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grazieschillivera · 3 years

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Take you home

Summary: You and the boys are on a mission to help Butcher and Becca bringing Ryan back.Stormfront confronts you and you decide to face her on your own, since you live in the believe that no one cares about you anyway.

Word count: ca. 2500 words

,,I'm serious you guys.The next one who says that he worries about me gets punched.'' you said before the entire group went finally silent in the car.Since days you were under pressure and always stressed out you knew that already and had no need of hearing it from the others.Instead you needed so focus and your task for today.

Even though no one talked anymore , their faces showed that they judged your behavior.Butchers stern eyes meet yours in the car mirror but you showed yourself unimpressed and turned away to look outside of your window.To reassure yourself, you searched for your weapon in your pockets and pressed them firmly in your palm, that you had worked on the last weeks.Homelander was Butcher's demon he had to fight but yours was something else.

Once you arrived at your hiding spot, Butcher and Becca went off to bring back Ryan, while the rest of you waited in the barn on this lost field, full of anitcipation.No one really talked.Frenchie held Kimiko in his arms and MM looked at a picture of his family, leaning against the car.You had to think about Hughie and Starlight and hoped they were alright.

After some time Butcher and Becca came back with Ryan and decided that it would be the best, when she and Ryan would be without Butcher and get in the car to drive away.You stood almost outside of the circle when you eyed everyone up and compared them with you.Everyone had someone they liked especially and did this whole thing for and mostly laid in this persons arms now.You knew this familiar feeling of bitterness that would always rise inside you, when you had to see such situations.But maybe this was the way things had to be.Maybe you didn't need a home to go after all of this was over.

Only seconds before the car with Becca,Ryan and M&M drove outside of the, Butcher stoped it, when Stormfront arrived on the field.After a few words were shouted over the field, the first lightning crossed the leftover space between your friends and her.Kimiko had almost managed to take care of Stormfront on her own, once she had reached her.But Stormfront was strong enough to snap her neck eventually.

,,Fucking coward.'' said M&M.

He and Frenchie complained that their guns couldn't do a thing to her.Butcher was about to get the rest of the weapons out of the car but you stoped him.

,,No save them up.Just in case this won't work out.'' you said while pulling out your gloves covered with metal plates, you had constructed.

,,What is that Y/N?'' asked Butcher.

,,It's autmn Butcher, I'm fucking freezing.'' you said.

,,For fucks sake just stop this nonsense and bring yourself to safety in the forest.'' said Butcher noding to Becca and Ryan.You answered him with an eyeroll turned around.

Butchers hand stoped you from walking away from him.

,,Seriously.What the fuck do you plan to do?'' his eyes were stern on you.

,,I'm shooting the cunt from the sky.'' you said like a confession.

You wanted to take a second and give him a last smile, before you ran outside on the field, but you were far to tense to do so.

,,Did you know that the birth of Ronia the Robber's Daughter caused thunder so loud that even the Robbers started to get afraid?'' you said ,when you stood almost directly underneath her.Both of you looked at each other rather unimpressed, even though your heart started to skip beats as you had to walk over Kimikos unconscious body.

,,What?'' asked she.

Your eyes met the small lightnings that held her up in the sky.

,,Astrid Lindgren hated Nazis.So don't you dare to make stupid Pippi Longstocking references.'' you said giving her a stupid smile in response, while you started the prepare for her first attack.

,,Oh please.Who are you anyway?'' she said.

When she raised her hand and the first lines of a lightning started to form, it seemed to happen in slow motion for you due to you anticipation.It had to be.Otherwise you wouldn't have a chance to react quick enough.

Before the lightning could reach your chest your hands stretched out, to absorb it.Your eyes wanted to just look away, but your forced your whole body to withstand the urge to flee.The bolt spreaded out from your fingertips and flew in different directions, were they couldn't harm someone.If you haven't been so scared in this moment you could have actually noticed all the different colors this got mirrored in the light.Or the scream from Butcher to you, when he thought you would get hit by the attack.

The force behind the blast wasn't as weak as you had hoped, your gloves seemed to absorb almost the whole engery from her attack, but only almost of it.Your shoes digged into the dirt, once they were steady again.The force had pushed you some meteres away from her, but at least the lightning couldn't harm you anymore.

You answered her confused gaze with a wicked grin to provoke her, you already stood in the arena, the others should be kept hiden from her attention.

The next lightnings sounded like a loud orchester in your ears , whenever you touched them and shot them directly back to her.But she was hard to get, even though your aming with lightning improved over the small time.It was useless, when she knew that you were about to fire back immediatly.

In that time Butcher send M&M with Becca and Ryan in the forest and aimed at Stormfront with his Serbu.

Stormfront fell from the sky with the first shot at her.

,,Thats enough.I'm not here to play your stupid games.'' said she through her teeth.

Despite the continuing shot in the body, she stood up and was about to fly away.Thats when you ran to the nearest car to open it to try something that could stop her from going after the rest.You linked your hands to the car's battery and managed to create an own bolt that you shot at Stormfront to get her back on the ground.

,,Nice one Y/N.'' said Butcher now that you were in hearing range again.You managed to give him a smile.You had to admit that you had started to feel the rush of adrenaline in your body after your first own attack.

,,Don't you think its your turn to run away now?'' you asked Butcher a bit out of breath when you created another bolt and shot it at Stormfront to keep her away from the barn, in which he and Frenchie still stood.

,,Do as many magic tricks as you like love.I'm not leaving you alone with this cunt.'' said Butcher before he send Frenchie to Kimiko to somehow get her awake again, now that the way was free and Stormfront was focused on you two.

,,Nope.Stupid idea.Very stupid idea.'' you said a bit stressed out after you had crossed the small distance between you and Frenchie an shoved him behind you, just in time to prevent him from being shot by lithning.

,,Can we please come up with the agreement to not spread up.'' you said while you fought against the strong push from Stormfronts attack.Just when your derived lightning was about to hit her, she flew up in the sky just to lend some after meters to stand right between you and Butcher to throw his gun away.

,,You stupid bitch.Do you really think you can protect everyone with those gloves?What's even with those?Wasn't your family smart enough to make a deal with Vought?'' asked she now a bit more relaxed with the knowledge that she would have her peace within the next seconds.Her hands gestured through the athmospere and started to form a new lightning.

You knew that you couldn't create a new bolt again, since you had no source near you and even though you still could feel that your body couldn't keep the energy in your body over a longer time than some seconds.Those gloves were there to just derive them away from you.But what you also knew was that if this upcoming lightning would get Butcher, there was almost no chance that he would survive this.

You decided to stay daring.

,,I don't need some stupid doping to survive your lightnings.I don't feel a damn thing from them.Doesn't this make me even stronger than you?'' you asked.You gave Butcher no attentin at all, even though you could feel his burning gaze on you.

,,Really?Nothing at all?Let me show you than what a damn thing feels like.'' said Stormfront, now using both hands to blast a lightning to you.

Your body flew across the field while it fought against the pain that wouldn't get out of it due to your gloves grip around yourself.

The cold ground and some noises from Butcher and the rest was the only thing you noticed during your fight inside you that prevented you from making any sign that would show your conciousness.Only when your heart seemed to be seconds from tearing apart you rised up from the floor and shot your saved up energy to Stormfront, right before she could harm the rest of your group.

Almost at the same time Kimiko ran past you and jumped onto Stormfront, who laid on the grounp still in pain from your attack, and gave her the last bit to knock her out.With a releaved smile you let yourself fall onto the ground again.The energy was gone but the pain still shined through your body.

The next thing you felt was a hand underneath your neck that carefully held your head up.

,,Y/N?Hey!Talk to me.You alright?'' you heared Butcher said between some cursing.

,,What was that?'' asked Frenchie.You and Kimiko had exchanged a profing look before she gave a an reassuring nod.

,,We have a fucking lightning conductor now.'' said Butcher not knowing whether to like this or not, he just laughed shortly in disbelieve.

You had no clue if you wanted to laugh out of relieve or cry because you have been scared to death until now.To be precise you had another reason to cry and when you remembered it, a tear ran down your cheek during your weak giggles.

,,Am I blue?'' you asked behind the arm that covered your face, when you knew how to talk again.

,,What?No.Are you drunk?'' asked Butcher cleary not prepared for such a question.

,,People who get stuck by lightning usually get blue marks.'' you said and wanted to stay up but your body striked against any move.So did Butcher.His other hand bend your upper body down to the ground again, careful not to hurt you.

,,Easy there.You have at least a bolt scar just like the Harry Potter fucker.'' said Butcher.He uncovered your face and stroked the tear away while he gave you his familiar smile.The look that had you fall in love with him since the last months.You cursed him for doing this right now.

,,Its not a bolt.Its suppossed to be the motion of the deadly spell.'' you said making Butcher grin in disbelieve.

,,She is fine.'' said Butcher to the rest.

Frenchie and Kimiko left to bring the car to you.Just some seconds later you're heart started to hurt and you moaned out of pain.

,,Y/N?Fuck what's wrong?'' Butcher asked but you couldn't answer.You just cried and gestured to your heart.

You heard how Butcher yelled to Frenchie to hurry up with the car and to M&M to bring Becca and Ryan to the hideout.

,,We'll drive you to the hospital.Alright?Just hang on.'' said Butcher.He had stoped in his motion to stand up and jumped down and took you in his arms instead ,pressing your body reassuringly against himself.

,,I thought we made a deal a long time ago about changing plans.Why did you even have to do this?You should know by now that I like to make sure I can take you back home alive afterwards.'' he said leaning away from you to look you in the eyes.

The ache in your heart started to fade away giving you enough strenght to shove yourself off from his arms, saying you just wanted to stay here.

,,Don't be stupid.You need help.Come on when were back home you can sleep as much as you want.'' said he trying once more to lift you up to bring you into the upcoming car.

,,Don't say that.There is no home.At least not for long anymore.'' you said.Your eyes with his when he stoped in his motion due to your resistance.

,,I just thought I should do this on my own.All of you guys have someone special you have to take care of, even without this stupid Vought stuff.Everyone except me.I wanted to make sure you can keep your loved ones at least.'' you said between heavy breathing to stop him from his complaining.

,,Wait was this a fucking kamikaze mission from you?'' Butcher had interrupted you and looked angrily at you now.When you couldn't think of another definition you noded slowly, truly scared by his look on you.

,,Fuck Y/N.Listen I'm bad at this but you mean at lot to me ,alright?You're the only thing someone could actually take away from me.I thought that you would know this by now.But you have to promise me now that you wont leave me.'' he said.

,,You sure?'' you asked with your weak voice due to your pain and uneasiness, when you saw how upset Butcher was right now.

,,You can count on that Love.Can I count on you?'' he asked.He had his arms spreaded out once more, now waiting for you to make your own decision.

The car with Frenchie and Kimiko stood right infront of you now.

,,Petite Y/N?'' said Frenchie looking out of the window, to ask if you guys needed help.

You looked again at Butcher who still waited for your answer, his eyes searched for any kind of way to show you how he felt right now.

Instead of accepting his help to lift you up, you fell around his neck to accept his words.Once Butcher had realized that he burried his face in your neck to have you even closer to him.Both of you held each, savouring the moment, instead of apologizing for your stupidness.

,,Come on Love.Let's get you home.'' said Butcher and stood up with you from the ground, gining this word a new meaning for you.

#the boys #billy butcher x reader #billy butcher imagine #billy butcher

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thesvenqueen · 4 years

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Kristanna Week Day 1: RED

Doing a little Harry Potter AU for this week. Might be a little late on the prompts but I’m going to do them! These are gonna be hella rough and unedited so, apologies for the rough edges on these. Will try my best!

Happy Kristanna Week everyone!

Rating: K

Kristoff meets her by chance.

Him and Sven are lounging in courtyard in between classes, Sven looking over the Daily Prophet while Kristoff lies back on the bench enjoying the last bit of warmth before fall completely sets in.

He hears voices from across the way and he rolls his head to the side. That’s when he sees her.

A small, red-haired girl that Kristoff is sure he’s seen before. He vaguely remembers seeing her being sorted into Gryffindor at the feast.

She has her head ducked down, holding on to a book as three Slytherin boys follow behind her, the middle boy smirking as they do.

“Oh come on now, Pippy Long-stockings,” The boy says, obviously mocking her twin braids, his goonies chuckling at the name calling, “Where do you think you’re off to?”

The girl ignores them, moving briskly across the courtyard towards Sven and Kristoff. As he watches her, Kristoff gives her props for not responding. He remembers the days he was picked on and the many points he took from Hufflepuff for his retaliations.

“Are you going to go cry to your cold, heartless sister of yours?”

That sets the girl off it seems, as she stops dead in her tracks and whips around. In a blink of an eye, she has her wand pointed directly at the boy, his smirk now gone.

“Don’t you dare talk about my sister.” She threatens.

A moment passes in which Kristoff realizes he is standing now, and then the Slytherin boys begin to laugh.

“What do you think you’re going to do, eh?” The boy mocks, “You could barely turn the rat to a tea cup yesterday.”

His goons laugh once more, but the girl keeps her wand aimed directly at the sneering boy.

Kristoff catches Sven standing up next to him, the paper left forgotten on the ground as he watches the scene.

“You’re pathetic.” The boy says, smirking again, “A weak little mudblood.”

The moment the boy says it, Kristoff sees red.

All his life, Kristoff had heard that name spewed at his family. He’d been too young to understand it at first, once calling his sister that name in anger after she’d broken one of his toys. His mother had sat him down that day, explained exactly what that name meant and the cruel meaning behind it.

Kristoff doesn’t realize he has punched the boy till he sees him sprawled out on the ground clutching his nose. His hand begins to hurt from the hit but Kristoff doesn’t care, no one deserves to be called such a harsh, cruel name.

Before the other two boys can even begin to react, Sven is there wand in hand and ready.

“Don’t even think about it.” Sven murmurs.

The two boys look at each other, then down at their crying friend and pick him up swiftly. As they run off, Kristoff unclenches his jaw, releasing the anger that had overtaken him.

No doubt they’ll lose points later for Hufflepuff, but he could care less.

He’ll earn them back later.

“Thank you.” The girl says timidly behind them, and Kristoff turns to face her.

He doesn’t think he’s ever seen such beautiful blue eyes in his life.

“Of-of course.” He stutters, clearing his throat to hide his sudden nervousness, “they deserved it.”

“Right foul gits if you ask me.” Sven says, always the confident one, “Deserved more than just one punch for what he called you.”

The girl laughs, the sweetest sound Kristoff has ever heard. “I’m Anna.” She says, reaching out her hand.

“Sven.” He says, shaking her hand.

“Uh, Kristoff.” He says, shaking her hand and he doesn’t miss how incredibly small her hand is within his own.

“Nice to meet you.” She says, smiling brightly. “Are you first years?”

“Second actually.” Sven says, “Know all the ins and outs of this place now.”

Kristoff rolls his eyes, “You don’t know shit, you only think you do.”

“Oi, I know enough to avoid Filch don’t I?”

“Doesn’t mean you know it all.”

Sven shrugs, “It’s enough. Anyways, I’m starving. Anna, have you had lunch yet?”

“Oh, um...no I haven’t.”

“Well you’re in luck.” Sven says as he pats Kristoff on the back, “We were just heading to Great Hall, care to join us?”

Kristoff looked to Sven, opening his mouth to ask what he was on about but he never got the chance.

“Sure!” Anna said, and Kristoff looked back to see the excitement in her eyes. He couldn’t say no.

“Excellent! I could use a glass of pumpkin juice!” Sven says, “And you deserve a dessert for that punch Kristoff.”

“You didn’t need to do that.” Anna said, looking at him now.

Kristoff shrugs, “No one deserves to be called that.”

“Still, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He says, returning her smile.

There is a moment of silence, and then from across the yard they hear a loud and angry voice call, “BJORGMAN!”

Sven says quickly, “And that’s our cue to leave!”

#kristanna #kristoff #anna #kristanna week #kristanna week 2020 #jessica writes #harry potter au

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melosjournal · 3 years

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Full Circle

Happy 1 year anniversary to the Timewalker campaign’s finale! <3 back in 2019 I wrote a piece with Melos as she prepares to go on her Timewalkers mission. To celebrate this anniversary, I wanted to circle allll the way back to Melos’ original Dragonsworn mentor and her Stormwind apartment. :’)

“Miss Brassbell.”

“Priestess Starstalker.”

Melostra dips her head low. It looks entirely out of place - this long-limbed, strange creature bowing in reverence to such a small and stout gnomish woman. It spoke to Pippi Brassbell’s experience and seniority within the Bronze Dragonflight. The kaldorei respected a select few people - nearly all of them female kaldorei above her in station - but she would never question Pippi. She was an older gnome, weathered from the sun, her auburn hair streaked with silver. Her disposition was warm, welcoming and open, which made it all the more strange that she had been the one to recommend Melostra Starstalker to the Bronzes. Opposites attract, she supposed.

But Melos had neglected Pippi. She dare not lift her head for what she might see, be it disappointment or anger. She inhales deeply and straightens her back and, with her pink eyes still locked onto the worn wooden floor, she clasps her hands in front of herself. “Miss Brassbell, I’m-” “Melostra. Shame doesn’t suit you. Oh, come now -- raise your chin up.” A knot gathers between the kaldorei’s furrowed brows. Tentatively, hesitantly, she raises her gaze - not by a lot, admittedly - to look Pippi in the eyes for the first time. Large, green, brilliant. It was strange to hear her name spoken by anyone else that wasn’t Demitri or her auntie Lilenya. Priestess, yes. Sister, sometimes. But Melostra was a name that was seldomly spoken aloud. Even more rare was it for the kaldorei to not mind, as much.

“I heard all about your adventure. You did well, you did your job - completed the mission. But…” Pippi pauses, and so does Melos. She inhales deeply, casting her gaze aside again. The window is coated in a thin sheet of dust. Nobody has been in this room in months, and the more she looks around, the more she realizes that some corners are locked in time. An unfinished draft, an open book. Signs that at some point, Melos had lived here. Melos had called this her home. Even during her temporary stay, auntie Lilenya hadn’t dared disturb the traces her niece left behind.

“You left. Your first and your last mission.” Pippi has tilted her head as if trying to maintain eye contact with the much too tall kaldorei, and Melos grants it, meeting her gaze once more. “.... there’s no shame in that, Melostra. To see the things you’ve seen. To lose yourself in time… not everyone is going to be fine with that. Not everyone is going to survive that.”

Completely involuntarily, Melos starts breathing again, from surprise more than anything else. Was that it? Was that the reason for the knot in her chest, the way her lungs seemed to tighten whenever she looked into her mentors green eyes? The Priestess may be cold and distant, but she recognized Pippi’s attempt at comforting her. To heal a hurt she shouldn’t feel obliged to heal.

It felt like a lifetime ago that Melos had received the summons. Dragonsworn and Watcher Melostra Starstalker was to join her first official mission as a Timewalker, to go back in time. Thirteen years, to be exact. She had fought in Ashenvale, seen the rise and fall of C’thun, loved Darnassus, and now she was to do it all, all over again. She didn’t know that, then. Melos had been excited to finally prove herself - to who, she wasn’t certain. Maybe Pippi, maybe her auntie, maybe Elune. She had been gifted with a purpose.

Melos’ responsibility as a Dragonsworn had been to fact check, double check, triple check. She would pour over historical events to compare them to anomalies in the true timeline, so that other Timewalkers may set things right. How ironic, then, that she now spent her days pouring over her diaries and notes, trying to find which of her memories were truly her own.

She had been good at what she did. Years of paperwork had led up to this mission. She wanted to prepare and then over-prepare, make sure she knew the ins and out. All of that knowledge went straight out the window when she and all of her companions were knocked off course and ended up stranded in time. Indeed, it felt like a lifetime ago. Someone else’s lifetime.

“No,” she finally speaks, shaking her head. Her voice is hoarse even when she’s barely spoken a word. “No. Miss…. Pippi, I am not ashamed that I left my duties as a Dragonsworn. I am ashamed that… that I left you. Without saying goodbye.” It’s painful, it’s uncomfortable, and clearly it’s not what Pippi had anticipated, because she jerks her head back and presses her lips into a thin line. Now, it’s awkward as well. Before the gnome has a chance to protest, Melos exhales a wheeze, leaning against her silver staff. It thuds against the woodwork floor as she steps towards the windows, her frame blocking out the sunlight and casting Pippi’s face in darkness. The rays stretch out the priestess’ shadows into something even more monstrous.

Under any other circumstance, it might have made a tense situation even worse - but whatever it was that made Melos appear so foreboding and uncomfortable, Pippi had grown used to - and moreover, the kaldorei seemed so very, painfully mortal, now. “It was needlessly cruel, and it was thoughtless of me. What drives a person to cast someone aside, when they know what it is like to be discarded?” She had forgiven Demitri a thousand times over, so why could she not do the same for herself? Melos knows the answer. She’s known it for a while.

Because if push came to shove, she would do it all over again. For herself. For her love. For happiness. Her gentle features are fixed into a severe expression, and she is about to continue, but this time, Pippi is the quicker one. “You’re being dramatic.” “I don’t feel as if I am.” Finally, a smile. Lopsided and cheeky, the older gnomish woman puts her hands to her hips and shakes her head. “But you are. And you know? I think that’s okay, too. You…. thought you hurt me.” Melos’ gnarled claws tighten around the shaft of her silver staff, brows furrowed in confusion. “Well…. yes. Did I not?” Her eyes search the gnome’s sunny features for any sign that the woman might be holding back, but Pippi is an open book. “Melostra,” she answers, her voice surprisingly gentle now. “You’re not the first to ditch me, and you won’t be the last.”

