#translation for the ask: if your class is that loud I think you should never go back

[shingetsu-online]

si tu clase es tan ruidoso pienso que debes nunca regresar

yo no puedo cambiar mis clases. mi escuela solo tiene una clase para español :[[[[

[callsignmercy]

No fear - Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky.

Prompt: Tom Kazansky has no fear. But maybe almost losing you can change that.

Words: ~3k

Warning: Iceman being a dick, crying, near death experience, language? Happy ending, fluff, Charlie being nice.

Note: Happy 100 followers to me! Thanks you everyone. Here’s an Iceman fic for you! Still having a writer’s block but hopefully I can get rid of it soon. Highly unedited. English is not my first language. Sorry for the easy vocabulary and bad grammar. Please do not republish translate or do whatever to my work.

Y/C/S: your call sign

Your RIO’s name and callsign: Jack/Sunset.

————————————————————————

Lieutenant Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky has no fear. He flies fast, with precision and never misses the target. As they say, ice cold, no mistake. And you resent him with every fibre of your being.

He’s so obnoxious and arrogant, always sure of himself. Everything that you are not. You’re cute and nice and kind and you wish you could show that side of your personality but in the field you’re in it’s impossible. Unless you want to be stepped on. You’re a woman, which doesn’t help your case in the first place, but being nice on top of it? No way. So you fake a mean attitude all the time, as well as a confident personality and you try to not take shit from anyone.

It’s hard but you manage.

The Top Gun class of ‘86 welcomed a woman for the first time in history and you wanted to make women all over the USA proud of it. You had fierce opponents like Maverick and Iceman but you wanted to prove them all that you were fit for the task.

They had all pretty much tried to flirt with you since the beginning of the week but you didn’t pay them any mind, not wanting to be affiliated with any of them. People might think that you were trying to get points by flirting with the others and you didn’t want any of that, so you stayed away from them.

The only one that didn’t come after you was Iceman. You didn’t really know why considering his RIO even asked you out, but you were grateful that at least one of them had a little decency.

He was polite and said hello to you whenever you passed each other in the halls and smiled at you but nothing more.

During a night out at the bar that you were mainly spending alone as your own RIO had decided he was gonna try his luck with one of the girls there.

Sitting at the bar you were nursing your cocktail, paying no mind to anyone, trying to have a little fun but not really succeeding in the task. The sound was too loud for your liking and the bar was packed. You couldn’t turn without bumping into someone. You really hated this kind of atmosphere but you played the part, not wanting to be considered dull for not enjoying yourself.

Your RIO kind of forced you to come, so you had to fake having fun but you would rather be in your room, reading a book or watching a movie right now.

Iceman noticed you sitting alone at the bar and walked up to you. “Having fun round here?” He asked. “Best time of my life.” You said sarcastically. “I can see that. Why are you sitting here alone?” “I don’t feel like talking to anyone or just being here altogether but Sunset kinda forced me to come, so here I am.” “You don’t like parties?” “No, I do, it’s just that it’s too packed and too loud for my liking and I don’t have any friends other than Jack and he just left to go see some girl so I’m on my own.” You answered.

“Do you want to get out of here?” He asked, which surprised you. “I wouldn’t want to make you miss the party or the opportunity to get home with a girl. I can stay on my own, don't worry. You should go back out there.” “It’s alright I don’t feel like it tonight, do you want to go get some food?” “Really?” “Yeah.” He smiled. “Alright.” You bit your lip. “Let me just go tell my RIO and I’ll meet you at the door.”

He nodded and you went to see Jack to tell him you were leaving. A few minutes later you met Tom at the door and you walked the few metres that separated you from the diner.

You spent the evening talking and laughing with Tom. It felt easy and nice to be able to talk with someone other than your RIO. You didn’t feel like he was trying to flirt with you which felt nice for a change.

After a few hours you both went back to base and he bid you goodnight before going back to his own dorm room.

You went to sleep that night with a smile on your face and the feeling that you had made a new friend and didn’t feel so lonely anymore.

As you headed to class the next morning you harboured a soft smile on your face which differed from the hard look you usually had. When you entered the classroom all the guys were already here smirking at you. Your smile disappeared as you felt this couldn’t be a good omen.

You decided to sit down next to your RIO, as usual, without paying any mind to any of them but they kept smirking and shaking their heads.

“What’s happening?” You whispered to Jack. “Apparently you slept with Iceman last night.” He murmured. “Excuse me?” You said, louder than expected.

You turned your head to Iceman. “Care to explain?” You asked him with a cold tone. “It’s okay sweetheart. I asked where he went last night and he told me he left with you and he didn’t deny when I asked him if you fucked so…” Slider answered for him. “Why are you lying to them? You know nothing happened between us.” You exclaimed, still looking at Tom, ignoring the others. He shrugged, unphased and you scoffed, shaking your head before facing the board in front of you as Charlie came through the door.

You tried to focus on the course Charlie was teaching but knowing that nobody respected you anymore because of a simple lie was destroying you inside.

You knew people would assume you really did it, and that you did it to get in Ice’s good favour and score more points like this. And on top of everything, you knew that if it were to be known by any superiors, you might be dismissed and removed from the program for it, ultimately penalising your RIO as well. The image of women in the navy and in any army corps would be worsened and they wouldn’t be taken seriously anymore as everyone would assume they were all like you.

You almost cried in the middle of the classroom that day, thinking about what you had done. Which, in the end was, well…nothing. And yet, men won again.

So that day you decided that for the remaining of the thirteen weeks of the program, you wouldn’t talk to any of them, unless absolutely necessary, and keep any communication to the bare minimum.

And you had never felt so lonely in your life.

You weren’t the nice, kind and cute woman you were before entering Top Gun, or the stern, emotionless woman you appeared to be at the beginning of the program. Now you were just plain empty. Neutral face on, at all times, no more smiles, no more charisma, no more hellos and goodbyes to your comrades. You didn’t speak a word to them anymore, you didn’t smile at them, didn’t participate in class, nor volunteered for anything. Everything felt dull.

Jack, your RIO felt it too, even though you still spoke to him, he felt like you weren’t your usual self. He knew the real you, the cute and kind you, the always nice and polite you but now this part of you was gone.

“Are you alright?” Charlie asked you one day at the end of a class as the last of your comrades walked out the door. You put on a fake smile and nodded. “You don’t have to lie to me, you know. I can see something is wrong. Also Maverick told me.” She admitted. Your smile faded as she spoke the last words. “Then you already know the answer.” “You know, they’re still boys in their head, they don’t understand that we feel emotions differently than them and they don’t know how such lies can affect our lives. They believe it’s pointless, that nobody will pay any mind to it but they’re wrong. Maverick and Goose know it, if it can make you feel better. They know you didn’t do anything and it was just a lie. They feel sad because you don’t talk to them anymore, they really enjoyed your company the first few days before it happened. They told me that you were really nice and that they enjoyed talking with you and Sunset.” You gave her a small crooked smile before thanking her and leaving as well.

—

At the end of the thirteen weeks Iceman and Slider won Top Gun with you and Sunset coming second. You didn’t really mind that they won, you managed to make some people proud and you hoped women would be more considered now that you had proven you were capable.

Everyone was having a really nice time at the party. You were conversing with Jack when you saw Iceman approaching you both. You turned your back to him, still not ready to face him nor talk to him. You knew he wasn’t going to apologise for anything.

You didn’t see it, but his expression saddened when he saw you turn your back to him. Jack saw it too and understood your move. He got up to approach Iceman in order for him not to get too close to you. “I just wanted to say congratulations to you both.” Iceman said. “You did a really great job together.” “Thanks man, we really appreciate it.” Jack answered, shaking Tom’s hand.

Iceman’s eyes wandered above your RIO’s shoulder, seeing you were still ignoring him. He smiled at Sunset again and left with a small sigh.

“Thanks for this.” You told your RIO. “I’ve always got you, you know that.” You gave him a small smile. “Why do you still not want to talk to him? It’s been like twelve weeks.” “You don’t understand the power a small lie like that holds. It can literally ruin my career.” “How so?” He asked kindly. “Well first of all, he lied to everyone, it’s something everyone believed I did, and after that everyone was going to think that I slept with him to get an advantage on the ranking. Second of all, if it were to be known by any of our superiors I could have been sent back to our squadron, and you would have too, because we’re a team here. Ultimately losing any opportunity we had to finish Top Gun and humiliating every woman in the navy because I couldn’t keep it in my pants so every man would assume we were all like that and not give us chances anymore.” “Wow, I didn’t really think about all that.” He said, stunned. “Yeah, well now it’s done so let’s just go back to our lives and hopefully not see any of them again.”

Your hopes were cut short as you were immediately called for a secret mission along with Maverick and Goose and obviously Iceman and Slider.

As you were getting ready to go on the mission the next day, Iceman came up to you. “Hey, can we talk?” You jumped at the sound of his voice. “Jesus, give a girl a warning.” You replied coldly. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you, I just wanted to apologise.” “Okay, but I do not forgive you.” His expression dropped at your words. “Understandable.” Your face remained stoic while looking at him. “I don’t know why I did what I did, that was really stupid of me.” As you didn’t reply he kept going. “I really liked you, still do actually. And I realised how stupid of me it was to have lied like that.” “Then why did you do it?” “Honestly I don’t know, it was just supposed to be a joke and then Slider told everyone and it escalated and I’m sorry.” “You know I really liked spending that evening with you, I thought we were friends and then you screwed me over for no reason.”

“I know I’m sorry.” He replied, head low. “I wanted to ask you out on a real date.” “Well it’s too late now isn’t it? You’ve wasted every chance you had. And you know what? I think I would’ve said yes, because you were the only one that didn’t hit on me and the only one with whom I felt truly happy being with. But you’ve wasted this. And maybe I could’ve been happy right now, instead of being sad.” You say gripping your bag and walking out the door.

A few days later you were risking your life along with your RIO, and four of your Top Gun comrades trying to shoot down enemy MIGs. Maverick managed to shoot down three of them but one was following you and you didn’t seem to be able to lose him.

That’s when you felt it. Bullets shot through your F14 and you started losing altitude. Being unable to control your plane you quickly got closer to the ground. “Eject Y/C/S! Eject! Eject!” You heard Iceman scream through your helmet. Panic came over you as you were trying to recover your plane and not kill yourself and your RIO in the process. “For the love of God Y/C/S eject!” He shouted and you almost felt like you heard his voice break.

As Iceman saw your plane get closer and closer to the ground his eyes welled with tears. “Y/N!” He couldn’t help but scream. And as you nearly crashed on the ground you managed to restart your aircraft and shoot up to the sky. A sigh of relief could be heard from everyone through your helmet. “Why the hell didn’t you eject Y/C/S? You and Sunset could have died!” Maverick was the first to speak. “I went through something like that before, I knew I could escape and save my plane.” You replied. Iceman didn’t say a word, he was traumatised. He didn’t want to think about what could have happened to you and how he would have coped with it. It was all too much for him.

You managed to shoot down an enemy plane after that and complete the mission. The three aircrafts landed on the carrier. You didn’t want to think about what could have happened up there so you got down your plane quickly, followed by your RIO. “I’m sorry I put your life in danger, I shouldn’t have done that.” “It’s alright, I knew you’d either save the plane or we’d have to eject. I was waiting for your instructions, I trust you with my life.” You give him a soft smile and head to the office to debrief the mission.

On the other side of the carrier Iceman is stuck in his plane, not being able to move. Slider gets up from his seat and looks at his pilot. “Hey, you alright man?” Iceman’s head shoots up. “Yeah, uhm yeah, I’ll meet you inside.” He replies.

It took him a few more minutes and a mechanic to get him down from his plane. “You okay Lieutenant?” The mechanic asked. “Uhm, yeah sorry.” Tom replied and got up from his seat.

He headed towards the conference room walking at a slow pace, trying not to think about you. As he got up the stairs and opened the door to enter the premises he was surprised to see you sat down behind it. You were hugging your knees, holding your helmet and tears made their way up your eyes but didn’t seem to go down your face yet. You quickly wiped your face when you heard the door open and hurried to get up on your feet. Only to see that it was Iceman standing in front of you.

He looked at you for a few seconds before speaking. “You scared the shit out of me, you know that?” He said quietly, hurt evident in his voice. You looked down. “Is it going to become a habit? Breaking each other’s hearts like that?” He said and your head shoots up to look at him. “I could have lost you today and I don’t know what I would’ve done if something happened. Because now I can still pretend you’re going to forgive me for what I did and I still have a chance to be with you but if you had died then there would be nothing giving me hope anymore.” “Do you really believe what you said?” “Of course I do. I would never be able to apologise enough for what I did but I hope one day you can forgive me and my stupidity and actually go on a date with me.” He said hopefully.

You take a look to your right and left to see if anyone was there and grab Tom’s collar and pull him to you, crashing your lips on his. He was surprised for a second but quickly returned the kiss and pushed you softly behind an electrical panel so no one could see you. You break the kiss, gasping for air and smiling like a high school girl kissing her crush. He smiles back and kisses you again.

Now Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky only has one fear, the fear of losing you. But the joy of loving you is stronger than anything.

[effervescentdragon]

IN LOVE with your piarles boarding school AU, their dynamic is thee best and the whole concept & writing is perfect!! <33

If you ever wanna write another drabble about this universe...well. I'd be more than happy to read it!!!

this one has a sort of prequel. happy bday @radiocheck this one reminded me of you for some reason? so i just hope you like it ❤️

"Have you ever skipped class, Your Majesty?"

"It's actually Your Royal Highness," Charles says out of habit. He flinches immediately and blushes even faster, and that seems to be enough for Pierre to bend over in a fit of laughter.

"That's what I thought," he remarks after he's calmed down. Charles is still mortified, but Pierre doesn't seem to be laughing at him in a mean way. Lolo always said that Charles is too trusting, but Charles doesn't think he's wrong about Pierre.

"I haven't had the opportunity," Charles manages to finally say. It's enough for Pierre to grin and grab his hand.

"Well, you're about to," Pierre says and starts dragging him down the hall. His hand is warm in Charles'. It feels nice.

"First time for everything, I guess," he mutters, and Pierre's laughter echoes in the empty passage they duck into.

-

"Have you ever smoked a cigarette, Your Majesty?"

"It's Your Royal Highness," Charles says irritably, because he doesn't understand the translation he just did for coursework and it's making him extremely annoyed.

Pierre sits across from him and pulls the notebook towards himself. Charles thinks aboit protesting, but he's already received a warning from the librarian the last time he was here with Pierre, so he decides it's not worth it.

"It should be present here," Pierre says after a moment, pushing the notebook back and showing Charles a line. "It's 'I love you like I live the sea and the stars reflecting in it on a calm midnight'", he says, and his eyes are wonderfully blue when they meet Charles', and his smile is kind and knowing. "Otherwise it's correct."

Charles fiddles with the paper's edge. "Thank you. I've never smoked a cigarette."

Pierre's grin is as familiar as it is treasured by Charles.

"I think you'll think better after a hit of nicotine."

Charles narrows his eyes.

"I think you're a bad influence on me, M. Gasly," he says, but he still grabs Pierre's hand when offered and allows himself to be dragged out of the library.

-

"Have you ever kissed a boy, Your Royal Highness?"

"It's actually..." Charles starts to say, a habit formed by months of questions leading to first times, but he trails off.

They are laying on the roof terrace and the stars above them are almost too bright. Pierre's arm is touching his, and Charles can smell citrus on the air. He doesn't think there's anywhere he'd rather be right now, or ever.

The silence streches, and Charles tries not to let his voice shake as he says "No".

"Do you want to?" Pierre asks after a moment that streches into eternity.

Charles' heart is beating too loud for him to hear himself say "Yes."

When Pierre leans over him and puts his palm on Charles' cheek gently, his eyes shine brighter than the stars.

[romanticvampiric]

Diabolik Lovers | Inexorable

Note: This is translated from spanish, it may have errors❕I hope you like it a lot and as always, i hope you feel like supporting me a lot by giving me some love and of course you are always welcome to give your opinion in a good way. ♡ Thank you.

Pairing: Ayato Sakamaki & Romantic.

Warning(s): themes of depression, intuited suicide, culpability, and maybe suggestive–?

Theme: angst.

« Today I woke up and it didn't feel like every day. This Romantic invited me to come to his room with a slight impatience. He said that he wanted to show me something that he had never shown anyone, something that only we would know.

« But it wasn't something exciting, nor something that made me think. I think he tends to get excited about silly things that, at least, vampires have been used to doing for centuries.

—You did what? —he asked with some annoyance.

—I made my bed early —the dark haired boy with pink eyes announced, breaking into a genuine smile to which the other couldn't help but sigh.

—And? It doesn't have anything special.

Inside, only a gust of gloomy wind blew through the room with two unpleasant expressions. The little boy looked down at the floor, his smile returned to its usual neutrality, until he brought his arms to his chest.

« Are you seriously going to start crying now?

—You're just wasting my time. If you really want to surprise me, give me your blood —he said.

« As if I care about other things, it's his fault for not understanding his place. He should have learned his place months ago, after all… a human is to a vampire what a sheep is to a wolf.

Geez, just tell me why.

Why do I have to accompany you after class?

Why do I have to carry all these books?

« I love everything about you. Because Romantic, your heart is so pure that no matter how much you try to get mad at me and get away from me… you just can't at all. I love you.

The vampire immersed himself in the fragrance of his neck that night, his bloody kisses descending with the moisture of his tongue until caressing the most adulterated corners. The person under him whimpered his name, speaking between broken moans until he scratched his back over his sports clothes.

Ayato smiled wolfishly. —Ah, you're holding on so tightly... does it feel so good? —he asked himself with a blush between his cheeks.

Romantic felt like saying something, but he couldn't, giving in to the impulse, hugging the boy on top of him and running his fingers through his red hair with extreme affection and love.

—Keep doing that —Ayato said—. More, more... until i'm finished.

Don't be anyone else's prey.

Just give yourself to me.

« I'm so bored, should I take a nap?

He wondered deeply in thought, letting a loud yawn escape his lips. His teary eyes were fixed on the window until a small gasp caught his attention, and he turned to his left to assess the young one holding his glasses trying not to fall asleep. Ayato couldn't help but grin at that.

—Chibimushi also seems tired… —he said into a whisper.

« Hey, it's not bad if I stare at you a little longer, right? If I borrow your eraser and hold your hand, will you be able to keep quiet while I drink your blood?

« I can already imagine it, I want to see your nervous face when I do it.

I will revenge,

I'll put a scorpion toy under your pillow, that's for sure.

« Why do I feel this way? I... when this unpleasant feeling comes to me...

—What do you think you're doing?! —he shouted, watching how Romantic neglected himself.

—What do you mean, Ayato-kun? —the stuttering boy asked, his clear eyes taking advantage of his vulnerability to push him against the wall and corner him.

Opening his eyelids again, their eyes met and Ayato clenched his fangs while hugging his thin body, burying his pained face in his chest. Romantic was taken aback by the bloodsucker's rapid breathing that caught his attention. He didn't know what to provoke this sudden attitude of his, but… his protective touch and that neddy glance of his made him want to understand him, if only to cry a little with him.

—Ayato-kun…

—Silence, just let me... have you a little more —he asked.

—Of course —he nodded—. I'm not going anywhere... do you need anything else?

Romantic studied his face and couldn't help but look down, the redhead refused to leave him alone until class break.

« I can't help but get addicted to your warmth. In the end I really couldn't admit that I didn't do all this just for his blood. I thought he would understand even if I didn't explain it directly to him. I don't understand why it bothers me a lot if he doesn't take a proper care of himself.

I will teach you to respect me.

Don't look at any other man but me.

« Ah, that nightmare again.

—Chibimushi… —he mumbled.

Ayato turned his entire body around and looked at the boy resting on the bed next to him. He was still, hugging a small pillow and still breathing through his nose and mouth. Seeing him filled him with a certain calm, a relief that flooded his soul and allowed him to contemplate each mark he made on his skin, wondering what he was thinking about.

« Sleeping next to you isn't so bad... I'm not going to wake you up, but when the sun rises, make sure you give me your full attention, okay? I still have... things I want to tell you.

About how I'm a coward, and all this time... I didn't know how to love you like you deserved.

—…I know, this is completely my fault.

—Ayato-kun…

—Ah! Chibimushi! —the boy stammered.

—Yes?

—Shh, don't say anything... —he demanded, covering his mouth—. Go back to sleep, okay? Listen to me.

« I turned my back on him in bed and started shaking pretending to be asleep. It was as if a chill spread through my body, down my spine and into my head. However, I was too upset by the whole situation to realize that it was fear was I experiencing. All my insecurities, and my guilt, were going to haunt me for the rest of my endless life.

You are my food.

You are mine. You belong to me.

« I always thought that everything would be in order as long as I could do everything alone.

« That I could live however I wanted under the rules of my walls and ego.

« But someone loved me.

« All the horrible things I've said to you and my ignorance were what ended up what we had. What we always had and for some reason I hesitated. I should never have done it. I didn't mean to hurt you, but I did. I lost everything I loved most, everything I wanted. The only person who loved me in this whole shitty world and who never left me alone, no matter how many years had passed...

« I spent so much time thinking about it that it made me not able to sleep because I was angry… at myself.

« And I'm afraid, I don't want to see you cry again because of me.

« The bad things I did to you, how I treated you… I'm sorry I didn't notice. If only I had known before...

—You can't do this to me! —he lamented—. You can't leave me! Because–!

« The boy's weak hand suddenly began to weaken, and his clasped hands became nothing more than a grip. Ayato was destroyed, the words in his mouth and a small heart began to cry just that night, before falling next to him.

Only I can choose about your death, so...

let's be together forever, okay, Romi?

[shiningwonderland]

Ren Jinguji (Repeat)

Translator: Mimi (Twitter: _mimisaurora)

September — Countdown to the Moon's Surface

It seems Jinguji-san likes the song I wrote, and has been putting in serious effort to practice it lately.

Haruka: The way you sang it this time was seriously the coolest.

Ren: …I see. You like the way I did it this time…? Alright… then, let’s go at it again. I don’t want to forget this feeling….

Haruka: Got it!

Ren: You are really….

Haruka: ???

Ren: …Oh, it’s nothing. Anything else you’d like to share?

Haruka: Ah… Well….

Select the phrase!

About your breathing technique… (+20 love, +5 music)

Haruka: I think… that if you could find a way to better control your breath, it would help to add the subtle nuances to your singing that would improve how cool you sound….

Let’s see,  it should be good if you try to be mindful of your midsection. 

Ren: My midsection…? Like here?

Jinguji-san pokes my belly.

Haruka: Ah.

I let out a noise in surprise.

Ren: Hm? What’s wrong? Why did you make that noise?

Haruka: I-I’m ticklish.

Ren: Hmm. You’re quite sensitive. Then, what about over here…?

Jinguji-san runs his finger along the nape of my neck.

It sends a chill down my spine.

Haruka: Ah!!

T-That tickles.

Ren: This is fun. Let’s go in for a little more…

Jinguji-san’s eyes narrowed.

Haruka: P-Please stop! It tickles way too much!

Ren: When you put it that way, it only makes me want to do it more, you know?

He lets out a gleeful laugh.

Haruka: Ugh.

Ren: I’m joking. I only teased because you were so responsive. Are you really that ticklish?

Haruka: Yes…. It’s pretty bad. I was so ticklish when I was little that the hairdresser would complain that she couldn't trim my hair…

Ren: You are fascinating, lady. I never get tired of being with you. Truly charming.

Then one day.

Hyuga-sensei instructed the entire class to draw lots during homeroom.

Ryuya: Alright. Everyone’s drawn one.

Syo: Yeah, we drew, but what for? What is this lottery deciding?

Ryuya: Right, well….

Hyuga-sensei is about to explain when a loud bang was heard.

The school principal bursts through the floorboards into the classroom.

Saotome: I will answer! It’s been decided! S Class Only! Overcome the Saotome Academy Principal! A championship where the one who defeats him will debut immediately!

This is what the lottery is for! Dodonpa!

Silence.

Everybody in class fell quiet, clueless as to what he was talking about.

The silence was broken by—

Tokiya: …What a joke.

Ichinose-san mutters under his breath, rips up his ticket, and throws it away.

Saotome: Woah! What are you doing all of a sudden!!

Tokiya: Nothing, I don’t agree on making my debut like this.

I want to follow the proper order and achieve my debut by winning the graduation audition. I just wanted to make that clear.

The principal sulks a bit and lets out a groan at that.

Saotome: You’re very stubborn, Mr. Ichinose! Then you can sit on your hands and watch as your classmate debuts first!

Tokiya: Please, be my guest.

Saotome: Grr…. In any case, I am pleased to announce the results. Congratulations to the winners... Lottery number 5... Ren Jinguji.

Ren: That’s odd. I didn’t say anything. How did you know I had lottery ticket number 5?

Saotome: Hahaha. I am all knowing! Now, let us be off!

Ren: The fact you knew everything leads me to believe this was set up from the very beginning.... But, well, it would be silly to complain about every single thing you do….

Jinguji-san shrugs his shoulders, smiling softly.

Saotome: And YOU will be coming too~.

Select the phrase!

Alright, I’ll come with. (+20 love)

Ren: This is a mission straight from the boss. To be honest, I don't know what he's got up his sleeve. You're still willing to stick with me?

Haruka: Of course, we’re partners.

Ren: Well, then, I won't stop you anymore. The only thing I ask is that you leave as soon as you see it's dangerous. Okay?

Jinguji-san places his hand on my cheek and stares straight at me.

He must be worried about me. 

Ahhh. He's so kind! 

I'll do my best to not be a burden!

Haruka: Okay!

When we head for the back garden, we find Hijirikawa-sama already there for some reason.

This is kind of similar to what happened in June....

I have a bad feeling about this. I hope it's for nothing...

Masato: Tsukimiya-sensei instructed me to come here… but… for what?

Saotome: Hahaha. For this!

The principal suddenly grabs both Jinguji-san's and Hijirikawa-sama's arm before shackling their hand to a chain.

The length of the chains were about a meter, which means they didn't have to stick so closely to each other, but it’s still a little cramped.

Ren: What!! Boss, what is the meaning of this….

Masato: What is this prank?

The principal ignores their questions.

He then approaches me and picks me up.

Haruka: Huh? A-Ah! W-What are you…!

Ren: Wait, Boss, what are you doing with her!

Jinguji-san panics, rushing to reach out for me, but just short of making it, the chain pulls him back and away from me.

Then, the principal proceeds to strap me to a rocket marked with the phrase, "to the moon".

Haruka: Uh…

W-what should I do?

Select the phrase!

Ask Ren for help (+20 love)

Haruka: A-Ah, Jinguji-san. What… What’s going to happen to me…?

I'm not sure I could survive on the moon.

Ren: Nothing. I promise I will save you. I don't want to lose my partner over something like this. This is such a terrible thing for the Boss to do.

Haruka: T-Thank you. I’m so sorry…. for being so clumsy. I must give you a lot of trouble….

Ren: Forget about all that. This is not your fault. Besides, I’m also stuck. I’m in no position to talk about others.

Saotome: World peace is possible if you two work together. Love is the key to saving planet earth. Friendship leads to the eradication of war!

Ren: Hah…? What are you going on about? Y-You… You don't expect me to be friends with this guy, do you?

The principal's abrupt and mysterious remarks cause Jinguji-san's eyes to widen.

Masato: It is fair to say that if the Hijirikawa and Jinguji conglomerates were to partner together, the general idea is possible.

Haruka: But that it could achieve world peace…. Of course he’d say something like that. The ask is too big.

Saotome: By the way, the rocket will launch in 3 hours.

If you don’t want to lose your dearest and most precious partner, you have to do your very best! Since she’s so important to you!

Haruka: What!!

T-Three hours until launch….

If this continues, I will undoubtedly be assured a one-way ticket to heaven.

Oh, God! I still have things I need to do.

I want to live a little longer...

At the very least, let me survive until the graduation audition.

Hijirikawa-sama's face grows tense, and Jinguji-san glances at me.

Ren: So you're saying that at this rate, in three hours, we'll have to say goodbye to the lady for good.

He clenches his fists tightly and murmurs to himself with an expression uncharacteristically serious.

Saotome: The only ways to stop this rocket is to defeat me or to press those switches here and there at the same time.

The system operates on a fingerprint authentication system, so it will not respond if someone else presses the button. Be sure you both do it!

Ren: Both of those switches…. We can't just do it normally, regardless of how hard we try. Well, I’m at a loss.

The two switches the principal pointed out were each further than 2 meters away from the rocket I was strapped to.

It would be impossible for the two of them to press the switches at the same time while handcuffed together.

Haruka: U-Um….

Select the phrase!

I’ll be okay. (+10 love)

Ren: Okay…? Do you plan to go to the moon without any equipment and come back in one piece?

