#out of max repels | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

sunofpandora · 2 months

Text

V I R A G O

Chapter 4

Neteyam x fem!omaticaya!reader

Nice Going, Romeo

𝓭𝓮𝓽𝓪𝓲𝓵𝓼/𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼/𝓼𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼/

»»———–➤»»———–➤»»———–

Chapter four synopsis: After years of tension, Y/n and Neteyam have finally made up and have agreed to re-establish their friendship. Because of the chaotic events of the last few days, Y/n hits her breaking point due to all the stress and has an argument with Spider. Meanwhile, Neteyam basks in his lovesick haze. »»———–➤»»———–➤»»———–➤»»———–➤»»

WARNINGS:

Mentions of a stroke??? (its a joke)/Lo’ak and Y/n being platonic soulmates/ mentions of cutting hair/ mentions of anxiety and grief/ I think that’s it??

Author’s Note

My beautiful readers! Goodness, it's been a minute hasn't it?? I actually had a lot of fun writing this chapter. D0 you like my new dividers?? I thought the arrows were on theme hehe. Also, they really help space out the details, warnings and synopsis area a lot more so everything up here isn’t so chunky. Comments and reposts are much appreciated as usual.

☾⁺☀︎₊𖦹✮⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⁺☀︎₊ ⁺☀︎₊☾⁺☀︎₊ ⋆⁺𖦹₊⋆⁺☀︎₊

The room is dimly lit, no thanks to the shitty lamp that emanated a sickly shade of yellow on the small bedside table next to Spider’s bunk.

High camp was silent. The rest of the clan had retired to their homes for sleep. The atmosphere tonight is cinematically melancholy. Thick shadowy mist, like the kind that falls just before a thunderstorm.

Spider has been sleeping for the last few hours. Water and food kept close by on a tray on the floor.

So much has happened since the accident. Your intervention with Neteyam, your new appointed position as a teacher, the weight of it all still heavy on your chest.

Neteyam and you had a complicated history to say the least. Your love for him has grown with you. From a child's softly sewed heart, patchwork pieces of moonlight and magic and sweet things. Chasing each other across shin-deep streams and unmeasured mindgames. Innocence unrestrained by a child’s imagination.

You were a wild child. Unafraid of unruly sensations that snap and scratch at the scarred skin stretched on your bones. You were taller than Neteyam until you were 11, despite him being older. You remember him looking up at you with all the wonder in the world

And then you grew older, shamefully throwing yourself into his arms.

Within the depths of your bliss, you found a sanctuary with him. Newfound effervescence, two souls choking on their words to describe eachothers beauty. You remember chasing eachother through the forest after sundown, catching the colors caught in the sky, hues of red and orange bargaining for dominance as the sky stretched into indefinite lengths.

Liquid glass visions and sweet tasting sunlight, bright orange arrows greedily repel the monochrome traces that perturbed from the daylight hours,

He swore to you.

He looked you in your eyes and he swore to you.

He would protect you. No matter what.

Thoughts of you were sanctified.

He told you he would take you anywhere you desired.

The disparity in it all was hollow promises.

You sit up, your ears catching the sound of the blanket that draped across Spider’s body slipping off to the floor.

“You’re awake.”

You wasted no time. You stood up from your sitting spot in the corner to kneel next to the cot he laid on.

He sat up with a groan, his eyes lazily blinking to adjust to the light.

“Hey.”

He whispered, patting your leg.

You cracked a smile, buty it faded when your gaze drifted to his bandages.

“Does it hurt?” You whispered.

He shakes his head.

“Nah. I think Norm and Max gave me something for pain.”

You nodded, slowly. Shifting to rest on your knees.

He allocated steps of silence for you to rest your words. But for some reason, you couldn’t find them.

It confined itself in your throat. The feverent sting of tears and bronze and venom gathered in dark corners of your heart.

“What?”

You whispered, waiting for him to explain why he was staring so intently.

“I don’t know. You’re quiet. You're shaking. And you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I almost did. Because of your stupid ass.”

He let a rough breath out, glowering in annoyance.

“Y/n. Everything was fine. I fell. You’ve never fallen?”

“Because I had my ass half-hanging out of a broken aircraft? No, actually.”

Your voice textured itself with all the harshness that rewired into carcass of throned fear. The heaviness in your chest is still embedded, sacred and silent but not senseless.

His gaze tremors in a pattern between you and the floor.

You leaned back, a choked breath leaving your lips.

“Spider, tonight I thought was the last time I’d ever see you breathing.”

He shook his head, trying to reassure you.

“I’m fine. Look at me-

It’s just a few bruises.”

“That’s not the point, dumbass! It could have been worse.”

Spider had nothing to say to that. He reveled in the silence that thickened the air.

“I’m not a little kid anymore. I don’t need you to come to my rescue.”

Those words wound you even more when in his eyes you see he’s debating whether he regrets them or not.

Spider was older than you. And you were always told stories of how your mother saw a child alone in a great big world regardless of whether he was a human or not. It broke her heart.

Growing up, you always threw yourself into fights for Spider.

Refusing to play games with other children that called him names. Learning at the ripe age of 8 how to make sure he had a spare pack whenever he left the shack, and how to hook it up to his mask, thanks to Max and Norm.

You and Lo’ak running through the forest to collect new fruits to use as dye to paint his skin, hoping the azure streaks and stripes would stain his skin.

It was funny, really. How he was protective of you despite you being the one that was taller, stronger, faster.

You knew spider was grateful for your parents. He loved them like his own. Mourned them so heavily when they left this world and moved on to the next. But you also knew it wasn’t easy.

It wasn’t easy being a human in a clan that was still healing. It wasn’t easy being the son of Miles Quaritch.

When the world around him seemed like a sword, you became a shield.

A habit you had picked up since childhood. You pride yourself on never mistaking any part of his for weakness.

But how could you not feel solicitous?

When you and your world felt too big, and he looked too small, when even the air denied him to breathe freely?

The ache in your chest is almost firstful, palpable in immediacy of the realization that he had become the sword in this moment.

Your tone clawed and mangled with the pain that was morphing into anger.

“If you don’t want me to rescue you, don’t almost kill yourself.”

You hissed, your mind snatching the sense of guilt from his earlier remark.

He scoffs.

“Oh of course. As usual, you’re the hero and I’m just the human you’re in charge of keeping on a leash.”

“I wouldn’t have to keep you on a fucking leash if you used your brain once in a while.

And what the fuck does that mean?”

Spider sits up a little more, glaring at you.

“You’ve always been perfect. Put a bow and arrow in your hand and the clan thinks you’re some deity from the heavens sent to protect everything that breathes.”

That was unnecessary. And really fucking immature.

“Don’t glorify me. And don’t ever hold my dedication to protect my people against me.”

“No one asked you too! It was all the sudden you were training with Jake. Next thing you know your Lucy the fucking Lutientent or some shit. Would it kill you for once; to not be the hero? Would it kill you to-“

Before he could finish, you snatched the picture on the bulletin board next to some photos Norm and Max had hung up in the shack where spider slept.

It was a picture of a spider had taped up on the wall when he was a child.

A picture of your mother holding him on her hip, smiling for max behind a camera as he insisted on taking a picture of them.

The picture hurt you to look at. How young your mother looked. Your mother had always been beautiful. But something about the her glow, evident of her early years of motherhood and healing after the war.

You shoved it into his chest, watching his eyes widen as he scrambled to hold it.

“Would it kill me? It won’t kill me, but this war killed her. So my apologies if I refuse to let it kill you, or anyone else I care about.”

Spider was stunned. He stared at you, his eyes shadowed with regret.

You stood to your feet, mocking his glare from a few seconds ago.

“I know you didn’t ask for this. But guess what? I didn’t either.”

“Y-“

You didn’t even want to hear him speak, much less listen to him berate you about apologizing for a mess you were only trying to fix.

You turned for the door, ducking under the top frame, minding that it was not made for Na’vi to enter and go as they please.

You felt like the floor was being torn open with each step as the feeling of cool wooden metal tiles turned into the grassy patches outside the shack.

You jumped down the steps, grounding yourself both mentally and physically on the familiar air of the high camp, the night’s scent thick with high emotions and heartache.

The meds Norm and Max gave Spider must have some kind of mind altering drug side effects because he knew better than to raise his tone with you.

You and spider never fought.

Well, that wasn’t true. But when you did, it never got to a point of either of you leaving without resolving it.

You ran your hands through your braids, tugging lightly at the ends.

You wished the night would just swallow you hole, you paced around in a circle, cursing under your breath.

“Fuck. Fuck. Fucking-

Fuck!”

You rasped, reaching for the natural stone wall that encaved high camp. Steadying yourself with deep breaths.

You finally manage to soothe yourself just enough to imagine that entire encounter went much smoother.

Eywa, how you yearned for nothingness at this moment.

You loved Spider, but sometimes he opens his mouth and suddenly you're one step closer to considering alcoholism.

“Y/n?”

You spin around on your heel, hand instinctively resting on your knife handle, prepared to defend yourself, your stance stiffened, your tail curling protectively around your leg.

“Easy kiddo. It’s just me.”

Jake arands with a hand resting on his waist as he peers down at you.

You let out a breath you weren’t sure how long you were holding.

“What is it with your family and sneaking up on me!?”

You whisper-yelled, trying not to wake the whole clan.

Jake rubs the back of his neck, his tail swaying awkwardly.

The night air takes a tenor of star-strung sounds that harmonize with the of the imbricating symphonies of pandora’s nocturnal life.

Jake gestured back to the shack.

“Are you all done there?”

“How long were you standing there?”

You couldn’t help but sound slightly accusatory. You hoped he wasn’t eavesdropping on you and Spider.

You don’t really want Jake pushing himself where he didn’t belong.

He shrugs.

“About 30 seconds.”

You let out a sigh, running a hand down your neck, the motion an attempted anodyne to calm your nerves.

“What are you even doing here? It’s late?”

You query, tilting your head.

He paused before answering.

“I wanted to make sure you were okay, Y/n. You had one hell of a day.”

You scoffed, crossing your arms.

Were you the happiest with Jake right now?

No. Not really.

Why? Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it’s because he has been planning on setting you up to train either Makeyo or Neteyam for weeks without informing you. You thought he valued you as a warrior. For your skill. For your courage. For your vigor and vigilance. To be tossed into a position without as much as a warning? Has he lost respect for you? Maybe Spider was right. You were a sword. Forged from fire and bloodshed and grief.

Eywa had to be fucking with you. Why is that when one argument with a sully ends, another one comes from around the corner.

“I’m fine Jake. Neve better.”

Jake sighs, running a hand down his face.

“Y/n, sweetheart, I know I should have told you sooner. I know. But this was my best option.”

“Not even a warning?? Not even a heads up?? the fact that you had already decided I was going to become someone’s teacher before deciding who I was going to teach! You just kept running in between Makeyo or Neteyam.”

Jake looked down for a moment, he had no excuse for why he did it, allowing the regret to inchoate into him.

Your voice was a whisper now. Hoarse and exhausted, contrast to your usual pragmatic approach to speaking with Jake.

He was your superior. The Olo’eyktan of your clan. A leader.

“Do you think I’m not strong enough anymore?”

Jake shook his head, placing a hand on your shoulder, leaning down slightly.

“Y/n. Listen to me. You are one of the strongest warriors this clan has ever seen. You fight with honor. But you can’t keep throwing yourself into fire over and over again. And if you have to, you’re not doing it alone. If I can get someone with half your skill to support you while you’re in the sky, I’m gonna do it.”

You glared. “So you’re going to assign your son to hover behind me while I fight?”

“Short answer? Yes.”

You let out a huff, feeling yourself getting worked up again.

“I don’t need Neteyam to chaperone me.”

Jake threw his arms up, followed by an over exaggerated sigh.

“It’s less about you being ‘chaperoned’ and more about keeping you alive, Y/n!”

In response? You had nothing to say. All you knew is that you were tired. So, so tired.

Tired of arguing. Tired of the cold glares you had distributed throughout the day.

Jake sighed, wrapping an arm around you supportively.

“Sweetheart you look dead on your feet. You need some rest.”

You were silent as Jake walked you across highcamp to Mo’ats tent.

He pulled back the flap, the smells of grinded herbs and salves, the fresh smell of the wood wafting through the air.

You ducked inside, plopping yourself on the ground.

“Jesus Christ, when’s the last time you slept?”

He crouched down, pressing his palm to your cheek, making you look up at him,

“I don’t need sleep”,

you mumbled hissing at him weakly. You collapsed onto the pile of woven blankets that rested in the corner.

He closed the flap behind him, moving some of Mo’at’s supplies out of the way so you could sprawl out.

“You can rest here for tonight. Take some time for yourself. Meditate or something.”

You raised a brow, your ears flicking upwards.

“Meditate?”

“I don’t know, kid. Just do something to calm yourself down.”

Jake walked over to you, tossing a blanket over you and handing you a parcel, wrapped carefully by leaves.

“What’s this?” You murmur, staring down at it.

“Dinner. Don’t think I didn’t notice you skipping tonight’s meal.”

You frowned, not even remembering you were so rushed to meet Spider after your chat with Neteyam, that you completely forgot to eat.

“Well shit…Thank you.”

You held it up, nodding towards him.

He stood up, waving you off.

“Just make sure you eat all of it. You’re not an old lady, and i’m too young to force-feed you like you are one.”

You cracked a smile. You really were grateful for Jake.

“Thank you.” You whispered.

He sat on his knees next to you, adjusting the blanket to drape over your shoulders, patting your back a few times for good measure.

“Are you okay, Y/n? Really, be honest with me, kiddo.”

His voice was softer thai time, laced with concern and honesty.

You sighed.

“I had an argument with Spider.”

Jake sighed, as if he were relieved.

“Thank god..”

You sat up, confused tp say the least.

“Why is that a good thing?”

“Well I'm just happy it’s that and someone’s not messing with you. I wouldn’t want to have to throw punches.”

You rolled your eyes.

“Please. You know I’d fold anyone anyday.”

Jake gave you a hearty smile, running a hand down your back.

“Damn straight. My money’s on you.”

You chuckled weakly, feeling the tiredness wash over you.

Jake rose to his feet, looking at you one more time before leaving.

“Get some sleep, sweetheart. And eat your damn food.”

