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coeurdastronaute · 3 years

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Nerd 15

Previously on Nerd

It hadn’t been a particularly good sleep. Lexa felt like she woke up every hour or so, each time checking to make sure the softly snoring girl beside her was still there, still asleep. Despite her own tossing and turning, Clarke didn’t seem to move much, just curled up tightly into herself, against Lexa’s side. Lexa kind of liked the feeling of the other body in her bed. She kind of liked that she was the person Clarke wanted.

Sometime after the tenth to twelfth time she woke up, Lexa realized the sun was up, and she couldn’t fight with her body waking any longer. Clarke didn’t move, and the night weighed on her girlfriend.

With a certain effort, Lexa decided to extract herself from the bed, even though Clarke didn’t seem to notice. It actually appeared as if Clarke was a very sound sleeper, as Lexa moved around the room and bumped the edge of her elbow on her desk and hissed at the contact. But as she stood still, she realized Clarke didn’t budge a bit.

Lexa scrolled through her phone as she tugged on some fresh clothes, checking over her shoulder quickly to make sure Clarke wasn’t peaking for some weird reason. She didn’t want Clarke to know how curious she was about the party before she arrived, but a part of her was incredibly interested in what might have panned out.

Like a thief, Lexa tugged on socks and buttoned her pants as she danced through the door in her attempt to remain as quiet as humanly possible. It took her a minute to close to door, watching it slowly inch toward the clasp, and finally it clicked nearly silent. She pushed her hair out of her face and slid into the bathroom, shoving a toothbrush into her mouth as she leaned against the counter and scrolled through the feed of Bellamy Blake’s infamous party.

As she scrubbed she watched the night happen in glimpses. She watched her girlfriend taking shots. She watched her girlfriend in that bikini. She watched her girlfriend look like she was desperately chasing an escape and numbness and it made Lexa mad for her. Lexa spit and rinsed and brushed and decided it was a good idea to scroll through Bellamy’s posts and she couldn’t understand how Clarke could like such different people. Bellamy Blake held week long parties and won state championships and got scouted. Lexa made movies and played board games and couldn’t figure out how to take a bra off.

With a final rinse she called her sister, hoping the time difference would mean she was awake, but as she bounded down the steps, she was met with a voicemail and furrowed. She needed research and information. Anya knew about all of this.

“You’re up early for someone having a sleepover with their girlfriend,” her mother greeted her as she looked up from the newspaper spread out across the kitchen island. Her father looked up over the edge of the sports section before looking back down.

“I told you we didn’t have to worry,” he muttered, flapping the paper out. Lexa rolled her eyes and took a seat.

“It wasn’t a sleepover.”

“Your girlfriend spent the night in your bed. I’d call it a sleepover, and I’d say we’re pretty cold parents for allowing it.”

“I appreciate it, but nothing was going to happen.”

“Good, because we discussed how alcohol can alter perception and consent--”

“Yes, yes,” Lexa sighed and reached for an apple as her father droned on yet again, hoping to avoid another sex talk. “I know, Dad.”

They all remained in a respective silence while working past the moment. It was weird, to want to talk to someone, let alone to have anything to talk about, but Lexa felt this need to figure something out, though she wasn’t sure what it would be. She wished her sister had just picked up the phone.

“So is Clarke…”

“Still asleep.”

“Did you have fun at the party?”

“I wasn’t there long,” Lexa shrugged. “I was at Luna’s working on our submission until late. Gus was there, so I knew people.”

She didn’t mention Michelle from math and her bikini. That felt inappropriate.

“How’s Clarke doing?” her mother pressed, sipping from her coffee again, warily watching her daughter.

“She’s… I don’t know. Sad. Mad. Stuck. Overwhelmed.”

“It was nice that you went to get her. I appreciate you telling us what’s going on instead of trying to sneak around. Anya did that. I can’t tell you how many times I had to pretend not to notice boys sneaking around the yard.”

“Really?”

“We trust you both,” her father explained. “We just appreciate you doing making us have to stretch it so far.”

“And we like Clarke, so we’re happy to help.”

“I don’t really know what else to do, you know?” she muttered, wiping her mouth and leaning against the counter, her knee coming up on the stool. “I think I’d be a little upset too if I were in her shoes, so I would want to probably do a bunch of stuff, but also I don’t want her to be upset.”

Lexa’s father looked at her and then to his wife. She cocked her head and gave him a look, to which he returned a shrug and ushered her to do something. They were stuck as well because no parenting book prepared them for teenagers. And Anya was very different.

“You can’t do anything,” he finally offered.

“Tim!” his wife warned.

“It’s true. You can’t make this better. It’s between Clarke and her mother and her father. But you can be there for her, and try to encourage her to be healthy about grief and pain. You have some experience, I’d say.”

Lexa looked back at him and clenched her lips, worrying the bottom one as she mulled over his words.

“And as much as we love what you want to do and be for Clarke, please don’t forget who you are in all of this. You have needs nad you have goals. Someone else’s wellness is not entirely on your shoulders.”

“I know.”

“But just be around. That’s all anyone can do. Be of service to others.”

“Your father’s right though,” her mother continued. “You can’t fix it, just be there. It’s a boring answer.”

“If Dad were dying would you have an affair?”

“Jesus, Lexa.”

“What?”

“I’d haunt you,” Tim decided before turning back to his paper. “I’d haunt you really hard.”

“I’m done with both of you today,” she decided, tossing her part of the paper in his lap as she walked through the living room. “It’s not even eight and I’m retreating to my office. I hope you’re both proud.”

The pair shared a smile and shrugged as she disappeared down the hall.

“You know, just because we gave you one sleepover, I hope you don’t get too comfortable asking. This was an emergency. It’s always okay in an emergency, and you know the difference.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“I have golf in a bit, but this afternoon we could do some driving practice if you wanted?”

“Sounds good,” Lexa smiled.

For no reason at all, except maybe utter relief that she didn’t have to deal with the same problems Clarke did, she hugged her dad’s neck lazily over the back of the couch before making her way back upstairs.

XXXXXXXXXX

The vague memories of the night lingered like the stale taste of terrible vodka and beer, and Clarke smacked her lips, hoping to find any kind of liquid to get rid of the dry mouth. But her eyes felt heavy and glued shut, and her stomach felt like it was currently on the spin cycle, so moving wasn’t entirely feasible.

It had been dumb. It’d been stupid, even. Possibly as far as moronic, to go to Bellamy’s party, but it was the best alternative and boy did it feel nice to escape. Even the current state she found herself in was a welcomed punishment from feeling fine and being unable to exist in the world. Her current physical ailments felt like finally, the universe was manifesting itself, and she could fix the swirling stomach and cottonmouth. She could fix the spinning and soreness and bruises from God-knew what happened last night.

There wasn’t much else to be done, she suspected. Fix this moment, this hour, this day, and hope to survive to another one. It all had to end at some point.

Clarke finally managed to open her eyes, a feat she was certain no other human could have accomplished. She looked around Lexa’s room and gratefully accepted the water bottle and aspirin waiting beside the bed.

It took until halfway chugged, that she realized she was empty and the room was quiet. So she took a breath and held her stomach, certain she could hold it down. Carefully, she dressed, stealing Lexa’s old track sweats and an older soccer shirt, before making her way down the hall in search of something to fill her stomach.

“Someone else’s wellness is not entirely on your shoulders.”

“I know.”

Clarke paused at the top of the stairs when she heard the family talking. It felt like it was about her. She knew it had to be. It made her want to vomit.

“But just be around. That’s all anyone can do. Be of service to others.”

“Your father’s right though. You can’t fix it, just be there. It’s a boring answer.”

It was hard to be the subject of needing things. Clarke wasn’t someone who needed anyone. She wasn’t someone who wanted or needed to depend on anyone, and yet there was a girl, a girl who was too afraid to make a move, who imagined the world in terms of movie scenes and interpreted her own existence in the great world as a cosmic joke, always waiting for the punchline-- and this girl wanted to fix things.

“If Dad were dying would you have an affair?”

“Jesus, Lexa.”

“What?”

It hadn’t been a joke, but it made Clarke smile. No one expected that Lexa was serious, and she wanted to know the answer. There was shuffling and moving, and Clarke crept her way back to Lexa’s room.

She felt even dumber than she thought possible for going to see Bellamy. She wouldn’t do it again. She wouldn’t. She wouldn’t. She wouldn’t. The words echoed in her head. She meant it, she was certain. She wouldn’t.

“You’re awake,” Lexa grinned as she quietly closed the door behind her only to find her girlfriend sitting in her bed.

“I’m never drinking again.”

“Mhm, we’ll see.”

“Don’t be mean to me, I’m sick.”

“You’re hungover.”

“You don’t know what it feels like, do you?” Clarke accused, accepting the orange and another bottle of water that was handed to her as her girlfriend joined her in bed.

“Don’t see much appeal.”

“It always seems like a good idea at the time…”

Lexa just shrugged and crossed her legs. She ran her thumb along the faded script on the side of Clarke’s knee.

“I should head home,” she decided softly. “Sleep this off and such.”

“You could sleep here. I’m just going to work on the car a bit. Maybe go for a run. I have homework to finish.”

“I have to go home at some point.”

“Maybe.”

“It was very sweet of you to come get me.”

“I’m just glad you texted.”

“I’m not going to be like this, you know?”

“You can be however you want.”

It was a sweet sentiment that Clarke didn’t have the mental capacity to sit with, she decided, because she wasn’t ready to decide to be anything. But tomorrow, maybe, she’d think about it. She knew what she didn’t want to be, and that seemed like something, at least.

“I texted Raven to come get me.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I needed last night to cleanse myself, I think. I need today to regroup.”

“You have a very weird process,” Lexa decided.

Clarke just chuckled and leaned forward, burying her face in Lexa’s thigh and sighing.

XXXXXXXXXX

For the moment, the very tiny, very quick moment, everything felt like it was caught up, and Lexa allowed herself a few moments of quiet in the garage, because come hell or high water, she was going to finish the car by the last day of school. SATs were done, finally, and something that didn’t need to be explicitly worried about until scores were released in a few weeks. Her prom outfit was already purchased and prepared. Homework and studying were done. Sports were over for the season and conditioning wasn’t set to start for another two months, though she’d start her own soon enough. Her girlfriend was at work and then going off to a cheer competition for the weekend. Luna was putting the finishing touches on their film school application project. And anyone else that might ask Lexa to do anything was promptly ignored.

Two weeks before spring break, and Lexa was feeling high on her on efficiency.

All in all, Lexa decided that she had at least three days to power through as much as she could with her dad in a final push before sending it off to the paint appointment.

She hadn’t counted on her sister though, and as her phone blared, interrupting the music playing over the speakers, she smacked her head on the body of the car and slid herself from under it, grumbling the entire time.

“Don’t you have fancy plans. It’s a Friday night,” she chided the eldest.

“I’m getting ready, I was just thinking about you.”

“Gross.”

“Because I ran into a girl that asked about you and I had no idea you had a friend at CMU, let alone a drop dead gorgeous film student.”

Lexa furrowed and twirled her wrench around before trying to dive back in under the seat and finish installing the seatbelts in the back. It dawned on her then and she snorted.

“That’s just Costia.”

“Ohhh, just Costia-- who the fuck is Costia?”

“I met her when I came to visit last fall remember? You were the one telling me to make a move but I was very drunk, something you did to me as well?”

“Doesn’t ring a bell.”

“At the party. I posted a picture…” she grunted and twisted. “She found me on Instagram. We talk about movies and I’ve shown her some of my stuff and junk.”

“Interesting.”

“Why?”

“Just not many freshman looking to hang out with high school juniors.”

“I’m clearly advanced.”

“Clearly,” Anya rolled her eyes over the phone.

“I’ve been talking to her about film programs and applying--”

“Here? You’re thinking about coming here?”

“Fuck!” she hissed and sat up, doing her best to suck on the cut that came to her thumb from her maneuvering. “I don’t know.”

It wasn’t a serious inquiry, Lexa thought to herself. She was set. She had a plan with Luna. They’d had it since they were ten, and there was really on reason to deviate from it. But then a stranger liked her stuff, and this stranger made stuff Lexa liked. And the stranger became a friend who gave her some screenwriting tips and pushed her to get better at it. And the stranger told her the east coast was just as important to film.

But it didn’t matter.

There was a plan.

“You should seriously consider it. It’s a great program I hear. Come out for spring break!”

“I should stay here.”

“And do what? Work on that car? Dad already told me he’s sending it out for interior and paint. You’re pretty much done anyway.”

“Mom and Dad have conferences that week. I was going to watch movies all week with Clarke.”

“Bring her too. Sounds like she needs an escape.” Anya was getting excited, and Lexa was tugged along for the ride. “You can crash in my dorm. Even just for a few days, not the whole week.”

“Mom won’t like me missing so much time to study.”

“Call it a college visit for a potential school.”

“Luna will lose her mind,” Lexa shook her head and pinched her thumb to try to stop it without a bandaid.

“Fuck Luna. I’m going to ask Mom if she’d rather you were here, supervised by me, or home alone for a whole week.”

From the change in volume, Lexa knew she was texting immediately. She sighed. It would be fun to see the school as a potential option. It might even be nice to catch up with Costia. It would even be better to see her sister, who just at the moment, she realized she’d missed since her last visit.

“Should I ask Clarke if she wants to go?” Lexa finally ventured, returning to her work.

“Definitely.”

“Should I really consider your school as an option?”

“You should.”

She had a plan, Lexa remembered, and there was no point deviating, but she did want to see her sister.

“If they say it’s okay.”

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shypandawrites · 3 years

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New girl (Twilight au Witch x Edward) Part 2

WARNING: Here is part 2 cause why not! And if this has typos or is just bad I do apologize but thank you for reading!

Hope you enjoy !

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The next day at school was interesting, watching people just stare at the Cullen's was a little funny. I can see why they would be fascinated with them. I just subtly nodded to Alice and walked around them, only to bump into Asher. “Hey.” He laughed, as I backed up a bit. “Sorry,” I mumbled, walking around him.

It was only until I got to the school doors that I realized that he followed me. Oh right. He said he was going to be a guide for me. “Forget?” he joked, walking with me in. “So what classes do you have?” We stopped a bit as I pulled out the schedule and handed it to him.

I waited as he looked it over before giving it back to me with a grin. “So you have a class with Edward and then with Alice neat.” I watched as he got a little shy when I continued to look at him, before letting out a little chuckle. “Does my guide know the way to my classes?” I joked as he seemed to snap out of it with a grin. “Yes, this way.” As we walked to my class we talked about our mornings and he started telling me about this play of Romeo and Juliet and how they are the ideal couple.

“No, they aren’t”

At first, I didn’t realize that Asher had stopped until I looked back and saw him catching up. “Why aren’t they? They are the main reason for the Romeo and Juliet tragedy. How can you say that.” I chuckled, at his enthusiasm. He must be a true romantic. “Don’t you think the whole ‘woe me and die with me’ thing a little funny. I mean I get why they are willing to die for each other but there were many ways they could have done it instead of that way and still be happy.”

His eyes seemed glazed like he was thinking about what I said. “Then how would they make it so they would be together?” He questioned as we reached my first class. “Talk later?” I saw Edward go into the classroom and dropped my head. “Huh? Oh yeah, talk later!” Asher grinned as he walked away.

Immediately after I entered the classroom I headed to my seat next to Edward and pulled out my Calculus book and waited for Mr. Varner to come into the room and write on the board the pages we would be doing. I took a piece of paper and started doing the problems while he explained them to everyone. Not once did I look at Edward as I did the math problems. Even when it was getting close to the end of class and everyone was chatting with their friends.

No sooner did the bell ring than I got up and walked out the door to see Asher walking towards me. He seems like he can brighten up a room. Together he walked me to my next class while we debated on if Romeo and Juliet were the ideal couples and every time I would come up with a good enough reason he would just fire back with some reason that they were meant to be together.

He left me at my next class saying that the debate was not over. I got to my seat to see Alice grinning at me next to me. “Hey, Luna having a fun debate with Asher?” I nodded as Mrs. Wilcox came over to me with a history book. “I’m sorry for not giving you one, it must have slipped my mind but if you need any help Alice said she would help you.” “Thank you,” I replied as she turned and started the lesson when the bell rang.

Alice seemed to be watching me and I listened to the lecture and took down notes. “Your handwriting is pretty.” She commented as she was writing down the same notes. “Thanks. Yours is pretty as well.” I told her, taking a glance at her neat paper. It was.

“Ok, that is all for today but class I need you to read chapter 6 and give a little review on it. Because next time is going to be a pop quiz.” Mrs. Wilcox said, looking around, stopping at me then going on. “Ok.” She smiled, turning to go back to her desk, as the bell rang.

Packing my stuff I made it to the door just as Asher came around the corner, panting. “You ok?” I asked, concerned, reaching out and placing a hand on his shoulder. “Yup. Just catching my breath.” He waved me off as he stood up and took deep breaths, calming down his heart.

After he caught his breath, we talked more but he kept insisting that they were. And at one point I agreed and he looked triumphant until I disagreed. The look on his face when I disagreed was hilarious. He seemed very determined to get me to agree with him.

I laughed at him as we rounded a corner and nearly ran into Edward. My body froze an inch from his. I took a step back and nodded my head to him, walking around him. Don’t wanna make him hate me more than he already does. He stepped in my way again. “I want to talk with you after school.” He whispered to me as he walked away.

“What was that about?”

Watching him walk away I just shook my head. Even I wasn’t sure. “No idea.” The next classes I have were fun. Drawing is something that always soothed me when I was feeling sad. And in English, we just had to write a poem of our own so that was easily done.

When it was time for lunch I got my food and sat at the empty table. Eating as I sketched, minding my own business as the lunchroom started to get loud. I threw my garbage away when I saw the Cullen's come in and sit at the table next to mine.

Not two seconds later Asher came through the door and came and sat next to me after he got his food. “Leaving a friend how nice.” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at him. “I knew I would see you at lunch so I thought it would be fine,” I said, closing my sketchbook. “What were you drawing?” He asked, interested. Why not. I opened it again and put it out in front of him. It was a picture of Esme, she was smiling, with flowers behind her.

“You drew her so well. How long have you been drawing?” I shrugged, taking back the sketchbook. “My whole life. I enjoy drawing, it’s calming to me.” He nodded and ate his food when I started to hear the rain hit the window. A little gasp left my lips as I turned to the window and just listened to the rain. I must have zoned off cause then I felt Asher shaking my shoulder. Jerking to him I ducked my head to see Edward and who I am guessing to be Jasper looking at me, each with unreadable expressions. “Sorry.” Asher just laughed and reached over to flick my head, which I easily dodged.

“What was so distracting?”

“The rain.”

Before he could ask what I was talking about, I smiled, keeping my eyes closed. “Haven’t you ever listened to the rain?” I peeked to see him shake his head, confused. “You should, it is very calming to listen to. I’m sure you can easily fall asleep just listening to it.”

The silence was weird. I would think he would find it weird or funny but he said nothing and that made my heart start to drop. “I never thought of it that way.” Letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding had me resting my head on the table. He seemed to find that funny as he ruffled my hair. Thank goodness. I took a swat at his hand and lifted my head. “So, how is your day so far?” “Good yours?” Can’t complain today at least. “Good.” A ping went off in my head and as I focused on it, it led me into the mind of someone coming close to us.

Who though? Their mind wasn’t kind, to say the least, they only thought of hurting others. “Hello, you must be the other new student.” A girl’s voice said, holding out her hand to me. “Crystal.” I heard Asher greet her, he seemed confused about her being there. I stared at the ground as I shook her hand. The memories of her bullying others flood my mind but I block it off for the moment. “Hello, nice to meet you. I’m Luna.” I greeted her with a nod.

She let out a loud laugh. I get that the lunchroom was noisy but it seemed like she was trying to draw the attention of others. “Well, welcome, and if you need help I wouldn’t mind helping.” Her smile was very misleading when her eyes were clearly saying she wants nothing to do with me. “No, it's fine. I have him as a guide and I’ll think I’ll stick with him. Thank you though.” her smile dropped for a second before it was back and brighter than ever. “Ok, then.”

Even though she said that she continued to stand there politely, it wasn’t till Asher went to throw away his garbage that she got close to me. “Listen here new girl, what the hell do you think you are doing?” “Sitting here and talking with a friend?” I questioned, acting dumb. I held back my anger with what she said next. “Right. Like someone can be friends with that Cullen kid. My guess is you’re just using him to get to the other hotter siblings right?” She started to giggle but got cut off by me. “No. I’m not using him, and why would you care if you don’t seem to even know his name.” I defended Asher, I will not stand by as she talked bad about him. He is very kind.

