#when I first rescued him I couldn’t tell if he was just extremely enthusiastic or sarcastic. and that just made his dialogue 10x funnier

[batfamtv]

I was wondering if you can do a request with Finnick Odair and my oc/me (Hannah). You don’t have to use my name, but it’s Hannah if you do. So here’s some backstory. So Hannah’s father is a district 1 victor of the hunger games, her mother is a stylist and her father lived in the capital now due to district 1’s privileges. Hannah was born and raised in the capital, but was taunt by her parents to be anti hunger games, due to her father being in the games and seeingnn the horrors along with being traumatized by seeing them when she was 8. So her and finnick met while her mother was his stylist in the games. They became friends and caught feelings when they were 16. She was one of the only person who knew the truth about his “many lovers” and she was there to help him through it. They started dating when they were 19 and when they were 21, they were able to sneak Hannah back on the train with them into district 4. The capital tried to get her back, but since this was great publicity and stuff, they just left it because it wasn’t as important. Finnick proposed to her in the capital before the 75th games. She was kidnapped and toutured by the capital with Joanna and Peeta before being rescued by Gale and the others she was also tortured with the tracker jacke serum which made her extremely paranoid. So maybe you can do something where Hannah and finnick get reunited in district 13 after she was rescued.

i would pull you from the tide

finnick odair x f!reader

in between the screams and the pain, you see finnick.

you remember the first time you meet him: young, handsome boy with a playful smile. he didn’t like you at first, thinking you were just another spoilt capitolite, but you and your family were kind, making sure he was being cared for while he stayed at the capitol (snow’s orders) for his ‘clients’.

“hi finnick dear,” your mother had introduced you then, “this is my daughter, y/n. she’s your age and wanted to meet you.” finnick had eyed you from top to bottom, but didn’t say anything other than a stiff nod. you had remained there beside your mother, almost feeling hurt for his coldness, if not for the sympathy you felt for him when he emerged out of the arena.

you also remember the first time he had actually let you in: when you came by his capitol apartment to bring him the stew your parents made for dinner, and finnick was there, crying on the floor. you knew what snow was making him do, and your family have been trying hard to make sure the victors are safe and protected here in the capitol, but you can only do so much. finnick had stared at you then, and you expected him to yell at you, to flinch when you came closer, to shove you away when your arms wrapped around him. instead, he held onto you, and cried in your arms. “i hate it here,” he had mumbled against you, “i hate it, i hate it, i hate it!” and there was nothing for you to say but “i’m sorry” and “i’m here finnick, i won’t leave you alone.”

you saw him every year, yet with another set of tributes from his district. but finnick wasn’t cold to you anymore, instead sought you whenever he had free time, because you loved to hear stories about the ocean, and how one time he saw a huge whale breach the surface of the water, and you felt his youth glowing from him, and you had decided then and there that finnick odair deserves to be happy.

“you should come to district four sometimes, y/n,” he had told you enthusiastically, even though you both knew it was forbidden to travel between districts. the wishful thinking was enough though, as you watch him remember the ocean, and you could see the ocean itself in his eyes, “i know you’ll love it!”

nodding, you ran your hands through his hair, almost smelling the saltiness of the sea in him, “yeah,” you had smiled at him, “maybe i will.”

more of those years go by in your mind, but when you open your eyes, you are still somewhat trapped in time. shivering from the cold, sore from all the beatings, you can hear peeta’s cry from a couple of cells down. you also hear johanna’s voice, she’s calling out to you, wondering if you are still alive.

“y/n?” she asks. “are you there?”

“yes,” you croak, the sound gravelly and painful. you struggle to move closer to johanna’s cell and you can almost see her grinning face.

“good,” you hear her say, “finnick would kick my ass so hard if you died.”

absolutely exhausted and pained, you close your eyes, and more memories come.

you don’t remember exactly when your feelings for him changed, but when it did, it hit hard. you remember staring at finnick, and blushing whenever he caught you.

“were you looking at me, y/n?” one eyebrow raised, he tossed another sugar cube up in the air before catching it in his mouth.

blushing red, you shook your head vehemently, “no! why would i do that?”

he shrugged, “well, i am pretty attractive.”

he tossed another sugar cube, but failed to catch it. hearing your laugh, he turned to face you with a dramatic frown. you only shook your head, “sure you are,” before turning away (absolutely hoping he didn’t see your face burn bright red after you jokingly admitted to him that you did, after all, find him attractive).

he would always smile that teasing and boyish smile before sauntering toward you and making you even more flustered. you remember one night when it was really bad for him, limping towards his apartment because he was hurt by one of his clients, and you had fussed over him, worry etched on your face. you remember him crying against you as you held him, and him whispering to you that you kept him sane. you had fallen asleep like that, arms around finnick odair, silently hoping you could do more to protect him from this life. 

finnick odair had loved you then, maybe way before then, but he didn’t tell you yet.

and perhaps, one of the reasons why he was so reluctant to tell you, and everyone else about what he felt, was because he knew the president would set his eyes on you. and finnick didn’t like that.

you remember the smile on finnick’s face, so so bright and beautiful, when he saw you get out of the train in district four. your parents snuck you out of the capitol to surprise him, and he was both worried and exhilarated. you also remember how nice it was in his district, especially that one night when you both walked by the shore at night under the full moon, when he had kissed your lips so softly as though he was scared to break you. you remember the warmth in your chest that exploded throughout your body when you threw your arms around him and kissed him back.

when you open your eyes again, it’s another day. you’re sure that you’re awake for most of the time, when they beat you up and submerge you under the water, but you don’t remember any of it. something in your mind tells you that you may have pushed those memories away, locked them deep down and all you can remember is finnick, finnick, finnick.

one of the worst days of your life was when he was reaped for the quarter quell. your family had been contacted by plutarch heavensbee immediately after, and you remember how plutarch silently apologized to you that finnick got reaped, and you made him promise to get finnick alive.

“katniss everdeen is our priority.”

“then make him second,” you pleaded, tears threatening to leave your eyes, “please.”

plutarch had nodded grimly, and you promised to yourself that you would do anything it takes to keep finnick alive.

the night before the games, he brought you to the rooftop. you were scared, for him, for the rebellion, for everything. you were scared that everything was going to change.

“not all change is bad,” finnick reassured you as he took both of your hands in his. “for example,” he smiled cheekily, biting his lower lip, “when this is over, we can get married.”

“what?” your eyes widened at his statement. he pulled out a ring, something so simple and yet beautiful (and resembled the one you were sure you saw at a shop while in district four).

“when there are no more games,” he smiled as he slid the ring to your ring finger, “when can get married. build a cottage by the sea.”

you admired the ring on your finger, overwhelmed by the proclamation and enticed by the thought of waking up next to finnick odair in your own little seaside cottage. then you threw your arms around him, pressing your lips on his with a smile.

“this is why you need to win,” you whispered against his lips.

finnick nodded, “this is why i need to win.”

the next time you’re conscious, you can hear peeta’s screams again. you’re too tired to move, limbs too sore to use and so you just lay there. as peeta’s screams for katniss faded into the background, you hear finnick’s voice.

finnick screaming your name.

you remember watching him run aimlessly through the forest, the sound of your voice calling him. “y/n! y/n!”

katniss tried to tell him that the voices are from jabberjays, they weren’t real. but finnick was inconsolable, insisting that jabberjays copy sounds from the source.

“please, let me go!” he had yelled at katniss. “they got her, they got y/n!”

he was panicked, crying for you, and you couldn’t do anything but watch as it went on for an hour. you wanted to console him right then and there, to hold him and reassure him that you’re fine, but you weren’t able to.

you didn’t want to open your eyes, but you hear his voice again. finnick’s not screaming your name, but he is whispering it. something warm covers your hand, and you almost flinch if not for the familiarity of it. when you do open your eyes, you are met by a bright light, almost harsh, but most of all--

“finnick,” you whisper, and your voice is hoarse.

finnick exhales when he looks into your eyes and sees that you’re really here, you’re alive. he cups your hand in his, pressing kisses on it as he tries to keep his tears from falling. “y/n, how are you feeling?”

you don’t know what to tell him. confused as to where you are. tired and sore. relieved to see that he’s here in front of you. in love.

despite all of this, you can only think of one thing. the one thing you’ve always felt whenever you look into finnick odair’s eyes.

“happy.”

finnick smiles boyishly, as he look down, clearly flustered. it takes someone special to make him flustered like that, and it’s always been you.

he reaches over to plant a gentle kiss on your temple, nose, cheek, and then lips. “me too.”

[honeyspence]

a year in clueless love

the love story that is you and spencer reid. follows a year of the two of you being hopeless (and very stupid) romantics. 

tw: teeniest bit of spice, mentions of canon typical violence and guns

a/n: doesn’t really follow a specific episode or case. kind of all over the place. also i picture like,, post prison reid in this? who’s a little more confident and up front but still terrified of losing you/ getting hurt. enjoy!! :)

In retrospect, it had been obvious. The way the two of you sought each other out in every room, like it was gravity. They way it didn’t matter if you were on the jet, on the field, or just at Quantico, the two of you were always touching each other. Thighs pushed together, hands brushing under the table, an arm around your shoulders, elbows bumping against each other; always touching. The way you were able to communicate by just looking at each other, which Garcia was convinced was simply telepathy. All in all, you probably didn’t do the best job at hiding whatever was going on with you and Spencer, and it didn’t exactly help that your family/ best friends/ colleagues were the FBI’s top profilers. They pretty much had it figured out before the two of you did.

In January, Morgan and Garcia decided to keep track. Keep track of the moments you and Spencer were so obviously, deliriously, stupidly falling in love. Morgan had to restrain Garcia from squealing every morning when Spencer brought you coffee and every evening when he walked you to your car. In January, the BAU took a case in Kansas; your first case on the field with the team. You tried your best to hide the nerves, but Spencer, of course, noticed as soon as you were on the jet.

“You okay?”

“Yup!” you say, a little too enthusiastically. Spencer raises an eyebrow. “You suck at lying.” It's a bit worrying, how you’ve only known each other for a couple months but he knows you oh so well already. You quirk a smile at him.

“I’m fine, really. I guess.. I’m just a little nervous. Wanna make a good impression.”

He laughs, and you wish you could replay it as soon as it’s over. “You’ll do great. Everyone already loves you- especially Hotch.” (This is true, Emily told you she hadn’t ever seen Hotch smile until the day you brought him his favorite coffee and a bagel on his birthday.) “Thanks Spence.” You nudge his shoulder with your own and try to ignore the butterflies in your stomach.

Of course, this exchange didn’t go unnoticed. Morgan, everso dedicated to his “make Spencer find love” mission, added it to his list and texted Garcia so fast you might’ve thought it was an emergency.

In February, Emily and JJ joined Morgan and Garcia in their list making, inspired by an exchange they had witnessed in the office. On a dreary Monday, you had brought a bag of M&Ms and were dropping handfuls in your team’s hands, rambling about how Monday was your favorite day because you got to see your team. When you arrived at Spencer’s desk, smiling broadly at him, hands outstretched with slightly melted, rainbow chocolate, how could he say no?

(He briefly remembered that he hated germs, but with you, he couldn’t bring himself to care.)

Emily’s jaw was practically on the floor.

“JJ,” she whisper-screeched. “Did you- Did you see Spence just-”

JJ is equally shocked. Spencer Reid didn’t even shake hands, much less take warm candy straight from someone’s hand. But of course, to him, you weren’t just someone. Garcia notices this quickly, and in minutes, the three of them are huddled with Morgan, who wastes no time in showing them his ever growing list.

In March, the team went to Chicago. The weather takes a bitter turn, and while you’re outside surveying a crime scene, a horrid wind hits. Spencer immediately noticed your gentle shivering, and without wasting a second, tugs his own jacket off and wraps you in it. His hands wrap around your own, warming your numb fingers without a second thought.

(Again, for a split second, he recalls that he hates germs and that your hands are probably sharing millions right now, but when he sees your grateful smile and feels your hands in his own, he can’t bring himself to give a damn.)

“Thank you Spence,” you sigh through chattering teeth, leaning slightly into him.

The cold turns the tip of Spencer’s nose pink, and it's all you can think about for the next week.

In April, the team had a particularly rough case. 5 children kidnapped, only 3 rescued. The parents of the two lost children’s reaction in front of the team was the worst part.

Rough cases affect everyone in different ways. Morgan gets broody and refuses to talk. Hotch writes in his notebook and facetimes Jack, reminding himself of the good things he has. Emily likes to sketch, says that the pattern of lines calms her. Rossi, believe it or not, chooses to meditate. JJ finds peace in baking, making enough to feed your team for days. Spencer, of course, turns to his books.

In April, Spencer learns that you get touchy. Of course, you already were, but after particularly bad cases, it’s a little more extreme. Hands constantly somewhere on someone (usually Spencer) whether it be hand holding, hair braiding, or cuddles. You just wanted to be near someone. In April, Spencer was that someone. A blanket wrapped around the two of you on the jet heading home, Spencer fighting a blush. Hands knotted together under the blanket, your thumb moving back and forth slowly on his hand. Your head on his shoulder, his head resting gently on top. His fingers thumbed at his book, but in all honesty he was too focused on you, already half asleep in his arms.

In May, Rossi has a birthday party. The team gathers at his home, where everyone enjoys his famous pasta and what is probably far too much wine for 4 in the afternoon.

Wine drunk FBI agents are a lot more fun than you ever expected. You spend the afternoon laughing far too hard at Rossi’s old stories and playing hide and seek with Jack and Henry. You also spend far too long avoiding Derek’s pointed looks everytime Spencer holds a door for you or pours you a drink or, in Derek’s thoughts, does something that proves Spencer is so clearly head over heels in love with you.

In May, as the evening dies down, Rossi plays music you’ve never even heard before. Some old classical stuff you had never cared for, but when you see Spencer’s eyes light up with joy at the opening notes, you make a beeline to Rossi because you would do anything, including make yourself listen to classical music, just to have a reason to make Spencer’s eyes shine with happiness like that again.

“What song is this?” you ask Rossi, who gives you an incredulous look.

“You spend all this time with boy wonder over there and you can’t recognize Beethoven?”

You swat at his arm. He laughs at you, tells you it’s Moonlight Sonata, and then winks at you.

He very much knows why you asked, and his suspicions are proven true because right after, you practically skip towards Spencer.

He elbows Hotch and whispers under his breath, “I think our blind love birds might finally have a moment here.” The two of them quietly move the rest of the team inside, and suddenly it’s just you and Spencer outside.

In May, Spencer thinks he drooled when you told him you loved Moonlight Sonata. In a moment of what he can’t decide was brilliance or utter stupidity, he says to you,

“Will you dance with me?”

You’re a blushing, stuttering mess immediately (although he’s not much better), but you manage to tell him yes, absolutely.

In May, as the sun sets slowly, he takes your hand and you dance. He’s wonderful at it, and you’re dreadful, but he couldn’t care less because he has the most beautiful girl on the planet dancing with him. He can hardly believe he’s not dreaming, even when you trip over his feet and apologize a million times, because all he can think about is how beautiful you are, how the pink and orange glow of the sky lights you up like a goddess.

He twirls you, holding your twinkling gaze and biting back his absolutely massive smile as your green dress flows around you over and over again, the white flowers on it dancing with you.

(He never realized how much he loved green until he sees you in it. Then again, he thinks he’d love a garbage bag on you too.)

The air smells like spring and his cologne and his smile makes the butterflies in your stomach flutter so. Damn. Hard.

He whispers to you, “You’re beautiful,” as you rest on his chest, still slowly swaying to the music.

In May, you both leave Rossi’s house with your hearts doing cartwheels.

In June, Owen from 2 levels down asks you to coffee. Tells you he thinks you’re beautiful and that he would love to get to know you. You say yes, trying to ignore the tiny voice telling you that you didn’t want Owen, you want someone else.

In June, Spencer realizes he is hopelessly, terribly, ragingly jealous. He sees you talking to Owen, the gentle touching between you two, the moments of quiet intimacy Spencer realized he wanted with you so. Damn. Bad.

In June, Spencer just wants to go back to May. The night you two danced to Moonlight Sonata, your feet tripping over his and your perfume surrounding him. He curses himself for not telling you right then that you were all he wanted. He desperately wishes he had had the damn guts to kiss you that night.

In June, you go on two dates with Owen before ending it. He was funny, sweet, kind. But he didn’t go on tangents about The Illustrated Man with you. He didn’t bring you coffee in the morning or wear cardigans to work.

In June, Spencer is quietly overjoyed when you tell him you ended things with Owen, that he just “wasn’t right for you.”

In July, he was terrified. A case gone horribly wrong ended with you in the ICU, a bullet lodged in your side. In the bathroom of the hospital, he cried, thinking about how desperately he wished it could have been him. Should’ve been him who took the bullet, should’ve been him in critical condition. How badly he wishes he told you how he felt about you the moment he saw you with Owen. When he comes out, Morgan wraps his arms around him and he is scared.

When the nurse comes out, he braces himself for the worst, pushing the panic down. The thought of losing you- he can’t bring himself to look up when she stands in front of him. When she says that you’re alright and resting, he nearly collapses with relief. When she says you can have visitors now, he is immediately on his feet and rushes until he is by your side.

You sleep as he sits on the chair next to you, far after the rest of the team leaves. Hotch had asked him to get back and get rest, but he refused, instead sitting on the hospital chair with his hand holding your own, like he had all those months ago when he gave you his coat in Chicago.

He watches your gentle breathing, thinking about how peaceful and happy you look in your sleep, despite your recent brush with death. And when you wake up, he presses your hand to his lips and tells you with teary eyes to never, ever scare him like that again.

“I’ll try,” you yawn. “You didn’t have to stay here, ya know. You need to sleep.”

“As if I can sleep when you’re here. Nope, no way. Idiot.” He says, and you hear how his voice is slightly choked up as he starts rambling about how having visitors in the hospital is statistically more beneficial. You can’t quite lift yourself up yet, but you grab his hand and bring it to your own lips as he had done, and press it there for a moment.

(He is blushing. So hard he trails off and stops talking, instead too focused on the way your lips on his hand are so soft. So pretty and gentle and pink and-)

“Thank you. Thank you thank you thank you for staying. I don’t know what I would do without you.” You say, your heart pounding.

The team comes back in the morning and finds both you and Spencer fast asleep, his head on your hospital bed, your hands knotted tightly. Morgan complains about how long his list has gotten.

In August, Spencer asked you on a date. Well, he doesn’t call it a date. He calls it “dinner with a friend.” But he desperately wants to call it a date. He picks you up from your apartment with a bouquet of pink tulips.

“Spencer! You didn’t have to do that,” you say, batting his arm while trying to hide your delight. (No one had ever bought you flowers on a date before.)

But Spencer is so busy staring at you, all dolled up in a little red dress you just knew he’d love.

“N-No- I mean yes, yes I did,” he stumbled. “I mean, you look… you look stunning.”

He takes you to a new Italian place, where you eat on the terrace under the stars and he absolutely refuses to let you touch the bill. He talks to you about his mom, about Mexico, and at the end of it all, he tells you that you make him feel safe. Like he can be himself and ramble on and on; like he can breathe. In August, Spencer drives you home and walks you to your doorstep with your arm looped through his own, your head on his shoulder.

In August, Spencer kissed you so gently, so carefully in front of your front door you think he feared you might break. He held you like a porcelain doll, delicately but oh-so tightly. His lips up against yours, timidly, softly, sweetly, and you felt yourself melt into a fucking puddle when he pulled away and rested his forehead on yours.

In September, you took him to your favorite bookstore. It was a tiny place with a flower garden in front and shelves lined with hundreds of books. It smelled like coffee and old books and lavender, and when you walked in, arm and arm with Spencer, you knew this was heaven. The two of you sat at a little table in the corner for hours, drinking coffee and sharing doughnuts and reading. So much reading. When you finally leave, he buys you the three books you had been reading (at his recommendation.)

“No- no Spence stop!” you say, trying to wrestle his arm away from the checkout. He just laughs at you and pays for them.

In September, Spencer asks you to be his girlfriend outside of the bookstore. He was a clumsy, nervous wreck, but he was finally your clumsy, nervous wreck.

In October, you and Spencer were a secret from the rest of your team. Work lives and personal lives just needed to stay separate, you decided.

(The irony of this was not lost on either of you.)

October was spent with kisses in quiet corners and sneaking into hotel rooms like high schoolers when you were traveling for cases. It was a month of countless movie marathons and Spencer falling asleep with you in his arms, countless mornings of driving each other to work and Spencer’s hand on your thigh. Longing stares at each other from across the office, little doodles and notes left on post-its on each other's desks. Hands knotted together under tables, quiet hugs whenever they seemed the least suspicious. Spencer bringing you flowers on every date, you kissing the tip of his nose in thanks and smiling when it always turns pink.

(He still says it’s from the cold. You’re starting to think you just have that effect on him.)

Of course, when you work with profilers, they tend to notice these things. Yet, none of them put together that you and Spencer were actually together. They just kept building their now massive list and watched the two of you fall even harder. Watched you take Garcia’s unicorn stickers and leave them on Spencer’s cheek, where he would leave it there for hours. Watched Spencer bring you a new book every Monday and then discuss it with you every Friday.

In October, Spencer had you pushed up against the wall of his apartment, his shirt halfway unbuttoned and yours already halfway off. Gentle kisses up and down your neck, hands wandering up and down your body. Pulled you into his room, stared at you with those warm brown eyes you absolutely adored. Your hands in his hair, his mouth on your own when someone knocks on the door.

“Maybe,” he pants breathlessly against you,”Maybe if we ignore them, they’ll just leave.” You’re in no position to argue; you have no desire to stop. You hum in agreement and pull him back to you when the knock gets harder and you hear, “Spencer! Open the door, it’s Garcia and Morgan!”

Your first instinct is to literally hide. The worst two people to find you like this, but here they were. Spencer convinces you this is a bad idea and throws you your clothes as the two of you scramble to look presentable and like you were absolutely not doing what you absolutely had been doing.

In October, you thought you managed to convince Morgan and Garcia that you two were just hanging out. They left Spencer’s apartment in a whirlwind of giggles and were elated. Needless to say, the rest of your team was alerted to your antics within the next 10 minutes.

In November, you had the “big confrontation.” Also known as Hotch pulling the two of you into his office with a stern look.

(Which he was actually struggling very hard to hold because he was so-very-happy-Spencer-was-happy and the-joy-radiating-off-the-two-of-you-was-quite- frankly-contagious.)

He tells you not to be all over each other in the office and to remain professional and blah blah blah, but Spencer swears that Hotch actually smiled when the two of you left his office.

In November, your team is overjoyed. Garcia tears up when you take Spencer’s hand in front of the team. Morgan and Rossi offer to throw a party the first time they watch Spencer kiss you on the cheek. JJ and Emily squeal when you sneak your arms around Spencer’s waist while he packs up. And Hotch, Hotch struggled to hide how goddamn happy he was. He was so thankful every time he saw you together, because you radiated smiles and happiness and joy, which was something he knew Spencer always needed more of. When Spencer fell asleep on the jet after a grueling case, his head on your shoulder and your head gently on his, Hotch couldn’t resist taking a picture.

For your 3 months, Spencer brings you a gift on your way to work. He’s a burning, blushing red when he hands you the package wrapped messily (and very sweetly) in pastel pink wrapping paper, your name scrawled across the top and decorated with hearts, making your own heart glow.

When you open it, you think your heart actually manages to burst. He bought the two of you fluffy gray cardigans, each with an embroidered pink heart on the right. He’s looking shyly at you, a hand rubbing the back of his neck, a blush still dancing on his cheeks, as if he can’t tell how much you absolutely adore it.

You make it obvious when you fling yourself at him, wrapping your arms around his neck, burying your head in the crook, and you can feel him exhale the nervous breath he had been holding. He smells like fresh laundry and old books and the cinnamon cake you made that morning. He holds you like you’re his lifeline, and you feel his smile against your head.

“I’m so glad you like it, I was so nervous and I- I didn’t know you’d think it was stupid-”

“Shut up.” You kiss him. He shuts up.

“I love it Spencer.”

In November, you learn Spencer gives the best presents and the best hugs.

In December, you have your first fight. It was stupid- you had been working a case and Spencer had asked you not to go to the suspects house with Emily because you resembled the unsub's type. You went anyways, and as Spencer feared, the unsub went ballistic when you tried to apprehend him and you were separated from the rest of the team.

He took you into his car and stole your gun. He pressed it to your temple and attempted to drive away with one hand, but Morgan saved you. Shot straight through the window and into the unsub’s head, his blood all over you. You stumbled out of the car where Morgan grabbed you and hugged you. Took you back to the team, where Spencer could barely look at you.

You reassured him you were fine afterwards nothing had even happened, but he didn’t care. He had asked you, and you had ignored. You were so close to leaving him. Forever. In December, Spencer left the jet and went to his apartment without saying goodbye to you for the first time. In December, you avoided each other for a whole week.

In December, you went to his apartment with a book in your hands. A peace offering. He answered the door in your favorite blue cardigan and you let it out. You apologized, pouring your heart out, and you said it. And to your absolute relief, he wrapped his arms around you and apologized as well. And he said it back.

In December, Spencer Reid told you that he couldn’t bear to lose you. That the thought of it had made him realize- he was head over heels in love with you.

[oddshelbyout]

Flowers & Chocolates // John Shelby X Fem!Reader

Summary: On Valentine’s Day, your neighbour John asks you to look after his kids for a few hours and comes back with a gift you had been waiting for.

Warnings: Swearing

Word Count: 2372

Author’s Note:

This is a modern au, my first one for Peaky Blinders. I wasn’t sure if I could write a modern fic for this well but I think this turned out to be pretty good. I had to give John’s kids names and it was really hard to decide, I hope they fit well.

This fic really made me get over my writer’s block. I wrote this in one sit and it just put my mood up so much. It’s really fluffy and exactly what I would want my Valentine’s Day to be like.

