#slight crush on the guy perchance

[raylaserfrog-yuri]

*slides into frame*

....Fake Rayman hcs? Just based on ur own interp. Or mine if u want. Or both. IDK!!!

YES. YESS. IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE.

Okay, SO. this’ll have hc for these specific versons of fakeman, since i love most of the theories on what he is (raymesis, robot / ai, and clone)

Robot / ai fakeman: He has an E branded on him somewhere, I just know it. His limbs kinda work as how a magnet repels each other, just controlled enough to be believable.

Personally wise— he tries very hard to imitate Rayman the best he can, usually through old recordings of the late night eden show and old news interviews. When he’s on stage, he moves how the normal Rayman does— after all, he was programmed that way. But, when he’s offstage, its almost like he’s just. tossed aside. never to be needed until the next day. He doesn’t feel much about it, but something in him makes it feel… wrong.

ai / robot Fakeman also has moments where he does glitch out, considering he was probably made at a rushed moments notice. He was probably created around the time Rayman had gotten that call in his home when he was drunk. Even then, that call was probably used to get voice modules, as well as past calls that he’s probably taken. (assuming eden records phone calls too, which they probably do.)

I feel like Ai/Robotic Fakeman would be very curious about how real people (in a general sense, which includes hybrids and even ramon) live. How they act, why emotions drive them to do the things they do. It’s fascinating to him, and it even can cause him sometimes to wonder what it would be like to be… well, alive.

Clone Fakeman: honestly he acts more dead inside than ramon does. While robotic/ai has more curiosity, clone is just… a husk. only time he feels alive or wanting purpose is when he’s in the limelight. otherwise, he’s just the same husk he used to be.

His brain was probably wired to LOVE the feeling of being cheered, appreciated on stage, loved. And because of that, it makes him more attached, more likely to stick to eden’s side (cough cough “Without them, I’m nothing! THEY SAVED MY LIFE!” type shit)

Also, because he’s made with organic material he sometimes just. falls apart. like. like skin. just falls. and lums just fly out because Eden doesn’t know what they’re doing when it comes to making clones.

Raymesis Fakeman: I am so convinced this guy became the replacement JUST to fuck with rayman. I’m very positive. He was probably told to do it by Mr Dark, which if he’s still in this is probably in a high power (or yk maybe hes just fucking dead we don’t know atp).

I can imagine him having the FATTEST EGO known to man knowing that he’s taken Rayman’s job. If they ever had a confrontation I just know this mf would cackle his ass off laughing at what Ramon had become.

Though, he has his annoyances. For one, he hates having to wear makeup and contacts ALL THE GOD DAMN TIME. Like every fucking waking moment this poor thingamajig is sweaty and uncomfortable because of the PACKED ON MAKEUP to hide his skin. Also Eden forced him to dye his hair blond. Because obviously they did, they’re fucking annoying. Oh yeah, and he can’t swear. Which is funny because I just know Raymesis cusses in every single sentence he says.

Raymesis has literally lived in Rayman’s shadow for fuck knows how long. But I also feel like once he truly sees what Eden has done and is continuing to do, he’s gonna feel… a bit conflicted. perchance join his side.

okay ramble done tehe

[totalfknloser]

perchance some zakk headcanons of him falling for/dating the short chubby girl who likes a lot of pink and pastels and rainbows but still metal like he does? this may or may not be a self insert 😅

YES OH MY GOD UR LITERALLY JUST LIKE ME!! (i’m short and chubby and just like that) also sfw pretty please tell me if u want a smut ver!

.°⛧ .♡. ⛧°.

⛧ Zakk thought he would only stick to one night stands and shit like that but you were perfect to him after you somehow got your way through his strong as steel barrier to his heart.

⛧ he would’ve thought you’d listen to soft stuff like djo or some shit like that but when you said you like metal and listed some of his favorite bands that really did spark something in him and he started taking a slight interest in you.

⛧ once you guys got closer and would start hanging out more that little spark got bigger and more obnoxious every time he saw you.

⛧ sometimes when you guys would hang out you’d either chill at yours or his place together just listening to whatever metal you both liked and talked or whatever and that would happen more often after a while.

⛧ you and Zakk would blow all your money at the record store he originally met Brodie at (yeah i definitely remember the name of the store pshh totally it’s not like i haven’t rewatched this movie in months) and sometimes Brodie would tag along with you which sometimes would make Zakk a tiny bit jealous.

⛧ as you became more comfortable around Zakk you would start to grow a crush on him but of course you unaware he had felt the same but for a way longer period of time.

⛧ eventually Zakk grew somehow bigger balls and finally asked you out and you almost cried with joy while you said yes but of course Zakk still put on a tough face and acted like he barely cared at first.

⛧ you and Zakk would do lots of fun and interesting things together even if he acted like he hated it. for example you’d brush his hair and put bows in it although he’d rather die than go out like that or as i said in past headcanons, let you do his nails but i think the only colors he would let you paint them is silver or black. you’d teach him all about how to care for himself wether it was skincare or something deeper like emotional care which is totally alien to him cause as much as he acts like he doesn’t need to do that much for himself he does.

