#so i also should be either a paramedic or finishing up paramedic school

[nobodybetterlookatme]

Lmao y'all ever think about where you should be in life vs where you actually are

[roberttchase]

Manner minded or double trouble? Both SO matty? Maybe Christie looking after him?

double trouble: [character] is sick and injured.

I will be writing the manner minded one separately :) I hope you enjoy this (somewhat more detailed than I'd originally planned) ficlet.

Send prompts to my inbox.

+ + +

If you were to ask Matt Casey if he thought he was lucky, for the most part he would answer with 'no'. Yes, he's lucky enough to have Sylvie Brett as a girlfriend, lucky to have gone to the fire academy, lucky to have been promoted to a lieutenant and then captain. But he also had an emotionally abusive father as a teenager, a murderer for a mother, his girlfriend of eight years was killed, his wife left him. For every good thing, it feels like there are three bad things in his life.

So he can't even really say it's a surprise when, while on scene helping squad rescue two victims in a car that's balancing precariously close to the frozen Chicago River, Matt loses his balance, slips from the hood of the car, and falls almost twelve feet onto the ice that then suddenly cracks underneath him, submerging him in below forty degree water. Nothing in his life is ever easy. Intense pain radiates from his chest, his body feels like it's on fire, and then nothing.

From there, the scene is absolute chaos. Sylvie and Violet are both off shift, spending the entire week in Joliet helping teach at a conference. The two paramedics that are on scene are instantly calling for backup, while both Severide and Tony frantically suit up in scuba gear for precaution. Boden's yelling orders, but the three other members of truck are all frozen, staring at the large hole in the ice, from which their Captain is currently very much not getting out of.

+ + +

"Christie, you really don't have to do this, Severi-"

"I know what Severide said, but I'd feel more comfortable if you stayed with me." Christie Casey frowns, looking at her younger brother. He's at least four shades paler than he should be, cheeks flushed and eyes dull. Stubble consumes the lower half of his face, and the firefighter looks exhausted. She can't say that she blames him, not with the hell that he's gone through the past thirty six hours.

She'd gotten the call from Stella Kidd yesterday, a kind but shaky voice telling her that Casey, Matt, had fallen into an icy river, and was at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center being treated for two broken ribs and mild hypothermia. Arriving half an hour later, she'd been taken into Matt's room, where they had him on enough pain medication he was basically incoherent. One of the doctors had explained to her that the next few hours were important for any person who'd almost drowned- inhalation of the river water had occurred, and aspiration pneumonia was a large possibility. For a naive moment, Christie was certain that Matt would be fine.

Matt's never that lucky.

It's how she finds herself now, half glaring at her brother, who's been given instructions to stay with someone for the next forty eight hours, while his body wars with itself. The red haired doctor had explained that unless the mans fever reaches over 102, or his breathing deteriorates, he's allowed to stay out of the hospital. Severide's offered to let him stay at the loft, to take next shift off and watch over his best friend, but she tells her brothers best friend no. She needs to be able to watch over her little brother, if his paramedic girlfriend can't.

She's already talked to Sylvie, had called her only an hour after getting the call herself. They'd come to the conclusion that as long as someone was there to watch Matt, she needed to finish up the week for the CFD and CEMS.

"You ready to leave? I'm bringing you back to my place. Violet's got the guest room all ready for you."

Matt blinks and then nods, shoulders curved in slightly, one arm wrapped around his side. He looks a little woozy, though that could be from the pain pills being pumped through his body. That, or the fever he's sporting. April wheels him to the front of the hospital while Christie grabs her car and pulls it up to the curb.

Half an hour later, Matt's being helped into the guest room, where, sure enough, the bed has fresh sheets and a few extra pillows have been added for the man who isn't supposed to lay flat on his back. She gets him under the covers, thankful he's cooperating, and by the time she's back with the meds in a little plastic cup, as well as a glass of water, Matt's asleep.

"Matt, hey, you have to wake up and take your medicine, then you can go back to sleep, okay?" She shakes him as gently as possible, not wanting to hurt his ribs any more than they already are. She must knock something loose though, because not a second later he starts coughing, low and harsh, and his eyes flutter open. Gasping for air, they wait for his chest to stop spasming. His arm is cradling his side and she feels terrible, wishing she could help.

"I just need you to take this medicine, then you can sleep again," she promises, holding the cup out for him. When he nods, the woman lets the small pills tumble onto his open palm, and soon he's swallowing them tiredly.

"C-Can you stay?" The words are quiet and hang in the air as she turns to leave. Pausing, Christie turns back and is struck by just how young Matt looks, laying there with fever flushed cheeks and sallow skin.

Moving slowly, the woman gets into the other side of the bed, carefully shifting to get comfortable.

"Just like old times huh?"

She knows he's referring to their childhood. Christie can't help but smirk a little at the memories.

"Are you talking about when you would come crying to me because you were afraid of the dark?" Her tone is teasing, and instinctively she lets her fingers find his hair, running them through it just like she did when they were young teens and their father had been yelling at them.

A laugh bubbles out of Matt's throat, but it quickly changes to coughing, and it takes a moment for Matt to calm down, sipping water before replying.

"I was actually talking about when I was eight and caught whatever that punk across the street had after he coughed on me. I remember I was out of school for a week, and you stayed with me as much as you could."

She remembers it well.

+ + +

Matt never gets sick, not when he was a baby, and not now. She's always been the one to come down with colds or strep throat, and Matt always manages to avoid germs. He had been sick once when he was a toddler, once, but other than that, she can't remember him ever even getting a runny nose. And then Michael Jeffries goes and coughs all over him on the bus when she's in fifth grade and he's in third, and Matt's record of not getting sick goes down the drain.

It had been on a Monday. That following Thursday afternoon, Christie's waiting for Matt to get on the bus when their bus driver tells her that her brother has apparently gone home early. The whole ride home, the eleven year old is upset, not for her brother, but at the fact she wasn't taken out early either. Why did Matt get to go home and play when she didn't? By the time she's walking into their small home, the blonde is stomping her feet and slamming the door behind her, ready to ask why her stupid brother gets such special treatment.

Instantly though, she realizes something is wrong. Mommy isn't downstairs like she normally is, but instead of being worried, the girl let sher anger build. Running up the stairs, her ponytail swaying behind her, Christie's ready to yell and throw a tantrum, but she freezes when she sees her mom sitting on Matt's small twin bed. She's holding their big blue bowl that she always gets out when Christie's stomach is sick, and Matt is throwing up, coughing and spluttering after, while she rubs his back. Cautiously, Christie walks into the doorway.

"Mommy...what wrong with Matt?"

Nancy and Matt look up, the older woman rubbing her sons back.

"Matt's just not feeling well honey, he'll be alright."

Christie frowns and looks at her brother, whose cheeks are a startling bright pink, his skin pale.

"He looks really sick..." Suddenly she's not mad at all anymore, instead she's worried, no, scared. Matt doesn't get sick. That's his superpower, just like hers is liking vegetables.

Before any more words are spoken, Matt coughs and lets out a strangled little whine. "M-Mommy..."

Christie turns her face away as Matt gets sick this time, not wanting to watch anyone throw up. Instead, she goes and busies herself with finding paper and her crayons. Sitting down on her bedroom floor, the eleven year old goes to town with making her brother a get well soon card, the only thing she knows she can do in this moment.

That night, while she and mommy eat downstairs, Christie can hear Matt crying with Daddy. The second she finishes her food and washes her plate off, the blonde runs upstairs, wanting to make sure the younger boy is okay. She stops in front of his room, but no one's there, the twin sized bed with dark green sheets is empty, even his beloved stuffed bear is gone. Walking further down the hall, she sees the two she's been looking for in her parents king sized bed.

Matt's laying against Daddy, Bear clutched in his hand, his ear against the boys lip. Daddy smiles at her and puts a finger to his lips, telling her to be quiet. Nodding, Christie tiptoes in and peers at them both, before climbing in putting a delicate hand on Matt's shoulder, hoping he'll be ok.

+ + +

Brought back to the present, Christie feels Matt's forehead and sighs. "just try and sleep okay? I'll be here if you need me, okay? I won't let anything bad happen to you Matt."

It's as if it's all he's been waiting to hear. It takes him all of two minutes to fall back asleep, head resting against his sisters shoulder. She supposes that this can be the start of all the years she'd missed taking care of him after she'd left for college. He deserves it.

[poc-movie-supremacy]

I’m coming home to you

Christopher wanted to see his Buck today and who was Eddie to refuse? They picked up Buck for a nice day at the pier. When things go from great to catastrophic, will Eddie reunite with Buck and Christopher. Based off this tumblr post by @sexyapplemilk

This story is for @sexyapplemilk/ @fandom-101 @its-like-looking-in-3d

Thank you to @not-falling-but-flying for reading over this long long fic!

I hope you guys like it!

----

Eddie and Buck had the same day off. Well Eddie had the day off and Buck didn’t have work but potato potatoe. It was Saturday so Chris didn’t have school today either. 

Eddie was sitting across from Chris at the breakfast table munching their way through breakfast. It had been a quiet morning so far, Chris was lost in his own thoughts. Eddie wondered if his kid was planning anything, but decided not to put much thought into it. 

“Daddy can we see Bucky today?” The question made Eddie cock his eyebrow. He knew that Buck had been wallowing in his bed for the past few days after he got the news he couldn’t go back to work just yet. Part of him didn’t want to disturb the younger man, but the other part of him figured this could be good for Buck. Also he can’t say no to his kid. 

“Let me ask him if he’s free.” Eddie will probably come over anyways, Buck can’t get mad at him, he had Chris. “Finish your breakfast first though mijo.” Chris shouts in joy and resumes eating his breakfast, bagel with fruits cause eddie can’t mess that up, with renewed rigour. Eddie smiles fondly at his kid while he takes a bit of fruit. 

Eddie made Chris finish getting ready for the day. They had to do Chris’s PT, get changed, fix their hair. Eddie combed his hair back, put on a nice white shirt and a plaid button up, jeans, and some sneakers. Chris put on a yellow stripped shirt and blue pants. He waited impatiently for his dad by the door. Eddie chuckled, unlocked the door then walked with his kid to the car. “What do you want to do for today Chris?”

“We can color or Bucky says he got a new video game!”

“You don’t want to go outside?” 

Chris looks at his dad curiously. Eddie helps him into the car then doubling back to get into the drivers seat. He starts the car and starts to drive. “What could we do outside?” 

“You could go to the park, play on the play structure?”

Chris wrinkles his nose. “Bucky can’t fit on it though, I know, we’ve tried.” Eddie laughs out loud at that. The idea of Buck trying to fit into a play structure is way too amusing. 

“Well okay then, no park, we could… go to the laser tag?”

“I promised I’d go with Denny next week though.”

“Hmmm yea we gotta keep our promises don’t we?”

“That’s what you always say.”

“Well maybe Buck will have better ideas huh?”

“Bucky has the best ideas!” 

---

They get up to Buck’s apartment and Eddie doesn’t knock, instead he just lets himself in. The apartment is eerily quiet and Eddie wonders if Buck wasn’t home. “Buck, Hey Buck me and Chris are here to hang out.” He looks around the apartment for any signs of his best friend. 

“Daddy look.” Chris points up to the loft to the mass on the bed.

Eddie smiles proudly at his kid. “Good job mijo. Go sit in the living room while I go rouse Buck.”

“Can I watch tv?”

“Sure kid.”

Eddie sets Chris up in the living room before heading up to Buck. The bedroom is a bit messy, loose clothes strung everywhere. The blinds are closed and all the lights are off. Any evidence Buck is here is the gigantic mass on the bed. Eddie frowns in worry, before getting to work. He opens up all the blinds and repeatedly pulled the covers off of Buck to force him to get up.

“Dude I have nothing to do today.”

“Nope, you're taking me and Chris, more importantly Chris, somewhere today. Heads up, he’s vetoed the park and laser tag and he’s downstairs. Get changed and start thinking of places to go. I’ll make you something to eat.”

Buck looks at him incredulously. “Eddie, you can’t cook.”

“Yea it’ll probably be toast or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but food is food and you need to eat.”

Eddie watches Buck calmly. Anger, confusion, acceptance and happiness flit across his face. He gives Eddie a smile before turning around. “Okay Eddie. Anything for my favorite Diaz.”

Eddie knows he means Chris, he still leaves the loft with a small smile.

---

The Diaz’s make Buck a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with some strawberries Eddie found in Buck’s fridge. Buck’s in a white shirt and a plain pink button up. His hair is slightly gelled up and any trace of sadness was gone from his eyes. Happily he let Chris pull him to the kitchen table. “Wow this all looks so good buddy, did you make it?”

Chris beamed. “No Dad helped a bit.”

“You coulda convinced me otherwise.” 

Chris giggled as Eddie rolled his eyes, “I cut up the strawberries.” Buck made a small noise of understanding before starting to eat. Chris quietly colored beside him. Occasionally he stole Buck’s strawberries. If Buck cared he didn’t comment on it.

“So have you picked where we’re going Buck?” Eddie asked.

“Yes actually, May’s been talking about visiting the Pier with her friends and I figured  if it was good enough for her, it’s good enough for us right? You wanna go to the pier buddy?”

“What’s on the pier?”

Buck’s face lit up in a blinding smile. Quickly he starts listing off all the unhealthy snacks sold at the pier. Eddie shakes his head and mock glares at Buck, but he only gets a cheeky grin in response. 

“You’re going to give him such a sugar high. Ugh, if you want to do this you have to put him to bed tonight.”

“You’re going to stay with us for the whole day?!” Chris smile could put the sun to shame. He looked eagerly between his father and his Buck.

“Sure Buddy if that’s what you want.” Chris nodded his head so fast he looked like a bobble head. 

Buck chuckled, “Okay buddy, I’ll hop you up on sugar then have the pleasure of tucking you in.” Buck sent Eddie a teasing smile, only to receive an eye roll in response. 

Once Buck finishes his food, the boys head for Buck’s jeep. They could’ve ridden in Eddie’s truck, but Buck likes driving more than Eddie. Chris’s car seat is transferred to the back of Buck’s jeep and they all pile in. Some top 40s song blares from the radio as they head to their destination. 

The wind feels nice in Eddie’s hair. He stares out the window as he listens to Chris and Buck have an animated conversation. Eddie doesn’t really pay attention to it, but it still sounds nice, his son and best friend being happy.  

“Will you ride with us Eddie?”

“Hmm?”

“The bumper cars? Do you want to ride on the bumper cars with us?”

“Oh why not. You sure though, I’ll kick your butt.”

Buck squacks offendedly. “As if, I’m a pro at bumper cars Diaz. In fact I should be asking if you’re okay going against me.” Buck flashes him a cocky smile and Eddie gives him a deadpan stare. He’s impossible yet so endearing. Eddie can’t bring himself to hate it, any of it for a second. 

----

Going to the pier, Eddie will admit, was a very good choice. The smell of fried food and the noise of the amusement park rides was relaxing. It felt like being back at the state fairs in Texas. Buck and Chris dragged him along to every ride and Eddie went willingly. He doesn’t remember the last time he had so much fun. 

Eventually they tired down. Eddie was sitting on a bench next to Buck with a frankly gigantic brown bear on his lap. Chris is watching the surfers surf the waves down below with Buck holding onto his shirt. Eddie let himself relax after spending a whole day running after a child and a golden retriever. When Chris comforted Buck, Eddie snuck a photo of the moment. Buck was smiling sadly up at Chris while Chris held Buck’s chin in his hand. It was so sweet Eddie could’ve gotten a toothache.

He went about saving the photo when Chris started talking again. “Where did all the water go?”

---

So there was a Tsunami in California, and Eddie was in the middle of it. He really can’t have nice things. Immediately Buck grabbed Chris and together they started running off the pier. Man can’t outrun nature though and they were barely halfway across the pier when they got swept away.

---

Buck tightened his hold on Chris as he felt the water slap them around. As much as he wanted to keep Chris with him, he wasn’t stronger than the water. Eventually Buck felt Chris get torn away from him. Debris the tsunami picked up hurtled toward him. He could feel little nicks appear on his arms and legs. 

When he finally broke through the surface, he spotted Chris clinging to a pole twenty feet in front of him. Carefully he angled his body so the water would take him to Chris. When he got close enough he leaped and wrapped his arms around Chris. With the same intensity, Chris clung to Buck tightly. It was nice to have proof that Chris was safe. After hearing the little guy cry out for him and Eddie, he wasn’t letting Chris go anytime soon. 

For a while the duo was at the mercy of the water, but when Buck spotted a half submerged fire truck, he used his reserved energy to swim towards it. Once there, he lifted Chris onto it and then lifted himself onto it. The whole act hurt his leg, but Buck didn’t voice his pain. Quietly he breathed a sigh of relief. The open air stung his fresh cuts and his soaked clothes clung to him uncomfortably. Chris climbed into his lap and rested his head on Buck’s chest.

“Bucky, where’s my dad?”

Buck sighed, not wanted or knowing how to answer this question. “It appears that we got separated when the wave hit, but that can’t be permanent right buddy? When the water recedes we’ll go search for him okay?” Silently Chris nodded. Buck carded his hand through his curls and let his head gently hit against the truck. He breathed deeply once before getting into action.

“Hey superman, can I give you a quick check-up? I wanna make sure you aren’t too injured.” Chris nodded and Buck went about a modified version of the paramedic check up. (He’s been around Hen and Chimney to know it by heart. He also is a certified EMT.)

“You’re all healthy, kid, just a few cuts but that’s okay. Pretty amazing, I need to know your secrets.” Buck poked Chris’s cheek to make him giggle. He succeeded.

“I had you. You saved me.”

---

Somewhere along the way Eddie got separated. In the water he tried to reach for Chris or Buck, but his hand kept getting smacked by debriefs. He did it enough times that he was sure his wrist was sprained. 

When he finally broke free from the waves he couldn’t tell where he was. There were string lights hanging above him and a row of nondescript red buildings. Eddie let himself be dragged along with the waves while he thought of something to do. Buck and Chris weren’t beside him, making him officially alone. He hoped they were still together, the thought of all three of them trying to survive this on their own was enough to puke. 

He clutched onto his St. Christopher’s medal as he searched for someplace to grab onto.  There were inflatable toys, scraps of metal, and spare tires; but nothing safe to actually hold onto. Eddie tries to groan in frustration, but he ends up swallowing a mouthful of water instead. 

After another half-hour he finally sees an awning of a restaurant. He makes his way over and lies down on the awning. He breathes in deeply and lets out a slow breath. He’s safe. He’s safe and alive and all alone. Dread tries to settle in his stomach at the thought of his son. He knows he can’t think like this, but god it’s so easy too. He can only hope that Buck is with Chris, Buck will keep Chris safe. 

--- 

When the water finally recedes, Buck climbs down the truck. The nice lady, Mrs. Violet, hands Buck Chris before climbing down herself. “Stay safe you two. Good bye.” Chris waves goodbye and Buck gives her a megawatt smile. She’s nice company while they were stuck on the truck. Buck hopes they find their husband. He waits to make sure everyone else gets down safely too. 

The winds from earlier have died down. The warmth from the midday sun beaming down on him feels nice. His clothes have dried into uncomfortable messes, but it’s fine. He gave his pink button to use a tourniquet for a man with a bloody arm. 

Chris tightens his hold on Buck, shifts around to get comfortable, then goes lax in his arms. “You don’t want to be let down buddy?” Chris shakes his head. Buck hmmed in acquiescence . 

As an eight year old, Chris is hesitant to let people hold him. He says he’s too old for it now. The first time it happened Eddie called Buck to drink with him. Buck agreed and listened as Eddie complained at how big his kid was getting. The fact that Chris was willing to be held right now meant that he was more scared than he appeared. It made Buck worry and want Eddie. He shouldn’t be here, Eddie needs to be here to console his kid. 

Buck hiked up Chris further up his hip then started walking. He didn’t know which way he should go, just hoped wherever he went would lead him to Eddie. 

---

Eddie fell asleep. He fell asleep on top of the awning waiting for something to happen. It wasn’t a great sleep, he kept seeing Christopher get torn away from him. Eddie shocked himself awake and took stock of his surroundings. The water was gone, leaving in its wake the debris it swept away. Also dead bodies. If Eddie had anything to puke up he’d be hurling. 

Okay, okay, you can’t stay here. You gotta go find your kid. How… Eddie thought. Call someone? Call Buck! Or Bobby or Carla! Hope invigorated him to pull his phone out despite the fact that his wrist was definitely broken. Hope left him when he saw his completely waterlogged phone. Okay Plan A was bust on to Plan B… whatever that was. 

The awning was connected to a pole that he could climb down. Best way to find his kid and his best friend was to look for them. Slowly he made his way to an edge of an awning. Then he edged himself off the edge slowly and feet first. Eddie wrapped his feet around the pole and shimmied down. 

There were a few stranglers around him, similarly confused and lost. He tried asking them if they’d seen his lost kid or best friend. Unhelpfully they shook their heads no. Eddie sighed and continued walking. 

----

Buck’s arms were on fire. His leg was also on fire. He’s pretty sure he was also bleeding something… not good. Holding Chris and walking around for hours in the hot sun hadn’t been kind to him. Buck was still searching for Eddie or a hospital. Finding Eddie was better than finding a hospital, but at this point he’d take either.   

Technically he had found two hospitals already, but they were filled to the brink. The wait was astronomical and there was no place to sit. And there was no Eddie. He let a nurse check Chris out and give them some supplies, water and granola bars, before heading out. In hindsight he should’ve also asked for a phone to call someone but he forgot. 

Chris had long since passed out in his arms. The kid's soft breaths on his necks was very reassuring. It was part of the reason Buck didn’t want to let him down. Another reason was because he wanted to physically pass Chris off to Eddie. Who is fine. He’s healthy and fit and able to carry his kid when Buck finds him. ‘Cause he will find him, Buck can’t not find him.

Chris shifting in his arm brought Buck back to the present. “Bucky? Bucky, I'm tired.”

“I know superman, you’re okay. I heard there's a new hospital a few blocks from here. They’ll be able to help us.”

“Okay Bucky. Can I have ice cream when we get there?”

“We deserve it don’t we? Still need to ask your dad though buddy.”

“Why? He’s not the boss of you?”

“This is a trick.”

--- 

After searching for Buck and Chris for five hours (and getting nowhere his evil mind adds) he’s starting to lose hope he can find them on his own. No one has seen a tall man in a pink button up nor a little boy in a yellow striped shirt. Eddie’s poor heart doesn’t know whether or not to implode at that. By now the sun has started setting. The winds aren’t as refreshing as they once were. 

As he made his way down another debris filled street, two first responders found him. Eddie resists their attempts at checking him over for any injuries at first. He needs to find his partner and his kid, but he’s also tired. The first responders seem to pick up on this. They promise him that they’ll help him find his kid and partner if he just cooperates. This is how they cajoole him into going to a hospital. With promises of phone calls to his kid and a message passed around to the other first responders that Firefighter Eddie Diaz of the 118 is looking for his partner Evan Buckley and his son Chris Diaz. 

This satisfies Eddie a great deal and he then becomes a much better patient. (He’s still grumpy and aloof, but now he’s tolerant). He’s almost fine, acquired a cut on his right arm, broke his left wrist, is dehydrated and exhausted. One of the first responders tosses him a bottle of water on the way to their destination. Eddie finds out when they arrive that it’s a VA hospital set up specifically as a halfway point for the sick and wounded. 

The first responders usher him in through the door and into the hands of a nurse. They describe his injuries, and tell her about his missing family. He’d correct them but the statement doesn’t feel wrong anyways. The nurse takes him to a free cot before giving him a check up too. 

The first responders hit the nail on the head with his list of injuries. Since it’s not severe he doesn’t need to be transported to the hospital right away, although it is recommended. She leaves to go get him pain meds and once again, Eddie is alone. The people in the cots beside him don’t count. Hell one’s unconscious and the other one is having an intimate looking conversion with a loved one. There are tears, Eddie looks away.

To keep himself busy Eddie makes a to do list of what he needs to do next. Find Christopher. Give him a big hug. Give Buck a big hug. Sleep. Tell people he’s okay. Buy a new phone. Buy ice cream. The last one isn’t technically an emergency but forgive him he’s in pain. 

The nurse comes back with a wrap for his wrist and disinfectant and band aids. He finishes his water while she works. The nurse tells him he’s lucky his wound isn’t infected. Eddie nods, mind focused on something else.

“This is awkward, but my phone got damaged in the tsunami and I need to tell some people I’m okay. Is it alright if I borrow your phone and make some calls?” 

The nurse smiles and nodds. She gets out her iphone, unlocks it and gets out the phone app. Eddie takes it gingerly and thinks of who to call first. His parents? Ha. He could call his sisters, but if they don’t know then he didn’t want to worry them. He’d call Tia Pepa but she’s probably with Abuela already so calling Abuela’s home phone is the best bet. 

She’s calm if not incredibly saddened when she picks up the phone. Abuela  lets out a fast stream of spanish that’s said through tears once she realizes its him. He waits patiently for her to finish talking before reassuring her she’s fine. Eddie wants to tell her about Christopher, but he’s worried about Abuela having a heart attack so instead he promises to bring Chris over for lunch tomorrow. He then talks to Tia Pepa for a bit, but there’s not much new to say because Abuela had the phone call on speaker. She thanks god that he’s okay and that he better see her as soon as possible.

When they hang up he immediately calls Bobby. As he waits for him to pick up the phone he gives the nurse a sheepish smile and promises that this is the last call. 

“Hello Bobby Nash, who is this?”

“Bobby? It’s Eddie, listen, my phone got damaged in the tsunami. Buck, Chris and I were at the pier and I can’t find them anymore Bobby.”

“Hey, hey, hey, Eddie, you need to breathe. Okay breathe.” Eddie rubs his hand over his eyes as he takes a deep breath. 

“Okay Where are you right now.”

“The new VA hospital they set up.”

“Okay I know where that is. I’m going to send out a message to keep an eye out for Buck and Christopher. I’ll also ask Maddie to start calling the hospitals to see if they have Buck. We’re going to find them okay Eddie. Buck’s a fighter, we’re going to find him and Chris.”

“I know Cap it’s just-.”

“Hey Hey, this isn’t your fault, you can’t blame yourself for this. Stay there at the hospital so we know where to send Buck and Chris when we find them.”

“Yeah okay, okay, okay.” 

“Okay, are you okay?”

“Umm yeah I’m fine, shallow cut and sprained wrist. I’m fine Cap, it's Buck and Chris.”

“I know that, but I worry about you too. I gotta go, they need me, but take care of yourself okay? Stay safe?”

“Yes sir.” Bobby hung up and Eddie gave the nurse back her phone. 

The nurse left almost immediately to tend to other patients. Eddie took a deep breath before taking the next step. He knew someone had to have a list of patients at this hospital somewhere, he just had to figure out who. Eddie got up from his cot to start looking around. 

The first few people were a bust. Lady #1 was actually a nurse who just finished tending to a patient. Man #2 was actually an off duty first responder helping out. Lady and Man #3 and #4 were family of some of the victims of the tsumai. Eddie was starting to get frustrated. He needed to find his son and partner quickly. The longer they were out there the more Eddie’s insides turned into knots. 

He walked forward towards the entrance and saw a woman with a clipboard. “Hello ma’am is that a list of patients for the VA hospital?”

The woman turned toward him and smiled politely. “Yes it is. Who are you looking for?”

“My son Christopher Diaz. He’s 8 years old and about 4 feet 5 inches tall. He was wearing a yellow striped shirt and khakis. I’m also looking for my partner Evan Buckley. Late twenties 6’2’’ wearing a pink button up, white shirt and some jeans. He has an identifiable birth mark on his right eyebrow that could be mistaken for a burn scar.”

The lady pursed her lips as she scanned through the papers. Eddie tried not to loom or tap his foot as he waited. When her face fell and she frowned he tried not to cry or get violent. “No, I’m sorry sir, I don’t have anyone like that listed here. They could be at another hospital, or,” the lady pointed to a nearby tent, “they could be there.” 

Eddie followed his gaze to the place she was pointing at. “The, the-” black trash bags were piled in front of a stark white tent. That could mean it was only one type of place. 

“I’m so sorry sir, if your family is actually there.” Eddie barely nodded at her, listlessly making his way over to the tent. Part of him wanted to believe that Buck and Christopher was at another hospital, but if they were, wouldn’t they have been found by someone. Wouldn’t Eddie have tangible proof that they were alive? Tears started streaming down Eddie’s face. His knees started to wobble as he started scanning through the list of the deceased kept just outside the doors of the tent.