I hope you share Valentine’s Day with all of your loved ones and show them you appreciate their love. I also hope that this one shot makes you as happy as it made me while writing it. Enjoy <3

English is not my first language and I’m not always confident about my work so please let me know if I make any mistakes or anything I can fix in my writing.

You can ask to be added to my taglist. You can be tagged to works on a specific character or just any of my works. Please dm me or send your wish to my ask box if you’d like to be added.

Requests are open. You can request any Peaky Blinders related imagines or prompts for me to write. I’m a minor so I don’t take NSFW requests, please keep that in mind.

———————

It was Valentine’s Day. You were single once again and your date for the night was a bottle of cheap red wine.

None of your relationships lasted more than 6 months and you had been spending every Valentine’s Day alone for 3 years. You were convinced the relationship chapter of your life was closed for now.

That morning started like another Sunday morning. You got up, took a shower, made yourself coffee and called it breakfast. You scrolled through Instagram and pretended not to see all the couple posts.

You were actually really glad to be single. You had full freedom, not that a relationship would take it all away but being independant entirely made you feel good. Also all of your past relationships felt one sided and you hadn’t met the right person yet.

This Valentine’s Day was a bit different than the others because you weren’t upset about being single. You were actually upset about not being in a relationship with a specific someone.

That someone was your upstairs neighbour in the small apartment complex you lived in. His name was John and he had four kids. Yes, four kids.

You might ask why that information was so important and the answer is simple. You and John met just because he had kids.

All of the flats besides yours and John’s were rented by university students, that left you as the only choice to babysit John’s kids. You were working independently, you were a graphic artist and you were always at home. That was exactly what John needed.

One summer afternoon, your door knocked. You weren’t expected guests, you barely had them anyway. John stood before you, looked at you with his gentle eyes.

“I have no one, can you watch my kids for an hour?” was the first thing he had said to you. You were also too busy trying to understand who he was and didn’t notice four youngers hiding behind him.

You couldn’t say no. You loved children, you had two younger brothers but they were back in your hometown when you had moved to London. John just left you with the kids and left.

John had two daughters and two sons. Katie, Jocelyn, William and David. Katie was the oldest but definitely wasn’t the most mature one. Jocelyn and William were twins but looked nothing alike though they sounded a lot like each other. David was the youngest and somehow the most mature one.

The oldest was nine and the youngest one was six at the time you met them. They were extremely calm and none of them were troublemakers. They had great interest in your work and asked a lot of questions but also never bothered you.

You loved spending time with them and babysitting them. It has become a routine for you. John would drop them at least a few times a week. It was summer and the kids didn’t go to school. They were with you almost everyday.

You spent so much time with his kids that one day you even joked about getting paid. John had a better offer though. He promised you that he and the kids would make or buy you dinner every weekend to pay you back.

John was a good cook, you had only had take out for one of those dinners once and that was because he was sick. You had become almost like a family.

John was originally from Birmingham, his accent gave it away anyway but he had moved to London with a quick decision after his wife passed away. He had left his brothers and aunt behind in Birmingham but promised them that they’ll be okay.

John had told you that moving to London was the best decision he had taken. It was a new beginning for him and the kids. He was an engineer and London had more opportunities.

Even though you worked from home and didn’t quite reach the goals you had coming to London but it was your best decision too. Best decision after dumping your toxic ex.

Luckily for both you and John, you had formed a great friendship. The kids adored you. John was forever thankful for taking care of them.

That was all going to start changing when schools started and you saw them less and less. You were starting to feel like you didn’t appreciate your time with them enough.

You also realised you had feelings for John. That hurt more when one morning as the kids and him leaving home told you that they were moving. They were going to move out of their flat to a bigger place.

Your heart broke. You knew you’d see them from time to time but you thought it would never be the same warmth you had as neighbours.

That little heartache made Valentine’s Day harder. You could’ve opened your heart out to John and his little family you were introduced to. You had even joined that little family. Shared everything and became so close that you felt like you joined their family

After your coffee and your usual morning Instagram scrolling, you opened your laptop. You had to finish one job before the deadline. Your doorbell rang while you were deep down in work.

You went to the door knowing it was John. You hoped he would be alone. He was not, he had brought the kids again. You were happy to see them but you had one last hope to spend Valentine’s Day with John.

“Sorry Y/N, can you look after them for a few hours?” John said looking at you with puppy eyes. It almost felt like he was apologising for something and it wasn’t for making you look after his children.

“Sure!” you had said, trying to hide the subtle pain in your chest. “I downloaded a new game!” David said, waving his iPad carefully. You smiled You looked back to John, your smile had faded but his was as strong as it was a moment before.

You were hurting because him dropping them off on Valentine's Day meant only one thing. He was going on a date. He didn’t have a partner that you knew of and knew he would tell you if he did. It hurt you so much

“Going on a date?” you asked not being able to hold your curiosity back. “Oh no, just an errand.” John said and you just nodded.

You tried to reply back with a smile but it looked more like you were trying to hide your pain. “Alright, get in kids.” you told the children and John nodded.

“Alright Shelby Clan, I’ll be back in an hour.” John said and that made you genuinely smile. You found it very funny that he called them Shelby Clan. You knew it was the nickname for the whole family but it was still funny hearing him call four kids a clan.

“Bye daddy!” Jocelyn said waving, then they all got in. They ran to the living room which was also your office. “Y/N, are you really working on Valentine’s Day?” Katie asked. You chuckled nervously.

“Well, I’m not dating anyone, so yes.” you admitted and the kids giggled. “What are you laughing at?” you joked and they giggled more. “Would you want to date?” William asked.

“I think I would, if there was a right person.” you said after sitting on your chair. The kids sat on the ground and rested their backs on the side of the couch. David climbed on the couch instead, told you he was more mature.

“Even I am dating someone.” Katie said and Jocelyn gasped. “Who’s the lucky fella?” you asked, raising your eyebrows. All of them kept giggling, “He’s in my class, he bought me a cookie on friday.” Katie said with a big smile.

Watching them giggle and talk to you enthusiastically made your mood go up. You were actually feeling much better thanks to the Shelby Clan.

You went back to work while they were entertaining themselves with the new game David downloaded. The other siblings joined David on the couch too, lşke they should’ve done earlier.

You weren’t close to finishing the work and you were getting stressed about it. Your back started hurting from sitting. Also your stomach growled, reminding you that coffee doesn’t count as a meal.

“Are y’all hungry?” you asked the kids, hoping they would say yes. “Nope.” they all answered at once but Katie had more to say. “Dad said they’ll be cooking for us when he gets back.” they all nodded to Katie’s work.

“I’m eating on my own then.” you mumbled and stood up. “No Y/N, daddy’s cooking for you too.” William said and you smiled for a moment.

Your mind went full on panic mode. You questioned why he would cook for you after he comes back from a date. Even though he had said it wasn’t a date, your conscience didn’t trust his words.

You sat back at your seat but you didn’t want to keep working. The kids seemed so into that game that you also didn’t want to interrupt their fun. You went back to scrolling through Instagram and accepting your loneliness.

Soon the doorbell came to the rescue. You didn’t notice how much time passed so you didn’t think it would be John. You still believed he was on a date.

You opened the door. Your gaze first focused on John’s big smile, you didn’t even notice what he was holding in his hands.

“I’m back.” he said quietly, he was so quiet that you knew for some reason that he didn’t want kids to hear. That was when your gaze fell down from his lips to his hands.

He was holding a box of chocolate and a bouquet of red roses. You gasped and then smiled so big. “You bought me flowers and chocolates.” you said after licking your lips.

“I thought it was the appropriate time to.” John said, you looked at him not getting exactly what he was trying to say. You were so clueless.

“Appropriate time for what?” you asked and he just laughed. He thought you were joking but you were asking seriously. The fact that the corner of your lips were still curled had tricked him.

“I thought you were smarter.” he joked instead of directly answering your question. “Shut up you wanker, tell me!” you laughed after. “Wanker huh? I’m never telling you.” he replied and laughed so hard that you were sure the kids had heard already.

“Come on John Boy!” you said reaching for his hand. “At least give me the chocolates, I’m hungry!” you complained. He pulled them away from you. You laughed at each other, you felt like you were a teenager again.

“No seriously tell me, appropriate time for what?” you asked again, this time with a more serious face. He took a deep breath. He held onto the flowers and chocolates stronger.

“I think this is the appropriate time to ask you out.” John said and you nervously chuckled. You were so happy to hear that your feelings were mutual. You were also angry at yourself for not believing him when he said he had a date.

You two just smiled at each other like idiots without saying anything. At that moment nothing was real, you felt like you were floating in space and your only connection to earth was John.

“You’re asking me out?” you asked just to be sure. “Mhmm.” John nodded, “Y/N Y/L/N would you like to go out with me?” he properly asked. You giggled like a little girl.

“Yes, I will.” you said and hugged him. The corners of the chocolate box hurt you but it was worth it. Your hug was interrupted by Katie.

“Did you ask her out Daddy?” the ten year old asked, he nodded. “He did and now I’m hoping he’s gonna cook us dinner.” you told Katie, you really were hungry like a wolf.

John stepped inside with you. He left the flowers and chocolates on the kitchen counter. He immediately started cooking, you of course were going to help him.

“I hope you’re moving too far away, like the other side of London.” you confessed, that was a concern for you even before his interest in you was official.

“No, just a block away so the kids don’t have to change schools.” John said as he was cutting tomatoes. “A bigger place?” you asked, you were trying to get your own mind to justify the reason they’re moving for.

“Yes and you’re always welcome, nothing changes.” John said, he turned to you and smiled big. You returned his smile with a bigger one. Your eyes stuck at his lips, they looked so full and red. So kissable.

“Nothing changes.” you repeated and took a deep breath. He stopped cutting the tomatoes. He licked his lips, “Maybe some things can change.” he said and kissed you.

What a kiss it was. You weren’t in the children’s sight. It was the best kiss you ever had. With his lips touching yours and his tongue slipping into your mouth, both of you lost contact to earth. You were both floating in space, you didn’t even need air. As long as you had each other, you didn’t even have to have contact to earth.

You kissed for so long. You kissed like it was your last moment alive. You kissed with so much passion and you thought the heartache waiting for him gave you was totally worth it. When you finally parted, the only reason was that you were out of breath and you had a meal to cook.

Your Valentine’s Day was the exact opposite of what you expected. Even though you wouldn’t call what you and John had a relationship yet, you still weren’t alone on Valentine’s Day.

You had John with you who finally told you he wanted to date you. You had Katie, Jocelyn, William and David. You had your little new family. Now you were sure that you had joined their family for real. You hoped you all would be happy for the rest of your lives.

[sproutsgcrden]

when the seafoam floats | chapter one

the entrance exam

summary: Aizawa Michi isn't sure of a lot of things in her life, but she is sure that Midoriya Izuku is going to be a great hero. Following him from Aldera Middle School to Yuuei High only cements that fact, even if he does have a strange new quirk.

author's note: this is a longtime coming! i've been planning Michi's story for over a year now, and i'm so excited to finally be able to share it! keep in mind that this a retelling of canon with an oc-- some things will be different, some things will be the same. i update every monday on ao3.

masterlist | read on ao3 | next chapter

want to be tagged? send in an ask and let me know!

art done by emmythetaciturn!

father | sent 06:48

good luck. don’t die. i’ll get you a kit-kat later

loudmouth | sent 07:03

HAVE FUN TODAY MIMI! YOU’RE GONNA ROCK THIS 😎😝👏💪🗣

nem | sent 07:06

You’re going to do amazing today, my little mimichan 💕💕

Missed Call | izukun💚 | 07:49

izukun💚 | sent 07:49

Hey! I’m here! Call me when you’re close? 😊

--------

Michi clicked the call back button, bringing the phone up to her ear as the familiar dial tone rang. The black skirt of her middle school uniform swayed gently in the wind as she continued her trek up the path that led to Yuuei High School. Her seafoam green hair, wavy as it was, was pulled back into her usual half-bun. Even if it was completely down, it would barely reach her shoulders. Her narrowed brown eyes began to search for the familiar green hair of her friend among the throng of middle school students in her way.

A click sound through the phone, and through the static and background noise Michi could make out a meek voice. Her lips formed a small grin, and her pace sped up. If she bumped into anyone, well, she could apologize later.

“Hello? Micchan?”

Michi excused herself past a couple who were walking extremely slow for her tastes, and tightened her bag to her shoulder with her free hand. “Hey Izukun! I’m about to pass the gates, so I’ll probably see you within a minute or two. Where are you at?” The golden gates seemed to dazzle in the sun. The young girl had been here many times with her father, but for some reason the entrance seemed especially intimidating today.

“Oh, I’m on the left side of the walkway, right by a pillar…” Michi could hear Izuku’s hesitance through the phone. “Are uh, are you nervous at all?”

“Nervous? Izukun, of course I’m nervous. This is the biggest entrance exam in the entire country. I doubt my quirk will be useful during the physical- but hey, that’s why we trained, yeah? If anyone can pull this off, it’s us!” Just then, Michi passed through the gate. She saw a glimpse of green hair behind one of the pillars, and changed her direction. “Anyways, I’m right behind you.”

A muffled and surprised screech sounded through her phone’s speaker, causing Michi to look up at the source of the noise. Izuku had turned around so quickly that he tripped, but luckily a nearby girl helped him. After hanging up her phone and putting it in her bag, Michi quickly ran towards the duo before her.

“Are you okay?” The cheerful voice of the brunette standing in front of Izuku carried through the open air. “Sorry for using my quirk on you without asking first! I know that some people may not like that, but I figured it would be better than falling!” The girl helped Izuku stand straight and released her quirk just as Michi caught up to them.

Leaning over, Michi gave Izuku a once over, just to make sure he didn’t actually hit anything before he was caught. When she didn’t see anything wrong, she nodded and turned to the brunette standing beside her. “Thanks for catching him. He can be a little clumsy- nerves aren’t really helping today.”

“Oh, it’s no problem! This whole thing is way nerve-wracking!” The two turned to Izuku, who was too busy staring off into space to be aware of anything around them. “Anyways- my name is Uraraka Ochako! Good luck in the exam!”

Michi bowed respectfully..“Aizawa Michi. And this is Midoriya Izuku. Good luck to you as well.” Uraraka nodded, and walked into the building, brown hair bouncing gracefully. Michi watched her walk inside before she turned her attention to her friend, who was muttering too quietly for her to catch on to what he was saying.

With a huff of amusement, she slapped his shoulder and began to guide him into the building. “Izukun, I know you don’t have much experience with girls, but you could at least try to introduce yourself to the one who saved you from eating the sidewalk.” Michi laughed as Izuku’s face went from shocked to embarrassed.

“Oh gosh, you’re right. I was too busy trying to figure out her quirk to even say anything! Do you think she noticed?” Their shoes scruffed against the paved stairs as they continued their walk, eventually reaching the door and going inside. “I mean, what do you think it was? I think it could be some sort of gravity manipulation based on how I floated- that’s perfect for rescue work! She would be an amazing hero, I really hope she makes it in- is that- Thirteen?!”

Thirteen was stationed at a long table at the end of the entrance hall, clearly meant to be a check-in. They pointed directions for the potential students in front of Izuku and Michi as they handed out pamphlets. Izuku began to shake, from nerves or excitement Michi couldn’t tell. She assumed a mixture of both. It wasn’t everyday you got to meet such influential heroes in person- at least for the normal civilian.

As the duo eventually made their way to the front of the line, Thirteen greeted them enthusiastically. “Welcome to Yuuei, Hero Hopefuls! Can you please give me your school I.D.s so we can get you checked in and ready to go?” Michi and Izuku, of course, already had their identification available. Thirteen quickly took them, and checked the two of them into the system. After handing a freshly printed packet to each of them, along with their I.D.s, Thirteen pointed them down the hall.

“Those packets include the booklets you will use in the written exam, along with information regarding the physical you’ll take after. Your proctor will explain everything in more detail once they’re ready to start the exam. Aizawa-san, you’ll be in room 1-E, right down the hall after taking the first left. Midoriya-san, you’ll be in room 1-G, just a few doors further down. Good luck to the both of you!”

Michi led the way to their respective rooms, clearly having some knowledge on where to go. Izuku followed her lead, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. “Uh, Micchan?” The girl in question absentmindedly nodded her head, gesturing for Izuku to continue his question. “Well, I was just thinking, isn’t it a bit strange that we haven’t seen Kacchan yet?”

“Why would you want him to see you today of all days?”

“I don’t! I just-” Izuku sighed, causing Michi to pause and pull him to the side of the hall. “If he does see me, I’d rather it be before everything starts? At least it wouldn’t be so embarrassing if he yelled at me in an empty hallway versus a classroom.”

Michi nodded in understanding, waiting a moment before speaking. “I don’t think he’d go too overboard today, Izuku. At least, not on campus? Yuuei is very strict in their policies, so he’d likely be barred from taking the exam if he started screaming at you for nothing.” She gave him a reassuring grin. “And if he did, I’d punch him in the face. Again.”

“Micchan! You can’t just talk about how you punched Kacchan!”

“Why not? The asshole deserved it for what he said. And you know it.”

“I mean, maybe he did. But I’m sure you’ll be barred from taking the exam for talking about how you assaulted another student so openly!”

“Yeah... But I could still make it into general studies, probably. Besides, my old man already knows I cracked open Bakugou’s nose.”

“Micchan!” Izuku’s eyes were wide, but he couldn’t mask the giggles leaving his mouth quite fast enough. Michi smiled in response- a large, open-mouthed smile that rarely came from the normally stoic girl. Once Izuku calmed down, he began to talk once more. “Oh yeah. I forgot you mentioned your dad taught here. I’m still upset you won’t tell me which hero he is.”

Michi huffed, a small ounce of suppressed laughter. “Dad doesn’t like me sharing his hero identity, Izukun. But, to give you a clue…”

Izuku leaned in closely, ready to hear whatever could possibly clue him in on the mysterious hero.

“You have a few pages dedicated to him in one of your notebooks! I think number eleven?”

Green eyes widened comically as Izuku took in the implications of his friend’s words. “You mean I already wrote about your dad and you won’t tell me which hero he is?!”

“I thought it was funny.” Michi shrugged with a small grin. “Plus, like I said, dad doesn’t like people knowing his hero identity.”

“I still- I wrote about your dad and you never said anything!”

“I would’ve corrected you on your analysis had you been wrong, but you actually broke down his abilities quite well! I wanted to take a picture and show it to him, but that would’ve been too on the nose.”

Michi slapped her shell-shocked friend on the shoulder, trying to snap him out of his stupor. “We have a test to take, remember? Let’s focus on that!”

Izuku, getting over his shock and embarrassment, shook his head clear of his thoughts and nodded towards his friend. Michi walked a little further with him to make sure that he made it to the correct room before hurrying to her own. It was time for the exam to get started.

--------

Michi groaned as she tightened the seafoam-colored half bun sitting on top of her head, turning her back quickly to pop it as she made her way towards the large auditorium Snipe had pointed her group in. The written test hadn’t been as difficult as she thought it could’ve been. Thanks to the endless nights she and Izuku spent studying every subject they could get their grubby little hands on, she didn’t have nearly the amount of trouble she expected to have on the math section. It really wasn’t one of her strong suits. Quirk Science and Quirks Laws, however, were a speciality of hers. Her father debated the laws with his coworkers frequently enough for her to pick up on, and Quirk Science definitely helped explain her own quirks’ functions. Sparing a quick glance down to her pamphlet, Michi took the stairs near the entrance to find her seat.

The row her seat was in wasn’t hard to find, but Michi did a double take once she found it. With narrowed eyes, she slammed her bag on the table with a bit more force than necessary. Of course they would sit her near him. She only hoped that Izuku got placed on her side instead of the empty seat on his side.

“Real mature, guard dog.” the grating voice of Bakugou Katsuki sounded from her right. She barely spared him a look of contempt before setting her gaze on the stage below. His ashen blond hair was as explosive as ever, red eyes set in the permanent glare she was used to seeing from him. The sight of his crooked nose was enough to almost make her lose her cool, letting out a short cackle.

“Yeah, as if you know anything about maturity. Want a reminder of how your nose got permanently tilted to the side?”

Bakugou snarled, turning away from Michi to face the stage once more.

It was the first day of their third year, and of course Izuku was the first one assigned to classroom cleanup. Michi offered to stay behind with him, but she ran to the restroom right after class was dismissed. She knew she should’ve waited until Bakugou and his cronies left for the day, a fact she cursed herself for months after the event.

Her shoes tapped against the linoleum floor as she hurried back to their class, knowing the sooner they got the cleaning done, the sooner they could go get some katsudon and celebrate their first day being over. She didn’t expect her vision to turn red in rage the moment she entered the room.

“If you really want to be a hero so bad- maybe you should take a swan dawn off the roof of the building and pray for a quirk in the next life!”

Fingers and the chain smoker had already turned towards the door, eyes widened in fear. Not knowing of the danger that awaited him, Bakugou turned towards the exit with a smug smirk. And that’s when he was met with a sharp crack against his nose. Blood leaked through the torn skin on the bridge, as well as one of his nostrils. He spluttered, hand moving up to catch the blood and cover his nose as his shocked eyes met Michi’s glowing red ones. Her seafoam hair, normally tied back in a half bun, floated towards the ceiling.

“If you ever say anything like that again, I won’t stop at your nose.”

The feeling of someone tapping her left shoulder brought her out of the flashback, and she turned to see Izuku smiling down at her. He set his bag down beside his chair softly, scooting his chair closer to hers as he sat down. His documents were placed on the table in a neat stack. He was about to say something to the girl beside him, when he seemed to realize that Bakugou was only two seats over. Michi knew he’d probably start freaking out, so she turned to face him completely, blocking out his view of Bakugou.

“How do you think you did on the written portion, Izukun?” The lights dimmed before going back to their original brightness, signalling that the presentation was about to begin.

The young boy fiddled with his papers, shaking his head slightly. “I think I did okay? There were a few questions on the beginnings of quirks that I had a bit of trouble with, but other than that it seemed easier than expected?”

“Yeah. Good thing we studied for the math section. I totally would’ve failed if we hadn’t gone over a majority of it.” Michi flicked her eyes towards the stage once more, seeing the silhouette of a man with very large hair walk up to the podium.

Izuku, Michi, and the rest of the participants crowded into the room focused their attention to the newcomer as the lights dimmed. His bright yellow hair, gelled up to the high heavens, was only accented by the artificial lights beaming down on him. Headphones covered his ears, and the collar of his leather jacket did little to hide the speaker connected around the man’s neck. Michi chuckled as she heard her green-haired friend let out a squeak in surprise.

“YOOOOO YUUEI HOPEFULS! HOW ARE WE FEELING TODAY?” The man certainly didn’t need the mic connected to the podium as his voice echoed clearly throughout the entire auditorium.

“That’s Present Mic! His quirk control is absolutely incredible- his rescue stats as well! I listen to his radio show every morning! I can’t believe he’s a teacher here! It’s totally crazy that all the teachers here are pros- guess that’s Yuuei for you!” Izuku was nearly bouncing in his seat, gushing over the Voice Hero with the quietest voice he could possibly muster.

“Will you stop nerding out, freak?”

Michi glared at Bakugou. “You really want me to mess up your nose again, sweaty hands?”

“Micchan! Kacchan!”

The two stopped glaring at each other and turned forwards again, paying attention to Present Mic, much to Izuku’s relief.

“WELCOME TO TODAY’S LIVE SHOW! EVERYBODY SAY HEY!”

If Michi had been paying attention to detail, she would’ve realized that no one in their position would ever reply. Tension and nerves were extremely palpable in the air; everyone was too scared to even say anything at this point in the exam. All except Michi- who was used to the loud, booming calls made by her father’s best friend. So when she replied with a decent-volume, she lifted her head, surprised to see over a thousand faces staring back at her.

Blood immediately rushed to her cheeks as she realized that she was the only one in the entire room to reply to the loudmouthed hero. She felt Izuku’s concerned gaze as she tried to block out the obnoxious sound of Bakugou trying (and failing) to hold in laughter.

“THANK YOU EXAMINEE 8978!” If Michi were any closer, she would be able to see the wink he sent her way, but from the distance she was at, she could barely see his exaggerated movements. “I’M HERE TO PRESENT THE GUIDELINES OF YOUR PRACTICAL! ARE YOU READY?!”

The large screen behind Present Mic lit up, showcasing a map of the ten different battle centers. “THIS IS HOW THE TEST IS GONNA GO, LISTENERS! YOU’LL BE EXPERIENCING TEN MINUTE LONG ‘MOCK CITYSCAPE MANEUVERS’! BRING ALONG WHATEVER YOU WANT! YOU’LL HEAD TO YOUR ASSIGNED LOCATION AFTER THIS PRESENTATION, YA DIG?”

Bakugou shuffled beside Michi, taking a quick glance at the paperwork laid out in front of each of them. “That’s so kids from the same middle school can’t help each other out, yeah?”

“Yeah. It makes sense, too. Especially considering that each consecutive I.D. number is assigned to a different location!”

“Get your eyes off of my paper, nerd!” Izuku shuddered as Bakugou whisper-screamed at him. The ashen blond grunted as he looked away. “I’ll crush all these losers. Fortunately for you, you’ll get to live another day.”

Michi felt a sinister grin form on her face as she spoke through clenched teeth. “Broken. Nose.”

They grew silent once more as Present Mic continued to speak.

“Each site is filled with three kinds of faux villains! Points are awarded for defeating each according to their respective difficulty levels!!! Use your quirks to disable these villains, and earn your points! That’s your goal, listeners!!” There was a short pause before the hero continued. “Of course, playing the antihero and attacking other examinees is prohibited!”

Michi elbowed Bakugou at the reminder, making him scowl at her.

“Excuse me! May I ask a question!”A voice sounded from below, nearly right in front of the stage. A figure was lit up by a stage light: a tall student with dark blue hair and glasses. He didn’t pause to let the hero reply before he continued on with his question. “There appear to be no fewer than four varieties of faux villains on this handout! Such a blatant error, if it is one, is highly unbecoming for Yuuei! Japan’s top academy! We’re all here today in the hopes of being molded into model heroes!”

