t going to start trying now.

They were in the elevator when Jay’s eyes blew wide and he started digging through his backpack, pulling out a bottle of cheap cologne and spraying it on his chest and the backs of his knees. 

Dick coughed, “That’s a bit too much there, Jay. Are you trying to assault Gar’s nose?”

Jay raised his eyebrows, “Yeah, actually.” 

The elevator door dinged open and they walked into the living room of the Tower, just as Jason realized Jay was doing it to get Gar off the cancer scent. 

He scanned the room and groaned when he realized who was in the room.

Jay followed Jason’s gaze, smile immediately dropping into a scowl, “What are you doing here?”

“Kyle! Hey, what’s up, man!” Dick strode over to shake Rayner’s hand.

“Nothing much,” Rayner light heartedly clapped Dick’s back,  “Got back from the Oa a couple days ago.” He turned his gaze to Jason looking him up and down, before turning to Jay, “There’s no way your five foot ass grows to be that.”

Jay crossed his arms, “I am five foot four, Elphaba.”

“Jason.” Dick gave Jay his ‘be nice’ look.

Jason nudged Jay, “Yeah. Don’t disrespect the Witch of the West like that.” He gave Kyle a wicked grin, causing the dude’s mouth to open slightly, “Besides, he’s like Rango.”

Kyle’s ring dimmed, before he grit his teeth, causing it to brighten again, “I’m gonna get dick– or Donna. I’m gonna get Donna.” and then he sped off.

Jay grinned and held out a hand for a low five, which Jason obviously returned.

Dick looked from the door Rayner exited from to Jay, “Hold up, why don’t you like Kyle?”

“He doesn’t like me.” Jay moved to sit on the couch, “If you’re asking me to be polite with him, I’m not gonna. I don’t owe him nothin’. In fact, he–” 

Suddenly a toddler came out of nowhere running straight for Jay, “JAYBIRB!!” 

Since when have there been toddlers in Titans Tower? 

Jay’s face immediately lit up, “Lian! H–ow, watch the knee, how have the Tiny Titans been?”

“Miwage dwowned in da toiwet.”

If that was Lian then…Jason and Dick immediately turned to the door, “Roy!” 

Roy grinned and walked over to ruffle Jay’s hair, “Hey guys, how're you liking our reality?”

Dick leaned against the couch, with a grin, “It’s a lot better than most of the realities we’ve been to, that’s for sure.”

Ya know who’s going to actually beat up Jason? Dick. He was going to pummel him for not telling.

Roy turned to Jason, “Puberty hit you like a freight train.”

“It was the forbidden Mountain Dew.”

Roy nodded, “Dick said something about a Lazarus Pit. He was ranting about Talia when he came back last month.”

“Oh my god. Did he say anything about her kidnapping me? Because she didn’t.”

Roy looked to Dick, who nodded and mouthed the words ‘she totally did.’ 

“If you continue to scorn her, I will tell Damian, and we’ll both stab you together.”

Jay looked over the couch at them, “Who’s Damian?”

Dick opened his mouth to respond, when Victor and Gar walked in, causing Jay to sit in a way that was forced to be casual, “Hey guys!”

Gar immediately sniffed, and then sneezed, looking at Jay with a frown, “Are you wearing Nautica?”

He gave him little finger guns, “It’s… Adidas.” Jay grinned, in a ‘my lies have worked’ sort of way. 

“It’s… too much, that’s what it is, Brah.”

“You vaguely smell like the boy’s locker room.” Victor went to sit next to Jay, where Lian immediately started playing with the blue lightbulb things in his cyberskeleton. “I saw videos from you visiting that hospital. Is Robin taking a more domestic approach to vigilantism?”

“Sure,” Jay crossed his arms, sank deeper into the couch, and gave Victor a half smile “But not in the way you’d think.” Just then, younger Dick and Kori walked in. Minus Donna, Jason was pretty sure that was the current Titans lineup, so… Jay snorted, “Looks like Kyle’s officially useless.”

Younger Dick looked like he was about to lecture Jay about being nice but his expression turned to concern, “Have you been eating enough?”

“Hi Kori, hello to you too, oh least favorite brother of mine.”

“I–” Dick frowned, “Did Bruce adopt another one?”

“Nah. Not yet at least.” Jay carefully stood up and gestured to the rec room “I actually wanted to talk with you about something.”

Jay crutched over to sit on the armchair in the rec room as Dick closed the door, “Is everything ok?”

The concern on his face was clear as day. And Jay knew before coming that he would notice something was up. He was sure the only reason he had Bruce and Alfred and everyone in the manor relatively fooled is because they’ve seen him every day while his health declined. Dick on the other hand– the last time he saw him was a month ago while he was dancing, flipping, and singing on stage. Now, Jay could barely make it up a flight of stairs without being winded.

But this was supposed to be a fun, happy trip. For his future. He doesn’t want to think about a stupid tumor that will be gone hopefully before Christmas. 

Maybe he could write his Common App essay on it.

“Jason?” Somehow Dick had made his way towards him and was now sitting on the arm of the couch Jay was on. 

He blinked. Thoughts. Right. Words, “Whaddya think about Tim?”

Dick tilted like he didn’t understand what Jason was getting at, “I think he’s nice. I’m glad to see you making friends.”

“Ok, cool. That’s great. So, I’ve been trainin’ him, but not like too much, with simulations, I haven’t told Bruce yet, but I think, he’s a good fighter and–”

“Time out,” Dick held up a hand, “I think you’re forgetting to mention a couple of things. What are you training him for?”

“To be Robin. Duh. What else? I’m askin’ if ya think he’d be a good fit. Cus ya know, you’re the first.”

There was a pause, “Did… Bruce fire you again?”

Jay shook his head, “Nah, I’m choosin’ to retire. That way things’ll be smoother when I start che…ollege. College.”

Dick smirked, “So you’re planning on filling Bruce’s nest before it becomes empty.”

He tilted his head side to side, “More or less, yeah, but I wanted to get your… blessing? Yeah, blessing, to pass down the mantle.”

“Look at you.” There was a soft smile on his face, “All mature and grown up.” He paused, “But you’re not allowed to be taller than me.”

“Dude… No need to rub it in. I’m not planning on swimming through wiper fluid anytime soon. Or ever.” 

“What, Little Wing? Don’t want eternal youth? Ra’s skin is just glowing. Maybe radioactive, but glowing.”

Jay grinned and rolled his eyes, “But seriously, do you think Tim would be a good fit? Cus, if not, I dunno, you can choose–”

“I think Tim’s a great choice. Mainly because the alternate versions of us seem to already know him, but also, you’re the one who currently has the yellow cape. If you think it would fit around Tim’s shoulders, then I support that.”

“...technically, a nine year old has it.”

Dick chuckled and ruffled Jay’s hair, “Then he’s gonna have to get that kid’s approval.” He slid down the arm of the chair so they were both sharing the armchair.

Jay shoved at him, “Get off! Your giant tushie is crushing me!”

Dick, like his namesake, just made himself even more comfortable, “So, are you planning on joining the Titans? Got a new name picked out?”

Jay tried again to make more room for himself to no avail. And God was trying to fight with Dick tiring, so he just crossed his arms, “I told ya. I’m retirin’. No capes. No kevlar. Just Jason Todd-Wayne.”

Dick looked at him like he didn’t believe him, “Like… no more vigilantism. Period.”

“Mmmhm.” he tightened the velcro to his knee brace.

“Are you sure everything is alright?”

He nodded, shifting under Dick’s scrutiny. There’s no way Dick could actually figure out Jay had cancer, though. He might be having the same train of thought older Dick had, but Dick didn’t have enough context clues.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but I’m here if it’s something you feel like you can’t talk to Bruce or Alfred about.” Dick paused, “Or if it’s something you should tell Bruce or Alfred, but just… can’t.”

He could.. 

No. 

Jay had to be the one to tell Bruce. He had to hold it together for him. He couldn’t act like a scared little kid who needed to hide behind his older brother, “I’ve just been pretty stressed recently. And I know that my workload is just gonna get heavier, and I love helping people, and I loved being Robin, don’t get me wrong, but… I can’t anymore.”

“Jason, I’m not going to get angry at you for growing up. I just wanted to make sure you were doing it on your own accord. Not because someone was forcing you to put down the cape.”

“Bruce didn’t fire me again, if that’s what you’re getting at.”

“Well, yeah, but also, do you want blueberry pancakes?” Code for ‘are you being blackmailed.’

He gave him a small smile, “I’m retirin’ on my own accord. I was plannin’ on doing it eventually, but…” He shrugged, “Universal signs and all that jazz.”

Dick gestured towards the knee brace, “Was it the dislocated knee?”

“Actually, it was getting three fevers in one month.”

“So that’s why you look like a sick Victorian child who just recovered from scarlet fever.”

Jay huffed and leaned back into the couch, “Well that wasn’t a nice thing to say.”

Jason does not understand why he agreed to come here. Yeah, he was kinda friends with Roy, and Kori, and Donna, but not this version of them, and it is so weird being about the same age as all of them. 

Currently, Jay, Dick (the younger one) and Donna were touring NYU. Dick (his brother), Roy, Lian, and Gar were outside teaching Lian how to do cartwheels, Kori was out running errands, because now the Titans were throwing Jay a retirement party, and… he had no clue what everyone else was doing. 

Doesn’t matter anyways. He was in his own little bubble re-reading A Death in the Family by James Agee because Jason was a masochist and wanted to see if the comic from that one universe drew inspiration from the novel or if they just used the title.

He heard someone entering the room, and based on their gait, it wasn't Cyborg, who tended to have a heavier step, so process of elimination, “Skidaddle, Rayner. You’re infecting the room with green vibes.” Now, did Jason have a reason to hate this version of Kyle? No. Not really. But Jay obviously had his qualms against the dude, so Jason did too.

Rayner, like the nuisance he was, sat down on the couch perpendicular to Jason, “Are you magic or something?”

Was Kyle trying to condescend him? Not him, but Jay, but that was still him. Jason looked up to fix him with a deadpan stare, “Take a wild guess.”

That got Kyle to slightly shift in his seat. Wimp. This wasn’t even his half deadpan. And contrary to popular belief, Jason could be nice, so he went back to reading.

Except someone obviously didn’t take the hint that he didn’t want to be bothered and he could feel him staring at him. Back during his multiversal game of cat and mouse, usually when Rayner started staring at him, it ended with fists flying.

“Do I have something on my face?” He asked without looking up from his book. It was probably such a Bruce move, but oh well. Some Batman things work.

“I’m just confused on how you’re supposed to be Robin.”

He raised an eyebrow, “What, picturing me in the green shorts?”

“I wasn’t.” A pause, “It’s just, primary colors don’t seem to fit the ‘Angst Ridden Bad Boy’ aesthetic you’ve got going on. At least the younger Jason’s a theater kid, so it makes–”

Jason side eyed Rayner, “I will smack you back into orbit, if you do not shut your trap.” It was typical of him to somehow jab at him and Jay at the same time.

Kyle just shrugged and flipped the pages of a sketchbook, “Feels like an empty threat, but ok.”

Before Jason could prove him wrong, the elevator opened, and Dick, Donna, and Jay poured out. 

“.--the Bobst library was… It probably holds more books than the library on the Watchtower.

God, it was behemothic.” Jay crutched over to the couch Jason was sitting on, handed his crutches to him, and then flopped onto the couch.

Jason balanced the crutches against the couch, “How was NYU?”

“Huge. And… pulchritudinous. In a modern art-deco sorta sense. There’s a lotta windows.” Jay was forcing himself not to breathe heavily, but so he probably wasn’t letting on how tired he actually was.

Dick definitely picked up on it, because he handed Jay a water bottle and sat next to Kyle, catching a glance at his sketchbook, looked at Jason, and then frowned like he was mentally adding a conversation to be had.

Donna sat next to Jay, “The tour guide was nice. She made sure to stop and talk at places where there was seating in case Jason needed a break.”

“Which, I didn’t, because I’m a vigilante, but I took them because a normal civilian wouldn’t have my stamina.”

Dick leaned forwards in his seat, “Sure, Jase. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

Except, Jay couldn’t sleep at night. The throb in his knee was pretty much unbearable at this point. The pain was alway worse at night. 

He left Dick’s room as quietly as he could– since the guest room had been built, he’d been sleeping there, but since older Jason and Dick were here, he was fine with going back to rooming with Dick. Pillow walls.

He didn’t even know what he was gonna do, walk it off? He could barely do that. Honestly, it made his tibia feel even more like a crispy sponge, rather than a bone. God, that’s basically what it was. 

He probably wouldn’t even have his leg for much longer, would he? It’s been at least two months. What if it–

Nope. It probably didn’t. Otherwise he’d feel worse. Right? 

Jay was so lost in thought, he almost walked straight into Gar. Who was looking at him like he’d just been shot or–

Fuck. 

“I knew it was smelling off earlier… you– Jason, your scent is off.”

He felt his ears start to ring as the blood rushed from his face, “I mean I… am going through… puberty.”

His face contorted into something on the edge of worried and confused, “Jason, you smell like… you smell like a tumor.” 

“Maybe… someone on the tour had cancer.”

Gar sniffed again, and slowly shook his head, “Maybe we should go sit down, and then I’ll get Dick–”

“No! Don’t tell him!” It was a whisper shout, but even he could hear the panic in his voice.

He frowned, “You know?”

Welp, there goes plausible deniability. There goes hoping it wasn’t actually cancer and he was just overreacting. “Well… I assumed? I wasn’t fully sure. But I guess, now I know.” He hated the way his voice cracked on that last word. He couldn’t even get angry to get Gar off his back on this because his knee fucking hurt and he just wanted to sleep, but he couldn’t because cancer is stupid. “Just– please don’t Dick. I haven’t even told Batman about it yet–I’ll bake you cookies or something. The jam-filled ones that you like?”

“Dude, you–” Gar covered his face with his hands, and–

This was going to be the end of it wasn’t it? He doesn’t know how he managed to get Jason to agree to keep quiet, but he has a strong feeling he accidentally manipulated him. And currently, the only way he knows how to manipulate Gar is by bribing him.

Gar took in a breath, “When are you planning on telling your boss?”

“When I get back.” He saw him glance at Dick’s door, “Please, Gar. I know that once I get back to Gotham, it’s just going to be test after test, and then treatments until… December at the earliest, and… I just… I need this week to be normal.”

Gar stared at him– no, not at him. Through him. “Ok.” Gar sighed and ran his hand through his hair, “I… I get wanting that week of normal, and I know the testing sucks, but the sooner you start those treatments the sooner you’ll get better, dude.”

“It’s just three days.” Jay of all people knew how much could happen in three days. How things could go horribly wrong over a weekend, “I don’t wanna cause him any grief. Please.”

Gar took one long look at Dick’s door, and then turned around to head back towards his own room, but paused at the door, “My mom bought a box of Hertzoggies after my dad cured me from Sakutia.” He looked back at Jay, “We can share a box of cookies together next year.”

Jay gave him a small smile that hopefully said I don’t think I could ever repay you and I’m sorry for manipulating you even though it was a complete accident and I didn’t know.

He was in a room full of a mountain of red, green, and yellow. But the colors were dull. They weren’t as bright as they should be. They were muddy, and brown and… covered in blood. 

Bruce was carrying bodies. One at a time. Each of them in a pristine black suit, placing them each in a coffin. When he looked back to the pile of suits, they were all lined up, each in cases on display. Like a museum of dead robins.

It wasn’t just a museum of dead robins.

It was a museum of dead Jasons.

Each with a plaque at the bottom saying a good soldier, a good soldier, a good soldier.

A uniform too tattered to even tell it was a Robin suit. A uniform covered in ice. A red vest covered in track marks.

A yellow cape with red staining the collar. A case filled with dirt, green gloves barely peeking through the surface. A hollowed out red shirt, intestines still spilling out. 

A costume the size of a toddler covered in cocaine.

Why at the bottom of this case was he still a good soldier?

He closed his eyes. He’s seen too much yellow. He’s seen too much green. He’s seen too much red. 

It’s too much red.

He bumped into Bruce assembling a case. One that didn’t have a suit inside of it. At least not yet. 

Not yet.

Jason was on edge. In all fairness, it was the 26th. But he was going to blame the nightmare and just forget the major trauma anniversary, because hell yeah.

He forced himself not to bake, because younger Dick had put him on cake duty for Jay’s surprise retirement party tomorrow. They’d get the tower ready while Dick, Donna and Jay were touring Columbia. 

Honestly, Jason was glad for the distraction planned tomorrow, but that didn’t help him with the fact he needed a distraction today. 

He found Jay in the living room, half curled up on the couch, a book close to falling out of his hands, because he was asleep. Didn’t even wake up with Jason’s approach. 

He carefully placed a pillow under Jay’s head, and moved  the book on the coffee table. Where, from underneath, a green dog was looking at him. But Gar’s body was angled towards the entrance to the living room.

Kinda like he was guarding Jay.

Hold up, Jay wasn’t wearing any cologne to mask the scent of the tumor. So Gar knows. Did… he tell Dick? Because Dick would probably immediately call Bruce, and thank fuck.

But if Dick knew, he would probably call off the retirement party, because lowkey, it’s a happy cancer! Party with context.

So Dick probably didn’t know. So why was Gar keeping this?

He debated asking, but then Rayner walked in the room, looked like he was going to say something, but immediately closed his mouth when Jason shot him a glare– No. When Gar let out a low growl.

Yup. Gar definitely knew. And if that was Gar’s reaction to someone about to get into Jay’s space while he was sleeping, he was trustworthy enough. 

Jason exited the living room, dragging Rayner by the upper arm, as they made their way to the stairs, “Wanna spar?”

Kyle frowned and then shrugged, “Ok.”

Boom. Distraction found. And he gets to beat up Rayner. 

The next day, Jason was slicing up bananas and a pineapple to go in between the layers of the hummingbird cake he was making, when (his brother) Dick wandered in to check on him. 

“Need any help?”

Jason’s knee jerk reaction would’ve been to say no, but something about how close he’d gotten to Dick in the past few months made Jason hold up a banana and the pineapple, “Which would you like to cut? The bananas, or the ananas.”

That caused Dick to grin, “English is so weird. They just had to be special with their pineapple.” 

Jason looked at the fruit in question, “It is pine-y, I’ll give it that, but you can not tell me this looks like an apple in the slightest.”