Melos blinks and then blinks again, as if the gnome had brought sand all the way from Tanaris and into the small apartment. Her former mentor was neither hurt nor mad, not even disappointed. Her words sound as if they should hurt, as if Pippi should be worn out by this stage. But she’s not. What Melos had been toiling over, Pippi had already left in the past, and although she doesn’t smile, the Priestess does stand straighter. “Oh,” is all she can say for a few seconds. And then, more daring than she ought to be, she continues; “I think I would do it again.”

“I don’t doubt that you would.”

“Oh,” Melos repeats.

Pippi shakes her head with a smile so wide it seems to take up half her face. It doesn’t look disproportionate - in fact, Melos thinks it rather suits her. “The Bronzes live forever, and not at all. They’ve seen Dragonsworn come and go again and again. Melostra, you’re a star amongst a million. We’re inconsequential. By the time our light reaches them, they’ve long since moved on.” And then the truth that Melos had not considered, throughout all her careful watching and writing; “From the moment you met me, they already knew you would only last for one mission.”

The relief is so tangible that it exits the kaldorei’s lungs in a sharp huff of air. She leans back against the windowsill, head tilted back. The sunlight crowns her silver hair in a halo. “But hey,” the gnome continues, watching her much taller companion with wide, green eyes. “Just because your starlight didn’t reach the Bronzes… that doesn’t mean it won’t shine brightly somewhere else.” To this, Melos hums, and then smiles. She caresses the silver staff with both hands, feeling the weight of it. Throughout every timeline she knew, this simple instrument was consistent. It was hers, it was the Moth of the Moon’s, it was the weapon of Melostra Starstalker. But this Melos, this timeline’s Melos, had something most of them did not. Somewhere to shine her light. Someone to share her rays with.

“I know,” the Priestess says, using her staff as leverage to push herself off the windowsill. “I have found such a place.”

“Why, Melostra,” Pippi muses, arms outstretched to the sides. “Then what on Azeroth are you doing here?”

To part on a hug would be ingenuine, but the deep bow that Melos offers is not enough to express her feelings. Pippi seems to agree, because she offers her hand, and the Priestess shakes it without hesitation. “Thank you, miss Brassbell,” she says with a tentative smile. “And good luck with your future Dragonsworn.” Pippi waves away both the thanks and the good luck with a smile. “If we ever meet again, call me Pippi.”

—

Stormwind is warming up, it’s trees turning green with springtime. The city is bustling with life, children laughing in the streets and vendors pushing their ware. The smell of saltwater and seaweed hangs in the air of Stormwind port, where merchant ships line up side by side with war galleys. It never suited Melos. She sets her sights on Winterspring, where Demitri sleeps in a warm lodge and starlight sparkles and dances across the freshly fallen snow.

#melostra #timew #ragewang

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johannstutt413 · 3 years

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(requested by calligomiles)

“Heya, Miss Goody-Goody Gummy-Drop!” Leto, the second-most summer-y of the Ursus quintet, stopped by the cafeteria to see the most summer-y. “How’re things?”

“Oh, hi, Leto! Are you here for lunch?”

She gave her an ‘eh?’ gesture. “If you’ve got a minute to eat with me, then sure; honestly, I’m here for you.”

“Huh?” The chef blinked a few times before turning to Bagpipe. “Hey, Pippy, I’m gonna take a break, if that’s alright.”

“It ain’t busy enough fer me ta stop ya, Gumgum. Go on ahead.” The Vouivre spun the spatula in her hand as if welcoming the challenge.

The bra- halberdier (who’d’ve thought?) led Gummy off to a table noticeably out-of-the-way before sitting down, resting her polearm against the wall. “So, how’s it goin’?”

“Same as always,” she smiled back. “Hoping the rest of the Group isn’t having too tough a time out there.”

“Yeah, me too…It gets pretty lonely sometimes when they’re not around, doesn’t it?”

The chef wasn’t sure how to reply to that; honestly, she couldn’t remember the last time Leto had said something like that since they’d made it to Rhodes Island. “Um, maybe a little, but I mean, I can always find you when it gets bad, right?”

“Exactly!...So has it not been that bad when they’re gone?” Rosalind leaned forward when Gummy didn’t immediately respond. “I know you’re still having the nightmares, Rada. It’s okay.”

“I can manage-”

Leto shook her head. “C’mon, Sunny-Side Up, pick up what I’m putting down here, wouldja? I’m not asking if ya can manage, I’m asking if ya feel as lonely as I do when they’re out on missions and we’re stuck at home.”

“You can just ask it like that next time, then, Rozz.” Rada sighed. “Honestly, you know I’m a bit slow on the uptake after standing at a stove all day.”

“Aren’t you- never mind. So there is a chink in the ol’ bright-and-shining armor, huh? Always wanted to see ‘neath the mask.” The smile the halberdier flashed her was worth its weight in gold.

Gummy set a hand to her chin, spinning a salt packet against the table with the other. “So ya proved I’ve got more than one emotion; are ya satisfied yet, padruga moya, or ya wanna keep picking at me?”

“Oh, I wasn’t just picking, as fun as Sonya makes it look; I needed to know I had a shot before I asked the real question.” The chef waited. “How’s about we bunk together while we wait for them to get back? Ever since Nat and Anna decided they wanted their own room, I haven’t really had the option, so...”

“How long have you been- no, I probably shoulda asked by now. Ya like your bed?”

Leto blinked. “It could be better.”

“Then we’ll use mine.” Rada stood up from her seat and stretched. “Come find me after work, a’ight? I’m working dinner, too, so you shouldn’t have any problems.”

“Alright, cool…’Fore you get back to it, though.”

The chef shook her head. “Ye-?!” Before she could finish the word, the halberdier had her in a solid bear hug and didn’t let her go until she’d lifted her a solid inch off the ground. With that, Rosalind let Gummy go back to work and went off to continue her Guard training.

“She gave ya a good squeezin’ there, didn’ she?” Bagpipe remarked as the Ursus went back to the grill. “Why hav’n I herd ‘bout this girl sooner?”

“You’ve served Leto before, I’d guarantee it; she’d eat her weight in protein every day if she could.” Not that Gummy wouldn’t, given the chance.

The Vouivre set her spatula aside and her hands on her hips. “Now c’mon, Gumdrop, don’ be tryna beat ‘round the bush wi’ me. How long ya been a couple?”

“What?!” She shook her head wildly, although she wasn’t quite sure why she was protesting so much. “N-no, Pippy, that’s not how it is at all!”

“Eh? Sure as shit cudda fool’d me, way she looked at ya. Ah well. Ya got back just in time to help with dishes, so thank ya for yer service!”

Rada fell silent, then cracked a smile, and then started to laugh - not her usual mock laughter, her show-giggle, but a proper Ursan guffaw. “Blyat, she got me. How she played it cool this long, I’ll never know. Dishes, right? Sure thing, Pip.”

With this new piece of information, there was a change in the chef’s behavior; if before, she’d been energetic, now she was a god-damn nuclear power plant, and she wasn’t afraid of a little fallout - today’s evening altercation with Ceobe ended with Gummy tossing her out the dining room with a smile after giving her a good ear-scritching. It was like someone had reminded her what it looked like when an Ursus was allowed to enjoy themselves, and no one minded if she was a little rougher around the edges for it, because that smile? That genuine ear-to-ear smile that shone brighter than the phosphorescents in the ceiling? Worth it, no doubt about it.

“Hey, Gummy!” Leto came back towards the end of the dinner shift with a delivery receipt for some pizza, already changed into something casual...Well, casual and different enough from her usual outfit to be obvious. “Ready ta...go?”

“Am I ready ta spend the night with ya? Konechno, blyat! Bozhe moy, let’s be off!” Rada didn’t leave the kitchen so much as charge through the door and crash into Rosalind as a tidal wave of Gummy goodness.

On the one hand, it was fantastic to see her this enthused, but on the other hand…“Ya haven’t been drinkin’ without me, have ya?”

“Drinkin’ without- Suka, ya know I wouldn’t drink on-duty! Who’dya take me for, Beehunter? Nah, I’m just lookin’ forward ta tonight.” She winked at the halberdier. “Are ya ever gonna learn ta ask for what ya want, Rozz, or just keep tryna play it cool?”

“Alright, who told ya? Was it the other lady at the grill with ya today? I bet it was, because I’ve been dropping hints for weeks and ya only just caught me.”

Gummy grabbed her hand as they walked - saying she held it wouldn’t do the pressure justice. “Yeah, but shit, why didn’t ya tell me yourself?”

“Because I thought ya only had eyes for Sonya, natch.” Leto shook her head. “It was hard to tell, since you’d just shower her in praise every chance you got.”

“Look, suka, if ya’d just told me how ya felt, ya would’ve known for sure one way or another! Bozhe...Ya ordered dinner already?”

The halberdier nodded. “Yep! Wanna see if UFC’s on? Heard Sonya’s fave is getting her ass handed to her tonight.”

“Eh, it’s all the same,” Rada shrugged as she hauled her catch over to the couch, door to her apartment closing by itself as she crashed into it backwards. “Ya got something more important to take care of than that, anyway.”

“I do, huh?” Rozz had enough time to giggle once before Gummy was all over her.

That night, the two power plants of the Ursus Student Self-Governing Group figured out nuclear fusion...at least twice.

#arknights #arknights fic #leto (arknights)#gummy (arknights)#yeah the power plant thing was stretched very thin here #but it's all good #also this harsher Gummy is the same as honey-drunk Gummy #leto just does that to people

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hyperion-moonbabe-art3mis · 4 years

Text

Caught In Between 10. Failed Experiment

Summary: Athena Dumont has finally found a place to call home after many years of foster homes and traveling. She had finally tamed her supernatural side and just wanted to live a normal teenage life. She quickly discovers that there is nothing normal about her hometown, Mystic Falls and gets sucked right back into the supernatural world.

Post Date: 06.29.20

Word count: 3.8k

Based off: 03x01 “The Birthday” | 03x02 “The Hybrid”

Masterlist

For the next couple of days, you spend time with Klaus and Stefan traveling. Looking for a pack of werewolves. Klaus never told me what or whose pack we were looking for, all I knew that he was on a mission to look for a specific one. After visiting someone in Pensacola Florida, and then talking to another person in Memphis Tennesse we made our way to some other house in Tennessee.

“Athena, love. What exactly do you know about Ray Sutton?” Klaus questions from the front passenger seat of Stefan’s car. I perk up, hoping that he’s not after the pack I call my family.

“Uhhh… not much,” I respond a bit hesitantly.

“Love, there’s no reason to withhold information. I will find out one way or another,” Klaus responds turning around to look at me from the front seat.

“I don’t know much. Just that he’s in Tennessee and he took me in when I first transformed.” I sigh.

“Is that all?”

“I mean, I just know the pack members. Nothing else. I swear.” I respond getting a bit nervous. We finally make it to our next stop. Klaus explains the plan as we stop a couple of feet away from the house.

“Now, stay in the car and don’t make a sound. We’ll be right back, love” Klaus says as him and Stefan get out of the car. As I wait for them to finish their job I sit impatiently hoping we can just get a move on.

I see Klaus make his way to the car as I hear screaming, “You’re lucky there’s no one else around, I can hear the screaming,” I say as Klaus opens the door and sits down in the passenger seat. He doesn’t respond as Stefan makes his way into the car, I hand him a napkin to wipe his face as he sits in the driver’s seat.

“Next stop Southern Comfort,” Klaus says as Stefan starts the car. We drive for a few more hours. I drift to sleep knowing that there’s nothing better to do. I wake up to us pulling up to the bar with a blanket on top of me, guessing that Klaus probably put it there.

“You up, love?” I hear Klaus’ voice say as I squint from opening my eyes.

“Good. Alright you two. Stefan you will compel the patrons to not react to our antics, so to say. When Ray walks in I’ll approach him and ask him to direct me to his pack. If he refuses, we’ll use wolfsbane,” Klaus explains holding a bag up. “If that doesn’t work. Athena, you’re the backup.” He finishes as Stefan leaves to compel the patrons.

“Shouldn’t I be first back up?” You question pulling yourself up.

“Oh, you know me,” Klaus responds as we notice Ray walking into the bar. My heart suddenly drops, wishing I could warn him. Klaus makes his way into the bar as Stefan comes to bring you through the back of the bar.

Stefan tells me to wait in the back as he and Klaus talk to Ray. I watch as they confront him. Seeing as Ray doesn’t give the pack up, thankfully, I notice Stefan pull the wolfsbane out. As Klaus chains Ray in front of the dartboard, Stefan puts some wolfsbane in a glass along with some water and swirls the darts into the mix. Ray continues to struggle as Stefan questions him and throws some darts towards him.

Not being able to handle seeing him in pain I rush out from the back, “That’s enough Stefan!” I shout making my way over to the table he’s at.

“Come on you know I can’t stop,” I ignore Stefan’s comment and make my way up to Ray.

“You’re with them?” He whispers to me in pain.

“Not on my own accord.” I look at him shifting my eyes between the darts in his body and start to pull them out. “Look, I can’t do anything to stop this. And I know you shouldn’t give up the location of the pack but, to stop this you might have to,” I say feeling tears start to well up in my eyes. I turn to look at Stefan and Klaus, noticing they won’t back down.

Ray doesn’t get a chance to respond as I notice Stefan getting ready to throw a dart. I put my right hand in front of Ray, letting the wolfsbane soaked tip impale my skin, I hiss in pain.

“Ray, we can stop this right now. Just tell me where your pack gathers for the full moon.” Stefan says making his way to the two of you. He takes my right hand in his and pulls the dart out, making me hiss in more pain as I grab the wound with my left hand.

“I can’t,” Ray breathe heavily. I drop my head hoping he would see the bigger picture, that to stop his pain he has to tell them as they won’t give up.

“I know, I know. You live by a code and all that. But see, he’s not going to let me stop, until you tell me. And I do whatever he says. That’s the way it goes around here.” Stefan explains. I notice a woman make her way to Klaus as well as Stefan take notice of the conversation between the two.

Ray looks at me with pain in his eyes. I mouth to him “I’m sorry” and his eyes change to a forgiving look. Klaus and Stefan strike a conversation about Damon getting closer to finding us. To my surprise Klaus lets Stefan go and stop Damon. Klaus makes his way over to Ray and me as Stefan leaves the bar.

“Now, Athena. Would you be a dear and assist me in interrogating Ray?” He questions me.

“Do I have a choice?” I ask back coldly.

“That’s my girl. Ray, would you please tell us where your pack is?” Klaus asks pulling me to the table where the wolfsbane mix is. Ray doesn’t speak a word.

“Alright, have it your way,” Klaus says picking the glass up and pulling to place my arm on the table. I scream in pain as Klaus starts to pour the wolfsbane mix atop my arm. I try to pull my arm away but Klaus puts a firm grip atop my arm to keep it there.

“Alright! Alright! I’ll tell you.” Ray yells and Klaus quickly stops pouring the solution. I clutch my arm to my body and squeeze tightly hoping the pain stops soon.

“Good boy. Sorry love,” Klaus turns towards me. I bring it upon myself to punch Klaus in the face, knowing he probably let me do it. I head to the bathroom to run my arm under cold water. Before I make my way out, I pull my phone from my pocket and text Elena.

Me: I’m sorry I’m missing your birthday. I hope your day is going well.

Elena: Could be better. We’re still looking for you and Stefan. Could you please tell us where you are?

Me: I can’t risk hurting you guys. We’ll be home soon, I promise.

I quickly put my phone away and leave the bathroom. When I come out I see Ray now laying atop a pool table.

“Klaus?!” I yell making my way over.

“Yes, love?” He responds.

“Ok. Stop calling me love. Just let him go.” I say staring him in the eyes.

“I can’t stop calling you love, if you are mine,” Klaus strokes my cheek but I quickly pull away. “Ok, It’s a three-step process, right? This is step one. I want you to drink from my wrist.” Klaus says walking around the pool table dismissing my request.

“I already told you where to find the pack. What more do you want from me?” Ray asks out of breath.

“Have you been listening to a word I’ve been saying, Ray? I have great plans for you.” Klaus says before slitting his wrist, letting his blood ooze out. He then forces Ray’s head up and pressing his wrist against Ray’s mouth.

“He’ll thank me for it later, heh. There we go, atta boy.” Klaus says continuing to force Ray to feed on his blood before pulling his wrist away. I notice Stefan makes his way up to us.

“What are you going to do now?” Ray asks taking deep breaths.

“It’s time for step two, Ray,” Klaus answers his question before snapping his neck. I flinch at the fact knowing Klaus just killed one of the only people I fully trust.

“Don’t worry. He’ll come back,” Klaus looks up noticing the pain in my face. “You’re back,” Klaus says looking at Stefan.

“Did you doubt me?” Stefan asks as I stand over Ray with tears filling my eyes.

“Not for a second,” Klaus responds as he wipes the tears from my eyes. I don’t even move, not caring for anything but Ray. “I knew you’d pass the test. You still care for your brother; for your old life.” Klaus states to Stefan as I sit on the floor next to the pool table.

“I don’t care about anything anymore,” Stefan responds making his way to sit at a table behind him.

“You put on a good show, Stefan. I almost believe you. Let’s hope for your brother’s sake, he does. You never stop caring about family, do you? But every time you feed, the blood makes it easier to let go.” Klaus says just barely loud enough for me to hear. Stefan storms out of the bar and Klaus makes his way over to me.

“Love, I only did what I have to,” He says putting his hand out to help me up from the floor. I don’t respond for a few minutes before getting up, without taking Klaus’ hand and following Stefan out of the bar.

When I make my way out I see Stefan on the phone. I stand and wait a bit until he hangs up the phone, “Was that Elena?” I ask making my way over Stefan. He doesn’t respond but only nods his head as I take in the pain in his face. I feel more tears run down my face before he pulls me into a hug. I don’t say anything as he lets me sob in his arms.

“We can do this. We- We can make it through this,” I say breathing heavily, pulling myself out of his arms. We wait outside for a bit until Klaus makes his way out of the bar with Ray over his shoulders.

“Next stop. The Smoky Mountains.” Klaus says pippy. I drag myself into the back of the car and just lay down, pulling the blanket over myself.

The next morning we park the car off the side of the road. Klaus directs Stefan to pick Ray’s body up, he does so and puts ray over his shoulders. Klaus then opens my door, “You’re not staying in the car.” He says lifting the blanket off me.

“Ahhh… the silent treatment. Okay,” Klaus puts up his hands as I shift out of the car and move past him.

We spend the next few hours trekking the Smoky Mountains. Of course me not being a vampire, I fall slightly behind them. As we continue through the forest, Klaus tries to strike a conversation with Stefan. Stefen seems to try and shut him down but Klaus just continues to talk.

“Maybe it’s ‘cause I’m a little tired of hunting werewolves. We’ve been at it all summer.” Stefan states to Klaus.

“Thanks to our pal Ray, We found ourselves a pack,” Klaus says as we make our way up to the camp.

“Yeh. Not just any pack. My pack.” I say under my breath.

“She speaks,” As he pulls me off to the side with him as Stefan approaches the pack.

I watch from beside Klaus as Stefan approached the pack. He put Ray’s body on the ground as Paige, the alpha, and a close friend of mine, rushed over to him, “Who are you?” She questions Stefan.

“The more important question is who am I? Please forgive the intrusion.” Klaus says as he pulls me out with him from the side.

Paige slowly gets up from her kneeling position, “Athena?” She says under her breath as I look at her concerned.

“My name is Klaus,”

“You’re the hybrid.” She says on edge.

“You’ve heard of me. Fantastic.” Klaus responds. I rush over to Paige giving her a hug to let her know that I’m ok. Klaus and Stefan sit on a log and I stay next to Paige, holding her hand, hoping it’d comfort her.

“It’s fascinating, actually. A werewolf who isn’t beholden to the moon. A vampire who doesn’t burn in the sun. A true hybrid.” Klaus explains before Ray wakes up gasping for air.

“Excellent timing, Ray. Very dramatic. ” Klaus smiles.

“What’s happening to me?” Rays asks clutching the ground.

“Stefan.” Klaus turns to Stefan. Stefan then explains how Ray needs human blood to finish his transformation.

“Doesn’t take much, just a sample. Anyone? A boyfriend, a girlfriend. Along for the ride?” Klaus gets up from the log and scans the group.

“You.” Klaus turns to Paige’s boyfriend, Derek, before speeding to take a bite out of his arm. He then tosses Derek to Stefan as he’s pinned to the ground.

“No!” Paige and I say almost simultaneously. The only difference was that Paige pulled away from me to try and help her boyfriend. Before she could even get close to him, Klaus grabs her by the head and holds her back.

“If you don’t drink it, Ray, I will. Problem is I don’t know how to stop.” Stefan threatens.

“It’s the new order, sweetheart. You join us, or you die.” Klaus explains keeping Paige held back.

“I’d rather die than become a vampire,” Paige responds.

“Wrong choice,” Klaus says as his eyes glow amber and the veins appear under his eyes.

“Klaus please don’t,” I move closer to the two before Klaus gives me a look warning me not to engage. He then bites his wrist and forces it upon Paige, making her drink his blood. I notice Ray make his way over to Derek and start to feed on him.

