#ty for the ask!! honestly can't think of a better way to ring in the new year

[mobius-m-mobius]

ooooh do you have a picture of the s2 socks?

I'm here to serve and so is he 🫡🥰

[munson-blurbs]

When Man Plans, God Laughs (Eddie Munson x Single Mom!Reader)

Summary: You're a single mom of two who recently moved back to your hometown of Hawkins, Indiana, after a nasty divorce. When your friends take you out for the night, you run into your high school crush: Eddie Munson. But are either of you satisfied with just a one-night stand?

Warnings: single motherhood, divorce, fluff, mentions of drugs/dealing

WC: 1.9k

Part One | Part Two

You're grateful that you didn't drink too much at the concert last night, because the following morning is hectic. Matthew insists on having milk with his cereal, then cries because it's soggy. While you attend to his tantrum, Grace takes it upon herself to grab the orange juice carton from the fridge, promptly dropping it and spilling it all over the kitchen floor. And when the word "shit" accidentally slips out of your mouth when you see the sticky mess forming, both kids decide to march around chanting it.

You clean up the kitchen, wipe down your messy children, and get them dressed for the day. They've been begging you to take them to the children's museum, so that's your plan. You're just finishing tying Grace's sneakers when the phone rings.

"Hello?" you huff into the receiver, scrambling to get out to the car before Matthew manages to undress himself.

"Hey, Y/N?" a familiar voice comes over the line. "It's Eddie. Munson," he clarifies, as if a different Eddie would be calling.

You crinkle your nose. "How did you get my number?" you ask, and you cringe at the interrogative note in your tone. "I mean, hi. But also, how did you get my number?""

Eddie laughs, not taking offense to any of it. "I hounded Starsky and Hutch until they broke and gave it to me."

"How nice of them," you mutter. "So, what's up?"

"Look," he starts, "I had a lot of fun last night. And I was hoping we could actually get to talk, catch up. Like a date, maybe?" His voice breaks at the end, nerves getting the best of him.

You smile weakly. "Eddie, that's really sweet," you tell him gently, keeping an eye on your munchkins, "but I'm not really looking to date right now."

"Is it because you have kids?" he blurts out, and you're taken aback.

"H-how did you know that I have kids?" It's a dumb question; Robin and Steve told him, obviously. "Never mind. Yes, it's because I have kids. Kids who are currently waiting for me to entertain them."

"So you're just never gonna date again?" he asks, but it's a genuine question; he's not accusing you of lying.

You exhale. "Maybe one day I will," you answer honestly. "But I...I don't think it's a good idea to be with someone who carries around a box full of mysterious illicit substances. Not really kid-friendly, y'know?"

"They're, uh, not all for me," he stammers.

You can't help but chortle at his statement. "Is the fact that you sell drugs supposed to make this better?" You notice Grace eyeing you curiously, so you lower your voice. "Look, I know you have to do whatever you can to make ends meet. I'm not judging you. But I also can't bring my kids into that kind of environment, y'know?"

There's a long pause on the other end of the line. "Yeah, no, I get it. Could we still...hang out? Like with Harrington and Buckley. Just as friends." Eddie bites his tongue to keep from babbling.

"Of course," you reply, breathing a sigh of relief. "I've gotta get going, but we'll talk soon."

"Bye, Y/N," he says, and you detect a hint of sadness in his voice. Maybe more than a hint. But you don't have time to ponder it, because Matthew is trying to fit through the spindles on the staircase. Why are kids so fast?

~

A few months later, you're holding Matthew's chubby little hand as you make your way through the library parking lot. Grace is in kindergarten full-time, so it's just you and your little man during the weekdays.

"Are you ready for Storybook Sing-a-longs?" you ask him excitedly. It was a new program that the library was offering to kids where a musician sang songs based on popular children's books. The best part was it was free. You'd signed him up right away.

The hum of a guitar being tuned floats past your ears as you enter the children's section. You're placing a fuzzy mat on the floor for you and Matthew to sit on, when you hear it:

"Hi there, tiny humans! I'm Eddie!"

Your head snaps up at the sound of his voice. No way. No fucking way. But it's him: Eddie Munson is sitting before you in a folding chair, long curls pulled back into a low bun. He's still got his signature rings and his ripped black jeans, but he's wearing a purple shirt that reads "Storybook Sing-a-longs."

"Jesus Christ," you murmur under your breath.

The mom next to you overhears your utterance. "I know, right?" she scoffs. "Who let him around children? He was such a freak in high school."

You shake your head. "That's not what I meant--" you start to say, but Eddie cuts you off.

"I need a volunteer to help me sing a song about wheels on the bus," he announces, eyes twinkling at the kids' excited faces. "Who knows that one and wants to sing with me?"

Matthew looks up at you, waiting for your approval. "Go on, Bubba," you encourage him. "You love The Wheels on the Bus!"

He jumps up waving his stubby arms in the arm, desperate to get Eddie's attention. When Eddie spots him, he motions the two of you over.

It takes him a moment to place who you are--your oversized t-shirt, mom jeans, sneakers, and barely-there swipe of mascara is a far cry from your skimpy concert outfit. But when he realizes, his face lights up.

"Who do we have here?" he asks, both to your son and to himself.

"I'm Matthew," the boy replies proudly, and it comes out as Mahh-chew. "And this is my mommy!"

Eddie's smile is so genuine that it hurts your heart. "Hi, Matthew and his mommy!" he says. "Matthew, do you know what the wheels on the bus do?"

"They go round and round!" Wound an' wound, he shrieks excitedly.

"That's right!" Eddie cheers, launching into the song. Matthew is singing and clapping along, doing all of the hand motions like you taught him. You sneak glances at Eddie, his fingers strumming gently, his voice energetic but soothing. It's a side of him you've never seen before.

You and Matthew scurry back to your mat at the end of the song, and it's time for another kid to have a turn. The next half hour is filled with lyrics about Jack and the Beanstalk, Hansel and Gretel, and The Three Little Pigs. Matthew's eyes are wide the whole time, soaking in the music in wonderment.

You're putting away the mat, a half-asleep tot in your arms, when you feel a light tap on your shoulder.

"Hey," Eddie says softly. "I was hoping you'd be here."

You feel yourself blushing, and you hoist Matthew up a bit higher to cover your reddening cheeks. "Well, Matty and I never turn down a chance to sing Wheels on the Bus!" You tickle the boy's belly and he gives the sweetest giggle you've ever heard.

"You guys are pros. Gonna put me out of business!" Eddie teases. He glances at Matthew, then looks directly into your eyes. "Y/N, he's such a cute kid."

"Thanks," you grin, "but he's not gonna be cute if he doesn't get his nap soon."

"Can I walk you to your car?" Eddie asks sheepishly. "Is that okay?"

"Sure. Thank you." You can't bring yourself to meet his gaze, shyness suddenly overtaking you as well.

He grabs your bag from your hand. Your pace is slower than it would be if you weren't holding Matthew, but Eddie walks alongside you.

"I should, um...I should be thanking you, actually," he says suddenly.

"Me?"

"Yeah," he nods. "When we spoke on the phone? And you said that you couldn't be with me because of my...my job? You were right. I'd been meaning to stop doing that stuff, but I figured I could never amount to much more. The Munson name comes with a reputation, and it ain't pretty. I thought no one would ever give me a chance.

"And then I came by here to return a book and saw they were looking for a kids' entertainer, and I thought, I can do that. I think the librarians were shocked that I was serious about it, but once I started doing the animal impressions for 'Old MacDonald,' they realized it was the real deal."

You laugh. "You really nailed those. We were both impressed with the cow especially."

Eddie snorts. "What can I say? I had plenty of experience listening to an old cow in O'Donnell's class."

"Eddie!" you swat at his stomach playfully. "Don't teach my innocent son how to insult people."

"Sorry, sorry," he puts his hands up in defeat. "But, yeah. I just thought you should know."

You raise your eyebrows at him. "One night after a concert made you rethink your whole life?" you ask unbelievingly.

"Yes? I mean, Buckley kept telling me about her friend that was incredibly smart, funny, caring...the list went on and on. And then I met you, and you were, like, holy sh--sugar hot," he amends quickly.

"That's sweet," you say, biting your lower lip. "But most days, I look like this. Miniskirts are few and far between."

Eddie places a big hand on your cheek. "The sentiment still stands, sweetheart." He kisses your forehead, sending shivers down your spine. When you arrive at your car, he opens the back door so you can put a sleeping Matthew in his car seat.

"Thanks, Eddie," you whisper. You want to kiss him so badly, it hurts. "Hey, um, do you do children's birthday parties, by any chance?" You glance down at your son. "He turns three in a few weeks, and I need something to keep the kids entertained."

"I do now," he beams. "Any special requests?"

"You've gotta bust out that rendition of Old MacDonald, obviously," you tease. "How much do you charge?"

"Hmm," he pretends to think. "One...slice of birthday cake."

"I'm serious!" You put your hands on your hips. "Besides, you would get birthday cake anyway."

"Okay," he says nervously. "How about that date?" When you raise your eyebrows, he gives an exasperated sigh. "C'mon! I stopped dealing, I got a regular gig, Matthew already adores me. Just one date. And if it sucks, I'll leave you alone forever."

You consider it. One date couldn't hurt, right? It wasn't like you were marrying the guy. Clearly, you didn't fare well in the marriage department, anyway.

"One date," you agree, and Eddie pumps his fist in the air triumphantly. "After the party. If you bomb, the deal's off."

"Oof, no pressure or anything," he stumbles back dramatically. "But it's a deal." He sticks his hand out and you shake it, but he takes the opportunity to pull you in and kiss your lips. "Couldn't help myself," he mumbles into your mouth. You bring your hand to the back of his head and kiss him back harder, feeling body melt into his. You're snapped out of your trance by the sound of Matthew stirring.

"We've gotta get home," you apologize. "Call me later, around 4? I'll give you the party info."

Eddie nods. "Sounds great." He kisses your cheek before opening your door for you. "I'll talk to you then."

You wave goodbye as you back out of the spot, a smile plastered to your face.

So much for a one-night stand.

--

[votestaynight]

2nd Day - "One day II" (Scene 2)

"Yeah. I have time, so I'll make something else." I open the refrigerator. All that's left are some cucumber and potatoes.

"…Hmmm. I could cut and salt the cucumber, or cut the potatoes and serve them vinegared…." But those are both things I could do in a couple of minutes, and they're better fresh. It'll be half an hour until Fuji-Nee and Sakura arrive, so I should make a dish right before they get here.

"…Hmph." In that case, this is free time I can't make much use of. Is there anything I can do in thirty minutes…? "There's some chicken, so…" I could cook some bite-sized meat rolls with vegetables, or something like that.

I cut the meat and tenderize it. At a glance, the meat tenderizer is really evil. It's like a hammer, but it's flat on four sides and has lots of spikes coming out of it.

If it were bigger, it would make a great instrument of torture. I flatten the meat with the scary object, put some carrots and kidney beans on it, roll it up, cook it in the pan, and steam it with wine.

"…Huh!? Hold on, what am I doing…!?" At that point, I regain my sanity. I was trying to make a side dish, as the saury was already the main dish. So what am I doing, making another main dish…!?

"…Honestly. I must have let my guard down, cooking just to pass the time." "Eh? You were cooking just to pass the time, Senpai?" "Yeah. The thing is, I was trying to make a side dish. But before I realized it, I was using the knife. Well, I guess habit is a scary thing… of course, that's just an excuse."

"But isn't that alright? It's a bit big for breakfast, but since you made it, I don't think there'll be any leftovers." "You think so? No, that's not the problem. There's no need for two suns in the sky. I'll have to ask one of them to leave." "What!? You're not going to eat it, Senpai?"

"I will. I wasn't planning to, but I'll pack lunch today. That way, it won't be a waste." "Wow… Senpai, you're going to make lunch right now?" "It'll be close, but I think I can at least get my―――"

And then. I finally realize someone's behind me.

"Good morning, Senpai. I'm here again today." Sakura greets me with a smile. It's not unusual for Sakura to come into the kitchen at this time. She always rings the bell as she comes in, but sometimes I don't notice, like this morning.

"G-Good morning, Sakura. Breakfast's ready, so you can relax in the living room. There's some tea there." I answer her, staring at the frying pan. On the table is a pot of hot water, a teapot, and some snacks.

"Oh, yes. You're perfect again today, Senpai." Sakura's voice is lively, as if she's happy about something. …And Sakura comes into the kitchen instead of going to the table.

"Senpai? You're making lunch, right?" "Hm? Yeah, it turned out that way. It's a good dish for lunch, so I thought I'd make some side dishes." "Um, then can I help? I'll make my own, so…" "Oh, wait. If you don't mind having the same thing, I can give you some of mine." "―――Yes. I was watching and I wanted to have some of yours." "All right. Can you cook the rice, then? We don't have enough for two. There should be a fast rice cooker over there." "Yes, I'll take care of it. I'll go and start that, then."