“And you! With the curly hair!” His finger pointed towards Izuku, making the green haired boy cower behind Michi. “You’ve been muttering this whole time! It’s distracting!! If this is some sort of game to you, then please leave immediately!”

Izuku let out an embarrassed “Sorry,” in reply, making Michi glare down at the kid who singled her friend out. If it wasn’t going to create even more of a scene and cause Izuku to become even more of a nervous wreck, she’d totally give this guy a piece of her mind. Just who did he think he was?!

“Alright! Examinee 7111! Great catch, thank you!” Present Mic increased his volume, trying to lead the attention back to himself. “But the fourth villain variety gets you zero points! He’s more of an obstacle! There’s only one at each site! A gimmick of sorts that’ll rampage around in close quarters.”

“Thank you, sir! I apologize for the interruption!”

The presenting hero nodded, gesturing to the entire room with his hands. “That’s all from me, folks!” He went on to describe a quote from Napoleon, of all people. Michi knew this was the school of schools, but she also knew Mic was being forced to spew the random educational fact to them all. “PLUS ULTRA!!! Break a leg, listeners!”

With that, the main lights turned back on and the other potential students began to shuffle their way to their respective buses. The small shuttles would take them to and from campus to their testing sites. Bakugou, bag already slung across his shoulder and papers in his grasp, sped past Izuku and Michi as soon as the lights turned back on. The two shrugged as they gathered their things and made their way down and out to the buses.

-------

The shuttles, while as large as they could be, were still completely cramped. Michi found herself wishing that the battle centers were closer so that they could just walk to where they needed to be. She wasn’t much of a people person in the first place, even more-so when she was surrounded by random people with no room to herself. Luckily, she was able to grab a window seat near the back. The kid that sat immediately next to her didn’t seem too awful, either.

“Hey! Name’s Sero Hanta!” His deep black hair reached just above his shoulders, and his smile was so obviously genuine. Michi nodded, eyes flickering down to the round shape of his elbows before meeting his own. “This is totally crazy, right?”

“Aizawa Michi.” She sat up a bit straighter to provide more room for the both of them as she nodded. “Tell me about it. Didn’t know we were fighting robots… I’m going to have to be creative.”

Sero lifted his arms to give her a better view of his elbows. “I get ya! My quirk’s called Tape! I produce organic tape from my elbows.” He dropped his arms once she had gotten a good look. “What’s yours?”

“It’s called Erasure.” Michi held up her hands for Sero to see. “If I touch someone with all five fingers, I can erase their quirk. Or, I make them unable to use it? It’s not very effective on those with mutations, however.”

“Oh no shit?” Sero turned to face Michi fully, lifting his elbow to her still raised hand. “Try it on me! I wanna see what happens with my quirk!”

The young girl nodded, and placed her entire hand on the boy’s elbows. Michi felt her hair begin to float upwards, and she could tell by the look on Sero’s face that her normally brown eyes had begun to glow red. “You can move your elbow. I can still have my quirk activated if I let go.”

Sero tilted his arm away from her, moving it back and forth with furrowed brows. He shook his arm a few times, in an attempt to try to use his quirk. “It’s so weird. I know my quirk’s still here, it just feels like I forgot how to use it.” He knocked his knuckles against his elbow. “Yeah, I can’t get anything to come out.”

Michi nodded and deactivated her quirk; the feeling of her hair floating back down to normal tickled the back of her neck. In an instant, tape shot out of Sero’s elbows in a similar fashion to a grenade getting launched. He quickly grabbed the end before it could get far, and retracted it. She sheepishly scratched the back of her neck, turning her gaze to the floor.

“Sorry. I should’ve warned you before I let it go.”

“Eh, don’t worry about it!!” The shuttle came to a stop in front of their battle center, and the two of them stood as they waited their turn to make their way to the gate. “That’s a pretty great quirk though. It sucks that you don’t have a way to use it against the robots.”

Michi shrugged, following Sero as he began to walk through the aisle. “I have a few ideas of what I can do. Either way, if I don’t manage to bag enough villain points, I’m confident I’ll make it into general education. I can just fight my way into the hero course from there.”

The duo had made their way to the gate by the time Michi finished her short speech, and started to stretch while they waited for the countdown to begin. It wasn’t a long wait before a loud buzzer sounded through the area, and as soon as the gates opened up, Michi sprinted her way through it. She barely acknowledged Present Mic’s voice as she surpassed those in her group, heading straight for the nearest one-pointer.

The one-pointers were the smallest of the bunch, and therefore the easiest ones to test her theory on. Logically, these robots had to have a manual shut-off. Michi had no doubt that the exam proctors were controlling these things from a central room somewhere on campus, but that didn’t mean that there weren’t other ways to make sure they were running properly.

Thanking her dad for the parkour lessons, Michi narrowly dodged the robot’s fist before hopping onto it. Using its arm as a leverage point, she swung herself towards its neck. It didn’t take long for her to maneuver herself so she was able to look down at its back. Taking a moment to look around, her eyes lit up as soon as she glanced at a small switch between the neck piece and the back of the robot. Dodging another hit from the bot, she swung herself around once more. Hanging one arm around its neck from the back, Michi was able to stick her hand down far enough to toggle the switch. She heard a small click and immediately did a backflip off the bot and ran to find a new enemy to take on.

The other examinees were beginning to catch up to her, but she did her best to ignore them and keep to the plan she had. Now that she knew for sure that the robots had a toggle for power, Michi felt much more comfortable going after the two and three pointers. She would just have to make sure to dodge their attacks as well as she could. Without any quirk enhancements, taking a hit from one of the bigger bots was sure to at least crack a rib or two.

As Michi kicked off the two-pointer she just eliminated to land on the arm of a nearby three-pointer, she found herself regretful that she hadn’t practiced more with a capture weapon. Her father’s capture scarf, while useful, was extraordinarily complicated to learn how to handle. Even after practicing with a smaller version for about two years now, she still didn’t feel confident in handling it. At least, not confident enough to take it along for the most important exam she would probably ever take.

The three-pointer shut down with a flick of a button, and Michi jumped down to the ground as it collapsed in on itself. The ten-minutes they were allowed were quickly running out, and the examinees had fully taken advantage of every second. The young girl ran down the back alleyways of the mock city in hopes of finding a straggler or two, but it seemed to be in vain. She was sure that there were probably some more targets near the open streets, but quite frankly it was a bloodbath between the others and she really didn’t want any part of it.

Just as she was about to enter another alley, the ground began to rumble. Something big was approaching, and approaching fast. Looking out onto the main road, she spotted the biggest robot she had ever seen in her life. It easily doubled the largest buildings in the area, and the insane amount of weapons situated on its arms made it a terrifying sight to behold. That’s the zero-pointer?

Michi stared at the giant, watching it move closer and closer as other examinees rushed past her to get to safety. No wonder Present Mic said to avoid that thing! There’s no stopping it unless you want to break yourself! Michi set her foot back, hesitantly getting ready to make an escape, before she heard a terrified scream break out in front of her. A kid with strange looking balls on top of his head was cowered underneath a few pieces of rubble. It didn’t seem to be crushing him, but Michi knew sooner or later that the zero-pointer would.

With a sigh, Michi forced herself forward, running towards the other examinee as fast as she could. She came to a stop right beside the boy, eyes flickering between him and the zero-pointer. As she took a closer look, she noticed that similar balls to what he had as hair were wedged in between the wall and the pieces of rubble about to fall on him. She also noticed that his pant leg was caught in between the street and the piece of rubble as well.

“Hey!” The kid met her calm gaze with watery eyes and snot dripping down his nose. She tried not to grimace at the sight. “Those ball things are your quirk, right? Can you get them to unstick? I’d reach around to rip off the part of your pants that are stuck but I can’t reach and we really don’t have the time to mess around here.”

“I- I can’t!!” The kid was pretty much inconsolable. “I made sure they’d be super sticky for the exam today!”

Michi gritted her teeth, looking around for something she could use to help push the heavy rubble away, at least to the point where he was able to get his pant leg out of there. A metal pipe glinted in the alleyway she came from, and she made sure to tell the crying boy that she’d be back soon. Pushing herself up once more, Michi sprinted to the alleyway and bent down to pick up the pipe. A ripping sound came from above her, and she looked up to see Sero grinning down at her with a sweaty face.

“Need help?” Sero dropped down from the roof to stand beside Michi as she stood to face him, gripping the pipe tight between her hands.

“Actually, yeah.” She gestured for him to follow her as she turned to run back to the boy in trouble. “We need to move this rubble so he can move but his quirk got caught up in the mess. So we need to separate this main piece from those balls attached to the wall.”

Sero nodded, taking a furtive glance to the approaching zero-pointer which was only getting closer. Tape from both of his elbows shot out, attaching to the flat side of the rubble. “I’ll pull; you can stick that pipe up at the top and push it my way.”

Michi did as he said, jamming the pipe as far as she could between the wall and the debris. As soon as Sero called out, Michi began to push the pipe. The young girl relied more on her speed than her strength, so she wasn’t very used to dealing with this much weight. Sweat dripped down her face as she pushed harder, finally beginning to see the rubble move in the direction they wanted it to. After a minute or so of this, she felt the trapped boy grab onto her leg and pull himself out of the hole he had essentially dug for himself. Once he was a safe distance away, Sero and Michi both stopped their efforts.

The duo sent small smiles to one another, grateful that they were able to help. Unfortunately, that feeling didn’t last that long. Michi, about to ask the other boy if he was okay, suddenly froze as she felt a hand travel up her thigh.

“Oi, what the fuck!” She kicked the boy away from her, which wasn’t hard to do as he was still gripping onto her leg. Sero, who saw what had just occurred, came to stand by Michi’s side. Their glares combined sent the kid into another crying fit.

“I just wanted to say thank you!”

“Yeah, that came across real well when you tried to cop a feel.”

The boy, mouth open and ready to respond with some pathetic excuse, suddenly stopped as a loud sonic boom echoed around them. Almost immediately after, Present Mic’s obnoxious yelling sounded through the area.

“TIME’S UP, LISTENERS! PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT GATES!”

--------

The shuttles had taken them back to the main campus rather quickly. Those who had minor injuries were informed to wait for Recovery Girl to come back- apparently somebody had majorly hurt themselves in one of the other battle centers. Michi suspected it had to do with whatever caused that explosion at the very end of the test.

Michi walked through the crowded group of waiting students, searching for a glimpse of familiar green hair. Her brows furrowed as she saw no sight of him, and she pulled out her phone to see if he had texted her. The lock screen lit up, showing a photo of herself and Izuku on their first day of their third year. She was barely smiling, and he was red-faced and sweating buckets. The picture always did make her grin, but when she saw that there weren’t any notifications, she pulled up her messaging app. She was in the midst of typing up something to send to Izukun when she felt a hand land on her shoulder.

“Examinee 8978!” Present Mic stood beside her, shooting her a wink through his orange-tinted glasses. “Someone’s looking for you. Lemme take you to them, ya dig?!”

Michi nodded, following the tall hero as he led the way towards the less crowded hallway. As soon as they were out of earshot from most of the other examinees, Present Mic grinned down at her.

“What?”

“Nothin’. I’m just so proud of you! Saving people already!” The hero wiped a fake tear from under his eye, cackling when Michi groaned. They made another turn, and Michi grew more concerned when she realized they were heading in the direction of Recovery Girl’s office.

The young girl adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder. “It would’ve been better had that loser not tried to grab my ass.”

“And Mineta Minorou will face consequences for those actions. If I have anything to say about it, he won’t step foot in the school again.” A deep, exhausted voice sounded from in front of them as Eraserhead turned the corner they were approaching. His eyebags were very pronounced today, only seeming more prominent from the shadows his long, unkempt hair cast upon his face.

As Michi and Present Mic walked closer, he stopped them to hand Michi a kit-kat bar and pat her head. “Good job, kid.” All Michi did was nod her head, trying to hide her forming grin.

Of course, the moment was ruined once Mic opened his mouth. “Why can’t you two act like a normal father and daughter for once?! Give her a hug, cry! Show some emotion!”

Both Aizawas felt their eyes twitch, turning towards Mic with matching glares.

“Okay, okay!” Mic began waving his hands and backing up. “I’ll shut up! I gotta go check on the other listeners anyways since this case may take Chiyo a while!” With that, Mic sped away back towards the lobby where a majority of students were still waiting, leaving Michi and Eraserhead alone before the nurse’s office.

Michi blinked, turning to her dad in hopes of hearing an explanation. He sighed, eyes closing as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Your friend. I thought he was quirkless.”

“He is, though?” Michi crinkled her nose in confusion, “He has the extra toe joint and the special shoes and everything.”

“Then how did he level an entire zero-pointer with one punch?”

“What did you say?!”

All her father did was sigh again, and open the door to Recovery Girl’s office. Immediately, Michi rushed in, ignoring the elder woman’s protests. She couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw Izuku laying on the stretcher with a nervous smile.

“H-Hey, Micchan! How did your test go?”

She was going to kill him.

[hayleyb100]

Father’s Day for Wyvern Family

"You are willing to help my work at the shelter today?"

Richard looked at Raihan with round eyes, asking if he meant it.

"Yeah, you know... I never tried to do anything else other than pokemon battles as a Gym Leader until now, so I want to try out something else."

With Raihan's pride, he couldn't be honest and say he wants to help his dad out for Father's Day.

"Why, what a delightful offer. I would love to spend time with you dear."

Richard was just glad to spend more time with his son since Raihan is all caught up busy with the Gym Leader's work.

Raihan was excited to spend the first Father's Day with his dad after their reunion. He was always one step away from his dad worried about him, but now they are finally together again. He was determined to make this the best day of the year.

Raihan wore the same navy-blue cape like his dad. It was so short for him that it almost looked like a shawl rather than a cape.

"The cape keeps you warm, but it can also act as a blanket to wounded pokemon."

Richard's explanation shocked Raihan because he thought the cape was for cool looks all along. He took off on Flygon along with his dad to Wild Area, where people called to rescue a wounded Bewear.

When they arrived there, Bewear was growling to keep them away.

"Stay back, dad. I'll calm him down in no time."

Raihan pulled out his pokeball but stopped by Richard.

"Dear, the pokemon is injured. If you go into a brawl, it will make the pokemon even more alert and fierce."

On that note, Richard started playing a soothing melody on his ocarina. Bewear calmed down after a while, and his dad whipped up an ointment in a flash and bandaged it.

"There we go... You should be fine now." Richard smiled happily.

Raihan is shocked at how his dad calmed down one of the most aggressive pokemon who can break a human's backbones like a chopstick, with nothing else than an ocarina. And the way he made medicine from scratch was another level too.

They then went to Hammerlocke Hills where another rescuer called and said there's a Wobbuffet stuck in between the rocks of the cliff. Raihan tried to blow out the rocks in one go with Turtonator's Dragon Pulse, but he was once again stopped by Richard who said it might hurt the pokemon. He sent out Bernard the Falinks instead to use Brick Break to crack the rocks one after another carefully.

"How did you ended up there?" Richard smiled as he healed Wobbuffet who still looked confused. Raihan pouted, as he seemed like no help at all.

The whole day turned a big mess to Raihan. When Richard asked him to bring the herbs, he knocked down the whole cupboard and jumbled them all up, his bandaging was clumsy as hell, and he ended up making Toxtricity mad and zapping both him and his dad. It was as if Raihan made his dad's work double then helping him out. It was frustrating.

______________________________________

"Cocoa with some cream and marshmallow, just as you like it dear."

After a long day, Richard handed Raihan a cup of cocoa. Raihan still looked dissatisfied.

"...What is wrong, honey?" Richard asked as he wore a face of worriedness.

"Nothing..." Raihan sighed.

"I know that is a lie." Richard frowned, and Raihan sighed again.

"...I joined your work to help, but I feel like loading you with more. Please tell me that I wasn't any help, because I know I wasn't."

"Oh, Raihan..." Richard smiled happily.

"Did you not noticed? I would have passed out if I pushed this hard, but the reason I could carry on was that you were by my side."

"What... For real?" Raihan looked surprised, but Richard kept wearing that warm smile.

"Of course, my dear. The fact that you were working with me gave me so much energy. I felt as energetic as Mudsdale. It was such a bliss."

"Well, that's a relief... A little."

Raihan smiled too. But he still felt kind of lacking with what he did for Richard on Father's Day.

Richard looked at his son and quietly pleaded.

"If you are alright, may I ask you a favor, sweetie?"

Raihan was joyful that his dad had something he wanted to ask of him.

"Sure, anything!"

At Raihan's pumped up response, Richard started.

"Can you accept my challenge of pokemon battle at the Gym?"

Raihan was thrown off at such an unexpected request.

"What?"

"You see since I was so weak and sickly, I never went on the pokemon journey... So, I would like to get a feeling of what it is like to challenge a Gym Leader."

Raihan couldn't decline his dad when he was looking at his son with the childlike eyes of Alcremie. Not to mention Raihan was hyped to find out there is actually something he can do for his dad.

"Okay, shall we go to Hammerlocke Gym then?"

__________________________________

"Wow, it is a perfect fit."

Richard looked at himself in challenger's uniform with back number 834(Can be read as Kind-hearted or Friendly in Japanese), full of wonder.

"I can't believe how small you are, dad. It is supposed to fit teenagers."

Raihan shook his head but also was amazed at how innocent his dad is. He didn't feel it, but his heart started to race when they entered the stadium. There was no audience since it was a closed season for Gym Challenge, but Raihan was intense than ever. It was the same pressure and excitement he got from taking on a challenger.

Raihan took a deep breath when he saw his dad on the opposite side.

"The challenge will be a double battle, where we use 2 pokemons each. One who has their pokemon all fainted first will lose."

"I got it." Richard nodded, as intense as Raihan.

"...Ready?" Raihan asked.

"...Yes." Richard replied.

They glared at each other with the same jade green eyes burning with passion, as they threw their pokeballs into the court.

The battle was an extreme tug-of-war. Richard ordered Mildred to use Decorate on Gale and wracked Raihan's Goodra. She barely withstood the hit and countered Gale with Sludge Bomb. Duraludon used Flash Canon on Alcremie, but it used Protect and countered him with Dazzling Gleam. Mildred healed Gale's poison with her Aromatherapy. That's when Richard called Mildred back into her pokeball.

"Hang in there, Mildred!" he shouted, as he threw his enlarged pokeball to the backside.

Mildred came back out Dynamaxed, filling the stadium with her mighty but soothing voice.

"Giving all out, I see? As a Gym Leader of Hammerlocke, I'll teach you what the Gym Battle is!" Raihan was already absorbed into the battle, that he completely forgot that it was his dad standing in front of him.

Instead, he Gigantamaxed his Duraludon to go against Mildred with Max Steelspike. Mildred didn't give in and landed Max Starfall as a counter hit.

It has been quite a while since Raihan had such an enthusiastic battle after facing Victor. After all the intense feelings, joy started to spring from his mind. It was both pleasures from hanging out with his dad, and granting his dad's long overdue wish on the first Father's Day they spend in a long time.

The result came out, and it was a pretty obvious victory for Raihan.

"You two did so well, my darlings. Please rest well." Richard beamed, as he returned his pokemons into the pokeball after healing them with his medicine. He looked pleased than ever.

"That was exciting... I have never been so exhilarated in a long while. I have brand new respect for all the trainers and young Gym Challengers. And to you too! I am so proud to have such amazing son. I cannot thank you enough, my dear."

"Glad it did. I was amazed at how exciting the battle was too!"

Raihan beamed as well, glittering his fang.

Richard's smile just paid off everything for Raihan. He could feel that the Father's Day this year was a huge success. He has never been this proud to be a Gym Leader.

"Happy Father's Day, dad."

[twinkleimagines]

✨lost and found✨

Tom is in AtlantA filming for spider man 3 and he takes a walk at night. Since he avoided his agents instructions to strictly not go anywhere without any protection, he ends up walking down the wrong road and gets bombarded by a group of people who don’t have the best intentions. Luckily you were watching and came to the rescue.

( I’m from Clayton county and am very familiar with Atl and how some neighborhoods are up there so if anyone is from Atlanta and gets offended on how this story goes , well sorry. )

Tom POV: “ I just feel so overwhelmed today” Tom said over the phone to his best friend Harrison. Tom had spent all week long shooting for the film ‘ Spider-Man 3’ and it felt like he was continuously had someone over his shoulder telling him what he can and can’t do.

“ go for a walk mate clear your head” Harrison responded trying to comfort his friend.

“ they’d never let me, not alone at least” Tom whispered, trying not to let anyone ease drop. He was in the hotel room alone but he usually had someone on the outside of his door making sure no one else got in.

“ disguise yourself up, make up an excuse and when the coast is clear go “. Tom contemplated for a second before agreeing. He figured if he disguised himself enough, plus with it being far outside . How hard could that be , right?

“ alright I’ll call you if I make it out” Tom said before hanging the phone up. Tom didn’t do too well of desguising himself unfortunately, all he had put on was an oversized hoodie and a black hat, placing the hoodie over the top of his hat. What did benefit him though, was he could see the entrance to the back door to the hotel, and there were absolutely no paparazzi or anyone at that matter waiting for him.

“ you need something?” One of his body guards asked as Tom opened the door to his hotel.

“ just ice” Tom said shaking the empty container for ice. The man reached out for it but Tom quickly pulled away.

“ c’mon man it’s just down the stairs I just want to walk alone for a second and I’ll be right back” he stated ‘ sincerely’. I mean he wasn’t lying.

“ alright , just hurry” . Tom nodded enthusiastically before speed walking his way to the elevator before the guy changed his mind. He couldn’t believe the guy was this stupid to let him go but at the same time he was beyond thankful. Tom side heavily as he open the exit door the cold breeze hitting his face. He immediately started walking , his head lowered some so no one close by would recognize him. He had even turned his phone off so no one could bother him. It had been a long time that he could walk in a overpopulated city like this and not be bothered, and it had been probably the most peaceful walk he had had in a long time to be in fact . The way the building lit up the sky, the groups of people passing by as if he was just another pedestrian , all of it just molding together perfectly. He hadn’t even noticed how long he had been walking , and at this point - he was lost.

Toms eyes roamed everywhere, trying to see something that looked familiar but at this point he couldn’t recognize a single area. He wasn’t paying attention, he was zoned out, his mind everywhere else and now it’s cost him his way back. Tom quickly turned around , walking back in the direction he came from holding he’d see something he remembers but there was nothing .

A few minutes went by , Toms heart racing with each step , fear going over him . The last place he wanted to get lost in was this big over populated city. He knew he had plenty of fans and eventually he was going to get spotted. Thankfully though Tom noticed a bus stop.

“ this has got to be it” he said out loud before turning down the street next to him.

What Tom didn’t register though was that he walked passed the bus station, but continued straight at first , but this time he decided to turn , taking him down a neighborhood like road. Tom calmed down as he walked , feeling a bit more confident in his decision, that is until someone across the street yelled at him.

“Hey!” They yelled, walking across the street to the side walk Tom was on. Tom did his best to keep his head down ignoring the girl but unfortunately it grabbed everyone else’s attention. “ hey you in the hoodie!” She yelled again , causing Tom to look up directly at her . The face she made when he made eye contact reassured him that she knew exactly who he was. “ oh I fucking knew it bro!” She beamed excitedly yelling back at her group of friends. When Tom looked over , he could tell he was more in the ghetto area. There were at least four guys, tatted up, a lot of flashing jewelry, their pants a little below their waste, and the other girl that was with them was dressed the same as the girl who spotted Tom. She had the basic biking shorts and t-shirt and definitely some expensive kicks.

“ yo ain’t you that spidey guy?” One of the guys asked. They had all managed to circle Tom at this point, looking him up and down.

“ yeah yeah That’s me” Tom said nervously . They all looked at each other and laughed when he spoke with a British accent , surprising them.

“ oh man you far from home for real aren’t you” the guy replied back. Toms heart was pounding at this point as the crowd circled closer and closer .

“ nah man we are filming here but I was just -“

“ I bet you some millionair huh?” One guy spoke up, everyone agreeing with him. “ man how much this watch cost you?” One guy asked reaching out for Toms wrist but he pulled away.

“ look I don’t want any trouble “

***

Y/n POV:

“ y/n set the table for grandma baby” your grandma said to you from the living room. You were visiting your grandma for the weekend at her place in Atlanta, just to get a break from home and school. It was just you and her thankfully giving you a relaxing weekend.

“ okay grandma” you said before setting the place mats out.

“ hey!” You heard someone from outside . Just your curious self, you peaked out the kitchen which was looking out towards the street. You saw a young guy getting surrounded by a group that looked to be up to no good. Within seconds they were grabbing at his belonging .

“ I think this guy is about to get Robbed grandma!” You said heading towards the door. She tried warning you to stay clear that You didn’t need to be a hero , but you were already out the door before she had finished.

“ hey!” You shouted running up towards the crowd with your phone out. “ back the fuck off!” You yelled out , recording them. “ if you all just walk away I won’t report you for robbery , and I’m recording you all so they’ll know exactly who the suspects are”. The group hesitated before turning around and walking away.

“ you okay?” You asked grabbing onto the guys shoulder. He looked like he was about to throw up from fear but something about him looked so familiar.

“ honestly I’m not “ he stated shaking his head, breathing heavily. “ I’m completely lost and if it weren’t for you I would’ve been - I would’ve been screwed.” He stated . You smiled a bit feeling accomplished- and at the extremely attractive British accent. “ well my grandma just made dinner, would you like to come inside and eat and we’ll try to get you back to where you belong” you offered. The guy stood for a second, contemplating, but something about your face being so friendly made him feel comfort and safe . He nodded before following you inside.

“ this is my grandma , Grandma this is... what did you say your name was again?” You asked. He quickly took his hat off before walking up and shaking her hand.

“I’m Tom Holland ma’am “ he said. You scrunched your face up. Why does that sound so familiar ?

“ I Honedtly cannot thank your grand daughter enough ! I don’t know what would’ve happened to me out there if she wouldn’t have come to the rescue.” He stated.