Masato: In your condition, you'll be dead before you even leave the stratosphere, let alone before you reach the moon.

Haruka: But I can't let something like this be a problem for the both of you.... I’m sure that I… that I can manage on my own….

I know I can’t manage it on my own.

I really want to be rescued.

But I couldn’t bring myself to say the words out loud.

I didn't have the confidence in myself to be able to ask for "help" in such a near-impossible situation.

Ren: If that’s true… then why are you trembling like that? You can act tough all you want, but your shaking and blue face give away how clearly frightened you are.

Hey, lady. You know there's no need to put up a front in a crisis like this.

Jinguji-san smiles faintly, a troubled look on his face. 

He then looks me in the eye, grins fearlessly, and points at me.

Ren: You are now like Andromeda, awaiting Perseus' aid. A hero never abandons the princess. Engrave this gallant figure into your memory.

J-Jinguji-san….

T-Thank you….

It was then that—

Jii: Young Master~~~!!! I’m finally here to save you~~!

The ground trembled. 

And with a cloud of dust in the air, Hijirikawa-sama’s butler, Jii-san, rushes to the scene looking frantic.

Jii: It looks like you’re in trouble.

Then, a little later, George-san arrives with graceful strides.

Masato: Jii…? Actually….

Hijirikawa-sama explains the situation in detail to the two of them.

Jii: I see, leaving the young girl aside, I cannot allow for the Jinguji child and you to remain bound together!

George: I could say the same thing. It’s a terrible pity that my young master has to be stuck to the Hijirikawa boy like this.

Jii: What was that!?

George: Shall I kill him?

Jii-san and George-san almost had their foreheads pressed against each other, glaring intently. 

Jii: Mmm. Behold the power of the Hijirikawa conglomerate!

George: Hmph. The Jinguji way is 100 times better. Allow me to show you….

Masato: Jii….

Ren: Hey, George…. Ha… There he goes….

They both manage to sigh at the same time.

Jii-san and George-san return a few minutes later.

Between the two of them, they carry shears, a drill and a saw.

George: When it comes to a good cut, this Jinguji-made tree pruner is the only way to go. There is nothing a high-performance diamond cutting blade can't handle.

Jii: Not so fast there! That’s for young boys! Men use drills!!

This Hijirikawa model super-electromagnetic drill is capable of shattering even rocks!

George: Absurd, these clippers are superior!

Jii: No, no, this drill is truly remarkable!

George: Clippers!

Jii: I said it's the drill!

George: Grrrrr.

Jii: Grrrr.

George: Clippers!

Jii: Drill!

George: Clippers!

Jii: Drill!

They both continue to glare at each other.

Ren: I don't care which one you prefer, but can you make it quick?

George: Alright then….

George takes the tree pruner to clip off the chains… but….

George: What! Dear goodness… this is…. Was it able to put a chip in it?

The chains did not chip the slightest bit, but it was rather the blade of the tree pruner that did! 

Jii: Hehehe. Fool! I knew we should have used the drill all along…. 

The destructive power of this product is 3 times stronger than our previous model, and that's not just for show! Now, let this baby whirl!

Jii-san turns the drill on and applies it to the chains.

However….

Jii: What is this! Is this drill really doing nothing! I can't believe the drill lost!

Both George-san and Jii-san fall to the ground on their knees in disappointment.

George: There is… There is still a way.

Jii: That’s right…. This still isn’t over.

The two continue to try various tools, like a universal saw, a chainsaw, a light saber, a legendary demon sword, and many others….

They use all kinds of blades, but nothing worked.

George: …! This can’t be. The Jinguji family's scientific technology shouldn't have been defeated….

Jii: Curses! There are no other options…. I’ve failed!

Ren: I guess this means we're gonna have to… take down the boss.

Jinguji-san sees the condition Jii-san and George-san are in and murmurs to himself, "Oh dear...."

Haruka: Fight the principal? You can’t do that.

Ren: It's the only way, right? We don't have time to pick and choose.

He licks his lips.

Masato: Are you out of your mind? Do you even have any ideas?

Ren: No, not at all. Then again, there are times when things just have to be done.

Saying this, Jinguji-san chuckles.

Masato: You… truly haven't changed a bit since you were a child. Even back then, you would charge ahead with no plan and get yourself into terrible trouble.

Haruka: Back then…? 

Masato: I remember once when we were kids, we both snuck out of a party hall and headed to a nearby beach.

The two of them? At a party hall….

Ah, that’s right, they were childhood friends.

If I’m remembering correctly….

Ren: Yeah, you’re talking about the one where we were swept out to sea in a boat. So what about it, I mean, we got out of it in the end.

They were swept out to sea in a boat!?

T-That must have been scary….

Masato: It wasn’t fine! I thought we were going to die.

Ren: But it was you who wanted to go see the ocean. Considering how close it was.

Masato: While that may be true… it was your idea to get on the boat.

It looks like things are taking a turn for the worse. The quarrel between the two of them starts to heat up a little bit.

Ren: We were already out of an otherwise dull venue. It would have been a waste if we didn’t at the very least enjoy our night. Was I so wrong to think that?

Masato: What I’m saying is that you should keep others out of your asinine plans.

Ren: It’s not like I meant to drag you along. I asked if you were coming, and you followed.

Jinguji-san smiles coldly.

Ren: Well, it was a miracle that we made it out of such a hopeless situation alive with no food, no water, and our boat washed away.

Masato: All it took was a fishing boat that happened to pass by. One wrong move and we really would have been dead.

Ren: And yet, we're still here. It's our destiny, don't you think? We are meant to be alive.

That continues to be true even now.  We can't lose in a game like this. Don't you agree?

His smile turns into a grin.

Masato:  Surely, we could just be done with this if we were to give up now. But if we don’t… I see.

Ren: Good, so, now this is where we go after the boss. And in order to do that, we’ll have to partner up. Think you can handle it?

Masato: Who do you think you’re talking to? I know all of your quirks. Don't worry.

They had been fighting just a moment ago, but now Hijirikawa-sama wears a smile brimming with confidence.

Could it be that the two of them share a mutual understanding somewhere in their hearts?

I had a feeling this was the case.

It would make sense.

They may not be close now, but they were childhood friends.

I'm sure their hearts are still connected. 

It's a nice thought, isn't it?

Ren: OK! I still can’t stand you, but let’s set that aside for now! My only enemy right now is the boss.

Jinguji-san goes to strike the principle.

However…

Woosh.

The president easily dodges his fist with a light step.

Ren: I see…. If power alone won’t win us the fight… then….

Jinguji-san uses his link to Hijirikawa-sama to his advantage, making clever use of the chains on the handcuffs to drive the principal into a corner.

Masato: Oho, so that’s how it is. Well then….

Without Jinguji-san needing to say anything, Hijirikawa-sama reads his next moves, and relocates himself into the best position.

Likewise, Jinguji-san observes Hijirikawa-sama's actions and steps accordingly.

The two of them were in perfect sync, approaching the principal with such quick footwork that it’s hard to believe they were bound together by handcuffs.

At times, Jinguji-san and Hijirikawa-sama both simultaneously threw their fists.

A coordinated double kick has the principal at their mercy.

Saotome: Heh. Not bad, not bad. However… it won’t work!

They made good use of the rigid parts of the handcuffs and chains, and had their opponent been a normal person, they surely would have had an overwhelming victory.

It was easy to think so, their teamwork is brilliant.

But none of them managed to deliver a fatal blow to the principal.

Saotome: Hahaha. We’re not done yet!

The principal remains almost completely unharmed.

In comparison, Jinguji-san and Hijirikawa-sama were both breathing hard, and at times received blows from the president himself.

Saotome: Take thissssss. Shining Kick!

A kick….

Saotome: Come on!! Saotome Punch!

Ren: Agh….

They were already wrecked after taking the principal's fist.

Masato: Guh… He’s on a completely different level. He is beyond the capabilities of mankind. No human could stand against him….

Ren: No kidding. I don’t need you… to tell me that. But…

A glance.

I feel as… Jinguji-san looks at my face for a second.

Ren: Every man has to face whatever challenge he's presented with head-on, regardless of how difficult it may be. Don't you agree? For me, that time is now.

Saotome: Five minutes left until launch!

Haruka: F-Five minutes left….

Where did the time go? The moon….

I looked up at the sky and gulped.

The rocket will ignite and fly rapidly through the air. 

I'm sure when that happens, the force of gravity will knock me out....

But if I remain conscious.... The air will gradually become thinner and thinner. When subjected to the piercing cold of the sky above, a vacuum will eventually form, and my blood will boil....

Just imagining it is terrifying!

Ren: Lady….

Jinguji-san bit his lip and let out a deep breath.

Ren: ….Is this… the end? Hijirikawa! Cut off my arm!

Masato: What!?

Haruka: Huh!?

Saotome: Ha!? You’re own arm…?

Jinguji-san, why would you take it this far?

Ren: If I cut off my arm, the handcuffs are useless. We’ll be able to flip the switches at the same time. Am I wrong?

Masato: And you will be one arm short as a result…. Don’t be so ridiculous. 

Ren: You’re right. But if this is the only way to do it, then so be it.

He talks about it like it’s the easiest thing in the world.

Haruka: Y-You absolutely mustn't! 

Ren: This is something I want to do. Let me go through with it. Besides, isn’t it a price worth paying if I can save your life with just one arm?

Masato: But you'll be cutting off your arm because you have no other choice….

Ren: If you can't cut it for me, then I'll do it myself….

Masato: No, why don't you just cut off my arm instead of yours? Aren't you the one who's always concerned about the way you look?

Ren: Wouldn't it be a problem if you couldn't play the piano anymore? And isn't it the job of the upperclassmen to play it cool at a time like this?

Jinguji-san picks up a fallen machete off the ground and swings it down on his arm.

Haruka: D-DON’T!!!!

Saotome: Stop!

The principal stops the machete with a single finger.

Haruka: Huh? Principal? 

The principal tosses the machete away with his fingers and stands in front of Jinguji-san and Hijirikawa-sama, his eyes going wide.

Saotome: That is love!

Ren: Huh?

Masato: It’s… love?

Both of their eyes go wide too.

Saotome: I found world peace at the sight of you both. Thank you…. I have lost.

Through this crisis, the three of you have finally developed bonds with each other! A truly precious treasure!

Happy friends, happy life! AND fighting is a no-no!

I could feel your love, therefore, I will stop the timer.

With that, the principal removes the handcuffs, turns off the rocket's launch switch, and walks away.

Ren: Hey, now. How could you make this such a big deal to begin with, and then end it like that? That was awfully simple….

… Geez. It makes no sense whatsoever. He's still an indecipherable gentleman, but I suspect this was his own way to put an end to our fight. Well, who knows?

I guess he may have seen through our convoluted rivalry and wanted to mess with us. Or, he could have just been trying to be funny.

Whatever the case, one thing is clear. We are God's favorites. 

Haruka: God…?

Ren: Yeah. The winds of miracles will blow before those who never give up. 

Staring straight ahead, Jinguji-san asserts in a bold tone.

Ren: Even if you don't qualify to get through the door, you can always pry it open.

Masato: Door? That reminds me, you once said something like that before... I believe it was during a conference between the two conglomerates.

Conference?

I do recall Jinguji-san talking about that a while ago….

He hadn’t been allowed inside, but Hijirikawa-sama was present.

I remember how Jinguji-san was so upset by this that he began to make an enemy out of Hijirikawa-sama.

Masato: Indeed, only heirs were allowed to enter that room, but… it's not a place you should be envious of.

Ren: Whatever the case may be. It doesn't matter to me now. It's just like you told me back then.

Masato: I agree. Now there is no disparity in our standings. We should put our best foot forward for the graduation audition despite our differences in musicality.

Ren: Heh. I’m sure I'll be one of the victors.

Jinguji-san flashes Hijirikawa-sama a grin, who looks a bit annoyed.

Masato: I'm not one to enjoy conflict, but... this is different. I swear, my music will prevail over yours.

Ren: What a joke. Of course I will win. There wouldn’t have been any meaning in me putting my body on the line otherwise. Right, Lady?

Haruka: Huh?

He suddenly looks at me, and for a moment I had no idea what he was talking about.

Ren: Are you playing around? You're writing my song, aren't you?

Haruka: I-I am!

C-Could it be that he'll put in more effort from now on?

I’d be overjoyed if that is the case.

Even if it’s to beat out Hijirikawa-sama, if it gets him to face the music, then….

I will give my all to write him a song!

One that is suitable and attractive.

Ren: I risked my life to save you. Of course, you’ll make me the best music.

Select the phrase!

I will definitely make this the best song. (+10 love, +10 music)

Ren: Great. Then… let's get you started on writing it right now. A song worthy of even a God.

Haruka: Of course! I’ll do my best!

Ren: Ok, Lady. That’s what I like to hear.

Jinguji-san reaches out his arms to untie me from the rope holding me to the rocket, lowering me down.

Haruka: I-I’m free….

The moment my feet hit the ground…

That’s when it hits me that I have been rescued.

Haruka: Ah…

I was strapped on for so long that I couldn’t stand very well, and I stumble.

Ren: I see your legs are still shaking. That must have been scary. You did a great job.

I couldn't keep myself upright, so Jinguji-san held me tight and patted me on the back.

Haruka: Ah… I’m sorry. Um… I… was scared….

Ren: It’s alright. I'll hold you like this until you are comfortable. There's no need to try to stand up right away.

Haruka: Thank you.

I cling to Jinguji-san as I cry.

He continues to embrace me tenderly in his arms until I stop crying.

He risked his life to save me.

So, I too will do my best at the risk of my own life. For his sake, I will….

No matter what the cost, I will do it.

Mini Game

Ryuya: All right, let's get started. How is it, getting used to your private lessons?

Well, this is the final one for this assignment. It sounds like you're getting a better understanding of the song as you play it.

Your arrangements are also improving. Keep up the good work when you write your own compositions!

This will be a comprehensive test using the assigned song. I want you to use all the instincts you've developed up to this point, and play it nice and calm.

Heh. Are you ready? 3, 2, 1, start!

S RANK

Ren: It sounds like you're getting used to it. There is a sense of stability. I suppose it's the result of hard work. I hope you keep it up.

Haruka: Of course. I will. 

I want to debut together with you, so let's strive to do even better.

Chapter End

[sixpossumsinatrenchcoat]

game over

An Omori timeskip in the wake of the worst end. Part 3 of 4.

Kel finds Sunny by a frozen lake, fishing through a hole in the ice. For a second, it looks like there’s someone standing beside him, or—maybe it’s just his shadow? But when Kel bounds closer, the shadow dissipates. A trick of the light, maybe. Or just more weird dream stuff. 

“Hey bud! Catch anything good?”

Sunny glances back at him, and then turns coldly away. “I’m not talking to you.”

“What!! Why?? What’d I do??”

“No. Not like that.”

Oh. Good. Kel flops down in the snow and waits for Sunny to explain. 

…He doesn’t. 

Oh, yeah. Sunny isn’t really the ‘explaining’ type. Kel clears his throat. “So… What is it like?”

Sunny startles. “Oh. It’s just, you shouldn’t talk to me. You should be talking to Hero.”

“Huh?”

“Or Aubrey.”

“Huh????” 

Sunny shoots a glare over his shoulder. “Be more specific.”

Right. Sunny is also not the ‘fill in the blanks in your open-ended question’ type. He’s a pretty literal guy, that Sunny. “Sorry, sorry. I guess I just mean… uh… Hero’s pretty busy, you know? And I don’t even know how I’d find Aubrey.”

“She lives two blocks away?”

“Not anymore, dude.”

Sunny looks surprised, then dismayed. He always hated when things changed. 

“Sorry,” Kel says, shrugging. “But it’s all good. They’re sorta not that fun to talk to right now, anyway.”

“Less fun than me?”

“Uh, yeah! Are you kidding? Talking with you is the best!!”

“Was,” Sunny corrects him. He flicks the line expertly, a deft, practiced motion. Which is weird, ‘cause Kel is pretty sure that Sunny has never actually caught a fish. 

“Yeah, yeah. You know what I mean, though. Why would I talk to them instead of you?” 

Sunny gives him a sharp look. “I can’t tell if you’re playing dumb.”

“Wh– Hey!! I’ll have you know that I am exactly as dumb as I look!!”

Sunny turns away just a beat too late to hide his smile. “Okay. You should talk to them because they’re your friends—”

“You’re my friend!!!”

“—and they’re alive. So. That’s something you have in common.”

“...Ah.” It did sorta seem like that’s where this was going, yeah. “But… I don’t want to?”

“I don’t care.”

“Pff!” Kel sputters. “Ouch, dude, damn! Were you always this brutal?”

“Yes.” He pauses. “Wait. Maybe not last time. But still yes. I just forgot how to do it out loud.”

“Pfffww— Sunny!!! When you finally came out… Dude. Were you silently roasting me that whole time???”

“Of course not,” Sunny huffs. “You’re my friend. And anyway, I was—” He hesitates. “I. Had a lot on my mind.” 

…Huh. For the most honest guy Kel’s ever met, Sunny’s sure acting like someone who’s keeping secrets. “Huh,” Kel says, out loud this time. “There’s something you’re not saying.”

Sunny looks surprised. “Yes.”

“But if I ask, you’re just gonna say you can’t tell me. ‘Cause it’s ‘too late,’ or whatever?”

“...Yes.”

“Okay!”

Sunny raises an eyebrow. “Okay?”

“Sure! There’s plenty of stuff I don’t wanna talk about. It’s all good, dude!” 

Kel flops back in the snow, belly-up under a violet sky. The frost feels crisp and crunchy on his skin, but without the sting of cold. Like laying in a field of salt. 

“I guess that's why we always got each other, huh?” he muses. “‘Cause everyone else is, like… Ugh. Sometimes it feels like they want to have a bad time. But it's like— Why would you wanna feel bad when you could just... look at something else?"

Sunny frowns.

Kel flicks some snow at him. “What?” 

“Just thinking.”

“Yeah, I figured. You wanna share with the class?”

Sunny shoots him a dry look. “Just. Maybe that’s why everyone got so messed up, after. Because… Um.” His frown deepens. Translating the looping, swirling snarl of his genius into normal human words was never Sunny’s strong suit. “It’s like. Homeostasis?” 

“Uh... huh?”

Sunny looks frustrated. He always did, when someone took too long to understand all the complicated math behind his weird analogies. “Like. Checks and balances. You made us have fun, and Basil made us be nice, and Hero made us be smart, and Aubrey made us be honest. And Mari made us fit together.”

“And you made us be cool and smart and brave!! And go on adventures! And play pretend and stuff!!!”

Sunny flaps a hand impatiently. “Sure. So we could all just do what we wanted, and it was fine. But then we split up, and it was. Everyone just—kept doing what they did. But. Without anyone to stop them.”

“Huh,” Kel says thoughtfully. It does make a sort of sense. And it explains why everyone felt so unfamiliar, after. Because he'd only ever known them when they were together. “That’s pretty smart, Sunny.” 

“Yes.”

“Pfff. So, what... You think I should talk to Aubrey because she isn’t fun?”

Sunny hits him with another flat glare. “No. You should talk to Aubrey because you’re stuck. And probably she is too. But you can still get unstuck. Just… probably not all alone.” 

“Uuugghhghhh… I’ll think about it, okay? But if she beats me to death with a nail bat, that’s on you.”

“I’m not worried,” Sunny says smugly. Then a shadow flashes over his face, and his eyes narrow. “Oh. Sorry. It’s time.”

“Huh??” Kel jolts to attention as Sunny seizes him by the shoulders. “S-Sunny?? Time for—??”

“WAKE UP.”

###

Honestly? Aubrey’s getting pretty tired of all the cryptic bullshit. 

The sweet, adoring best friend crashing in her apartment? It’s fine. It turns her stomach and makes her want to swallow glass, and all of that is fucking fine. But the faceless, inexplicably sinister stranger haunting her dreams? Who is that even supposed to be? It’s obviously not fucking Basil. 

“Because you never really knew me,” the shadow whispers. “No one did.”

“Man, what am I even supposed to do with that?” 

“Tsss-sss-ssh,” the shadow cackles. “You’re a riot, do you know that?”

“Literally what do you want from me?” Aubrey demands. “I'm just trying to get through the day. I'm not hurting anyone. I already know I'm fuckin' trash, so you’re kinda preaching to the choir here. So what is it? You want me to die? Is that it?”

“Hmmmm,” the shadow hums. It sits back on its heels, a movement that draws attention to its distinctly inhuman legs: more like a rabbit’s haunches than a person’s. “You’re awfully direct. If Sunny had been so forthright, maybe all this could have been avoided.”

“Wow! Cool! It’s almost like that’s completely fucking meaningless!” 

Another crackling hiss of laughter. “Oh, alright. I suppose I’m just… checking in on an old friend.”

“And that’s supposed to be me.”

It gestures at her, a clicking jerk of one long-fingered hand. “Who else?”

“Cool,” Aubrey snarls. She knows, she fucking knows that she’s a violent piece of shit, but that doesn’t mean she wants to hear about it every. Single. Night. “No, that’s great. That’s really helpful.” 

“Well,” the shadow snickers. “If hss-s-speaking with me is really so unpleasant, have you tried talking to… oh, I don’t know… literally anyone else?”

“So that’s what this is about.”

“Whatever do you mean?” it asks innocently.

“You fucking know.” Opening up. Talking to people. “Vulnerability and shit.”

“Hss–s-s-sss,” the shadow cackles. “You always did have a way with words.”

“So that’s your game? You think I’m—lonely, or something?” It’s hard to believe that any version of Basil would even give a shit. After what she did, he should want her to be alone for the rest of her life. 

But then again, this isn’t really Basil. 

“I think you’re afraid.”

“You—what??”

“I think you’re determined to martyr yourself. Because if everything was your fault, then turning your back is a mercy. But you’re wrong. It isn’t mercy. It’s cruelty. The same cruelty that killed me.”

That rocks her back on her heels. “I— You said I didn’t—”

“I said you weren’t seeing the whole picture. I never said your hands were clean. But you already knew that, didn’t you?” Its head tilts almost fondly. “My old friend.” 

Abruptly, the shadow’s goatlike ears flick up. It twists its shaggy head like it’s listening for something she can’t hear. 

“Ah. I’m afraid we’re out of time.”

She scoffs. “You got somewhere to be? No one’s stopping you. Feel free to fuck off at your soonest convenience.”

For a second, the shadow’s mirrored eyes look almost wistful. “That would be nice, wouldn’t it? But—no. This-ss is the last place I’ll ever be. You, on the other hand… There’s a whole world out there. Why not go and s-see?”

“Uhh, maybe ‘cause it’s the middle of the night? I have work in the morning.” 

“Yess, yes. A shame, that. Still. A little sleep deprivation never hurt anyone.”

She snorts. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure it h—” 

Suddenly the shadow is towering over her, larger than life. It’s not skimming along the walls anymore. It's a pillar of shuddering dark, like smoke made solid. It tosses its head and stamps its goatlike legs, driving one cloven hoof deep into the ground beside her head. “WAKE UP.”

###

Aubrey jolts awake. Her heart is racing so fast, it feels like it’s trying to climb out her mouth. The room is all long twisted shadows, hunched backs and splintered bone and knees broken and bent back. She fumbles for the lamp, but ends up with a fistful of shattered glass. 

Right. There is no lamp. It’s just another broken thing. 

She tries to slow her breath but it’s so dark. It’s so dark. There’s no light in the room and the shadows won’t stop moving. She can feel something warm and slick on her palm. Blood. There’s blood on her hands. When is there not? 

Calm down, she tries to tell herself. You’re dreaming. It’s just another nightmare. But—no. She can feel the sting of shattered glass between her fingers. She’s awake. This is real. Her life is the nightmare. 

Aubrey jerks out of bed. Hisses a curse as she steps on another shard of the stupid fucking broken fucking bulb. She hates this apartment. She thought getting out of her mom's disgusting trailer would make her less angry, but this place is almost worse. It’s another trash heap for trash people. A graveyard for the almost-dead. Just somewhere to keep all her mistakes. 

She can’t be here. She can’t spend another second in this miserable fucking room, all alone in the squirming dark. She has to—go. Somewhere. To buy a new lamp or a RedBull or a fucking noose. It doesn’t matter. Who fucking cares? Anywhere would be better than here.

###

Aubrey’s complex is on the grimy side of the tracks, far from the bright lawns and clean fences where she grew up. 

She’d wanted to go even further. Far enough to feel sure that none of her old friends would ever find her. But it took her months to find a gas station shady enough to hire a kid with no high school diploma, no references, and a “trust me” approach to federal identification. 

It’s not like she could afford rent in the city, anyway. Where else would she even go? 

It’s three-something in the morning: late enough that the night owls are hunkered down at home, but too early for even the earliest of early birds. The streets are deathly still. If not for the crackle and hum of the streetlamps, she might be standing in a photograph. 

The only place that’s open at this hour is a greasy 7-Eleven near the other edge of town. It’s a long walk. But Aubrey’s so tired she’s seeing double. If she tried to bike it, she’s pretty sure she’d wind up wrapped around the smoking wreckage of someone’s car. And she’s killed enough people for one lifetime, thanks. 

Exhaustion makes her shadow stutter and stretch like claymation. She can’t bring herself to look at it. She can’t shake the feeling that it might look back.

…Whatever. Still better than spending another second of her life in that fucking apartment. 

###

24-hour convenience stores have always felt sort of outside of time. Like a pocket dimension where nothing ever changes. Row upon refrigerated row of Pepsi Blue and Mountain Dew: Code Red above the Diet Sprite and Cherry Coke. Stale cookies in plastic casing from brands that no one’s ever heard of. Expired corn chips that were last manufactured for sale in 1996. Pocket knives with novelty handles carved to look like bears or badgers or bikini babes with wooden water-balloon tits. Personalized keychains emblazoned with your name, as long as your name is John, Sam or Jayden. 

As soon as she’s under those brutal fluorescent lights, Aubrey feels herself relax. There’s something comforting about places like this. Places that never change, no matter how much you did. 

She nods at the kid working the counter and grabs a few energy drinks, a Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, a pack of watermelon gummies. Then a few more energy drinks. Some insane impulse makes her pick up a Grow-Your-Own-Herbs kit—just a dusty pot of dirt with a packet of dried-up seeds taped to the front—mostly because it’s the kind of thing that would make Basil happy. Then she remembers that Basil is too dead to feel much of anything, and makes herself put it back. 

Aubrey pays for the snacks. Shakes her head when the guy asks if she wants a bag, even though it is actually a little too much to carry. Shuffles out into the parking lot. 

When she looks up, there’s a figure staring across the parking lot, silhouetted by the streetlights. Shaggy. Spindly. Staring. Her heart leaps. Basil—

—But it’s not. Of course, it’s not. It’s just some guy. Just some alive person who probably won’t ever have to stare at a stranger’s silhouette and wonder if they’re even real, or just another ghost. She ducks her head and moves to shoulder past. 

That’s when the figure calls her name.

You can read the rest here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/46429294/chapters/117673759

[seherstudies]

Hi Seher-senpai,

I take it you study Japanese at university?

Feel like sharing what it's like?

I only took a course back when I was a uni student at a uni of applied science. Since then, I've been dabbling in self-studying but that is kind of hard to keep up at times... I'd like to get back into "proper" studying, so I would like to ask whether you have some tips?

Anyways, thanks for your blog, I just found it and scrolled a little through it. Always cool to meet other JP learners 😊

Sending some good vibes from Bavaria

-Bee

Sorry that it took me some time to get back to you. Life is busy at the moment, oh and servus aus Österreich! :)

I take it you study Japanese at university?

I do! I am a Japanese studies major, so they come in the bundle haha

Feel like sharing what it's like?

Sure thing! Beforehand, I have two types (?) of Japanese classes, Japanische Theorie (Theoretical Japanese), which is held in German, and Japanische Praxis (Practical Japanese), which is entirely in Japanese

The pace can sometimes be a bit too fast for me, sometimes we would do an entire chapter in one lesson.... But overall, I enjoy most parts of my classes!

In Theory, we learn about grammar passively and you could also say about how to translate Japanese into German and it's also profs way to check if we understood the grammar. The exams of the class kill me though. In a semester we have two kanji and two translation exams and I don't know which one is worse lmao The first two few years we only worked with textbooks (we used Bunka Shokyu Nihongo 1+2 and now we use the Advanced Tobira) but now, I am in my last year, we moved on to different types of texts like song lyrics, essays and learn more about slang, spoken Japanese and that sort. I am grateful for that because Tobira can be quite dry at times. It’s definitely my favourite out of the two simply because the prof makes it a heap of fun with his random, while educational, rambles or anecdotes.