---

“Eddie! Has anyone seen an Eddie Diaz?!” A loud voice echoed in the background. Eddie frowned. It sounded a lot like Buck, but he- the lady said he was-

“My name is Evan Buckley, have you seen Edmundo Diaz?” The voice was slightly softer this time. Eddie turned around and almost fell to his knees. There, bathed in the LED lights was his best friend clutching his child in his arms. Eddie sobbed and started running to them.

“Buck! Buck!” 

“Eddie?” Buck wanted to run to Eddie, but walking was hard enough. He stayed where he was and let Eddie run into him. It didn’t take long. Buck quickly felt Eddie wrap his arms around both him and Christopher. 

It was then in his best friend's arms that Buck finally let the weight of the day catch up to him. His knees buckled and he went boneless in Eddie’s arms. Said man took it like a champ, first he made sure he had a secure hold on Chris, then he let himself sink to the ground with Buck. The younger man rested his back on Eddie’s chest and relaxed. The uncomfortable, burning pressure on his legs and arms was finally eased. Buck made a happy little sigh and burrowed further into Eddie, just as Chris was doing in his sleep. Maybe he should’ve been embarrassed by it but he just spent over five hours slowly losing hope that he would ever find Eddie alive. It would take the fear of God to separate them. 

Eddie seemed to have the same idea. The arm that wasn’t around Christopher tightened around Buck’s waist. The younger man could hear his partner murmur prayers in what he thought was spanish. Tears, of what Buck hoped was relief fell from Eddie’s face onto Buck’s shoulder. 

“Oh god, oh my god, I thought- I-” Eddie rambled, finding his voice again.

“Hey, hey hey, I’m fine. Me and Chris are all right.”

Eddie made a disbelieving noise. “Okay my leg hurts like a bitch and I probably have one too many cuts, but it’s nothing life threatening.” 

“You wouldn’t lie to me?”

“Not after the day I’ve had.”

“In a minute we should get you checked out.”

“Aww you can’t do it for me?” Buck shifted his head slightly to bat his eyes at Eddie.

“No, an unbiased professional should handle you,” Eddie whispered hoping the night sky would hide his blush. Buck nodded and listened to Eddie breathing. 

“We’re okay, we’re okay, we’re okay,” Buck whispered, like a mantra. He brought Eddie’s hand up to rest above his heart so Eddie could feel his heart beat. “We’re okay, we’re okay, we’re okay,” Even though Buck actually did need medical help, the trio stayed like that a little while longer, basking in the fact that all three of them were lucky enough to make it out alive and to return to each other. 

[wellimaginethat]

Pity Party: Chapter One

Pairing: Crockett Marcel x (female) Paramedic!Reader

Requested?: Nope! I just decided to write little birthday one shots to celebrate my birthday, lol

Word Count: 1922

Author’s Note: So this is one of my four birthday stories written due to my birthday having been last Wednesday. This one will be a short series because apparently I love writing little series when it’s Crockett, lol. Also, this is my attempt at a slow burn...usually I just jump right into it or something, but this time I am going to actually try to write a slow burn...let’s see how that goes, lol

Trigger Warning(s): Spending your birthday alone, being sad, drinking alcohol, slow burn

Disclaimer: I don’t owe nor am I affiliated with any of the Chicago shows, I just like to play with the characters

Summary: You were bummed to be spending your birthday alone, but your coworkers at the firehouse and your friends at med had different ideas, which leads you to celebrating your birthday at Molly’s and almost confronting your feelings for Crockett...

Y/N = Your Name

Tag list: Not tagging in the birthday ones because I don’t want to accidentally tag someone who doesn’t celebrate birthdays. However, if you do want to be tagged in the following parts of this series then do let me know and I will gladly tag you.

Every year as your birthday approached, you got incredibly excited only to be let down when you once again spent it alone.

You kept hoping your friends would ask if you wanted to go out for a drink to celebrate, or to grab pizza, or to just hang out. But every year, all you ever got was texts or simple posts on facebook, which you hardly went on anymore.

So this year you were going to try your hardest not to get excited and hopeful, because you didn’t want to go through the same thing you had for the last few years and you really wanted to avoid the birthday depression, as you called it, when you finally realized that all you would get would be texts. Now you were okay with not getting any gifts, you didn’t really care about that or about cards, you just wanted someone to at least act like they were happy you were another year older.

And it’s not like you hadn’t put effort into planning stuff for your own birthday. In the previous years you had asked a few friends to get drinks with you, to get pizza with you, to have dinner, the list goes on. They would always say something along the lines of ‘yeah sure’ and then either forget, make other plans, or cancel at the last minute. You could understand that sometimes life happens, but it was every year and you felt like you were putting more effort into your friendships than they were.

The last straw was when you saw the three of your closest friends hanging out without you, and you figured it was time to finally move on from your old high school clique.

So you fully intended to spend this birthday alone at your apartment.

So after your shift, you went home and changed into jeans and a nice shirt because if you were going to celebrate your birthday alone, you were going to at least look good while you did so.

You went to the counter and grabbed the pastry box that held the cupcake you had bought yourself and opened it, carefully pulling the cupcake out and setting it on the counter before ripping open the package of candles and placing one on the cupcake.

You searched for about twenty minutes before you finally found some matches to light your candle. You watched as the candle burnt for a few seconds before letting your eyes fall shut to make a wish. For someone to care. Before blowing out the candle.

You pulled the candle out and tossed it on the counter to the side and pulled the paper wrapping off of the cupcake and took a bite just as there was a knock at your door.

You set the cupcake down and headed to the door and looked through the peephole to see Crockett Marcel.

Curious, you opened the door with a raised brow. As soon as you had finished chewing and swallowing your cupcake, you tilted your head and finally asked, very confused. “What are you doing here?”

That seemed to catch him off guard. “Is that any way to greet a visitor?”

You frowned slightly, your turned to be caught off guard. “I’m sorry...I just...wasn’t expecting anyone…” You told him. “I wasn’t trying to be rude, and I’m still not, but the question still stands…”

“It’s your birthday.” Crockett stated simply, glancing over your shoulder into your apartment. “And you seem to be throwing yourself a pity party…”

“Yeah well it’s my pity party, so if you don’t mind I’m going to get back to it.” You told him. “You can come inside if you want.” You offered. “I don’t have another cupcake though…”

Crockett shook his head. “No, I came to get you.”

“Get me?” You asked, confused.

Crockett nodded. “Everyone’s waiting down at Molly’s for you.”

You were still confused and now you were frowning. “What for?”

“To celebrate your birthday.” Crockett told you like it should have been obvious. “We were going to surprise you, but when you didn’t show up, we decided someone should come get you.”

“And you drew the short straw?”

Crockett frowned at you. “No, I volunteered because I wanted to be the first to wish the sweet little paramedic a happy birthday.”

You tried to fight back the smile but couldn’t help it. “Well thanks.”

“Now get your shoes on and grab a coat, everyone’s waiting for the birthday girl.” Crockett smiled at you.

You slipped your shoes on and grabbed your coat and purse before locking up and walking with Crockett, he insisted you ride with him and you didn’t argue. He opened the door for you to get in his car, and then opened the door to the bar so you could walk in first, a complete gentleman and it made your little crush on him grow that much more.

“Hey, she’s here.” You heard your best friend Sylvie quickly whisper to everyone as you were walking in, and suddenly all eyes were on you.

“Happy birthday!” They all shouted and cheered.

You smiled wide, hardly able to believe that they actually cared enough to wish you a happy birthday. As you walked in more, you were given a few hugs and a few wished you a happy birthday again in softer voices.

“What will it be for the birthday girl?” Herrmann asked when you finally made it up to the bar.

You ordered your usual with a smile and a thank you.

He set it in front of you. “On the house. Happy birthday, kid.”

“Thank you.” You told him again, this time more meaningful as you picked up the drink, trying hard not to let emotions overwhelm you.

You did a good job at keeping the emotions at bay while you talked with your coworkers - no, friends - but soon enough it was getting to overwhelm you and you had to disappear. It was somewhat easy to do, just lie and say you had to use the bathroom and sneak out the back.

However, you were outside less than a minute when the backdoor opened and closed and none other than Crockett was walking towards you.

“You good?”

“I’m good.” You breathed out, your hot breath making little clouds as you nodded to him. “It’s just that I’ve never really had anyone really care about me. At least not enough to bother making me feel special on my birthday...and then with everyone in there, wishing me a happy birthday and making me feel...loved...it’s just a bit overwhelming.” You admitted, wrapping your arms around yourself to keep the cold out.

Crockett nodded as he leaned against the wall next to you. “That’s understandable.” The two of you were quiet for a moment. “You have people who care about you.”

“Yeah...I know.” You smiled, tears in your eyes. “It’s nice.”

Crockett smiled and nodded. “Especially me.”

You glanced at him for a moment, trying not to read too much into it, and gave him a small smile. “You’re a really good friend, Crockett.” You told him softly, assuming that’s what he meant, and then you had to look away before you said something you’d regret. “I’m glad you saved me from my pity party.” You felt the need to break the silence.

Crockett smirked a bit and nodded, looking straight ahead. “What’re friends for?”

Silence fell between the two of you again and you felt like it was a tense silence and couldn’t figure out why. The cold was starting to get to you, so you looked at him again. “I’m gonna head back inside.” You told him.

“That’s probably a good idea, it’s a little cold out here.” Crockett chuckled, pushing off the wall and heading to the door. He opened it for you and let you step inside first.

“Thank you.” You said softly as you stepped inside and headed back towards the bar where Sylvie was.

“Hey, where’d you go? I thought you ditched out.” Sylvie asked with a laugh.

“Oh I just needed some air.” You brushed it off with a smile, ordering another drink and picking up your conversation that the two of you were having before you had excused yourself earlier in the night.

Until Sylvie suddenly changed the subject. “So what do you think of Dr. Marcel?” She asked in what almost seemed like a suggestive tone.

You just about spit out your drink but were able to control yourself, you looked at her. “What do you mean?”

“I mean it seems like you might have a little crush on him.” She told you. “And he seems like he might like you back.”

You frowned a bit and shook your head. “No...we’re just friends.”

Sylvie snorts. “Yeah, okay.”

“We are.” You insisted.

“Okay okay.” Sylvie surrendered. “I just noticed how he looks at you and all.” She shrugged. “But you would know, so if you say you’re just friends then that’s what you are.”

You nodded. “Mhm…”

Across the bar, Crockett was having a very similar conversation with Natalie.

“So did you tell her?” Natalie asked in an excited yet hushed tone.

Crockett shook his head a bit as he sipped his bourbon. “There’s nothing to tell.”

“You’re saying you don’t like her?” Natalie asked, raising a brow, obviously not buying it.

“That’s not what I’m saying.” Crockett told her with a sigh.

“So then why didn’t you tell her?” Natalie asked, tilting her head slightly.

Crockett sighed again and glanced over your way before looking at Natalie. “Because in her eyes, we’re just friends, and...I’m okay with that.”

“You are?” Natalie asked, not understanding why he would be.

Crockett nodded. “I’d rather be just her friend than tell her the truth and make her uncomfortable and end up being nothing. I’m happy being her friend.”

Natalie nodded. “Oh...well then...okay.” She had thought you both had liked each other and that it would be all great. Now this was just a downer.

When the end of the night rolled around, you walked with Crockett to his car and he once again opened the door for you, causing you to smile. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” Crockett said softly with a smile.

“Tonight was amazing.” You were feeling the good effects of the drinks you had, making you happy and at ease. “It was by far the best birthday I’ve ever had.” You giggled. “I will forever remember my twenty-seventh birthday.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Crockett told you, glancing over with a smile as you continued to talk about how wonderful your birthday had been.

When you arrived at your apartment complex, you quickly got out of the car. Crockett walked over to you and walked you up.

“You don’t have to walk me to my apartment.” You laughed softly before stumbling into him and laughing more. “Okay, maybe you do.”

“I don’t mind.” Crockett said softly as he walked with you, after the two of you were at your apartment he looked at you. “Are you gonna be okay?”

You hummed and nodded. “Yeah, I’m good.” You smiled at him and touched his cheek. “You’re such a good friend.”

Crockett smiled at you. “I’m glad we’re friends, Y/N.”

“Me too.” You agreed with a nod, even if you were currently fighting back the urge to kiss him.

“Goodnight, Y/N.” Crockett smiled at you and began walking down the hall as you went inside your apartment.

Part Two Coming Soon

[tomtenadia]

Island Dreams - Epilogue

So, this is it. We officially reached the end. I must admit I am very sad. Writing this story has been such a great journey but Aelin and Rowan have their happy ending. This chapter is set 5 years after the events of the previous chapter. it's divided in two parts. The first one we have Aelin telling in first person what happened in five years. Part two has a snippet of our beloved Whitethorn-Galathynius family. we get to meet Freyja and Morrigan and a surprise too. I hope you love the girls.

I want to say a massive thank to every single person who read the story, reblogged it or left a comment. Thank you. I am so grateful for all the support you gave me.

I am coming back..  A Little Braver is going well and I hope to be brave enough to post chapter one soon.

And now i'll leave you to the story. Enjoy <3

--------------------

5 years later

My name is Aelin and my story began five years ago. I was once heartbroken and one day I left my old life behind and took a flight to Scotland, and then a ferry and I ended up on this island called Lewis. I am a bookworm and one of the first thing I did once on the island was to go and hunt for a bookstore. And well, you know the story after that. It’s been five years since the day Rowan and I officially tied our lives together at Callanish. As promised we went back there after a year and a day and renewed our vows.

Married life had its ups and downs but Rowan and I fought through every single challenge that came our way. We made it work, we fought for each other as we promised and we love each other just as we did when we began. And some. Every year Rowan has been celebrating the anniversary of the day I arrived on the island and officially entered his life. Sometimes I think he prefers that day to our wedding anniversary. Anyway, as you remember we finished the story with the four of us, Rowan, me and our two girls Morrigan and Freyja. Those two cute bundles of flesh are now two very active five years old driving mum and dad crazy but also being the most precious thing in our life. They will start primary school next month and I am trying not to cry if I think how much they have grown. Physically they are their father’s clone. They both have deep pine green eyes and his same silver hair. Freyja likes it long and loves when either I or Rowan braid it. He has become quite a wizard at braiding our daughter’s hair. Morrigan, on the other hand, prefers it short. But the similarities end with that. Personality wise they cannot be any more different. Freyja is like me. Rowan calls her his wee Fireheart. She is fierce and stubborn. She has a very strong personality and for a five year old she has her ideas clear on what she wants. She is like quicksilver and always active. She is the first one to wake up and the last one to go to bed. She is curious and fearless and loves nature just as much as her father. She is out little hurricane. Morrigan, on the other hand, is the calm one and reserved and she reminds me so much of Rowan. She observes a lot and when you think she is not paying attention, she comes up with question that makes you realise she was listening after all. She has an inquisitive mind and her non stop questions can be exhausting after a long day. She is shy. Where her sister had been since tender age happy to be with anyone, Morrigan has always been very selective. Growing up she has her favourite selection of adults. She is very close to her father, probably because they are very similar, but Uncle Malcolm and Aedion come second. Aedion got her hooked on planes. Once we were at his and Lys’ house and Morrigan grabbed one of his models planes and started playing with it. Aedion had started talking about the plane and now when they are together she always ask him about planes. We think she’ll be a pilot. Both girls are obsessed with books just like her parents and Rowan has taken upon him the job of teaching them to read. Morrigan can read very simple words and write her own name. Freyja would too if she could sit down for more than five minutes. Good luck with the teachers. She is very bright, she just can’t stay still for very long. She was probably the one doing all the kicking while in the womb. The amazing thing is that they get along. It took us a while to teach them to sleep in their individual rooms. For a while in the morning we would find one in the other’s bed. Always curled up together as they used to do when they were little. Freyja at the park always play the protective one and looks after her sister and chases away the kids who try to take advantage of her sister’s calmer nature. If we were in a fantasy I would imagine Freyja being the woman learning to wield a sword and who would train with the guys and dreamed of becoming a knight. Morrigan, I imagine her as the one with her nose in books and who dreams of becoming a healer. I think Rowan is writing a story about them. Oh yes, I will tell you about his book in a moment. There is a further family member that I need to introduce: our son Dalamar. Yes, Rowan and I have scandalised parents at kindergarten with our weird names. Freyja did not cause much problems but a couple of mothers had a go at me for calling my daughter with such as negative name as Morrigan. I usually explain that I do not expect my daughter to become the goddess of war but that simply Rowan and I liked the name. And do not get me started with Dalamar. No-one apparently has read the Dragonlace chronicles so when we say Dalamar is a dark elf in the books, well, the glares we get are incredible. But again, Rowan and I wanted an original name. We started searching in books to find something we liked and then Rowan found his old copy of the Dragonlance chronicles and he suggested Dalamar. I joked that if we truly wanted to scandalise Stornoway, we should have called him Raistlin. So in the end we went for something less alien and settled on Dalamar. Anyway, Dalamar is two. He was planned though. Rowan and I had decided we wanted a big family so once the girls were around three we started to try and add another member. When we had the conversation we had talked about having four kids, but alas, Dalamar’s birth has been so full of complication that my chances of another pregnancy are now non existent. But Rowan and I are happy. We have our big family. So, Dalamar has blond hair, much fairer than mine and very light blue eyes. He is a gorgeous wee boy. In terms of personality he is halfway between his sisters. He can be adorable one moment and stubborn like a mule the next. But at least they get along and again, Freyja has taken him under her wing. She really is our knight in shining armour. Both girls are fluent Gaelic speakers. After they were born I asked Rowan if he wanted to teach Gaelic to the girls and he had been very happy about it. So we decided that he would speak only Gaelic to the girls and I was the boring parents with English, although sometimes I am brave and I practice with them, then I embarrass myself and revert to English. We have started the same process with Dalamar and he is like a sponge. Morrigan sometimes helps me with my exercises and Gaelic homework. I am taking classes as well when I can. It’s quite embarrassing when you are almost forty and your five years old daughter tells you “Don’t worry mum, you are doing great.” And then adds something in Gaelic and you need to wait for your husband for a translation. Kids, aside… our lives haven’t changed very much. Rowan still works at the bookstore and Malcolm’s sister is still his assistant. She had been wonderful and he could easily count on her when he needed to stay at home with me and the kids. The shop is becoming very popular, my Facebook page has now reached many followers and a year after our daughters were born he finally managed to set up a website for online ordering. My dearest husband also managed to write a book, find an editor and have it printed and distributed in some smaller bookstores. Of course I told him to have in his shop. We did a book signing hoopla and I don’t think I ever seen Rowan so embarrassed. Anyway, he wrote a fantasy and as promised I was in it and I was Queen as requested. He was my warrior. Loads of angst and epic battles but we end up together. I am very proud of him. Now he is working on one were our children are the main characters. I have only read the fist few chapters and I love it already. But I am his wife so I am biased. I still work at the hospital and still love my job. I started helping as well as paramedic and specifically in the air squad. The team that gets to be airlifted at the site of accidents and the whole thing required a special type of training and it had been amazing. On occasions, I get to work with Aedion. He flies, I save lives. I wish I could tell the London guys that they were wrong. Working in a small hospital is not throwing away my career. I feel more satisfied than I ever felt when I was down south. Malcolm is still my second and I still adore him. Three years ago he finally got married. After my wedding Aiden went for his last deployment and made it back alive and then retired from the navy. He and Malcolm started dating seriously. A year later they moved in together and a year after that Malcolm finally proposed. Aiden has found a civilian job and well, they got their happily ever after. Another couple who got their happily ever after is Lysandra and Aedion. He proposed about five months after mine and Rowan’s wedding and three months later they were married. They had gone for a very small and private ceremony. One year later they had their fist child a boy named Marcus and now Lysandra is pregnant with their second, a girl. She climbed up again the ladder at the hospital and now she is just one level below the head of the department. Then we have Elias. How can I forget him? He is still in Shetland and we keep in touch and we meet when he is back on the islands. His job is going wonderfully and recently got promoted. Two years ago he got married to Ciara and he is happy and a few months ago she gave birth to an adorable little girl named Martha. She is cute. I have seen her when they came down last month. We remained good friends and both had the happy ending we wanted. We still joke and we love to compliment each other on making marriage number two stick. His book addiction got worse and I think I created a monster. He also bought Rowan’s book and raved about it for months. Then we have Elide and Lorcan. We see each other quite regularly. Every year in July they come to Heb Celt and now they can stay at our place. We have been down to Glasgow a few times and Lorcan yearly provides Rowan with tickets for the Six Nations and we religiously go and see the matches. I am officially a Scotland’s fan and I even learnt Flower of Scotland. The boys are proud of me. Elide is still a teacher and Lorcan still the coach of the Warriors. Their family has gotten bigger as well and they have a boy and a girl and Elide is expecting a third one. Apparently they want a big family too. Oh and Lorcan can smile for more than a second. I must admit I have changed my mind about the man and once he gets comfortable with someone he is actually quite a decent human being. He as a dark sense of humour and us two are usually the ones scandalising the group with dark jokes. Aunt Maeve is still running her cafe and she had been a great help as well while the kids were growing up. She would come up with crazy excuses to offer to babysit them and gave us plenty of chances for me and Rowan to have some time alone. Especially after the two births. She also spoils the girls and love to bake for them. Freyja loves to bake with Maeve and, like me is obsessed with cakes. Also, baking is the only activity when our energetic daughter can stay still for more than ten minutes. Morrigan, on the other hand is fussy as her father and not a fan of sweet stuff. We really got one clone each. Dalamar is still too small but he eats anything. My mum has joined the group as well. She has bought a flat up here and sold the house in London. She decided that she wanted to be a part of her grandchildren lives so she moved up here and she is in good terms with Maeve and sometimes she helps her at the cafe. The two of them cooking are becoming very popular in town.

***

“Come on, let’s go and see dad in the shop.” Aelin took Dalamar’s hand and made sure the twins were walking in front of her. Morrigan started blabbing something in Gaelic but Aelin didn’t understand. “Beurla, mo chridhe,” said Aelin to her daughter. “Tha mi duilich, mum.” Morrigan gave her a toothy smile, showing off her missing tooth. They walked to the shop and once they got in the two girls ran to their father who crouched down and they crashed into him. “I bring chaos.” Joked Aelin while Dalamar was still holding her hand. Rowan had started hosting afternoon for kids in his shop when he would reads books or just have storytelling sessions. He had started during the school holidays to have a way to keep the younger children busy but then it became very popular and he kept going, so once a week the shop is invaded by parents and their kids. The twins loved to listen to their dad tell stories. Dalamar loved it as well but he was far too young to understand what was happening so most of the times he would end up playing with Lys and Aedion’s son Marcus. Aelin reached Rowan and gave him a kiss and the twins made disgusted noises and Aelin laughed “one day you will find a boy or a girl and you’ll want to kiss him or her as well and it won’t be as disgusting,” she said tickling Freyja who was the one who was the most disgusted. “I am going to be a knight. I don’t need a boy.” Added Freyja proudly. “I am going to be a doctor like mum.” Was Morrigan’s turn. “So, a knight and a doctor, I guess we got very lucky.” Rowan pulled Aelin in his arms “looks like the goddess of love wants to fight and is not interested in love and the goddess of war wants to heal people.” “Well, you can’t say that we don’t have an interesting family.” Joked Aelin. Then Rowan bend over and lifted Dalamar in his arms “and you?” He kissed his cheek “what do you want to do?” “Tuathanach.” Replied the boy hugging his father. Aelin laughed and brushed his blond hair “that is lovely, my love.” With time and once they were properly settled down they had decided to dedicate a part of the land they owned to have a small farm. They had a couple of cows, a few chickens and loads of sheep. Dalamar loved to run after the sheep and help his dad look after the animals. That’s why Aelin and Rowan were not surprised when he said he wanted to be a farmer. The twins went behind the counter and grabbed the colouring books that Rowan kept stashed for when he had them in the shop and the pencils and ran to the kids’ table at the bottom of the shop. Rowan placed Dalamar on the floor “Go and colour with your sisters.” “Tha.” And the boy joined the two girls. Aelin leaned exhausted against Rowan. “You look tired.” “They have far too much energy. We went to the park. Freyja ran and jumped the whole time. Morrigan wanted to pat the ducks and almost ended up in the pond and Dalamar chased every single dog or cat.” She explained, looking at their kids with affection “then we had ice cream, we went to say hi to Aunt Maeve and grandma Evalin and Freyja and Dalamar stuffed themselves with carrot cake. Morrigan just had a carrot. She is annoyingly healthy like you.” “My girl.” Said Rowan proudly. “Don’t get me wrong, I love them madly, but I just wished they had just a smidge less energy.” Rowan kissed her forehead “I’ll entertain them tonight and make sure they go to bed early. Hopefully they will run out of energy soon.” “Morrigan and Dalamar perhaps. Not Freyja, that girl has limitless power.” “Just like her mother.” Rowan’s arms squeezed her tight “The girls are going to school next month so hopefully they will calm down a bit.” “I am terrified at the idea of Freyja sitting on a chair all day. I feel sorry for the poor teacher.” Rowan laughed “she might find it interesting and actually sit.” “Ro, she can’t even stay still when you read stories.” He scratched his head “I was thinking we can sign her up for some sport.” “You can take her swimming.” Suggested Aelin. Rowan had kept his job as swimming instructor with Dorian and they had made it work. When the kids were at home she would take them to the swimming complex and once Rowan was done they would all swim together. He had begun teaching the twins to float and some very basics techniques. Freyja had loved it, but she preferred jumping from the smallest platform. Morrigan on the other hand had been a good student and had followed her dad’s instructions and could do a nice basic breaststroke. Dalamar would soak with Aelin with his water wings. He loved being in the water. “She could become one of those athletes who jump from platforms into water. A professional diver. She is surely fearless for a five years old.” “I can see her as a rugby player.” And Aelin laughed. “We’ll let her decide.” “Of course,”Aelin kissed him “Look, some mum and kids are arriving.” Rowan was due to start his storytelling session very soon and mothers, fathers and kids had started to arrive in the shop. Five minutes later Rowan took his position at the bottom of the shop on his chair. All the kids sat on the floor on the colourful mats Rowan had bought. Morrigan and Dalamar would sit at his feet, but Rowan would alway keep Freyja in his arms so he could hold her still for a while. “Thank you everyone for coming this afternoon. Kids, are you all comfortable?” Aelin stood in a corner and stared at him as per her usual. Rowan was such a natural around kids. It had been so easy for him to settle into his role as a dad. He had been amazing with their kids and he’d do literally anything to make them happy. But at the same time he had managed to keep the wonderful balance to prevent them to become spoiled brats whose parents would give them anything. “Today’s story is about a princess. Her name is Aelin.” “Like mum.” shouted Freyja in her father’s arms. “Tha, mo chridhe.” And Rowan kissed her head and a smug smile appeared on the girl’s face. “She is fierce and brave and very, very beautiful. So beautiful that all the princes in the realm wanted to marry her.” Aelin laughed and blushed a bit. “Is there a dragon?” Asked Freyja who seemed had already passed her attention span limit. “Shhh, my love.” But he knew it was a desperate hope. “The princess had been put under a spell by her horrible stepmother who was very jealous of her. She could not enjoy true love with the man she loved until the dragon that held the necklace with the spell was killed. Aelin was in love with the captain of the guard, a man called Rowan. The wicked stepmother had found out and so punished her. She had planned to marry her off to a wealthy old man.” When Aelin noticed Freyja was getting fidgety, she took a chair and sat beside her husband and grabbed their daughter so that he could continue his tale. “Rowan offered to go on a quest and kill the dragon but Aelin refused to be left behind. She was not a damsel in distress. So during the night she gathered some of her stuff, donned her armour and together they set off on an adventure. During their trip he would train her with the sword so she could defend herself. It took them a few months but they did manage to reach the dragon’s lair.” “Dragon.” Freyja was ecstatic and Aelin held her tight. “But while they took the path through the magic forest to reach the dragon lair, Rowan and Aelin got separated. The forest was very dangerous but they were both very brave and fought all the perils and when Aelin finally reached the lair she saw that Rowan was already there but he was injured. She drew her sword and decided to face the dragon alone. In the forest she had discovered that she had fire magic and she wanted to punish the dragon. So she started fighting him, but the dragon was huge and she was getting tired. In that instant Rowan woke up again and walked to her. Together they fought the dragon and eventually killed it and destroyed the necklace, setting Aelin free. She finally kissed him and slowly they returned back home. Once back at the castle, they discovered the wicked mother was gone and Aelin and Rowan decided to get married. They invited all the villagers and they lived happily ever after.” Rowan had to simplify the story to make it acceptable to young kids but they seemed to have liked it. He told a few more stories and two hours later the shop was empty and he was alone again with his family. Dalamar had fallen asleep in Aelin’s arms. Morrigan had gone back to her colouring book and Freyja was pretending to be a knight, swinging around the toy sword Rowan had given her. “I am princess Aelin and I kill dragons.” She shouted while Rowan chased her around the shop. Rowan finally grabbed her and lifted her like a sack of potatoes “dad, the dragon,” she protested while trying to wriggle out of her father’s grip. “Freyja!” Aelin noticed Rowan’s command voice. The one that could actually slow down the little terror. The girl stopped moving and Rowan sat her down beside her sister and she grabbed a colouring book and joined Morrigan in silence. “You really have super powers.” Rowan leaned over to kiss his wife’s head “Give me ten minutes and we’ll go home.”