That had her drawback a bit until she got in my face again. “I know what his name is you bitch I ju-” “Then what’s his name?” I interrupted her again, waiting patiently. “It’s . . . Henry of course.” Really? I stared at her for a moment shaking my head. “Wrong, now if you don’t mind please leave me alone.” As I was talking she snatched my sketchbook and was looking through it. I stood up to grab it but she held it out of my reach.

“You make such pretty drawings, would you like to join our drawing club?” Her voice was loud enough to get multiple people to turn and stare. “No, I’m good. Can I have my sketchbook back please?” My hand still out to grab it. “Sure.” As I grabbed it she got close to me and whispered. “Watch it, girl, I can make it so you never have friends here.” At that, I smiled and whispered back. “That’s ok. If you’re going to do that then I just need him as a friend.” Shrugging I pulled my sketchbook out of her hand. She glared at me and turned and walked away with a smile.

“Very rude to not even know his name,” I mumbled to myself.

Asher came back looking confused. “What was that about?” Ok, not going to tell him about that. “She wanted to know if I wanted to join a drawing club and I told her no thanks.” I shrugged, putting my sketchbook in my bag. “Ready to go?” I nodded as I got up and we walked out the door, and for some reason, I felt like someone was watching me.

We made it early to our class and sat in the corner and got back to our Romeo and Juliet debate. He gave up after a bit of trying to convince me about them being the ideal couple. I could tell he wanted to talk about it more but gave up for now. Even when we went to our next class and I was reading the history chapter and was writing a review on it I felt his eyes on me.

I started laughing cause he still looked like he wanted to say more but didn’t want to at the moment. I made it to my car when I heard someone call my name. Glancing back to see Asher running at me had me a little confused. Why come over here when his family is on the other side of the parking lot?

My silent question was answered as he got to me. “I’m going with you so you don’t bail out of coming over.” If I said I was going to come over I’m going to come over. “Fine.” I unlocked my car and he hopped in, turning the radio on and we listened to the radio on the way to his house.

Esme was standing outside to greet us. “Welcome back.” She grinned as she let us inside. I placed my backpack below where I was sitting and pulled out my sketchbook as we talked and waited for the other kids to get home. And I got that snack she was telling me about.

But as soon as the rest of them did get back Asher was already trying to get me to agree with him. “Asher! If they were the ideal couple then why did they die?” He stopped to stare at me. “If someone loves another then they would do everything in their power to protect them from even their own family and if they were so in love then they would have the guts to tell their families.” I stopped to take a breath. “Loving someone I’m sure means you put their feelings above your own and if they fell in love at first sight then they should have eloped and no one would have to die. And they could tell their family about it and it would be their family’s choice to accept them or not.” Asher was just stunned looking at me as well as the others.

“So do tell me why you think they are the ideal couple? I get that they are the woe of that century because of their love which causes their deaths.” I stopped to take a drink of the lemonade that Esme had handed me. He was silent as he thought of what to say. From the corner of my eye, I saw Alice and Edward close to laughing, while Emmett was just grinning as he watched us.

I waited patiently as he thought. “I...Um...Well, they...Fine.” He looked down in defeat. I’m sorry to bring your spirit down Asher. With a pat on his shoulder, I smiled at him. “You know if they are the ideal couple for you then why not just let it be for you?” When he nodded I sighed in relief.

“Then what’s your idea of an ideal couple?”

Shrugging a shoulder as I went back to my sketchbook I started to draw the view from their windows. “I don’t know to be honest. Maybe a couple who will not give up on each other or allow anyone to hurt them, I guess when you love someone you accept everything about that person.” I stopped as I shaded parts of the drawing. “I’m pretty sure when you fall in love it will be like a hurricane. Sometimes it’s unexpected, and sometimes it’s stronger than you think. But just like a hurricane, it can hurt you.”

A hand was placed on my shoulder which made me look up to see Asher, grinning at me. “You are a romantic aren’t you?” Rolling my eyes at him I pushed his hand away. “You are too. But isn’t that everyone? Wanting to be with someone that you don’t have to keep secrets from?” I stopped drawing at this point and just had it on my lap as everyone started talking. Not noticing that someone was staring at me.

It was close to nighttime when I headed home and Asher insisted on walking me home but I waved him off cause I drove here. He laughed and went back inside as I drove the short distance to my house. As I got out I went to open my door when someone clears their throat.

“Hmm?”

I turned to be met with Edward and Emmett in the tree line. “Can I help you?” I questioned, stepping closer unafraid. They were silent as it was getting darker. “Who are you?” Edward asked as the porch light started to be the only light around aside from my house lights. “Luna?” Emmett chuckled at his brother before he leaned against a tree. “I think he means what are you? You seemed to know what we are. So it only seems fair right?”

Does it matter though? My head tilted as I just looked at them. “Why? It doesn’t seem like it matters.” They started to protest before Emmett just shrugged “Fine by me as long as you don’t mean my family any harm.” and walked away into the darkness. With just me and Edward the silence lasted until I went to turn to head inside. “How do I know you’re not going to harm my family?” He asked as he grabbed my arm. A cold breeze blew past us and sent a chill down my spine.

Wanting to get inside I grabbed his hand on my arm and easily pushed it off. “You will just have to trust me, Edward.” I ignored his memories for the moment as I dropped his hand. Hugging my sweater to myself I waited as he was silent as the wind blew. I gave up after a few more minutes of standing in the cold and went inside.

After I ate with my dad I headed upstairs to make sure I had all my homework done and then just listened to music as I drew a little more before heading to bed.

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Hope you liked it and if not I'm sorry, trying to improve. Any feedback is welcomed just go easy!

#Twilight #Edward Cullen #Witch x Edward #Shypandawrites #Twilight AU #Edward x reader #New girl #twilight imagine #Witch

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draven-imani · 3 years

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Journal 5 (part 1)

We’ve had an…extremely productive day. We found a note on Hosilla’s person that detailed three safehouses of the cult of Baphomet: Nyserian Manor, Topaz Solutions, and the Tower of Estrod. The note was signed SV—which I’m assuming is Stauton Vhagn. Looks like he came back and finished the job of destroying the Wardstone after Commander Tirabade stopped him the first time.

After talking to Aravashnial, Anevia, and Horgus, we pooled our information together. Nyserian Manor was owned by a noble who sometimes worked with Horgus, and had taken out a loan from him once to buy Commander Tirabade’s sword from her. Anevia hadn’t been aware Irabeth had sold her sword—apparently she’d told her wife she’d lost it. Anevia was going to be having words with the commander of the Eagle Watch upon seeing her again.

The Tower of Estrod was of interest to Aravashnial, as it was a place of arcane studies. He also requested that we look into the Blackwing Library, where the Riftwardens would be located.

Anevia wanted to look for Irabeth, and therefore would like to look into going home as that was the only lead she had on where her wife may be.

As we discussed, we exited the subterranean tunnels and entered the sewers. And came upon three orphan kids and a middle aged pinkish tiefling woman with many piercings and a bow. The orphans immediately ran to Luna, clearly familiar with her. Another point in her favor for ‘good person, not a murderer/serial killer/whatever else the rumor mill decides to say’.

“So you must be ‘Una’,” the tiefling said, imitating the orphans mispronunciation of her name. Or maybe legitimately mistaking her name for that. “Nice to meet you, incase you haven’t noticed, everything’s gone to hell.”

The tiefling introduced herself as Hiskaria. She had arrived in town from Numeria recently to join the Raven Corps, actually, although she was apparently a Kenabres native initially. She was on lone by one ‘Kevoth-Kul’, because she was a criminal on parole, and joining the Raven Corps was her penance.

Ouch.

Aaaaaand as the only member of the Raven Corps around that means it fell on me to keep her around until we could either find her handler or someone with more authority. That and strength in numbers. We couldn’t exactly leave her behind, even if she is a confessed murderer.

Oh, yeah, I didn’t mention that her crime was murder did I? Yeah, our new buddy’s a convicted murderer. One fake murderer and one real one, and if I had to put money on it, everyone’s going to get who’s who wrong.

After some discussion, we decided to head for Horgus’ manor first. It would provide a safe place to leave the orphans, so that we wouldn’t be dragging them around in the open where every demon still lurking around might decide to swoop down on them.

We made it there with only minor incident, some rat demon ripping up a clothing store who dubbed himself ‘the rat king’. He was of personal offense to Melody given that he was in the process of destroying things of beauty. That and the owners of the shop were still there and might be able to salvage some things.

Given my studies I was able to identify the demon as an Abrikandilu, a wrecker demon. A destroyer of beauty, not just of artwork like the dresses, but of physical beauty, using their fangs to cause horrible scarring on those they attack. I also knew that Radiance was the only weapon we had that would pierce its defenses, although it also had a unique weakness to mirrors, due to all demons of this kind having an abhorrence of their own visage. That being the case, I suggested that Luna and Melody slip into the store to get one of the mirrors from the changing rooms within while I distracted and fought it with Radiance and Hiskaria took pot shots at it from a safe distance.

Radiance and I were both more than happy to finally be putting a demon to the blade.

Spilling demons’ blood, at least, we both agree on.

Things went off about how we’d hoped. The Abrikandilu was a bit faster than I’d anticipated and it rushed me rather than me pinning it by the building as I’d planned, but I stopped its fangs with my shield and avoided any new scars. Melody and Luna came out with a mirror, which drew the demon’s attention. Luna’s axe stuck into it. Then Radiance slew it.

Radiance roared in my head each time it drew blood against a demonic foe, in what I can only describe as ecstasy. They, at least, get joy from battle. I wish I could say the same, but the demons die all the same. I feel good about it, that we slayed the demon and helped those people. It’s something good. Not joy, that’s too strong of a word. I feel—satisfied, maybe?

Regardless, the shop owners thanked us. They had little to offer and we tried to assure them that we didn’t need anything, but they insisted on at least providing us with a nice outfit each in thanks. I don’t think I’ve ever owned anything so fine. An orphan and a soldier don’t exactly make for elegant living.

Afterwards we made it to Horgus’ manor with no further incidents. His holdings were untouched. Melody mused at first that perhaps someone was trying to frame him. However after some thought, Hiskaria and I disagreed with that assessment. Demons by nature would seek out where the most people are, the places where they could wreak the most havoc. And as we approached it was clear that his manor was devoid of life. It would seem that his men and his servants had fled their posts when the attack happened, and as a lucky result the manor had been untouched. I’ll give Horgus some credit here. While he was clearly visibly upset that the men he’d hired to protect his holdings had left their posts, he tried very hard to be reasonable that it was for the best that they’d left and protected the servants, and that it had indirectly kept the demons from destroying his things. He was however very upset that they’d taken all of the mints from the little bowl at the front entrance—as was Miss Melody, who bemoaned that it was quite rude of them. Ah what I would give to have her priorities.

Luna was shepherding the orphans—one of whom, Hamm, had taken a shine to Hiskaria’s magic and gotten it into his head that he was going to…what was it? Summon demons in his snot bubbles? Charming kid. Glad his entire world falling apart around him didn’t completely destroy his sense of innocence and wonder. Suppose he was lucky he ran into Hiskaria so the three of them didn’t get killed or worse. That’s a point in her favor.

After gathering up food from the kitchen and some entertainment for the kids from a room formerly used for the staff’s children while they were on the job, Horgus went down to the safest part of the manor: the vault. He opened the safe, which proved to have been completed untouched. Inside was more wealth than I’d probably ever seen in one place before, or ever will again. He paid Luna that looked like a rather hefty sum. Then he also paid myself, Melody, and Hiskaria 1000 gold for returning him here safely, although payment had never been promised. Hiskaria tried to argue that she’d only just joined with us, but he said that it was payment due to someone who couldn’t be here to take their cut.

Horgus…is a complicated man, I am beginning to realize. I cannot pin him down yet. Even more than most people, his words and actions do not align. And even some of his actions I think are more masks on top of that. Luna insists he’s a good man but won’t give details beyond that. She’s had a few private conversations with him, so I’m inclined to believe she knows something that’s given her that impression. And I trust Luna’s judgement in people.

As Horgus locked himself away, we heard the beginnings of him teaching the kids something or another about some…math thing. I don’t know, look, I’m not the one to look to about Abadar tax bracket stuff. Luna was just glad he was hopefully keeping Hamm from thinking about snot demons.

From there we went next door, to Nyserian Manor. Or what was left of it. Which was not much. At all. Or anything, really. See, the demons hadn’t been very discerning in their building demolition. They’d destroyed their own safehouse. Idiots. Served anyone who was inside right for betraying humanity to the demons.

Next up was Blackwing Library.

Oh Blackwing Library. This one made me angry.

If you know me you know that’s bad. Of course, you don’t know me, because you’re just a bundle of inanimate papers sandwiched in leather that I’m writing in to keep my tenuous grip on sanity together. Suffice to say: that’s bad. I don’t get angry easily. Unless you’re a Deskari worshipper or waving his symbol in my face like I’m a bull, but I mean, that’s just asking for trouble from any Iomedaen, really.

As we approached the library, it was immediately apparent that the entire thing had been decimated. Aravashnial was despondent. All of his friends and colleagues with the Riftwardens would have been there, and he feared the worst. While Melody and surprisingly Hiskaria tried to comfort him, Luna tried to sneak closer to look into the library. I stuck close to her, although not so close as to blow her cover.

What she saw was a turncoat Iomedaen with five librarians bound and gagged, and a sixth librarian being forced to pile books around them, to serve as both a book burning and a funeral pyre.

We didn’t have long to think as he pulled out the flint and tinder. Luna downed a potion of invisibility and vanished. We had to put our faith in her. And as usual, she didn’t let us down, as a moment later blood splattered across the floor and she reappeared behind the armored man with her hood up and a declaration that she was “the Butcher of Balestreet, Bitch”.

The cavalier’s two tiefling thugs tried to flank Luna, but I helped fight off one and Hiskaria finished them with a potshot from outside the door that got him right between the eyes, while Melody swooped in to take a stab at the other.

Luna clearly outmatched the man she was facing, and he was smart enough to realize it. He dropped his weapons, and offered to surrender. He swore if we let him go, he’d never do such a thing again.

The others seemed ready to let their guards down.

I didn’t buy it.

I could feel it. This was an evil man. The kind who would just turn around and do something like this again the second he had an opportunity, if we let him live.

Luna lowered her weapon to go deal with the tiefling thug. I told her what I just wrote, that if we let him go he would just harm others. She said it wasn’t going to be her choice to make.

If anyone was making this choice, it was going to be me, and me alone.

Melody tried to reason that maybe we could get some information out of him. That we could take him alive, and question him. After all, that’s what she was best at.

And then what, I asked her. What do we do with him after that? There weren’t any jails. The city was in chaos. Where do we put him when we’re done questioning him so that he doesn’t hurt anyone else?

He swore again that he’d just go away and be good. I called bullshit.

Melody said maybe he’d know more about the safehouses, or the other plans. What we’d potentially be walking into.

Fine. For the safety of the rest of the group, I’d take him alive.

So I punched the cocky bastard in the face and left him to Melody.

Hiskaria and Luna went about helping the librarians while Melody did her thing. She manacled the man and tied him up for a nice friendly chat. I stuck around. I didn’t trust this man. Kaleb, I learned his name was. Much good it did.

Melody woke him up. First thing he did was tried to play ignorant. Tried to pretend like he’d been possessed, like he hadn’t been in control of his own faculties before.

Bullshit. More lies.

Melody saw through his lies this time just as much as I had. She told him to start over and try again.

Next he tried to weave a sob story about how he’d been coerced into doing what he’d done. How he was a crusader who’s unit had been taken captive, and he’d been forced into committing evil acts out of desperation.

Again, nothing but lies. All he knew how to do was lie, habitually, spew whatever falsehood he thought would get him in our good graces.

When Melody and I called him out on it again, he snapped. In a final act of rebellious desperation, he finally told the truth. He’s nothing but scum of the earth. He was a crusader, and his unit had been wiped out, that was the one honest thing that had left this mouth. Afterwards he’d decided to hedge his bets and side with the demons, so he started committing every atrocity he could to try to win their favor. And he swore that when he died and went to the pits of the Abyss to be reborn he’d come back.

And flay us alive.

Bad choice of words.

I think the bull metaphor before was apt, because I certainly saw red for a moment. I don’t think anyone was in disagreement when I stabbed Radiance through his blackened heart at this point though.

We didn’t learn anything though. Except that he wasn’t a cultist. Just a psychopath who found an excuse to start killing people.

As we discussed our next course of action, the librarian we’d rescued approached us. He knew that Aravashnial was with the Riftwardens, and he knew what had happened to them. The Riftwardens after locking what they could in their vault had teleported to a different location, meaning Aravashnial’s friends were safely somewhere else. Unfortunately, a day later someone else arrived. Xanthir Vang. Another of Deskari’s generals. A worm that walks, a terrible creature that is both a swarm and one being bound to Deskari’s will. Xanthir cut through the floor, right above where the vault would be in the secret Riftwarden floors below, and lifted the entire vault from the floor. Then he ripped it apart like it was nothing. He seemed disappointed that the Riftwardens weren’t there—predictably, I suppose, since he had a personal grudge against them.

We found a single dead and dried up worm husk in a corner of the room. I don’t like this. It’s probably my imagination that my arm itches. Probably. Another of Deskari’s generals so close. That’s…terrifying.

With this information tucked away, we decided to head for Anevia’s home to look for clues of where Commander Tirabade may be. Mostly to make sure her wife was safe, and to inform her of everything we’d found out thus far, and a little tiny bit to ask her about that sword she’d apparently sold behind her back.

On the way, we were accosted by a skeletal demon from atop a building, who also called himself the rat king. He claimed the one we’d defeated before was a usurper, and then summoned a swarm of dire rats to attack us. We dealt with the dire rats handily enough. They took a few chomps at me, annoying little things. Between rats and lizards, do I just taste good or something?

Nope, just licked my hand to test it, I’m quite certain I do not taste good.

We arrived to a small unassuming house. Irabeth’s funds clearly went to things other than worldly possessions. Not that it was a bad house. I’m not trying to be judgmental of Irabeth Tirabade I’m just saying with her position most people would have much larger quarters, so she clearly puts hers to good use elsewhere. I’m not one to judge small living quarters, I live in the barracks. Which probably are in ruins now. Ah, well. Not like I had anything of sentimental value in there anyways. My fiddle, my sword, and my shield were on my person, those were the only things I might have cried over losing. And then my sword got forcefully replaced by a talkative holy blade anyways.

I wish I could say Radiance is growing on me like Horgus. Unfortunately, we got off an extremely wrong foot and they haven’t exactly tried to mend any bridges. Luna says I should be more assertive with them, since I’m the only one who can wield them, they need me to do their holy mission they want. And Radiance even agreed with her, because of course they did.

Figures. A guy tries to be nice to the holy sword who he’ll have to be working with for the foreseeable future and apparently even trying to just not make waves with the being you’ll have to work with talking in your head is the wrong move.

Fine…assertive. What do they want me to do, put Radiance in time out in their little box when they get uppity? That is a funny image though.

I’ve completely lost my train of thought.

Right, reread a few paragraphs, Anevia’s house. So, Luna and Melody took a peek inside to make sure nothing was lurking around inside.

Predictably, something was lurking around inside.

He was invisible, but when Melody began using detect evil he ‘pinged’, so she had an idea of where the invisible presence was. The invisible presence summoned a fire beetle outside to attack Anevia, but Hiskaria turned and shot it dead before it got a chance.

Melody and Luna had a good idea where the invisible foe was, and began to force him back into a corner, although their swings of axe and glaive kept hitting nothing but air.

I came in, and I swear to you Iomedae guided Radiance’s blade. Not only did I strike true, from the amount of red that splattered across the ground, I’m certain I hit something vital. That, and I made him very angry. The next thing I saw was an enraged orc, whose invisibility faded away as a blast of fire was released from his hand point blank in my face. Too familiar. Far too familiar. And then darkness.

And then I was awake again, Melody tipping one of my potions into my mouth. Luna had bloodied the orc, but he’d refused to go down in his blind frenzy. Then Hiskaria had stepped in and finished the job.

I proceeded to heal myself a little more thoroughly while the ladies talked to Anevia about what just happened.

Huh, now that Aravashnial and Horgus are gone I am the only guy in the little group of ours, aren’t I?

The prettiest guy in our group by default as well, not that that’s saying much.

Anevia recognized the orc, he was someone who Irabeth had stopped from some previous scheme years back, who she’d left out in the world alive. Apparently, he came back for revenge. He won’t be getting a third chance.

With that settled and no more assassins lurking about, Anevia went to her and Irabeth’s bedroom and opened a secret compartment. Inside she read a note and took out some supplies. She told us that Commander Tirabade and the other remaining Crusaders were hiding out at the Defender’s Heart tavern, and the passcode to get in was “Silverstrong”.