Praxis we should learn how to apply the grammar studied in Theory, so we do a lot of grammar exercises (complete the sentences mostly). It certainly helped with building a strong foundation, but I do wish we would… actually use the language in class more ya know. The only “speaking” we do is by reading sentences out loud and I am not sure about my peers, but it certainly doesn’t help me learn how to speak Japanese. We are not learning Japanese to be able to communicate but simply for class where we cover topics you will most likely never have a conversation about. At least I know I will never talk about robots. But I have the feeling that is an issue with most language classes...

I'd like to get back into "proper" studying, so I would like to ask whether you have some tips?

Good question. I had to think about it a bit ngl and I hope some things will be useful to you in a way.

Build discipline while you still have a lot of motivation. The first one or two weeks use apps like Duolingo or Lingodeer simply to build the habit of daily learning. Even better if you can set a specific time every day. For example, every day after dinner it is Anki/Memrise/Lingodeer/etc. o’clock. You HAVE to do a bit every day - even if it's just for 3 minutes. If you teach your brain that sometimes you can skip, then it will try to find excuses to skip another day and soon you will slip.

Have different activities for different levels of energy/attention. This kind of latches on to the previous point. Have core activities you do every day for the sake of progress and on days where you are more motivated and alert, do something that requires more effort and have a set of relaxing activities for your low days to keep your TL floating around in your head.

consistency > efficiency. The best method is not the most optimized one or what someone says is more efficient but the one you actually enjoy and stick to. This also goes when you choose media to consume, read/watch what you enjoy. Keep a healthy mix though: Each medium has it's own speaking style. You won't learn everyday Japanese if you only watch dramas or anime, so include a variety like drama, anime, podcasts, Youtube videos, news etc.

Choose a resource for grammar, vocab etc. and stick with it until the end unless you really don't like it. This video (~12min) by Robin McPherson goes more into depth of the 'Paradox of Choice' and what it means for language learners in this day and age and how you can counter choice paralysis. Japanese is a popular language. Therefore there are many resources out there and it’s easy to start doubting our decision. You see the next shiny thing and want to try that out and often we don’t even think twice about purchasing another textbook because you have heard something good about it. I highly recommend the video!

I can also recommend you this video by Livakivi on how to learn Japanese but it's a general guide. His videos are great! The most important part though is having fun with the language though. Best of luck!

[inklore]

crimson and clover.

part one | next part | series masterlist

premise: maybe you shouldn’t get high with eddie again but you can’t get him off of your mind, and his lips are too inviting to fight the growing addiction you’re succumbing to from the things he can do with them.

pairing: eddie munson x richgirl!reader

word count: 7k

warnings: eighteen+ content, porn with plot, f receiving oral, fingering, a touch of voyeurism, weed smoking, virgin!eddie, teasing and banter, soft dirty talk, alluded blowjob, jealousy mention, cheesy fluff, shitty parentals.

etc: i’m literally obsessed with these two to the point of insanity!! like i’m not usually that much of a plot heavy girly but buckle up besties we in deep <3.

i do not give anyone permission to translate or repost my work, please be respectful — if you enjoyed please comment or reblog!

It’s quite embarrassing, excruciatingly taxing, vexing and every other big word that you could remember and barely comprehend—but now are having a grave first-hand experience with—from those Jane Austen books you had to read in class.

Every ten sellable verb, feeling, pretext; all of them describing the exact state of your mind right now, and how superficial it made you feel. Aforementioned: excruciating, embarrassing.

A week has gone by since the night you spent with Eddie, and it’s all you find yourself thinking about.

Your mind plays a constant loop reel of everything that happened; the giggles, the kiss, the…other thing. At night when you want to sleep your mind is too busy thinking about whether or not Eddie’s thinking about it too, what happened. Or if he’s out bragging to his friends—something you have your doubts about. The two of you hadn’t discussed if this was an under-wraps kind of thing, it was probably common knowledge you wouldn't want it to be spread all over town. Which it would be, like wildfire.

None of your friends have called you to belittle you yet, so you doubt he’s told anyone.

But was it plaguing his mind as pathetically as it was yours? Or were you just so starved for decent human interaction that your mind was holding onto this one night like it was an aphrodisiac?

Maybe if you had received a call from him you wouldn’t be acting so…mortifyingly in your feelings for god knows why.

"Will we be graced with your presence across the tracks again, princess?" He had asked when he pulled up a block down from your house, not trusting his loud engine to not wake up your parents—or at the very least a neighbor who would see and then go running to your parents about the strange man they saw you with. It wasn’t a mess you wanted to deal with.

"Don't call me that." You had groaned, undoing your seatbelt and hiding your smile by biting the inside of your cheek. You hadn’t thought past this night, were still too busy rolling off that high from smoking and having Eddie against your mouth…inside of your mouth.

And maybe it was his smile, his thumb tapping on the steering wheel, eyes flashing to your mouth and back up like he didn’t know if he was allowed to kiss you again, or if he should.

But you reached across the dash and grabbed the pen randomly rested atop of it, leaned over to pull his hand from the wheel, and wrote your number on top of it.

"Don't call before six or after midnight.” You let your smile spread, threw the pen back on the dash, and opened the passenger door hopping out. “See you around, Munson.”

That was seven days ago and counting.

Never-ending counting.

It’s not like you expected him to call. You figured he probably wouldn’t, the two of you were not about to become best friends just because he cleaned your shoes, or let you smoke his weed, or because he came in your mouth. You didn’t—shouldn’t—have any expectations from Munson and you were sure he had none from you.

History didn’t make you friends. Sharing weed or an incredible kiss didn’t either.

So it wasn’t a big deal he hadn’t called.

And yet as you sit at one of the pristine white table cloth tables of the Country Club, your parents on either side of you, your fingers playing with the straw of your drink; you’re wondering if he’s called.

You’re so hyper-focused on that thought, of the thought of that stupid smile that you can’t shut your eyes without seeing—that you don’t hear your mother speaking to you until the words “I heard you two broke up” are spat through the air.

Reality crashes down on you, and you can’t help the grimace that flashes across your lips. Word really does spread like wildfire in this town. You hadn’t expected your parents to find out until at least a few weeks—or never, a girl could dream. Enough time for you to come up with an excuse at least, anything but the truth. Which would be nothing but unacceptably unrealistic to them.

“He’s not a good-”

“I didn’t ask for your feelings on the matter.” Your mother interrupts. Scowls down at the martini glass in her hand. “Fix it. You’re both going to the same college, a college your father called in many favors just to get you in. Since you couldn’t do it on your own.” Her last words are mumbled, snappy, and hurtful as always. “His parents run in the same social circle as us and could do wonders for your father's business. Don’t ruin this for yourself over girlish feelings.”

Your throat feels tight, constricted, suffocated. Your fingers have dropped from your straw to grip the end of your white pleated skirt under the table. You know even if you told your mother the full story, how you truly felt, how you’ve been with him since sophomore year and neither of you have even muttered the words ‘I love you’. And don’t think you ever will. Would.

Or how last year over spring break the two of you broke up for a month and you had felt more rejuvenated than any hundred-dollar spa treatment ever could. As if you had peeled off a deadweight and could finally feel something other than the caked-on layers of presser that were endlessly put onto you by him, by them.

Then he came back and said the same thing your mother did “don’t ruin this for us” when he had been the one to leave you. And you’d done the stupid thing and said yes. As the two of you kissed and made up your mind searched for the why, the how, the what-the-fuck-were-you doing.

And now with your mother's words as fresh as a reopened wound reminding you of the memory, you know you said yes because of her. Your father. Their need to seem so disgustingly perfect on the outside, to hide how ugly they were on the inside.

Were you as ugly as them?

The question makes your knee bounce, knuckles straining from the grip on your skirt.

Your mothers already moved on from you, talking to the friend at her side. Smiling, keeping that perfect crown in place. Turning towards your father you hope to see a sympathetic look, some wise words—wasn’t that what fathers were supposed to do? Wise words and comfort? But he’s not even looking at you, too busy laughing at something the man beside him has said.

You need to get out of here. Go home and scream into your pillow or something.

Standing from the table, a little too quickly. The legs of your chair screeching against the hardwood, your father finally looks at you.

“Everything alright?” A monologue of how everything is the farthest thing from being alright in the back of your throat and ready to be screamed. But then you can feel your mother's eyes on you, don’t have to turn to see her look of impassiveness to know it’s there.

“Yeah,” you give them both your best performed smile. “Just going to do what mom said, fix it.”

Your lie only gets you a hum from said woman and then she’s done with you and turning her head. Your dad gives you the weakest of smiles and asks if you need any money—for no reason at all. Shaking your head you quickly bid them goodbye and do your best walk-sprint out of the building.

The hot summer night air a welcome humidity from the suffocation you felt in there.

You have your parent's driver take you home. Screw your ex and screw your parents.

If your mother wanted him to be in your family so bad maybe she should drop her Pilates instructor and have him instead. It would take a hefty price—that you were sure your parents would gladly pay to get you to shut up and listen to them—to ever bring yourself to his front door and beg for him back.

You didn’t beg. For anyone. Over anything.

You asked. You got. Demanded. Sometimes you didn’t even need to ask. You were just given to. Your bank account and school career showed as much.

Fuck, maybe you were the Princess of Hawkins after all.

You start in a small sprint up the stairs to your room, your throat still feeling as if it’s being squeezed by your mother's words, indifference towards you, demands. Even with her not around you feel like you’re being suffocated by her.

You really shouldn’t have come back home.

Not for the summer. Not anytime. Should have just stuck to the one call a month and check in the mail. Life was more peaceful that way. At least you could breathe.

It was going to be one hell of a long, torturous summer.

“Someone called for you!”

You hear just as your foot lands on the last step. Your heart leaping in your chest as you turn and yell down, “who?”

“They didn’t say.” Your family housekeeper appears at the bottom of the stairs, a small smile on her face. “But they did leave their number and said to call them if you needed help on biology or something like that.” She shakes her head, “could barely understand them. There was loud music in the background.”

Eddie.

The grin that spreads across your lips is demeaning to your social status. Same with the way your heart feels like it’s pumping from your stomach now as you run back down the stairs and take the number from her, only to run back up them and to your room; dialing the number into the pink phone beside your bed, pacing the floor as you wait, hope, shamefully pray that he answers.

On the fifth ring he answers and when his voice floods through the phone when you hear the “shit-hold on” as he turns down the music blaring in the background, you feel like you can finally breathe again. No more tight throat. Suffocating. The only thing you feel now is that familiar giddy ache in your cheeks.

“Biology huh?”

You can hear the puff of air Eddie lets out from realizing it’s you, from the smile that you can tell is on his face when he speaks through the receiver, “I thought telling her I was ‘the weed guy’ would be worse, town freak was my second option.”

"Munson, it's summer no one's doing biology!"

“Incorrect. Summer school is a prison sentence I have had the displeasure of being sentenced to.” Of course, he has. You can’t help the laugh that comes out, one he joins in on.

There’s a silence that spreads where you can hear him fiddling with something on the other line.

And then he’s saying, “is the Princess busy or can she step away from the castle, and grace us, peasants, with her presence?"

You’re smiling again, fuck.

“She could, but I don't know, she might need payment." You say in your best uppity voice, flopping back on your bed. Your fingers coiling and uncoiling the cord hanging from the phone.

"Drats! Right when I’m out of gold doubloons too."

“Oooh, and I only take gold, looks like the peasants must go un-graced today.”

"Would thy majesty take my humble payment of the best weed in the county instead?" He puts on his best historically accurate voice that has you snorting.

“That’s very presumptuous of you to say it's the best."

"Did I say the best? Sorry, I meant the greatest.”

God, you despised how nice this felt. How the muscles in your cheeks were already sore and you hadn’t even been talking to him for more than five minutes. How you can’t remember someone calling you and it being like this, no gossip, no hounding questions or accusations.

Oh, how the normal half lives.

"I'll meet you where you dropped me off the other night, okay?"

"Your chariot will be waiting, princess."

When Eddie picks you up and the two of you fly across town, sharing silent smiles, the town passing in the rear view, heavy metal blaring throughout the speakers—that he doesn’t turn down until his van comes to a stop through a wooded clearing, in front of a familiar lake.

Lovers Lake.

"Really, Munson? Trying to get lucky again?" You tease, a cheeky grin covered up by him laughing behind the hair that moves in his face as he undoes his seatbelt and moves to the back of the van.

You follow him into the back, sitting on the van floor. Eddie on the sofa, much like the last night the two of you were together. Except now you’re sitting with your legs crossed out in front of you, back against one of the walls of the van.

You let him do his thing of pulling out the metal box and rifling through it while he finds what he needs. Occupying your time with looking at the newly added amps and wires that weren’t there the other night.

"What's your band called again?"

"Corroded Coffin.”

You smile remembering him telling you that when you were partnered together. Remember how he drummed his fingers on the desk and air guitared you a silent piece to emphasize how good he swore he could play, how good the band was.

"You should come see us play sometime. If you're into that.” He looks up at you through his bangs, his fingers moving in his lap as he rolls the joint.

You give the tiniest smirk as you say, “like a date?”

His shoulders are shrugging, ringed fingers scratching his cheek. “If a grimy bar and drunk geezers falling off their barstools is your ideal date then yes. Absolutely.” You share a smile and then he’s going back to his task at hand.

When he’s finished rolling, and after you’re done eyeballing him: watching how his fingers work along the rolling papers, those damn rings distracting you, and finding yourself at a loss for words when you watch him bring it to his lips and run his tongue along the seam to close it.

You were here to get away. To kill time. To smoke. Nothing else.

What happened the other night should stay a one time thing. With how your insides keep acting up from the mere thought of it. This was dangerous territory already.

"Your payment, princess." Eddie holds out the freshly rolled joint, doing a little bowing motion as he does. Making you laugh and playfully snatch it from his fingers.

Bringing it to your lips, he pulls out a lighter from the front pocket of his jeans. Leaning forward he flicks it and holds it to the other end, lighting it for you. His eyes on yours as you forget to inhale for half a second, too busy staring back at him. The thick smoke almost making you choke after you’ve come to and inhale; an intensity holding between your gazes.

He’s so close, if you were to remove the joint you could lean in and….

Nope. Not happening. Not tonight.

You quickly move back over to your spot and take a few puffs, praying that it chills whatever tempestuous feelings were burning in your lower belly right now.

The two of you fall into an easy rotation, puffing, passing, Eddie making a joke and you losing it. A peaceful cycle that soon has you forgetting about the earlier events of the day and how you had felt; your nerves now lax, body feeling good. And not just because of the weed, but because of the boy sitting in front of you.

A fact you let yourself feel.

The only thing you allow yourself to feel.

You’re tapping your foot mindless against the bottom of the couch to the metal playing through the van, ignoring the friction it causes against the pant leg of Eddie’s jeans; his leg pressed against yours as the two of you have your limbs spread out.

Your fingers are flipping through a random magazine you’ve found in one of the many piles of junk on the floor. “Who sings this?”

"Corroded Coffin.”

Your head snaps up a little too fast giving you whiplash, as you look up at him—he’s already staring back, how long has he been watching? And have your cheeks always been this warm, or is the thought that he had possibly been watching you for god knows how long that’s making you feel overheated right now?

“This is your band?!”

“Yes,” he chuckles. “I don't see any blood coming from your ears so I take it your majesty approves?"

You make a face, shrugging. "I was swallowing down my vomit actually, was trying to hide it with being nice."

“Mmm.” He replies, his hair covering his smile as he fiddles with the chain connected to his jeans.

It’s an effort to pull your eyes away from him and go back to flipping through the magazine—as if you were doing anything other than looking at the pictures. Your high mind having very little comprehension of the words printed across the flimsy papers.

That comfortable silence spreads between the two of you again, your foot going back to its tapping. Your head doing a little bob along with the beat.

“Was that a jive I just saw?”

Your movements stop, “a jive?” The snort of laughter that comes deep from within your throat should be embarrassing. If it were anyone else in front of you you know you’d do everything in your power to cover it up.

“Who says that?”

“I know many people who say it.”

“Are they 80 and over?”

Eddie shakes his head, his laugh dying down. “You like it, the music?”

“I’ve heard worse.” You shrug nonchalantly. Close the magazine and toss it back in its pile of junk.

“I’ll take it!” His fist pumping in the air in triumph.

Shaking your head you send an eye roll his way. Your heart doing a little leap in your just at how cute you think he looks right now. Your mind working overtime to hone in on the little things that light up his features when he smiles or laughs—and then the little things that don’t matter at all: like how this is your second time here and the first he had scurried around and tried to move his random messes out of the way, to clean it up. But this time around he didn’t even bother, as if a comfortability has already grown between the two of you. You hadn’t run for the hills, already knew what he was about, that this van was a second home to him by the looks—and he knew you wouldn’t care what it looked like. Hadn’t made a fuss the first time so why not let you see him more in his realm?

It makes a weird affection burn in your gut and has you toying with the bottom of your skirt to distract yourself from it.

Just listen to the music. The band. It’s pretty good.

Which isn’t shocking to you in the slightest. It only took you all your school career, and give or take a few years, to realize that Eddie Munson was a lot of things but mediocre was not one of them.

But your mind is racing a mile a minute, unlike the first time, you smoked Eddie’s stash. Which meant that you were the problem, the issue causing your mind to run from the blissful high into difficult feelings and misunderstandings of said feelings.

Go figure.

Your legs are still touching each other. You can feel the bare minimum of his heat against your legs, but it’s enough to add flashbacks of the other night into the mix of your mind. How you could feel the heat from other parts of his body; under you, beside you, against you, inside your mouth.

The tender skin of your bottom lip quickly becomes raw from your teeth, as the memories bombard you. As you grow warmer and warmer. And make the mistake of looking up at him, watching him, staring at him—and then he’s catching you doing just that and you have the urge to ask him if he’s thought about you sense that night, or why he hadn’t called sooner.

Questions with obvious answers.

But your mind is working against you here.

And the last thing you want him to think is that you’re just sitting at home waiting for him to call. Like you’re desperate for it, begging for it. Something you do not do. And was not about to start for Eddie Munson.

“Did you have plans later?” He asks.

Making your brows come together, a confused look on your face as you wonder if you’ve missed something. If he spoke before this and you just didn’t hear because of your internal war.

“The outfit,” he points with a finger, “it’s chic.” A lopsided grin pulls up the corners of his mouth just as you laugh.

“Chic?” You shake your head, “I was at the Country Club with my parents.”

“And you let me steal you away from such fun with the other royals? Honored." His hand splays over his chest.

You make a face, “my mother thinks I’m crawling on my hands and knees back to lover boy." You drop the same nickname Eddie had the other night for your ex, seeing his expression change from it. His smile faltering, fingers brushing at a few loose strands of hair in his face.

“Are you?”

“If I was, would I be here with you?"

"Maybe you needed some devil induced bravery to help you crawl."

"I wouldn't waste a good high on him,” you scoff.

Eddie’s silent for a second too long for your sanity and then he’s saying, “instead you're here wasting it on me."

"It's not a waste.” The words slip out. Come out so naturally that you don’t realize how sentimental of a meaning they have until you see Eddie’s expression. See the softness of it, and how you cannot bear the way your insides feel right now.

What’s the worst thing that can happen from you hooking up with Munson again?

“At least it doesn't have to be.." you’re pulling at your skirt again, can’t bring your eyes up to his as the words hang in the air—an invitation.

"Hitting on me now, princess?” His leg pushes into yours playfully, “who knew you could be so flattering. So charitable.” He teases.

You only look up to scowl at him, because you were not hitting on him—maybe, not really, you didn’t hit on people, you were hit on. But like many things around Munson it had changed, morphing itself into something you don't recognize; something better. You are going to tell him as much, flaunt your Princess status tenfold. But can’t stop looking into his big brown eyes, can’t stop the burning in your stomach going lower lower until it turns into that same lust you felt for him the other night.

And fuck it.

You’ve already dipped your toe over that line once, mine as well put your whole foot in.

"Shut up, Munson.” Your retort is less ice than it is fire, a breathy huff that you mean to sound playful but miss the mark. “Come here,” you hesitate. "Please.”

The beam that spreads across his face is anything but subtle or shy, promptly dropping down to his knees and crawling the short distance to you. A position he stays in even as he brings his lips to yours.

The kiss, his lips, his fingertips at the side of your neck just as heart stopping and pulsating-ly devastating to your insides as last time. A pang of jealousy shoots through your belly at the thought of how many girls he has kissed before you, he’s had to have kissed a couple, a handful maybe, you weren’t this good at kissing if you hadn’t. Kisses didn’t just feel like this, normally. Right?

Or maybe you just weren’t kissing the right people. Person.

It doesn’t take long for the kiss to move into the realm of breathless pants and tongues against each other, teeth biting into lips. And unlike last time Eddie doesn’t need an invitation to touch you; his hands go from your neck to your cheeks, your jaw, chin, the back of your skull, and into your hair. The tips of his fingers making a road map of every sensitive spot above your collarbone.

Eventually, thanks to some maneuvering and awkward giggles the two of you are laid on the floor of the van—you on your back, Eddie on his side with his front pressed flush against you. His lips have veered from yours, leaving a path of kisses and nips along your jaw, under it, to your neck where he runs his tongue along a sensitive spot of skin, his lips wrapping around it to suck softly and then sink his teeth into.

A breathy gasp strangled out of you, your hips moving against the air. An imprint of Eddie smirking against your skin from the noise, left behind when he kisses just below the area. Fuck.

“How many–” you swallow, lick your lips, breathless, “how many girls have you kissed like this?”

It’s probably not the right thing to ask right now, but your mind keeps going back to it. That jealousy making your stomach sink as you anticipate his answer, as you dread and wish your body and brain were working together instead of on separate plains of pain and pleasure.

“Uh, a dozen obviously.” He laughs softly against you when you dig your nails into his arm playfully, in replace of the scowl you’d shoot him down with if you could turn your head—or if you wanted him to stop the knee shaking presses of his lips right now, which you’re delirious but not that delirious to stop him. “Only you, princess.”

The information shouldn’t have you soaring any more than you already are, shouldn’t make those jealousy twists get snuffed out by a belly full of butterflies, and flutters that go all the way down to your throbbing clit. But it does and you’re reeling at the sentiment that you’re probably Eddie’s first everything in this sense. In this realm.

It’s not triumph you feel, it’s something softer and dangerously close to affection and attachment that has no business filling your chest with warmth right now.

And instead of feeling the aforementioned feelings, distracting yourself with giving him pleasure—and to hear those beautiful noises from the other night—your hand is moving from his arm to the bulge pressing to your hip.

Your fingers and palm run up his clothed length and pull those delicious breathy grunts from him. No man should sound this good, no sound should have you feeling like you’re melting into the floor.

Your mouth finding Eddie’s in a hungry kiss, a need to swallow down his noises like a drug, needing sedation. You could get addicted to this if you’re not careful.

Your fingers drag themselves up to his belt, try to blindly pull the leather through its buckle, the loops. And just like a repeat of the night before, his hand is there to stop you.

“Gotten shy on me?” You ask with a coyness that makes him give you a ‘not in this lifetime’ look.

“I just want to make it crystal clear that I didn’t bring you here for this.” His tone only holds gentleness, his hand bringing yours up to his mouth to brush a few kisses across your knuckles.

“Even if you did,” your fingers twist a strand of his hair, “I wouldn’t be upset.”

And you mean that. If Eddie had only brought you here for a replay of the other night or something further than that, you know—even if it was against your better judgment—you wouldn’t be too upset about it, or at all. It was hard to be upset with lips like his pulling out smiles and whimpers from you.

But it also means that Eddie had called you because he wanted to see you, to hang out…which is harder for you to grasp than the prospect of only casual hookups between the two to you.

Those Jane Austen feelings back with a vengeance in your chest cavity.

Your answer makes a chuckle echo in his chest. “But,” he’s looking at you with all seriousness within those doe eyes. “Now that we’re–” he motions to your current positions with his hand, “here. I want to return the favor. For the other night.”

Oh?

Oh.

Pressing your lips together, you do your best to hide the excitement that shoots up your spine, nodding in a super-casual-not-too-fast way. “Yeah, okay, yes, totally.”

“Totally?” He mocks you, smirking.

“Totally.”

Then his lips are on yours again without needing further confirmation. The kiss slower this time compared to the last lip lock that made your bottom lip feel like it was inflamed from his teeth. Your mouths move in perfect sync, and if you could figure out a way you know you could get off by just his kiss alone. He moves your hand back to his crotch, giving you back access to his hardness as his hand begins its travel down your chest. Palming your boobs over your white polo, his thumb moving across your nipple, making you whimper. Your chest pushing up into him.

The closer he gets—the further his fingers move along the fabric of your clothes—the anticipation of where you want him, where he wants to be, makes your legs pull together. Thighs in a tight lock, your attempted relief of the pressure on your clit only makes the throbbing worse. You can feel how soaked you are through the cotton of your panties, know that once you feel his fingers slip inside of you it’s going to be game over.

There's a whoosh of air against your thighs from Eddie pushing up the top of your skirt, putting your clothed pussy on display for him. His mouth pulling from yours as he looks down at you and takes you in. The hunger in his eyes turning the brown hues in them black. You’re about to ask him if he wants you to take your underwear off, his fingers slipping past the elastic of them stopping you. His palm warm against your mound.

Eddie runs his middle finger through your folds, voice low and gravelly when he says. “You’re so wet.” All you can do is mewl, bite your already raw lip as you try to keep your hips still, try to hold yourself back from fucking his hand the way you want to. His fingers explore you for a bit, misstepping your throbbing clit each time the tips of his fingers come close to it. Even as you finally let yourself move your hips a fraction of an inch up, he’s still not touching the spot you really need, instead, he’s moving every place you don’t need him. Until he slips a finger inside of you too aggressively, making an “ahh” hiss out of you.

Your face scrunched when he turns to look down at you, halting his actions. Body tense, “did I hurt you?”

He’s never done this before, it’s not new knowledge and yet thanks to your hormone filled haze—and the need to come—you were expecting him to know all the places to touch. To not be as aggressively pushy right from the get-go.

“No,” you sigh, laughing softly. “Sort of, just…can I show you?” You’re nervous he’s going to take it the wrong way. That this is where it’s going to end because it'll be awkward and he’ll be embarrassed or mad or something.

But there you go thinking Eddie is one thing when he’s the exact opposite. The endless surprise of this boy never ceasing to show you why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover—or by its fellow shitty townspeople.

Eddie nods, eyes soft and tentatively looking at you in the same way an excited student looks thrilled to learn from a teacher.

Wasting no time you loop your fingers into the elastic of the cotton covering your pussy, pulling the garment down your legs and tossing it to the side. Moving comfortably back into your lying position, skirt still pushed up, completely showcasing yourself to him. A flutter sinking low into your belly when you watch Eddie’s throat bob from a tight swallow as he looks down at your wet cunt.

And while he watches, stares at you, you’re staring up at him. Watching the hunger and desire to learn—to be taught—displaying itself across his face; your hand moves between your legs, the pad of your index finger putting the lightest of pressers on your clit. The moan you let out has Eddie’s hair falling in your face for half a second as his eyes snap to your face. As he watches your mouth part, brows come together, breaths shaky and weak as you touch yourself. Rubbing slow circles against your throbbing clit, where you wanted, needed to feel him. Where you’ve been throbbing and aching for what felt like hours—days—for him.

His fingers dig into your thigh as he spreads your legs wider, holding it up and against him below your knee so you’re completely open for him. So he can see you run your fingers down between your folds to catch the gathering arousal at your entrance and pull it back up to coat your clit.

You should be talking right now, should be directing him with your words, but you can’t. Have never touched yourself in front of anyone before, never had to, or wanted to. The act of touching yourself strictly permitted for when you were alone in your room at night. Never like this. But you’ve been convinced. Turned over a new leaf in the things you like, enjoy; the way Eddie is watching your fingers, the way he brings his gaze back up so fucking slow to look at your face. To hold eye contact with you as you moan and tremble. That mounting pressure already starting, so fast, so good.

Eddie leans into the small distance of space between your mouths to swallow down one of your moans that comes out at the same time his lips press to yours. “You’re so pretty.” He whispers between kisses. “How many guys have you let watch you like this?”

You whimper, breath hot on his mouth, “none. Only you.”

He’s grinning against your mouth, “you do this at night when you’re alone in your bed?”

“Yes.” Humming, you feel breathless, can feel your hips gyrating against your hand, legs trembling. Know you’re so close. But don’t want to make yourself come. Want Eddie to be the one to make you come, want his fingers to be inside of you when your walls constrict and carry you through that euphoric high.

“Who knew you were such a dirty girl, princess.” His head lifts back up to look back down at your pussy, the wet sounds of your arousal against your finger and clit filthy.

Have you ever been this wet before? This turned on? Fuck, Eddie Munson.