☾⁺☀︎₊𖦹✮⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⁺☀︎₊ ⁺☀︎₊☾⁺☀︎₊ ⋆⁺ ‏𖦹 ₊⋆⁺☀︎₊☾⁺☀︎₊𖦹✮⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⁺☀︎₊

The next morning…Neteyam’s POV

Have you ever woken up feeling like you could pull the moon out of the sky with your bare hands and gift it to the most beautiful person you had ever seen??? Have you ever woken up feeling like even the smallest of shifts in the wind sang someone’s name?? Have you ever woken up feeling like one singular soul could somehow hold my existence in her palm with such ease?? Have you ever woken up feeling like the air is a bit lighter? Like the sky is a bit brighter?

Maybe it’s just me. But ever since last night..Ever since iv’e earned her trust back, I’ve felt as if I could brivet around the forest like a brainless fool, just basking in the absurdity of this amorevolous haze.

Did I mention she hugged me-??? Just wrapped her arms around me mid of my sentence. Eywa, if she was an ocean I'd drown in her.

When I woke up this morning, I blinked slowly, allowing the early morning sunrays that filtered through the small open spaces in the woven material to leak it’s light onto me. I stretched my arms above my head, feeling its warmth encompass me.

There was a stupid smile on my face that I wasn’t aware of.

I stare up at the ceiling for a moment. Letting my thoughts drift to the farther corners of my mind. All my burdens and worries slowly follow suit.

“Psst! Teyam! Are you awake??”

I roll over to my side, sitting up a bit, and as I angle myself to rest on my elbows, i’m faced with big golden eyes that could only belong to Tuk.

“Hi Tuk.”

I yawn, trying to clear the hoarseness out of my voice.

She blinks at me, her tail flicking behind her. The echo of her laughter embodied the lightheaded ecstasy that already embedded its energy into my brain this morning. She yanks the blanket that was covering my legs off of me, tugging at my arm.

“Come on! Mama said it’s time to eat!”

I groan dramatically, humoring her.

“Tuktirey, I don’t think my legs are working-

Oh no, there I go. Gravity’s increasing on me.”

She squeals as I lean forward, letting half my upper body weight hang on her as she holds my limp figure up with her much smaller arms.

“Neteyam! You’re too heavy!”

She whines playfully, attempting poorly tp push me upright again.

I let up after a moment, watching as she squeals with laughter before running to Kiri’s hammock, quickly yanking her blanket away before scurrying to jump on top of a snoring Lo’ak.

I chuckle to myself, folding up my own blanket and leaving it in my now empty hammock as I duck under the divider flap in the tent to distinguish areas with a barrier of sorts. I guess when you’ve had as many kids as my parents have, its better to try and break down a large marui into different quarters.

“Ma’itan, did you sleep alright?” I look downward to see my mother glancing in between me and the fruit she was cutting up, the juices leaving slight stains on the tips of her fingers.

I sigh, the breath leaving my lips in an accidental dreamily manner. As if i’m caught in a mirage, my steps almost stumble over each other, it’s intractable. As if the light of the morning has transferred into the weight in my movements.

I sit down next to her on my knees. “I'm a great mother, perfect, even.”

She smiles at me, but there's confusion in her gaze.

I don’t think my stupid smile has faded because of the way my father pauses from sneaking his fingers into the bowl of pitcher plant nectar to stare at me.

We lock gazes and I wave at him, as if it's been days since I've seen him.

“Father, good morning.” I raise two fingers to my forehead, dipping them downwards to form the ‘I see you’ sign. He hesitates to return the gesture, sharing confused glances with my mother.

“Uhm, Good morning. Are you feeling alright, bud?”

My mother and him exchange glances, and with a subtle gesture with a nod of her head, he understands she wants him to check on me. He places a hand on my shoulder, crouching down next to me, switching places with my mother per her silent request.

I shake my head, not being able to suppress the laugh that leaves my chest.

“I’m fine. Really, I feel– amazing. Like…really, really good-”

I paused for a moment as my dad pressed the back of his hand to my forehead.

“You don’t have a fever..do you know where we are right now? Could you tell me our exact location?”

“Ma’jake. He is not ill.”

“Baby, I gotta make sure he’s not stroking out-”

“Oh Jake enough. He is fine.”

My mother swats him away as she sits next to me, taking his place. She hands me a few fruits.

“Ma’itan, will you cut these up for me?”

“Of course mother.” I unsheathe my knife to start my task. I feel sleepless nights and dreams of kissing until I can’t breathe come spilling out of me in wavelengths of sunrays and gold-plaited glimpses. A woven thread that tugs on my heart weaves throughout ragged plains of regret, now lost and forgotten to what I feel now.

My father attempts to sneak more nectar, dipping his finger into the bowl just for my mother to spin around to catch him.

“Eywa help me, Jake how many times have i told you to save some for the children?”

“Not my fault this stuff is so sweet, baby, I could drink this stuff.”

My father throws his hands up in a mock surrender, fighting back a smile.

She throws her head back, a groan leaving her.

“You are infuriating. I cannot turn my back for 2 seconds.”

She stands to her feet to wash off her knife, only for my father to sneak up behind her, snaking his hands around her waist.

“Awh, don’t worry honey, It’s not as sweet as you.” He presses kisses to her cheek, tugging at her tail lightly, a soft gasp leaves my mother’s lips followed my soft laughter,

“Jake- stop, you are sticky.”

Since when was watching my mother and father flirt so heartwarming?

“Gross. I didn’t know we were having PDA for breakfast.”

The familiar grumble causes me to turn to its source. Kiri trudges through the tent flap, her hair messy and her strides slow and exhausted. She rubs her eyes, clutching a waterskin in her other hand. It was a herbal tea that grandmother made for her frequent headaches. She carried it almost everywhere, especially in the morning.

She practically collapses into a cross-crossed position across from me, staring unamused as my parents pull apart from each other, my dad slowly maneuvering my mothers knife out of her grip.

“I’ll go wash this for ya, hon.” He whispers, giving her one last kiss before he slips out behind Kiri and ducks under the divider, letting the curtain fall behind him as you can hear him faintly telling Lo’ak and Tuk to stop wrestling around and get to breakfast.

My mother clears her throat, trying to suppress her own stupid smile now, victim of my father’s charm.

“Kiri, how did you sleep?”

Kiri yawns, rebraiding one of the braids that fell on the side of her messily layered hair to frame her face.’

“Well, Y/n wasn’t here so there was no one I could rant to at midnight about the hypocrisy in our culture surrounding our misanthropic beliefs as a clan and the refusal to collate and unwillingness to adapt.”

She takes another sipt out of her waterskin, speaking as if she was explaining how to count to 3.

My mother smiles, clearly pretending to understand her.

“So….you slept well?”

Kiri sighs defeatedly, tying off the braid with the small band in her hand.

“Yes mother, I slept like a baby.”

I find myself snickering at the exchange, I look up to see my father return, Tuk and Lo’ak not far behind him. Tuk was doubled over, trying to support a limp-limbed Lo’ak with her smaller body, he’s mimicking my earlier joke with Tuk,

Noises of annoyance and in need of aid leave her as she struggles under Lo’ak’s weight.

“Lo’ak! You’re too heavy! Neteyam is funny when he does it!” She whines, attempting to push him off of her’

Lo’ak clutches his chest, as if he’s having a heart attack. “Oh eywa! I see the light!” He raises both arms up towards the sky, as if some divine presence was going to scoop him up into it’s arms and take him away.

“Take me, great mother!”

Tuk lets out a scream as Lo’ak tumbles atop her.

“That’s enough, you two. Lo’ak, get offa’ your sister.”

My dad tugs on Lo’ak’s tail, and he hisses in pain.

“Ow! Dad-”

“Sit.”

My dad gives him a final glare and he sighs, cracking his knuckles before taking a seat next to me. Tuk scrambles next to my dad, nuzzling into his side, sticking her tongue out at lo’ak in a victorious manner.

Lo’ak points his two fingers to his own eyes before pointing them back at Tuk, and a clear ‘this isn’t over’ message is received.

Maybe it’s just my weird sense of peace I've felt all morning, but I attempt to park up a conversation with Lo’ak.

“Good morning baby bro.”

I swing my arm around him, ruffling at his braids. He stills his motion of munching into his slice of fruit, glancing up at me with a confused, cautious stare. As if my odd demeanor was an active minefield.

“Uhm. Hi..”

He side-eyed me curiously. Like my happiness was disgustingly contagious.

His tail thumped against the floor. His eyebrow raised curiously at my stupid smile.

“What’s got you so bright and cheery?”

He glances over at Kiri, hoping for some kind of backup, only to see her silently praying to eywa before eating her food.

“Nothing. I just woke up feeling good.”

I shrug, snatching a slice of fruit from his little leaf he had arranged his stack of food on. The moment my teeth sink in, I'm slapped with the taste of sugared honey mixed with sunshine and sweet nectars. The flavor is resplendent. An unexpected soft groan leaves me as the juices trickle down my lips, I wipe them with my forearm. Why did everything today taste so much sweeter than usual?

Lo’ak stares at me as if he’s abhorred with my behavior.

“Dude..what the hell.”

My ears flick upwards as I turn to face the rest of the family, who’s now looking at me like I’m the epitome of bizarreness.

My father snickers, helping Tuk peel her small fruit.

“Neteyam, should we give you and your fruit a moment alone.”

Lo’ak shivers, clearly uncomfortable. “Bro. could you not moan into your food in front of my breakfast.”

I shake my head, some of my braids falling over my shoulders. “Sorry, baby brother.” I laugh, but i’m not really sure why. I feel my face flush as i lean back into my spot.

“Dad, I think Neteyam is stroking out.”

Lo’ak snaps his fingers, trying to gather my father’s attention as he points to me.

My father shakes his head. “I already checked. It’s not a stroke.”

Mother hisses at both of them, passing a cut open fruit to Kiri, who as usual seems unbothered with our family’s shenanigans.

“Both of you, leave him be. He is happy.”

I can always count on mama.

Lo’ak shoots me a look.

“Why?”

I shrug.

“Why not? We have food, a family, a roof over our heads, we’re safe and happy, a strong clan and a lovely home.”

The woman I would die for no longer hates my guts. Hey, life is pretty good.

My mother smiles at me.

“See? You are not ill. One who takes time to appreciate all the great mother has given us is not sick.”

Lo’ak doesn’t seem convinced. He takes a big bite of his fruit, slowly eyeing me up and down.

My father clears his throat, sitting up a bit straighter.

“While I have you kids here, I need you all to try and give y/n a little bit of space today.”

Kiri finally seems to engage in the current conversation now that Y/n is mentioned.

Tuk looks up, as well as my mother, Lo’ak and I.

“Is she okay? Is she sick?”

Tuk pouts, tugging on my fathers arm.

“Does she need anything? Is she hurt?”

It comes out before I can stop myself, trying not to sound too nervous.

Lo’ak groans

“Please don’t tell me she’s dead. That would really suck.”

My dad shakes his head gently reaching for Tuk’s smaller hand.

“No, guys. She’s okay. It’s just that she’s been through a ton these last few days. The poor thing’s burnt out. She needs some rest.”

Silent relief waves over me. I turn to Lo’ak as soon as I hear him speak.

“That doesn’t include me, right?”

He points at himself, a cocky smirk forming on his lips.

My dad glared at him.

“That means especially you. Ever since you could walk I had to pull you away from the poor girl kicking and screaming. And I am NOT about to do it again now that you’re this big. It’s a bad look for me.”

“That just shows we’re not supposed to be away from one another. It’s a sign from eywa. And you know I don’t play with the big lady upstairs.”

Lo’ak presses his lips on two fingers before reaching his hands up as if he’s kissing the sky.

My dad gives him a final warning look before he surrenders.

“Alright, fine. But if you get struck by lightning later it’s not my issue.

I’m gonna go on a walk.”

Lo’ak shoved his food into a small pouch before slinging it over his shoulder.

My mother frowns.

“With half of your breakfast in a pouch? You might as well just finish eating.”

Lo’ak waves her off. “Don’t worry, ma. I got a ton to do today.

I’ll just eat on the go.”

mother gives him the leave to go, albeit reluctantly.

☾⁺☀︎₊𖦹✮⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⁺☀︎₊ ⁺☀︎₊☾⁺☀︎₊ ⋆⁺𖦹₊⋆⁺☀︎₊

Y/n’s pov:

You woke up feeling so much better than yesterday. You and Spider haven’t spoken, but you can live with that for right now.

The only person you’ve spoken to since you’ve woken up is Mo’at. She was in nice company. And you certainly didn’t mind conversations with her.

It was a revitalizing contrast from the rush and endless chaos of of the last few days events, when the world didn’t feel to big, the air didn’t feel weighted, it was days like this you treasured.Today your hands weren’t victim to the relentless grip of your bow, your fingers free from the touch of the end of your arrows, your arms no longer aching from holding your shooting stance. No, today was a day you could drown in the acquiescence of having to do absolutely nothing.

Well, except maybe help Mo’at every now and then, but you hardly considered that physically draining.

You sat in her healing hut, grinding up some herbs as you cozied yourself up in the corner. You hummed one of your mother’s songs, the sound of the stone scratching against the bowl providing an odd backbeat.

Mo’at returned from her morning meetings with the clans healers, a long sigh dragged from her lips as she muttered complaints to herself, sitting down slowly.

You loved how she could make you laugh without effort.

“Something wrong?”

She waved off your concern, starting to gather some of the loose bowls strung around and stacking them in her arms.

“You know Menari??” She glances up at you, her tail flicking behind her.

You nod, a smile creeping up your face.

She sighed with irritation.

“Overmixed the herbs I tasked her with preparing because she was making eyes at Kalun.”

Ah yes, clan gossip. Who better to deliver such scandals than Tsahik herself?

You rolled your eyes, giggling at her exaggeration.

“They’re young, and in love. What else can you ask for?”

“I can ask for her to stop looking up at that scrawny man and do her job.”

You cackled, passing her the freshly grinding paste.

‘

“Awh, now that's not kind.”

She scoffed.

“You know what's not kind? I've seen sticks with more build than him and he still flaunts himself like he’s the prettiest peacock.”

You shrugged, moving on to preparing the next bowl

“At least he has confidence?”

Mo’at waves you off again.

“When I was your age, I was shut away in my family’s tent speaking with the spirit’s, asking them to guide Eytukan to court me.”