We decided to go straight there, as it was closer than any of the safehouses, and allies were still more useful than victories at the moment.

I was especially feeling that way when that damn skeleton ‘rat king’ showed up again, and threw a flock of vultures at us. Most of which decided to descend upon me. I know vultures are a bad omen but come on, that’s too on the nose even for me. What’s worse? Do you know what’s worse? What’s even worse than vultures? Fiend vultures. These things could smite. I had, no joke, five buzzards smiting me like a bunch of feathery antipaladins.

Just my cursed luck again. Why does Desna hate me?

So, yeah. I was hurting. And really wanting some rest. While everyone else was ready and raring to go for two more safehouses after we finished meeting with the Commander. I finished healing myself again and I was almost tapped out of spells, and completely out of potions. My fervor was wearing thin as well. Luna was all well and good, she didn’t use spells. Hiskaria was fine, she mostly only used her cantrips to empower her bow to fire twice—a neat trick that didn’t really cost her anything. Melody had used one judgement and some spells but she was just fine and equally ready to go.

Ever the weak link.

Eh, no point thinking like that, right? Plenty more happened after that. We arrived to Defender’s Heart and gave them the passcode. They came out to meet us, initially excited to see Anevia.

Then they saw Luna, still with her hood up in her Butcher guise from our fight earlier.

Oops.

We tried to explain that this wasn’t what it looked like. That she wasn’t actually a murderer. That the rumors and stories and reports were wrong. Anevia tried to back us up. Luna took off her hood, and pointed out that she drank one of the two of them under the table at this very tavern just a few days prior, and no one got hurt. Despite our best efforts, tensions were raising. The guards were going for their weapons, and we were surrounded. The paladins were throwing accusations, and no one was listening to our words, they were only hearing what they believed to be true.

Then a strong hand came down on both of the guards’ shoulders. A voice spoke, and told them that maybe sometime they should try actually using the gift Iomedae grants them to detect evil.

Irabeth Tirabade stood behind the two guards, in the flesh, as…everything as I ever would have imagined. Tall, proud, honorable, noble.

The guards scrambled to cast the detect spells, and predictably found that Luna was not evil. They were puzzled but relaxed somewhat. Then jumped and went for their weapons again when they looked in Hiskaria’s direction.

The Commander told them that it was alright, and held up some papers, saying all the paperwork was in order for Hiskaria.

It looked like she was officially Raven Corps now.

Commander Tirabade picked up Anevia and carried her inside, and asked the four of us to follow. She got to quarters where she could lay Anevia down, then turned to me.

And the conversation went something like this.

“Acting Captain of the Raven Corps,” she said.

I was flabbergasted for a moment then realized she had to be talking to me because there was literally no one else she could be talking to. “Me?”

#journal entry #pathfinder #pathfinder wotr #pathfinder wotr spoilers #Draven Imani

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wonjeonwrites · 3 years

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tame | nightmare

“Have you been studying all day?” Akio jolts her head up from her book as she hears Yuta’s voice enter her room.

“What are you doing here?” She asks, letting out a yawn, “Who let you in?”

“Luna. Good thing I ran into her as she was leaving,” Yuta answers, walking over and placing a kiss on the top of her head, “How long have you been studying?”

“6AM?” Akio lets out another yawn, “Midterms are coming up and I need to pass in order to sign up for my last semester. I didn’t know you were coming.”

“It’s 2PM now, Kio. Check you phone.”

Akio panics, ruffling through the mess of papers on her desk. She lets out a sigh of relief as she finds her phone under a stack of math homework.

4 missed calls. 12 text messages. All from Yuta.

“Sorry,” She sheepishly apologizes, walking into Yuta’s open arms and hiding her face in his chest, “I got caught up in studying and forgot to check my phone.”

“Have you eaten anything today?” Yuta asks, stroking his girlfriend’s hair.

“I had coffee!” Akio exclaims, pointing to the three empty mugs on her desk.

“This is probably why you’re so short,” Yuta teases, earning a smack from her, “Ouch! Let’s go and get some food.”

“I’m too lazy,” Akio whines, walking over and plopping onto her bed, “Can we get takeout?”

“Nope, you need fresh air. Get up, princess,” Yuta responds, pulling her up to stand.

“I can't believe you didn't notice that my hair was brown,” Yuta laughs as Akio hides her face in embarrassment.

“You were wearing a hoodie when you came!” Akio defends, hiding her reddened cheeks, “And I wasn't properly fed an hour ago!”

After lunch at a restaurant near Akio and Luna’s apartment, the couple returned back home for a movie and some cuddles. Yuta had successfully convinced Akio to pause her studying for the rest of the day so that they could hang out. Mulan played quietly in the background as the two snuggled up to each other.

“I think I’m gonna take a nap,” Akio yawns, wrapping her arms around Yuta’s slim torso, “Nap with me?”

“Anything for you, love,” Yuta responds, also letting out a yawn while pulling his girlfriend closer, “Hopefully we don't sleep for too long.”

1 Hour Later

“Ki-Kio, please don’t,” Akio sleepily opens her eyes as she feels Yuta’s grip around her waist tighten, “Ak-Akio n-no!”

“Yuta?” She rubs her eyes, trying to loosen his grip, “Love? Yuta, wake up.”

Yuta’s grip doesn't change as Akio fully wakes up. His eyes are clutched tightly and he was starting to break out into a sweat. He was having a nightmare.

“Baby, please,” He whines, his grip staying tight, “Do-don’t!”

“Yuta!” Akio calls out, shaking him awake, “Baby, wake up!”

Yuta doesn't wake, and only continues to speak as tears start to well up in the corner of his eyes.

“Ki-o, ple-please,” He cries out, making Akio panic.

“Love!” Akio raises her voice, the worry getting greater by the second, “Naka, wake up please.”

She shakes him harder by the shoulders, desperately trying to break him out of his nightmare.

“Naka!” Akio exclaims once Yuta finally opened his eyes, “Are you okay?”

Tears stream down Yuta’s face as he wildly looks around the room, trying to calm himself down.

“Naka, what happened?” Akio asks, holding his face in both her hands to try to get him to look at her.

Yuta freezes, immediately unwrapping his arms from around her and throwing the blanket off him and Akio. He gets up, brushing his fingers through his newly-dyed brown hair before picking up his stuff and walking over to the door.

“Naka!” Akio gets up, trying to get a response from the tall boy, “What happened?”

Yuta rushes to get his shoes and jacket on. The tears continue to stream down his face as he avoids eye contact with the girl. He finishes gathering his things before opening the front door and walking out, leaving Akio speechless and confused.

in which Yuta doesn't believe in love until Akio comes along.

nakamoto yuta. campus bad boy, athlete, and elite member of Seoul National University’s biggest fraternity, Delta Rho. with his three best friends by his side and the whole campus worshipping the ground he walks on, yuta can’t be tamed. until Akio came along.

🔗 masterlist

#nct #nct x reader #yuta #yuta imagines #haechan #jaehyun #mark lee #winwin #yuta angst #yuta smau

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troop-scoop · 4 years

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Mistakes & Regrets XV

Summary: When a trip to your Dad’s hometown of Hawkins goes wrong, you end up in the year 1983, and have to learn how to cope with being stuck in the past.

Pairing: Steve Harrington / Future!Reader (like, a really slow burn)

Warnings: Swearing, implied homophobia, Steve being emotionally hurt :(

• • •

There was always a certain smell to Halloween, that being of fake blood, cheaply made costumes that smelled like the warehouse they’d been stored in, as well as the smell of candy that lingered in your pillowcase until your dad insisted you wash it.

You always loved the smell of Halloween, the cheap plastic props of toy swords and wands, the cheap fairy wings made of wire that were covered in an elastic looking chiffon with glitter glue patterns.

The cheap grease paints that stank up the entire house the year that Daniel went as a clown, and your pa went as a plague doctor, not liking how pale his eyelids were underneath the mask, so he painted his eyelids with grease face paint like it was eyeshadow.

There was a very specific smell to Halloween, and a certain feeling you always got leading up to it, even when you were getting older. But in the past year, it felt like you’d matured more than you should have.

It was because you’d been forced into this situation by your own stupidity. Living on your own by age fifteen in a time period you’d only seen in movies. Using the 300 dollars you idiotically always carried with you because you didn’t have a bank account yet, as your only thing to live off of.

Halloween wasn’t the same, and you doubted it ever would be. Nothing would ever be the same. Holidays were never a happy time for you, friendships were hard to develop, and you couldn’t be normal with Nancy or Jonathan, or any of Will’s friends because they knew when you were from. Thankfully the boys were told to be quiet by the government about that part. And silently, you were thankful you never told them that Will was your father.

Romantic relationships seemed completely out of the question to you now. The awkwardness of still being considered new hadn’t worn off, and nothing about the idea of dating a boy in Hawkins in the 1980s felt right.

The only normal relationship you had was your friendship with Steve. You had friends at school before, but never once had you been this close with one before. You usually hung out with him or Jonathan, and everything about it flowed like a friendship should. You’d gotten into a few arguments like friends usually do, the most notable being the year before when Will was still gone and you punched him.

You didn’t regret it. He deserved it, but every once in awhile, you’ll feel the ache in your fist again. It had been a pretty impressive blow for someone whose last fight was in second grade with a boy who had called your fathers a few slurs to your face.

You dealt with those people plenty of times. The schools you went to always having kids from two different neighborhoods. One was normal, and felt like a community. But then there was the one with the heavy right-winged parents who taught their children to be cruel.

You left a bowl of candy on the porch for the kids who came by. Not wanting to be overwhelmed by the sight that would just remind you too much of home and have you crying outside Hopper’s cabin with Eleven carefully peaking out the window in a few hours. It was the only safe space you could go to feel close to anyone when you were breaking down, other than the fully reclined passenger seat of Steve’s car after you bombed a math quiz.

But there was a very big difference between the two breakdowns. One being superficial, and that you could recover from, something stupid that you knew wouldn’t matter in a year. But the other, was caused by the biggest life changing moment in your life, whose repercussions you were still facing in the form of anxiety and ‘ptsd’ according to Owens.

The steam surrounded you while you held your knees to your bare chest, tears mixing with shower water while the scenery around you refused to pass. This episode captured how you remembered the Upside Down perfectly. Every night or day you’d spent there being so dark you could barely see two yards in front of you, the air around you cold but the water hot and practically burning your skin.

But you heard the front door open, and you opened your eyes, seeing the bathroom go back to normal. The ugly yellow tile back, while your tears shifted from being out of tear to relief.

Grabbing onto the edge of the tub you pushed yourself onto your feet, acting like it hadn’t happened by calmly washing out the suds from your hair that had grown far longer than it had been in September of 83.’

Turning off the faucet you stepped out and grabbed the grey towel from the hook, wrapping it around your body and taking the safety pin from the counter and used it to keep your towel from falling. Opening the bathroom door, steam pooled out from the doorway.

Looking over to the living room, where you saw Steve sitting on the couch, head in his hands and his back rising and falling in such a way that it was hard not to notice that he was holding back tears.

“Steve?” You questioned. He looked up and then quickly averted his gaze when he saw you in the towel.

“Jesus, I’m so sorry.” He blurted out.

But you noticed how his eyes seemed red, and not from lack of sleep or alcohol. It looked like he’d been crying. His hair disheveled, no doubt from running his hands through it

You took strides over to him and sat practically hip to hip with him, not caring if you were soaking wet or in just a towel. “What happened?”

He shook his head a bit, looking to the carpet, running his dominant hand through his hair while he tried to process what to tell you. He finally looked up at you. “Have you ever loved someone before?”

“Other than my parents? No.” You answered.

“It’s intense. it’s . . . it’s really scary sometimes to be vulnerable in front of the person who you think also loves you, because they say it,” He was sad, angry and didn’t know what to do. “I. . .” He started to tear up and in a heartbeat you had your arms around him. “She. . . Nancy doesn’t love me.” Steve’s voice broke halfway through his sentence, trying to hide the fact that he was on the brink of tears.

“What’d she say?” It was like your own problems were completely miniscule to Steve’s. But that was a more recent coping mechanism, where you avoided your own problems in favor of helping somebody else.

“She called me bullshit. Said we were pretending everything was fine, that we were pretending to be in love, that me and her were pretending we didn’t kill Barb.”

At that you tensed up. The thought that Nancy blamed Steve for Barbara’s death, made you angry. It wasn’t either of their faults for not being there when Nancy had apparently told Barbara to go home.

“You’re not bullshit, and what happened to Barb wasn’t your fault. Shit happens, people die. No one knew that was gonna happen to her.”

You weren’t looking directly at Steve, but you could tell he was breaking down, head on your shoulder, and body exhausted, leaning into you for comfort that you gave him without question. “You can cry, Steve.” It was a simple sentence, but it carried a lot for Steve, who had never once been told that by anyone. Usually being shamed with the phrase ‘real men or boys don’t cry.’ And he let go, holding onto you and letting the tears go down his cheeks while you ran a comforting hair through his hair, smoothing down his hair so the strands rested like they usually did.

You’d never experienced the kind of heartbreak he was going through, you’d experienced the kind where you had ended up completely alone and scared in a scary place, with the added layer of knowing you’d never see your parents again as a teenager.

But his was worse. He found love, he grew to love Nancy. And they’d been together a year, which alone was impressive, since teenagers couldn’t even seem to keep a job for more than three months.

He couldn’t have ever anticipated that she’d be cruel, call him ‘bullshit’ and blame him for what happened to her friend.

But you knew according to movies, tv shows and books, that eventually, you wouldn’t have your family anymore. That at some point, you’d be alive, and your parents gone, But you just never anticipated it to happen this way. So maybe you were on the same level of heartbreak, just two different types.

“I know,” You comforted softly his quiet tears made your own tears build up, but you forced them away, opting to let this be about him, and what he was going through. “You’re not bullshit.” You told him.

• • •

Flinching away from the cotton ball that the nurse held up to your cheek, you glared at the middle aged woman. Mrs. Luna was always meaner that Mrs. Kenna who always greeted students with a warm smile and actually did care about them and if they were okay.

Mrs. Luna let out a harsh breath through her nose out of frustration, deciding to turn her attention over to the boy who sat by the counter, a poster of the food pyramid over his head had you wishing it was a real pyramid that would fall on him.

“Annalise, are Y/n’s parents coming to get her?” Mrs. Luna demanded of the secretary who was in the front office, the door connecting the two rooms open so the women could interact.

“Will Byers should be here soon to pick her up.” The main secretary informed while standing at the printer, which you could see through the doorway where you sat by the Nurse’s desk.

You weren’t afraid of anything as a child, heights always seemed like fun, and while you didn’t like spiders, you weren’t afraid of them. You weren’t afraid at the thought of getting hurt, and this entire situation proved that, since you’d been the one to technically start the fight, by throwing the first punch. But at least you, a second grade girl had beat a fifth grader in a fight. He was more bloody than you, and clearly in more pain, even though he tried to hide it.

Turning your head to the side you looked to the health posters garnered towards kids, things about eyesight and bones in a cartoon style so it fit the elementary school.

“Mr. Byers. . .” You heard the secretary greet your dad. “And Mrs. Cortez.” The dread filled you when you realized that Joseph’s mother was here. She was the type of mother who everyone on campus was scared of because it seemed she didn’t tolerate any other child other than her own.

“So it was your child who hurt my son?”

You heard your dad give a spiteful chuckle. “Get a grip, Janet.” He spoke the woman’s name with venom as he approached the nurse’s office, still in the sweatpants and t-shirt he’d worn when he dropped you and your brother off that morning.

Giving a nervous smile to him when he came into the linoleum floored room, he gave you a look mixed with disappointment and something else. “Hi, dad.” You said in the happiest voice which had Mrs. Cortez scowling at you when she walked in after your dad, approaching her son.

He kneeled down in front of you, examining your face, hands gently holding your jaw to keep you in place. “Guess I should see the other guy huh, baby?”

You laughed, even if it hurt your cheek where the scrape was that Mrs. Luna had tried cleaning.

“You encourage that behavior?” Mrs. Cortez asked harshly, arms crossed and when you let your eyes wander over to her, you noticed how there wasn’t a single wrinkle in her pantsuit, and how the clothing she wore made her even more intimidating to you.

“None of your business.” Your dad shot back, grabbing your hand and helping you out of the plastic blue chair. The two parents never liked each other. Mrs. Cortez didn’t like your parents because they were gay, and your parents hated her because she was rude, and didn’t understand where boundaries were.

“Can you call Ms. Perez? I’m signing my son out too.”

You had to listen to the bickering between your dad and the woman, while you and Joseph glared at each other until Daniel got to the front office, confused and holding the book he’d basically been forced to check out from the school library. Your dad had checked you both out, and gotten you into the car before driving home.

The rest of the day was mostly quiet, with Daniel doing the simple worksheets at the dining table with you, while you worked on your times tables, using the laminated paper that Pa had made for you.

Your dad made you both lunch, which was just leftover spaghetti that Pa had made. Sure, Will was the one who worked from home, and helped make Halloween costumes, and drew things with you at the coffee table while reruns of Ed, Edd, and Eddy played, but Tom was the better cook, and better at helping with homework.

“Hey Danny, can you give your sister and I a few minutes?” Will asked, picking up the plates from the kitchen table, looking over to Daniel who nodded and got up, happily going to his room where his action figures were.

You looked up at him, holding the scented marker in hand, coloring in the certain sections of the coloring page with every answer you got.

Will placed the plates in the sink and walked over to the table, sitting next to you, an arm resting on the top of the back of the chair, right behind your head.

“What did he do?”

You stayed quiet, continuing to color in the flower, going a little bit out of the lines, still not having the best of hand/eye coordination.

“What did he say?” Will rephrased the sentence.

“He called you and Papa fags and fairies.” You answered quietly, keeping your eyes on the paper until Will reached over, taking the pink marker from you and capping it.

“You know how everyone says you’re like me?”

Nodding you answered. “Yeah.”

He nodded a bit with a smile. “You are a lot like me, but you’re also like your pa. I’ve seen him punch one of his college professors for saying the same things about us before.”

You smiled up at him a bit, and saw his smile grow a bit. “Listen to me, sweetheart, you never, and I mean never, let anybody push you around. I let people push me around all throughout school, I was nothing like Pa, so I’m glad you are, even I get calls to come pick you up at 10 am, and even if you get suspended for a week. I think it’s stupid for them to expect you not to do anything. Never be afraid of getting in trouble if what you’re about to do is the right thing.”

• • •

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#steve harrington #steve x reader #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x you #Steve Harrington slow burn

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evien-stark · 4 years

Text

✧I Need You✧ Chapter 138

“I just wanted to check in on you. See how things are going. I think it’s pretty telling that we’re still out in the field. I just… I don’t like being in the dark. Not when I can help.”

Steve wasn’t exactly the person you were expecting to get a phone call from the following day, but it was a welcome change from all the other terrible nonsense going on. ...even if it was sort of in the same vein. “You’re doing better work out there. Is um… Manilla- nice?” Brain still a little scrambled in the early morning hours, especially after the events of the night prior.

“Montenegro. And. Sure. It’s peaceful. I think we’re wasting our time here, though.”

Way off. Not even remotely close. Oh well. It didn’t sound like he cared so much that you seemed to have no idea what the Avengers were doing. Or where they were, at the very least. You should have, for sure. But. Clearly you had other things going on. “I thought Bruce was waiting on a few more data points?” Trying to prove not only to him but to yourself that you were paying attention. That despite your pains right now you did care about your family. What they were doing. That was important, too.

He sighed. “Sure. That’s what we’re being told. I just don’t think we’re making any progress.”

“Emptying out Hydra bases is not what I would call making no progress, Steve.”

“...you’re right. But it’s still not what we thought we’d be doing.”

The air was heavy and tense. You didn’t know how to make this right for him. He wanted to come home. You couldn’t let him. It wasn’t time yet. “The next ping might be the right one. Just hang in there a little bit longer.”

“...sure.” His discontent on the other end of the phone was abundantly clear. “I noticed you haven’t said anything about what’s going on over there, yet.”

It was highly unlikely if you told him the truth that he’d come rushing back home. Still… you weighed your options very carefully before answering. Gathered all your thoughts and tried to make them cleanly cohesive. “It’s… we thought we had something. And we still might. But it’s not going the way I want.”

“Seems like that’s going around.” You heard the amusement through his annoyed tone. “Look- I just… worry about you.”

“I’m okay.” It did your heart good, at least, to know that nothing between you and Steve was irreparable. Not even someone controlling him into almost murdering you and then shoving him on the next jet out.