Half an hour later they were finally at home. Rowan carried a sleepy Morrigan and Aelin carried Dalamar who had been sleeping for an hour now. Freyja had followed in silence, with her sword tucked in the belt loop of her trousers. “I’ll make dinner, you change the kids.” Aelin nodded “Let’s go Freyja it’s jammies time.” The little girl gave her a huge smile and followed her mother with Morrigan at her side. Aelin placed Dalamar on the bed, and helped the two girls change into their night clothes. “Did you have fun at dad’s tonight?” “Yes.” They both squealed. Once they were ready, Aelin tied Freyja’s hair “now go back downstairs to dad but let him cook, okay?” The two girls nodded and left the room. Aelin grabbed her little boy and took him to his room, changed him into his pyjama and tucked him in bed “I love you,” she told him while kissing him on the cheek. Then grabbed the baby monitor and joined the rest of her family downstairs. The twins were on the carpet playing quietly with Morrigan’s planes. Aelin joined Rowan and hugged him from behind “Dalamar is in bed and the girls are playing.” She kissed his back “and your food smells amazing.” “Freyja finally calmed down.” “My mum says that she reminds her of me when I was little.” Aelin squeezed him. He switched off the hob and turned engulfing her in his arms “It does not surprise me.” And he kissed her deeply and Aelin replied in the same manner. He pushed her to the table and she grabbed his butt pulling him to her and she moaned against his mouth. He kissed her neck and Aelin’s hands found their way under his t-shirt. Then she pulled away “Ro, the kids are in the other room and awake.” Rowan leaned his forehead against hers cupping her face in his hands. The kiss he gave her was full of need and love “I know.” He sighed pulling away. Their intimate life had taken a bit of a hit and most nights they were too tired to even try and do something. The last time they had managed to get some action was when Aelin’s mother had kidnapped their kids for an entire weekend four months before. And the mornings were not good either because the twins had the habit of waking up and joining their parents in bed for some family cuddling. Aelin crashed her forehead on his chest “I miss our wall…” she laughed “but I know that I would fall asleep as soon as my back hits it.” Rowan kissed her again “I miss you too.” Then pulled away “Come one, let’s go and feed our hurricanes.” In that instant she heard Dalamar calling her through the baby monitor and five minutes later Aelin was downstairs with a weepy boy in her arms “Someone else is joining us for dinner.” The five of them had dinner and once they were done the kids moved to the sofa and Aelin gave them her old laptop so they could watch their hour of tv. She and Rowan had never bought a tv and the kids never asked for it but allowed them to watch an hour of cartoons on Netflix in the evening after dinner while they cleaned up. Most of times they got bored after half an hour and went back playing until bed time but when they were tired they did manage their hour. “They are watching Totoro again.” Said Aelin, joining Rowan in the kitchen with a pile of dishes then she grabbed a towel and started drying all the ones he had already washed. “They do love Totoro.” He added smiling. “Morrigan the other day said she wants to study Japanese so she could talk to Totoro and Freyja wants to go in the woods to look for him.” Rowan roared with laughter “I love the idea of studying Japanese, though.” “Our two wonderful weirdos.”Aelin stored away all the dishes. Once they were done they got back in the living room and silence reigned. The laptop was on the carpet and the three kids were are all hugged together on the sofa. Dalamar sleeping on Freyja’s chest like in the scene where Mei sleeps on Totoro’s belly, her arms protectively around her brother’s back. Morrigan was snuggled against her sister, her hand holding one of Freyja’s. Aelin gasped at the scene and Rowan pulled her to him and kissed her head “they are finally fell asleep.” He turned Aelin and held her from behind, his chin on her head and his arms tight around her. “This is it, Buzzard. This is my island dream.” Rowan kissed her temple. “This is my dream too.”

TAG:

@rowaelinismyotp

[1a-imagines]

@otaku-explosion request: #8 Fem s/o slapping/punching/etc (you get the point) whichever boy of your choosing from (Izuku, Bakugou, Eijirou) then promptly kissing them or doing something else in affection then saying something like "I love you, but if you ever pull a stunt like that again shit is going down" these boys would drive me nuts doing the stuff they do. whether its ridiculous, dangerous, or both

A/n: I love all your requests so much you genius.

Bakugo:

"Don't you fucking dare!" You yelled at your idiot of a boyfriend, knowing what that glint in his eyes meant. You had seen it all too many times before.

He was about to run head first into a villain fight and go ham without even thinking of a plan first.

It was how he always liked to do things, fighting first and thinking later. But right now, after having assessed the situation, you decided it was too dangerous, and there was no way you were letting him run headlong into certain doom without a plan this time.

You usually trusted his instincts, they were very impressive. He wasn’t much for thinking strategies but he was smart enough to think and fight at the same time. So you always trusted him not to do anything  too stupid, but this time felt different somehow and you didn’t like it.

“Stay here, it’s dangerous.” Bakugo said, completely ignoring your previous comment.

“Uh! yeah! I know! That's why I'm telling you not to go- Katsuki!” you yelled at him as he ran out into the chaos, ignoring you once again.

You could not believe that he had just completely ignored you- or, no, you could believe that. When in battle he always became twice as stubborn than he usually was.

You were just in shock at how stupid he was being right now.

Of course, you knew he was strong but something but you couldn't shake the feeling that you were running into a trap.

And as much as you trusted Bakugos instincts; you trusted yours more.

You two had been paired off from the main group of heroes when they got word of the villains splitting up, but you were skeptical as to why this particular villain was wandering around alone?

Even if your group splits up, the smart thing to do would be to split up into smaller groups rather than go off on your own and try to take on the heroes one by one.

It just didn’t sit right with you. These villains might be strong but even an idiot would know better than to try and take down pro heroes alone.

You peaked over the wall you had been hiding behind to watch as Katsuki used a sneak attack to blow the villain through the wall of the building.

You would have smiled proudly at your boyfriend but it was too easy for your liking.

He seemed to notice that too and stayed on guard.

He sent you a singular look and you knew to stay back. It was best to stay hidden in case more villains showed up.

Then you could at least take the upper hand by surprising them.

This was how you two worked. He was a head on fighter with amazing strength, and you were the sneaky, strategic one. All of these traits paired together made the both of you an unstoppable duo.

It didn't take much longer for your suspicions to be confirmed.  

Two more villains jumped out at Katsuki, and the one he had put through a wall jumped back up.

He had used himself as a dummy to lure out the heroes!

"Fucking DAMMIT!" You heard your boyfriend yell in annoyance.

Your heart jumped into your throat as you watched him take on three strong villains alone.

You hated this, why couldn't he just have stayed back and listened to you?

Either way, you had to wait for him to signal for you to jump in.

Bakugo made sure that all three of them were focused on fighting him, and when you had the perfect opportunity to jump in he gave you the signal.

When you snuck over to them you were able to catch them off guard enough to immediately take one of them out using your quirk. Though the other two seemed like they were going to be a lot harder to take down.

Their movements were fast, and their punches were strong.

Though, they still weren't good enough for the strongest power couple of pro heroes.

You two were most known for being the strongest partners in the industry. So it wasn't a surprise when you kicked their asses.

Despite your victory that didn't mean to say you left with no injuries.

Right as you finished tying them up more pro heroes showed, letting you both know it was over and the heroes had won. All that was left to do now was go get your injuries looked at.

You both sat down on the edge of the entrance to an ambulance, having your injuries looked at.

"Looks like you only left with minor injuries!" The paramedic smiled.

"Hmm. You might want to wait a minute?" You grinned all-too-innocently over at your boyfriend.

"What are you talking about babe- OW! WHAT THE FUCK!?"

Bakugo yelled as you leaned across and punched him in his arm as hard as you could.

"That's for not listening to me!! I was worried sick! Honestly!! You should know better than to run head first into danger like that! I know you're stubborn but my god-"

"Hey- We won didn't we-"

"Don't interrupt me!" You cut him off. "You ever do that shit again and I'll kill you myself!!"

At this point the paramedic had rushed off, not that you could blame her. You wouldn’t want to be in between a couples argument either.

Especially not this couple

“What do you want me to do? Say I’m sorry for doing my job?”

You huffed and crossed your arms over your chest. “That would be a good start.”

He groaned and threw his head back, feeling exhausted from the conversation. You were lucky he loved you enough to actually swallow down his pride for you. “Fine- god you’re hard work sometimes- I’m sorry, happy now dumbass?”

You mouth fe agape. “Oh wow- you actually apologised.”

“HUH!?”

You let out a laugh at his expression which only seemed to tick him off more.

“I’d never actually make you apologise for doing your job- though it’s sweet you still did~.”

He stared at you in disbelief. Were you trying to piss him off? Why the hell were you making him say sorry and then laughing at him!? From the corner of his eye he noticed a small cloud of grey smoke. He glanced down at his hands to see them smoking.

He released a sigh in order to calm himself down, something he had gotten considerably better at doing since those school days. He crossed his arms, hiding his hands in his armpits in an attempt to stop the smoke.

He was used to this behaviour from you, you always liked to keep him on his toes and test his patience.

Though… for some reason, he didn’t mind as much when you were annoying him. If it were someone else he probably would have blown then into the ground by now.

In a way, he kind of liked how you challenged him. It kept your relationship unpredictable and interesting.

As he was grumbling to himself he didn’t notice you crawling over to him and was caught off guard when he felt a kiss placed onto his lips.

He looked at you with irritated eyes and you laughed again, noting that he was hiding some embarrassment in there too. The way that his ears tinged red at the sudden affection made your heart melt. He could be cute when he wanted to be- mostly when he wasn’t talking.

You sat beside him and curled into his side.

“You had me worried, idiot…” you muttered softly into his chest.

He sighed again and put an arm around you. “You shouldn’t worry.”

“I know, You can take care of yourself, but sometimes I panic when I see you running into danger.”

He knew exactly what you meant, Whenever he heard you were caught in the midst of a big fight or whenever he saw you on the news his heart always stopped for a moment. It was hard being heroes and dating at the same time. But at the end of the day, you both knew you were too strong for some low life villains to defeat you- Or at least that’s what you both told yourself to make it easier.

In all honesty, you had each other's backs and you knew as long as you were together you’d both work your hardest to make sure nothing bad happens.

You just had to have a lot of faith and trust in each other.

“Luckily, you’ll have me to back you up.” You looked up at him and sent him a sly smile which, in turn, made him roll his eyes.

“Lucky? My ‘back up’ just punched me!” He backfired.

“Don’t pretend it hurt!” you laughed, You weren’t all that strong, and you knew fine well he had trained himself to be able to withstand strong hits. Even your worst punch could barely make him flinch. As you had learned from all the training you did together.

Bakugo chuckled. “You’re right, it was weak.”

You huffed through your nose, turning your head from him. “You’re also lucky I love you.”

You felt two lips being placed onto your cheek and you blushed when you felt his warm breath hit your ear. "I love you too."

Midoriya:

You carelessly ran through the halls of the hospital, often being yelled at by the staff you passed. A few of them had tried to stop you before you caused some sort of damage but you couldn't stop- even if you wanted to, you couldn't find it in yourself to slow down.

You knew you shouldn't be running like this in a hospital but you didn't care! Worry had completely overtaken all of your senses and all you wanted was to see that messy green hair you loved and those sparkling, jade eyes.

After getting the phone call to tell you that your boyfriend was in hospital, yet again, for being reckless, you dashed over here as fast as you could and you had no intent to stop until you got to him. You had no idea what condition he would be in, you didn't even know if he was awake!

As you finally arrived at his room you noticed the door was open and you skidded inside, your body hit against the door frame as you came to a rough stop. You panted heavily as you leaned against the door frame, your eyes trailed over to your boyfriend who was currently sitting up in the bed.

He looked alarmed that you had burst in here like you did. He was expecting you to show up any minute but not to fly through the door!

His left arm was in a sling and both his legs were bandaged up along with his head. It looked like Recovery girl had already been here, but he still looked pretty beaten up.

You shivered, not wanting to imagine what he had looked like before the treatment.

"Y/n!! You're here-"

His bright smile from seeing you was immediately replaced with an expression of shock as you ran over to his side and punched him right in his uninjured arm.

"Ow! What-"

"Do you know how worried I was!?" Your voice cracked as you tried to cover your tear filled eyes with your hair. “They didn’t even tell me what happened! All I knew was that you were seriously hurt! Do you know how scary that was!?”

You didn't want him to see you crying. You had always promised to support him ever since you were little. You told yourself that no matter what danger you two found yourself in you would never stand in his way of being a hero.

But he was just so reckless sometimes!!

Today had been too much for you to handle, it had tested your strength, it had tested your ability to not break down, but it turns out you weren't as strong as you thought.

For a second, when you received that terrifying phone call, you thought they were going to tell you he had died, or didn't have long to live. You had never felt such a numbing pain in your whole life.

You were used to getting phone calls from the hospital but usually it was from Izuku himself, telling you what had happened and that he was ok. So when you got a call from a doctor telling you he was currently undergoing surgery you panicked.

When they told you he was going to be ok you felt like you could breathe again, but the numbing emotion never left you. The whole journey to the hospital you felt like you were in a daze.

In fact, you could barely remember how you got here. It was like your body was on auto-pilot. All you could focus on was your own pounding heartbeat.

"Y/n…"

You felt a large hand come up to cup your cheek and lift your head up. It was only when you met his green eyes that you realised your vision had become blurry from the tears welling in your eyes.

When you shut your eyes they finally fell. You leaned into his hand, grabbing his forearm with both of your hands and holding him close. He was alive, it was ok. There was no reason to be upset.

So why were you still crying?

You felt the pad of his thumb gently caress your cheek, wiping away the tears. He stared at you with a heartbroken expression. He hated doing this to you. He hated being the reason you had to worry so much. He had honestly expected you to leave him by now. You deserved so much better and yet… you stayed.

He didn’t know why. Why was he worth this to you? You were way too good for him.

"I thought you died." You whispered helplessly.

You didn't even have the chance to open your eyes before you felt the hand leave your cheek and wrap around your waist.

He pulled you down into his chest, holding you there protectively as you cried into his shirt. You welcomed the hug whole heartedly and made yourself comfortable on the bed beside him.

"I know I said I would always support you but today was too much." You lifted your head from his chest so you could smash your lips against his. It was like a way of telling yourself he was still alive. He was ok and you didn't need to worry anymore.

"I love you so much, but if you ever do something so reckless like that again then villains would be the least of your worries." You joked with a small smile, though your eyes were still tear filled.  You wanted to lighten the mood. The last thing he needed after such a big fight was to be surrounded with more sadness.

Your dazed boyfriend shook his head. It seemed the kiss had caught him off guard.

He let out a soft laugh as his fingers gently ran through your hair. "I believe you, i'll make sure to keep that in mind."

Oh yeah, he had seen your "bad" side on a few occasions. Luckily he had never been the target of your wrath and he fully intended to keep it that way.

He never wanted to be the reason you were upset.

As he looked down at your teary eyes he made a mental note to try harder for you. To be more careful so you didn’t have to worry as much. He would work himself down to the bone if it meant you would never have to feel this way again.

"I'm so sorry I scared you princess. I'll try to be more careful."

You smiled at him before stuffing your face back into his chest. "No you won't."

His lips parted in shock at your response.

You knew him too well. When he's in the heat of battle there is no stopping him. He's like a completely different person and if he has to take a risk to save someone's life you knew he would always do it without a second thought.

You knew exactly what you were getting into when you started dating him. That's why you always did your best to never get upset when he got hurt or did something stupid.

He couldn't find it in him to reply, he didn’t know what to say. You were right, he would probably do this again at some point. Of course he wasn’t planning to, but it was just in his nature, when the times called for dangerous plans and reckless actions- he had to do it. Otherwise how could he call himself a hero?

But- god did he hate worrying you. He hated when you would have to see him like this.

And that’s exactly why he needed to get stronger. The stronger he was then the less likely it was he would be hurt this bad again and finally his precious loved ones could live in peace.

Of course you had your fair share of worrying him. You could be pretty reckless too, but it was all a part of the job description. It was something you both had to learn to overlook, you loved each other enough to deal with the worry.

"I'm sorry for punching you." You muttered into his shirt after a while of silence. He was still petting your hair with his uninjured hand, it was comforting.

You heard him chuckle. "You should be, I knew you were getting stronger lately but ouch! You have one mean right hook on you." He joked, feeling happy when you laughed into his shirt.

Making you smile was always one of his top priorities. It was especially important if he was the reason you were sad in the first place.

When you lifted your head again, you rested your chin on his chest as you sent him a soft glare. "Yeah, so make sure you're more careful. I don't want to have to do it again."

"Trust me, I don't want to have to feel that again." He rolled his shoulder, the stinging still lingering. "But I did deserve it this time… I mean, what kind of boyfriend makes their girlfriend cry like that?"

Uh oh, it seemed he was starting to blame himself for everything. Typical izuku. But there was no way you were allowing this on your watch!

"The heroic kind?" You tilted your head. "I know I might have been upset but you still saved all those people and single handedly stopped the villain, right? Or at least that’s what the news reporters are saying. So Don't beat yourself up. You're a true hero."

His cheeks turned red as he shyly shifted his eyes away. You smiled when seeing him trying to hold back a smile and failing miserably. It was so adorable!

“For some reason, it always sounds more special when you call me that." He pressed a kiss to your forehead.

"A hero?"

He nodded, his eyes softening as your noses rubbed gently in a light eskimo kiss. "Thank you, honey. I promise, I'm going to get stronger for you. So you don't have to worry anymore."

Kirishima:

The blaring sound of sirens and flashing lights surrounded you as you finally made it onto the scene. They were slightly overwhelming you in your panicked state. This is the aftermath of what you had seen go down on tv, it was awful.. Much worse than what the cameras were able to show.

That only worried you more.

Right now, you were only looking for one guy. The same guy that had given you a million heart attacks in just one afternoon while simultaneously saving the day.

There were so many people around here you were worried it would take a lot longer than you anticipated to find him.

Everyone from pro heroes to police and ambulance crew were here. It was a pretty big crowd and it didn’t help that so many of them were rushing around.

You were careful not to get in their way, you didn't want to make things worse. From what it seemed the situation wasn’t great already and you were sure they wouldn’t appreciate a frantic person rushing around to find their boyfriend.

Honestly, you think it would be easy to spot bright red, spiky hair in a crowd, but nope.

You looked through every ambulance, you asked every pro hero you passed but you still couldn't find him and the worry was starting to grow, or well, more so than it was before.

You anxiously fiddled with your hands as you walked around calling out for him. Though it might be unlikely he would hear you over all the noise.

Walking around the scene alone with nothing but your thoughts to keep you company wasn’t helping either.

You remembered seeing the mass destruction of the villains quirk on Tv and your boyfriend was one of the heroes in the center of it all. That was the last thing you saw before the camera cut out and you rushed out of your shared home to run to his location. You had been happy to see it was over when you arrived. The villains had been successfully captured and locked away.

But where was Kirishima!?

Oh god, what if he was hurt!? What if he was trapped somewhere!? What if he was kidnapped or- worse! Maybe they already had to take him to hospital because he was so badly injured?!

Your thoughts were clouded with bad images and it made a lump rise in your throat. You felt your eyes stinging with tears and you had to shake your head to keep it together.

No, no. You've got to stay strong. Maybe he was just being seen by a doctor- you haven't checked everywhere yet. There was no need to worry!! But what if he-

"Hey babe! What are you doing he- oof." he was cut off as you instantly spun around at the sound of his voice and tackled him into a tight hug.

Though he was caught off guard he was able to catch himself, and you, from falling onto the ground.

He was surprised to look down and see you shaking as you buried yourself in his chest. He didn't know what to say, what had shaken you up this badly? His arms came around to encase you into a tight hug, maybe that was all you needed right now.

"I was watching on Tv and all I saw was you running in and then that big cloud of smoke. Then the camera went off and I assumed the worst. I know you can take care of yourself but-"

So that's what this was about? His chest began to ache at the thought of you being at home and having to helplessly watch something so scary.

His arms around you tightened. One hand holding your head to his chest as the other stayed on your waist.

It was as if he was trying to shield you from the rest of the world- and it was so comforting.

"Hey! Hey! It's ok. I'm fine. I appreciate the worry, and I'm sorry for scaring you like that." He pulled back just enough for you to be able to look up and see his smiling face. "But I'm ok! See? Only a few little scratches!" He reassured you before pulling you back into his tight embrace.

"Honestly? I would've done the same thing if I was in your position! I would've freaked out too, but you don't have to be scared anymore."

You clung onto him as if your life depended on it. You were filled with such relief that you weren't even sure you were crying from sadness anymore. It was more happy crying- happy that he was alive.

"Luckily for us, Everything went pretty well- though… I guess I was pretty reckless back there." He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.

You weren't sure what it was about his acknowledging that he was reckless but I sort of ticked you off. If he knew it was reckless then why did he do it!? He should've been more careful!! There were so many other pros on the scene!! Why did he try to take it all on alone!?

You pulled back from the hug and punched his arm.

"Wh-"

"Damn right you were reckless!! What were you even thinking!? You could've been seriously hurt!"

"But babe I-"

"No! Shut up!" You cut him off again by roughly grabbing his collar and pulling him down to meet your lips in a rough, heated kiss.

"You ever pull a stunt like that again you'll be in big trouble mister!" You glared up at him.

"O-ok." He blinked, completely dazed at what had just happened. All your emotions coming out in one big cluster and he couldn’t keep up.

You were happy he was alive and wanted to kiss him all over his stupid face but you always wanted to punch him again for scaring you like he did!

However, all kirishima could think about was that he found this assertiveness kind of hot.

You bit the inside of your cheek as you looked away from him when you realised he was no longer listening to you. He was staring at you with a dazed look, his cheeks were red and you could only wonder why he was thinking about it.

The way he was looking at you was making you blush.

"Did you even feel that punch?"

He snapped out of his thoughts and laughed at the question.

He swung an arm around you. "Not really, but that's not to say you're not strong. You're super strong! I just have a high pain tolerance is all!"

You smiled up at him, cupping his cheeks with your hands. "I know. I have such a strong and manly boyfriend." You gushed and his cheeks turned red. Once again your mood had changed. Today has been a crazy day for your emotions and you couldn't decide whether to be happy or mad at him.

"H-hah- b-babe not in front of the guys." He said from embarrassment.

“Huh?” you questioned, following his eyes and turning around to find kaminari and sero making kissy faces at him.

You laughed.

It was rare for him to get embarrassed, he wasn't someone who cared about pda. In fact, he was usually completely open with showing love and affection for you in public.

This was a rare, and very cute, side of him.

"Looks like you got told huh dude?" Sero laughed at him, having witnessed you scolding him.

"Oh don't even get me started on you two!" You sent them a glare which immediately prompted them to shut up. "I saw you both being just as careless back there!"

"Oh uh- well…" kaminari started as they both slowly backed away from you, you could see they regretted making their previous comments and decided to ditch before you scolded them too.

You laughed as you watched them go and turned back to Kiri who was staring at you with a goofy grin.

"Have you been checked over for injuries? Are you ready to go home."

"Oh I'm more than ready to go home." He muttered in a low husky voice. You blinked twice at the statement.

"Huh? What's that mean?- and what's with that face!?"

He stepped closer to you and swung an arm around your waist, pulling you in close and leaning down to mutter in your ear.

"You're kinda hot when you're mad."

[writer-akihiko]

Chapter 1 - Meeting Him [QuartetNight Ver.]

Chapter 2  →

Camus Cryszard

As a student of Saotome Music High, everyone is mostly expected to either categorise themselves in common stereotypes. You, however, were not one of those people.

The moment you entered the school and had to pick a course; your heart had already decided. You had a passion for music, but not for playing or composing, rather, conducting.

You were quite well-known in Saotome, after all you were the first female in the history of Saotome's conducting course. Due to this, you had developed an instinct to try harder and be more ambitious.

As a project to pitch to the principal to include you in Saotome's premier concert for scouters, you had to come up with a new arrangement.

Carrying your composing files, you enter your practice hall where your usual orchestra group waited for you to arrive. To your surprise, there was a person lecturing them.

The tall man had his locks in a low ponytail. As you stepped in, the orchestra looked at you. Noticing that they weren't paying attention to him anymore, the man looked at you as well.

"Another late member?" He harshly said.

You were taken aback, but smoothly replied. "I'm their conductor. I wasn't informed that anyone else would be observing today."

The faces of your orchestra members were relieved from whatever scolding this man gave them. "Please do tell what you were lecturing my orchestra about," You said to the man, arranging your pieces on your desk.

"I was simply asking your party here why they feel that the practice halls can also be for horseplay and loitering," he crosses his arms, giving you a blaming look.

You sighed. "Fukuda, did everyone finish their tasks before I got here?"

The orchestra leader nodded immediately, then silently sitting down as you and the odd long-haired man have your showdown.

You turn to the man. "Great. I don't see why they cannot relax if they finish their tasks, Mr..."

"Camus. However I believe that there is no time to relax when your proposal is soon, LN-san."

"If this misunderstanding is cleared up, you can sit near the desk and begin your observation Mr Camus," You prepare yourself at the podium.

"Very well LN."

The two of you glared at each other the whole practice as the orchestra awkwardly play the whole time.

Ai Mikaze

You had a meeting with Ai Mikaze, a popular idol of the group Quartet Night. You were going to talk to him about the new ending track for the new season of the anime you were starring in.

You were a popular voice actress with a boyish wild attitude despite some of the cutesy roles you took on. Your fans still loved you anyway, to which you are extremely grateful for. Most of your roles consist of characters from shounen animes, but you still had some other roles in fictional idol games and shoujo animes.

The song that was meant for the ending track was about the character you voiced as, the main protagonist. You had to get Ai Mikaze to understand the personality of your character and honour it through the ending. The first episode is going to be released in two weeks’ time, meaning you had no time to waste. You walked into the studio and asked for the number of the recording room. You pushed the door open and found the famous Ai Mikaze standing there, looking at what seems to be a script.

"Hey there, name's LN YN. Nice to meet you Mikaze-kun!" You enthusiastically chirped.

He didn't reply and just stared at you.

"Umm..."

"Are you sure you are LN-san?" He said.

"Yes, I am..." You answered, quite confused. "Anyway, let's get on with the script!"

Deciding to forget about that awkward situation, you took a seat.

"What do you think about your character?" He asked you, taking a seat as well.

"What?"

"What do you think about your character?"

"I heard you the first time..." You corrected. He started to look puzzled. "Well I think with the new arc going on she's going to have to face her past. That's in the song, right?"

He handed me a piece of paper. It was the lyrics pre-written. "What?! This doesn't sound like her at all! How could they disgrace my precious child like this?"

Ai continued to stare at you with wide eyes. "Um, sorry Ai. There must be a mistake in the song here. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Sorry for wasting your time."

"We could fix it together," He insisted.

"Huh?"

You two spent the rest of the week fixing the song together. It was later re-approved by the audio director who thanked both of you for doing so.

He's a little odd, you thought. He's still nice though.

Reiji Kotobuki

You were a paramedic in training. You were quite studious and serious most of the time, even outside of your job. Your senior today was hired for the rehearsal concert of the popular idol group, Quartet Night.

You and your senior were watching from the side lines. The group was practicing the choreography to Poison Kiss. You didn't know the members much, but their songs often came on the radio.

Crash!

One of the idols fell to the floor. Your senior decided that you should examine the guy as he observes you. You nodded, grabbing your kit and running to the fallen idol.

The idol was panting, clutching his ankle. You asked his bandmate, a silver haired man. "Can you get him to sit on a chair?" He nodded, seating his friend down.

You scrambled to take off his shoe and his sock. You took out one of the ice packs and supported his foot. Quickly compressing the ice, the male groaned and winced.