⛧ the two of you would cuddle on his bed for sure. he would probably be the big spoon or maybe he would just have you lay on top of him. whenever you fell asleep together and you woke up first you would pepper him with kisses on his face, jaw, and neck to wake him up. on the other scenario, zakk would just keep you with him till you were awake even if it meant hours. or maybe he’d fall back asleep with you in his arms.

⛧ you’d get weird looks by being with Zakk. everyone would always think you’d want some like preppy guy who was an all A+ student growing up or something but you want Zakk and only him. he is perfect for you.

⛧ if some guy or anyone ever hit on you or something related the absolute least Zakk would do is spit on them and call them a vulgar insult or something.

⛧ with everyone else Zakk would always be a rough meanie, but he was always sweet, soft, and low with you.

.°⛧ .♡. ⛧°.

this was like super long but i rlly like this idea and it was fun so here u go pls tell me if u want a smut ver or just want more or whatever

[dream-meister-translations]

ROUGE - VOICE COLLECTION

━

"This tavern has the most delicious sake. It tastes even better if it's someone else's treat♪"

"I like how serious and hardworking you are, but couldn't you loosen up a bit sometimes?"

"Welp. I'm totally broke again. But, you gotta take a gamble, right?"

"Um~ Do I have to go too?"

"I don't have a clue what's going on. Let's sing!"

"Ah, you really think I'm such a bad guy? I just like to drink a little bit and have a slight money problem."

"Hey there Emma. Is there someone you have a crush on? Why don't you tell me all about it?"

"Hey, will you listen to my song? I've been desperately awaiting a chance to perform it for you."

"Whenever I can't put my feelings into words, I put them into song. Do you understand that?"

"Are you falling in love with me now? Hehe~ I'm only kidding, you and I are good friends♪"

"First we were friends. Then we were family. What would you consider our relationship now?"

"When I see how hard you work, I can't help but cheer you on."

"Now, where is the tavern…"

"Don't be discouraged, smile and laugh!"

"You should sing whatever you want, with whoever you want, and live life how you want."

"You're always going all out. That's what makes you so dazzling."

"I wonder what it sounds like when you fall in love. It must be a happy melody."

"This is the time when good girls should go to bed… Fufu, if you want, we can stay up and be naughty together."

"There are so many emotions that can be portrayed through song. Joy and sorrow. And love too, you know?"

"Thanks for staying up late with me. You've inspired me to write a new song."

"Where shall we go? I recommend a tavern!"

"I had such a wonderful time today♪ You can ask me out again whenever you want. I'm always free!"

"I don't usually sing for free. You're gonna have to reward me later~"

"Okay, I'll sing for you, but don't go falling in love with me."

"You want me to sing for you? Well, if you ask me nicely~"

"I'm flustered? I think I had a little too much to drink…"

"You know why I'm a little out of sorts right now? I ordered way too many drinks last night and now I'm broke again!"

"Do I smell like alcohol? I try not to spill, but…"

"Oh, my head hurts…I feel like I'm gonna throw up…This is a really bad hangover."

"Emma, don't look at me with those judgy eyes. It makes me sad."

"Keep your posture straight and relax your shoulders, now sing♪"

"When you sing, make sure you sing from your stomach. Okay, while you practice that, Gran, lend me some money~~!"

"I'm not trying to flatter you, but every time I give you a vocal lesson you seem to get better and better. Even I'm amazed at how fast you are learning."

"What? It's because I'm good at teaching? You say the cutest things~"

"Fufu, another person drawn in by my charms~"

"It's a perfect day for a date, isn't it?"

"You've been really busy lately, haven't you? It's important to have fun once in a while."

"When I go out with you, I often get inspired to write new songs. Are you the goddess of music perchance?"

"You want to write a poem together? It's sure to be a passionate tale."

"How about we make the theme of the poem, "My love for Rouge"?"

"Don't think so hard when writing poetry. Just go with your emotions."

"Use words that associate with each other. For example, "Rouge, Handsome, Cool, Wanderer, Super Nice, Free Spirit, Drunk, Broke…" Fufu, you could write a wonderful song about that~"

"You're asking if I wear scarves to protect my throat? Yeah, something like that."

"I wear my scarves all the time. Without them, I don't feel comfortable."

"You really want to know why I wear my scarves? Can I keep it a secret for now? I promise I'll tell you when we get to know each other a little better."

"I'll show you the steps, follow along!"

"Now, follow my steps… One step, two steps, three steps. You got it♪"

"You're such a good dancer I might hire you to dance while I perform."

"Being around you makes me feel at home. It's like the sun is beating down on me."

"Getting so close to a guy like me? Aren't you careless."

"Let's hold hands, shall we?"

"～♪ ～♪♪ I'm in such a great mood because you are here with me."

"Oh, you're leaving already? How about you stay and we spend the whole night drinking, instead?"

"Fufu~ This is so much fun. I can't believe how wonderfully your body fits against mine. We're perfect for each other, aren't we?"