“I doubt it.” The mood plummeted. “And I don’t think you’d tell me if you weren’t.”

“The feeling’s mutual.” It hurt you, to hear him say that. But maybe he was right. You also knew you were, too. Maybe it would have been better to process what had happened between the two of you. There just hadn’t been time. And also… you still never got confirmation Steve had actually ever attended a single therapy session with Deja. “We’ll talk when it’s over.”

“When’s that gonna be?”

“I can only say soon. And hope it’s true.”

“Yeah. Me, too.”

---

Though it would have been easy, and even nice to just do nothing and recover, a full day of radio silence from Jessica after all the other days of radio silence didn’t sit right with you. If Kilgrave had taken her at some point, you were sure he would have let you know. Then again… who knew. You certainly felt like you didn’t know anything about anything at this point. It was on Friday that you decided you’d had enough.

So you called. And called. And called some more.

Ten times in total. And she didn’t answer a single one. Which started to really knock at your anxiety pretty hard. Surely she would answer if she had her phone, right? Surely with such a grave situation she couldn’t be ignoring you, right?

A text came in around eleven o’clock at night. Succinct and angry:

My hands are full. I don’t have time for you.

What could you even say to that? It was probably too telling to be overtly angry with her. But at this point you had no idea what was going on. It was clear that was the way she wanted it. But that was interfering with your life greatly. And the lives of your teammates.

You better find some. Because you’re wasting mine.

Her response was quick and curt. Cute.

You left it alone after that. Eventually you were going to have to go find her and have a nice long talk with her. You imagined she was trying to control this disaster every way she could. She still didn’t want you around, that was very much clear. You were beyond thinking it was because she thought you were a danger if Kilgrave got his hands on you. It probably had more to do with the reaction you’d had when realizing exactly why she was running so hard at this.

But why did she get to do that and you didn’t? Another question she surely wouldn’t answer.

---

Slowly you were making a plan and a promise to yourself. You couldn’t be kept left in the dark like this forever. Eventually some progress had to be made. Whether or not that included dragging Jessica Jones unwillingly, kicking and screaming, that would be up to her. But if she didn’t get back to you by Monday, you’d go find her personally. She couldn’t keep avoiding you forever. You’d see to that. You had to.

A late meeting on Sunday ran a little too long, especially when your attention started waning and a headache crept in. It made it hard to focus on what anyone was saying. Now was the worst time to appear flippant about Stark Industries’ Q2 plans. Your team had left without you for reasons that everyone believed had to do with you being the CEO you’d been hoisted up as. If you couldn’t maintain both worlds equally, both words would equally fall apart. One more thing to worry about.

The sun was just setting as you stepped outside the restaurant the department heads had wanted to meet at (for the obvious purposes of eating at a plush restaurant and calling it a business expense, all part of the package). You hadn’t eaten much of anything, and perhaps unwisely sipped instead at a glass of wine that you’d never asked for. Mistakes you were paying for now as you stood out on the sidewalk, glancing at your watch. You’d quietly told Happy you thought the meeting would last another hour- and that was about… thirty-two minutes ago… if you called to tell him to come get you downtown now with the traffic- ...he was probably on his way anyway-

Boozy migraine maths came to a complete halt when a sharp call of your name drew your attention back up to the present. A microphone was about five inches from your face, and a harsh shoulder light from a TV camera was making you nearly blind. “Christine Everhart. WHiH.” As always. When you least wanted or expected her. Which was always.

“I know who you are.” What fresh hell was this. What had you done now?

In her other hand as she popped her hip out she held out some photographs. Ones you briefly glanced at. “We’re live in five, so consider this a gift. These are pictures of a building reportedly destroyed by the Avengers in Slovakia two days ago. Multiple civilian deaths and casualties. Care to comment?”

“Two days ago?” You really wished your confusion hadn’t come first. Wasn’t the team on a break? ...had they even been to Slovakia?

“That’s right. And here you are dining at five star restaurants while your team murderers innocent people. Fooling the public while they go break borders for you. What do you have to say about that?”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about-” “Seems like I have more of an idea than you.”

This was not what you needed right now. But if you just took a breath, you were sure you could get through it. You’d throw down a harsh assessment and shift the blame until you could figure out what the hell she was talking about-

At least that’s what you wanted to do. That’s what you should have done. But you no longer lived in a world that was fair. “Turn off your camera. Put it down.” A chipper English accent sent every muscle in your body so tight you thought you might snap.

In your ear LUNA buzzed. “Activating suit.”

“Stop.” The word clutched in your throat. Christine was suddenly too confused by her cameraman simply obeying that order to even care about what you were going on about.

“Ma’am?” LUNA seemed concerned, for about as much as an AI could. “Shall I call Mr. Stark?”

“No. Just. Wait.” All clipped as your breath started falling a little bit short of full draws.

It was so anticlimactic. You’d expected Kilgrave to walk out of the shadows on his next big reveal. Yet here… he was just strolling up the sidewalk, hands in his pockets, smile on his face. “Tear up those pictures. Destroy that recording- and any other evidence you had on this little Slovakia incident.” Putting his back to you, in clear defiance of what you could or might do to him. Clearly of the opinion you’d stand there and do nothing at all.

...which is exactly what you were doing. Staring at him. Horrified. Confused.

He leaned closer to Christine. “You’re going to go back to your little TV station and stop investigating this. Tell your boss it was all falsified. Now go. Leave.”

The both of them put their heads down, turned around without a word, and then walked away and back into the van they’d probably been waiting in all afternoon. Then, just like that, they drove off. Leaving you and Kilgrave on the sidewalk alone- save for the swells of innocent people milling about. Watching. Watching the CEO of Stark Industries fend off a reporter- and now seemingly speaking with an old acquaintance. Once Christine’s van was completely out of sight he turned to you, smile growing.

“Hello, puppy. I thought you and I might have a talk. I was getting tired of all the back and forth on the phone.”

You had to clamp down on every single part of yourself. Jessica couldn’t be right. You couldn’t fall to pieces just standing in front of him. “What makes you think I won’t kill you right now?”

He leaned in just enough to murmur, “There are people about, puppy. I don’t think that’d be very heroic of you.” His eyes never left yours. “Now- won’t you join me for a light dinner?” A question. He was asking you. Very pointedly so.

“What are you doing?” He could have made off with you again. A second time. And you’d been so wholly unprepared- ...well, LUNA had tried to fix this for you. But you couldn’t just go full Lady Iron in broad daylight in front of Christine after she had just accused your team of murdering people on foreign soil. Even if she’d been told to go away.

Easing back he gave a little shrug. “Seems to me that I’ve just done you a favor. So I’d like it if you returned the gesture.”

“I could have handled that.” A useless point to be making, but your brain was scrambling. Trying desperately to keep yourself talking so that you didn’t crumble into a mess that was even easier for the taking.

“I have no doubt. I do so love that sharp wit of yours. But I’m running on a tight schedule.” Still, when you didn’t budge, this little cute act of his dissolved just a little, his mouth thinning into a straight line with a tight twitch at the corner. “I’m being polite. Don’t make me ask again.”

He wouldn’t. He’d tell you. And he was trying to make you come with him without commanding you to. But why? Reaching into your bag you pulled out your cell phone and made a call to the last person who was expected to see you. “Happy- I’m taking another meeting. It should be quick, but I’ll find my own way home afterwards.”

“You sure? I don’t mind waiting.”

“I’m sure. Take the rest of the night off, okay? It’s Sunday, I feel bad.”

“...everything alright?” Damn him. You didn’t need this right now.

You just needed him to let you protect him. “Everything’s fine. Leilani’s all worked up about R&D’s budget for Q2 so I wanted to give her a little more face time.” Work jargon would no doubt turn his brain off.

And thankfully, “Oh. Alright. I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

“See you tomorrow, Happy.” What was the point of any of it, you wondered. Why set security for yourself if you were going to immediately trash all avenues of help? Maybe there was no point. Maybe the whole point of this was that it was all inevitable. “...where are we going?” Making no attempt to hide how dejected you were.

He was getting his way. Again. And he hadn’t even needed powers to do it this time. Hearing this he perked right back up. “I know this delightful little teahouse a few blocks over.”

You curled your hands into fists so tight the tremor snaked up through your entire arm. “Let’s go, then.”

---

He told everyone to get out as soon as the two of you arrived. Got you the nicest table in the back, all aglow with candles scattered about. Ordered first himself and then for you. And all the while you wondered what the fuck you were going to do about any of it. How were you going to get out of this one? What even was this one? What was he doing?

“I know you must be used to this treatment. Getting anything you want. I think we’re very similar. Have I told you that?” He was sitting half forward, hands clasped together atop the table. Staring at you.

“Can you please just cut to the chase? Tell me what you want. What are you doing right now?” Trying to take back any semblance of control of this situation. When clearly you had absolutely none.

This seemed to displease him immensely, easy expression disappearing into one of dissatisfaction. He then sat back with a little roll of his eyes. “We’ve been apart for two years and this is how you decide to patch things up?”

“Patch- are you out of your mind?” Maybe anger was easier. You just had to be careful not to let it bleed. You didn’t need him any angrier than the low level of simmer he was working with. “You kidnapped me. And tortured me. For months.”

“Torture.” Lips pulling back, teeth showing in a small snarl as if he’d eaten something bitter. “Don’t say that.” He was quick to realize and then held his hand up. “-I don’t like it. Feel free to say whatever you want-”

“Fuck you. How’s that.”

He heaved a terrible sigh, putting his chin in his palm. “There’s that fire. It’s getting old, you know. Can you speak to me like the civilized person you parade around as?”

“Just tell me what you want. Stop dragging this out.” You just wanted the right to know where your fate was ending. “Why go to all this trouble? What are you doing?”

The servers interrupted the both of you, setting down a large tea kettle, cups and saucers and what looked some weird meat aside some even stranger tea cakes. Because everything here was designed to upset you. You were sure he knew. There was no excuse otherwise. Once they left he began pouring himself a cup, letting silence hang beneath the gentle clink of ceramics and cutlery.

And then. Finally. “Jessica is not what you think she is.”

You really couldn’t help the twist of your face then. “Are you serious? That’s what this is about?”

“Did she tell you that Hope girl is in the hospital?”

That was twice you’d let yourself be blindsided today. You were growing weaker, that was the only thing you knew for sure. But quickly you reigned yourself in. “You can’t possibly think I believe you care about that poor girl. After what you did to her-”

He made an ugly grimace and waved an overly dismissive hand. “That was Jessica’s fault. And regardless- I know you do.” He was trying to play both sides against the middle. It really couldn’t have been clearer. You still didn’t know why though. “Jessica doesn’t care about anyone but herself. Not like you.”

“I couldn’t care less what Jessica cares about. So if that’s all the info you’ve got, I’m going to leave.”

He started cutting into his little dinner time snack. “She’s doing what she thinks she has to. You tried to get involved because it was the right thing to do.” Mocking the very idea at the same time he was trying to pitch it to you. He popped a small bite of that very pink meat into his mouth and continued. “I envy that about you, you know.” You rolled your eyes and shook your head. A mistake, as he continued. “It’s why I think you weren’t involved in that whole…” He waved his knife around in thought. “Kidnapping business. You care about what’s right. And the right way to do it.” Holding your gaze again, he grinned. “That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?”

You imagined he wanted you to admit you were here because you had no choice. No other viable option. He wanted you to admit that you were powerless and at his mercy. You also were still backed into a corner over not being able to admit the only reason you weren’t there to take him down the other day was because Jessica had kept you in the dark.

...or did he know that, too? He was here, after all, trying to paint her in a very bad light.

“Your silence is very poetic.” He took a bite out of a little cake and continued to bask in that aforementioned silence, glowing even, washing everything down with a sip of tea. What was the point in talking anymore. You just let it linger until he decided it was time to speak again. “I’m not going to tell you to, but I think in time you’ll realize all this fighting… it’s worthless. Eventually you will give up and come home to me when you’re ready.”

“Why?” The word escaped you in a hitch of a gasp. You’d lost track of your breathing again.

His smile was so very broad as he leaned in, tone dropping, candlelight bouncing like flames on the sides of his face and just underneath his chin. “I need you, puppy.” Looking at you- watching you- freezing you with words that did not belong to him. Not in that capacity. Not like that. “There’s no one in the world like you. At least not that I’ve seen- and not with our history. And when you’re ready, I’ll let you sit by my side again.”

The ice shattered the moment his hand touched over yours. Abruptly you stood, hitting the edge of the table, sending everything rocking sideways. Tea splashed all over him and all at once his entire demeanor changed as he growled. “Clean that up-” But once again, quickly, amended himself. “Never mind.” And then, as if he was in control of your reaction, too, he flicked his hand. “Go, if you’re going to go. I’m sure you’re late for something else or other. But I think you should think on it. Eventually you’ll realize I’m right.”

This was the moment. You could reach out and just… throttle him. Beat him to death. Choke him. Reach into his chest and-

“Try to think about all the unnecessary deaths that could be avoided if you’d just give in.” His smile was so sunny. So saccharine sweet.

Warning you. Warning you that he must have had a million fail safes. And that there was nothing you could do, otherwise you’d be responsible for so much more. Wasn’t that how you’d gotten into this mess in the first place? He must have known that, too.

Of course he did. The one thing Kilgrave knew for sure at this point. You were powerless against him.

---

How you got home you had no idea. Walked? Took a cab? Called a company car? It was a complete mystery. The sun had long since gone down. It was about ten at night. Which meant it had taken a little while. But you were a little too lost in a few other thoughts to see outside of yourself enough to know how you’d gotten from that cafe back to the Tower.

Maybe the point of all this, after all this time, hadn’t been to keep everyone away from Kilgrave. Maybe the lesson that you should have learned was the one you’d thought about when you were stuck with him in the first place. That you should have been grateful it was only you. That he only had you. So that his fascination wouldn’t wander- at least not to other super powered individuals.

Maybe you should have just really given up and not ran. And maybe you needed to give up now. Maybe you just needed to hand yourself over. He’d made it very clear he was about to move heaven and hell just to make that point to you. Why not cut to the chase? What else could you do? What were your other options?

As the elevator opened up on the penthouse floor, you saw Tony sitting on one of the couches, perking up immediately once he caught sight of you. “Honey-” Probably waiting up for you. Knowing your schedule wasn’t supposed to run that long but trusting that you’d been out doing something.

It was all too easy to just climb atop him and collapse in a heap over him, burying your face in his shoulder, eyes closing as his arms wrapped around you. Was this the life you could give up? For Tony’s safety- the thought flitted in. If Kilgrave had a mind to go after Tony, even with the knowledge that the suits would save you- what if he knew you knew that- he seemed to be doing a lot of cryptic hinting that he knew everything you knew.

So you had to assume he did. So you also had to assume he could hurt Tony if he wanted to. Burn Tony’s life to the ground, even. If he wanted to. But he’d stop wanting to. If you just gave yourself to him.

Tony allowed you to melt into him for as long as you wanted. Which seemed like a very long time. But eventually, when you found the strength, you sat half back, taking his face in your hands. Looking at him. Memorizing the way he gazed at you. The concerned warmth in his eyes. The love there. His hands moved at your sides, fingers spreading wide, keeping you steady.

“Did the team go on a retrieve mission in Slovakia?” This was stupid. And not what you needed to be talking about right now.

Even he seemed not to expect it, brows lifting straight up. “What? Uh-” Then knitting as he thought about it. But, finally, you felt a strange sense of relief as he shook his head. “No. Why? Are you okay?”

So Christine had fabricated it. ...or someone else had. Kilgrave had done your job for you. And expected you to thank him in return. How easy it had been for him, too, to just make her go away. Make all of it go away. Just a few simple sentences…

Leaning in as you still held him, eyes closing to keep the tears at bay, you pressed your forehead to his. “I love you, Tony.”

There was an uncertain pain that slipped from him to you. Clearly wading in your hurt but not knowing what to do about it. What it was about. How to help. “I love you, too. Talk to me.” Gentle encouragement.

So, with a shivering breath you did. “Kilgrave took me to a restaurant just now.”

There was something to be said of the steady, heavy and icy anger that choked the room so suddenly. It made it hard, but. You told him everything. And struggled not to tell him where you thought this was about to end. Because he was already holding on to you so tightly, so protectively it hurt.

And when all was said and done, once the silence of thought had fled, Tony offered what made the most sense. “He’s pitting you and Jones against each other.” This was what you thought, too. You wanted him to make it make sense for you. “You think she knows?”

...oh. Was that the reason she didn’t want you anywhere near her or her plans? Whether because he’d already played this number with her and she didn’t trust you- or because she did and she didn’t want to risk you? “I don’t know. She won’t answer my calls.”

Clear cut annoyance rebounded from him to you in a hard cycle. What he figured out next surprised you, “So he planted that bogus story on Christine to instill a sense of-” Waving his hand lightly around in thought. “-couldn’t be gratitude. This guy doesn’t care whether or not you like him.”

“Showing off.” You felt empty. “He was showing off. He made a potential mess for me and then cleaned it up, too.” Kilgrave was pointing out how easy it was to destroy your entire life if he wanted to. Just a few words. That was it. That was all he needed.

Suddenly reading the inevitability, his head turned up, looking at you instead of letting his thoughts connect off in the distance. The pieces were there. He was understanding a little too much. “We’re not finished. Not by a long shot. We’ll figure this out.” Somehow he knew, maybe just because he knew you. Maybe because of that string that tied you both tight- he knew how close you were to that edge.

He knew you were looking at where this ended. Not in a favorable light by any means. And he was suddenly begging you, with that look in his eyes, his hand gripping your shoulder and a tremendous pain pulsing from his heart to yours-

Don’t give up.

It was too much to ask that you be strong anymore. And because it was him… You let go of the idea. And just barely held on to him while he tried to soothe you through sobs so intense you could barely breathe.

---

The two of you spent the entire next day in exhausted rawness. He seemed unable to leave your side. Which made it lucky that you had no strength to move. Hours slipped by. Just holding on to each other. A sunrise came. And a sunset went.

Eventually he won out as the stronger of the two of you when he got up to order some food. It would help, eating, probably. Even though you already knew you had no appetite. You’d have to suffer through it for him. But just as he’d started giving a dinner order to Happy, your phone rang.

Lo and behold.

Jessica Jones. Who wasted no time as soon as you picked up the line. “I need you to come down to my office. Now.”

Tony had stopped talking. Just watching you. Waiting for news of the next bad thing.

A feeling that seemed to soak your entire lives.

#Tony Stark #Tony Stark x Reader #INY Chapter One Hundred Thirty Eight #Jessica Jones Spoilers

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onewfantaesy · 4 years

Text

Au where taemin is the child of a famous actor and his d-list, social climbing ex-wife. They got divorced when Taemin was four, and his mother has just been progressively crazier every year since then. They have joint custody, but Taemin’s mother recently signed on to a reality show to make more money and to seem more important than she really is.

She’s toxic, really. She’s a terrible mother but always brags about how great of a mother she is and how great of a relationship she has with Taemin.

And even though Taemin’s father signs the release for taemin to be on the show, Taemin absolutely hates it. His mom is just crazy and gross and constantly drunk on the show, which isn’t much different than in real life. But it’s embarrassing. He’s only eleven when she goes on the show, but all his friends and classmates know about it. She instantly becomes a meme for several reasons, and Taemin can’t stand it. Especially since his mother is constantly defending her actions by saying it won’t effect Taemin anyways, because he’s too young, because kids his age don’t watch shows like that.

Whenever he’s seen on the show, he’s usually making a face or looking confused or scared or disgusted at something his mother is doing. But he’s always polite to the camera crew and producers.

In the middle of filming the third season, he decides he’s had enough. He hates living with his mother, she’s constantly talking shit about his father to try and stay relevant, she’s constantly getting new cosmetic procedures to the point that she looks like a clown, and she’s constantly making overly sexual remarks in this show and in front of him, and it’s gross and embarrassing.

And some nights, she comes home so drunk that he has to help her to bed. It will be a school night and he’ll have a math test the next day but he can’t sleep because his mom still isn’t home at 2am and he’s worried that she’s gone and gotten herself killed. It’s been shown on that dumb reality show of hers a fair few times how he has to help her to her bedroom after parties her co-stars host. It’s killing him. He’s a child taking care of his spiraling mother.

So he decides to stay with his father full time. Taemin is packing when they come to film at the house. His mother was having her other co-stars over for some weird brunch, but Taemin was packing suitcases in his bedroom. Most of his stuff was already at his father’s house anyway, having been brought there over the past few weeks.

They’re filming him packing. Taemin doesn’t really mind.

“Excuse me,” he mumbles to one of the cameramen. He was blocking Taemin’s closet.