I hear the sound of her footsteps, and of her tying her apron. "Senpai? We're okay with two cups of rice, right?" "Hmm, I think that'll be enough." With quick movements, Sakura comes to help in the kitchen.

"Morning! Well done, it smells great!" A little past six-thirty. Thirty minutes after Sakura, Fuji-Nee arrives as usual.

"Good morning, Sensei. Please wait a little longer for breakfast." "Yep, I'll wait. …Oh, Sakura-chan, are you making breakfast with Shirou?" "No, Senpai made breakfast on his own. We're making lunch right now."

Sakura's voice is really lively. We're not doing anything particularly fun, so I don't know what she's so happy about.

"I see, so of course you're in a good mood. Cooking and Shirou, so much fun stuff. Okay, we don't have much time, but take it easy." Laughing, Fuji-Nee sits at the table and pours some tea.

"…Geez, she must still be off dreaming. What's so fun about cooking for school?" I put the pan back onto the rack. The food's made, so all that's left is to pack the lunchboxes.

"Sorry, Sakura. I made you do extra work before club activities. I wanted you to relax since you did a lot yesterday." "Huh? Don't worry about that at all. Like Fujimura-Sensei said, I find cooking fun."

She smiles. Well, I know she likes cooking… but still, it must be hard for her getting up at five o'clock to make lunch. Besides, Sakura comes and makes dinner often. So if I'm getting her to cook in the mornings too, she might have no free time at all.

"…Phew. I'm grateful for the help, but you should relax, Sakura. You should sleep in during the mornings, and after school is for playing around. You don't have to come and help around my house."

"Well, I am relaxing. You made breakfast today, and I got some food from you for lunch too."

She smiles. …Sigh. It's been a year and a half since Sakura started to help out. Now, she keeps coming back like this no matter what I say.

"That's different. You have your own life too, so you can't just take care of me and Fuji-Nee. If you're taking care of us, you won't be able to do all the things you want to."

"Ahaha, that's fine. My only hobbies are archery and cooking. In fact, my goal is to beat you at cooking, and I think I'm almost there." Sakura puffs her chest out boastfully. …Gah. I want to argue back, but it's true as she is about to beat me.

"So please don't worry about it. I like cooking here, and improving is fun. I'm helping you to pay you back for showing me this great pleasure, and for my own benefit."

"…Hm. Does that mean you're stealing some of my skill every day, Sakura?" "Yes. I improve quickly just by helping you. So please be ready. I'll make you admit defeat someday." Whoa. I can't believe she said it so bluntly!

"…Man. If I'd known this was coming, I would never have taught you to cook. You never even heard of oil before coming here, but now you're after me like an enemy. Really, why are you chasing me like this? Can't you just be happy making food?"

"Of course I'm after you. You can't be better than me." "…?" I'm not sure what's so bad about that, but we should start setting the table for breakfast.

"Alrighty." I check the saury. Placing my chopstick on the well grilled stomach, I check how cooked it is.

"I guess that's done. Here, Sakura, can you take this to the table?" "Yes, thank you Senpai."

I hand the plate of saury to Sakura. Then, as if remembering something important, Sakura stops dead.

"Sakura? What's wrong, did you leave something at home?" Sakura may seem shrewd, but she actually forgets things a lot. It's not unusual for her to remember something and stop like this. But… it seems like that's not the case this morning.

"…Sakura?" "……" There's no answer. She just blankly stares at my hand like she's still in a daze, then…

"Senpai… what's that bruise on your hand?" She asks me a strange question.

"Huh?" I look down at the hand she's talking about.

"Huh…? You're right, there is a bruise. That's weird, I don't remember hitting it anywhere."

For some reason, there's a big bruise on the back of my left hand. It's quite an impressive welt, and it looks like it came from some sort of a cut. Even on my own hand, it looks bad. Perhaps Sakura's not feeling well as she's very quiet.

"Sorry, can you handle the rest? I'll go put something on it." I let Sakura take care of the kitchen and head for the dojo. I don't know if I did this during my sleep, but I'll have to treat it.

"――――――――" But for some reason, I'm worried about Sakura, who looked awkward and downcast.

"I'll go on ahead, then." "Sakura, are you sure you're all right? You can skip your club if you're not feeling well."

"No, I'm fine. It's just a light headache, so you shouldn't worry about it. I only look bad because you imagine it. I'm doing really well today." She says so with a smile. …But anyone can tell she's just bluffing.

"―――Really well, huh? Even though you couldn't eat any breakfast?" "Oh…." She looks away awkwardly.

Without looking up, she replies… "…Please excuse me. You're the one who should be resting, Senpai." With those words, she leaves.

The table is cleared. But on the plate in the kitchen, Sakura's meal remains untouched.

"Honestly, what's wrong with her?" She had been in such a good mood, but after seeing my bruise, Sakura suddenly became quiet and started to make lots of mistakes.

She overfilled the tea, drenched the omelets with soy sauce, and sat down at the table with her apron on. And on top of that, she ate nothing and went to school looking pale.

"Maybe she caught a cold or something." I mutter to myself while cleaning up. It's the first time I've seen Sakura like this. I got to know her during the summer four years ago, and she started coming here to help a year and a half ago. In that time, I've never seen her look this ill.

"――――――――" …Fuji-Nee will be at the archery range, so I don't think there'll be a problem there. But I should go and check on her after school or sometime…

It's almost seven thirty. Sakura and Fuji-Nee have already left for their morning club practice. I went to school early yesterday because Issei wanted me to, but I leave my house at the usual time today.

I run into an unusual scene when I reach the intersection. Several police cars are parked outside a house. Something must have happened, as it's noisy and lots of people are surrounding the area.

"Hm?" I'm curious, but I cannot tell what's going on with all the people surrounding it. I have no time, so I should prioritize school.

I reach school ten minutes before the bell. I enter the main gate as usual. "Hey, morning Emiya." I bump into a familiar female student.

"What, you've not changed yet, Mitsuzuri? It's almost homeroom, you shouldn't have time to say hello to me."

"Ahahaha! You're right. You're cold as always, Emiya!" She laughs as if something is really funny. Mitsuzuri Ayako. She was my classmate in first year, and she's now the captain of the archery club.

She's very insightful, and everyone expected her to become captain since the first year. …Well, in other words, her mental age is older than her real age, so she's been the older sister type everyone counts on since she was a first year. Though, she gets mad when people say that. According to her, she's not that old.

"Huh? Were you just thinking badly of me?" "I wouldn't dream of it. I was just thinking objectively about the truth. Though, it's up to you if you want to feel angry about it."

"Oh, you don't say. That's good. You answered honestly, but you never revealed what you were thinking about. You don't let your guard down like Shinji does." "Shinji? What does he have to do with this?"

"Because you guys are friends. You're the only male friend he has, right? And you might have forgotten, but I'm the captain of the archery club. Don't you think it's only natural for me to connect the current problem student and the problem student that quit?"

"Yeah, that's certainly natural. The archery club has nothing to do with it, but I certainly do have an unsavory and inseparable relationship with him."

"Oh, that makes me mad. You get so cold when talking about the archery club. You've got it nice. You left Shinji behind and just quit. Couldn't you think about those who were left, like me and Sakura?"

"Hmm. Did Shinji do something again?" "A day doesn't pass when he doesn't do something. …But still, yesterday was a bit too much.[l] He even made a guy from the first year quit."

Mitsuzuri sighs seriously. It's rare for her to make a face like this, but even more than that, I can't ignore what she just said.

"What's that? A student quit? Why?" "Shinji took his anger out on him. He got loads of female students around and made the kid, who has barely started handling bows, shoot. He laughed at him until he hit the target." "Huh!? And you let that happen!?"

"Of course I didn't! But a captain's busy, you know? I can't always be in the dojo. You know that."

"…That's true, but what the hell was Shinji thinking? He does teach very harshly, but he's not the type to make fun of people like that."

"…I'm surprised. You really are like that." "Hm, what do you mean by that? Were you just thinking badly of me?"

"Oh, I was just thinking objectively about the truth. So it's up to you if you want to feel angry about it." "…Stop copying me.[l] Fine, but what about Shinji? Why did he act like that?"

"Hmm, from what I heard, it was something like getting turned down harshly by Tohsaka." "Huh? You mean, that Tohsaka?"

"There's no other Tohsaka at our school.[l] I'm talking about the honor student in class 2-A, Miss Perfect, Tohsaka Rin." "…I don't think I've heard that nickname before."

It's the first time I've heard the nickname, but I would probably agree with it. With Tohsaka involved, I can understand even Shinji getting turned down, and most of all… If it was Tohsaka, I can see her refusing him mercilessly.

"Anyways, Shinji's been like this since yesterday. That's why I've had to keep an eye on the dojo until now today." "Shinji has a nasty temper. I know it's hard, but keep up the hard work, Mitsuzuri."

"Okay, okay. But Shinji never knows when to stop, you know? I feel like he'll do something really bad if he asks her out again and gets turned down again." "No, even Shinji wouldn't approach someone who turned him down. He's pretty good about that kind of thing."

"But he can't help it if the person who turned him down comes near him. I don't know why, but Tohsaka comes and visits the dojo pretty often. You quit, so you wouldn't know."

"Hm?" That's the first I've heard of it. Tohsaka Rin doesn't do any club activities for personal reasons. I thought she went straight home since she even turned down the recommendation to join the student council.

"Well, maybe that sort of thing is good every now and then. He has a haughty attitude, so it might be good for him to have a hard time for once." Mitsuzuri says some dangerous things. …Come to think of it, I heard that Tohsaka has many enemies. Could Mitsuzuri be one of them?

"Hey Mitsuzuri, that's going too…" "Oh, it's almost time. Bye Emiya, come and see my archery skills sometime." Mitsuzuri hurries off.

"―――She's just like always." But I like that part of her. Feeling calmer now, I head for the classroom.

It's lunchtime. Our school has a splendid cafeteria and most students eat there. But there are some old-fashioned students who bring their own lunches. Two of them happen to be me and the student council president in front of me.

"Emiya, could you give me some of that fried chicken? My lunch is desperately lacking in meat." "Sure, but why is your lunch so plain? You live in a temple, but there aren't any teachings prohibiting meat or alcohol, right?”

"Such an anachronism. It's just my father's way. He says there's no luxurious foods for a young priest, and that I should have to work for what I want. I'm thinking of running away and joining the circus." "Oh, yeah, that sounds like that guy."

Issei's father is the priest of the Ryudou Temple, and a bold guy who's old friends with the old man at Fuji-Nee's place. You can't expect a normal personality when he's friends with a guy like that.

"That's great. Well then, I'll give you one in the hope of repayment someday." I hand him my lunchbox. "Thank you. This too is part of my religious training." Issei bows deeply. …How can I put this? I never know what to say when things like this remind me that he's the son of a priest.

"Oh, by the way, Emiya. Did you know there was something going on around the 2nd avenue? It's right around the intersection where we part." "Intersection…?" The intersection this morning… he must mean that clamor with all the police cars.

"I heard there was a murder. I don't know the details, but of the family of four, only the child survived. They say the older sister and the parents were stabbed to death. But what's strange is that they think the weapon was a long one, not like a knife or something."

"――――――――" A long weapon? He must mean something like a sword. It was a murder… so that must mean the sister and the parents were killed.

…I picture it. Someone barging in during the night. Unjust violence. A one-sided pillage like an accident. Slashed parents. The sister killed without even knowing what's going on. To the side, the child covered in their blood.

"Issei, have they caught the murderer?" "It doesn't seem like it. Accidents from faulty construction in Shinto, and murder here. It's no wonder they're making the curfew here at school ear―――what's wrong, Emiya? Did you choke on something?"

"Hm? Nothing, what's wrong?" "No… I was just surprised since you had a nasty expression. Sorry, this wasn't something I should have talked about during lunch.”

Issei tries to soften the air apologetically. …I was fine with the topic, but was I really making such a nasty face?

And then, there's a quiet knock at the door. "Excuse me, is Ryudou here?" "Huh? Oh, what is it, Sensei?" Issei addresses Kuzuki, who just entered. It must be a simple talk about the student council as Issei seems pretty relaxed.

"…Wow." That's not something you see everyday. Despite his appearance, Issei's very shy. The guy who draws a line against his classmates and even his teachers is letting his guard down with Kuzuki.

"Maybe they get along because they're both so serious." Kuzuki Souichirou, the teacher in charge of class 2-A, is serious and stubborn. Probably that aspect helps him get along with Issei, who prizes order and discipline.

"――――――――" The two continue to talk. All the while, I can't get the story of the murder out of my head.

Classes end and it's time to go home. I can't go anywhere as I have work today. I should leave school and go straight to the neighboring town, but…

[votestaynight2]

2nd Day - One day (II) (Scene 2)

Almost to the new route lock in point! Just a few more days.