"You're getting used to it, huh? Okay, let's pick up the pace."

"Yes, well done! That was so beautiful I couldn't help but admire it."

"Ah~ The feeling you just gave me… I think I'm falling for you."

"Why am I smiling? Because I'm happy."

"I can't believe I'm so happy to be with someone…"

"We were both a little reserved when we first met, weren't we? I don't feel that way any longer."

"Your eyes are so beautiful. You're making me so nervous, and you don't even seem aware of it."

"Why are you staring at me like that? Is it possible that you lost a lot of money at the casino? I sure did."

"If you keep staring at me like that, I'll get a hole in my face."

"I want to squeeze you real tight, but I don't want to hurt you."

"Lately, when I'm with you, I'm at a loss for words. I feel like it's never enough."

"Your voice is music to my ears. You know I'm being serious when I say that, right?"

"You've already shown me enough love. No more gifts."

"I can't believe you're celebrating with me. This is the best birthday I've ever had♪ You know I'm serious, right?"

(gift like) "What? How could you know I wanted this? Could it be, the power of love?"

(gift like) "You know exactly what I like, it means the world to me."

(gift normal) "Is this gift to relieve my lonely heart?"

(gift normal) "It's kinda bad…But, I'll take it."

(gift dislike) "Hang on! Emma! Why would you get me something like this? Do you not like me?"

(gift dislike) "…..Okay, if you recommend it, I'll believe in you!"

"I have a gift for you today! It's a thank you for all you do for me."

"A reward for all your hard work♪ Fufu~ I just wanted to see you smile."

━

ROUGE : Okay, Shaymie repeat after me, "Please, lend me some money!" Make sure you say it with a lot of sorrow, okay? SHAYMIE : Please, lend me some money~! Hahaha, I got it! So what's the plan?

━

ROUGE : Gran~! I'm begging you man! Please lend me the money~! If you don't, I'll starve to death! GRANDFLAIR : You're always broke, Rouge. I'm not lending you any more money.

━

NOAH : Don't talk to me like we're friends. Hey, Emma, don't wash his clothes with mine. ROUGE : Fufu~ Noah, you're so salty today♪

━

ROUGE : Gran, I have a hangover… GRANDFLAIR : I'm begging you to please take this mission seriously for once.

━

ROUGE : That was such a beautiful song, Shaymie! SHAYMIE : Ehehe~ I like being praised!

━

ROUGE : Hah…Ah…I'm finally sobering up… GRANDFLAIR : If you keep dawdling I'll leave you here, you drunkard.

━

[beautifulramblingbrains]

Crush - Chapter 3. Condemned.

Pairing: Eric/OC *Abbey* Fandom: Divergent Rating: M

A memory from Eric’s past plays tricks on him. And it’s all about the girl, Abbey Ainsworth.

A/N: Here is the third! Thank you for reading - again - in some cases ;)

Tags: @iammarylastar @badassbaker @pathybo @mimigemrose @frecklefaceb @beltz2016 @ariwolff14 @kenzieam @tigpooh67 Remind me if you want on the list. 

Nothing else brought him as much joy as the demure looks from the Amity folk. The trying to appear chaste and welcoming, when in fact he knew that they were counting down the seconds till he would lift his foot from the Amity turf.

"Good morning to you."

"Good day."

"What great weather we have…"

Rehearsed, fake, pathetically-annoying, and unneeded. Did they actually think he would acknowledge them? Had they really been on the Peace Serum for far too long to realize what hostility was?

Hostility was him practically snarling in their face and staring them down. But at this rate, he was just going to have to tell them to fuck themselves as they seemingly weren't getting the hint.

At least the animals knew. The dogs would scamper and the cats would hiss or jump a tree. He couldn't help but have the sneaking suspicion that the animals were far smarter than the people here, and maybe they ran Amity covertly.

But then again, maybe he was being a bit hasty to label these guys.

Abbey was here after all, and as much as he'd seen to date, she was perfectly clued on. She would have been a fine article at Dauntless. She would perhaps have made it far – or maybe that was wishful thinking on his part because he liked the girl.

His inner asshole echoes out to him that she wouldn't have lasted five minutes – the woman in question was a florist for fuck sake.

Eric finally comes to a stop outside the dark oak open doors of Johanna's barn, waiting somewhat patiently. This time he'd decided he wasn't going in. He couldn't stomach another trip up to the fly-haven loft so instead deciphers to wait it out, perchance on the surroundings in the quiet five minutes.

He squints to the furthest figures in the fields in the distance. Two women, laughing, hair flowing freely. For a minute he thinks he can hear them, but it's just his imagination because although it's a hot and bothersome day, the wind is raucous against his ears.

"Makes a change from Dauntless, doesn't it?"

Johanna appears from behind him. Eric already knew she was there, just preferred to register her as disinteresting.

Johanna roams over his sharp outlook, the bowed eyebrows, and creased forehead. She would almost say he looks confused, lost even. Perhaps, in a way, she liked to think he uncooperatively liked the laid-back few days he was given – he would never admit to that though.