“She’ll thank me for that later,” Klaus tells the rest of the pack, before snapping Paige’s neck and dropping her to the floor.

I make my way to her body and brush her hair away from her head, “I’m sorry,” I whisper in her ear and stand up.

“Ok, Whose next?” Klaus looks at the group smiling.

“Klaus. Let the rest of them go and transform me. I’m sure this is what you have planned for me, right? That’s why you brought me along, huh? To show me,” I make my way to him.

“Ahhh. I can’t make you a hybrid before I have my pack. Be patient my love, you’ll have your turn soon.” Klaus cups my face before speeding over to kill another wolf.

After finishing killing the rest of the pack he feeds Derek his blood to heal him, “There, good as new. Now you relax, ok mate? We’re gonna need you when the rest of them wake up.” Klaus says.

“They’re dead. They’re all dead.” Ray says shuddering. I sit next to him, in hopes that I can try to comfort him.

“Ah, he’s through his transition. He should be feeling better soon.” Klaus observes Ray’s behavior.

“So is this your master plan? Build an army of hybrid slaves? Stefan questions while leaning on a tree.

“No, not slaves. Soldiers, comrades.” Klaus responds.

“But aren’t they slaves if that had no choice? Just like I’m your prisoner?” I stand up almost meeting face to face with Klaus.

“You’re not my prisoner. You choose to be here remember?” Klaus responds.

“For what war, might I ask?” Stefan butts in.

“Oh, you don’t arm yourself after war has been declared, Stefan. You build your army so big that no one ever dares to pick a fight.” Klaus replies.

“What makes you so sure that they’ll be loyal?” Stefan asks Klaus.

“Well, it’s not difficult to be loyal. When you’re on the winning team. That’s something you’ll learn once you shake that horribly depressive chip off your shoulder.” Klaus replies as Stefan just laughs.

“That’s why you’re uh, you’re keeping me around? To witness my attitude adjustment?” Stefan asks and both Klaus and I get to Ray’s level, noticing the blood coming from his eyes. Klaus turns Ray’s head towards himself.

“You’ll know why I’m keeping you around when I’d decided that I want you to know,” Klaus responds inspecting Ray’s face.

“Somethings wrong,” I say concerned as my voice wavers. Stefan bends down to see what I was talking about.

“That shouldn’t be happening, should it?” Stefan states.

“Well obviously,” Klaus says annoyed.

Klaus and Stefan stand around confused and thinking of reason’s why this was happening. “You said it was gonna feel better. Why doesn’t it feel better?” Ray says shuddering.

“You’re gonna be ok,” I say pulling Ray’s face to look at mine. “Fix this. Now!” I demand, making my way to Klaus as he crosses his arms.

“Some master race.” Stefan states.

“Lose the attitude. I’m trying to think on how to fix this.” Klaus responds.

“If you kill my pack. My family. I will never, never forgive you.” I say pissed off as Paige wakes up gasping for air. I rush over to check on her.

“Derek, come feed your girlfriend,” Klaus says not taking his eyes off the ground. Derek without hesitation gets up and lets Klaus take his arm. All of a sudden, Ray growls before taking off into the forest.

“Go get him,” Klaus says looking at Stefan. With no hesitation, I follow after. As I make my way towards the two, I see Stefan get bit by Ray.

“You okay?” I ask Stefan as I catch up.

“Yeh,” Stefan says before perking up and making his way to a cliff. I follow and lo and behold it’s Elena, Damon, and Alaric, making their way to find us.

“Where did he go?” Klaus says walking up behind us.

“He uh, he got away. Forget him. Let’s go.” Stefan walks away hoping Klaus doesn’t see the group.

Klaus stops him and looks at Stefan’s arm, “A fatal werewolf bite. Ouch.”

“Yeah. I’m gonna need your werewolf bite to heal me.” Stefan looks between his arm and Klaus.

“Well, I’ll tell you what. You find Ray, and then I’ll heal you.” Klaus tells him.

“Can’t be serious.” Stefan scoffs.

“You better hurry, ‘cause that bite looks nasty. Athena, you’re staying with me,” Klaus takes my arm. I tug my arm from him and walk back towards the camp. When we get there, the rest of the pack starts to wake up. Klaus just walks around them with a big smile on his face as I go to check on them. I then make my way back to Paige, whose sitting hold her knees to her chest. I find her whimpering with blood coming from her eyes.

“You’re gonna be ok, alright? I’m not gonna let anything happen to you.” I tell her. She doesn’t respond except for nodding her head.

I continue to check on the rest of the pack as Klaus continues to make Derek feed them his blood. After I made sure they were ok, to some extent, I make my way to Klaus, “I’m gonna head out for a bit.” I tell him with tears falling down my face.

“I didn’t say you could,” He responds wiping my face.

“Tonight is the full moon. I’m not one of your little hybrids. I can’t control my transformation. You know I’ll come back to you.” I respond.

“And why is that?”

“You know why,” I respond.

“I just want to hear you say it.”

“I made a promise to Elijah,” I turn and start walking away.

“That’s not all, Love. is it?” Klaus says. I stop in my tracks before heading off again. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours,” Klaus says as his voice gets quieter from the distance you make between you two.

I wake up a few hours after my transformation was finished to find Stefan with his back to me holding my clothes out, “Thanks,” I say and start to get dressed.

“We should head back to the camp,” Stefan says while putting Ray over his shoulders. We walk through the forest and make our way back to the camp.

Once we arrive we find Klaus drinking a beer with the pack lying dead on the forest floor, “They went rabid. Some of them, I killed. The others just...bled out. In the end...they’re all dead.” Klaus explained as I slowly make my way around them. Klaus then throws his beer bottle to a tree behind them as I begin to cry, while still looking at their lifeless bodies.

“I did everything I was told! I should be able to turn them. I broke the curse. I killed a werewolf. I killed a vampire. I killed the doppelganger.” Klaus backtracks.

“You look like hell,” Klaus says noticing the look on Stefan’s face.

“Last I checked, I’m dying…And you don’t want to heal me,” Stefan states displaying his bitten arm. “I had to take him out. I didn’t have a choice. I failed you. I’m sorry. Do what you have to do.” Stefan says looking from Ray’s body to Klaus.

“It should have worked.” Klaus picks up another beer and then bites his wrist. He drips his blood into the bottle and offers it to Stefan. “Bottoms up.” Stefan slowly grabs it from Klaus.

“We’re leaving,” Klaus tells us. I walk off still crying as I hear footsteps behind me.

I turn around after a few feet, “You let them die! You killed my family!” I yell at Klaus before punching Klaus in the face, clearly letting me do so.

“I told you. I did everything I was told.” Klaus says quietly.

“Clearly you didn’t do everything,” I start to cry even more. Klaus tries to pull me into some type of grasp but I just start hitting him in the chest and sobbing more.

He lets do so for a while before grabbing both my arms and pushing me into a tree, “Shhh...shhh...shhh… I’ll make it up to you. I promise.” Klaus says into my ear as I try to push him off me.

He pulls my face to look at his, I can see in his eyes that he fully meant it, but I still didn’t want to believe him. We stand there for a few moments as I try to calm myself down. We hear Stefan’s footsteps approach and before he caught up, Klaus finally lets me push him off and I start to walk towards the car.

A/N: Wow! A part on time! So I’ve decided that Monday will be the new update day for CIB. I really enjoyed writing this part and I hope it kinda shows the dynamic between Klaus and Athena. And maybe a bit of Athena’s fight for her feelings between Klaus and protecting her friends. Thanks for reading!

Taglist: @tristanacarry | @commentaryfanfic | @april-14-blog | LMK if you want to be added

#the vampire diaries #the vampire diaries imagine #the vampire diaries rewrite #the vampire diaries series #the vampire diaries x reader #the originals #the originals imagine #the originals rewrite #the originals series #the orignals x reader #niklaus mikaelson #niklaus mikaelson x reader #klaus mikaelson x reader #Stefan Salvatore #tvd fanfiction #TVDCIB

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all-the-love-harold · 4 years

Text

Chapter 2 - I’m Having your Baby

Master Post

Word Count: 3.6k

Warnings: None

***

December 21st 2019

Poppy was late. 3 days late. Or maybe it was 4. She couldn’t quite remember, but she knew that she was late. She also knew that she was stressed with Christmas coming up, and that when she got stressed her period tended to stay away for a while, so she wasn’t getting her hopes up. Nonetheless, when she was out getting herself and Harry a coffee she ducked into the pharmacy nearby and bought a few home pregnancy tests, just to be sure. She was in no rush to take them though and if she was honest, she didn’t really have a spare second to think about it once she got home. Between making sure Oli got his lunch and preparing things for his 2nd birthday party which they were crazy enough to be having just three days before Christmas. Oh and did she mention that her and Harry were hosting Christmas lunch this year for his family AND hers.

The pregnancy test crossed her mind again when she was giving Oli his bath that night and Oli picked up his doll that they kept as a bath toy.

“Bubba” he said, dunking it’s head in the water “wash hair bubba”

Poppy couldn’t help but giggle “You’re gonna a great big brother buddy.”

She was glad that he was too young to really understand what that meant, if he was any older she’d be getting a thousand questions about a baby she doesn’t even know that she had yet.

“Pop, I’m going to pick up your family from the airport now” Harry called from downstairs “Need anything while I’m out?”

“No, we’re all good H, good luck” Poppy called back “Love you”

“Love you too” he said and she heard the door shut behind him.

“Alright Ol, let’s hop out now, get you dressed”

“Love you Mum” he smiled up at her as she helped him to stand up and wrapped his tiny toddler towel around him. Her heart melted and she placed a gentle kiss on his head.

“I love you too Oli.”

She helped him to get dressed into his pyjamas, encouraged him to use the toilet (he wasn’t quite ready to be out of nappies yet, but he was getting close) and brushed his hair so that he was all ready for bed. Since dropping his afternoon nap, it had been much easier to get him to sleep at night, which Harry and Poppy were both pleased about.

“Right” Poppy said to Oli once he was all tucked up in bed “Have you got Itchy?”

He nodded holding on tightly to his toy.

“And Pippy?” she asked and he pulled his dummy out of his mouth, showed it to her and put it back

“And a big kiss from mummy” she kissed his forehead and pulled the side of the cot up so that he couldn’t perform some kind of gymnastics and escape from his bed in the middle of the night.

“Sleep tight my big boy”

“Night night Mum” he said as Poppy closed the door to his bedroom.

She went straight to the bathroom and pulled out the pregnancy test, feeling more broody than ever knowing that her first baby turns two tomorrow. She remembered what it had been like taking the test when she thought she was having Oli, she was scared then because she wasn’t sure that she was ready to be a mum and now she was scared because she wasn’t sure she could face not becoming a mum again. Her heart pounded as she waited for the results to show. 3 minutes had never felt so long.

“Poppy, dear - we’re here” she heard the sound of her mother’s voice walking in the front door.

“Shit” she whispered to herself as she left the bathroom, making sure to close the door behind her. She made a mental note to come back to it as soon as she could but she couldn’t leave her family waiting, not after they’d been on a twenty four hour flight.

“Hi Mum, Hi Dad” she said, half running down the stairs to give them a hug “Good flight?”

“Awful” her dad, John, shook his head “Can’t smoke on planes these days, did you know that?” he began pulling a packet of cigarettes from his pocket

“Can’t smoke in my house either Dad” Poppy said sternly “Follow the stairs all the way up and you’ll find a garden and be quiet, Oli’s just gone to bed”

“It’s freezing out there Pop” he huffed but started climbing the stairs anyway.

“Don’t I get a hello?” Her sister Addison said from next to Harry.

“Of course you do” Poppy side stepped her mum and wrapped her sister in the biggest hug of them all “God you’re getting so adult, can you stop please?”

“I’m as old as you were when you moved here” Addie added “And I still live with mum dad”

“It’s much cheaper that way” Poppy smiled

“Yeah, you spent so much money in that first year didn’t you love” Harry said sarcastically

“Enough outta you” Poppy squeezed his cheek making him giggle.

“Can I get anyone tea or coffee or anything?” Harry asked trying to get them all out of the entryway

“I’d love to see my grandson” Linda said, turning towards the stairs

“I’ve just put him to bed Mum, you’ll see him in the morning, he’ll be up bright and early”

“Right, well in that case, I’d love a glass of wine” she smiled at Harry.

“Of course” Harry nodded tentatively, not entirely sure he had any wine to give her “Addie, wine? Tea?”

Addie shook her head “No thanks Harry”

“Vodka?” he asked

“I’m fine” she giggled, although a shot or two of vodka was temping after being on a plane with her parents for 24 hours.

“I’ll show you both around while Harry does that” Poppy added and started going upstairs. Linda and Addie followed, with their bags still in their hands.

“Leave those” Poppy said “Your rooms are downstairs anyway”

They dropped the bags and followed Poppy. A grimace already evident on Linda’s face

“So this is mine and Harry’s room” she said when they got upstairs pointing to their bedroom door “It’s a mess so we won’t go in there”

“Never have been able to keep your room clean have you Poppy” Linda added, peering in anyway

“It’s so nice to have you here Mum” Poppy said, unable to hold her tongue. “And that room there is Oli’s so let’s be a little quiet”

“Is he a good sleeper” Addie asked. She knew a lot about babies, she worked in a nursery back home, very similar to the one Oli goes to.

“He’s been much better since we stopped the day sleep”

“His teachers must hate that” she laughed

“They don’t seem to mind” Poppy shrugged and continued the tour down the hallway towards the next staircase

“This is where Harry’s mum sleeps when she stays, so we’re keeping that for her and you guys will all be downstairs

“How many bedrooms is this place?” Linda asked, looking up the staircase

“6 or 7” Poppy said “That’s Harry’s office up there and there’s a studio downstairs, but he never uses it”

“I accidentally told him I loved the album like 6 times on the way here” Addie giggled “he probably thinks I’m weirdly into him”

“He wouldn’t think that much of it Addie” Poppy smiled “Shall we go downstairs?”

“Shouldn’t we go up?” Linda asked

“We can” Poppy nodded “There’s not much to see up there though, it’s just a desk and the garden which I’ll show you in the morning”

“Oh alright” Linda sighed and turned around on her heel with a huff in her breath . Poppy was starting to remember exactly why she’s decided to move to the other side of the world at just 18. It wasn’t that she didn’t love her mother, she just found her selfishness intolerable.

“Not giving a tour without me are you Pop?” John bellowed as he walked down the stairs, lips blue from the cold.

“There’s not much to see dear, just a few oversized bedrooms” Linda drew her lips into a sharp line “That haven’t been cleaned. You know with Harry’s salary you could afford a cleaner”

Poppy and Addie shared a knowing look and Addie turned away from her parents and walked down the hallway towards the stairs.

“I’m going to find that vodka Harry mentioned” she called, waving her hand for them to follow. And they did, without saying a word. Poppy had always admired how easily Addie could read people and turn a situation around in seconds without offending anyone and she smiled to herself because that hadn’t changed.

In the Kitchen, Harry had two glasses of red wine sitting on the bench waiting for them and he had his head stuck in the fridge searching for something that seemed to be buried in the depths.

“What are you looking for H?” Poppy said as she made herself comfortable on one of the bar stools.

“All that cheese we bought the other day,” he said, head still in the fridge “and the dip”

“That’s in the butler’s fridge” she said quietly, suddenly realising that somehow she was living a life very different from the she left behind.

“You have a butler?” Addie said, shocked “and he has his own fridge?”

“No” Poppy laughed “there’s a mini kitchen in that little room over there” she pointed to the door that harry was opening “they call it a butler’s pantry, so we call the fridge the butlers fridge”

“Oh Harry you’ll have to get me something else, I don’t drink red wine” Linda said before Addie had the chance to respond to Poppy.

Harry, who was safley hidden away in the butlers pantry rolled his eyes and took a deep breath. If this was how he felt after an hour with Poppy’s family, how was he going to spend a whole two weeks with them. He did, however, take comfort in knowing that Poppy was feeling the same way.

“I want to tip the wine over her head” Poppy whispered walking into the pantry with the glass in her hand. Harry took the glass, put it on the bench next to him and wrapped his arms around Poppy.

“We could probably survive off the food in here for the next two weeks if you want to lock the door?” he whispered back

“Believe me, if I could I would” Poppy said with her head still pressed against his chest. He placed a kiss on the top of her head and pulled away from the hug.

“Guess I’ll go pull some white wine out of my ass then” he said, only half joking.

“There’s some in the bar fridge in your man cave, I think sarah left it here” she called after him as he walked out again.

The rest of the evening passed by slowly, Addie, John and Linda filled Poppy and Harry in on what was going on back in Australia, it was nothing to really write home about, just the usual kinds of things that happen in a tiny coastal town, known for being home to quite a few Great White Sharks, that somehow never made an appearance on the beaches. Poppy was not at all surprised by her Mother’s lack of interest in anything about her life in London, if it wasn’t for Addie, all they would have talked about would be when Poppy was going to move back home again. She always thought that would happen when she had children, she wanted them to have the childhood that she did, but now that she’s here in London with Oli she couldn’t imagine anything else for him, because their life was here, with Harry. Linda thought that was ludicrous though and with every opportunity, she found a reason to tell Poppy that a child shouldn’t grow up in a city, especially a city without a beach. But, just like she had upstairs, Addie managed to turn the conversation around every time without offending anyone, until she mentioned the possibility of moving to London too.

“There’s plenty of spare rooms here Addie” Harry said to her before linda could shut her down “We’d love to have you”

“I might just not leave” she laughed and stood up from the table “I am going to go to bed though”

“I’ll show you to your room” Poppy stood up too and chauffeured her out of the room towards the living room, which lead onto the bedrooms.

“You’re in this one Addie, and Mum and Dad are next door”

“Thanks Pop” she smiled “I’m not joking about moving to London, I’ve been thinking about it for a while now”

Poppy hugged her “Like Harry said, you’re always welcome here, this room can be all yours”

“Was this your room when you first arrived?”

Poppy shook her head “No I was always upstairs, in Oli’s room”

“Right next door to Harry” Addie giggled “makes sense”

“Good night Addie” Poppy said, putting an end to that conversation before it even started.

Poppy didn’t go back into the kitchen, she slipped straight into her bedroom and into bed. Who knew working full time and being a mother would be so exhausting. Her heavy eyes fell closed and she only stirred when Harry came into the room an hour later and wrapped his arms around her.

December 22nd 2019

Poppy rolled over in her bed, exposing her upper arm to the cold morning air and saw that Harry was still fast asleep next to her. She reached for her phone to check the time, wondering why she’d not yet been woken by Oli’s cries to be taken out of the crib.

7:03. He was usually awake by now, but she shrugged it off, because he did go to sleep late last night and rolled back over to face Harry, placing a kiss on the tip of his nose to wake him. He blinked a few times and scrunched up his face as she giggled

“Morning love” he smiled, finally opening his eyes and wrapping his arms around her “Oli not up yet?”

“Nope” she emphasized the end of the word, burying her head in his chest “either that or my mother got up to him”

Harry scoffed “Seems unlikely, your sister, maybe”

“That sounds more possible”

He let a content sigh “This time two years ago, we were sitting in that hospital room, waiting for him to arrive”

Poppy sat up “Harry, today’s his second birthday”

He furrowed his brow at her “Yeah” he said, sounding confused “I was just sayin’ that”

“And we haven’t heard a thing from Danny”

The realisation dawned on him and a huge smile spread across his face “We haven’t heard anything from Danny- shit Pop I can adopt him”

“You can adopt him H” she smiled kissing his puffy morning lips “You’ll have to give the lawyers a call tomorrow, but it should be a pretty simple process, they should still have all the paperwork we filled out before the hearing, we’ll just have to sign it”

“Easy” he kissed her again “He could be mine by Christmas”

“I doubt it, red tape takes time and there’s only three days to go” she heard the faint sounds of Oli stirring next door “I’ll go” she smiled, throwing the blankets off and shivering at the cold December air. She wrapped her big fluffy dressing gown around her and walked out of the room to go and get Oli out of bed, leaving Harry there, smile spread across his face.

“Happy Birthday big boy” she said walking into his room

“Mumma” he smiled at her throwing his dummy out of the cot “Pippy” he tried to reach for the dummy that was now on the floor.

“Pippy’s on the ground bub”she leaned down and picked it up “mummy get it for you”

“Ta” he took it from her and stuck it back in his mouth.

Poppy reached into the cot and unzipped his sleeping bag as she picked him up “Where’s itchy?” she said. Oli had become quite attached to it when they took him on tour with Harry last year and after seeing Mitch playing the guitar at one of the shows he’d started calling it ‘itchy’ unable to say the ‘m’ sound in his name, and he couldn’t go anywhere without it.

“Itchy’s gone mum” he frowned shrugging his shoulders and looked around the room.

“He can’t be gone bub” Poppy giggled searching behind the cot and spotted him on the floor behind it “there he is! He’s hiding from you Oli” she put him down and moved the cot out from the wall, so she could lean down and pick the toy up. “Silly itchy” she said handing it to him.

“itchy silly mummy” he giggled giving the toy a big cuddle

“Shall we go see Daddy?” she ruffled his hair

“Yeah” he said, nodding his head

“Come on then” she walked out of the room and he followed her.

“DADDY!” he burst into their bedroom and climbed into the bed next to harry.

“There’s my big two-year-old!” Harry said, and Oli snuggled into his side “Happy birthday little man” he kissed the top of his head. Poppy stood in the doorway watching their interaction, heart filled with more love than she’d ever thought possible.