"Yeah. I have time, so I'll make something else." I open the refrigerator. All that's left are some cucumber and potatoes.

"…Hmmm. I could cut and salt the cucumber, or cut the potatoes and serve them vinegared…." But those are both things I could do in a couple of minutes, and they're better fresh. It'll be half an hour until Fuji-Nee and Sakura arrive, so I should make a dish right before they get here.

"…Hmph." In that case, this is free time I can't make much use of. Is there anything I can do in thirty minutes…? "There's some chicken, so…" I could cook some bite-sized meat rolls with vegetables, or something like that.

I cut the meat and tenderize it. At a glance, the meat tenderizer is really evil. It's like a hammer, but it's flat on four sides and has lots of spikes coming out of it.

If it were bigger, it would make a great instrument of torture. I flatten the meat with the scary object, put some carrots and kidney beans on it, roll it up, cook it in the pan, and steam it with wine.

"…Huh!? Hold on, what am I doing…!?" At that point, I regain my sanity. I was trying to make a side dish, as the saury was already the main dish. So what am I doing, making another main dish…!?

"…Honestly. I must have let my guard down, cooking just to pass the time." "Eh? You were cooking just to pass the time, Senpai?" "Yeah. The thing is, I was trying to make a side dish. But before I realized it, I was using the knife. Well, I guess habit is a scary thing… of course, that's just an excuse."

"But isn't that alright? It's a bit big for breakfast, but since you made it, I don't think there'll be any leftovers." "You think so? No, that's not the problem. There's no need for two suns in the sky. I'll have to ask one of them to leave." "What!? You're not going to eat it, Senpai?"

"I will. I wasn't planning to, but I'll pack lunch today. That way, it won't be a waste." "Wow… Senpai, you're going to make lunch right now?" "It'll be close, but I think I can at least get my―――"

And then. I finally realize someone's behind me.

"Good morning, Senpai. I'm here again today." Sakura greets me with a smile. It's not unusual for Sakura to come into the kitchen at this time. She always rings the bell as she comes in, but sometimes I don't notice, like this morning.

"G-Good morning, Sakura. Breakfast's ready, so you can relax in the living room. There's some tea there." I answer her, staring at the frying pan. On the table is a pot of hot water, a teapot, and some snacks.

"Oh, yes. You're perfect again today, Senpai." Sakura's voice is lively, as if she's happy about something. …And Sakura comes into the kitchen instead of going to the table.

"Senpai? You're making lunch, right?" "Hm? Yeah, it turned out that way. It's a good dish for lunch, so I thought I'd make some side dishes." "Um, then can I help? I'll make my own, so…" "Oh, wait. If you don't mind having the same thing, I can give you some of mine." "―――Yes. I was watching and I wanted to have some of yours." "All right. Can you cook the rice, then? We don't have enough for two. There should be a fast rice cooker over there." "Yes, I'll take care of it. I'll go and start that, then."

I hear the sound of her footsteps, and of her tying her apron. "Senpai? We're okay with two cups of rice, right?" "Hmm, I think that'll be enough." With quick movements, Sakura comes to help in the kitchen.

"Morning! Well done, it smells great!" A little past six-thirty. Thirty minutes after Sakura, Fuji-Nee arrives as usual.

"Good morning, Sensei. Please wait a little longer for breakfast." "Yep, I'll wait. …Oh, Sakura-chan, are you making breakfast with Shirou?" "No, Senpai made breakfast on his own. We're making lunch right now."

Sakura's voice is really lively. We're not doing anything particularly fun, so I don't know what she's so happy about.

"I see, so of course you're in a good mood. Cooking and Shirou, so much fun stuff. Okay, we don't have much time, but take it easy." Laughing, Fuji-Nee sits at the table and pours some tea.

"…Geez, she must still be off dreaming. What's so fun about cooking for school?" I put the pan back onto the rack. The food's made, so all that's left is to pack the lunchboxes.

"Sorry, Sakura. I made you do extra work before club activities. I wanted you to relax since you did a lot yesterday." "Huh? Don't worry about that at all. Like Fujimura-Sensei said, I find cooking fun."

She smiles. Well, I know she likes cooking… but still, it must be hard for her getting up at five o'clock to make lunch. Besides, Sakura comes and makes dinner often. So if I'm getting her to cook in the mornings too, she might have no free time at all.

"…Phew. I'm grateful for the help, but you should relax, Sakura. You should sleep in during the mornings, and after school is for playing around. You don't have to come and help around my house."

"Well, I am relaxing. You made breakfast today, and I got some food from you for lunch too."

She smiles. …Sigh. It's been a year and a half since Sakura started to help out. Now, she keeps coming back like this no matter what I say.

"That's different. You have your own life too, so you can't just take care of me and Fuji-Nee. If you're taking care of us, you won't be able to do all the things you want to."

"Ahaha, that's fine. My only hobbies are archery and cooking. In fact, my goal is to beat you at cooking, and I think I'm almost there." Sakura puffs her chest out boastfully. …Gah. I want to argue back, but it's true as she is about to beat me.

"So please don't worry about it. I like cooking here, and improving is fun. I'm helping you to pay you back for showing me this great pleasure, and for my own benefit."

"…Hm. Does that mean you're stealing some of my skill every day, Sakura?" "Yes. I improve quickly just by helping you. So please be ready. I'll make you admit defeat someday." Whoa. I can't believe she said it so bluntly!

"…Man. If I'd known this was coming, I would never have taught you to cook. You never even heard of oil before coming here, but now you're after me like an enemy. Really, why are you chasing me like this? Can't you just be happy making food?"

"Of course I'm after you. You can't be better than me." "…?" I'm not sure what's so bad about that, but we should start setting the table for breakfast.

"Alrighty." I check the saury. Placing my chopstick on the well grilled stomach, I check how cooked it is.

"I guess that's done. Here, Sakura, can you take this to the table?" "Yes, thank you Senpai."

I hand the plate of saury to Sakura. Then, as if remembering something important, Sakura stops dead.

"Sakura? What's wrong, did you leave something at home?" Sakura may seem shrewd, but she actually forgets things a lot. It's not unusual for her to remember something and stop like this. But… it seems like that's not the case this morning.

"…Sakura?" "……" There's no answer. She just blankly stares at my hand like she's still in a daze, then…

"Senpai… what's that bruise on your hand?" She asks me a strange question.

"Huh?" I look down at the hand she's talking about.

"Huh…? You're right, there is a bruise. That's weird, I don't remember hitting it anywhere."

For some reason, there's a big bruise on the back of my left hand. It's quite an impressive welt, and it looks like it came from some sort of a cut. Even on my own hand, it looks bad. Perhaps Sakura's not feeling well as she's very quiet.

"Sorry, can you handle the rest? I'll go put something on it." I let Sakura take care of the kitchen and head for the dojo. I don't know if I did this during my sleep, but I'll have to treat it.

"――――――――" But for some reason, I'm worried about Sakura, who looked awkward and downcast.

"I'll go on ahead, then." "Sakura, are you sure you're all right? You can skip your club if you're not feeling well."

"No, I'm fine. It's just a light headache, so you shouldn't worry about it. I only look bad because you imagine it. I'm doing really well today." She says so with a smile. …But anyone can tell she's just bluffing.

"―――Really well, huh? Even though you couldn't eat any breakfast?" "Oh…." She looks away awkwardly.

Without looking up, she replies… "…Please excuse me. You're the one who should be resting, Senpai." With those words, she leaves.

The table is cleared. But on the plate in the kitchen, Sakura's meal remains untouched.

"Honestly, what's wrong with her?" She had been in such a good mood, but after seeing my bruise, Sakura suddenly became quiet and started to make lots of mistakes.

She overfilled the tea, drenched the omelets with soy sauce, and sat down at the table with her apron on. And on top of that, she ate nothing and went to school looking pale.

"Maybe she caught a cold or something." I mutter to myself while cleaning up. It's the first time I've seen Sakura like this. I got to know her during the summer four years ago, and she started coming here to help a year and a half ago. In that time, I've never seen her look this ill.

"――――――――" …Fuji-Nee will be at the archery range, so I don't think there'll be a problem there. But I should go and check on her after school or sometime…

It's almost seven thirty. Sakura and Fuji-Nee have already left for their morning club practice. I went to school early yesterday because Issei wanted me to, but I leave my house at the usual time today.

I run into an unusual scene when I reach the intersection. Several police cars are parked outside a house. Something must have happened, as it's noisy and lots of people are surrounding the area.

"Hm?" I'm curious, but I cannot tell what's going on with all the people surrounding it. I have no time, so I should prioritize school.

I reach school ten minutes before the bell. I enter the main gate as usual. "Hey, morning Emiya." I bump into a familiar female student.

"What, you've not changed yet, Mitsuzuri? It's almost homeroom, you shouldn't have time to say hello to me."

"Ahahaha! You're right. You're cold as always, Emiya!" She laughs as if something is really funny. Mitsuzuri Ayako. She was my classmate in first year, and she's now the captain of the archery club.

She's very insightful, and everyone expected her to become captain since the first year. …Well, in other words, her mental age is older than her real age, so she's been the older sister type everyone counts on since she was a first year. Though, she gets mad when people say that. According to her, she's not that old.

"Huh? Were you just thinking badly of me?" "I wouldn't dream of it. I was just thinking objectively about the truth. Though, it's up to you if you want to feel angry about it."

"Oh, you don't say. That's good. You answered honestly, but you never revealed what you were thinking about. You don't let your guard down like Shinji does." "Shinji? What does he have to do with this?"

"Because you guys are friends. You're the only male friend he has, right? And you might have forgotten, but I'm the captain of the archery club. Don't you think it's only natural for me to connect the current problem student and the problem student that quit?"

"Yeah, that's certainly natural. The archery club has nothing to do with it, but I certainly do have an unsavory and inseparable relationship with him."

"Oh, that makes me mad. You get so cold when talking about the archery club. You've got it nice. You left Shinji behind and just quit. Couldn't you think about those who were left, like me and Sakura?"

"Hmm. Did Shinji do something again?" "A day doesn't pass when he doesn't do something. …But still, yesterday was a bit too much.[l] He even made a guy from the first year quit."

Mitsuzuri sighs seriously. It's rare for her to make a face like this, but even more than that, I can't ignore what she just said.

"What's that? A student quit? Why?" "Shinji took his anger out on him. He got loads of female students around and made the kid, who has barely started handling bows, shoot. He laughed at him until he hit the target." "Huh!? And you let that happen!?"

"Of course I didn't! But a captain's busy, you know? I can't always be in the dojo. You know that."

"…That's true, but what the hell was Shinji thinking? He does teach very harshly, but he's not the type to make fun of people like that."

"…I'm surprised. You really are like that." "Hm, what do you mean by that? Were you just thinking badly of me?"

"Oh, I was just thinking objectively about the truth. So it's up to you if you want to feel angry about it." "…Stop copying me.[l] Fine, but what about Shinji? Why did he act like that?"

"Hmm, from what I heard, it was something like getting turned down harshly by Tohsaka." "Huh? You mean, that Tohsaka?"

"There's no other Tohsaka at our school.[l] I'm talking about the honor student in class 2-A, Miss Perfect, Tohsaka Rin." "…I don't think I've heard that nickname before."

It's the first time I've heard the nickname, but I would probably agree with it. With Tohsaka involved, I can understand even Shinji getting turned down, and most of all… If it was Tohsaka, I can see her refusing him mercilessly.

"Anyways, Shinji's been like this since yesterday. That's why I've had to keep an eye on the dojo until now today." "Shinji has a nasty temper. I know it's hard, but keep up the hard work, Mitsuzuri."

"Okay, okay. But Shinji never knows when to stop, you know? I feel like he'll do something really bad if he asks her out again and gets turned down again." "No, even Shinji wouldn't approach someone who turned him down. He's pretty good about that kind of thing."

"But he can't help it if the person who turned him down comes near him. I don't know why, but Tohsaka comes and visits the dojo pretty often. You quit, so you wouldn't know."

"Hm?" That's the first I've heard of it. Tohsaka Rin doesn't do any club activities for personal reasons. I thought she went straight home since she even turned down the recommendation to join the student council.

"Well, maybe that sort of thing is good every now and then. He has a haughty attitude, so it might be good for him to have a hard time for once." Mitsuzuri says some dangerous things. …Come to think of it, I heard that Tohsaka has many enemies. Could Mitsuzuri be one of them?

"Hey Mitsuzuri, that's going too…" "Oh, it's almost time. Bye Emiya, come and see my archery skills sometime." Mitsuzuri hurries off.

"―――She's just like always." But I like that part of her. Feeling calmer now, I head for the classroom.

It's lunchtime. Our school has a splendid cafeteria and most students eat there. But there are some old-fashioned students who bring their own lunches. Two of them happen to be me and the student council president in front of me.