“Oh here we go-”

“I prayed every night, child. I performed rituals and burned sacred plants.”

“Ma’tsahik, you’ve told me this story quite a few–”

She raised her hand, signaling for you to be quiet.

“Hush woman, I am not done.”

You sighed, strapping in for more of her spiritual seance stories.

“Yes ma’am.”

“Good, now where was I?”

“Hm…I think you were at the sacred plants.”

A voice that didn’t belong to you or Mo’at spoke, causing you both to pause.

You turned around, spotting Lo’ak standing at the entrance of the tent, a pouch in his hands and a soft smirk on his face.

He strides his way inside without invitation, plopping himself down next to you and sprawling out his legs as he leaned on you.

You groaned, noyt appreciating being used as a seat.

“Lo’ak, what are you doing here?”

He blinked up at you, like him just throwing himself onto you was the most casual thing he could possibly do.

Which, to be fair, he did so often, it probably was by now.

“Did you really think I would leave you here to endure Grandma’s stories alone?? Of course not. So I brought you food,”

He tosses you the pouch.

“And the gift of my presence.”

Mo’at crosses her arms, staring at him with an unamused manner.

“I could have sworn your father informed me this morning to let Y/n rest, and not be dragged into anymore excursions for today.”

Lo’ak shrugged, munching on a fruit from the pouch that he handed you a half of.

“Y/n doesn’t mind me, besides, you know we don’t stay separated for very long.”

It was true. Ever since you were children, you and lo’ak had practically been a package deal.

Sleeping at each other's homes, not wanting to do anything unless you both could do it together, braiding each other's hair, and swapping and sharing bracelets, necklaces, armbands on the daily.

When Lo’ak was a toddler, he’d have a meltdown every time he had to go home after a day of playing with you.

And to be honest? He was right. You didn’t mind Lo’ak hanging with you today.

He wasn’t stressful when he didn’t want to be. You felt like you could talk to him about almost everything, secrets were rare between you and lo’ak, unless you both were keeping them from other people.

If you were the moon, he was the stars. Scattered across the abyss of the night sky, assuring that the darkness wouldn't be drowned in, dwelling with you in the comfort of nocturnal notions while still providing you the subtle comforts of luminescence.

And whether you both liked to admit it or not, you needed each other.

He was there for you when you mourned your mother and father. He was there for you with a blanket and a hug and some stupid joke to calm you when you woke up in the middle of the night hyperventilating.

And you were there for him.

You were there when he almost died during his first attempt at iknimiya, calling him stiupid and hugging him until you couldn't breathe because a part of you swore you were about to loose your twin flame.

And he was here now. Well, he was slouched over you with his legs spread and his arms floundered out. But..he was here.

You nudged hi9m to sit up straight, taking the fruit he offered you.

He spoke between mouth-fulls of munches.

“So, what's up with Kalun? I saw him lugging around a big basket of flowers.”

Lo’ak points with his thumb behind him, gesturing to the bustling clan outside going about with their daily tasks behind the closed tent flap.

Mo’at throws her arms up in exaggeration.

“Eywa, why does he insist on distracting that poor girl from her duties!?”

You weren’t a huge romantic, but you did find it sweet how he found time to bring Menari flowers.

“I think it’s sweet.” You hummed, continuing to grind up the herbs in the bowl.

Lo’ak gagged dramatically.

“Gross. I’m never going to mate with anyone.”

You rolled your eyes.

“Uh huh. Sure you’re not.”

He raised a brow, a challenging expression streaked his face.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Mo’at cuts you both off.

“Nothing. Lo’ak you’re going to have children and a mate because I demand great-grandchildren.”

A bust of a laugh leaves you, and you shove Lo’ak, who now stares at Mo’at in disbelief.

“And who are you to demand that i have kids?”

“The tsahik of this clan.”

You smirk triumphantly, smacking the back of Lo’aks head, earning a hiss from him.

“You’re screwed, bro.”

Lo’ak leans back, sighing dramatically.

“It’s so hard being sexy…I guess everyone wants me.”

It was your turn to gag, clutching your hand lightly around your throat to sell the idea.

“Not everyone.”

Mo’at sighs, as if recalling a memory that could only be one of her fondest.

“You know who everyone wanted? Your grandfather, now that’s a story-“

You and Lo’ak both groaned in sync.

☾⁺☀︎₊𖦹✮⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⁺☀︎₊ ⁺☀︎₊☾⁺☀︎₊ ⋆⁺𖦹₊⋆⁺☀︎₊

You and Lo’ak had hung out almost all day inside mo’ats tent. And it was probably the most fun you’ve had in a while.

Conversations with Lo’ak were always interesting to say the least. But if one thing was for sure, it was that there was no one you could possibly think of that you spoke to the way you spoke to Lo’ak. The two of you confided in one another. That meant now that Mo’at had left for the afternoon, there was nothing stopping you both from listening to each other's ramblings.

You told him a few minutes ago about the argument you had with Spider.

He was disappointed, and hated when you both were fighting, but he agreed that you both just needed some space.

So, he did what he did best.

Cher you up.

He was currently retelling a story that took place while you were away on a hunting trip with Neytiri a few weeks back, causing your absence during the event. Lo’ak clears his throat, continuing.

“So anyways, as she’s tying together her next row of knots, I notice that she forgot to do the loopy thing under the second layer of the armband, right?’

Lo’ak explains, making hand motions to try and create some sort of visual of the weaving motion Tuk was practicing.

You nodded, taking a sip of the tea Mo’at had made you, the smooth wood pressed against the inner of your lips for a moment.

“Uh huh.”

“So, I, being the good brother I am, decide stupidly to help the kid out.”

“Right. I mean, who wouldn't?”

“Exactly! So I tell her, ‘Tuk, that row is crooked’, and she has the AUDACITY to respond with ‘crooked like your haircut?’”

Your laughter vibrates down your body, and apparently it’s contagious because Lo’ak can’t help but cackle as well.

“Don’t fucking laugh you asshole. You’re the one who gave me this half shaved side shit, fuck you.”

He manages the last few words through his heavy breaths in between bouts of laughter.

“For the last time!”

You shriek, shoving him playfully.

“You don’t give an 12 year old a knife and expect them to perfectly cut someone’s hair!”

It seems like almost yesterday you and Lo’ak were hiding in a cave you found in the forest, not far from the clearing your clan resided in before high camp came into play.

You remember it perfectly, your mothers sharpest hunting knife she kept in a basket next to the entrance of your family’s marui along with various other weapons your parents kept out of reach from you and spider. He was sat infront of you on his knees, the backs of this thighs touching his shins while you kept yourself elevated behind him to provide you some sort of extra inches of height to better see Lo’aks head, as if that was going to make you know what the hell you were doing.

It didn’t. You remember him telling you to stop hesitating and just do it. He had been asking you for weeks to help him cut his hair since Jake wasn’t aloud to braid much less cut his children’s hair out of lack of confidence, and how Neteyam thought It was an insecurity thing and only responded with “You look great! There’s no need to cut it, baby bro.”

Neytiri didn’t like the idea of her 12 year old son wearing a style most adult warriors garb themselves with,and kiri just laughed when he asked her.

You were his best option. You remember you and Lo’ak jumping up and down and squealing with excitement at the sight of a few of his braids falling to the ground, forming a circle around the two of you, and how that excitement slowly faded into fear when you both realized those few braids seemed much chunkier than at first glance. You fondly recall running back into the village with a giant leaf over Lo’ak’s head, making a bee-line straight for your family’s tent because going home to tell jake and neytiri was equivalent to walking into a thantors den after rubbing yourself in fragrant spices ready to be cooked and devoured.

You could never forget your mothers face as she tried to comfort a frantic lo’ak, using her own tools to smoothe down the shaved plain.

To cut a long story short, that’s how Lo’ak got his side shaved. But it appeared Tuk had taken after your habit of never letting him live it down.

You both were out of breath from laughing once you both finished recalling the memory. It’s the terrible experiences that made you two stronger together.

Lo’ak sighed, leaning back.

“Tuk’s spending too much time with you. You’re a shitty influence.”

You swatted at the back of his head, snickering softly.

A few beats of comfortable silence falls between you both, enjoying just the feeling of moments like these.

“So, I’m not sure if I told you, but Neteyam was acting weird this morning.”

Your ears flick upwards at the mention of Neteteyam.

You carefully calculate your next words, attempting to make your curiosity seem as causal as a commodity, inconsequential and free of attribution relating to the feelings exchanged the night before.

“Oh…was he okay?”

Real discreet, Y/n. Nice work.

Lo’ak paused to look up at you, his gaze cynically, clumsily trying to catch your heavily concealed sense of concern

“He was fine…I guess. I still think he was having a stroke.”

You rolled your eyes.

“He wasn’t having a stroke.”

“You weren’t there Y/n. The man acted like he Ingested 80 tons of helium and practically pranced around the marui. He was moaning into his fruit, and sighing every 2 seconds like he was in a dream or something.”

You scrunched up your nose at the visual of anyone being aroused by a fruit.

“I’m sure he wasn’t ‘moaning’ into his fruit.”

You waved off the idea, Lo’ak scoffed.

“Uh huh. And the smiling-

Holy shit Y/n. This man would. Not. Stop. Smiling. It was insane.”

Come on, was he serious? Neteyam was fine…there’s no way this could be related to your conversation last night..right?

You gasped dramatically, widening your eyes as if you had the most sagacious epiphany, feigning stupidity for sarcasm.

“Maybe he was..I don’t know..happy? Is that even possible for neteyam?”

Lo’ak was not amused.

“I’m telling you, something’s up with him.”

You sighed, shaking your head.

“Why would you think that? He’s probably just happy about something personal, maybe he set a goal for himself. Maybe he’s training differently or maybe he finally has that angled dive he’s always wanted to do on his ikran. The move your mom does with her bow? He’s always wanted to do that-“

Lo’ak looks at you like you’ve grown 6 extra tails. Maybe it was because you were rambling about Neteyam too personally. Nah. Maybe you really did grow 6 tails.

Check just in case.

You cleared your throat, fidgeting with your bracelets. Acting like you weren’t just talking about something Neteyam told you in private 3 years ago while you too were on a ‘date’ no one knew about. Because you were.

“..or something like that.”

Eywa must have been personally trying to provide you some amorality at that moment when Lo’ak shrugs you off.

“I don’t know. But I feel like if it was really something huge, he would have told his family about it. Right? Like, he doesn’t just keep that stuff from us…”

Point taken.

You placed a hand on his back.

“Look, Lo’ak, I’m sure Neteyam is fine. We all have..weird days, we can’t always be perfect.”

Lo’ak sighed, leaning back, letting his eyes flutter closed.

“You’re right. I mean, at least it’s not about you or some other girl.”

It slowly stings a little bit more each time it plays over and over in your head.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Lo’ak opened one eye.

“What?”

“You said ‘at least it’s not about you’. What does that mean, Lo’ak?”

Lo’ak, (somewhat stupidly, I must admit,) seemed surprised with your offended tone.

“I mean, at least it’s not about you. You know? Like you two aren’t dancing around eachother again.”

“What do you mean, ‘dancing around’ eachother?”

He sighed, rubbing his temple.

“Look, you don’t have to get upset-“

“I’ll decide whether or not I’ll get upset when you explain what the fuck that’s supposed to mean, Lo’ak.”

Lo’ak gulped, silently regretting ever opening his mouth.

“You and him are just…weird?-

No, weird is not the right word.”

You agreed, coldly.

“Clearly.”

He groaned.

“Stop putting me in a bad corner here, Y/n, you know what I mean.”

He was right. You didn’t have to be so harsh with him. You knew Lo’ak had a tough time articulating himself. And you getting angry probably wasn’t going to make that any better.

“Look, I’m sorry. It’s just..you’re so confusing when it comes to what I used to have with your brother.”

You and Lo’ak are both a bit uncomfortable when you say it aloud. It wasn’t very often you confessed to being romantic with Neteyam in the past, even if it was just to yourself. It was hard to face.

“Y/n we don’t have to talk about this, really.”

“No, i think we do.

You don’t like it when Neteyam used to bring me flowers, or take me out to go ride ikrans, or spend time with me, but you were there for me when he started to distance himself from me. All of this shit about ‘oh you can’t court my brother’ but when it finally falls, like any normal person who speaks like that would want it to, all the sudden you’re in the heartbreak hot seat with me. What is going on, Lo?”

Lo’ak was quiet for a Minute. And it’s actually kinda funny how he conducted himself in a similar manner to Jake when things like this happened.

“Because I care.”

“About what!?”

“About you!”

You were quiet for a moment.

“Because I should care when you start to love, or like or feel for someone! Because you’re like a sister to me. Because you’re the one I can come to when I fuck up with my dad or feel like I’m screwing everything up. You’re the one I can come to when the others are giving me a bunch of shit about being Neteyam’s perfect little brother, or whatever.

And yes, it’s so fucking weird to see my brother staring at you like you’re the most important thing on this entire planet. But you know what? It makes you happy. Am I gonna give you and Neteyam shit about it? Of course I am! It’s fucking disgusting. But you know what? It makes you both happy. So I can’t do a damn thing, and I don’t want to.

Am I gonna wanna kick his ass when he screws up? Of course I am. Am I gonna sit next to you and listen to you cry and scream and do all that angry relationship stuff that people do? Abso-fucking-lutely I am.

But you’re both still disgusting and full of love diseases.”

And now it all made sense. Lo’ak was your person. Half your heart in the form of a living soul.

To feel someone in such truth it aches.

And it wasn’t romance. It wasn’t sex or lust. It was a different kind of love.

The kind that meant that you could share a hammock with him and fight every urge not to kick him off when he starts to snore. The kind that meant you were the only one who trusted to braid his hair because neytiri wasn’t gentle enough and Jake was out of the question. The kind that meant that you had his back, and he had yours.

You were his and he was yours. Sentiments are sensitive and romance is rigged but this went beyond fairytale endings. Because you knew he would always stand next to you, tangled at the roots. And when the world seemed to be made out of nothing but unkept promises and sterling stained heartbreak, rusting off to a sickly shade of green that once shimmered gold, you found him.

And he was stupid and you loved him and his stupid stupidity that often led him to do stupid things, and of course you would always do them right along with him because he always said he didn’t want to die looking dumber than you.