Oli handed Harry itchy “Daddy, itchy hiding”

Harry furrowed his brow “Was itchy hiding from you bub?” he chuckled, turning to look at Poppy “what’s mummy doing all the way over there?” he asked, “There’s room for one more in here”

“Why don’t we all go downstairs for some breakfast, Mummy’s hungry”

“Breakfast!” Oli nodded and jumped down from the bed, toddling out of the room and downstairs. She followed him closely behind, making sure he didn’t slip and helped him into his high chair.

“What would you like today birthday boy?”

“Toast” he said enthusiastically, which made Poppy and Harry both giggle

“Daddy can make you pancakes if you want little man?” Harry offered, searching the pantry for all the ingredients

“No, toast” he nodded

“Fine” Harry huffed pulling the jar of strawberry jam from the shelf in front of him “Jam toast it is”

“No Daddy, Mite toast”

Poppy giggled to herself, handing Harry the Jar of vegemite “the kid knows what he wants”

“You’re a bad influence on him,” he said, putting a piece of bread in the toaster, shaking his head at her

“I’ll do this” Poppy said, taking the butter knife off him “you go get the presents”

He placed a kiss on her cheek and walked off, upstairs to get Oli’s birthday presents. Once the toast was ready she spread the vegemite lightly across its surface and cut it into four triangles, placing it onto a Winnie the Pooh plate that Grimmers had given them when he first started eating solids.

“Vegemite toast for the Birthday boy” Poppy smiled, pinching his cheeks as she laid the plate in front of him.

“Thanks Mumma” he smiled.

“Good Morning” Linda yawned, walking into the kitchen in a very light cotton dressing gown “It’s freezing here”

“It’s London” Poppy admitted “I’ve turned the heating on”

“Good” Linda smiled “Now where’s my grandson”

“He’s eating his birthday breakfast” Poppy said excitedly while pointing to the high chair “Oli, say hi to nanna”

She wasn’t quite sure how he would react to linda, he’d really only met her through facetime and part of her was convinced that he thought she was just the lady that existed in the phone. He turned in his high chair and looked at Linda. He was puzzled at first but his expression soon changed and a big toothy smile grew on his face.

“Nanna” he said, taking a bite of his toast.

“Hi Big Boy” Linda smiled back, placing a big sloppy kiss on his cheek “Happy Birthday”

“Do you want anything Mum? Tea, Coffee, Breakfast?”

“I wouldn’t mind a tea and some eggs” she said and sat down next to Oli. “Is that vegemite you’ve got there?” she said to him

“Mite” he smiled and held the toast up to her

“You’re a real little Aussie then, just have to get your mum to bring you home”

Poppy filled a pot with water and put it on the stove so that she could poach some eggs for everyone when they eventually woke up and she heard her phone ringing on the bench behind her. Seeing Harry’s name on the screen, she answered it, confused.

“Did you forget where we hid the presents?” she giggled into the phone as Oli sat in his high chair giggling away at Linda as she pulled faces at him.

“No” he said flatly “Can you come here for a sec, need your help with the big one”

“I think it’s time you started those personal training sessions again then Styles” Poppy said standing up from her chair “I’ll be right up” she hung up the phone and turned to Linda and Oli

“Oli, Mummy’s just going to help daddy for a few minutes, I’ll be right back” she kissed his head and walked upstairs into her bedroom where she found Harry standing in the bathroom doorway holding what like a pregnancy test.

“What’s this love?” he asked, handing it to her

“Shit” she said, not looking at it “I took this last night and left it to do it’s thing when you got home from the airport and I kinda forgot about it with all the chaos”

“It’s positive love”

Poppy turned it over in her hand and saw the same two blue lines that she’d seen almost three years ago when she found out she was having Oli, and a few tears formed in her eyes as she looked up at Harry “It’s positive H”

He wrapped his arms around her, bringing her in close to his chest, “We’re having a baby Poppy.”

200 notes · View notes

imaginethathaikyuu · 5 years

Note

as a fellow akaashi whore, may i request s/o being the manager nd dating him in secret or something?? idk just fluff i just love him

sooo…. when you requested this you probably expected a short little scenario, but… uh… take a look at that word count yikeslook, idk what happened but this scenario has taken over my life for a week now. and here are the results. (oh, and, spoiler alert: his s/o isn’t the team’s manager… uh… oops? also, akaashi whores UNITE)

most importantly: round of applause for my beta reader, editor in chief, very good friend who has way too high of a tolerance for my bullshit and dumb ideas, @heichou-in-my-head, better known as pip. i don’t know how you do it, but holy shit is this honeybun grateful for you pippy. sorry my trouble with tenses gave you a hard time with this one, but what else do you expect from me? (seriously, thank you for all you do for me! ^_^)

without further ado….. word count: 7883fem reader

“This is Akaashi.”

Back when your parents told you they’d be hiring a new gardener, you’d expected someone just as old as your last one. It appeared they’d managed to find a college student who was the same age as you instead.

“You can call me Keiji, if you want to.”

And it was weird - your parents quickly accepted the boy into your family. You recall feeling as though they expected the two of you to develop a relationship resembling something like siblings.

But after two months of him working for your family, you’d done nothing but embarrass yourself in front of him.

Even the other morning, you’d walked into the kitchen wearing what you’d slept in - a t-shirt and your underwear - toothbrush in mouth, bedhead out in full force, just about to grab a bottle of water from the fridge when you noticed: the boy was standing at the sink washing his hands, eyeing you with vague amusement. You remember gratefully noting that he didn’t glance down to your lower half.

How polite.

The snicker he gave you wasn’t very polite, though.

“Good morning,” he said, “sleeping beauty.”

You pulled your toothbrush from your mouth with a scoff.

“It’s not that late,” you mumbled, grabbing the bottle and beating a hasty retreat to your room.

—

Akaashi ended up doing more than just gardening work; observing his competence and willingness to do just about any task they could come up with, your parents immediately decided the entire house needed some work done. And there was no job Akaashi couldn’t do! He built shelves, painted walls, repaired fences - you’d even seen him under the hood of your dad’s car. He added these uncomplainingly to his main tasks of mowing the lawn, tending to the flower beds and bushes, weeding and re-potting, and occasionally working on the garden furniture. It was a wonder he had any time for school.

You stare at him now; he’d just knocked on your door, pulling you out of a deep Youtube video hole, and greeted you with, “I’m supposed to take down your curtains.”

“…what?” You glance back at your window confusedly.

“Your curtains - I’m supposed to take them down. And put these new ones up.”

“Oh.” You’d assumed your dad would change your curtains, but at this point it’s a given he’d get Akaashi to do it. “Uh… sure, okay.”

You settle back into your bed while he brings a step stool and a few tools in. The silence as he works is awkward, even tense, and it doesn’t seem like Akaashi’s going to break it - you decide you’ll have to do it.

“So, do you only own dark blue t-shirts?”

“Do you own pants?”

Damn. You’d hoped all those times you’d walked around in just your underwear had gone unnoticed by him.

“As a matter of fact, I do,” you shoot back, trying to mask your embarrassment. “You know, I used to be able to roam freely before my parents adopted you.”

He snorts. “Adopted?”

You sit up to get a better look at him. “What, you don’t feel like they’ve adopted you?”

“Considering I go home at the end of the day, no.”

“That’s the next step, Keiji - we have a spare room!”

He chuckles, instantly lightening the tense atmosphere. You realise this is the first time you’ve seen him smile genuinely and not just out of politeness - the old curtains are now down and the golden sunlight shines on his face, enhancing his features softly. For some reason you can’t take your eyes off him.

“I don’t think my own parents would appreciate me getting a new family.”

“I guess that’s true,” you laugh. “What do you have left to do today?”

His tongue sticks out just a bit as he focuses on twisting a screw into the wall. “Mow the lawn.”

“Perfect excuse to make lemonade then, don’t you think?”

Akaashi takes a step back to judge his work. The curtains are up, they’re even, and they look nice.

“Cliche,” he says, looking over to you. “But I agree.”

—

The summer sun is hot. Much hotter than you remember it being last year. And the best place to get away from that heat? Your air conditioned bedroom, obviously.

Your mom isn’t inclined to agree, though.

“Why don’t you get out of bed?”

“Mom…”

“Y/N, you’ve had two weeks of summer break and you’ve spent the whole time cooped up in this room. Your father is worried sick!”

You groan again. “I’m relaxing!”

“Well, you need to get some sun,” your mother continues. “Akaashi is outside painting the fence. I told him you’d be joining him. Get going!”

She leaves your bedroom with a huff, and you force yourself to roll out of bed. You put on appropriate clothes for painting and head to the backyard.

Akaashi’s wearing his trademarked blue t-shirt, paint supplies on a tarp next to him.

“Nice to see you out of that cave,” he says without looking at you.

You roll your eyes in response, crossing your arms and waiting for him to give you instructions.

“You actually want to help?”

“I don’t think I have a choice,” you reply, turning around to see your mother watching you from inside the house. You wave at her dramatically, and she waves back before walking away from the window.

He kneels down to prepare the paint. “I’ve already cleaned it and applied a primer,” he tells you. “So we can start painting now.”

You’re not sure what primer is for, but the quicker you finish painting, the quicker you can get out of this heat - you’re not going to bother asking.

He hands you a large brush and a tin can of white paint, and then walks away.

“Is that it?”

He laughs. “It isn’t rocket science! Just start painting!”

As it turns out, Akaashi had way too much faith in you. You’ve only finished painting about a third of the fence when he stands next to you, having already finished the other two thirds.

“Someone likes to take their time,” he says, painting the last panel.

“You’re just too fast!”

“You didn’t have to be so meticulous.” He takes the paint brush and can from you. “But thanks for the help.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that before we started?”

“I didn’t think I had to.”

“Hey, it looks good!”

Both of you turn around to find your mother judging the paint job.

“How did she do, Keiji? Be honest!”

The boy looks over at you with a smile. “She didn’t do half bad. It was nice having company.”

“She’ll have to help out more often.”

After that, your parents jump at any chance to have you help Akaashi with his work. Without giving you payment, of course.

“You could learn a lot from the boy,” your dad says later on. “You need to learn how to do some hard work.”

“I think we managed to hire a trustworthy boy,” your mother chimes in.

“He can teach you about taking care of yourself. At least until you find a man like him to do it all. Someone with deeper pockets, hopefully.”

For some reason you’re really not a fan of the tone of voice your father uses, but at the same time you don’t really know what he means by it. Rather than being offended for Akaashi’s sake, you continue the conversation.

“Can’t I just hire someone like you guys?”

After a moment of thought, your mom speaks up. “Of course that’s an option! Maybe Keiji will even be around to work for you.”

You nod, not really knowing how to reply. You couldn’t genuinely see Akaashi working for you - but maybe working the whole summer with him wouldn’t be so bad, if it meant getting to know him better.

—

A knock on the front door pulls you out of the movie you were watching. When you answer, you find a familiar face.

“Is your dad home?”

You shake your head. “No, he’s having a late night at work. Won’t be back until early in the morning.”

“What about your mom?”

“On a trip,” you reply, bringing Akaashi inside.

“Well, do you have any idea why your dad called me here, then?”

“Oh, probably for me, sorry.”

His brows furrow, and the smile you sent him only confuses him more.

“My bathtub’s drain was clogged, but I told him I’d figure it out myself. I guess he didn’t trust my plumbing skills.”

“Did you fix it?”

“I…tried!”

He sighs. “Which bathroom?”

“The one in my room…”

You have no idea how he plans to fix the clog with no tools, but you don’t stop him as he makes his way to the bathroom. You sit at the kitchen table and wait for him to come back.

It takes much less time than you expected, and he’s drying his hands with a towel when he walks into the kitchen.

“Did you fix it?!”

He nods, wiping his brow. “Maybe I should’ve used that as a teachable moment for you.”

“No thanks. I never want to look at a drain again - I tried looking up instructions, but nothing would work. I tried for at least thirty minutes!”

“It isn’t that hard,” he replies under his breath. He sits across the table from you. “What are you doing home anyway? Don’t you have friends to keep you company? You know, instead of your gardener.”

“Are you implying I told my dad to invite you here on purpose?”

“A clogged drain isn’t that dire, but your dad definitely made it out to be.”

“Whatever,” you scoff. “I was going to make dinner, and since you’re here, you can help.”

“I’m a gardener, not a chef.”

You stand and begin pulling ingredients out of the fridge. “That’s what recipes are for - I won’t let you mess anything up, don’t worry.”

“Fine - don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Thirty minutes later the entire kitchen was filled with smoke.

“How did you burn rice?!”

“I don’t know - all I did was pour it into the pot!”

“With or without water?”

“…shit.”

—

Akaashi was hopeful that when fall came around, it’d mean less work. He was very mistaken. You’d even told him, “knowing my dad, he’ll find something for you to do.”

And the man did. For a month, Akaashi had to rake leaves once a week - which included cleaning the gutters - and when he wasn’t doing that, he was cleaning old tools that had been in your garage for years.

The first day he does the raking you watch him through the living room window in agony, waiting for him to get a big pile collected.

And as soon as he turns his back…

Your giggles were the only warning he had before he saw leaves go flying.

“My dad told me to help, so I thought I’d give you more work!”

“Y/N,” he says with a groan, but your laughter forces him to laugh with you. “That took half an hour!”

“I’ll rake them again! Help me up.”

He grabs your hand - only to be pulled down into the remaining leaf pile beside you, making you laugh even harder when he groans.

��Isn’t it fun?”

“I haven’t done this since I was a kid,” he says. But you notice that as he stands up and pulls you with him, he doesn’t deny it. “Once I jumped in a pile of leaves my dad was raking, and he was so pissed,” he admits with a laugh, looking happy at the memory.

“Did you have to rake them up after that, like I have to?”

He answers by handing you a rake. “I had to rake them for the rest of the season. For everyone in our neighborhood.”

“God, that must’ve sucked.”

“It paid well,” he replies. “I was able to buy my parents Christmas gifts that year because of it.”

“That’s sweet, Keiji.”

“Enough ass kissing, get to work.”

He walks away while you scoff, leaving you alone to rake up the mess you made - but you both have smiles on your faces.

—

As winter approached, Akaashi was spending even more of his time with you when he was meant to be working. You’d call him into your room for his opinion on an outfit or make him stay an hour longer so he could have lunch with you; you even often texted each other. Your friendship flourished, and the two of you felt more than comfortable around each other now - a stark comparison to nearly six months ago.

He was at your home every Monday and some Thursdays ready to work, without fail. They quickly became your favorite days of the week.

This Monday the wind was roaring outside as you curled up on the couch, fireplace ablaze to keep you warm. You were sure Akaashi wouldn’t come today - the last time you looked outside everything was covered in snow, even parts of the road - so when the doorbell rings it makes you jump a little.

You open the door, knowing Akaashi would be on the other side. “You’re late!” you say before hurrying back to your spot on the couch.

He pulls his beanie off, letting his messy hair free. “I know - the snow was getting bad. Had to shovel my driveway.”

“Tardiness is unacceptable, Akaashi.”

He scoffs at you. “Tardiness is next to godliness -”

“That’s timeliness.”

Your dad walks into the room from the kitchen, interrupting your conversation. “Akaashi, what’re you doing here?”

“Wasn’t I supposed to work on something in the attic today, or… something?”

He takes off his scarf as he speaks, and you stare at his rosy cheeks. His skin must’ve been flushed from the cold - you think he looks absolutely precious.

He catches you staring at him, but you didn’t look away. Before you probably would’ve been embarrassed to be caught eyeing the boy, but now you were looking forward to him teasing you for it.

“Well, yeah, but have you seen the weather? I didn’t think you’d bother showing up.”

Of course he’d seen the weather - but he also hadn’t seen you in a week. And for some reason, he missed you - so he made a point to get to work today.

“I appreciate the work. Especially since the holidays are coming up.”

“Alright…” your dad says with an understanding sigh. “Come on, then.”

You assume your dad leads him to the attic. Before walking away, Akaashi pulls his hoodie off, giving you a good view of his toned stomach when his shirt raises up. And instead of hanging it on the coat rack, he throws it at you with a smirk.

“Hey!”

“It’s to keep you warm!” he laughs before quickly catching up with his boss.

You don’t see him again until you’re having dinner. Your mother invites him to stay and eat, and when he sits across from you, you make sure to give his leg a playful kick.

“Shouldn’t you write Keiji up for being late today, bossman?”

“I had an excuse,” the boy argues.

“But you were a good four hours late.”

Keiji finally kicks your leg back, rolling his eyes.

“At least I showed up at all,” he replies. He looks down at his watch and half-gasps at the time. “I should get home, though - thank you for the meal.”

He stands up and your mother follows him. “Are you sure the roads are safe?” Nobody responds as she walks over to a window, seeing nothing but thick snow falling from the evening sky. “The road’s completely covered! I don’t want you driving in this weather. You should stay here for the night.”

“Keiji, we get to have a sleepover,” you tease.

“I couldn’t impose -”

“I insist,” your mom says. “You can sleep in the living room. Help him feel at home, Y/N.”

“Sure,” you reply. You would’ve given a sassier reply just to tease Akaashi even more, but you were busy wondering about his worried expression.

“Maybe the snow will lighten up soon,” he says.

“I doubt it,” your father says to him. The man stands and puts a hand on Akaashi’s shoulder. “Just stay here until the morning, don’t bother risking the drive. Y/N, don’t pester him too much.”

“I’ll try.”

After wishing you goodnight, your parents head off to their bedroom for bed.

“Do you want me to get the futon out for you?”

“If you don’t mind,” Akaashi says as he pulls out his cell phone. With a sigh, he continues. “My brother is going to be pissed.”

“You have a brother?” you ask, making your way to the closet where the futon and blankets are stored.

“Yeah, he’s 7.”

You had known Akaashi for what felt like a long time, and you thought you knew him well. But even after all this time, and after learning so much about him, you knew almost nothing about his home life.

Wanting to know more, you ask, “what’s his name?”

You turn your head to find him with his phone pressed to his ear.

“Hey, can you put Koichi on? Yeah, thanks.”

You turn back and focus on setting up his futon in the middle of the living room, but you can’t help overhearing his phone call since he’s only standing in the doorway.

“Hey, kid. I know I was supposed to be home before it got dark, but… no, playing in the snow is going to have to wait until tomorrow… I know I promised, but I have to stay here - no, the roads aren’t safe to drive…”

You find yourself feeling very curious about what Akaashi’s brother is like, what their relationship is like; you just want to sit and talk to him about his life and family, learning everything about him. But you’re sure he’d feel uncomfortable with that. It’d probably feel more like an interrogation to him.

It does seem unfair though. He knew virtually everything about you and your family. Would you have to become his handyman in order to learn more about him?

“Hey, you didn’t have to do all that for me.”

You look up and see he’s now back in the living room with you, phone call completed. You were already done setting up his futon as well as spreading out the bedspread.

“It’s fine!” you say. “I’ll get you an extra blanket, too.”

“Thanks, Y/N.”

“No problem, Keiji.”

You get the blanket for him and decide to turn in early, heading back up to your room with a cheerful ‘good night’.

When you wake up, the first thing you think is how cold you are. It’s unbearable; you curl your limbs into your body, pull your blanket up to your chin, but it’s no use. It feels like the blanket is only making you colder.

You open your eyes to check the time; you expect to see the sun shining through your window, but it’s still dark out. You click your phone on and are surprised to find that it’s only 1 am - and also that your phone isn’t charging, even though it’s plugged in.

You switch your bedside lamp on: nothing.

“Huh.”

The snow must have knocked the power out. That would explain your room’s temperature.

There’s no way you can fall asleep in your cold bedroom, so using your phone as a flashlight, you make your way to the living room, with thoughts of the fireplace and a certain boy and the warmth both of them can offer.

You’re excited to see Akaashi already has a fire burning in the fireplace, and he’s sat up in the futon, the hood of his hoodie pulled up over his head.

“Keiji,” you whisper before sitting next to him. “I need warmth!”

“You’re in the right place, then.”

You sit down next to him in front of the fireplace, sitting much closer to him than you first intended.

“You’re shivering,” he says with a laugh, pushing his hood down. “Are you really that cold?”

You nod, pulling your knees up to your chest and hugging them close.

“Here,” Akaashi says, pulling his hoodie off and handing it to you. “It’s warm.”

“Won’t you be cold?” you ask, pulling the sweatshirt on. You immediately feel warmer, and the scent of Akaashi’s cologne quickly takes over your senses.

He shakes his head. “Not if I’m under a blanket,” he says as he scoots up, getting under the two large blankets. “Do you want to lay down with me?”

Instead of answering, you just crawl over to him. He holds the blanket up for you, inviting you under, and you gratefully accept.

“Do you feel better?” Akaashi asks after you get comfortable.

“I’m so warm,” you say, almost in disbelief. You open your eyes and give him a wide, content smile. “Are you warm?”

He nods. You’re sharing a pillow; his face is quite close to yours. But not uncomfortably close. You like laying next to him like this.

“…are you still worried about your brother?”

“A little,” he says with an awkward laugh. “He wanted to play in the snow together.”

“He’ll be okay, I’m sure,” you say before yawning. “I didn’t know you even had a brother. Does he look like you?”

Akaashi smiles. “Basically identical.”

“I’d love to meet him.”

Your eyes are closed now, and you can feel yourself falling asleep, but you try to hold it back.

“I’d like that,” Akaashi replies, and his voice is much quieter than it was before.