"Emiya, could you give me some of that fried chicken? My lunch is desperately lacking in meat." "Sure, but why is your lunch so plain? You live in a temple, but there aren't any teachings prohibiting meat or alcohol, right?”

"Such an anachronism. It's just my father's way. He says there's no luxurious foods for a young priest, and that I should have to work for what I want. I'm thinking of running away and joining the circus." "Oh, yeah, that sounds like that guy."

Issei's father is the priest of the Ryudou Temple, and a bold guy who's old friends with the old man at Fuji-Nee's place. You can't expect a normal personality when he's friends with a guy like that.

"That's great. Well then, I'll give you one in the hope of repayment someday." I hand him my lunchbox. "Thank you. This too is part of my religious training." Issei bows deeply. …How can I put this? I never know what to say when things like this remind me that he's the son of a priest.

"Oh, by the way, Emiya. Did you know there was something going on around the 2nd avenue? It's right around the intersection where we part." "Intersection…?" The intersection this morning… he must mean that clamor with all the police cars.

"I heard there was a murder. I don't know the details, but of the family of four, only the child survived. They say the older sister and the parents were stabbed to death. But what's strange is that they think the weapon was a long one, not like a knife or something."

"――――――――" A long weapon? He must mean something like a sword. It was a murder… so that must mean the sister and the parents were killed.

…I picture it. Someone barging in during the night. Unjust violence. A one-sided pillage like an accident. Slashed parents. The sister killed without even knowing what's going on. To the side, the child covered in their blood.

"Issei, have they caught the murderer?" "It doesn't seem like it. Accidents from faulty construction in Shinto, and murder here. It's no wonder they're making the curfew here at school ear―――what's wrong, Emiya? Did you choke on something?"

"Hm? Nothing, what's wrong?" "No… I was just surprised since you had a nasty expression. Sorry, this wasn't something I should have talked about during lunch.”

Issei tries to soften the air apologetically. …I was fine with the topic, but was I really making such a nasty face?

And then, there's a quiet knock at the door. "Excuse me, is Ryudou here?" "Huh? Oh, what is it, Sensei?" Issei addresses Kuzuki, who just entered. It must be a simple talk about the student council as Issei seems pretty relaxed.

"…Wow." That's not something you see everyday. Despite his appearance, Issei's very shy. The guy who draws a line against his classmates and even his teachers is letting his guard down with Kuzuki.

"Maybe they get along because they're both so serious." Kuzuki Souichirou, the teacher in charge of class 2-A, is serious and stubborn. Probably that aspect helps him get along with Issei, who prizes order and discipline.

"――――――――" The two continue to talk. All the while, I can't get the story of the murder out of my head.

Classes end and it's time to go home. I cannot go anywhere as I have work today. I should leave school and go straight to the neighboring town, but…

[tamayakii]

Keith Kogane headcanons

anon: I’m literally starved for anything voltron Keith x reader, maybe just bf hcs? Or a cute scenario? Anything 💕

warnings: none, just some fluff :)

notes: GN!reader, sorry it took awhile, i hope you guys like it! First time i've posted a fic to tumblr in awhile,

update, 5/31/2021: I ended up adding a bit more, ty @yell0wm0th for the suggestions, she's the best.

We all know Keith has always been untrusting, bad things seemed to just attract themselves to him, so when he meets you, he’s almost wary- confused about his feelings for you.

He’s probably the one who (nervously) confesses his feelings, perhaps after a battle, he’s so nervous it’s almost cute.

“Hey-uhm look i-“ He lets out a distressed noise, scratching the back of his head, “Can I tell you something?” You nod, looking at him confused, “Is everything okay Keith?” your voice was soft, it pulled at Keith’s heartstrings.

“I like you, a lot, like a lot. So much, i- I think I love you?”

Honestly, He’s the sweetest boyfriend you can have. Yes, sure he makes mistakes, and despite his stubbornness, he always finds a way to make up for it.

Once he learns how to openly communicate to you, he's so bent on it, he's never afraid to communicate and encourages you to do the same thing if he senses something is up.

At first, he’s shy and nervous, he doesn’t want to mess a single thing up, too afraid that one wrong move would piss you off and make you go the other way.

We all agree that he's majorly protective, it's not like he doesn't think you can't kick ass, you totally can but he just likes, to be that one thing keeping people away ya know? if anyone ever had a malice thought about you, they wouldn't act upon it because of Keith and that makes Keith feel a bit better.

Did you know that his morning voice almost has a country accent? You didn’t expect it when he threw his arm over you in the early morning, his forehead pressed against your back as he goes “Mornin’ darlin’” He swears up n’ down that he doesn't have a country accent in the morning,

“No, absolutely not!”

“You so do!”

“I don’t have a country accent!” Keith yelped, turning his head away from you as his cheeks flushed to a bright red,

He’s touch starved as well, so be careful with dumping physical affection onto him at first, warm him up to him. After awhile, he really likes having his cheeks stroked, almost like a cat.

Second best in his opinion is spooning you, he gets to hold you and feels like he could protect you from anything,

He doesn’t mind being the little spoon either, the first time you had suggested it, he shrugged his shoulder and said “why not?” he was open to it.

It was the first time he fell asleep when you two cuddled up, he felt.. Safe? Yeah he’s not gonna confront this,

It takes time to break down his strong walls, but when you break through, it’s so worth the time that it took.

Keith is a wonderful boyfriend, and who knows, maybe you’ll get a chance to put a ring on that finger.

If it was a more modern au, he'd screenshot your instagram pictures and/or your snapchats, just to keep to himself whenever he missed you.

totally the type to make you a spotify playlist, his favorite picture of you would be the cover.

HATES having his picture taken, he will cover his face up if he sees you trying but he loves taking pictures of you, and if you ask him to take pictures for instagram, they come out amazing.

maybe on a rare occasion, he'd let you take a selfie with him, but his shaggy hair would be coverings his beautiful eyes.

and no, you can't convince him to move his hair, its either that or no picture.

Hi! Consider supporting me on other socials, you can find them through my linktree or consider donating to my ko-fi! i'd really appreciate, you'd be supporting a nonbinary bisexual writer/artist in the process as well! :]

[barnesafterglow]

hey guys! so i finally hit 1k not too long ago which is insane bc i feel like i just made this blog yesterday. being on this site has been the best few months of my life, honestly. i have made some of my best friends on here, and i wouldn’t give them up for the world. i’m so grateful for every single person that follows and supports me. i love you all so much <3

that being said, i thought it would be fun to do a little something for this milestone, and what better way to do that than to make it completely based around taylor swift <3. it feels fitting both because of my username, and the very first fic i ever wrote and posted was based on a taylor swift song

this challenge will start now and end on march 25th. no minimum or maximum word count, but i do ask that if it’s more than 500 words, please use a read more.

edit: if you still want to participate but weren’t able to meet the deadline, please feel free to write something - just make sure you tag me and i’ll add it to the masterlist!

rules:

my blog is 18+ and therefore this writing challenge is too

smut, fluff, and angst are all welcome! please no dark fics

please do not write anything with non/dubcon, bathroom play, underage characters (in relationships), or anything related to suicide, eating disorders, etc. (these last few in particular are very triggering to me and i will not only not read them, but block anyone who submits them)

tag me in your work as well as tagging the post #all’s well writing challenge

message me/send me an ask if you have any other questions!

i will be going through and reading these as they are posted (to the best of my ability), and adding them to a masterlist that i’ll post when all of them are submitted! if it has been more than a couple days since you posted and i haven’t reblogged it yet, shoot me a message or an ask because i may have missed it

below are some suggested prompts, but any lyrics/anything taylor swift related can be used! you also don’t have to use specific lyrics, it can just be the vibe of the line/song. just please be sure to include what the prompt is at the beginning/in your author’s note :) you don’t need to claim a prompt, they can be used by multiple people because i think everyone can make their own unique story!

fluff

“this love is difficult but it's real” love story, fearless

“can't help it if there's no one else” hey stephen, fearless

“the stakes are high, the water's rough, but this love is ours” ours, speak now

“i'll be loving you for quite some time” stay stay stay, red

“all i feel in my stomach is butterflies” everything has changed, red

“just grab my hand and don't ever drop it” i know places, 1989

“you are the one i have been waiting for” king of my heart, reputation

“now i've read all of the books beside your bed” paper rings, lover

“all along there was some, invisible string, tying you to me” / “hell was the journey but it brought me heaven” invisible string, folklore

angst

“and i was right there beside him all summer long, and then the time we woke up to find that summer gone” tim mcgraw, taylor swift

“even now just looking at you feels wrong” should’ve said no, taylor swift

“and my heart's not breaking, 'cause I'm not feeling anything at all” the way i loved you, fearless

“and i stare at the phone, he still hasn't called, and then you feel so low you can't feel nothing at all” forever & always, fearless

“it turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you” back to december, speak now

“you never called it what it was” / “when your brooklyn broke my skin and bones” all too well, red

”gone was any trace of you, i think i am finally clean” clean, 1989

“but if the story's over, why am i still writing pages?” / “tryna find a part of me you didn't take up” death by a thousand cuts, lover

“i knew i'd curse you for the longest time, chasing shadows in the grocery line” cardigan, folklore

“august sipped away, like a bottle of wine, 'cause you were never mine” august, folklore

“now i'm begging for footnotes in the story of your life” tolerate it, evermore

misc. (ones i really don’t know how to categorize/could go multiple ways)

“but i know you wish it was me” speak now, speak now

“broke your heart, i'll put it back together” how you get the girl, 1989

“should've known i'd be the first to leave, think about the place where you first met me” getaway car, reputation

“all of this silence and patience, pining and desperately waiting” / “i don't want you like a best friend” dress, reputation

“tell me that you're still mine, tell me that we'll be just fine” / “i don't wanna lose this with you” afterglow, lover

“breakups happen every day, you don't have to lose it” / “if our love died young, i can't bear witness” right where you left me, evermore

“everybody wonders what it would be like to love you” gold rush, evermore

characters:

any mcu characters

any sebastian stan characters (except tommy lee and jeff gillooly)

any chris evans characters

if you want to write another character feel free to send me a message and ask!

no pressure tags if people want to signal boost <3

@pellucid-constellations @itistimeforusalltodecidewhoweare @sweetascanbee @sweetdreamsbuck @babiebucky @treatbuckywkisses @spidderboy @aphrogeneias @atlaese @ambrosiase @starbuckie @howdoyousleep3 @buckydaddy @bubblebuckys @buckys-left-middle-finger @foreverindreamlandd @writing-for-marvel @fandoms-writings @nexusnyx @strwbrrybucky @benignbucky @inklore @abovethesmokestacks @jadedvibes @the-iceni-bitch @asgardwinter @schmuckyschmarnes @bloomingbucky @maladaptivexxdaydreaming @smokeinherperfume @beefybuckrrito

[kpop-dungeon-dark]

Heat. (Bestfriend!Sanha x You)

•TRIGGER WARNING•

Warning(s): Non-Con. Both of you are legal in this. Read at your own risk.

Sanha couldn't help it. She was just so pretty. Too pretty. To him. The way her eyebrows furrowed as the girl tried to concentrate on the chemistry equation she was solving under his guidance, chewing on the butt of the pencil and sighing when she couldn't get it right, the adorable little whine releasing from her mouth. His eyes slowly flickered down to her soft looking lips.

He wanted to kiss them. So fucking much. For so many years now.

The lovestruck boy didn't even realise when the lines between fantasy and reality eventually blurred, him leaning in and kissing her soft yet tight, his lips sticking to hers, refusing to go almost. Sanha was so carried away by the heavenly feeling that the loud gasp that escaped Y/n against his lips drowned in the pounding of his heart was that was ringing in his ears.

"... Sanha… Sanha!" It took him a few moments to snap out of it, Y/n pushing at his chest as her body backed away from his much bigger and broader one. "Sanha!" He opened his eyes to see her frowning at him with a disapproving expression. "I- I told you…" Sighing heavily, she uneasily put her books to the side and stood up. "I told you that day when you- you- I don't feel the same way about you."

The boy's jaw clenched as he looked up at her, backing away from where he was leaned in as he softly grasped the bedsheet of his bed. "Why not? And… how are you so sure, even, huh?" She was unable to notice the pretty vivid change in his tone and posture today. The girl didn't know better. "We have been inseparable ever since we can remember, we know each other so well and we get along so well!" Standing up in irritation, he towered over her, eyebrows furrowed and shoulders slowly rising and falling due to the change in his breathing pattern.

"Sanha- Sanha-! I know! I know!" Y/n nodded and agreed, trying to speak over him as he continued to ramble on, trying to convince her in whatever way. "I know! And I am sorry! But you're just- not my type, Sanha! I am sorry!" His heart fluttered in an unpleasant way and stomach twisted at how her eyebrows furrowed in worry.

"Oh, really?" Sanha stopped trying to convince her, burying his hands in the pockets of his pants instead and leaning down at her. "So you have grown up well enough to know your type, huh?" The blush that spread across her face followed by his words made his jaw clench. "My little Y/n is all grown up and wise now, hm? No longer requires my guidance or help deciding what she needs?"