“ oh sweet boy, are you hungry ? It’s just the two of us” she offered , patting the back of Toms hand.

“I don’t want to intrude “ he stated shaking his head .

“ oh no , join us. It is the least you could do” she said referring to you just rescuing him. He nodded in agreement before walking into the dining room with the two of you.

“ I was going to ask if you went to school here because you look so familiar, but given your accent I’m sure you don’t. “ you stated sitting down in your chair.

“ oh yeah- no I’m from England” he stated placing his napkin in his lap.

“ England?” Your grandma questioned. “ you really are lost” she stated , placing the food down on the table .

“ oh I’m suppose to be here in Atlanta for filming I just wasn’t suppose to be here. “

“ filming?” You asked, drawing his attention back to you. He nodded taking a sip of his drink . “ are you an actor or something? “

“ yeah I’m filming spider man 3”. It was like a light bulb went off in your head.

“ I knew I recognized you!” You beamed feeling accomplished for finally putting 2 and 2 together, ( even though he basically already told you) .

“ yeah “ he chuckled at your excitement. “ unfortunately that’s how I ended up in that jam out there” he stated . “ they knew who I was and i guess they thought I had a lot of money- I mean I have a lot of money.. that’s not what I meant I just mean me being an actor I mean I-“ you laughed out loud watching him fumble through his words trying not to sound conceited.

“ I know what you meant “ you said with a sincere smile following. Toms cheeks turned red, blushing as he couldn’t help to think how cute your laugh was. Most of dinner went on with you and him asking questions amongst each other, getting more and more comfortable with each other.

“ alright baby I’ve got to get me some sleep, it was nice meeting you Tom honey I hope you can get yourself back safely” your grandmother said before giving you a kiss goodnight.

“ listen I’ve got a car, I can drive you back to the hotel” you stated looking back at Tom . He nodded, almost as if he was saddened at the thought of leaving. You both had managed to get in the car safely, without anyone noticing. “ yanno” you spoke up after turning the key in the ignition. “ we can take a detour “. Tom grinned, excitement running through him.

“ A detour?”

“ yeah I know a few spots” you beamed before backing out of the driveway. The first area you had taken him to was the Fountain of Rings.

“ my grandma use to bring me here a lot when I was a kid” you stated as you both watched the holes on the ground light up while shooting water out. “ she thought it was so funny to watch me try to dodge the water” you laughed, reminiscing on your childhood. Tom smiled, his eyes not leaving your face. He watched in awe as the colors from the fountains lit up your face, and sparkles in your eyes almost as stars. You could feel his stare, and if it wasn’t for the colors beaming on you he would’ve seen that your face was becoming cherry red.

“ would you like to do it again? But with me?” He asked, holding his hand out. giggled before Tom dragged you out towards the fountains. For the most part it was laughter coming from the both of you as you managed to dodge the water, the sprinkles damping the both of you up. Someone close by sitting on one of the concrete bench started playing music from their speaker, causing you to twirl around dancing with your arms in the air. Your dampened hair swirled around you with each turn, and Tom couldn’t take his eyes of you.

Each time you spun, your eyes landed on Tom, who had the biggest smile on his face, going ear to ear. Your smiled dropped as you realized Tom was standing just a little too close to a fountain that had just lit up.

“TO-“ before you could even finish with your warning, water shot up out of the fountain, catching the whole right side of Tom.

“ oh my gosh!” He shouted out, frozen in shot as half of his body dropped with water. You fell to your knees in laughter , holding onto your stomach. Tom ran over to you, shaking his head splashing you with water from his hair . “ I can’t believe you didn’t tell me “ he stated jokingly while attempting to squeeze out as much water as possible.

“ hey i think I did enough saving tonight” you stated jokingly referring to earlier. He nodded agreeing before putting his soaking wet arm over your shoulder .

“ well where to next darling?” He asked . You lowered your head blushing . “ I figured we could ride on the Sky view before you go back. “ you said pointing at the big lit up Farris wheel in the distance . “ it will definitely help dry you up” you laughed .

“ oh thanks” he laughed before grabbing your purse for you. “ so do you have a boyfriend ?” He asked, his hands now in his pockets. You shook your head no, grinning at the question.

“ no one has really grabbed my attention “ you stated. “ people our age seem to be only interested in flings. No one seems ready for commitment. “ he nodded , his headed lowered watching his feet glide across the side walk.

“ why about you though?” You asked nudging him with your elbow. “ any lovers back in England ?”

“ nope” he said popping the ‘P’. Instant relief flooded through your body. You couldn’t understand though, after tonight he would eventually go back to his normal fame life and forget all about you. “I was in one for a long while, but as my fame grew it was harder to hold the relationship.” He stated looking at you. “ it’s hard because relationships require a lot of attention and the more I did for my career the less attention I gave her and she just , I guess wasn’t cut out for it “ he stated.

“ when you really love someone , you should be supportive even if it doesn’t benefit you or isn’t convenient to you. Or at least that’s what I think.” You said pushing your hair behind your ear. Tom smiled.

“ I was thinking the exact same thing” he stated. You could feel butterflies forming in your stomach as you both stared long at each other . He had Argumentally the most beautiful brown eyes you had ever seen. your stare was cut short when you noticed his face become extremely lit up.

“ where here” you stated, looking up at the Sky view. You both sat down in one of the gondolas , the cold breeze now causing you to shiver.

“ here” Tom said scooting ever so close to you, wrapping his arm around you.

“ you won’t do much good with your close wet” you laughed, but the gesture was much appreciated. He laughed before looking back at your face .

“ y:n” he said softly . You looked over at him, realizing he was blushing.

“ yeah?”

“ I just want to thank you” he said sincerely . You smiled looking down shyly.

“ it was no problem” you stated shrugging your shoulders.

“ no seriously” he said lifting your head up with his chin. “ not only did you chance taking in a complete stranger into your home , but you rescued me, and you made this entire night make me feel..” he paused for a second, questioning how he was going to describe what he was feeling. “ you made me feel so normal. Not some celebrity. “ you chuckled slightly . “ really Y:n. I wanted to get away tonight because it’s always , interviews, filming , the press , paparazzi following you everywhere, ‘ Tom do this or do that’- I mean I just never get a break.” he stated looking down at his lap. “ but tonight you took all of that away . I was able to enjoy stuff without a thousand photos being taken . I was able to conversate without feeling like I had to worry about what I said without someone selling it to a reporter . I just feel normal.. and safe with you” he said before taking your hands in his.

“ honestly Tom, you make being a celebrity sound horrible” you both laughed at your response before it got quiet again.

“ well without a doubt I would take this night over any of my nights of fame in a heartbeat” he stated . Before you cpuld respond, Tom leaned in, pressing his lips against yours . Your hands immediately found their way to the back of his head, tugging slightly on his hair. His hands were pressed on your lower back , pulling you closer towards him. You let a slight moans as he squeezing your bottom giving him access to place his tongue in your mouth. You had shivers and goosebumps all over your body, even though the cold might breeze did play a hand in that . Eventually though you both had to breathe , pulling away from each other , giggles following shortly after . There was a peaceful quiet between the both of you, neither of you wanting to actually go separate ways.

“ you won’t forget me with you?” You said quietly , looking down at your hands nervously. Tom scoffed .

“ I wouldn’t dare” he responded grabbing your hands again. “In fact we can exchange numbers “ he said pulling out his phone, turning it on. “ just don’t go selling my number ok” he said jokingly . You laughed , quickly interrupted by the sound of his phone non stop notifications going off.

“ wow, you were definitely missed” you said watching notifications pouring . Tom shook his head .

“ it’s mainly my agents freaking out . “ he said Reading through the messages .

“ do you think they’ve reported you missing or something ?” You asked, worry running over you.

“ oh no they wouldn’t . That would put me in serious danger. Thiusands would be searching me and not all would have good intentions” he said typing on his phone . “ I told them I was with a friend and that I’d be there soon so they would calm down” you didn’t respond, only lowering your head down sighing heavily. “ but I’m in no rush” he said reassuring you. You smiled before leaning back in, kissing him.

“ I really hope we can stay friends after this “ you stated as you both got off of the ride .

“ y/n- I for sure want to be friends with you , and definitely keep in contact”

***

You had made it back to the hotel, standing at the back door that Tom had originally snuck out of.

“ can’t believe I’m back here. Tonight was crazy” he said turning around smiling at you, only to find a frowning face looking back at him . “ what wrong darling?” He asked placing your cheek in the palm of his hand.

“ it’s just , you’re so famous, you have thousands in your face daily screaming how much they love you. You have so much on your hands.. A-and I’m so happy for you I just feel sad. I feel like I’ve bonded with you so well already and I just don’t see how you’ll remember little me “ you stated messing with the strings of your hoodie. Tom wrapped his arms around you.

“ I could never forget someone like you. “ he stated pulling away from the hug. “ and whose to say if you’re not busy you couldn’t come see me wherever I’m at” you smiled nodding widely .

“ I’d love to-“

“ TOM” someone shouted from the door. “ get inside ! If the press got pictures of you hugging a girl you’d be the center of attention for the next month!” Tom sighed, nodding.

“ goodbye y/n, I’ll see you soon” he stated before walking back inside. You stood there watching him through the glass doors walking down the hallway with presumably his agent before turning a corner , disappearing. It was an instant wave of sadness hitting you, tears filling up in your eyes. You knew Tom was sincere with what he said but how could he possibly have time for you? You knew if things were to progress with him you would keep to your word and be supportive even in long distance , but was Tom really interested in you? Or just the night you had provided for him? When you went to open your car door, you felt your phone vibrate in your back pocket .

“ look up” you read from a new number . Your heart fluttered as you looked up, to see Om 3 stories high staring out his hotel room window , waving st you. You smiled waving back before wiping the tear away.

You had gotten home and you and Tom FaceTimed, him telling you about the hour long lecture he had with his agents, explaining why he did what he did . By midnight , Tom was asleep, slightly snoring on the mic, you falling asleep shortly after .

**

It had been three months while Tom filmed in Atlanta, and today they would be leaving to film in a different location. You both managed to spend as much time as possible together , you had even gotten to sit on set with them on film a few times. It hadn’t become official but the two of you were almost inseparable, but today was dreaded. Things were great when you were just a few miles away from him, but how were things going to work out if you’re states away? A thousand thoughts were running through your head as you drove to the Atlanta filming arena , where you would say your goodbyes to Tom. You dressed up in a laced tight white dress, it fluffing out at the bottom just above your knees. You had your hair waved, it propped up over your shoulders and light make up on. You had made your own photo album of the photos you had taken together over the 3 months together as a ‘ don’t forget me’ present to Tom.

“ Pass please?” The security guard asked as you drove up to the gates.

“ I just came to see Tom” you responded . The guy laughed .

“ right I can’t just let you in on that comment , you know how many fans come here daily trying to see Tom ?” You sighed heavily, knowing that was probably true.

“ well can I call him and get him to come here? “ you asked. The guy nodded before pointing to the side , telling you to park on the side . You had tried calling Tom but he didn’t answer so you messaged him asking to let you in . It had been a few minutes before he had gotten it approved for you to go inside, but of course when you did make it in, he was standing in the parking lot smiling widely at you.

You quickly squealed jumping out of the car, landing in his arms seconds later.

“ I missed you” he said softly in your ear . You giggled before leaning your head back , pressing your lips against his.

“ I brought you something” you beamed taking a step back.

“ oh yeah ?” He asked excitedly. You lifted up your gift bag, pulling out a heart of chocolates handing them to him. Next you pulled out your hand made photo album labeled ‘ forget me not’. You had decorated it , mostly with Spider-Man themed stuff . He blushed grinning widely .

“ this is the cutest thing I’ve ever gotten” he beamed looking through the photos you had taken together .

“ that way when you’re missing me or forgetting me , you could look at this and remember me and remember what we had “ you said looking up at him. He furrowed his eyebrows together closing the book.

“ stop saying that” he said with frustration. “ I’m not going to forget you “

“ I’m sorry” was all you could say.

“ listen I wanted to talk to you about that” he said taking a step back. “ I want us to be official. And I want you to come with me as much as your schedule allows it” you gasped, before jumping in his arms , happy tears running down your face .

“ yes baby yes” you beamed out as he hugged you tightly .

“ come back to my trailer, I’ve got something for you” he said setting you down, before leading you to his trailer.

When you walked in there was pink and red rose petals trails on the floor, leading back to his bed. There were also lit candles trailing on both sides as well. “ go ahead” he said , pointing back to the bed that you were staring at nervously . There was a heart , with a piece of paper in the middle on the bed. You picked it up, realizing it was a plane ticket to California.

“ come with me “ Tom said softly in your ear, his arms wrapping around your waste. “ today” .

You turned around .

“ what about my grandma?” You asked . After the weekend you and Tom first met, you had moved in with your grandmother. Not entirely because of Tom but because she was all alone and didn’t live in the best neighborhood.

“ we could look into putting her Into something better , she’s okay she’s a very independent woman and she can take care of herself , but we can get her in a better home and neighborhood if you’d like “ he offered . You nodded excitedly turning around hugging him.

“ I’d love that” you said before pressing your lips against his. Things got heated quickly, Tom laying you down against the bed. He pressed his body up against yours, his legs in between yours. You could feel his bulge against you as his hands roamed over your breast . You quickly pushed him off of you, him rolling over onto his back .

“ I want you” you moaned out as you placed yourself on top of him, your hips slowly grinding against him. Toms hands were placed on the lower part of your bottom, squeezing tightly with each grinding motion you did on top of him.

“ take this off” Tom said , lifting at your dress. Your quickly pulled the dress over your head , revealing you were only wearing red things. This was Toms first time seeing you like this , his face turning pink while he stared at your hardened nipples.

“ woah” he breathed out before sticking one of your breasts in his mouth, his tongue going in circles around your nipple . You moaned out loudly as your grinded harder on to him, feeling him jump under-

Bang bang bang

You and Tom jumped quickly as you heard someone banging on his trailer door. Thank god Tom locked it .

“ Tom come on buddy you need to get ready for our last scene so we can wrap up and head to LA” Tom sighed heavily sitting up.

“ be out in a sec” he stated before standing up.

“ I guess I’ll get dressed “ you said standing back up grabbing your dress.

“ y/n “ he said stopping you by grabbing your hands. “ please come with me” . Tom placed the plane ticket in your hand, looking at you with pleading eyes. You nodded excitedly. “ oh yes!” Tom said before kissing you once again. “ go home, pack up and meet me back here okay? “ suggested before kissing you on th lips one last time before walking out of the trailer.

This was going to be one adventurous journey.

[moon-in-daylight]

Under your control / Dhawan!Master x reader

Summary: Facing a supposedly inevitable death isn't as bad as being rescued by an enemy.

Words: 2591

Notes: It’s been two months since the season finale and I’m still thirsting over The Master. Someone please send help.

Running as fast as your legs possibly could and following The Doctor’s orders, you went hiding into one of the rooms in the ship.

You had been travelling with her long enough to see all kind of beings and places, and you should have probably been prepared to face anything. But nothing you had experienced before could have made you prepare for this. This time you felt that the situation was completely out of your control and that, with every passing minute that you remained in that place, your chances of surviving were more unlikely.

That adventure had begun like any other, with the TARDIS casually landing in a random spaceship drifting through the edge of the universe. The empty hallways and deafening silence had been a sign of warning, but you were already used to that kind of scenario. Wherever The Doctor went, that was where the trouble was. You had seen that same scenery almost a hundred times, so your immediate guess was that some kind of alien bacteria had infected everyone on board, or maybe that some evil species like the Daleks had taken over the ship and killed most of the people there.

It was the usual routine when aboard of the TARDIS. All you needed to do was to find out if there were any survivors and get them safe. Relatively easy.

At first, the whole place seemed desolated, but when wandering around, you and The Doctor had found a surveillance room. The power was off, but with her sonic she had been able to reconnect the energy again. And through the cameras, she had discovered that at least three people were hiding in different levels of the spaceship. Using the equipment in front of her, she tried to reach them through radio. The captain was the one to answer.

“Those creatures…” You heard his frightened voice. The system was still malfunctioning and the connection was faltering, so you couldn’t fully hear what he was trying to say.

Out of the corner of your eye, as The Doctor was trying to recover the radio signal, you saw something you hadn’t seen before. You turned your head towards the object to find the statue of an angel covering its face with its hands. Observing it for a few seconds, you tried to come up with an explanation to where it had come from. It was made of stone, so it was too heavy to carry, although maybe it had been teleported there. Or maybe it had been there since the beginning, and could be you hadn’t noticed it.

“They’re killing-machines.” Once again, the captain’s voice could be heard.

You turned to The Doctor as she was still using her sonic on the panel, regaining contact with the survivors still on the ship. It was just a second before you turned your head back to the statue, feeling movement behind your back. When you looked at it again, you realized it had gotten considerately closer to you.

“Doctor…” You called for her. “I think that statue just moved.”

As soon as The Doctor saw the creature in the room, she ordered you not to blink.

She explained you that those beings were known as weeping angels, that they were highly lethal but that they could only move when they weren’t being seen. It didn’t seem that hard to handle with them at first, so you enthusiastically started your attempt to save those helpless souls still on board. But as the hours passed, you saw how those creatures killing everyone on the ship, one by one. And soon, it was only you and The Doctor left there.

Losing all hope, the both of you decided it was time to go back to the TARDIS and get out of there. The problem was that the time machine was on the opposite side of the ridiculously large ship. Plus, you didn’t know how many angels were in the middle of your way. Trying to find a way to get you out of there safe, The Doctor had told you to run and hide while she followed you closely from behind so she could keep an eye on them.

You were now hidden in what, for the noticeable small size of it, could have been a maintenance room. You were fully alert, prepared in case that any angel appeared out of nowhere, but what you weren’t expecting was for the door to suddenly get closed on its own right after you walked through it. The room went dark, so you quickly turned on your phone’s lantern just to find one angel staring at you, only a few steps away. Doing your best to calm your unsteady breathing and keep your eyes open, you made your extremely careful way to the door and tried to open it. It was locked.

“Y/N?!” You heard The Doctor’s voice from outside as she looked for you.

“I’m in here.” Swallowing the lump in your throat, you tried to sound confident. But you were more scared than you had ever been before. “I’m trapped.”

For a moment, hearing the sound of her sonic being used on the door, you held onto hope. But when the door remained closed you feared the worst again.

While you looked at the horrendous face of the angel – though it seemed more like a demon to you – you felt your eyes itching, and your eyelids getting heavier. You struggled to keep your eyes open, but your body wasn’t cooperating with you anymore.

You were too tired, too scared. You didn’t want to fight the angels anymore. All you longed for was to close your eyes and finally get some rest. Sweet, permanent rest. As you took what was about to be your final breathe, you gave up and closed your eyes, accepting your fate.

It was a surprise for you when opened your eyelids again and found that nothing had happened.

The weeping angel was still there, in the same position where you had saw him the last time. You didn’t understand what was going on until you heard a familiar voice.

“Hi there, love.” The Master’s cocky, playful tone echoed in your ear. You noticed his proximity to your trembling body as he leant over to you, embracing your body from the back and getting you closer to him. How had he gotten there? “Long time no see.”

“I can’t open the door!” The Doctor’s frustrated voice came from outside the room. “Are you okay in there?”

“Don’t tell her I’m here.” He immediately commanded in a whisper. “Tell her you’re trapped with the angel.”

“I-“ You hesitated for a moment before finally doing as you were told. “There’s a weeping angel in the room.”

“Stay calmed and don’t close your eyes. I’m going to get you out of there.” The Doctor told you.

“Now do me a little favor and keep your eyes on that thing for a minute, will you?” His voice was carefully low. He was trying not to be overheard from the other side of the door.

Without questioning, you obeyed The Master and kept looking at the horrendous angel. You had a lot of questions roaming through your head now. What was The Master doing there, and why was he helping you? Was he even helping you? That wasn't like him. You didn’t have a single answer to any of those questions, but the one thing you knew was that you were still alive. Considering that you had been given a second chance, you weren’t planning on wasting it.

“Don’t blink yet.” His voice ordered. His body was so close to yours that you could feel his chest vibrating against your back as he spoke.

“Y/N!” The Doctor calling your name got you out of your thoughts for a second, but you didn’t move a muscle as you did your best not to lose the weeping angel out of sight. “Everything okay?!” She checked on you while trying to open the door.

“Don’t answer.” The Master commanded in a still low, harsh tone. You had never thought a whisper could sound so powerful, so demanding.

You heard the lock getting picked and the sound of a click indicating that it had gave in. But just when The Doctor was about to open the door, The Master took a step back, pressing himself against it and making it impossible for her to get inside the room. Having his arm around your waist, he dragged you back with him.

You kept your stare on the angel despite that abrupt and sudden movement, but it was already getting harder to keep your eyes open.

“What’s going on in there, Y/N?!” The Doctor desperate voice asked as she pushed hard against the door. When it finally opened, all she saw was the weeping angel staring back at her.

As your body materialized inside of The Master’s TARDIS, you finally closed your eyes and let out the breath that you had been holding.

“You did so well, pet.” You heard him chuckle on your ear.

The Time Lord’s grip on you was still strong, his arm around you to keep you close to him. He held you in place for just a second before finally letting go of you. He rushed himself to the console under your incredulous gaze.

Your body was still shaking in fear, adrenaline bumping through your system. You weren’t sure of what had just happened but you knew that the only reason you weren’t dead by now was that The Master had decided to help you. The Doctor’s enemy, and therefore, yours.

The more you tried to find a reason for him to have done that, the less you understood any of it. Why he, of all people, had teleported himself to that ship just to get you out of there? Or had he been there since the beginning and, seeing you struggling, he had decided to do good for once in his life? It was unlikely, but the fact that he had gotten you out of that maintenance room had also been quite odd. He wasn’t known for being one to help those in need.

“What happened back there?” You finally worded your thoughts, looking at the man in front of you in confusion. He didn’t bother to look at you or give you an answer. “What were you doing on that ship?”

“Just checking something.” He didn't even look at you as he spoke, his attention settled in whatever he was looking at the console’s screen.

“What were you checking?” Silence took over the room for a few seconds after you asked that. You watched him expectantly, waiting for a more concrete answer.

“Just wanted to see if your death was a fixed point in time.” He finally explained, making you frown. Far from giving you an answer, he was only causing more questions to arouse inside your mind.

“What do you mean ‘a fixed point in time’?” Your voice was weak as you spoke.

“Doesn’t The Doctor explain her pets the basic stuff?” Groaning in frustration, he turned to you. “There are certain events that are meant to happen in order for the universe to keep functioning correctly. If changed, fixed points can tear apart the fabric of the universe.”

You stared in his direction silently, waiting for him to continue. He knew you were going to die there, and he had decided to go and avoid it, but what for?

“I thought it would be fun, having you being the end of everything.” He smirked, looking at you with certain amusement on his features. “But we’re still here, so I suppose it wasn’t a fixed point after all. My bad.”

“So what are you going to do with me then?” You asked in concern.

You couldn't help but to feel tremendously exposed in front of him. Knowing that your life was practically in his hands now was terrifying. Knowing that, as easy as he had saved your life, he could and would end it in less than the blink of an eye. Your eyes were on him as you watched him finish whatever he was doing in the console and approach to you again.

“Don’t worry, I still have plans for you.” The Master assured you, placing his body barely inches away from you and staring directly into your eyes. You had no idea of what was going on inside his twisted mind, and you weren’t sure you wanted to figure it out. “You’ve been really obedient earlier, maybe you can be of some use…” He cupped your face in between his palms as he observed you closely, a smirk spreading across his face. “Just imagine The Doctor’s face when she finds out that you’re alive and under my control.”

“I’m not under your control.” You protested, trying to stand your ground. “I would never betray The Doctor.”

As much as you tried to sound confident, you felt your knees trembling. Truth was, you weren’t sure what you feared more, the weeping angels or the man standing in front of you. For a second you almost wished he had left you to die on that ship.

“Oh, but love, you’ve already betrayed her.” He pointed out, getting even closer to you. “Or how do you think she’s going to see the fact that you lied to her and ran away with me?”

“She’ll understand that I had no choice.”

Taking a deep breathe, you did your best to hold his gaze. It was even harder looking directly at him for less than ten seconds straight than it had been looking at the angels for literal hours. He was as threatening as the most dangerous being in the universe, but his presence also made you feel thrilled to the point you weren’t sure you wanted to escape from him. You were his prey and the worst part was that you enjoyed it.

“But you did have a choice.” His dark eyes were piercing right through you, every word that came out of his mouth bringing your defenses down. “You could have ignored me and told her the truth, but you still decided to listen to your Master, didn’t you?”

You swallowed the lump in your throat as you looked away from him, your heart racing inside your chest. The last thing you wanted to do was give him the pleasure of seeing you surrender to him.

“You can deny it all you want, but there’s a reason why I always was quite fond of you, pet.” His voice got your attention again. Carefully, you turned to him to find him scanning your face carefully. “You would do anything I’d ask you to.”

Under your attentive gaze, he moved his face closer to you. You could feel his hot breathing hitting your face when his lips slightly brushed against yours, his eyes looking into your pupils with a playful spark on them. That was the moment you knew you wouldn't fight him anymore.

Closing your eyes, you felt him finally closing the distance left between the two of you. His lips moving eagerly against yours as his hands held your head in place, his kiss being almost as rough and passionate as he was. You did your best to follow his pace as you kissed him back, feeling the way he playfully bit your lower lip.

"We're going to have so much fun together, pet." He assured you in a whisper before kissing you again.

[nakunakunomi]

Congrats on 300 followers Hzael! You deserve it! Can I ask for 42 (I'm going to save you from the terrible date you're having) with Aizawa? Thank you! OwO

Hi love! Here’s some knight in shining armor Shota to save you from the other douchebags on donkeys! Hope you enjoy! 