“It's fragrant, and an excellent fruit. Ananas fit so much better.”

Dick took the pineapple and one of the heavy duty knives, and started chopping it up.

Jason finished slicing the bananas, so he moved onto the cream cheese frosting. 

Dikc had finished cutting off the peel and had moved to quartering the pineapple, “Do you remember the first time we cooked together?”

“The time when we made the sarmale mofongo fusion, just to see if they’d work out, but then the bat signal went off, so we were rushing to finish off Killer Moth before accidentally burning them?”

“That was one crazy night, wasn’t it?” Dick chuckled, “No, I’m talking about the time we were cooking here. I think you were thirteen? Maybe you had just turned fourteen. It was over that summer.”

Jason frowned, trying to remember, but he couldn’t. If this trip was teaching him anything, it was that he didn’t remember as much as he thought he did. He shook his head.

“We made tochitura together.” He could see Dick smile at himself, “You had to climb the counter to reach the cornmeal for the polenta. And, I had made tochitura with Alfred, and on my own, loads of times before then. And I loved Alfred’s cooking, but there was always something missing.” Dick stopped chopping to look at him, “I’ve had this conversation with the Titans in the past, and I guess the feeling is like missing your parent’s cooking.”

Jason nodded, though he doesn’t think he could remember missing their cooking. Just cooking with them. 

“Whenever I cook with you it tastes like… it tastes like them. It tastes like Haley’s. Like a rest stop in the middle of nowhere, and coming back to the stove every five minutes asking when the food will be ready. It tastes like family.” 

“Oh.” Jason suddenly had a really dumb thought, “You had a ratatouille moment?”

Dick blinked, “Oh, fuck you, yes. I did. But I was actually getting somewhere.”

“Yeah?”

“That was the moment I knew you were my family. Just wanted to let you know. And, I’m glad you’re alive.”

“Oh.” Jason cleared his throat, and dipped a spoon into the cream cheese frosting, holding out for Dick. “You’re a good older brother.”

The Columbia Campus was supposed to be smaller than the NYU campus. At least that’s what he read online. So It should be less tiring. Which was why Jay decided to leave his crutches in the car. Dick was starting to suspect something was up with him, and he had to prove to him he was ok.

Not prove per-say, just… show.

And ignore the glare Dick gave him when he said he’d be fine without them. What a hypocrite. When he came to yell at Bruce last year, his leg was hurt and he definitely wasn’t using crutches.

The tour group was much bigger than their tour group for NYU, and the tour guide was definitely giving the vibes of not wanting to be there.

Jay, Dick, and Donna, had started off in the front of the tour group when they were at the Manzanita Welcome Desk, but now that they were fifteen minutes into the tour, they were starting to trickle towards the middle.

He had run around the entire city of Gotham while he was homeless. He was not getting tired walking around 32 acres.

He picked up his pace. 

A mother of a kid on the tour glanced at him in concern, and he gave her a little smile. 

He didn’t need pity. He didn’t need his memory of visiting his dream school to be tainted with the fact that–

No. He’s not even going to think about it right now. He’s just going to finish this tour, talk to some of the academic advisors for the pre-med track, and then, take a big fat nap.

He let himself trickle towards the back of the group, so he wouldn’t hold anyone up. Dick and Donna followed suit.

Donna frowned, “Are you sure you don’t want me to go get your crutches?”

“I’m fine.” but his breaths were coming out heavier. And they were more than a couple steps behind the group now.

The group started to slow as they passed the Alma Mater statue.

The mother from earlier glanced back at them, and then looked at her son pulling out her phone, “Can we pause here? I want to get a photo of my son with the statue.”

The guy’s ear turned pink, “Mom…”

Jay knew she was just being nice. And he was grateful for it, for the wiggle room. But he wasn’t helpless. 

He was Robin for crying out loud. He was fighting 4 rogues a week two months ago. He was doing six flips a night six weeks ago, while dancing and singing. He was carrying bodies out of a building rigged to explode less than a month ago.

Yet he couldn’t even keep up with a stupid tour guide who didn’t even want to be there. 

He was dully aware of the fact that the mother had finished taking pictures, and they were starting up again.

He was panting, like he’d just run a marathon, and both his legs were aching, and his heart was pounding, and–

How much has his health regressed in the past month?

How close was he to–

He felt the blood drain from every limb in his body, leaving his ears ringing. 

The concrete beneath him began to feel like he was lost out in the sea. Tilting from left to right–

Something gripped his upper arm, as he buckled into something firm. Something steady. And he thinks that firm-steady thing was guiding him somewhere.

But he couldn’t breathe. Something was in his trachea and was stopping him from breathing.

What if it was the tumor?

There was a light thumping under his hand, as it slowly rose and fell. “Alright Jason, breathe with me so I don’t look like an idiot over here. In…” His hand rose, “and out…” and fell. 

He tried to take a deep breath as his hand rose, but his breath hitched, causing him to fully break down. All he could hear was the static-y sound of blood rushing back into his ears.

“I can’t…” 

“You breathe every day Jay. In fact–”

“W-What if I can’t. What if it metastasizes? What if I can’t– what if I can’t go here, and, and never become a doctor and–” He let himself build dreams and he could hear the castles crumbling in the distance.

“Jason?” Dick’s voice was quiet, and barely audible. Dragging Jason back to the present.

They were sitting on the steps next to the Alma Mater. Their tour group was farther off, but not close enough to where they could hear them, and Donna was gone.

Jay wiped his cheeks, frowning, “Where’d Donna…” He trailed off when he saw the look on Dick’s face. When he realized the words he’d let slip out. 

“She, uh, she went to go get your crutches.” Dick swallowed, “Jason–” His voice cracked, and his eyes turned glossy. He opened one arm for a hug

Jay’s eyes began to burn again, as he dove into Dick’s embrace, “Please don’t cry.” he mumbled into his shirt.

“I’m not gonna– it’s just allergy season.” though, he could hear how fast Dick’s heart was beating. How short his breaths were. 

“I–” it was just three words. Why could he never bring himself to say it? “My mom… she had cancer.” 

Dick’s heart changed pace, but his voice was even when he next spoke, “I didn’t know that. What type did she have?” 

“Wanky janky bones.”

He felt Dick nod his head slowly.

That was supposed to make him laugh, why wasn’t he laughing?

“Are you sure?”

How much he wished he could say ‘no, I’m not sure, actually, I could just be overthinking’

Jay assumed Dick took his silence as a yes, because he held onto him tighter.

Dick pulled away, to look Jay in the eyes, incredulity clear on his face, “Bruce hasn’t noticed yet, has he? There’s two of them in the manor, how–how’d you get away with– did you not get an x-ray of your knee when you dislocated it? Fuck, you broke it– Is it the same one that’s been bothering you since the musical?”

“...yeah.” Jay undid the velcro to his knee brace and then tightened it. “Uh, I think Bruce forgot about that.”

“Bruce? Forget? We are talking about the same man, right?”

“Yeah…” To be fair, older Jason’s dissociation face was one of the most uncanny valley things Jay’s seen in his life.  “To be fair, I am a master at distraction.”

Dick raised his eyebrows, “Is there a reason you’re not telling Bruce?”

“Well, I…” rip, stick, rip, stick. “I dunno. At first I was makin’ sure everything would be in place so that it wouldn’t be like I was… pullin’ the rug out from under Bruce’s feet.”

Dick looked like the puzzle pieces were falling into place. “So… things will be smoother when you start… chemotherapy.”

Jason nodded and started picking at a hangnail, “And once I got everything in place…I just, I could never find the right time to tell Bruce.” Jay chewed the inside of his cheek, “I was close to tellin’ him last week. Back when we were visitin’ all the kids at Gotham General. And he was talkin’ to one of the dad’s and I don’t think there’s gonna be a way for me to tell Bruce without completely throwing him off kilter because he said– Bruce said, ‘I don’t know what I would do if I found out if one of my sons were sick.’ How am I supposed to tell him now?” He leaned into Dick’s shoulder, “I want to tell him. I need to tell him, but–”

“Jason. There’s no ‘buts’ here.” His voice was soft but firm, “Tomorrow, we’ll go back to Gotham together. We’ll sit Bruce down, and if you can’t bring yourself to tell him, I will. Ok?”

Jay nodded. Throat closing up with another whimper he refused to let out. 

Dick moved his arm so he was holding Jay more comfortably, and rested his chin on Jason’s head, “Te iubesc.”

I love you.

“Dick…” His eyes burned as he lost any semblance of composure he had gained. As more hot tears rolled down his cheeks. As he buried his face in Dick’s shirt. “I’m so scared.”

“Atunci te voi proteja, aripa mea mică. Mereu.”

Then I’ll protect you, my little wing. Always.

Dick called Donna  to ask her to bring the car closer to the Low Memorial Library. They didn’t finish the tour, nor did Jason get to meet with an academic advisor for the pre-med track, they ended up going back to Titans Tower earlier than they had planned

Dick got out of the car and went to help Jay, but he brushed him off, “I’m tired, not helpless.”

Dick opened his mouth like he was about to say something, but stopped himself before he could

This week couldn’t have just been normal like he planned it to be? Why couldn’t his bones just… be normal, and grow how they were supposed to? Why…

Why couldn’t he just have a normal life? 

The doors to the elevator opened and suddenly confetti was littering the air, and the first thing his eyes caught sight of was a banner that said “Happy Retirement!”

He could feel the twin cringes from both Donna and Dick. And, since he was an actor he had to play the part. He turned around with his hand covering his mouth, “You guys… you didn’t have to do this for me.”

But, maybe Dick and Donna were way too visibly anguished to the rest of the Titans, to just brush it off, because they had various levels of confusion and concern written on their faces.

Kori was the first to speak up, “What’s wrong?”

Neither Dick nor Donna answered her question, and Jay shrugged and started crutching towards the couch, “Ooh! Cake.”

Almost immediately after he sat down, Lian came running towards him, and pounced, “Happy we-tiwerd-mend!”

Except, she had jumped right onto his knee. Causing numbness to buzz the area before crackling white hot pain took over. And his stupid dry eyes decided they were going to tear up, again.

Suddenly, Roy was squatting in front of him, like he was a little kid, which he wasn’t. He wasn’t. “Are you ok, Jace?”

“Yeah.” He angrily scrubbed at his eyes. He’s been through worse pain, why was he acting like such a baby now.  “Tibias are so futile.”

Roy looked confused, but still nodded.

He glanced at older Jason, and– “For fucks sake, half of you already know.” He buried his face in his hands. “One of you guys can share with the class.” 

There was a beat of silence before Gar cleared his throat, “Jason, um… Jason has cancer.”

Everyone was frozen in place. Except for Lian, who tugged his sleeve, “What’s cancer?”

Jay gave her a little smile, “It just means I’m sick.”

“Does your tummy hurd? My tummy hurds when I’m sick.”

Jay let out a little chuckle, “Nah, my tummy doesn’t hurt. But I’m a lot more… tired than I used to be.”

“You do look weally tiward.” 

“Thanks, Lian. Now that that’s settled, can we have cake?”

No one answered, except for Lian, “I wan cake too!”

He scooted around Roy so he could reach the coffee table and cut a slice for himself and Lian. And sometime while he had moved to cut the cake, everyone had unfrozen and started to move, but he was ignoring them. He was going to enjoy his cake and ignore the pity. He doesn’t need pity. 

They were currently back in the guest room where Dick was passive aggressively packing his things, “Why did I think this universe would be any different? This whole time–”

“Oi! You say that like he’s already dead.”

“Positive vibes, my ass.” 

“Well, forgive me for trying not to lose my mind while watching different versions of myself die in every single universe we go–”

The door opened, then closed, and there stood younger Dick, “Excuse me, what?” Then he shook his head, “You know what, I– that’s not what I wanted to talk to you guys about, and I’m going to assume that was a hyperbole, and please don’t tell me because I will not be able to focus on what I wanted to talk with you guys about.” He took in a deep breath, “How, in a house filled with detectives, did no one figure out that my brother was sick?”

And that was Dick’s ‘I’m about to beat the shit out of someone’ voice. Jason was going to get the biggest ass beating of his life by Dick– by both Dicks. 

Older Dick sat down on the edge of the bed and ran a hand through his hair, “In hindsight it was so obvious, and I thought something was up a month ago, but I thought he was just depressed. I checked in with him and– I knew something was wrong, I just didn’t think it would be…”

Younger Dick’s eyes flickered towards him and then he frowned, “But you knew.” 

He was going to die again, this time by his brother's hand. God, he always thought he was Cain. “I did try to get Jason to tell Bruce himself. And when it was clear he wasn’t going to do it, I tried to tell Bruce and Alfred myself. It's just… It was like there was always something stopping me from doing so. Either Bruce would cut me off with matters he thought was more important, or something would come up and he’d have to leave.”

“Why–” Younger Dick’s phone began to ring, eyes narrowing when he saw the caller ID, and then cut the call. “It was Bruce. Why–” The phone started to ring again, and Dick hung up again. Then it rang a third time. 

“For fucks sake,” Older Dick answered the call, and motioned for him to answer.

Younger Dick put the phone up to his ear and then frowned, “You’re not my Bruce.” a pause, “Yeah, they’re both here with me right now.” The amount of guilt laced in Dick’s expression could probably fill up an entire swimming pool, “Yeah, he probably didn’t pick up because he’s taking a nap.” Dick handed the phone over to Jason.

He frowned and glanced at Older Dick. Why would Bruce want to just talk to him? “What’s up, Old Man?”

“Nothing really. I just wanted to check in with you. Are you… are you doing alright?”

“...Yeah? Why wouldn’t I–” And then it hit him, “Oh. I forgot it was the 27th.” 

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

He saw the Dicks sign something back and forth between each other– Older Dick explaining what’s up with the 27th. Minus the death part.

“I suppose that’s most likely because it’s not even April in our universe.”

“Yeah. Probably.” Jason paused, “Are… you doing ok?”

“Of course.”

“...ok… I’m gonna give the phone to Dick– Like, our Di- Richard.” he handed the phone over to him.

Younger Dick made eye contact with him and signed, Clearly a retirement party, today of all days, was just a bad idea all around.

Jason shrugged, You didn’t know.

I should have.

Stop with the guilt. Doesn’t create solutions. 

“--Ok, Bruce, I’ll– yeah. Can you give the phone to other Bruce? Dick needs to talk to him.” Younger Dick made a deer in headlight look and Older Dick signed, Tell your B-R-U-C-E that you’re coming. Give him a heads up.

Younger Dick flipped him off and took the phone, pausing for a minute. “Hey Bruce.” his mouth was pressed into a tight line, “We… had to leave earlier than we planned.” Dick’s knee started to bounce, as he looked down to his shoes, “No. There wasn’t any attack or anything. Have you… have you noticed anything about Jason recently?” Dick’s eyes turned glossy, as his face scrunched up, and he looked up at the ceiling.“No– well, Bruce he’s–” Dick sniffled, while older Dick went to put a hand on his shoulder, “Bruce, he–” a tear escaped from his eyes, and he buried his face in his hands, “This… this isn’t really a conversation to have over the phone. I know you’re probably thinking of the–” Dick paused, “No. It’s urgent, but not that urgent. We’re leaving tomorrow anyway.” He let out a shaky breath, “Yeah, I’m coming back to Gotham. For Jason. He wants to tell you. So when he tells you, can you just listen to him? Please?” a watery smile appeared on his face, “Yeah, I’m ok. I’m ok. I didn’t think I would– ugh.” He wiped his eyes, “This is embarrassing.” His eyes began to water again, “I-I love you too. Yeah. See you tomorrow.” Dick hung up and rubbed his eyes pretty aggressively, “Fuck.”

(Author here, I was debating whether or not to include this scene, but yk what, I will)

ABBA.

Jason shouldn’t have expected anything else from Younger Dick. Or any Dick for that matter

It was the next day, and the four of them were currently in the car, with the Dicks in the front, (Dick was driving) and the Jasons in the back. (Jason had lost the battle for the passenger seat.)

Jason glanced at Older Dick who was tapping the steering wheel while humming.

“And here we go again, we know the start, we know the end; Masters of the scene; We've done it all before and now we're back to get some more.”

And then he turned back to Jay and Dick who were both fully into the song, pointing at him with a huge grin on his face, “You know what I mean”

Honestly, it was really fun if he ignored the impending doom of death lurking in the corner.

He grinned, and sang along “Voulez-vous (aha)”

Maybe the sooner they left the reality, the better chance it gave Jay of beating cancer. 

“Voulez-vous (aha)...”

Incongruities must be purged. Jesus, that voice was getting too loud. Where’s his mind-muffler?

The song ended, and– “Is this real? Is this a fanta–” Then is skipped to the next song. 

By Richard, and his little driver’s seat skip button.

“NO GO BACK!!” 

No one skips Queen. He was glad Jay was on the same page as him.

Older Dick glanced over, “Dick, I’m begging you, please don’t. Please. If I have to listen to Jason belt Bohemi–”

Jay looked at Older Dick, through the rearview mirror with hurt laced in his expression, “Are you saying you don’t like my voice?”

“No! Not yours–”

“But… we’re the same person.”

“Bud… you’ve barely hit puberty.”

Jay’s jaw dropped, as Jason had to turn to the window too conceal a laugh.

Jay gave younger Dick’s shoulder his ‘kicked puppy’ expression (that Jason could no loner pull off) and Dick changed the song back. 

“NO!! Wait! What about–”

“Is this real?”

Younger Dick patted his shoulder, “How bad could it possibly be?”

Jay and Jason turned to eachother,“Is this a fantasy?

Older Dick glared at him, “It’s only bad with context–”

Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality”

Jason smirked, “But Dick, Now you have more context.  Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see; I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy; Because I'm easy come, easy go, little high, little low; Any way the wind blows doesn't really matter to me, to me.”

Older Dick knocked his head against the steering wheel.

“Mama, just killed a man; Put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger, now he's dead; Mama, life had just begun; But now I've gone and thrown it all away”

Dick looked back to him, “Holy fuck, Jaso–”

“Mama, ooh, didn't mean to make you cry; If I'm not back again this time tomorrow; Carry on, carry on as if nothing really matters.

“Too late, my time has come; Sends shivers down my spine, body's aching all the time; Goodbye, everybody, I've got to go; Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth.”

Jay grabbed his arm,“Mama, ooh;I don't wanna– dude… get a therapist.”