The girl sighed at his taunting tone, oblivious to what was about to come. "We have an amazing friendship, Dana. Don't mess it up, please…" Looking down to avert her gaze from his because for some reason she just couldn't look in his eyes, the girl bit her lip. "You of all people know that I like the guy who lives in the house next to mine."

"Dongmin. Lee fucking Dongmin, huh?" Hatred laced the boy's words as his mind started to imagine the mentioned boy's pretty and kind face all broken and bruised; beaten to a pulp.

By of course no one other than Sanha.

"Don't be like that!" Giggling a little, she pushed at his shoulder playfully and sat back down, pretending to be busy with the books. "Come, help me go over these notes and stop sulking! Besides, yeah. I am old enough to know what I want now, Dana! I can't always rely on you and wait for you to guide me how to do simple daily life things, right?"

"Wrong." It happened so fast Y/n's brain couldn't even decipher it. Sanha pushed the books away and off the bed with such force they went flying away, one of his hands grabbing the girl's throat as he climbed the bed, dragging her shocked body to the middle using the grasp he had on her. "I am and will always be the one to tell you what to do because you're way too pathetic and dumb to know that on your own." A deep chuckle left him as her eyes widened and legs started kicking when the shock subsided, replacing it with panic.

"S- S- SAN- SANH-"

"Aww, not so big now, are we? Tsk tsk." Tears welled up in her eyes when she looked up at him to find a foreign expression on his face. A smirk of betrayal with dark and cold eyes looking her up and down. "Fuck… I've always wondered how these pretty looking privates of you would feel in my hands, babygirl" Sanha didn't have to use much strength keeping her in place as he climbed over the girl's smaller body, instantly groping and feeling her wherever he could, not getting much bothered by the hits and scratches her small hands were giving him.

There was so much Y/n's little hands could do against the giant.

"P- Please… please… no… please stop… You don't have to do this" the girl heaved in exhaustion as she begged Sanha, trembling and crying as she could feel his hands under her hoodie and down her shorts, squeezing and pinching wherever they pleased.

"You're right, I didn't." Pulling the string from her hoodie, the boy dragged them closer to the headboard sickly calm, ears red and erection so hard it poked the girl's thigh even through his boxers and pants. "This is YOUR fault, you hear me? YOU did this to YOURSELF" his voice was soft but rough as he punched the words in her brain, tying her hands to the headboard using the string while knowing it would be enough to easily hold her down.

"Had you cooperated and just obeyed me like little girls such as yourself fucking should instead of trying to do any thinking on your own" shaking his head, Sanha moved back down to her body, pushing the hoodie up until it bunched around her neck, big and warm rough hands tugging off her shorts roughly. "A chance… That was all I asked for."

A sob escaped the girl as the male spread her soft thighs apart, smiling as he admired her pussy lips, probing and spreading them. "Such a pretty cunt." He found himself loving the whimpers and cries escaping her, grazing his thumb up and down her folds, it's tip feeling her tiny and unused entrance, making the girl jump by spitting on it before starting to work it in.

"S- San-"

"Shhhhh~" messily stuffing her shorts that were a bit too short for his liking, the male gave a sensual lick to her soft and red pussy lips, kissing them right after and chuckling at how her thighs trembled from the feeling. "Fuck, Y/n. You've no idea how much I've wanted to tie you up like this and eat you silly before fucking you dumb as you whine and cry in pleasure, begging me for more."

Y/n tried to break free, her wrists starting to burn against the string due to how fragile her skin was. "Mmm… I promise, babygirl. By the time I am done with you, you'll be wrapped around my little finger on your knees for me." Stroking the outside of her thighs, the male shakily breathed out, crotch grinding against the mattress that they had spent their childhood playing with their toys on.

"Hnnnggg… you like it, don't you? Fuck-" Sanha looked up, his face drenched in her natural juices and his own spit, heavily breathing as he searched her face for an expression, eyes dark. "You taste so much better and sweeter than I imagined, babygirl." He went back to admiring it, playing and teasing it with his index finger, other hand continuously caressing her thigh.

It was surreal. After all these years of imagining this over and over in different scenarios and circumstances, it was finally happening. And this. This was better than all that he had fantasized.

So sweet. So soft. So… real.

Sanha could feel his head start to pound from the need and intoxication his own hormones were putting him under, now teasing her asshole with the hand that had previously been on her thigh, just wanting to feel it, feel her. All of her.

That was his. Finally.

"So tight… fuck!" Rubbing her clit with his thumb and circling her navel with his middle finger as his hand was big enough to do so, Sanha fucked her pussy hole open with the hot tip of his tongue, trying to force it in and deeper, circling the rim of muscles with it. "Now tell me, tell Daddy, it feels fucking amazing, doesn't it? Daddy is making you feel soooo good, isn't be?" Pushing one of his middle fingers up her entrance instead, the boy moved up now, removing the shorts from Y/n's mouth causing her to gasp aloud for air.

"S- Sanh- Sanha-" a sharp smack across her cheek locked her throat up again, forcing a cry out of her throat instead.

"It's Daddy" grasping her soft locks, he pulled her hair back to make the girl look at her better and glared down at her. "You must speak to your owner and caregiver with respect, little one." Pressing a wet kiss to her lips, the boy hungrily ran his tongue around them, moaning and sucking at them. "So, tell Daddy now. Tell him how good he's making you feel…" Y/n winced and cried harder, clenching around his rather thick finger on defense.

"P- Please… please… I am s- sorry! Stop! Please! Please, just stop!" His eyebrows furrowed as he pushed another finger in, stretching and stimulating her from the inside, thumb grazing against her clit.

"Are you telling me you don't feel good? This doesn't feel good? Daddy isn't making you feel good?" His voice was alarmingly soft and… deadly. But the innocent girl was too foolish to know that, of course.

"N- No… No… I- I don't! Stop, please! It hurts!" She honestly pouted, tears rolling down her cheeks as she tried to struggle weakly, actually expecting him to stop.

"You leave me no choice, then." Pulling his fingers out of her, Sanha didn't pay any attention to the shaky naive little sigh of relief that left her, unbuttoning and unzipping his pants before pulling his cock out and smirking. "If being nice isn't gonna get me anywhere," gripping her throat, he shakily moaned and pumped his cock, pressing the head to her opening. "Then I won't." Giving a powerful thrust in Y/n's pussy which tore due to his girth, the boy crazily grinned.

"I'll simply get my pleasure and lock you up until I need you again. Just how you're meant to be. A pretty doll, all for me."

.

[talkfantasytome]

Going to delete ask posts that directly linked other people's posts, based on this feedback and suggestion (which I thoroughly appreciate!), as I'm not trying to point fingers at anyone or directly tell a specific person they're wrong. I'll repost the general content, with a summary of what was asked, starting with this post.

Anon Ask: Some people are saying that SJM has confirmed Vassien by saying that she'd like to do retellings of firebird legends, swan lake, and Vasilisa the Beautiful, using some shots of her comments. What are your thoughts on this? And the time on facebook that Sarah said E\ain and Lucien have a lot of "tension, growth, and healing to be found (together)".

The most important thing to consider here is timeline. Both of the twitter shown were made in April of 2015. The first one is, honestly, fairly irrelevant. First of all, she's just saying fairy tales she might like to retell. And, for the record, she has also said she'd like to do a retelling of The Little Mermaid, yet often people disregard that as an argument for Gwynriel. So, either her comments on what she'd like to do a retelling of matter, or they don't.

And, if they're saying that those comments are foreshadowing a Vassa + Lucien book, then clearly The Little Mermaid comments are foreshadowing a Gwynriel book. And then...where's E\ain's?

E\ain is getting a book, so which fairy tale gets the short straw?

Or, maybe, the story won't be exactly like the fairy tale.

I do think that both of those comments are important, but Sarah said she wants to do a retelling.

That could literally mean anything. All that tells us is that she will take themes and ideas from the story. I'm not saying Vassa won't be important in a later book, but Sarah can retell the story any way. She could have Vassa betray E\ain, get Koschei to transfer the curse over to the middle Archeron, and now E\ain is the swan on the lake (cause, come on, E\ain's def. a bit swan-like), and Lucien has to rescue her. Or, maybe Jurian is the one that rescues Vassa while Lucien and E\ain deal with Koschei?

There are so many options in a retelling that to say SJM telling us she wants to do a retelling of these stories is a clear sign that Vassa + Lucien are endgame is, honestly, not a very critical analysis.

I'm going to address this tweet next:

This twitter exchange happed April 30, 2015. ACOMAF was published in May of 2016. This post can not be used as foreshadowing of Vassa + Lucien, because it happened before we found out E\ain and Lucien are mates. That "at some point further down the road" literally means "any time after book 1".

People keep using this tweet and presenting it as if Sarah's response came recently. They're spreading misinformation - it may not be purposeful, they may not have seen or noticed the date, but this twitter exchange can't be used as proof that Lucien's person has to be someone other than E\ain, because when it was made we did not know about the Lucien and E\ain possibility.

That doesn't mean it definitely is talking about E\ain, but my point is that this is not proof of Vassa + Lucien, of someone else + Lucien, because of when it was posted.

As for other comments on retellings Sarah would like to do - it's the same argument as the first one. Sarah said she wants to do a retelling of the firebird and swan like. We all know this. It's not new information. People who are saying Vassa + Lucien won't happen aren't ignorant of this fact. We're well aware, and we're also well aware of every other thing Sarah has said, mentioned, foreshadowed, and we're tying it all together. Focusing solely on stories Sarah has mentioned she'd like to retell - not confirmed she will retell - and ignoring everything else doesn't provide a solid analysis. You have to weave how those stories would fit into the grander scheme, and look at the other surrounding factors as well.

And, again, we need to remember that Sarah can do whatever the hell she wants in terms of the story and how she chooses to retell a fairy tale. I mean, how often is Little Red Riding Hood turned into a werewolf story? And sometimes even Red is the wolf?

Writers use fairy tales as a base, a foundation, but then they make it their own. No writer is going to tell the fairy tale exactly how it first was. They're going to adjust it...a lot...to make it their own story.

I'd also like to point out that both times she mentions Vasilisa, she says "Vasilisa the Beautiful". The first time she also said 'the Brave', but the second, solely 'Beautiful'. Vassa is beautiful, of course, but one of E\ain's defining characteristics is her beauty. Even in ACOSF it was again mentioned, discussed, about how her beauty made others hate her.

Could Vassa be Vasilisa...of course. However, I think people are a bit blinded by the similarities in names. Remember, Vasilisa the Beautiful wasn't the firebird - those are different stories. And, honestly, after doing a bit of research into the tale, I'm starting to get more and more sure of the thought that the character who would portray Vasilisa is E\ain.

I think I'm going to do a post on it...

In the later comment on retellings she'd like to do - which we know came after the first as the first came out in August 2015 and that story she's telling was given after the second set of books was confirmed - I also find it interesting that she said Vasilisa the Beautiful (specifically) and Swan Lake, subbing out the firebird.

Why would she do that? Perhaps because she's already brought in the firebird pieces she planned to bring in. We already know that retelling, and how it's come to play. Vassa is a firebird by the curse.

I'm not saying it couldn't end in a Swan Lake thing, as that is what the curse reminds me of. But, personally, I think the fact that she's saying Swan Lake now is also symbolic of something more, possibly another character getting trapped by Koschei.

As for the other piece you asked about, I don't have much to say about it, because it feels like the closest we'll come to an elucien confirmation.

That was also posted a while ago, back when ACOMAF came out. So, it's not like this is recent information Sarah is providing us. However, we know that Sarah can sometimes end up choosing endgame based on gut and things that just hit her. Cassian and Nesta - literally didn't know about them until she wrote them on the same page and was like "oh shit". So Sarah saying that she and Lucien didn't see E\ain coming...I'm sorry, but that feels almost more telling than even the next part of the sentence - where she says they have growing and healing to do together.

That's so huge. And we haven't seen that yet. We've only really seen the tension.

Sarah said this back when ACOMAF came out. And it was around writing or publishing ACOWAR that she got the okay for the second set of books (I think?). Which means she was likely thinking about the longer-term stories before that. Which would explain why we didn't get that growth and healing in ACOWAR.

Instead, she left them in a spot where it seemed like a possibility, and then for the later books has just added more tension. But that journey is still there. She's had it planned for so long. And yes, maybe she could change her mind, but we only know of two cases where she did just that:

Az and Mor

Nesta and Lucien

For Az and Mor it was because she decided to make Mor bisexual and unable to be in an emotional relationship with a male. This was due to complaints over diversity. It's the closest Sarah's probably come to 'fanservice' - except, admittedly, this is so not fanservice. Fanservice is doing something like, say, having Voldemort and Bellatrix have a secret love child despite the fact that Voldy never once came off as having any form of romantic or sexual feelings for her or anyone, ever. (Seriously, that guy was asexual and that is a hill I'll die on.)