“Where are you going, Taemin?” a crew member asks.

“Home,” is all he says.

Taemin chose this day to leave for a reason. She can’t kill him if it’s on camera. Taemin had just finished zipping his last suitcase when the doorbell rang, no doubt interrupting his mother and her co-star’s drama-filled brunch.

“What are you doing here?” his mother screeches, and Taemin rushes out of his room dragging his two heavy suitcases with him and his duffel bag slung across his shoulders.

“I’m picking up Taemin,” his father says.

“It’s not your week with him! You’re interrupting filming!”

“Dad!”

His parents, half the cameras, and all of his mom’s gross co-stars turn to look at him. His dad easily pushes past his mother to come help Taemin with his bags, but his mother starts screaming at him.

“What do you think you’re doing? Why do you have so much stuff packed? What’s going on?”

“I want to live with Dad,” Taemin says softly.

“Why don’t you go get in the car?” His Dad says. “Let us talk, alright?”

“No, I want him telling me why!”

“He’s just a child,” his dad says, clearly exhausted by her. He picks up Taemin’s suitcases and helps him outside to the car. His mother and her reality star friends are behind her.

“Hi sweetheart,” his step-mother says, smiling. “Here, let me help.”

His mother is screaming that his father brought his new wife. Calls her a home wrecker. A whore. A gold digger.

It makes Taemin horribly upset. He loves Luna. She’s the best mother he’s ever had, better than his actual mother.

“Jinki!” his mother screeches. “You horrible, awful man! You’re stealing my baby!”

“He’s thirteen, Jessica,” Jinki says. “He’s old enough to decide where he wants to live. I’m not stealing him.”

“My lawyer will have something to say about this! You can’t just take him!”

Jessica starts clawing at him, trying to move towards Taemin to grab him and drag him inside, but Jinki stays in front of him until Luna gets Taemin in the car.

“And my lawyer will having something to say about your actions around our son,” Jinki says calmly. “And how you spend the child support money I give you on new handbags and clothes and lip injections. That money is for you to spend on him and things to take care of him, like groceries and school books and a few house bills.”

“I do spend that money on him! How dare you!”

“Then why am I always the one buying new uniforms and school shoes and paying the tuition?” Jinki snaps. “Why does he come home and tell me all that’s in the fridge is wine and cheese and that he had no lunch money for school? I’ve documented everything, Jessica, you’re not getting away with this behavior! It’s hurting our son!”

Taemin doesn’t feel relieved until they’re home. His mother’s house is huge and obnoxious and has way too many bedrooms for just two people. It never felt like home.

But his dad’s house? It’s cozy and only has one extra bedroom and it’s lived in. Luna cooks in the kitchen and there’s food in the fridge and the pantry. There’s a living room with a television, not an in-home theater like at his mother’s house. His bedroom is painted a dark green like he wanted, not a bright white that his mother insisted on. He picked out his own bedding and it has a desk where he can do his homework and it’s just home.

It’s all over the tabloids two days later how Taemin is now living with his father full time. Six months later, his dramatic exit is all over television.

Taemin loves his father, and he does still love his mother, but he can’t stand that they’re famous.

#taemin #shinee #onew #reality star au #i watch a lot of trashy reality tv can u tell

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psychedelic-ink · 4 years

Text

New Dawn(by lunna-star-8)

Dear Sabo and Ace,

Things haven’t been the best since Marineford, smiling hurts and Luffy shows no sign of waking up… I don’t know what to do… I keep expecting to wake up and the war never happened, but no amount of wishful thinking will get me that… Either way, I’m still not quite sure what day it is, the only time I grabbed a newspaper I ended up reading the comic strip instead. Sorry about that, I’ll end up finding what day it is, eventually. Adding to the list of things I don’t know, I have no clue where we’re heading but, before either of you worry, let me tell you that I trust Law.

And no, don’t make those faces, he saved Luffy and he saved me after the war. You’d trust him too. He’s a nice guy when—-

My letter got interrupted by a loud siren and the feeling of the floor suddenly tilting all to one side. I held onto the bed that was clearly secure to the floor but I felt the whole submarine rattle for a minute before the siren quieted down and I heard the unmistakable sound of canon fire.

Without so much as a second thought, I put my notebook and pen to the side before I darted to the door, I try to push it open but it wouldn’t budge – he wasn’t kidding when he said he’d find a way to keep me in the room. But neither was I when I said it wouldn’t be that easy, I looked around the room because it had to have…

I smirked when I saw the bared square hole on the wall “Vents.” I climbed on top of my bed to be able to reach the opening. It was relatively easy to get the grid off and I could see Law’s office from where I was and my math told me I should be able to fit in the space “If you don’t stay in bed, your wounds will open up again. So stay in bed.” His voice basically rang in my head as I stared at his office. It’s not like they needed me, they’re a more than capable pirate crew and it’s not like I’d be much help in my current state anyway…

Suddenly, I remembered Ace and his blood on my hands, I remembered Bon’s voice as we passed through the gate, I remembered Luffy’s screams when he took a hit from Magellan for me… I looked over my shoulder to see him still lying unconscious where he had been since I woke up and as I blinked, I could see Law in my brother’s place hurt and bleeding, plagued with nightmares he couldn’t escape from… I thought of the kind polar bear, Bepo, that had been nothing but supportive since I woke up… Or Ikkaku that always seemed to have a friendly smile saved for me…

When another canon blast was felt across the ship, I turned back to the vent and made up my mind, I was going out there and try not to be seen. I wouldn’t fight unless I had to but I would not sit still and wait for someone else to take another blow for me. I forced my claws out and used them to help me onto the vent, with a lot more ease than I expected, I pushed my way through the tight space until my head came out right on top of Law’s desk. Immediately I noticed that his two massive bookshelves were missing which I assume were what was now blocking the infirmary’s door. By generating a bit of wind, I managed to trip the chair backwards so it was out of the way and then set my palms over the desk, easily slipping my legs out of the vent and allowing gravity to softly flip me onto the floor. I checked, nothing seemed to be bleeding or ripped or even hurting – much, or more than usual, you don’t just miraculously recover from something like that war without constant aching limbs.

Snapping myself out of my amazement, I opened the door and made my way out trying not to be spotted. It wasn’t hard, the halls were empty due to everyone being engaged in battle, after some wrong turns and a couple of canon shots later, I had made my way outside without being seen.

“GET TO STRAW HAT AND TIGER LUNA, MEN!” some marine called out as he ran for the submarine… Hadn’t we been through enough? Hadn’t they taken enough…?

Not a second after the marine first stepped onto the submarine, I saw the light blue aura of Law’s ‘room’ before the man was chopped into pieces, he was screaming but as live as anyone. As I saw the man’s pieces fall to the floor, I peeked around the corner to see that Bepo was the only one on the deck, easily kicking the ass of a bunch of marines that seemed to have underestimated the bear, beyond him, on board of one of the marine ships, I could make out Law in his yellow hoodie and white hat fighting marines like the supernova he is – “Sadistic little bastard…” I chuckled to myself but then shrugged “Can’t really say I wouldn’t do the same with his devil fruit though, seems fun.”

I looked back around the battlefield, feeling the tiger in me wanting to join in the fight, standing at the side-lines wasn’t really its thing and, to be perfectly fair, can’t say it was mine either. My eyes shift down where the marine is struggling to, literally, put himself back together – I couldn’t resist, I manipulated the air around him to lift his limbs as I stayed as hidden as I could. Clearly, the marine had no idea what was going on as I started to throw his arms and legs at the heads of other marines around, I have to say that I probably should’ve felt a bit bad for the man, but I didn’t. I left the head for last, trying to talk myself out of doing what I was thinking, but who knew if I’d ever get the chance again? Not to mention, it would be cathartic after everything. Pulling it closer with some softer breezes, I ignored the marine’s complaints before figuring out where I’d be aiming and grinned – the ship where Law was. I took a couple of steps back before quickly taking them back and kicking the head probably hard enough to crack his skull. It landed right on the head of another marine and— oH, ShIt! Law turned to the sub. I really hope he didn’t see me, or I’m dead meat.

I looked up at the dark blue sky that was lighting by the second and at the dark oceans behind us… “We can still see the sky, we can still see the ocean, it’s not like it’s hell here!” Usopp said once. We were in Enies Lobby, in the middle of a Buster Call and those words stuck with me, they rang true in my heart and came back to me as the ocean breeze caressed my hot skin. There was a fight going on behind me, my heart was racing as I was painfully aware that at any moment anyone could round up the corner and see me or even a marine ship could come around or anything, really! And here I was, longing for the horizon that calls my name… It felt like ages since I last heard the calling of the sea, that pull in my heart like the tides, that whisper in my ear as the wind passes, beckoning me to take a leap. It made my skin crawl with excitement, it made me want to take to the waves once again…

The call to the sea that all four of us shared – that all four of us share.

Expecting enough time to have passed for me to be in the clear, I peek out of the corner again only to be faced with two people. Reflexively, I punch one in the face and flip the other over my shoulder dropping him straight on the floor before I realize that it’s two guys from Law’s crew, I had seen them before “Oh! I’m sorry!” I quickly say realizing that the red haired one was holding onto his nose, where I had hit him “You really shouldn’t sneak up on people like that…”

The one on the floor grunted “Can’t you scream or something, like a normal girl?”

I shrugged “It’s called a fight or flight reaction; I hope you realize.” He glared at me from the floor “I’m still sorry though.”

“It’s fine…” the red-haired dismissed seeming to have established that I hadn’t broken his nose “Makes us wonder what the captain’s so worried about, you can clearly fend for yourself.”

I frowned “What do you mean, worried?”

The one on the floor got up as he chuckled, rubbing his back “Kicking severed heads around isn’t exactly subtle, you know?”

I rubbed my face in annoyance “Damnit, he saw me, huh?”

The red haired nodded “Oh yeah. Turned to us like, get that damn girl below deck before I have to go deal with her myself!”

I looked over at him with an eyebrow raised “And that’s ‘worried’ to you?”

“It is with the captain.” They both replied in unison and I found myself tilting my head in agreement.

“What are you doing out here anyway?” asked the one with – I had just noticed – a penguin hat on “Aren’t you supposed to be asleep? I don’t know, in bed at least?”

I rolled my eyes “Yeah, like I’m gonna stay in bed while you guys are out here fighting. I don’t think so.”

“Well, you kind of have to now.” The red haired one said “We have orders to take you back and that’s what we’ll do.”

I looked between the two of them, feeling like a scolded child but it’s not like I had a lot of choices “Fine!” I give in, knowing that there was no point in arguing “But just so you guys won’t get yelled at.”

“Very considerate.” Penguin hat guy quickly replied as they escort me back to the door I had very expertly sneaked out of.

I was resigning to having to sit it out, when I see Bepo hit the floor bleeding, two swords coming down on the bear – I’m reacting before I’m thinking – I rush over. I know I’m not strong nor fast enough to stop the marines, but I can cover Bepo.

And that’s what I do.

I throw myself over the injured bear, acting as a shield between him and the blades and I brace myself for the pain to come, but instead, I hear what seems like metal hitting metal. I open my eyes to find out that both boys from before had stopped the swords with their bare hands and proceeded to kicking the marines away. With adrenaline rushing through me like a river after heavy rain, I helped Bepo to his feet and got us back to the same door I was so reluctant to pass through before. He struggled to stop me, he didn’t want to leave the battle, his friends were still fighting but I wasn’t about to even give him a chance to argue.

Yes, I’m the queen of ‘I get to do stupid stuff while injured that I sure as hell won’t let anyone else do.’ Have anything to say? Fight me.

Bepo needed a doctor – Bepo needed Law. But his captain was now stuck fighting a Vice-Admiral and it’s not like there was anyone that could ‘take over’ sort to speak. The only way to get Bepo help was to get Law but the only way to get Law was to get rid of the Vice-Admiral and they were right, it’s not like I was in any condition to get in a real fight, let along one with a Vice-Admiral…

There was, although, something that I could do. I didn’t like using it, aiming was a bitch and I kind of decided that it had been a bad idea to even try it in the first place, but it was also the only technique that I had that I could use right now that could: face up to a Vice-Admiral; be used from a distance; and not tear my body into grated cheese.

I carefully helped Bepo to sit down by the door and turned back to face the fight. Behind me, the sun was starting to break through the darkness of the night and I took a deep breath before I held out my arms in front of me, palms facing each other and I took another deep breath. I felt the air shift around me as I focused it between my hands, with my mind I gave it the shape of a bow and with my right hand, pulled back the non-existing string, forming an arrow of concentrated air in the middle as I did so. I felt the straightened air currents slice through the bandages on my hands and arms, the blood starting to be pulled into the air circuit, tainting it slightly red.

“When Sabo died, we said we wanted to get stronger so we wouldn’t lose anyone else. You took that burned off our shoulders by promising us that you’d never die. We believed you. I believe in you. You live in my heart now, in the memories I have of you, in the letters I write you, hence, I have no choice but to look after myself. I also can’t get stronger if I can’t get better first and I need to get stronger to protect Luffy and all the people I care about. Time to step up. I will come back a better version of me.”

With my thoughts decided and feeling the air settle into shape, I took yet another deep breath “RED GUARDIAN!”

I called out my attack aimed at the Vice-Admiral, my right hand fingers released the tension and between one second and the next, I felt a warm familiar touch over my right hand, but before I could turn around, I saw, to my amazement, that my arrow had caught fire in such a way that it looked like a big red bird.

My own thoughts came back to me “I will come back a better version of me.”

“A phoenix.” I could almost hear Ace’s voice right at my ear…

And then the next second arrived. The fire bird hit its target, sending the Vice-Admiral flying backwards into a wall on the ship in a blaze of fire before he fell face first on the deck of his ship. My jaw was on the floor, had I just done that?

Movement in the corner of my eye makes me turn to see Bepo sitting on the floor, still clearly in pain and the bleeding didn’t seem to have even slowed down “LAW!” I called out to the doctor that quickly ‘shambles’ his way closer to us.

He rushed to his friend’s side and looked him over with truly concerned eyes, examining the damage, gave the two guys from earlier some orders and then called over a very very tall guy “Jean Bart…” he spoke coldly as his eyes scanned the marines still standing “Sink them.” Without another word, Law disappeared into the submarine and Jean Bart went to do what he had been ordered.

Left alone once again, I held my right hand that still felt comfortably warm and remembered the feeling from before. I looked behind me only to be blinded by the rising sun, I couldn’t help but smile with him as a single tear slipped down my cheeks…

#submission #submit #burntsubmission #lunna-star-8 #monkey d luna #one piece oc #oc #one piece #trafalgar d. water law #chapter 5

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fatui-harbingers · 4 years

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🌺💘🌷 Get to know your mutuals! When you get this, it means someone wants to know more about you, so list 5 things about yourself you want your followers to know! They can be as simple as your age or as complex as your deepest fear, as long as it’s something you’re comfortable with sharing. When you’re done, send this to 10 people you want to get to know better!🌷💘🌺

I'm an oversharer so idk what to say lol. I'll try anyway!

I almost never leave my house partly bc of having no energy at all and no way to leave (no extra working car or license)

I've had depression for my whole life but it didn't get very bad until I was 10 (also the age I got my first period so I got bad depression AND puberty all around the same time lol)

Speaking of puberty! Since it came for me pretty young I had a pretty developed body by the time I was 12 which came with creeps and clothing restrictions (my mom later changed her mind when she realized it didn't even matter) so all those conversations about girls looking too developed for 13 year olds feel weird to me, even though they make good points. Side note about the creeps: they aren't looking now that I'm an adult which is extra weird and they're always 30 or older! Gross gross gross

I was born at 12:34 pm on January 1st 2001, 01/01/01 1234. My mom thought that was the weirdest thing and called me her numerical baby (I'm pretty bad with math though so it's just my birth date) and everyone is always like ”thats so neat!” when they ask for my birthdate

If I do not live with a cat I will die. Cats are my life I love them so much. The first pet I lived with was a black cat named Luna so makes sense. A black dog named Baby also protected my mom's pregnant stomach from the other doggies trying to jump on her while she was pregnant with me. She died not long after I was born though, she stuck around just long enough to help a fellow mama out :(

These all feel weird and random and tmi but it's 3:23 am my manic hour so my brain is everywhere lol

#asks #alittlebitluna #personalish #about me

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banditthewriter · 6 years

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Higher Education - Caspian X - 5

Thank you for your patience after the passing of my darling Pandora. I’m still not writing, but I figured the least I could do is post something I’ve already written.

Tags are at the bottom. Let me know if you would like to be added to one of my tag lists!

Enjoy!

Previous Part Next Part

***** Dinner was kind of amazing. Caspian brought you to a place you'd never been before. It was slightly more upscale than you were used to, but you figured that Caspian was trying to impress you. The food wasn't overly expensive, so at least there was that. The conversation flowed naturally. The two of you had spent plenty of time together over the past few weeks so you already felt comfortable with him. It involved him asking about your childhood and then telling a few stories for himself. You found out that he didn't have his parents, but that he never let it get him down. "My uncle raised me," he said as he pushed some food around his plate, the first time he wasn't really smiling that evening. "Maybe he wasn't the nicest guy, but he didn't have to take me in. In the end, it didn't really matter. Once I was old enough, I left home." You leaned forward and propped your chin up on your hand as you stared at him. "You were what, eighteen?" "Sixteen," he corrected. "I've lived in Narnia most of my life, but I'm still technically a Telmar citizen and you are considered a legal adult at sixteen years. I left home and, well, I joined the military." That surprised you. While there was something very formal about Caspian sometimes, you never would have pegged him for military. "That's a four year commitment, right?" You tried to remember what you knew about Telmarines in the Narnian military. "Something like that. Two years active, two years reserved. I did my two years reserved first since Telmarine or not, I was in the Narnian military and I needed to be eighteen before I could be sent anywhere. In that time I trained and I took classes. After I finished my four years, I was going to recommit but I decided to go to school instead." He would have been twenty at that point. You did some mental math and then frowned. "So you're twenty-two?" He shook his head and leaned back a bit. "I'll be twenty-four this winter," he said with a grin. At your unasked question, he leaned forward and gestured with his hand a bit. "From twenty to twenty-two, I worked on a degree in history." "I did not expect that, but I guess I should have? You definitely look like someone with a degree in history." "Hey," he said with a laugh, "what's that supposed to mean?" You winked at him, giving him no more than that. The rest of the meal went a bit smoother and by unspoken agreements, you stayed away from the more difficult conversations. By the end of the meal, both of you were laughing so hard that neither of you could walk straight. Caspian reached up and brushed some hair from his face, his dark eyes glinting in the dying light provided by the sun. You smiled and ducked your head, suddenly nervous. His hand moved to your chin, lifting your face until you met his eyes once more. He was grinning and he stepped up so that he was directly in front of you. "I've had a good evening," he said with that smile that made your breath catch in your throat. "Me too," you whispered, unable to keep from smiling. His fingers gently brushed against your jaw, up towards your ear. One of his fingertips brushed against your earlobe and he grinned, his eyes slanting in a way that made you bite your lip. He won't make the first move, you realized. This touch was all you'd get if you didn't take charge. That in mind, you leaned forward and wrapped a hand around the back of his neck to pull him into a kiss. You felt his chuckle dissolve against your lips, his arms coming around your waist to hold you close. ------ "Caspian, are you even listening to me?" You were smiling but truthfully you were worried. Caspian's internship had been taking up a lot of his time recently and you were starting to be worried. "Sorry Y/N," he said quietly, looking up from where he had been blankly staring at his notes. "We have that final exam and then we're free for the break, right? I think I'm just burned out." You reached over and linked your fingers with his, tugging his hand a few times until he leaned against you. "What are your plans for winter break?" The two of you had been together for two months at this point and you had let yourself begin to plan something for his birthday which would be over the break. It was right after Christmas and he had confided to you that he always felt like his birthday was overlooked because of the holiday. Caspian sighed and raised your hand to press a kiss to your knuckles. "I've got some family obligations," he said vaguely with a twitch of his free hand. You knew that he had some family left, but they were all... "You'll be in Telmar?" He nodded, pulling his hand from yours and twisting his ring a bit before he met your eyes. "I've got some things I need to do there and then I was invited to spend a few days with the Pevensie family before classes started back up." That squashed any chance of even seeing him over the break. You tried not to be upset, but you were disappointed. Maybe there was even a little urge to introduce him to your family, but you had pushed that down fast. Caspian must have noticed your reaction because he turned to face you on the couch, reaching out to let his fingers brush against your cheek. "We'll talk constantly. If you think I can survive being around my family for almost a month by myself, you're greatly mistaken." Even though you had just gotten around to telling yourself you'd be okay, you couldn't help the surge of relief that went through you at that. It was apparent that you had gotten pretty attached to him over the last few months and you were happy to see that he felt the same. "Hey Y/N, did I... oh, sorry guys." Eliza was in the doorway, smiling apologetically. You pulled back an inch, but it wasn't like the two of you were dry humping on the couch. You were simply sitting close. "No problem Eliza," you said with a smile, linking your fingers with Caspian's as you turned to face her completely. "Did you need me for something?" "No, I was just wondering if I left my tablet in here somewhere." She scanned the room and then shook her head. "I'm supposed to be getting an email from someone at the newspaper about that job that I applied for." You looked over the side of the couch, smiling when Caspian braced his hands on your hips to keep you from tipping over, and grabbed the tablet. You sat back up and held it out for Eliza to take with a smile. "You're a lifesaver," she said as she kissed the tablet, turning it on and flicking around. "I hate checking my email on my phone so this is great. Thanks a million. I'll leave you guys to it." As she wandered off into the hallway, you turned back to Caspian who was grinning at you. "What?" He raised an eyebrow and tugged you a little closer, his lips brushing your cheek. "Well, she does think that we need our privacy," he teased, making your skin heat up as you grabbed his hand and dragged him towards your bedroom.