You looked up at the male. "Sir, you'll be fine. After this I will wrap your ankle and continue to compress. May I ask what your name is?"

He stared at you, in a daze. He looked like a puppy, almost rivalling your own puppy back at your apartment.

"Sir?"

"Umm... Kotobuki Reiji."

"Ok. Now listen here Kotobuki-san, I'm going to begin wrapping..."

You continued to talk; however Reiji did not listen. He was too busy staring at you and your beauty to pay attention.

When you looked at him... your e/c eyes caught him off guard. There was so much emotion in them... concern, worry, calmness... It was enchanting.

No wait, it didn't even start from there. When he was in pain, the sight of you running towards him made his heart race. To see someone as gorgeous as you race to him... it was like a movie when the princess leaps into the arms of her lover.

"KOTOBUKI-SAN!"

"AH YES PRINCESS!" Reiji yelled.

"Huh?"

Reiji turned redder than Otoya's hair. "U-Uh continue please Miss Paramedic."

"As I was saying, I don't think you can dance tonight. You can still sing though. I'm sorry Kotobuki-san." You apologised sincerely. You felt bad for him, as he was an idol after all.

"Don't be sorry to me Miss Prin- I mean, Paramedic," Reiji replied. "On another note, what's your name? I feel awkward calling you Miss Princ- Paramedic."

"LN YN," You said. "I must leave now. Your bandmates must want to talk to you, and I need to let you rest. Get well soon."

"Thank you," Reiji said as you walked back to your senior. "Miss Princess..." He whispered.

Ranmaru Kurosaki

[This starts when you were children]

"YN-chan!"

Your best friend Ranmaru called to you. You waddled your way to him in your polka dot f/c bathing suit. Ranmaru was rich kid that moved into the fancy villa for the holiday. When your father was delivering fish to the villa, you followed him and met Ranmaru. You two became quick friends.

Today you two were playing on the seaside.

"YN-chan..."

"Yea Mawu-chan?" You say, as you gather water with your pail.

"My mommy says that we're going to leave soon. I have to go back to school as well," He says, pouting as he grips his swim trunks.

"You can visit next howiday right Mawu-chan?" You said, hopeful.

"But... I WANT YN-CHAN WITH ME!" He cried. He grabbed your hand and brought you to his mother.

"What is it Ranmaru dear?" She said, looking at the adorable couple. Secretly, YN's mother and her ship you two.

"Mama! I don't wanna leave!" Ranmaru cries.

"Eh? Ranmaru, we already talkedー"

"NO!! NOT WITHOUT YN-CHAN!" He held onto you tighter, as to prove his point.

His mother didn't know what to do. Ranmaru continued to throw a tantrum.

"I DON'T WANNA! I WANNA GO WITH YN-CHAN! I DON'T, I DON'T!"

"Ranmaru! YN has to stay here. She has her whole family here. We can't take her with us..." His mother comforted him.

"It's okay!" You cried out. "Becawse Mawu-chan is gonna visit me evewy howiday!"

As the day ended, both of your fathers had force you two apart (or more like Ranmaru from you) and you said farewell.

On the day of Ranmaru's departure, you two were on the sand on the beach you two met.

Ranmaru was already crying to you, telling you about stupid adults that cannot bring you.

"Mawu-chan!"

"Huh?"

You gave him a shell bracelet. "Mawu-chan... I know that you're sad. I'm sad twoo. But my granny says that if I give you this shell bracelet then you'll never forget me. I made it with granny. See, I have one too!"

You showed him the bracelet and they were indeed matching. "Like Mawu, I'm gonna follow you somedway! Because Mawu's name means follow right? Meaning I have to follow you one dway!"

Ranmaru held the bracelet in his hand. "Y-YN-CHANNN!!"

The two of you cried together.

"I'll mwiss you," you yelled, as you waved at the limo and a wailing Ranmaru at the window.

Fast forward to today's time period, you were a popular athlete, a surfer to be exact. You were at one of the beaches for your nationals competition. Today was your relaxing day, but that definitely won't stop you from surfing.

Unbeknownst to you, Quartet Night was having a photoshoot on the exact same beach you were at. Ranmaru Kurosaki, your childhood friend, was complaining to their manager.

"C'mon! I'm already done! Why should I wait for Ai? He's not even facing the waves!"

"Fine Kurosaki-kun. You can go ahead and surf. I'll be watching."

"Woo-hoo!"

"How impudent," Camus remarked.

Coincidentally, you were also about to catch the waves. Ranmaru rode the wave first, and you caught up to him.

This guy is really good, you thought. As a challenge for yourself, you tried to catch up to him. You decided to try the risky route and overtake him from above. You glimpsed back and the male was shocked at what skill you had. You smirked at him and went ahead. You noticed the male try to catch up to you but failed however, until the wave was nearing an end.

You decided to surf and jump it from the top. The male followed suit, and the wipeout occurred.

"You're not too bad," you commented to the male, who just resurfaced. You were about to sit on your board and heave yourself until the male gasped.

He was staring at your bracelet. The one you gave Mawu a long time ago.

"Oh this? It’s a bracelet I gave a friend a... long... time..."

You stopped when the male across from you lifted up a necklace that had the same shells in the identical order to yours. That's when it hit you.

"MAWU?!"

"YN?!"

Ranmaru swam to you and lifted you up. "YN-chan! I can't believe it's you!" He puts you on your board. "This is so surreal..."

"I know. What are you up to here? Don't tell me you're a part of the surfing contest," You said.

"No, I'm here for a photoshoot," he said truthfully.

"You're with Quartet Night?" You said, shocked. "You didn't look like Mawu at all, y'know, because of the eyes."

"It's an aesthetic. But you? Are you a part of that contest?" You nodded. 

"Professional surfer... Wow."

"Wow yourself Mr. Idol," You laughed.

"H-Hey! Don't tease me like that! Also don't call me Mawu! It's Ranmaru!"

"Then call me YN, Ranmaru. I missed you y'know?"

"Me too YN." He said smiling.

"LN!" Your manager screamed.

"KUROSAKI!" His manager screamed.

"That's my manager..." You two said in unison to each other.

"See you around, Ranmaru," you said, swimming to shore.

"You too, YN."

Chapter 2  →

[ilovemyniece]

I've started a writing project. Its not finished yet. But still i hope you like!

Chapter 1 Chaos

   

    Today was like any other Friday. Stephanie Jones woke up to take Claire and Lily to the babysitter and to school. The only difference is that she woke them up a little early so that they could take Claire to Austin, the sitter, early per his request.

            As they were all getting ready Lily was putting the last touches on her poster for the cheer squad meeting later that afternoon. Lily finished her poster, rolled it up and set it down on the breakfast bar. She then ran upstairs to get a coat before her mother sees she doesn’t have one. While she was there she got a call from Joe, her best friend, about his night out on the town and how she should’ve been there with him and his boyfriend. Her mother came up and made her hang up and rushed her out the door. She hadn’t even realized she left the poster on the bar until she was dropped off.

    They arrived at the highschool to drop off Lily. As she was walking she suddenly remembered her poster on the bar and turned around and asked, “Mom can you drop off my poster before you get to work?” Her mother told her that they will be by later with the poster. Happy with the answer she told her mother and Claire goodbye. 

    Stephanie turned around and went home to get the poster. When she pulled up in the driveway she noticed Harold’s car was gone and so she assumed he went to work. She then went inside, to the kitchen, grabbed the poster and a light snack for Claire on the way to Austin’s, then went outside and drove off. Thirty minutes later Lily had her poster and Claire was on her way to the babysitter.

Stephanie and Claire pulled up to Austin’s. Austin walked up and got Claire from her mother with her bags. “How are you today Mrs. Jones?”Austin asked. “I’m doing well.”she responded. Austin grabbed the bags and sat them down in the house and went back outside to get Claire. “Have a good day Mrs. Jones. Claire tell your momma goodbye.” “Bye mommy.” Claire said sleepily. After everyone bidded each other fare well Austin and Claire went inside and Mrs. Jones went on her way to work. 

On her way to work she got a call from Harold. As she went to answer the call, the phone fell from her hand on to the floor. She went to reach for it when -BAM!- she rammed into the car ahead of her. Two more cars crashed into her, one from behind and the other from the side. She died when the car hit her from the side.The driver that had hit her from the side died on impact. The one that had hit her from behind made a phone call and then got out of the car as if they were okay and ran away. The driver of the car Stephanie had hit called 911 and told what happened.

When the police, fire department, and the paramedics arrived it was chaotic. Amongst all the chaos no one saw the man who ran away come back to watch. He waited until he saw Stephanie get put in a body bag. He then made another phone call to his boss. Once the call had ended he walked to the edge of the woods that surrounded and shot himself with a silencer. No one heard what had been said on the phone and no one heard the gunshot. Not with all the sounds of panic. On the other side of town at the Jones’ house, Harold walked in to grab a USB drive he left behind this morning. Instead he walked in the house to find it trashed and dialed his wife’s number to question her about the mess. He didn’t notice the figure in black creeping up behind him holding something. Harold tried to call his wife one more time when he got strucked from behind. He blacked out and when he came to he was tied up. He looked around to see if the person behind this was near by.

Harold caught a glimpse of a face. He knew her face. He was sure of it. When the woman came foward it all made sense. He knew exactly what was going on. Harold started to chuckle and says, “You can tell your boss I won’t be the only one who will be after them. Its just a matter of time before someone gets Lily and Claire.” The woman finally spoke and said, “Your group of awful people will never win. You will never win.” That was the last thing Harold heard before he was shot. No one heard the shot. Not a single soul.

The woman disappeared right before the police arrived. She made a phone call to a mysterious man. “Harold has been taken care of. Stephanie was taken out by the enemy before I could get her a protection detail assigned to her. He’s becoming a nuisance.” 

                Chapter 2 Lily

    When Lily got to school she went to the cafeteria to spend that time before class talking with her friend who was in cheer with her. As she was speaking with Kayleigh, her friend, she got a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. “Lily, are you okay? You’ve been a little spacey.” a worried Kayleigh asked. “I don’t think anything is wrong. It’s just that I have a bad feeling, like something is going to happen.” Lily replied.

    The hell bell, as the students called it, rang for first period. Lily and Kayleigh got up and went to their respective classes. Kayleigh had Math and Lily had Social Injustment. Sometime during the beginning of the class Lily got called to the front office. As she walked up there the bad feeling got more intense. She walked to the door and knocked. “Come in.” the principal said with a slightly raised voice. She walked in and greeted the principal. “Hello Mr. Rogers.”  “Your mother dropped off a poster for you.” he said. She grabbed the poster from him and went back to class. Her day went really well until sixth period. She ran into a mean girl, who thinks she’s better than everyone. After that encounter her mood went real sour for the rest of the day.

    The last bell rang and every teen was out of their chairs on their way to wherever. Lily was on her way to the cheer meet. She met up with Kayleigh and together they walked to the meet. They got to the gym and went to the locker room to get dressed. They did their rehearsal for the game next month. The captain called all of them over to her. “Girls the posters need to be hung up by next Thursday. I think the flyers are ready to be put up too. So don’t forget to grab a stack of those as well. Lily, you and Kayleigh head to the south side of town to put up your flyers and posters.” she went on to tell everyone where to put their posters and stuff.

    Lily got a ride home from Kayleigh’s mom. As they pulled up they saw police lights at her house. Lily got out of the car and tried to walk into her house, but she was pulled back by an officer. “Miss you can’t go in here.” he said. “Miss you can’t go in there.” he kept repeating. Lily finally got the breath to speak, “I live there. That’s MY house. What are you doing here? Where’s my mom? Mom! Mom!” she yelled. The officer pulled out his phone and pulled up a picture of Stephanie. “Do you know this woman?” he asked. Lily nodded her head. “I’m terribly sorry Miss. She died today in a very bad accident. How do you know Mrs. Jones?” he asked. Lily muttered that she was her daughter.

    Lily asked why they were at her house if her mother died on the road. “That brings up my next question.” he pulled out his phone once again and pulled up a photo of her father, Harold. “Do you know this man?” he asked. He knew the answer as soon as he saw the color drain from her whole body and she started to shake. She once again just nodded her head. “He’s my dad.” she uttered shakily. The officer then went on to ask her some more questions like if they had any enemies, if she knew anybody they might have wronged, etc.  After that the officer told her to wait there and walked over to another and they started to whisper. Then both officers walked back over to Lily. “Ma’am I’m going to need you to come with me.” the second officer said. 

    Lily went with the female officer to the station to answer some questions. “Where’s my sister? Have you picked her up yet?” Lily asked. The officer told her to not to worry that they will find Claire. 

   

                  Chapter 3 The Boss

    Austin brought in Claire’s things when Stephanie dropped off Claire. After she left he ushered Claire inside and put on some cartoons for her. “Are you hungry? Do you want some toast?” he asked her. She started to jump up and down saying, “Yes! Yes! Yes!” over and over. He laughed at her childish behavior. He went about making the toast adding some peanut butter on top just how she likes it. He already knew what was going to happen to her parents. He felt kinda bad because now Claire has no parents like him.

    As he was putting the peanut butter up he got a call from Jamey, the boss, telling him that they, the parents, were dead. He was now supposed to take Claire to an empty park and wait til Jamey showed up. He let Claire finish her toast and then got her ready to meet the boss.

    Now Austin knew this was wrong. He knew he should take Claire to the police and tell them everything. And to get as far away from the boss as possible. He also wasn’t stupid either. He knew to go against the boss would mean a painful death and he happens to like his life. He loves Claire don’t get him wrong. He’s just in way too far to get the both of them out safely.

    Jamey, the boss, is a demon. He used to work for the government in a group called the Elites. The group was in charge of finding and protecting a child who will grow into her power and could change the fate of the world with just a blink of her eyes. Harold was also apart of the group. He ended up meeting a woman and they had a child together, Lily. Jamey wanted to tell Harold it wasn’t safe for his child, but he was afraid that if he did Harold would do something stupid. Jamey knew the group was corrupt, he just didn’t know how deep the corruption ran. One day he walked past a door and heard the leader and Harold speaking about Lily and what they were going to do to her once she aged enough. He didn’t like it not one bit. And so he vowed he was going to protect Lily at all costs. After he found out all that he left the group. He plotted against Harold for years. He also kept track of Lily’s life as well and noticed she was not the child they were looking for and so he felt that she was safe enough to back off a little.

    One year when Lily was fourteen her mother died. Jamey lost hope of ever finding the child after that. That was until he heard Harold married Stephanie who herself was an angel, a beautiful angel. Five months later they were pregnant with Claire and when she was born all the signs were there Claire was the child they were looking for. And so he plotted, plotted for years until he came up with a way to get the child. So that he could protect her keep her away from the Elites.

    The empty park, where they’re meeting, is where Austin always took Claire to play for the day. Sometimes Jamey would be there, sometimes he wasn’t. When they got there the boss wasn’t so he let her play for a good hour. Cause when the boss comes Claire is leaving with him and Austin goes undercover to get close to Lily.

    When Jamey arrived Claire was still playing. He let her continue so that he could talk with Austin. “I hope you’re ready to begin phase three, cause it’s going to start real soon.” the boss told Austin. “I know what I have to do. I know it will be hard at first but I will get it done. I promise.” Ausitn confirmed with a nod. Jamey called two guys over to grab Claire’s things. He then called Claire over so they could leave. The two guys stayed behind after the boss and Claire left. Austin was confused until he realized they were to beat him up so he could get close to Lily and find out everything she knew.

    After Austin got jumped the two men left. While they did all that Jamey was on his way to the mansion on the countryside. After he got Claire settled in he sent a message to Austin to begin phase three and to check to see if they had hurt him badly. Austin reponse pleased him. He went in to his study to have a drink. He needed to think of how to raise the toddler in his house who is currently sleeping and how to do it without raising too many questions about the child. After a few hours of pondering he decided to go to bed and deal with it in the morning.

    The next morning Jamey called Austin to see if he was okay. He loves that boy like his own son. Jamey decided to always protect him, he needed it, with all that he knew about the Elites and Harold. Not everything is as it seems in his world of demons and angels.

[ladylynse]

Whirlwind (SQ fic): Jake should be used to ominous predictions by now. Randy should know better than to blindly follow McFist. Adrien should think twice before sneaking away. And Danny should’ve expected something like this when he got that phone call.

Chapter 10 [FF | AO3]

Previous | Timeline post

-|-

7:36 PM

“Um, guys?” Danny said as he looked up. He might not be a dragon expert by any stretch of the imagination, but he’d spent enough time with Dora—and Jake, really—to be able to pick out the sound of giant wingbeats above the general noise of the city.

“Not now,” Jake hissed at him, pointing with his free hand to his cell phone. “I’m still on with Trixie.”

“No, Danny’s right,” Nino said, and he must have followed Danny’s gaze. “We need to move. Now.”

There was a squeak from beside him that was probably Haley. Randy had already seen the dragon, after all. Both of them were looking up, too, and must have seen Susan fly past quickly enough that she was hardly more than a flash of deeper darkness against the cloudy sky. Nightfall worked in Jake’s favour, at least. It was hard to see much of anything up there from street level.

“Here’s the plan,” Nino said, and Danny turned to him. “Get in the air. Follow her. Stay invisible, and keep us posted via these things.” He tapped his Fenton Phone. “Randy and I will transform. We’ll be distractions, since I’m assuming we’ll still be easy targets in the dark.” Haley nodded, and he continued, “Once you’re invisible, you can get close to her and grab her necklace. Just take it and get out of there, as far as you can. Don’t break it until Jake hears back from his contact about something to contain the akuma.”

Danny hadn’t exactly tested how well being invisible at night helped combat a dragon’s magical sight, but he didn’t have to heart to say that right now. He still had a better chance than the other two. In theory, at least.

“What about me?” Haley asked.

“Dragon,” Danny reminded Nino. It was easy to forget. Jake might argue it, but Danny didn’t think Haley pulled off fierce very well.

“You’d be too much of a target.”

“Just because I’m younger than you, it doesn’t mean I’m useless! You said you wanted distractions.”

“Distractions, not bait.” Nino pulled a face. “Look, I’m sorry, but I don’t want you to get hurt, and—”

“You don’t even know what I can do!”

“Let her do what she does best,” Danny suggested. “The cute little girl schtick. Sic her on McFist and Rotwood. If Trixie and Spud don’t end up fetching something from the shop, they can help her when they get here.”

Nino frowned down at Haley. “Does Rotwood know who you are?”

She shrugged. “He’s met me. He mostly focuses on Jake so he might not remember me. I might just be like any other cute little girl he’s seen.” She flashed a smile.

“I’ll give her some weapons,” Randy said. “Just a sec.” No doubt still wary of cameras, he ducked behind the dumpster and reappeared a few seconds later as the Ninja, holding out some throwing stars and different coloured balls. “These should help you keep them distracted without giving that Rotwood guy evidence of dragons.” He glanced in the direction Susan had flown and then amended, “More evidence of dragons, anyway.”

“I don’t have my backpack,” Haley said, eyeing the weapons that were overflowing from Randy’s hands.

“Here, you can take my sweater,” Nino said. He shot a worried glance at the mouth of the alley and then pulled off his hoodie, making sure to keep his back to the street. “I won’t need it as Chat Noir, anyway.”

The hooded sweatshirt swam on Haley, but it did the trick, and Randy made sure her pockets were full. “Aren’t you worried about McFist realizing that’s all Ninja stuff?” Danny asked as Nino crouched behind the dumpster to change.

“He’s bound to already know the Ninja’s in town. Or at least that a Ninja’s in town. If I’m lucky, he doesn’t realize it’s me and not, like, the Ninja of New York City.”

Danny wasn’t entirely convinced, but it was Randy’s neck, not his. Besides, his enemies all knew his real identity, and they hadn’t all used it against him. Just…most of them. He would almost swear that Technus had hacked into the school’s mainframe last time he’d attacked and figured out when Danny had major exams scheduled, as he or Skulker would invariably show up, and—

“Here, take one of these, too,” Randy said, handing one last ball to Haley. “Just be extra careful with that one. It’s a Ninja Bee Ball.”

She looked at it warily. “McFist’s not allergic, is he?”

“I have no idea. But he’d have health insurance. He’ll be fine.”

She didn’t look convinced, so Danny added, “The paramedics working the venue tonight would still be on site. Too many people are hanging around for them to have packed up and gone home. I don’t think they’d be able to just leave mid shift anyway.”

“Why is she even worried about that?” Randy asked in a loud whisper as Haley tucked away the Ninja Bee Ball and trotted to the edge of the alley, looking both ways before darting off to join the thinning crowd and find Rotwood and his new Ninja-destroying friend. “I never worry about that, and it’s always worked out for me!”

Danny shrugged. “I personally have more of a thing against ghost mosquitoes and giant hornets. If she doesn’t use it, she doesn’t use it. The important thing is that she buys us time to deal with the dragon.”

“Do you think Jake’s mom’ll even pay attention to me? She didn’t before.”

“You weren’t with me before,” Nino said, and Danny jumped. Geez, that guy could sneak up on people. Danny was far more used to sneaking up on people and scaring them than having it happen to him—mostly because of his ghost sense, but also because Tucker—

Someone shouted something made incomprehensible by distance. They all glanced in the direction it had come from, despite not being able to see anything, and waited for the screaming to start.

It didn’t.

Had no one spotted the dragon coming back? Someone must have been looking. Had she flown high enough? Or simply cleverly enough, avoiding the majority of the sightlines? Did she have some power that most dragons didn’t, something they hadn’t seen her use yet? Danny wouldn’t put anything past someone who could use magic like that, not after his experiences with Desiree.

Nino was the first to look away and call their attention back to him. “She’s clever, even more so since she has all this existing knowledge of dragons. We need to be careful, and need to take her out fast.”

“So we just, what, come out swinging?” Randy asked. “Or, ooh, how about I use my scarf to get on her back and ride her? That would be so bruce, being a dragon rider.”

Nino stared at Randy for a few seconds. His ears twitched. (Danny was pretty sure he hadn’t just imagined that. Magic would surely make it possible for the cat ears to move on their own.) After a beat, Nino said, “Well, it would be a distraction, I guess. But she’ll try to protect her necklace at any cost. She might’ve been ignoring you earlier, but she won’t if you’re that close it. And you can’t fly.”

Randy laughed; Danny wasn’t even sure if he’d been paying attention to Chat Noir’s warnings. “This will be the cheese! The Nomicon’s bound to teach me how to do the Ninja Dragon Fist after that.”

“Wait,” Danny said, remembering the term from earlier. “The Nomicon. That’s that thing that gave you that advice, right?”

Danny didn’t need to see Randy’s face to know that he was frowning. “The super unhelpful advice? Yeah. I mean, c’mon. To cleanse the soul, one must first clear the mind. I’ve figured it out now. It’s telling me to focus. As if I’m not focusing already. I mean, dragon. Super bruce. Definitely focusing on that. And trying to stop the whole panic and chaos thing from happening.”

“It’s not telling you that you need to focus,” Nino said slowly. “It’s telling you that we can get through to her.”

“What?”

Danny wasn’t entirely sure what Nino meant, either.

“Hawk Moth’s magic is a corruption of what it should be,” Nino said, as if that explained anything. “To free her of it, we need to help her clear her head. Snap her out of it.”

“By breaking the necklace and releasing the butterfly?” Randy prompted. “Isn’t that how it works?”

“But we might not need to,” insisted Nino. “You already said she’s different.” He hesitated, then amended, “At least, even if we do have to break it and free the akuma, if we can get through to her, she might be strong enough not to fight us. That would make your job a lot easier, Phantom.”

Danny wasn’t going to bet that anything would be easy, but he’d take easier if it wouldn’t blow up in their faces. Which it almost certainly would. His luck was terrible, Jake’s was obviously no better, Randy’s couldn’t be great if this McFist guy had shown up, and Nino, well…. Bad luck was following him around right now, even if it didn’t usually back in Paris—although the fact that he was a masked hero no doubt meant it did, even though this Hawk Moth guy not having what he wanted yet was definitely a point in cat boy’s favour.

Maybe a whole bunch of awful luck mixed with effort, skill, and desperation would let them come out on top.

“Might as well try it. Worst that happens is that it doesn’t work,” Danny said. “You guys head out; I’ll fill in Jake and catch up.”

They both nodded before jumping into action, Nino extending his staff and immediately disappearing to the rooftops and Randy darting across the street before swinging up to climb a fire escape on the other side. Danny drifted over to Jake, who didn’t look particularly happy. He held up one finger and kept talking to Trixie.

He finished, flipped the phone closed with a groaned, “Aw, maaaan,” and Danny didn’t need to ask.

Instead, Danny said, “Nino thinks Randy’s Nomicon thing might be saying we can get through this without freeing the akuma. He’s not sure and was hoping you’d have something to deal with it, but I’m guessing not.”

“Yeah, not. It’s not like I have Pandora’s Box just lying around.”

“It’s in the Ghost Zone,” Danny reminded him.

“So you say.” Jake sighed. “G can’t think of anything we have that won’t eventually be affected by the corrupted magic.”

“How soon of an eventually? Could Nino get back to Paris with it?”

“It would be more likely to get out while he was still on the plane, and that wouldn’t be good for anyone. Fu’s got Marty on guard duty at the shop, at least, but he can only pull so many strings, and I don’t know if he can get something to us in time.” He hesitated. “Do you think we could use your Infi-Map? That’s how you got here, isn’t it?”

“It’s not exactly my map,” Danny said slowly. “I can’t really control it. It takes you where you need to be more often than where you want to go.”

“But wouldn’t you and Nino need to be in Paris to get Ladybug’s help?”

“Probably,” Danny allowed, “but we’re just as likely to wind up somewhere else. If it were that reliable, we could use it to find this Hawk Moth guy and fight him instead of your mom. Besides, Nino and I wouldn’t both need to be back in the NYC, and how’s Nino going to explain how he got home if he disappears here? Or if the map takes us somewhere else entirely? I can fly, but he would not be comfortable piggybacking that way for a long trip, even if I went intangible.”

Jake frowned. “Fine. What about one of your parent’s ghost-catching thermoses?”

“It contains ghostly magic. It might work. I dunno. It’s not like I’ve ever tried it. Does Spud still have the one he made?”

Jake nodded and flipped his phone back open, already typing as he said, “He should. I’ll text him. He can grab it, just in case.” He met Danny’s gaze for a second, adding, “I’m assuming we need to be fighting now, since the others are gone.”

“Nino might be right, you know. If Rotwood’s here and you show up, he’ll have a field day.”

“As if he’s not going to already?”

“Haley’s going to try to distract him and this McFist guy. Did you put Trixie and Spud on that, too?”

“She’s going to do a quick scout of the shop in case Fu or Gramps forgot anything, but Spud’s going to come and do that, yeah. Well, I guess he’ll head home for the thermos and then come do that. They’ll both come, anyway. Just not right away. And Haley said Sun’s going to start doing damage control for us instead of being another set of eyes. She figures that’ll be of more use. Which I guess it is, since Mom—” Jake’s voice broke “—I mean, the dragon came back. I know G was talking about spreading rumours of this being something it’s not, but honestly Sun will be better at that kind of thing than he is.”

Danny bit his lip. “You’re not going to sit this out, are you?”

“I’m the American Dragon. You know I can’t.” He waved a hand in the general direction of the ruined gala and added, “The fire was my fault, Mom getting akumatized was my fault, and the fact that this Hawk Moth guy has been active in Paris is basically our fault, too. Dragons are supposed to protect the magical world, and the French Dragon hasn’t been replaced since the Strigoi got him.”

“Too few in number, huh?”

Jake just grunted. He probably didn’t care about the politics of it all. He would just care that people were getting hurt. And that Hawk Moth was giving magic and magical creatures a bad name at the same time as convincing a lot of people they existed.

“You dragon up. I’ll stick with you and keep you invisible for as long as I can. When I get an opening, I’ll grab the necklace—and hopefully your appearance will be enough of a distraction if Randy and Nino aren’t.”

“Remember that dragons can touch ghosts,” Jake said, as if Danny didn’t remember all the inconvenient things about dealing with living dragons. Still, truth was, they needed to surprise Hawk Moth more than Susan. She might know a lot about dragons, but it was highly unlikely he did. “And even when you’re invisible, if I’m really looking, I can see you. Sorta. In the right light.”

“Yeah,” Danny said. “I remember.”

This wasn’t the first time he’d worked with Jake. If they pulled this off, it likely wouldn’t be the last. It was nice, knowing he’d have a magical ally he could call upon if things ever got a particular type of tricky, and…. And it would be nice if the others decided they felt that way, too, when this was all over, however it ended up.