"We are opposite ends of the spectrum, Johanna. We have our jobs. Dauntless offers protection - promoting violence. Amity farms and radiates peace and tranquillity… Both our factions are alien to each other. Change wouldn't be the term I would use."

"What term would you use then, Eric?" He can feel Johanna gaze over her shoulder at him and he finally relents, giving her a flashing cold look, almost rolling his eyes.

"For you Johanna, I'll simplify it by saying: polarity." However, she just chuckles under her breath. "Originally I was going for antithesis. But by the looks of you, you've never touched a book in your life. Mud and insects seem to be your sort of thing."

"You could win awards for your cunning. Have you ever thought about entering Erudite's spelling contest?"

"Don't mock me, woman." Even though the appearance of him is threatening, his tone is not. However, Johanna doesn't say anything, just pushes her view back out to the woman and takes a similar stance to him, letting the silence wash over them. Eventually, Eric sighs, having grown bored with the company and the serene picture in front of him and covers his chest with his arms. "So, are you going to tell me the truth about the factionless reports or are we going to fuck in a minute with our new found bond?"

Johanna purses her lips in distaste and frowns at him which he gleefully smirks to, and she swears the smile this time reaches his eyes as he got the reaction he was looking for. "As you know I can't have disruption among Amity, or panic, that's why I didn't want anything said in front of the men. Word gets around here quickly."

"Funnily enough, I've gathered that."

She ignores his sarcasm and continues anyway. "But there have been a few disturbances if that's what you want to call them these days…"

"Like what… define, please. I'm in no mood for guessing games."

"Break-ins, a few assaults further towards the city and away from Amity. We've had a few livestock taken…"

Eric keeps his poise and seems to lack any emotion on his face as she talks. His two piercings glint from time to time from the concentrated sun capturing her eye. "Your livestock is irretrievable and possibly non-existent, so don't have any hope Daisy the cow will be coming home anytime soon. As for the break-ins, you'll have to take me to the sites and we'll up the watches. But as you know, Amity is pretty wide-spread for cameras and to be fair I don't want my men watching the grass grow."

"I figured as much. The extra watches will have to do. But I want to keep this between us. No one else from Amity is to know. Not even Mark knows."

Eric scoffs hearing his name. "Oh yes, I forgot about your little bitch."

"Mark is a good man. I've never had any problems with him." Her bracelet rattles as she readjusts the long gaping sleeves on her orange and yellow dress.

"Whatever, Johanna. I don't care for him..." But he did care for Abbey. His eyes flick to the floor having slightly hesitated to end the sentence and he has no doubt she's caught the slight betrayal his over-charged body seems to be depicting. For some reason, he feels wholly embarrassed having outed a slight suspicion to the fact he did actually care about someone other than himself and especially to the likes of Johanna.

Johanna keeps her eye-line dead center and the top of her lip ever so slightly curls upwards. "Abbey… Abbey Ainsworth."

"What?" Eric snaps his head over to her, his composure completely spoilt. But he keeps the deadly look in his eye, distrusting of the woman before him.

"I know of your history together. Is that why you are here?"

"How the fuck do you know?"

This strangely gets underneath her skin. An insult to someone as patient and attentive as her. "I'm the spokesperson for Amity. I like the chance to get to know my people, unlike Dauntless." She keeps his eye and doesn't weaken, proving silently that she meant her words.

"You know nothing."

"I know that Abbey was riddled with guilt when she arrived, telling me about her best friend, a name of a boy I had no idea would become a future leader for the warrior faction. It doesn't take a genius to put two and two together."

Eric takes a long moment, appearing to roam over her conclusion, fighting internally as to whether or not to say anymore. "Who is she marrying?" He gyrates on his heel a little, clearly uncomfortable with this conversation.

"A very nice young man." Johanna can feel herself softening, because as she said those words, Eric looked anything other than defeated - albeit it was for a split second.

She didn't fool herself, Eric was powerful and could easily handle his own. He was headstrong, determined, but also very much human like the rest of them - and that meant the unfavorable human emotions that came along with it. She was unsure how a man like him would cope with that. But if she believed in anything, it was love, and from Abbey's recent interest in the Dauntless movements and the lack of work she had been doing. Johanna needed to know, needed to help - to stop a possible future mistake. "Go and speak with her. I'm guessing you have already marred the database of Amity, so you know where to find her."

Eric stares straight ahead for a long moment and Johanna steps away from him, heading back towards the shadows of the barn. "I know where to find her. I'm just unsure of what else I may find…"

Johanna laughs, turning a little to peer over her shoulder at the tall, muscular man still frozen just outside the doorway. "… Perhaps reconciliation."

Eric did not want to do this. Didn't want to be anywhere near the nauseating spawn of the devil - flowers. Even worse… an entire shop of the stuff.

The door chimes as he strolls in. He knew of the Amity flower workshop from all the work they did with the other factions; the displays outside Erudite and similar checkpoints between Candor. There were also presentations at Authoritative gatherings and then there were personal exceptions. But it doesn't mean he's ever set foot inside of Amity's natural germination haven and thought he'd never have to – until now.