Younger Dick looked between Older Dick and Jay, “Am I missing something?”

Jason shrugged, “I see a little silhouetto of a man; Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango?”

Jay… was going to throw up. He was going to puke. Yeah, the car ride was a great distraction, but as soon as the Gotham air hit, it was like a tsunami of anxiety decided to wash him clean.

Alfred met them in the garage, where Dick (his brother) immediately wrapped him in a hug, “Master Dick, it’s lovely to see you.” 

“Yeah, Alfie, you too.”

Jay tried to crutch past the two, but Alfred obviously noticed, “Ah, Master Jason. Master Bruce wishes to speak with you in the library.”

He was going to scream. He was going to scream. He was going to scream. “Oh. Not the study?’

“He specifically requested the library.”

A place where he would be comfortable. Does Bruce know something was up? “Ok.” He glanced at Dick, who gave him a pressed smile and followed him to the library.

And there Bruce was waiting on the couch. With his look of concern slightly masked, “Hello boys.” he was sitting on the corner of the couch, so that Jay could sit closer or farther from him if need be.

Jay sat right next to him, “Hey, Bruce. How was your week with Bruce?” A decent amount of the poetry books they usually read out of were stacked on the coffee table, along with a pot of tea, and some cups. So Bruce knew something was wrong.

He felt the couch dip on the other side of him, and knew Dick sat down.

Bruce moved his arm so that it was behind Jay, resting on the back of the couch, “I suddenly understand why the both of you dislike it when I only communicate like a caveman.” A joke. To lighten up the mood. Bruce barely ever cracks jokes. He cleared his throat when it was obvious the joke didn’t really land, “I couldn’t imagine what losing you would–” Bruce cut himself off. 

Jay looked back at Dick who was making his ‘Wrong step!’ face. 

So… had Dick already told him– no. 

Bruce would’ve had him go straight to Leslie’s clinic. He reached for one of the poetry books on the table. One from “Goblin Market and Other Poems” By Christina Rossetti. Jay leaned his head against Bruce’s chest, and flipped to one of the pages marked with a post it note.

He smirked up at Bruce, “My secret I tell my secret? No indeed, not I: Perhaps some day, who knows? But not to-day; it froze, and blows, and snows, And you're too curious: fie!You want to hear it? Well: Only, my secret's mine, and I won't tell.”

“Jason, you have to tell him.”

“Richard, it’s what’s written on the page.” Jay cleared his throat and looked back down at the book “Or, after all, perhaps there's none: Suppose there is no secret after all, But only just my fun. To-day's a nipping day, a biting day; In which one wants a shawl, A veil, a cloak, and other wraps: I cannot ope to every one who taps, And let the draughts come whistling through my hall; Come bounding and surrounding me, Come buffeting, astounding me, Nipping and clipping through my wraps and all. I wear my mask for warmth: who ever shows, His nose to Russian snows, To be pecked at by every wind that blows? You would not peck? I thank you for good will, Believe, but leave that truth untested still.

“Spring's an expansive time: yet I don't trust; March with its peck of dust, Nor April with its rainbow-crowned brief showers, Nor even May, whose flowers; One frost may wither through the sunless hours.

“Perhaps some languid summer day, When drowsy birds sing less and less, And golden fruit is ripening to excess, If there's not too much sun nor too much cloud, And the warm wind is neither still nor loud, Perhaps my secret I may say, Or you may guess.” Jay looked up at Buce. “Does the self proclaimed world’s greatest detective have a guess?”

Bruce hummed, deep and rumbly to the point where Jay could feel the vibrations, “You’ve decided you want Tim to be the next Robin… because you’ve been tired recently?”

Jay nodded. He could hear Bruce’s heartbeat. Even and strong. His, on the other hand, was racing like a rabbit. 

He flipped the pages to the poem Mirage, “The hope I dreamed of was a dream, ⁠⁠Was but a dream; and now I wake; Exceeding comfortless, and worn, and old, ⁠⁠For a dream's sake.

I hang my harp upon a tree, ⁠⁠A weeping willow in a lake; I hang my silenced harp there, wrung and snapt, ⁠⁠For a dream's sake.

Lie still, lie still, my breaking heart; ⁠⁠My silent heart, lie still and break: Life, and the world, and mine own self, are changed; ⁠⁠For a dream's sake.”

He felt Bruce’s heart do a weird ker-sloosh before evening out again, “Jay… Lad, you don’t have to tell me right now, or at all, if you don’t want to. If you’re not ready to.”

“No. I have to tell you. Cus it’s been at least a month and–”

“At least a month?” Oh, that was his Batman growl.

Jay sat up, “I dunno, I was tryin’ to ignore it, but…”

Dick covered his face with his hands, “Holy… wrong conclusion, Batman.Also, this is a Bruce issue. There’s no one to punch, ok?” He crossed his arms over his chest and sank down into the couch, looking Jay in the eye, then to Bruce, then at Jay’s knee.

He continued flipping through the book, “I’ve been, uh, I’ve been thinkin’ about my mom recently. Kinda because I didn’t realize how many of her mannerisms I have until seein’ ‘em in other Jason. And he’s hers in the ways that count, but he wasn’t even born of her womb.” He cringed at that phrasing, “Not like I was.” He looked up from the page he landed on, tracing the design of the rug with his foot, “Remember when I got that first really bad fever? And then another one and then another one? I– I didn’t want to– I–” He cut himself off as his throat began to close up. 

He already cried in front of Dick, which was bad enough. He had to be strong about this. For Bruce. 

He looked back at the page, “I have no wit, no words, no tears; My heart within me like a stone; Is numb'd too much for hopes or fears; Look right, look left, I dwell alone; I lift mine eyes, but dimm'd with grief; No everlasting hills I see; My life is in the falling leaf:O Jesus, quicken me.

My life is like a faded leaf, My harvest dwindled to a husk: Truly my life is void and brief; And tedious in the barren dusk; My life is like a frozen thing, No bud nor greenness can I see: Yet rise it shall—the sap of Spring;” He took in a deep breath, “Gar basically confirmed it when I saw him, but I kinda knew before.” 

Three words. 

He could say them.

Dick grabbed his hand.

 I…” He felt his lips start to pull down, so he bit the side of his cheek, and looked Bruce in the eyes. And he knew that look. Bruce had put it together, but was just waiting for him to actually say it. To confirm. 

And–

His eyes started to burn, “Dad.”

His vision was too blurry to actually see Bruce’s reaction, but he felt his arms engulf him. He heard his heart against his ear. He felt his hand smooth out the curls on the nape of his neck.

“We’ll figure this out, Jason. I promise.” Bruce murmured, “I promise.”

[heeracha]

ep 19. / ep 20. — the one with jay's sweater. / ep 21.

end of the line. — p. jongseong

synopsis: thinking it was a hotline for people who just need someone to talk to, jay calls. but why did a clueless student answer? with jay’s phone call has a time limit, you, the clueless student, insists on staying with him until the end of the line.

pairing: jay x f!reader

content/genre: college au (wow shocking), slowburn, fluff, angst and crack, smau.

warning(s): friends teasing friends, yk affectionate teasing, swearing, tell me if i missed something !! jay having delulu panic. food.

note: okay, here's 20 omg omg JSBDJHSBDHDS pls pray for jay's soul lmaooo,,, playlist is ready buuuut im still waiting for one song to be in spoti and it is cauSE I LIKE YOU BY CHANGLIX,, it fits so much SBDHSDB see u later for 21 &lt;3

jay sighs as he sees his helpers (heeseung, jake, sunghoon and sunoo) serving the people going towards his booth. he was relieved, really. he thought it wouldn’t go as well as he thought. 

“hyung!” sunoo calls and jay goes to him. “we ran out of the chocolate chip.” he says, holding the tray out and jay hums, smiling as he takes it. jay was nervous, he thought only a fee would buy from him. 

“jay,” heeseung calls and jay hums, turning to the slightly taller boy. “go there. someone wants to buy, but everyone’s busy here.” he says, pointing at the side and jay hums, grabbing a towel to wipe his hands. he goes to the side where heeseung pointed and jay drops the towel when he sees… you.

jay turns around, glaring at heeseung who just smiles as he cleans up the unnecessary mess around. jay turns back around and you smile at him. “hi,” you says and jay nervously smiles, feeling his throat get caught up like always when he’s around you. so he just waves. “um, just one box of the cream puffs.”

you say it in the softest way and jay had to resist himself from freaking out that he’s talking to you. well… you’re talking to him. 

“t-that’s all?” jay stutters and you hum, looking around.

“you got any recommendation?” you ask and jay looks around, his fingers unconsciously playing with the chip on the side of the table. what can he recommend? what can he recommend? i don’t know, jongseong thinks it would have been ten times easier if you just go on a date with him and he could cook and bake everything for you.

in conclusion, that’s what he recommends: a date with him.

“um,” jay trails off. “maybe the, uh,”

jay was literally sweating bullets and you couldn’t help but think how cute he was. he wasn’t just cute, he was literally sent from heaven and nothing could convince you otherwise. he wasn’t just your cute guy. he’s your pretty boy.

“try the muffin, y/n.” sunoo says and you look at the side to see your close friend pointing at the muffin. “hi, by the way.”

“hi, sun.” you greet with a smile and jay clears his throat as he gets two of the muffins and a box of cream puffs.

“the, um, muffins are for free.” jay says.

“oh, no, jay, i can’t accept that.”

fuck. you know his name. and hearing you say it made jay short-circuited. it got him thinking, how is he breathing right in front of you? how has he not fainted, really?

“no, seriously.” jay softly says. “i take too long to get a sentence out of me, uh… and you haven’t left yet. seriously, just…” he says, nodding as he puts the pastries in a paper bag after wrapping the muffins up. jay holds up the paper bag, giving it to you. you squeal in surprise when the paper bag accidentally pushes a cupcake off and lands on your top.

jay’s jaw drops, eyes widening as he looks at you. but you were just laughing, putting the cupcake on the table as you try to remove the icing off your shirt.

“i’m so so sorry.” jay mutters and you giggle, shaking your head.

“it’s okay!” you say, still with a bright smile that jay barely saw, but never failed to make his heart jump.

“no, no. you’re wearing a white top, i—”

“no, jay, it’s okay. don’t worry!” you say. “the icing is white anyway, it’s barely noticeable!”

“hey,” jake says from behind as he goes beside jay, grabbing jay’s sweater in the process. “here you go, wear it for now. it’s jay’s.”

“oh, is it okay?” you ask and jay nods frantically. “thanks, jay.”

“please understand him, he didn’t get much sleep last night from baking all of these.” jake says and you laugh, shaking your head.

“seriously, it’s okay.” you say with a smile. “oh, how much was it, again?”

“oh, please, no.” jay says. “you don’t have to. it’s on me, after i made a mess, it’s only fair that i don’t make you pay. i’m really sorry, y/n.”

“it’s okay, i promise.” you softly say with a smile. “it tastes good, anyway.”

“your shirt got the cupcake, not your mouth.” sunoo says from the back and jay hides his face on his palms. sunghoon lightly nudges sunoo as he and heeseung turn around, not able to resist their laugh.

“right,” you say, cheeks growing red. “anyway, jay, how much was it?”

“no, seriously. it’s okay.” jay says with a nervous cute smile. “thank you for wanting to try them, i hope you’d like them.”

you smile. “thanks, jay.” you say. “i have to go. i still have class.” you say with a smile, waving at sunoo who waves back. you turn around, going to the restroom. when you were inside, jay turns around, looking at his friends who are smiling at him.

“let’s not speak of this ever.” jay says and sunoo chuckles.

“hyung, you did great. at least, you talked.” sunoo says.

“i didn’t talk to her. some nervous idiot who short-circuited did.” jay says and heeseung smiles, raising his thumbs up. “i can’t face her again, ever.” jay says, shaking his head and he turns around to see you.

you. 

in his sweater.

fuck.

you smiled, raising the paper bag that jay didn’t realize you left there so you could change. “thanks again, jay.” you say and jay nods. you walk off, going to lily who was passing by. you talked to her as you both walk to your classes. jay softly chuckles when you open the paper bag and immediately taking it out of lily’s reach when she was about to grab something from inside.

but one thing that was engraved in his mind right now.

you in his sweater.

if only he had the courage to ask you out, maybe you would steal all of his clothes to wear it. but he wouldn’t be mad when you look too damn cute in his sweater.

also, why the hell did you sound so familiar?

eotl, 2022. — heeracha

[bulletproofscales]

august heat day 4 - dynamics (2seok-kook)

honestly more of a drabble situation happening but i liked this one a LOT! (╯✧▽✧)╯  not everything has ot have a plot ! specially if im meant to pump these out once a day .(￣▽￣*)ゞ  enjoy this horny stream of thoughts. 

tags: established married 2seok , omega x omega , omega seokjin , omega hoseok , work couple , alpha jungkook , recepcionist jungkook , weight gain , unconsious gain , oblivious gain , chubby jungkook

1.2k

Hoseok and Seokjin knew omega and omega relationships aren’t easy. 

Not so much because of hormones, or the heats. Like most people like to assume. 

The stigma was quite tiring, though. 

So many alphas, convinced they’re the ones to make the married couple knotcrazy. That they’d be able to score two omegas. Hoseok can’t hide his disgust and Seokjin can’t contain his laughter as smug alphas make their way to them whenever they go. It's humiliating enough to make anyone flee. 

But… The looks they both exchange shows they’re thinking the same thing. 

This one is different. 

Big, puppy eyes. A tone that's too sweet to be an alpha. But it's obvious, the way his shoulders stretch his poor button up shirt, chest stretching the poor buttons a bit. And scent musky enough to seep through the office. 

“Introduce yourself.” Their boss instructs the alpha. 

“Hi everyone, I’m Jeon Jungkook. I’m the receptionist here and—and just let me know if you need help with anything!” A full 90 degree bow, and the way he has to adjust his big glasses afterwards is all it takes for the Seokjin and Hoseok to know. 

It wasn’t intentional, the couple didn’t talk it over. But it must've been instinctual the way they both gravitated towards the reception desk to personally introduce themselves. Getting a closer look at the alpha’s cute demeanor, bowing to Seokjin and Hoseok, who had since long stopped trying to hide the fact they’re a couple in the office. They could see Jungkook’s eyes navigate to their linked hands and the rings on each of their fingers. It's so cute how the gears turn in his head. 

A test if you will. To see if Jungkook’s respectful junior employee facade went beyond subgenders. And it did, in that same conversation the blush-cheeked alpha congratulating them both; albeit a little embarrassed, but that's okay. It only enticed the two omegas more. 

They don’t know who started it. But they formula became simple enough:

Bring extra sweets to work, to offer their receptionist. 

Hoseok and Seokjin live together, so it was easy enough to find Seokjin making an extra serving of the lunch they will bring to work the next day. Or Hoseok driving them to stop at a bakery before work. Unspokenly aware of who all of this food was for. It would be too embarrassing to bring up. 

Gifting an alpha food. That’s such primitive and backwards omega courting strategies. Hoseok and Seokjin are nothing like that! They're above instincts. And certainly above looking out for an alpha. 

But how could they resist, when Jungkook took everything they brought him so gratefully. It was perfectly convenient when he forgot his lunch the first time and Hoseok was quick to offer to buy him some. Though most times, the alpha had dutifully brought himself something to eat, yet he always made sure to scarf down the servings that the omega couple had brought for him. They could see him from their desks the way he determinedly forced himself to finish, and the way he leaned back on the office chair afterwards; a little bit short of breath from just how full he is. 

That's a satisfied alpha right there. A thought that fueled them even more. 

And their efforts paid off. The couple knew their spouse was also ogling the alpha as his work clothes began to fill out. His already tight button ups, looking suffocating, not in muscle but chub. Pillowy to the touch in the unflattering fabric. Belt of his dress pants created a muffin top that sat over the waistband. Otherwise muscular and small butt looking rounded out and bubbly; jiggling when he brought out copies to their manager. Or came back with everyone’s coffee order. Seokjin could not have been less subtle when, with the exclusive view of his desk, he saw the way Jungkook sat down and subtlety undid his belt and pants just when he arrived from work. 

He was plumping up, from them. Their doing. 

It should've been a stop sign. After all, doesn’t anyone want a strong chiseled alpha? Guess Seokjin and Hoseok aren’t that succumbed to instincts. The first sights of progress motivated them even more. Jungkook had to force himself to finish out of politeness those first weeks. But afterwards, it seemed like the alpha couldn’t get enough. 

And who were they to deny him? 

He whined so sweetly when lunch time was arriving, restless as his stomach grumbled. In the more quiet moments of the office, you could even hear it. In meetings where Jungkook was taking notes, the blush rose all over his rounded out face. Burying his head into the notepad as he scribbled away, hoping nobody would have heard. 

Probably the entire table did, but Hoseok quietly slid down the little tray of snacks that Jungkook had prepared himself. Mostly untouched, maybe that’s why he can see hesitation in the alpha’s eyes. Jungkook could never resist though, not when one of his two favorite senior employees was offering. A warm smile he knew Jungkook couldn’t say no to; if the last 4 months are anything to go by. The entire tray was eaten by the receptionist who put it there, and Hoseok’s hand pats the alpha’s thigh under the table when he feels Jungkook shift uncomfortably full. 

Their alpha has no self control. 

Hoseok and Seokjin swear it was a coincidence when they saw Jungkook hurriedly rush to the toilet. Right before lunch. Wouldn’t have thought much of it if it wasn’t for the quiet ‘fuck’ that came from one of the stalls. Once again, the couple share one of their knowing looks. 

“Jungkookie? Everything okay?” Hoseok asks tentatively. 

“Oh–Yeah yeah, I’m fine. Just.-- ugh!” His grunt is more whiny than frustrated. Adorable in every situation it seems. “Is it just you guys?” His tone is quieter. It's lovely how he already knows the couple is together. 

“Yes, puppy. You can tell us.” Seokjin says an endeared smile already on his face. The pet name that's been slipping out of both their lips lately. But they made sure to keep it for private moments like these. 

Jungkook doesn’t answer, instead opening the door. To reveal the sight of his fully unbuttoned pants, with a pudgy bottom roll that pushes between the flaps. A curved cute belly with naked pink pudge along his hips. 

“I–I snacked all day and now I can’t get them to button.” He confesses. “B–But I got a meeting after lunch and I–I can’t skip lunch but they definitely own’t button then!” He whines, eyebrows cutely scrunched up in worry. 