Come save me - Shota Aizawa x Reader 

Cliche with bae event Prompt #42: come save me from the terrible date I’m having  Character: Shota Aizawa - Word count: 1.7k 

Hunger. Regret. Embarrassment. More regret. Anger. Frustration. A whirlpool of emotions was going through you as you kept your expression as neutral as possible, aggressively cutting the piece of steak in front of you and eating a bit to try and distract you from the man sitting in front of you, talking while he barely made eye contact. You weren’t exactly sure what he was talking about at the moment, but you couldn’t care less. You wanted out of here. Now. How did you even get in this situation?

After dating around some in your circle of friends to no avail, you had finally turned to online dating. You made loads of profiles, installed all the apps, did the matching, the swiping, you name it. Out of the hundreds of possible candidates, you immediately deleted anyone that wasn’t looking for anything serious. You were no teenager anymore, you had a job and a home and you were ready to settle down completely.

Your biggest help in this adventure had been your coworkers and best friends, Hizashi and Shota. The three of you had gone to school together and now all three of you were teaching at U.A. Any guy you’d ever date had to go past these two, and honestly, you didn’t mind. Their protectiveness was endearing and they were pretty good judges of character.

They had been helping you weed out matches, even secretly (but not so secretly) tagged along on dates to make sure it wasn’t some creep. Even though you’d be perfectly fine fending off a creep by yourself, you were a capable hero after all, you really liked them looking out for you.

Now for this date, it had been a little different. You had gotten this match from one of the more expensive sites. The kind where so-called experts matched people based on their personalities and profiles. It took you a whole long time filling in a question list for them, but when you got your match, you were not disappointed. Dating apps and such made you a little more shallow, looks were the first thing you saw on those, but hell, you were pleasantly surprised. Your ultimate match was extremely good-looking. But almost insanely so. Shota grabbed your phone, said ‘probably a douche’, and gave it back. Hizashi only laughed at the remark and let you first read up on his profile.

Your match did a normal office job but had an intelligence-based quirk that allowed him to understand everyone regardless of the language they spoke, which he used in his line of work. He was two years older than you, stable income, own house. He did some volunteering in his free time and most of your hobbies seemed to line up or were compatible at least. It was almost too good to be true, which was exactly what Hizashi said.

“Well, who pays so much money for such a personal dating service and then goes around and lies on their profile? That’d be stupid.” You were zooming in on the pictures he shared, desperately trying to find traces of photoshop, but to no avail. Right as you were about to say something, he sent you the first message. You replied enthusiastically, and a nice conversation was born.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly, and your match had proposed to go have dinner somewhere. It was a pretty fancy restaurant he proposed, but you accepted, it was a nice change to maybe dress up and have an actual fancy date. You were keeping realistic scenario’s in your head but you couldn’t help but wonder if this guy was maybe the one you had been waiting for all along.

The date came along and you were actually in a sour mood before you even got there. Mostly because Shota had been increasingly mean about the guy the more you gushed about him. At some point, you had made a remark about jealousy, and that had caused quite a discussion until Hizashi broke it up and told you to get ready, and he’d be off for a guy’s night with Shota. It had been a while after all, and that way you wouldn’t even have to worry about either of them spying on you during your date.

How you were regretting that now. You wished they had spied on you because this date was a disaster. He had been over twenty minutes late, didn’t tell you the name of the reservation so you were waiting outside in the cold until he finally showed up. He looked great, just like in his pictures, but way less well-kempt than he had been looking on his pictures. You had dressed up in your best dress, had gone to the hairdresser to get your hair on point, applied a subtle amount of makeup to look your best, and appropriate for the date and the location. He was wearing some jeans, a T-shirt that had some spots on it that you didn’t even want to know about.

You smiled anyway, greeting him by holding out your hand, not too keen on hugging a total stranger, but he had gone straight in for a kiss on the cheek, and you noticed how he didn’t smell nice either. It really busted your mood, even more, were you only worth so little effort that he showed up like that? But you kept his hobbies, and all the nice things he had said in chat in mind, and went into the restaurant, putting all your hope in the person he was in your chat messages, which had been a terrible idea.

The food was expensive and way too little, and this man had not stopped talking about himself. The volunteering was a one-time gig, ‘always pleases the ladies’ he had smugly added to the story, and many other things on his profile weren’t exactly lies, but were mostly polished up truths to make him look better. He had gone as far as interrupting you multiple times even after he himself had asked you a question, degraded female heroes and generally any woman who worked because ‘you gotta let men do the job’. He expected his partner to drop their job for him, so he could be the sole provider. He was looking for a housewife, but the way he described it, was more a live-in-maid he could have some intimacy with as well, just whenever he pleased. It made you sick to your stomach and you wanted to leave, but that was not so easy in such a fancy restaurant without possibly causing a commotion.

You briefly excused yourself from the table, and he gave you a pissed-off look because you had clearly interrupted whatever very important thing he was saying. You made a beeline for the bathroom, contemplating for a second to just walk out but again, you had some kind of reputation to uphold. Once in the bathroom, you immediately dialed Shota’s number. He picked up within seconds.

“Let me guess. He’s a douche.” He wasn’t even trying to hide the smug tone in his voice. “He’s terrible… please come save me?” “I don’t know if I can. I mean… I cannot possibly interrupt your date with this perfect, wonderful, beautf-” “Shota I swear to god, get your ass over here. I need you right now.” It was silent for a few seconds, and then you heard a low chuckle before he spoke up again. “One rescue mission coming up.”

He had not put in the slightest effort to hide his annoyance, but you knew he’d show up. You refrained from splashing cold water in your face because you didn’t want to mess up your makeup and headed back into the dining room. He made some remark on how long you took and you focussed back on your plate, inwardly praying Shota wouldn’t take too much time in getting there.

Luckily for you, it was only about fifteen minutes later that you heard some commotion and before you could even look up what had made some other customers make surprised gasps Shouta was standing at your table. In full Eraserhead gear. Not that that differed so much from his usual clothes, but still, very recognizable. You frowned. “Wha-?” “No time for questions. It’s an emergency, got your costume in the car.” You nodded and stood up, apologizing to your date, who was too speechless and too busy comprehending what was going on to come up with a retort.

Shota looked him up and down once as you were making your way to the exit, sending the man one more apologetic look and wave. “You look like you can handle the bill. Hero duties call sir. Good night”

You got in the car, and not five minutes later Shota got in too and started to drive. You weren’t really sure what to say or what to do. “Where’s…” “Hizashi? Got drunk and got home. I just dropped him off when you called.” “Oh…” You were feeling strangely uncomfortable, but you were not really sure why exactly, probably because the argument from earlier was not really resolved yet. “Shota, I’m sorry about-” “Don’t mention it. I could’ve reacted more maturely”

You nodded, looking ahead again. No use for deep discussions when Shota had a road to focus on. You looked around and were surprised to not be going back in the direction of your house. “Where are we going?” “A decent place” “What do you mean?” “Well, it’d be sad if you dressed up all beautiful like that for no reason. I know a place.” You blushed a little and looked at him, his eyes focussed on the road as he said that almost matter-of-a-factly. “Like… like a date?” you almost didn’t dare as k. “Like a date.”

You were speechless. In all your dating adventures you had never even considered the option that the perfect match was around you already all along. “If you’re up for that, if not, I can just drop you off at home?” “No no…”, you smiled, “I’d like that. No surprises with you.” “No stupid profile needed.” He smiled a little from behind the steering wheel and you felt the corners of your mouth curl up too. “No stupid profiles needed indeed.”

You knew what you were going to do when you got home: delete all that bullshit from your laptop and phone. Cause this time, it could really be the one.

[anomitafics]

When The Heart Beats || [4]

WHEN THE HEART BEATS || Levi Ackerman x Reader CHAPTER IV

"So... Why don't you three tell us more about yourselves?... If it's alright, that is." (Y/N) smiled at the three making them look at each other as if having their own quiet conversation.

After a couple of seconds, Levi made a small, almost unnoticeable nod making Isabel smile widely facing their team Captain.

"We aren't really as bad as everyone thought you know!" the strawberry haired female exclaimed proudly making (Y/N) chuckle at her giddiness.

"I doubt you even were in the first place." she simply said resting her chin on her hand.

"Well about that..." Farlan started, his fingers fumbling with the hem of his vest.

"Don't misunderstand... We were in fact, some shitty underthugs. Stealing was our everyday shit of an excuse of living. We stole those 3D Maneuver shits from the shitty Military Police so that stealing can be more easier." Levi interrupted making Isabel and Farlan's gazes fall on their hands in guilt, he however, paid no mind to this, his gaze stuck at his captain's black orbs.

"Well... If I were in your position, I'm might've been the same." she answered looking at his as well after placing both of her hands on Farlan's and Isabel's hair ruffling it in the process.

"So don't feel guilty! It's all behind us now right? And after all, you three are here now because of those experiences that made you recodnized. The only thing you have to do now is to live your new lives never looking back to those crimes, cuz' you don't need it to survive here don't you!"

Wrong. In order to climb themselves into the cruel chains of the world, in order to survive the privilege of even seeing the skies, in order to escape the clutches of the past... a crime must be committed.

In the end, crime will always be the answer for people like them.

Levi scoffed at the woman's innocence of the world beyond those threats from the titans.

Will she be able to say those things if she knew?

Yet it made the male think, what if he did fight from the clutches of crime, what if he looked for another way to help them survive, to help them live? Those questions continued to linger at the back of his mind, unanswered.

This was the only way...

"....so I hope you three remember to keep this a secret alright?" (Y/N)'s chirp made Levi abandon his thoughts again, taking a sip from his already cooling tea.

He watched Farlan's and Isabel's smiling faces as they nodded their heads enthusiastically.

The two seemed to have already trusted the female making him question himself to why was he still doubtful up until now that the only thing the woman did was to do them good.

Taking his last sip, he thought of an answer. It was merely because he was dubious of how (Y/N) was acting with such kindness, it made him question: what was the reason behind it all?

Living for years in the underground with no one to trust but themselves and even kindness was considered a weakness made Levi very confused and doubtful of (Y/N)'s actions.

Standing up with the rest of the Squad, Levi gave a final look at the woman infront of him, searching her eyes for any malice, yet just like before, it only gives off that of the purest look he could get.

"We'll be off then Captain!" Isabel exclaimed saluting in the process, making Farlan and Sairam salute with her. Levi didn't.

Giving them her Salute, the woman said sheepishly, "In private, you could always call me (Y/N)."

"Captain..." Sairam sighed and was about to contradict but the woman placed a finger on his lips.

"Don't listen to him, I'm the Captain here." she winked.

Calling her by her name made Levi more disgusted than calling her Captain. Silently taking an oath to never call her by her name he watched as Farlan gazed at the female with a small smile on his stupid face.

Levi knew that the male had something for their Captain and he took a mental note to beat that something the fuck outta him later.

"We'll be leaving then, thank you for tonight." Farlan murmured making the [c] haired girl nod.

"I'll be escorting Isabel to the Female's dorm the--" (Y/N) started making Levi interrupt her with a click of his tongue.

"No need, we'll be the ones to escort her." he plainly said. They had to have a little meeting first before anything else.

"Make sure you do then. Good night!" she said smiling as the rest of the squad dispersed through the door.

Walking quickly, Levi lead his small group to the barracks, Isabel celebrating internally as she thought that she were to be sleeping with them tonight.

"Who would've thought (Y/N)'s such a cool Captain!" Isabel exclaimed as she raised her handkerchief to the air her gaze continually tracing the embroidered masterpiece.

"You're already calling her by her name now?" a chuckling Farlan asked as he looked at his own personalized gift as well.

"She told us to do so didn't she? And besiiideees she's in the same age as ours!" the strawberry haired female slurred.

"Well, Levi bro? Wadd'ya think about her?" Isabel asked as Farlan focused on the awaited answer from the onyx haired male.

"I'm still..."--reaching the barracks he quietly opened the door, conscious of the other sleeping soldiers from the other rooms--"doubtful."

"Really? Well I guess we shouldn't really trust that easily!" Isabel stated, completely contradicting her words from earlier.

The strawberry haired female had always been too fond of her Levi-bro since the day he and Farlan had rescued her, the two grew so close that Isabel saw Levi as a great brother figure.

The onyx haired male in return, was extremely protective toward Isabel, even willing to kill some people who had harmed her and cut her hair back in the days when they were still lived in the underground. That's why Isabel tended to take any criticism Levi sends to her very seriously, showing how much Levi's opinion mattered to her.

"After all what she've done for us Levi?" the blonde asked calmly making Isabel scratch her head. She couldn't help but agree with Farlan.

"You've got your own opinions, leave mine alone." the charcoal haired male stated crossing his arms as he stared at his two friends.

Not Isabel nor Farlan can look at the stoic male in front of them making Levi start again.

"...anyway we shouldn't forget why the hell we're here." this made their gazes meet his again.

"Yeah well... When are we going to look for that document?" Farlan asked making Isabel nod along side him.

"We'll need to get a grasp of Erwin's daily schedule in order to know when we can rummage his office." Levi stated in a hushed voice, careful to not anyone hear of their conversation.

Wary of their surroundings, Farlan roamed his vision around the room as Isabel checked if the door was locked. Once again getting in their rightful places near Levi, the onyx haired male continued:

"...I'm thinking of using that Captain for this plan." making Farlan's eyes widened slightly but then laughing at his own shock shortly.

Same old 'don't give a fuck' Levi.

"...and how are we going to do that?" Farlan questioned.

"Not only her but also that damned Four-eyes." Levi said as he spitted the nickname like a curse.

"You mean--?!" Isabel almost shouted but was interrupted by Farlan's hand on her mouth silencing her, after she calmed down her eyes were still widened in distress.

"You mean that crazy one?!" she whisper shouted making Levi nod.

"She tried giving you some candy in order to make you talk about us right?" Levi questioned an eyebrow raised.

"How'd you...?" Isabel almost cried feeling guilty as if she had betrayed her own bro.

"Doesn't matter, but the plan is you accept her damned candies and get close to her in order to ask for Erwin's schedule." Levi sternly commanded making an almost teary Isabel nod.

"And you,"-- he pointed the blonde--" you get something out of that Captain, I don't care how'd you do it. I ain't doing that job even if it means pissing my pants." Levi stated not failing to notice the blonde's light blush.

"Now we'll escort you to your dorm, it's late, you all need to get some sleep." he said as he pushed the strawberry haired female forward, now left with Farlan at his side he tapped his shoulder getting the blonde's attention.

"And do something about that stupid blush on your damned cheek,"--now starting to head out off the barracks following Isabel closely behind he continued.--"we aren't here for some shitty romance, don't get too attached."

Farlan's eyes widened as he stared at Levi's back, following shortly behind and as soon as Isabel noticed that she had left the two of them far behind, she quickly run back to the comfort of her two friends.

"Why are you two walking so slow! Someone will see us!" Isabel exclaimed.

"We'll only get seen because of your loudness." Levi murmured making Isabel punch him at his shoulder.

Getting passed the stables, Levi noticed some movement making his movements halt as his eyes slimmed, Farlan and Isabel noticed this making them stop from walking as well.

"You guys go, I'll just check that out."

"But--"

"Go!"

He can't have anyone following them, and if it heard anything from their discussion, he's surely prepared to kill, they've made it so far out of that hell and he can't have anyone ruining anything.

With Farlan and Isabel long gone, Levi made gentle strides headed to the stables. But then a familiar pair of side braids met his eyes.

Helping her horse out of the stables (Y/N) quickly mounted it as she held the reigns tightly, feeling the gentle night breeze hitting her soft cheek she exhaled deeply petting her horse on it's sides.

Levi watched the female's back with a relieved expresion.

It was just her.

Just her? Levi was surprised at how he had felt just now. He was relieved because it was just her? If it happened a few moments ago maybe he had thought of her as suspicious. Did the handkerchiefs? The dinner? Sairam? His friends' opinions? Did it all affected how he viewed her?

He wasn't as doubtful as before, yet he didn't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing.

He watched as her horse galloped into the thick forest along with her, sighing softly he proceeded to walk to the same path as Farlan and Isabel took.

Not long after he saw Farlan's nearing figure, the blomde nodded as if to let Levi know that Isabel was safely escorted back.

Now walking side by side the two males gazed at the moon illuminating their surroundings.

"Who would've thought robbers and murderers can be soldiers?" he murmured laughing, makimg Levi smirk at the question.

It was, after all, very ironic.

"Let's show 'em what those what they call 'underthugs' are capable of when it comes to making those titans shit their guts out. " Levi's talkative side had now started to kick in making Farlan relieved that his friend still had not changed after everything that have had happened.

Levi becomes really talkative at night, when everyone's asleep, when everyone couldn't hear his loads of shit talks.

Eyes widening as if he had remembered something Farlan asked:

"What was that thing at the stables by the way?"

"It was the Captain, taking her horse with her to watch her shit in the forest."

Ah, and here comes the shit talk.

End of Chapter IV ANOMITAFICS

When The Heart Beats Masterlist   <----------CHAPTERS HERE!

[miraculouslycool]

Adrienette April 2020 - Day 2 - #marinettechallenge

Read it in Ao3:

Summary:

Adrien is tired and grumpy, but that isn't going to stop him from making sure his good friend has an amazing nap.

                                             @adrinetteapril - Day 2

Marinette slumped into her new seat at the front and rubbed her eyes tiredly.

"Am I dreaming or is Marinette Dupain-Cheng actually early for once?" Alya teased her best friend as she came in behind her.

"Hey, Aly-" she didn't get to finish that as she let out another huge yawn.

"Girl are you okay?" Alya asked, laying a hand on Marinette's. "Why do you look so tired?"

"Oh, um." She sat straight up, the question catching her off guard. "The thing is, I didn't get that much sleep last night....?" She twiddled her thumbs.

Which was the truth. She and Chat Noir had been on patrol and the two of them got carried away with a fun race they had challenged each other to on the spot and it had ended with both of them chasing each other around Paris for hours together. By the time Marinette reached home, it was 4 AM and she had dragged herself out of bed at 8. She could have slept in a little more, but she was far too excited at the prospect of her first day in an amazing month of getting to sit next to Adrien.

"Oh man. Marinette, were you up late last night designing again?"

"Yeah, I was." Marinette said, gratefully latching on to the excuse.

"You could have slept in at least a bit, you know." Alya said, sliding next to her on the bench.

"Yeah....I know. I just..."

"Couldn't wait to sit next to Adrien." Alya finished.

"No, no, it's not like that. You know how I am-"

"I know you are taking a step back, Marinette. And I understand why, but....Adrien was the one who suggested that you sit next to him."

"Yeah, and I was thrilled, and I still am thrilled. It's just that, after growing closer to him- and I know he and Kagami have a thing and all, and she's my friend too...and ugh, this is so confusing! Why can't I just get some sleep?"

Alya laughed out loud at her best friend's antics. "Well, did Adrien tell you that he is dating Kagami?"

"How am I supposed to know that? How can I even GET to know that - Adrien is my friend but I can't go and ask him things like this!"

"Hmm, good point. But Marinette?" Alya said.

"Hmm?" Marinette said, her eyes already drifting shut.

"Are you listening to me?" She gave her a little shake. "Alright, once school is done, if you're not getting some sleep, I'll tape your eyes shut myself."

"Alright, alright, I'm listening." Marinette conceded.

"Adrien....he is an amazing guy, and sometimes he can be a bit oblivious, but you have to know, you should know, that he cares about you. Deeply."

"How do you know that?" Marinette scrunched up her nose.

"You two really are two of a kind." Alya pinched the bridge of her nose. "I can see it. NINO can see it. Everyone can see it. He looks at you differently from the others. He always takes the initiative to talk to you or just be with you. He made a handmade birthday present for you, something he knew you would appreciate. Heck, he said the new year was going to be a lucky one because he met YOU on the first day!"

"So, what are you saying, Alya? I should hold out for some more false hope?"

"I'm saying, don't hope for anything. But believe in the facts. I don't know if it is as a friend or something more, you mean the world to that boy. Don't let yourself forget that."

"Thanks, Al. What can I ever do in return for everything you do for me?"

"You could give me and her seats next to each other?" Nino said casually as he walked into the classroom. "Hey, girls."

"Sorry Nino. You two lost. It may not have been fair and square, but you still lost." Marinette retorted.

"Eh, it's not like we've done worse." Alya shrugged, sliding out of the bench and kissing Nino on the cheek. "Cheer up, babe. It's only for a week."

"Oh alright." Nino's grumpy face immediately softened when he accepted Alya's affection. Marinette felt a small pang of envy, and immediately shoved it far far away, feeling horrible for even thinking it.

But still. Would she ever find that with someone?

"Hey, Ivan, my man! Looks like you and I are seat buddies for the week!" Nino waved and Ivan waved back at him.

"Take care of my bro, dudette." Nino winked at Marinette.

"Where is he?" Marinette asked.

"He and I came at the same time. He's talking to Natalie on the phone outside. I think." He said.

"See you later, Als." He went over to his new seat.

"You'll think about what I said?" Alya smiled knowingly at her.

"Yeah, if I don't fall asleep on my face." Marinette rolled her eyes.

"Hi, Alya!"

That voice. Marinette HATED it.

The remnant sleep in her system was replaced by a cold chill as she saw Lila Rossi enter the classroom.

"Hi, Lila. How was your weekend?" Alya asked politely, although Marinette knew without her best friend directly telling her that Alya and Lila weren't particularly close since the past month.

"Oh, it was great! My mom and I got to meet several dignitaries from across the world and I gave the King of Achu's personal advisor some tips on delegating tax payments across the country."

Marinette grimaced. She badly wanted to call Lila out on her bullshit, but she didn't have the energy or inclination to.

"Hi, Marinette." She turned to her, pulling on an innocent look. "What are you doing?"

"Sitting in my seat?" Marinette replied coolly.

"But...isn't that Nino's seat?"

Alya jumped to her rescue. "You see, Lila, we had a bet and Nino and I lost. So, he gave Marinette his seat."

She kept it short and to the point, but still firm. Marinette grinned proudly at her best friend.

"You're sitting next to Adrien without telling him beforehand?? What will he think?"

"I think, that Marinette is amazing for accepting when I asked her to sit next to me, don't you think, Lila?" Adrien Agreste said heartily, without missing a beat as he strode into the classroom and slid next to Marinette.

"Oh. So you, asked her to-"

"Yes. I did. It was part of a bet that-"

"Oh she already knows. I told her." Alya said.

"See? No harm done." Adrien shrugged.

"I see. My bad." She crooned sweetly as she turned her nose up in the air and sashayed away to her seat in the back.

Marinette definitely expected this from Lila, but what she did not expect was Chloe Bourgeois walking into the classroom without greeting Adrien or glomping him and insulting Marinette and Alya in one breath. Sabrina tottered after her even more quietly.

"Wow, what's gotten into her?" Alya said quietly. "Did someone switch souls with her or something?"

Unbeknownst to Alya, and even to each other, Marinette and Adrien frowned. They knew the exact reason why Chloe was like this, but it's not like they could or even wanted to go about accusing her of what she did when she was Miracle Queen.

"Don't tempt fate, Alya." Adrien's voice came out darker and deeper than he meant it to be.

"Alright, class, settle down!" Miss Bustier called, and Alya waved to both of them and left to her new seat next to Alix.

"Hey, Marinette." Adrien said, his voice melting into concern as soon as he saw her. "Are you okay? You look really tired."

That was when Marinette looked at Adrien clearly for the first time that day. He looked just as disheveled as she did, with bags around his eyes. He was much better at hiding it than she was, but even he looked like he was going to collapse on his desk any second.

"Are you okay?" Marinette countered. "You look just as tired as I do."

"Oh it's nothing. I've had worse." He shrugged it off, putting on a brave face like he always did.

Marinette would have questioned what exactly was 'worse' in Adrien's book if Miss Bustier hadn't signaled both of them to be quiet. ---------- Adrien was deeply annoyed with everything and anything.

His day could not have gone worse.

First, he didn't wake up to his alarm clock. And he was always punctual. He was always early. Natalie had to wake him up and he had to endure her continued notions that his father would not be pleased with him.

The day before, he had tried asking his father to let him eat lunch with his friends at school, and he had angrily replied with how he would get sick from all of the preservatives and germs in his school cafeteria.

Adrien had to bite back a retort about how nearly 2000 kids his age plus the collége faculty didn't get sick from the preservatives and germs.

Then he tried to negotiate, saying that he could always take a packed lunch to school so he wouldn't mess up his diet, and somehow that translated into him not keeping up with his extra curriculars properly and his tutors all being displeased with him and his grades not being up.

It was one A minus. Trust his father to blow up every tiny detail.

He had finally ended up having to bargain with him, saying that he would use the extra time once he was done eating to make up for time he missed studying.

He had been less than enthusiastic about it, even more so when Natalie called him once he reached school to say that he had to take fencing an extra day if he was going to waste time by gallavanting with his friends.

All he wanted was an extra hour with his friends. And even that was cut short. He did have lunch with Alya and Nino, but left quickly because he knew they could sense he was in an irritable mood and also because he didn't want to third wheel them for too long.

He headed to the school library instead, hoping for some peace and quiet. He wasn't even going to study. What his father knew wouldn't hurt him.

He stormed over to the nearest empty table, earning a reproving glare from the librarian. There weren't many people there, and Adrien was relieved. The last thing he wanted was people finding a chance to hound him now that he was alone.

He was about to drop his bag on the table when he froze upon seeing a sleeping Marinette laying her head down fitfully.

Feeling extremely guilty about how loud he was, he quietly took his bag and walked away trying to find a different table.

He already felt bad about how she almost fell asleep several times in class and as her deskmate, he was obligated to wake her up so she wouldn't get in trouble.

He even tried quietly whispering to Miss Bustier that she was sick, but Marinette heard it and immediately woke up with her head held high.

"Adrien?" He heard a groggy voice call out to him. He spun around to see Marinette sitting upright and rubbing her neck.

"Marinette?" He said, walking over to stand next to her. "I'm so sorry, did I wake you up?"

"No, I was awake. I'm really tired but for some reason, I can't sleep."

Adrien's heart panged as he realised how similar both Marinette and Ladybug's situations were. Even she had told him several times about the restless nights of fitful sleep she had.

That was when he saw she was still touching her neck.