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#caspian #caspian x #caspian x reader #caspian imagine #caspian fanfic #my writing

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darkspellmaster · 6 years

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Sailor Senshi x Shitennou Romantic Essay - Sailor Mercury and Zoisite

(Again a warning. Due to the way Tumblr works on the phone, this post is long and if you’re reading on a phone there is no read more button. Sorry in advance.)

So after thinking about it for a while I figured it would be better to start off with the pairing I think is actually the most interesting because it seems to be the most quiet in terms of their personalities, that being Ami Mizuno and Zoisite.

This, oddly enough, is my favorite pairing, and it’s not your traditional romantic couple by a long shot. Ami has always been the quietest of the girls, and second only to Rei when it comes to not being able to deal with boys. Unlike Usagi, Minako and Makoto, Ami is the one of the group that seems less incline to be busy with a romance. This is not to say she’s against it, and it’s been clear in various versions of the show that she wouldn’t mind having a husband and getting married. But part of her goal is to become a doctor, so romance isn’t as strong an idea for her versus the other three, minus Rei.

On the other side of things you have Zoisite who a lot of people thinks would be flirty, however, there’s enough in the materials collection and the recent series, as well as the manga, to have me thinking that flirting is low on his spectrum of interests. That’s not to say that he can’t or won’t flirt, it’s just that it would be very different. We don’t get a lot of Zoisite outside of his brainwashed state, but when we do it’s interesting. He’s very quiet, staying close to Kunzite, and is the second one to get angry when they reveal what’s going on with them. When it comes to seeing Mamoru as the Prince later, he clearly shows that he’s able to smile, though softer than the other three. On top of this when it comes to personality, according to the Materials media, is the youngest and is treated as Kunzite’s younger brother. So this would play a lot on the idea of him as being both the cutie of the group, as well as the brat.

Which brings us to the first point: Characteristics and personalities of the two.

Ami:

When it comes to personality Ami is sweet but never really made friends that easily. Straight up in the episode we first meet her we hear kids commenting on her “weirdness” for being very smart and preferring to read books and study over other things. Because of the fact that she has a bit of a quieter withdrawn sort of nature to herself, she’s often times seen as arrogant and aloof and it took Usagi approaching her with Luna to give others the impression that she’s friendly if quiet. Her intellect is through the roof, and she’s seen as the smartest in her group, with people thinking that she had an IQ of 300.

Naturally her calm nature makes her the most level headed of the five, and it drives her love of math and science, propelling her to want to be a doctor like her mother. Among the group she’s the group of reason, and was able to actually get the older outer senshi to not kill Hotaru with her reasoned explanation of why it would be bad to do so. Ami, because of her smarts, also is the planer of the group, and analyzes situations, items, etc. for them as she has a knack for it, and doesn’t mind. This leads her into trouble, as with the disk incident with Zoisite in Crystal.

It’s her kindness that shines the brightest, as she’s a gentle person who doesn’t like to quarrel with others and abhors the harming of those that are innocent. Her loyalty is unmatched when it comes to Sailor Moon and she would sacrifice herself to save the others if necessary. If she does have, a flaw that the others can point to easily, it’s that she needs to “loosen Up” more. Emotionally though there’s a reason why she pushes herself so much. Her relationship with her mother, the person she looks up to and respects the most, is distant. Her parents at some earlier point in her life divorced, and her Father –a painter –has not seen his daughter in a long while, sending only birthday cards with well wishes every year. Her mother is always busy, making it harder for Ami to grow close to her mother at all.

One thing of note about Ami is that, while she’s very busy with studying and her job as a scout, she’s also an excellent swimmer –which probably has an attachment to the water element in her, and she also excels at playing Chess, as well as listening to music.

As for Zoisite:

When it comes to personality Zoisite is a kind person but comes off as a bit aloof and cold. This isn’t to say that he’s not a good person, but rather, unlike the others less likely to make a shallow friendship with someone. That comes down to a few things I believe. For starters he’s seen as effeminate, probably an overly refined person who can come off as someone extremely polite and courteous to others. He has a lot of delicate features and looks and probably comes off with a quiet thinking softness to him that makes a lot of people underestimate him.

We know that he’s curious by nature, as the first time we meet him he’s pondering what the crystal really is, and given what we saw later with him, we know he’s the sort to think things through before enacting a plan, until he’s frustrated to the point where he just reacts and makes large mistakes in the process. Zoisite is the most level headed of the Shintennou and also probably the most sensitive of the group. When, in the manga, both of his friends died, Zoisite became emotional to the point of seeking revenge upon Rei herself for the death of Jadeite, and later on Sailor Moon for the death of Nephrite. He’s a deeply caring person who probably doesn’t outwardly show it a lot to other people.

We know that he tends to act mature, but also is very immature too. Being the youngest member of the team he’s more then likely treated as the charming one and one that a lot of people want to protect. Zoisite more then likely uses that to his advantage, being charming and then manipulating the situation to best serve what he needs it too. I also get the impression that he dislikes being underestimated, and looked down upon, and probably has some deep seeded issues with his physical appearance. Due to this he tends to come off as a smart ass, even if he is the most intelligent of the group and probably uses his words to wound people more than using his sword. He hides a lot from others but when he does show his affection, it’s very strong.

When it comes to loyalty, he’s probably only matched by Kuznite, who is seen as an elder brother figure for him and probably one he emulates in how he comes off. No doubt that to the Prince he was probably the one that was the most willing to give his life directly due to the fact that Endymion possibly saw past his appearance to the strong, kind, and pure person that Zoisite was under all his coolness. It’s also clear that Zoisite is very clever and willing to be underhanded when it comes to getting a job done, and would rather end things quickly then prolong a fight just to be seen as noble or something like that. The faster something is done, the quicker things can be healed and mended.

He also is someone that adapts to things very quickly and doesn’t like to lose, he more than likely enjoys trying to one up someone in wits and possibly in who is smarter at times. He also get’s frustrated and distant when angry until he’s annoyed to the point where he emotionally reacts to something like a kid would and then becomes embarrassed by it.

For Zoisite, reading and probably learning about things would be a hobby of sorts, and possibly creating tech for the team would be another.

So connections between them….

As far as Mercury and Zoisite of the past there does seem to be hints of how these two would work as a couple in the Silver Millennium.

We know that both are extremely loyal to their leaders, that being the Princess and the Prince, and no doubt both would find a common ground in that idea. They are also intellectuals that seem to prefer dealing damage at a distance, and also are underestimated due to both their physical appearance and their natural quiet nature.

I have no doubt that like Mercury, Zoisite probably was seen as the most introverted of the group. The weak link in the chain due mostly to his physical appearance. He can easily be seen as a woman, and possibly, because of his refine polite skills, he was talked about as the lesser of the Knights. Throw in that he also probably was seen as short and young and given the more aggressive personality of Nephrite, may have felt that he had to be cool and aloof in order for people to stop treating him as a child, and may have enventually learned to use that to his advantage.

That same feeling of being seen as the weaker one probably created a strong understanding between them, and probably lead to them becoming friendly with one another. Yet another aspect is the fact that both Mercury and Zoisite seem to share a kindness to them that quiet and unlike the others, this has to be drawn out by more extroverted people.

Zoisite’s head shots tell a lot of his story, and given that he doesn’t strike me as someone that easily could let himself fall in love, it’s not very hard to see that when he fell for Mercury it was probably very hard and he didn’t realize it until he did and then it was a lock on him. From the way he holds her in the picture to the look that he gives her in the fight, it’s clear that, at least from his end, he’s a bit more possessive of her. Not that he wouldn’t give her space and become a stalker like figure, more that he would want to be by her side and keep her shielded from attacks and harm.

Another thing that I think both would probably have made a connection on was the fact that both seem to be the planners for the group and the smart one on the team. This could lead to them discussing things with each other that would have the others completely lost on for whatever reason. I also have the odd idea, in the back of my mind, given that Zoisite is a technopath and seems to have a lot of skill with different forms of technology, it wouldn’t surprise me at all to think that either he made the goggles and the head set for Mercury to use. Or helped her in developing them at some point in time to give the girls an advantage in finding the princess when she went missing or other issues that came about.

As for Ami and Zoisite, there’s a lot more to go with there when (not if) the Shitennou come back.

We know that Ami is a kind hearted person who’s intelligence can bring out the best in other people. Her nature of caring and finding out the truth to things and being willing to put herself on the line would be someone that Zoisite would find very interesting and also someone that he would want to challenge in the friendly sense to see who’s smarter.

The two both have issues with making friends or finding companionship and knowing Ami, seeing how Usagi helped pull her out of her shell, she would want to extend the same thing for Zoisite. It would give him a moment of someone actually wanting to see past his looks and realize that he’s actually a lot stronger than he first appears. I could also see her realizing before the others that the aloofness is more of an act and not part of his real personality, more that it’s a cover to hide a sensitive side that he worries others will exploit.

The two would probably be a match on the study side of things, and, seeing how Zosite would be 16 to 17 years old, he’d probably be one of Ami’s rivals when it came to testing scores. Not only that, but again, pointing to his use of technology for his plans, one can then speculate that probably Zoisite would have an interest in the sciences. Given that he’s the Knight of Healing, it’s not that huge a leap of logic to assume that he, like Ami, may want to go into the medical field, or possibly something where he could use his logic and insight to excel at helping others. Both are the voice of reason for logic, and Zoisite would more or less be able to help her find information that could allow her to gain a better understanding of her own personal ideas.

Throw in there that Zoisite more or less would be the one that would have the skills to be a charmer, and it’s not hard to see him using that on her to get her to step away from the studying, even if he himself may understand why she is pushing herself so hard, and to have some fun. He’d also be able help her find some way of getting a better connection to both her parents, as healing doesn’t just refer to a physical condition, it could be a mental or emotional one as well.

Zoisite would be impressed with her use of words to deal with a situation. Even if he’s not the peacekeeper of the group, he’s probably the one that is able to use his words to get people to do what he wants. So seeing her use them to defuse a situation, or get others to back up from a fight would be something that he would find heavily attractive in a person, I would think. I also feel that their loyalty again would be the start of common ground as she’s friends with Mamoru and he would see the compassion and trust that she has in the young Prince, something that he sees in him too.

One thing I think for sure that could unite them is their love of books, and Zoisite would more than likely enjoy playing chess with her. I have no doubt that he’d be in the stands cheering for her on the swim team and they probably would both enjoy sitting around listening to music.

I’m also going to throw in there that Zosite is probably the sort of person who, when he sees someone he loves across the room being asked out by someone else, he’d probably send that person running with a glare. Then act as if the person had some weird reason to leave.

So what does Ami see in Zoisite?

Ami would see the compassion and deep kindness behind the aloof exterior. She would easily see someone that she could talk to about family issues and a person that could understand those things. She would be attracted by his more refined nature and probably by his intellect. A battle of wits could be part of it, along with enjoying the fact that Zoisite is someone who would be flattered or embarrassed by her way of nonphysical flirting.

Ami’s the type of person who would also feel for him, being an only child, and also understand how it feels to be seen as the weak link in the group. She would try to help him overcome his own issues of doubt in himself that he probably tends to cover up and work with him to find a way to show his strength in a more positive light. She’d also be the one, along with Usagi, to pull him out of his shell and get him to loosen up more and be more willing to have fun.

Given the smile on her face in the main picture I have no doubt that she feels happy when she’s with him and his warmth comes through for her. Zosite’s charming nature and general politeness would also win her over and she might find him a bit on the dangerous side given his ability to manipulate others to do what he wants. At the same time, she’d also respect that he mostly does that for the sake of making thing end quickly so that peace can come back to them.

Romantically speaking she would be drawn to him based on his intelligence and quiet nature, and she’d stay around for his kindness and actual willingness to understand others and way of trying to help others heal or fix what’s the matter with them to the best of his ability.

So what does Zosite see in Ami?

Other than her soft beauty he’d be taken in by her kindness and warm nature. He’d also become quickly attracted to how strong she is, even though her attacks can be seen as weak. He’d also be interested in her intelligence, and how smart she actually is, and find her shy nature very much a cute aspect of her, even if he doesn’t say it that much.

For him, love would be something that again, he would not see coming and when it hit him, he wouldn’t let her go, not for an instant. He’d find in her someone that he could talk about not only things that interested him, but also someone who didn’t judge him for his looks and appearance. The fact that others saw her as aloof would be something that would surprise him and also make him protective of her against other words of harm that could be bestowed upon her. He’d probably want to help her deal with her parents in some way, and listen to her when she was upset over things.

Zoisite would see her as a friendly rival, always trying in some way to challenge her perception of things and make her think outside the box, and come up with new plans to deal with things. He’d teach her to think on her feet and be able to observe and realize what’s going on and to multitask in a situation. Also I have a feeling he’d work with her to find a way to pair up their powers to make them a hard duo to beat on the field. (Snow and Crystal shard attack?)

He’d also fall for her due to her view of quarrels and the harming of the innocent, something I think he agrees with as the Knight of healing. I can also see him trying to teach her how to use her quietness to become more observant and also how to use her calmness to get others to listen to what she has to say for a larger group of people.

On top of all that her determination to become a doctor, and her desire to help the scouts, even when things are harder for her, would make him want to be with her even more. I also think that her loyalty would be something that he would see as a start to common ground for them.

Romantically speaking he would be drawn to her quiet nature, but also her kindness and beauty. He’d see someone he would want to protect but also someone who was an equal match on the intelligence and cleaver factor. He’d stay around because of her honesty and determination, as well as the fact that he could tease her and she wouldn’t judge him harshly for his actions, choices, or the fact that he can be a bit of a smart ass and a flirt around her.

So how would these two have met in the past and how would they meet in the present.

(*seeking out the artist so I can credit for this image)

For the past, I assumed that the girls probably split up to find the princess. Knowing Mercury she possibly went to search for the princess where she would think Serenity would likely go to, such as a meadow or somewhere where she could feel the open air and the like. More than likely, while she was searching, she came upon Zoisite reading or observing something, or vice versa. Zoisite is not one to beat around the bush about situations, so he probably came up to her, and politely, but seriously, asked her who she was and what she was doing on earth.

Mercury most likely introduced herself to him, and he did so to her, and told her that the moon people weren’t supposed to be there. I’m pretty sure the two had a short chat over what her reason for being there was, and he agreed to escort her around to find the princess, and probably explained that they were having similar issues with the prince and that once they found them, she and the princess could leave.

However the two, wind up finding more in common during this early time and become friendly with one another, eventually prompting Mercury to agree with the Princess about going back down again, and meeting with the Knights to become friends and learn more about the world that they’re protecting from above. This would lead Mercury to ask Zoisite about what he could tell her about earth and he’d probably bring her books upon books to study about the planet, it’s history and it’s people. During this time, the two would fall for one another, and Zoisite probably came up with the idea of meeting the girls under the tree as a means of being the spot where the four could come together.

(*seeking out the artist so I can credit for this image)

As for the present, my guess would be that Zoisite, as with the other knights, would have been in Japan for whatever reason. Given his looks, I would think that he may be half-European half Japanese and more than likely the prince of his school, or possibly bullied for his looks. Given he’s a year younger or the same age as Mamoru he would probably have the same sort of schedule as Ami heading to school. No doubt, the two probably would be rivals for the top spot in testing, and he probably sees her as a challenge.

If anything, I think the two would more than likely meet at first as rivals, with Zoisite informing her that he’ll take her top spot, and this leads to a friendly competition between them. If anything, he would probably and eventually, like the girls, regain his memories when he met Mamoru and because of his kindness and seeing the kind hearted person inside whomever Zoisite was. Of course, he would be helping his Prince with whatever issues that he may have and end up assisting the girls as they dealt with enemies.

During this time, he and Ami would probably forge a friendship more than a romance as he would point out that they are not the same people that they were in the past and that they need to come to terms with who they are now and not who they were then. Eventually, however, Zoisite would probably be the first to realize his feelings for her and, with the blessing of his Prince, decide to move on it. Again, both are shier introverted individuals, so they wouldn’t have a huge passionate confession or anything like that. Being the nerds they are, it would probably be a slow burning but strong dating thing, taking things one-step at a time till finally they could actually come to a mutual agreement that they were in love with one another and proceed from there.

(seeking out credit for the artist)

As for their future? Not really sure on that one. Zoisite strikes me as someone who could potentially do all sorts of things for a living. I could see him going into medicine, but also someone who could easily peruse the arts in a more logical kind of way. It’s hard to point out what he would do, Ami on the other hand we know would become a doctor like her father, and Zoisite would support her as she strove to do that as she would support him in whatever his endeavor would be.

Whatever the case may be for the two on a professional level, I feel like romantically they would be the most likely to have the the deepest connection in regard to a mental thing going on. Probably not very showy when it comes to public displays of affection, but more then likely very affectionate and sweet when alone and in public small things go a long way for them. No doubt they would be the pairing that would make each other smile the most on inside jokes that the others didn’t get.

So the next one up would be Makoto and Nephrite. Hoping to get on that next week.

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dykedteach · 6 years

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tagged by the wonderful @lena221b for these questions (daaays ago), thanks lovely!

The rules are:

✰ post the rules

✰ answer the questions given to you by the tagger

✰ write eleven questions of your own

✰ tag eleven people

1. You are filming a polyamorous romcom. Who do you cast?

Tessa Thompson, because she’s great and I want to see her in everything. John Boyega, because oh my god can you imagine him in a romcom? Hollywood is missing out on a trick here. And Luke Arnold, because he’s been all over my dashboard today and I miss him.

2. Do you like museums? What kind of museums?

I do, I love them! Art museums are brilliant, but I think my favourites are those super interactive science museums. The one in London is amazing.

3. What was the weirdest thing you’ve ever cooked?

Hmm, I once made cookie cups and then filled them with sickly sweet icing, that wasn’t great. I don’t think I cook many weird things?

4. You know I’m a language enthusiast, so I’m super interested in any kind of language related facts. Just say anything about you and languages, the languages you speak/are learning/want to learn, the language you speak at work/uni vs. at home, a favourite word in a foreign language, anything really.

I’m not really fluent in any other languages besides English, but I studied German in school and did really well at it, and I went to some evening classes a few years ago to help improve my skills. I’d love to be fluent in it! I’m learning it at the moment with duolingo, as well as French, and Greek!

5. Do you remember this SOFT BOYS DOING SOFT THINGS POST inspired by the BOYS video? Examples include: Diego Luna opening a bottle of sparkling rosé, Stanley Tucci making a pie crust, Andrew Garfield bathing a puppy, etc. Now it’s your turn to play :) Who is doing what?

Ohhh my god yes. I love this concept. John Boyega riding a pastel yellow bicycle with a basket full of flowers on the front. Armie Hammer in flannel pyjamas. Oscar Isaac on a porch at dawn with oils and an easel, painting the sunrise. That one screencap of Toby Stephens where he’s knitting and pulling a dumbass face. All are good.

6. What is that extremely niche thing (pairing, kink) that you’re into and wish more people shared with you?

i still feel like silver/rackham has a lot of potential as a crack pairing for the ages t b h

7. Do you have second-hand fandoms? Like fandoms that you’re not actively involved in but your friends are and/or it’s on your dash a lot so you know what’s going on even if you don’t watch the thing.

I kinda do I guess! Overwatch is one of them, I don’t participate in it but I know shit about it and I’m smart enough, for instance, to know that I’d totally let Moira rail me.