The women in here basically freeze when they see him, and he's sure he even sees one run out the back in fright.

Eric smiles.

"Afternoon ladies."

"Good afternoon, sir." The roundest, most flush woman speaks first, still sharing inquisitive looks with the others as she's temporarily stuck under his limelight.

Eric walks to the counter that she seems to feel relatively comfortable behind and leans forward on it, peering up to her wide, surprised eyes. "I heard through the grapevine that Abbey Ainsworth works here." He plays with the cuttings scattered from a bouquet sitting to his right.

"She does." The woman nods and her double chin wobbles, eyes flicking to his hands and eyes in caution.

"What's your name?" Anyone else that truly knew him, knew the tone he used was way too overly sweet and charming.

"Sandra."

"Well, Sandra. I'm looking for Abbey, is she here?" He tilts his head, scanning her futilely to see if whether she was going to lie or not.

"You just missed her… You'll have to come back after two thirty." The frightened eyes of Sandra peer to the door and back to him, practically begging him to leave.

"Where is she… Sandra…" He notes the way she also glances to the woman out the back who's popping her head through the doorway to look at him until she finally deflates her restricted chest with a hefty conquered lungful.

"Follow the stream out of Amity. Through the bush towards the small waterfall. You'll hear it before you see it. You're more than likely to find her there."

Eric stands, nodding his head. "Thanks, Sandra." He makes a point to also acknowledge the women ogling him from the back, saluting them exaggeratedly. "Ladies…"

Eric had no idea what he was doing here. His uniform was too black, too hot, too forced against his arm muscles, and he had streams of sweat trickling down the sides of his face. It wasn't as windy now as it was earlier, which made it seem all the more blistering.

The little stream runs on his left and he follows the abandoned dirt path alongside it. Crickets and other insects seem to fly and jump around him as he moves and he can hear his own breath as he pants from the heat like some feckless dog.

He's in two minds to turn back when he all of sudden catches the reverberation of running water just beyond a small parting of worn bushes in front of him, perfectly defined to a small human shape.

He closes the distance quickly and holds a hand out in front of him as he pushes his way through the shaded leafed alcove. He immediately stops dead in his tracks. The small 'waterfall' is only about two people high surrounded by boulders of some sort that catch the water into a natural pool. The place is wild and alive with adjacent trees and weird flowers that remind him of cauliflowers.

There she sits, her back to him on a small boulder just by the water, her hair pulled into some messy bun, and he's pleasantly enthralled to see her sporting some mint green dress sitting snuggly against her body. She's totally unaware of him in the early afternoon sun and for a minute he smirks incredulously to himself over the situation.

What does he say now? Does he say that he was looking for her? Did he stumble randomly to this place? Did he see her walk up here? … his evil side kind of wants to push her into the water, mid-thought.

Eric doesn't know what he's going to say, but he was going to approach and figure it out quickly on the spot. He was good with on the spot pressure and that's what he was going to work with.

"Abbey?" He places his hands in his pockets and peers to the floor, biting his cheek, before fixing himself steadily and confidently back onto her having found his steel backbone before she would turn around and see.

For her unsuspecting form, she still turns her head relatively slowly over her shoulder. "Eric?... Oh my god… What are you-"

"I came to… find you…" He's really just lying out his ass now. "And I lost you further back there and was about to turn back – good thing I didn't."

Abbey's face rests in suspicion, then she smiles. "You were looking for me?"

"Yeah…"

She chuckles and pushes her side-swept bangs out of her face that had fallen from her messy bun. "You wanna… sit… or something with me for a bit? Only until I have to go back to work... I'm sure you're really busy, too."

"Okay." He cuts her off quickly. Eric sits next to her on the same boulder and pulls his knees up, looping his arms over the top of them as much as he could from his strained uniform. Suddenly, he feels like he's thirteen again.

"You look hot…"

"You don't look so bad yourself…"

"Eric…" she giggles softly. "I'm saying you look like, really sweaty. You're wearing black for goodness sake." But he smirks back at her and she finally realizes that he was joking. "Wow. So, Dauntless really suits you." She studies him as he slips off his jacket. "Look at those tatts!" She grabs his arm without thinking and he watches her eyes as they roam over the skin. "I'm so jealous."

"You want a tattoo?"

"Yes, why? I think a tattoo would suit me, don't you think?"

"Amity aren't allowed tattoos. And no."

She sighs. "Yeah, like I don't know that already…" and smiles sweetly at him. "I see you still like to try and boss me around."

"I don't think you should get one. It wouldn't look like…." He trails off, not quite wanting to finish, or not even really knowing how to. Eric had wanted to say: you.

"Okay, so you're allowed and I'm not allowed..." She runs her hand down a crack in the boulder and pulls moss, lobbing it at him. "Still such a chicken shit."

"Careful, Ab's. I'll chuck you in if you keep talking like that. Especially to a big, bad Dauntless Leader." He motions with his head to the water.