He closes his eyes too, but he’s nowhere near falling asleep. He isn’t even tired. How could he manage to fall asleep while you’re laying right next to him?

So he opens his eyes again, and lets himself look at you. The fire lights up the room with an orange glow, gently cascading on your face. And he’s gone; his heart is beating fast, he’s smiling for no reason, his entire body feels warm - and he’s sure it isn’t because of the fire.

He wants you to wake up. He wants you to look at him like he’s looking at you. He wants to keep talking to you, to tell you everything about himself.

But at the same time, he loves how peaceful you look. He never thought he’d get the chance to see you sleeping - and he kind of feels like a creep for watching you, but he figures that just this once, it’s okay. After all, you did crawl into bed beside him.

You snuggle into the pillow and your hair falls into your face, and Akaashi takes a chance and brushes it away. His touch is soft, he’s sure, but when he pulls his hand away your eyes slowly open.

“Are you cold?”

He shakes his head, but you scoot closer to him anyway.

“I can keep you warm,” you say softly, wrapping your arm around his waist and pressing your face against the top of his chest. “I haven’t cuddled in so long…”

“Me neither,” he replies. He’s trying to relax, because he’s sure you can feel how tense he is.

“Then we should cuddle more often.”

“Yeah?”

“Mhm.”

He swears he’s going to pass out, because he’s holding his breath and his heart is beating so fast and his mind is racing.

He’s not sure if this is appropriate - in fact, he knows it isn’t. He feels dizzy just thinking about what your father - his boss - would say if he knew the two of you were here in each other’s arms.

But maybe that doesn’t matter for now, and maybe he could get away with doing this just once.

So he relaxes and he breathes and he closes his eyes, but he doesn’t fall asleep for a while - he has to keep an eye on the fireplace, anyway. He lays there with your body pressed against his, your arms wrapped around him, for what’s probably hours. And he’s never felt more comfortable.

—

Even though it wasn’t his intention, cuddling together turns out to be more than a one-time thing.

For the rest of the winter you made a habit of inviting him to your room, always to keep you warm. And he never really had any complaints until the day you expressed that you want to do more with him.

It was overwhelming. So much so that after you had that conversation with him, he had to avoid you. It was hard to avoid someone who lived in the house he worked in, though, so his attempts were unsuccessful.

One day he’s in the kitchen washing his hands when you come into the room and pull him out into the hall.

“What’s up?” he asks as you lead him around the corner, holding his hand behind you. “I’m not done working -”

You stop and turn to him, leaning against the wall behind you. You pull him closer and take a deep breath, remembering the conversation the two of you had a few days ago, when you expressed your feelings and told him how badly you wanted to be closer to him - and when he told you he feels the same way.

“You already know.”

He tries his best to hold back his reaction. He knows what you mean. But still, he shakes his head.

��I want you to… kiss me.”

He’s avoiding eye contact with you now, and you squeeze his hand. He doesn’t squeeze back.

“What?”

“Don’t you want to?” you ask. He doesn’t reply. “Keiji…”

For the first time that evening, he looks at you in the eye. “Don’t… say my name like that.”

“Why not?”

Blue eyes bore into yours. You know he’s trying hard to keep that exasperated look on his face. You’re trying hard to swallow the lump forming in your throat. Had he lied when he said he wanted you too?

“Keiji… you said you want to.”

His eyes close, his hand squeezes yours tight.

“I can’t,” he says, shaking his head. “If your parents found out -”

“No one has to know.”

“They’ll know,” he replies.

“One kiss,” you say, looking at his lips. The curiosity was eating away at you now. “It’s harmless.”

Akaashi knows that isn’t true. And if you genuinely believe that then his feelings are already hurt. Because this isn’t harmless - especially if it really is just one kiss.

You’d spent the last few months being forbidden fucking fruit - one taste wouldn’t be enough for him. He knows that. You should too.

So he shakes his head again, letting out a breath that sounds like a groan, and he keeps his eyes squeezed shut so he doesn’t have to look at your tantalizing lips again.

“I… I can’t.”

Being rejected isn’t something you expected to happen. So you look down to your feet. You drop Akaashi’s hand. After getting used to your touch, he misses the feeling already.

“Okay…” you reply. It’s hard to speak to him now, knowing that he didn’t mean what he said before, and you’re embarrassed.

You know your next words will sound pathetic, but you can’t hold them back. “If you… change your mind, you know where to find me, I guess.”

And then you walk away, knowing both of you would regret your actions that day.

—

After that, the two of you were back to square one. You remember feeling as if the last few months hadn’t even happened - you stopped talking, you stopped cuddling, you even stopped looking at each other.

It was hard for both of you. Akaashi was convinced that after he rejected you, you started purposefully walking around the house scantily clad even more than before. It’d been two weeks since then, and it was driving him fucking crazy.

He could deal with it, though.

That day, however - that day was the last straw.

He’d walked into your house - at this point, your parents had told him to just let himself in. And the sight he walked in on was something he’d never get out of his head.

You were on the couch…and you weren’t alone. You were lying with someone else on top of you, your lips attached to his. To make it worse, it was a guy Akaashi was sure he recognized from his high school volleyball days.

It was like walking in on a car crash. His heart sank into his stomach, it felt like he was going to throw up, he couldn’t breathe. He wanted to pull his hair out, he wanted to yell, to cry. But all he could think to do was run out. He forgot about the job he was meant to be doing today.

And then he sat alone in his car for awhile.

He hoped you got what you wanted - because he wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to walk into that house again.

—

“Long time no see,” you mumble when you walk into the kitchen. You see him stiffen at the sound of your voice.

Akaashi had taken a two week “vacation”, according to your dad, but you knew the real reason he’d stayed away.

“Wonder why,” he replies, his sarcastic tone matching yours. He definitely wasn’t happy to be speaking to you.

“Yeah,” you say. “I wonder.”

Akaashi can’t take it anymore. Not only is your tone absolutely unbearable, but the way you’d been treating him - even before he caught you with another guy - was nothing but disrespectful.

“Do you get off on hurting my feelings or something?”

“What -”

“You know what you’re doing. Don’t act innocent.”

He turns to look at you, clearly feeling confident. You don’t feel the same.

“I didn’t mean for you to walk in…”

“We both know that’s bullshit -”

“No it isn’t.”

After a beat of silence, Akaashi asks a question that he’s been dying to ask for two weeks now. “What, is he your boyfriend or something?”

“No.”

The truth is you did hate yourself for being caught like that, if only because you were sorry it hurt Akaashi to see it.

“You don’t want to kiss me. But he did. So I kissed him.”

That had been a bad choice - you knew it the moment you invited the boy over. It wasn’t helpful to anyone, particularly the guy whom you had no feelings for.

“And I don’t understand why you’re so upset when you never wanted me in the first place -”

“I wanted to kiss you!”

“Then why didn’t you?!” You know you shouldn’t raise your voice, but Akaashi doesn’t seem fazed by it.

“Because I could lose my job! And I wouldn’t be able to stop myself - it wouldn’t just be one kiss, but you don’t - you don’t understand that!”

You take a while to reply. Akaashi takes that chance to look away from you, to run a hand through his hair, to realize what the fuck he just said.

“What if I don’t want you to stop?”

“Don’t say that.”

“I still want to kiss you, Keiji!” you say loudly, glad your parents are at work. “Even after you rejected me - and you can do it again! I don’t care!”

Then kiss me - he’s so close to saying it. But he can’t open his mouth.

“I’m going to my room. Go do your work -”

“Wait -”

You stop in your tracks and wait for him to continue.

“If I lose my job for this -”

“You won’t.”

He walks closer to you, ignoring what you said. “If I lose my job for this, you’re buying my brother’s birthday presents.”

“You aren’t going to get fired, unless you’re a bad kisser and I make my dad fire you so I never have to see you again.”

He rolls his eyes. “Do you want me to kiss you or not?”

You don’t bother replying, because Akaashi puts his hands on each side of your face. He pulls you close, but he goes slow, as if he’s working up the courage to do it.

“Is this your first kiss?”

“Shut up.”

And then he kisses you - it’s sweet and soft and gentle, and while you expected all of those things, fireworks don’t fly like you thought they would. You don’t feel sparks of electricity across your whole body. Maybe it’s because it’s not rushed, or because it isn’t spontaneous.

But the way his hands are holding your face feel perfect. His thumb grazes your skin carefully, and his hands are gentle despite being rough and worn from countless hours of hard work.

It doesn’t last very long; he pulls away before you can even move your lips much. And when you open your eyes, his are still closed - and he’s smiling so wide.

You know kissing is supposed to lead to more, in fact you assumed you’d be taking each other’s clothes off by now, but all you really want to do is cuddle with him for a while.

“When will you be done working?”

“I don’t know, why?”

“Because I want to take a nap.”

“We can take a nap,” he laughs.

“And I want to kiss you more.”

He nods. “I’ll kiss you more. As much as you want.”

—

You think back on the period that followed with great affection, the blessed honeymoon phase. As spring approached and the weather started to get warmer, your relationship with Akaashi blossomed along with the wild daffodils in your backyard. Even though he was nervous about your parents finding out, requesting that you keep your relationship status a secret so he wouldn’t risk losing his job, you both felt very happy with how things were going. You were comfortable with him, and he absolutely adored you.

When you informed him of your love of spring flowers he demanded you help plant some in the flowerbeds. He told you he’d plant whatever you wanted, even taking you to a flower shop so you could pick them out.

You decided on red marigolds. Akaashi planted the seeds with tender care, and you made sure to water them on the days he wasn’t working.

The two of you bonded over waiting for the flowers to bloom - you were impatient, and Akaashi was worried they wouldn’t grow.

But they did - the two of you were over the moon when they sprouted, you remember fondly, sitting on the edge of the porch with him, both looking at the flowerbed.

“I’m so excited for them to bloom,” you say.

“Me too.”

You turn your head and look at Akaashi. He gives you a small smile, and you feel your heart speed up just looking at him. He’s so cute that it hurts, but you can’t even look away from him.

But you have to; you look around, making sure no one just so happens to be looking, and then you quickly steal a kiss from him.

“What was that for?” he asks.

You shrug. “You just look cute, that’s all.”

Akaashi looks around in the same way you had, before kissing you again quickly.

“Right back at you,” he replies, before letting his hand rest on yours.

You lean your head against his shoulder and smile wide as he presses a kiss to the top of your head. You flip your hand over so you could lock your fingers together.

Akaashi feels something he’d never felt before, not with anyone else or even with you, until right now. He’s so comforted by you; this moment is cozy and relaxed and tranquil and every other word like that he can think of. He wants to be with you, right there, for as long as he can.

He squeezes your hand. He wants more of this - more of you.

“Y/N,” he says quietly, and you pull back to look up at him.

He smiles again before ducking down to kiss you one more time. This one lasts longer, he kisses you hard and makes the most out of the short time before he has to pull away.

He doesn’t want to pull away at all, but he’s glad he did - because the door behind you opens right then.

“Keiji, I’m glad I caught you before you left -”

Your mom is none the wiser, or at least it seems so. Akaashi pulls away from you quickly, praying she didn’t see anything.

“We’re having a little neighborhood get-together tomorrow here at noon, and I thought it’d be fun for you to come!”

He nods, looking back at her. “Sure, I’ll be there.”

“Great! Oh and Y/N, the neighbor’s son is home for spring break and we’ve invited him too. You’ll have to wear something nice.”

You nod in response and Akaashi stands. “Well, I’ll see you guys tomorrow. I better get going.”

With that he walks to his car, and you stand to face your mom.

“What were you two doing?” she asks.

You shrug. “Just talking.”

“He’s a nice boy,” she says with a knowing smile. “But, you know, the Kindaichi’s son has been away at university at Cornell. You know, your father’s old alma mater. And he’s on the road to joining your father’s company.”

“That’s nice,” you hum, trying your best to avoid the conversation altogether.

“I’m just saying, that’s the kind of man your father and I want for you. So we think you should give Yutaro a chance, okay?”

You simply nod along as she speaks, trying not to blow your cover and expose your and Akaashi’s relationship. This appears to be good enough for her as she retreats back inside soon after, leaving you to ponder.

You aren’t thinking about your future or what kind of man you want for yourself right now. At this point, the only thing you know is that you want to date Akaashi - even if your parents don’t approve. Their opinion of Akaashi isn’t really clear to you, but what you do know is that in some way, they judge his home life.

He doesn’t share much of it with you, but you know his life isn’t easy. He doesn’t have much, and everything he does have is the product of hard work. He definitely isn’t away at a prestigious school and there would be no well-paying suit-and-tie job waiting for him in a few years, either, no handy contacts to help slide him into a junior partner position at a family friend’s company.

But do those facts make him less desirable than someone with more money in their pockets?

You know your parents have good intentions, they mean well, they only ever wanted the best for you. But to you, the best has never meant smart or rich - the best always meant down to earth, caring, personable, supportive and encouraging. Akaashi is all of that plus more.

Even so, you know you have to put on a show for your parents’ sake - or rather, for Akaashi’s sake.

And the next day, that’s exactly what you do.

You aren’t able to talk to Akaashi much at the party because your parents are too busy basically trying to sell you to the Kindaichi’s, but after about an hour or so you’re able to get away from them. You grab Akaashi and make a break for it, trying your best not to get spotted.

You bring Akaashi around to the front porch and sit in the same places you sat the day before.

“This is the worst,” you say, covering your face with both hands.

“At least you look nice.”

You sigh. “Mom forced me to wear this dress. Apparently red is Cornell’s school color or something.”

“He really goes to Cornell?”

“Yeah. And it definitely shows in his bland as fuck personality.”

Akaashi nods. “Are you considering…”

“What do you mean?” You look over at him. “Not in a million years. I don’t care how much money he has.”

“Your parents seem to like him, though.”

“Well, we both know who I like. And he doesn’t go to Cornell. And I’m going to tell them that.”

“You’re what?”

“Y/N - there you are, I’ve been looking all over. Aren’t you going to tell Yutaro goodbye?”

You turn and look at your dad. “Do I have to?”

“You need to make a good first impression -”

“Okay, I’ll be there in a minute.”

When your dad reluctantly walks away, Akaashi grabs your arm.

“You can’t tell them -”

“Why not? You’re great at what you do, if they fire you then you can get a job almost anywhere else - and if they don’t approve, I don’t care.”

“Y/N -”

“Keiji, I want to take us more seriously.”

Akaashi closes his eyes and shakes his head. And you don’t want to stress him out with this - you know he already has a lot going on.

But if he doesn’t want to tell them now, will he ever? Will he choose to keep your relationship a secret forever? And will you always have to settle for it?

You don’t know - nor do you really have the time to think about it right now.

“Okay. Sorry. I won’t tell them anything.”

With that, you get up and go back to the backyard where your parents are waiting expectantly. Akaashi isn’t far behind you.

He’d been feeling awkward the entire party. And having to watch you, dressed up nicely for another guy, faking interest and forcing smiles - it just makes him feel shit, especially because if he could just get over his fears of judgement then you wouldn’t have to deal with this stupid charade.

But he also has to admit to an even more powerful emotion: he’s jealous. He realizes that he wants to be the guy your parents are rooting for, he wants to be the one they believe could take care of their daughter, he wants to be the one you dress up for. But he doesn’t even know if his community college had school colors. And he does know that your parents would never accept him as a match for their daughter.

But he’ll be damned if he’s gonna lose you to some goofy-looking guy whose most interesting characteristic is that they go to a prestigious school - and just watching the boy awkwardly trying to touch your shoulder pisses him off. Can’t he see you shying away?

‘Cornell’ tries again; Akaashi sees you flinch.

That does it.

“It’d be a nice day for a drive, don’t you think?” he hears as he approaches you both.

“…yeah, sure,” you reply, brushing your hair behind your ear. You aren’t even making eye contact with the guy - Ivy League apparently isn’t smart enough to take the hint.

Once he’s close enough, Akaashi puts his hand on the small of your back. “Hey, Y/N.”

You send him a grateful look for the interruption, but the guy in front of you only looks annoyed.

“Excuse me - who are you? I don’t think we were introduced.”

The guy’s fake politeness only added fuel to the fire.

“Akaashi.”

“You can call me Kindaichi - or Yutaro.”

He holds his hand out, and Akaashi doesn’t shake it.

“Look, no offense, but I don’t think my girlfriend is all that interested. Try not being so oblivious.”

With that, he takes your hand and leads you away over to the empty patio.

“Were you jealous, Keiji?”

“Shut up.”

“Just admit it!” you laugh.

He rolls his eyes and refuses to admit anything - even though he knows you’re right.

You tug on his hand; he turns and looks at you slowly. You see the exhilaration mixed with anxiety in his eyes. It matches what you feel in your heart.

“That’s the first person we’ve told about our relationship, by the way.”

–

Later that night, Akaashi texts you and tells you he’s done keeping things secret - he’s ready to be more serious about the relationship, too. You agree to tell your parents the next morning.

Akaashi proceeds to demand that you call him when you’re finished with the conversation; when you do finally call him, he spends at least two minutes anxiously asking questions - you can’t get a word in.

“…are they disappointed? Do they want you to date someone better? With more money? Shit - do I even still have a job?”

“Do you want an answer, or do you just want to keep asking questions?”

His answer is a sigh, and there’s a long silence before you tell him how things went.

“…you know they already knew?”

“They… what?”

“We didn’t do a good job at hiding things, apparently,” you laugh. “And they both talked it over last night, and they agree you’re probably better for me than anyone else.”

“You mean I was worried for nothing?”

“Yeah, babe. Oh, also, dad says you have a lot of yard work to do Thursday, so you should get here early.”

“Sure.”

“Wait - get here extra early, and we can have breakfast together.”

He snorts. “By early, you mean noon, right? I know you like getting your sleep -”

“Shut up!”

—

That Thursday, you wait impatiently for your boyfriend to arrive - you stand at the door to keep a look-out for him. When you see his car pull into your driveway, you quickly run outside.

“Keiji, they bloomed!”

“The flowers we planted?”

“Yeah, come on, you have to see them!”

You pull him around the house to the flowerbeds, where dozens of red and orange marigolds are freshly bloomed.

“You were worried about them for nothing,” you say. “Growing flowers is easy.”

“We all know I worry too much, you don’t have to bring it up anymore.”

His words make both of you laugh, and you stand there together looking at the flowers for a while.

“Aren’t they pretty?”

“They are,” he replies. Standing behind you, he wraps his arms around you, resting his chin on your shoulder so he can still see the flowers.

“What should we plant next year?”

“Hm… something bigger. A bush, maybe?”

You nod in agreement before leading him back inside to have breakfast - your parents will be joining you, after which he’ll get on with his chores for the day. He’s surprised at how comfortable he feels around your parents, how nothing feels different. He was worried for nothing - he’d have to remember to stop worrying so much.

But next year, when the two of you plant rose bushes, he can’t stop worrying about whether they’d bloom or not - they took a while, much longer than the marigolds. But all that worrying was worth it for the day he came over to find you sat on the porch, holding a red rose.

“I think all your worrying helps them grow.”

With a sigh and a roll of his eyes he replies, “I think you’re right. For once, anyways.”

He decides marigolds are easier, though. And that’s what you’d go with from now on.

#akaashi keiji #akaashi keiji x reader #akaashi x reader #haikyuu one shot #haikyuu imagines #haikyuu x reader #fluff #scenario #if u read that whole thing thank you asdfjlg

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atths--twice · 4 years

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Well... we have reached the moment that I never wanted to see happen, and yet I must stay canon with the storyline of the show. As much as I didn’t want to write a chapter like this one, I truly hope I did it justice. We all know it’s coming, so...sigh...

Chapter Twenty Five

In Between

Maggie wakes up and begins to feel short of breath, a pain in her chest. She then finds herself in between life and death, needing to make a choice.

February 8, 2016

Maggie woke slowly to the sound of whining close to her ear. She opened her eyes and found Pip sitting to her left, staring at her with his little black eyes. He did not open his mouth but she could hear him whine from deep inside his body.

“Hey there PipPup,” she quietly greeted him. “What seems to be the trouble?” He laid his head down on her chest, over her heart, and whined again. “You need some scratches, buddy? Is that what it is?” She reached her right hand over and scratched him behind his ears, and he quieted a little.

He had only been with her for a few days, and she already loved him to bits. He was such a sweet little thing, always wanting to be right next to her wherever she was sitting. He hardly barked, was house trained, and loved to go for walks, and when they walked he never pulled but stayed right at her heels.

The first couple of nights, Dana had come over after work to see how they were getting along. She brought new chew toys and treats for him, but every time Pip was torn between investigating the new items and staying close to Maggie.

“Looks like you two are best friends already,” Dana laughed as he took a treat from her and ran back to Maggie. “I’m glad he’s taken to you so quickly, Mom.”

Maggie was too, and she made sure to show him how thankful she was to have him in her previously quiet home. He had everything: treats, toys, belly rubs, ear scratches, and a cozy place to lay down in front of the fireplace. She even made him dinner every night and not from processed can goods. Oh no, Pip got the real thing: chicken, turkey, or beef, and she often let him choose.

“Spoiled already,” Dana had said, as she sat at the table one of the nights, shaking her head with a smile, watching Maggie cook him his own personal meal.

“As he should be,” Maggie crooned, looking over at him. “Look how cute he is sitting there.” Dana chuckled as she shook her head again and said she knew he was very cute.