7:41 PM

Haley wasn’t sure she looked as cute as she possibly could while wearing Nino’s oversized hoodie with its pockets stuffed to bursting, but she still had a smile that would melt anyone’s heart. The plaza was easily well lit enough for people to see it, too, which helped. Showing her smile instead of her fear meant most people didn’t give her a second glance.

The first task was getting through the crowd without being stopped, so she employed the usual tactic of attaching herself to the nearest adult whenever someone noticed her. It was easy enough to pretend to be part of someone else’s group for a few seconds, either as a daughter or a family friend. People didn’t question it; they didn’t expect someone her age to be alone, so they saw what they wanted to see, especially when she kept the worry off her face.

When she needed to keep moving, she’d look for someone going in the direction she wanted to go and follow them, just closely enough that it looked natural but not so closely that they’d get that sense of being followed unless they were really good. In her experience, most people weren’t, especially old white men like Rotwood and McFist—and there were enough of those around a place like this, often accompanied with women wearing dresses that could amount to her mom’s yearly salary.

Haley never specifically called out for any parents, of course—it wouldn’t do for heads to turn and no one’s face to light up with recognition or relief—but she did occasionally raise her hand to wave to someone who wasn’t there, banking on the fact that anyone who noticed would think she was waving at someone else. She never answered anyone else’s call for someone with coming, but she would make a show of perking up and moving in that direction if it were where she wanted to go.

It was the little things. Young children on their own in a place like this? Suspicious. Curious youngsters exploring rumours of a dragon sighting who accidentally got separated from their parents, but not straying far enough that they couldn’t be found again? Much more likely.

Nino’s hoodie might actually help her in that respect. It just screamed having a big brother, even though it still smelled new and the forgotten tail of a plastic tag sometimes poked the back of her neck.

Haley stopped where she thought Rotwood wouldn’t notice her. He and McFist had stopped themselves and were talking; she couldn’t make out their words without resorting to ear of the dragon, but that was risky if Rotwood recognized her despite having her hood up.

Her job was to distract them while the others found and fought—saved—her mom.

She could do that.

If her usual cuteness failed her—that is, if Rotwood recognized her—then she’d simply lead them away and keep them busy with everything Randy had given her.

Haley glanced skyward one last time, took a deep breath, and then walked over and tugged on McFist’s arm. “Excuse me, mister?”

He glanced down at her, annoyance melting into confusion. “I’m, ah, not whoever you’re looking for. I’m in the middle of a business meeting. Maybe you could talk to someone else.”

It was a politer version of ‘get lost, kid’ than she’d expected, but she stuck out her bottom lip and let it quiver. “I’m scared.”

He frowned at her. “Of the dragon? I don’t know if it’s coming back.”

They hadn’t noticed Susan’s return. Haley tried not to let her relief show on her face. “I hope it doesn’t,” she whimpered, edging closer to McFist as Rotwood dropped into a crouch.

“You saw this dragon?” he asked, and she saw him blink in startled recognition even as she turned her face away. “Wait. I have seen you before. You are Jake Long’s sister!”

She cowered behind McFist’s leg, burying her face in his jacket, but Rotwood didn’t buy it. He grabbed her arm and pulled, ignoring McFist’s surprised shout. “You see this girl?” Rotwood said to McFist, brandishing the arm he still held and shaking her enough that her hood slipped down. She guarded the full pockets with her free hand, trying not to lose any of the ammunition she’d need to use sooner rather than later at this rate. “She is a dragon!”

“Right,” McFist said, and Haley knew from Rotwood’s souring expression that she wasn’t the only one who’d caught McFist’s quick glances to the side.

“I am telling you the truth!” insisted Rotwood. “She is a dragon, just like her brother!”

Rotwood had nothing on him to force a change on her—he would have pulled it out already if he had—so Haley let out another whimper of fear. Whatever she might tell the others later, it wasn’t faked. She had to put on a brave face, especially around Jake or he’d have sent her home with loud complaints about regretting asking for her help, but she knew exactly how scary this was and exactly how much was at risk if the situation got much worse.

She didn’t know for sure that McFist had been in the crowd earlier, but she didn’t think Rotwood would still be talking to him if he hadn’t been, which meant McFist had seen her mother. He’d seen the dragon. If Rotwood couldn’t convince him that dragons were real after that—

“They hide,” Rotwood hissed, shaking her again. Haley looked around, but no one else was looking their way. If anyone saw anything, they were ignoring it. She swallowed back the bitterness in her throat. She hadn’t wanted to be seen, but it still hurt. How could people just ignore this?

“Hide.” McFist’s voice was flat. Good. Maybe he didn’t believe Rotwood after all. That would work in her favour. That would—

“They wear human skin. This is just how she looks as a human!”

Rotwood gave her another violent shake, and Haley felt one of the throwing balls Randy had given her slip out of the hoodie’s pocket and past her fingers.

It hit the ground, bounced once, and rolled to a stop between them.

Rotwood stopped shaking her, staring with McFist at the little blue ball that now rested on the cobbles at their feet.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then McFist said, “Wait, is that—?”

Ice erupted, frosting the street within a five foot radius, and Haley jerked free of Rotwood’s arm. She clamped one arm around her waist to contain the rest of her weapons as she bent down and shot a small flicker of fire towards her shoes, thawing it enough to wrench her feet free.

She only took two steps before another hand caught her arm, strong metal fingers digging into her through the thick fabric of the hoodie.

“Where, exactly,” McFist said, in a low growl that told her he’d be shouting if it wouldn’t have drawn more attention to them, as if the ice at their feet weren’t suspicious enough, “did you get a Ninja Cold Ball?”

7:41 PM

“That’s Chat Noir.” Hawk Moth’s voice rang in her head. “I need his ring.”

Susan could see the ring in question as easily as she could see Chat Noir himself. He was surefooted, running with ease where others would hesitate and wobble and balance precariously, and he used his staff as an extension of himself, vaulting through the air without needing to think about where he positioned it before he leapt. That spoke of talent, skill, and oh so much practice.

This was far from Chat Noir’s first fight, which meant Hawk Moth hadn’t yet managed to best him.

Hawk Moth’s search for power had brought him here, to find a way to conquer his enemies. It was laughable that his enemy—one of his enemies?—had found him. Even if it were mere coincidence, it hardly boded well for his venture.

“Focus,” Hawk Moth hissed. “If you cannot focus, perhaps I’ll need to find a way to draw out your son.”

“A trade, then.” It was not something she should be contemplating. “My son for this Chat Noir.”

“We have already struck our bargain, Dracona.” The name sent a shudder through her, and she lost a bit of height as she spasmed. “You’ve already agreed to fetch me Chat Noir’s ring, just as you agreed to tell me about this city’s heroes.”

Tell, but not sacrifice. Tell, but not necessarily turn against.

She could fulfill their bargain to the letter, but she didn’t need to fulfill the spirit of it if she could find a way around it. She could still save her son. She could still keep Haley from being involved. She could still—

She couldn’t save Chat Noir without endangering Jake and the others.

Not if Chat Noir crossed her path.

She’d only agreed to fetch his ring if he crossed her path.

She banked abruptly to her right, hearing a surprised, “What the juice?” from the Ninja as he pulled up short.

There was more shouting behind her, no doubt as Chat Noir joined the Ninja, but she didn’t look back.

“Dracona.”

She could feel his threat reverberating in her bones.

“You cannot break our agreement. Now turn around and fight them!”

The heat was rising in her belly. Each wingbeat was becoming more strained, weighted by her foolish promise. How could she have sacrificed anyone’s freedom for her own? And yet— How could she give this up, now that she’d tasted it? If Chat Noir had fought people like her before, he’d know exactly how to take all of this away from her.

She didn’t want to let him do that.

She didn’t want to give Hawk Moth any reason to try to use Jake against her. She was sure he still didn’t quite know, didn’t quite understand, but he knew and understood enough. He knew she considered Jake a hero, knew he’d fought against people much like Hawk Moth before, and he— He might even know that Jake was special—magical—even if he didn’t know why.

But Jake would be here soon enough whether or not Hawk Moth tried to deliberately draw him out.

She was circling back before she realized what she was doing. She dodged a fireball shot at her by the Ninja and sent one at him in return. She could deal with him easily enough if he became a problem, but ultimately, he wasn’t her concern. He wasn’t one of this town’s heroes. He wasn’t Chat Noir. She didn’t have to…. She could spare him.

Chat Noir darted in front of her, joining the Ninja. She could hear his frantic whispers, about Hawk Moth, about what he thought he knew about her. He was a fool, just as she’d been a fool.

She couldn’t protect Chat Noir. Certainly, she couldn’t protect him if she wanted to protect Jake. She’d have to get this ring. She could feel how much Hawk Moth wanted it. It was real, tangible, so much more useful than information he couldn’t easily apply. If she succeeded in this, he might be satisfied.

Chat Noir and the Ninja split up. She focused on her target, whose acrobatics were better than some of the Huntsclan initiates she’d met—about as good as Huntsgirl’s had been before she’d only become Rose and never one of the Huntsclan.

Behind her, the Ninja’s latest fireball rolled harmlessly off her scales. She adjusted her wings and weight and whipped her tail in his general direction, spinning into a roll with the additional momentum. Even though she didn’t hit anything, she heard a yelp behind her. She shot forward at an angle to Chat Noir, keeping him in her sights. He danced away from her, staying just past what he must think was the reach of her flame.

Pity he’d misjudged the distance.

The plume of fire she sent at him was still short of how far she could send it, if necessary, but it was long enough for what she wanted. Her goal was to cut him off and force him to his left; nothing more. He flipped away from the fire, and she started to follow his movements, but a hand-shaped wave closed around her flame and turned to steam, neatly providing a screen for Chat Noir’s escape.

Seems she hadn’t done enough to knock the Ninja off his game after all.

She hadn’t wanted to involve him, but she wouldn’t have a choice if he insisted on involving himself. She needed to finish this quickly, before Jake tried to get involved. She wasn’t sure she could protect him if he came.

Besides, it wasn’t as if she intended to hurt Chat Noir or the Ninja. She didn’t. She simply wanted Chat Noir’s ring. Now, if they got hurt trying to stop her, well, she could hardly pull all her punches and expect to finish this soon enough to avoid Jake’s interference.

A few heavy wingbeats brought her higher and forced the Ninja and Chat Noir to brace themselves. Chat Noir had planted his staff against the rooftop, and both he and the Ninja were hanging onto it, heads together. Indistinct murmuring reached her ears, but rather than focus to figure out what they were saying, she sent a blast of fire at them and drove them apart.

They spiralled in opposite directions. The Ninja reached into his pocket to pull out another one of those ice bombs of his. He lobbed it in her direction, and it caught the tip of her foot as she moved away. She shrieked as not ice but electricity erupted from it, racing through her body and causing her to drop. She hit the roof, something snapping beneath her weight, and the Ninja conjured another fist of water and threw it at her. Before she had time to blink all the water from her eyes, he’d tossed more of those Ninja Electro-Balls at her.

Chat Noir vaulted back into view before she’d found her feet, no doubt hoping the Ninja’s attack had incapacitated her. She waited and caught her breath, more than happy to pretend that all those Ninja Rings and Ninja Throwing Stars the Ninja was hurling her way hurt more than they did. He clearly had no idea how much her scales protected her, and she felt no need to correct his assumption right now.

Now that the electricity had dispersed, Chat Noir was coming at her in a zigzagging run. He split his staff into two as he went and then threw one half. She twisted her head out of the way—it had been aimed for her eye—and sent a stream of flame at his other hand, intending to heat the metal before he could throw it.

She saw the Ninja’s scarf wrap around his torso and jerk him backwards before her fire could reach him. The Ninja gave Chat Noir a handful of coloured balls and then sprinted behind her and out of sight, considering she wasn’t about to take her eyes off Chat Noir. She thrashed her tail, hoping to knock the Ninja off his feet even as Chat Noir took aim and began to throw.

To say that the first explosion stung was an understatement, and she gave up her pretence of helplessness as two more followed in quick succession. She was recovered enough now, and she didn’t like being made the fool.

Her first step forward proved to be a mistake, as her foot slipped out from under her in a pile of marbles. She sent her full force of flame at Chat Noir then, but the Ninja was back with his staff, and he’d rejoined the halves and was spinning it to dissipate her fire.

They were talking again.

She was getting so tired of them talking. Planning. Plotting. She just needed Chat Noir’s ring. She simply—

The Ninja’s suit burned red with magic, her split-second warning that another fireball was coming her way. She met it with her own, raising herself up with a roar and using the wind from her wingbeats to try to knock them off their feet again. This time, the Ninja toppled, unprepared, though Chat Noir crouched and managed to keep his feet.

“You must get his ring,” whispered Hawk Moth in her head, “but do not let him touch your necklace.”

They were fighting her from a distance.

For them, that made it a fairer fight.

But she didn’t have to fight fair.

She could get close to them without letting them get too close to her.

She sent another blast of fire towards them as cover before flying over the flames and diving toward them, talons outstretched.

(see more fics | next)

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Five Fics Friday: April 10/20

SPECIAL EASTER WEEKEND EDITION: FIFTY FICS FRIDAY

Hey, everyone!!

Well, I asked on my Twitter and here if y’all wanted to see a special edition 5FF for the Long Weekend since we’re all stuck inside (and some of you stuck with family I’m sure you’d like to avoid or are just tired of seeing), and it was a unanimous YES, because who doesn’t love to curl up all weekend with a good book or fanfic??

So here we are: Fifty fics either pulled out of my ass, recently read, recently bookmarked, or recently Marked for Later! Each section has a count so you know how many are in that section (and it’s for myself when I go to double check the count, LOL). I hope you guys enjoy these!! <3 Love you all, and happy reading :)

As always, read-more will appear on the third reblog. Sorry mobile, please don’t hate me :(

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@johnlockficclub APRIL NOMINATIONS (5)

A Beginner's Guide to Apiology. by VictoryCandescence (M, 10,952 w., 1 Ch. || Retirement AU || Friendship, Love, Bees & Beekeeping, Old Age, Dreamy Sexytimes, Angst, Soulmates, Grumpy Sherlock, Magical Realism) – John and Sherlock meet for the first time as old men in Sussex. (to read)

Through the Clouds by Mazarin221b (E, 20,004 w., 6 Ch. || Retirement, Sussex, Bees, Home Improvement, First Time, Romance) – Sherlock takes a remarkably early retirement at 47, and convinces John that a change of pace would do them both good. They buy an old cottage on the South Downs, and exchange their nonstop life in Baker Street for quiet contemplation, bee studies, and book writing. They might go completely insane, but sometimes it takes stepping outside of the life you're living to find the life you want. Part 1 of Through The Clouds (“WINNER” fic)

The Winter Garden by Callie4180 (T, 31,213 w., 13 Ch. || Post-S4, Retirement, Christmas, Slow Burn, Grown-Up Rosie, Parenthood, Rosie’s Cat, Angst with Happy Ending, Holidays, Beekeeping, Magical Realism, Sherlock POV, Sherlock’s Violin, Future Fic, Sussex, Honey, Magical Healing Honey, Love Confessions, Sherlock’s Scar, First Kiss, Touching, Mycroft is Dying) – As Sherlock nears the end of his career, he's given the gift of a cottage in Sussex. The honey from the beehives out back is amazing. Almost...magical.

Where Else Would I Be? by cwb (E, 34,910 w., 10 Ch. || Retirementlock, Domestic Fluff, Falling in Love, Parentlock, Fluff and Smut, Reminiscing) – John and Sherlock's five-year-old granddaughter spends the weekend with them in Sussex. Sherlock happily indulges her whims, and John takes care of them while quietly revisiting the past thirty years of their lives together.

Crimson Hymns by brilliantlyburning (E, 48,982 w., 9 Ch. || Post-S3/TAB, Angst,  Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Drug Addiction, Unhealthy Coping Methods, Demisexual Sherlock, Boxing, Pining, Sensory Processing Issues, Drug Use, First Kiss / Time, BDSM, Mary is Not Good, Parentlock, Proposal, Happy Ending, Beekeeping, Violence, References to Addiction, Poetry) – He laid his head over John’s heart, eyes level with his silver-rough scar, and listened to the crimson hymns beating beneath the surface. He imagined flowers blooming in his own chest: veins weaving intricate patterns on petals of thin muscle engorged with blood, sinew for stems and tendons for roots—the flowers would be poppies, maybe (addictive) or foxglove (deadly yet useful)—twining gleaming blood-red around the porcelain bone of his ribs. In his mind’s eye the gruesome bouquet all tied together on the left side of his chest, the stems bound together in heartstrings and the flowers fed by the rhythmic contraction of ventricles. It’s yours, he imagined saying to John—from the vena cava to the mitral valve to the arteries it is yours.— Or, the Love Song of W. Sherlock S. Holmes. (to read)

RECENT RE-READS (5)

Five Times John Watson Remained Oblivious (K+, 1,154 w., 1 Ch. || Five and Ones, Romance, Friendship, Asexual Sherlock, Queerplatonic Relationship) – ...And one time he didn't. asexual!Sherlock/John.

Linger by orphan_account (E, 4,879 w., 1 Ch. || Lingerie, Fluff and Smut, BJ / HJ, Switchlock, Sherlock in Lingerie, Come Play, Dirty Talk, Anal Fingering, Anal/Oral, Implied Shower Sex, Neck Kissing) – Sherlock decides to surprise John after a somewhat stressful day at work.

Given In Evidence by verityburns (M, 5,034 w., 19 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Post-TRF, Angst, Drama, Case Fic, Romance, BAMF!John, Submissive Sherlock, First Kiss, Humour, Three Garridebs) – Coming back from the dead can be a complicated business. With a new case on the horizon, rebuilding a life is one thing... rebuilding a friendship quite another. For Sherlock and John, things may never be just the same...

Iris by slashscribe (E, 11,948 w., 1 Ch. || Parentlock, Pining Sherlock, Post-S3) – Sherlock does his best to make John happy when John comes back to 221B with his new baby after the events of Season 3, but Sherlock has a track record of getting things wrong in this area. This story is an exploration of their gradual shift from friends to lovers, told from Sherlock's perspective, full of a lot of pining and lack of emotional awareness.

Fucking Cake by Random_Nexus (E, 12,965 w., 1 Ch. || Pre-Slash, Humour/Crack, Inanimate Object Smut, Frottage, “For a Case” / “Experiment”, PWP / Kinky, Mutual Pining, Fluff) – Sherlock brings home a chocolate cake, John finds him about to have sex with said cake, then exceedingly weird hijinx ensue. Part 1 of "Fucking Baked Goods" - Sherlock BBC

NEW MFL’s THIS WEEK (11)

Guardian and Assistant by I_Have_No_Clue (M, 1,229 w., 1 Ch. || Omegaverse || Blow Jobs, PWP, Alpha Sherlock/Omega John, Mentions of Heat) – In this A/O world, ever Alpha, Beta, and Omega have a Type to them that describes the traits they have. John tries to figure out Sherlock's. Part 1 of the Types series

Bonneville Black by HollyShadow88 (E, 3,362 w., 1 Ch. || Established Relationship, Motorcycles, Motorcycle Sex, Public Blow Jobs, Semi-Public Sex) – John discovers that Sherlock has a motorbike. He also discovers that he finds Sherlock on a motorbike to be unreasonably attractive.

Code 221b by whitchry9 (T, 6,528 w., 11 Ch. || S1 Canon Compliant, Medical, Paramedics, Hurt/Comfort, Outsider POV) – Sherlock Holmes is well known to the paramedics of London. So when John Watson comes into the picture, it seems like a fantastic solution. Someone would take care of Sherlock and prevent all those problems. Of course, they didn't think about what would happen if John was hurt. (They really should have.)  Part 1 of the The Patron Saint of Idiots series

Permanent Fixture by vitruvianwatson (E, 18,836 w., 9 Ch || Post-S4, Parentlock, Slow Build, Friends to Lovers, They’re Good Parents, Blushing Sherlock, First Kiss/Time, Explicit Consent, Sexual Content) – Now, as Rosie sat curled up against Sherlock’s side, John watched and wondered exactly how he had ended up here. Domesticity had never suited him before, not at any point in his life. His disastrous marriage had been proof of that. But somehow, here in the warmth and safety of 221B Baker Street, here with Sherlock Holmes reading medical jargon to his daughter, Sherlock’s bony feet nudging against his leg, John couldn’t imagine anyplace that would make him happier.

Sex Shop Quartet Series by testosterone_tea (E, 28,180+ w. across 3 works || Series WiP || First Kiss/Time, POV John, Sex Toys, Sex Talk, Anal Play, Anal Beads, Anal Fingering, Awkward Sexual Situations, Rimming, Inexperienced Sherlock, Oral Sex, Developing Relationship, Love Confessions, PWP, Bondage, Handcuffs, Praise Kink, BDSM, Kink Negotiation, Edgeplay, Orgasm Delay/Denial, Orgasm Denial, Ice / Wax Play, Blindfolds, Emotional Love Making, Teabagging, Riding Crops, Impact Play, Intercrural Sex, Roleplay, Spanking, Collars) – Sherlock goes undercover at a sex shop but finds he has no idea what any of the toys are for. Cue John Watson, awkward sexual conversations and some unfortunate incidents involving too much plug and not enough lube. But all's well that ends well and Sherlock gets the best happy ending of all.

Roll Away Your Stone by foxxcub (E, 39,463 w., 1 Ch. || Downey Holmes || Boarding School AU) – Seventeen-year-old John Watson is set to finish his final year of school with a flourish, until the headmaster assigns John as a "tutor" to an arrogant, yet brilliant new student named Sherlock Holmes. Holmes is not about to be put in his place by this popular rugby football player with the too-blue eyes, and John isn't going to let this impulsive fifteen-year-old get away with anything. Neither expects to become friends, but a series of unexpected events and a possible murder mystery bring them closer together than either of them thought possible.

I Believe in Sherlock Holmes by Ranowa (T, 63,038 w., 10 Ch. || S3 Fix It, Hurt Sherlock, Implied/Referenced Torture, Homeless Network, Alcohol Abuse, No Mary, Bit-Not-Good/Angry John, Protective Mycroft, Angst with Happy Ending, Non-Linear Narrative, Major Character Injury, Recovery, Forgiveness, Sherlock’s a Mess) – John's been angry at Sherlock since the day he turned up wearing a fake mustache and a tuxedo. He's still angry, even as he moves back into 221B, and he never hesitates to let Sherlock know it.One day, Sherlock stops saying sorry, and walks out instead.One day, Sherlock wakes up handcuffed in the boot of a car, and John doesn't know, because John's been angry at him for so long he's forgotten that he's not the only one that's hurting.

I'm coming home, John. -SH Series by Ranowa (M, 67,247 w. across 3 works || Post-TRF, Angry John, Idiots in Love, No Mary, Drug Use/Substance Abuse, Emotional Rollercoaster, Violence, Implied/Referenced Torture, PTSD Sherlock, Recovery, Sherlock’s Violin, Angst with Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort, Asexual Sherlock) – In the two years after Sherlock throws himself off the roof of St. Bart's, crunches into the pavement below, and dies in John's arms, John starts texting.He doesn't know that his text messages are being read.

Roommates are for little people by alexxphoenix42 (E, 69,042 w., 14 Ch. || Teen/Unilock || Forced to Share a Bed, Pining, Hurt/Comfort, Fake Relationship, Sherlock is a Prick, Drinking, Inadvertent Drug Use, Family Wedding, Footballer John / Ballet Dancer Sherlock, Frottage, Slow Burn, Mild Dub Con, Cuddling While Sleeping, Slight Homophobia, Posh Boy, Dirty Dancing, Endearments, Nosy FAmily, Bathing Together, Mild Angst, UST/RST, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Fluff) – John was looking forward to seeing his friends back at uni, but a new year brings new complications, not the least of which is a dorm room with only one bed, and a stroppy roommate with an utterly spectacular arse. God, John doesn't need the headache.

Gold Rush by ShirleyCarlton (E, 71,783 w., 17 Ch. || Post S3 / No Mary, Friends to Lovers, Mentions of Past Sexual Abuse, First Kiss, Case Fic, Slow Burn, Alternating POV, Switchlock, Angst with Happy Ending, Marriage Proposal, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Abduction) – John has divorced Mary and pops round to 221B one evening to find Sherlock in the middle of a case. As Sherlock tries to find the identity of a young woman’s stalker, John realises he can no longer deny his feelings for Sherlock – which then, to their befuddlement, turn out to be mutual. Shy kisses and tentative embraces ensue. But will Sherlock be able to cast off a shadow from his past that he thinks might prevent John from wanting to stay?

Scheherezade by sgam76 (G, 197,576 w., 45 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Post-TRF/Pre-TSo3, PTSD Sherlock, Implied/Referenced Torture, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Humour, Protective John, Papa Lestrade, Big Brother Mycroft, BAMF John, BAMF Sherlock, Aftermath of Serbia, Past Child Abuse, Childhood Memories, Drunk Sherlock, Canon Compliant, Suicidal Thoughts / Attempt) – Sherlock is home, he and John are returning to cases, and all's right with the world--right? But a series of minor mishaps and injuries makes two things very clear to his friends and family: first, Sherlock's time away wasn't the grand adventure everyone has assumed it was; and second, that time has left Sherlock with a legacy that's bleeding into his life today. Sherlock is Not Okay, and it's not going away. Part 1 of the Scheherezade 'verse series

POSTED THIS YEAR [WiP’s & Full] (19)

A Bowl of Comfort (Store-Bought is Fine) by tepidspongebath (T, 763 w., 1 Ch. || Food, Comfort, Domesticity, Fluff) – “When did you last eat?” “What day is it?” “Oh, for god’s sake - you can’t keep skipping meals like this, Sherlock.” “It’s Lent.” “And since when do you care about Lent?” “Since you get chocolate eggs at Easter.” (to read)

End of the Curve by doctor_not_your_girlfriend (T, 833 w., 1 Ch. || COVID-19, One Shot, Medical Realism, Major Illness, Recovery, Optimism, Disability, Needles) – July, 2021. Mycroft has a special delivery for Sherlock. Inspired by Proving A Point by elldotsee, J_Baillier. (to read)

Love Is A Smoke by J_Baillier (T, 3,617 w., 4 Ch. || Heavy Angst, Pining, Romance, MCD) – It's spring in 2036. John and Sherlock are no longer together. Sherlock attempts to cope — or doesn't. (to read)

A Study in Beard by Loveismyrevolution (T, 3,810 w., 1 Ch. || Established Relationship, Fluff and Humour, Experiments, Beards, Idiots in Love, Quarantine) – Sherlock has to face the consequences of using up all of their shaving foam. Which turns out to be more fun than expected. Boys being boys, nothing can go without a challenge. Although, being isolated presents a problem. How will they determine the winner? Part 2 of the Hairy Situations at 221B series (to read)

Isolated by CarmillaCarmine (G, 3,926, 3/4 Ch. || WiP || Quarantine From Virus, Fluff, Idiots in Love, Bi-Panic, Cuddling & Snuggling, Coming Out, Bathing/Washing, Bubble Bath, Kissing) – Due to an ongoing pandemic, John and Sherlock find themselves isolated at 221B. (to read)

Sherlock's Solution by PipMer (T, 4,125 w., 1 Ch, || Fluff, Romance, Friends to Lovers, Isolation/Quarantine, Pining, Miscommunication, First Kiss) – Sherlock and John are stuck in quarantine. Against all expectations, John is the one who goes stir-crazy first. Sherlock has a unique solution to the problem. (to read)

The Unexpected Threat by J_Baillier (T, 4,283 w., 1 Ch. || Military AU / Pacific Rim Fusion || Established Relationship, Medical Conditions, Coronaviruses, Doctor John, Bratty Sherlock, Romance, Science Fiction, Futuristic Medicine, Ghost Drifting AKA Telepathy, Medical Hurt/Comfort, Sexual Healing) – The kaiju are not the only threat to the security and well-being of the staff of PPDC's Chard's Rift base. It's the year 2050, and a coronavirus epidemic sweeping the planet has reached The Azores. Part 4 of the At The Edge of Our Hope (to read)

Quarantine by wendymarlowe (T, 6,444+ w., 20/? Ch. || WiP || COVID-19, Forced Isolation / Quarantine, John’s Blog, Humour) – John and Sherlock are stuck at 221B together due to coronavirus concerns. Sherlock slowly drives John barmy. (to read)

Stranded by BeautifulFiction (T, 5,798 w., 1 Ch. || First Kiss, Communication / Relationship Discussion, Pining Sherlock, Sherlock POV, BAMF John, Doctor John, Case Fic, Drinking, Huddling For Warmth, Friends to More) –  When stranded on a derelict barge at high tide, John and Sherlock reconsider their friendship.