8. What’s a show that’s badly underrated and that everyone should watch according to you?

:) :) :)

do i even gotta say it by this point, all of my followers by this point are either Black Sails fans, or have been going “YES, we get it, we know, now fuck off.” every time I mention it. I’m also currently trying to convince my coworkers to watch Queer Eye!

9. How do you use your likes and drafts on tumblr? Like, I “park” untagged reblogs in my drafts until I have the time to read them (if they are lengthy text posts) and tag them for queuing. I use my likes very liberally, sometimes it’s a way for me to say I’ve seen your post and I support you, for example, or just as a reminder that I’ve already reblogged a post.

I use my likes as a place to keep posts I want to reblog later, or look at in more detail, or keep for reference (or like, if I just like something, like a response or a selfie). When I make my queue, I do it from my likes. Drafts, I use for my fics! Which is a terrible idea!

10. What perfume/cologne do you wear? Or alternatively, what’s your favourite?

I’m still mainly using a Givenchy one I got a few years ago in NY, but I need a scent update soon I think. My absolute favourite was a bergamot scented one I got from the louvre giftshop, and I haven’t found anything I love as much since.

11. According to you, which movie should win the Academy Award for Best Picture this year?

My personal favourites so far have been Call Me By Your Name, Get Out, and The Shape Of Water. I want them all to win big, but I’m not sure which one should get best picture!

my questions!

1. Did you have an album that you played over and over, memorising the lyrics and the track listing and rereading the lyric booklet growing up?

2. Do you like getting, or buying yourself, flowers? What’s your favourite kind?

3. Do you plan your activities before you go on holiday or on a trip? Or do you make it up as you go along? Or just not really do anything and chill through your trips?

4. What would be in (or on!) your ideal luxury hot chocolate?

5. Do you have any names planned out for children? (if you want them, of course)

6. What year did you join tumblr?

7. If you’re at a bar, what do you order as your go-to drink?

8. What kind of pencil cases did you use when you were in school? Like, were you a practical clear plastic case person, or a fluffy pink case, or (like I did) a kid gothy type cases with chains and zips on, or whatever?

9. You’re getting married tomorrow. Congrats! You get to choose one celebrity to be your maid of honour/best man (is there a gender neutral term for that kind of role? like, right hand person? you know what I mean anyway), one celebrity to perform the ceremony (they got certified online the night before, don’t worry), and one celebrity to provide entertainment or music. Who do you choose?

10. What’s your favourite memory of eating something with a family member when you were a little kid?

11. Sun or Moon?

tagging (if you feel like it, no worries if you don’t!) @ourrealitiesaredifferent @beneaththeblacksails @plushvelvetsondheims @bisexualpirateheart @buildarocketboys @hermanncrab @scarletsue @betanoiz @arts-and-maths @klexquisite @dillyboys

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from-red-string · 7 years

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Why?

This shout out for the simbar shippers after the lutteo ficweek, which I loved and is amazing.

Sorry for not finishing it, I had some problems.

Ps: Especial thanks to Ellie @fangirlelliethings for handling my excited self for this fic and proofreading for me ILY

Emms @rowbrinaswift I need your reaction haha

Anyway, Simbar now! I hope you like it.

“Why do you two work so well?”

When I first heard this question, my first reaction was to start laughing out loud. How could anyone think that?

We’ve had a long way to become what we are now. I’m not even sure how it started. I was a plastic rich girl from Buenos Aires and he was a waiter in Cancun. What were the chances of us meeting? What were our odds of ending up together?

But against all of the odds, we’ve met. The beginning was terrible. I thought Simón was Luna’s dog, also known as Luna’s best friend that was ridiculously in l love with her. And for Simón, I’m not sure what he thought about me for real, but he politely says that he had no problem with me even though I was mean to Luna.

After a while, I broke up with Matteo, who was in love with Luna and she liked him back. Since I needed to get away from Matteo, my best option for a pair up was Simón. Even better, we were two products of love rejection.

What better way to fix a broken heart than to meet another one?

It was cool to skate with him. We seemed connected, we had the same rhythm. The rhythm that guide me was the same that guide him. Skating together had made me realize that we worked together very well.

This realization scared me so bad. Nothing ever worked well for me naturally. I've always needed to make things to go my way. It was good for once to just let it be and it was going fine by itself. With Simón, it was easy to talk, to dance, to play, to be me, it was easy but also so intense. Every feeling I got around him was strong, awestruck, real. Nothing was a pretense.

And my stupid self had noticed how great they were, so I had this ridiculous revenge plan where I wanted to make Simón against Luna because I thought that would make her suffer as much as I suffered when she took my best friend. I didn’t realize that was a mistake until it was too late.

I was in love. Probably, I was in love with him even before that but when I noticed it, the scariest moment of my life came right after that. If I'd thought that what I felt when I was with Simón was fear, I was wrong. When Simón discovered the plan, I saw that the fear I felt before was not even close to a real fear. The only thing that made me feel good. The only person with who I could be myself and I manage to destroy all of this. I was so afraid of losing him. In that time, he told me something that was painful but true.

“You can’t lose what you’ve never had for real. All we had was a lie - your lie.”

It took me so much time to stop thinking about this sentence. Even after he had forgave me, he needed to say a billion times that he didn't mean it that way.

“I was angry hurt boy. I wanted you to feel as bad as I felt. I was yours before you first talked to me. I knew I was yours when I first saw you on Jam & Roller’s stage singing. I heard your voice and I knew it was a lost battle, I couldn’t fight against it.”

For so long, the guilt of hurting Simón followed me but we are okay now. I realized Simón doesn’t care about this anymore, so it was time for me to let it go. I’ve learned that those plans and acts only end up by hurting me and who I loved so it needed to be in the past.

About love - my first “I love you” came out on one of our secret nights, the ones when Simón would sneak in my room late night and leave early morning. I’m sure Amanda noticed the existence of male clothes in a drawer in my closet but she's never said a word about it, at least not to me.

“Do you really need this thing on all night?” Simón asked pointing at the air conditioner, taking his shirt off. “It’s winter. It’s already cold.” He complained sitting on my bed.

“I need the air on to sleep and you wouldn’t feel so cold if you'd wear some clothes.” I said coming from the closet and laughing when he gasped, but then smirked and I frowned.

“You want me with clothes on? Okay.” He reached for his shirt on the floor, provoking me. I stopped him by stepping up closer and putting a hand on his chest.

“No.” I said shaking my head and slowly pushing him to lay down. “I can keep you warm.” Then I kissed him.

Eventually, the “I love you” slipped out of my lips, shocking Simón. He already confessed his love a hundred times before and in various forms. He has never rushed me to say it back even through he wanted to hear me saying it, so hearing it from me for the first time made him really happy. Also it made me happier for feeling confident enough for saying it out loud.

Our happiness could've lasted longer if the whole 'Sol Benson' drama didn't come. The discovery that I wasn’t Sol Benson had wrecked me. First, I wasn’t Ámbar Smith, then I wasn’t Sol Benson. I freaked out. I believed that I was no one that I had nothing and no one, and the life that I've lived before was somebody else's life. Everything previous had belong to someone else, so I needed to start over. I needed a name. I chose to be the new “Ámbar Smith”, I created her before so it was time to recreate her. If Sharon Benson’s ever wished to destroy someone’s life, that was when she'd succeeded.

I felt so lost, I had no direction to go, I was a train whose rail ended but couldn't stop itself. Simón had tried to help me, to make me stop, to reach out for me, but I kept pushing him away, I confused his care for control and I didn’t need somebody to try control my life.

He tried everyday, he didn’t give up. Somehow he knew I still needed him.

When I couldn’t handle it anymore, ready for a free fall, he was there to catch me.

Together we started solving the dazzle that was me. He helped me to get to know who I am and we realized that he already was a part of me.

One day we were coming back from my therapy session in Simón's car - Luckily, he got his license during my dark phase, it was truly just luck - I have no idea how someone like him could pass. I’ve become our official driver, soon after I got my license. We figured out that was safer.

“Last song was bit lame. But that beat.” Simón commented replaying the best with his mouth. I had no idea what music is he talking about.

“Yes, obvi.” I agreed taking my eyes off the window, Simón laughed.

“You ignored the radio.” He stated shaking his head smirking. “A kiss for your thoughts.” We usually do that to get things from each other, it’s a silly joke but I enjoy it. And that would've worked if he wasn’t driving.

“Concentrate on the road and try not kill us, driver.” I replied. Although he was an okay driver, I wouldn’t bet our life on Simón’s multitasking skills. Simón grinned and turned the radio up.

I don’t ask for you to change, baby no no no

And you don’t ask for me to change

Tell me how we're not alike

But we work so well and we don’t even know why

“This song is way better.” He smiled saying it. I silently agreed, smiling back, then turned back to the window again.

But I couldn’t ignore this song.

In that time, I still lived in Benson’s mansion, even through I didn’t talk to Sharon anymore. I ate in the kitchen and started being friend with Luna. She made staying there easier. Almost the whole time I spent in the mansion was with her - studying, watching movies, even cooking.

Within a year, I moved in with Simón. We were alright living together. He cooked I did the math - bills part and we divide the cleaning duties. I was finishing college, so sometimes we had a few parties to go. At one specific party there was a cold night, the people that went there were not that cool and we didn’t feel like drinking, we weren’t enjoying being there, but I needed to stay a little because it was my classmate's birthday.

“So cold!” I murmured to myself, brushing my arms with my hands, Simón gave me his jacket. Sometimes, cold seemed to be just a thing from my head because I was shaking but Simón didn't feel a thing.

“Aren’t you the one who loves the air on?” He mocked, hugging me. Simón was trying to make us leave the party and go home, he want us to have some privacy. It was taking all of me not to give in.

“It’s different.” I answered and I shivered losing my breath when he kissed a skin spot right below my ear. He knows me too well. “You’re dirty, Simón. That’s a low move.”

“I’m just a player who try to beat his enemy.” He whispered low with his lips almost glued to my ear, then gave me a hickey on the neck making me suppress the moan that arised. “Can we go now?”

He asked taking a step back to look in my eyes. I nodded unable to speak. I gave in. After all those years, Simón's effect on me was still as surprising as the first, but it’s stronger and better each time.

9 months after that night, Emma came, our first daughter. Fortunately, I had only 6 months of college to go when I got pregnant so Emma came in the right time. Emma’s birth was perfect and we couldn’t be happier. Luna is her godmother, she really loves Emma. Emma was the best unexpected thing that happened to us.

And that’s a huge fact when nothing on your parents life is as expected or has a plan set.

“Emms, your mom is sleeping.” I heard Simón, whispering to the 1 year old Emma in his arms, when I woke up from my nap on the sofa. I got up to give them a kiss.

“Hey, how was your day at the studio?” I asked letting Emma play with my hand. Simón has a studio with the Roller Band, they were a pretty famous band but they've decided to do less tours and work more on producing music. Simón says they want to give a chance to some new bands.

“Good. Emma was a success singing with Pedro. What about you? How is Fab & Chic going?” He said with his hand caressing my cheek. Oh yeah, I work with Jazmín and Delfi, we created the Fab & Chic brand clothes, there’s a store and a fashion blog, we are doing pretty well. I’m the manager, the three of us have different accomplishment functions in the company, each if us doing what is best at. Emma goes with us to work some days, since she’s on vacation from her daycare.

And now, 10 years after that day, things didn’t change much. And you could’ve thought that would be boring, well, you would be wrong. It’s not that we've found a happily ever after - we don’t. We can’t find something that doesn’t exists. But we know we are happier living together than apart, so we just live passing through whatever we need.

Okay, many things have changed. Luna and Matteo are married, Gastón and Nina aren’t yet - Nina keeps delaying it. I can’t judge it, Simón and I haven't got married neither, but we don’t need this. About us, we had twins, Ellie and Lucas, who are the best planned thing in what we succeed in.

At least, one of them was planned. The twin part wasn’t exactly expected.

But Emma is the one who changed the most. She can eat alone, wipe herself, sleep the whole night, walk and talk. Indeed, it was her question that started all this wondering.

My eyes are locked to Simón's. We are on the sofa and the twins are watching Trolls on TV.

“We don’t know why.” I answered for both of us, looking at Emma.

“It need to have reason.” Emma whispers staring the TV.

“Is it the time?” Simón mouths to me, my eyes widened. I think he’s right. Oh girl, my baby. I nodded. “Emms,” He calls her, she turns to him. “When a boy and a girl like each other,”

“No no no. I already…” Emma stands up saying with the hands on her hips. She’s undeniably my daughter. “I’m done.” And goes to the kitchen. We start laughing, the twins looking at us, confused but soon go back to watching the movie.

“You started just perfect.” I mocked getting closer to him and laid my head on his shoulder.

“I love you.” He says kissing my forehead.

“I love you.”

#simbar #simbar fic #that was my favorite fic to write ever #ahhh #also M thanks for being my friend all the way #I love you #sl #soy luna

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makikoigami · 7 years

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[Fic] Final Fantasy XV - Noctis Week Day 7

Title: “Optimistic negative thing” Day 7: Free choice / Happy Birthday Rating: PG Wordcount: 4929 Spoilers: Spoilers for brotherhood Warnings: Supportive Dad Regis. Disclaimer: I own nothing and I never played the game. Still, these guys happen to occupy my mind. Not my fault Summary: "Birthdays as a kid were great." Noctis' birthdays through the years and how he had always wished for just one thing. And the year that he got it, he almost ruined it. Promptis Notes&Comments: Written (also) for @noctisweek 2017. One afternoon. ^^;

Birthdays as a kid were great.

Everybody in the citadel wished him a happy birthday, he would get his favorite treats starting breakfast and his father, the king, would make time for him to the point where he spent most of the day with him.

Noctis loved his father, who was always kind and smiled at him, who had the warmest hugs and the scratchiest kisses thanks to his beard that tickled Noctis' soft skin whenever their cheeks rubbed against each other. He knew these days were special, because he knew that even though his father tried to do his best to see him as often as he could, sometimes he just couldn't. There was a kingdom to be ruled, the city of Insomnia to be protected and Noctis was just one person. But he missed nothing.

His fifth birthday was special. He had friends now, a tall boy called Ignis, who looked much older than the three years between them. He was bossy, but, well, Noctis guessed that came with his age and role as his advisor. Whatever that was supposed to mean. He had been three years old then and all that he cared about was playing outside in the citadel's garden with the toys he had collected over the years.

This year however, just after lunch, his father came to him and hugged him wordlessly.

"Why are you sad?" Noctis asked, trying to squirm away from that scratchy beard.

"Noct, my boy, you know that I love you more than anything on Eos?" Regis said, his voice shaking slightly.

"I know dad, you tell me every day!" Noctis replied, giggling, because that stupid beard was tickling him just too much.

"Good," Regis sighed, setting him down on his lap. "You know that I am the one making sure that no daemons or other dangerous things come into Insomnia thanks to the power of the Crystal at the heart of this Citadel, right? One day, that will be your duty, as the crown prince..."

"I know, but that's still a long time to go, right?" Noctis grinned. "You're going to be king for a long time still."

"That's right," Regis smiled, charmed by his son's youthful optimism. He ran a hand through his hair, looking like he would promise him the impossible so that he would never know a day of sadness.

Noctis smiled back at him and hugged him tight.

"Noct, what do you say about a day away from all of this? Dad will teach you how to fish," the king grinned boyishly and picked him up. A wide grin spread over Noctis' face. Everything with his father was fun and he was sure that even though Ignis seemed to be appalled by the idea, fishing sounded like fun.

Three years later, Noctis had been on his way back from a very fun trip when the convoy he was in was attacked by a vicious daemon. It had a snake tail and the body of a woman with six arms that wielded six swords that cut easily through everything. As he ended up on the ground, gravely wounded by cuts on his back, blood everywhere, all that he could think of was how he was glad that Ignis hadn't been there with him because he had been bedridden by something ridiculous like a cold.

The last thing he saw before he lost consciousness was his father wielding his swords, fighting the monster.

The next time he woke up, his father was leaning over him with a worried expression. He didn't know how long he had slept, but something told him that it had been quite some time. But he was still exhausted. So he just fell asleep again a short while later.

He celebrated his next birthday with Luna in Tenebrae. Luna was fun, but he learned about the history of the Oracle - her mother - and the magic of the king. She taught him about the Starscrouge, the disease which he had caught as the daemon's blood touched his wounds. Luna's mother had done her best to heal him of that, but some of it seemed to have gotten him bad and that was why he was sleepy so often now. However, Luna was also three years older than him and a lot more dutiful than Noct thought he could ever be. Her brother Ravus was even worse and Noctis found himself missing Ignis every now and then.

However, they had these yummy pastries every day, and Noctis was happy.

That was until Niflheim attacked and annexed Tenebrae, killing Luna's mother in the process. His own dutiful part admired her for staying behind to be there for her people, but he couldn't help ask his father if she would be okay again and again on the ride home to Insomnia. He remembered how his father's face showed his frustration and anger, but also worry as he reassured Noctis again and again that she would be okay.

Somehow birthdays were less fun after that. Ignis did his best to recreate everything that he liked to eat, but kept bugging him with vegetables and greens that Noctis had no interest in. He found a friend in Gladio's little sister Iris, went to a public school in hopes that he could make a friend there. However, his classmates were more interested in his status rather than his person. There had been this heavy boy who had approached him one day with a camera in his hand, but alas, it didn't seem like they were in the same class.

His father was still celebrating his birthdays with him, but the world seemed a lot duller than it had been before the attack of that daemon.

Noctis directed his teenage tantrums at both Ignis and Gladio, both young men trying to shape them in the way they had been shaped. It was frustrating, because they were such know-it-alls and even if Gladio was open and honest with him after a good sparring round, he was still older and it frustrated Noctis that he didn't take his problems serious enough.

The only thing he had been looking for on his fourteenth birthday was to go fishing with his dad and he was more than a little delighted as they sat on their respective foldable chairs, fishing lines somewhere in the lake, listening to the sounds insects and animals made all around them. The crownsguard was there to keep them safe from any and all daemon attacks, Gladio and his father making sure that the king and his son were undisturbed and Noctis swore it was the most at peace he had felt in many years.

He told his father about school, how he had no problem at all with the topics, admitted that he was just lazy to do even better. But he was on top of his class anyway, no need to outdo himself and frustrate the others even more.

"You're very kind," Regis had laughed, making Noctis blush and almost miss the trout that had caught his lure. After he had pulled in the fish and put it into the container so that they could eat it later on, he found himself admitting that he missed only one thing in his life. Despite all the kids in his class, he had no one of his age with similar interests, no one he could call his friend.

His father smiled wistfully, turning to look out at the lake.

"Your mother was my best friend before she became my wife," Regis said, his voice growing heavy. "Losing her... broke my heart... But in return I got you and she lives on in you. You make living without her easier."

Noctis stared at his father. For all the time he had known his father, the king had never talked about his feelings for Noctis' mother and the prince had always thought that it hurt him just too much. He had learned that his mother was a beautiful woman, gentle and kind and that he had inherited most of her traits. Only his temper had been courtesy of his father, but alas, that was nothing that he couldn't keep in check.

"Dad..."

"I know I don't talk much about her... but there hasn't been a day when I haven't thought about her, when I haven't missed her. I'm sorry that you weren't allowed to meet her," Regis said, his face wearing the same expression he had worn 9 years ago, on Noctis' fifth birthday.

"It's okay... I... I don't really... I miss her, but it's... It's okay? That sounds cold, but..."

"You've never known your mother. Makes it hard to miss her as much as I miss her," Regis smiled, his features smoothing over. "Ah, I can't wait to see you fall in love. It's the most wonderful, the most painful feeling."

"Oh god, dad , please. I'm not interested in these kinds of things!"

"Are you sure? Ignis tells me some of your comics are pretty saucy," Regis teased, just to burst out laughing at Noctis' deep red face.

"That's... that's just... I-I mean... I'm supposed to look at these things, am I not?" Noctis tried to plead his case.

"I'm not judging you," Regis said. "You're young, you're a boy, you're probably bursting with hormones, so I guess I can be glad that you haven't tried to make a move on anyone yet. I would be very disappointed to learn about these things from the press."

"I... Dad, there isn't anyone I'm interested in. Even if, they wouldn't be interested in me because everybody just seems to want to know about the prince and not, well, me ."

"Mhm, that is indeed a problem... But trust me, son, eventually you will find the one who you will be head over heels for."

Noctis sighed and steered the conversation away from that sensitive topic to much safer things like math tests and history lessons. The young prince even humored his father by expressing an interest in the current politics and he learned that Lucis was in ongoing negotiations with Nifelheim and that they worked how not to let them escalate into a new war, even if Nifelheim seemed to be hiding many things from them.