“So, Pippy,” Maggie yawned and smiled at him, as she lay in bed and looked into his eyes, petting his soft head. “What should we do today? Louise was talking about bringing the grandkids over again. You liked that last time, and they liked you. Should we give her a call?” He whined at her again, and she smiled. She turned and looked at the clock and saw it was 7:30, too early to call yet. She sighed, and closed her eyes.

“Five minutes, Pip, and we’ll get up and let you out and have some breakfast." She yawned and stroked his back. His whining remained low and his eyes remained focused on hers. She smiled at him and then chuckled at how such a small dog could make her so happy.

Fifteen minutes later, she was up and in the kitchen, trying to get his breakfast for him, but he would not go outside to pee, no matter how she tried to cajole him. He stared at her and whined, refusing to leave her side, and when she set his bowl down he did not go near it.

“Pip, what’s the matter with you?” she asked as she stood staring at him. “Usually, you gobble it right down. Are you not hungry? Are you okay boy? Maybe you want some treats instead? Nothing wrong with eating dessert first. Let’s see what we got.” She turned around, and he barked at her, running to her legs, standing up on his back legs to reach out for her.

“Pip, what has gotten into you?” she said above the noise of his barking. “Stop that right now. You … oh … wh … oh … the phone … help.” She stumbled to her purse and pulled her cell phone out, dizzy and short of breath, a squeezing pain gripping at her chest.

Pip kept barking as she leaned over the dining room table and dialed 9-1-1. Her breath was coming out in bursts, the pain in her chest getting even tighter.

“9-1-1 what’s your emergency?”

“I … help me … my heart …” Maggie panted out, the pain unbearable. Pip continued barking, and her legs crumbled underneath her. She fell to the floor, and her last coherent thought was of Pip’s cold nose as he whined by her ear. He would be alone, and he had not even eaten his breakfast.

_________________

Darkness and quiet pressed around her, so quiet it could not be real. Were her eyes open? She turned her head and blinked her eyes. Yes, they were open, but she could not see in the darkness.

“Ma’am, can you hear me? She’s waking up. Ma’am, just lie still. Do you know where you are?”

Bright lights, so bright it hurt her eyes, sirens so loud it was deafening. Her chest was so tight and there was a mask on her nose and mouth. She needed to say something, to get some words out. Pulling at the mask weakly, she tried to talk, her breath short.

“Charlie … please … Charlie,” she panted out trying to get someone’s, anyone’s attention.

“Charlie? Is that your son?” A voice from somewhere asked.

“Charlie … Charlie … find … Charlie,” she breathed.

And then … darkness and silence once again.

Hours passed, or it could have been seconds, she had no way of knowing. A weak light began to grow near her, and she walked toward it. When she reached it, she found she was in her dining room, the table empty. She looked around, wondering how and why she was there when she had been in an ambulance, at least she thought it was an ambulance.

She sat down and felt the table. It was so smooth, except the one spot with the scratch. This was her table, but it made no sense how she was home when she could remember the excruciating pain in her chest. She should be in the hospital. What was happening?

Footsteps approached and she looked to her left, following the sound. She stood to her feet in shock, as her wonderful Bill appeared on the other side of the table wearing his favorite pair of jeans, a blue Navy sweatshirt, and the biggest smile she had ever seen.

“Maggie Girl,” he said with a shake of his head. “Look at my beautiful wife.” He grinned, looking her up and down until his eyes steadied on her face.

“Bill? What are you doing here? What is happening?” she breathed out, her hands going to her chest in surprise.

“My love, I am so happy to see you, but I know you are confused,” he said and gestured for her to sit down. She sank down, not taking her eyes off of him. He smiled, but then sighed and shook his head again. “There’s no easy way to say this, and you know I’ve always been blunt and honest. Honey, you’ve had a serious heart attack.” She stared at him, and she knew he was telling her the truth.

“Right now, you’re in between the land of living and dead. It’s your choice whether you move on or go back. I can’t make the decision for you, or influence you one way or the other. It has to be your decision,” Bill said smiling softly at her.

“I’m dying?” she asked, looking at him, knowing he would be honest.

“You are. But there is still hope, still a chance you could leave here, and that’s your decision, Maggie Girl,” he said quietly. She let his words settle within her.

“I had a heart attack at this table, at the table I love so much. So many memories attached to it,” she said quietly, touching it with her hands. “I felt lightheaded, I couldn’t catch my breath, and my chest …” She touched her heart, and he nodded. “The dog knew, my sweet little Pip. That was why he kept whining at me, not wanting to leave my side. Oh, of course he did. His name was fitting, just as it was in the book, he understood and felt things that others couldn’t.” She cried as she thought of the little dog who had become so attached to her so quickly. He must have sensed something right from the beginning.

“Mom.” She suddenly heard Dana’s voice from the end of the long table, a light illuminating her as though she were on a stage. Maggie turned her head and wiped her eyes. There was Dana, looking not at her, but at something Maggie could not see.

Maggie got up and moved closer to Dana, looking at her sad face. She wished she could hold her and tell her she was okay, that her father was there, and she loved her.

“Hi, Mom,” Dana softly said, smiling sadly. “It’s me, Dana. I’ve been where you are. I know that Ahab is there. And Melissa. But, Mom, I’m here. Bill Jr.’s here. And William. William’s here. And Charlie … is here. Please, Mom, don’t go home yet. I need you.” She was crying, and Maggie started crying too. Her girl’s heart was breaking, and she could not help her.

��Maggie?” Bill called to her. She turned to look at him, and he smiled sadly at her. When she looked back, Dana was gone and so was the light. She turned back to Bill with tears in her eyes.

“How am I supposed to leave her, Bill? I love her so much and she needs me. She’s my baby girl.” Maggie began to sob, and he moved closer to her, standing close enough to touch her without extending his hand to do so and remaining silent as she cried. As her tears slowed, she looked up at him.

“She’s an adult, Bill, but so much has happened to her, and I need … I need to be there for her. So many things haven’t been said, or done. I’m not finished,” she pleaded with him. “Bill Jr. and his kids … And Charlie … he hasn’t spoken to any of us in years. Years, Bill. How do I leave with that unresolved? How?”

“My Maggie,” he whispered. “That is where your decision comes into the equation. It has to be what you want. When you’re ready.” She looked at him with her eyes full of tears and he smiled kindly at her. “I am not saying this with any hopes to persuade you, but I have missed you so much.”

“Oh,” she said, stepping closer and reaching out for him. “I have missed you every day, my love.” She attempted to put her arms around him, but he stepped back, and she frowned at him.

“I’m so sorry, my Maggie, we can’t touch, not being on the same plane, so to speak,” he explained quietly, his eyes on hers. “I would love to hold you, dance with you, but it doesn’t work that way, not until you’ve made your choice.” She nodded slowly, understanding, but not at the same time.

“I’m not ready to do that yet,” she told him and he smiled.

“I know.”

“God, I must look so different to you,” she said, suddenly aware that she was over twenty years older than the last time he saw her, and also dressed in the cupcake pajamas she bought on a silly whim. “I’m so old. So many more wrinkles.”

He grinned at her and shook his head. “Not a chance,” he chuckled. “You look just as beautiful as the day I met you.”

“You are a terrible liar.”

“I am. And that’s how you know what I say is the truth,” he laughed softly and she smiled.

“Hey, Bill." Came Dana’s voice suddenly again, and Maggie could see her illuminated, sitting at the end of the table, not facing her but looking into the distance. “What time is it where you are? What time is your flight from Frankfurt? Oh … I think you should get here as soon as you can. Oh, I can't ... How am I to know that? I-I won't answer as to whether she's going to die before you get here. Bill, yes, I'm a doctor, but I'm also her daughter. Well, we'll keep her on life support. That's ... that's what she wanted. Yes. Mom and I talked about it after my experience in a coma. She said that she wanted us to do everything that we could to keep her alive. Her advance directive is on the Living Will Registry. Yes.” And then she was gone, the darkness of the room around them again.

Maggie sighed and sat down, close by where Dana kept appearing, not wanting to miss her if she came back. Bill sat on the other side of the table and stared at her.

“She’s an amazing woman, our girl,” Bill said to her and Maggie smiled.

“She is an amazing, wonderful woman. You would be so proud of her, Bill,” Maggie smiled.

“I am proud of her,” he grinned and then they were quiet, simply staring at each other.

“How long do I stay in between like this?” she asked him, not sure how this all worked. “Is there a time limit?”

“Like when we used to have game nights with Louise and John? When he absolutely cheated and turned the timer back over when no one was watching?” Bill laughed.

“He was a cheater,” Maggie laughed as she looked at him. He winked at her and she smiled.

“No, Maggie, there is no timeframe. It’s your decision and yours alone. We’ll stay here as long as you want,” he said, smiling kindly and taking a breath.

“I miss you, Bill,” she sighed. “I have missed you so much. I’ve been okay, but it’s been so lonely on my own. You were taken from me too soon. We deserved to see our kids become parents, not just me. You should have been there to spoil them, teach them about ships and how to respect the ocean, safely handle weapons, and hear them call you Pop or something silly.” She stared at him, her eyes sad at all he missed out on within their family.

“Oh, Maggie, my love,” he said, shaking his head. “I’ve missed you too. Leaving you was the hardest thing I ever had to do. But, I knew I would have been a burden on you and the kids if I had come back. I didn’t want that for any of you, so as much as it hurt me, I went forward.” He put his hands on the table and she did likewise, though they still could not touch. He smiled at her and she sighed. A light appeared beside her, and she knew Dana was coming.

“Nurse? Is it wise to administer a hypertonic saline to a cardiac arrest patient?” Dana asked beside her, and Maggie turned to look at her.

“Agent Scully, we had to confirm your mother's advance directive, and it indicates that she not be resuscitated if unconscious or requires artificial respiration. She amended it last year. It's signed and witnessed by two retired naval officers.” A nurse’s voice as she stood by Dana, handing her a folder. Dana looked confused by this new information.

“Oh, Bill, I need to tell her,” she cried as she stood up, standing in front of Dana, trying to get her attention.

She took a breath, the dining room disappearing for a moment, and it felt like needles in her body and her chest was so heavy. Trying to open her eyes, she could not do it. She came back to the dining room and she started to cry.

“I need to tell her. I didn’t get a chance. Oh, Bill,” she cried as she sat down and Dana and the light disappeared again. She put her head on the table and cried, apologizing for not taking the time to tell her before why she changed her directive, and for being unable to ease the pain she was experiencing now.

Bill sat down across from her again and stayed silent, letting her cry. They sat for a long period of time while she cried, and when she quieted, they simply sat in silence, her head on her arms.

“We have to extubate her. It's not necessarily termination, but we not only have to honor the law, Dana, we also have to respect your mother's wishes,” came a voice, and Maggie looked up to watch Dana and the person who must be the doctor. Dana’s head was down. The look on her face pained Maggie, for she looked lost and incredibly sad. Her phone vibrated, and she reached to answer it.

“Yeah,” she said, her voice low and tired.

“I'm here.” Maggie heard Fox’s voice say through the phone, and Dana’s head turned, the relief showing on her face as she must have seen him. Maggie looked in the direction she was looking but did not see him.

“Fox is there,” she said, smiling with relief at Bill. “She’s not alone anymore.” Clasping her hands together, she put them against her mouth. “Oh, Bill, he’s such a good man, and Dana loves him so much. I wish you’d gotten a chance to meet him. Well, maybe back then you might have not agreed he would be the one for Dana, but I always saw it. He is perfect for her, the one she’s always needed.”

“You’ve mentioned him many times, Maggie." He smiled and she smiled back slightly.

“Are you ready to extubate?” came a voice and the light again.

“Yes, Doctor.”

“You have a stent on hand?”

“Removing the tube.”

“On her next exhale.”

“Ready?”

“No, I’m not ready,” Maggie cried out. “Wait, please.” She stood between the people who were talking around her, trying to get them to hear her. “Just a few more minutes, please.” She looked up and saw Dana and Fox, standing together, far from her. The sadness on their faces broke her heart.

“Dana,” she called out stepping toward her, but she was pulled back, surrounded by the doctors and nurses. “Please, let me go to her. Stop.” She took a deep breath, and her head fell back, before she raised it again. The doctors, nurses, even Dana and Fox, were gone and only Bill was standing by her in the darkened room.

The table had grown and now it had more than twenty chairs on each side, pushing her away from where they had been appearing. “What’s happening?” she asked, fearing she knew the answer, but also unsure. “I … I already made my decision.” Bill nodded his head imperceptibly and she shook her head. “But I didn’t think it would be so soon. I wanted more time.”

“Don’t we all, Maggie Girl?” he quietly asked.

“But …” She stopped and looked at him. He nodded and they stared at one another. “I made the decision, to go the way I wanted. I didn’t want to force Dana to make that choice. Or Bill Junior. Or Charlie. Oh … my Charlie. He is my one regret. Letting the past hurt us when it’s all so unimportant, and yet we held it. He held it …” She shook her head and closed her eyes. “I tried Bill. I reached out and he was … he didn’t want to reconcile.”

“Then you did all you could, honey. He was always the quiet one, but he also held a grudge like no one could, you know that about him,” Bill said comfortingly. “Once he had it in his head, there was no changing his mind. You tried, I know you did.”

Maggie nodded, but still it hurt her to her soul. She opened her eyes, and he smiled at her. A light began to build down far at the opposite end of the table. Maggie moved quickly toward it as she saw Dana and Fox sitting on separate sides of the table, both looking exhausted. Dana’s head was down while Fox was watching her, and Maggie could see the worry on his face.

“Back in the day, did ... we ever come across the ability to just ... wish someone back to life?” Dana asked him quietly, raising her eyes.

“I invented it. When you were in the hospital, like this,” Fox said, causing Maggie to smile. He certainly had.

“You're a dark wizard, Mulder,” Dana said, and Maggie stood beside her, staring at her beautiful daughter. So much pride and love for the woman she had become.

She heard Fox laugh, and she turned to look at him. So handsome, his face so full of love for Dana.

“What else is new?” he joked, his smile the one reserved only for her. Dana’s cell phone started to vibrate on the table, and she answered it.

“Hello? … Charlie … Did Bill call you? Yeah. Um ... Mom asked for you. Charlie, can you just say something to her, please? Just anything. I don't know. Just ... do what I can't do … bring her back to us … okay. I'll put it on speakerphone,” Dana shakily said as she stood up. Maggie stared at the phone in disbelief. All this time, could it really be Charlie?

Dana held the phone out and Maggie waited, hoping against hope that it was him. “I've got Charlie here. He's on the phone. I know you can hear him.”

Please let it be him. Please ...

“Mom? It's me. It's Charlie. I heard you were asking for me, so ... here I am, for once. What do you want to know? What's the big mystery?” Oh, God, it was him. Her boy, the one she prayed for and missed, after so long.

“Anything? Any reaction?” She heard Dana ask, and she knew now what her choice would be and what she would do. She knew.

“Well, her pulse rate quickened, but I didn't see her move,” Fox said.

Maggie looked at Bill and she smiled, and he nodded, his answering smile wide and happy.

“I know what to do. I know what they need.”

And then Bill was gone and this time she could open her eyes. Slowly, she blinked and felt the pain her body would be in if she stayed. The ache it would cause her and she knew. She saw Fox leaning in, his handsome face, full of such worry. She had seen enough of that from him, and so she smiled, trying to reassure him she was okay.

“Mom? She just opened her eyes,” Dana said in a relieved but worried voice.

“Do you know where you are? Do you know your name?” Fox asked and she turned her head slightly towards him, reaching her hand out to him, and smiling when he took it. She loved him so much and knew he would understand what she was going to say. Her last words, the ones they needed to hear.

“My son ... is named William, too,” she breathed out, her body already feeling weak from that small exertion. She saw him look at Dana, but then his eyes flicked back to her. She knew he understood.

So tired, so ready, she exhaled and left this earth. Opening her eyes, she saw Bill, now in a suit he wore to an anniversary dinner they celebrated years ago. His arms wrapped around her and he spun her around, laughing and crying.

“Oh, my Maggie Girl, my Maggie,” he whispered, spinning her around and holding her tight. When he set her down, she saw she was in the dress she wore to the same anniversary party. A beautiful blue dress she always loved and felt so beautiful when she wore it.

She held Bill’s face in her hands and shook her head. “Oh, I have missed you so much,” she whispered and he kissed her, before pulling her in his arms again.

This was where she belonged, with her soulmate, the one destined to love her forever. She knew Dana and Fox would be all right, and that little unremarkable house would be happy and whole once again. She knew Fox would figure out her message.

Charlie was her regret, and yet at the end, when she desperately needed him, he had been there. He had come back. William was Dana’s regret and the secret pain she held inside. Fox would figure out how to find him and make things right, for both of them, but mostly for Dana. He would, and she knew it.

True soulmates … they had found each other over and over in each new life.

They would find him.

_______________________________________________

Group hug, bring it in everyone. This chapter ... this was one I’ve had planned and written for months, although it kills me a little every time I’ve read it. I wish more than anything that Maggie could have lived, she needed to be there for all of them. To see Mulder and Scully come back to each other, to hold and help with her eventual new grandchild, but like I said, I must remain canon.

I hope this didn’t break your heart too much, as I tried to have it be happy as well as sad. ❤️

#The X Files #XF Fanfic #X Files Novel #Sadness and Heartache #Angst #Grief #Hurting #Life and Death #Maggie Scully deserved to live #This chapter hurts

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no-d4y-but-tod4y · 4 years

Text

A continuation of the first kiss fic! Unfortunately I’m on mobile so I don’t think you can link to posts, but Part One is called Close Encounters if anyone fancies having a nosey.

What else do you do during this quarantine. Enjoy!

———

A Talk In The Morning

Alma woke up late that morning.

Her mind had not stopped racing enough for her to fall asleep for hours. It was as if a broken film reel played endlessly inside her head, producing pictures and words and thoughts and feelings all at once with no chronological sense or obvious pattern. They moved too fast for her to comprehend all of them, but the general gist of her imagination last night boiled down to this:

I kissed Frankie.

I mean it certainly took long enough.

Frankie kissed me.

It was even more amazing than I thought he would be.

We kissed.

I really like him.

I really really really like him.

What the fuck do I do now.

Eventually her mental and physical fatigue became too much and she drifted off with a pleasant knot in her stomach and a big dumb grin on her face.

But that was last night. Everything looked different in the daylight.

Alma decided she’d better get up and dressed. Today’s itinerary didn’t start until noon, but these hours of free time were obviously supposed to be used for networking with the other patrons, showcasing your own portfolio and achievements, and generally just a chance to make a good first impression. More fool any overnight guest who used the late start as an excuse to stay in bed.

Ignoring the urge to tear out of her room to find him, Alma took her time getting ready. She showered, dried her hair properly rather than towelling off the excess and letting plaits a la Pippi Longstocking do the rest, and stood in front of the wardrobe still wrapped in a fluffy towel.

She had packed all of her best outfits - after all, she wanted to look smart - but now, even the one or two designer pieces in her collection looked shabby. What would Frank be wearing? The image was vivid in her mind, surrounded by the luxury of his private suite.

Perhaps he’d go more male coded, with a velvet blazer over a white shirt with a ruffled collar tucked into a pair of high waisted trousers - she pictured pleather but couldn’t be sure - complete with a pair of black crocodile printed patent leather boots. He would tame his hair just a bit, but not so as to lose his distinctive curls. She saw him using a cane, retratctable with a large brass bulb fixed atop the handle. He’d have enourmous fun with that. tapping shyer guests on the nose, twirling it like a baton and making it seem alive with the skill with which he danced with it, and inevitably thwacking various guests on their backsides.

Or maybe he’d take advantage of a wonderfully new group of people to shock, and lean towards his signature habits to the extreme. A rich black corset fitted as tight as Frank’s organs would allow, blinding to its spectators with thousands upon thousands of Swarovski crystals. A few tassels probably wouldn’t go amiss, unless the hotel proprietor owned any cats. Meshed gloves to match, frilled delicately at the cuffs to match the fishnet stockings everyone knew so well. Frank didn’t strike Alma as the type to treat complete strangers with an entirely new wardrobe, so perhaps he would wear thigh high boots with this look. Shiny, dagger-like, ridiculous. She hoped he’d brought his fringed jacket with all his personal decorations. She especially liked the Union Jack flag on the back. If he slung that on over his arms he’d probably wear a cap. Pseudo-pilot style. Leather, of course, studded, complete with a glinting badge on the front, sporting crimson lipstick marks and reading “SEXY”.

She liked that hat.

But never mind the drool - what about her?

Keep it simple, she thought to herself. Don’t try so hard.

She pulled a black ribbed polarneck over her head, layered underneath a pretty blush pink pinafore dress. A pair of black tights and comfortable suede ankle boots and that was all she needed.

She spritzed some of Frank’s favourite perfume across her neck and collarbone.

Someone knocked at the door. A familiar voice trilled ‘Housekeeping!’

Her heart leapt. She bolted across the room and opened the door before she could even think about playing it cool.

Frank gave her the warmest smile when she opened the door. It made her glow from the inside out. ‘Hello, darling.’ She stood there, not quite sure what to say. Still mesmerised. ‘I brought you breakfast. May I come in?’

She stepped back immediately, letting Frank pull a small maids cart on wheels behind him like a suitcase. The cart was full of all her favourites. Pancakes, waffles, cereals, toast, fruit, cheese, preservatives and conserves and of course heaping piles of chocolate pastries.

Frank unloaded all the food onto the table in the corner of the room with cutlery, drinking glasses and warm plates. The sustenance also included orange and cranberry juice (though not in the same bottle) breakfast tea bags and instant coffee.