Attentions, Experiments, Oddnesses by hubblegleeflower (E, 6,383 w., 1 Ch. || Friends to Lovers, Experiments, Frottage, Mutual Masturbation, Kissing, First Time) – John is behaving oddly, and Sherlock hopes it means what he thinks it means, but he has several theories and could well be missing some of the facts. (to read)

Casualty by Silvergirl (E, 12,051 w., 4 Ch. || Canon Compliant Until T6T, Mary’s Dead, Trauma/Comfort, John’s a Good Friend, Friends to Lovers, First Kiss/Time, Sherlock Learns Teamwork, Parentlock) – Sherlock renders assistance at a hit-and-run and is left deeply shocked. When the accident turns into a case, John moves back in to 221b to help—and finds that Sherlock has way oversold his image as an emotionless thinking machine. (to read)

The Night Riviera from Paddington to Penzance and Back Again by  Iwantthatcoat (M, 12,918 w., 5 Ch. || Post-S4, Hurt/Comfort Emotional Hurt/Comfort, BAMF John, Devil's Foot Adaptation, Hallucinations, Oral Sex) – Mrs Hudson has decided her boys need a little vacation together (after the events of S4) away from London and has booked them an inordinately (per Sherlock) long train ride from Paddington Station to Penzance. (to read)

A Gossamer Dream by CarmillaCarmine (E, 15,985 w., 4 Ch. || Writer/Teacher AU || First Meetings, Friends to Lovers, Writer John / Teacher Sherlock, Fluff, London, Holding Hands, Online Friendship / Romance, Phone Sex, Anal Sex, Happy Ending) – Sherlock had never realised one could care so much about someone they'd never met in person. Now he is about to meet the friend with whom he's been chatting online for months and his anticipation is reaching a crescendo. (to read)

Contrition by sussexbound (E, 18,556+ w., 5/? Ch. || WiP || Post-S4/TFP Didn’t Happen, Rosie Doesn’t Exist, T6T/TLD is Canon, Year After TLD, Light BDSM, Soft Dom Sherlock / Sub John, Punishment, Light Bondage, Light Masochism / No Sadism, Love Confessions, First Kiss, Tenderness, Aftercare, Forgiveness, Edging, Orgasm Delay/Denial, Mutual Masturbation, Hand Jobs, Anal Fingering, Rimming, Frottage, Communication, Sexual Negotiation, Sexual Tension, Spanking, Head Injury, Anal Sex) – “You’ve been tense ever since we got back, itching for a fight, all your usual tells, but why…?” The truth strikes like lightning. “Oh… Oh! You’re not angry at me. Not this time. Well—maybe a little. But mostly, mostly you’re angry at yourself. Why? For falling behind? For not being there in time. For not taking Wilkes down fast enough?” Sherlock waves a dismissive hand. “It doesn’t really matter.” He lifts a finger to his swollen cheek and cut eyebrow. “You blame yourself for this. And you offered to fix it. But I wouldn’t let you, and… But that’s not what you really want, anyway, is it?” John looks stunned, a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming lorry, frozen, waiting for the lethal strike. “You don’t want me to let you help. At least not right away. No. What you want, what you really want is—punishment.” (to read)

Feeling Seen by jadztone (E, 30,177 w., 9 Ch. || Ballet!Sherlock / Rugby!John, Demisexuality, Virgin John, Experienced Sherlock, Toplock, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Background Molly/Irene & Greg/Sally) – Rugby player John is starting over at a new university, with the help of friends Molly and Bill. Few people know that John is demisexual, but ballet dancer Sherlock Holmes deduces right away that he has no interest in sex unless he’s fallen in love. John finds this strange genius intriguing and would like to get to know him, but Sherlock has a self-cultivated reputation for only wanting casual sex. John has reason to believe that’s not really true, but he’s not sure he wants to risk his twice-fractured heart to find out. (to read)

Sanguineous Serendipity by CarmillaCarmine (E, 34,783 w., 14 Ch. || Vampire AU || Alternate First Meeting, Turning a Character, Vampire Sherlock, Captain John, POV John, Feeding, Blood Drinking, Crossdressing Sherlock, Genderfluid Character, Sherlock in Heels, Transphobic Behaviour, Emotional Hurt / Comfort, Soulmates, Romance, Happy Ending) – Vampire Sherlock meets a dying John in a field hospital in Afghanistan and gives him a whole new life. (to read)

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by SilentAuror (E, 50,635 w., 1 Ch. || Post-S4/S4 Divergence, Case Fic, For a Case / Reverse Fake-Relationship, Conferences, Marriage Equality, Travelling / New York, Pride, Homophobia, Bottomlock, Marriage Proposal, John POV, Sexuality, Love Confessions, Emotional Love Making, Public Hand Jobs, Blow Jobs, Passionate Kissing, Needy/Clingy Sherlock, Virgin Sherlock, Touching / Hand Holding, Bed Sharing, Little Spoon Sherlock, Intense Orgasms) – John and Sherlock go to New York to attend a conference run by the National Defence of Traditional Marriage Coalition in order to investigate the potential bombing of the annual Manhattan Pride parade. As the conference unfolds, John finds himself repulsed by the toxic ideology being presented, which becomes relevent to his own unacknowledged issues and his friendship with Sherlock...

Next Right: Welcome to Westbound Rest Area 818 by elwinglyre (E, 59,874+ w., 13/15 Ch. || WiP || American Unilock AU || Bunk Beds, Anonymous Sex, Homophobia, Closeted John, Roommates, Angst with Happy Ending, Idiots in Love, Music, Rape/Non-Con, Hurt John, BAMF John) – Sherlock Holmes dreams of escape from his smothering family and space to breathe. Studying chemistry at the University of Michigan, he's almost far enough away to fill his lungs. Almost. While John Watson dreams of being a doctor, he also dreams of being with another man. John knows that with hard work and study, he can make the first a reality, but he's certain the second can never be. Until a secret encounter in the dark at Rest Area 818 changes everything. When Sherlock meets his new roommate, John Watson, he sees a man in the closet. Sherlock hides from no one. Except from his own family, a detective inspector who wants his evidence returned, and his secret encounter at Rest Area 818. Thank you to recently folded who lovingly beta’d chapters 1-5 and helped with an important plot point that deeply enriches this story. Also thank you to hotshoeagain for beta'ing the rest of the story.Setting late 1970s, Michigan, USA. POV third person alternates between John Watson and Sherlock Holmes. (to read)

Thermocline by J_Baillier (M, 83,557 w., 14 Ch. || Scuba Diving AU || Adventure, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Marine Archaeology, Asexual Sherlock, Horny John, Relationship Drama, Technical/Scuba/Wreck Diving, Slow Burn, Underwater /  Medical Peril, Doctor John, Hurt Sherlock, Anxious Sherlock, John POV, Protective John, Body Appreciation) – John "Five Oceans" Watson — technical dive instructor, dive accident analyst and weapon of mass seduction — meets recluse professor of maritime archaeology Holmes. As they head out to a remote archipelago off the coast of Guatemala to study and film its shipwrecks for a documentary, will sparks fly or fizzle out?

ANYTHING GOES – JOHNLOCK (5)

Talk by illwick (E, 6,364 w., 1 Ch. || Dirty Talk, John’s Giant Junk, PWP, Light BDSM, Size Kink, Oral / Anal, Rough Sex, Dirty Talk, Established Rel.) – Sherlock was never much for dirty talk... until an unexpected visit yields unexpected results. Part 20 of Unwind

Ghost Stories by SwissMiss (M, 22,256 w., 1 Ch. || Pining, Holmes Family, Christmas, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Bed Sharing, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, First Time) – Sherlock's parents think he and John are a couple. They might be onto something.

Pater Noster by SilentAuror (E, 34,256 w., 2 Ch. || Case Fic, HLV/S3 Fix It Fic, Family Trauma, Sherlock POV, Villain Mary) – During the autumn that John is staying at Baker Street again after Sherlock was shot, he ruminates over the similarity between Sherlock's shot and the one that killed his father when he was fifteen. Cold case meets series 3 fix-it. Part I takes place entirely within His Last Vow, Part II takes place starting at the end of HLV and continues after.

The Homecoming Series by sussexbound (M, 51,744 w. across 12 stories, WIP || Domestics, PTSD, Love Confessions, Hurt/Comfort, Cuddling, Jealousy, Family Issues) – Sometimes home is all you need. After three years of horror, betrayals, and crushing loss, John and Sherlock find their way back home to one another, and together find new footing in a world that has changed forever.

The Green Blade by verityburns (T, 72,929 w., 15 Ch. || Case Fic, Bromance) – As a serial killer hits the headlines, the police are out of their depth and the next victim is out of time. With faith in Sherlock Holmes at an all time low, this is a case which will push loyalties to the limit...

ANYTHING GOES – INEFFABLE HUSBANDS (5)

All Roads Lead To You by TardisIsTheOnlyWayToTravel (T, 2,549 w., 2 Ch.|| Pining Crowley, Oblivious Aziraphale, Love Confessions, Feelings, Resolved Romantic Tension, Rescuing, Happy Ending, Snake Crowley, Magic Bracelets, POV Aziraphale) – It had taken Aziraphale quite some time to find the presence he had been looking for, but here he was, in the Reptile House of the London Zoo. As an angel, Aziraphale shouldn’t have been finding amusement in the discomfort of another, but he couldn’t help but do so as he was glared at by a very familiar snake. “Oh my dear,” Aziraphale murmured, “how ever did you end up in this situation?”

The slowest moving object in the universe by chamyl (G, 4,996 w., 1 Ch. || God POV, Mutual Pining, Idiots in Love, Beach Day, Games, Light Humour, Tenderness, Embarassed Crowley, Soft Idiots, First Kiss, Love Confessions) – Crowley and Aziraphale have had feelings for each other for a very long time. It takes a date at the lake and a round of 36 Questions That Lead To Love to give them the final push.

Wings and How to Hide Them by triedunture (M, 10,134 w., 1 Ch. || Mutual Pining, First Time, Love Confessions, Body Swap, Wing Kink, Idiots In Love) – Crowley's been annoyingly in love for six thousand years. What's another lifetime between friends? Or: Aziraphale definitely fucks and isn't that just perfect?

Souls In Creation by Dragonfruit112 (NR [M], 23,110 w., 6 Ch. || Aziraphale was Raphael, Hurt/Comfort, Angst With Happy Ending, True Angel Forms, Memory Loss/Amnesia, Seraph!Aziraphale, Cherub!Crowley, Moments of Time, Pining Aziraphale, Deaths, Disasters Through History, Whump, Taking Care of Each Other, Friendship, Mates to Friends to Mates, Bed Sharing, Sick Crowley, Healing Powers, BAMF Aziraphale) – They knew each other before the Fall. They loved each other before the Fall. They were creation's first soul mates. But the Fall changed everything, and now Aziraphale is forced to live in a world where only he remembers their shared past. Burdened by pain and grief, he hides himself under the guise of a clumsy Principality until he can make his love remember once more. Only, he doesn't know how long that'll take.

Any Way You Want It by LieutenantLiv (M, 27,585 w., 5 Ch. || Holidays, Slow Burn, Fluff, First Time, Eventual Smut, Swimming, Dreams of Dancing, Kissing in the Rain, Self-Esteem Issues, Misunderstandings, Crying Love Confessions, Soft Crowley, Clingy Crowley, Virgin Aziraphale, Romance) – Saving the world is exhausting work. With Heaven and Hell off their backs, it seems as good a time as any for Crowley and Aziraphale to take a proper break. Neither one of them predicts the direction their holiday takes.Who'd have thought that sharing a cottage in Scotland would be quite so romantic?

[ironfidus]

Every Fifteen Minutes (2)

Summary:

“In honor of Peter Benjamin Parker,” the obituary reads. “2001 - 2017. Peter B. Parker, 16, died on the 5th of February, 2017, as a result of injuries sustained in a car crash involving a drunk driver…”

Tony can't finish reading. He swears his heart stops. “FRIDAY,” he croaks.

He doesn’t have to finish the order; FRIDAY, as if reading his mind, activates his Iron Man suit and sends it to envelop his body. Tony is shooting through the skies before he even fully realizes it.

OR: Peter Parker was in a car crash—except... he wasn’t. One forgetful Spider-Kid, one sleepy best friend, and one misleading post on social media all lead to a disastrous turn of events, culminating in the arrival of an unexpected guest at Midtown High.

Read here on AO3 (@a_matter_of_loyalty)

:::

Chapter 2: grip you tight (but you’re slippin’ out)

Chapter Summary: Tony Stark arrives at Midtown High. Unfortunately, he's still under the impression that Peter Parker is dead. 

Naturally, chaos (and drama) ensues.

:::

After giving the students a few minutes to finish their lunches, Principal Morita activates the intercom and urges all juniors and seniors to the parking lot to witness the—simulated, of course—car crash. The teachers and participating emergency responders had planned out the simulation in excruciating detail: the police officers had donated a wrecked car from evidence lockup to be used for the simulation, and they’d already sectioned off the site of the crash with yellow tape. Two of the participants—one senior and one junior—had been selected for the fabrication and informed of their roles.

One of the seniors—Douglas Fitzpatrick, if Morita remembers correctly—would act as the drunk driver, “arrested” at the scene for all to witness. The junior, on the other hand—Peter Parker, Morita recalls faintly—would be posing as the casualty. Morita was worried, at first, that it might be too traumatic for Peter to play dead—Morita knows Peter’s family history, after all. But when asked if he would participate, Peter had agreed reluctantly and asked, All I have to do is lie still, right? 

Morita nodded at that. And then, to everyone’s surprise, Peter had merely beamed and reasoned, Great! I’m kind of tired—I didn’t get much sleep last night—so I’ll just sleep through it.

(True to his words, Peter had started dozing off as soon as they’d arranged him on the road, before they’d even finished smearing the fake blood across his forehead.)

Morita had been stunned. Mr. Harrington had choked. 

But, well, at least Peter had said yes, which means that everyone involved has now been thoroughly prepped. All they have left to do is present their demonstration to the student body and hopefully ingrain an understanding of the repercussions of drinking-and-driving in the students.

:::

Car crash…? Ned wonders to himself in confusion, head snapping up at the sound of his principal’s voice echoing through the school hallways. He feels vaguely nauseous. Oh shit, there was a car crash? Here? 

He curses to himself and pushes his lunch away, jumping from his seat and following the other students outside. Where on earth is Peter? he asks himself, not for the first time. After leaving Mr. Harrington's classroom earlier, he’d gone straight to the cafeteria, hoping to run into Peter either along the way or inside the lunch hall. Peter’s always getting hungry, after all; Ned reasons it isn’t too farfetched that Peter left earlier to snag himself a big portion. But even after scouring the cafeteria, Ned still hasn’t caught sight of Peter, and his mind is running rampant with fear.

Morita mentioned a car crash. If there really has been an accident in front of their own school, Ned has no doubt that Peter will want to be the first one to arrive at the site of the incident, doing his best to help even if it means giving up his secret identity.

My anonymity isn’t worth anyone’s lives, Peter once told Ned, determination burning in his gaze. If it comes between keeping my secret and saving someone… I know what I have to do.

Oh, shit, Ned swears. Please tell me he hasn’t been exposed—

His worry spiking as he jumps to conclusions, Ned hastens his pace and weaves his way through the other students, trying to push through the crowd. When he finally barrels through the gates and arrives at the parking lot, he freezes, the reality of attention all juniors and seniors, there has been a car crash by the parking lot, please proceed in an orderly fashion wrapping around him like a vice.

A large number of juniors, seniors and teachers are already gathered around the site of the crash, lined in neat rows. Ned ignores the orderliness of it all and forces his way to the front, heart caught in his throat.

(If Ned were thinking clearly, he would have realized something is off about this entire situation. After all, why would Principal Morita be encouraging students to go to the site of a tragedy?

But Ned isn’t thinking clearly, partly because of his still-drowsy mind and partly because of his concerns for his best friend.)

Ned inhales sharply when he’s finally able to see beyond the assembled students to the crime scene.

Ambulances and police cars are already lined up along the street, with EMTs and police officers alike leaping out of their vehicles to respond to the accident. One officer yanks open the mangled car door and drags the driver out by the cuff of his shirt.

The driver looks young, Ned thinks, squinting his eyes. Have I seen him somewhere before…? 

Shaking it off, Ned turns back to the scene. Thankfully, Spider-Man is nowhere to be seen. Ned knows he shouldn’t be relieved about that—shame punches through him even as he thinks it—but he also knows that Peter isn’t truly ready to have his identity exposed to the world, even if he is resolved to give up his secret for the sake of others. 

As the police officer tests the driver for his blood alcohol levels—god, I can’t believe this is happening at my own school—the paramedics break off to approach someone else, a figure on the street Ned previously missed.

Ned stiffens. The pedestrian—the victim, Ned thinks faintly to himself—lies sprawled out on the street, streaks of blood painted across his forehead. The victim looks even younger than the driver, hauntingly unmoving as he rests collapsed on the road. I’ve never seen a dead body before, he thinks numbly, bile bubbling up inside him, and his mind shrieks at him to pull away. But something about the situation, macabre as it is, keeps him fixated, horror and fear curdling in his gut. The victim—my age, he’s my age—looks eerie, skin pale and—

No.

It takes Ned a moment—a moment longer than it should—to recognize the victim. Beneath the blood, Ned knows that face; he knows those freckled cheeks and that tranquil smile and that mess of curls.

He knows. 

Ned’s heart drops like lead, descending through the soles of his feet and burrowing into the pavement, as he finally understands why Spider-Man isn’t at the scene of the crime.

Answer: because Peter Parker already is.

No, no, no—

Ned watches, paralyzed, as the paramedics crowd around Peter—his best friend, his brother—in a rush of footsteps and white coats. One of them kneels down beside Peter and feels for his heartbeat, fitting two fingers against Peter’s neck.

No.

The paramedic stands, head bowed, and quietly announces Peter to be dead on arrival.

Ned doesn’t hear the whimper that exits his mouth. He doesn’t feel the sharp twinge that shoots through him as he crashes to his knees, hands shaking by his side. He isn’t aware of anything but the fragmenting of his heart, the roaring in his ears, the tears in his eyes, the blood on Peter’s face—

Dead on arrival. Dead. 

Ned only regains awareness, rapidly stumbling to his feet, when the paramedics start lifting Peter onto a stretcher. Just as they are about to cover Peter’s face with a white cloth—no no no—Ned bulldozes his way through, shoving away anyone and everyone in his path. “No!” he gasps, and the desperate objection comes out strangled. “What are you doing?” Don’t you know he’s claustrophobic? he wants to ask, rooted in denial. He’ll be so scared. He won’t be able to breathe. “Peter? Peter! Hey!”

“Hey, kid, you can’t be here—” one of the paramedics starts.

“Get out of my way!” Ned shouts, ducking under the paramedic’s outstretched hands. He can vaguely hear the other students start to murmur in confusion, but he doesn’t let that stop him. Their voices are muffled in his ears. All he can hear is Peter’s laugh, like a distant memory, an echo of another time. Like hell I can’t be here, he thinks angrily. That’s my best friend. He’s my friend and he’s not fucking dead. 

(He can’t be. Please don’t let him be dead.)

“Peter!” He skids to a stop by Peter’s side, nearly falling over onto his knees a second time. “Peter? Why aren’t you responding?” He lurches forward and grips Peter’s hands, hanging limply from either side of the stretcher, with urgency. Please respond, Peter. Please. “Peter—”

“Where the hell is he!?” an unexpected voice bellows from above, sharp and frenzied enough to be heard by the entire crowd. It’s a voice all of them have heard before, though most only recognize it from interviews and press conferences and the ever-iconic reveal of I am Iron Man. “Kid? Kid!”

“What the hell?” someone yelps from the crowd. “What is Tony Stark doing at Midtown High? In Queens?”

“Tony Stark? Here?”

“No way!”

“In the sky, look!”

“Oh, my god. It’s Iron Man!”

“Holy shit, it’s really him! Tony Stark! At our school!”

Ned tears his eyes away from the bloody face of his best friend for the first time since he spotted him. He leans back on the heels of his feet, eyes darting to the sky—and sure enough, Tony Stark hovers above them, panels of red and gold gleaming under the midday sun.

“Mr. Stark!” the name rips out of Ned’s throat with a choked gasp. And then, more desperately: “Oh, god, Mr. Stark.”

Iron Man’s repulsers power off with a mechanical whine. The suit lands mere feet away from Ned with a thud—the force of which makes Ned flinch closer to his friend until he remembers Peter is lying still and dead, unable to help—before the faceplate finally slides open, revealing the famous face of Anthony Edward Stark.

“Ned.” Tony’s voice is raw and guttural, wrecked, when he meets Ned’s eyes.

(Normally, Tony would call him Ted or Fred or Jared or anything at all besides his real name.

The use of his real name breaks Ned’s heart all over again, because he knows why Tony uses it now; he knows why the situation is serious enough to warrant Tony’s disregard of his usual sassy routine.

He knows whose body he’s standing beside.)

:::

The thing is, all of this could have been avoided. All of this could have been prevented—if only Ned had paid attention in class, if only Peter had remembered to wear his StarkWatch to school, if only Flash had added a short disclaimer to his post, if only Peter hadn’t fallen asleep during the simulation… 

If only, if only, if only.

But none of those what-ifs happened, because this is how the story went. There is no longer any use in pondering on those niggling what-ifs. Now, one can only take refuge in the present, in reality.

And in this reality, the errors of the characters piled up one after another, leading to calamity.

:::

A short while ago…

Minutes away from Midtown High, minutes away from finding answers, Tony makes one last effort to deny the reality staring him in the face:

“FRIDAY,” he says suddenly, “check Peter’s StarkWatch, please. Pull up his vitals for me.”

FRIDAY does so, and he waits with bated breath, hoping, pleading, praying—

God has certainly never listened to his prayers before. Or if He has, He’s never cared to answer them.

God doesn't answer them now, either.

When Peter’s details load on his screen, Tony’s hope shrivels up and dies in his ribcage.

No data available, the pop-up reads, as if the watch is simply out of range or malfunctioning.

Except Tony personally built and customized Peter’s watch. He categorically knows that there is no possible way for either of those two things to happen: Tony specifically designed Peter’s watch to have unlimited range, and his technology has never failed him before.

The only way FRIDAY wouldn’t be receiving Peter’s data is if the watch has been broken beyond repair, or if…

If there is no data to receive. If Peter’s heart is no longer pumping blood through his body.

If Peter is dead.

Tony grits his teeth, swallows down the bile rising up his throat, and urges FRIDAY to fly faster. He needs answers. (He needs to know what took his kid from him.)

It feels like hours have passed—though Tony knows it’s only been a few minutes—before he finally arrives at his destination. FRIDAY brings him to a stop in front of Midtown High, and Tony’s worst fears are realized when he spots the congregation of police cars and ambulances parked outside the school gates.

Years ago, during the Battle of New York, Tony crashed through his balcony window and hurtled through the skies towards certain death. It was the first time since Iron Man’s creation that he’d been genuinely afraid of flying. Since then, Tony made sure to keep his suit either on him or accessible at all times, unwilling to face the feeling of free-falling ever again.

In that way, Iron Man is his safety net. His suit is his greatest form of protection.

Today, hovering above the scene of a car crash, Iron Man provides him no safety, no confidence. Tony looks at the assembly of emergency responders, of bystanders, and feels like falling.

(This is so much worse than the Battle of New York.)

Tony exhales shakily, activates his external speakers, and tries to hide the tremor in his voice as he demands, “Where the hell is he!?” He winces at the sound of his own voice, made gravelly by terror. “Kid? Kid!”

He hears the murmurs almost immediately, but he ignores them; he may have grown up accustomed to being in the public eye, but right now, he’d gladly give it all up to fix this. He’d gladly give up Tony Stark, give up his fame and fortune, to be able to take Peter in his arms and keep him there – safe and sound.

It isn’t until he hears his name coming from a vaguely familiar voice that he snaps to attention, eyes immediately pinpointing the source—Ned Leeds, standing in the middle of a circle of paramedics.

Tony stops cold, sucking in a sharp breath as a glacial darkness—wispy with fear and nausea—seeps into his bones, strangling him.

Because the sight that greets him as he spots Ned threatens to break Tony all over again. He immediately recognizes him, his kid’s sidekick (How many times do I have to tell you he isn’t my sidekick, Mr. Stark, Peter would whine for the thousandth time. He’s my guy-in-the-chair!), leaning over the still form of Peter fucking Parker. Tony’s eyes unwittingly catch on the spatter of blood marring the kid’s face.

Tony doesn’t want to believe it. It can’t be true.

(Peter Parker is the best thing that’s ever happened to him. Meeting Peter, taking him under his wing and getting to know him—through evenings spent in the lab going over blueprints and pranking one another, through playful fights over the TV remote and movie options, through game nights and Mario Kart competitions, through mentoring and getting mentored—are all the best thing that’s ever happened to him.

This… this is the worst.)

“Oh, god, Mr. Stark,” Ned’s voice quivers with fear, with loss, and Tony chokes back a sob, letting FRIDAY operate the Iron Man suit on auto. She powers it down and opens the faceplate for him, and he’s left staring at Peter and Ned side-by-side, one kid unmoving and one trembling. Together even at the very end.

“Ned.”

Ned crumbles.

“Mr. Stark,” Ned repeats, voice hitching and then splintering, overwhelmed by blubbering cries. “P-Peter, he’s – he’s… they declared him DOA.” The abbreviation—DOA—is nothing more than a hushed murmur as it leaves Ned’s voice, punched out by the sheer devastation in his cognizance.

Tony’s next breath stutters on its way out.

DOA. To have it confirmed is a punch in the gut. It's electricity coursing through his blood, it's ice in his veins, it's a missile exploding in his face. It's almost—almost—enough to drive Tony to his knees, except… except he needs to see it for himself, before—

Before he can believe it. Believe that Peter is truly gone, that his smile will never again light up Tony’s life, that his world as he knows it has ended.

“Mr. Stark, I…” Ned flounders. He looks… so, so inexorably lost. Unable to escape this new reality that threatens to suffocate them with its terrors. Ned sniffles, convulsing. “Oh, god, Mr. Stark, I can’t—”

Ned doesn’t finish his sentence, abruptly breaking off as gasping sobs overwhelm his voice. Tony doesn’t need him to finish his sentence; Ned’s tears convey his despair better than any words could have. So Tony might not know what exactly Ned was going to say, what Ned can’t do, but Tony already knows he can’t, either.

-

Ned doesn’t finish his sentence, gasping sobs overwhelming his voice. Tony doesn’t need him to finish his sentence; Ned’s tears convey his despair better than any words could have. So Tony might not know what exactly Ned was going to say, what Ned can’t do, but Tony already knows he can’t, either.

Not when Peter’s body is just lying there. Completely, utterly motionless. 

Tony gulps down a burst of fear, approaching the pair of best friends on trembling legs, as if he’s a newborn foal struggling to stand on his own instead of Tony Stark, the man behind the most successful technology corporation to date. Eventually, he manages to find his way, coming to a stumbling halt before Peter, unblinking eyes fixated on his kid and desperately searching for answers, for any sign of life.

(Searching and praying for any sign that Peter has managed to defy all odds yet again—that he has managed to elude even the bone-chilling label of DOA.)

He finds none.

A ragged, dissonant exhale tumbles out of his lips, the puff of air floating downwards, unseen as it crashes into smooth asphalt. His gaze follows, pulled towards the ground—pulled towards Peter—by some palpable force. Peter is mere feet away from him now—close enough that Tony would be able to touch him if he were to reach out—and yet he feels miles away, as if there is a cavernous distance between them impossible to bridge. 

(If it were possible, Tony would follow Peter anywhere.)

Tony shudders. “Wake up,” he whispers into the unbearable space between them like a prayer. A wish, one that sings true, born from the deepest desires of his heart. “Please wake up. Don’t… don’t make me say goodbye to you. Please, just – just open your eyes, kid. If you’re ever going to listen to anything I say, let it be this.” 

I can’t lose you, he doesn’t say, but feels with every bone in his body. It’s true, he realizes: he can’t. He doesn’t know what he’ll do if he’s truly lost Peter, only that it’ll be ugly. Please wake up.

Tony Stark does not beg for anything or anyone. 

Today, he does. Today, he sinks to his knees and presses his forehead to Peter’s and begs.