Adjusting a character due to legitimate complaints and concerns on diversity, not just fanservice. It's more a full on social service, really, to try and provide that representation better. Yes, it wasn't done in the best way, but she did make an attempt.

The second one - Nesta and Lucien. That was her general plan, until she put Nesta and Cassian on page together. Then it all went out the window. Just like all of Nesta's thoughts when she saw Cassian. Just like Cassian's entire brain when he saw Nesta. 👀

And we get it, because we see it too.

So, while Sarah could have changed her mind about E\ain and Lucien, the only reasons she'd do that don't yet apply. She's already made a change for the diversity complaints, and I don't see her doing that with these two. As for finding out they actually belong with someone else when she sees them on page - well, that hasn't happened yet. She made the E\ain + Lucien decision after we see E\ain and Azriel interact, so clearly Az is not that for E\ain. And we've seen Lucien and Vassa on page together. There's nothing there except Lucien being pained about her curse - which, yeah, she's his friend. How often is one IC member described as looking pained for another? Or thinks about how much it hurt them to see their friend hurt?

But we know what it looks like when the chemistry is so undeniable it will adjust Sarah's plans. And if you're not sure - go back and read all the Nessian scenes in ACOMAF. And then see the one scene where Lucien and Vassa are on page together - I think you'll find there's another male there that, with Vassa, rings closer to the Nessian home.

There was no on page chemistry between Vassa and Lucien, and certainly not enough to change Sarah's mind. Which would also mean E\ain already wasn't meant for Az, which is likely why no one arguing for Vassa + Lucien seems to care as much about that, because most people who ship them are already dead set on E\ain + Azriel.

So, there you have it, my point of view/rant on those two pieces. But it's always important to look at the context of a post, and especially the "source material" people use to provide proof. It's why I tend to stick to the text where I can, and only use SJM statements that don't have an expiration date to their importance. SJM saying something about how she loves happily ever afters, for example, no expiration date. SJM telling us in 2015 that there is someone special for Lucien down the road - an expiration date after the first sign of a possible love interest for Lucien. Once E\ain was declared to be his mate, that statement became irrelevant, because regardless of whether it will be E\ain or not, you can no longer state that it's clearly hinting at someone else, since E\ain is a love interest for Lucien.

[macaroonkitti]

Mac, So excited to see you playing cadence!!! Any hcs on the Instruments and Octavo? Take care~

TY unfortunately I can't play Cadence of Hyrule atm because my switch hates me but I've played it multiple times in the past :) very fun game once you get the hang of it. I died so many times on my first playthrough

Hmm I'd assume the Instruments are pretty well-known magic items since they have whole elaborate temples there just to house them. A lot of the magic in Cadence of Hyrule seems to be music based so it would make sense.

As for Octavo, the guy didn't have much of a plan when he enacted his whole curse. What set it off was the Triforce of Power, which is in no way evil, but spoke to the fear in Octavo of Ganon returning. Power's an alluring thing. So he took it, and the string of fate from one of the Fates, which made the golden lute.

But he had less of a plan and more of a couple ideas,, which he spouted about to Trill before they flew off to find help. The guy's kind of a dumbass but he really tries.

Anyway more general headcanons and not just him and his train wreck of a plan

He too can hear the background music because he's affected by his own curse and its pretty annoying. He has his spell that breaks it but it's over pretty quick.

He's distantly related to Vaati no I don't know how it works but he has that locket that looks a suspicious amount like Vaati's gem that's apparently passed down in his family so yeah. He's technically part minish and I still don't know how it works but whatever. He's on the shorter side as a result and has a few stronger senses (smell and hearing mostly). Also very expressive ears, more than average for a nearly adult Hylian. They tend to swivel around when he hears something too.

That eye under his hair is actually just. Gone. That fight with Ganon didn't go very well. He's lucky Zelda and Link were nice enough to bring him back to their time and give him medical attention

Octavo's actually his middle name, first name's Vaalni (I think the in game files refer to him as such) but Octavo's just got a better ring to it so he introduces himself as such. Zelda and Link were very determined to find out his real name without him knowing until he was just like "You know you can just ask me right? Honestly just because I never told anyone doesn't mean I won't if someone asks outright."

God forbid you distract him while he's playing music to try and relax or he will hit you with his lute. This is a threat and a warning. Trill has actively made a game out of this.

And uh yeah that's all I got I think

[we-arethenewheroes]

Help me help you -part1

Read the Intro

Synopsis: "I only knew how to party and spend my money until someone didn't want it anymore"

Genre: soulmate-ish!au, fluff, angsty, non-idol!au ⚠️TWO ENDINGS

Warnings: drugs abuse, mention of sexe, (very soft I swear)

Pairing: NCT TAEYONG

Notes: it's not smut guys. Part1 of a 3 part story with a bonus chapter. Also short and easy to read. Sorry if I make any mistake :) look at this cutie plz I'm dying here

He broke up with me.

That ungrateful bastard broke up with.

After everything I've given to him he still managed to go with it, and I can't even approach him. Even the alcohol can make me feel better.

I have to do something, I can't go see my parents like That, what can I say to them? That I broke up with ? Or that he went abroad ? He died ?

"Aaaah I can't tell them that he died or they'll ask me so many questions..."

Yes, I noticed the guy looking at me, but I'm not in the mood.

...wait

I stand up, look at the guy, and just leave the bar. How can I not be in the mood..? Maybe I should just find someone I really like? Maybe it's time for me get married? Have kids?

...or maybe not? :)

I go to my car and drive to the library.

It's the only place that make me feel safe.

I've always been very smart, more than average. School was never a problem for me, and I always liked to study.

The library is quiet, and people don't look at me like I'm just meat. There's so many books, stories, and different people.

We all want the same thing: sit down with a book, and read in peace.

I take "Please Look After Mom" and sit in a corner. There's not a lot of people, just some student, kids reading Naruto in the back.

But there is one person,

One guy that appeals my attention

Not because he's very handsome, but because he seems very familiar...

...Ah! Lee Taeyong ! Wait this guy is Taeyong?? When did he became so handsome ??

Now let me share our story

Y/N, 16 years old

I already told you, I was very good at School, always straight A's, but this guy, Lee Taeyong, was too

"Y/N, A, as always. Lee Taeyong, A, I see you studied hard for this test, you have the best score"

What ? He has the best score? That's impossible!...well I mean, maybe I should just give this one to him.

Later that day, I went to the library. I really wanted to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix for some reason. As I went inside, I saw Lee Taeyong in the corner, reading the 5th book of Harry Potter.

I mean, I gave him the best score but does he has to take the book I wanted to read ??

"Hum, excuse me, Lee Taeyong right ?"

He took his eyes off the book to look at me

"...Yes?"

"Are you gonna read that ? Because I really wanted to read this book and you're getting on my nerves since this morning."

"Hu- why ? Did I do something wrong?"

I just sighed, he really was clueless.

"No, you didn't do anything wrong, technically.."

"Well, I already started to read. We can read together if you want, you probably already read all the books so you know the first 2 chapter right?"

"You want me to read with you?

"Why not? And I mean, no one is here anyway so if you're scared that people think that we are datin-"

"Do you think people are this stupid ? To think that we are dating ?"

I sat next to him and dragged my chair so it's closer to him. He looked at me in silence, and we just started to read our book.

Actually, that was pretty fun. After some times, we started to acknowledge one another when we saw eachother at the library. We would chat about books mostly, and how embarrassing it would be for me if people find out that we know eachother.

One day, we were reading the book again, when Taeyong looked at me,

"What are you starting at."

"You know I like you, right?"

"Yea I knew, why?"

"Oh, no just so I know that..you know."

"Lee Taeyong, don't you dare ruin this and ask me to be your girlfriend. You'll be too embarrassed to read with me afterwards. "

"Yeah... you're right"

A week after, I leart that Taeyong had moved to another country. He had a scolarship, and moved to England. And that test, that score that was better than mine, was what made him succeed.

And after almost 10 years, here he is.

Honestly I don't know what to do, I'm just standing there, a book in my hand, looking at Taeyong coming in.

He saw me,oh shit-

I turn around and start to walk in the alley when-

"Excuse me miss!"

...He recognized me.

I turn around to look at Taeyong, with a small smile. He's smiling too

"Y/N ? Is that you?"

He's even more handsome when he smiles.

"Yeah, that's me... Lee Taeyong, right..?"

He laughs, put his arm around my shoulders and ruffle my hair,

" Woaaah, it's been a while !"

"Well I guess if back then you had tell me that you were moving to England we would've keep contacts, and why are you acting like a big brother right now??" I step back to get his arm off me "and honestly, were we that close ? Hum?"

He smiles at me

"Heey, don't be like that, Hum? You always put your head on my shoulder we when we were reading,"

"Because I was tired and you were my pillow."

"We would always chat in the library,"

"About how embarrassing it would be for me if people fund out about are meetings-"

"See ? Meetings, we were friends stop denying it. You were my only friend, and I was your only true friend."

I looked at him for a moment. Then, why did you left me behind ?..

"And, I didn't told you that I was leaving because I wanted to be mysterious, in case we meet again. "

"What?"

"I wanted you to ask around, to try and know why I was missing, and the fact that you know that I moved to England prouves me you did." He smiles at my, all cheeky, I just want to slap his smile off his pretty face.

"And honestly Y/N,"

I look at him "What."

He takes a step and lean, a but to close to my face,

"Look."

"At what ?.."

"At my face. I'm handsome right ?"

Oh my Jesus

I laugh. Wow he's shameless now.

"Why would you tell me that ! Are you shameless our what ? Woaa really I'm speechless"

"So that means yes-"

"I never said that!" I cross my arms

He grin and giggle. He straighten up,

"Hey, Y/N,"

"What again"

"Let's read the Order of the Phoenix together, like the old times. Hum?"

I look at him.

"And are you gonna leave to another country like the old times..?"

He gently laughs

"No, Y/N, don't worry, I'll stay this time."

I slightly pout,

"Okay Then,"

I don't know how much time we spent in the library. We had so much to say to one other. He told me about his years in England. When he started to make friends, to be more confident. That I gave him the courage to talk to people freely, because he knew that he would make friends, if I was his friend.

He told me he still didn't date, to scared for some reason. All the girls were at his feet but he still didn't had the courage, and didn't like any girls at his school.

He said he wanted to contact me, but seeing how much I've changed, how much of a party girl I was on the social media, he got scared and stepped back.

I told him that he changed too. That he got more confident, sassier, cheekier, more handsome. I told him I also got a scholarship. That my relationship with my family got worse than ever. I told him my schedule: the day I work in the bank, at night, I was a party maker, of course shipped the part where I was addicted to drugs and alcohol, and that I had so many fling.

We gave eachother our numbers, and promised to stay in contact.

I was happy. It's true that I didn't really remember him after so many years, but I saw him, i was happy. I realised that I did miss him, and for the time we were together, I didn't feel empty anymore, like the "fun" missing in my life was filed.

When we part ways, more like getting kicked out of the library, I was excited to see him again after so many years.

When I got to my empty apartment, I took a shower, changed into my pj, and went to the kitchen to cook myself something. I got tone a message from my party people, I had to tell them I was sick and I couldn't come, the truth is, I didn't feel like I had to party tonight. Or ever again.

We started to meet a lot with Taeyong. He went to my empty apartment, I went to his crappy apartment.

"But like, Taeyong, don't you think you should move ? I know it's just a for-the-time-being apartment, but it's really crappy and suffocating in here" I say as we hear the neighbours fight.

"Yea I know, Its crappy, but Y/N, I got attached to this crappy place. Maybe I'm crappy ? I'm not like you, I never lived in a fancy place !" He say as we hear the neighbours fuck.

"Taeyong, stop lying to yourself."

"Then find me an apartment."

And that's what I did.

The next day I helped him move out of the crappy apartment to the cute apartment next to his work.

Normally, I would've bought him the apartment, and then ask him something in exchange. But I didn't do that. I found the apartment, yes, he bought his apartment.

The same day, I'm just watching TV when I hear my phone ring.

It's Taeyong.

I smile as I read his message,

"[TY]Dear Y/N,

I'm sending this very official message to summon you to my apartment, tonight, because I just meet my neighbour and he's scary. Sending you my location :)

Thanks babe"

"[Y/N]Don't call me babe."

"[TY] Yes, but you comin?"

"[Y/N]omw"

"[Y/N] Don't you think just saying that you miss me would've been less embarrassing than this lie?"

"[TY] No"

I laugh, and wait,

3...2...1-

"[TY] not that I miss you or anything it's because that's the truth !"

I take my coat and go to my car.

After a short ride, I go to Taeyong apartment and knock. He immediately open the door and pull me inside quickly.

"Did he saw you?"

"Who ?"

"My neighbour !"