And if he asked you to loose your fucking mind with him you’d agree in a heartbeat with an extra pouch of food because he was always hungry.

You smiled, the intangibility of this beautiful mess of a thing that only you two could create echoed through the air pulsing undercurrent that inhabited the stars that now turned a thousand shades of blue.

“Oh Lo’ak.”

You whispered, the endnotes query themselves upon pity.

“I know you care. But I can protect myself.

I thought that you’d know that better than anyone.”

He nodded, fidgeting with the bracelet that matched you’re own

“You’re right. I know. I’m just not ready to be..I dunno. It’s sounds stupid as shit but, alone?? That’s weird, right?”

“No, of course not. You’re not alone. You’ll always have me. But you don’t have to take every shot for me. That’s a job for my mouth and my fists.”

You smiled, mocking the boxing stance Jake had taught you and punching the air.

Lo’ak looked nauseous. “Y/n. Can we stop talking about your relationships and jobs you do with your hands and your mouth?”

You snickered shoving him.

“You’re so stupid.”

“I get it from you.”

A comfortable silence settled as he leaned his head on you’re shoulder. But there was something drumming at the back of your mind. An unfinished note that would

complete the song.

You sighed.

“Lo’ak, you know how we don’t keep secrets?”

He nodded, not bothering to lift his head.

“Yuh huh.”

“Well..I uh.”

You took a breath, gathering your words and placing them in the right order.

“I talked with Neteyam last night. And I hugged him-

I don’t know why I hugged him. There’s nothing going on but we’re all good now with what happened all those years ago. The past is in the past and I just thought you would know.”

Lo’ak was quiet for a moment.

“Aight.”

‘Aight’? That’s all you get?

“Really? That’s it?”

“Well, it’s disgusting, but as long as you two aren’t canoodling-“

“Trust me. I’m his teacher now. There will be no canoodling. I swear it.”

Lo’ak shrugged, his expression neutral.

“Then my final verdict is in place. No getting pregnant and nothing below the waist.”

You snorted.

“You’re the boss.”

Another beat of silence settled.

Then, you got an idea.

“You wanna go race ikrans?”

A hint of mischief in your voice, he sighed.

“I’m off flight privileges for 2 more days for that stunt I pulled at the raid.”

You frowned, but it didn’t last long.

“You wanna go on a ride on Kailo? I’ll let you take shotgun.”

“Fuck yeah.”

☾⁺☀︎₊𖦹✮⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⁺☀︎₊ ⁺☀︎₊☾⁺☀︎₊ ⋆⁺𖦹₊⋆⁺☀︎₊

Memes from this chapter

And some Lo’ak and y/n memes bc they’re besties

Authors note:

*in Backstreet Boys voice* ohmahgod we’re back againnn.

First things first, I owe you all a huge apology. This chapter is way overdue, since I decided to re-write it halfway through like an idiot. But I’m fairly happy with how this turned out, which is rare for me. I’ve been a surf trip for the last few weeks and this summer I’m going on a lot more so that’s been kinda tough to find time to write on a laptop coming home from the beach all sandy and wet.

But we’re back and the next few chapters will be written in close proximity to this time wise. I’m leaving the country on July 27 so I’m gonna try to get at least one more long chapter out before then.

This is getting kinda long. But guys I have so much fun writing from Neteyam’s pov. The first time I wrote for neteyam was like 2 chapters ago and I was so so nervous about posting it bc I thought it sounded so cringe but you guys loved it so much, I’ve decided from now on there’s gonna be a neteyam pov in every chapter.

For these of you who know, Lo’ak is my son, my baby, my child, my pride and joy so obviously writing for him is also super fun.

Okay this is getting so much longer than I planned. But I’ll see you lovelies next time!!

-Solana

Taglist 🪐🌑🪻

@mntx666

@isnt-itstrange @thebestrouge

@bay7let

@fairuzwhat

@jackiehollanderr

@6423btw

@satesatesate2009

@OstargirlO

@heavenlysstuff

@dayyzlol

@iheartamajiki

@fluorynn

@bakugouswaif

@eljaynosine-triphosphate

(I just realized how long this taglist is getting guys…it’s actually getting me all teary eyed. Tysm for the support!)

#neteyam x reader #jake avatar #neteyam sully #avatar fanfiction #neteyam #lo’ak x reader #neteyam x you #kiri sully #avatar the way of water #neytiri

69 notes · View notes

blushweddinggowns · 2 years

Text

Steve was probably Dustin’s favorite person in the entire world, not that he would ever admit it out loud. It wasn’t exactly a secret, but it was a little embarrassing for his role model to be a dorky babysitter who worked for minimum wage with his chick-repeller best friend. And when he wasn’t with her, then he was with his brand new favorite metalhead. Neither were particularly helpful in the dating department.

Now if he was just allowed to add the bit where Steve was a fearless monster fighter with a heart of gold, then things would be a bit better, but certain government NDAs made that impossible. Dustin admired Steve just as much as he judged him, more so really. But all that admiration didn’t stop him from worrying.

There was something obviously wrong with Steve lately, and for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what it was. At first, Dustin thought it was just Steve worrying over Eddie’s recovery, because he was a massive worrywart who still looked like he’d faint when Eddie did anything even slightly strenous. Though in his defense, Steve had been the one to drag Eddie out of the Upside Down and got to witness firsthand just how close to death he was. He barely left his side for those first few horrible days in the hospital, always touch and go, doctors constantly warning them to not expect him to wake up.

But Eddie recovered, has been recovered, for months now. He was back to his theatrical self, slipping into their friend group with ease. Especially when it came to Steve. Apparently having your life saved by someone fast tracked relationships by years. The two acted like they’d known each other since childhood, constantly together.

Steve went to pick him up? Eddie was already in the front seat. He went into the Family Video to bother him? Eddie was already chatting him up at the front counter. Showing up to bother Steve at his house after school? Half the time it was Eddie who answered the door, and the other half he was sprawled on the couch when Steve let him in.

Now Dustin wasn’t necessarily jealous of Eddie, but their relationship just confused him. At first, he was actually pretty happy about Steve having a new side kick, especially when Robin decided to drop the bomb that she was gay as hell and dating Vicky, effectively cutting the time she spent with Steve in half. Dustin knew that Steve got lonely easily, so he half expected that to restart his attempts at getting a girlfriend, but instead he just spent more and more time with Eddie. Which was fine. Weird, but fine. Or at least, it was.

But for the past week or so whatever was going on with Steve, shifted. Sure he was acting different before, he was striking out with almost any girl who talked to him and hadn’t been out on a date since forever , but Dustin wasn’t too worried about it, not when he knew he was happy.

Like, weirdly happy for someone who had the life Steve had. But now, Dustin could just tell something was bothering him, something that he refused to acknowledge. Steve had never been a good actor, ever since whatever happened, he’s just had this air of loneliness around him, just an aura of sadness that he was hiding behind the world’s fakest smile.

But Dustin couldn't figure out what it was. Nothing had changed! No fights with Robin that he knew of, and definitely none with Eddie. Steve’s face still lit up whenever he saw him, and Eddie wasn’t shy about draping himself all over Steve whenever he could. No one was that touchy feely if they were fighting with someone, so that was out.

Whatever it was, Dustin needed to get to the bottom of it, and he wasn’t the only one.

Besides El and Lucas, Steve was also Max’s favorite person. Somehow, a random twenty-year old with a beehive for hair became the closest thing she had to a functioning parent in her life. He was always looking out for her, whether it be taking her to and from physical therapy, dropping off groceries at the trailer on his way to Eddie’s, or even taking her freaking mom to AA, Steve was there.

So of course she noticed immediately when he was upset. At first she thought he got into it with Eddie or something. The two were basically attached at the hip nowadays, so if someone was going to piss him off, then it would probably be him. But they were acting the same as always, sickeningly sweet and bizarrely close for only being friends for half a year. Though on second thought, Max didn’t have much room to judge, considering how she considered Steve like a dad in under two.

Steve just drew people to him, with his stupid handsome face and good nature. He was always too busy worrying about other people, he never acknowledged when he needed support, so of course he just denied anything was wrong when Max asked.

“I’m fine, scout’s honor,” he had said the last time she tried, with the saddest puppy dog eyes ever. His face only ever brightened fully when Eddie was around, though Max had a feeling that was also an act, just a more curated one for Eddie’s watchful eyes. The guy was obsessed with Steve, but since he was always so nice, Max didn’t think to worry about it. Steve deserved someone who cared too much around.

Robin, obviously, knew what was wrong, but she was a steel trap when it came to Steve secrets. That was something Max actually loved about Robin, just not when it was used against her.

She had thought about asking Eddie, but decided against it. If her initial theory was right, then he was hiding something from him too, and hiding it harder. Or if she was wrong, she doubted he’d betray Steve’s trust for her. Not unless she caught him alone and really, really high.

That could stay as a back-up plan.

But for now, Dustin was going to be her best bet. Steve could pretty easily say no to them separately, but when they formed a unified front he always caved.

They were working with a hundred percent success rate when they got him alone, a power they didn’t take lightly. The two had agreed to save that tactic for only dire circumstances, they weren’t monsters afterall, but Max was going to count this as dire.

Dustin was pretty easy to convince, he was just as tired of Steve avoiding talking about it as she was. The two of them set up a plan in no time, Operation: What the fuck was wrong with Steve?

The immediate hurdle was separating Steve from his cronies, which left them with the single option of Friday night. Eddie had a drug deal, courtesy of Max’s admittingly, inappropriate eavesdropping, from the last time they took her to the doctor, pretending to listen to Kate Bush as Eddie promised him to be careful.

Robin was a different story, and there was a fifty percent chance she’d be there. And Robin was always on Steve’s side, even when he was obviously lying. But they had a plan for that too, one would distract her at the front door and the other would sneak in and coax Steve outside, feigning some kind of emotional emergency that required privacy, where they would then corner him in the woods.

Max had to admit that plans like this made her think Steve may have had a point to his “personal boundaries lectures”, but if he wasn’t so damn stubborn, then they wouldn't have to be so weird. They pulled up to his house on their bikes, no cars but Steve’s in the driveway.

“I’ll sneak through the back door, he usually doesn’t lock it.” Max said, hopping off her bike, “You deal with Robin, and if she’s not there just yell.”

“And if she is?”

“If she is, distract her for as long as possible, I’ll walkie you when I get him alone.”

Dustin nodded. Robin was easy enough to distract, and who knows, maybe they would get lucky and she wouldn't be there. He rang the front door bell, watching Max sneak off to the back in the corner of his eye.

Of course Robin was the one to answer the door, frowning immediately at the sight of Dustin, “Jeez kid, every hear of calling?”

Rude. But whatever. “Where’s Ste-”

“If you’re looking for Steve he isn’t here right now, okay?” she lied immeadlilty, obviously going with the first dumb thing that popped into her head. She looked angry and tired, which was mildly alarming. And super rude.

“If he isn’t here then why is his car? I know he wouldn’t let you drive it.” Dustin said, crossing his arms, “You gotta get better at lying Robin.”

She rolled her eyes, “He would so let me drive. I have a license now, remember? What do you even want, Henderson?”

“Well now I want to know why you’re lying.”

She sighed, pinching her nose in frustration, “Dustin, now just isn’t a good time okay? Come back tomorrow, he’s off in the afternoon anyway.”

“If something’s wrong with Steve then I should know about it! You realize I was his best friend before you, right?”

“Oh, as if!”

Getting into an argument over who was Steve’s true best friend was as good of a distraction as Max could ask for. Robin didn’t even notice her slink into the house, making her way into the living room with none the wiser.

She peered over the couch, heart immediately sinking at the sight of Steve laying down, red-eyed and sniffling. Her well curated plans flew out the window at the sight, and the question was out before she could even remember she was trying to be sneaky here, “Why are you crying?”

Steve nearly jumped ten feet in the air at the question, flailing off the couch at the sight of Max suddenly standing over him.

“Where the hell did you come from?” Steve gasped, pulling himself up from the floor.

She shrugged, casually moving to sit next to him, too concerned to be embarrassed over being caught, “You left the back door unlocked. Why are you crying?”

“I wasn’t crying!”

She rolled her eyes, “Then why were you crying? Was it Nancy again?” Max asked, lowering her voice, “Because I wouldn’t mind putting her in her place if she’s messing with you-”

Steve gave a shaky laugh at the barely veiled threat, oddly endeared despite the fact that she broke into his house, “It’s not Nancy. Jesus calm down.”

Steve turned to the entryway, calling after Robin, “Just let him in, Robs, the other one already snuck past you anyway.”

That was all the invitation Dustin needed to push past her, immediately frowning when he saw Steve. He turned to Robin, “Did you make him cry?”

“No, she didn’t-”

“Maybe a little.” Robin mumbled, interrupting him. She plopped next to Steve, dropping a comforting hand to his shoulder, “But my harshness is for his own good.”

Max sat on his other side, leaving Dustin to sit on the floor in front of him, “Can you just tell us what’s been going on with you already?” he sighed, playing with the carpet fibers, “You might be able to trick everyone else but not us. Right Max?”

“Right.” she agreed, “And if you tell us maybe we can help. Without making you cry.” she emphasized, giving Robin a mean look.

Steve groaned, rubbing at his face, “I’m fine, I swear! It’s just some dumb shit on my end.”

“Not really dumb…” Robin mumbled next to him, huffing when he elbowed her in the ribs to shut her up, “Babe, they’ve already resorted to breaking and entering, they’re gonna find out eventually anyway.”

Steve groaned, throwing his head back to stare at the ceiling. This is not where he expected this night to go, but now his two favorite children were staring at him, all wide-eyed and concerned, he didn’t know how to say no to that. The little shits.

“Fine. I’ll tell you,” Steve sighed, completely giving in, again. He was really going to need a better boundaries speech soon, “But I'm telling you with the full expectation that you'll keep it to yourselves okay? And you won't freak out."

“We won’t freak out.” Both kids said in unison, despite the fact that they were very much internally freaking out over what he was about to say.

"Like seriously, I mean it.” he emphasized, “Remember how many times I've gotten the shit beat out of me for you before you pass judgment."

“And remember that I’m not afraid to hurt children if you cross him either,” Robin added, looking surprisingly threatening, enough to make them double down on the promise to be cool.

Satisfied, Steve went on, "Well…I'm like Robin, understand? Like…preference wise."