Without thinking—reeling off of your own need—you grab his hand that's still holding your leg to him. “Put your hand over mine.” Following directions eagerly Eddie does so, places his searing palm atop yours, his index finger resting perfectly against yours; moving along as you go back to stroking your clit. “Like this, slow–ahh–circles.” The last syllables of your words choked out over a moan. Your skin feels like it’s on fire, know you’re probably making a mess on the makeshift carpeting below you.

He copies your movements for one, three, six circles and then you’re snaking your hand away and it’s his finger on your clit. The change in feeling is instantaneous and has your hips stuttering, whines coming out weaker. Your hand gripping the material of his shirt, needing to ground yourself. To remind you that yes, this is reality and not some crazy out of body wet dream.

“Like that?” Eddie asks against your cheek.

“Yes.” You don’t think your moans have ever sounded this wailing, this intense to the point where you’re almost embarrassed at how good you feel right now. How your body is shaking and mewling and reaching out for him for pleasure. In need of it.

This time when he slips a finger into you it’s slow, so good and gentle as he pumps it inside of you, that amplifies the squelching of your wetness. “This okay?”

“Mmhmm.”

He fucks you like that, his middle finger fucking up into you, his thumb brushing against your clit at just the right angle that has you on the verge of seeing stars. You’re so so close, know that if he keeps doing that you’re going to be a goner–

“Wait, what are you doing?” Your brows pull up in confusion as you watch him detach himself from your side, removing his hand from between your thighs. Settling himself between your legs on his knees.

You expect him to start undoing his belt, figure he’s ready to take it further, aren't mad at the thought—but he’s surprising you again. “You got to taste, it’s only fair, princess.” Eddie smirks, situates himself in a comfortable hunching position, and then you’re gasping as he runs the tip of his tongue along your clit. Any rebuttal you could have thought to reply with dead in the water.

“Fuck, Eddie,” there are no missteps like the first time he was down there with his hand. Mimicking the movements you showed him with your fingers with his tongue, with a few added experimental licks and sucks that have your breath caught in your throat. “Ohmygod, and you’ve never done this before?” You curse, feel a breathy laugh fall across your clit. One, then another, finger slipping into you moving in tandem with his tongue.

Only one other guy has gone down on you and it was not as nearly intense or agonizing pleasurable as this—to the point where your thighs are closing in around his head, hands in his hair. Back arching. You feel like a woman crazed, like you had no idea you could feel this searing, pleasure this good.

You mean to say something, to warn him, to say any words that you can dredge up from the crevice of your dysfunctional brain; but all you can do is scream as you come against his mouth, as your pussy convulses around his fingers. Your hips rolling up into him, thighs shaking, body spasming as his name falls from your lips like a sinful prayer.

“Munson,” you whine, pulling at his chin once you’ve come down enough to function. Once you can finally see something other than the white bursts of light across your vision. Eddie’s tongue still running along your sensitive clit to the point of oversensitivity, that you have to pull him up.

His chin and cheeks are damp, bangs pressed to his forehead. Find yourself laughing at his tousled hair—no thanks to your fingers. There’s a cheshire grin stretched across his face as he runs the back of his hand over his mouth. Crawling up your body to hover over you and kiss you, a whimper coming from your throat as you taste yourself on his tongue.

“Wow.” You breathe, smile over at him as he rolls back to his side beside you. A palm resting over where your heart is still beating a mile a minute.

“I’ll take it.” Your laughs are in unison as a look of triumph flashes in those big eyes.

“If only you were that much of an eager learner in school, might have graduated, joined me on the road to success.” You pick.

“Not even seconds after I make her come and she’s already wounding me.” His chuckle muffled by the press of another kiss to your lips. “Better than lover boy?” Eddie teases.

“Can’t compare something that never happened.”

He makes a disgusted noise from the back of his throat, “no wonder you left him for the steerage.”

You hum nodding, turning your head to the side to press a kiss to his throat. Would it be too sentimental of you to tell him that he’s better than anyone you’ve been with? That no one has ever made you come that hard, not even yourself. That you can feel your wetness rolling down your ass cheeks and inner thighs from how wet he made you.

It could be a mood killer, sentiment isn't even your thing.

Plus it’s his turn now. Fair’s fair right?

There’s no complaint from Eddie as you move on top of him, roll your hips against his hardness, the seam of his jeans making you shudder from still feeling over-sensitive, as you move down the length of his body to rid him of his jeans and take him into your mouth.

“Here.” There’s a cassette tape gripped in his hand, the back of his head resting on the headrest of the driver's seat. You’re parked in the same spot he picked you up earlier, a block from your house. “Since you liked it so much,” he smiles.

Sentiment. Fuck.

Your smile is too cheesy and girlish for you to wrap any logistics into your head about it just being a tape, as you take it from and see his band name in black marker at the top. Your stomach fluttering. A simple gift that's not a big deal. You have to remind yourself as you try not to lean over and kiss him on that beautiful mouth of his.

“Here,” you say as you pull off your underwear and drop them into his lap. “A gift for a gift.”

You don’t let yourself stick around to see the heart-palpating look in his eyes as he grips the fabric in his hand and laughs, shouting “gold doubloons could never compare!” out of the open window. Making you press a finger to your lips, shooting daggers at him through the windshield as you pick up the pace towards your house. Trying to quiet your giggles and wipe the big girlish grin on your face.

[abimess]

Hello! I know it may be cliche to ask, but can I request an AU fanfic with Wanda and the reader? Where they’re both in high school and Wanda’s like the “ice queen,” but secretly dating the clumsy reader? Thanks!

Hi, anon! First of all, I’m sorry this took so long, but I had absolutely no idea how to write it (and if I’m honest, I don’t even know if I succeeded) lol I ended up watching Mean Girls to get inspired and I guess it’s pretty obvious throughout the story. Anyway, hope you like it and that it was somehow close to what you were expecting. I had fun writing this so thanks for the request!

Oh, and I’m sorry for any mistakes. English is not my native language and I’m also kinda dumb. 

Good reading!

She was golden, you were plastic

Wanda Maximoff x Reader

Summary: After Wanda, the most popular girl at school, falls in love with the “nobody”, she has to choose between her reputation or her clumsy lover.

Word count: 2.034

Warnings: insinuation of sex (not smut); angst; fluff

You do NOT have permission to repost or translate my work on any platforms (even with credit)

Masterlist | Library Blog | ⭐Director’s Cut⭐ (Read on: Wattpad | AO3)

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You would say that your high school was like any other high school.

There were the jocks (or how you usually call them, jerks) that were basically a bunch of loud savages with a highly doubtful IQ. The highlight of the group was, of course, Steve Rogers aka the golden boy. Every teacher loves him so he never gets caught for any of his bullshit.

There were also the good-ats and the brains, apparently led by Bruce Banner and Tony Stark. Although Stark was a particular case because he would also be seeing hanging out with the popular kids but you were sure that was only because he was (absurdly) rich.  

There were the emos/goths that you were always too scared to look twice so you didn’t know any of them. The only member of the group that you’ve ever talked to was Thor, but you’re pretty sure he was only there to be with his brother, Loki. Thor was a good person, he was always nice with everyone and you often giggle at how he looks like a golden retriever surrounded by a bunch of grumpy black cats.

And last but not least, the popular kids, the top of the food chain of high school. You didn’t actually get the whole popularity thing, apparently the only criterions were beauty and money. So that was no surprise that the most popular of all them was Wanda Maximoff. Wanda was the leader of the populars. In fact, the leader of the entire school. Everyone either wanted to be her or to be with her. And she was well aware of that.

Oh, and there was you. You’re just a regular kid, really, not fitting in on any group. You could say you were a loner, maybe. Some people would call you a nobody but you didn’t mind. You never liked the attention anyway. The only person you could maybe consider a friend was Natasha, but you two only talked at the corridors because her locker was right next to yours.

But all that changed almost three months ago when you started dating Wanda. Yes, yes, you know, a nobody and the most popular girl at school? That’s absurd! Well, if you were honest, you didn’t understand it either. But things weren’t simple. In fact, they were really complicated. But we better start from the beginning.

You didn’t actually know how it all started, if you were honest, so you would say it was when the two of you spoke for the first time.

You were rushing over the corridors, late for your chemistry class, and suddenly you bump into someone, knocking over the books they were carrying.

You mumble a bunch of apologies as you pick the books up and you hear the girl complaining irritated that you should be more careful. The moment you hand her the books and the two of you lock eyes she stops talking. You mentally curse yourself repeatedly when you realize who it was and you think you’re screwed as you see Wanda eyeing you with a quite indecipherable expression.  

She gently picks the books from your hands and you adjust your glasses in an attempt to relieve the nervousness. Wanda seems to analyze the action attentively.

- Thank you. – She says and you try to ignore how her voice brings goosebumps all over your body. You feel your cheeks heating up and you hope she doesn’t notice, but by the way she smiles at you, you think she did.

She leaves without saying another word and it takes a while for you to remember why you were in such a hurry in the first place. When you do, you rush throughout the corridors again.

 -----

 After that small and awkward encounter, you and Wanda would often lock eyes at school. She would always smile and you would always blush. The redhead adored your shyness and adored even more how it would only increase because of her.  

Despite all that, you never talked to each other. What you totally understood considering the enormous social gap between the two of you. A girl like Wanda would never want to be friends with you anyway.

That’s why you startle when you heard her voice greeting you from behind, causing you to almost drop all the books you were putting on your locker.

- Hey! – You said, trying to ignore the anxiety that was taking over you as you looked into Wanda’s green eyes.

- You’re good at chemistry, right? – She ask and you just nod excessively. Why her eyes had to be so green?! – Great! Do you think you can help me? I’m terrible at chemistry and I’m failing hard.

- Sure. – You decide to use words this time but you regret completely when you manage to stutter every single syllable.

- Awesome! – She says sounding really excited and hands you a card containing time and address. – See you later, then?

You nod again offering her a shy smile and when she leaves you feel your legs getting numb with what just happened.

 -----

 When you arrive, you try not to freak out at how Wanda’s house is easily four times bigger than yours. It doesn’t take long for Wanda to open the door for you after you knocked.

As she leads you through the house you feel the anxiety taking over you and you take deep breaths to calm it down. But chemistry is one of the few things that calm you down, so soon enough you’re feeling very relaxed, talking about a subject you love so much. You were feeling comfortable enough for even make jokes once in a while and of course Wanda noticed it.

The redhead observed your abrupt change of behavior in curiosity and endearing. She would never tell you this, but she was not that bad at chemistry. She just wanted an excuse to spend time with you and, observing you for the past few weeks, she thought that would be the perfect opportunity.

Soon enough this studying encounters became a two times a week thing and before you knew it, you were falling in love with each other. But you would never tell her that, because she obviously would never feel the same way. And Wanda would never tell you either, because even though she thought you might feel the same way, it would change her school dynamic completely and she was not ready for that.

But there you were, talking so passionately about all these equations and she couldn’t take it anymore.

Wanda’s lips advancing towards yours was something you never thought would actually happen so when it did, your brain short-circuit and it takes you a few seconds to properly react to the action.

It’s no surprise to say that the studying was completely forgotten as you spent the rest of the afternoon making out with Wanda.

On the next day at school you expected things to be different and was a little disappointed when they didn’t. But of course they wouldn’t, because you would always be the nobody and Wanda would always be the most popular kid.  

Things went like that for a while and you thought they were getting kind of serious since Wanda was calling you by pet names whenever the two of you were alone. And you were trying to convince yourself that as long as Wanda would treat you like she did, it was alright, because you’ve never felt so loved and wanted in your entire life.

But that wasn’t entirely truth, because the more she pretended that you two were not a thing (in fact, pretending the two of you weren’t even friends), the more you felt like she was embarrassed of you and that what the two of you had was not serious for her.

A hard bump by the side of your body woke you up from your thoughts, making you fall on the ground.

- Oops, sorry there, (Y/l/n), didn’t see you. – You heard Rogers say as you got up, Nat helping you. He had this stupid smirk on his face that showed you he was not sorry at all. He was about to say something else, but someone stopped him.

- Leave her alone, Rogers. – Wanda’s voice sounded from behind you and you didn’t have to see her to know she was angry. When you turn to face her, she doesn’t look at you.

Steve puts his arms up in surrender, a grin still playing on his face and then walks away. Wanda also leaves, not even bothering to talk to you. You think about going after her and saying something, but you give up when you notice she was being followed by some popular girls whose only personality trait was to adore Wanda.

- What the hell was that? – Nat asks with frown brows and an amused smirk. – I didn’t know you were friends with the plastic queen.

Nat would usually call the popular girls the plastics, Wanda being the plastic queen, because they were all fake and shaped to be perfect. But Wanda wasn’t like that, not with you at least. Wanda was golden. Resistant and bright, blinding you with all of her features. For all that matters, you were the plastic one, ready to bend over as she pleases whenever she heated you enough.

- I’m not. – You answer, clenching your jaw, a bitter taste on your mouth. – I just help her with chemistry.

You walk in silence to your classroom and try your best to avoid looking at Wanda for the rest of the day.

 -----

 When you arrive at Wanda’s place she greets you with a happy smile and takes you by the hand, leading you to her room.

- I wanna show you something. – She says animatedly and you can’t help but giggle.

You sit on her bed as you listen to her talking from the bathroom about the winter talent show and how she found the perfect costume and choreography. When Wanda steps out of the bathroom, your brain immediately stops. The redhead is wearing a Santa Claus costume that barely covers 30% of her body, her hair falling perfectly over her shoulders.

As she shows you the choreography you try not to choke and you almost feel bad about all the definitely not Christmassy thoughts you were having. When she finishes, you are too shocked to say anything and Wanda is amused at your speechless state.

- What is it, (Y/n/n)? – She asks mischievously as she walks slowly towards you. Blood pounding in your ears as she does so. – Didn’t you like my outfit? – She says, sitting on your lap and you’re pretty sure you’ll die at any minute now. – You can always take it off, you know.

She says in a whisper, but before you could answer she is kissing you. Your hands travel down her skirt as she holds your neck. When you parted for air, she rests her forehead against yours.

- I love you. – Wanda says in a shy confession and you open your eyes immediately. When she notices you don’t say anything she gets off of your lap and you miss her warmth immediately. She sits by your side on the bed, her brows frowned in concern. – You don’t have to say it back. It’s… It’s okay if you don’t, really…

- I do. – You interrupt her and she relaxes her shoulders. – I love you too. A lot, actually.

Wanda smiles at you and you reciprocate, but she stops when notices a weird expression on your face.

- What’s wrong? – She asks and you sigh.

- I just… I’m not sure if you love me.

- Excuse me? – She asks, her brows raised in annoyance at what you just said.

- Why do you pretend like we barely know each other at school? – You asks and Wanda opens her mouth the slightest, but doesn’t say a thing. She looks surprised at your question and you swallow dryly before speaking again. - Are you embarrassed of me?

- Of course not! – Wanda answer before you even finish your sentence, her heart aching at you feeling that way. She was never embarrassed of you. She loves you, you are her favorite person.

- What is it then?

- I just… - She starts and mumbles somethings afterwards, but no actual words come out of her mouth. You close your eyes.

- I should better get going, then. – You say slowly and Wanda curses herself for not saying anything as you walked away.

Wanda laid down on her bed, replaying the conversation you just had over and over again. She wasn’t embarrassed of you. But she knew that assuming your relationship would change completely her dynamic at school. What if her friends stopped talking to her? Worse, what if they were mean to you? Of course she would defend you, just like she did when Steve pushed you on the corridor the other day. But the idea of you getting hurt because of her was absolutely unbearable.

The redhead buried her face on the pillow with a groan, deciding if keeping things the way they always were was worth losing you.

 -----

 You arrive at school on the next morning with an intense migraine as you overthought the conversation with Wanda from the afternoon before.

You were pretty sure she would just ignore you and eventually glance you angry looks as she usually did when she was jealous or when you did something that upset her (although you never really knew what those things were exactly).  

That’s why when you hear her voice greeting you as you’re taking your books from your locke, you startle. You close your locker and turn to talk to her, but before you can say anything, she kisses you, pushing you against the lockers. The shock causing you to drop your book.

The sound of surprised gasps and talking around you went completely unnoticed as you place your hands on Wanda’s waist, pushing her closer to you.

- Good morning. – She says when you parted, a silly smile on her face. – I guess you dropped your book.

- Yeah, I guess I did. – You say with a silly giggle as you get down to pick up the object. When you stand up straight again, Wanda is still looking at you with a loving smile. – Why…

- I love you. – She interrupted you, holding your free hand and giving it a little squeeze. - I mean that.

- I love you too. – You say well aware you’re blushing, but that’s okay because so is Wanda. The redhead gives you a long kiss on the cheek and when she moves away, you can feel the reminisces of her lipstick on your skin. You move your hand to remove them but Wanda stops you.

- Don’t. I want everyone to know you’re mine. – She says with a smirk and winks at you. After she says she’ll see you at lunch, she kisses you again and leaves, although you find it really hard to let her go.

You stay there, probably looking like an idiot, watching as she walks away and when she looks back to see you again, you feel your heart dancing on your chest.

- When you said you were helping her with chemistry I thought you were talking about the subject. – You hear Natasha says by your side and you look at her, not even knowing when she got there in the first place. She has a playful smirk on her face and you just roll your eyes, but you can’t help but smile widely.

As you walk towards the classroom and sit on your regular desk, you hear people talking about you all around. But you are too happy to care.

 -----

 At lunch you spot Wanda sitting at one of the tables at the cafeteria and when you lock eyes with her, she waves her hand and smile, inviting you to go sit with her. You walk towards the table and try not to blush with the curious looks her friends give you.

She introduces you to every one of them and you say your hellos in the least shy way you can, but you’re pretty sure you’re not succeeding. You end up finding out that her friends were actually really nice, mainly Monica, who you find out likes the same music you do.

Everything is going pretty well but you are really shy so you avoid talking much and Wanda doesn’t push you, keeping her hand in yours the whole time.

You take your time observing Wanda. The way she laughs, the way she talks, the way she looks at you to make sure you were okay. Everything about her was breathtaking. She draws all the attention to her without even trying. And there you were, deeply in love with the redhead, willing to do anything for her. Wanda was golden, you were plastic.

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And that's it for today! I hope you enjoyed it, thoughts and comments are always welcome ツ

Special Part

[escapetoluna]

How to learn a language when you don’t know where to start:

General Plan:

Weeks 1 and 2: Purpose:

Learn the fundamentals sentence construction

Learn how to spell and count

Start building a phrase stockpile with basic greetings

The Alphabet

Numbers 1 - 100

Subject Pronouns

Common Greetings

Conjugate the Two Most Important Verbs: to be and to have

Basic Definite and Indefinite Articles

Weeks 3 and 4: Purpose:

Learn essential vocabulary for the day-to-day

Start conjugating regular verbs

Days of the Week and Months of the Year

How to tell the time

How to talk about the weather

Family Vocabulary

Present Tense Conjugations Verbs

Weeks 5 and 6: Purpose:

Warm up with the last of the day-to-day vocabulary

Add more complex types of sentences to your grammar

Colours

House vocabulary

How to ask questions

Present Tense Conjugations Verbs

Forming negatives

Weeks 7 and 8: Purpose:

Learn how to navigate basic situations in a region of your target language country

Finish memorising regular conjugation rules

Food Vocabulary and Ordering at Restaurants

Money and Shopping Phrases

Present Tense Conjugations Verbs

Weeks 9 and 10: Purpose:

Start constructing descriptive and more complex sentences

Adjectives

Reflective verbs

Places vocabulary

Weeks 11 and 12: Purpose:

Add more complex descriptions to your sentences with adverbs

Wrap up vocabulary essentials

Adverbs

Parts of the body and medical vocabulary

Tips for Learning a Foreign Language:

Learning Vocabulary:

What vocabulary should I be learning?

There are hundreds of thousands of words in every language, and the large majority of them won’t be immediately relevant to you when you’re starting out.Typically, the most frequent 3000 words make up 90% of the language that a native speaker uses on any given day. Instead try to learn the most useful words in a language, and then expand outwards from there according to your needs and interests.

Choose the words you want/need to learn.

Relate them to what you already know.

Review them until they’ve reached your long-term memory.

Record them so learning is never lost.

Use them in meaningful human conversation and communication.

How should I record the vocabulary?

Learners need to see and/or hear a new word of phrase 6 to 17 times before they really know a piece of vocabulary.

Keep a careful record of new vocabulary.

Record the vocabulary in a way that is helpful to you and will ensure that you will practice the vocabulary, e.g. flashcards.

Vocabulary should be organised so that words are easier to find, e.g. alphabetically or according to topic.

Ideally when noting vocabulary you should write down not only the meaning, but the grammatical class, and example in a sentence, and where needed information about structure.

How should I practice using the vocabulary?

Look, Say, Cover, Write and Check - Use this method for learning and remembering vocabulary. This method is really good for learning spellings.

Make flashcards. Write the vocabulary on the front with the definition and examples on the back.

Draw mind maps or make visual representations of the new vocabulary groups.

Stick labels or post it notes on corresponding objects, e.g when learning kitchen vocabulary you could label items in your house.

How often should I be practising vocabulary?

A valuable technique is ‘the principle of expanding rehearsal’. This means reviewing vocabulary shortly after first learning them then at increasingly longer intervals.

Ideally, words should be reviewed:

5-10 minutes later

24 hours later

One week later

1-2 months later

6 months later

Knowing a vocabulary item well enough to use it productively means knowing:

Its written and spoken forms (spelling and pronunciation).

Its grammatical category and other grammatical information

Related words and word families, e.g. adjective, adverb, verb, noun.

Common collocations (Words that often come before or after it).

Receptive Skills: Listening and Reading

Reading is probably one of the most effective ways of building vocabulary knowledge.

Listening is also important because it occupies a big chunk of the time we spend communicating.

Tips for reading in a foreign language:

Start basic and small.  Children’s books are great practice for beginners. Don’t try to dive into a novel or newspaper too early, since it can be discouraging and time consuming if you have to look up every other word.

Read things you’ve already read in your native language. The fact that you at least know the gist of the story will help you to pick up context clues, learn new vocabulary and grammatical constructions.

Read books with their accompanying audio books. Reading a book while listening to the accompanying audio will improve your “ear training”. It will also help you to learn the pronunciation of words.

Tips for listening in a foreign language:

Watch films in your target language.

Read a book while also listening along to the audio book version.

Listen to the radio in your target language.

Watch videos online in your target language.

Activities to do to show that you’ve understood what you’ve been listening to:

Try drawing a picture of what was said.

Ask yourself some questions about it and try to answer them.

Provide a summary of what was said.

Suggest what might come next in the “story.”

Translate what was said into another language.

“Talk back” to the speaker to engage in imaginary conversation.

Productive Skills: Speaking and Writing

Tips for speaking in a foreign language:

If you can, try to speak the language every day either out loud to yourself or chat to another native speaker whether it is a colleague, a friend, a tutor or a language exchange partner. 

Write a list of topics and think about what you could say about each one. First you could write out your thoughts and then read them out loud. Look up the words you don’t know. You could also come up with questions at the end to ask someone else.

A really good way to improve your own speaking is to listen to how native speakers talk and imitate their accent, their rhythm of speech and tone of voice. Watch how their lips move and pay attention to the stressed sounds. You could watch interviews on YouTube or online news websites and pause every so often to copy what you have just heard. You could even sing along to songs sung in the target language.

Walk around the house and describe what you say. Say what you like or dislike about the room or the furniture or the decor. Talk about what you want to change.This gets you to practise every day vocabulary.

Tips for writing in a foreign language:

Practice writing in your target language. Keep it simple to start with. Beginner vocabulary and grammar concepts are generally very descriptive and concrete.

Practice writing by hand. Here are some things you can write out by hand:

Diary entries

Shopping lists

Reminders

What could I write about?

Write about your day, an interesting event, how you're feeling, or what you're thinking.

Make up a conversation between two people. 

Write a letter to a friend, yourself, or a celebrity. You don't need to send it; just writing it will be helpful.

Translate a text you've written in your native language into your foreign language.

Write a review or a book you've recently read or a film you've recently watched.

Write Facebook statuses, Tweets or Tumblr posts (whether you post them or not will be up to you).

Write a short story or poem.

Writing is one of the hardest things to do well as a non-native speaker of a language, because there’s no room to hide. 

There are lots of ways to improve your writing ability, but they can be essentially boiled down to three key components:

Read a lot

Write a lot

Get your writing corrected

[drakenology]

Arguments - feat Bakugo, Todoroki, Kirishima and Tamaki Amajiki

author’s note: i’m feeling angsty today. so this is gonna be about arguing with some of the bnha characters. anyone else feel off today? just me?

warnings: swearing, angst, fluff 🥺, and suggestive themes not full on smut. characters aged up! some of these are long.. i was feeling dramatic

headers from @annicon

Bakugo

as much as i love this man i can admit he would be SOO stubborn

would get frustrated easily

yells 🥺

he knows when to walk away when the conversation isn’t getting anywhere which is good

would NEVER hurt you (i’ve seen ppl write that this mf hits you... girl...domestic violence is not an aesthetic.)

he isn’t the best with words so it’ll take him a little while to admit he’s wrong because he can’t verbalize how sorry he is sometimes

when he does he’ll hug and kiss you and apologize like a million times after he’s done being a stubborn little prick.

gives you the best “i’m sorry “ dick imaginable holy shit

Bakugo done did it. He pissed you off. You were already having a terrible day and then you come home to this motherfucker with a bunch of people over after you told him that you weren’t in the mood for company. So for the rest of the night when everyone left, you gave him the silent treatment knowing that he HATES when you ignore him on purpose.

“Y/N?”

You say nothing, continuing scrolling through your phone to look like you were preoccupied.

“Y/N, what’s your problem? I know you hear me.” Bakugo persists.

You ignore him, turning your back to face him. He grunts and grabs your shoulder, turning you back around to face him.

“Y/N if you’re pissed at me just say that. But ignoring me is fucking immature and it’s pissing me off!” He yells. Translation: “What did I do? 🥺”

“I’M pissing YOU off!? That’s funny. Because it��s not like you didn’t completely ignore my fucking feelings tonight. Why did you invite Kirishima and Denki over after I specifically said I didn’t feel like playing fucking HOSTESS!” You shout back, throwing your phone somewhere.

“Are you serious!? I never told them to come here they just showed up. What was I supposed to do tell them to piss off!?” Katsuki asked.

“YES!” You scream, annoyed that he’s not getting the reason why you’re upset. You never minded having Bakugo’s friends over but you just wanted to have a calm night with just the two of you. You were exhausted and fixing dinner for you and 3 other people and listening to loud chatter about sports and video games was not on your to-do list.

“This is so fucking petty! I don’t get why you’re so mad that they came over.” Katsuki said shrugging his shoulders.

“That’s the problem, idiot! You don’t fucking get it! I worked all day today. I just wanted us to relax but no, you wanted to have a fucking guys night in my living room! It’s the complete disregard for my feelings that’s pissing me off not the fact that they came. I told you I was tired and you having them come over anyways was like a big fuck you to me!” You explain, your face pulled into a face Katsuki knows is your angry face. Bakugo sighs, not ready to admit that he was wrong.

“Tch. Whatever. I’m gonna go sleep on the fucking couch. Let me know when you’re done being fucking frigid.” He shouts, clearly out of anger.

“Fine.”

“Fine!”

Katsuki leaves your shared room and slammed the door, you throwing yourself onto the bed. You feel tears sting your eyes as you sob into your pillow. You hated fighting with Bakugo, and you knew he hated it too. He has a hard time expressing himself without getting defensive sometimes. But you knew he felt bad. You sigh and close your eyes and go to sleep.

The next morning you get up from bed and get ready to start your day. You shower and brush your teeth, you and Bakugo strategically avoiding each other all morning to go and do your daily routines. You didn’t utter a word to each other. Just questions and short answers.

“Got work?”

“Yup.”

“When?”

“7:30.”

The silence killed you both as you sat at the table and ate breakfast, Bakugo’s face pulled into a frown as he ate. You roll your eyes and go to put your dishes in the sink and grab his once he’s done. You can hear him get up from his chair as you wash both your plates and dry them. You had assumed he was leaving so you just wash all the rest of the dishes without turning your back. Suddenly you felt familiar arms wrap around your waist.

“Let me go.” You say, tearing up at the sudden touch. He was trying to make up with you and you were so ready to forgive him. The tension was almost too much to bear. This fight was small and it turned into something way bigger than need be.

“Not until you listen to me. I’m sorry, ok? I should have never yelled at you the way I did. And calling you frigid wasn’t ok either. I shoulda just told everyone to go home. We have those dumbasses over all the time. One night wouldn’t have killed me. I’m sorry. Can we just forget this shit ever happened? I hate it when you’re mad at me.” He pleaded, burrowing his face into the crook of your neck. You smile and turn around to look at his face, cupping his cheeks in both your hands as you stand on you tip toes to kiss him. He kisses you back eagerly, happy that you and him are back on good terms. He pulled away from the heated kiss and looks at the clock on the microwave.