Abbey gives him a blank look for about a second. "Ohhhh, you were talking about yourself?" And then begins laughing. "I'm terribly mistaken."

Eric grips her ankle and tugs it harshly, causing her to hit him away and eventually landing on her elbows, lying further back. He copies her, just so that they were on the same level.

Abbey's finger traces the indents in the rock but his eyes never lift from her. "I'm sorry I just like, outed I was getting married, out of the blue, not having seen you for so long. I was just really shocked and couldn't find the words to say what I wanted." She blinks a few times before finally lifting her head, meeting the gray-colored haze that stares back at her. "When I saw you, it bought a lot of things back."

"I understand."

"No… no, you don't." She sits up now, throwing something out to the water. "I thought I'd never see you again." She grows quiet, picking at something else instead of looking back at him - and it's utterly annoying.

Eric's really not used to this kind of behavior or emotional put-out. He really doesn't like explaining how he feels, or what's on his mind. It's been a long time since he's seen a woman so conflicted, or even given them enough time to be. Usually, they were in and out and he would barely speak to them again. Abbey was the only woman he could bring himself to actually be pleasant to.

"Well, you're rather depressing me." Eric holds himself on one elbow, lying back casually as he peers out to the small holding of water. Abbey's jaw drops and she shuffles forwards, nearer to the water, and splashes him. For a minute, there is a deadly silence, and he watches the droplets dripping down his crisp vest.

"Shit… I didn't think… sorry…" She begins rambling off, crawling over to him to pat at the water stains on his chest.

"You know; I'd hang you over the chasm if you were an initiate, right…"

"Still find pleasure in pain, Eric?"

"Oh, that's only the start…" She stops patting and evades his gaze, watching his hand as it slides onto the top of hers, swamping them. However, she doesn't pull away, rather plays with his larger fingers, anything to avoid him. She pushes until they are palm to palm and Eric instinctively closes his fingers interlocked with his hers.

"Don't marry him…" The words are out before he even realized he'd thought them. And right now, his heart pulses in his ears, his breathing quickening. It was a long shot, but it was worth the try.

"Eric… I…" His free hand grips onto the back of her bent knees and pulls her further towards him. He doesn't care about her pretty dress, the miniscule distance between them if they were caught, or her fiancée.

"Cancel the wedding. Say you need time."

"Time for what? You'll be back to Dauntless and I'll be back to what I was doing before, alone, giving up the chance someone took on me. Do you know how long it's been since someone took a chance at me? To even ask me out? Men were scared of me, Eric, for years… I was too intelligent, too mischievous, too vivacious."

"Perfect… and every other fucker was stupid – including me, for not seeing it sooner." He sits up, pushing back the sticky hair on her face, trailing the outline of her jaw he knew so perfectly well. His other hand still remained strictly entwined with hers.

"I'm sorry, Eric… I can't, do this, again." She motions with her free hand to the small absent space they had between them. He could feel her words breezily feather against his skin, meaning absolutely nothing to him as he could sense they meant absolutely nothing to her either.

"Fine…"

She peers up as Eric stands. Green flecked orbs wide-eyed and wistful before him, yelping as he picks her up fluidly from the ground in one motion and hurls her into the water. She splutters when she resurfaces and her hair lies flat against her head, strands feathered across her bronzed cheeks.

"You asshole!"

"Don't be like that, it was a bit of fun." He's trying his hardest to stifle the laugh clawing its way up his throat.

"At least help me out, the rocks slippery. I've fallen in before."

"Should I ask?" Valiantly, he holds his hand out, unthinking.

"No, just help me out, shit head." Her cold wet hands grip his, but she's anchored to the water and when he finally looks her in the eye, she's smiling, and now he knows his mistake.

He desperately tries to keep his balance but it's impossible. The angle, the unexpected, her unwomanly strong grip, but mostly her smile.

The water splashes harshly from his militantly dressed body and baulk. Abbey goes under for a few seconds from the momentum but she's laughing when his head finally comes back up.

Strangely, for once, he lets himself laugh with her at his own undoing. Droplet sprinkled faces, flat unkempt hair, and full dazzling wide smiles. The water is actually a relief, and it's deeper than he thought.

To his shock, and his smile faltering, Abbey wraps her legs around his waist. The tips of his feet just touch the bottom to keep them upright as his arms pull her closer, that distinct slippery feeling forming in the base of his stomach in anticipation.

Fuck his now broken phone.

Fuck his sodden unusable gun.

There are goosebumps on her skin, but she's never looked more beautiful, naturally beautiful compared to most of the women he's shared a bed with over the years. Almost hesitantly, she loops each arm over his neck as he wades backward trying to find steadier footing, their eyes never wavering – until she clears her throat.

"Remember that song that I used to sing you, that you absolutely hated…" She keeps her grip firm and his arms reposition till they are sat neatly underneath her ass.

"Please don't, you sound like a squealing pig."

"Okay, okay, I won't sing. But you remember, right?"

"I had nightmares consecutively after every incident." She hits him, splashing water into his face "Yes, I remember."