Dustin cocked his head at him, confused, “You mean you like girls? But we knew that?”

"He's gay dingus." Max answered for him, immediately catching on.

"Bi!" Robin piped up beside him, “He’s playing for both teams.”

Now that was unexpected, at least for Dustin. He stared at him, the shock evident on his face. He was only able to shake it off when he realized Steve was shrinking in on himself, anxiously waiting for him to say something.

“We love you anyway," Dustin blurted out, just knowing that Max felt the same way, "That’s like nothing. I was worried you were dying or something!"

Max nodded with him, “He’s right, like we won’t tell anyone but I know Lucas wouldn't care either. Or Eddie for that matter.”

Steve only flinched a tiny bit at that, which he was proud of. And honestly, the relief he was feeling was bigger than how bummed out he was about his other problem.

“Thank you,” he mumbled, a grin slowly growing on his face, “Like seriously, that’s a massive load off.”

"And what else?" Max pressed.

Steve ran a hand over his face, he should have known it wouldn’t be that easy to get them off his back, "What do you mean, what else?"

“There’s obviously something else, because you liking guys wouldn’t warrant a harsh lecture.”

Robin huffed, crossing her arms, "He just has bad taste in guys-”

“Dude!” Steve hissed. His face was going red from how hard he was rubbing at it, or maybe he was just that embarrassed.

“We won’t stop until we find out,” Dustin warned, “We’ll break in again if need be.”

Steve loved these kids, loved them enough to die for them, but god were they annoyingly persistent.

“Fine! Yes, there’s something else. Just don't be weird about it,” he insisted, “Like this is a me problem, a Steve only problem, so I don't need you two rugrats trying to go full vigilante for me or some shit, got it?"

They nodded, both knowing that they didn’t mean it.

“I…I kinda have a thing for Eddie. A very, very uninterested Eddie. Who did nothing wrong by the way,” he said, glaring at Robin hard enough to shut her mouth, swallowing whatever comment she was going to add, “It’s a really stupid crush that I need to get over, and that’s all. I swear.”

Max turned to Robin, “Is that true?”

She shrugged, “In essence, technically it’s true.”

That…that kinda made sense. Max was suddenly reminded of just how often the two of them were together, let alone how touchy feely. Now that it was pointed out to her, she felt kinda dumb for not realizing before. Those two were all over each other.

Dustin was even more surprised. At least now it made sense why Steve suddenly had an interest in DnD, but he was having a hard time seeing Steve the “Hair” Harrington, be thirsting after his nerdy Dungeon Master.

Or worse yet, why was his nerdy Dungeon Master not thirsting after Steve?

“Is he straight?” Dustin blurted out. He hadn’t ever thought about it before, but in hindsight Eddie almost never talked about dating, and when he did it was vague with no actual women being mentioned.

Robin cough-laughed next to Steve, “Oh ya, he’s real heterosexual. Straight boys are just known for calling their friends sweetheart-ow!”

Steve threw a pillow at her face, shutting her up before she could get going, “What he is or isn’t into is no one’s business but his own. I just know I’m not in the ‘is into’ category.”

“How do you know?” Max asked. Eddie could surely do a lot worse than Steve. And if Robin is right and he isn’t straight, who is he to think he could do better? Better than the man who literally saved his life. If anything Steve was out of Eddie’s league, not the other way around.

“I just do. And I really, really don’t want to talk about it anymore. So now you know. Now promise you won't be weird, alright? I’ll get over it. Like soon , I promise.”

He wrapped an arm around Max, and reached down to ruffle Dustin’s hair, a real smile on his face, the kind they both had really missed, “And besides, you two not giving a shit that I’m a fruit matters way more than any crush.”

“That’s such a lame way to put it.” Dustin whined, even though they were both preening internally. Of course, Steve could trust them. They’d love him no matter what, and at least now he knew that.

“Okay! Well now that you know, you can go now,” Robin stood, gesturing towards the door, “We have a conversation to finish over here.”

Steve groaned behind her, “Do we have to?”

“Yes we have to!”

“Well can I have a break at least?” Steve leaned over, grabbing his keys off the side table, “Drive them home for me and then I’ll suffer through your lecture in the morning.”

“But-”

He tossed her the keys, consequences be damned. If she crashed, she crashed, at least it will be legal now, “But if you have my car I won’t be able to avoid you that well will I?”

That appeased Robin enough to get her walking towards the door, “Then I’ll be back in the morning, Nine a.m. Sharp. ”

She turned to them, sticking her tongue out at Dustin, “Told you he’d let me drive it. Now let’s go.”

Dustin and Max exchanged looks, reluctant to leave when they were obviously missing a massive part of this story, but Steve was already shooing them out the door.

He waved at them from the stoop, a tired but sincere smile on his face as he watched them pile into the car. Even if his friends were beyond overbearing, it did feel better to talk about it. He just wished he didn’t have to put his petty problems on literal children.

He laid back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling.

He wasn’t looking forward to the inevitable, and honestly deserved, speech Robin was going to finish tomorrow, but at least he got her out in time before she had even more material to work with. He had never seen her turn so fast and so vindiciatavly against another person before. It made him feel like shit honestly, that Eddie was losing Robin as a friend for his own stupid ego. If she just knew him a little better, then she’d get it. Probably.

Maybe.

Eddie didn’t have a mean bone in his body, he would never fuck with Steve’s feelings on purpose. All of his jokes, all of the touching and nicknames were just how he showed affection. It isn’t his fault Steve read way too much into it, like a moron.

And okay, maybe two male best friends don’t call each other baby or sweetheart, but Robin called him babe, so it wasn’t that weird. And so what if they slept in the same bed together almost everyday? It was just helping each other out with nightmares, even if Eddie kissed the top of his head every night, it didn’t mean anything.

Or at least, now it didn’t.

“Seriously Nance? I’d rather die.”

He groaned, burying his face into the couch cushions at the thought. He was not going to cry again, he refused, but it was still so harsh. From someone who actually almost died, it was quite the fucking statement to make, and maybe Steve should just take it as the obvious no it was. He should be grateful he found out, and didn’t humiliate himself by declaring his everlasting love or some shit.

If he could go back in time and just not ask , then he wouldn't be here right now. He’d still be in ignorant bliss. But no, he just had to get Nancy Wheeler involved, the queen of reality. Though technically she had wanted to get involved, if nothing but to stop Steve from lamenting about it over the phone. Weirdly enough, distance had been great for their relationship, and now they were closer than ever, talking for hours whenever either needed to vent, Nancy about school or her failed relationship with Johnathan that she still wasn't over, and Steve, consistently, about his almost boyfriend, Eddie.

It had taken months for it to finally happen, but she was so sick of his pining, she had cracked, “I’m just going to ask him when I’m home next Steve, I swear to God.”

“No you will not. Nancy, that is so freaking highschool it isn’t even funny.”

“He was just in highschool, so it’s fitting. And then you can stop wasting your time whining about him and just make-out with him. Next weekend, I’m doing it, like it or not.”

He should have insisted on the no, but instead he went full highschool girl and went along with it. They met at her place, under the pretense of a small get-together while her parents were out of town. He left Eddie with her in the basement, pretending to go to the bathroom when he really stopped at the top of the stairs, eavesdropping as Nancy casually asked the questions he was too chicken-shit to do himself, “So, are you seeing anyone?”

Eddie had almost choked on his drink at that, “No? Why Wheeler, you interested? Because I doubt Johnathan or Steve would be too keen on that.”

Nancy rolled her eyes, “No offense Eddie, but you’re definitely not my type. And I don’t think I’m yours either . I don’t think any girl in Hawkins is.”

Eddie stared at her, gnawing on his lower lip, “Good guess. And if you happened to be right, then you can probably understand why I keep that part of my life on the down low.”

She nodded, “I’m not going to tell anyone, believe me. I was just curious if anyone had caught your eye.”

“In this town? No one. There are literally zero options.”

“Oh come on, Steve’s cute, there’s an option.”

He had laughed at that, loud and mean as he shook his head, “Me and Steve? Seriously Nance? I’d rather die .”

Steve wasn’t sure what he had expected to hear, but it definitely wasn’t that. It hurt, it hurt bad, which was stupid considering they were never together, or even close to it, outside of the wild leaps Steve had made in his head. The logic hadn’t stopped the tears from gathering in his eyes though.

Robin, in all of her ill-timed glory, decided that was the best moment for her to bust through the front door, calling loudly into the house. Steve scrambled to meet her, just in time to avoid Eddie seeing him spying like a creep. It had been a terrible fucking night, but at least Nancy was kind enough to lie about her parents coming home early so Steve could sulk at home in peace. She had apologized to him at least ten times since then, and had jumped straight onto the Eddie hate-train with Robin pretty soon after. They had both been so sure that he felt the same way, they channeled all their disappointment into rage, at someone who really didn’t deserve it.

Steve shouldn’t have told Robin what happened, wouldn’t have if he’d known she’d be so insane about the whole thing. Even if she had some good points. Was it healthy to pretend like nothing was wrong and let Eddie hang all over him with no future of an actual relationship? No. Was it stopping Steve from doing it? Also no.

Steve jumped when he heard the doorbell ring, too lost in his own thoughts to realize it was past midnight. There was only one person it could be. He scrambled to get the door, always stupidly excited to see him, already grinning when he came face to face with the source of all of his shitty feelings, and the only person who even slightly made him feel better about it.

“Y’know, I gave you a key so you could use it,” he teased as Eddie stepped past him, right at home, “I don’t know why you always make me answer the door.”

“Maybe I just want to see your pretty face, is that such a crime?” Eddie was doing that thing again, that sweet way of talking that made Steve feel like he was about to melt. That thing that Robin insisted Steve put a stop to if he had any sense of self-worth.

Lucky for him, he didn’t.

Steve rolled his eyes, grabbing for Eddie’s hand to lead him upstairs, “No, but making me lose sleep is. My pretty face is exhausted from waiting for your ass. We’re going to bed.”

Eddie was laughing behind him, with his stupidly pretty voice. The voice that haunted Steve’s dreams at night, “Whatever you say princess.”

Steve should have been thinking about what Robin said as he curled up against Eddie’s chest in his bed. This was bad for him, no matter how good it felt in the moment. The nights of Eddie wrapping his arms around him, kissing his head, whispering sweet dreams, in his ear, had an expiration date, he knew that now.

But that wouldn’t stop him from hanging onto it for as long as he could.

Part 2!

#steddie #steddie ficlet #eddie munson #steve harrington #there's a part 2 to this!#you'll pry my insanely long posts out of my cold dead hands #eddie's a big dumbass #and robin's thirty seconds from killing him for it #stranger things #max mayfield #steve and dustin #dustin henderson #robin buckley #nancy wheeler #she's trying to be a good friend damn it

2K notes · View notes

icequeenlila · 3 months

Text

Context: They're in a grocery store.

Bradley had a crush. He couldn’t deny that any longer.

But.

A crush was just a crush. Some silly, little feeling that would go away soon.

People on campus used to call him King Bradley. He was the king of denial.

“You have a list?”

Max was leaning over Bradley’s shoulder to get a look at the piece of paper in his hands.

Bradley forced himself to stay still as he felt the boy’s warmth close to his cheek. Max let his hand rest on Bradley’s shoulder as his eyes skimmed over the items he had written down. The gesture didn’t make his heart race at all. Not the slightest.

King of denial.

“You don’t?” He made sure his voice had a derogatory tone to it. Something to repel the boy. To get him out of his space.

“Nah”, Max said, turning to look at Bradley with that goofy smile on his lips. “I usually just grab whatever seems good.”

Bradley could feel the ghost of Max’ breath on his face as he spoke, and the sensation sent all kinds of funny feelings to his belly.

“Well”, he said, detangling himself from Max. “Happy grabbing stuff then.”

Lame. His brain wasn’t functioning at the moment, okay.

“I’m taking the cart”, he said, avoiding eye contact with the boy.

“Okay.”

Bradley heard Max’ chuckle behind him as he pushed the cart, taking quick steps to bring some distance between them.

He felt hot. From the sun of course. He should go for the freezer shelves first, cool down a bit, and remind himself of how insignificantly small his crush on Max actually was.

Yeah, he should do that.

Instead, his brain showed him pictures of the small gap between Max front teeth, which he now had HD quality memory of after it had practically been pushed into his face. His skin still tickled where Max’ warm breath had ghosted over it. He’d still smelled faintly of the syrup Bradley had put into the porridge.

He let out a frustrated grunt, ripping open the glass door of the first freezer shelve he came across. Bradley felt cold air wafting over his heated skin and took in a deep breath.

“Get a grip”, he muttered under his breath, glaring at the collection of cheese in front of him. “You’re being stupid.”

The cheese didn’t answer.

Bradley rolled his eyes, reaching into the freezer to grab a pack of spread cheese. He was talking to dairy products. His lows were getting lower by the minute.

He turned back around, the pack almost sliding from his fingers as several items were thrown into his cart with a loud thud.

Yes, he jumped. He was kind of having a crisis, okay?

“The fuck, Goof”, he hissed when he found the boy grinning back at him.

“Did I startle you?”, Max asked, cocking his head slightly. “Sorry, didn’t mean to.”

“Ts.” Bradley dropped the pack of cheese into the cart. “I wasn’t startled.”

He grabbed onto the cart and pushed it further down the aisle, away from Max and his stupid fucking smile.

God, he was getting mad. Mad at himself for being so goddamn smitten with every little thing Max said or did. Who was he? A crushing school girl?

“I’m glad then”, Max called after him. “I’ll find you around.”

Please don’t, Bradley thought, and for a moment he was contemplating to hide from the boy. But if he actually did that, he wouldn’t be able to look in the mirror anymore.

So it went on like this. Bradley going over his shopping list, muttering to himself under his breath, trying to keep at least a bit of his cool. And Max dropping by every now and then to throw more bullshit into the cart.

Honestly, there wasn’t a single vegetable on Max’ side of the cart.

“You know what I see when I look at the stuff you put in there?”, Bradley asked when he finally couldn’t take it anymore.

Max looked at him like a confused puppy. “Snacks?”

“Diabetes.”

The boy just laughed at that. “Wow Brad, you can be funny if you want to.”

“I’m being serious”, he argued. “Seriously Goof, how can you survive on this stuff?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“It’s just junk food!” Bradley was honestly concerned at this point.