"You really shouldn't be sleeping on the desk, you could crick your neck." He said, absent mindedly touching her shoulder.

"Yeah, I know, but really. It's fine. If anyone should get any sleep, it's you." She retorted. "You look just as tired as I am."

Adrien shrugged. "Eh. It's fine. I'll live. But in all seriousness, I can't let you sleep like this. There are still 45 minutes left until the lunch period ends and if you continue to sleep like this, you could end up with numb and painful muscles."

Marinette noted how he was still touching her shoulder. How lucky was she to have two amazing guys who cared about her so much? Chat had said somewhat the same thing to her last night when she jokingly mentioned sometimes falling asleep on her desk.

Adrien's face still held the same concern she saw in Chat's eyes last night.

"Hey, look, there's a couch over there." Adrien pointed out. "It's not much, but it's an improvement."

"Nooooo, I don't want to get up."

"Marinette." His voice became sterner, and for some reason, that made her knees go weak again. Wasn't she supposed to be over her crush on him?

"I can't exactly sprawl myself on the couch. This is a public library."

"You don't have to, you could just lean back." He suggested, offering her his hand. "Now come on."

"Fine, if you insist." She rolled her eyes, but Adrien noticed that they were shining brightly as she took his hand and got up.

He carried her bag and led her, no, more like gently dragged her sluggish figure to the couch and made her properly sit, never taking his eyes off of her the entire time.

She leaned back and moaned at the soft feel of the couch. Adrien's cheeks heated up with colour when he heard her moan. Why was he acting up like this around her? It was just Marinette being Marinette. Just....why did she have to be so god darned cute? Every rustle, every motion she made lit up something new in him.

"What if I don't wake up in time?" She said blearily. "I'm not very good at answering the call of an alarm clock."

He chuckled. "Yeah, I figured. Don't worry. I have my phone on vibrate. I'll stay right here and wake you up."

In response to that, she shuffled closer to him, and snuggled sideways against the couch, tucking her legs behind her.

No, she wasn't touching him, but the space between them was tantalizingly close, and it was driving him insane.

"You are amazing, Adrien." She muttered sleepily. "What did I do to deserve you?"

Adrien's eyes widened as he looked away. Why was she saying things like that? To him of all people? When she could have any guy she wanted?

No. She was tired and when people were tired, they didn't make much sense. He should know.

When he turned back to respond to her, she had already fallen asleep.

He already felt his features softening as he stared at her. She was clearly a restless sleeper as her eyes were still moving, and she let out soft noises every time she breathed out.

'No, Adrien snap out of it!' He scolded himself harshly. Marinette was his friend! He couldn't be staring at her like some creepy stalker!

His mind frantically searched for other things to do, other things to think about, things other than 'Marinette' and 'adorable' and 'hfhfsjhshs'. The only other thing his brain cells came up with was sleep, so he set an alarm for ten minutes before the bell rang and closed his eyes.

------- Dutifully, his eyes opened as soon as he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Pulling it out, he sleepily turned off the alarm.

They had to get a move on if they didn't want to be late.

What he saw next to him was enough to destroy every last amount of sleep left in him.

Marinette was snuggled up next to him, her small hand was on his chest (HIS CHEST!) and his other arm was around her shoulders and cradling her head into the crook of his neck.

Even after he stopped touching her hair, he could still feel her breath tickling his neck.

He laid back on the couch, not wanting to leave this behind.

His eyes snapped open again.

This wasn't a dream.

Marinette was really snuggled up against him.

They were going to be so late.

He was an idiot.

But that was the best nap he had in AGES.

No, he was an idiot.

But Marinette chose to snuggle against him. He didn't have to do anything-

OKAY-time to get up.

Gently removing his arm from around Marinette, he pushed himself away to avoid putting both of them in an embarrassing situation when she woke up.

Getting her head to move away from his shoulder was a harder task. She wouldn't budge. And Adrien didn't want to be rough with her.

"Marinette?" He gently called.

"Hnnngggg" she coherently said.

He fought a hard battle against not dropping his heart eyes again.

"We have to go. Class is about to begin."

"Nooooo too comfortabuble." She babbled.

"Marinette." He poked her arm.

"Okay, okay, fine." She muttered, annoyed as she got up, taking her bag.

Huh. Adrien noted how Marinette didn't even react to sleeping on him.

He was supposed to be relieved, right?

"We're not too late, are we?" Marinette asked him, tightening her pigtails.

"No! No aren't we- I mean, we are not." He stuttered.

He could feel Plagg snickering in his shirt pocket.

"Thank you for staying with me Adrien. You are such a good friend." She smiled at him gratefully before leaving ahead.

Did she just unknowingly give him a taste of his own medicine?

"Of course, no problem!" He called to her cheerily, yet feeling extremely deflated inside.

His phone vibrated again and he pulled it out, realising he hadn't turned off the alarm.

That was when he saw two messages from Alya.

'Don't worry, only two people know about this photo and one of them is in the picture. ;)"

She had sent the photo of him and Marinette snuggling together in the library couch.

Adrien's breath hitched horribly. On one hand, he didn't see himself being that content and at peace like he did in the photo. On the other hand, he was extremely embarrassed.

'DOES MARINETTE KNOW?!' He sent back frantically.

'Sunshine, I know my best friend. Of course I wouldn't send something like this to her. You have my word. Ladyblogger's honor.'

'Alya, what if she's too embarrassed to be seen with me?! She's going to hate me forever!'

She sent him back a bunch of the laughing emojis.

'LMAO you crack me up, Adrien. She could never hate you.'

"Adrien?" He jumped up, realising he was on the threshold of the library and Marinette was calling out to him. "Are you coming?"

Adrien gulped. What was it with him today? Why couldn't he just function normally around Marinette all of a sudden?!

"Yeah, I am! Sorry, Natalie was texting me." He lied,looking back at his phone seeing that Alya had texted him again.

'On a happier note, I hereby proclaim you the reigning king of the #marinettechallenge. Two wins in a row - that's awesome Your Majesty!"

Adrien turned his phone off and threw it into his bag, not wanting to see anything more.

He was in trouble. Deep deep trouble. And yet, it didn't feel like the bad kind.

[jay-and-dean]

Rescue You  Chapter 14 (Last Chapter) : July 27

Dean x reader

Summary : My name is Y/n. I’m the outcast of my witch community. This is the story of how I rescued Dean Winchester, the story of how he saved me.

Serie Warnings : Swearing. Injuries. Smut. Fluff. Angst.

Chapter warning : Smut, unprotected sex (be smart), a hint of edging. Fluff.

Words : 3.3k

Author note : I Broke the 3k words rule again, but this chapter was important for me. It’s almost my dad’s death anniversary so I couldn’t skip that little part. Thank you so much for your support all along this adventure. I hope you like the end. 

***Rescue You Masterlist***

***Want to read more ? => MASTERLIST***

__________________________

July 27, 2:22 pm

             In the daze of sleep, I rub my face. The room is perfectly quiet and dark. I grunt a little and turn on my side, my arm searching for Dean like every morning –when he’s not already crushing me- but when I don’t find him, I open my eyes.

           It’s not morning, it takes me a few seconds and the red numbers in the dark to remember that. Oh, I have been out for two hours. I fell asleep when we came back from hunt… I never fall asleep like that, but I’m still a little weaken by the loss of blood. Stupid Goddess.

           I rub the bandage on my wrist and sigh, I won’t call Cas just to fix that. Reaching for my phone, I yawn. I have a message from Sammy.

Dean and I decided you needed a little rest. I’m going to North Carolina with Bobby. Take care little witch.

I smile and stretch. I wasn’t really thrilled that he found a new case again during the last one, my boyfriend needs rest and we need time alone. I love Sam but having to share a room with him when there is only one left, bathing in blood every freaking day and having to hurry in the shower… I can’t do this continuously.

           I love quick love making against a wall, I love Dean’s strong hand silencing me, and I love the constant teasing but after days, sometimes weeks, like that in a row, I need more.

         Some say we are crazy, but, yes, after being away from my wolf for two hours, I miss him already. I just wish he was there, like every morning, his hair going every direction and his eyes still closed when he starts talking, huskily greeting me. I stretch my arm to his pillow and find the little hole I made biting it too hard. My Dean…

He made me a wolf too and I love it too much.

         I take a minute before I get up, because no one will ever yell at me for it anymore ; and in the dark, I remember being up before the Sun to start my day of hard work and being bullied. I remember a lot, but I never regretted anything I did, maybe that makes me a psycho. I don’t really care.

            Before I find the courage to move, my phone rings, a bit too loud in this perfect silence. I pick up and smile at the voice.

“Hi Treasure.”

“Hi dad” I sigh, playing with the sheets.

           When Castiel found a way to fix my father, the first weeks weren’t easy. I barely recognized him at first, bearded and old, way older than I remembered. He was disturbed and extremely lost, who wouldn’t be… But Sam and Dean have experienced this kind of thing with their own mother, in another way, and they helped a lot.

I took days for him to talk to me, weeks to make him catch up with everything. I was crying a lot, but Dean was there for me. Always. And eventually, my dad started calling me Treasure again, telling me he was proud of me. I cried in his arms… I cried in my dad’s arms for hours. I have killed your other child, I have killed your wife… I’m a murderer…

But he forgave me.

Getting my dad back… It was like someone had given me my childhood back, and all fixed. Like this radiant love I have been feeling has a baby wasn’t just a dream. When my father’s hand touched my back for the first time again, I stopped being afraid of everything, because the first wolf ever that had growled for me was back.

I introduced the man I love to the first man I ever loved, and all fell in place.

My father had to get his life back, to make a new one, just like I was doing. Except I had won everything, and he had lost it all. He hesitated to join the hunting life but Dean talked him out of it. He didn’t know what to do. “All I know, is how to be a father” his sad smile fell on me, when he said that. I needed my father back, but not a daddy. That’s when Castiel had the best idea.

He had to stop drinking and that was awful for him. But there is not much love can’t achieve…

“Are you back from the hunt ?” he asks on the phone, a little worried.

“I am, all went great, no one got hurt” I lie.

“Are you with Dean ?” he asks, like he always does, still a little too impressed by my tall warrior man.

“No” I smile, loving the shyness in his kind voice.

“Okay, well when you are, tell him my car makes a weird noise, he said it won’t come back but it did !”

I turn on the comfy bed that smells like Dean and yawn.

“We will come by this week, he’ll look at it” I state. “How are the boys ?”

“Ethan is doing is homework” my father states. “He is struggling with school but my job at the store will allow me to get him a private teacher to help him when I can’t soon… I just hope Sam was there every day to do it with him” he chuckles. “And Jax don’t have nightmares anymore, I think. He didn’t wake me at all for two weeks, and he’s becoming annoyingly enthusiast about everything.”

“Yeah…” I smile. “They’re sweet kids” I state, still feeling guilty for having killed both their parents, and trying to tell myself they would have been treated so poorly.

“They are” he states. “No, Ethan, take a fruit but no cake, you already had cake !”

I chuckle when I hear the little boy try to negotiate.

“I’ll tell you when we come by, dad. Say hi to the little monsters.”

“Yes, you and the boys are always welcome Treasure” he says before we hangs up.

I smile thinking about that Bobby Dean told me about, he says my dad is the same kind of man, only a little less grumpy.

            Then the urge to feel Dean’s kiss becomes too much and I get up. Moving makes me suddenly feel the heat, it has being hot like Hell lately; and maybe if it’s a little too much, it feels good not to be freezing like I have been all my life. I take off my pants –I fell asleep like that, all dressed up-, and the bra that was digging in my skin.

On the bright sides of Sam being states away : going through the bunker half naked. I smile on my way to the bathroom wearing only my panties, secretly hoping to hear Dean come behind me like the hunter he is. But Dean is not there.

           After a fresh, almost cold, shower, I walk naked to my boyfriend and I’s room to grab panties and a shirt. Not even looking at my clothes, I take one of Dean’s worn out t-shirt, humming at the smell and at the thin fabric lazily draping on my breasts.

           “Dean ?” I call, brushing my wet hair.

But he doesn’t answer. I go to the kitchen and take one of the bottle of water I have left in the fridge, a cold beer, and bite in a piece of pie before putting it back to the fridge. Taking a bag of chips, I start walking again.

           I go down the stairs to join the garage, lately, my baby spend his time in there… When I open the door, the heat makes me gasp. It must be 100 to 105 degrees in here. The door is open wide to outside, the AC doesn’t work as well in here as the rest of the bunker for some reason. I here noises and smile.

My Love.

           Dean doesn’t hear me come, music and loud metallic sounds covering my steps. He’s beautiful, his black t-shirt sticking to his back, wet hair looking darker than usual.

“You need water” I say and he jumps a little, turning to me with a smile on his sweaty face.

“Hey baby, you’re awake” he grins. “Mh… and not wearing much.”

I chuckle and hand him the bottle of water. When he sees the beer, he pouts but I shake my head.

“Water first.”

           His car is beautiful, and the way he cares for every details makes it even more precious. I put my fingers on the shiny black paint carefully, thrilled to finally meet the baby he talked so much about. Dean takes the water and starts to drink, droplets of sweat rolling down his throat has his Adam’s apple goes up and down until the bottle is half empty.

           I smile, licking my lips, and finally give him the beer, its label is peeling off with the condensation. He takes it, his green eyes not leaving mine.

“I can feel cool coming out of you” he hums, putting a burning hand on my side.

“Fresh shower” I states. “My dad’s car makes a weird noise.”

“He really should get a new one” he sigh, getting closer. “I’ll have a look.”

Before I can talk more, he grabs my shoulders and wraps his slippery arms around me, crushing me against his soaked chest.

“Dean !” I yelp.

“Mh…” he hums, nuzzling his face on my neck, enjoying the cool of my skin and the cold water in my hair.

I try to push him but it is impossible, he’s strong and won’t let me go.

“Dean…” I sigh in surrender, putting my fresh hands in his hair and kissing is salty temple. “You’re disgusting.”

“Yeah…” he whispers but keeps his face hidden against me.

His hands are tender and loving, caging me like he had missed me too much, just like I did. I’m on my tiptoes, my back arched, my chest against him. He doesn’t let go.

“Are you trying to cook me” I chuckle when his body heat makes my own sweat break through my skin.

“Baby is almost ready” he hums, still clinging to me.

“I can’t wait to hear her roar” I smile against his skin. “It’s way too hot down there. Don’t you want to take a break ?”

“That’s why I opened the door” he murmurs, his lips grazing my skin now. “You smell delicious…”

“Not you” I laugh. “I bought chips, are you hungry ?”

“M-yes…” he mutters nibbling at my neck.

“Baby…” I sigh when I feel his hands going down to grab my butt. “You’re not talking about chips, are you ?”

“No…” he presses my body against his, making me feel the bulge in his pants.

           I lick my lips, my body never failing to react quickly for him. Closing my eyes, I enjoy his huge hands massaging my ass.

“Are you still tired ?” he asks, his lips going up my neck, to graze my lips.

I shake my head slightly, parting my lips to taste him, sensually capturing his lower lips, then the upper one, to finally being invited to claim his mouth.

“You taste like pie baby” he hums.

“Do I ?” I smile against his lips.

His hands go up my back, meeting the droplets of my own sweat in my back.

“You bit in the best part again, didn’t you ?” he grunts and I shrug trying to look innocent.

He takes two steps and my body meets his car’s hood. With a sharp movement, he sits me on it and comes closer. I spread my thighs to let him take place between them.

           I know how to make him impatient, so I spread my legs wider and arch my back a lot, my head lazily going back. When the hood of his beloved car pushes a little on my clit, I moan.

“I want you bad…” he groans, his fingers digging in my thighs.

“Really Winchester ?” I chuckle with a slightly mocking tone. “Look at you. You already can’t handle the heat, I don’t think you can handle me…”

His hands go higher, massaging the inside of my thighs with his thumb. When they find my pussy, I gasp, my walls already pulsing for attention.

“Oh you think” he gives me an evil grin.

Both his thumbs stroke my folds, making their way to my entrance through my soaked panties. I moan and look down to see his perfect hands work me.

“Fuck baby…” I whine, rolling my hips to get more friction.

One of his thumb go to my clit and press on it firmly.

“Yes…” I let my head fall down a bit and grab his shoulders.

He starts circling it roughly, his index teasing my entrance. He knows exactly how fast it could make me come, especially after a week without any intimacy. Dean knows me perfectly. I start to shake and he sucks at my neck, drinking the moans stuck there.

“Yeah… Oh fuck… Please baby… More” I beg, and he obliges.

His fingers become both rougher and more precise and I feel totally high, my juice coating his hands and his car. Throbbing for him, I can sense a great orgasm built in my core.

           When I’m about to come, he takes a step back and I gasp. He stands there, licking his fingers with eyes darker than the night. My whole body is shaking and I’m a panting mess.

“Dean… Please” I whine, closing my legs to desperately get some friction on myself.

“No spread your legs baby” he orders. “I can see you clench around nothing from here…”

His voice is low and I bite my lip to hold back a whimper.

“Take those panties off.”

I sigh and lift one ass cheek after the other to get rid of my soaked underwear, then bend to give it to him, feeling the metal on my folds.

           He puts it in his back pocket hand palms himself through his jeans.

“Dean… Come on…” I try.

“That t-shirt too, baby.”

I take it off and throw it on the floor, but he just reaches for his beer, taking a long sip of it.

“Dean !”

“I’m thirsty” he states and squats.

Before I can register anything, his tongue licks a long line through my folds and I grab his hair.

           With his large hand, he pushes me back, making me fall flat on his car’s hood, his strong arms grabbing my thigh.

“Yes !” I scream in a shaky breath.

He’s devouring me, his lips sucking on my clit or his tongue pushing at my entrance. I’m lost. An intense pleasure making me dizzy, an orgasm even more powerful building deep inside me… My eyes roll and I can feel my skin being entirely wet, like my arousal was everywhere on me.

“F-Fuck…” I cry out when the coil is about to break, electricity going through my whole body.

           But he stops.

           This time I can’t take it and, still high and shaking, I reach for my clit to add the only little friction I need to fall off the edge. But Dean grabs my wrists harshly, holding them away from my own body. I try to close my legs but he got up, and his waist is blocking me.

           I could cry. Fighting his hands, I whine loud and whimper, my whole body rolling in waves of frustration.

“You’re… So… Wow, you’re so beautiful” he states with a moan hidden in his voice.

I don’t answer, I only whimper and let out a tearless sob.

“My baby…” he groans, still not touching me. “I love you more than anything.”

Another sob from me. I all can think of is how empty I feel, how much I need him. I’m too hot, but I’m cold too.

“You don’t touch Y/n…” he says before he lets go of my hands and I clench my fists on both sides of my body, resisting the best I can.

           Then I hear him drink a sip of his beer again, but I can’t see him. I’m still laying on the hood, legs spread and shaking. I wait what feels like hours, but probably is just a few minutes, getting back from my high slowly, but still fighting the tears at how painfully frustrated I am.

“Dean… I’m begging you…”

“I see that” his voice is surprisingly close and his hands grab me to sit me again.

           He’s naked. Totally naked, his hard length between my thighs, his broad shoulders holding me.

“I love you” I whine, kissing his chest, desperately trying to touch all of him.

He rubs his cock though my folds and I jolt at the touch. Everything is so intense it’s on the verge of pain.

“Go on baby” he pants. “Take what you need.”

I grab his length without a hint of hesitation and guide it to my entrance, sinking the tip in. I pant and shake watching it disappear inside me, my walls pulsating to welcome him. Then I grab his ass and tug at him with all my strength, to make him sink deeper.

“Dean…” I moan, my eyes glued on his cock. “More…”

He grabs my face and claims my mouth, letting me trying to push myself on him.

           And in the middle of the kiss, he finally thrusts roughly.

“AH !” I cry out, clinging to his neck, the pain turning to the most overwhelming pleasure I ever felt. “D-DEAN…”

But when he starts pounding fast inside me my voice gets stuck in my throat.

           I never let go of his neck, holding on for dear life as his hips beat me hard, and his hands grab my ass. He’s so deep I feel him everywhere, and he hits my sweet spot with every hard thrust. I’m high, so much that I have no idea if I am coming right now or not yet, all I know is nothing ever felt that good.

           And suddenly, I am hit by the most powerful orgasm. My whole body convulses and I try to push him, like I couldn’t take it, but he keeps fucking me with animalistic growls. My wolf is killing me and he has to fight my body to do it. My walls clench so bad I’m sure it’s hurting him. I have tears in my eyes and I can’t breathe.

           In a last very sharp thrust, he comes, bruising hands holding me against him, teeth sinking in my shoulders with too much strength. I can feel the twitches of his cock and the ropes of cum filling me so good. He’s grunting and calling my name over and over… It’s the most beautiful sounds of all.

           It takes me a long time to come down, soaked, trembling and sore.

“I missed you” Dean sighs in my neck, still buried deep inside of me.

“I was only taking a nap” I answer lazily, enjoying the sweetness of my wolf after he came, like he was fragile all of a sudden, like only me could protect him.

I stroke his hair and kiss his temple with all the love I have.

           He withdraws carefully and I clench my jaw at the loss but smile looking down : Three drops of white cum are shining on the black hood. It’s perfect.

“I really like your car” I sigh against his wet freckled skin.

“I never thought crushing it would be a good thing…” he nuzzles in my neck again. “I can’t believe you’re the one who found me” I press my naked chest against his and feel his heart beating. “I didn’t even know I needed to be rescued.”

__________________________________

***Feedback is Gold***

Forever Tags : @parinarain @animegirlgeeky @mogaruke @masterof-agony​ @rainflowermoon @tftumblin​​​​​​​​​ @deans-baby-momma​​​​​​​​​ @roonyxx​​​​​​​​ @thefaithfulwriter​​​​​​​​​ @vicariouslythruspn​​​​​​​​​ @emeow1496​​​​​​​​​@daryldixonandfrogs @holylulusworld​​​​​​​​​  @cocklesbelli​​​​​​​​​ @sandlee44​​​​​​​​​ @mogaruke​​​​​​​​​ @screenchingartisancashbailiff @donnaintx​​​​​​​​​ @hawaiianohana31​​​​​​​​​ @akshi8278​​​​​​​​​ @magssteenkamp​​​​​​​​​ @sister-winchesters99​​​​​​​​​ @neii3n​​​​​​​​​  @alanegaming​​​​​​​​​ @im-a-shrub​​​​​​​​​ @sadwaywardkid​​​​​​​​​ @hopelesslydevotedtoyou1912 @slyqueenj​​​​​​​​​ @i-love-superhero​​​​​​​​ @waywardsisterandpie @sunsetsandbooks​

Rescue You tags : @thatgirl1456​​​​​​​​ @acklesterritory​​​​​​​​ @divadinag​​​​​​​​ @blackrockshooter780​​​​​​​​ @stilltoomuchafangirl​​​​​​​​ @entersand-man​​​​​​​​ @sadwaywardkid​​​​​​​​ @vicmc624​​​​​​​​ @gabbie7-11​​​​​​​​ @supernaturalidjitjess​​​​​​​​ @lilulo-12​​​​​​​

Tags are open (Some tags don’t work even if I tried everything, I’m sorry)

[blueeyesspitfire]

Another One

Someone asked when (and maybe, subconsciously, why) I decided to add another dog (Atlas!) to the team. While it might not seem like it, especially not to the average pet-owner, I have always been extremely strategic when increasing my numbers. I always tell non-mushers: comparatively, I actually have a very small team! It has also taken me more than ten years to get to ten dogs, so I consider my expansion pretty slow.

To answer the question, I started thinking back to how I got started in this sport (and hobby... and lifestyle). I had always wanted a Siberian Husky, but as a 20-year-old college student living in an apartment with a tiny, unfenced yard, no rescue would let me adopt one. My then-boyfriend (hi Rob) and I ended up adopting Dexter from a foster family that could tell we were more prepared than your average idiot kids. At this point, I was aware of mushing, but it was not part of my plan. I just wanted a dog that could accompany me on hikes and other outdoor adventures.

A few years later, and after volunteering for both a husky rescue and a wolf/wolfdog rescue, I finally had the credentials for husky ownership. I still had a hard time finding the right dog through adoption organizations, so I ended up looking into reputable breeders. One of them invited me to the Pine Barrens to attend a training meetup and "see the dogs in action". I was intrigued; this was New Jersey, where our winters weren’t known for their snow. It was also autumn, so there definitely wasn't snow on the ground. This is where it all began.

I met folks with only a few dogs and some with over a dozen. They used bikes, scooters, and non-motorized carts that looked like a mix between a shopping cart and a horse chariot. I started biking with Dexter and I was even able to hook him up with some borrowed dogs to see what true dog propulsion felt like. I was hooked before I even had my husky.

Denali was my first true sled dog and she paved the way for us. I started biking with her and Dexter, but I knew I wanted to get a third to pull a cart and, eventually, a sled. I adopted Knox six months after Denali came home. I remember everyone being shocked at this point. Three dogs? Wild.

For a time, the trio met my needs. I started a new job that required me to go into NYC a few times a week. I hung out with friends a lot. I traveled often. We mushed, too, but it wasn't all encompassing. Then Dexter started slowing down a bit. After all, he wasn't really built to keep up with two athletic young huskies. I started thinking about an eventual replacement for him. Denali's littermate, Mia, was due to have a litter, and I was quick to jump on the opportunity. Willow joined us in 2015, and shortly thereafter, I made my first "mistake".

When Willow was old enough to join the team, I kept Dexter on the line, since we were doing short and relatively easy runs that he could still handle. I was surprised to see him get a sort of second wind once he had a consistent running partner. In fact, the entire team seemed to do better in pairs. Eventually I had the girls leading with the boys in wheel, and Dex lasted through the whole season. And I realized, shit, I want to run a team of four.

Dexter's second wind was short lived, which I expected, and it wasn't long before I started thinking about another dog to take his place (for real this time). So a year after Willow, I added Blitz to the team. Ok, good, great, I should have been satisfied at this point, right? I wanted a team of four and I had it. Except there was a thought creeping in the back of my mind, almost since the beginning of this whole crazy journey. A friend had told me that you probably want at least six dogs to carry a passenger. I also really liked the idea of having leaders, team dogs, and wheel dogs. So I got to work.