“6:30...we still have an hour to kill. If you’re late I’ll drop you off.” Katsuki says, his eyes turning dark with feral lust.

“Late? What are yo-“ you’re interrupted by Bakugo pulling you into your bedroom with determination to make things right.. his way.

Tamaki (🥺 my new found love)

Tamaki is NOT a confrontational person so arguing with you is really hard. He hates raising his voice or even getting to a point to where he’s angry because he doesn’t want to think about hurting you in anyway.

He’ll shut down and turn cold or try and act nonchalant.

he might even avoid conflict by changing the subject

if he’s riled up enough though he’ll cuss you out.. to his dismay

doesn’t like being mad at you and vice versa

hates arguments.. like honestly can you just get over it so he can eat you out now?

speaking of eating you out, he gives apology head and he won’t stop until you say you forgive him.

Tamaki didn’t like to admit it but he was really jealous. Like really really jealous like YANDERE type jealous. You and him were out to dinner with Mirio so you were all chatting about mindless nothing, catching up like you always do. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary for you but to Tamaki it appeared that Mirio was a little too playful at dinner with you. He was cracking jokes and poking fun and Tamaki took it as him flirting with you; which Mirio would never disrespect your relationship like that. Rage sat in the pit of Tamaki’s chest as you laugh at all his jokes. He was furious but hid it pretty well for the night.

“And then Tamaki wet himself in front of the whole class when I scared him with my quirk in middle school. Can you believe it?” Mirio laughs, causing you to laugh at the thought.

“Oh leave him alone, Togata.” You giggle, waving your hand in front of your face to stop the tears from laughter. He had been making you laugh all night all to Tamaki’s disliking. He was quiet all dinner, which you noticed immediately after Togata’s last joke.

“Hey Tamaki, is everything ok?” You ask, concerned that he might not want to be out anymore.

“Yeah.” He said coldly. “Actually I’m just gonna go to the car. I feel kinda sick.” He stands from his seat and walks to the exit, absolutely fucking furious that you were “flirting” with his childhood friend right in front of him.

“Awkward. What’s up with him?” Mirio asks, completely dumb founded by Tamaki’s sudden disappearance.

“I dunno. I’m gonna go to the car and see what’s wrong. Do you mind?” You ask, standing from your seat.

“Nah that’s cool. I’m actually gonna head out. You go on ahead, Y/N. I’ll take care of the tab.. this time.” Mirio jokes. You giggle and thank him, walking towards the exit. You walk through the parking lot and find the car, seeing Tamaki sitting in the passenger side with his arms crossed across his chest. What was his deal? You open the car door and sit in the driver’s side to meet a thick tension.

“What’s wrong Tamaki? Do you really feel sick or are you upset with me?” You ask.

“Why don’t you ask Mirio? I’m sure he’ll be able to answer since he’s the only guy you talked to all night. It was like I wasn’t even there.” Tamaki says, calm but obviously pestered.

“Is that was this is about? Tama you know it wasn’t like that. Mirio has always been a jokester what’s the difference now?” You ask, getting a little upset at his accusation.

“The difference is that he was trying to make a pass at you. He was so obviously flirting with you.” He says, his tone becoming stern. You’re shocked at how he was getting, frowning at how unreasonable he was being.

“No he wasn’t, Tamaki.” You say, looking him dead in his eyes.

“Yes he was. I’m not about to fight with you about this he was clearly fucking flirting with you. He joked with you all night and you laughed at every single thing he said. You must want to fuck him, don’t you?” He asked, looking at you with some sort of betrayal in his eyes. This infuriates you.

“What are you talking about!? You know I would never cheat on you Tamaki. Especially not with your best friend. What’s with you!?” You ask sternly, not amused or pleased in the slightest.

“Whatever, Y/N.” Tamaki says, looking out the car window while turning the other way so he’s not facing your side of the car. He knew this was stupid and he knew your loyalty was never to be questioned but he couldn’t shake this feeling of jealousy.

“No. You don’t get to start a fight and then blow me off when you’re through arguing! Talk to me!” You yell, furious at this point. Tamaki shrugs, avoiding the situation entirely now.

“Just drive. I wanna go home.” He says, not taking his eyes off the view from his window. You roll your eyes and start the car, pulling out of the parking lot to start your way home. The drive home was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. You were so angry that you didn’t talk to Tamaki the whole way home, knowing you’d probably cuss him out if he said the wrong thing. Tamaki immediately felt bad after picking that fight. He didn’t know what came over him, he knew he had to make it up to you before you two go to bed angry with each other. You approach your shared apartment and park the car, silence still riddling the car. The tension between you both was intense and it scared you. You’ve never seen Tamaki this upset. Jealousy was always an issue for him but he’s never reacted this strongly.

“Y/N?” Tamaki says breaking the silence. You look at him, a little relieved that he’s talking to you again.

“I-I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that to you. I know you’d never cheat on me, of course. But I was just so jealous. It felt like you and Mirio were on a date and I was just the third wheel. The thought of him taking you from me drove me crazy. I wasn’t thinking. Can you forgive me?” He says, placing his hand on top of yours on the steering wheel. You sniffle, tearing up at his apology.

“Tamaki, I’m sorry I made you feel like that. I love you so much. No one could ever take your place, not even Mirio. I’d never betray you like that, ever.” You sob, tears flowing down your face. Tamaki questioning your loyalty really hurt your feelings and he hated seeing you cry.

“I know that. Please don’t cry. I’m so sorry, Y/N. It was so stupid of me to even assume.” He says, taking his hand and wiping your tears away. He took your hand and gave it a sweet kiss to soothe you, rubbing circles with his thumb on it as he consoled you. You giggle and wipe your tears, happy that you guys made up after that silly fight.

“Let’s go inside.”

Todoroki

arguments between you two get heated. It gets to a point where sometimes you don’t speak to each other for days. he’ll definitely give small reminders that he still loves you to butter you up to alleviate some of the tension.

raises his voice

just as stubborn as bakugo

to a fault of his upbringing facing his emotions was hard for him sometimes, causing him to be cold when you fight

when it’s time to get over it and make up he’ll make it a huge event; flowers, chocolates and lots of freaky apology sex

cant stand arguing with you just like tamaki but wont back down in the slightest

is sure he doesn’t say anything harsh to make the situation worse.

“Why are you being so stubborn?!” You shout at your bi-colored haired boyfriend. The two of you have been fighting all day to your surprise. Shoto was usually easy going and you two hardly fought. But today, a bug seemed to have crawled up Todoroki’s ass and he’s been picking fights all day. You’ve been arguing about small things like who left the bathroom light on or who ate the last hot pocket. Right now it was an argument about when you’re going to meet his father Endeavor. It’s been almost a year since you two have been together and you don’t even think his father knows you exist.

“For the last time Y/N we’re not going to my dad’s house. That’s final! You can argue with yourself about this. End of discussion.” Shoto says, very annoyed at the thought of being near his father. He still couldn’t stand him, even as an adult. He can’t bring himself to bring you around him because he knows how he can be. If he even says something slightly rude to you he’ll flip the fuck out. You groan in frustration, wishing he’d at least consider.

“He doesn’t know we’re together does he!? What am I to you some secret? Why did you stay with me all this time if your family doesn’t even know I exist !?” You shout, tearing up with seering anger.

“It’s not that. Of course he knows we’re together; my whole family knows! Why do you want to involve him so badly?!” Shoto yells.

“Why wouldn’t I want to meet my fucking boyfriend’s father!? You’re not making any sense.” You say, getting more and more frustrated as Shoto makes excuses.

“You know what? Fine. We’ll go meet him tomorrow. But as soon as he treats you like you’re not good enough for me don’t be surprised when I tell you I fucking told you so. God you can be so stubborn sometimes.” Shoto shouts, rolling his eyes at you.

“Oh I’M stubborn!? That’s rich coming from you. You’re being so unreasonable right now. I know you and your father-“

“YOU DONT KNOW SHIT ABOUT MY FATHER. Stop speaking on things you haven’t the first idea about!” Shoto yells, punching a nearby wall. (Oop.) You flinch, shocked at how angry he got so quickly. You tear up and run off to your bedroom, Todoroki immediately regretting getting so upset with you. He scared you and that’s something he never wanted to do to you under any circumstances. You cried yourself to sleep that night, angry that things got so heated. Why did he react like that? And why was he treating you as if you knew nothing about him and his father. He would vent to you about him all the time and you gave him advice when you could. But tonight you felt like you were nothing but an outsider. Shoto didn’t even bother coming into the room. He couldn’t face you after making you cry. Right now, he hated himself for treating you like that. He was just so afraid of his father’s judgement he didn’t want him to hurt your feelings with how crass he was. If Endeavor found the slightest thing wrong with you he’d never let you or him forget it. He could hear him now calling you unworthy of the Todoroki name. The thought alone enraged him. In his own cryptic way, he was trying to protect you from him but this was no way to do it nor did he have the right. Todoroki slept on the couch, missing your warmth against him in your bed.

The next morning the two of you drove to the Todoroki estates in silence. You were still pissed at him and Shoto didn’t want to say anything to further upset you. He was annoyed he was making this trip in the first place but he knew he had to man up for your sake. It was unfair of him to try and keep you away from his family especially since you would one day take on his name and be a part of the family when he married you. He knew he couldn’t keep you away forever, but god couldn’t he have had a little more time? He dreaded this day.

“Ready?” Shoto asks coldly, trying to hide his remorse from his tone. You nod, getting out of the car before he could walk over and open the door for you. Shoto is surprised and gets out with you, guiding you to his old home. He can’t lie, he’s so fucking nervous. What if he hates you? Not that he cares what he thinks, he’ll marry you anyway but still. He at least wants his blessing. You walk with Shoto to the main room of the home and wait for Endeavor to come downstairs. Suddenly you hear footsteps from across the room. It was him. He was tall and his aura was so dark and intimidating.

“You must be Y/N.” Endeavor says, looking down at your small frame. You nod, a wave of nervousness shooting through your body.

“N-Nice to meet you sir.” You bow respectfully.

“No need for that. Please, have a seat.” Endeavor says gesturing to the couch. You and Shoto sit down next to each other, Endeavor following suit by sitting across from you two.

“So.. how long have you two been together?” Endeavor asks, his booming voice almost sending an echo throughout the empty room. You gulp and look towards Shoto.

“10 months.” He answers for you, taking your hand to calm you. You’re still mad at him but god you’re glad he’s doing his best to ease your anxiety.

“And you just now arrange a meeting? Hm.” Endeavor questions, looking at you as if he was scanning you to find something irredeemable about you. You look down at your lap, unable to keep eye contact with the intimidating man.

“I-I wanted to meet with you sooner. Me and Shoto fought about coming here last night but I convinced him.” You say nervously.

“I see. You seem like an ok girl. Shoto has had his fair share of.. inadequate women in his life so, you’re a step up from the rest.” Endeavor says, motioning for a maid to make you all some tea. You laugh nervously, Shoto squeezing your hand in annoyance. Was that a compliment?

“You two seem like you’ve been fighting.” Endeavor says suddenly, observing both your body language. You’re both shocked as you turn to look at each other. How’d he know that?

“What’s it to you?” Shoto asks, glaring at his father.

“Oh nothing. But if you’re planning on marrying this girl it’s probably best to not argue too much with her. Hell, she might up and leave.”

Shoto looks at you, pain in his eyes. The look on his face alone said “I’m sorry.” Shoto hated to admit it but his father was right. Fighting as much as you have been, especially the fight you had last night was toxic and could take a toll on your relationship.

You smile at him and turn to Endeavor

“I’d never leave him.” You say, snuggling closer to Shoto as he blushed. He was embarrassed that he was being so vulnerable around his father but he knew that only you could make this happen.

After a long conversation with Endeavor and Shoto, you leave with a feeling that you might have won him over. You think? He was hard to read, just like Shoto. He was more like his father than he likes to admit. Shoto opens the car door for you to get inside and then walks to the drivers side to come in. You sit in the car for a while, silent until Shoto grabs you and leans over to kiss you. You kiss him back, tearing up into the kiss.

“I’m sorry, snowflake. I can’t believe I raised my voice at you like that. I was just so scared that he was gonna hate you and say something disrespectful. I should have just told you that instead of being defensive. I’m so so sorry I scared you. Please forgive me. ” He pleaded, peppering kissing on your face.

“I know. And I forgive you.” You giggle, pulling Todoroki closer to you to kiss him again.

Kirishima

Out of all the boys he’s the least stubborn when it comes to fighting. But don’t be fooled, he’ll argue you down. he’s very good at managing his temper when it comes to you.

Regrets starting a fight in the first place

Just wants to cuddle and go back to normal

But when he’s angry hooo boy

doesn’t even yell, he’s like a calm angry which is terrifying

tries talking over you, trying to plead his case

will not rest until the situation is resolved and over with so you guys can move on

like all the others... apology sex

will try not to lose his patience

You and Kirishima had been together for a while now so it was only inevitable that you two have your first fight. You were always a vigilant person and wanted to help others even though you were quirkless like Deku was at one point. Kirishima is protective of you to a fault and the thought of you getting hurt or worse didn’t sit well with him at all. You assured him that you were capable of taking care of yourself and protecting yourself but he wasn’t having any of it. You spent years perfecting your martial arts skills, training your ass off for countless hours everyday and he knew that. But he didn’t want you to one day meet your match without him there to protect you.

“Y/N, drop it. You’re not going on missions with me and that’s final. It’s too dangerous.” Eijiro said, his brows furrowed. He was trying not to lose his patience with you but you kept insisting. He just wished you’d forget about this whole thing; for your safety.

“You don’t have the right to tell me what I can and can’t do! I’m fully capable for taking care of myself and you know that.” You yell, irritated at your boyfriend underestimating your abilities. Eijiro sighs and stands up from the couch to stand in front of you, inching so close you could almost kiss.

“I’ll die before I let you go out there. Do you know what would happen to me; to your friends and family if something happened to you!? We’d be crushed. Please just drop this.” Kirishima says, wanting to avoid this conversation all together. But alas, nothing was changing your mind. You were very head strong and stubborn to no avail so you weren’t going down without a fight.

“You can’t stop me!” You yell

“Oh I can’t?” Eijiro challenged.

“No. You can’t. You can’t treat me like a child, Eijiro.” You say. “How can you say I’m not ready if you don’t give me a chance to prove I am!?”

“Because you just aren’t! Okay!? You say you’re not a child but you’re acting like one and a petulant one at that. Just drop it! God, you can be so stubborn sometimes. Don’t you see I’m just trying to keep you safe!?” Kirishima yells, instantly regretting raising his voice at you and losing his cool. You tear up, furious that he’s treating you like some kid. You grab your stuff and prepare to leave his apartment.

“Where are you going?” Kirishima sighs

“Fuck you, Eijiro.” You say, walking away from him and going outside to cool off. Kirishima tries to grab you before you leave but you snatch your arm away from him and walk outside with a huff and a slam of the door. You wipe your hot tears away and start aimlessly walking down the street to go home. Hell, you don’t even know your way home from Eijiro’s place but you’ll be damned if you go back there. As you walk you see Kirishima’s car pull up to the side of you, driving slowly to keep up with your walking pace.

“Y/N please get in the car.” He says out the car window

“No! I don’t wanna talk to you so just go away!” You yell, continuing to walk as the brisk wind assaults your bare skin. Dammit you forgot your coat.

“Y/N! You’re being ridiculous just please get in the car. You left your jacket; it’s freezing out here!” Eijiro shouts, getting out of the car and grabbing you to pull you inside. You groan, obviously being overpowered by your strong boyfriend. Kirishima slams the door and gets back inside, drives back to his apartment and parks in the driveway. He sighs and leans his head on the steering wheel.

“I’m sorry I got so heated with you. But can you blame me? I’m worried about you. Sure we’ll be on these missions together but what if something happens? What if I’m not there to protect you when something goes wrong? These missions are unpredictable; anything could happen and I’d literally die if even a scratch is put on you.” Eijiro pleads. You start crying, sniffling at his words. He was right to be worried.

“I love you, Eijiro and I appreciate you being so concerned about me. But that doesn’t give you the right to shelter me. You can’t just force me to not follow my dream.” You sob, wiping your tears away. Eijiro grabs your hand and kisses it.

“I know. I just can’t bear the thought of you being hurt. But if this is what you really want, I have no choice but to at least see this through.” Kirishima says, holding your small hand in his two massive ones. You smile, putting your other hand on top of his.

“Thank you. Also, I’m sorry for saying fuck you to you. That was mean.” You say pouting.

“It was. Hurt my feelings.” Eijiro said faking sadness, immediately laughing as he watched your face frown up again at the thought of hurting his feelings.

“Oh shut up.”

[clanoffetts]

Rite of Movement

Movement, Chapter 2 - Thrawn x F!Reader

series summary: Mitth'raw'nuruodo is new to the Empire. And, as far as the Empire knows, new to just about everything else, too. When you’re put in place to help the new Lieutenant excel in the Imperial Academy so he may graduate in a few months, rather than years, you must navigate the Empire together, as well as other, more complicated things, too.

warnings: NSFW, 18+; swearing; oral sex (m and f receiving); imperial cadet!reader; alien dick

word count: 4.5k

series masterlist

The alarm clock goes off in Thrawn and Eli’s room. Eli is out of bed before Thrawn, a rare occurrence. “Thrawn?”

“Yes, Cadet?” Thrawn responds from his bed.

“Just making sure you’re awake,” Eli says, making his way into the ‘fresher.

Thrawn lays in his bed, eyes clamped shut, attempting to meditate away the hard-on under the thin Imperial issued blanket. Thrawn accomplishes his goal shortly before Eli emerges from the ‘fresher in his cadet’s uniform.

Thrawn’s lieutenant’s plaque shines in the bright lights of the hallway as he and Vanto make their way to the mess. You and Caiera are already there, sitting alone at a table talking over your shakes.

“I think I see the Pantoran,” Caiera says. “His friend is kind of hot.”

You shake your head at her. “Maker, Caiera, the Academy isn’t for dating.”

“Why not? I’m hot...he’s hot..” she shrugs. “You should set me up with him when you give Thrawn lessons.”

“Caiera-” You’re cut off by the loud buzzer signaling all of you off to your morning classes. “See you for lunch!” You call to her before heading off to a tactical analysis class.

Tactical analysis is a breeze for you, all the problems posed by your computer are easy to solve, not to mention almost identical to some of the problems you have already solved.

Thrawn is equally as bored on the other side of the Academy, formulating combinations of pre-existing Imperial plans to destroy the AI insurgents on his own screen. His fingers key at the datapad and screens with ease, taking out group after group until the program recycles the generated enemies. Thrawn sees his peers struggle, a few looking over at him as he takes out targets, their stance holding contempt and frustration as they settle back to their own screens.

Eventually, Thrawn practically goes on autopilot, his mind wandering back to you. He saw you in the mess that morning, relaxed and comfortable, laughing with another girl. Vanto had elbowed him to stop staring, saying it wasn’t polite, but then teasing him when they sat down. Thrawn isn’t really sure what ‘down bad’ means, but he was too concerned with keeping his eyes off of you and gulping the protein shake to ask.

You were still on Thrawn’s mind when he made his way to the designated training room. In your eight lessons, Thrawn was never late. You were always early. Today is no different. Thrawn enters the room quietly, observing you as you run through fairly quick yoga sequences. He’s never seen you do yoga before, so now he observes your body. Your breath is measured and maintained despite the tough poses, Thrawn knows your body is struggling as your muscles shake while you settle into a squat as the next pose in your sequence.

You’re gorgeous, he realizes,watching you move and contort rhythmically, as if there was a drum beat echoing through the room. And when you twist your torso to the side, you notice him. Immediately, Thrawn observes, your breathing is off kilter and you stumble out of the pose. “Lieutenant, you startled me,” you laugh off your embarrassment.

“I am sorry, vutucni,” he says, using the nickname he’d assigned to you a few lessons ago. You don’t know what it means, and when you’ve asked Thrawn he says he doesn’t know the Basic translation. And he always seems to forget to ask Vanto. “You know I enjoy observing you.”

You smile at him. You quickly learned that this is how Thrawn flirts, his observations along his directness. He’s direct with everyone, but with you it’s different. It’s more…poetic. “And what did you observe today, Lieutenant?”

“Your breathing was very measured,” he said. “I understand that is the goal of yoga, no?”

“Kind of,” you reply, walking closer to him. “Is that a compliment then?”

He lets you get close to him, very close. “Yes, vutucni, it is a compliment.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” you breathe. His eyes are unsettling, especially this close. But there’s something about the fear they strike into other cadets that spurs you on, wanting to get closer to the Chiss, to figure him out. And maybe do more.

“Perhaps you should call me Thrawn, vutucni,” he says, with a ponderous tone. “Since I call you a…a shortened name? Forgive me, I do not know the colloquial term.”

“Nickname,” you tell him. “It’s a nickname, Thrawn.” You test his name on your tongue, and it’s lovely. Thrawn notices the slight upturn in the corners of your mouth, as well as the glisten in your eye. And then he notices a feeling in his stomach.

“Indeed. A nickname.”

He doesn’t move closer to you, not acting on the hint of your body language that you know he picks up on. You back away from him slightly. “Alright, Thrawn, what do you want to do today?”

“I believe we should spar,” he replied.

You nod. “Alright then. Get your staff.”

He does, as you do, too. Thrawn has found himself in shape again after the week of sparring, his own breath more measured and his mind less weary while he fights. And his sharpened senses and instincts free his mind to focus on you.

The clang of metal echoes through the room as the two of you dance in circles, lunging towards each other, jumping back, and Thrawn’s own specialized Chiss-style moves.

Your fights are always close, and this one isn’t different. Labored breath joins the song of metal as your sparring continues. Thrawn’s hair falls out of its uniform shape and into his face, masking his red eyes when he moves in certain ways.

There’s no end in sight, both of you recycling sequences from the beginning of the fight- both of you waiting for the other to fight dirty.

Today, it’s you. You manage to hook your leg behind Thrawn’s, trying to pull him to the ground, but counters you easily, his staff colliding with your torso, sending you backwards. You recover immediately, a grin on your face as you charge at the Chiss, and easily anticipate his block, getting around his staff and jabbing your elbow into his stomach, all but abandoning your staff. He falls to the mat, and you crouch over him, your left knee to the side of his hip, your right foot on the mat boxing him in. Your staff is back in your hands, wide grip, pressed against the Chiss’s throat.

He taps the mat thrice, and you retract your staff, and settle your weight into his hips. You can’t see it on Thrawn’s face, but he relishes in feeling your weight on his hips again. The phantom weight of you from your first lesson has plagued his mind for the past week, starting to fade, but now is reinvigorated as you rest on him, catching your breath.

“Vutucni,” he breathes, finally letting go of his decorum.

“Yes, Thrawn?” You reply with a smug smile. She knows what she does, he thinks. Of course she does.

He sits up abruptly, pressing his lips to yours. You immediately reciprocate, bringing your hands to his defined cheekbones. You bite into his bottom lip, he opens his mouth, but instead of allowing your tongue into his mouth he slips his own into yours. You don’t know how you managed to miss the fact that he has a forked tongue through all of your conversations, but you’re aware now as it dances alongside your own.

He feels every miniscule movement of you on his lap, but he feels your chest pressed against yours, heaving with quick breaths. Thrawn feels his cock beginning to harden, and you feel it, too. Maker, how could you not? He’s huge, though he’s only half-hard.

“Thrawn,” you groan, grinding into his lap, your hands leaving his face to grip at his shoulders. Thrawn knows you’re desperate, it doesn’t take body language analysis for him to figure it out.

A buzzer sounds through the entirety of the Academy and you both jump. “Kriff,” you curse, bringing the back of your hand to wipe your lips. You’re quickly off of him, back on your feet, but Thrawn is never in a rush. He still sits on the mat, and reclines back on his hands.

“Aren’t you getting up, Lieutenant? Don’t you have a class?”

He smiles, smugness washing over his face. “Indeed, vutucni. I am simply...observing you.”

You’re flustered, your face is hot, your body movements are awkward, tripping over yourself as you gather your things. “Goodbye, Thrawn,” you say with a smile. “Same time tomorrow?”

“Of course, Cadet, you know this.” He’s back to himself, you think. He’s still relaxed, semi-hard cock practically on display in the tight pants of his uniform. Thrawn sees your eyes on his cock, practically bewildered, and his ego swells. Perhaps he is impressive among humans, he thinks, and he almost asks you if that is the case, but you’re out the door before he can.

-

“Caiera, I swear to the Maker that that man has the biggest dick on Coruscant,” you tell her that night. “Like, kriffing hells, it’s insane.”

Caiera throws her head back in a belly laugh, clutching her stomach. “I think you forget there are bigger species on Coruscant,” she tells you. “But I believe you. Aliens, man...they’re special.”

“I’ve known you for what? Five years? And you haven’t told me about alien dick?”

“A lady never kisses and tells,” she scolds. “But I also figured you knew. But you’re near the top of your class, I should’ve known you weren’t really...getting it in.”

“You know, some people would consider that mean,” you laugh. “Has it ever, y’know, hurt?”

“Kel Dors have spikes,” she warns. “Not my thing, but I’m not here to shame.”

“I don’t think Chiss have spikes,” you tell her. “But, noted.”

She cocks an eyebrow. “And how are you so confident he doesn’t have spikes on his dick if you haven’t seen it.”

“Hey, I felt it,” you said. “You know how thin those work out pants are, and, well, they’re even thinner if you’ve got a dick a like his.”

Caiera folds over in laughter again. “I don’t mean to laugh,” she giggles. “But, Maker, this is funny.”

“You’re not exactly building my confidence.”

When Caiera’s laughter subsides, she says, “He obviously wants to fuck you, I mean, who wouldn’t, and from what you’ve told me? You’re going to blow that tactician's mind.”

“I think he might blow mine.”

“Nah,” Caiera said, turning off her bedside light. “Blow your back out? I’m counting on it. Your mind, though? Nah.”

-

The next day was identical to your previous, they always are in the Academy. Something about learning routines, but really just breaking cadets down. It works.

The only thing that is different every day is Thrawn, you never know what he’s going to bring into that training space. Today, he brought Vanto.

“Eli,” you say in surprise. You’d anticipated spending your hour and a half with Thrawn doing… questionable things on Empire time. Instead, he brings the cockblocker of a roommate. Not much of a tactician. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

“I wasn’t expecting to be here,” he replied.

Thrawn watches you, your brows are furrowed, but not in confusion. In frustration, some directed at Vanto, but the rest at himself. He smiles slightly at your frustration.

“Ah, Cadet Vanto,” Thrawn says, prying his eyes from you to place them on his friend. “I seem to have miscalculated the situation. I do not believe we will need your presence.”

Vanto cocks an eyebrow. Thrawn? Miscalculating? Ok. Sure. But Eli is more than happy to have his next hour and a half free, and so he just nods to the lieutenant and heads out the door.

“What was that about?”

Thrawn takes long strides towards you until you crane your neck to look at him. “I was gauging your excitement,” he says matter-of-factly. “You were frustrated that Cadet Vanto accompanied me. I presume it is because you want to fuck me.”

You’re taken aback by his vulgarness, and of course he notices. “I used that correctly, yes? Cadet Vanto has taught me some colloquialisms.”

“Yes, it was right,” you breathe, looking up at him and watching how his neck flexes with his swallows. His eyes are a deeper scarlet now, but he holds the same calm demeanor. “And you are right.”

With that, he takes your face into his hands, pressing his lips against yours. “I have been told I am forward, vutucni,” he murmurs against your lips. “I hope this is alright.”

“It’s perfect,” you whisper, your hands snaking up his shirt. Thrawn’s chest is toned, you know he must look like the works of art he speaks so passionately about. As your fingers brush over his nipples, he gasps. “Sensitive,” you mumble. Thrawn hums.

His hands release your face, as his lips release your lips, and he pulls his shirt from his head. He is a work of art, just as you’d predicted. He’s thin, but muscly, a byproduct of Imperial work regimen and the protein shake meals. You’d give anything to see him on a proper diet of real food, his muscles beefy rather than stringy. But he’s beautiful, still, and a small chuckle from deep in his belly draws you out of a trance. “I assume you find me attractive?”

“Are you joking, Thrawn?” you breathe, this is a rarity for him. Again, he hums.

Thrawn steps closer again, his hands resting on your sides. “May I see you, too, vutunci?” he mumbles, pressing a kiss to your forehead. The intimidating man is surprisingly soft with you, from his words to his touch, and it makes you melt into him. You nod. “Say it aloud, vutucni, I so enjoy your voice.”