"At least you remember that." Her eyes drop and she finger-walks down the blocks of his tattoo's, he lifts his head so she can get to the base of his neck.

"I remember everything." She seems too busy checking out his tattoo's rather than listening. "I remember what you taste like..."

That stops her.

Eric audibly hears her swallow, smirking to himself. "I remember what you sound like…"

"Oh, stop it…" She's blushing, but her thighs tighten on his hips.

"I also remember what you feel like…" He watches as her lips part again. Was this some unique cue that she wanted him to kiss her? He's never noticed that before, not even when they were younger. Perhaps it was just something he'd learned with age and he was a little more observant now. "Does your fiancée say these things to you?"

"Does that matter?"

"You don't love him. If you did you wouldn't be here like this, with me." Eric pulls one of his arms from the water and wipes the droplets on the side of her cheek. "You said you loved me once. I know that hasn't changed." He watches as her lips purse themselves into a fine line. Without a push, he knew Abbey wouldn't productively sort her life out. "I'm going to give you an option. You call off the wedding amicably, or, I'll stop the wedding myself."

"Don't be stupid. I'll be hated, they'll gossip. I can't-"

"Okay, don't see it as an option then. It's going to happen, one way or another." Eric feels her wriggling, fighting the conflicted emotions.

"You can't just waltz into my life after all these years and call the shots."

"I think it's about time I did. So, I am now." Abbey sighs against him, closing her eyes and tilting her head back. He makes a point of grabbing her attention by gripping the back of her legs harder, pressing her against him.

"Just give me a few days." She's peering down at him while he watches her lips, and it's positively mesmerizing. Eric comes to the conclusion he could spend the rest of the day in this position – and also that he wants to bite her. "What are people going to say?"

"Fuck everyone."

"That's such an Eric thing to say, I'm not like you." He lets her fingers adventure around the piercings of his ears, the nape of his neck, slipping themselves underneath the shoulders of his vest. Eventually, she leans forwards and brushes her nose against his and he lets out a small suspended breath. "My moon came back…" Abbey whispers, almost agonizingly-defeated, clamping her eyes closed.

Eric can't think of anything reasonable to reply with, so instead, he settles for:

"I did."

It's those damn crickets and shitting frogs keeping him up in the night. But not only them, Abbey. Eric wonders if she's with her fiancée right now and the thought makes him feel sick, gripping at the base of his stomach and tightening his chest. He turns over for the billionth time.

Just as his eyes start to slowly close, someone begins pelting on his door. "Sir! There's been an incident!" Eric responds instantly on auto-pilot, throwing himself out of the covers and grabbing his pants. He's dressed within a matter of seconds and yanking the door open to the young Dauntless member scared shitless before him.

"What is it?!" Eric pushes past him without giving the young lad a second thought, heading for Johanna's office in the first instance, unsure as to whether that was particularly where he was meant to go but the young Dauntless follows him so it was a good a guess as any.

"The factionless have taken two Amity trucks. One of the drivers is fatal." The boy pants from behind him.

"Was it a night-run?"

"Yes, just the two. The drivers were left out by the road."

"Where?" Eric's voice has taken on a darker tone, viciously snapping at the youngster having grown impatient.

"That's the thing, it was literally just outside Amity."

Eric storms through the already open barn doors in the blackened night and marches the twirled steps. Johanna's already here, looking like she just rolled out of bed herself, her face twisted under the pale lighting. "What are you not telling me, Johanna? And think very carefully before you lie to me." He comes to a stop as his legs hit her desk, using it as some form of restraint on himself before he automatically throttles the woman.

"I-I, I thought it was under control."

"I'm guessing it was food or mechanical support you were offering them. Which is it?"

"They said if we fed them then they would leave Amity alone…" Johanna trails off, turning her head away from the burning hate in front of her.

Eric slams his fist on the desk. "You'll be prosecuted for this - aiding the factionless! You know that right?" He huffs, heaving his chest painfully, the adrenaline and annoyance on full flow. "Why did they attack? Food payment not on time? Or something else?"

"We didn't have enough to cover them, it's been hot, the crops are dry and there are many mouths to feed. I thought they wouldn't miss one delivery."

"You've painted a fucking target on Amity, you know that? You stupid cunt!" Eric says the words with utter venom. "If you have any self-respect left, you'll let me guide the movements from Amity, without question, from here on." Eric motions for a phone from the boy behind him, leaving Johanna in her guilt-ridden position as he can't bear to look at her.

"What are you doing? Who are you calling?" Johanna speaks to his large, shadow-covered frame - predominately to the back of his head.

"Someone's got to sort this shit out."

Eric stands in the early hours, hands in his pockets, roaming over the small wooden hut standing in front of him.

Abbey lives here.

He's not stalking her – he tells himself. He's just checking to make sure she was okay, make sure there was no factionless hanging around. And with that in mind, he brings himself to the door and knocks timidly.

A light flicks on outback and he can hear the sleepy occupants footsteps tread towards the door.