“Aigo… You should’ve bought a bigger pair a while ago, Kook.” Seokjin comments without malice. 

“I didn’t think I gained t–that much. Until now.” He becomes more and more shameful, trying to shrink into himself. 

“Let's go buy you some new ones!” Hoseok interjects. “Our lunch break is long enough, plus we can invite you to lunch, like we’ve been talking about.” He eyes Seokjin. A bit of a shameless advance, but the couple has been talking about it for months. 

Jungkook smiles a bit, knowing but still timid. “O–Okay, let's go.” 

Not only is this one not like the others. This one is theirs.

[sjsmith56]

Getting Hitched, Chapter 26 - Eyes of the Father

Summary: It’s the wedding day!

Length: 4.4 K

Characters: Bucky, Lacey, Tommy, everyone.

Warnings: Lacey experiences a dizzy moment due to the heat but otherwise it’s all fluff.

Author notes: Bucky gets the woman he loves, and more.

<<Chapter 25

💍 🍰 🪩

There were several Avengers that got up with Bucky for a run the next morning. Even Terry and Tommy came out and joined them. They ran the perimeter of Clint's farm which didn't take long for most of them. By the time they got back the caterers had pancakes, sausages, bacon and scrambled eggs ready for everyone. There were also an assortment of muffins, pastries and fresh fruit. No one said anything when both Bucky and Tommy piled up their plates, knowing already they had caloric requirements for the high metabolism they shared. Clint came out to the food tables and loaded up a plate for Lacey, taking it back in the house.

Bucky watched, a big smile on his face. "I'm not even allowed to see her at breakfast?" he called as Clint went back inside.

"No," replied Clint leaning out the door briefly. "You'll see her this afternoon."

There was some laughter from the other guests and Bucky stayed put in his chair, stuffing his face, as Tommy called it. He noticed Terry sitting next to Sarah and were both flirting in an outrageous way. When he glanced at Sam, sitting on his other side it seemed he was okay with it. Sam looked at him and shrugged slightly.

"She's a grown woman," he said. "He's a nice man."

"So was I," said Bucky, in mock offence.

"You were taken," replied Sam, then he changed the subject. "So, what's this big announcement that Fury's going to make at the reception?"

"I don't know," lied Bucky. "He hasn't said anything to me."

"You're a terrible liar," said Sam. "I'm shocked he's even going to be here. There's only a skeleton crew minding the compound and I never heard of him attending any social functions with the old Avengers."

"Times change," said Bucky. "Maybe they have the training centre completed."

"Right," drawled Sam. "I can just see you being the first one there, pumping iron, doing a thousand push ups every day, and practicing your marksmanship."

"It's why I'm good at what I do," replied Bucky. "My body is a machine, Sam. Haven't you always said that?"

Sam sniffed and kept eating his breakfast while Bucky just chuckled. They were all going to be so surprised. Clint came out of the house again and this time he was looking for volunteers starting with Bucky and Sam.

"We have to finish decorating the barn," he announced. "Dressing the chairs, and tables, setting them in the right position, making sure the stage is safe for the DJ. Peter, you know technical stuff, can you check the lighting and make sure it all works?"

Peter Parker stopped chewing, mid-bite. "Sure, I can do that," he said, with his mouth partially full of food.

With Clint glaring at everyone breakfast seemed to speed up and soon there was a small army finishing the barn decoration as well as making sure the wedding ceremony location was also ready. With a couple of hours left before the ceremony Clint was satisfied and everyone was released to begin getting ready.

It was a good thing that Fury made sure they would have enough hot water for the showers as everyone hit them almost at the same time. Bucky needed only five minutes and he didn't care if it was hot or cold having been used to getting it done quickly either way. He came out of his shower and shaved, running his hand over his face after to make sure he hadn't missed a spot. He used a balm instead of an aftershave lotion, wanting to keep his inevitable five o'clock shadow as soft as possible. Then he brushed his teeth and looked out his bedroom door to see Terry and Tommy putting their suits on inside the trailer.

"My bathroom is free if anyone needs to use it," he announced, peeking out with a towel wrapped around his waist.

Sam came in to shave and brush his teeth while Bucky started dressing. Tommy came in with his tie in hand.

"Dad, how do I do this?" he asked.

Bucky zipped his pants up then stood behind Tommy in front of a mirror and placed the tie around his son's neck. "I learned the Windsor knot from my dad but when I joined the army they taught me the four-in-hand knot which is easier," he said. "That's the one I use now so I'll show you that one."

Patiently he showed Tommy how to do it, then asked if he wanted a go himself. When Tommy said yes Bucky undid the tie and walked him through it again, letting Tommy work the tie. When Tommy pulled the wide part through the top and down for the final part Bucky smiled at him.

"You got it," he said. "I couldn't have done better myself." Tommy beamed and Bucky hugged him from behind, before planting a kiss on top of his caramel brown hair. "You want some product for your hair?"

Tommy nodded and Bucky grabbed his can of pomade. He took about a dime's worth out, put it in Tommy's palm then told him to rub it well between his hands to warm it up and spread it around his fingers. Next, he instructed Tommy to start from the back of his head and lightly work his fingers to his crown, rub his hands again to redistribute it, then work it into the top and front, making sure to distribute it evenly.

"I use a water based one," he said, "so that it doesn't look greasy or waxy. I make sure my hair is dry when I use it so that it doesn't look wet either. When I was young I used Brylcreem but it makes it look too slick for my taste now. This looks more natural to me."

Gently he adjusted a few pieces of hair that stuck out, smoothing them back into place. Then Sam tossed him a hand towel and he gave it to Tommy to remove the remaining pomade from his hands. His son looked at himself in the mirror and smiled broadly.

"Looks good," he said, turning his head one way then another before smiling at Bucky. "Thanks, Dad."

Bucky felt his throat constrict and his eyes begin to water. "You're welcome," he said, trying not to give in to the strong emotion he felt at that moment.

Tommy went back out to the living area of the RV and Bucky watched him, noticing that Sarah was helping Terry with his tie. There were several soft looks and smiles exchanged between them as she straightened the knot, then his collar.

"You're a good Dad," said Sam, who had witnessed Bucky and Tommy's moment as he came out of the bathroom. "You're going to be okay at being a husband and father."

"Thanks," replied Bucky, turning back, slightly embarrassed. He picked up his shirt, put it on, and began buttoning it up. "I missed out on so much with him. Lacey did such a good job raising him. So did Terry. I kind of hope he and Sarah make a go of it. He would be good to her and the boys." He hesitated for a moment. "Lacey's pregnant, five weeks. We're going to announce it at the reception but you're my best friend, so I'll tell you now."

Sam stuck his hand out grinning. "Congratulations, that's awesome," he said. "She really is the right woman for you. Even when you two were split up you looked out for her and Tommy. You're a good man, Buck. Really, you are."

"So are you," replied Bucky, who took a deep breath. "Let's get this wedding going, okay?"

Sam nodded and left Bucky to finish getting ready. By the time they assembled in the living area of the RV there was a knock on the door. Laura came in with the boutonnières and a small box for Bucky. He opened it and smiled as he read the enclosed note. It was a Rolex, a vintage one. Sam looked at it and whistled out loud.

"That's beautiful," he said. "Do you know how old it is?"

"1941," said Bucky. "She found it when she went wedding dress shopping in New York." The tears began forming in his eyes as he strapped it on his right wrist. He pulled his handkerchief out and dabbed at his eyes. "Look at me, I'm crying like a baby. Laura, tell her I loved it. I won't wear it on missions because I'm scared I'll break it but I'll wear it for special occasions. Hold on, while I get her present."

He went back to the bedroom and came out with a long flat case, handing it to Laura without a word, only a smile. She kissed him on the cheek and left with the case.

"Pearls," he said to the others. "I've always loved seeing a woman in pearls. I have something for all of you as well. Let me get them." He returned to the bedroom and came out with three different sized boxes and a folded piece of paper. "I wasn't sure what to get you but I'm a practical guy, so Sam, I got you this for one of those quiet nights on your porch, enjoying the ambience."

He handed him a box. Inside was a bottle of 20 year old Macallan scotch, an engraved crystal glass, and a package of three premium cigars. Sam nodded his head smiling.

"Thank you," he said. "You'll have to come and taste this sometime. I'll bet it's good."

Bucky turned to Terry and smiled emotionally at him. "I wasn't expecting to find another man who I regarded as a brother," he began. "After you first punched me I thought for sure you hated me but later you extended your hand in friendship. I've appreciated your counsel since then. Here, I was told these are really good and I thought they would come in handy during an afternoon game."

Bucky handed Terry his box and he opened it up to a pair of Oakley sunglasses. Smiling he took them out and put them on, then went into the bathroom to see how they looked. He came out and gave Bucky a bear hug, thanking him profusely. Bucky looked at Tommy.

"You were the hardest to buy for because you're not old enough to drink," he said, smiling. "You're not old enough to smoke, and at your age I would be worried about you losing an expensive pair of sunglasses. So your Mom and I talked and I convinced her that once we move to where we told you, you could have one of these to ride around on the property."

He unfolded the sheet of paper and gave it to Tommy. His face erupted in a big smile as it showed a smaller version of a Kawasaki motorcycle, a different model from Bucky's.

"Seriously, Dad?" he asked. "You trust me on a motorbike?"

"Well, I'll teach you to maintain it, and ride it properly. You can only do it if you're geared up with a helmet and protective wear," replied Bucky. "Like I said, it's only for riding on the property. You're not old enough to have a licence so you can't ride it on the roads or highways. I trust you, Tom. Don't let me down."

Tommy grabbed him around the middle and held on tight. Bucky patted his back.

"What's that box for?" asked Tommy, pointing to a small box on the counter.

"Well, that's something for Sarah," said Bucky, looking fondly at her. "Kind of a thank you for letting me live with them and being like my sister."

He opened the box, revealing a white gold bracelet with a single birthstone. Taking it out he fastened it to her wrist receiving a kiss on the cheek as thanks.

They put their boutonnières on, with Sarah's help, then Bucky led them to the door and they went out into the heat of the day. Almost everyone was already seated at the wedding venue. Even though there were industrial fans blowing the air around most people were fanning themselves in the heat.

"You ready for a wedding, Sergeant Barnes?" said a familiar voice and Bucky turned to see Nick Fury, accompanied by Dr. Strange and Wong.

"I'm ready," said Bucky. "Thank you for everything you've done to make it happen. It's been a great week."

"Good," replied Fury. "It's been a long time since we had a happy occasion to celebrate. Here's to many more such occasions."

The three men took their seats and the officiant waved to Bucky then came to see him. He was a local, who performed non-religious ceremonies which is what Bucky and Lacey wanted. As he approached them, he had a big smile.

"You have a beautiful day for your wedding, Bucky," he said. "I've heard that Lacey will be ready in about five minutes so if you gentlemen want to come up front and wait there it's fine. The guitarist is in place and will begin playing the music as soon as the bridesmaids appear."

He returned to the front with Bucky and the others following him. They sat on the chairs provided for them and Bucky breathed deeply, running through a grounding exercise in his mind to keep his anxiety down. The officiant received the signal, telling Bucky and the others it was time. He signalled the guitar player who began playing What a Wonderful World. Bucky stood up and watched as Lila started her walk, followed by Lacey's sister Nancy, then finally Laura Barton. When the song changed to Elton John's Your Song, he saw Clint lead Lacey out of the house, then down the steps. His heart flew up into his throat as she came into view. She wore a cream coloured dress of lace, with her hair up and flowers inserted in the back. Around her neck was the string of pearls. In her arms was a small bouquet of deep red roses. They waited at the back briefly then began the slow walk to him. Her eyes were only on him as his were on hers and he thought he had never seen her so beautiful as she looked at that moment. When she and Clint arrived in front of him, Clint put her hand into Bucky's, then patted his friend on the back. Lacey got a kiss on the cheek. They turned and faced the officiant who smiled at them both.

"Folks, go ahead and sit down," he announced. "We're here to witness the ceremony of marriage between Lacey Christina Williams and James "Bucky" Barnes. This wedding has been almost ten years in the making since this couple first met in 2014, then were separated by circumstance and tragedy. Even though they faced difficulties after being reunited in 2023 they both hoped their love would prevail and it has as they are here today to commit to a life together. Before we begin, if there is any reason this couple should not marry, I would ask that an objection be raised now."

He looked over the assembled guests and nodded his head when no one said anything.

"Bucky, would you please say your vows to your beloved Lacey?" he asked.

Bucky faced Lacey and took her hand in his. "In the fall of 2014, I was a broken man; on the run, trying to get away from those who would use me against my will. I was a stranger and you gave me shelter. I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty and you quenched my thirst. Even though I had to leave the next day I never forgot your kindness, and you stayed in my heart from that time on. When I learned that you gave me a son I vowed I would make it right and marry you. Today is the completion of that vow. From this day forward I promise to love only you, to be faithful only to you, to be a good husband and father to our son, and any other child you bless me with. With you I will always be truthful, respectful, and to protect you and our family from harm."

She smiled at him the whole time he spoke, and when his voice broke during his vows for the future, she pulled her hand out of his and caressed his cheek.

"Lacey, would you please say your vows to your beloved Bucky?" asked the officiant.

She took his hand in hers and looked up at him. "There is so much that I could say to you about how we fell in love so quickly, even though it was months before we told each other how we felt," said Lacey. "Though we faced a long-distance separation, misunderstandings, and a kidnapping, I never once doubted your love for me. The hardest time was those five years when I thought you were lost to me for good. Now, I'm standing in front of you, older, hopefully wiser, and absolutely sure that this was always meant to happen. I know with certainty that I will never love anyone as much as I love you, there is no other who will ever tempt me, that being your wife will bring joy to my heart and having more children with you will bring joy to our lives. I will always be truthful to you, and I will be your loving partner in everything for the rest of our lives together."

"I will now ask Bucky and Lacey to declare their intent," said the officiant. "Usually the couple declares individually but they have asked to declare it together, as a symbol of their devotion to each other. Bucky and Lacey, do you take this person, standing before you, to be your lawfully wedded spouse, to live together in matrimony, to love each other, comfort each other, honour and keep each other, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"

"We do," they both said, smiling at each other as they said it.

"May I have the rings, please?" asked the officiant, receiving them from Laura and Sam. "These rings are unbroken circles and symbolize the infinite love of your commitment together. When you wear them remember this moment as the time when your journey from first meeting each other came full circle to when you committed yourselves to each other for eternity." He handed Bucky the ring for Lacey. "Bucky, repeat after me, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge to love you today, tomorrow, always and forever."

Bucky placed the ring on Lacey's finger and repeated the vow. He handed Bucky's ring to Lacey.

"Lacey, repeat after me," he said. "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge to love you today, tomorrow, always and forever."

Lacey placed the ring on Bucky's ring finger and repeated the vow.

"Friends and family of the couple," said the officiant. "I know that many of you have waited for this moment as much as these two have. With you as witnesses, Bucky and Lacey have pledged to be joined in marriage. They have sealed their pledges with the exchange of wedding rings. By the authority granted to me by the State of Iowa, I now pronounce you married. You may now complete the ceremony with the sharing of a kiss."

To applause, whistles, and several cheers Bucky placed both of his hands on Lacey's cheeks and gave her a tender but passionate kiss. Then they hugged each other firmly. As they signed the papers with Laura and Sam, the guitarist played Fly Me to the Moon which some people sang along with. He followed that up with How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You). For their exit processional he played Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours. They formed a receiving line, so everyone had a chance to say their congratulations then were able to get a drink, a scotch for him, ginger ale for Lacey. Bucky put his arm around Lacey and kissed the top of her head.

"You look amazing," he said. "My heart was in my throat when you came out of the house. I couldn't believe how beautiful you looked."

"Thank you for the pearls," she replied. "I cried when I saw them."

She wavered slightly and Bucky put his arm around her. "Are you okay?" he asked. "Maybe you should sit for a while?"

"It's just warm," replied Lacey. "I felt a little faint for a moment."

"Sam, could you see if the bar can make up a little ice bag for Lacey?" asked Bucky. "I think she's feeling the heat."

Sam ran over to the bar and came back with a plastic bag full of ice. Bucky placed it on the back of Lacey's neck and she looked at him in appreciation. "You take such good care of me," she said.

Clint was suddenly there studying her with a concerned face. "You're not going to faint at your own wedding are you?" he asked. "Bucky I have some sport drinks inside. Lacey can sip on one to restore her electrolytes. She should be in a cooler environment, maybe in your trailer?"

"But what about the photographer?" she asked.

"I'll talk to him," said Clint. "He won't want the bride fainting in the heat. It would hurt the baby."

Lacey started to cry. "Did Laura tell you?" she asked.

"We've had three," smiled Clint, looking at Laura who was vigorously shaking her head at Lacey's assumption. "You don't think I couldn't tell when Laura was first pregnant with the last two? Now, go cool down. You have a couple of hours before the reception. The photographer will do your pictures a little later and the light will be so much better."

Bucky picked her up in his arms and carried her to the trailer followed by the others. As soon as he sat her down on the sofa, he cranked up the air conditioning. Clint brought the sport drink, and she sipped it while Bucky kept the ice bag on the back of her neck. A few minutes later there was another knock on the door. Sam opened it to Bruce and Dr. Strange. Bruce kneeled in front of Lacey; his face full of concern.

"You got a bit overheated?" he asked. "How far along are you?"

She looked at Bucky, who shrugged. "Is there anyone who doesn't know by now?" she asked.

Bruce smiled apologetically. "I saw Bucky carrying you," he replied. "I've seen you pregnant before, remember? Stephen is an MD as well so we're just making sure you're okay. No one else knows."

"I'm about five weeks," said Lacey. "I had my implant removed about seven weeks ago. Missed my period, took an over-the-counter pregnancy test, no morning sickness. I just felt a little faint and you're all making such a big deal over this."

"Of course we are," said Bruce, with his gentle voice. "You're part of the Avenger family. You were when you were first pregnant with Tommy. We just couldn't help you then as much as we wanted because of circumstances. But now, we're all over it."

"I can examine you with magic and confirm for sure," said Dr. Strange. "If you'll permit me."

Lacey looked at Bucky who just watched it all with a little smile on his face. "They care, Lacey," he said.

She nodded at Dr. Strange and he conjured up several glowing circles from his hands and ran them over her, looking at the symbols that were generated by them. It took only a couple of minutes, then he stopped and stepped back.