I laugh "Taeyong you can stop the act"

He looks at me, debating if he should stop or not.

"Okay ! I'll stop! I missed you"

"But you saw me this morning-"

"No, you help me moved, the only time we saw eachother was when we passed eachother in the stairs." He pout, I giggle

"And when we drank that lemonade?"

"You mean when you took the biggest shot of your life and got back to work" he cross his arms, I laugh

"Ok, ok ! I'm here now, so let's eat." I make my way to the kitchen

"Eat...?" He looks at me

I turn around and look at him.

"Don't tell me... you didn't order anything...?"

He smiles. "In the oven, I order pizza 20 minutes ago"

I smile widly

"You're the best"

I go get the pizza in the kitchen and go back to the living room, where Taeyong is sat on the sofa. I put the pizza on the table, sit on the floor next to Taeyong's legs and start to eat.

We're watching a movie, laughing, eating together. I put my head on his knee

"Woah, I ate way to much"

Taeyong looks at me

"Hey Y/N,"

"Hum ?"

"You're sleeping over right?"

I look at him, "Me ?"

He pout and try to look cute. He looks like a sad puppy "Pleaase Y/Nnnnn"

"OK ok! I'll stay, but just tonight"

"Yess" he gets comfortable on the sofa and pat the space next to him "come here"

I do as he say, and sit next to him. He puts his arm around my shoulder and watch TV.

And I can't help but smile.

My heart is beating a little faster, and I feel like millions of butterflies are in my stomach.

He's staring at me. I look at him and see his eyes shining. No men ever looked at me like that.

"Taeyong..."

He just looks at me, leans in and kiss me.

His lips are soft, and his kiss is gentle.

After, he looks at me.

"I think I never dated anyone because I was waiting for you, Y/N."

I smile and look at my hands

"Pff, I knew you liked me..."

We quietly laugh.

"Can I ask you to be my girlfriend now ?"

I giggle

"You can"

He looks at me " I take this as a yes"

I look at him.

I think I just find my soulmate.

A/N: Thanks for reading ! Plz like and reblog and I hope you liked it !💚

[xxkellsvixen19xx]

Notice Chapter 15

Warninging: Child Birth

It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone

And I need you now

Said I wouldn't call but I lost all control

And I need you now

And I don't know how I can do without

I just need you now

8 ½  months later…

Thunder is starting to rumble again, closer and louder than it had before. The rain is no longer a light shower, but a strident downpour now, and there's a quick flash of lightning illuminating the room. The lamp flickers on the ornately-carved end table.

"Do you want to go back to the main house?" he inquires softly, hand going again to the small of her aching back even though she hasn't asked for it. Michael slips his hand under her cardigan and blouse, and rubs circles into her skin with his thumb. Even though it doesn't actually help, she lets him continue.

"No, I'm quite alright-" She's interrupted by the worst pain yet, and her eyes squeeze shut until it passes.

"You don't look alright to me."

"I'm fine," she says stubbornly, and tries to heave herself to a standing position. Her attempt fails, of course. "Could you help me up? Braxton Hicks are supposed to get better with exercise."

He stands and carefully pulls her up. But when she is on her feet, she realizes they're standing almost toe to toe, and she can't remember the last time they were this close. They stare at each other, the air between them growing as electric as the lightning outside, but another Braxton Hicks stabs her low in the gut.

"Breathe," he murmurs, running a hand up and down her arm.

Y/N smiles faintly before going around him, and she starts to pace. He stays standing, hands in his pockets as he watches her every move like a hawk. She runs her own hands over the curve of her stomach, hoping it will soothe the baby, and tries to calm herself with deep breaths. It almost works, and for a few minutes, all she does is walk back and forth.

Michael looks out the window at the loudest crash of thunder so far. "Are you sure you don't want to go back?"

"I told you, I'm fine- ah."

She has to stop, reaching for the end table to steady herself. There are spots in her vision as the pain sears into her like a white hot poker. Her Braxton Hicks had never been this bad right before or so one would think. But that's all it is. Just false contractions. Right?

Michael goes to her side, fingers on her elbow. "You're clearly not fine."

She blinks hard, trying to clear her vision. "Let's go back to bedroom"

"Finally," he sighs, but lets her set the pace to the door.

The Braxton Hicks get worse as they move at a snail's pace. By the time they reach the foyer, they've had to stop five times. He quickly shrugs on his coat and helps her into hers as she struggles to breathe through another pain. It's so all consuming she has to just stand there and ride it out, vaguely aware that he is gently tying her headscarf into a knot under her chin. She has to take a moment to catch her breath, and walks forward on shaking legs. But just as he reaches for the door handle, her water breaks, liquid gushing between her legs to splatter onto the floor.

"Was that-"

"Yes." She looks down at her now ruined skirt. "Maybe those weren't Braxton Hicks after all."

Thunder booms, seemingly right above them as he opens the door. The wind and rain slams into them as they look out into the night. Branches are being ripped off trees by the wind, and she thinks she sees an oak about to fall.

"I… I don't think I can make it in that," she admits.

He turns up his collar, ready to head out into the storm. "Of course you can."

She bites her lip. "The roads are horrible."

"I'll carry you if it comes down to it."

She suddenly grabs a fistful of his sweater with a cry. If she was lucid enough to call the pain a true contraction she would, but she literally can't see anything for a terrifying moment. When the darkness fades, she sees Michael in front of her.

"I can't," she gasps, trying to catch her breath.

"We'll make it back in time-"

She looks up at him. "I refuse to have the baby in the carl."

For the first time, she can see panic in his eyes. "Are you that close?"

"Not quite, but with how long it takes to get to the hospital is, I might get that close. I can't go outside, Michael."

He shuts the door and turns back to her. "What do you need?"

"To sit down, honestly."

If the pace to the door was slow, the way back to the bedroom is glacial. But they finally make it, and as Michael hovers by her side, he asks, "Do you want to lay down?"

Y/N  shakes her head. "Not yet."

She sits down gingerly, leaning against the back of the sofa and feeling like a beached whale. Her legs fall open, and for once she doesn't close them or demurely cross her ankles. It feels better to do so, actually, and at that realization, fear runs like ice through her veins. That means the baby might be coming sooner rather than later. But she's not in a hospital or Melbourne or Brisbane. She's in the mansion in the middle of a storm with only Michael. And now that she thinks about it, he'll have no idea what to do. It's not as  if he has to deliver this baby-

Pull yourself together, she orders herself.

But then her entire body goes rigid when the newest contraction begins, and it's so bad she can't see or even hear anything. Only pain exists until she can see her terrified husband's face, and his voice is nearly drowned out by the ringing in her ears.

“Y/N?"

She blinks, breathing hard, and can hardly form a coherent thought, let alone string together a sentence.

“Y/N!"

"What?" she says in a pale voice.

"I'm going to get a doctor."

That instantly snaps her out of her fog. "What? No!"

"You need medical attention."

"No, you can't go-"

"You need a doctor-"

"I don't care!"

Silence falls.

"Send a carrier pigeon, I don't care." She locks gazes with her husband. "I need you here with me." Tears well in her eyes. "I can't do this without you."

As her words hang in the air, they both know it's not just about the baby, or the storm, or a doctor. But then the moment is shattered by another contraction, and she grabs Michael's hand and lets out a strangled sob.

"I'm going to call a midwife," he says when she comes to.

“Michael-"

He cups her cheek. "I'm only going across the room. I'm not leaving, alright? I just have to make the call."

He goes across the study, and tears spring to her eyes for an altogether different reason. The words I'm not leaving echo in her mind.

"This is Michael. Get me Mr. Ardeane right now. It's an emergency." Lightning turns the room a stark white, and instantly thunder seems to crash right above them. “Dr, Y/N is in labor. We're in the mansion. Come quickly please-"

The windows rattle as the lightning and the thunder come together. Then the lights go out, and the room is plunged into darkness.

“Dr? Hello, are you there?"

More lightning and thunder arrive simultaneously. They are clearly in the heart of the storm now.

“Dr?"

She hears the phone slam down into the receiver. "Bloody hell."

As if her body decided she had too long of a break, the next contractions is the worst one yet. She can't even form words, only able to groan, and her husband races to her side.

"Breathe, Y/N."

[thealchemyth]

Dancing With Dust

Chapter 1: Indelibility

Genre: Magical Realism

Word count: 1,677

Summary:

Phan is doing fine in his everyday life; studying magic under the tutelage of his eccentric master, hanging out with his annoying friends that he can't live without, enjoying his college life, and probably failing at Potion again but that's fine.

What he last needs is catching feelings for the most annoying sentient being on this planet who also might be his master's new disciple. And admitting it feels like a punch in the gut.

He's not fine.

A/N:

Every character in this story has two names: birth name and chosen name. They usually prefer to go by their chosen name and keep their birth name a secret. The importance of a birth name depends on the wizards themselves; some of them might feel that being called by their birth name is a symbol of intimacy and some feel that it doesn't represent their identity and hence, could be thrown away if they feel like it.

Benefactors or Wizard Masters are well-respected members of colleges of wizardry. They are either professors or grandmasters in said college.

The college the main characters enrolled in is Ganesha college of wizardry. It has four houses: Garuda, Lembuswana, Barong, and Naga.

The first time they met, it was uncomfortable.

Perhaps it was the way he came up to him and acted friendly and immediately asked for permission to call him by his nickname. Perhaps it was the way he smiled with the hint of amusement hinted at the curve of his lips. Perhaps it was the way he looked at him with raised eyebrows, expecting a response as if he had the obligation to.

It began with him and his friend, Clarity, stuck in an empty lab brewing Inversalius potion, which according to the book, was supposed to have an effect to reverse genetic mutation if brewed properly. But so far, the color of the potion didn't show any indication of being 'brewed properly'.

Professor Adhyaksa gave them a pitying look as he gave permission for them to use the lab earlier. Perhaps he understood that for most of the students, potion wasn't the most favorite subject. And that the amount of students who failed reached the level of outstanding.

The little jars — which mostly contained organs from varied magical creatures and herbs — felt like mocking them. It also didn't help that the temperature was too hot to their liking that even the cooling rune they drew every hour only gave little comfort. Clarity kept tying and untying her carnation pink hair in desperation. Meanwhile, his black with blue highlight hair kept reaching a new level of messiness the more it was exposed to the potion smoke he honestly gave up trying to keep them looking presentable.

It was somewhere during their peak of suffering that someone opened the door to the lab and made him so startled that he almost dropped the mixing spoon. He thought it was Professor Adhyaksa at first; perhaps he came to say their time was up or something. But once he looked up and opened his mouth to form an apology — and maybe beg for another additional time, he found that the one coming in was another student; from the house of Naga if the emblem embroidered on his tie was any indication.

"Hey, are you the one named Phantasia?" The boy asked after he walked over to him and Clarity, suspiciously looking like he already knew which empty lab they were currently using; his head tilted to the side as he looked at him. His hair was a nice combination of gray and brown with some of his bangs falling nicely to hide part of his forehead, and his hand casually wrapped around Clarity's shoulders as he sat beside her to insert his presence and make it impossible to ignore. His eyes, Phan noticed, appeared to be a warm shade of chocolate; and they looked bright and friendly and innocent-looking as if he didn't just barge in uninvited.

"I've heard about you from Clarity. Can I call you Phan?"

Phan frowned, looking sideways to their apparently mutual friend, Clarity, whose shoulder was borrowed, and silently asking who the heck that was and why he was acting so familiar.

Clarity only snorted in amusement.

Phan's gaze returned to the intruder whose face he finally recognized from a few encounters they had before (even if they had never talked) — in the hallways, in front of the classrooms, at the training ground, in the canteen.

Talking to new people was never part of Phan's ability, especially the too-friendly type. His frown deepened as he answered icily, "No." And it was almost venomous too. His gaze slid back to the small, sad-looking cauldron he was using which contained asparagus green potion; and it looked as pathetic as the cauldron itself if Phan was honest.

He did not want to hear about what Clarity said about him to…whoever this guy was. And he did not want to get involved in a stranger's business.

"That's too bad. I'm Vadimas, by the way," the boy continued to say, standing up and rounding the table so he was standing right in front of Phan. "Thank you for the warm welcome."

Phan heard him chuckle. And he sent a glare after Vadimas put his hands on the table whilst leaning into his personal space.

"You're annoying the shit out of him, you know that right?" Clarity pointed out but without a bite and not without a chuckle. "When I said make a good first impression, I didn't mean it like this."

Vadimas pouted, but quickly recovered as he paid her no mind anymore. He crouched down and put his hands on top of another as he sent Phan what people might call puppy eyes.

"So, Phan. Phantasia, apologies for bothering your time. That was rude of me, but could you at least hear me out first, pretty please?"

Phan glanced at him for a moment before sliding his gaze back to check on his potion which almost turned to a worrying shade of gray as he stirred. And the smoke attacking their faces smelled too sour to be called a successful result.