I secured a fully remote job and found myself easing into a life more centered around mushing. Hubble joined the pack in 2017, a year after Blitz, and right before I moved to California. I thought, hell, let's make five work and see what comes next.

In 2018 I moved back to the Northeast, and finally had the space and setup to complete the six pack. Laika joined us in early 2019 and the following season was my first time competing in 6-dog classes. So now, certainly, I should be all set—right? Except...

Except it had taken me so long to build my six dog team that my oldest, Denali and Knox, were starting to show their age. Knox, a rescue with less than ideal structure, was having trouble keeping up with the younger dogs. Denali could still hold her own, but she seemed to be getting bored with the repetitive training we do at home. If I wanted to keep this whole thing going, I knew I had to start thinking about filling their places on the line.

So, later on in 2019, I found Sagan and Hopper to join the pack. I wanted to "try out" some Alaskan Huskies (mixed breeds specifically bred for mushing, not to adhere to a specific standard) and their lines synced up nicely with my existing dogs. Hopper is even half related to my existing crew, so I knew he’d fit well.

If you're keeping count, this brought me to nine dogs: one fully retired, two semi-retired, and six active team members. At this point in the journey, I'd been saying that my limit was ten. Mainly, I'm constrained by vehicle space: the dog van fits eight crates, two of which are big enough to be doubled up in. The dog truck has eight boxes with two dogs fitting in the cab. So, ten is possible, but was it really necessary?

When the pandemic first hit, and I knew I wouldn't be traveling for awhile, the thought of raising a pup crossed my mind. Then came the chaos of the Denali/Willow fights and my broken thumb, which quickly squashed the idea of adding more dogs to the mix. I didn't think about it again until the fall, when some exciting litters were planned, and my favorite breeder mentioned plans of moving to Alaska. I was training for my first mid-distance race with the 6-dog team. I knew I had room for one more, but I wasn't sure I had the justification for it.

Then Blitz had a seizure. This rocked me to my core and I'm still dealing with the shockwaves of PTSD it caused. Blitz has since been 100% fine and we've figured out a schedule that ensures his blood sugar levels stay in a safe range. All the races we were aiming for ended up canceled due to Covid, but I'm not sure we would've been ready to run them given how slow we got back on track with training.

Most "real" mushers have a larger pool of dogs than those they run in races. Many train an A team and a B team, or run larger strings than necessary for the class they intend to compete in. Then, when race day comes, they select the dogs who are running their best. If a dog gets a sore paw, or is more sensitive to warm temperatures, or refuses to eat, or just generally isn't enthusiastic, they can get "benched" without impacting the team's race. It felt like a gamble to train all season for some big (to me) races, only to have the possibility of being at a disadvantage (with a 5-dog team, if one dog couldn't run—most 6-dog classes allow as few as five) or not able to compete at all (if two couldn't run).

A seventh, active team member adds a bit of buffer, so I can more confidently chase after my goals. And yes, I also made the same mistake of running the semi-retirees with their yearling replacements. An 8-dog team is awesome to behold, but I didn't let myself get too comfortable with it. That's not to say things won't change as my goals and situation changes. If you couldn't tell, that's been the theme of this whole wild ride.

To conclude, I guess I should more specifically answer "why Atlas?", since he's the pup I chose. Atlas comes from some of my very favorite lines. Knowing that his breeder, Jaye, will be leaving the area to compete in Iditarod 2022 (go Jaye!!), I figured this might be my last opportunity for a pup from Sibersong. And of course, I’m still grounded from travel for several more months, making now an ideal time for puppy raising.

So, there you have it. A very long-winded explanation that nobody really asked for, but I hope it gives you some insight behind the decisions I've made.

[lu-undy]

Chapter 21 - SBT

Here it is!

Lucien opened his door. 

"Meow!" 

Little Perle came trotting as fast as she could and crashed on the Frenchman's ankle, on his shoe. He looked down and put a bag on the floor.

"Bonjour, Perle."

[Hello, Perle.]

She clawed on his leg and climbed all the way up until she reached his collar, by which point Lucien put a hand on her back and patted her.

"She missed you, and still cried at the door." 

"Merci, Bastien." 

[Thanks, Bastien.]

The young man had stayed to look after the young kitten. 

"Here is for babysitting her." Lucien gave him a note. "Thank you very much." 

"My pleasure!" He enthusiastically took the money and found his way out, while Perle brushed herself repeatedly on her master's mouth. 

"Attends." Lucien waited for the door to be locked to allow himself to kiss his cat. "Tu m'as manqué à moi aussi." 

[Wait… I missed you too.]

"Meow…" She mewled and purred, again and again, as she brushed her head on his mouth, asking for more of his attention. 

Lucien put her back on the ground and took the bag. 

"J'ai besoin de me préparer. J'ai du travail cet après-midi." 

[I need to prepare. I have some work to do this afternoon.]

"Meow?" 

He put his bag in the living room on the sofa and sat down. Perle struggled to climb at first, but she made it while Lucien uncovered the items he had got from Richard. In the matter of twenty-four hours, he managed to make a leap forward in his mission. And that was all thanks to Maurice. 

He recalled the events. 

"You wanted to talk to me?"

"Ah, finally." Maurice recognised the shiny shoes and the French accent without having to raise his head. He stood up. "Follow me." 

Lucien did as he was told and went through a house with his tall friend. He unlocked a cellar door with a key that he carried as a pendant to his necklace. Lucien noticed it wasn't just a necklace, it was an entire keychain… 

After that, they took the stairs to the cellar and went through endless corridors.

"Interesting headquarters." Lucien said, as he observed his surroundings keenly.

"Not exactly like the ministry back home, non?" Maurice smiled with his guest still on his heels.

"Not exactly, but not worse at all." 

Maurice finally pushed a door and invited Lucien to take a seat opposite him, on the table. A few people were working here and there, people coming in with messages and leaving with instructions. 

"So, Bastien told me you had news." 

Maurice removed his hat and nodded. 

"Indeed. I don't know where exactly Duchemin is, but I have a lead you could perhaps follow." 

"I am all ears." Lucien removed his fedora hat and dusted the table with the back of his gloved hand before dropping it there.

"There will be a truck, driving to hangar 451 in the old quays tomorrow. They will make a stop there to take a break, exchange trucks and drivers. Those men work for Duchemin. If you catch one and interrogate him, he might take you one step closer to the man." 

Lucien listened carefully and nodded. 

"How many men will there be?" 

"More than one, most likely around ten. The main truck will have its own little escort." 

"Hm. Will they be armed?" 

"Naturally." 

"What types of weapons?" 

"The kind that cares little for noise, injuries or death."

"I see. Anything else you can tell me?" 

"I'm afraid not. Ah! Yes, actually, one last thing…" 

Lucien raised his eyes to Maurice. 

"I would advise you to not kill anyone. We don't want to make Duchemin more dangerous." 

Lucien nodded in agreement.

"I intend to kill no one, unless I am absolutely forced to." He answered. 

"Thank you." 

"Bien. Merci, Maurice." 

[Well. Thanks, Maurice.]

"The pleasure is mine. I will have someone show you out." 

Lucien picked his hat back from the table and dusted it off before putting it back on his head. When the fresh Australian air hit his face again, his plan was set. First, he needed to pay Richard a visit. He hopped on his motorcycle again and off he went. A few minutes later, he was entering his colleague's shop. 

"Ah! L!" Richard and his impeccable white moustache welcomed the Frenchman. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" 

"I am here for business. I think you will need to take new measurements for this." 

Richard understood. 

"But of course. Pray give me an instant." Richard motioned Lucien to the armchairs and the Frenchman nodded. 

A minute later, the shop was closed, the curtains pulled shut and Richard invited Lucien to follow him in the secret, more private shop. Lucien was once again slightly surprised by the contrast between the tailor’s front shop and the secret gun shop. One was wooden, with yellow, low lights. The other was extremely modern, marble white and Lucien could see his reflection on the wall and on the floor.

"What will you need?" 

Lucien headed straight to a display case. 

"This one, a few of these and those ones, over there. And would you be able to sharpen this blade for me?" He retrieved it from his breast pocket. 

"Sure, you may take a seat. Paul, viens me donner un coup de main s'il te plaît."

[Paul, come give me a hand please.]

The young man came and his dad gave him the blade. Meanwhile, Richard himself went to the display case that Lucien had pointed at. 

"Which color?" 

"This one, dark red." 

"Interesting choice." Richard unlocked the display case and retrieved a fragile cloth. "Would you mind trying it here, so that I see if I need to adjust it?" 

"Of course." Lucien removed his hat and his gloves before taking the piece of cloth from Richard's hands. The fabric was very soft and not too warm. He slid it on his head effortlessly and faced the nearby mirror, pushing the front white lock of hair beneath the dark red cotton. "Hm, it fits very nicely." 

The balaclava suited him like a glove.

"Can you breathe comfortably? Is it too loose or too tight?" 

"Non, it is perfect." Lucien raised his eyes from the details of his face to take it all in one glance. Ha, even the mask couldn't hide his age, but his eyes shone fiercely, like the metal sheen of the butterfly knife he liked so much. 

"Papa, c'est prêt."

[Dad, it's ready.]

Paul came back with the butterfly knife and handed it to Lucien. The spy made it spin around his fingers, while barely looking at it, the blades opened and closed, the whole knife whirled and in the end, he caught it and shut it. 

Richard's eyebrows jumped at the level of mastery. 

"Your son is talented. It is finely equilibrated." 

"Thank you." Richard smiled at his son who lowered his head with a proud smile.

"And this mask is perfect, I will take it as it is." 

"Perfect. Anything else you needed?" Richard asked.

"Non, that will be all, thanks." 

Lucien had recalled the events as he prepared himself for the afternoon. But first, he needed some lunch and he hadn't seen Victoria for a few days so he thought he might go and have lunch with her. He put his vest on but-

"Meow?" 

Perle was holding him from his ankle, clawing through his socks with all her tiny might. 

"Meow?" 

"Je vais déjeuner."

[I am going to have lunch.]

"Meow."

"Non, tu ne peux pas venir avec moi."

[No, you can't come with me.]

"Meow…" 

-- Victoria's diner --

"Hey L!" 

"V, hello." 

Lucien took a seat on his usual table. 

"What will you have today?" 

"I saw you have some fish on the menu?" 

"Yeah we do, good stuff too." 

"Then let me have it. And for you?" He asked. 

"I'll get a salad." 

"Add it to my bill, please." 

"Thanks! I'll be back in a minute." 

"Take your time." 

Lucien’s eyes roamed in the dining room. There were a few people here and there. It was busy without being overcrowded. He looked through the window. It was a beautiful and sunny day. The air wasn't too warm and Lucien couldn't wait to actually get to work. 

"There we go, salmon and rice for the old man, salad for the young girl!" Victoria put the plates on the table and even thought about Lucien's sparkling water on her own. 

"Merci." 

"You're welcome." 

They started digging in. 

"Oh, Christ, look at your hand. Did you fight a tiger or something?" Victoria noticed the scars. 

"Not exactly a tiger, but a k-"

"Meow!" 

"What the hell was that?!" Victoria almost sprang from her chair. 

Lucien opened his jacket and from the inside pocket peeked two fluffy white kitten ears. 

"This is the tiger." He answered and took Perle out of his pocket. He put her on the table. 

"You adopted a kitten! Oh my Gosh, he's so cute!" 

"It's a she, her name is Perle or for you, Pearl." 

"She's adorable!" Victoria exclaimed, her voice jumping an octave. 

"Be careful, she bites and claws." Lucien warned. 

"Meow!"

"And she talks back too, I still need to work on her education." He added and put a bit of fish on the table close to the kitten. Perle took it and ate it happily. 

"Ha, so much about likin' bein alone, huh?" 

Lucien raised his eyes to Victoria. His stare hung there for a second. 

"Meow."

Perle went to his hand and brushed herself against the back of it.

"You've got me and her now." Victoria added. "Will you cope with two friends?" 

He smiled. 

"I won't cope with two women, non." He chuckled. 

"Oi! We're nice!" 

"Meow!"

Lucien put his hand on Perle and scratched her back as she laid down. She purred between her mewls and finally fell asleep on the table. 

"So, how did you get her?" 

"I found her at my hotel. She clung to me, literally, with claws and teeth, hence the scars. She was dirty and starving so I fed her and washed her. Mind you, I thought she was grey. But as I washed her, the grey went away and she turned out snow white. Oddly enough, each time I go more than a metre away from her, she mewls and mewls." 

"You rescued her?" Victoria said. "I didn't think a posh old man would do that."

"I-I didn't rescue her per se, I just helped her out, momentarily." 

"And now you put her in your inside pocket, hm?" 

Lucien's eyes went back to the baby cat sleeping under his palm. 

"She is the one to cling to me. Once she grows up and she knows how to take care of herself, I will let her go."

"As if…"

"As if what?" Lucien asked. 

"Look at her! She clings on you even in her sleep. She won't go away from you." 

"Well, I will have some work to do so she will have to take care of herself on her own. For now, she just mewls endlessly and claws at the door when I leave." 

Victoria looked at the kitten with sad eyes. 

"Poor baby…"

"Indeed."

"Y'know what you should do? Take care of her."

“Ha.” His eyebrows jumped and he smirked ironically.

"For real."

"I am!" Lucien insisted. 

"Nah, you're not." 

He rolled his eyes. 

"What should I do then, hm?" 

"Right now? Take her and put her on your lap. Leave your hand on top of her. She likes warmth and she chose you as her dad now."

"Pardon?" Lucien raised an eyebrow. 

"She's a kitten, a baby, she needs someone older than her to protect her and love her. And for some odd reason, she thinks that you're the best one for that." 

"She has a very bad sense of judgement," Lucien said as he scooped her and put her on his lap, his hand still on her back. "As any child would, she gives her trust away too easily."

"I don't think so. Animals don't make mistakes." She answered. "But yeah, give her some love. Even if you don't have much. Make her feel safe and loved. She'll grow up and love you back and she'll let you go to work."

"Ha, oui, as usual, the good old ‘love and you'll be loved story’, oui?" He mocked. 

"L, I'm serious." Victoria cut his sarcasm. "If you want her to stop crying when you go to work, you've got to make her understand that you'll come back for her, because you missed her at least a bit!"

"Hm."

"C'mon! She's a baby and a cat! And you can't lie to me on that, I've seen you, you like her too!"

Lucien's eyes went down to his plate and he frowned. It was almost empty. 

"Dare tell me that this last bit of fish in your plate  isn't for her." 

The old man hated to admit she was right. He just sighed and Perle opened her eyes. 

"Meow?" 

He petted her in his warm palms, and put her on the table. She stretched and squeaked before sitting and looking up at him. 

"Meow?" 

"Tu peux finir mon poisson si tu veux." 

[You can have the rest of my fish if you want.]

The kitten looked at the bit of fish and then back up at him. 

"Meow." 

"Quoi?"

[What?]

"Meow."

"Tell her, L." 

Lucien looked at Victoria then back at Perle. 

"Je… Je ne t'abandonnerai pas." 

[I… I won't abandon you.]

“Look in her eyes when you talk to her!”

He sighed and repeated, looking straight in Perle's deep blue eyes.

"Je ne t'abandonnerai pas." 

[I won't abandon you.]

Perle walked to the edge of the table in front of him and jumped on his chest. 

"Aïe, tes griffes, fais doucement…!"

[Ouch, your claws, be careful…!]

She climbed up to his shoulder and sat there, brushing herself on his cheek. 

"Look at that, she loves you…!" Victoria insisted. 

His shoulders sank as he sighed, and he turned his head to the baby cat. 

"Meow?" 

He closed his eyes and let her brush her face on his mouth. Victoria knew he kissed her, even if she didn't hear him, there was no way any human being, however cold-hearted they were, would not kiss that white little ball of fluff. 

In the fuzzy furr, the Frenchman whispered and Victoria couldn’t make out the words, but Perle heard them.

"Je ne t'abandonnerai pas, petit bébé." 

[I won't abandon you, little baby.]

-- Later, near hangar 451 --

Lucien removed his helmet and put it on the motorcycle before looking at himself in the rear view mirror. The mask was there, the matching suit too. He pressed a button. The motorcycle and helmet went invisible. He smiled and adjusted his jacket. 

Allons-y.

[Let's go.]

He walked to the hangar. It was too early, but that would give him time to understand his surroundings and find somewhere to hide. It didn't take him long before he mapped out the place and found a hiding spot. 

-- Mundy's van -- 

"Roight, the hangar is ahead. I'll stop here and you take her back, ok?" 

Eddy, who was on the passenger's seat, nodded. 

"And if I see as much as a scratch on her, I'll make you pay the repairs with your teeth if I have to, clear?" 

Eddy nodded again.

"Right."

Mundy parked behind a boulder, about 10 minutes walk away from the hangar. 

"You take her back and keep her safe?" 

Eddy nodded but Mundy frowned. He took his rifle and a backpack.

"Eddy?" 

He raised his head to his tall friend once they both got out of the van.

"You've been awfully silent in the van. You alright?" 

"Y-yeah it's just… I don't really get it."

"What?" Mundy asked as Eddy jumped on the driver's seat and Mundy passed him the keys through the open window. 

"I don't know. One moment you go white as a sheet when I show you a gun, and you have to back up ten feet away; the next, you're carrying one hell of a big rifle on your back and your vest is full of bullets, I don't know, man, I don't know!" 

"All that took to shut you up was me carrying a gun on my back?" Mundy smirked behind his yellow glasses.

"Quit your sarcasm, you know what I mean. No guns scare me, but seeing you… like that! That scares me." Eddy explained. 

"It's all like before." Mundy answered. "You didn't use to be scared." 

"No, never. But something's changed. It doesn't feel like you just want the 'gators back, I don't know, it's in your eyes."

Mundy looked Eddy in the eye. 

"Take care of her, I'll see you later." 

"Alright." Eddy put the key in and drove off. 

Mundy dwelt on the thought for an instant but soon, focused on the task at hand again. He looked around and found a boulder that looked easily climbable and tall enough to be a good vantage point. He climbed it and retrieved his rifle from his back.

"Hm, the trucks are already there." He scoped in. "Looks like they already transferred the crocs to the other one."

He swept across the hangar to have a general overview of what was happening when -

"What the hell's that?"

-- In the hangar -- 

"We're gonna ask you again… Who're you and what the hell were you doing here?" 

Mundy squinted through his scope. The man in the red mask spat some blood. He was tied to a chair. 

"I told you, I have a counter-offer to make to you."

"Well, let's hear it then, before I punch your teeth out your mouth!" One of the thugs said. 

"You tell me where your boss is and I won't kill any of you." 

The half a dozen thugs looked at each other and laughed. The man on the chair smiled too. He was bruised, blood was dripping off his nose and mouth, but it didn't seem to trouble him. 

"The hell is that bloke doin' there…?" Mundy mumbled to himself.

"And what are you gonna do, huh? We've caught you, beat you up, tied you to that chair and half of us are pointin' a gun at your stupid mask!" The thug squatted to be at eye-level with the man in the dark red suit and tie, and matching ski mask. 

"That is your mistake. More of you should try and defend yourselves. I will free myself from these ridiculous knots and make you eat your teeth, until you answer me." 

The thugs burst out laughing. 

"Roight." Mundy took a deep breath. 

"You're gonna make me eat my teeth? You? Hahahaha!" The thug stood back up and held his ribs as he laughed his socks off until… 

The wide window behind the thugs shattered.

One of them fell to the ground, then the next, and the third as they all looked left and right to see where the silent bullets came from. The hostage on the chair got surprised and his eyebrows jumped.

"The hell?!" The one who was talking to the man in the mask turned to see his colleagues on the floor. When he turned back to his prisoner, he got welcomed by his chair in the knees, which broke the old wooden thing, freeing the hostage's legs. 

"Ha!" He jumped on the nearby wall and bounced off of it to kick the thug on his jaw, hearing it crack under his expensive shoe.

"Holy dooley…" Mundy removed his eye off the scope and could see the small black silhouette of the thug twist under the blow and fall limply to the floor. The Aussie took his backpack again and ran to the hangar. He hoped that poor bloke made it out alive. 

Mundy climbed down his boulder and made it inside. He looked at the guards on the floor and raised his head to look left and right. No sight of the ski mask bloke. Well, no news, good news hopefully. 

The hunter went to the trucks. 

"Which one has the crocs…?" 

He went to the first one and unlocked the backdoor, opening it wide. It was pitch black but no sign of any crate large enough to contain alligators. 

"Of course, it's always the one you don't start with…"

"Booh!" 

"Aaargh?!" Like a reflex, Mundy took the kukri that was hanging on his belt and slashed in front of him, at the dark mass that made the noise, in the truck. 

"Parfait!"

[Perfect!]

The next thing Mundy knew, his kukri got knocked out of his hand and as he reached for his rifle again, he felt the cold metal of a gun pressed to his temple. He froze.

[sloppy-butcher]

Whats your hcs for Frank, Evan and Herman?? They are my 3 loves so im curious... (love your work ya poes

how old are you sir? I must ask to see ur ID. a babey can’t be using language like that >:(

anyhow, the 3 boys eh? I’ll gladly write anything for them uwu. I’m going to be doing general relationship hc’s so things will probably get fluffy and maybe a little angsty. i can’t help myself sometimes. I’m going to try include one NSFW hc for each of the 3 stooges, so be prepared. it may be bad. the reader will be left as ambiguous as possible

edit: i write way to much :/ i think i should only do 1 or 2 character requests from now on T_T

hope you enjoy!

General relationship HeadCanons

The Legion (Frank Morrison)

With Frank, there was no real start to your relationship. There was no moment in time, no exact, pinpoint instance when one could say that that is when you two starting everything. It kind of just happened. Maybe it was when Frank first kissed you, it felt like fireworks and the snow in Mount Ormond was no longer cold. Or maybe it was when he first saw you dancing along with Suzie to one of her favorite songs, the twirling of your feet mixed with perfectly timed head slams dazzled him and he wanted nothing more than to have you give him a private dance. In the end, these are all speculations and the truth may never be known.

Around others, he was hesitant to show his emotion. You two could be sitting right next to each other your thighs all but alined when out of nowhere Joey sticks his head in. Frank snaps like a mousetrap, retreating back away from you as if he was embarrassed. You confronted him about this, you told him everything’s okay and that no one would judge him for being human. He refused you and, not to lie, it really hurt. But one day, just as you were walking away you felt his hand snake its way into yours. He hesitated for a moment, afraid you might reject him but of course, you gladly wrapped his hand in yours. You heard Joey wolf-whistle from somewhere behind you and Frank very enthusiastically tossed a middle finger at him. You couldn’t see it, but Frank was blushing under his mask.

Franks, not a romantic guy so don’t expect flowers or gifts or really anything nice. He grew up with virtually nothing so the idea of wooing someone with items of material affection is very foreign to him. He believes that if his presence and physical affection aren’t enough to prove to you that he appreciates you, then nothing will. But you never cared about gifts. All you ever wanted was Frank and he couldn’t help but feel giddy at the thought.

!NSFW! Frank was a pretty vanilla guy. He doesn’t have much experience when it comes to the department of extremely intimate affection and therefore knew literally nothing about the pleasures of the flesh. But the keyword here is ‘was’. After meeting you and your guiding hand he blossomed into a very wild and very hungry individual. His favorite position though is when he gets to look at you. And if you call his name he will instantly crumble. Afterward, or during the act you need to reach out and caress him. Touch and explore his body, mainly his face and he’d moan even louder. Your hands are so soft and gentle and when you touch him he floats with elated glee. He feels alive when he’s with you.

The Doctor (Herman Carter)

You would have to be extremely special or out-of-the-ordinary in order to catch the eye of the Doctor. But somehow you managed to do it. Herman was a man unhinged, incapable of empathy and compassion. He never looked at other humans as people with feelings and conscious ideas and thoughts. He only ever saw them and you as test subjects. But something about you was off. You did something that made this machine of a man halt in his pursuit of human torture. What exactly did you do? Well, nothing really. As he approached you, electrical energy between his hands flexing and growing ready to turn your brain to mush, you never screamed, never flinched away and never took your tired eyes off him. The first few times when you welcomed death he didn’t notice and it was only after a significate amount of encounters that finally Herman realized he had never heard your cries of fear and pain.

He would amp up his power when he would find you in trials. He would kill you much more violently than he would the others, make your liquified brain ooze out your ears and make your heart stop and start like a busted old car. Sometimes he would even through away the whole trial upsetting his boss greatly, just to get to you. But no matter what he did, you never offered him what he wanted. You had seen and experienced much worse than him and when death never gives you a release, torture becomes mundane and repetitive. When Herman finally understood that you weren’t afraid of him, he relented, snuffed out his power and walked away. He had his attention now.

Whenever you would visit him during off-time he would follow you as you wandered around the massive mansion known as Léry’s. Sometimes he would lead you, taking you to the rooms which he liked the most (operation rooms). Herman can not talk, the contraption in his mouth has stretched his lips to the point that they can no longer function and his voice box is beyond repair, damaged thanks to his constant flow of electricity that would otherwise kill a man. But he doesn’t need to talk to you. You always seem to know what he wants without hearing a single word.

!NSFW! Sex with Herman is out of the question. The man is pumped with endless volts of electricity and if you were to so much as touch him, your body would recoil and spasm painfully from the contact.  If you ever wanted to experience pleasure from or with the man, he would have to try rein back some of that overflowing energy. But the man is too prideful and would never dare try to cull some of his ability. Unfortunately. But maybe after some time, he might learn to listen. There is no time in the Fog, only eternity and humans were never meant to live for that long. Our minds dull and our intentions warp from the time spent existing and maybe even someone as mad and determined as Herman could learn that it’s not so bad to let others into his life.