"You're right about your timelines," he confirmed. "Your electrolytes were a little out which is why you felt faint. I would suggest you add a little bit of salt to the sport drink to get them back to an acceptable level. Half a teaspoon maybe in what you have left. You should be good to go for the rest of the evening as long as you don't overdo it."

Everyone in the small crowd inside the trailer gave a sigh of relief and Sam brought over the salt container. He poured out an amount on a spoon and poured it into Lacey's sport drink. After she swirled it around to dissolve the salt she sipped it again. Clint, Bruce, and Dr. Strange left satisfied that she would be alright. To her surprise, Lacey began to feel better by the time she was almost finished the drink. Her colour returned and Laura said her skin temperature felt better after laying the back of her hand across Lacey's forehead. Bucky offered her his hand as she stood up and watched her intently for any signs of distress.

"I'm good," she said to everyone. "Really, I feel a lot better. Let's get those photos done and have a party."

They filed out of the trailer and saw Clint standing with the photographer. It was the same man who had taken Lacey's head shot for her second book and he waved.

"You're, okay?" he asked Lacey. "After seeing what Clint has here on the farm, I have some ideas for some unique shots. I definitely want to use that old truck. What a beauty. Shall we get started?"

Bucky and Lacey nodded, following him over to the old truck, where he arranged everyone in various poses on and beside the vehicle. As Clint had predicted the light was better as the sun was lower in the sky. It had a golden property to it that would come through on the finished photographs. By the time the formal photographs were finished the guests were taking their place in the barn for the reception and everyone was in the mood for a party.

Chapter 27>>

Series Masterlist

[a-small-batch-of-dragons]

This Distance Between ‘Probably’ and ‘Certainly’

Ok, here's an idea (sorry in advance if this is too long!): A fic about the ordinary (or, as ordinary it ever is) day-to-day of the Mindscape. Except... We're following a self-aware Janus. – amateurmasksmith

Janus is happy right now. Everyone has been accepted, issues are being healed and fixed. He's friends with the light sides, he got Virgil back and Remus hasn't left him. Janus is genuinely happy...And it scares him. He's waiting for the other boot to drop. He's waiting for the one thing to take his happiness from him like what always happens. He's flinching at every disagreement, freezing at every mistake he makes, and holding his breath when things get quiet or when Thomas has a bad day. He knows something is going to take his happiness away and he's scared. But the others notice and are there to reassure him that they're not going anywhere. 💜- insanitori

Read on Ao3

Warnings: none!

Pairings: none!

Word Count: 1594

You know what they say: if it seems like it's too good to be true, it probably is.

No one knows that better than Janus. Come on, he's Doubt, Deceit, whatever you want to call it, it's his job to know when something's afoot. Even when the lie is perfect, undetectable even, he'll know. He was made for it, after all, it would be quite a feat to be able to get something past him. He's fairly smug about it too, able to do everything from tell who ate the last muffin—Logan—to who spray-painted dicks all over the Imagination door—Virgil—to who's been telling everyone they're fine when they're actually on the verge of a mental breakdown—everyone.

So when there comes a time that everyone is just…happy, it sends a chill up his spine.

There are no arguments. No barely-hidden resentments. No double meanings behind words, no thinly veiled threats, no glares at backs when the others aren't looking.

Everyone's…fine.

Now, it's not perfect. There are still things that need to be fixed and problems that need to be solved, a few of them are…testier when alone together as opposed to with the group, and there are still rifts and rough patches that lead to people needing to go calm down before it can be properly resolved.

But it's…good. It's really good.

Which means that it won't stay good.

Nothing lasts forever, especially nothing good, and the fact that they're all on an upswing means that when it inevitably takes a turn for the worse, the fall will be all the more devastating. Admittedly, this is a tad dramatic.

Janus snorts. "You would be equally as dramatic, you know."

"Huh?" Patton turns. "What was that, kiddo?"

"Nothing, nothing." Janus smiles—must not have been quiet enough. "Don't mind me."

Patton gives him a bit of a strange look but passes it off as just Janus being Janus and turns back to the conversation. They're all in the living room, talking about what they're going to watch for the next movie night. Roman and Remus are advocating for one of the new Disney movies, Logan is asking for a nature documentary, Virgil said he'd be fine with anything, and Patton, well…

"Patton doesn't have an opinion."

"J?" Virgil nudges him. "You gotta speak up, bud, otherwise we won't hear you."

"No, no, just talking to myself."

"Do you have an opinion?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact: you should embroider ACAB on your hoodie."

Virgil snorts. "Okay, I will, but I meant about movie night."

"Oh. On that, no, I don't, as long as we get to snack while we watch."

"Snek gotta snack," Remus says as Roman nods seriously, "them's the rules."

"Speaking of rules, have we checked content lists for everything?" Patton shudders. "I'm not in the mood for nightmares tonight."

"Aw," Remus whines, "but those are fun?"

"What? No, they aren't!"

"Yes, they are!"

"They are not!"

Roman just whacks Remus in the face with a pillow and Logan rolls his eyes. "We won't get anywhere if you start derailing us at this point, Remus, I—Janus, what are you staring at?"

"Oh, just the wall."

"I see that. May I ask why you're staring at that particular wall?"

"No reason."

Sure, Janus, sure.

His mouth tugs up into a smirk and he turns back to the conversation. "Logan, you should know better than anyone that we rarely stay on the rails at the best of times. That's not why people watch these."

Logan frowns. "Watch what, Thomas's videos?"

"Those too."

"He's being cryptic again," Virgil stage-whispers, "just let him do it."

Logan just shakes his head and moves on—smart. "I've taken the liberty of looking up the content warnings, yes, and…well, I've seen this one already and—Remus, I think you'll be more alright with it than you think."

Remus narrows his eyes. "Go on?"

"Oh, hey, wait," Virgil says, scrolling through something on his phone, "is this the one where the dude is basically in love with an octopus for like, two hours?"

"Sold!" Remus scrambles onto the couch and crouches there like a little hellion. "We're watching this."

Roman, the only other proponent for the Disney movie, is too busy laughing his head off to make any sort of convincing argument.

"Well, then," Logan says, looking entirely too pleased with himself, "I'd say we're in agreement."

"If Remus starts trying to recreate parts of this at two in the morning, L, I swear to god I'll never forgive you."

But the threat is empty and Logan knows it, chuckling and reaching out to ruffle Virgil's hair. Virgil lets out an indignant squawk and flails out, making Logan laugh more.

See? Everything worked out fine. If this had happened before, it would have boiled down to a screaming match with insults being thrown left and right and eventually, everyone settling down to watch whatever it was while quietly stewing in resentment that someone made it so hard to just get along.

But they're here now. They made it.

Janus scoffs. "Yeah, for how long?"

Of course, the problem with holding a hammer is that everything looks like a nail.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

If a reflex becomes too ingrained, it runs the risk of being applied to situations where it has no business being applied. The brain is like a muscle, after all—

"It's an organ, not a muscle."

—like a muscle, like one, where habits can form just as easily as your body instinctively turning to walk down one path as it's where you always go.

"That's a stupid metaphor."

Metaphors, unlike similes, are when you directly state that something is something else, unlike a simile, where you compare something to another thing using 'like' or 'as.'

"Oh, aren't we smug."

"Janus?" He turns, raising an eyebrow at a very confused Roman. "Who are you talking to?"

"Oh, no one important."

"That's the second time you've done that," Patton says, frowning a little, "are you sure you're okay? You can talk to us, you know."

It occurs to him in this moment that often believing that something will happen can slide very quickly into behaving in a way that makes it happen.

"Oh, fine," Janus mutters under his breath before raising his voice, "I'm…worried."

"About what, the documentary?" Logan shifts his weight to face him properly on the couch. "It's got plenty of perfectly sound science and the cinematography is beautiful—"

"No, not about that. I, um…" This is much harder out loud. "Shush, you, I'm—I'm worried about…us."

"Us?" Virgil nudges him. "Say more?"

"We're…we're all getting along," he mumbles, hiding his face, "and it's—it's good. We're not fighting, we're talking, we're…it's good."

"I think so too," Patton says gently, "what about it is worrying you?"

"…what are we going to do when it isn't good anymore?"

The room is quiet for a moment. Then Logan lets out a slow breath.

"Janus," he says quietly, "can you look at me, please?"

Janus looks up.

"Thank you." There's a soft smile on Logan's face. "It's not going to be easy. We're imperfect, as everyone is, but we're trying. Do you…you do want things to keep being good, don't you?"

Does he?

"Yes, of course I do."

"That's good. So do we."

"Logan's right," Roman adds, smiling a little at Janus's look of surprise, "it's going to be work, I'm not saying it's not, but…we can do it. Right?"

"Come on, J," Virgil teases, nudging him again, "don't be all doom and gloom. We get to watch Remus laugh at stupid people, that's always fun, right?"

"That is fun."

"It's gonna be okay, J," he continues, "we're okay right now, and that's what matters, yeah?"

"Just because something's impermanent doesn't mean it's not important!" Patton adds.

"…I suppose you're right."

"Of course we are." Remus claps his hands. "Now come on, I want to watch this thing."

"Right, right, here, let me help—"

"Patton, let's go to the kitchen, I think the snek needs his snacks."

"On it!"

"Hey," Roman mumbles as he comes to sit next to him, "it's gonna be okay, yeah? I get it, I—I'm not the best at this either."

"Yeah."

Roman pats his leg. "We'll figure it out, okay?"

"Okay."

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Then again, the distance between 'probably' and 'certainly' is enough to make a little home.

"Proud of yourself for that one, aren't you?"

"Okay, who are you talking to?"

"Don't worry about it."

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[the-fluffiest-trainer]

Like this? I just talk and it... oh, yes, it's writing the words! How does it know how to do that?

Uh, well, hi everyone? Can I delete that earlier part? And that too? This would be so much easier if I had those "hand" things to actually press all these tiny buttons...

Let me start over. Hi everyone, my name is Fluttershy, and I... don't really know what I'm doing here? Or where "here" is? Or anything about these two legged people with their hands and their fancy devices that write for you when you talk into them, but at least they all seem nice so far, and that's good. This girl named Shauna gave me this device and she says I'm in a place called Kalos, but I've never heard of it.

Apparently there's a professor who knows about me already, and sent four kids out to find me? That's nice of him, and maybe he knows more about how I fell into this world. If any of you, whoever it is in here that I'm talking to, uh, however that works... if you know anything or have any advice, and... I don't know how I'm going to actually hear you, to be honest, but I guess this thingy takes care of it?

I wish my friends were here. Maybe they are? I remember Twilight, fighting for all of us but we couldn't help her, and... something... and then falling from the sky, and I barely got my wings under me before hitting the ground in this strange little town. I should definitely go find this Professor Sycamore and see what he knows.

(OOC info under the cut)

Hey everyone, this is a pokeblogging rp blog for Fluttershy from MLP:FiM. She has no idea what pokemon (or humans) are and honestly, out of character I don't either because I've made it to nearly 30 without ever playing a pokemon game before now. At the recommendation of a good friend who's also into the pokeblogging scene here, I'm starting with Pokemon X. This blog is in the same universe as Gwyndolin from @moonlight-eternal, mostly because I didn't want to have to learn everything about two different games, but sometimes plot events will affect both blogs.

In general the blog is typically lowish stakes and sfw, and I'm open to interaction with any other pokeblogs, Fallers or otherwise (just be nice and everything should be okay). Given the plot of Pokemon X, some higher stakes will occur occasionally when dealing with Team Flare. Tags "#mid stakes pokeblogging" and "#high stakes pokeblogging" will be used as appropriate.

Twilight Sparkle is also here, having Fallen into Kalos several months before Fluttershy. Others of the Mane Six have landed elsewhere in the pokemon world and have been mentioned, but have not appeared on the blog.

Pelipper mail is on! This includes standard mailable objects, abstract things like "catness", horrible nightmares, you know, the usual for pelippers. I can't guarantee I'll post all of them given plot reasons but I try to address most of what comes in.

Headcanons / conventions taken with this timeline include:

All pokemon are sapient, but most cannot communicate in human language. Fluttershy's talent of speaking with animals carries over to pokemon as well.

Fluttershy is the equivalent of mid to late 20s in human terms, but the kids she meets are still kids, maybe mid teens or so.

Consistent font colors used:

Fluttershy: Standard black text

Visual description in videos: [Bracketed italicized black text]

Arden (Fluttershy's delphox): Orange text

Twilight: purple text

Lysandre: Orange bolded text

Team Flare members: usually red text

Shauna: pink text

AZ: green text

Hoopa (eebied Discord): Pink bolded text

Fluttershy's pokemon team:

Arden: delphox, trans girl, even fluffier than Fluttershy herself. She craves violence. She operates the holocaster sometimes for typing or taking videos.

Talia: gardevoir, girl, forcibly adopted a trainer so she can battle and eventually evolve.

Sienna/Muffin: skitty, girl, caught by Twilight and then given to Fluttershy via Professor Sycamore.

Keseph: amaura, girl, resurrected from a fossil in Ambrette Town.

Osha: absol (shiny), girl, found in the woods around Geosenge Town trying to warn about some sort of danger there.

N/A

Twilight's pokemon team:

Luna: espeon, girl, found Twilight right after she Fell and never left.

Raya: lucario, girl, sought out Twilight based on aura senses and led her to meet humans for the first time.

Spike Jr.: crobat, boy, given as a gift by Lysandre.

Crystal: lapras, girl, given by a pokemon breeder on Route 12.

N/A

N/A

Content warnings for this blog:

Canonical events of Pokemon X

Trainers can be affected by pokemon moves if improperly targeted

General blanket warning for post-apocalyptic themes

Other notes:

Sometimes I take liberties with game mechanics in favor of writing something that makes more sense from a perspective of actually living in this world and seeing pokemon battles and such. This may include:

I will typically ignore the physical vs special distinction for moves, stats, and so on.

I will ignore the effect of Natures on stats.

I usually forget that Abilities exist, or at least ones outside of the usual STAB. I do know STAB and it makes sense to exist.

While types do exist, I consider the advantage factor to be less than the games' value of 2. Probably more like sqrt(2), so super effective moves do 141% damage and not very effective is 71%.

On some occasions, I may even ignore a type matchup if narrative reasons or simple common sense contradict the game logic.

If the game goes to such lengths to obscure the actual values of IVs and EVs from me, then screw it, they don't exist. Every pokemon has IVs that make it good at the things its species is meant to be good at.

In general, all this basically means I'm taking an approach closer to the anime than the games. I have no prior experience with either, I just want something that makes sense and doesn't require being Autisms Georg about pokemon just to run a blog.

Story arcs so far:

Intro arc (no tag): Fluttershy arrives in Kalos and takes the position of player character, up through meeting Sycamore in Lumiose.

#reunion arc: After hearing from Sycamore that Twilight is also around, Fluttershy seeks out her and her research team in western Kalos. She finds out more about how exactly she Fell.

#screamkitty arc: Fluttershy foolishly ventures into the wilderness around Geosenge Town to investigate a terrible noise, and eventually acquires a new pokemon.

#darkened souls arc: Shauna asks for help with a mysterious pokemon ailment, but neither Fluttershy nor Twilight can figure it out. Aliana of Team Flare hypothesizes that another Faller may be involved.

#seeing a ghost arc: An error is found in Twilight's math, and the correction suggests that one member of the Equestria group actually Fell three thousand years ago. AZ shows up with a revelation.

#infinite princess glitch: The ponies visit the City of Otherworldly Dreams (Laverre) and Twilight starts experiencing phenomena she can't explain. (ongoing)

#betrayal arc: After seeing someone across the multiverse defeat a hostile Lysandre, the ponies investigate and confront their world's version. (ongoing)

[parallelroutes-ooc]

💭 — MBTI and/or enneagram, if known

💘 — what and/or who do you consider near and dear to you?

🍰 — favorite sweet(s)/dessert(s)?

🗒 — what is/are your favorite genre(s)/theme(s) to write?

💻 — how many friends have you made in the rpc? feel free to tag a few of them!

🎧 — do you write while listening to music/podcasts/videos/etc, or do you need total silence?

🎉 — what are some of your favorite things to do with your irl friends?

💭 — MBTI and/or enneagram, if known i had to look it up lmao... ISFP / 4w5

💘 — what and/or who do you consider near and dear to you? family and irl bestie!

🍰 — favorite sweet(s)/dessert(s)? uhh pancakes/french toast and chocolate muffins. pastries, cookies, cereal, waffles, things with lemon curd… there's a lot lol.

🗒 — what is/are your favorite genre(s)/theme(s) to write?

fluff. good fuzzy feelings.

comedy/humor in like… short form. like dashboard comm style.

characters being chaotic is not a genre but i still love it.

sometimes plotting gets so detailed it starts feeling like half-rp. that's also really fun when i have low brainpower.

angst/tragedy but in moderation. usually it needs something fuzzy otherwise i get into a Mindset i don't like being in...

i enjoy writing smut but only privately lmao. i'm sure i could rp it too, but only privately with someone i already know.

💻 — how many friends have you made in the rpc? feel free to tag a few of them! uhh the only ones i can really think of are @queenharumiura and you? i'm not very easy to officially befriend because i do my best to be a friendly person to everyone, so :')

🎧 — do you write while listening to music/podcasts/videos/etc, or do you need total silence? either silence or one song looped long enough to stop being distracting. lmao on account of being lowkey a musician too, i pay too much attention to it otherwise, RIP.

🎉 — what are some of your favorite things to do with your irl friends? driving friends around? does that qualify? listening to someone talk while i'm driving them somewhere is satisfying. i don't know why. other than that i guess it's just getting food. all my friends live 100 miles north now so it's really just the one here… as opposed to three separate ones up there plus whatever our mutual friends on facebook are.

[cinnamon-roll-seth]

Aemond Targaryen X Fem!OC Fic || chapter VI

Fic Masterlist

Jacaerys was still fuming at breakfast the next morning.

“Bloody one-eyed cunt,” He grumbles under his breath as he takes another bite of his muffin.

“Jace,” Rhaenyra scolds lightly.

“What, so he’s allowed to insult us in front of everyone but I cannot insult him in private?” The Princess’s oldest son responds.

“We are here to make peace with our family, not fight with them.”

“He started it!”