"What do you want?" He said, finally after a long pause, albeit half-heartedly. And somehow, he could imagine Vadimas' expression brightened even without glancing at him. "And how did you find us here?"

"Mmm," Vadimas pretended to think, lifting his hand and touching his chin with his fingers; a silver ring sat comfortably on his pointer finger, giving occasional glint when the light hit it at the right angle. "A little mouse might have blabbered to me that you two would study together for the Advanced Potion exam after class — and oh, she said you're kinda hopeless in that subject, by the way — in exchange for caramel canonball*."

At that, Phan immediately whipped his head to the side to glare at his friend who, in turn, hid her face behind the second edition of 'Advanced Potion Making' textbook so only a mop of pink hair could be seen.

"As for the first question," Vadimas continued as he grinned sheepishly, saving Clarity from almost being hexed. "I actually need a favor."

Before Phan could open his mouth, Vadimas clapped his hands together in a pleading gesture to halt whatever kind of rejection his brain came up with. "Could you possibly arrange a meeting with your benefactor for me? I need to talk to him about urgent matters," pleaded Vadimas with the hopeful tone coloring his words.

Phan blinked; stunned. It was so out of the blue. "With Master May? What for?"

"My current benefactor is about to work abroad and she recommended that I come to yours. And I really need a new benefactor if I still want to stay in this college. So, please?"

Ah, shit.

Phan bit his lip as he considered the sudden request. Benefactors were essential in wizards' education system. They were the guardian as well as mentor that young wizards' parents sent their children to for learning about basic magic and everything related to it. They didn't have to live with their benefactors, but some of them preferred that for different reasons.

And when the wizards reached age 19, their benefactors would register their disciples to the universities they had affiliation with.

But, out of all benefactors available, why Master May?

"Why didn't your benefactor contact mine themselves?" Phan asked curiously; his head tilted slightly, mirroring Vadimas' gesture earlier. "Surely, discussion between benefactors directly would bring a better result."

"Err, how to put this," Vadimas gave a pause and looked sideways. His hand came up to rest at his neck before running his palm on it as he thought. "My benefactor and yours have a, uh, complicated relationship. She only said that in order to arrange a meeting with Master Mayhem, I have to talk to his disciple. And I only know that it's the guy from the house of Garuda. But luckily, I know an insider."

Vadimas glanced at Clarity, which was then confirmed by her with a nod.

"...How complicated?" Phan inquired. Master May, short for Mayhem as Vadimas pointed, was a bit eccentric. And even that might be an understatement. And, like Phan, he was difficult to approach and didn't have patience for any bullshit. "And if that's so, why wouldn't she recommend you another benefactor? Besides, Master May only accepts one disciple at a time."

Clarity nudged gently at his elbow, pulling his gaze away from Vadimas. "Because his benefactor is Master Salva."

Phan mouthed 'ah' at the unexpected revelation. That answered all of his questions, then. But still. "There's no guarantee that Master May will be willing to accept you, though."

The 'are you sure you still want to try' was left unsaid but obviously understood from the hopeful and determined look Vadimas was giving him.

The other boy nodded firmly. "Just leave the persuading to me."

"...Alright." Phan shrugged, "it's your business, anyway."

"You'll do it?!" Vadimas jumped and reached for his hand as excitement overtook him which made Phan jerk back almost immediately.

Noticing his touch was unwelcomed, Vadimas released his hand with an apologetic look. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you."

Phan lowered his gaze and nodded slightly. "You're welcome," he said drily whilst feeling the heat spreading on his face.

Vadimas gave him an ear-to-ear grin, looking so pleased. "Thank you," he uttered softly; the sincerity that bled from those two words sent a fluttering sensation in Phan's stomach.

"Oh anyway, your potion is incomplete. It lacks salamander eyeball and snotty beans," Vadimas jerked his head toward the small cauldron. "See you later, Phan!"

And then he was out the door. Just like that.

"How the heck did he figure that out?" Clarity grumbled, flipping through the pages frantically.

"Who even allowed him to call me Phan!" He cried and put down the mixing spoon, giving up on stirring the ridiculous potion.

When Clarity was busy checking through the shelves and jars for the ingredients Vadimas mentioned, Phan's right hand rested on top of his left wrist. The weight of someone else's hand still lingered there. Vividly. And hauntingly.

It felt uncomfortable.

So uncomfortable that his ears turned red.

*: Phan and Clarity's favorite snacks. It's a bag of small chocolate caramel balls that would explode once they're inside your mouth.

[existentialstatesofmind]

Opening Up

Clare: often found new books online by browsing through suggestions of similar reads to past favorites. She was sure this wouldn’t be much different. “I like that feature already. The biggest problem I run into is looking for paranormal romance and getting horror. Yeah if the cover looks gory or violent, I won’t get it.” She grinned at him. “Thank you, if you really don’t mind helping me out. We probably will be using a wok. Unless they are worried about grease fires.” Clare became uneasy at the thought. “There are so many distractions in a classroom and I have slow reflexes.” She laughed nervously. “No problem. We’ll get along fine. I just have to warn Alli.” Her best friend was more outgoing than she was and could easily become defensive. Clare remembered how Alli had taken an immediate dislike to Jenna. Once she made up her mind about someone it was difficult to change it. “Good! I was starting to miss the days when I didn’t care about my appearance and would wear whatever I wanted even if it caused me to be made fun of.” She chuckled. “Yay!” She enthusiastically responded to going to a Cultural Festival. “What is Host Cafe?” Clare knew if it had anything to do with drinking the schools were going to say no. “Oh my god.” She squealed. “If we are doing this, we have to go all out! No point in doing something with so much potential half assed. You have to wear an apron with a big satin bow tying it in the back, gloves, high heels, maid headpiece and feather duster. Everything allowed. Thigh highs with the garter might be against the rules. Though I’d pay money to see you, Kota. Of course I’ll gladly wear a male waiter costume which is probably a vest over a button down shirt, black slacks, a bowtie, and men’s shoes. Can’t forget those. I’m going to have to buy a wig. What color should I go with? I want straight hair too that will make me look different. Maybe Alli and I can draw fake mustaches on each other! I think that would look better than one you glue on. I wonder if I can trick her into letting me give her a goatee?” She grinned mischievously. “I know. I just wasn’t sure how much you trusted him with. I’m glad he’s not like your brothers, you need someone to confide in besides me. So we let everyone think whatever they want? But I don’t have to lie?” Clare was glad she didn’t have to confirm any rumors that might make their way back home. She didn’t care about being thrown out of Jesus Club, however, Clare couldn’t let her parents find out she dared to sleep in the same bed as a boy (even if they weren’t doing anything other than sleeping). “Technically it’s an Irish Claddagh ring.” She doubted many girls would ask the meaning behind it. “I’m not ready emotionally, and I make no promises when I will be. Emi’s good birth control. I love her but I couldn’t take care of her full time like you do. My family’s a mess, I’d have zero support, and a baby is a lot more work. I don’t want us to resent each other because we had to miss out being a normal teenagers. I’m going away for college, I want to live in a dorm and be independent.” If she really got pregnant at 16, her parents and especially Darcy (who looked down on teen moms) would pressure her into giving the baby up for adoption but Clare saw no reason to bring that up. She nodded. “We’ll table it. I obviously am not comfortable with relying on a condom either, I’d have to come up with a way to get around needing parental permission. Or Mom’s head would explode.” Clare didn’t want Kota to change his mind later on and break up with her for a girl who was on birth control. There was nothing she could do about it though. “Seriously? That might be your best kept secret. I mean I have seen tabloid articles with headlines like Melanie Martinez goes on a weekend rendezvous with her younger man! But they never mentioned Toronto.” Clare didn’t feel stupid for not recognizing her own city or Kota if he’d ever been caught on camera too because no one else at school did either. Mostly Clare thought those articles were bogus. But sometimes they guessed Melanie was in some exotic location with an upcoming actor who had a baby face but was really 25. She listened to their crazy adventures, and more they could possibly have. She could never be apart of that. But that was okay. At least she was finally getting to go somewhere AND currently hanging out with Melanie Martinez! Clare smiled. “It won’t be a free for all but it will be parentless.” She walked out of the office and looked at Melanie before answering Kota. “How about starting with Yohio’s lab?”

Kota: looked at Clare when she mentioned paranormal romance and getting horror. "They classify paranormal as supernatural and I've read one supernatural romance that I liked. It didn't have horror, but it was also adult." he explained. "I'm not sure, to be honest I haven't heard of them using a wok, but if you go to someone's house to learn they may use a wok." he shrugged. He listened to her talk about warning Alli and nodded, then laughed when she mentioned her clothes. "A host club is basically a legal form of prostitution without the prostitution. We'd have to wear suits and look nice, the customer will get a list of names of who's on duty and pick which one they want to be with. We'd have to sit with the customer or customers while they eat, we'd be able to drink soda or something with them and we'd have to do what they say. If a girl tells me to flirt with her, I'd have to or we'd lose money. I'd have to kiss her hand regardless though, when the customers leave a kiss on the hand is a proper goodbye." he explained the best he could. Hearing Clare go on about the cafe causing him to shake his head. "You can't do any of that. Everything is supplied by the school. The outfits are decided by votes, the ones that get the most votes are what we will be wearing and they're handmade by our class. The wigs will be provided by the theater committee, the shoes will also be provided for us by the school. You and Alli cannot have facial hair of any sort, you'd have to look like a high school boy and there will already be someone to do your make up and mine. Who knows they may only straighten and style your hair, there are guys with long hair at school. To be honest, I do my hair differently in Japan, there are times when Natsumi stood on a chair and tied my bangs for me with a band on the top of my head. It looked like a small ponytail and it's not uncommon for guys to do that there like it is here." he assured. "No we don't have to lie. If they know you're a virgin who cares? If they think we're having sex, let them." he said honestly. He didn't correct anyone either, he just let them think what they wanted. "I feel the same, I'm not emotionally ready and I don't know when I will be either. I'm actually going to community college because most dormitories won't allow Emi to live with me in them and who's to say if and when my aunt will come back for her. When I graduate Degrassi, I'm getting an apartment to live in wherever I go to school and I'm going to bring Emi apartment shopping with me. If my aunt comes and gets her by then I'll stay in a dorm. I do know that newborns cry a lot and not all of them sleep through the night so continuing high school with a child is nearly impossible and it would be just as impossible to go to an actual college like we want, we'd have to go online and that would suck a lot. I don't plan on having sex until I'm able to take responsibility for whatever happens." he smiled at her and kissed her cheek. "We can worry about that later and I don't think you'll need to get your mom's permission for birth control. I'm not planning on being ready while I'm still in high school so there's no need to worry about that." he said honestly and listened to her. "No, we were in Cali when that happened so don't worry about recognizing the city. I'm able to take small trips between here and America when I want as long as my mom knows. Plus they didn't really get my face, I wore dark glasses and a hat so they couldn't get my face." he confirmed. As Clare spoke, he looked around his office to make sure he had everything and smiled. "Yohio's lab it is." he said before hearing his phone ring and answering it. "Great, I've been trying to call you." he chimed to the person on the other end. "I'm bringing my girlfriend when I bring the jacket to you so..." he trailed off and listened. "That'd be perfect. I'll make sure she's free and I'm willing to pay you back for this. Her name is Clare and please whatever you do don't embarrass her. If you do the IOU you have against me will be null and void." he stated in the phone and smiled. "Great and ok, I'll put paper in my fax machine so you can fax whatever you need to." he smiled. "Ok, I'll see you then and I promise not to tell her. Love ya too." he chuckled and hung up the phone. "Clare, keep your schedule clear for next Saturday. We apparently have plans and I'm not sure what's going to happen since I'm in debt to someone right now." he explained. "Ah, debt that you need to pay with your body." Mel laughed jokingly. "That's not funny, for all I know she could be planning something and though she won't make me her slave I'm still unable to find out what she has up her sleeve." he sighed and stood up. "To Yohio's office." he chimed and lead them down a corridor. "We can't go inside due to the fact he's working and if we scare him or the chemist it could cause problems." he informed and stopped to press a button on the elevator. "What is he making?" Mel asked. "Perfume." Kota answered. "We're selling it in the store downstairs and in Japan first. If the perfume sells well, we'll build him a lab in Japan." he added as they got on the elevator and he pressed the button for the third floor. "The girl you were on the phone with, do I know her?" Mel asked. "Not personally, but you know who she is." he said. "That could be anyone." Mel sighed. "I'll tell you who it is later." he said. "Maybe she just wants to hang out." Mel shrugged. "That's a possibility. I have only been able to hang out with her in America so maybe she wants me to give her a tour of Toronto." he sighed in relief as the elevator stopped and he lead them to a big window. "This is Yohio's lab." he said looking through it to see Yohio and waved at him, in turn Yohio waved back wearing a hooded lab coat, hospital mask, rubber gloves and protective glasses. "Where to next?" he asked.