Alma ventured closer to the table - closer to him - to look at the spread. ‘Frankie...you brought all of this for me?’

‘Why of course I did, sunshine!’ When Frank moved quickly, his hair didn’t look attached. It followed along behind him like a video game lag, giving the impression that he wore a wig. Don’t be shy now, have whatever you like.’

‘I’ll never be able to eat all of this.’

‘I’ll take whatever’s left back downstairs.’ He giggled. ‘I stole it from there anyway. Tuck in then, before it gets cold.’

‘Frankie, I...you’ve set the table for two.’

She couldn’t believe it had taken her that long to cotton on.

He made an elaborate gesture of turning back to the table and pretending to appear surprised. ‘You know darling you’re absolutely right. Why ever did I do that?’ He made himself comfortable and tucked a napkin into the front of his top (her suspicions had been only half right. He wore a mid bust corset under a sheer long sleeved top, dark, and embellished with rhinestones, with the classic stockings and high heels. It would have looked tacky on anyone else, and in the right lighting Alma could see his nipples) and fanned it out over his chest like a bib.

He extended his arm out towards her, palm upturned. Long arms into long hands into long fingers. Another dashing smile.

She’d only kissed the man once and was already hopelessly in love with him.

‘I suppose we’ll just have to eat together.’

All of a sudden she finally snapped out of her trance and found herself moving again. Right towards him with no fear or insecurity or inhabition. She didn’t know how long she’d been sitting on his lap and kissing him before she realised it. At least he was kissing her back.

Even so she jerked away, surprised at herself.

‘I’m sorry Frankie I shouldn’t-.’

‘Shh. Don’t.’ He placed his fingers over her mouth and traced the shape of her lips soothingly, stroking her neck and shoulders with his other hand. She wished she wouldn’t tremble so much.

He could peel the pinafore from her frame and the rest of he wanted to, and she would let him, but they both knew it wouldn’t come to that. Yet.

She wanted to cup his face or stroke his hair, start returning the favour for all those other times. Having Frank touching her was not a new thing: a very tactile and physical person, he was always holding her close, stroking her hair, kissing her knuckles and very occasionally caressing her face. Always careful, always gentle. But despite the obvious reciprocation, this was still strange and frightening.

‘You can touch me, darling, it’s okay.’

She suppressed a whimper. How did he do that?

He gently grasped her wrist and brought her hand up to his face, leaning into her palm. For a moment, he sighed and closed his eyes.

‘See?’ He murmured, turning his face to kiss her palm. ‘Five fingers still in tact.’ He squeezed her hand and smiled at her. ‘Go on now, budge up. Can’t very well enjoy the most important meal of the day like this.’

Alma moves away and sat opposite him, not that she wanted to. At least her hands had stopped shaking.

She had to at least try to eat, although her stomach was already full with knots. There were so many thoughts screaming and running around in Alma’s brain that she didn’t even know what she didn’t know. But Frank has gone to so much trouble to keep his word and protect her privacy at the same time, the least she could do was enjoy it. Even if she did have to watch Frank slather his toast in Marmite.

In the end, they managed to eat about half of it. One small nibble of toast made her suddenly ravenous, and she packed away more than she expected. Three pancakes, two rounds of toast, a chocolate crossaint a slice of watermelon and three glasses of orange juice more, in fact.

Frank plucked a gleaming red apple from the selection of fruit and took a large bite. Looked at her for a while, chewing.

‘Wouldn’t it be funny if I threw this at someone?’

Willpower gone, she just fell about laughing. It felt good to get a rush of emotion out, even if it was hysterical giggling.

‘Oh Frankie I’m so full up.’ Alma sighed, leaning back in her chair and pushing her plate away from her. ‘I couldn’t possibly eat another bite.’

‘Mm. I think you’re right there, sunshine.’ Frank patted his stomach. What stomach, Alma scoffed, he didn’t have a stomach. He could eat anything and have it go right through. He had a body akin to chiseld marble. ‘Here, darling, you wash the glasses and I’ll take this outside.’ She leapt up and gathered the glasses and cups in her arms as Frank stacked the plates and stored them in the cart.

She precariously carried the dishes over to the sink and turned on the water. She hoped she hadn’t been staring.

After cleaning the utensils and wiping down the surfaces, Frank came back in, which surprised her, and collapsed onto the sofa with a relieved grown. She stayed by the sink, unsure whether she was allowed to go to him or not. Weren’t they supposed to be back downstairs?

‘Are you planning to stand there all day?’

She cursed to herself under her breath. Frank really did have eyes in the back of his head.

‘Come here, darling. I don’t bite.’

She crossed the open plan area and stepped over Frank’s legs - thank heavens she didn’t catch her foot and trip over them - and perched on the cushion beside him.

‘Oh for the love of-.’ Frank hoisted Alma on to his lap and adjusted her legs so she was straddling his waist. ‘There.’ He grinned and tapped her on the nose. ‘Isn’t that better?’

She was so overcome she didn’t say anything. Her face was on fire. She must have looked really attractive.

Frank sighed, a little exasperated. ‘You mustn’t be so bashful, sunshine. What is it? Hmm? Don’t you want to be close to me?’

‘No, that’s not it. I just-.’

‘See, you won’t even touch me now. Put your arms around my neck and see what happens.’

She did, and shuffled a bit closer. She wrapped her legs tighter around him, rather than leaving them danglng in mid air and having her feet go to sleep.

‘See? Easy, isn’t it?’

She chuckled softly but didn’t say anything.

‘Are you embarrassed by me?’

She shook her head.

‘Do I frighten you?’

‘No.’

He cupped her cheek in his hand and she instinctively leaned into his palm. She loved the feeling of his smooth skin and long fingers, particularly when he stroked her cheek gently with his thumb.

‘You like me.’

She took hold of his wrist to keep him there. Her voice would not give a straight answer.

‘Alma, you can’t keep staring at me in silence. You have to tell me what you’re thinking.’ He exhaled gently, the familiar smell of him muddling with her comprehension. ‘Do you want to take things further with me?’

She couldn’t look at him. She nodded.

When Frank spoke, his voice was incredibly soft. ‘Then what’s stopping you? It’s almost like you’re scared to admit it.’

‘I am,’ she whispered. Keeping her gaze firmly on Frank’s knees, she continued, ‘I’ve never done this before. I don’t know how. Everyone will know. And they’ll wonder. And they’ll stare. No one would believe someone like you would choose to be with someone like me. I’ll ruin it, I know I will. Once you get to know me properly you’ll realise you made a mistake. I won’t be what you thought you wanted, I won’t be able to satisfy you in the way you need, I won’t be what you deserve. You deserve so much better. And I certainly don’t deserve you. I’m too anxious, I’m too intimidated, I’m too average. You’re intelligent and attractive and confident, in nothing like that. Nothing like you, even though I wish I was. There’s an entire world of people who’d fall over each other to get to you and it can’t be the right decision for you settle for me.’

They sat in silence for a few moments.

Frank gently pushed her head down to his shoulder and stroked her hair soothingly. He rocked her in his lap like a baby, and his lips caressed her hair when he spoke.

‘You already know I don’t understand why you think like that. But you forgot to mention one other thing.’

Alma could barely hear her own voice. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’

‘You forgot to ask me what I want.’ He pressed a lingering kiss to her temple. ‘And believe it or not, sunshine...I want you.’

She buried her face in the crook of his neck and tried her hardest not to cry.

‘Come on, sit up. Let me look at you.’

She hid her face behind her hands. ‘I can’t...’

‘No, don’t cry,’ Frank said rather firmly. ‘You can, you’re just feeling a little overwhelmed.’ He wiped away the tears as they fell all the same. ‘What do you need, my darling? Would you like me to come back later?’

She shook her head resolutely. She managed a feeble, ‘Stay,’ and burst into floods of tears.

‘Oh, sunshine. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.’ He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. He peppered her in gentle kisses, hushed her, reasoned with her but nothing seemed to be working. He couldn’t work out whether she was overcome with tears of joy or utter dismay that a weirdo like him had fallen for her. ‘Okay, darling, come on. That’s enough now.’ He stood up, hoisting her to his waist and plonking her into her own seat. He got some tissues and a glass of water and knelt down in front of her. ‘There we go, try and calm down now. You can blow your nose in this but don’t give it back.’ She managed a tearful giggle and he smiled warmly in return.

‘I’m sorry Frankie I just-.’

‘Shh. None of that, darling. I know.’ He winked reassuringly. ‘Now, it’s completely up to you whether you want to stay and finish the day, or you want to go home. I don’t want you getting over-excited.’

She sniffed. ‘I want to stay with you.’

‘You won’t get in trouble if you leave early.’

‘I want to stay,’ she repeated, much firmer this time.

‘Alright, darling.’ He reached out and stroked her hair behind her ear, running hid hand down to the back of her neck and grazing his nails over the skin there. ‘May I kiss you?’

She let him kiss her on the mouth. She responded with an endearing level of gentle tenderness. Like she was afraid of hurting him. He was delighted to discover she had own endearingly shy way of showing romantic affection.

They sat together with their foreheads touching.

‘You have a bit of mascara on your face.’

She laughed and pushed him away from her to go to the bathroom. When she emerged having pulled herself together, Frank offered his outstretched hand.

‘Come on then, darling,’ he said. ‘Let’s go for a walk.’

#my writing #my fic #my favourite obsession #selfship #selfshipping #selfship community #self shipping community #self ship fic #f/o #f/o fic #angst #romance #i WILL get better at writing during this quarantine #i will practice and form a routine and develop writing habits and an audiecne and become a better writer #putting it out into the universe

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problematicshipper · 5 years

Text

Arranged Marriage AU

(Peter is 16, and Tony is 20)

An arranged marriage AU where Peter’s parents are both alive and own Parker Industries. It’s taken Richard and Mary decades of dedication to their craft in multiple fields of science, but they’re finally a force to be reckoned with. Establishing rivalries with other companies such as Oscorp, and Pym Labs. Parker Industries specializes in helping out the common man, and the help. Donating over 55% of their income to many helpful causes, and even having other family members such as Ben and May Parker open several homeless shelters in the Manhattan area alone.

Born and raised into this new era for his family is Peter Parker. Who is being shown the reins by his parents, and even has delved into biological sciences and some chemistry here and there. He’s shown on the covers of several science magazines, and many articles speak of the Prodigal Parker Son. One such news cover starts a rumor about Peter and the other children of famous scientists such as Harry Osborn and Tony Stark. Claiming that with Peter’s growing popularity among the public, he could easily overthrow the “Pompous Princes” and lead the innovative world.

These rumors cause spite among other gifted children Peter’s age, and force him to become an outcast. Until Harry Osborn approaches him with a wink and a smile and tells Peter that he disregards all the rumors, and doesn’t think he’s a bad guy. Peter immediately melts into Harry’s presence and preens at the approval. He’s glad to have found a friend who is willing to hear from his perspective, and not some jackal from the Bugle or wherever. A friendship is quickly forged where Harry admits to Peter that he was originally set up by his father to befriend him to gather information. But after meeting Peter, he’s thrown all incentive to do his father’s will out the window. Peter is glad that Harry is honest about his past ulterior motives and the two remain best friends.

One day, Peter’s parents reveal they have life changing news for him. They’ve discussed with merging with another company to heighten their goals financially. While they are leading an ever growing company, there’s only so much they can accomplish on their own. This way, by joining forces with Stark Industries, they can accomplish so much more, and open up hundreds, if not thousands more job opportunities.

Peter is ecstatic until he learns the catch: He has to marry the Stark’s son and heir, Tony Stark.

Naturally, he isn’t too stoked about being forced to marry someone he doesn’t even know. He tries to get out of the situation, but his parents are guilt tripping him into conceding and just going through with it. Claiming it was the only way to get the Starks to agree with the merge. Peter calls bullshit and storms off, calling Harry to meet up with him. He spends the rest of the day in Harry’s car crying. Exclaiming how he can’t believe that his parents could do such a thing to him. Harry listens and calmly suggests bringing it up again when Peter’s head is more clear.

Peter never gets the chance because the announcement of the betrothal spreads like wildfire all across the nation the very next day. Peter locks himself away in his room, refusing to speak to either of his parents. He feels like a pawn that his parents are using to further their own careers without any consideration for his feelings.

The only person who Peter allows to enter his room is his uncle Ben, who serves as a shoulder to cry on, and an open ear for listening. Peter asks if it’s possible for his aunt and uncle to adopt him as a last resort. Ben, clearly upset with the decision that his brother and sister-in-law made for their son, sadly has to decline.

“I don’t want to be trapped in a loveless marriage, Ben. I want to be able to do whatever I want - I should be able to do whatever I want with my life!”

“I know, Peter. I am sorry.” And Ben means it.

A week passes before Peter is pulled out of his room to ready himself for the ‘meeting the fiance’ event. He scoffs as he looks over himself in the mirror. He’s sure that most couples have already established a relationship and a bond with one another before going the next step into marriage, but whatever. Apparently he doesn’t get to write his own story.

Admittedly, Peter doesn’t know much about Tony Stark other than he’s the heir to Stark Industries, and is somewhat of a flake. He’s never really attended any of the balls, or awards ceremonies that he and Harry, and all the other future heirs were forced to attend. Rumor has it the young Stark often plays hooky during events where his parents make their appearance to spite his father, Howard.

And of course, Peter knows what Tony looks like. He has to admit, he is handsome. That compiled with all the floating rumors paints a mess of a picture that Peter isn’t sure he’s ready to deal with. He’s going to have to spend the rest of his life living with a total stranger who probably won’t even spare him a passing glance. The thought of his bleak future makes his heart clench in so much hurt, it springs out tears from his eyes. Peter curses himself, wiping at his face when his mother comes around to let him know they’re ready to leave. Peter turns to leave without even acknowledging her or his father.

The proposal party is held at The Plaza. Everybody who’s anybody has attended. Most are people whom Peter has never met in his life. All congratulating him on his engagement. With fake smiles, and forced ‘thank-yous’, Peter steals glares at his parents, who coincidentally ignore him in favor of talking to the goddamn Mayor and the Starks.

However, Peter does notice that the Starks seem uncomfortable. With Howard looking at his watch every minute, and Maria glancing over the crowd to the door. He swears he hears Howard murmur something along the lines of, “Better not be late, I swear to God.” Instantly, Maria focuses on her husband, rubbing his arm in comfort. Attempting to calm the ever growing angry man. Peter briefly wonders if Maria married Howard willingly, or if she was shoehorned into a similar position when she was younger.

The party goes on for a couple of hours. A good chunk of the guests are either sitting down looking bored, or shifting uncomfortably. Tony was supposed to have arrived hours ago. Seems the rumors of him being a flake are true after all. Peter sighs, and walks outside onto the balcony. At this rate he wouldn’t be surprised if he was left at the altar.

Peter gazes down to the traffic below, envious of the freedom of others. He’s shook out of it by the voices of partygoers growing in volume behind him. It’s a mix of gasps, laughter, and screams. He warily steps back inside the building just in time to see Tony Stark finally making the scene.

In the most outlandish clothes possible. The man looked like a mix between Willy Wonka and Pippi Longstocking. Mismatched undershirt with a blazer that seemed to be too small on him. Short pants that rode up his waist, and long socks with two different dress shoes on. A pair of Persol sunglasses perched atop the bridge of his nose.

Tony Stark struts through the party like he owns the place. Lifting his glasses at some people to wink at them, pointing finger guns at others, and flashing that huge and gorgeous smile at everyone he can. He stops in front of his parents. To Peter’s surprise, they seem unaffected by their son’s interesting choice in attire. Unlike everyone else around them who are either snapping pictures, or recording live video.

It’s when Peter looks towards his parents for their reactions that gets him to genuinely smile for the first time in weeks since the announcement. They are both naturally horrified by Tony Stark. His appearance and demeanor speaks volumes. Mary brings Richard down to her level to whisper in his ear. Peter can’t make it out, but it’s clear they’re reconsidering their decision. Good.

Then Tony turns to face Peter, and the air of swagger enveloping him all but disappears. His face softens to surprise and shock, and he ignores whatever it is that Howard is saying to him. Eyes locked on Peter, he pushes his way to his betrothed that he finally gets to meet. Tony lifts his glasses to rest on his head, and Peter’s breathing comes to a halt. His stomach litters with butterflies, and he’s pretty sure he’s shaking.

“Hey.” says Tony.

“Uh, h-hi.” Peter replies in a daze.

Tony shifts in place, and pockets his hands. “So, you’re Peter, hm? My fiance?”

“Yeah.” Peter answers meekly.

“Well then, Peter,” Tony stretches out his arms, opening himself up for evaluation. “You like what you see?”

Before Peter has a chance to answer, Howard is on them, roughly pulling at Tony’s arm to turn him around. Peter frowns.

“Tony, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” Howard hisses through clenched teeth. “In front of all these people? In front of the Mayor? Our supporters.”

“Didn’t realize this was your party, Howard,” Tony scoffs then gestures to all the attendees. “Or theirs for that matter.”

“Tony please,” Maria pleads in a hush tone. “Don’t make a fool of yourself.”

“Aw, come on, mama. It’s what I do best, right?” Tony turns and smiles at Peter who can’t help but return the gesture.

“Howard? Maria?” Richard and Mary rush over. “Can we talk? Privately?”

With a sharp leer from Howard, Tony rolls his eyes as he watches the four adults excuse themselves. Howard makes a brief apology the the guests, and virtually sucks the mayor’s dick in front of everyone before exiting the room.

Slowly, the guests go back to partying. Some leaving after all the hubbub has died down. Everyone gives Tony and Peter some space to get to know each other.

“I didn’t mean to embarrass you, Peter.” Tony mumbles to him. “It was never my intention.”

“I know,” Peter believes him. “I figured the news must have struck you the wrong way too.”

“Yeah, I was so pissed when my parents told me I was going to be involved in a forced marriage. Especially after they told me who it was I was betrothed to.”

Peter felt his heart sink. Was he really that big of a disappointment?

“Because I got worried that I wouldn’t be good enough for you, so I figured I’d pull this whole charade to give you and your parents a chance to back out.” Tony looks toward the doorway the parents went through. “Looks like it worked.”

“Wait, you thought that you wouldn’t be good enough for me?” Peter gasped. “Are you joking? You’re Tony Stark! You’re smart! You’re handsome! You’re funny! Who wouldn’t want to marry you?”

Tony cocked his head to the side, mouth widening in an open grin. “You think I’m funny?”

Peter stammers, “W-well, I… I mean, yeah. I think you’re… pretty funny.”

“You turn really red when you’re embarrassed. It’s cute.”

Peter had no idea how to respond to that. He shifts under Tony’s hooded gaze and honestly, he wants more of it. Wants more of Tony. He doesn’t want to end the engagement.

“I like you.” Peter blurts out.

Tony blinks. “Okay. I like you too?”

Peter groans, “No, I mean… I want to get to know you more. I don’t want to call off the engagement, or have my parents do it. If you know, that’s alright with you too?”

“You really want to subject yourself to this mess?” Tony gestures to himself.

“Hey, I have self-confidence issues myself. So maybe, we can be messes together?”

“Sounds nasty.”

“Not what I meant!”

Tony just smiles and takes Peter by the hand, leading him away from the party, away from the scolding judgement of their parents. They make it outside where Tony has the valet bring his car up to the entrance. He opens the side door, allowing Peter to sit down before closing it, and getting in the driver’s side.

“Where are we going?” Peter asks, excitement overtaking his senses. He’s slightly bouncing in the seat, which makes Tony laugh.

“Wherever you want, baby.”

Peter thinks for a second, “The beach, maybe?”

They spend most of the afternoon and early evening along The Hamptons shoreline, hand in hand.

#starker #tony stark #peter parker #my post #au #arranged marriage #young!tony stark #young!starker #otp #prompt

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duhragonball · 5 years

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Dragon Ball 127

Funimation designated episodes 123-153 as the Piccolo Junior Saga, which is appropriate enough, I suppose, but it feels more like five distinct acts. They tie into one another, but they don’t quite feel like a single storyline either. The first act was more of an epilogue to the King Piccolo arc, with Goku asking Kami to restore the Dragon Balls so Piccolo’s victims can be revived. Now, we’ve moved on to a new act, which features Goku’s training for the 23rd World Tournament.

These next six episodes are all pure filler. In the manga, the story just flashes forward to Goku meeting everyone on Papaya Island on the day of the tournament. The anime went and fleshed out just some of what Goku’s training was like, as well as the training Krillin and the others went through down on Earth.

The first time I watched these episodes, I felt frustrated with the pacing. For one thing, I was hoping they would jump ahead a little and show Goku getting taller and more Sean Schemmelly as the years went by. Instead, I’m pretty sure all six of these episodes focus on the first month or so of Goku’s progress. And Goku doesn’t make a lot of progress, which is rather frustrating in itself. Most of these episodes involve Popo trying to teach Goku something, and then pointing out that he hasn’t actually learned it. However, as I watch these episodes again, I’ve begun to notice that maybe Goku was getting more out of this than I realized.

The main theme of the training is that Goku relies too much on his eyes and ears, and this causes him to make too many wasted movements. Popo wants him to clear his mind, in order to discover a new way of perceiving his surroundings. Only by doing this can he hope to become as “quiet as the sky”, which will help him move “faster than lightning.”