“And you will finish it. Aemond is our family, our blood, and soon enough he will be your sister’s husband. You must learn to get along with him, or ignore him at the very least.”

“That’s easier said than done,” Jace grumbles. Laenora pays no attention to her brother’s complaints, looking down at the table silently as she eats her food.

“Laenora, my sweet girl, are you feeling well?” Rhaenyra redirects her attention, taking notice of her daughter’s disheveled state, “You look like you’ve hardly slept.”

Truthfully Laenora hadn’t slept very well. It had taken her the longest time to find sleep after Aemond had left her room and when she had finally fallen into unconsciousness her dreams were plagued by a certain silver-haired uncle.

“I’m alright mother. I did not sleep very well, to be honest. I’m just feeling a bit homesick.” She lies. She was certainly not going to tell her mother the real reason she hadn’t slept well and certainly not in front of her brothers, stepfather, and stepsisters.

“Oh darling, I miss home as well. We only have to endure it a little while longer. I suspect we’ll leave for Dragonstone a day or two after you and Aemond’s wedding.”

“She’ll be coming back with us?” Lucerys asks, “Shouldn’t she stay in King’s Landing with her husband?”

“Normally she would, yes. But Laenora is my heir, she will be Queen after myself. My father taught me how to rule and I will teach my daughter as well. Aemond will be coming with us to Dragonstone. I suspect Alicent won’t be happy about it but she’ll have to deal.” Rhaenyra responds to her son.

“So he’ll be living with us then. That’s great news,” Jace replies sarcastically.

“Perhaps he won’t be so bad if you just give him a chance, Jace,” Laenora suggests.

“Give him a chance? After the strife he caused last night? The vile insult he made against us?”

“It was in poor taste I agree. But if you had only been a bit kinder to him when we were young maybe he wouldn’t feel the need to lash out now. You could’ve been good friends.”

“You take his side now just as you always did then. You are living in the past, Laenora, believing that you have any chance at a happy marriage with him simply because you two were friends as children. We had been here only a day and our uncle was already being cruel. He is nothing like the boy he once was and you are silly and naive to think otherwise.” The oldest son of Princess Rhaenyra stands up from his spot angrily as his sister recoils from the harshness in which he spoke to her.

“You are Strong as much as Luke, Joffrey, and I. His insults do not exclude you, remember that.” He finishes hotly.

“Jace!” Rhaenrya scolds but her son had already stomped out of the room.

The rest of the room was silent as they had witnessed Jace’s outburst. Laenora’s cheeks were flushed with humiliation. Her stepsisters were looking at her as if they pitied her while Lucerys was looking down at his plate awkwardly.

“Oh, my love. He didn’t mean it, he’s just angry.” Rhaenyra tells her daughter, reaching out to place her hand gently on Laenora’s shoulder. The younger princess stands up from her spot.

“I’m going for a ride,” She announces quietly, rushing out of the room before anyone can see the tears threatening to escape.

She cries softly the whole walk back to her chambers and while she puts on her riding gear until she catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror attached to the vanity, face red and splotchy. She looks weak, like a silly little girl crying because her brother was mean to her.

But she is not weak. She is a dragon, and dragons do not cry.

She wipes her tears away angrily before she leaves her chambers in pursuit of flying freely through the skies.

Vermithor perks up when he spots his rider dismounting the horse she had borrowed from the castle stables. He is quick to notice her distressed mood as she approaches him and he leans his large snout down to rest against her chest as he lets out a concerned grumble.

“Nyke alright, vermithor. Nyke simply yearn naejot sagon isse se jēdar. (I am alright, Vermithor. I simply yearn to be in the sky.)” Laenora tells him softly.

Understanding her words the beast nods his head toward the rope ladder cascading down the side of his large bronze body, beckoning his rider to climb up. She wastes no time, climbing into the leather saddle before ordering him into the air, to which he immediately obeys.

There is nothing Laenora loves more than being up in the sky on dragon-back. Nothing could ever compare to the feeling of freedom that comes from soaring through the open air and feeling the wind in her hair.

The Princess often retreats to the skies in times of distress or when she simply needs a break from reality, much like her mother when she was her age. Rhaenrya would always love Syrax and the feeling of riding but she hasn’t had as much time to do so since Aegon and Viserys were born.

Laenora dreads the time that will come when she will have her own children to occupy her time instead of having the freedom to take Vermithor to the skies whenever she desires.

“Sōvegon eglikta, vermithor! (Fly higher, Vermithor!)” She shouts and the dragon obeys, soaring up through the clouds. She closes her eyes in content as the wind blows through her dark hair and the conflict from breakfast is lost in her mind.

Vermithor suddenly grumbles in alert and Laenora opens her eyes once more as a shadow is casted over them. She looks up, seeing a familiar, large she-dragon soaring above them.

Vhagar swoops down so that she is flying along side the Bronze Fury and Aemond smirks over at his niece.

He can’t believe how beautiful Laenora looks upon her dragon’s back, looking perfect and joyful and free as she rides one of the largest beasts alive.

“Nyke gōntan daor expect naejot ūndegon ao bē isse se air, Niece! (I did not expect to see you up in the air, Neice!)” He calls out to her.

“Emagon ao māzigon naejot torment issa arlī, Uncle? (Have you come to torment me again, Uncle?)” She responds accusingly.

“Do you believe my only goal is to bring you torment?”

“Well it certainly seemed that way last night.”

“And were you terribly bothered when I left you breathless and squirming?”

“No actually, I was referring to when you insulted my brothers and I, and ruined dinner,” She responds hostilely.

“Don’t lie, Niece. You were like a bitch in heat, practically begging me to fuck you. I imagine you were quite frustrated when I left.” Aemond taunted.

Laenora’s cheeks get hot as she squirms in her saddle, “You have a filthy mouth, Uncle.”

“I think you will find that my filthy mouth will satisfy you quite nicely once we are married.”

“Bold of you to assume I will let your filthy mouth anywhere near me,” She shoots back.

“Bold of you to assume you’ll be able to resist. You already tried that last night and it didn’t work out very well if I recall.”

The princess doesn’t respond, instead dashing ahead on Vermithor, leaving Aemond stunned as he watches her long dark hair fly behind her.

He speeds after her, attempting to cut Vermithor off, to which his rider directs him to swoop down and fly underneath Vhagar.

The Bronze Fury soars back up, cutting off Vhagar, who then drifts to the left to avoid running into the slightly smaller dragon. Laenora looks back and laughs at her betrothed’s frustrated expression.

Aemond swerves in front of Vermithor. Laenora curses as she directs him upward, narrowly missing the other dragon. Now it’s his turn to laugh.

The two dragons continue swerving and dancing around each other playfully as their riders seek to cut each other off.

“Ao don’t gīmigon skoros seeing ao riding aōha zaldrīzes raqagon bisa iksos doing naejot issa, niece! (You don’t know what seeing you riding your dragon like this is doing to me, niece!)” Aemond calls out at one point.

Laenora smirks and calls out, “Dracarys!”

Vermithor, staying far enough away from the other dragon so that she knows it is not a real attack, breathes a mouthful of flames at Vhagar, narrowly missing Aemond, who is stunned again as his niece laughs and speeds off again.

The two dragons land side-by-side and Laenora climbs down from Vermithor.

“Ao gōntan sȳrī tubī, vermithor. Nyke jāhor maghagon ao nykeā reward tolī. (You did well today, Vermithor. I will bring you a reward later.)” She praises her dragon softly, rubbing her hand down his scaled face.

Vermithor let’s out a content grumble that almost sounds like a purr and nuzzles against his rider’s hand.

Aemond approaches Laenora’s side after dismounting Vhagar.

“You don’t play fair, Niece.” He accuses.

“Neither do you, Uncle,” She responds simply.

“I never claimed to.”

“Nor did I.”

He steps closer to her, “You truly don’t know what you do to me, Laenora.”

“Then show me, Aemond,” She tells him.

He leans down slowly as she looks up at him, encouraging him wordlessly to keep going. He does, eager to close the distance between them, just as he has imagined doing so many times before. However, just as his lips are barely brushing against hers she abruptly pulls away.

“Remember, I don’t play fair.” Is all she says before she turns and walks away. It’s his turn, now, to be left confused and unsatisfied.

Y’all I am SO sorry for the lack of update in the last week and a half. The weekend before last we had family staying over and then all week last week I was super sick. I am recovered now and will be back to updating as often as I can. I don’t know if this chapter will make up for the wait but I hope it will.

Tag List- @elle4404 @unabashedlyswimmingtimemachine @alijulia87 @octaviareina @bekky06 @solacestyles @stargaryenx @xcharlottemikaelsonx

[demonic-silver-and-gold]

Diary of an Attendant/Friend/Stranger (3)

Excerpt 3: Pets and Shenanigans

{Masterlist} {Ao3}

~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~

Warnings: Spoilers for all games, cursing, liberal use of strikethroughs

~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~

That wasn’t fair. So not fair. But hey, at least I know how Levi got Henry 1.0 and how Lucifer got Cerberus. I should’ve known better, honestly, than to expect them to have gotten such large and dangerous animals not in the midst of chaos and a near-death experience.

But hey! Solomon’s muffins work wonders to repel everyone unwanted creatures (thanks, Asmo, for ignoring me this time). Also, can’t fucking believe I might’ve had an impact on the block of ice idea for Goldie — here’s to making life easier for future/past me! I was JOKING this guy has a sense of humor my god.

I guess it’s like Sol said, that even through time and space we’re still connected. I’m even missing the punishments I can’t get here, how messed up is that? Not to mention the fact Dia wants to add me to the founding of RAD which is just baffling. Heck, I said so myself but his mind was made up and I couldn’t help but agree. It's... weird, but nice, in a way.

And then the fuzzy feeling in my chest had to be ripped away after Lucifer just confirmed what I already knew — that I wasn’t trusted nor wanted but hey, SNAKES.

And as I can never really get a break, of course Solomon had to go and wave the idea that there was a monster that would get them respect. He might be my teacher, a mentor — hell, even a friend — but it’s still not sitting well with me how easily he chose to manipulate them into the situation. I’m overthinking again, whatever. Right now he’s my main hope of going home. Maybe I'm just bitter that he can come and go as he pleases, what exactly is that Nightbringer being getting at by having me here? Do I know them?

Then the situation with that (those?) dog(s?) happened. (Love you Cerberus, but you're in my nightmares for a reason).

I can’t shake off the feeling I got when Mammon and I started talking about pacts. It was uncomfortable, to say the least, when he admitted how he saw such a connection and I silently compared it to how ours had happened. I almost apologized on the spot but held my tongue. Can’t apologize for something you technically haven’t done yet, right? You sure can try, but I still didn’t. It’s the guilt, it got to me. I’m starting to doubt everything about our relationship (my time Mammon and I). I wouldn't blame him, honestly, if he'd push me away for it. Maybe I do need therapy, actually.

Oh, and can I just say — Solomon, how the fuck do you get a relatively passive demon to absolutely despise you openly? Seriously, it’s Barbatos, of all demons. What did you even do?! Regardless, I’m glad I got to spend some time learning about tea etiquette with him before this whole mess happened, otherwise I’d have lost it in the middle of that interview.

I'll write about Cerberus more in depth later, I don't want to think about it right now. Quickly in summary: traps to get to Cerberus happened, shenanigans ensued (loved seeing Satan getting dragged into the lake like a kitten getting its first bath), Asmo was shaken with his newly unlocked power, Beel was summoned somehow and then BOOM — Lucifer got a three headed dog.

I still worry about the brothers more than I should. Seeing them being so vulnerable is awful, like I shouldn’t be here. I really should just tell them the truth just to shut them up, for them to believe I care. I hate lying like this, taking advantage of their trust. Maybe I should try harder to make pacts, even if it feels so wrong, just to get out before it’s too late. Maybe that’ll help. I don’t know anymore.

I think Levi's in trouble, I'll see what I can do next time I see them all.

[beardedmrbean]

CONWAY, N.H. — (AP) — Bakery owner Sean Young was thrilled when high school art students covered the big blank wall over his doorway last spring with a painting of the sun shining over a mountain range made of sprinkle-covered chocolate and strawberry donuts, a blueberry muffin, a cinnamon roll and other pastries.

The display got rave reviews, and Young looked forward to collaborating with the school on more mural projects at his roadside bakery in Conway, New Hampshire.

Then the town zoning board got involved, deciding that the pastry painting was not so much art as advertising, and so could not remain as is because of its size. Faced with modifying or removing the mural, or possibly dealing with fines and criminal charges, Young sued, saying the town is violating his freedom of speech rights.

The painting could stay right where it is if it showed actual mountains, instead of pastries suggesting mountains, or if the building wasn’t a bakery.

“They said it would be art elsewhere,” Young told The Associated Press in an interview. “It’s just not art here.”

“The town should not have the right to police art,” he said.

The controversy has residents of this town of 10,000 grappling with big questions about creativity and liberty as it tries to preserve its rural character. Like other White Mountain communities that draw skiers, nature lovers and shoppers, Conway is under development pressure, making the sign dispute fraught with worries that any concession to commerce could change what they hold dear.

Many — including the zoning board members — applauded the students' colorful work, but said rules must be followed, even if they're old and outdated. At about 90 square feet (8.6 square meters), the mural is four times bigger than the sign code allows.

Following a longstanding democratic tradition of New England town meetings, residents deliberated how to define a sign before ultimately voting down changes last week. The local newspaper said the proposed wording wasn't clear. Ultimately, a judge may have to resolve what remains an open debate in town.

“Those kids put their heart in it,” retiree Steve Downing said. He thinks the painting should stay.

“Everyone has to comply with the ordinance," said Charlie Birch, a former U.S. Forest Service worker. "And even though it was done by the students, which was well done, and I give them a lot of credit for it ... if you have the ordinance, ‘One for all,’ that’s where we are. You can’t really make any exceptions, otherwise everybody else will want the exception.”

Art teacher Olivia Benish, who worked with three students on the project, apologized to the board in September for not doing "due diligence" to make sure the mural would comply. She didn't respond to requests for an interview. But she told the board members that there has to be a way to give students the opportunity to create positive public works of art "without upsetting the law and the powers that be," according to the town minutes.

The lawsuit Young filed in January argues that the town is unconstitutionally discriminating against him. He asked a judge to prevent the town from enforcing its sign code.

And now other businesses have been drawn into the controversy.

Long before the pastry painting was installed, the town had allowed other murals at a local shopping center, but in December the town found that three of those artworks are, indeed, signs that violate size limits. They go before the zoning board on Wednesday.

Young, who is being represented by the Virginia-based Institute for Justice, asked for $1 in damages. Meanwhile, he’s selling T-shirts as a high school art department fundraiser, saying “This is Art” with the artwork on the front, and “This is a Sign” of a roadside “Leavitt’s Country Bakery” sign on the back.

“As Conway officials have confirmed, the town does not consider a painting to be a “sign” if it does not convey what town officials perceive to be a commercial message,” the lawsuit says. “But the town’s perception is that any mural depicting anything related to a business is a ‘sign.’ This is governmental discrimination based on the content of the speech" and the speaker's identity, it said.

The lawsuit says the town's sign definition is "incredibly broad," with no mention of murals in the code: A sign in Conway is "any device, fixture, placard, structure or attachment thereto that uses color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol, or writing to advertise, announce the purpose of, or identify the purpose of any person or entity, or to communicate information of any kind to the public, whether commercial or noncommercial."

Board member Luigi Bartolomeo said he thinks the pastry painting is art, not advertising. He read the definition out loud at the board's meeting in August, and said he agrees with a local attorney who called it "unconstitutionally vague."

“I think it’s a very badly written piece of code here,” said Bartolomeo, who recently retired. But Board Chairperson John Colbath said the board has to work with the ordinance, which was approved by voters, and that there is a process to change that.

“If they had done a seasonal mural on the wall — covered bridges and sunflowers and what have you — and it did not represent what your business is in, then it would be more likely to be a well-respected piece of art and not construed as a sign,” Colbath said at the August meeting.

He said to Young, “I understand the art thing — and you look and you see a mountain — but the general public sees donuts on the front of the bakery.”

“I think most of the people said it’s art,” Young responded.

In its denial of Young's appeals, the board concluded that the bakery won't be negatively affected without the display.

“This supposed distinction between murals and signs shouldn’t matter,” attorney Betsy Sanz of the Institute said in a news release. “After all, nothing in the First Amendment distinguishes between art and commercial signs — or commercial speech of any kind.”

The town and Young agreed in February to pause court proceedings — and any potential fines or charges — pending a vote on a revised definition that would allow the painting to stay. But it failed in last week's elections, with 805 to 750 voting against it, according to the town clerk's office. The judge now wants to hear from both sides by May 10.

“We’re ready to keep going,” Young said.

Town Manager John Eastman declined an interview, referring questions to town lawyer Jason Dennis, who said he would soon meet with town officials to discuss next steps.

The Conway Daily Sun offered its analysis in an editorial last week: "Voters smartly concluded that the proposed new definition of signs would only further complicate enforcement. That said, it is not a stretch to conjecture that most voters are fine with the murals at Leavitt's Country Bakery and Settlers Green. We suggest the town figure out a way to back off enforcement until a clearer definition can be written, one that accommodates 'art.'"

[bdbdhdjdhdh]

Crimeblind Episode 4

"Per se random quote,"

"Give it up for..." The speaker on the mic announced into a low grumble, letting the resounding cheers of the crowd drown out his voice, then shouted out loud the singer's name.

"Muffin Quail!"

All of the crowd erupted into a standing ovation and screamed excitedly as the singer came out of the backstage and received her glimmering star trophy award.

Except a certain lady in a dark hooded cloak concealing her eyes and revealing only her sly, deceitful smile. She crossed her legs, and waited patiently.

Sitting elegantly, she watched the singer tear up a little and take the mic, hugging her star trophy like her baby itself.

"Thank one, thank all, really, thank you all," She mumbled into the mic still audibly, giving the illusion she was about to burst into tears.

"That isn't how you're supposed to use that phrase, you idiotic cupcake frosting with sprinkles," The cloaked lady muttered under her breath derogatorily, making a terribly sarcastic reference to the fashion choice of the singer that exact day.

"I really can't thank you all enough, this award goes to all of my fans!" The singer raised her star trophy to the sky, meeting with another wave of resounding cheers.

The cloaked lady pulled out her phone and sneaked a quick glance at it while everyone was distracted by the singer. 3.25 p.m.