“Peter, please.”

:::

The unexpected appearance of the famed Anthony Edward Stark at a high school in Queens is cause enough for shock. The sight of that same Stark, head bowed and on his knees before one of their own? Well, that easily sends a thousand more exclamations and rumors rippling through the crowd.   

(Somewhere amidst all of these exclamations, somewhere in the thick of the crowd, Flash Thompson watches, dumbstruck, as Iron Man falls to his knees and whispers a mantra of broken pleas. Every single accusation Flash has ever made about Peter lying about his Stark Industries internship, about knowing Tony Stark, returns to the forefront of his mind. 

Parker doesn’t just know Tony Stark, he realizes, feeling queasy all of a sudden. This is… this is—

Well. Flash doesn’t think he’s ever even seen his own parents look at him like that: with such profound and unconditional love.

So, Flash thinks as the bile rises up his throat, Peter Parker has even more than I thought he did. 

And as his classmates whisper excitedly all around him, hushed murmurs of oh my god Tony Stark knows Peter Parker making the air buzz with anticipation, Flash—for the first time in a long, long time—is completely silent in the face of new rumors about Peter Parker. Now, he knows the truth. They all do. And deep down in the inner workings of his mind, he finds himself unable to look away as his world comes crashing down around him.

After all, the truth hurts.)

It is these whispers that eventually attract Tony’s attention, and he reluctantly draws away from Peter to scan the area once more. It doesn’t take long before he spots the senior standing by the hood of a police car, hands twisted and cuffed behind his back. The student stumbles backwards and blanches visibly when Tony slowly—menacingly—rises to his feet and locks eyes with him.

Tony wonders what it is the student sees in his eyes. Wonders if the student can see the fear horror guilt grief anger –

For now, Tony settles on anger. Pushes down the all-consuming anguish so that anger is all he can feel, all he allows himself to feel. His jaw shifts tensely as the rage twitches and spasms inside him, burning bright with the force of a supernova. He doesn’t think he’s ever been this angry (read: hurt) before. 

Tony thought he knew anger. 

He was wrong.

This – this is anger the likes of which he’s never encountered before. This anger goes far beyond the rush of explosive fury at Yinsen’s murder; the ice-cold rage he felt at Stane’s betrayal; the mix of panic, wild urgency and volatile anger that consumed him as he faced the threat Loki posed to his home; the vulnerable, vengeful and defensive outrage that exploded inside him as he watched Bucky Barnes’ fingers curl around his mother’s throat; the hurt that devoured him and turned him blind with the need to attack attack attack (read: protect himself) as Steve Rogers turned against him.

This is anger that overwhelms—the type that threatens to crush him under its weight or boil him alive. It’s an anger that froths with every inch of affection he felt for Peter, every ounce of devotion and care and love.

It’s an anger that devastates.

(His kid is gone. All he has left to hold on to now, as he struggles to keep himself above water, is this.

Giving into grief will drown him. Giving into rage? It’ll destroy him, but at least it’ll be quick.)

He’s livid, and he takes that wrath and turns it into vitriol, stalking forward like a predator with prey in its sight. 

“Y-You’re Iron Man—” the student chokes, either a last-ditch attempt to distract Tony or an unspoken plea for mercy, Tony can’t tell, but he doesn’t care. 

He growls, a heartbroken howl disguised by the red-hot flame of fury, and lunges forward, grabbing the senior by the collar of his shirt. He yanks, vicious, and drags the senior up until he can barely touch the ground with his toes.

“Was it you?” he thunders, deaf to the alarmed protests of the police officers surrounding them. The student is quiet, the air frigid and taut between them, and Tony snarls, repeating himself, “I asked you a goddamn question, asshole. Was it you who killed Peter!?”

(Do you have any idea? he wants to say. Do you have any idea what you’ve done? To Peter? To May, to Ned, to that MJ girl? To Happy, to Rhodey, to Pep?

To me?

Congratulations, asshole. You managed to bring Tony Stark to his knees. And I have no idea… I have no idea—

He has no idea how to fix himself, how to pick up the pieces and glue himself back together in the face of the wreckage of a car crash and Peter Peter Peter and blood—Peter’s. 

It feels like the world has stopped, but Tony knows reality is crueler. He knows there is no end in sight, knows the world will keep on spinning and time will keep on marching and people will keep on living.

What he doesn’t know is how. 

How? How can he possibly live on? How can he live in a world without Peter, without his kid?)

The color drains out of the student’s face. Tony doesn’t give him a chance to answer before he’s growling and drawing back a fist, white-knuckled with tension. The officers’ protests grow louder, more desperate, but Tony pays them no heed. He can’t pay attention to anything at all beyond the buzz of Peter Peter Peter beating in time with his racing pulse. 

I’ll make you pay. My kid deserved better, he thinks, knows—

His kid.

He stills.

In life, Peter had been the kindest, most gentle person he knew. Peter had been generous and considerate and immeasurably selfless. 

Peter had believed in second chances.

Tony closes his eyes in defeat, the breath leaving him in a frustrated hiss. Tony would gladly raze the world to ashes for Peter, but Peter had never been one to condone violence. Don’t fight fire with fire, the kid would say, shaking his head in something between exasperation and fondness. It’ll only burn you, too. 

(Tony would gladly burn alive if it meant Peter was safe. He’d willingly let the inferno take him if only—

If only.)

Tony lets go of the student’s shirt and pushes him away with enough force to send him staggering backwards. “Don’t think that you’ve been forgiven,” he seethes, dark and lethal. “You should be fucking grateful that my kid was ten times the person you are.”

(Peter is—was, Tony reminds himself with an ache in his chest—ten times the person Tony is. Peter has always been better than the rest of them, with his heart of gold, his tendency to care about everyone he meets, his unfailing optimism, his compassion, his peerless sense of duty and morality, his earnestness and genuineness—

He was so much better, Tony thinks. He was the very best of us, and—

And somehow, Peter had believed in him. Peter was always the first person to have faith in him, to trust him and support him. Peter had been his greatest and most ardent supporter—the kid’s confidence in him had never wavered, even when Tony’s own self-confidence did.

Despite all of his failures, despite the blood that stains his hands to this day, Peter has always seen good in him. For some unfathomable reason, Peter—who possessed more goodness in his bleeding heart than anyone else Tony knows—looked up to him.

He didn’t deserve it. He failed Peter. 

I couldn’t save him—)

The senior student falls back against the police car, violent tremors running through his body. “I don’t – I don’t understand,” Douglas Fitzpatrick whimpers pitifully. Principal Morita hadn’t told him anything about a surprise guest appearance—much less about Tony Stark being that guest. He tries to gather his thoughts, tries to process the situation as he wonders if this is all simply part of the demonstration—maybe the event organizers wanted to use the hysterical reaction of a bystander to further drive the point home and remind the students that their actions have consequences. But why Tony Stark? 

Or, better yet: how? How, when Tony Stark is unarguably the single most influential man in the entire world, thanks to both his limitless fortune as the owner of Stark Industries and his prodigious fame as Iron Man? When Tony Stark is the same tech tycoon who regularly spends his time among the fellow elite—CEOs, military generals, and world leaders alike? When Tony Stark is an Avenger—the Avenger—who reforged himself into a superhero in a dark cave in Afghanistan, right under his kidnappers’ noses?

Finally, Douglas shakes his head and backs away from the famous Avenger, closing his eyes to the sight of Actual Tony Goddamn Stark staring at him with pure hate in his eyes. This doesn’t feel like a performance. 

“What… what are you talking about? I didn’t do anything,” he insists, breaking character in an effort to escape Mr. Stark’s judgmental, recriminating gaze. Who wouldn’t break under Iron Man’s stare? “I didn’t do anything!”

His desperate protests only seem to dig him an even deeper grave. Tony’s glare darkens inexplicably. “You ‘didn’t do anything’?” he echoes, a laugh that is both hollow and hysterical forcing its way out of his throat. “You didn’t— no. No. I’m not letting you escape this, escape what you did.” I haven’t been able to escape it. Not since I found out. Not even for a second. “I was interrupted in the middle of one of the most boring board meetings I’ve ever sat through by an alert and a fucking post on social media. I had to find out through a goddamn Twitter post.” The words come out hissed, simmering with something deadly, his voice fluctuating at random points. Unstable. He certainly feels unstable, reminiscent of a ticking time bomb, as if one misstep from the handcuffed student might set him off.

Tony pauses, a niggling feeling at the back of his head reminding him of something. Something crucial. 

Tick. Tick.

Tick.

The Tweet—Tony remembers with sudden, sickening clarity, the heartless caption that had accompanied the posted obituary. 

[as if anyone would even miss parker, lol]

Renewed rage blazes in the pit of his stomach, sparking a growing fire. He’s hit with the sudden and powerful urge to revisit the Tweet that started all of this and hunt down the poster who dismissed Peter’s life with careless ease, completely unaware of how much brighter Peter made Tony’s own life. Unaware of how lucky they were, to have shared a school with the most brilliant kid Tony has ever met.

‘As if anyone would miss him’? That’s… oh, god. I would, he thinks, nauseous. I would miss him. Pete knows that, right? That I’d miss him. That I already do miss him.

Peter has to know that, or…

Tony shakes off the line of thought before the possibility of Peter not knowing, of Peter doubting how much he means to Tony, can send him into a tailspin. Instead, he focuses on the present, on the asshole currently shrinking away from him. 

Tony corrals his new, different anger into a vault for the moment. He can figure out who was cruel enough to post those words later. For now, he lets his original festering rage at the student driver solidify into lead, into poison. 

“You’re not escaping this,” Tony reiterates, unrelenting. “You’re going to pay for what you’ve done.” If not in blood, then I’m at least going to make you pay in prison. I won’t stop until I do. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Douglas continues to plead his case, face scrunched up in desperation. “I – I swear. Whatever you think I did, I didn’t do it. I didn’t! I don’t know what I could’ve possibly done! We’ve never even met before, Mr. Stark.”

The name ‘Mr. Stark’ sounds wrong on this student’s tongue, twisted and tarnished. It sounds nothing like how Peter says the name, like a familiar nickname instead of a distant moniker. It feels like a glaring blemish on his memory of Peter; it feels like a betrayal. 

“Don’t,” Tony bites out. “Don’t you dare”—ruin my memory of Peter, the only thing I have left of him thanks to you—“say my name as if you have any right. I suggest you tread very carefully from now on, because as it is, I’m already looking forward to seeing you sentenced to prison forever. Piss me off again, and you won’t like what happens next.”

“Mr. Stark!” an unfamiliar voice interjects, sounding flustered and more than a little beleaguered. Tony whips around to find a middle-aged man in an off-the-rack suit and a horrendous mustard yellow tie jogging up to him, looking harried. Tony vaguely recognizes him as Peter’s principal—Morrison or Morita or something like that. “Mr. Stark, please. You’re making a scene.”

Tony’s jaw drops. ‘Making a scene’? He’s making a scene? Not for the first time today, an overwhelming torrent of emotions explodes in his chest. A staggering indignation at the realization that, at a time like this, the principal’s primary concern seems to be maintaining appearances for public perception, as though Peter is but an afterthought. A monumental, bone-shattering agony—a sort of pain bigger than bruised ribs and broken bones, sharper than shrapnel in his chest, stronger than palladium poisoning—at the thought of how hurt Peter—Peter, who holds nothing but the utmost respect for his principal and his teachers—would be to realize how little he factored into his own principal’s priorities. A reinvigorated, unquenchable thirst to ravage everyone who’s ever wronged his kid and everyone who’s ever looked the other way.

Tony snaps his jaw shut. His expression shutters, shock at the interruption turning into frost. The indignation burns low in his gut, ignorable only because Tony already has his sights set on another target. “I suggest you get the hell out of my way. This is the only warning you’ll get, so I’d advise you to make the smart move and take it,” he utters quietly, but the low volume of his voice does nothing to undermine the deterrent in it. If anything, it only makes Tony sound more dangerous, his words less of an impulsive threat and more of a solemn vow. His voice is one that guarantees retribution.

The principal—it’s definitely Morita, Tony recalls—balks noticeably. “Mr. Stark,” he starts apprehensively, his own voice hesitant as if he believes he’s approaching a wild animal that might decide to attack him at any moment. 

Tony immediately looks askance at Morita, silently exhorting the man to choose your next words with caution, and Morita gulps audibly—but decidedly continues to stand firm in front of Tony. Tony would be impressed by the principal’s courage in the face of the Avenger who singlehandedly flew a nuclear missile into a wormhole if it weren’t for the fact that his kid is still lying dead behind him and Morita doesn’t even seem to care, defending a student who doesn’t deserve it. 

Morita clears his throat anxiously. “Please refrain from threatening my students, Mr. Stark. I'm not sure what Mr. Fitzpatrick has done to earn your ire, but regardless, he is still a minor.”

A minor, Tony echoes in his mind, brimming with contempt. A minor. Tony has to fight to bite back the instinctive response that leaps to his mind: And what about Peter, huh? Another minor—one who was in your care, who was under your protection while at this school? What about him, Morita? Or does he not matter? His well-being, his life, his future?

“I don’t give a shit what ‘Mr. Fitzpatrick’ is,” he grits out, struggling to rein in the anger enough to sound measured when all he wants is to tear into Fitzpatrick. “Prison would be a mercy after what he’s done.”

Tony glances to the side to find that the student in question looks visibly nauseous, face ashen and horrified. “P-Prison?” Fitzpatrick stutters. “I don’t... I’ve never even committed a crime!” he protests, voice insistent and pleading. “I haven’t, Mr. Stark. I think there’s been a misunderstanding.”

The words the only misunderstanding here is why the hell you’re still seeing the light of day are on the tip of his tongue, begging to be unleashed. At the last second, however, Tony pauses, his eyes narrowing. There’s something off about this entire situation. 

It’s only when Douglas squirms uneasily, looking for a way out—looking for absolution—that it hits Tony. The student in front of him is sober, he realizes. Or at the very least, he doesn’t sound drunk; he isn’t slurring his words in the slightest. He may be stammering, but Tony can tell that’s from sheer nervousness, not inebriation. The student doesn’t even look drunk—there’s no visible flush to his neck and chest, no wild-eyed look on his face. 

Even more tellingly, Tony can’t smell the familiar, pungent stench of booze on the student’s breath. 

There is nothing to indicate that the student was recently wasted enough to accidentally crash into an innocent bystander. (Into Peter.)

(Honestly, Tony’s a little ashamed that it took him this long to notice the student’s glaring lack of insobriety, but then again, he has been a little preoccupied with the thought that he’s lost his kid, so he figures he gets a pass on not being at the top of his game just this once.)

Tony’s narrow-eyed stare sharpens. An accusatory demand—what the ever-loving fuck is going on here—is already on its way up his throat when he’s cut off before he can even open his mouth.

A familiar voice groans behind them, drowsy and fatigued. Tony freezes, his heart thudding loudly in his chest, and for a moment, everything else sounds muted to his ears as his focus zeroes in on that single brief groan.

Peter.

:::

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3

[jawlawsenpai]

Foretell Chapter 2: Awakened

As he makes his way to school Simon meets up with Sebastian. Sebastian was wearing a black and red striped long sleeved shirt, while Simon on the other hand was wearing a blue shirt with a print of a cartoon turtle that has a lightning bolt on its shell with the text "I'm the fastest turtle alive." Sebastian saw Simon and waved at him.

"Morning!" Simon greets Sebastian.

"Hey! happy birthday... Are you okay? You look kinda pale." Sebastian asks.

"I had a really messed up nightmare and I really don't want to talk about it." Simon's proclamation.

"Okay then, so what do you want to cook tonight?"

"I was thinking, how about lasagna?"

"Oh yeah definitely your lasagna tastes amazing."

"Cool I'll make the list of ingredients later and we'll buy some at the store okay?"

"Sounds like a plan."

The two headed to class where they met their other friends. Vicky was wearing a Sunday dress that has floral designs and is still completely ignoring Simon. Liz is wearing a white and yellow blouse along with some jeans who also greeted Simon a happy birthday and once again Simon was red as an apple. Rob is wearing his signature red hoodie with a black shirt inside with a pac-man print on it ,he greeted the two boys and gave them both high fives. Vina was wearing a sleeveless white muscle shirt with a crow sitting on top of a skull as a design and ripped jeans, her hair is braided which gives her sex appeal a whole new level, she also has mascara on along with some leather bracelets. On the other hand her sister Rina is wearing a sweat jacket with a print of an aliens head with the text "believe" on it. The twins went up to Simon and hugged him while greeting him a happy birthday. A few moments later the teacher walks in and starts the class.

Without saying it everyone's excited for the party. Simon as well, he's looking forward to cook lasagna for his friends, but at the same time he still questions the nightmare that he saw. Who was that woman? What was that flower all about? How did he manage to dream something like that? Simon simply thought he should stop watching too much horror films.

After an excruciating math test, everyone was relieved for it to be over, more so for Simon's friends. This means that school is over and that they can party at Simon's place. They spent the entire day just talking about the party, now that school's over they all can no longer wait.

Everyone had their own thing to do. Liz and Vicky plan to buy a cake for Simon, even though Simon protests about them buying, Liz is very persistent and in the end Simon can't really stop her. Rob, Vina, and Rina plan to buy party decorations and they plan to go to Simon's house first to prepare and just simply wait for the others to come afterwards. Simon was hesitant at first because his father might be there but then again he remembered that his father didn't come last night and it's highly unlikely for him to return today. After much consideration Simon allowed the three of them to go ahead to his house first after buying the decorations.

After everything was settled they all went their separate ways and went to do their respective jobs. Liz and Vicky went to the bakery, while Rob, Vina, and Rina went to the nearest convenience store. Simon and Sebastian went to the grocery store.

While walking Simon and Sebastian were sightseeing around, it has been a long time since they've been in this part of the valley. Once they saw the old play ground they both smiled, those were happier times. They remembered Simon's mother watching over them as they play on the swing.

"She would've been so proud of you right now, and she'd be the most excited about your birthday out of all of us." Sebastian proclaims.

"Yeah I know she would. She would've been the first one to remind me that it's my birthday today."

As the two walk along they noticed a crowd of people standing around next to an apartment near the play ground. Simon immediately felt a sudden pain in his head. Sebastian notices this and asks Simon if everything was alright. Simon replies saying that everything is fine and that it was just a sudden headache. For some reason Simon felt anxious and afraid. He swallowed his fear and forced himself to go to the crowd.

He pushed his way through the crowd. As he reaches the source of all the commotion he saw the paramedics zipping up a body bag, in a split second Simon manages to take a quick glance. Simon was immediately filled with fear and disgust the face he saw was the same face of the woman from his nightmare, without a doubt, how can he forget such a horrifying scene, a scene so terrifying that it is forever etched into his mind. The only things that are different is the fact that the body will not rise again and that the weird flower that is supposed to be on her chest is nowhere to be seen.

Simon immediately ran to the nearest public restroom, he felt sick and thought of nothing but just vomiting. Sebastian quickly chased after him, once Simon found a restroom and quickly found an empty stall he immediately vomited in it. Sebastian looking confused asked Simon what was going on. Simon immediately replied that he was alright and that he was feeling a little sick because of what he saw.

After the entire ordeal Simon manages to convince Sebastian for them to just leave and go to the grocery store. As soon as they leave Simon witnesses the body bag being taken in the ambulance, in order to not risk him vomiting again he quickly walks away along with Sebastian. Sebastian is still very worried about Simon but he knows when Simon doesn't want to talk about anything he won't so he just went along with Simon in order for them to get home already.

Finally they made it to the grocery store.

"So you got the list?" Asked Sebastian.

"Yup it's in here in my bag hold on a sec."

As Simon picks out his list Sebastian was shocked to see how many ingredients they needed to buy. The list consists of olive oil, 3-4 onions, 2 large bell peppers, tomato sauce, 4-5 tomatoes, some Italian seasoning, garlic powder and that was just for the sauce. For the lasagna itself they needed lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Basically different types of cheese.

" Do we even have the budget for these?" Sebastian's worried question.

"Yeah, I mean I have some of the other ingredients at home I only wrote those so that I wont forget what I need later."

Sebastian is in a state shock for this is the first time he has seen Simon so very competent. Simon understood that look and lightly jabs Sebastian's arm. It took some time but they managed to buy everything they needed. They immediately went to Simon's house to cook the food.

As soon as they arrived at the house they saw Rob blowing up balloons on the floor while Vina and Rina are putting up streamers on the walls, they promised that they'll clean it up afterwards. Simon started cooking the lasagna and Sebastian helped out with the balloons because Rob is clearly having a difficult time. When the lasagna was finished Liz and Vicky made it just in time along with the cake, written on the icing said "Happy 15th Birthday Simon from all your Friends!" Simon was touched, but this isn't an occasion for crying. They all dig in the food and had a wonderful evening. Vina is totally crushing it on karaoke and Rina is taking memorable pictures of everybody. Later on everyone else danced to the songs that Vina picked out except for Vicky and Sebastian who were to awkward and shy to dance in the first place. All in all that night was one of the best nights that everyone had, until someone came along. "What's all that noise!"

The voice came from outside the door, as soon as Simon opened it, it was his father still clearly drunk and with a beer in hand. "What's going on! Who are you kids?! What are you all doing in my house?!" He yelled. Everyone was silent for a moment, they knew that this is what Simon's father is like, until Liz suddenly spoke.

"We were celebrating Simon's birthday Mr.Cross."

"What? It's your birthday? Why didn't you tell me?" The confused question of Mr.Cross.

"Yeah its my birthday dad, I just thought you had more important stuff to do so I didn't bother."

"You could've at least told me!"

"It's okay dad its not a big deal."

"It is a big deal. I'm your father I need to be here at times like these!"

Something just suddenly snapped in Simon.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but when have you ever been here? You spend most of your time in the bar than here. Even when you are here your not here your either drunk or sleeping!" Simon yells.

"Hey! I work my ass off for this family so don't talk to me like that!"

"What family! We haven't been a family ever since mom died. I've moved on dad you clearly haven't!"

"That's it you can't talk to me like that while you're still under my roof!"

"Maybe I don't want to be under your roof anymore! There's nothing here for me anymore!" Simon proclaims.

Blinded by rage Simon's father punched him in the face so hard he fell to the floor and his cheek is swelling and his mouth is bleeding. Rob being the biggest one of them tried to hold Simon's father back but he just get shoved away by the massive man. Simon's father looks at him intently and says. "If that's what you want then fine leave." The burly man went up the stairs and to his bedroom. Simon's friends quickly went to him and helped him get back up.

"If you need a place to go you could stay at my place." Said Sebastian.

"Is that okay with you? Simon asks.

"Of course, you should pack now though."

"We'll go get your stuff and pack for you" Said Rob.

"You guys don't have to." Said Simon.

"Can you guys go get his stuff I'll patch him up." Said Liz.

Everyone nodded. Rob, Vina, Sebastian, Rina, and even Vicky went up to his room to get his stuff. Liz is looking under the cabinets to look for a first aid kit to use. She found one and immediately returns to Simon.

"Has he ever hit you like that before?" Liz's worried question while she cleans Simon's face and hold an ice bag to it.

"Couple of times, and in all of those times he was drunk." He says this in a joking manner.

"This isn't funny Simon, you got hurt. you can report him you know?"

"As much as I hate him he's still my dad. Whatever I said earlier it'll never change the fact that he's my family, the last one to be exact. Besides maybe a little space could do us good."

"I hope you know what you're dong."

Just as she finishes treating Simon's cheek the others came down stairs with two plastic bags and his regular school bag all packed and ready to go. Before they all left they took out garbage bags and cleaned out the living room. As they all walk outside they left the garbage bags out on the porch. As they further walked Simon took one last look at the house, it was a pretty out of placed house to be in an urban area to begin with, pieces of it has gone missing, its rich white and yellow color already faded and the windows are all boarded up, the roof is in serious need of cleaning and repair. Now Simon is expected to live in Sebastian's house, at least for now.

Simon and Sebastian went their way while the others went their own. They all said happy birthday to Simon even though it wasn't all happy in the end. Simon notices their faces clearly showing them being worried. Simon reassures them and tells them that everything will be alright, after that they all left and they all said good night to one another.

As they arrived at Sebastian's house the place was all dark and still a little stuffy. Nevertheless Simon proclaims that its alright for him to sleep on couch, Sebastian tried to change his mind offers him his bedroom, but knowing Simon he knew that he can't convince him. The time was 10:00 p.m. As Sebastian walks up the stairs to sleep Simon quickly dozes of due to him being way to tired and fatigued.

Walking on a garden of strange looking violet flowers. The sky was as red as blood, the clouds were moving at an impossible speed. Simon heard whispers all over the place, the whispers were coming from the distance while at other times it was near as if the person whispering was up next to his ear. Suddenly the clouds stopped moving and poured out rain, but it was no ordinary rain by the color of it and the smell it wasn't water that was falling on Simon it was blood. Simon looked up to the clouds raining blood, as soon as he looked back down he was immediately greeted by the corpse of the woman he saw earlier. The woman once again had no eyes and was crying out blood and smiling right at him. Out of disbelief Simon rubbed his eyes and once he opened his eyes once more the weather was normal again, Simon's clothes were no longer drenched in blood, nothing but odd looking violet flowers can be seen for miles, the whispers has also stopped. Then suddenly the woman was once again beside Simon and whispered right into his ears "Smell the pretty flowers." Out of shocked Simon quickly turned around and like before the woman was no where to be seen. As soon as Simon puts his guard down a bloody hand sprouted from the ground and grabbed Simon's leg and slowly pulls him down the ground. Desperate he tries to claw his way out grabbing on to anything he can get his hands on, and yet it is too late he was then completely submerged underground.

Once again Simon woke up in the middle of the night gasping for air and sweating. He then looks at the time on his phone and on it says that it is 12:00 a.m. Out of frustration Simon scratched his head and buried his head on the pillow and asks himself.

"What's going on? What's happening to me?"

[nobody7102]

Losers in Life- IT One-shot

Paring: Losers Club X Reader(Platonic other than Stan)

Requested by Anonymous 

Warning: Gore, suicide, swearing, bad spelling

Word Count: 1773

Seated on the couch of their home she stared at the stairwell, watching as the paramedics transported Stanley’s body out of the house. Her hands were clammy and tears swelled in her eyes.

“Mrs. Uris…. I know this is hard right now, and a million things are probably going through your head but did your husband give you any reason to believe that he was going to kill himself?”

Her eyes darting from the now empty stairwell to the officer in front of her, she shook her head. She didn’t know what to do. Should she still be sitting? Should she stand? What should she do with her hands? 

“Ma’m?” The Officers snapped her out of her daze

“Sorry….” She shook her head once more wiping her eyes and nose “No ...he seemed fine, no issues at work, or with either of our families, or with us….we…..we had just planned a trip….”

“Did anything happen recently to him that could have caused him to think about suicide?” 

She thought for a moment before her mind went to the phone call he had gotten that caused him to retreat to his study then to the mailbox with a stack of letters,it did seem odd ...not to mention the fact that she had gotten a call moment after…. But Stan was an accountant after all and he liked to do things the old fashioned way when communicating with clients. 

“....I mean……..he had lost a client earlier this week……..” Lie

“...and that previous client had called earlier…” Another lie, she knew well enough to not lie to the police yet she did it anyways.

The officer nodded. 

“One last question Mrs. Uris then we’ll hopefully be out of your hair, and this is a standard question in general. Are you going anywhere or do you have any plans to go anywhere? We just want to make sure that you’re accounted for until the courier clears this as a suicide.” 

Rubbing her temples she thought for a moment.

“No we…well we had planned to...go to… our hometown early tomorrow……. Later today.” she corrected herself since it was well past midnight. 

“And when would you have left for that?” She looked at the clock on the wall, then back to the officer. “Within the next two hours….” 

“Are you still planning to go?” She nodded, “His family deserves to hear it from me.”

The officer nodded writing the answers down before he put the notepad away. 

“Well Mrs. Uris, I hope that you get their safely. I would advise that you leave a little later in the day but that choice if up to you, and I’m so sorry for your loss”

“Thank you…” as the officer started to leave she walked over to him catching him in the doorway. “Officer?”

He turned to her. “Yes?” “Do you think I could get his wedding ring off of him before they take him off?” her voice shook lightly as she spoke those words.

The officer looked between her and the ambulance. Motioning for her to give him a moment, he jogged over to the ambulance. Speaking to one of the EMTs she saw one of them disappear into the ambulance before re-emerging and talking to the officer. It took him a moment before returning to her.