“Yes, Thrawn,” you say. “Y-you can see me.” The way he phrased his question, the way you phrase your answer, it’s more intimate than anything else you’d experienced with any of the other cadets or junior legislature representatives that you’d encountered. With them, you were an object on which to project, with Thrawn, you are art to be admired. To be enjoyed, to be taken care of. And the Chiss seems intent on doing just that.

Your tank top is pulled from your body by his large hands, your bra following it. And then the Chiss just stands there, looking, his hands slowly moving from your hips to cup your breasts.

His thin, long fingers pinch at your nipples experimentally, and when you gasp a small smile paints his lips. “I take it that you like this?”

“Yes,” you gasp as he repeats the action. And then you remember his tongue, the shape of his tongue, and wonder what it feels like against your skin. “Thrawn,” you say, bringing his attention away from your chest. “Your tongue, I want to feel your tongue.”

He hums in acknowledgment, but simply grabs your hand. He pulls you behind him to the stack of mats in the corner, your gaze dancing over the muscles in his back as they flex with each step. He sits on the mats that make a perfect bench, and he’s eye level with your tits. “There,” he says, satisfied. “This will be easier for both of us.” His hands grip your hips to position you between his legs, and without warning he takes a nipple between his lips.

“Oh!” you gasp at the sudden stimulation, but you all but go lightheaded the moment his tongue touches you. The way the tip of his tongue is split, it encompasses the skin of your nipple beautifully. “Kriff,” you moan, Thrawn sucking harshly at your skin.

He pulls off your breast with a pop, and a grin on his face. “Vutucni,” he murmurs against your sternum. “You make beautiful sounds.” And then he’s taken your other nipple into his mouth, and even though you’re now somewhat prepared for the sensation, it still weakens your knees.

Thrawn’s grip on your hips holds you up right, and he chuckles, the vibrations sending an intense sensation to the sensitive skin between his lips. When he finally releases you, and he makes eye contact, you notice how dark the Chiss’s eyes have gotten. He’s beautifully desperate while being beautifully in control.

“Vutucni, I do not think I will be able to properly fuck you today,” he says, the vulgar phrase still shocking coming from him. He notices your face fall into confusion, maybe some sadness. “Not because I do not wish to, but because I do not think we will have time to…prepare you.”

“Prepare me?”

“Vutucni,” he says, guiding your hand to his hardened cock that's still hidden inside his pants. “I am… quite large. And from what I understand of human anatomy, I do not think I will have time to adequately prepare you for me.”

“Oh,” you said, slightly in shock at the sheer size of him under your hand. “Then what are we going to do?”

“Oh, vutucni, I have every intention of taking care of you,” he replies, hands running up your sides. “I presumed it was common among humans to use your mouth and fingers to pleasure a partner, is it not?”

“Yeah,” you nod. “It is.”

“Then perhaps you should lay down,” he says, pushing you back gently so he can stand.

You do, lowering yourself onto your back, into the mats on the floor. Thrawn is between your legs immediately, pulling at your leggings until they’re off your legs and flung aside. “No undergarments, vutunci?”

“They cause lines,” you explain to him, speaking through ragged breaths as he spreads your legs, baring your cunt to him.

“Very efficient,” he hums. “I seem to be rubbing off on you.” He lowers himself onto his stomach, eye level with your aching pussy, and kisses your thigh. “Is it strange that I have thought about what you look like and what you taste like?” he inquired.

“Not strange at all,” you tell him, squirming slightly as his breath ghosts along your folds.

He tuts, moving his hands to hold your hips. “Now, vutucni, I did not bring restraints for you, you must behave yourself.”

“Then hurry up,” you whine. And with that, he takes your clit into his mouth with a harsh suck. “Kriff!” That tongue of his, it’s the closest thing to magic the galaxy has.

Thrawn’s bright blue skin is in stark contrast to your skin as they hold your hips against the mat. The Chiss licks at your cunt like a man starved, and with the shakes the Empire feeds you, he’s not far off. “Thrawn,” you whine, his forked tongue working wonders against your clit. All he does is hum, and snake his hands up from your hips to grope at your tits.

Thrawn’s mouth doesn’t let up, not even to take a breath, and you’re quickly shaking beneath him. “Thrawn, Thrawn,” you say, repeating his name over and over, your desperation seeping through into your voice. “I-I’m going to come!”

He just hums again, he’s quite good at that. And it’s the vibrations from his hum that catapult you over the edge, flung into your orgasm with little warning. Your hands grasp at the strands of black hair on the lieutenant’s head, pulling as you ride out your orgasm in a flurry of curses and sighs.

When your orgasm has subsided, you look down at the man between your legs, met with his bright eyes staring. Thrawn’s not letting up, he’s going slower, yes, but he’s still going.

“Is this ok?” He murmurs against your clit, but you feel a finger prodding at your opening. “Or would this be better?” His finger slides inside you with ease, the long digit massaging your inner walls while his tongue continues it’s work in your clit.

“Yeah, yeah, I- I like that,” you gasp. “Another,” you command, and he, surprisingly, obeys. His fingers scissor inside you, gently spreading you open and goading you towards a second orgasm.

While your eyes flutter open and closed, you’re sure Thrawn has not broken eye contact once. His dark red eyes are a far cry from the bright red they were when he entered the room. Staring into his intense eyes, you let your body into the throws of yet another orgasm. “Stars,” you groan, your second orgasm quieter, but more intense. Your thighs shake around Thrawn’s head, your hand combs through his hair.

Your second orgasm fades from your body, and Thrawn finally lets up, kissing his way up your stomach, over your breasts, and finally to your jaw. “Was that satisfactory?”

You laugh a little, bringing your hand to the back of his neck as he kisses at your jaw. “Thrawn, you’re joking right?”

“Should I be?”

“Yes,” you tell him, still giggling. “That was more than just satisfactory.”

He looks into your eyes, his eyes still a deep red. “I am glad,” he said, and then he brings his lips to yours. “Do you taste yourself, vutucni? You are the best taste in the galaxy.”

“What does that word mean,” you ask, breathless.

“Ah,” he replies. “I finally was able to translate it. It means ‘dove’. Is that alright?”

You nod, but are quickly distracted, noticing his hard cock pressed against your thigh. “Can I help you with that?” you ask.

“You do not have to, vutunci,” he starts.

You sit up, pushing him up and back on his haunches. “I want to, Thrawn,” you tell him, palming at his length through his pants. He doesn’t protest anymore, instead he keens into your touch.

You release his throbbing cock from the confines of his pants and his boxers, and Thrawn must notice the surprise on your face. “I take it that I am different from humans you have been with?”

“Yeah,” you breathe. Thrawn’s cock was not only long and girthy, but it had ridges, and the color lightened towards the tip into a paler blue. His precum decorated the tip, and your mouth watered at the sight. You take the tip into your mouth, swirling your tongue around him as he groans.

“Vutucni,” he groans out, his hand finding its way into your hair, cupping the back of your skull. You take as much of him into your mouth as you can, wrapping your hand around the remainder of his length. Moving your mouth and your hand in tandem, it doesn’t take long for Thrawn to find himself on the edge. “Vutucni,” he says again, but this time it’s almost a warning.

You simply look up into those eyes of his, Thrawn picks up hints of a challenge from the look in your eyes. You hollow your cheeks, and apply more pressure onto the base of his cock, and Thrawn’s composure finally slips. His head falls back as his mouth falls open, and he utters words in another language. “I am going to come,” he grits out. And just as he does, he pulls your hair, pulling your mouth off of his length. And you figure out why. The amount of cum from Thrawn’s cock is immense, it coats your fist and falls onto the mat.

“Maker,” you breathe. Definitely different from the humans you’ve been with. “That was hot.”

This time, it’s Thrawn that laughs. “I believe that means attractive, colloquially, right?” You nod. “That is good to hear.” He brings a hand to your cheek, and gently guides your lips to his. “I do not think I taste as good as you do,” he comments.

“I’m not the connoisseur you are,” you reply. “I’ll trust your word.” You relax between his legs, laying your head on his chest. The most intimacy either of you have felt since your arrival at the Academy.

Thrawn’s skin burns where you touch him, searing the feeling of your admiration, of your appreciation into his skin. Your breath has not fully relaxed, he noticed, and he knows there are multiple possibilities as to why. But he allows himself to not know, and to find out why. “Do you like me, vutucni?”

“Obviously,” you giggle.

He shakes his head, brows furrowed in concentration. When he’s serious, he’s kind of scary. No wonder the Empire sees something in him. “I do not mean attractive. But, as a companion.”

“Do I like you?”

“I do not understand the emphasis on the word ‘like’, does it have a double meaning?”

You nod against his chest. “Like means interested. You know, in a relationship.”

“That is what I mean by companion,” he clarifies.

You look up at him. “Yes, Thrawn, I think I do.”

“I am glad to hear that,” is all he says.

You sit in silence for a moment. Both of you contemplating what the hell you’re supposed to say next, both of you trying to figure out how to ask your roommates for advice. The buzzer rings through the rooms. It’s harsh in comparison to the soft moment the two of you are sharing, but it snaps the two of you back to your Imperial selves.

The two of you stand in silence, dressing in silence, and Thrawn cleans his mess in silence. Before you leave you approach him, “See you tomorrow, Lieutenant,” you say quietly.

Thrawn tips your chin up, and presses a kiss to your lips. “Goodbye, vutucni. Until tomorrow.” He runs a hand through his hair, fixing it as best he can, and exits the room.

That night, Caiera hounds you for details. “It has RIDGES?”

“Yeah,” you reply for the third time. You’re starting to regret telling her. “And then he asked me if I liked him.”

“Well who wouldn’t after two orgasms, damn,” she said. “But what did you say?”

“I said yes.”

“And then?”

You shrug. “Then nothing. Then we left.”

“Dump him.”

You laugh at her. “How do I dump him if we’re not together?”

“I don’t know,” she laughs. “Find a way, you’re resourceful.”

You shake your head. “Maybe he just didn’t have the words, you know? He still struggles with Basic.”

“Yeah, sure,” Caiera said. “And what, you’re going to date him? You’re going to date another cadet, isn’t that frowned upon?”

“He’s a lieutenant, thank you very much,” you tell her and Caiera throws her hands up in surrender. “Besides, I feel like he’s good at keeping a secret.”

“I hope so for your sake,” Caiera replied. “I mean, ridges!”

You roll your eyes and shut off your light. “I’m going to sleep.”

“Dream about those ridges,” she calls. “Talk about sweet dreams.”

You roll your eyes once more, and then shut them, trying to will your body into sleep.

Thrawn lays in his own bed, his light dimly lighting the page in front of him as he draws you, splayed on your back with your legs open, the only thing covering the intimate parts of you is his own frame, nestled between the meat of your thighs. This main drawing of you and him are surrounded by warm-up doodles of you in various yoga poses, your leggings hugging at your curves and your shirt falling up to expose your middle. At the top, in neat handwriting he titles it: sasacun'eisi bah ch'uzib.

-

@mandaloriandin; @zinzinina; @greenysnarl; @ladyopress; @thiccumz

[nyctophilin]

Fake affection | I

sweet anon: Can I request a dom! Han Jisung smut? Where he and the reader are fake dating because Jisung want's to make someone jealous but ends up fucking the reader instead? I love your writings so much!!

Chapter I, Chapter II, Chapter III, Chapter IV, Epilogue

Description: Han Jisung has been rejected by the girl he likes one to many times. He decides that he has had enough and is set on making her want him back. What could possibly make her want him more than seeing him with her rival after she boldly assumed he can’t find anyone better. That way Jisung and Y/N are stuck in a fake relationship until Jisung’s crush falls for him. Or he falls for someone else.

All rights reserved © nyctophilin 2020. Re-posting, copying and translating any of my works is prohibited.

Pairing: Han x fem!Reader, Hyunjin x fem!Reader

Word count: 4.5k

Genre: College!AU, Fake dating!AU, Angst, Fluff, eventual Smut

Warnings: swearing, mention of masturbation

A/N: Wow, so it looks like I am unable of making short fics, haha. I planed for this to be a one-shot but it’s already this long and I don’t want to bore you guys with long fics so I will make a second part and a third if needed but I doubt. I really hope you guys like this one. Feedback is very much appreciated.

      Y/N was tapping her finger on the desk, her head resting in her palm. She was watching the professor walk around in front of the class explaining something but she wasn’t paying attention. Her mind was filled with thoughts about whether or not she was going to get the role. 

      Some people from her university that were majoring in Film Production had to write a script for a short movie and the best five got chosen to be produced. Initially, she believed that only Theater and Film Majors could participate at the auditions but the administration of the school made an announcement one morning informing them that everyone could take part in the audition process. That meant she had to deal with more competitors for the role she wanted.

      Initially, Y/N was the only one who wanted to audition for the main role of one of the movies since people didn’t really catch its concept that well. When the audition day finally came, one Modern Dance major showed up out of nowhere and auditioned as well. The apparition of that particular character made her blood boil with anger.

      Her competitor for the role was none other than Mina, her so-called enemy. They weren’t enemies in the real sense of the word. They just simply didn’t click with one another and silently agreed a long time ago to ignore each other. They weren’t pulling childish stunts on each other, they didn’t speak each other's names unless necessary, they didn’t try to win each other in grades or parties or body counts. They were just mutually ignoring one another. And everything was fine until she showed up there.

      Y/N wasn’t going to lie and say that Mina wasn’t good. Her performance wasn’t exceptional but for someone that has never done that before, she was fairly good. That had her worried about her chances of getting chosen.

      When the bell finally rang ending her suffering she got up in the split of a second and left the room. She could not bear to hear any more of the professor’s babbling. Her boots let out quiet thuds every time they touched the concrete floors. She found herself in front of the announcement board but the paper that was supposed to tell her if she got chosen or not, was missing. Thinking to herself that they probably will put it up later she turned on her heels and made her way towards the cafeteria.

      She met her friend Hayoon there and they sat down at a table situated in the centre of the cafeteria. They talked about how they had been up until then and Hayoon complained about one of her classes and how she’s going to fail it.

      The chatter in the cafeteria died down when the door was slammed open and Mina stomped in, a bitter expression on her face. “I can not believe that they made me a stunt double! What does that even mean?” Her voice was louder than it should have been as she addressed her friends. Her intention was most probably to attract attention.

      A smirk crept on Y/N’s face as she realised that she did, in fact, get the main role. She gave her friend a suggestive eyebrow raise as she slowly took the chopstick to her mouth. Her face dropped when she heard the stomping approaching her. “Hey, loser, what’s a stunt double?” Mina’s voice was scratching her ears. How she managed to sound like one of those toys for dogs sometimes, she’ll never understand.

      “I can’t believe you’ve auditioned for a role without knowing what a stunt double is.” Y/N rolled her eyes at the other girl and a few people from around them chuckled. Mina’s face caught a crimson colour as the embarrassment settled in.

      “Haha, you are so funny!” It was clear by now that the girl was trying to mask her flustered form by trying to embarrass Y/N back.

      The truth was that she didn’t mean to make fun of her. She just let her first thoughts leave her mouth. “I wasn’t trying to be funny.” A sigh left her lips. “A stunt double is a person that executes all the dangerous or action scenes for the main actor so they don’t get injured. Stunt doubles are usually gymnasts, people that know martial arts and all that jazz. They probably chose you because of your dance background.”

      “I can’t believe it. Not only they didn’t give me the role, but they are also going to use me to protect you?” Mina had an annoyed expression.

      “Oh please! Did you really think they were going to choose you? You entered that room without even knowing the concept and somehow managed to get the feel right a couple of times. Meanwhile, some of us actually prepared for that audition.” Y/N was fed up with Mina’s princess behaviour. Always thinking that everything is rightfully hers and expecting everyone to kiss her ass. All that just because her father was donating a big sum of money to the university every term. They are donations at the end of the day and she should not be expecting special treatment just for that.

      Mina’s face became a crimson red for the second time in ten minutes and she stomped away from Y/N’s table. The few people that were watching them averted their eyes when Y/N took a look around.

      From the corner of the cafeteria, someone was watching them with a smirk on their face. Oh, how he got just the perfect idea.

            Y/N sat in the second closest row to the professor. She was in “Canto class” as she liked to call it. It was one of the optional classes she chose to take that year. It wasn’t a compulsory class for Theater and Film majors since you don’t necessarily have to know how to sing to be an actress but she took it anyway because she thought it would be fun. And so far it was.

      A loud bang invaded her left ear and she turned to find Han Jisung having his back to her and chatting with his friends that were seated a few rows behind them. She raised her eyebrow but didn’t question it. It wasn’t like the seat was occupied and she definitely had nothing against him sitting next to her. He probably just wanted to pay more attention since he and his friends are always distracted during class. 

      Y/N turned back to her stuff and opened her notebook to take another look at the notes from last class. Soon after the professor entered the classroom and the chatter died down. 

      She was vigorously writing in her notebook everything the professor was explaining to them. Suddenly she felt a touch on her left elbow and stopped for a second. She immediately resumed her writing, convinced that he probably did that by mistake. Not even a minute later she felt another touch on her elbow this time more evident. She ignored it again not paying much mind to it. Jisung’s elbow collided with hers causing her to push her notebook and scribble on it.

      She snapped her head towards him and felt anger overcome her when she noticed the smirk on his face. “What?” She whispers yelled in his direction.

      “Hi!” He did a short wave of his hand in her direction and she clenched her jaw. She closed her eyes and exhaled deeply before going back to her note-taking. She had only five minutes of peace before he poked her side again. She smacked his hand away from her and continued to mind her own business.

      Throughout the class, Jisung kept bothering her and trying to talk to her despite her obvious wish to let her take notes. When the bell rang she got up quickly, her blood boiling and left the room in a hurry hoping she could lose Jisung on the busy halls. As she was hurriedly making her way between the sea of people she felt an arm going over her shoulders and she crashed with the owner of the arm.

      “Why are you in such a hurry babe?” Jisung’s voice rang in her ear as they were practically glued to each other. She grabbed his hand and swung his arm away from her shoulders.

      “For the love of God, what do you want from me Han Jisung?” Exasperation was present in her voice as she threw him an ugly look.

      She couldn’t guess what he needed from her to annoy her to that extent. They were acquaintances and nothing more. They knew each other from that one class they shared and the longest interaction they had was when the professor prepared an interactive class once and they had to work in groups of five.

      He was the university’s “heartthrob” as people liked to call him. Y/N personally thought that that title should be given to Hwang Hyunjin who was majoring in Modern Dance. He was more mature than the rest of his friends, he was friendly with everyone and wasn’t pulling pranks on innocent people to entertain some brainless creatures. But who was she to oppose the masses?

      On top of doing all those things, Jisung was also in a relationship with Mina. Every time they are together they will target someone and will start making fun of them. More Mina than Jisung but he was still entertaining her actions and that made him as guilty as she was.

      “I need to ask you something. Or better, make you a proposal.” He winked at her and she felt an uncomfortable shiver run through her. How disgusting.

      “Ok, and what is it?” She threw him an expectant look and he started looking around.

      “Let’s talk outside where there are fewer people. You got a free period, right?” Confusion made its way on her face.

      “How do you know that? Are you weirdo following me?” She has never talked with him as friends and they share only one class. How on earth would he know her schedule?

      “What? No! I see you hanging out around the university all the time after our class.” She rolled her eyes at his answer and gestured her hand towards the closest exit out of the building signalling him to lead the way.

      Very soon they were seated on a bench under a tree somewhere behind the university. It was her first time coming there. Y/N usually liked to remain at the front of the building since couples usually liked to come there and make out sometimes even fuck.

      “I think we should start dating.” He blurted out and she froze for a second before jumping to her feet startling the man.

      “I knew you were fucking weird. I’m leaving!” What in the actual fuck did she think when she came here. For a second she expected a real conversation but Jisung’s main skills were flirting and making bad jokes. She set her expectations way too high for that conversation.

      She picked her bag from the bench and started leaving only to have Jisung grab her wrist and stop her. “Wait, let me explain. I swear you’ll understand better after.” Y/n wanted to turn and leave but the puppy dog eyes he gave her made her stay and listen to him. Now, don’t get her wrong, his expression didn’t soften her but if he was desperate enough to try the puppy eyes on her then it must be important to him.

      She plopped down on the bench and waited for him to start talking. “Look, I’m pretty sure you know Mina. And I know you two aren’t on great terms. I say we date so you can get back at her for all the things she has done to you.” He raised his eyebrows at her and pursed his lips.

      Y/N was the one that raised her eyebrow next as she leaned her head to the side. “Aren’t you and Mina dating?” 

      “Obviously not.” Jisung used a tone that pissed Y/N off. A tone that said ‘It was so obvious, how can you not know?’ and she didn’t like it one bit.

      “Oh, I’m so sorry! I must have read the signs the wrong way. I mean, it's not like you are always together and you carry her backpack around and you hang out outside of school six days out of seven and kiss before classes and make out behind the university probably right on this bench.”

      A smirk appeared on Jisung’s face. “Who’s following who now?”

      “Don’t flatter yourself. Mina’s voice is so annoying I could hear her every time she talked. When I would turn to see what was up now you two were most times engaged in some sort of PDA.” She spoke fast trying to prove that she wasn’t following him. She didn’t know why she felt the need to do that but the thought of Jisung thinking that she has some sort of interest in him was terrifying. He completely humiliated the last “unpopular” girl that confessed her feelings to him and at that moment the last thing she needed was for him to go around saying she is a stalker.

      “Well, we are getting there. I asked her out and she said that she’ll love to but it’s too fun to tease me. When I asked her ‘What if I get a girlfriend?’ she told me I can not find anyone better for me than her. When I saw you fighting in the cafeteria earlier I knew I found my perfect girl. Not only are you hot, but she also hates you.” Y/N raised an eyebrow at his words.

      “Hot?” Her tone was untrusting as this was the first time someone from uni had said that to her. 

      “Yeah. You didn’t think that guys came to last year’s theatre spectacles because they were actually interested in theatre, right?” A laugh left his mouth at her dumbfounded face as she registered his words. A blank expression adorned her face immediately after trying not to seem so surprised.

      “Well, not anymore.” She let her tongue trace her bottom lip before biting the flesh. “Ok, so tell me what you actually want us to do.” Uneasiness settled inside Jisung as he watched her bored face.

      “Well, I mean what I said. We should date. Or fake dating if you will. That way I can make Mina jealous and push her to run into my arms. I bet she can’t stand seeing me with you for too long.” He looked into her eyes hopefully thinking that maybe he convinced her but his hope was quickly shattered when she opened her mouth.

      “What are you? Five? I don’t want to get back at her and I have absolutely no reason to help you in your sick plan. I’m out of here!” Once again she picked up her bag to leave only for Jisung to grab her wrist and stop her, again.

      “Please Y/N! I’m desperate. I’ve been trying to date her for a year and a half already.” That was pathetic. She had absolutely no reason to help him. None at all. But something pushed her to stay and accept his offer. Maybe she could take advantage of the situation.

      Turning her head towards her she tried to keep a straight face as best as she could. “What do I get out of it?”

      Jisung’s face brightened instantly at her question and he held her hand with both of his. “Anything you want. If it’s possible I’ll do it.” His eyes were pouring into hers and a stupid sparkle was present in them.

      “I guess you were going to do that anyway but I want you to present me to your friends.” The same bored expression that she had on for almost the entirety of their conversation was adorning her face. Jisung was amazed at the lack of emotions she managed to show but she was an actress. Maybe she’s just good at her job.

      “Why? Do you have a crush on any of them?” A smirk was enveloping his facial features and he had a teasing tone. Y/N rolled her eyes at his comment.

      “No. Some of them seem like really interesting people but their only defect was hanging out with you. Now that I have to hang out with you too I might as well start talking to them.” She shook his hands off hers before putting it in her front pocket. “Now I have to go to class cause my free period is almost over. See you later, babe!” She winked at him before turning around and making her way to her next class.

      The next day she met with Jisung in front of the cafeteria so they could walk in together and “announce” their relationship. Somehow he got hold of her number and they texted the night prior about the terms of their little deal. She felt like laughing when she saw how serious he was about it. If he really did end up dating Mina she’ll be convinced that both of them are idiots.

      His arm was over her shoulders as they walked through the tables. Multiple people were staring at them but she decided to ignore them. Upon reaching the table she placed her tray down and took a seat. The people at the table were looking confused at one another and some were throwing Jisung questioning looks.

      “Everyone, meet my girlfriend.” He spoke gesturing with a hand towards her. She smiled at them and waved her hand, muttering a soft ‘Hi!’.

      One of them, who she recognised to be Lee Minho, a Modern Dance major cleared his throat. “Hey. It’s nice to meet you.” He had an awkward smile on. “What are you majoring in?”

      “Yeah, I don’t recall seeing you around campus.” Seo Changbin, a Music Production major added.

      “Oh, I…” She started talking but a puff coming from her left stopped her.

      “Seriously dude? You share a class. She’s L/N Y/N from your Theory and Improvisation class.” The voice belonged to Hwang Hyunjin and she felt a funny feeling in her stomach at the realisation that he knows her. Everyone around the table was throwing him weird looks.

      “You are right but how do you know that? I’m pretty sure you don’t take that class.” There was a trace of embarrassment in her voice.

      “I don’t but sometimes when I wait for those guys outside of the classroom I see you walking out.” He said that with nonchalance taking a bite from his food.

      “And how do you know her? She’s not a Music Production major otherwise we would have known. And she’s not a Dance major either otherwise Minho and Felix would have known about her as well.”Changbin’s tone was almost provoking as if Hyunjin had done something bad and he was about to reveal it.

      “She’s a Theatre and Film major. Last year when we went to all those theatre spectacles to support Jeongin I was actually paying attention to the plays. She had either the main role or the lead. I remember her being really good.” She felt her cheeks heat at his comment.

      “Thank you!” She threw him a smile. However, she got ignored as Lee Felix started talking.

      “Do you know her Jeongin?” She somehow felt offended by his question. Maybe that wasn’t his intention but he should have used a different tone.

      “Of course I do. We share almost all of our classes and last year we worked on multiple plays together.” Annoyance was present in his voice caused by his friends' ignorance.

      She knew Jeongin from the first day. He was the first to speak to her although they didn’t exactly become friends. They kept on working on plays together throughout the entirety of the first year of college but they kept everything mostly professional since they both had their own group of friends and she kind of disliked most of his friends.

      “Then how come you never talk about her?” Now, wasn’t Changbin an annoying one? She rolled her eyes discreetly at his question.

      “Because we are not the best of friends. Why don’t you talk about Kim Gina from your degree?” The youngest question was a good one. They were acquaintances and barely knew something about each other. What was he supposed to talk about?

      “Gina is not hot. What am I supposed to talk about?” The older male said calmly with a shrug of his shoulders.

      The water she was just drinking got stuck in her throat and she started coughing violently. Jisung started hitting her back repeatedly trying to help her swallow. When she finally calmed down she looked at him annoyed.

      “Who she is, is not important. What’s important is that she is my girlfriend” he gave Changbin a side look ”and you have to accept that. Stop talking about her like she is not sitting right in front of you.” A few of them raised their hands in defeat while some of them averted their eyes. Minho and Changbin rolled their eyes.

      She felt her blood pressure spike up at their action. She remembered why she never wanted to talk to any of them. Arrogant pricks.

      “Ok, Mister protective boyfriend. Just tell us when you break up.” Minho took a bite of his food done with the younger man’s antics. Everyone knew that he was in love with Mina. The moment she shows some interest in him he would probably leave this one in a heartbeat.

      Y/N sucked in a breath discreetly. He really got her worked up and she hated it. She put an arm around Jisungs shoulders and yanked him towards her, his face close to her chest. With her other hand, she grabbed the sides of his face making him look up at her and forcefully pursing his lips. 

      “Break up? Do you wanna break up with me, babe?” Y/N’s voice was mocking as if she was talking with a child. Jisung swallowed hard before shaking his head. She smiled at his response and used the hand from around his shoulders to ruffle his hair. “That’s what I thought.” She placed a short kiss on his lips before releasing him and turning back to her food.

      Everyone at the table was looking at both of them shocked, especially Minho and Changbin. She wanted to let a proud smile escape her but she controlled herself.

      For the rest of the lunch, she decided not to engage in any more discussions with Jisung’s friends. She continued eating her food and listened to them talking about things that didn’t involve her, occasionally responding to Hayoon’s texts.

      She was the first one to get up, impatient to go to her next class and not have to see them. “Bye guys. It was lovely meeting you!” She smiled at them, a smile half true because she did like some of them. “Bye babe. See you later!” She grabbed the sides of his face again placing another kiss on his lips before taking her empty tray and leaving them alone.

      The men all watched her as she made her way out of the cafeteria. When she closed the door behind her they all burst into laughter. Jisung was biting the inside of his cheek irked by their action. When the laughter stopped, Seungmin that was sitting next to him put his hand on his shoulder.