She got up and made her way through the jumping crowd that was moving WAY TOO MUCH. Those human embodiments of stupid were being WAY TOO LOUD.

If only she didn't have to keep a low profile all the time, she'd have blown all their empty brains out by now.

Really,she needed to get out of here as soon as possible, otherwise she'd start to get infected with their sheer stupidity soon enough.

At least the stadium wasn't being occupied at its maximum capacity. There were only a maximum of at least a 100 people here.

Only 100 people coming to see her...pathetic. But even these 100 people could make noise as much as if the stadium was fully occupied...

If it weren't for the tip-off from that overly cheerful Caelus dude, she wouldn't even stay a second longer here. She didn't even know if he could be trusted, she just needed something to keep her busy. Even better if it could help with Louis's workload.

She swiftly exited the crowd, and crossing over to the green, green grass on the outskirts of the stadium where she could get a good view of the happenings without getting suffocated by the unbearable scent of that hell-hole of a crowd.

"To my fans, my followers, and all my supporters, this toast is for you!" The voice of that singer echoed through the stadium.

The cloaked lady stopped dead in her tracks. Did she really take that long to leave that absurdly overcrowded hellpit of a stadium?

The singer on the makeshift stage took the bottle of wine off the host's hands and flipped the cork off it, holding it up high for the crowd to toast along to, then poured it into a separate glass and raised it up again for toasting.

The cloaked lady watched silently as the singer finished toasting all her important, rich fans-then lifted the cup to her lips and downed the entire glass.

She let out a loud sound of refreshment, as if she'd been dehydrated for a day straight finally quenching her thirst, then grabbed the mic again to speak.

Grabbed the mic she did, speak she did not-for no one could have the mood to speak after seeing that which came screaming, stumbling bloodily out of the makeshift backstage.

A middle-aged man, covered in splashes and splatters of blood creating a stark contrast against his white-as-a-canvas-with-unlimited-potential shirt. Possibly one of the backstage staff and crew, given the absurdly plain white t-shirt.

The crowd made that stupid, probably not on cue though, shocked noise, and soft murmurs began spreading through the stadium.

The lady in the cloak smirked softly and folded her arms, once again covering her eyes behind her dark cloak.

Now, things were finally getting interesting. Finally worth staying in this wretched abomination for.

The singer turned innocently to face the man, then gave out a screaming yelp in horror when she laid eyes on him, almost jumping up from fear like a cartoon character.

The bloodstained man wasted no time while the singer was still paralysed from the shock, rushing forward, grabbed the mic, and said hurriedly into it,

"There's-there's-there's a-a-a b-body! A-a dead body!"

More distantly soft murmurs rise in the crowd. Muffin dramatically covers her mouth with her hand, widens her eyes way too much and lets out too much of a soft gasp.

The cloaked lady smirked a little louder this time.

"The-the body's a-all...bloodied and bruised...the-there's blood, flowing everywhere..."

The murmurs got louder. The cloaked lady didn't smirk this time, but her visible sly smile just grew a whole lot bigger.

Then someone from the back finally shouted out what everyone was thinking in their minds, but didn't dare to say.

"There are police cars here! There are police officers coming here!"

Yet again more whispers and murmurs in the crowd.

"Finally, took their own sweet time coming here..." The cloaked lady muttered under her breath incoherently.

A confident-looking young man certainly with far too many tricks up his sleeve strolled in with a carefree whistle, accompanied by a few of his police officer underlings that were much more serious with much bigger guns.

"Ah, terribly sorry to be crashing on your party, Egg Cupcake-wait, no, Flour Dressing-wait, no Salad Mayo? Ah, that just can't be it-" He waved his fingers in front of his mouth, closed his eyes and made it look like he was in deep contemplation of the singer's name.

"It's Muffin Quail, sir," She sheepishly raised a hand and covered her face with her hair and blushed slightly behind.

"As if she's got anything to be shy about, but then again, being embarrassed over that stupid name is plausible," The cloaked lady let the thought run through in her mind as she felt a wave of second-hand embarrassment chill her to the bone.

"Ah, yes, Muffin Quail! That's exactly what I was going to say, yes, yes, Muffin Quail," The young officer snapped his fingers in an 'Eureka' moment and repeated the singer's awfully forgettable name.

"Right, before I forget our darling audience...mainly consisting of only about 100 or so people who actually came to see Miss Cupcake here..." He shamelessly exposed the honestly pitiful amount of guests willing to support the whatever-her-name-was singer.

He snapped his fingers again, bringing the attention of the guests back to his charming self.

"Anyway, as I was saying, I'm afraid that the..pitable number of guests here will all have to be inconvenienced too, for...no one is going to be allowed to leave this stadium until it's safe."

Again, again, and yet again, murmurs and whispers never stopped spreading through the crowd. It's like they were some sort of sound effect dropped at the worst time thinking they were 'keeping up the suspense'.

Then finally, one of the crowd stopped doing something so monotone and programmed. It was the same guy who announced of the police officers' arrival, standing tall and projecting his voice from the highest seat in the stadium:

"And how do we know we should trust you? We don't even know who you are! What if you're not really from the police?"

Then the crowd went back to being repetitive again with the spreading whispers.

The officer facepalmed himself discreetly and fished out his identification card, then held it up in full view for the audience to see. Not like anyone could have actually seen what was written on that card that was barely a small wallet's length anyway.

"I'm Senior Investigation Officer Terrence Long of the Special Investigation Section of the Criminal Investigation Department, I am a legitimate, certified, legal officer of this legitimate, certified, legal department of crime prevention, I couldn't care less whether you think I really am legitimate, certified, or legal, the point is, I am one and you can't stop me,"

The cloaked lady folded back her arms and went back again to her usual facade, smirking slightly audibly.

Terrence's lackeys had already finished putting up the police tape by the time he was done giving his little speech, and obediently returned to his side showing off their little guns like a roleplaying toddler given imaginary weapons to serve a hypothetical elite Mafia gang leader.

"Alright, that's enough chatting, time to let us professionals do our job properly, ok?" Said he as he adjusted his tie eloquently, making sure to get it done in the only way that best exudes his charm.

Distant, much louder murmurs echoed through the audience as Terrence brushed past Muffin's skin into the crime scene, who was quite obviously blushing all the way through. Even her arms and uncovered parts of her legs were blushing. Then again, maybe it was the unbearable uncomfortableness and heat of being stuck in such a weird dress that just as weirdly matched her name really well.

At this, the cloaked lady averted her gaze away from Terrence, and proceeded to take off her cloak to reveal her eyes and seem less like she was the one who committed the murder at long last.

Tucking the cloak safely away into her pocket, she stood up from the green, green grass near the stadium and made her way into the dark, bloody crime scene of a vicious murder. Exactly whether or not that was a desired transition could be left open to interpretation.

She walked up to the unfortunate lackeys stationed to guard against such ignorant people like her who wished to enter the crime scene to see the body-and destroy all the evidence unintentionally in the process.

Then she copied exactly what Terrence did and brushed straight past them, lifting the police tape.

And was met with a harsh, harsh, help up straight palm in front of her. And a really long speech.

"I'm sorry, miss, no one's allowed into the backstage for the time being, this is a serious criminal investigation, allowing you into there might be destroying potential case-solving evidence, please cooperate with us until-"

"Listen, would you rather have the option to zip it right now, or should I come to your house tonight with a sewing kit to do it myself?"

"Uh..." At a loss for words now, random lackey?

"What's going on? More ignorant fools here to disrupt our work again?" Terrence walked back out of the scene, adjusting his gloves while also making sure to exude as much charm as possible.

"Let me in," The cloaked-correction, not cloaked, lady said.

"Uh...Ananya?" Terrence eyed her sceptically. "Right, we never actually bother to synchronise our information throughout the entirety of the Special Investigation Section...you're not part of this case. So why should I let you in?"

"Because every second you keep us locked here while you're busy racking your pathetically empty brain trying to crack this case, the annoying screams of those in the crowd only grow louder and louder, so for the sake of everyone's stupid mental health here, please just let me in. Also we're both from the same department, you can just add my name into the case files,"

"Wow...real convincing...from the way you spoke, if I wasn't informed enough I'd have thought you're the murderer trying to go in to destroy all evidence! Oh...wait..."

"..."

They were getting nowhere with this. Ananya was getting nowhere with this.

Then her saviour arrived. One of Terrence's other weird-looking lackeys lifted the covering curtains and popped out his head. "Boss, we...uh...let's just say we could really use another officer's help right about now,"

"There's literally zero disadvantage to letting me in other than I may destroy the evidence or plant conflicting evidence in there, and there's no reason I, a certified member of a unit you can run a background check on me if you want, would want any of that,"

Terrence held his hand up to his chin obviously in deep ponderance. Perhaps he is finally considering it.

"On the contrary, I could help you crack this case so much easier and faster. I'm sure you wouldn't want to have to write up that awfully, dreadfully tedious report explaining why you held everyone in this stadium back, inflicting some kind of monetary or image damage, would you?"

Terrence's eyes clearly widened at the mention of reports, although he tried to hide it behind his hand by subtly shifting it up from his chin. Maybe he's done this before and knows what it feels like?

A long, hard silence passed while Terrence contemplated. Obviously both the lackey and Ananya stayed silent as well, afraid of breaking this unstable thought right now and losing all hope of getting her in.

"...Alright. I guess we could use another investigator. Get her some gloves, David," Terrence finally let on and conceded.

"Hah! Bad move, you should have kept your guard up. What if I was really here to destroy evidence?" Ananya smirked as she donned the gloves David handed over to her excitedy.

"What...wait..."

"No, no, I'm just kidding, I really do admire how steadfast you were in your position, though-you really shouldn't have just let any other guy in. But trust me just this once-I guarantee you I mean no harm,"

Ananya smiled and turned to David instead, indicating she was no longer interested in holding up a conversation with Terrence. "What's with the bandages and awful hair, mister? Mind if I recommend a proper hairstylist? I haven't seen you in a long time...enough time for you to turn out like this?"

Indeed, David was in dire need of a good haircut-his hair was all messily curled up like he'd just been in some violent, demonic battle, the eccentric, unsettling smile on his face and the bandages covering the entirety of his left eye reinforcing the possibility of that hypothesis.

At least his fashion wasn't that bad-but then again, a classic t-shirt and pants could never go wrong on practically anybody. But then again, with all the unexplained bandages on even the whole of his right palm and fingers and several parts of his arms too, it's hard to make anyone like that not seem creepy with his naturally-born sinister smile.

He didn't say anything-just silently stared at Anany and smiled.

Ananya looked at him for a while, then did the same to him too.

She brushed past the still puzzled Terrence just as he had past Muffin, into her long-awaited crime scene.

There lay the sight of a horribly bloodied body, enjoying its soak in its nice little bathtub of close-to-overflowing water, just like any other normal human would enjoy a bath in a bathtub...except for the fact that it was, well, a dead body.

The blood flowed through the water like a drop of ink staining a glass of clear water-its colour a bright, stark contrast to the pale image of the water it was contained in.

"It's kinda suffocating in here for some reason, so just make do with it, Miss Enforcer," Terrence said.

"But kind of sweet though..." She muttered after taking a big sniff like a wild dog, and commented on the could-be-sweet-murder-water the deceased was soaked in.

Ananya knelt down as close as she could to the body without breaking into the area marked out by the police tape, staring long and hard at the body without actually doing anything. Or maybe she was just really focused on her work.

She reached out her hand and attempted to touch the body, but immediately pulled her hand back instinctively before even getting to make contact with the remains, like she was a child getting too close to a burning fire or a hot stove.

"It's still...warm!??" She muttered and made a slightly surprised weird face.

"Miss Enforcer, I'd advise you to stay away from...you know, touching the body, if you're not with forensics," Terrence spoke over to her while he was answering a few questions of another officer.

Her eyes narrowed like a pouting cat's on that request, lifting not but a finger against the atrocity of that man.

"How can this be! How could you ever suspect her??" A sudden, loud yell resounded across the entire very echo-efficient stadium.

All the heads in the room that were free to move immediately turned towards then source of the sound, and the heads that couldn't look away visibly perked their ears up like foxes.

Of course, like the vigilant neighbourhood police officers they were, Terrence and the rest immediately put down everything they were doing to attend to the ginormous elephant in the room right now.

While Ananya stared back intently at the body again, then got up and leisurely strolled out of the now-empty crime scene.

She was faced with the scene of a middle-aged man making some dramatic hand gestures and arguing intensely with another lackey of Terrence's, obviously at a loss for words.

"My fine fellow, what seems to be the matter here? Please do let us know, and if there's anything we can assist with, we'd be happy to oblige!" Terrence walked over bearing a bright smile on his face like he was among the man's closest friend group.

"Are you guys even thinking properly? Officer, your subordinate is trying to accuse our goddess Muffin! Trying to say that such a kind and gentle woman could commit such a vicious crime as to murder!" The middle-aged man had one hand gesturing towards the unfortunate officer, and the other bent laying on his chest to emphasise his point.

"That's not true, sir, this is just the expected formalities, please cooperate with us until we investigate the matter clearly," David sighed with displeasure, scratching the back of the bandage pieces covering his left eye.

"Come to think of it, why should she even be here with the rest of you dumpters? She is perfect in every single way, why should she have to stay here having to become contaminated with the incompetence of your crew?"

Terrence folded his arms and sneaked a quick glance at Muffin. She, just like everyone else, was enjoying the show-albeit appearing more worried than amused.

"Mister, nobody is above the law, please cooperate with us or I may have to take disciplinary action against you,"

"You...fine," He sighed and reluctantly agreed, sitting back down on his assigned stadium seat. "I'm sorry, Muffin, I won't be able to protect you!" He shouted over to the singer, who then blushed awkwardly at the worst possible timing.

"Right, now that the matter's been resolved, let's all head back to work everyone, wouldn't want to keep the crowd waiting too long!" Terrence clapped motivationally and signalled everyone to get back to business.

Most of the officers cajoled their tired bodies back to the backstage, save for the few that were in charge of interviewing select members of the crowd.

"Oh..hehe..." Muffin sheepishly hid her face behind strands of her hair she scrambled together. Clearly she somehow thought that that was the best way to react to all the drama that took place just now.

"What's there to blush about, Miss Cupcake?" Ananya snarkily remarked at whatever the singer's ridiculously dense thought process was.

To that Muffin only blushed harder behind her hair.

Ananya narrowed her eyes at the singer again, folding her arms and staring intensely at her.

She felt something tap her shoulder from behind. Her eyes sharpened instantly and she reached for her gun-and did not hesitate to straightaway turn around and point it at the head of whoever was behind her.

"Miss Enforcer!" She heard David gargle out right as she pressed her gun against his cranum. At least, for once at that very second, he acted normally, just like what a normal person would do if they suddenly found a gun to their forehead.

Ananya immediately lowered her gun and stored it back safely, showing no remorse whatsoever the way normal people would have after almost traumatising someone with the threat of not being able to walk away alive.

"You're cautious. I like it," David whispered like a secret prophet whispering their sacred words foretolling the doom of the universe.

"Don't sneak up on me like that...what did you come to find me for?"

"Oh, no, nothing...I just came to see you and have a chat with you..." He did the secret prophet thing again.

"Don't come find me if it's not important..." Ananya sighed like a little kid whining at their parents not buying them their new favourite toy-annoyed and frustrated at the unfairness of life.

"Anyway. On second thought, have you noticed how eerily similar the deceased looks to Muffin?" She packed up her files and eyed David closely.

"You're an observant one, I'll give it to you..." David smirked villanously, eyeing Ananya closely to see her reaction as well.

"I must be off, Miss, I hope you have a nice day," David took a step back from their scene before Ananya could finish packing her files, took a deep bow and freely walked away.

Then something caught the corner of her narrowed eyes.

Behind the ignorant, blushing singer, a seemingly plain and bland glass filled three quarters with a liquid.

It was the same cup Muffin had drunk from earlier, before all this murder drama happened.

This cup most people would overlook had interested Ananya enough that her eyes widened back again and she unfolded her arms.

She brushed right past the unsuspecting Muffin just like she had before, moving straight past her to her main objective. The glass.

She picked up the glass and examined it carefully for a while, shaking it to let the liquid inside swish a bit-to the average bystander she might look like a cultured wine tester who always sniffs their wine before tasting it.

Because she did sniff her wine-brought it close to her nose to take in the flavour like a ravenous wolf.

And it was like she had a sudden revelation the moment the scent wafted over-her eyes widened and she almost dropped herself into the glass, almost contacting the wine.

She stabilised herself from the shock of that epiphany, placing the glass back onto the shelf where she found it-and quickly turned back to finding Muffin.

"Cupcake!" She yelled out menacingly for the singer, not allowing the now-shaking Muffin a chance to escape from her.

"Uh...yes, Miss Officer? How can I he-"

Ananya lowered her voice slightly. "This liquid isn't wine at all, is it?"

"Uh...it..." Muffin stammered slightly before finally exhaling a deep sigh. "Yes...I can't drink wine,"

"...Why....not?"

"Because...I have...medical problems. I have difficulty swallowing alcohol for some reason,"

Ananya folded her arms back again and remained silent for a brief moment.

"...Wait. Were you planning on any dramatic entrances before all this? As in, stage starts to fog up, then you walk in doing some catwalk pose or something?"

"Uh...yes, I was,"

"How dramatic was it meant to be? Like, just a bit of misty atmosphere, or the entire stage goes through an extremely foggy river while you have your little entrance?"

"Um...very, very, very foggy...hehe..." Muffin shied away from view a little at the embarrassment answering the question just brought her.

Ananya didn't even try to hide how hard her eyes were rolling this time. Of course, it's not like the practically blind Muffin could see anyway.

She cleared her throat and unfolded her arms, and spoke in a much more professional and serious tone. "That'll be all, thank you for your cooperation, Miss Cupcake,"

"It's Muffin..." Muffin attempted to correct her, but was only met with an awkward silence as Ananya was already walking away.

Ananya strolled over to Terrence's side, who was currently questioning another one of the crowd rather intently. And it even looked like the member of the crowd was taking this quite seriously, too.

She walked around for a brief moment like a fly buzzing around Terrence's ear.

"That's all, you may head back to your seat now," Terrence just wrapped up the last of the questioning with his usual charismatic bright smile, and politely invited the member of the crowd back onto his seat. Clearly he enjoyed that he actually took the interrogation process seriously, a stark contrast from the rest of the crowd.