“It’s food”, Max said with obvious laughter in his voice. “Unlike you, I’m not a good cook. I still have to eat.”

“I’ll cook for the both of us then.” The words were out before Bradley could stop them. He just ran head first into his doom.

Max’ eyes went wide. Bradley’s did too. For a moment neither of them said a word, just silently staring at each other. Until – of course – a shit eating grin spread over Max’ face.

“Aw”, he teased, cocking his head so that a strand of black hair fell into his eyes. “Does that mean you actually care for me, Brad?”

“Forget that I said anything”, Bradley said flatly, turning on his heel and walking into a random direction.

He heard Max laugh behind him. “It’s okay, I already knew you liked me.”

“You annoy me at best!”

Wow, his comebacks sucked. It was all Max’ fault. His brain wasn’t functioning when he was around.

There was rumbling behind him, and before he could ask himself what it was, Max was next to him, standing on the back of the cart with his upper body leaned forward, like on a scooter.

“I care about you too, Brad”, he said, using his foot to push on forward in order to keep up with Bradley’s fast stride.

“Shut up”, Bradley hissed, walking even faster.

But Max didn’t have any trouble keeping up, comfortably scooting next to him, grinning all the while.

“Also, I’d love to try your food”, he continued. “Even if it’s poisoned.”

“I said, shut up.”

Bradley took a sharp turn into another aisle, forcing Max to stop abruptly and rearrange himself on the cart. Still, he was back next to Bradley in no time.

“Come oooon”, he whined. “Let’s be friends, Brad.”

“For the hundredth time.” Bradley glared at him. “Stop calling me Brad!”

Max only giggled, and Bradley’s heart picked up a beat.

“But I like the way your face goes all red when I do”, Max said and his grin was wide and endearing and fuck no, Bradley wasn’t actually thinking that! “It makes your cheeks all red. It looks cute.”

Bradley acted fully out of reflex, his hand coming up and right at Max’ face, shoving him to the side and directly into a pyramid of soda cans.

Their cart crashed into it, causing a loud ruckus as all the cans came tumbling down, spraying sticky fluids everywhere when they exploded on the floor.

They both stared at each other in shock as Max went down with the cart, their eyes locked during the entire fall. There was another loud crash when Max landed in the middle of the half-destroyed pyramid, tin cans raining down and exploding all around him.

“Shit!”, Bradley shouted when his brain finally caught up with the situation.

He lunged forward, reaching out for Max, but before he could do anything, he accidentally stepped on one of the many cans rolling around on the ground, losing his balance.

“Shit!”, he called again as he plummeted towards the ground.

from chapter 5 of 'Good Luck, Babe!' on ao3.

#maxley fic #maxley #a very goofy movie #max goof x bradley uppercrust iii #max goof #bradley uppercrust iii #ao3 #ao3fic

47 notes · View notes

anaptian-champion · 1 year

Text

// haha... imagine an arc where someone in anaptis is selling shadow pokemon >:3c

#out of max repels

14 notes · View notes

gday-from-tasmaloa · 6 months

Text

// found out what i can base the Tasmaloan Poliwag line on lmao

#out of max repels #// didnt wanna go with cane toads because those are invasive #// even though they are a poisonous australian frog/toad #// i wanted a native species

0 notes

cutsthru-darkness · 11 months

Text

// i am glad ppl seem to be 'enjoying' Felicien so far heh; to be honest im rly not used to writing antagonistic characters ^^;

#out of max repels

0 notes

thatguyfromsinnoh · 1 year

Text

// closest i could get to sams physical appearance

// [ link ]

#out of max repels

0 notes

champion-ryu-challenges-you · 11 months

Text

💜⪧⫷ its coming...

#💜⪧⫷ out of max repels ⫸⪦💜#💜⪧⫷ hehehehehoohoohoo

1 note · View note

captain039 · 4 months

Text

PART 5 WASTELAND HEAT (REDONE)

Cooper Howard(The Ghoul) x reader

Warnings: Violence, blood, gore, AOB dynamics, heat, oral F receiving, smut, swearing, fallout stuff, implied cousin incest, virgin reader, drug usage, needles, plus size reader, sexual assault

Previous part <-

The next time you wake up is worse. Whatever week long pre-heat your teacher was on about was wrong, it’s been a day max. You tremble every five seconds, the mess between your thighs makes you grimace, the pulsing need makes you whine. You’re not sure where the alpha went, not even sure if he stayed to be honest. You were struggling with this sad excuse of a nest, you’ve thrown a few purified water cans in anger by accident by how pitiful your sleeping station was. You cried a few times over it, moved to the other corner and stared at it in anger hoping it’d go up in flames.

A knock comes and you jump from your spot at the other corner away from your nest.

“Omega?” The alpha calls and you glare at the door.

“I have a damn name!” You snap before realising you yelled at an alpha. He laughs though, lets out a small chuckle and you feel yourself relax a bit.

“You best stop throwing them cans” he says voice a little annoyed and your glare returns.

“You try being in here!” You snarl at him kicking the cupboard for emphasis only to wince at the pain flaring through your toes.

“You try not having enough things to make a good nest with!” The words sound silly as soon as they leave your mouth and you feel like crying again. No where in this room was there any repellents.

“Go away!” You end up saying in your over emotional state, wishing you could either bash your head against a wall or magically teleport home. The other option going through your mind is to let the alpha in and have his way, it’s been a constant thought in your brain, it makes your thighs clench together in need. You hear shuffling outside, things being placed before a note is slipped under and footsteps leave. You frown grabbing the note seeing the word supplies on there. You wait a few minutes hoping he’s truely gone from the doorway and slowly move the gurney away from the door. You open it slowly catching his scent but he’s not nearby. You see more food and water, what you don’t expect though is blankets, foam coverings, couch padding too. Your lower lip trembles and you grab the items he’s supplied and go back to your nest. You forget the door, forget the food and water you make a semi appropriate looking nest and sag in relief when you’re finished. You forget to close the door but it allows you to hear the voices outside, ones that aren’t your alpha. You tense as they speak something about it being illegal to kill a business. What sort of business was this? Organ harvester? Surely that wasn’t legal. Too caught up in your mind you don’t hear the approaching steps before it’s too late. Someone whistles and makes you jolt, you hear grunting and snarling outside as the man in a sheriffs outfit stared at you with a wide grin smirk.

“Boss’ll be happy bout this” he says as two more men join him. Despite jolting up and going for the gurney to ram into them it does very little, one wraps his arms around your arms and middle, caging you against him and it sets your body on high alert. He feels wrong, feels gross against your skin as you thrash and struggle.

“Keeping this for later ghoul?” The man in the sheriffs outfit asks. They’ve got him tied up a piece of cloth tied around his jaw and mouth hands tied behind his back. He’s got a crazy look in his eyes as he sees you before he’s death glaring the man in the sheriffs suit. You’re dragged along by the sheriff, exposed in a white singlet and black tight shorts, no shoes or boots. Your feet are killing you, you think there’s cuts and bruises now on them. You struggle to walk, struggle to do anything with your heat hitting you fully now. You walk for hours before you finally see a building a head and hope that’s where you’re going. You always try to glance back at the tied up alpha, but you get pushed over if you do.

You finally arrive at the place, being forced on your knees between two men while the alpha is forced to sit down in front of the stranger.

“Two gifts” the man laughs as the man in the sheriffs outfit takes off the alphas bindings. He sits perfectly still and calmly making you more nervous.

“Never seen one so fresh and untainted” the stranger eyes you, licking his lips like you were jello cake.

“Now ghoul, says here you’re wanted” he laughs and slides across a piece of paper. Ghoul, you didn’t know what it was, was it his name? What he was? It didn’t sound very pleasing.

“For?” Alpha asks leaning back in the chair.

“For the helping of getting the bounty to where it needed to go and not eliminating it” the man shrugs following with a causal lean back.

“Hm” is all he replies.

“See now, I was tryna get the head” you see him shift ever so slightly, hand on his gun subtly and you suck in a breath.

“But thou shall get side tracked by bullshit every time” he mutters before shots ring off. It’s like a slo-mo the man behind the desk is dead, head blown off and then the sheriff behind him, before the two standing by you go to rush him full force only to end with holes on there chests. You don’t move afraid to move, afraid to open your eyes till a hand smooths your hair and your alpha cuts your ropes. You rub your hands together and sigh a bit finding your legs numb and not moving. You see him kneel by you, glove hand brushing your cheek, making you look at him. You blink too slowly, you are achey and needy at once.

“Legs not working?” He cocks his head to the side and you look away cheeks a flame. You try not to breathe while he’s this close. You’re surprised by how much restraint he has too, from what your teacher said natural born alphas turn into mindless, rut mind filled, beasts according to her.

“I’m fine” you mumble having to take a small breath and regretting it. You bite your tongue so you don’t make a sound and force your legs to move. You don’t get far, the cuts and burns on your feet making you stumble back to the ground and you lean your head against the wall.

“Just leave me here” you mumble glancing at the dead bodies before closing your eyes. Damn it you wished he’d get out of your breathing space.

“Fraid I won’t do that” he says and you look to him.

“You wanted the head sure you can chase after my sister” why were you being so annoyed and pushy? You glance to your pip boy seeing the flashing image of vault tech bobble head moving slowly. You feel a gloved hand on your face again and you’re forced to look at him, face inches from yours. His pupils are blown, his mouth slightly open eyebrows narrowed down. He growls letting your chin go and lifting you up with surprising ease. You cling to him not wanting to fall arms around his neck as he carry’s you up the stairs.

“Put me down- what-“ you stutter out words as he kicks open a few doors, grunting annoyed before kicking the last one open. He smirks in victory and you see the double bed there. You almost sigh in relief at the look of a real bed, he lays you down on it and you sigh instantly turning to your side and curling in on yourself, head on the comforting pillow. It smells like the beta downstairs though and you huff slightly. You think he’s gonna leave, but he kicks the door shut and locks it before pushing the dresser in front of it. He opens one of the other door and you see a bathroom in there which he hums too. You watch him like hawk would, unsure of what he’s doing locking himself in a room with an omega in full blown heat. He checks the windows, closes the curtains before he’s kicking off his shoes, tugging off his gun belt and bandolier and chucking them on a near by chair.

“I don’t-“ you don’t understand what he’s doing. Before he’s crawling on the bed and over you staring down at you intently after he slips his hat off.

“You’re mine” his voice is low and breathy making you tense and gulp. You nod without thought unsure of what it means. He coaxes you with a hand to lie on your back and you do avoiding your legs touching his. He’s on his hands and knees above you, duster coat drooping off his sides. He watches you and you watch him intently breathing a little heavily through your nose. He leans down carefully slowly, before his lips ghost over your neck. The fan of breath makes you shudder and open your mouth to breathe properly you hear him inhale deeply before sighing out loudly. You tilt your head to the side hands gripping the sheets under you. He hums approvingly and it makes your stomach clench before lips are pressed against your pulse point.

“200 goddamn years” he mutters sucking harshly on the spot he just kissed and you frown a little at his words.

It’s sickly sweet her scent, like apple pie and ice cream on a Saturday night mixed with whiskey. Her skins smooth all over from what he can see, exposed legs and arms, neck and collar bone. It’s been dizzying the past goddamn days as soon as she charged at him and struggled on top he knew what was happening. Could smell the change in her scent, feel her body heat way more. You’ve never been in heat, he can tell, with Barb she’d always been prepared and less chaotic than this. You’ve probably been forced not to have one, forced into their little fucked up experiments, it makes him growl at the thought and makes you whimper in response. He’s quick to hush you, enjoying the way he can feel your pulse hammering against his tongue, the way your sweat tastes better than any liquor or meds he’s ever had. He wants to bite, wants to sink his teeth in as you cum around his knot like a good little omega. The thought makes him hard as a rock but he can’t yet. You’ve never been touched and he doesn’t want to hurt you, he never meant to hurt you. He hates himself every hour for how he hit you with his gun and lassoed you. Hates that as soon as he smelt you in Filly he’d been set a stray from the bounty, now on his own personal bounty to have you. Course you didn’t even know what or who he was, he never spilled his name or nature till the bastards down stairs did. He saw red the whole time they were walking, your scent hitting him harder when you were being dragged out front then forced on your knees. He would’ve killed them sooner if he didn’t keep his wits, would’ve probably used tooth and nail to tear them apart. His gloved hand eases to caress your side while the other holds him up, he can feel you radiating with warmth from here. He forces your legs open as he shuffled and moves knees between your legs before kissing up your neck and jaw. You’ve got a lust filled glaze in your eyes and he smirks at the red flush of your cheeks, the way your mouth is slightly parted from a little foreplay. It’s been 200 years since he’s felt like this, he misses it. With barb it was sickly sweet but not the nice sickly sweet, the kind that keeps you up at night. Barb wasn’t his, despite having Janey he never claimed her, they’d argue over it every night before he’d end it with mindless sex and hope it’d be ok.

He presses his lips to yours a little harshly, he doesn’t know any better and you moan into him. It’s teeth and lips with him, but you take it he knows you can. Your hands finally leave the bed and grip him, you don’t know where to hold so you just hold his shirt tightly. He feels bad and wrong about doing this but he needs it, he needs it more than anything.

“Alpha” it slips from your lips to his and his whole body alights. He stalls for a little bit before crashing his lips back to yours, he lays his lower half down, pressing himself into you and you whine. He needs you to know his name, you need to know but it doesn’t come no matter how hard he kisses you. Your hands move from his shirt to his face stopping the kiss, your panting lips red and swollen, face beautiful flushed. He falters feeling your warm hands against his leather scarred face, he won’t ever admit it but he’s scared to look in a mirror, afraid to see what he’s truely become. Sometimes he swore your not blood sister figured him out, her intense stare offs with him. He doesn’t understand gently as he goes to kiss you again but you move your head back. He frowns at you watching your eyes dance over his face, feels your fingers go over every grove and dip of his face, you trace his cheeks, around his eyes, his forehead, jaw, over his lips too. He finds that his eyes close mind slipping to a past life of when Barb used to run her hands over his face, usually fussing about makeup or hair. Never this gently though, it’d never be this gentle.

“Cooper” he mutters waiting a moment before opening your eyes, you’re frowning slightly before muttering his name with a small smile and he forces his lips back to yours.