Abbey opens the door a crack, her eyes puffy and tired, a light robe pulled around her. "Eric? Are you okay? Has something happened?" She lets the door swing wide open and gleefully he watches the way she checks him out in complete worry.

"I'm fine. Are you alone?"

She nods, then smiles. "I am. My fiancée is not here if that's what you're asking? He respects my need for my timed independence."

"Let's not go over this again," Eric shakes his head.

Abbey takes a step back, chewing her lip, looking behind her briefly. "You want to come in?"

"I just came to see if you were okay. You should really go back to bed, it's late and you must have plenty of flowers to pick first thing..." He smiles, but it's forced. He's more tired than he's letting on.

"Oh, right… You, er… wanna sleep here?" She shifts nervously, and he quirks a brow at the unexpected. "Just sleep… nothing else, you idiot."

"Okaayyy." Eric suddenly feels sixteen again and stuck under the oak tree of where she first kissed him.

She holds her hand out, an elegant but working hand with finely cut nails. He hesitates for a split second in a natural second instinct, a trick, or a game that he wouldn't put past her. He gazes at her palm before meeting her green and accustomed eyes that are smiling at him, crumbling every defense he has ever built towards her.

Eric is a condemned man – when he slips his hand in hers.

[barakoodra]

Kana and Tosh converse about feelings and they’re both sooo dumb

“Thank you for staying later to help me balance numbers out, Toshio.” Kana smiled over at her companion as he placed a tray of tea on the counter beside her, delicately filling two cups to the brim. Taking one, he sat at the adjacent seat across from her and took a sip. Kana loudly cracked her fingers before leaning forward and began to type at a rigorous pace, absent mindedly taking a few sips of her own. With every sip, Toshio noticed the slight grimace she gave whenever she forced it down.

“You know, if you didn’t like tea, I could have made you some coffee.” Toshio met her gaze while she was mid-sip. She furrowed her eyebrows as she pouted, the cup still pressed against her lips.

“That’d be rude. You made this special to help. I’d never turn down something you did for me, especially if you did it without me asking.” Kana smiled as she took another sip, a shiver rolling down her spine as she forced it down. She had to be strong. Before she knew it, she had finished her cup and let out a mental sigh of relief. Now, she could completely focus on her work. Silence was soon the only sound in the dim café, the pattering of pressed keys slowly forming in to a gentle hum.

“Y’know,” Kana yawned against her palm, “If I’d have known Satsuma was going to be here today at the event, I would’ve done at least something for him. Wasn’t he supposed to be in some other city? I vaguely remember him telling me about some new tea he wanted to bring over to the butler café. Do you think he was out buying product?” Kana slowly got up and went to clean out her cup at the sink and filled it up with water.

Toshio placed his cup against the counter and leaned against the back of his chair, “Satsuma doesn’t like being treated any differently when he comes and visits, you know that Kana. He was very happy to see how well you’re doing with your own café though. He told me he was surprised how much it’s grown the last few months. He said he was very proud of you.”

Kana flushed at his words and twirled a strand of hair around her finger, “Did he? Wow, that means a lot coming from him.” She took a sip of her cup to hide the flush covering her cheeks.

It was quiet for a minute before Toshio broke the silence, “Kana, do you perchance have any feelings for my boss?”

His question was met with Kana spitting out her drink and coughing loudly. She beat against her chest as she leaned against the countertop for support, her face as dark as the cherries she loved on her deserts. Toshio calmly watched as she sputtered and tried to steady herself, “You don’t have to act so surprised, Kana.” What wasn’t there to like about Satsuma? He was kind and caring; he was open with his emotions and never felt he had to hide anything about himself to others. He could walk proudly with his head held high. He was worthy of praise but remained down to earth and easily approachable. What wasn’t there to like about him? He was everything Toshio was not.

“I don’t,” Kana took a deep breath as she stared wide eyed at Toshio across the counter, “I don’t have a crush on Satsuma, Toshio! Are you crazy?!”

Toshio shrugged his shoulders and rested his head on his hand while he observed Kana’s reaction, “I’m simply asking a question, Kana. There is no need to throw a fit over it. Whenever you receive praise from him you always act like a dog that just got patted on the head.”

Kana quirked an eyebrow, “Did you just compare me to a dog, Toshio.”                          

“All I’m saying is that you seem very happy.”

Kana crossed her arms and huffed loudly, “Well, of course I’m happy!” Kana placed a hand against her forehead and sighed softly, “Look, Toshio, I really look up to him. He’s a great role model and I appreciate that he’s willing to help me with the café when I need it. Of course, I’m going to be happy that he complimented me. That doesn’t mean I have a crush on him. He’s a great guy, yeah, but…”

Toshio felt himself unknowingly relax in to his chair as he turned and looked back at his empty cup, slowly letting his fingers curl around it. He didn’t know why he felt relieved about this. He closed his eyes and tapped against the ceramic of the cup. The idea of Kana having a crush on his boss left a weird feeling in the pit of his stomach and it didn’t sit well with him.

“…don’t worry, Toshio. I’m not after your boyfriend.”

Toshio sputtered loudly. That wasn’t what he meant at all.