      “I absolutely adore your girlfriend. She knows how to keep her ‘babe’ in check I see.” Seungmin tried cupping his face as Y/N did but Jisung slapped his hand away.

      “Are you her good boy, Jisungie? Does she give you rewards if you listen to her?” Minho cooed at him and Jisung held back an insult.

      “Shut the fuck up. It’s not like that. She surprised me as well. Who the fuck knew she was going to do that?” When he proposed the whole fake dating thing to her he thought it would be easier. Looking at it now he can’t understand why he thought that. He saw the way her fights with Mina unfold and he knew she was an actress which meant that she was probably either crazy confident or really good at faking it. For some reason, he thought she would be easier to tease and control but it would be a lie if he said it didn’t intrigue him. He liked a challenge and if the prize was Mina he would try his best.

      “And you man” Chan spoke for the first time “what the fuck was that? Do you know her entire biography?” He was looking at Hyunjin who rolled his eyes.

      “I told you I paid attention to last year’s plays. On top of that, she’s hot. I remember that after one spectacle I and the guys from my dance group at the time talked about her for like a month. She was so..” The man let out a groan and threw his head back trying to explain what he meant.

      “Sure, tell me more. Did you masturbate to the thought of my girlfriend? Perhaps got any wet dreams about her?” Jisung commented, raising an eyebrow.

      Hyunjin winked at him as a smirk made its way on his face. Some of the guys simultaneously let out disgusted sounds at his gesture.

      “But how did this whole thing happen? I can’t remember a moment when you talked about her or when you were together.” Felix’s deep voice rang making everyone pay attention to him.

      Changbin suddenly let a gasp out and dramatically covered his mouth. “Yesterday our little Jisungie sat next to her in Theory and Improvisation and when the class ended he ran after her. I think he might have had a secret crush!” The older man teased.

      “Yeah, but she looked really annoyed with him. Hence why she sprinted out of the class. Why would she accept to date him if she looked like she’d rather listen to Mr Jung talk about the first piano ever invented.” Chan intervened making Jisung shrug his shoulders.

      “She was annoyed with me but what can I say? I’m so charming she couldn’t refuse me.” He leaned back in his chair putting his arms over the back of the chair. 

      “I think she did it out of pity. When she realized you’ve been trying to get Mina for a year and a half now she probably felt so bad for you she decided to sacrifice herself so you look less like a loser.” Hyunjin said his tone way to serious to be a joke.

      Jisung threw the man a deadly stare. “At least I didn’t masturbate to the thought of her like a fucking virgin.” He spat in the other man’s face.

      “Touche.”

[gucciwins]

it’s your birthday?

As luck would have it you once again find yourself in a breakout room with Harry

Word count: 3296

A/N: Hello friends, it’s a new semester and it felt only right to continue breakout room, a story that was well loved by you. The inspiration once again came to me during class and also because it’s Harry’s birthday. Thank you to the lovely @soullikestyles for reading this over. Here it is, enjoy!!!

I hope you love this, it is a continuation from Breakout Room 

Please shoot me a message of what you thought!!!!

i love you, take care xx 

_____

It's the start of a new semester. It's safe to say you did not make any friends last semester due to this ongoing pandemic, but what you did manage to get was a 3.9 G.P.A for the Fall semester. It was probably because you did not leave your apartment, and when you did, it was to go grocery shopping with your roommate, who would be dead without you because, as she liked to put it, you're the chef, and she's the taster. 

Well, you maybe did make one friend. 

Harry Styles.

He was the person to talk to you during a zoom breakout room in your women's gender studies course.

Sure, you were never in the same room again, but you might or might not have pinned his face during one of the professor's long ramblings that is no longer related to the course. 

He was pretty to look at; you would never deny that. 

No, with the floppy curls that he almost always seemed to run his hand through, then stopping when one of his rings got caught in a knotted ringlet. His camera would instantly turn off, and in thirty seconds, he was back as if nothing had happened. The glasses framed his face just right, making his eyes look soft and inviting. Also made his dimples stand out. He almost always wore a different colored cardigan. Your favorite from the semester was when he wore a multicolored cardigan. That looks like it was knitted; there was a hole by his heart. Honestly, you were hoping he had, would have made him even more endearing. 

Also, might one day ask him to make you one, or he could even teach you. You're a fast learner and have patience. 

He's got a great choice in clothing from what you was able to observe in such a short time—also a lovely personality. 

After his initial email, you decided to answer, thus creating a chain of messages back and forth. He was honestly funny, and that was just on paper. He had asked for her number and said no, and he respected that. It doesn't mean they never helped each other in the class; Harry asking for more help than Y/N. She sent him over her notes and explained the readings he found harder to grasp. 

As soon as finals week hit, she received her last email from him with the subject as Goodbye. It took you by surprise, and you erased the draft you had waiting for him that had your phone number wanting to keep talking to him. Still, clearly, he thought of them as just classmates for the semester, so without even opening his last email, you trashed it. 

You felt guilty about it, so you then transferred it to your archives, where it sits with other unwanted emails. 

_____

The holidays are over, and since you could not make the trip home, you celebrated with Amy, your roommate. You both help each other buy your family's presents, looking for the best discounts and adding extra items to get the free shipping. Together, well, mostly you as she handed you pieces of tape you wrapped present after present in brown wrapping paper. It was harder to tear and more comfortable to decorate in any way you wanted. On each box, it had everyone's name written in beautiful handwriting, courtesy of you. Then you would add snowflakes or stripes to make it stand out. 

It was a success from their looks when each gift was open through the zoom call. 

The month break flew by, and the next thing you knew, it was time to be back at your desk for hours of learning. It was fun until it wasn't sure there was a lot to look forward to, but you would miss sleeping all day and eating snacks in bed with no fear of forgetting to submit an assignment. 

This semester you had four major courses. Psychology of Personality and Psychology of Aging were the two courses you were most looking forward to. You decided on taking the women's gender studies class called Politics of Sexuality. You had gotten the recommendation from the department's head to take it and did so without a second thought. Yes, fifteen units was a lot, but you were close to graduating, and you knew you could handle it. 

The first week flew by because it was merely going over the syllabus. You had your camera on, but you did not bother to look at your other classmates. Sasha, a fellow person in your major, would be your study partner as she had been all semester. Sasha might not always be in the class section, but she did take the same professors and courses. It makes studying and taking notes easier. You know you won't always have Sasha, but having a study partner has ever made you do better. 

February 1st. The start of the second week of the semester. 

You woke up at seven, got the tea that Amy had ready for you, and were sitting at your desk by eight. Your professor droned on about the first chapter of the book. You felt confident knowing you understood the significant points. 

It's 11:30, and your second course of the day is going to start. You were not looking forward to the class simply because Dr. Rossi had warned you he would be putting you into breakout rooms of two. That person would be your partner for the semester. You had a project due at the end of the semester, and he wanted you to be acquainted with someone rather than having a person working alone. 

You sat there, Baby Yoda ceramic mug in hand, as you waited for your breakout room to load and to see who you were destined to work with for the next fourteen weeks. 

There was a knock on your door that distracted you from seeing the video of someone else load. 

"Sorry, I know you're in class, but I was wondering when lunch was to see how big of a snack I should have." Amy shoots you a small smile. 

"No worries, Ames, I'm out at 12:45 and will need half an hour to cook, so roughly 1:30. Is that okay?" You tell her feeling a little awful, making her wait. 

"It's perfect. Have a good class." Amy shuts the door.

As you hear the click, you turn back to your computer, and they're staring at you in a lavender cardigan with a white shirt underneath is the one and only Harry Styles.  

His curls are shorter, meaning he recently got a haircut, and they are just growing back. You wished he had let it grow out, wanting to see how much more ruly they would have gotten.

You feel your face heat up, remembering you did not do your hair, instead of letting it sit messily in a low ponytail, small hair framing your hair. You were sure the black sweatshirt you had one had a hummus stain but too afraid to look down to check. You weren't even aware he was in this class; it shows you should be paying attention more to your classmates. 

He shoots you a small smile, and you grimace, trying to force one out, but you're still a bit shocked. 

You see his microphone go white, meaning he was about to speak. You leaned forward in anticipation, a bit desperate to hear his smooth accent through your computer speakers. 

"Hello, it's been a while." Harry raises his glasses to hold back his hair. 

You reach forward and unmute yourself. "Hello, Harry. It has been a while. It's a new year and everything." You joke. 

He chuckles, scratching his chin. You aren't sure what to do; it was never this awkward the first time you chatted. 

"Guess we're partners, huh." 

"Apparently." You sigh, a bit loud, forgetting he can hear you. 

"Ouch, don't need to sound too excited." He tells you not at all hiding his frown. 

"No, I didn't." You stop not knowing how to go back from that. "Sorry, that was rude of me." 

He nods, not saying anything more, and you take it as a sign to continue. 

"I-i, well, after our last class ended, I figured that was that. You said goodbye in the last email, so I figured that was the end of our friendship, if you can even call it that." 

"I thought my email would give the opposite impression, but not everything can translate as smoothly when talking." He tells you, which causes you to pause. 

"Your email literally said goodbye," You blurt out before you can stop yourself.

He hides his smile, "My subject said goodbye, the content said quite the opposite. You did read it, right?" 

You duck your head, not allowing yourself to meet his eye even through a computer screen, too embarrassed to be caught. "Well, no, I didn't. Hurt my feelings, just seeing the goodbye." You look up and see his eyes soften, giving you just a bit more courage to continue. "I've always struggled to make friends, I have like three good friends, and it's hard putting myself out there, and I didn't actually if you considered me a friend or not." 

"Y/N" He breathes out your name.

You stop him before he can continue. "Do you mind if I read it now?" 

Harry shakes his head. 

You restore down the zoom and open up your Gmail on the split-screen. You find it reasonably quickly; you look up at him to see him patiently sitting back chipping at his nails. They are a pastel yellow; it makes you smile, knowing just yesterday you went from that color to a deep red. 

hstyles@gmail.com 

Subject: Goodbye 

Y/N, 

It's been enjoyable emailing back and forth. I honestly would not have passed this class without you. I think you are brilliant and if I had you in every course, I would finish with A's in them all. So, thank you for having the patience to teach me. 

Also, thank you for being my friend. I know we mostly talked about school work. Still, you did help me decide on what coat to buy for my sister, so I know that makes us friends, and I did help you get that switch for your little brother. (That was like trying to buy floor tickets for Lady Gaga.)

On another note, after emailing for twelve weeks, I was wondering if I could have your number. I would like the chance to give you a call and formally ask you on a date. I know we're in the middle of a pandemic, and dating is hard, but we can do zoom dates before we try in person. 

I understand if it's a no, but I am really grateful to have met you.

Your friend (although I do want to try to be more)

Harry Styles 

City Pointe Apt 32 (in case you want to send a care package, I would gladly return the favor)

"Oh, Harry," You inhale, "I'm so sorry." 

"No worries." He shrugs. 

You pause, thinking your next words. "I live in Rose Villa." Those were not the words you wanted to say, but you don't take it back. 

"That's across the street from my building." He gasps. "We could have run into each other." 

You nod. "Small world." 

Harry brings his focus back to something you skipped over. "I realize you didn't mention the part of asking you on a date." 

"Oh, I figured you over that now. It's been well over a month since I ignored your email." You grimace, starting to feel awful about it all over again. 

"I guess it was email abandonment this time." He jokes.

You laugh, and it gets Harry laughing as well. He was always good at that, making you laugh and not be so serious even if he didn't know it. 

"Y/N," Harry's voice was strong, no signs of laughter in his trace. You lock eyes as best you can through a computer screen. "I would still very much like to take you on a date."

A date with Harry. 

You want to say yes, but it's like you're frozen. 

"Can I say something else before you give me an answer?" You nod, waiting for him to go on. "Sarah Jones, do you know her?" 

Sarah Jones, you rack your brain trying to place her. 

The theater composer. She's written original tracks for the theatre department for the original plays they've done and remakes. She's won countless awards.

Sarah even won the talent show. Played a killer drum solo that no one else could ever think of topping. 

If you're honest, she's the definition of your girl crush. 

"We follow each other on social media. We met at a paint night; she was really easy to talk to." You tell him, remembering how sweet she was to you when she saw you walk in, and just as you were about to walk out, she introduced herself to you, asking to sit with you. 

He nods. "Sarah is my roommate's girlfriend. Mitch and Sarah practically live together; he's so in love with her it truly is the sweetest thing. Back to the point, she overheard me talking about you to Mitch and spoke how she knew you. Then I proceeded to stalk your Instagram on her account. I hope that's not weird." 

You laugh, and it causes Harry to calm down, "Not weird at all. I would have done the same thing, but as you can see, I rarely upload anything." 

"Well, the things you do have, I think, are wonderful." He rambles on explaining how your beach photo on a bike with a pretty pink basket was one of his favorites and how cute you look wearing sweaters. 

As endearing as Harry was being, you decided to put him out of his misery. "Harry," you interrupt. 

"Yes." 

"I'd love to go on a date with you." 

"You would?" He gasps in surprise. 

"Yes." 

"That's fantastic. I think this is the best birthday gift I could have received." He tells you, but you're stuck on the last thing he said. 

"It's your birthday?" 

Harry smiles sheepishly. "Yes." 

"Happy Birthday, Harry." You tell him softly, a big smile on your face.

A blush overtakes his face; you can tell he wishes to cover up his face with hands but holds back from doing so. "Thank you." 

"Do you have any plans?" 

"No, well. Mitch and Sarah are coming over for lunch in a bit. Then they are off to study at Sarah's for the week. Her roommates are gone for the week." 

You frown, not liking that he'll spend the rest of his birthday alone. 

"Would you-never mind" You stop yourself from being able to invite yourself over to celebrate with him?

"Hey, it's okay. Whatever you wanted to say, I wouldn't judge you, love." His voice was soft and reassuring. 

"Well, I'd love to come over and hang out with you if that's okay. I can make us dinner, I make delicious enchiladas. Also, my carrot cake is to die for." 

Harry is surprised at her offer but nods his head quickly. "That sounds wonderful, but you don't have to cook for me. We can order takeout."

She shakes her head. "Consider it my gift to you." 

"Well, okay. Is six okay for you?" He bites his lip, not believing this is happening.

"Perfect." 

You sit there smiling at each other. 

When a message pops up overhead, "You have five minutes left before we join back as a group."

Your eyes go wide, having forgotten you were in class. "We didn't even discuss the assignment." 

Harry shakes his head in laughter, a smile spreads over your face. He has an adorable laugh that just rings through your ears, and you can't wait to hear it in person. 

"We've got time, now that it seems we'll be getting to know each other better." 

You relax, settling a bit, you have weeks before the assignment is due.

"I'll email you my number, love. Easier to communicate for later."

"Sounds great." You respond. 

_____

It's five-fifty, and you're standing outside his door. You're more than a little nervous. You're wearing high waisted jeans paired with a black off the shoulder top with floral embroidered sleeves. You decided against a sweater knowing the short walk would keep you warm enough. Your mask is red, with three small hearts stitched on the lower right side. Perfect for February. 

You shift the items in your hand to the right and lift your hand up to knock. After three gentle knocks, you hear footsteps and take a step back. 

"Hi," Harry breathes out, a big smile on his face.

"Hello, Harry, happy birthday." 

"Thank you." He smiles wide, blessing you with his dimples. Definitely look better in person. "Please come in." He grabs some of the items from your hand and allows you to step in before locking the door behind you. 

"Your mask is lovely. Did you make it?" 

"I did!" You share excitedly. "My roommate, Amy, and I spent lots of our free time making a different kind. We took old shirts we no longer wanted and used for the material. It was a lot of trial and error, but we're pretty solid at it now. My embroidery could use some work, but I think it's lovely. 

"It really is. Would you make me one?" He asks, staring at you as you pocket your mask. No longer needing it in his home. 

"Yes, I'll send you pictures of the fabric I have, or you could come over, and I can teach you as well." You tell him, excited at the prospect. 

"Sounds like a wonderful date." You nod, feeling your body get warm at the word date because today could also classify as a date. 

Harry knocks you out of your head when calling your name. "Turned the oven on like you requested." He informs you. 

"Thank you, my mom showed me how to make them, but I learned about the melted cheese on my own. She wasn't a big fan of it, but everyone else I know loves it, so I hope you will as well." 

Harry grabs your hand and gives it a squeeze. "I'm sure it's wonderful." He bumps your shoulder gently. "Go finish up; I'll set the table." 

He pushes you into the kitchen, and you go in and place your stuff. Harry is whistling, settling down on the table two glasses and two forks when you turn back around towards him. 

Harry turns around just in time for you to wrap your hands around his waist. You fit perfectly in his arms, taking in his musky scent. "Happy birthday, Harry." You whisper against his chest.

He squeezes you tighter, leaning his head on top of yours. "Thank you, love." 

He pulls back, holding you by your shoulders. A big smile on his face, you reciprocate it feeling his happiness warm your heart. 

"Run along now; I'm starving." He jokes.

You walk backward, creating distance; as his left-hand trails down your right hand slowly until he's touching your fingertips, do you pull away. Although you, more than anything, wanted to hold his hand. You want to feel the weight of it in yours; you want to know if his hands are soft or calloused. How cool his rings will feel against your palm. All in due time. 

"I'm happy to be here." 

"Me too, love. Me too." 

It's safe to say you were more than luckily going to have yourself a valentine for the first time in a long time. 

[shiningwonderland]

Syo Kurusu (Repeat)

Translator: Terry (Twitter: turtlemudge)

Proofreader: Sera (Twitter: serayagami)

Editor: Pam (Twitter: skywyld), Snail (Twitter: herbert_snail)

July — Wankend Afternoon

It is now July. Finals are over, and it’s just a little longer till summer vacation.

Ryuya Hyuga: Everyone’s here, right? I’m passing back your tests~

Students: Okayyy.

Ryuya Hyuga: Most of you have really improved since the last test. You’re all S Class students, so better brace yourselves. Now, first, Ichinose.

Tokiya Ichinose: Yes.

Ryuya Hyuga: As expected…. Full marks.

Tokiya Ichinose: Of course.

Ichinose-san accepts his test and returns to his seat without any signs of emotion at all.

Ryuya Hyuga: You’re...really not charming at all, are you. Next! Kurusu!

Syo Kurusu: Yeeeep!!

Ryuya Hyuga: You failed, dumb shorty. Next week’s the make-up exam, so you'd better study your ass off.

Hyuga-sensei whacks Syo-kun lightly over the head with his test paper.

Syo Kurusu: Gah!!

Syo-kun’s smile is pained as he looks over his test paper.

Ryuya Hyuga: It’s great that you’re so full of energy, but don’t neglect your studies.

I don’t care how bad you are at memorization, an S Class student shouldn’t be failing any tests.

Syo Kurusu: …I’m sorry.

Ryuya Hyuga: …Geez, if you care enough to apologize about it, then study harder in the first place. You’re not actually stupid, so you can pass if you put your mind to it.

Don’t just give up because you assume you’re bad at studying. Give it a real try. If you do, I’m pretty sure you’ll get good grades.

After school….

Syo Kurusu: Dammit, Tokiya and Ren didn’t wanna hang out since they passed just fine.

After school, Syo-kun and I decide to stay behind in the classroom to study in preparation for the make-up tests.

We tried asking Ichinose-san and Jinguji-san to stay too.

However, it seems they are both busy, and they turn us down.

Syo Kurusu: If it’s just the two of us, then there’s not much point to staying in the classroom. Maybe we should go to my room instead...?

Haruka Nanami: Your room…in the dorms...?

Syo Kurusu: Yeah, it’d be easier to relax there, right...?

Ah! Wait, never mind....

Natsuki will be there....

Haruka Nanami: Is there a problem with Shinomiya-san being there?

Syo Kurusu: Well, he’s loud, for one thing. Besides…I think he’ll become interested in you.

Haruka Nanami: ???

I’d be flattered if that happened.

Syo Kurusu: It’s not fun when Natsuki decides you’re his new favorite toy. He goes nuts with anything smaller than he is.

Trust me, you don’t want him grabbing you with everything he’s got and making your bones grind together! It’s a serious pain in the ass.

…And you’re not used to it, either, so if it happened to you, you might just freeze up and not be able to do anything….

Haruka Nanami: ???

Syo Kurusu: Besides, you’re…you’re my servant. I don’t want other people…touching you like that, or like….

Well, whatever. For now, let’s just study.

Haruka Nanami: All right.

Uhh, where do you want to start?

Syo Kurusu: Let’s seeee.

Well, how about where my score was lowest? Let’s start with “Business Terminology.”

Haruka Nanami: Okay.

At Saotome Academy, along with ordinary subjects, they teach us about things like the manners of show business and industry jargon.

Syo Kurusu: Umm….

What was “EX” short for, again?

Select the phrase!

I think it’s “extra.” (+10 Love +5 Music)

Syo Kurusu: “Extra” as in the people who play background people in dramas and stuff?

Haruka Nanami: Yes. It’s another name for background actors.

Syo Kurusu: I see.

Actually, doesn’t adding abbreviations kind of make things more difficult? Just writing out “extra” would’ve been fine.

Haruka Nanami: That’s true. They’re sometimes called “junior artists” or “background talent,” too.

Syo Kurusu: Hmmm. It’s true that not knowing that on a set might cause problems.

Maybe “example” or something...? (+0 Love +0 Music)

Syo Kurusu: Example?

Haruka Nanami: EX could be short for "example".

Syo Kurusu: But would they use that in the workplace?

Haruka Nanami: Ah…. That’s a good point.

Wait a moment. I’ll look it up now….

I get out my notes from class and try looking through them for the abbreviation.

Haruka Nanami: Ah….

“EX” is short for “extra,” apparently.

Syo Kurusu: “Extra” as in the people who play background people in dramas and stuff?

Haruka Nanami: Yes. It’s another name for background actors.

Syo Kurusu: Ah, I see.

Isn’t it “experience points? (+0 Love +0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: In a lot of video games, “experience points” is shortened to EXP….

Syo Kurusu: Yeah, that’s what I thought, too. But I wrote “amount of experience” on the answer sheet, and it got marked incorrect.

Haruka Nanami: Please wait a moment. I’ll look it up.

I flip through the business terminology dictionary section of Saotome Academy lecture compilation.

Haruka Nanami: Uhm…ah!

It looks like “EX” is short for “extra.”

Syo Kurusu: “Extra” as in the people who play background people in dramas and stuff?

Haruka Nanami: Yes. It’s another name for background actors.

Syo Kurusu: Ah, I see.

Syo Kurusu: Then, what’s this “SE” bit about?

Select the phrase!

Sound Effect (+10 Love +10 Music)

Syo Kurusu: A sound… what?

Haruka Nanami: Sound effect. The sounds that get added in post-production.

Syo Kurusu: Ah, I see.

System Engineer (+0 Love +0 Music)

Syo Kurusu: Isn’t that more of an IT acronym?

Haruka Nanami: Ah…right…umm…

Ah! I know. It’s sound effect.

Syo Kurusu: A sound… what?

Haruka Nanami: You know, like noises that get added to movies.

Syo Kurusu: Ah, I see.

Southeast (+0 Love +0 Music)

Syo Kurusu: Southeast...?

Haruka Nanami: Yes. S and E….

Syo Kurusu: In acting, too?

Haruka Nanami: Ah….

Uhh, umm, in that case….

Ah! I know. Sound effect!!

Syo Kurusu: Ah, I see.

Yeah, it’s probably that.

Syo Kurusu: Nnnngh!!

Wanna take a short break for now?

Syo-kun stretches and gets up from his desk.

Syo Kurusu: I’m going to go buy drinks, what do you want?

Haruka Nanami: Ah, I’ll come too.

As we leave the classroom and step into the hallway, we can hear voices that sound like people arguing.

Ringo Tsukimiya: Then let’s do this. Whoever loses this game of rock-paper-scissors has their class clean the principal’s office.

Ryuya Hyuga: Sounds good to me.

Let’s go! Rock, paper, scissors, one, two, three!

Ringo Tsukimiya: One, two, three!

Ryuya Hyuga: One, two, three!

Ringo Tsukimiya: One, two, three!

Ryuya Hyuga: One, two, three!

Syo Kurusu: Hm? Somebody’s noisy.

Haruka Nanami: They are, aren’t they?

Shall we see what’s going on?

Syo Kurusu: Sure.

Ringo Tsukimiya: One, two, three!

Ryuya Hyuga: One, two, three!

Ringo Tsukimiya: One, two, three!

Hah… Ughhh. Is that 99 times now? Nobody’s winning.

Ryuya Hyuga: ... You’re right. We won’t settle anything at this rate.

Ringo Tsukimiya: It wouldn’t have continued like this if you’d just given up and let me win….

Syo Kurusu: What are you two doing?

Ringo Tsukimiya: Oh, Syo-chan.

What are you doing here? Stayed behind to practice?

Haruka Nanami: Uhh… we were studying.

But really…. Is something wrong?

Ryuya Hyuga: Yeah, the principal wants us to have our students clean his office while he’s on vacation.

We’re arguing over who’s class should take that on, and thought we could decide with rock-paper-scissors, but…

Ringo Tsukimiya: But we’ve ended in a draw 99 times.

Since Ryuya is so terribly stubborn, we haven’t been able to come to a decision at all.

Haruka Nanami: I see….

Ringo Tsukimiya: Ah!! I know!!

Since it’s the students who have to do the cleaning, why not have the students face off to see who loses?

Ryuya Hyuga: Face off? What exactly would we have them do?

Geez, don’t make this a giant pain.

Ringo Tsukimiya: Look, the pool opens tomorrow, right? Let’s have our classes play water polo against each other, and the losing class will clean the office.

Yeah, let’s do that. I’m sure that’ll be so much fun! Right? Don’t you think that’s a great idea?

Select the phrase!

What do you think, Syo-kun? (+20 Love +0 Music)

Syo Kurusu: Huh? Me?

Haruka Nanami: Yes, how do you feel about it?

Syo Kurusu: Hmm….

I think an inter-class contest would be fun, and I like competition.

Haruka Nanami: Well, then….

Syo Kurusu: Yeah, if it’s a challenge, bring it on!

Ringo Tsukimiya: Heeheehee. Aren’t you full of fighting spirit? But, but, but… the kids in my class won’t lose, either. Ahh~, I’m getting so excited about this.

That sounds like fun. (+0 Love +5 Music)

Ringo Tsukimiya: Doesn’t it? Well, that’s decided.

Heehee, I’m excited for tomorrow.

Ryuya Hyuga: You’re excited? I’m really not sure about this.

It seems like it’s going to become a huge hassle later.

If it’s cleaning, I can… (+0 Love +0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: I’m actually pretty good at cleaning, so I can go tidy up there every day if necessary.

Ringo Tsukimiya: No way. We can’t ask you to do that all by yourself. This is something everyone has to work together to do.

Ryuya Hyuga: You have a point, though.

At least if we have the students compete to decide, they won’t complain about it later. Let’s go with that plan.

So, the next day…

Syo Kurusu: Whoo~~!! It’s so pretty and clear.

The weather on the day of the pool opening is beautiful, without a cloud in the sky.

Our school has an all-weather, indoor pool, but the walls and ceiling are made of glass, so the sunlight coming through the windows on a sunny day feels really nice.

Haruka Nanami: I’m looking forward to the water polo match.

You’re really good at sports, so I’m sure we’ll win!!

Syo Kurusu: Yeah!!

Leave it to me!!

Syo-kun’s grin is full of confidence as he gives me a thumbs-up.

Following Tsukimiya-sensei’s plan from yesterday, our classes will be having a water polo match for the pool opening.

The match will be three-on-three, and the A class team’s members are Ittoki-kun, Hijirikawa-sama, and Shinomiya-san.

Ichinose-san, Jinguji-san, and Syo-kun were selected to be on the S class team.

Tokiya Ichinose: Ugh, why do I have to do this...?

Ren Jinguji: Don’t complain so much, Icchi. You were already picked, so there’s no point, is there? Since we’re already here, let’s have fun with it.

Tokiya Ichinose: For the record, I’m not good at sports. Please don’t get your hopes up too high.

Ren Jinguji: Is that so? Well then, please be careful to stay out of my way.

Tokiya Ichinose: … I’ll try.

Ren Jinguji: If you can’t move around too much, then maybe you should be the goalkeeper….

Masato Hijirikawa: For the positions…. Would you allow me to be the goalkeeper?

Otoya Ittoki: Eh? Oh, right…. Masato, you can’t sw…

Masato Hijirikawa: Ahhhh, ahem. Well, let’s call it a good allotment of resources.

As the S class members are talking about positions, the A class team members beside them seem to be discussing something as well.

Hearing what they’re talking about, Jinguji’s expression changes.