The closest you could ever get to kissing Herman is probably just planting a soft peck on his cheek.  A dangerous move considering the possible consequences of actually touching him with such a sensitive part of you, but a risk you were willing to take. One day, however, in the silence and fog of the mansion Herman would reach out for you. He would lean down to your height and very slowly take your hand. There was no static shook when your skins met. He was telling you that he was calm. He would then guide your hands to his mouthpiece and he would tell you to take it off.  Delicately you would peel away the metal from flesh and his mouth would furiously bleed and dretch his teeth with red. When he was free you would quickly meet him and you would hungrily kiss his chapped lips. He would kiss you back, his lips unable to keep up with yours but his tongue is wild and eager. However, after only a minute he would shove you away violently. As you feel the connection between you two break, the space around Herman lits up and crackles with mad energy. You would have to wait for him to calm down again if you wanted to continue your endeavors.

The Trapper (Evan Macmillan)

Despite being one of the most diligent and consistently brutal killers in the realm, when Evan is alone and the only eyes watching him are yours, he is a gentleman. He would speak to you softly, asking about your day already knowing that it was pretty shit. He would hold doors open for you and he would always make sure you were warm, either with a spare blanket or a seat extra close to a fire. He would fuss over you. Your soft skin, so clean and pure, untouched by the horrible and evil ways of the world made him marvel at how human you were. To him, you were what humans were meant to be, good and kind, whereas he was a monster charred and broken, unworthy and incapable of affection and of all those things that were meant to make life wonderful. He wanted to protect you, preserve that softness of you and although he couldn’t do anything to help you when the camera’s all turned back on, during this time he would smother you with whatever cautious and motherly behavior he could muster.

He was drawn to you because of your confident behavior. He found your energy alluring and would always find himself somehow infected by your hope and optimism. You were like a fire, burning everything in your path and he just happened to be close enough to catch alight. In the beginning, Evan would become very annoyed by your seemingly endless ideas of survival but as time went on and you never seemed to dampen like the others he found that his annoyance turned into curiosity. A part of him wanted to know what it was like to be under your light of hope. It yearned to be rescued but a bigger and much louder part of him, a voice oddly resembling his fathers, drowned it out. However, that didn’t stop his feet from walking towards you and it certainly didn’t stop you from staying with him.

In the early stages of your relationship with the mountain of a man, you had to the one initiating affection. You had to be the one to reach out and grab his hand. He would look down at you and you swore you could hear him gasp. And when you would want to hug him, you would either have to wait until he sat down or you would have to climb atop a box. It’s not that he was afraid to reciprocate your feelings, he just felt like he didn’t deserve it. He tried to remain stone-cold and distant hoping that it would detour you and make you give up on him but you weren’t known for ‘giving up’. Eventually, when you refused to leave and he had to accept that you wanted to be with him, all you needed to do for a hug was open your arms wide and beckon him closer with your hands. He would roll his eyes and very stiffly lean down for you. You would eagerly wrap yourself as best you could around his neck and, if you were laughing or in an infectiously good mood, he would engulf you in his own. Sometimes he would even stand up and sweep you off your feet. He would bury himself into your neck,  trying his best to smell you through his bone and metal mask.

!NSFW! This has been said many times before but Evan has handles. Those large pieces of metal piercing his shoulders and down his back. It scared you at first when he suggested you hold onto them, they looked so painful and the skin around the puncture wounds were all puffy and red. He reassured you and explained that he doesn’t feel much of anything anymore. When he said that you looked at him confused then, without thinking, you lean forward and gently place a kiss on the wound. He tries to watch you as you trail butterfly kisses over his exposed chest. “Feel better?” You ask pulling away for a moment. He couldn’t respond, his throat welling up with shook, disgust and absolute fascination. You clearly didn’t care about what he looked like, what kind of monster he had become, and it gave him so much more confidence. Hold on to his handlebars, pull and yank them as he thrusts into you, he likes to feel your weight vibrate through the bars into his ribcage. Evan enjoys the feeling of control he gets when he is the one giving you pleasure and also foundation.

BONUS! Drag your tongue along one of the bars. Make sure his eyes never leave you and when you finally lick the whole length of the metal, plant your lips firmly on his mouth. He will kiss back passionately, amazed at how dirty someone so pure and good like you could be.

[fairykeiheaven]

translation of Shudo Takeshi blog on Kasumi and SatoKasu

#201 "I'm sorry. I forgot about Kasumi" 09-11-2011 To make the TRio prominent in „The Revelation Lugia”, I also had to firmly depict individuality of every other character that appeared less in the movie. I had a hunch that my preparations were done well, but to make assurance double sure, I tried to look again at the appearing characters. As a result, I noticed that my depiction of one important character is weak and I panicked a little. It was the main girl who was travelling together with Satoshi, Kasumi. Why is she travelling together with the leading character Satoshi? I wrote about this earlier, but there’s an answer to Kasumi’s words „It’s just a coincidence that the place where I want to be is where Satoshi is”. „The Revelation Lugia”’s guest character, Flora, said provocatively „Are you Satoshi’s girlfriend? He has such a bad taste” – however it was a provocation towards Kasumi’s existence in the movie, so to speak, they were inflammatory, tit for tat like words. There were also people who felt that there’s a hidden agenda in the line „It’s just a coincidence that the place where I want to be is where Satoshi is” - implying love interest in Satoshi which wasn’t even noticed by Kasumi herself. But, this was a fake (cheat) scene prepared by me to make Kasumi’s presence stand out. Kasumi doesn’t feel love for Satoshi. If her love for him became one of Pokemon’s plots, it would break all the Pokemon series’ structure. Pokemon’s theme is relation between fictionals creatures and people and also growth through think and thin of the young boy (this means an age period for both boys and girls), Satoshi. At least this topic was intuitively decided during the time when I was responsible for Pokemon series’ structure. I already stated in this column that Pokemon’s important theme was like in the movie “Stand By Me”. Even if people don’t want it, they get older and become adults – I came up with this extremely universal human theme in the episode of “The Magic Princess Minky Momo”. In Pokemon however, the most important theme is relation with fictional creatures, which was added to that theme. For Satoshi, who’s a child, Pikachu is th partne he can count on. For example, even if Kasumi fell in love with Satoshi, it wouldn’t be able to interrupt relation between Satoshi and Pikachu. If it was implied that Kasumi developed a childish kind of love for Satoshi, Pokemon would be constructed from different topics and the fundamental theme would not only become complicated, but dispersed. If Kasumi’s love towards Satoshi happened in Pokemon, it would be nothing more than seasoning added to cooking - and, to be honest, for Pokemon’s theme, seasoning that makes taste complicated would be only a disturbance. So from the start, there’s no such factor in Kasumi’s character as love towards Satoshi. Surely, it may be that Kasumi was in the ager when girls fall in love, but “Pokemon” isn’t either a shoujo manga nor a cellphone novel. That’s why, out of all the characters appearing in the Pokemon anime series, the one with the weakest existence is Kasumi. It was decided from the start, when Pokemon anime was during planning, that Satoshi will be character travelling with friends, because if it was only the boy and Pokemon it would become tasteless and it would be hard to introduce to the girls’ audience. This existence could be compared to a parsley in a dish. It doesn’t need to be there, but the dish looks better if you add it. Occassionally, there are people who like parsley in their dish, but it’s a minority. To make matters worse, in the early days of the series’ construction, the scriptwriters of Pokemon were all men, so Kasumi’s character lacked individuality. It would be good if she expressed delicate subtlety of changeable girl’s character, but in reality, Kasumi is only a stereotypical tomboy. Even if we don’t appear much, we’re the real main characters telling Pokemon story… that is, self-aware TRio (that’s what I told voice actors, which they understood at once and since the first TRio’s appearance they were memorizing the motto – I’m ashamed about this, but even if I wrote it, I couldn’t memorize it – I wrote about this earlier, but they were enthusiastic to make it popular at all costs) who are different from Kasumi. Since the beginning, you could feel the TRio’s presence in Pokemon anime much more than Kasumi’s, who’s ranked as the main character. In reality, when I was thinking about the Pokemon anime at first, my last intention was to make the TRio eternal main characters of the Pokemon world who’d surpass growing up Satoshi. Let’s come back to Kasumi. I’ve been worrying about Kasumi’s weak sense of presence since the anime first started. That’s why I took into consideration Kasumi’s presence in my script, even if it might be superficial. I also tried to make Kasumi’s lines hold emotions unique for her. From the start, I was put under great responsibility for the initialization of the Pokemon anime. My attempt to raise Kasumi’s sense of presence was out of sympathy. Pokemon is the anime that carried out a replacement of the main character Takeshi, because of some facial features of the Asian people the foreign countries might not accept. But in the end, we could see that he was accepted even in the foreign countries and came back to the anime as we know. As the show continues, and the ratings start to go downhill, the drama that is substitution of the main characters and rivals under the pretext of strengthening is held. And when it came to substitution of the main characters, the most endangered one was Kasumi with her low sense of presence. It’s not like that I wanted to replace her. But charming personality and sense of presence was necessary. I was making efforts, but to me, the TRio’s sense of presence was more important. The TRio also had skills of their voice actors as their presence felt satisfactory. They couldn’t be replaced. Even if 10 years have passed since I stopped writing scripts for Pokemon, the TRio’s existence is firm. Once in a while, there seem to be the episodes when I don’t know what they’re for, but if the TRio stopped appearing in Pokemon, it would be no longer Pokemon. I’ll go so far as to say that they’re landmark beings of Pokemon. Even when other villains appeared, the TRio was unperturbed. It’s impossible to substitute them. I feel sorry about Kasumi, but I considered the TRio to be the most important. Moreover, it may be only my one-sided view, but both higher-ups and and scriptwriters of the Pokemon production were mostly male. Men in this business, are attracted to various female charms, but they’re poor at getting them out (but this is my own, narrow view). In reality, according to my experience, many people of this business are unskillful in making advances to women. So, in my opinion, the secret of courting women is getting their charm out and praising them. As a digression, I have a strange theory, but I think that when courting a woman, it’s more efficient to tell her 100 times “You’re pretty” or “You’re beautiful” than attract her attention. Of course, it’s not worth considering if you don’t know her beautiful features nor features you want to get beautiful…. If you do so, your partner also will become beautiful for real. I agree with the opinion saying that it’s because both partners, a man flattering a woman with compliments and a woman who’s being complimented get under influence of autosuggestion. This is also the secret of creating a charming woman in the script. This is another digression, but in the most recent movies, dramas and anime created by male scriptwriters and supervisors, women are so uncharming, that it’s shocking. Even if it may look like they’re charming, but this is only thanks to actress’ looks, acting ability and sense of existence. Occasionally, when charming female characters appear in various productions, it turns out that supervisors and scriptwriters are female. In other words, women understand the charm of their own gender and they’re good at getting it out. And then, you would think that male supervisors and scriptwriters are good at creating charming male characters, but it’s not like that. They appear as male figures distorted in some way, someone who you wouldn’t want to associate with as friends. Back in the old days, there were male supervisors and scriptwriters who were skillful at getting out female charm, but I wonder what happened to people these days? But enough of digressions. The one who couldn’t create charming Kasumi was me, responsible for the series’ construction. I was planning to do it in some way in “The Mewtwo’s Counterattack”, when Satoshi said “I wonder, why I’m here?” and I wanted to make her to tell the theme of the movie with a meaning “We exist because we exist. And it’s fine this way”, but as the TRio said “Somehow it’s a very good feeling” in the last scene, Kasumi’s existence was blown off. In “The Revelation Lugia”, I prepared a scene where Kasumi rescued Satoshi who nearly drowned in the sea. She was resuscitating Satoshi by giving him artificial respiration, but in the script she was really only knocking many times Satoshi’s chest as he wasn’t breathing. If Satoshi dies now, what will happen to my existing position in the Pokemon? – it wasn’t like she wanted Satoshi to live because she loved him, but rather, I had an intention to show her filled with anger that her own existence would become even weaker, if Satoshi died. Because higher-ups thought that this scene could have been misunderstood by people in foreign countries as being too violent, knocking has been erased. As you couldn’t see Kasumi’s anger in this scene, it unfortunately made people get the wrong idea that Kasumi’s desperate attempt to save Satoshi was a sign of love. However, in this case, she’s nothing more than general, stereotypical girl. She ended up being very ordinary girl buried among many individual characters in “The Revelation Lugia”. Later, new series of Pokemon appeared and Kasumi was replaced by another girl. However, whether the new girl was more charming than Kasumi or not, was beyond my control. One of the things connected to my job as the series constructor I feel sorry about is that I couldn’t pull out Kasumi’s charm. I also felt sorry for the voice actress, but even if I was being told by other people that “Mr. Shudo is good at writing girls”, Kasumi’s case was quite painful for me. Ah, that reminded me that I’m not done yet with “The Revelation Lugia”’s talk. I can hear just now voices of the TRio saying “Write whatever you like! After all, the TRio are us…”. Also, the editor of Anime Style is telling me “Let’s get beyond ‘The Revelation Lugia’ talk arleady”. I’m sorry. Please forgive me, because next time I’m going to write about the TRio’s role and their awareness in “The Revelation Lugia”.

[canyouhearthelight]

The Miys, Ch. 70

After every serious arc, I like to do a fluffy chapter. Super fluffy.  And this one is no exception.

There are three people I cannot thank enough for helping with this chapter. First up is @charlylimph-blog for helping me get the character of Charly right.  You may remember her briefly as the woman with the collar from the Food Festival arc.

Second, of course, is @satan-parisienne for beta-ing the stuff I churn out.  She is in town for New Year’s this week, and I had the absolute pleasure of watching her reactions in real-time (something I haven’t gotten to do in several months)! 

Last but not least, @baelpenrose, who has been giving the last few chapters a read to make sure the story is consistent and to poke holes in anything I may have missed or got mixed up.

Happy New Year, and I hope to see you all in the New Roaring 20s!

”Sophia, we sorta kinda maybe need to talk?”

I glanced up from my datapad, rubbing the cramp in my neck as I did. With Insert Winter Holiday – and the crisis with Else – behind us, the backlog at work basically qualified as cruel and unusual punishment in most Terran jurisdictions.  Unfortunately, we weren’t on Terra anymore, so I was working twenty hour days trying to get things back on an even keel. Neither my joints nor my partners were very appreciative of it, but at least Conor and Maverick complained less than my spine did.

When I saw my visitor, I stood with much crackling to greet her.  Charly bounced in, completely oblivious to my crunchy joints. “You work too much,” she scolded without preamble.  “We need a ladies’ night – you, me, Tyche, and Xiomara. No arguments.”

Arching an eyebrow at her uncharacteristically demanding tone, I glanced over her shoulder.  A dark silhouette that rivaled Conor’s height flashed a quick, blinding white grin. I shrugged and looked back to the energetic brunette in front of me. “And when am I supposed to have time for a ladies’ night, Charly?”

“I already talked to Xiomara, who talked to Tyche, who told Alistair to clear your calendar the day after tomorrow.  So, tomorrow night, we’re getting cute and going out!”

“Three out of four of those names are in relationships,” I pointed out.

“So? It’s drinks with the girls.  I tried to ask Grey, but they don’t want to go.” She dropped her eyes and pouted at my navel before looking back in the direction of my face. “Still. It’s not like we have to be on the hunt for sexy fun times just to go out and have drinks together. It’ll be fun. And you know you love the Undine, you just haven’t had an excuse to go back with everything going on.”

Bacon Bloody Marys… I shook my head vigorously, focusing on the present. “You do realize that Xio, Tyche, and I are probably going to talk about work, right?”

“Duh. Geez, that’s what the booze is for.  Complaining about work is enhanced… by the booze.”

I sighed.  Ever since she had been released from medical observation, I had learned that saying no to Charly was incredibly difficult.  Even Tyche just kind of went along with her in something of a confused daze. I swore, the woman had a superpower – people just agreed with her.  The only thing standing between her and Galactic domination was the same low threshold my sister and I shared for being around people.

If she was this eager to go out, to a bar, for a girls’ night, who were we to say no?

“Can I at least take today to think about – “ I tried in vain, only to be cut off.

“Eeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Girls’ night! Girls’ Night! Ladies’ gonna get druuuuuunk!” she started chanting and dancing in a circle.

 Sure enough, the next night saw Tyche fussing over my outfit and hair, gently trying to tousle it into something she obviously understood and I didn’t.  Xiomara was laughing hard enough that the only thing saving her from an abrupt, face-first introduction with the floor was the doorway she was leaning against.  When I tried to turn my head to scowl at her, Tyche used one very firm fingertip to turn my head back to her. “I’m almost done. Would you just hold still? Sheesh,” she grumbled.

“You know I hate getting dolled up,” I pointed out sulkily.  

She ignored me, instead stepping back to look at her handiwork. “I think that will work,” she finally pronounced with a nod.

The mirror she held up made me want to scream. “I look exactly like I did before!” I cried in confusion. “Why did you spend an hour making my hair look exactly the same!?”

With a low growl, she rolled her eyes and shook her head at a now-gasping Xiomara. “Some people just don’t understand,” she sighed dramatically. Glaring at me, she pointed at my hair. “This does not look the same. It looks intentional.”

Xiomara temporarily sobered up enough to contribute her two cents. “Before, you had bed-head.  Now, you have sex hair.  Big difference.”

“You. Two. Are. Loony,” I ground out. I reached to run a hand through my hair in frustration, only to have Tyche intercept it.

“Don’t you dare. I don’t have time to fix it,” she ordered before dragging me out of my office, my hand still clutched tightly in her grasp.  Groaning as loudly as possible in hopes of rescue, I reluctantly allowed myself to be pulled along until we reached the Undine. Once outside, my sister stopped and dropped my hand, giving me one last once-over before seeming content that I hadn’t managed to wreck her painstaking work in the last forty meters.

I was permitted to enter the pub under my own power.  Making our way to the back of the space, we found Charly had already claimed a high-top.  As soon as we were visible, Coffey gently cupped her jaw in one massive hand and gave her a kiss that was paired with a look that clearly meant Stay out of trouble.  Charly just gave him an angelic smile.

Frankly, the odds of that were fifty-fifty.  Charly wasn’t reckless – not by a long shot. On the contrary, I had learned in recent weeks that she was usually very quiet and extremely cautious. In absolute, direct conflict with this was an underlying need to play pranks on unsuspecting victims.

Given her usual demeanor, ‘unsuspecting’ was synonymous with ‘everyone on the Ark except Noah and Coffey’.  Well, Coffey at least suspected it, but he wasn’t exactly immune to pranks. When I asked her about it once, she just shrugged and told me “Hey, if I’m going to be punished, I may as well deserve it.”

The man in question waved one hand at the three of us before disappearing into the crowd.  I honestly had no clue how he did that – he was easily the second tallest human on the ship.  More annoyingly, he did it all. The. Damned. Time. It was profoundly frustrating, albeit very impressive. Squashing the sigh I felt bubbling up, I turned back to the table. Tyche and Xiomara were already seated, leaving me a seat across from my sister.

No sooner did I climb onto my seat, than Sebastian came through the crowd with a tray full of drinks.  Coconut rum and fruit juice for Tyche, an enormous Bloody Mary for myself, neat whiskey for Xiomara, and eye-catchingly blue something-slushy with a huge wedge of pineapple and an umbrella for Charly.  She caught me looking and held it up so I could see it better. “It has alcohol, I swear – blue curacao, cognac, and rum.”

With a skeptic glance, Tyche sniffed the drink and wrinkled her nose. “Sounds like a hangover.”

“Nuh-uh,” Charly retorted. “It sounds like fun!”

Xiomara rolled her eyes before downing her whiskey with a wink at me. “If we’re here to drink, may as well, right?”

An hour and a half later, Sebastian was taking away our most recent set of empty glasses, ducking Tyche’s hand as she gesticulated wildly.  She was telling some story to Charly, who had slowly scooted her chair closer and closer.  At the moment, she was leaning on the part of the table that was actually in front of my sister, watching and giggling as Tyche enthusiastically flailed and made exaggerated faces.  I could not figure out for the life of me what story she was telling, but a few minutes later she tipped her head back with a clap of her hands and a peal of laughter. This sent Charly into a fit of giggles, face down on her arms.

I glanced at Xiomara, who was smiling, but still clearly sober despite her drinks. With a conspiratorial tone, I told her “They are soooo drrrrr… draaa…. dur-rur-rur… Inebriated. Very inebriated.”

Xio stopped mid-sip to arch an eyebrow at me. “You seriously couldn’t get out the word drunk so you went with, of all things, inebriated!?”

Tyche and Charly collapsed into howling laughter at the disbelief in her tone. I just tapped my temple and sat as straight as I possibly could, offended. “Dain bramage, Xio. Loooooots of brain damage.”  I ruined my scolding tone by belatedly realizing what I had initially said and snorting with laughter.

That seemed to break the dam to pieces, because I started giggling and could not stop myself no matter how hard I tried.  It didn’t help when, just as the giggling started to trickle off, Charly howled “Dain Bramaaaage!” at the top of her lungs and blindly toasted the room with a mostly-empty hurricane glass.  The gesture sent the wedge of pineapple on the rim into a tumbling arc…

Right into Xiomara’s whiskey, droplets splashing her face.

I didn’t know whether it was the pineapple or the wet-cat look on Xio’s face, but either way, it was the funniest thing the three of us had ever seen. Soon, Tyche and I were leaning against Charly, fighting for breath against the laughter that was possessing us like minor demons.

“Ha, ha, ha,” Xiomara mock-sneered. “Go ahead, laugh it up.  I swear, you three are –“

When she stopped mid-sentence, Tyche popped up like a meerkat.  Almost immediately, she was smacking my shoulder and shaking Charly. “Look!  Looklooklooklooklook.”

Xiomara was frozen, face slack, mouth half-open with the dying breath of whatever she was about to call us.  Her eyes were glued to the entrance of the Undine.  I felt two different spots in my neck pop as I snapped my head around to see what she was staring at.  At first, all I could see was just an ocean of people getting after-work drinks and socializing… granted, it was a little quieter than I expected, and more people were talking in hushed tones than I remembered from bars back home, but maybe I was just out of touch.

Tyche saved me again by reaching across, grabbing my jaw, and turning my head to face what Xiomara was looking at: a beautiful woman, about my height, with what seemed like miles of thick, black hair, and a stunning blue saree with warm gold and pale green details coming over her shoulder.  I could see how she was a show-stopper, honestly, but Xio’s reaction seemed a bit dramatic.

In contrast to this, Charly’s head came up, dislodging Tyche’s hand. “Oh, that’s just Parvati!  She’s an artist.  I think she told me once she did murals in the Before?”

The statement seemed to snap Xio out of her trance. “What? How do you know her?”

Oblivious to the demanding tone, Charly shrugged. “She works with Hannah a lot. Like, a lot-lot. So I’ve met her a few times.  She’s really lovely, honestly.  Some of her work is in the database… she did a lot of politically-charged protest art, like this one…what was it called?” She snapped her fingers a few times, lost in thought. “Started with a ‘G’ I think? Refugee something?”

“Refugee Guernica!?” my sister and I demanded at the same time.  

“Yeah! That one.  The really violent one.”

The piece had been extremely controversial: a hyper-realistic mural of climate refugees, posed to evoke the original Picasso work and gaunt with starvation.  That, alone, would have been palatable to the powers-that-were.  However… the artist had gone one step further and portrayed what had been livestock in the original work as human beings, feasted upon by the fattened rich.  It had also been in true-to-life color, which hadn’t helped soften any blows.  Tyche and I had both been breathless the first time we saw an image of it.

“That is the person who did that mural?” Tyche asked, pointing a finger at the woman across the bar.

Charly nodded enthusiastically. “Yep! Parvati Fletcher.  Remember? Signed all her murals with a little arrow, fletched with peacock feathers?”

Xiomara’s eyes narrowed. “She did the one decrying the Baconists, didn’t she?”

“Yeah! Animal Farm, the scene where the pigs were adding ‘but some animals are more equal than others’.  I don’t know if Parvati has it in her to hate, but the closest I ever saw her come was when she compared Baconists to the rich. She said that the only difference between the two was that Baconists were more honest about wanting annihilate humanity.”

Dark eyes narrowed as Xio flicked open her datapad, summoning data furiously. Abruptly, she relaxed. “I remember this file… We suspected her after what happened on Level One, but Noah confirmed on three separate occasions that she was telling the truth.”

“Duuuuuhhhhhhhhh,” Charly intoned, rolling her eyes comically. “Vati doesn’t argue much, but one thing that will always make her speak is the fact that she only believes that humanity is at its best if everyone is given the opportunity to be their best.”

“That’s… why she’s here, isn’t it?” I asked with dawning comprehension.

“Well, yeah. Why else? You’re here for the same reason, right? You believe in the best in a person, no matter the person, right?  Well, she believes in that… It’s like, if you’re a psychologist, she would be a sociologist.  She believes in the best in humanity, not just the best in a person.”

Huh. That was a breath of fresh air.  I glanced back at Xiomara. She looked lost, and I followed her sight back to the same blue and earth-tone saree, shining dark hair, and a bright white laugh. I glanced back and forth a few times before the realization hit me between the eyes like a sledgehammer. The gaping stare, the quick background check and almost melting relief… “Xio?” I whispered in that special, extra-quiet volume only drunk people can use. “You like her, don’t you?”

“Tell the whole bar, why don’t you?” she grumbled.

“Hey, I’m not judging,” I held my hands up placatingly. “I just…. I had a completely different idea in mind for your type, that’s all.  Took me a bit to realize I was so, so wrong.”

“Oh, yeah, peopling-queen?” she smirked. “Do tell, what did you have in mind as ‘my type’?”

“Well, I saw this video once of a lady who broke a pumpkin in half between her thighs…” I gave her a pointed look.

Next to her, Tyche nodded vigorously. “And more sharp objects.  We both thought your affections could only be won by someone who could best you in single combat.”

Charly scowled. “There are more types of combat than fighting, you two.  I bet Parvati has incited more political uprisings than any four people at this table.” My brows furrowed and I opened my mouth to say something, but Charly rolled her eyes again and cut me off. “Yes, Sophia. I am aware there are only four people at this table. That’s the point.”

<< Prev  Masterlist  Next >>