It was only much later, when they were back at home that Noctis realized that his father hadn't been talking about a girl that Noctis might fall in love with. Since he hadn't really been leaning to either gender in his phantasies yet, he felt relieved that this wouldn't be a war that he had to fight. By then, he was aware that his father had been a very lucky man to be able to marry the woman that he loved and that Noctis might not be so lucky in the not so far future, but at least his father sounded supportive should he ever fall in love with whoever he fell in love.

Sleeping that night was easy.

Noctis' sixteenth birthday wasn't what he had expected the year before.

His fifteenth birthday had been the first he spent in his own apartment, a spacious place near the school he went to with a nice view on the citadel. But Noctis needed that distance to his upcoming duties and while moving during the summer break was a pain in the ass with the hot weather, he was happy where he was now. He had promised to spend most of the next months in the Citadel still, but as soon as high school started for him, he vowed to stay here and live his life before he had to live his life for the throne alone. Noctis wanted to go out, he wanted to find a friend, he wanted to find love, he wanted to live his life.

He had never said any of these things to his father. But Regis had encouraged him to live his life away from the palace, told him to live his life to the fullest in his youth. However, neither of them had expected these things to happen so quickly.

In April, on his first day of high school, he was approached by a lanky boy with a grin so wide and friendly that he was blinded for a second. Still, something had been familiar and it had taken Noctis a few seconds to realize that this was the heavy kid from back then. He learned that his name was Prompto, that he loved photography and animals, cute ones especially.

They just clicked off immediately and after a week, Noctis had invited Prompto over for the first time. After that it seemed that Prompto had just moved in with Noctis, going home sometimes, but most of the time he spent his time with his new friend, two lonely boys finding solace in each other.

Prompto's parents were hardly ever home, Noctis' apartment was closer to school anyway and if Ignis wasn't coming over, they spent most of their summer break playing video games, going out sometimes to have some fast food and for Prompto to take some photos.

Therefore, for his sixteenth birthday, he had his first proper birthday party. He had invited Ignis, Gladio and Iris along with Prompto, who had spent half the day decorating his apartment with balloons and garlands. Ignis had cooked, once more closer to the Tenebraen pastries that Noctis liked so much with his own creations. He got presents, so many of them! A letter from Luna, too, with a pair of pressed flowers, the blue ones that only grew in Tenebrae. Ignis gave him a notebook made of the finest leather, Gladio had wrapped one of his favorite romance novels and had handed it over with the words 'For your sweet sixteen... may it help you get laid, nerd.' Of course he had made sure that Iris hadn't heard that, the girl engrossed in the last final touches to her own present, a stuffed bunny with a red bow. Noctis had smiled, but he couldn't help but stare at Prompto eagerly. Over the months his friend had quickly become his best friend because for some reason, Prompto knew exactly what he liked at all times. So he was anxious to know what it was that he had always wanted for his birthday.

He wasn't even surprised when it turned out to be a large picture frame. It was cheap, but the photos inside were invaluable. They showed Noctis and his friends, smiling and happy and Noctis stared at himself, amazed that he was even capable of these expression.

Naturally, he thanked Prompto exuberantly, making this awkward for both of them until they laughed it off sheepishly.

They played games, they ate, they drank and had a lot of fun and Noctis realized that he was the happiest he had ever been. At night, after the party, they dropped Prompto off on their way to the Citadel, because Noctis had promised his father that they would go fishing together the following day.

As they sat there together, his father looking so much older than the two years that had passed since the last time they had done this, Noctis couldn't help but feel guilt tugging on his heart, because he couldn't stop thinking about how much Prompto would love this, taking pictures of this and that.

"You look happier, my son," Regis noted with a fond smile.

"Ah- I guess I am," Noctis replied, smiling wistfully down his fishing rod.

"How was your party yesterday? Did you have fun?"

"Mhm... it was great. I didn't... It was nice having a party with friends. It would have been nice if Luna had been there, too, but she sent a present with Umbra," Noctis said, feeling his cheeks heat up when he remembered how much Prompto had gushed over the intimidating looking dog. Once he learned that he and Pryna were siblings, he looked at Noctis with the most adorable surprised look and he found his heart missing a beat or two at that look.

"My son... I can see you're not quite here with your thoughts," Regis teased gently, glancing over with a knowing smile that Noctis hated as much as it made his face turn red.

"Y-yes... I... I've told you probably about him, but this... this guy at my school - Prompto - I've only known him for a few months, but he's already become my best friend and I... I don't know... didn't know what I've been missing," Noctis explained and bit his lip, glaring at the water that was suspiciously still, as if no fish wanted to disturb the conversation between father and son.

"Ah, I remember how that was. I'm glad you've found a friend, my son," Regis smiled and Noctis still hated how his smile hinted on how there were so many things that he thought but wouldn't say to his son so that he wouldn't upset him. "You've been wishing for one for the longest time."

"I... yeah," Noctis sighed, defeated. "It's... we like the same things and we finish each other's sentences sometimes and he says the dorkiest things like 'we finish each other's sandwiches' and he makes me laugh and just... He's a good guy. I want to make him happy. I want to see him smile every day," he admitted, blushing a little more.

"My boy..." Regis said, his voice thick with an emotion that Noctis couldn't quite decipher, but he thought he heard pity in it. "If you feel that way about him... don't hold back to tell him. One day it might be too late."

"...Are you talking about mom?" Noctis asked, feeling as if that was what his father was hinting at.

Regis nodded. "I've been thinking about her more often lately. Maybe it's the age," he shrugged, looking up at the blue sky with that look of melancholy that he seemed to wear more often lately. "In my experience... it's better to have loved once and lose it than to have never loved at all."

He turned to look at his son, grey eyes holding the gaze of much similar eyes. "Don't hesitate to voice your feelings, they might just be returned."

Noctis nodded, but he wondered if his father had really just encouraged him to confess to his best friend. He, they were just that, friends. There wasn't anything more! Or at least that's what Noctis thought there was, not wanting to ruin the first friendship he had ever built himself by confessing feelings like a lovesick puppy.

But maybe his father was right. If 'lovesick puppy' was a description for anyone, it was for Prompto. The touches, the looks and everything they shared did feel like a lot more than just being friends. Maybe there was more to them that they both saw.

"I'll give it a try when I feel like it," Noctis sighed, just to be saved by a rather large fish biting.

They repeated the birthday party almost two months later for Prompto's sixteenth birthday. The boy cried when he opened Noctis' present, a high-class DSLR camera, the one he had been saving money for for months now. He accused Noctis of being unfair and almost demanded that he'd give it back, but Noctis explained that he didn't care about how much the camera had cost. It was what Prompto had wanted and Noctis wanted Prompto to be happy, so the monetary worth of this camera was neglectable. Noctis stopped himself before he could say something he could regret in the company of Ignis and Gladio, but if Prompto had asked him for it, he would have given him the stars in the sky.

Maybe he was right. Maybe he should just face the fact that he felt more for his best friend than just friendship. Maybe he should just do as his father had suggested and confess.

Ignis gave Prompto a thick and heavy book about the mannerisms at the court of Lucii, and Gladio told Prompto that he would personally train him and introduce him to Cor Leonis, so that he would get some muscle on that scrawny body of his. He'd need it if he wanted to stay in the company of the crown prince longer.

Aside from all the very practical presence, Noctis could see that it mattered more to Prompto that his advisors and companions had accepted him in their inner circle and he smiled as he saw the blond wipe at his eyes more furiously.

On a whim, he asked him to stay the night. It was a Saturday after all. Ignis made them promise to use the guest bed of the couch, but as they sat and watched one of Prompto's favorite movies late at night, almost leaning against each other, they agreed wordlessly, that they would just share the bed like usual.

"Hey, Prom," Noctis said as the movie neared its climax. The heroine and her sidekick watched the lights from the castle fly and light up the sky and even Noctis, who had seen the movie many times but still couldn't feel as enthusiastic about it as Prompto, was moved by the image painted on the large screen of his TV.

"Hm?" the blond hummed, eyes glued to the screen as he hugged one of the couch cushions to his chest.

"I... I've been thinking," Noctis started, his throat suddenly dry and that didn't change, no matter how often he swallowed.

"That's a new one," Prompto said automatically, his voice a teasing tone, until he realized that Noctis wasn't in the mood for one of the jokes. "...What is it?" he asked, looking suddenly very worried and Noctis lost all will to change the status of their relationship. Things were good the way they were, he couldn't handle it if they changed for the worse.

"Hm, it's been a good day today... What do you think about going out for a photo tour tomorrow? I'll ask Ignis to drive us to that place I've told you about," he said then instead of confessing how much he wanted them to be more than friends, how he sometimes dreamed about kissing his best friend.

"Really?" Prompto's face lit up and somehow there was suddenly a herd of butterflies in Noctis' stomach. He swallowed dryly again. "Wait, you just want to go fishing!"

"What... no! I told you, it's a beautiful place and it's the perfect opportunity for you to try out your new camera!"

"And you can go fishing," Prompto smirked, making Noctis roll his eyes.

"Yeah. But that's not the point!"

"It's cool, man. I'm happy anyway. Besides you're right. I need to try out all the settings of this lady to find out how they work best. I'm game!"

"Great. Let me just... send a text to Ignis..."

"Mhm..."

Needless to say that Ignis wasn't too enthused to find them tangled in each other in Noctis' bed the following morning. Still, he said nothing as he drove them to the lake where Noctis and his father usually went to fish. Gladio teased them every now and then, but it felt more like he did it because he had to and to distract from the fact that he was still wearing the exact same clothes as the night before. If it hadn't been something very casual, Noctis might now have noticed, but he had never before seen that Chocobo shirt on Gladio. Still, he said nothing because to him it was more important to see Prompto's face light up at every new things.

Really, the beauty of the scenery wasn't completely lost on Noctis, otherwise he wouldn't have wanted to show it to Prompto, but the photographer pointed out details left and right that had Noctis look at the scene with new eyes. Prompto managed to paint a whole different picture than the one Noctis had seen so many times.

The herd of butterflies were back in his stomach and he didn't know how long he could stay friends with Prompto like this.

~*~

August 29th the following year ended up being the deadline. Prompto had fuzzed too long about wanting to making Noctis' seventeenth birthday even more awesome than his sixteenth and as he was hanging even more balloons and streamers and garlands everywhere, Noctis decided that he couldn't wait for another day. It was getting late anyway and once Prompto was done, he told him to sit down and watch that favorite movie of his again.

It was like a deja-vu, Noctis sitting on his couch, watching the heroine and her sidekick watch the lights rising from the castle with Prompto hugging the pillow to him, just like almost a year ago.

"Prom," he said, feeling much surer this time. This could have to do with the fact that the blond was pressed to his side, Noctis arm heavy on his shoulders. "Prom, I need to tell you something."

"Hm? What is it? Have you been thinking again?" Prompto teased and Noctis rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, you dork, I've been thinking about you. Many, many times. I've been dreaming about you. Like, you've been on my mind every moment, every day, every night. Not just when I'm awake, but also when I'm asleep."

"Dude, that sounds like you're, what, in love with me?" Prompto said as he sat up straight to look into Noctis' eyes.

"...What if I were?" Noctis asked, holding that gaze, no matter how much he just wanted to run away.

"...I don't know," Prompto replied after a moment, averting his gaze, but there was a blush on his cheek. "I... I don't know. I-I mean, how can I know anything if you don't know yourself?"

"Well, it's the first time I've ever felt something like this, how am I supposed to know what this is?"

"...Good point. I guess there's just one way to find out," Prompto replied, looking back up.

Yep, his cheeks were red.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, uh, kiss? The prince's kiss, you know?" Prompto joked and they both cringed at how bad it was.

"I guess it's the only way to know for sure, if that's okay with you?" Noctis asked, suddenly feeling that army of butterflies in his stomach again. His arm shook as he raised it to put his suddenly numb and cold fingers on Prompto's cheek, tilting his head so that he had a better aim. "Promise me we'll still be friends if this doesn't turn out to be more... I don't want to lose you."

"Me neither," Prompto whispered, leaning forward just enough to give Noctis the sign to proceed.

"Good," Noctis whispered as he closed the last bit of distance between the two of them.

Their first kiss was clumsy, a simple thing of lips on lips that reminded Noctis of the kisses between his father and him. However, it was entirely different the moment he heard Prompto gasp.

He pulled away then, not trusting himself with anything then.

"I fear it's true," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "I might just be in love with you. At least that's what it feels like..."

"Noct..." Prompto sighed, his eyes still closed, his lips slightly parted and wet.

"I'm s-," Noctis murmured because he just needed to kiss him again. And it didn't seem like Prompto returned his feelings.

"Me too."

"Huh?" Noctis blinked staring down into Prompto's violet blue eyes, crinkled up with a sheepish grin.

"Guess I'm in love with you, too. Stupid prince."

"Prom..."

"Happy birthday... I hope you can accept me as your present this year," Prompto grinned and Noctis glanced over his shoulder to see that the clock in the kitchen had just turned midnight.

"You know, if you say things like that, I'm gonna do more than just kiss you," Noctis said, his pupils widening as the implications of that sentence made his blood rush south.

"Oh, yeah? Tell me, I'm open to quite a few things," Prompto replied, having the audacity to smirk at him.

"Don't tempt me... didn't you want to watch this?" Noctis asked, nodding over his shoulder towards the TV.

"I know it by heart... Doesn't matter skipping the end once or twice," Prompto shrugged and gave Noctis his best puppy eyes and Astrals, Noctis was weak to those.

"Fine. Then I'll claim my present now," he said, a little dumbfounded, but so happy that he could burst before he kissed Prompto again. It was still clumsy and far from perfect, but they were getting there. The next day he told Luna about it and she congratulated him, wishing them all the luck.

On his eighteenth birthday, he took Prompto with him to the Citadel, introducing him to his father. They went fishing and Prompto took photos of the old king and his son that they framed and hung on his wall.

On his nineteenth birthday, Noctis took Prompto on a trip for just the two of them. They didn't see much of the ocean then. Instead they made their own vows and promised to stay together for the rest of their lives.

On his twentieth birthday, Noctis became king and set off to marry Luna to seal the treaty between Lucis and Nifelheim, unaware of the implications. But Prompto was by his side and he knew that Luna knew where his heart belonged already, so he wasn't scared to marry someone he didn't love, because he knew the one that he did love would be by his side forever.

Birthdays with Prompto were the best.

#noctisweek #noctis lucis caelum #prompto argentum #promptis #noctis x prompto #fanfiction #final fantasy xv #ffxv fanfiction #Makiko Igami's fanfiction

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its420amhelp-blog · 7 years

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The Past ~ Chapter 1 - Today

Warning: Mention of child abuse, slight mention of rape, forced relationship (adding this just to make sure), cursing (not sensored) Summary: Routine is all we know. It keeps things organized. It keeps things easy and carefree. But if that routine breaks, what becomes of us? What becomes of us if something traumatic happens? Would anyone even care at this point? Word count: 1,496 words For me, one day's routine was the same as everyday's routine, nothing stuck out and nothing was out of order. That was until I met my future mate. He changed everything about me. What I thought was normal, how my routine went, and mainly how I can trust people. A loud crash echoed throughout the tiny cabin that I shared with my brother and my father. The noise seemed to have came from the kitchen, where I was supposed to be according to my routine. I was supposed to be cleaning the dishes and cooking supper, but I had to help Russell with gardening. Of course, my father would be greatly angry at me, which is what I feared. But this hatred was normal in this house. My father had always hated me, my brother and I knew this and grew accustom to it. "WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!" My father shouted, making my grip on Russell's baby blue hoodie tighten in fear. My brother would try to comfort me in any way possible, whether that be hiding me in his hoodie or wrapping his lengthy arms around me and put himself in between my father and I. However, I would still receive punishment no matter how hard Russell tries. Sometimes my father would make it worse with each passing day, even going as far as taking advantage of me later on in my youth. That is what I deeply feared. I could deal with the punishments, but anything worse than that I couldn't take. It was far too traumatizing. My father walked into the room I and Russell were in and he let out a threatening growl. "Russell, step away from your sister." "No, sir." "I said, step away from your sister." "I said no, sir." "Step. The. Fuck. Away." Eventually, Russell would share a synthetic smile with me and carefully kiss my forehead. He always did that to show me a form of affection that he knew I wouldn't get for a while until after my punishment. I practically begged him to stay with me, to protect me, but then I would remind myself that he would get hurt instead of me so I eventually stopped saying anything in protest. "Why weren't you in the kitchen this time, brat?" "I was helping Russell in the garden because he asked for assistance, sir." "That doesn't answer my fucking question." I honestly didn't know how to respond, I didn't even try since I knew I would get hit no matter what. I only pressed my knees against my chest and hoped for a less harsher punishment than I usually got for missing from my routine. My father grumbles in a frustrated manner and started to unbuckle his belt, telling my brother to go back to his station just so he wouldn't see what would happen to me and try to protest against my father. Once he was done with me, he told me to get back to my station in the kitchen and start making dinner. When my father left the room and closed the door to his office once he was in there, I choked up a sob and stumbled to regain any sense of balance I still had after the punishment I received. I already had red marks on my thighs that would surely leave the black and blue impressions of bruises, which I would later have to deal with during my routine. I checked myself for a few moments and let out a sigh of relief when there weren't any signs of permanent damage, so I stumbled over to the kitchen and went on making supper for the day. I understood by now that Russell would definitely ponder about the marks and I would have to make up an excuse about it that he wouldn't even believe for a second but would be forced to shut up about it. He barely had any idea what our father did to me for punishments, possibly thinking that he just forced me to do some extra chores. Oh how I wished it was like that. The alarm goes off the next morning and I tiredly shut it off, stretching a little and leaving my warm bed to get dressed for school. I was in middle school at the young age of 10, in the 7th grade. I had a romantic partnership in middle school that completely changed my life and started a far worse kind of punishment upon me when I mentioned a certain event around my father. Naomi was a fan of my father's work, focusing on the rare resources that our world consisted of. My father even encouraged me to be in a relationship with her, even if I was a female myself and I wasn't into other girls at the time. Of course, I was only 10 so I wasn't even sure what I identified as or what my sexual orientation was. Under my father's words, I could get into a relationship as long as it was with Naomi. I only agreed to it so I could have a little break from my father, not because I loved her or craved a relationship. The only thing I could crave was to be by myself or to be near my brother, no one else. Russell protected me when things got bad, no matter the aftermath. I admired him because of that. Skipping back, I forage through my closet for the most masculine attire I could find, picking out a midnight black hoodie with cream drawstrings and sweatpants that contained the hue of azure. Sighing in relief that my father hadn't found these clothing items yet as he would either burn them or give them to Russell by mistake, I throw on my attire and grab my Aztec black and white backpack that was full of school supplies. I wait for my brother to get ready so he could drive me to school, since he just got out of high school and he owned his own car. I read the familiar tired expression of my brother and I sigh in relief, grabbing his hand in the process and rushing out the front door. Fortunately, Russell was dressed when I grabbed him and he was feeling rather light hearted today, so he allowed me in the front seat. I, with the imagination and understandability of a 6 year old at times, stared out the window the whole hour drive to school without saying a word to my brother. He most likely found it amusing that his usually mature, shy sister was amazed by the way the car worked. As we pulled up to the middle school, I rushed a small peck on the cheek and grabbed my bag before opening the car door and bolting inside the school. Russell probably had to somehow close the door as I most likely left it open when I bolted. As I entered the school, I come to the all too familiar expirence of being the shortest child there but that was faulted by my age and genetics I inherited by my mother. Noticing the figure of my partner, I happily run up to Naomi and lock our hands together. She was used to this by now, so she only grinned at me and started to walk to the class we shared together. That subject was math, something I excelled at in this grade and my partner was immensely terrible at. Most of the time I had to do all of her homework for her, regardless if I myself had chores and homework to do, while she did cheer leading, which was the only thing in school she really enjoyed. Our teacher, Miss Luna, walked into the room with her usual cheery smile and attitude that I really admired and called for attendance. With that over with, the class begin and I caught Naomi staring at me. We remained caught in our netted stares until Naomi quickly looked away, which didn't mean anything to me at the time, so I stared out the window at a small blue jay that just sat there and stared back at me. Sadly, I was interrupted by my classmate, whom was sitting next to me, slamming a textbook on his table and basically making me skittish about everything at that moment. Apparently, I attracted the attention from the remaining students in the classroom when I let a unintentional sob escape my throat. Unfortunately my teacher had to remove me from the classroom so I could try to calm myself down, which I was unsuccessful since I started to have a short break down of full sobs. Once I was done with my break down, I notified the teacher that I was going to the nurse for a while, which she allowed me, so I basically ran to the nurse's office.

#{ the past }#{ the past chpt 1 }#~ my fanfictions ~#~ cy fanfictions ~

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