Ren Jinguji: Goalkeeper? Hmm, are you trying to run away? Masato Hijirikawa!!

Jinguji-san draws slowly closer to Hijirikawa-sama.

Masato Hijirikawa: … That is not my intention.

Ren Jinguji: In that case, you can compete with me in the field, can’t you?

Masato Hijirikawa: No, I can’t.

Ren Jinguji: Are you making fun of me?

Masato Hijirikawa: No, I am not. There’s no point in making fun of someone like you.

Ren Jinguji: So you’re determined to play the goalkeeper, then?

Masato Hijirikawa: Yeah.

Ren Jinguji: Then, I’ll be a goalkeeper as well. We’ll see who can protect his goal better.

Syo Kurusu: Sheesh. They’re at it again. I don’t believe Ren….

Every time Hijirikawa gets involved, he gets weirdly hot-headed.

Haruka Nanami: Is this going to be okay?

Syo Kurusu: Ah, well, it happens every time. But apart from that, I think they get along okay.

And so everyone gets into the pool to prepare for the game, but….

Syo Kurusu: Wah!!

W-what’s up with this pool?

M-my legs don’t reach… !

Ryuya Hyuga: Oh, that’s right. I forgot to mention it, but the depth of this pool is 161 centimeters. The same as your height, Shorty.

Syo Kurusu: Huh? What’s that about?

This is harassment!!

Syo-kun says this while flailing around desperately, trying to keep his head above water.

Ryuya Hyuga: There’s no point asking me about it. It was the principal’s call, anyway.

The way he thinks, as long as things are funny, everything’s fine.

Tokiya Ichinose: If it was Saotome-san’s doing, then there’s no helping it.

Ren Jinguji: That’s true.

Well, let’s do our best, Shorty. The word “lose” isn’t in our dictionary!

Syo Kurusu: Dammit!!

It’s fine for you, your feet can touch the bottom.

This is hard on me!!

Natsuki Shinomiya: Syo-chan, are you okay?

I could give you an upsy-daisy.

Shinomiya-san hoists Syo-kun up into the air.

Syo Kurusu: Cut that out!!

Natsuki Shinomiya: Here, upsy-daisyyy!!

Ignoring Syo-kun's words, Shinomiya-san grabs Syo-kun's waist in both hands and lifts him over his head like a child.

Syo Kurusu: Hey!! Stop it!!

Let me go! Idiot!!

Otoya Ittoki: Uh, hey Natsuki. I know that Syo is cute, but if you do that the whole time, it won’t be much of a match.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Ah… I guess….

I’m sorry, Syo-chan. We’re on opposite teams right now, so I can’t help you.

Shinomiya-san drops him all at once, making a sad face.

Syo Kurusu: Waah!!!

Don’t suddenly let go!!

Hack, hack. Blub-blah!

That scared me. I was about to drown….

Also, nobody asked you to help.

You don’t need to do anything, so get back to your team.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Fine…. I’m really sorry, Syo-chan.

Syo Kurusu: Yeah, whatever.

Even though his feet can’t reach the bottom, Syo-chan does his best to keep up with everyone else when the match begins.

Syo Kurusu: Gah! Guh, cough. Dammit!!

Even in this situation, he’s still trying so hard and refusing to give up… he’s really impressive….

But really, he's clearly at a disadvantage.

Otoya Ittoki: Alright! Now! Over here, over here! Masa! Pass!!

Masato Hijirikawa: Here.

Ringo Tsukimiya: Goal!!

First point goes to A Class!!

And then, Ichinose-san….

Tokiya Ichinose: At this rate, our chances of winning… may be very close to zero.

While observing all the players and bringing his cool-headed powers of analysis to bear, he sighs.

Syo Kurusu: Don’t be ridiculous!!

If, if we give up now, we’ll...lose.

Hah… hah… hah…

Tokiya Ichinose: So you say, but…

You’re already in a state….

Syo Kurusu: I, I can—still… keep… going!!

Even though struggling to swim all the time must be terrible, there’s a light in Syo-kun’s eyes that says he hasn’t lost hope.

Syo-kun…. Even like this, he’s not giving up at all. He’s amazing….

Tokiya Ichinose: I understand. We’ll do our utmost.

But it’s too late. Before long, they’re stuck at zero points against A Class’s ten.

Ryuya Hyuga: This is a landslide win for A Class. Tch, if the principal hadn’t gone and meddled, it would have been a good match….

Ringo Tsukimiya: Heehee! I was right to pick the kids I did!

Just when Hyuga-sensei and the S Class students seem to have almost given up on winning….

SPLAAAAAAASH!!

Something rises from the center of the pool, and on it….

Shining Saotome: It’s Shining Saotome’s glorious appearance!!

Ryuya Hyuga: Appearing from a weird place, again…. I wondered why he wasn’t here. So that’s where the old man was hiding.

Ringo Tsukimiya: At this school, there are so many mysterious tricks and traps that even we teachers don’t know about. Well, it’s fun, so it’s all good….

Ryuya Hyuga: Don’t call it fun, you. It’s not good at all. You try being in charge of this place’s budget sometime. Do you have any idea how many panes of glass the old man’s broken this month?

It’s made-to-order, soundproof glass that costs an arm and a leg, he goes around breaking it whenever he wants, and I have to revise the budget every single time.

And, he made this facility on top of all that…. Where the heck does he get all that money from?

Ringo Tsukimiya: Don’t sweat the small stuff. You really are a man with no sense of romance, aren’t you? You won’t be popular that way!

Ryuya Hyuga: Shut up. Leave me alone.

Shining Saotome: This match isn’t interesting enooough! The losing team will face an added punishmeeent!

Syo Kurusu: Seriously?!?

We’re at a huge disadvantage here!!!

Tokiya Ichinose: … What is he going to make us do?

Shining Saotome: Heheheheh.

The losing team will have to spend 1 day cross-dressinggg!

Syo Kurusu: Geh!!! You’re kidding!!

Tokiya Ichinose: … From now on, I’m going all out.

Syo Kurusu: Yeah!! I’m absolutely not cross-dressing!!

At this point, S Class is at too much of a disadvantage, so enough water is drained from the pool that Syo-kun can touch the bottom, and the match resumes.

When this happens, not just Syo-chan, but Ichinose-san as well, begin to move more quickly. Even though I thought he said he was bad at sports….

Does he hate the idea of women’s clothing that much?

Syo-kun’s motor skills return to their usual excellence.

His body moves so lightly to and fro across the entire pool, overwhelms A Class and leads them around by the nose. It’s as though he doesn’t feel his tiredness from his exertion up till now at all.

Tokiya Ichinose: Syo, I’m passing to you!!

Syo Kurusu: Yeah!!!

Once Syo-kun has the ball, there’s no one who can stop him.

Otoya Ittoki: You think I’ll let you….

But if I stop you from here…!

Ittoki-kun tries to circle around Syo-kun and cut him off in front, but….

Syo Kurusu: Too slow, too slow!!!

Syo-kun easily dodges under Ittoki-kun’s arm and continues on.

Otoya Ittoki: Dammit! I can’t catch him!!

Figures. Syo's the quickest guy around.

Syo Kurusu: Ren!!!

Ren Jinguji: Hup!!

One more point...!

Syo Kurusu: Yeah!

Alright, let’s keep it up!

Tokiya Ichinose: Yes, we won’t lose.

So Syo-kun and Ichinose-san try incredibly hard, and somehow they almost manage to catch up to A Class’s score. But….

Tokiya Ichinose: Syo!!

Otoya Ittoki: I won’t let you!! Heeey!! Hyaaaah!!

Incredibly, Ittoki-kun manages to intercept the ball, and throws it to Hijirikawa-sama at the goal.

And then….

Just as the finishing whistle blows, Hijirikawa-sama catches the ball.

Syo Kurusu: Dammit!!

We’re just one point behind!!

Aaaaah, come on!!

Tokiya Ichinose: ….

In the end, S Class loses by a single point.

Since everyone has elegant facial features, while cross-dressing, they don’t look so strange.

Although Ichinose-san… with his sailor uniform and braids, looks like an old-fashioned schoolgirl….

Jinguji-san has a bit of a grown-up older sister look. His long legs look lovely in his tight skirt.

… I could never compare….

His bearing is excellent too, like a foreign model’s.

And Syo-kun is, of course, extremely adorable and feminine.

He was cute from the start, so his miniskirt suits him very well.

The way he keeps smoothing it down over and over, like it makes him nervous, makes his cuteness even more obvious.

Syo Kurusu: Dammit! Somehow, I can’t calm down.

Haruka Nanami: Still, Syo-kun, you’re really, really cute!! You’re even cuter than a female idol would be!!

Syo Kurusu: Do you really have to make such a big deal about calling me cute?

Haruka Nanami: Yes!!! I’m jealous that you can pull off wearing a cute outfit like that!!

Ringo Tsukimiya: That’s truuue, everyone’s super cute. Let’s take lots and lots of pictures. Everyone, smile, smile!

No~, this angle’s no good, it’s not capturing your cuteness properlyyy. This is going to become a precious memory, so I need to take these photos seriously.

For the record, I’m a professional photographer as well as a model, so my shots are top-notch! Just relax and leave it to me!

Heeey, Syo-chan, your expression is too stiff. Please try smiling for me. Turn this way.

Syo Kurusu: No way.

Why do we even have to take pictures in the first place?

Tokiya Ichinose: Exactly.... This is a disgrace…. This is beyond humiliating.

Ren Jinguji: You think so? I’m having fun getting to prove that I’m beautiful even in women’s clothes.

Jinguji-san is really getting into this, posing enchantingly like a pinup girl.

Tokiya Ichinose: … Yes, well, you are unique.

Ringo Tsukimiya: It’s not that bad. Idols need to cross-dress sometimes! Okay? If you hate it, you won’t be able to appear in variety shows.

Man or woman, everyone loves beautiful people! Cross-dressing is just one more way to become beautiful!!

Syo Kurusu: If it’s work, then that’s different. I take my work seriously. But I’m not working right now.

Ringo Tsukimiya: Hmmph!! If you’re going to say childish things like that, then I won’t show you these pictures!! Even though they turned out sooo cute and I was going to let you see.

Syo Kurusu: I don’t even want to see them, so there.

Bleeeh!!

The next day….

Tomochika Shibuya: Morning, Haruka.

Haruka Nanami: Ah! Good morning, Tomo-chan.

Tomochika Shibuya: I was surprised when I woke up today and you weren’t there. Did you have morning practice?

Haruka Nanami: Ah, today is Syo-kun’s make-up test. I wanted to review the material with him one time, so I met up with him early this morning.

Tomochika Shibuya: Ahh, I see.

So? How’d it go? Do you think he’ll pass?

Haruka Nanami: Yeah, Syo-kun’s been trying really hard, so I think he’ll do fine.

Tomochika Shibuya: Is that so?

Natsuki Shinomiya: Good morning.

Tomochika Shibuya: Good morning, Natsuki.

Haruka Nanami: Good morning.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Please look at this. These are Syo-chan’s pictures from yesterday.

Shinomiya-san looks delighted as he pulls out the photos of Syo-kun cross-dressing and shows them to us.

Tomochika Shibuya: What are these?

Natsuki Shinomiya: Ringo-sensei gave them to me just now. Heehee, isn’t Syo-chan cute?

Haruka Nanami: He looks like a real girl, doesn’t he? He’s small, and his eyes are large, so girl’s clothes don’t look out of place on him at all.

His legs are slender and pretty, too. Syo-kun’s got such a nice figure…

Natsuki Shinomiya: You think so, too? His ever-so-slightly angry expression is really cute too, right? Heeheehee.

He’s so cute that it’s a shame we’re the only ones who get to see it. I want as many people to see these as possible.

Tomochika Shibuya: I don’t think the guy himself would be very happy about that, though….

Natsuki Shinomiya: I wonder how I could show them to everyone. Maybe if I put them up on the bulletin board...?

Tomochika Shibuya: … He’s not listening…. In that case, why not submit them as a reader contribution to a magazine? To the “Cute Candids” feature, or something like that.

Saying this, Tomo-chan takes a fashion magazine out of her bag.

Tomochika Shibuya: Look, there’s a mailing address for submissions.

Haruka Nanami: Uh… um…. Sending those without telling Syo-kun would be…

Tomochika Shibuya: Ahaha. I’m kidding, I’m kidding.

Natsuki Shinomiya: May I borrow that magazine?

Tomochika Shibuya: Eh… seriously?

[Scene change]

And then, several weeks later…

Male Student A: Hey, have you seen this?

Male Student B: Ah, the girl in the reader submission, right? She’s cute.

Male Student A: I heard that she’s a student here.

Male Student B: Seriously?!

Do we have a girl that cute here?

Syo Kurusu: Sigh….

Syo-kun lets out a long sigh.

That’s right, the girl who’s being talked about in our class right now is actually Syo-kun in girl’s clothing.

Syo Kurusu: Why did something like this happen...?

Select the phrase!

The truth is… (+20 Love +0 Music)

I tell him about Shinomiya-san sending in the pictures.

Syo Kurusu: It’s his fault!?! Dammit! I’m gonna hit him so hard!!!

Syo-kun stands up angrily.

He looks like he might really go find Shinomiya-san and attack him.

Haruka Nanami: Sy-Syo-kun!

On impulse, I grab Syo-kun’s hand and draw him up short.

Syo Kurusu: W-what?

Haruka Nanami: I-I’m sorry….

Syo Kurusu: Why are you apologizing?

Natsuki’s the one who did it, right?

Haruka Nanami: But….

If I’d tried harder to stop him….

Syo Kurusu: Don’t worry about that.

He would’ve done it even if you’d tried to stop him.

Since when does he actually listen to other people?

Haruka Nanami: But….

I’m so ashamed that I can’t look at Syo-kun’s face.

Syo Kurusu: So… don’t make that face. When you look that upset….

I don’t know what to do….

… Listen, I really am mad that he sent those pictures without asking, but…

At this point, I guess it’s not so bad. I mean, even if I’m cross-dressing, it’s good that it’s making me more popular.

When I hang my head, Syo-kun puts his hands gently on my cheeks and lifts it up again.

Syo Kurusu: Here, keep your chin up. Look at your prince properly! This just goes to show how amazing I am.

Right? This just proves it!!

Saying this, Syo-kun grins.

Syo-kun’s smile is so bright that it sparkles like the sun.

Ahh, this person is so strong.

I can’t take my eyes off him.

Syo Kurusu: That said, I’d like to avoid people finding out that I’m the one in those photos.

It’s because you’re cute. (+5 Love +0 Music)

Syo Kurusu: Don’t call me cute!!!!!

Haruka Nanami: Ah, I—I’m sorry!

Syo Kurusu: Ah… sorry….

… I just, I don’t want people to figure out that I’m the one in those photos. I know I shouldn’t be so sensitive about this, but still….

No matter what, whenever I hear people call me “cute,” I feel like they’re making fun of me.

Syo-kun rests his head on his desk, going limp.

Haruka Nanami: Syo-kun….

It’s okay. (+0 Love +0 Music)

Syo Kurusu: What’s okay about it?

Haruka Nanami: Uhm… well….

They say that rumors die down after 75 days.

I’m sure everyone will forget about this soon enough.

Syo Kurusu: I wish I could erase myself from everyone’s memories right this instant…

Holding the sides of his head, Syo-kun slumps down in his desk, sighing deeply.

Haruka Nanami: Syo-kun….

Syo Kurusu: For now, I guess all I can do is play it cool so no one figures out it’s me….

Shining Saotome: HA-HA-HAA~.

It’s not that siiimple.

Syo Kurusu: Gah!!

Shining Saotome!!

But where… ?

Shining Saotome: Heeere.

The principal appears, wriggling out of a flower vase on the teacher’s lectern.

Syo Kurusu: Where the heck did you just appear from!?

Shining Saotome: HA-HA-HAA~.

It was a bit craaaamped!

Syo Kurusu: It’s way beyond cramped!! You’re like 2 meters tall, old man!!

How the heck did you hide in a flower vase!?!

The principal’s illusions are becoming more and more amazing….

Shining Saotome: It’s top secret.

But, more importantly~... Today I have brought the results of the make-up teeests!

Shorty, you have somehow paaassed! BUT. From now on, you will be taking supplementary lessonsss!

If you’re not careful, you may be expeeelled!

Syo Kurusu: What’s up with that!? That’s messed up! I passed, didn’t I?! What are you talking about?

Shining Saotome: HA-HA-HAA~.

At this school, I am the law.

Syo Kurusu: Ack….

In this field, the principal’s rule is absolute. We’ve had that driven home in our classes as well.

Shining Saotome: If you don’t want to be expelled, you should accept my guidance.

Which is to sayyy…. Shorty, I will have you debut as a mysterious, beautiful lady modeeel!

Syo Kurusu: Huh!? How did you come up with that?!

Shining Saotome: This is you, isn’t it, Shorty? I have received a job offer for you.

The principal pulls out a copy of the magazine with Syo-kun’s photo and points to it.

Shining Saotome:AND because it was funny, I have ACCEPTED that offer.

Your code name will beee Yui Kosoba!

Syo Kurusu: That sucks! ! What is that name, a bad joke?

Shining Saotome: You could also be “Lovey Sound” or “Via Lynn”!

Syo Kurusu: Wha?! What’s with these three terrible choices?

Let’s move away from the awful puns….

Shining Saotome: Will you quit your job?

Or rather, will you drop out of school?

With a serious expression on his face, the principal stares Syo-kun down.

Like the legend of show business he is, the impact of his gaze is unbelievable.

I can practically hear an ominous rumbling.

Syo Kurusu: Dammit!! Doesn’t someone as cool as me get the power of veto...?

Haruka Nanami: Syo-kun….

Syo Kurusu: Fine. I’ll do it!! I just gotta do it, right?! Dammit! What even is this?!

Shining Saotome: Just as I’d expect of a student of this schoool.

I know my students well!

And so, unfortunately, it is decided that Syo-kun will debut as a female model.

Today, Syo-kun begins his modeling work. I go to see him off in front of the school.

After this, Syo-kun will leave for his first photoshoot.

Haruka Nanami: Um… well…

Because this is Syo-kun’s first job, I could just say “congratulations,” but, well….

He’ll have to work under a different name, and as a girl.

Even though he’s always hated being called cute….

I’m sure it will be hard on him. Will he be okay…?

I should say something….

Select the phrase!

Do your best. (+20 Love +0 Music)

In the end, all I could say was a generic phrase.

And then, when I hung my head…

Syo Kurusu: Don’t make that face.

I’m okay!

Saying this, Syo-kun pats me on the shoulder.

I’ll be cheering you on. (+0 Love +5 Music)

Haruka Nanami: Uhm, I know you may not want to do this, but this is… pretty much your debut… so….

I’m sure it’ll be good for your career later on, too!!

Syo Kurusu: Yeah, I guess….

Um… Keep it together, okay...? (+10 love +0 Music )

Haruka Nanami: I know you may not really want to do this, but if you give it a try, you might be really good at it….

You carry yourself well, and that’s a good thing for a model….

So, well… uhh….

Syo Kurusu: It’s okay.

Don’t worry about it!!

Saying this, Syo-kun grins. He can see I’m about to panic, and is trying to cheer me up….

He’s so kind.

Haruka Nanami: U-um...! I’ll see you soon….

It’s time for him to leave, but that’s all I’m able to say.

But….

Syo Kurusu: Yeah, see you later.

Syo-kun speaks brightly as he makes a tight fist and throws a punch, then opens his hand vigorously.

Then, he smiles lightly as he turns away and leaves for work.

I don’t know what will happen after this, but…

I hope it won’t be a rough experience for him.

Mini Game

Ryuya Hyuga: From here on out, you’re gonna study music seriously!! I hope you’ve already arranged the assignment song in the classroom….

Now, you will be performing that song for real. By performing a song you've arranged, your understanding of it improves.

Moreover, this is different from an instrumental performance, but it's easier to grasp the image of the song with the lyrics attached.

By the way, the performance level of the song will also be evaluated. Ya better not take it lightly.

Are you ready?

Then go for it!

S Rank

Syo Kurusu: You worked really hard. Well done. Just as I’d expect of my servant. I’m proud of you, too!

Syo-kun, who came to watch my performance test, nods and looks satisfied.

I’m happy that I seem to have done a good job as his servant.

I want to be someone who can support Syo-kun.

Chapter End

[fruitcoops]

Hi!

It's the anon of the Remus knockout fic. Could you write a mirror fic?

Yep! For anyone who is curious: a mirror fic is when you take the premise of one fic, then translate it to a different character with minor alterations. This one has the same theme as Knockout, where Sirius was knocked unconscious after a bad hit. This is also the first half-and-half commentary fic I’ve ever written!

SW credit goes to @lumosinlove!

TW for injury, minor blood, fighting, and unconsciousness

“Lee, are you seeing this?” Frank asked, excitement building in his voice.

“I am, Frank! There’s a melee on the ice—it looks like the Lions and Snakes have finally let their cork pop after that dirty check on Lions captain Sirius Black! Oh, what a hit on Malfoy by O’Hara! That’ll leave a mark,” Lee laughed. Several whistles blew, loud and shrill over the roaring fans. “Let’s get a playba—wait. Hang on a second, Frank, is that—?”

“There’s a player down,” Frank confirmed, sobering immediately. “Lee, I think that’s Lupin, but he’s not moving.”

“Black is waving medics over and it looks like the Lions have put their fists away for the moment. Snape tries to start something again, but—oh, shut down by the refs. Right to the bench for him.” They fell quiet as another person hurried onto the ice. “That’s Hestia Jones, Gryffindor’s newest addition to the training team. Lupin always speaks highly of her, so he should be in good hands.”

Noise rippled over the stadium after a period of suspended silence. “Is he moving? He is! Lupin’s conscious again, and nobody is calling for a stretcher, which is a great sign.” Frank paused for a moment as Hestia and Sirius helped pull him upright. “And Lupin’s heading toward the locker room with about half the team on his heels, mostly under his own power.”

“I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief after that,” Lee said. “I don’t know about you, but I never like seeing fights go bad. How do you think it happened?”

“Let’s take a look.” The jumbotron picked up just after number 8 on the Snakes collided with Sirius in a late hit, nearly knocking his helmet clean off; in mere seconds, the two teams were on each other in a pack of fury. Remus went after number 8, one of the enforcers—they tussled for a moment before a hard hit from his opponent knocked him flat on the ice.

“Lupin’s fiery, but he was well out of his weight class there,” Lee said, shaking his head. “It seems like no permanent damage was done, though. We’ve got enough Lions and Snakes in the boxes that both teams are going to their second strings, Frank! Back to you!”

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

Sirius’ heart pounded in his ears as they headed off the ice, moving as slow as possible to avoid damaging Remus on the off-chance something serious had happened. Hestia’s arm was a steel bar around his lower back; Talker, James, and Leo flanked them until they reached the boards, and each of the Lions put a gentle hand on Remus’ back when he passed them.

“I’m alright,” Remus said as they stepped into the tunnel, his head drooping forward. “ ‘m okay.”

“Can you help him get his pads off?” Hestia asked quietly, finally making eye contact with Sirius while they helped him sit on the PT table.

He nodded and gently guided Remus’ hands away from the straps and buckles, undoing them from muscle memory as he kept a careful eye out for anything they may have missed. Remus half-smiled, though more pain had overtaken the dizziness. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” Sirius winced at his voice crack, but removed the heavy pads without missing a beat. “How’re you feeling?”

Remus shrugged one shoulder. “Hurts. Nothing out of the ordinary, though. Can you call my mom?”

“They’ll be here soon, I bet.”

“Did you see them?”

“Earlier, yeah. They’ve got seats in the middle.”

Hestia tapped Sirius’ hip and he reluctantly moved aside to let her run through the concussion protocol, though he didn’t let go of Remus’ hand and grabbed a nearby paper towel to clean up some of the blood on his lip. “You look good to me,” Hestia said after a few minutes. “A little banged up, but nothing scary. Get some rest and water, and you’ll be good as new.”

The paper covering the table crinkled as Sirius sat down, rubbing small circles on Remus’ lower  back. “Do you want to stay here or head back to the bench?”

He made a face. “Stay here, I think. I’m kind of wobbly.”

“I’ll grab your water and be right back, okay?”

Remus nuzzled Sirius’ collarbone with a sigh, then kissed his cheek. “Thanks, hon.”

As soon as Sirius was out of the PT room, he leaned against the wall and blew out a shaky breath, running both hands through his hair. He had been too preoccupied with recovering from the late hit and shoving Snape to stop Remus from engaging with the Snakes’ enforcer; all he could do was watch as they traded one, two, three hits before Remus dropped. Dropped like a stone, and took Sirius’ heart with him.

Nobody else noticed at firs—both teams were a brawling wreck at that point, and for all of his hard work Remus was still one of the smaller guys out there. It was a miracle Hestia had even heard him calling for a medic as he gripped Remus’ hand and fumbled through hoarse pleas for him to open his eyes. He had been so pale when Sirius pulled his helmet off, save for the blossoming reddish-purple mark across one side of his face.

Hestia had let him stay while she worked, speaking clipped and clear by the side of Remus’ head until he mumbled “hear you” and “hurts”. It took another half-minute before he looked at them, and a dozen lifetimes before his breathing went back to normal under Sirius’ palm.

He’s okay, he told himself for the umpteenth time. He’s okay. He’s awake. Hestia’s got him.

Sirius walked to the bench in a daze, hardly glancing at the game while he collected their waterbottles and braced himself on the back of a chair for a moment. “How is he?” Arthur asked, worry lacing his tone.

“He’s okay. Bruised and dizzy, no concussion.”

“Deep breaths, Cap. Deep breaths.” Sirius inhaled slowly, then exhaled with a shiver. Arthur gave his shoulder a light squeeze. “There you go. Everything’s alright.”

“That was fucking terrifying.”

“Sit down for a second, yeah?”

Sirius shook his head. “Gotta get him some water. Christ. Okay, I’m okay. Don’t know if you want me back out—”

“No,” Arthur said firmly. “We’re ahead, and your boys don’t look like they’re going to let the Snakes take it back.”

“Thank you.” Sirius pressed his lips together as the delayed fear rocking through him began to abate.

“Go on, son. I’ll update the others if they ask.”

He scrubbed a hand over his face before heading back down the hall with both waterbottles, trying to calm his racing heart to the sounds of quiet voices coming from the PT room.

“Sirius!”

“Hey, buddy.” Sirius bent down to catch Jules in a hug and felt tears prickle back up in his throat as his ribs were nearly crushed beneath skinny arms. The second he straightened, Hope and Lyall pulled him close in a flutter of worry.

“Is he still awake?” Lyall asked.

“Hestia’s got him,” Sirius confirmed, running a steady hand through Jules’ hair. “He’s up and talking, no concussion. I was just getting him some water.”

Hope looked like she was on the verge of tears, but she nodded. “Thank you. Can we see him?”

“Yeah, sure thing.” Sirius lifted Jules onto his hip—the kid wasn’t letting go of him anytime soon—and led them down the hall, then knocked before pushing the door open the rest of the way.

Almost immediately, Remus was mobbed by both his parents. “I’m fine,” Remus assured them as Hope inspected the bruise on the side of his face. “I should know better than to start fights with—”

“You didn’t start it,” Lyall interrupted. “That was a late hit and the refs should’ve called it before things went that far.”

“Oh, lovey,” Hope murmured, cupping his face in her palms. “We are so happy for you, and we one hundred percent support you, but please think before you punch people twice your size.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Remus laughed as she kissed his forehead. “Where’s Jules?”

“Here.” Jules wiggled free of Sirius’ arms and crept over, then clambered up onto the table and tucked himself against Remus’ ribs with a sniffle. “Don’t do that anymore.”

“You got it,” he promised; Sirius lingered on the outside of their group hug before Remus reached out and dragged him into his other side. “Family hugs include you now, remember?”

“I need all my boys in one spot,” Hope added, giving him a light jostle.

“You guys are welcome to stay as long as you like,” Hestia said from the doorway as she propped it open. “Cap, Loops, coach might want to see you after the game.”

“How much time do we have?” Sirius asked without extracting himself from the net of affection.

“Eh, maybe five minutes? We’ve scored two goals in the past ten, so I don’t think it’ll drag on too much longer.”

“Sirius, how are you feeling? That hit looked pretty hard.” Hope gave him a concerned look, as if she was expecting him to also drop unconscious.

“I might be a little bruised in the morning, but I’m fine,” he said.

Lyall narrowed his eyes, then nodded. “Good. We need you.”

“I won’t be in for the rest of the—”

“We need you here,” he clarified, patting Sirius’ back. “Right here.”

Remus caught his eye and smiled softly; Sirius swallowed around the lump in his throat and relaxed into the hug, resting his temple against the top of Remus’ head. He was okay. They both were. They all were.