But it’s a lot easier said than done. Popo keeps having Goku meditate, but his thoughts keep drifting to other things. At one point, Popo thinks he’s gotten the hang of it, only to realize that Goku has drifted off to sleep.

Back at Kame House, the boys do a lot of sparring and just hanging out being bros.

Bulma asks Puar to put suntan lotion on her back, but Oolong takes it from Puar, and Master Roshi takes it from Oolong, and then Bulma finds out what he’s up to and smacks him. So does Bulma just live here now?

Back on the Lookout, Popo challenges Goku to catch a cat wearing a bell, while wearing a blindfold. Goku think’s it’ll be easy, but he gets confused very quickly.

Because Popo has a bell of his own, and he was jingling it to trick Goku about the cat’s whereabouts.

Goku’s kind of annoyed by this, and Popo just keeps telling him that if he clears his mind, he’ll be able to see through such simple deceptions. I notice that the common thread with a lot of these lessons is that Popo keeps telling Goku what he needs to do, but he never bothers to explain how to do it.

Goku then asks what sort of training Popo did under Kami, and Popo warns him that it’s intense. Goku wants to try it anyway, so they head inside to a special room in the palace.

Goku’s mission is to fetch a crown from the top of Mount Thunder. I guess they couldn’t call it Thunder Mountain because Disney would sue.

To send him there, Popo uses some machine that shoots multi-colored beams of light everywhere. He says it allows Kami to go to different places, but it sure doesn’t look like it.

Goku makes it to the top of the mountain easily enough, and the crown is just sitting there waiting for him.

But when he puts it on, it sets off some sort of booby trap that causes lighting to strike him.

Somehow, this doesn’t kill him, and he ends up landing at the base of the mountain, in a stream.

He wakes up to find himself in the home of a girl named Chu-li, who lives with her mother and a bird named “Pippi.” Everyone pronounces it “pee-pee”, though, so I’m just gonna call the bird that.

Chu-li’s mom says that whoever gets the Holy Crown will become the strongest man in the world, which only makes Goku want it more.

He stays up late trying to figure out the problem. His only chance is to dodge the lightning, but to do that he’ll have to move faster.

The next day, Chu-li climbs on the roof trying to find Pee-pee, and Goku has to help her get down.

Then Pee-pee comes back, much to the surprise of Goku and Chu-li’s mother. Goku asks how she knew the bird was coming, and Chu-li says she could sense its presence.

Goku realizes that he has to do the same thing in order to avoid the lightning, so he goes back up Mount Thunder and tries again.

This time, he tries to clear his mind, like Popo wanted, so that he can sense the lightning before it reaches him.

And it works! He manages to dodge the lightning.... once. When he stops to celebrate his achievement, he gets zapped all over again.

#dragon ball #2019dbliveblog #goku #krillin #tien #yamcha #puar #bulma #kami #mr popo #23rd budokai saga

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theendlesssummerstory · 6 years

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Endless Summer, Chapter 3/44 - Small talk is for small minds

That night, I was haunted by that dream again.

“Stay down! It’s coming this way!” warned Sean.

“Taylor! Give me your hand!” said Jake.

“You don’t understand yet… do you?” taunted Everett Rourke. “Of course not. But you will… in time.”

But this time, there was something else. At the end of the dream, I was being stalked by a predator. I turned around, but before I could see who, or what, was following me, I woke up, sweating.

Feeling hungry, and it being eight o’clock already, I made my way to the restaurant to have breakfast.

When I entered the restaurant, I saw that Grace, Aleister and Zahra were sat together at one table, Sean and Craig at another, and Michelle and Quinn at another. Jake and Raj sat at the bar, close to the other students. All of them were talking to each other.

Estela sat on her own, a fair distance away from everyone else, but still watching (and listening to) them. Lila and Diego hadn’t arrived yet.

They were all having breakfast, in the form of a buffet cooked by Raj, which included bacon, scrambled eggs, toast and a mixture he called the ‘Raj Hangover Special 9000’.

The conversations died out as soon as everyone noticed I was there. They turned to face me.

“Hey!” said Jake, smiling. “If it isn’t the boy scout who cried monster.”

“Yeah, Taylor, you shot down the party faster than the cops back home.” Raj complained.

“That’s what you care about?” Estela asked him, furiously. “Don’t you realise that if there were a predator, Taylor could’ve gotten hurt? Or killed?”

I was about to apologise to everyone for lowering the mood last night, when I realised something... Estela was right! My life was far more important than their party. And I was going to defend myself.

“Estela’s right. If you want an apology for last night, that’s not gonna happen.” I told everyone, Jake and Raj especially. “I’m not going to pretend everything’s okay. Regardless of whether I saw something last night or not, there is something going on in this island, and we need to find out exactly what that is.”

“I was only tryna lighten the mood...” said Raj, despondently. Everyone gave me annoyed looks, but Estela looked at me, impressed... with admiration.

I grabbed some breakfast, and sat at the table with Grace, Aleister and Zahra. I would’ve sat with Diego, however, had he been here.

“I found something really interesting at the beach this morning.” Grace told us.

“Already, nerdette, you have 60 seconds ‘till I die of boredom. What did you find?” Zahra asked her.

“Well, I was walking on the beach this morning, and found some sea shells that I’ve never seen before.” she explained. “I even went back to my room to look them up in my marine biology textbook, but... nothing. I couldn’t find anything close to them-”

“Hold up.” Zahra interupted her. “You brought your textbooks on holiday?”

“Um, yes?”

“Congrats.” said Zahra, sarcastically. “You’re officially the dorkiest person I’ve ever met.”

Aleister exhaled deeply.

“What a sad world we live in.” he lemented. “Seeking to be informed is deemed ‘dorky’ by today’s youth. I, for one, find Grace bringing her textbooks commendable.”

“You do?” Grace smiled at him, which caused Aleister to blush.

“Well, I... I do. O-of course.” replied Aleister, flustered.

“I agree. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with bringing your textbooks on holiday.” I spoke to reduce the resulting awkwardness for Aleister.

It was then that Lila and Diego entered the restaurant, looking somewhat triumphant. Diego sat down next to me, and Lila stood at the front to address us.

“Good morning, everyone!” Lila greeted us. “I hope you’re enjoying breakfast in our 5-star restaurant! Diego and I were searching the reception area, and we think we’ve figured out what happened to the hotel guests!”

She paused for a few seconds, and looked at us expectandly, as if expecting us to answer, or clap... or maybe she was just creating tension.

“Spit it out then, dimples.” said Jake, impatiently.

“Well, on the evening the day before yesterday, someone triggered the emergency evacuation procedure!” she told us. “It’s a custom feature in Rourke International Hotels to protect our guests from natural disasters!”

I looked out the restaurant window and saw a volcano at the far end of the island.

“When you say natural disaster, do you mean a volcanic eruption?” I asked Lila, which sparked an outburst of energy from her.

“Yes! Precisely!” she beamed. “If Mount Atropo were to erupt, all our hotel guests would be burnt to ashes!”

“Why do you sound happy about that?” asked a stunned Zahra. I found it slightly funny that Lila’s over-cheeriness was having the same effect on Zahra as Zahra’s gloominess had on Lila.

“Look, I know nothing about geology, or science in general.” Jake confessed. “But I’m pretty sure there wasn’t an eruption two days ago.”

"We have a designated shelter on the island, for our hotel guests, in case something like that happens.” Lila explained.

“Then the hotel guests may still be there.” Estela uncharacteristically spoke up. “This shelter... where is it, Lila?”

“I don’t know.” Lila confessed. “But the signs on the trail say we’ll find it if we hike east for five kilometres!”

“I’m going to find it.” Jake decided. “There’s a good chance Carlos will be at the shelter, and while you lot may be having fun playing Home Alone 2: Island Boogaloo, I’m losing money every day I’m stuck here. Are you joining me, boy scout?”

I hesitated, weighing up my curiosity versus my experience last night with the predator. Realising my uncertainty, Jake spoke up.

“You don’t have to come, if you’re still shaken. Stay here and-”

“I’m coming.” I interrupted him, quickly, before he could say something that would change my mind.

“Really? Why?” Diego asked me.

“I want to find out what’s going on.” I replied. “I mean, aren’t you a little curious as to why the hotel guests went to the shelter, when the volcano clearly didn’t erupt?”

“Well, yes, I’m curious.” Diego admitted. “But I’ve also, you know, seen a horror movie.”

He tried to put on a sarcastic voice, but it didn’t work nearly as well on him as it did on Jake or Zahra.

“Hey, guys! Let’s go to this creepy shelter on an abandoned island! What could possibly go wrong?”

“But I’m going with you, Taylor. So if anything goes wrong, I can say that I told you so.”

“I’m going too.” Aleister announced. “I’d like to get the lay of the land around here.”

“Me too!” Quinn joined in. “There are waterfalls on the island, which sound perfect to me right about now.”

Twenty minutes later, after finishing breakfast, Lila, Jake, Diego, Aleister, Quinn and I were hiking to the shelter. We passed some odd flowers, ones that glowed, probably what Grace was referring to when she said that the island had rare flora.

Lila, who saw me observing the flowers, couldn’t help but fall into one of her tour guide speeches.

“Due to its geographical isolation, La Huerta has one of the most unique ecoystems in the world, with flora and fauna not found anywhere else in the whole world!”

Jake couldn’t help but smile. “Sure thing, Minnie Mouse. Recite Rourke International propaganda all you want. I ain’t buying any of it.”

“What do you mean by that?” asked Aleister.

“I mean that all the leaflets for La Huerta advertise it as a Disney Paradise.” Jake replied. “But if you drink in the right bars in Costa Rica, you’ll hear all sorts of rumours about what really goes on here. Employees going missing, illegal experiements, etc.”

“That is preposterous.” snapped Aleister.

“I’m not going to let some conspiracy theories stop me from enjoying the beauty of nature.” said Quinn, plucking a particularly radiant purple flower and holding it to her nose, inhaling deeply.

I, however, inexplicably found myself beliving Jake. I stepped away from the flowers.

“I’m not sure what to believe, but better safe than sorry.” I told the others. “Unique ecosystem or not, flowers should not glow like that.”

“I knew I could count on you, boy scout.” said Jake, before turning to face Quinn. “As for you, Pippi Longstocking... don’t blame me when you grow two noses.”

We walked on, and I found myself walking next to Aleister. Despite his antisocial and offputting personality, I decided to try and make small talk with him.

“Hey, Aleister, have you seen any good TV shows recently?” I asked him.

“Does it look like I’ve been accepted for a Master’s degree in law because I spend my days watching reality TV about overly-tanned simpletons?” he snapped back.

“I’m just trying to make small talk.” I told him.

“Small talk is for small minds, Taylor. And I don’t associate myself with either of them.” Aleister told me.

I turned away, thinking that was the end of the conversation, but Aleister went on.

“My father never believed I had what it takes to get a PhD.” Aleister continued. “Despite my flashes of academic brilliance, including, but not limited to, Level 6s in my SATs, 10 A*s at GCSE and 3 A*s at A Levels. So that’s why I only tolerate intelligence, Taylor - because after my Master’s, I’m going to get my PhD, and prove that bastard wrong.”

“You’re an intelligent young man, Aleister.” I complimented him. “If anyone can get a PhD, it’s you.”

Aleister just blinked. “I know.”

We reached the shelter about an hour later. Lila pushed open the doors, revealing it to be as abandoned as The Celestial.

The left wall had mostly crumbled away, revealing a large hole. I cautiously approached it... and involuntarily screamed when something jumped out of it!

That something was a blue fox, who, panicked, ran to the far corner of the shelter. Frost formed on the wall behind him.

“He-hello?” I asked the fox, stunned and not sure what to say or do.

“Can we agree that’s not a real animal?” asked Jake.

“What... is it?” asked a confused Aleister.

“Um, literally the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” replied Quinn, beaming.

“But what is he scared of?” asked Diego.

I didn’t have much time to make sense of the situation, because when I looked back into the hole, some eyes had suddenly appeared - the same predator that I saw last night!

The predator, which turned out to be a tiger, leaped out and started to approach the fox!

“That!” replied Aleister. “It’s scared of that!”

“You think?” Lila asked him, sarcastically.

“Maverick, what do we do?” I asked Jake, figuring that he was the one here most able to deal with the situation.

But for the first time, I saw him scared.

“Don’t... move.” he managed.

#endless summer #mc x estela #estela x mc #lila sethi #jake mckenzie #diego ortiz soto #grace hall #sean gayle #estela montoya #quinn kelly #aleister rourke #zahra namazi #raj bhandarkar #craig hsiao #michelle nguyen #the endless summer story #playchoices #choices stories you play

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cooperjones2020 · 7 years

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Nobodies Nobody Knows

Summary: She is the lamp in Hero’s tower, the scissors in Delilah’s hand, the blood in Guinevere’s bed. She is a million and one metaphors and all of them are his undoing.

part 1/?

Some of the scenes from Second City but from Jughead's perspective. More a character exercise than a story.

Apparently I have no self-restraint and need to post things as soon as they’re completed, which now means I’m out of pre-written material so stuff may take longer. Also I really wanted to use this title and Algren strikes me as someone Jughead would like.

(ao3->http://archiveofourown.org/works/11434950/chapters/25623927)

By the time Sunday night rolls around, Jughead Jones wants a beer, a shower, and several hours uninterrupted with his Netflix. He has been doing line edits on his new manuscript for ten hours, sitting hunched over his coffee table. Because he’s a grown-ass man and he doesn’t own a desk.

So, more than the beer, the shower, and the Netflix, he wants to grunt and sweat and expend some goddamn energy until his muscles are as tired as his eyes.

But, instead of any of those things — those blessedly simple, easy to satisfy desires — because the universe has a fucking sadistic sense of humor — he walks into Mary Andrews’s house to find Betty Cooper.

Now that he thinks about it, Mary had looked surprised when she’d opened the door. But he’d pushed his way in and made himself at home the way he’d been doing since he was 19. Mike was expecting him. They had a date with some wood.

It’s not a creepy sex thing. He’s taken up woodworking and furniture restoration.

Expect Mike is in London. Halfway down the hallway, her words stop him cold. “Here, come into the living room, I’m having dinner with Betty.”

“Betty.” He only knows one Betty. “Betty Cooper?” Red alert. SOS. All hands on deck.

“Of course Betty Cooper. Didn’t I tell you she was moving here?”

“No actually, I don’t think you did.” He doesn’t know how much Mary knows, doesn’t know if it’s truly an oversight on her part or if Archie has told her something and she thinks she’s helping him by keeping him in the dark about Betty. If it’s the latter, she is. Or she was, anyway.

But she’s already pushed past him into the living room. There’s nothing else for it.

Betty Cooper is every bit as beautiful as she was ten years ago. More so. And he swears his heart stops in his chest when he rounds the corner and sees her for the first time.

He truly hasn’t seen her since high school. He doesn’t have a facebook, doesn’t follow her on instagram. She may have featured in a few of Archie’s posts over the years, but he’s always told his eyes to slide off of her. To not linger on what he can never have. She looks older. No shit. But more mature, more relaxed. Her neck looks longer and her hair shorter. It is still a beam of sunlight.

Jughead Jones is a writer. And he likes to think he’s at least okay at it. He trades in metaphor and simile, synechdoche and metonym. But his entire life, every time he’s seen her, the only thing that’s shot through him, the only word he’s been able to grab onto and hold is sunlight. The color, the warmth, the feeling.

When she says hello and reaches out a hand, he takes it automatically. Something somewhere in his nervous system is misfiring. He’s pretty sure he says her name.

“Can I get you some food, Jug?”

Ah yes, a distraction. “Always Mary. Do you even have to ask?”

Of course that means Mary turns back to the kitchen, so Jughead is left sitting across from Betty Cooper, staring at her like she’s a goddamn ghost. Betty, forever her mother’s daughter, manages to make small talk.

“Did you say something about a desk?”

“A—? Oh yeah. Mike and I are restoring this turn-of-the-century roll-top desk Mary found at an estate sale. It was gift when The Final Fissure hit the bestseller list.” Idiot. Stop bragging.

But then he notices color creeping her up chest and her eyes slide to the right. Where what he assumes is her purse sits in front of the fireplace with a very familiar cover peaking out of the top. Before he gives himself a chance to think, he picks it up.

“If you ask me if I want an autograph, I’ll clock you.”

“I would never.”

It’s a paperback, and it feels like a pretty new one. The pages are crisp and there’s no crack in the spine. He thumbs through it.

“Why, Betty Cooper, no annotations? I’m shocked.” That’s good, Jug. That’s almost funny.

“Actually—that might be my second copy. I got to the airport way too early and, in a whirlwind of productivity, I’d already shipped all my books here—well not here, cause they’re in Lexington at the moment—but I didn’t have anything to read and I’d already finished the newspaper and it was on display in Hudson’s. I picked it up just to look at but before I knew it you’d sucked me back in. So I bought it so I’d have something to do on the plane.”

There are many threads in that spiel on which he’d like to tug—Lexington?—but at the knowledge that she not only found his writing compelling but found it compelling enough to buy two copies of his book, his heart swells up in his chest and he can’t breathe.

“Hey you don’t have to justify buying my book to me.”

He’d actually thought about sending her a copy, before it first came out. He debates telling her that, just to see how she’d react.

But then Mary returns.

“Here you go, Jug. Let me know if you need anything else.”

Logically, he doesn’t. So he accepts his plate and turns tail for the basement, trying to ignore the ball of string that wants to lead him out of the labyrinth, up the stairs, right to where Betty sits.

So many questions run through Jughead Jones’s mind the first time he sets eyes on Betty Cooper in ten years. But above all he wants to ask her, Who are you now, Betts? How did you get here from there, Betts? What happened to you when I left you? Did you find the strength I always knew you had?

For a while, he loses himself in the slog of paint stripper, sand paper, and power tools. He tries not to think about the fact that they’re almost certainly talking about him. He wants to know what she’s asking Mary. He wants to know what Mary’s telling her. He’s ashamed when he considers creeping up the stairs to listen at the doorway.

When he emerges a few hours later, most of the lights on the first floor have been extinguished. But for the glow creeping its way down the hallway from the kitchen, slipping its fingers into Betty’s hair where she sleeps on the living room couch, an afghan slipping off one shoulder.

He gives himself a moment just to look at her. When the moment passes, he turns and Mary is watching him from the doorway, a mug of tea cupped in her hands.

“How’d it go?” There’s a look in her eyes he can’t quite decipher, but he’d bet his next advance it’s not about his pet project.

“Slow progress. I’m trying not to damage the wood when I remove the old varnish. It’s like the Battle of Verdun but for my patience. When’d you lose Sleeping Beauty over here?

“An hour and half or so ago. I was going to just let her sleep on the couch but I’d forgotten you were here. Maybe you could carry her upstairs.” Everything inside him screams out yes: yes, take her in your arms again; yes, press your cheek to her hair; yes, match the rhythm of her heartbeat to yours. But everything also screams out no: no, don’t torture yourself; no, she wouldn’t want it; no, you have no right. The two everythings wrench him apart.

But then, before he can respond: “I’m awake!” And so she is.

“Hey Pippi Longstocking.” He wonders how many more mediocre movie references he can jam into tonight.

“Betty, you’re welcome to sleep in the guest room upstairs. But if you want to go home, I’m sure Jughead can take you.” His stomach twists in two different directions again.

“Oh no that’s alright, Mary. I can just take the L.” Like hell she can.

“No, Betty, you’re not riding the red line home by yourself this late at night.” He is not being a caveman. He would say that to anyone. Hell, he wouldn’t ride the red line at midnight by himself. Especially not if there’s been a game tonight — which he thinks there has been. And he looks scary. He has a leather jacket!

“Jug’s right, honey. It’s not safe and you’re so new to the city anyway. Let him take you home.”

He’s not quite sure how, because he can tell she doesn’t want to, but Mary somehow convinces her. He tries to mentally prepare himself to have her on the back of his bike, touching him, a twisted version of his sixteen-year-old self’s fantasy come to life.

When Mary has kissed his helmet and vanished back into the house, he asks, “So where to, Miss Daisy?” Update: the answer is one. One more mediocre movie reference.

She names an address near the Newberry. “Of course you live in River North.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Ask me again in a month if you haven’t figured it out.” Stupid. Betty in Chicago is not equal to Betty in his life. He will not try to parse whether this is a fantasy or a nightmare. He will not let himself hope. Hope is not for people like him.

“And where do you live?”

“In Logan Square. And before you say anything, I lived there before the hipsters moved in.” More stupid. She’ll definitely latch onto that.

She does. “Really? Before the hipsters moved in? Well okay then. By all means, continue to proselytize on the ills of gentrification.”

He snaps his visor shut and swings a leg over the bike.

He takes her down Lake Shore Drive though it’s slightly out of the way, so they can enjoy the juxtaposition of the city lights and the deep, dark lake. In the night air, her arms burn where they touch his chest.

When they get to her building, she awkwardly climbs off and he stows the helmet in a saddlebag.

Then she touches him. “Thanks, Juggie.”

He sucks in a breath. He feels the point of contact, the nickname, zing through his system. She, too, seems to realize what she’s done.

He can’t help himself. He slides a hand down her arm, cupping her elbow, before bringing it to rest atop hers. He lifts it and squeezes, says, “Night Betts.”

“Night.” He watches her slip into her building, then kicks the bike to life and roars away. He takes the corner as sharply as he can get away with and heads toward the expressway.

#bughead fanfiction #riverdale fanfiction #bughead #betty cooper #jughead jones #riverdale #mine #second city

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