Next part ->

#x reader #aob #fallout tv series #cooper howard x reader #the ghoul #the ghoul x reader

71 notes · View notes

formula-nyoom · 4 months

Text

Stars Racing Past-4

Summary: After spending more time being taught the ways of The Force by Max, (Y/N) and Max are assigned to accompany Seb, Kimi, and Senator Piquet to joint negotiations with the Trade Federation. But there's a feeling that something could go wrong.

Warnings: Violence, Fighting, Dismemberment, Major Character Death, Cremation

A/N: Wooo! Finally done with The Phantom Menace portion of this fic! After this, gonna move on to Attack of The Clones-which means there will be a five year time jump in Chapter 5 so I'm opening up requests for this Star Wars AU. So if there's anything you want to see from this AU that may not get covered in the main story, send it to me and I may or may not write it. Anyway, Hope you enjoy!

Series Masterlist

~~~

Wake Up. Meditate. Force Training. Eat. Sleep.

That’s what (Y/N)’s weeks had consisted of as a constant routine for the past two weeks. And while it felt like a good and even fun experience at first, learning how to use The Force, (Y/N) would give anything to get out of the temple. She had even asked Max if there was a chance to leave the temple. She would even take going to The Senate and watch Max stare lovestruckly at Senator Piquet. But (Y/N) could tell that Max may have gotten reprimanded for their previous excursion and it seemed unlikely her and Max would be able to leave without necessary supervision.

Now, (Y/N) tried to focus on the current lesson. Already having a grasp on pulling objects towards her with The Force, Max taught her how to repel them with ease. Now he was teaching her how to slow an object down.

“Again.” Max said. It wasn’t going well. (Y/N) always repelled the object back before it hit her instead of slowing it. (Y/N) let out a frustrated sigh but adjusted her posture as she prepared for the incoming object. Max used the force to lift up one of the soft balls they were using and propelled it towards (Y/N) at a fast speed. (Y/N) threw out her hand in front of her, as if she was going to catch the item. But before the item could get close to her, it flew back in the direction of Max. (Y/N) let out another frustrated groan. Max seemed to do so as well.

“How long are we going to keep doing this?” (Y/N) asked.

“Until you are able to do it.” Max said, walking over to a console on the training room wall.

“Are we taking a break?” (Y/N) asked. Max shook his head.

“I’m going to try a different approach.” Max pressed some buttons and suddenly, 2 spherical training drones shot out of the floor and hovered around the room. (Y/N) had seen them getting used by some of the jedi knights to practice with their lightsabers. The droids whirled around, getting a sense of their surroundings, before locking in on (Y/N). They then began to fire upon her. (Y/N) let out a small scream and dodged out of the way of an incoming blaster shot. And then another. And another as the drones continued to fire.

“Are you insane?” (Y/N) yelled to Max, who stood to the side, unphased. She dodged another shot from one of the drones.

“This is how I was taught.” He said. “Stop dodging and use The Force to slow down the incoming shots from the drones.”

(Y/N) truly did think that a small part of Max was insane as she barely got out of the way of a drone shot. Fight or Flight instinct was currently taking over as her main focus was on not getting hit instead of using the Force to stop the blaster shots.

“C’mon, I know you can do it!” Max told her. Another blaster shot barely missed (Y/N) and her brain finally took that as a reason to try and use The Force instead of trying to dodge fire that wasn’t going to stop.

Standing her ground, she held out her hand and tried to concentrate her efforts on slowing the next shot that would come her way.

“You'll be fine. Even if you don't slow it, you’ll probably end up repelling it back anyway.” She thought to herself. The drone in front of her fired a shot.

Slow. Slow. Slow.

One second the blaster shot was coming towards her at rapid speed. She blinked and the bright red glow lit up her face as it stopped in front of her. But (Y/N) looked at it, she saw that it was still coming towards, but at an incredibly slow pace.

“I did it!” (Y/N) exclaimed. She started to cheer and jump up and down in excitement but her eyes landed on Max that didn’t share the same excitement. Someone cleared their throat and (Y/N) turned around to see Seb at the entrance of the training room, his hand outstretched in front of him. He waved his hand and the blaster shot flew backwards, hitting the drone that fired it and causing it to explode. (Y/N) realized that she hadn’t slowed the blaster shot. Seb had.

“Master Vettel. What can we do for you?” Max asked, adjusting his posture and trying to hide his annoyance at the disruption of his lesson.

“Well I came to talk to both of you. But first I want to know what I had to just intervene on.” Seb said. “I know you said you weren’t a great teacher Max, but I must question your current teaching methods.”

Max hesitated, before speaking.

“I was teaching (Y/N) how to use The Force to slow incoming objects. Traditional methods weren’t working so I decided to approach it the way I was taught.” Max said. Seb sighed.

“I know you’re trying to be a good teacher, Max. But you and I both know that the way you were taught is not the appropriate ways of Jedi teachings.” Seb said before looking at (Y/N). “Nor will those ways of teaching work for everyone.”

“Well we don’t exactly know if it was working or not since you interrupted our training.” Max mumbled. Seb looked back at Max.

“What was that Max?”

“You wanted to speak to us about something?” Max asked. Seb nodded his head, choosing to ignore what he heard Max mumble.

“Yes, I did.” Seb said, now looking at both Max and (Y/N).

“As the two of you know, The Trade Federation is currently blocking Naboo. Both representatives from Naboo and The Jedi Order have failed separately to try and negotiate with The Trade Federation and if The Trade Federation doesn’t stop their blockade soon, it could be very detrimental to Naboo and its people. The Council has been approached by Senator Piquet to try and attempt joint negotiation efforts with The Trade Federation.” Seb explained.

“Do you think that would work?” (Y/N) asked.

“Senator Piquet said she was advised that “two is better against one.” While I am a bit skeptical that The Trade Federation would be willing to negotiate again, and with two organizations at once, I can’t help but think that there’s a possibility of it working.” Seb said, giving (Y/N) a knowing smile.

“Can I ask why you're discussing it with us?” Max asked. “Did Senator Piquet request for me specifically?”

(Y/N) rolled her eyes at the hopeful tone in Max’s voice.

“Actually, The Council thought it would be good to have you and (Y/N) join me and Master Räikkönen on this mission as extra protection for the senator.” Seb said. Max looked at Seb confused but (Y/N) seemed excited at the prospect of being able to leave The Temple.

“Why does The Council think (Y/N) should come along. She’s only been training for two weeks and I’ve only taught her basic stuff. She hasn’t even been taught how to use The Force in combat. If something bad were to happen, I don’t think she’s prepared for that.” Max said. Seb gave Max a reassuring smile.

“If The Trade Federation were to try anything when both a senator and jedis were together, they would risk losing everything.” Seb said. “It’s a simple mission. The Council thinks that it will give (Y/N) good experience and I can assess how you’ve been teaching her.”

Seb looked back at (Y/N), who seemed to have a hopeful smile on her face.

“Though I think I already have an idea how the teachings are going.” He said, before turning around to exit the training room. “We leave tomorrow.”

~~~

“Was your first mission something like this?” (Y/N) asked as she and Max headed towards the temple’s ship hangar.

“What? An escort mission? No, the first mission I was sent on was a scouting mission on some random planet.” Max said.

“Was it an interesting mission at least?” Max grimaced.

“No.” Was all he said.

Entering the hangar, there was a fairly big transport ship currently docked that didn’t match any of the models that were also in the hangar. Seb had informed them that they would be using one of the ships issued by the Senate to appear as diplomatic as possible. But as Max looked at the ship closer, he noticed that it did have a gun hatch. But he didn’t look at it long, as his eyes landed on Senator Piquet, who was currently talking with a member of the Naboo guard. (Y/N) saw Max’s face form into a puzzled expression.

“You don’t seem that happy about seeing Senator Piquet again.” She said.

“I am. It's just….I have a bad feeling about this for some reason.” Max said before looking back at his padawan. “Promise that you’ll stay close to me?”

While Max was happy that he got to act as extra protection for Senator Piquet, he didn’t think it was a good idea for (Y/N) to come along as he felt she wasn’t far enough in her training to go on missions yet. But he didn’t want to risk being taken off this mission by arguing with The Council.

“I promise.”(Y/N) told him.

Across the hangar, Seb watched the two's interaction and smiled.

“Verstappen and his padawan seem to be getting along.” Kimi said to Seb. “But I still don’t exactly see your reasoning for suggesting him as her teacher. Especially with how he was trained and promoted.”

“I know that Max always loves a challenge. And despite his hesitancy on taking a padawan, I knew him and (Y/N) would be a good match. They’re more alike than you think.” Seb said.

“Well, we will see how well they work together during this mission.” Kimi said. Seb’s smile disappeared.

“I still don’t think this is a good idea.” Seb said.

“Would you rather give the Sith more time for whatever they may be planning?” Kimi asked.

“No, but this whole plan of potentially using a child as bait is ridiculous." Seb said.

“Well we can’t go back on it now.” Kimi said as both Max and (Y/N), and Senator Piquet and her guards approached the two, ready to board the transport ship.

“I’m grateful the Jedi Council agreed to try joint negotiations.” Senator Piquet said to Seb and Kimi.

“The Jedi don’t agree with the actions that the Trade Federation has taken. The Council believes that this effort of joint negotiations could put enough pressure on The Trade Federation for them to loosen or even stop their hold on your planet, Senator.” Seb said.

“Master Vettel, you did inform me that when you tried to negotiate with The Federation that it didn’t go well. I want your assurance that no harm will come to The Senator.” One of Senator Piquet’s guards said.

“I assure you that the Federation would not dare try and attempt any harm in the presence of three Jedis. I had requested Max and his padawan, (Y/N) come with us to serve as extra protection for Senator Piquet.” Seb said. Max smiled at Senator Piquet, who only gave him a nod back. Meanwhile the guards were staring at (Y/N) with skepticism.

“We need to depart soon. Everyone, board the ship and get situated.” Kimi said.

Once everyone was onboard and prepared, the transport ship took off, soon leaving the temple behind, and then the cityscape of Coruscant before making its way out of the planet and towards the stars. (Y/N) couldn’t help but watch as the stars started to bleed together before the ship jumped into hyperspace, starting the journey towards The Federation’s blockade over Naboo. Though traveling through hyperspeed was going to allow them to reach the blockade in a timely manner, there was still a lot of downtime before arrival. That’s how (Y/N) found herself, Max and Senator Piquet sitting in the hull of the ship. Max seemed to be taking his protection duties seriously before they were even needed, as he wanted to be in the same room as The Senator at all times.

“What's Naboo like?” (Y/N) asked Senator Piquet, curiosity displayed on the young girl’s face.

“It’s a beautiful planet. Outside the main cityscape there are lush rolling hills and further out they turn into swaps. The oceanside is also a nice place to go to, though we can’t explore most of it because the ocean is home to the gungans.” Senator Piquet said. A small smile formed on her face as she spoke about her home planet with pride. “Naboo has no core so any deep sea creatures that reside in the ocean have actually burrowed through the planet’s center.”

“I hope to be able to visit your planet at some point. From what you’ve told me, it sounds very lovely.” Max said.

“Where are you from (Y/N)?” Senator Piquet asked the young girl. (Y/N) looked down at her lap.

“I don't really know, but I was a slave on Tattoonie before Master Vettel and Master Räikkönen picked me up.”(Y/N) told the Senator. Senator Piquet looked at the young girl with shock.

“You were a slave? But there are regulations in place that outlaws slavery.” She said. It was (Y/N)’s turn to look at The Senator in shock.

“There are actual regulations against slavery? They were never enforced on Tatooine.”

“Unfortunately that’s because Tatooine is on the edge of The Republic system and is ruled by The Hutts, who aren’t a part of The Senate.” Seb informed as he walked into the conversation. “Any regulations passed by The Senate aren’t enforced by The Hutts.”

“But that’s insane. Even if they are on the Outer Rim, they’re still on the edge of The Republic system. They should follow regulations.” Senator Piquet said.

“If only it was that simple.” Seb mumbled.

“Well then I’ll just have to bring this issue up with The Senate. Slavery has no place in the galaxy.” Senator Piquet said. That made (Y/N) smile.

“I wish you success Senator.” Seb said. “Anyway, I came to inform you all that we will be arriving shortly.”

“Be honest with me Master Vettel: how do you think we fair at negotiating with The Federation?” Senator Piquet asked. Seb tried his hardest to keep his expression neutral and not let his worry show.

“They don’t call Master Vettel “The Negotiator" for no reason.” Max said, and Seb was grateful for the young jedi cutting in. “I’m sure you guys will have a good chance at coming to an agreement.”

“Senator, I can assure you that we will be able to come to an agreement with The Federation. Like you suggested, our two parties and our demands outweigh whatever The Federation can try and counter.” Seb told her.

“I hope you’re right. I don’t want to see my people suffer any longer.” The Senator said.

Their arrival at the blockade was announced over the ship’s intercom and everyone that would be present for the negotiations soon joined the others in the ship’s hull before preparing to disembark. Seb and Kimi would lead the front with Senator Piquet and her guards behind them.

Max and (Y/N) were to stay right behind Senator Piquet while being sandwiched between her guards, though Max made sure to keep (Y/N) in front of him and in his line of sight..

They were met by a bipedal droid at the entrance, who welcomed them and led them to the negotiation room. Seb tried to quell his worry at the present sight of no other droids or Federation members around, though Kimi didn’t seem phased at this at all.

“Please wait here. The Federation Leaders will be here in a moment to discuss negotiations.” The droid said before leaving the room. Seb was starting to get a sense of de ju ve. This was exactly how his last negotiation attempt with the Federation had started. Though this time, Seb already knew that negotiations weren’t going to take place as soon as the droid left the room.

“How long do you think we will have to wait?” Senator Piquet asked. “When I tried to negotiate with The Federation, they met me as soon as I arrived.”

“We won’t be waiting long.” Kimi said as he looked at every possible exit available in the room, his fingers hovering over his lightsaber. (Y/N) seemed to sense something through The Force. The air in the room felt heavy and tense but she tried to hone in on the feeling. It wasn’t a clear feeling, but it felt familiar. She tugged on Max’s sleeve.

“I think you were right about having a bad feeling.” (Y/N) whispered.

Suddenly, one of the doors in the room slid open, revealing the same phantom (Y/N), Seb and Kimi encountered on Tatooine. The door everyone had entered started to close, but Seb quickly used The Force to slow it down to almost a stand still.