Now he wasn't so polite with Ananya's questions. Craning his neck towards her rigidly and slowly like a zombie towards the smell of fresh blood or a sudden loud sound.

They both stayed silent for a brief moment as the two stared deep into each other's souls.

Terrence stared with drooped eyes, tired of all the work he had had to get done today. While Ananya stared with eyes of concealment. Eyes meant to conceal some kind of revelation she had.

"...What do you want...," He finally uttered, breaking the silence.

"That was...a very familiar action," She replied.

"What do you mean?"

"The way...you stared into my eyes...it...it felt like...something...from long ago..."

"Ok, so?"

"You didn't happen to...learn that from somewhere, did you?"

"That's the way my father used to stare into my eyes,"

"You...wait. Who's your father?"

"And why should I tell you?"

"It's your choice. Better tell me now, or do I have to get my hands dirty today?"

Terrence was suddenly perked up, full of energy after his eventful conversation with Ananya.

Ananya was not giving up though.

She swiftly made a physical move against him and wrapped her palm tightly around his neck and pinned it against the wall, with Terrence only reacting a split second too late.

He didn't attempt to resist, though-he made peace with the firm grip around his neck, instead trying to resolve this diplomatically.

"This...means something to you, doesn't it?" He asked the obvious. "You haven't really been showing a lot of emotion this whole time. This is the most emotional you've ever been...this means more than the murder case, doesn't it?"

To that Ananya only seemingly grew more 'emotional'. Her eyes widened with ferocity and became clouded with some kind of dark energy. Her entire body started radiating a kind of black energy, manifesting like coordinated swirling splashes of ink in clear water. It was clear from the way she controlled them adeptly that she had full control over these probably deadly weapons-and from the glare in her eyes, she wasn't afraid at all to use them.

The black energy swirls darted towards Terrence's neck all at once and wrapped themselves tightly around it on Ananya's command, not giving him time to react. She had started to return to the mysterious demeanour she had before the murder happened-cold, dark, eyes blinking emotionlessly on a cold, dark, face.

Terrence didn't really have much of a reaction, either-well, minus all the struggling and futile sweeping-away of the black energy swirls.

Ananya tilted her head slightly lower to give off the impression of a murderous, cold-blooded serial killer, covering her eyes and therefore expression.

Then all of a sudden the black energy swirls loosened their grip on Terrence's neck and retreated back to Ananya's side, then disappeared just as mysteriously as they had appeared.

Terrence fell to the ground, choking and gasping for breath while staring up at Ananya.

She was now back to her usual appearance-although more visibly shaken.

"Apologies. I let my personal matters get the better of me...again..." She spat out somewhat embarrasingly after all the drama she caused, looking away and refusing eye contact with Terrence.

Terrence laugh-choked like a sick guy laughing at something pathetically ridiculous while also coughing like a mad person. He dusted himself off and stood up.

"Didn't know you were this powerful, Ananya..."

"...Anyway, I came to you because I wanted to get the statements of those you already questioned,"

"Oh...sure...no problem, Miss Enforcer...there especially shouldn't be any problem after I've witnessed what you're capable of...say, are you practicing some kind of black magic or something?"

Ananya glared back intensely at Terrence, her entire body radiating again with the same black energy swirls.

"Ah...take it that I said nothing...I'll...go and get your statements,"

Ananya folded her arms and closed her eyes as the black energy swirls silently disappeared again while Terrence messily scrambled through his files looking for the documents of statements.

"Ah! Here it is..." He hurriedly pulled out an important-looking file and handed it over to the waiting Ananya.

"Actually...I have a confession to make...I've only questioned threee people so far...the one just now screaming about Cupcake being an innocent angel who would never hurt a fly...and Cupcake herself...and also the guy who found the body first..."

'"Oh, that's ok, that's more than enough for me,"

"Why don't you just go question them yourself, then?"

"We're supposed to be working together. Don't you think someone's bout to get suspicious if we question the same person twice?" Ananya looked up from the file and furrowed her eyebrows, stating the obvious and expressing it like a rhetorical question, then went straight back to studying the statements.

"What were you doing roughly around the time of the crime?

Muffin's answer: I was busy putting on my makeup to get ready for my stage appearance. My makeup artists can verify for me that while I was backstage, I was in the makeup room, and not the control room where the murder happened.

Lee Hock Lian (Muffin's crazily obsessed fan): I was sitting on the seats in the stadium, waiting for Muffin to make her appearance onstage. I was possibly one of her biggest fans, and even brought a life-sized cardboafd cutout of her, so the other (obviously less of a fan than me) spectators should remember me crystal clear.

Jacob Lim (guy who found the body): I was in the control room at first, and I was supposed to be in charge of the fog effect for when Muffin stepped on stage along with the deceased Miss Chew Ling Tong. However, I had a bad stomachache and went to the toilet first, leaving Miss Chew the controls for the fog. When I came back, I found her like that...

Do you know who the deceased is?

Muffin's answer: No, but I think they should be one of the backstage crew in charge of the lighting and fog effect for when I was to walk onto the stage and receive my prize. That's why I was kinda confused why there wasn't any fog effect when I came onstage...but now I see why...

Lee Hock Lian: No, why would I know who that is? The only person I care about is Muffin.

Jacob Lim: The deceased is Miss Chew Ling Tong, who was working with me in charge of the fog effect.

What were you making the fog effect from?

Muffin: I think one of my backstage crew members suggested using...dry ice? I don't really know though, I wasn't really paying attention when they discussed this...hehe, sorry...

Jacob Lim: We had already purchased commercial dry ice meant for special effects such as the fog we were planning on.

What was the control room in charge of doing?

Jacob Lim: We were in charge of the lighting, special effects and most importantly, the fog effect.

Jacob, how long were you away for in the toilet?

Jacob Lim: I do not remember exactly, but what I do remember was that when I left the control room, Muffin had just started her makeup session and the crowd was still waiting. Since most of her makeup sessions take typically about an hour and a half, plus the time she was onstage and drinking her wine...probably about an hour and 45 minutes."

Ananya flipped to end of the file, then stared up with 'that look' written all over all her face.

"That's it? That's all you got?"

"Forget it, this is enough clues for me anyway,"

She didn't wait for Terrence to apologise simply with his looks again, but immediately answered her own rhetorical question, put down the file and left again for the backstage, with Terrence rushing after her after taking a rather long time to react.

Ananya stomped into the crime scene where the investigators were still there chatting with each other. Possibly about serious business, possibly about what to eat later for dinner, and even possibly about something else entirely.

She walked over to the body again, adjusted her gloves once more, knelt down and touched it once again-it wasn't as hot as it was the first time she made contact with it.

She smiled a genuine smile to herself-one that most people who saw her probably wouldn't think it was scientifically possible. But then again, it was that kind of satisfied smile one would make after solving a difficult puzzle, so who even knew what was going on in that crazy mind of hers.

She stood up, still maintaining that smile while also closing her eyes dramatically, took in a deep breath and announced,

"Listen up Cluedo players, I know whodunnit,"

And just as she opened her eyes then and changed her smile from a genuine one to a cunning, conniving one, she saw countless investigators and officers widened their eyes, drop their goods or whisper among themselves. Sometimes all three.

Terrence, of course, smirked and grabbed his cup of leftover coffee and took a seat, knowing he was about to witness a spectacular show.

Then of course, there had to be that one guy to add on to the drama:

"Hah! Prove it, missy!"

To that Ananya folded her arms and started walking around the cordoned-off body, taking her own sweet time to explain the entire case:

"This is a crime scene. A murder just took place here. In terms of procedural planning, for what reason do we even cordon off the body in the first place?

You're right, it's to prevent evidence contamination. Evidence gradually deteriorates over time, so of course the main objective is to get the evidence quickly to somewhere and someone who can process it.

Yet, we have not proceeded with that...because we have a department specifically dedicated to such matters.

However, our darling forensic pathologists have not, for some odd reason, arrived yet-no, I haven't even heard a single move from them. Almost like they never prepared to come.

Or, rather..."

She set down the theatrical story-telling mask she had put on and folded her arms again, casting her gaze to Terrence's direction.

He smirked and took a big sip out of his coffee, then along with Ananya, simultaneously cast his gaze in the direction of another one of his many overlooked, lowly lackeys: David Lim.

"Someone didn't let them in on purpose?"

Whispers and gasps spread like wildfire through the watching crowd of investigators, glancing and staring, making weird points and gestures at David.

"What's that supposed to mean? Terrence was the one in charge, of course he's the one responsible for whatever you're talking about!"

He yapped on, glaring at the two. Perhaps he still believed he could clear his name against the awful-lack-of-evidence.

"Well, indeed I was the one responsible, but riddle me this..." Terrence looked back at Ananya out of respect now that they were at such a critical point on the stage.

"Before you ask, it was this man named Alex Li, I have him detained, you can ask him yourself," Ananya did the same to him as well.

"Ah. Now that solves a lot of problems. Well, back to my question...who was it that tipped us off about the murder in the first place?"

The two did more slow head-turning to intensify the high of the climax, turning back to admire the accused.

"That....that doesn't...that doesn't prove anything!"

Ananya chuckled to herself mischievously. "Oh, now, don't worry, I have a friend who also happens to be a top tier forensic investigator, she taught me quite a thing or two about this...for instance, the body has very fresh scar-like marks, which shouldn't be taking the countless idiots here who never even realised the pathologists weren't here, 2 seconds to realise this is a temperature wound caused by cold running water.

However, a temperature wound of such standard would have to be at a near-freezing temperature-something that neither the sinks here nor the non-existent water coolers could provide.

The witness Jacob Lim had said that no one else had come in the whole time he was around, so the murder must have happened within that 1 hour and 45 minutes-and therefore the deceased must have been placed in the cold water within that time frame.

Furthermore, if you take simple whiff of the water, you might find that it has hint of sweetness. Or even alcohol.

However, the water is rather shallow, but there are no splashes of water about that dirtied the scene at all-which could mean one of three things:

1. The perpetrator is so strong that he could restrain the deceased to the point where she couldn't even make a single splatter of cold water around her when she struggled.

2. She did not struggle and willingly complied to be soaked in the water.

3, and also the most probable possibility: She had been drugged in some way or had her perception reduced, causing her unable to be able to fight back enough against the perpetrator.

I believe it's option number 3 that happened, but that it's not a drug that the deceased was fed.

It's the dry ice."

At this point there was huge drama circulating through the investigatory team, and they were back to gossiping again like they were back when they were young and immature kids.

"Haha, now that I've explained all till the way here, things naturally start explain themselves.

David had led the deceased into the then-empty box, but that had been laden with the dry ice instead, and shut her in, leaving the dry ice to sublimate and suffocate her in the enclosed area.

Once the ice had fully sublimated, all evidence of it left will be literally gone with the wind. Just then, the perpetrator opened the door and poured in the water, to give the illusion that she had drowned. Why he did that I confess I have no idea.

However, he then fed the delirious deceased a glass of wine-which she seemed to have no problems swallowing. And that's when David knew he got the wrong person."

David was now no longer even trying to refute Ananya's claims anymore, instead quietly laughing away to himself with his hair messily hiding his wicked eyes like a killer psychopath.

"Because Muffin Quail has a medical condition that doesn't allow her to swallow alcohol normally. Because your target was Muffin Quail in the first place, wasn't it?" Ananya finally turned towards David and addressed him directly.

"Hehehhe, no point keeping up the pretense anymore...I must say, not bad...so this is Louis's and...Scarlett's student? Quite the bright child," He covered the entire left half of his face with his palm, letting the rest of his fingers stretch into his messily arranged hair.

Ananya showed obvious slight shock when mentioned with the two names, but just as quickly covered it up.

"After you realised your mistake, you quickly called Terrence, claiming that someone had tipped you off and phrasing it such he would interpret it that the murder hadn't happened yet. How else could they have arrived before Jacob Lim even came out of the toilet?

But Terrence already detected something fishy, and so decided not to call in the forensic pathologists, to play along with you for a while and you give you false confidence,"

"Hahahahahahahahahaha! Little girl, wow, I'm impressed..." David clapped together his hands in a slow beat, being careful to enunciate each word with extreme clarity unlike what he had before.

Just as Ananya was about to say something towards the maniac, she felt Terrence quickly grab her hand and pull her out of the scene, further adding on to the opera feel from the investigators' perspective.

"Ok, I know what you're planning to do, but we absolutely mustn't do anything to him,"

"Wh-is there some new drama this psycho is getting caught up in again?"

"...Long story short, yes, so let's just give into him for now, use him as bait and get the whole group later together, okay?"

"I can't believe I'm agreeing to let a murderer go..."

David was still laughing maniacally when he caught a glimpse of Ananya and Terrence returning to the crime scene along with the rest of the officers who were obviously curious but too scared to ask questions.

"Now, young girl, do you wanna know why I wanted to kill Muffin?" David shrieked in a hoarse voice.

"Oh, it's nothing, really, she just deserved it after all. Her stupid song on justice and freedom..."

"Ok, that's nice and all, but you're going to-" Terrence pretended to want to arrest him and hurried David along his way.

"Do it. Lay a hand on me. Heh, right now if you turn on any news telecaster on your phone, you'l find it's broadcasting all the same thing-"Self-acting terrorist group recently taken over public massage parlor," David stretched his spine all the way back and laughed as hard as he could, in sheer mockery of the two.

"The-what??" Ananya smacked her hand against her forehead for a moment, then stabilised herself and attempted to negotiate properly.

"Alright, fine, what are your terms?"

"Prepare 30 sacks of food and water, 3 fully loaded guns, and grant me safe passage into the massage parlor unobstructed,"

"You've gotta be kid-" Ananya was just about to butt in, but was suddenly stopped by Terrence with a really rude and obnoxiously loud cough.

"Sure, we shall arrange what we can with the authorities," He coughed out again and glared at Ananya, obviously not happy that David is still a happy free man.

"Ah, and one last thing, Miss Enforcer..." He smiled a creepily charming, charmingly creepy smile.

Ananya folded her arms in an uncomfortable manner and averted her gaze away from his psychopathic eyes.

"Make sure to feast your eyes on the incarceration of your precious..."

His eyes grew sinister and slit-shaped like a cat's, concoting something devious. Ananya kept up her lack of eye contact.

"Lady Ma'at,"

[survey--s]

620.

Do you ever have days where you just don’t do anything? I always do something even if it's just housework, having a shower or walking the dog. I used to have days where I never even got out of bed but looking back that was a symptom of some serious MH issues so I'm glad life is no longer like that. Have you ever been extremely tired but refused to go to sleep? It's not that I've refused to go sleep, it's that my mind has been too active to let me sleep. What is your favorite episode of True Life, if you have one at all? I've never heard of that show. Well, I have on here but I don't know what it's about or anything. Have you ever experienced something paranormal? No. I don't really believe in that kind of thing. What’s the longest amount of time you’ve been stuck in traffic? About 4-5 hours on the motorway once when there was a serious accident. Luckily we'd just stopped for food/drink so we just sat and ate McDonald's lol. Everyone was leaving their cars to go and pee on the hard shoulder hah. Best field trip experience? Going to Paris in sixth form. Have you ever been to New York City? I have not. If so, is it all its cracked up to be? ... What is the most amount of money you’ve spent on a meal before? Personally, around £30 a head but I've attended meals where it cost over £300 per person before. What museums have you visited, if any? Hundreds of them. I honestly couldn't list them all. My childhood holidays were spent traipsing round museums and churches lol. Have you ever had a group project and one of your partners bailed on you? Sure. That's why I much prefer to work alone. What’s your worst traveling experience? Probably flying to Australia and the turbulence being so bad that you could feel the plane drop and all the lights were flickering constantly. It felt like it lasted forever but in reality it was probably only 15 minutes. Sims 1, 2, or 3? Why? I never played the third one, but the 1st and 2nd were both good.

Have you ever dealt with noisy neighbors or roommates? How did that go? Yeah, when I lived with Chris out downstairs neighbours were always arguing lol. We mostly just ignored it. Who was (or is) the teacher that gave you the hardest time in school? I have no idea - possibly my tutor in year...9 I think it was? Best muffin you’ve ever had? I love the raspberry and peach ones from Starbucks though I don't even know if they sell them anymore. Otherwise I tend to go for blueberry ones. Have you ever taken a woodshop class? Yeah. If so, was it required? Yeah, it was just part of our Design Technology. How much time do you spend on Facebook, if you have one? I'm logged in pretty much all the time. What area of math are you best at? Worst? I'm not really good at any kind of maths, lol. I mean, I can do basic arithmetic but nothing more complex than that. How do you feel when you meet someone with the same music taste as you? It's great. How often do you “half-ass” things (put little effort in)? Christ, all the time lol. Most people don't care how much effort you put into something as long as it gets done to a decent standard. Do you ever feel self-conscious when you eat around other people? Yeah, with messy foods. Has a teacher ever made you hate yourself/your work? Nope. How reliable is your internet connection? It's been fine since the engineer came out to sort it on Friday. He's moved the connection onto a better wall so hopefully it solves the issue we've been having with damp. Have you ever missed a meeting/event that was required/necessary? Sure. What’s something that makes you incredibly nervous? Driving in new places. What’s the latest you’ve ever stayed up to finish homework/a project? I pulled plenty of all-nighters in university. If you don’t have glasses, how would you feel if you had to get them? .... If you do have glasses, how would you feel if you didn’t need them anymore? My life would be much easier if I didn't need to wear them lol. I've kind of resigned myself to a life with glasses though. My prescription is too complex for surgery and I can't cope with contacts. How many vegetarians do you know? Not very many. I live in farming country and pretty much everyone likes to eat good quality, local meat. Have you ever considered going to art school? Nope. Is there anyone in your life who consistently angers you? Dog owners who let their dogs run up to mine even when they're very clearly fucking terrified. How quickly can you write an essay? It depends on the length and the topic, and how formal it has to be. Have you ever had problems falling asleep in class? No. Have you ever been on the barrier or front row at a concert? Just small local ones. What bug frightens you most? Cockroaches. Are your parents supportive of you? Yes. How often do you take the train to go places? Never. Our local trains are awful - they're always cancelled or delayed and it's just so much more convenient to drive. Do you play with your phone in awkward situations? If I'm alone, sure, but I try not to do it with others. Have you ever participated in a mock trial, or a real trial? No, neither.