“It took a minute for them to get it to me because they had to sanitize it but…” he held out a bag for her that held Stanley’s ring. 

Taking the bag the thanked the officer once more before she watched the officer and paramedics leave. Retreating back into the house she jogged upstairs grabbing a suitcase out of the closet. 

Throwing the suitcase onto the bed in what once was her shared bedroom but now it was…..just her’s. Going over to the dresser she started taking things out and throwing them in the direction of the suitcase. Before she started to re-dial the number that had called her before.

“Hello?” a voice came from the phone as she set it on speaker.

“Mike? Is that you?” she started to pack the suitcase. “I changed my mind I’m coming back.” “Are you sure? I thought we both agreed you staying put was the best option for your situation.” His voice strained.

“I know!...I know ...but the circumstances are different now, Mike … something happened today...and I know it was that fucken clowns fault...” with that she hung up the phone and continued to pack. 

Pausing for a moment she took Stan’s ring out of the bag butfor going over to her jewelry box, and taking out a chain with a small flower petal in it. 

Stan had gotten her a necklace for their third wedding anniversary, the petal was apart of her bouquet. Sliding the ring onto the chain, she placed it around her neck before she closed up the suitcase.

Finishing packing she changed her close before bringing her suitcase and purse out to the car. As she sat in the car she went over a checklist in her head. 

“House is locked ...Everything packed…. Phone and charger ...check all check…”

Pulling out of the driveway she set up her GPS for the one place she’s hoped she’d never have to return to. Seeing a message pop up on the screen of the car she glanced at it.

‘Returning home Y/N? Better make sure that you’re wearing your floaties, because I can’t wait to watch you float. Just. Like. Stan.’

Place her hazard lights on Y/N took her hand off the wheel tears pouring from her eyes, she punched the screen, letting out a scream. The glass didn't break, it didn’t even crack but her hand would be bruised the next day. Turning off her hazards she sobbed as she drove down the road. 

It took about two hours before she was fully able to stop crying, and by then she was about halfway to Derry from were she and Stan lived. So she decided it was as good a time as any to make a rest stop. Pulling into a gas station she turned off the ignition before unbuckling and slouching back in her seat. 

She covered her face letting out a sigh, pulling out her phone Y/N scrolled through her notifications seeing the message from the unknown number deleting the chat. She also noticed some more messages from Mike. 

‘I’ve got Bill here now, everyone else should be arriving the same time as you.’

 ‘Might be a little late took a rest stop.’ she sent back before she placed the phone back in her bag. Moving her y/h out of her face she hummed before starting the car and preparing to leave once more. 

As she looked up Stan stood in front of the car reaching out for Y/N. He was pale and bloodied, by how stiff his stance was he it looked like rigamortis had set in. 

Staring in horror Y/N froze watching him walk towards the her side of the car. Eyes still on Stan she shifted the gears of the car hearing an inhuman like laugh erupted from his throat. 

“YOU WILL FLOAT Y/N! IF I CAN YOU CAN TO!” 

The tires screeched as the car ran out of parking lot.

Sobs left Y/N’s mouth as she barreled down the road.

It took another two hours till she reached Darry, plus the separate hour she took to calm herself down. 

Her car was parked outside of a chinese restaurant courtesy of MIke, and as she got out of the car she saw a group exit. All of them were shouting before two left the group which left four standing outside of the restaurant. Feeling her phone ring in her pocket, she noticed a redheaded girl holding a phone, and Y/N’s voice mail could be heard. 

‘Hey you’ve reached by voicemail please leave a message.’

“Hello Mrs. Uris, this is Beverly Marsh i’m an old friend of Stanley I was wondering-” the line dropped. “If you’re trying to reach me I’m right here.” Y/n now stood a few feet away from the group of four, and for the first time in the past few hours Y/N had let someone or in this case multiple someone's see how much of a mess she had been. Her Y/H was messy, eyes were red from lack of sleep and all of the crying she’d done, from first glance Y/N looked rough.

Mike separated from the group walking over to Y/N,

“Are you okay? You said something changed? What happ-”

“I’m sorry, but w-who are you?” Bill looked to between Mike and this women.

Mike took a few moments speaking with Y/N before he turned to was Losers remained in front of the restaurant.

“Ben, Bill, Bev… This is Y/N…. durring that summer she was...also one of Pennywize’s fear targets.”

“Mike called me, wanted me to come back…” Y/N crossed her arms shifting on her feet. “Originally I wasn’t gonna come but,” Her hand went to her necklace. “Things change.”

Ben stared at her before turning to the others, 

“You’re that girl that Bowers always harassed by the school? He got your hair caught in his car door and started to drive with you still stuck…” Ben’s voice got quiet towards the end 

“I also happen to be Stan’s wife…” she took out her phone playing Bev’s message.

“If you are Stan’s wi-w-wife” Bill’s voice was strained as he tried to get the words out then w-h-w-where is he?!”

Y/N looked to the warn tar road eye’s starting to well up with tears, she squeezed the necklace before clearing her throat and blinking back the tears.

“Stan’s de-.....” her voice dropped before she even got the word out, she covered her mouth taking a few breaths before just ripping the bandaid off. “Stan killed himself..” she choked a bit on her own words.

“Y/N” Bev slowly walked over to her placing a hand on her shoulder, “I know this is a hard question ...but it is essential that I know this answer. Where did Stan kill himself?” “He umm…. In our bathroom” “Bathroom.”

Y/N and Bev both spoke at the same time answers allining down to the last syllable.

Y/N eyed Bev horrified, no one new about Stan other than the first responders. Much less where he died. Before Y/N could speak Bev slowly continued.

“..You, you saw him an hour ago. But you knew it wasn’t him.”

Y/N’s knees gave out as Bev spoke. Tears pouring from her eyes, catching Y/N Bev slowly sank to the ground with her looking to the three who were still standing wondering what to do.

[insanelycooljk]

You mentioned ⚡⚡⚡was the worst for angst so now I Have To Ask

send me the title of one of my deh wips and I’ll share an excerpt/tell you a bit about it  

Ok I definitely only mentioned that because I was hoping someone might ask about it lmao. I’d argue that this is more like... hurt than angst, but it’s gonna be hurt/comfort, so hopefully the sweet moments make up for it. You can expect a lot of soft kleinsen lol.

This one it was like 3am and there was a huge storm outside. I was sitting by my window watching the lightning, I’d just finished reading Trying Through the Trauma and a particular scene was on my mind (if you’ve read it you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about, and if you haven’t I highly reccomend it because that fic is wonderful, the world-building is INSANE).

So given all of that, plus my apparent desire to just hurt all the characters I love, my brain was like “hey... what if Jared got struck by lightning?”

Which I KNOW sounds absolutely ridiculous and like some kind of crack fic, but just bare with me here ok.

For maximum angst, the fic begins with Jared storming out of Evan’s house after a fight.

I haven’t worked out all of the details of the fight yet, but basically there was an attempt at an apology/discussion of Evan’s letter that didn’t go so well and things got a bit heated.

Jared’s hurt and angry, so he runs away because that’s what he does.

It’s absolutely pissing down, it’s at least a 15/20 minute walk back to his house, but Jared’s a stubborn bastard and he just needs to get out of there.

Evan’s stuck in his head trying to process how the hell that went so badly, because he’s hurt and angry too, but then a particulary loud clap of thunder snaps him out of his thoughts. He’s not sure why the hell Jared walked here instead of drove (it was because he wanted the extra time to try and plan what he was going to say to Evan), but Heidi will kill him if she finds out he just let Jared walk all the way home in this weather.

So he runs outside after Jared to tell him to stop being an idiot and at least just wait until it stops raining so much

And of course Evan catches up with Jared just in time to see him get struck

Evan is just frozen in absolute horror because what the fuck. What the fuck. Who the hell gets struck by lightning!? That just doesn’t happen in real life. What the fuck.

His brain finally catches up to him and he rushes over to Jared who’s just convulsing on the ground.

Evan’s hands are shaking but he manages to call 911. Once the ambulance is on their way he’s just staring helplessly at Jared still seizing on the ground, and all he can think is Jared is going to die and the last thing they did was fight.

Another minute or so passes and Jared’s seizure suddenly ends. Evan’s just holding his breath because he has no idea what he should do. Being a nurse and all, Heidi’s taught him how to do basic CPR incase of emergencies, but Evan’s in such a state of panic that he can’t do anything

And then Jared opens his eyes. It takes a second for the pain to catch up to him, the ringing in his ears is loud and oh fuck everything hurts his whole body is on fire

Evan is freaking the fuck out now that Jared is awake and crying, and he’s desperately trying to comfort him and is begging the ambulance to hurry the fuck up. And god this is so much worse now that Jared’s conscious, because Jared just doesn’t break down. The last time Evan probably saw him cry was when he stacked it on his bike when they were kids (unless you count the unshed tears shining in his eyes during their gfy fight and most recent fight, which Evan is pointedly NOT counting lmao, he can’t deal with that right now)

Anyway, the paramedics finally arrive and give Jared some serious painkillers and take him to the hospital because honestly they’re not really sure what to do either. It’s not like there’s a special “lightning strike survivor” class in the paramedicine curriculum lol. Jared didn’t go into cardiac arrest or anything so that’s a good sign, but he’s obviously in pain and he’s got some really nasty burns that need looking at so he’s clearly not fine.

And of course, for more maximum angst, they take him to the hospital Heidi works at. Because of course they do. Heidi’s had a fairly quiet night at work, or at least as as quiet as it can be working at a hospital. But then she overhears something about a kid who got struck by lightning!? And Heidi is like damn… well that doesn’t happen every day. She’s currently on her break but she’s understandably pretty curious, so she decides she’ll just go see what’s going on.

Which of course leads to her finding an extremely distraught looking Evan who is absolutely drenched, and any other thoughts are gone from her mind instantly.

Evan all but collapses into her arms. She’s holding him tightly as he just sobs and sobs and he’s shivering and so cold and why is he so wet? And obviously Heidi just wants to be there for him but the she’s starting to panic and she needs to know what’s wrong. She pulls away, still holding his shoulders tightly, to look him in the face.

“Evan, honey talk to me. What happened?” And he just manages to choke out “It’s Jared, it’s…. he,” but he can’t get the words out because he keeps being interrupted by his own sobs. And now Heidi is really worried because what happened with Jared? Is he ok? “He…” Evan can’t continue because he just lets out this choked cry and breaks into even harder sobs. Which causes Heidi to promptly pull him close again.

Evan is just, exhausted. Like, he was so tense and upset after the fight with Jared, and then THAT happened, and he’s been doing his best to not completely fall apart so he could explain what happened to the paramedics, but it’s just all so much, and all he wants his mum to hold him and tell him everything’s going to be ok.

“He’s hurt,” Evan says finally once his breathing is bit more under control and he can finally speak again. “He…. there was lightning and, and-”

And Heidi’s heart just stops because she suddenly remembers the boy that supposedly got struck by lightning and she does not like where this is going.

Jared’s mostly ok physically. He’s got some really nasty burns and he’s in a lot of pain, plus the strike was super loud so he’s got some bad tinnitus, but nothing that really needs monitoring. So he’s only in the hospital for a couple of days.

However, the thing with lightning strikes is it can do a lot of weird neurological damage that scientists and doctors don’t really understand yet. So a lot of survivors suffer from things like personality changes, mood swings, memory loss and chronic pain.

So in terms of symptoms for Jared he struggles with chronic pain. It’s not like a low-level constant pain, it’s more episodes where he’s in extreme pain for a short period of time and then it fades away again. He got struck on his shoulder, so the pain flares up on his shoulder and down his arm on that side of his body.

His burns take a while to heal, and whilst his tinnitus gets much better it’s always there to an extent. He’s also got some issues with fatigue, it’s not terrible but he definitely gets tired more easily than he used to.

Jared doesn’t really have any issues with like, personality changes or anything, but the whole experience was pretty tramautic, so his mental health definitely isn’t great right now.

Obviously, Jared’s pretty fucking terrified of thunderstorms now. He pretty much just refuses to leave his house if there’s a storm.

One time he’s driving himself and Evan home from school and it starts raining and he just – refuses to leave the car. There’s not even thunder but the sky is dark and it’s raining pretty heavily and Evan’s all like “It’s ok, come on. It’s two metres. Just take my hand and we’ll run inside together ok?” And poor Jared is having a panic attack, just gasping for air, and he’s shaking his head and saying “I can’t.”

And Evan kinda tries a couple more suggestions to coax him inside, because like they literally just have to walk from the driveway to Evan’s front door. There is a 0% chance that anything would happen in the 5 seconds it would take to get inside, and there isn’t even any thunder, it’s just raining heavily.

Eventually he gives up and they just sit in the car together waiting for the storm to pass. Evan can’t help but think how ironic it is that he’s the one who has to help Jared through his own panic attacks now.

But the main complications Jared struggles with are the cognititve issues. Jared’s always been pretty smart and has done well in school, so he finds it really hard to deal with.

He REALLY struggles with his memory at first. Mainly short-term memory. He’ll do things like make lunch multiple times because he forgot he ate already. He struggles with reading and writing and keeps tripping over his sentences. It all improves a lot over time, but it never quite gets 100% better.

But yeah, that’s kind of the hardest part for Jared because it’s just frustrating and confusing. It causes him a lot of distress because it makes him feel so stupid.

One time when he’s really struggling with it, maybe whilst trying to do work for school, Jared just breaks down about it because he just feels so frustrated. He ends up crying into Evan’s shoulder and going “I just want to be better”

Evan says nothing, because he’s been doing an obsessive amount of research and the truth is Jared might not ever be “better” again, and he doesn’t want to lie to Jared. Well, he certainly wants to, we all know about Evan’s lying issues lmao. He desperately wants to tell Jared comforting lies like “it’s ok” and “there’s nothing wrong with you” and “of course you’ll get better” but he holds his tongue because he knows he can’t lie to Jared, not about this.

ANYWAY ahahaha, I got a little carried away with this one but I’ve got a LOT of feelings about it. It will end up with kleinsen because I couldn’t resist, so on that note I do have just one last point I HAVE to share 🥺

So a lot of people who get struck by lightning end up with these really kind of beautiful looking scars called Lichtenberg figures. They normally only last a day or two (although I did read about one guy where they lasted like a month) but uhh.... I will be taking some artisitic liberities there lmao because imaging Evan gently tracing over Jared’s scars when they finally get together? Good shit.

[thelovecore]

Could I request a Steve Harrington x reader where steve shows up at the readers house right after all the shit of s3 went down and she just like takes care of him??? Like soft hugs and first aid and comfort and just holding him??? Your writing is amazinggggg

I love this idea! I hope you like this. I enjoyed writing it! Thank you for the request!

Masterlist

______________________

Help |Steve Harrington|

Steve Harrington and I lived on the same street. We have our whole lives. When we were little, our moms would get together and complain about their husbands while Steve and I played. When we were in middle school, Steve and I would run around the neighborhood together and wait for the ice cream truck. When my dad left my mom, I cried into Steve’s arms. When Steve was old enough to figure out that his dad’s business trips probably had other meanings, he cried into my arms. In high school, however, we grew apart. I wasn’t into the whole “King” Steve thing, and he dropped our friendship like a hot potato for the popular crowd. I won’t lie, during basketball pep rallies, I cheered loudest for him. When he still played baseball, I only watched when he was at bat. Deep down, in the very pit of Steve’s existence, I knew he hadn’t forgotten about me. I knew, or maybe just really, really hoped, that Steve and I would reconnect one day. After his other friends had ditched him. He would remember those nights.

When my dad left when I was thirteen, I was sobbing into Steve’s chest out in his yard. He had just been hugging me, rubbing my back.

“Why would he do that, Steve? I would never leave my kid.” I said thickly. Steve looked down at me and wiped away my tears.

“I’m so sorry.” He whispered, pulling me close.

“I’m never getting married or having kids. I can’t trust anyone after this. I…I could never make my kids feel how I feel right now. I can’t imagine how my mom feels.” I said.  

“Hey, don’t say that. We’re still young, and you’ll find a really good guy someday and he’ll stay with you forever.” Steve said.

“I don’t want to put my trust in someone like that.” I said.

“You’re going to be okay. You’re smart, and funny, and people like you. No one would leave you.” He said, hugging me tighter. “I wouldn’t, at least.”

“Thank you Steve.”

After graduation, Steve and I had spoken more. When he wasn’t around his popular friends, we would hang out and grab dinner some nights or just watch movies. He was still the same Steve I grew up with, and we had newfound fears and feelings to connect on. He wasn’t going to go to college right away because of his grades, and my mom and I couldn’t afford it. We both felt stuck in Hawkins, but at least we were stuck together.

My mom had been out of town for the week visiting her sister Sharon and I just got home from my late shift at the restaurant. I was out of high school now, trying to save money to move out on my own. I walked in the front door to the answering machine blinking. I played it, and it was my mom, saying to call her because she saw on the news that Starcourt Mall was on fire. I called her back and said I hadn’t heard anything, but I’d keep an eye on the news. I worked far enough away from the mall that I wouldn’t have known if anything happened. In the back of my mind, I thought of my friend who worked at Scoops Ahoy and hoped he was okay. I thought of calling over to his house, but I could see the lights were dark, so they were either sleeping or not home.

I changed out of my waitress uniform and I had heard a knocking on my front door. I slowly walked towards it, grabbing the fire poker on my way past the fireplace. The knocking was soft, but firm. They knew I was home, but didn’t want to really cause a scene. I took a deep breath in and let it out slowly as I looked through the peephole.

Steve. In his Scoops Ahoy uniform, but he was beaten.

I flung the door open and he wobbled a little. I looked him up and down and almost started to cry. His eye was swollen shut, he was covered in blood, holding his side, smiling slightly through a split lip.

“Steve?” I whisper yelled. Who I was afraid of disturbing with my voice, I didn’t know.

“Hey.” He croaked. “Can…can I come in?”

“Of course, here, let me help.” I threw the fire poker aside and guided Steve in. I had my arm around his waist, and he put one over my shoulders. In the moment, I felt butterflies mixed with terror in the pit of my stomach.

“What happened?” I asked. He pulled like he was going to the living room to lay on the couch, but I guided him back towards my bedroom. He silently gave in to our tug of war between our bodies and followed me.

“I can stay on the couch.” He said softly. I shook my head quickly.

“No. No way.” I said. “Do you want to shower?”

“That sounds so good. Can you help me though?” He asked. Our eyes met and I smiled a little. The thought of helping Steve in the shower was taking over my teenage hormones. I blushed a little and helped him into the bathroom. I turned the water on so it was warm, but not too hot. I gently helped Steve take off the top to his uniform. He has bruises all melting together over his ribs. I gently ran my hand over them and he winced a little.

“I’m so sorry.” I said. He looked up at me and did something you wouldn’t expect him to in his state.

He smiled.

“It’s okay.” He said. I turned around so I wasn’t staring at him as he shimmied off his shorts and got in the shower.

“Tell me if you need help standing up.” I said as he shut the shower curtain.

“I might just lean on the wall under the water for a while.” He said. “This feels so good.”

“Did Hargrove do this to you?” I asked. Steve said nothing and I heard him shuffle. I was sitting on the toilet, towel in hand, ready to give it to Steve when he was ready.

“No. It was something else.” He said. “Do you remember the stories I told you about the demodogs and  stuff?”

“Yeah.” I said, feeling fear rise up in my chest. “Are they back?”

“No. They’re not anymore.” He said.

“Steve, you should probably go to a hospital.” I said. I could hear him fiddling with the soap. “Do you need help?”

“Can you just get the soap all over the washcloth for me?” He said, sticking the bar of soap and washcloth out from behind the curtain. “Besides, I was looked at by paramedics.”

I got the wash cloth from him and rubbed soap all over it. I handed it back and heard him whine when he hit the sore spots.

“Hey.” He said softly. “I need help.”

“What do you need?” I said, jumping up.

“Can you wash my face? I can’t get my arms that high.” He said. He pulled back the curtain enough that his head and chest were out, but he covered his lower half. Ignoring my own blushing and what I thought was either blushing or blood stain on his face, I took the washcloth and gently wiped the dried blood from it. He closed his eyes and leaned into the touch. After I got it all off, I held the towel up for him to use, and I turned around until he had it wrapped around himself. I held his arms as he stepped out of the shower and I caught him as he slightly stumbled out. This is the closest I’ve been to Steve in a long time.

“Let’s get you to bed. I’m also getting some ice for that eye.” I said. “And I’ll get you some pain medicine. It might not do much, but it’ll help.”

“Thank you so much.” He said, sitting on the edge of my bed. I grabbed some old sweatpants and a big t shirt and handed them to him. I walked out of the room so he could change.

I grabbed an ice pack from the freezer and wrapped it in a towel and I grabbed water and pain medicine for him. When I went back into the room, Steve had the sweatpants on, but needed help with the shirt.

I gingerly put each sleeve over his arms and he ducked his head down to put the shirt on. We chuckled a little at how silly this felt.

“Did you ever think that someday you’d need my help putting clothes on?” I asked, laughing a little.

“Putting clothes on, no.” He said, chuckling as much as he had energy for. He held the ice to his head and looked at me with his other eye. “Thank you so much for all of this.” He said.

“Don’t mention it. You’re obviously in bad shape. I wasn’t going to leave my friend on the porch to die.”

“You’re really cool.” He said, laying back on the pillows. “I’m sorry I ditched you in high school.”

“Steve, don’t worry about that right now.” I said, putting my hand on his forehead. I was kneeling next to him. I pulled up a chair from my vanity and sat next to him.

“Aren’t you going to sleep?” He said, eyes slowly drooping.

“I’m going to keep an eye on you for a little bit. Can you finish this glass of water for me before you fall asleep?” He sat up slightly at my request.

“You’re such a good person. You always have been.” He said, sipping the water. “I didn’t see it for a few years. I’m so sorry.” He said. I could tell he was speaking out of exhaustion.

“Steve. It’s fine.” I said, smiling.

“You…you were still here for me after I was a douche in high school. You never left me.” He said. I reached out and held his hand, to try and keep him calm.  

“Do you remember when my dad left and I came over to your house and cried all night long?” I asked softly. “You told me that I was smart and funny and people liked me and wouldn’t leave me.” He nodded slowly. I reached up and put my hand on his un-bruised cheek and he leaned into my touch.  “Well Steve, I think you’re smart, and funny, and brave, and I would never leave you.”

His eyes welled up with tears. He laid back against the pillow and I crawled into bed next to him. I stayed sitting up against the headboard so I would stay awake, and Steve curled up next to me with his head on my chest.

“Thank you.” He whispered. “I…when we wake up tomorrow, can we talk? About us?”

“Sure.” I said, gently rubbing his back as I felt his breathing slow, hoping he didn’t feel the pounding of my heart in my chest. As he fell asleep, I leaned down and kissed the top of his head. I stroked his head tenderly, afraid to wake him up.

I nodded off after a few hours of watching Steve sleep, with a slight smile on my lips.

[zesersandrew]

Pandemic pushes expansion of ‘hospital-at-home' treatment

(AP) - As hospitals care for people with COVID-19 and try to keep others from catching the virus, more patients are opting to be treated where they feel safest: at home.

Across the U.S., “hospital at home” programs are taking off amid the pandemic, thanks to communications technology, portable medical equipment and teams of doctors, nurses, X-ray techs and paramedics. That’s reducing strains on medical centers and easing patients’ fears.

The programs represent a small slice of the roughly 35 million U.S. hospitalizations each year, but they are growing fast with boosts from Medicare and private health insurers. Like telemedicine, the concept stands to become more popular with consumers hooked on home delivery and other Internet-connected conveniences.

Eligible patients typically are acutely ill with — but don’t need round-the-clock intensive care for — common conditions including chronic heart failure, respiratory ailments, diabetes complications, infections and even COVID-19.

They are linked to 24/7 command centers via video and monitoring devices that send their vital signs. They get several daily home visits from a dedicated medical team. Just like in a hospital, they can press an emergency button any time for instant help.

Research on such programs around the world over the past 25 years shows patients recover faster, have fewer complications and are more satisfied, while costs can be a third lower.

Doctors, hospital officials and patients tout other advantages: People get more rest sleeping in their own bed. They can eat what they want, start moving around quicker and go outside for fresh air. They’re less likely to fall in their familiar surroundings, where they have support from family and even pets.

“I would recommend it in a heartbeat for anybody to be able to stay at home,” said William Merry, who received care for pneumonia in July at his Ipswich, Massachusetts, home. “There was never any problem. Never.”

Merry, who had endured an uncomfortable hospital stay six years ago, refused another one when antibiotic pills didn’t help and his temperature hit 103. So his doctor arranged care through Boston-based Medically Home.

Merry and wife Linda, a retired nurse, said they were amazed at how quickly the service transformed their dining room into a mini-hospital room. Technicians set up medical equipment, gave them supplies and oxygen tanks, then explained how everything worked.

That eased their stress, as did regular video calls with a doctor. They got daily schedules listing planned medical staff visits, blood draws, tests, IV medicine administration and other care, she said.

“I think it’s really important,” she cautioned, “that the person has somebody that’s able to be at home.”

Dr. Bruce Leff, a geriatrics professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and a home hospital pioneer, did pilot studies years ago. He found benefits for elderly patients who, as he said, were otherwise “basically going to get crushed by the hospital” due to risks of developing blood clots and infections, losing mobility and developing delirium.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic emerged earlier this year, some hospitals were considering at-home-care programs to absorb temporary patient spikes — and avoid the high cost of new buildings.

It’s unknown exactly how many U.S. programs exist, but when COVID-19 struck, some institutions rushed to sign up with Medically Home and similar services.

Nashville, Tennessee-based Contessa Health, which serves 14 hospitals in six states, says it’s adding two more hospitals shortly and is negotiating potential contracts for about 20 more. Patient volume has jumped 140% since last year and it’s added care for patients “admitted” from urgent care and cancer clinics.

Another company, DispatchHealth, previously focused mainly on preventing ER visits by rushing paramedics to provide diagnostic testing, medication and other care at patients’ homes or elsewhere. The Denver-based company says it has 200-plus contracts with insurers in 19 U.S. markets to treat seriously ill and injured people at home. It piloted a hospital-at-home program in November, already has programs running in three cities and plans rapid expansion.

Some hospitals have mounted their own at-home programs. In late March, eight of the Atrium Health system’s 36 hospitals in the Carolinas and Georgia began one for COVID-19 patients who don’t need intensive care. It’s already treated about 11,000 people.

Meanwhile, hospitals with existing programs are seeing far more patients choose at-home care.

In New York, the Mount Sinai at Home program went from handling 10 patients a month to up to 30, said its director, Dr. Linda DeCherrie. The program has since added a twist in which patients start care inside the hospital, then finish at home. “Everybody we offered it to said yes,” said DeCherrie.

DeCherrie said the hospital-at-home model has been used on a small scale in the U.S. since the mid-1990s, but it was held back because traditional Medicare and some insurance plans either didn’t cover such treatment at all or didn’t reimburse for the full cost of care.

But when the pandemic struck, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services temporarily let hospitals bill for care outside their walls, including in patients’ homes. Many private insurers also are covering in-home hospital care during the pandemic. Hospital groups and others want Congress to make those changes permanent, at the same rates as in-hospital care.

Raphael Rakowski, co-founder of 4-year-old Medically Home, said the number of patients treated this July is up tenfold from July 2019.

“Our business is exploding because of COVID,” he said.

It now treats patients for 10 hospitals and one physicians’ group in five states, including two that were set up soon after the pandemic hit: Boston’s Tufts Medical Center and Adventist Health’s West Coast hospitals. Two Mayo Clinic hospitals joined this summer. Medically Home should be operating in 12 states by early 2021, Rakowski predicts.

He says some patients are offered at-home care after being examined in an emergency room. In other cases, doctors arrange the care for patients getting cancer treatment, those with a sudden illness, some about to get surgery, or homebound patients with dangerous complications.

The Veterans Health Administration operates 12 hospital-at-home programs. Last year, they served 1,120 veterans. More vets are using the program during the pandemic, said Dayna Cooper, head of agency’s home-based programs. One of the busiest, in San Antonio, saw a 90% jump in veterans treated this March through June versus last year.

Another four of the agency’s 170 hospitals are working to start programs. Cooper said studies of the programs in Cincinnati and Honolulu found they cut costs by 29% to 38%, without differences in survival or hospital readmissions.

While interest in the programs has skyrocketed, whether in-home hospital care blossoms after the pandemic largely depends on whether government and private insurers continue to cover it at profitable prices.

If they don’t, Johns Hopkins’ Leff said: “I think most hospitals will go back to normal.”