“Max! (Y/N)! Make sure the Senator makes it back to her ship safely. Kimi and I will handle The Sith.” Seb commanded. Kimi ignited his lightsaber as The Naboo guards rushed Senator Piquet out of the room. Max made sure she was out safely before he ushered (Y/N) out behind them. He gave one last nod to Seb and Kimi before hurrying out himself. Seb dropped his hold on the door, letting it close behind Max before turning to face The Phantom and igniting his own lightsaber, a yellow hue casting upon his face.

The Phantom looked at the two Jedis that stood before him. Then he held out his lightsaber in front of him and ignited it.

A red blade shot out of both ends of the saber.

Seb’s bad feeling grew.

On the other side of the door, Max, (Y/N), Senator Piquet and her guards hurried down the hall to try and make it back to the ship.

“Once you make it to the hangar, start to take off. Me and (Y/N) will use one of their ships to try and give you cover through the blockade so you can get Senator Piquet out of here.” Max said to one of the guards as they ran.

“We'll aim to try and make it back to Naboo. I'll contact our garrison down on the planet to see if they can meet us half and help with the oncoming fight.” One of the guards said. Sudden marching from behind drew Max’s attention as he saw battle droids with blasters now coming down the hall.

“Go! We’ll be right behind you!” Max yelled to the guards and Senator Piquet.

“(Y/N) stay behind me.” Max activated his lightsaber and started to deflect the incoming fire sent from the droids. (Y/N) watched as Max sent the shots back at the droids as the fire. Max was trying to thin the herd, but (Y/N) knew he couldn’t deflect all the shots that were coming their way. One blaster shot seemed to head straight towards (Y/N)

On instinct, (Y/N) held out her hand and reached out into The Force. The blaster shot was coming towards her at rapid speed. If only it would slow down.

(Y/N) blinked and saw that the blaster shot that would have hit her had stopped in mid air. A quick glance to Max showed that he was more preoccupied with deflecting blaster fire with his lightsaber. She had actually done it. She had slowed it down. But she didn’t have a second to dwell on that as there was still incoming fire. Slowing the shots down, while effective, took a lot of energy apparently so (Y/N) opted to deflect the shots back at the droids, taking a few more out in the process. (Y/N) and Max had started to back up towards the hangar while continuing to deflect on coming fire.

Once over the hanger door, Max shut the door to stop the oncoming march of droids. By now, Senator Piquet and her guards had made it back to the transport ship and were getting ready to take off. He quickly scanned the hangar, his eyes landing on a two seater fighter jet. Max ran over to it, with (Y/N) following right behind him

“How much do you know about piloting a ship?” Max asked (Y/N) as he helped her into the back seat of the fighter jet.

“Not much. Maybe the basics” She said, clicking in her seat belt as Max climbed into the pilot seat.

“Ok. You see the steering in front of you? It’s just like mine. But instead of piloting the ship, you’re piloting the gun. Once we’ve taken off and are closer to the action, you’re gonna hit the button next to the console to lower the gun out and make it so you can shoot things.” Max explained. He booted up the ship and took off at the same time as the Senator’s transport ship. Max made sure to speed ahead to help clear a path for the transport ship. By now, the blockade they were approaching was aware of the flee attempt and had started to send out fighters their way. (Y/N) pressed the button next to her console and a display popped up showing her the targeting system.

“Wait until you have the shot lined up, then fire.” Max said. “Get ready. They’re coming in fast.”

(Y/N) grasped the two pronged steering wheel in front of her and gave it a turn. The targeting system followed her movements and two small green dots appeared on the screen. (Y/N) chose to track one of them, waiting until Max got the fighter in the right position. The small dot inched closer and closer to the circle in the middle of her screen. (Y/N) took a deep breath and once it was in the middle of the circle, she fired. One of the ships in front blew up on direct impact.

“I got one!” (Y/N) exclaimed.

“Nice one kid! We got a couple more coming this way.” Max said. He jerked the steering to the left to avoid oncoming fire. (Y/N) looked up from her targeting system and saw a lot more fighter ships approaching their direction.

“There’s too many ships! They’re gonna hit the Senator’s ship for sure.” She said,

“The Senator’s ship has shields. We just have to make sure they don’t get hit enough times for their shields to fail. “ Max said. “Once we get them past the blockade, we should be in the clear.”

Max took evasive actions to try and avoid oncoming fire and (Y/N) tried to steady herself.

“What about us? Do we have shields up?” She asked.

“We don’t need to worry about that. I’m one of the best pilots in the galaxy!” Max exclaimed, narrowly avoiding a shot from one of the fighter ships. (Y/N) chose to ignore it and tried to focus back on shooting as many ships down as she could.

(Y/N) and Max seemed to work in sync as Max perfectly lined up the fighter for (Y/N) to take down every oncoming ship that fired upon them

“You’re doing amazing! Senator Piquet’s transport ship is almost past the blockade. If you shoot down a couple more, they should be home free.” Max said. He weaved the fighter through one of the blockade checkpoints as (Y/N) moved the gunner and fired upon a fighter ship that was heading towards the Senator’s Transport ship. (Y/N) shot hit her mark and the fighter ship was blown to pieces. Eventually there was only one fighter left.

“I can’t manage to get a clear shot on this last one.” (Y/N) told Max.

“I see it.” Max started to chase the last fighter ship. While Max was able to push the fighter to almost Max speed, the last ship they were pursuing seemed to weave continuously out of (Y/N)’s range.

“This is an evasive one.” Max said. (Y/N) looked down at her targeting system.

“Can you try to get above it?” She asked. “If our elevation is higher than there’s, I should be able to target them.”

Max followed (Y/N)’s instructions and raised the fighter’s elevation while gaining on their target. (Y/N) watched as the little green dot, indicating their pursuit, blinked closer and closer to the center circle. Lining up the shot, (Y/N) breathed and fired.

The fighter was no more.

“Got it!” (Y/N) exclaimed. Max let out a holler in excitement.

“Alright! Now let’s escort Senator Piquet down to Naboo.” Max said, piloting the fighter back towards the Senator’s transport ship.

Meanwhile, Seb and Kimi had engaged in dueling the Phantom. With the dual lightsaber, The Phantom had become a challenging advisory. The two Jedis and Sith had managed to take up as much space as they could, fighting throughout the whole ship. Now, their fight had taken them to the main reactor.

Seb and Kimi worked in tandem. As soon as one was pushed back by The Phantom, the other was already in his space, trying to attack with their lightsaber. But The Phantom was ever evasive, managing to dodge the Jedis' attacks.

The room that the main reactor was in had multiple levels. Seb went in for an attack on The Phantom but he landed a kick to his head, sending Seb falling down to one of the lower levels. Seb managed to catch himself on a ledge and pull himself back up. But he was now one level below The Phantom and Kimi, who were still engaged in the duel.

The Phantom was relentless in his attacks using his dual lightsaber to his advantage to parry every swing Kimi did. Kimi’s body was working overtime trying to evade both The Phantom’s lightsaber and the kicks he tried to land. Eventually Kimi was backed into a main corridor heading to the ship’s main ventilation shaft.

The Phantom went for a swing but suddenly an electric barrier appeared in between them. And behind them, throughout the whole corridor. Seb even managed to get stuck in between two of them, having made his way back to the main level.

‘The reactor is on. Of course it picks the perfect time to do something like this.’ Kimi thought to himself. The Phantom hit the barrier with his lightsaber, but it wouldn’t give. Kimi closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to center himself in The Force with the brief moment of peace that he had. The Phantom just stared at him like a caged animal.

‘Now!’ Kimi swung his lightsaber just as the barrier between him and The Phantom dropped and the duel resumed. The barriers stopping Seb dropped as well and he ran to catch up. But just as Kimi and the Phantom had made it near the main ventilation shaft, the barriers suddenly appeared again, stopping Seb in his tracks.

‘Curse this design of this bloody ship’ Seb thought as he could do nothing again but stand and watch as Kimi continued to duel The Phantom. Seb knew well enough that Kimi could hold his own. He was one of the best duelists Seb knew. But Seb didn’t like sitting idle while his friend fought a Sith.

Kimi tried to feint out The Phantom to hopefully get an opening to finally land a hit but The Phantom read his move and parried it with his own attack. Kimi just managed to avoid it.

Kimi went for an overhead strike, but The Phantom quickly headbutted him, stunning The Jedi before driving his lightsaber into Kimi’s stomach.

“NOOOOO!” Seb could do nothing as he watched Kimi stumble before his body crumpled to the ground.

All the noise around Seb seemed to fade out. All he could hear was the sound of his quickening breath as Seb stared at Kimi lying on the floor. The Phantom turned around and shifted his attention to Seb. Seb teared his eyes away from his friend’s body and finally looked at The Phantom. Though to The Phantom it may have looked like Seb was staring at him with hatred, Seb didn’t feel any anger.

As soon as the eclectic barrier dropped, Seb charged towards The Phantom ready to strike. Seb moved with a renewed sense of vigor and motive and The Phantom was finding it hard to quickly deflect each of Seb’s attacks. Seb backed The Phantom up to the edge of the ventilation shaft. The Phantom took one step over the massive chasm and the split second that The Phantom tried to readjust his balance, Seb swung his lightsaber through The Phantom’s torso. The Phantom gasped. Seb stared into those piercing yellow eyes that were filled with shock. Then the Phantom’s body tipped over the edge and into the ventilation shaft, falling into two pieces as gravity pulled it down and out of Seb’s sight.

Seb ran over and kneeled in front of Kimi, who was breathing rapidly. Seb cradled Kimi’s body as looked down at the wound. Even with the ability to channel The Force, Seb knew there was no way to heal the wound. Kimi knew it as he grasped Seb’s hand and looked him in the eyes.

“I hope…you’re right about her.” Kimi whispered before the light left his eyes and he let out one final breath.

Seb could do nothing but hold Kimi’s body as tears fell down his face.

~~~

Senator Piquet’s safe arrival to Naboo was met with joyous cheer and relief. After landing the fighter, Max and (Y/N) met Senator Piquet as she disembarked from the transport ship.

“I can’t thank you two enough for helping us get through the blockade.” She told them. Blush rose on Max’s cheeks at The Senator’s compliment and the same goofy grin (Y/N) saw before appeared on his face.

“Well, Max is a really good pilot.” (Y/N) said, pushing Max a bit forward. Max stumbled a bit but placed his hand on (Y/N)’s shoulder.

“I can’t take all the credit. Realistically, my padawan is the reason you were able to make it home safely, with all the fighters she shot down.” Max said. (Y/N) couldn’t help but let a small smile spread on her face.

“Nevertheless, even though we didn’t negotiate, there’s now proof of The Trade Federation trying to attack a governing body of Naboo. The Senate will now have to listen to my concerns for sure.” Senator Piquet said.

“Hopefully that means the blockade will end.” (Y/N) said.

“It’s almost certain.” Senator Piquet said with a smile. One of Senator Piquet’s guards approached her, drawing her attention away as (Y/N) and Max looked to the sky and saw another fighter jet approaching. Though it didn’t appear as a threat.

“That must be Seb and Kimi!” (Y/N) said, waving to the fighter. She was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. She had made it through her first mission as a jedi and was able to fly in a fighter jet! Despite the brief encounter with The Phantom, (Y/N) was happy she made it through unharmed and she couldn’t wait to tell Seb all she had done.

But the excitement for (Y/N) and Max seemed to dissipate when Seb exited the stolen fighter by himself with a somber look on his face.

~~~

The fire may have brought warmth, but all (Y/N) felt was cold as she watched Kimi’s blanket wrapped body get consumed by flames. A couple tears streamed down her face but she couldn’t feel the need to sob. She barely knew Kimi and he hadn’t spoken many words to her, yet he had helped rescue her from Tattoonie and that is a kindness (Y/N) will never forget.

Along with a majority of the jedi, Senator Piquet and Chancellor Horner were in attendance for the funeral; Piquet as a way to thank Kimi for protection and Horner as a thank you for Kimi’s duty to The Senate. It was a somber night, but the one that seemed to be affected the most was Seb.

(Y/N) never saw a tear fall down his face, but she could feel the man’s grief. She squeezed Seb’s hand in reassurance, like he had done to her shoulder before. Seb looked at the young girl.

“I know I didn't get much of a chance to know him, but I’m really glad that I got the chance to meet him. You and him saved my life and I’m grateful that I got a chance to meet him.” (Y/N) told Seb. He could only nod. (Y/N) thought back to her first encounter with Kimi back on Tattoonie, but it made her also think about why she was here in the first place. She knew that now wasn’t a good time to ask, but (Y/N) also thought that if she didn’t ask now, she wouldn’t ask this question ever.

“Master Vettel…You keep referring to me as “The Choosen”. I want to know exactly what you mean by that.”

Kimi’s last words echoed through Seb’s head as he kneeled in front of the girl and looked into her eyes.

“(Y/N)...there’s a prophecy that a great Jedi will come and bring balance to The Force. It has been centuries since that prophecy was first foretold and a lot of Jedi thought it was a myth. But I felt something in The Force when I first met you and…I believe that you are the one that can bring balance to The Force.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because you are not alone. Max may not think so yet, but he will be a great teacher for you and train you to become a great Jedi. As will I.” Seb told her.

While Seb’s words were supposed to be reassuring, (Y/N) couldn’t help but feel like a weight was placed on her shoulders. But she turned and saw that it was just Max’s hand.

On the other side of the pyre, Master Webber and Alonse stood in a hushed conversation.

“The Sith has been killed. But I don’t think this is the end of it. Quite the opposite I believe.” Master Webber whispered as he and his fellow Jedi Master stared at the burning body of Master Räikkönen

“There’s always two. A master and an apprentice.” Master Alonso said.

“But which one was killed? The master or the apprentice?” Master Webber asked.

“I fear we won’t know that answer until much later.” Master Alonso said.

While The Galaxy was at peace for the moment, it was right to assume that the beginning of darker matters were on the rise. One that could send the whole Galaxy into war.

~~~

Taglist: @fangirl-dot-com @chasing-liberosis @miarabanana @vicurious28 @mayo-0-o @nikfigueiredo @annabellelee @iloveyou3000morgan

#formula 1 x reader #f1 x reader #f1 x y/n #max verstappen x reader #sebastian vettel x reader #stars racing past #formula 1 star wars au

52 notes · View notes