#witnessing it first hand and knowing it’s partially your fault and if you’re lucky she’s just another ghost to haunt you

[weremerricat]

something something well you keep coming back alive don’t you something something i just want you to be safe something something we tried to kill you it didn’t let us something something you were always its favorite something something i was worried you would do something stupid something something well you have to stay alive to do that so it’s a win for me something something natalie, natalie is in so much pain she tried to kill herself something something you realize there’s no it right it was just us something something is there a difference just translates to lottie wanting to keep nat safe and alive which also translates nat was always lottie’s favorite

[downwiththemutantnjnjaturtles]

May I request something where Leonardo and reader are really good friends and reader gets kidnapped and turned into a mutant. Leo blames himself, but reader reassures him it’s not his fault and they end up kissing. 💙💙

I'm To Blame [Leo x Mutated!reader]

Being turned into a mutant becomes the least of your problems when your closest friend believes it to be his fault. No one could have predicted what was going to happen; no one can control everything in their life. If only Leonardo would have realized that.

It started as leverage-abduction. The Turtles confront them, or you be pumped full of mutagen. Or worse.

The bait had been set, and the boys had no choice but to take it. Hook, line, sinker. You were held in a Foot-controlled lab, bound next to a glass canister of the ooze, a line in your arm and only the clan scientist in control of the drip standing between you and a possibly grotesque fate. You struggled and squirmed, but it was no use; there was no escape on your own.

There was a crash outside the lab doors, men shouting, guns firing, but bursting through the doors were your four saviors. Your friends, allies, and family. Leo fought his way to the front, a new kind of urgency consuming him as the gravity of the situation hit him. Any closer, and you would be mutated.

"Halt!" a soldier shouted over the clamor, a team of heavily armed men forming a semicircle around you and the scientist.

A hand grabbed hold of the back of your neck, yanking you toward him. He forcefully stretched your arm out and displayed the tube, making a note of their predicament, and the boys grimaced. Raph growled that deep, rage-fuelled rumble, while Donnie felt a shudder run up his spine seeing the canister of mutagen. What DNA the concoction was infused with, they had no idea of. There could have been anything in there. If the dosage wasn't carefully monitored, she could be killed!

"Weapons down, turtles, or this girl will be transformed right in front of you," the scientist said coolly. Leo stepped forward, blade drawn and teeth bared, but a warning shot was fired into the wall next to them. Mikey yelped and ducked into Raph, who blocked him partially with his huge frame. The scientist leaned down and inspected the canister, humming, "It seems like this batch is highly unstable. Is this a game you want to play, mutants?"

"You're bluffin'," snarled Raph, and his hands gripped his sais impossibly tighter.

The scientist raised his brows, his free hand wandering to the activator to the mutagen. One tap of a button, and your humanity would be ripped away. "Perhaps. But can you really be sure?" he inquired almost casually. "Only one flex of my finger, and we'll see."

Clenching his jaw, Raph shifted, lowering his weapons a little.

Leo mentally gauged the man power that was currently present. They could take them, he knew they could!

But Leo couldn't trifle with the canister currently attached to you. Breathing heavily, he dropped his swords, which clanged loudly on the floor. His eyes met yours, solemn, and you broke into a violent fit.

"Leo!" you cried out, lunging forward as he told his brothers to stand down. "Don't do this! Please, please, get out of here!"

He only shut his eyes, and with a wave of his hand, they all let go of their weapons in succession.

"We're not going to leave you!" Donnie yelled in return, his voice shaky.

There was a deafening silence in which it felt like a standoff, the boys panting, trying to formulate a battle plan in their heads. Leo stared at the scientist with one of the most hate-filled gazes you'd ever witnessed.

One of the soldiers in the back turned halfway around and whispered something into his earpiece.

The hefty metal doors right behind them flung open, a line of large men clad in black carrying what looked like modified cattle prods. The rods popped with electric currents as they closed in on the boys, who were only able to whirl around quick enough to meet the electrified weapons, and were instantly stunned. Currents no human could withstand brought them to their knees, Mikey shouting shrilly as he fell forward.

Groaning, Leo kneeled. He turned to the scientist at your side, his eyes darting between you and him. "You got us. Now let her go," he said. His voice was low and raspy.

Hand hovering over the button, the scientist spoke while he looked you in the eye, "You know, we were short of a healthy test subject."

Mikey gasped and planted his palms on the floor, "You can't do that, man!"

The scientist sighed and looked down at you, who was wildly struggling against your restraints. He muttered in a matter-of-fact tone, "But I can." It seemed that after a moment of contemplation, eyes going out of focus as they fell on your face and the tears running down it, he let out a reluctant groan, and motioned to one of the men behind him. "Take her elsewhere. We'll figure out what to do with her once we get these," he glanced back at the turtles, "squared away. Clear?"

"That wasn't the deal!" roared Leo, rapidly surging toward the scientist. Another electric shock was sent through him, but he kept on, and the brothers all followed suit.

You winced as the clamor rose and all hell broke loose, the boys ripping their weapons away from the men, guns being fired—your ears rang and a bullet even whizzed by your head.

Leo came at the scientist with his blade, the cowardly man trying to duck away in time. Two soldiers came up on their flank, one with a semi-automatic, and the other brandishing the electric rod. Except before they could get close to even shock him, Mikey's nunchucks landed a heavy blow on one of their heads, causing him to stumble toward you.

And fell right onto the button.

"No!" you heard both Donnie and Leo scream as the drip was activated, Mutagen flowing through the tube and into your body.

Everything became a blur. Within minutes you mutated, firstly writhing on the floor in agony as the burning liquid coarsest through you. Bones shifted, tissue changed, muscles spasmed. Your senses were temporarily blinded.

"Idiots!" snarled the scientist, backing away from you as you transformed. Raph was occupied holding off the soldiers. Mikey couldn't bear to watch. Donnie didn't know what to do, and Leo was...devastated.

Your strength grew. You broke free from your restraints. The firefight continued, this time aimed at you rather than just the Turtles. But the boys wouldn't let them hurt you. In your panic, you'd almost attacked them—your family. Leo hollered at Donnie and Mikey to get you out of there while they covered you, and seconds later, you were all barrelling out of the facility, alarms blaring, guns sounding, men shouting.

Yes, the Mutagen was highly unstable. You couldn't control yourself. And your body, it wasn't done reacting to the ooze.

You didn't know what happened next. You fell unconscious just after escaping. The last thing you can remember is Leo catching you in his arms. Him helping to carry you back home, to the lair. Your new home. You were one of them, now.

Breathing labored, you sat up on the metal table you had been laid on by Donnie. He'd checked your vitals already. Needless to say, so early in your mutation, things were not looking the best. But you would pull through; he was sure of it.

The first face you sas upon waking up was Leo's, worried. His eyes flitted all over you. You hadn't yet seen yourself.

"Y/N," he whispered, hands bracing against the edge of the table. "This...this is my fault," he said.

Donnie scuttled by holding a light and examined your eyes, then asked you to move a bit to see if there were any anomalies such as paralysis. You had some trouble adjusting to your new form, but so far, it wasn't dire.

Everyone came and went, hugging you, saying their piece about how happy they were that you were okay—as okay as you could have been—until Splinter noticed Leo's distress. He told the boys to let you two have a minute alone. Splinter left himself, as well.

The two of you now alone, Leo had a hard time speaking. He couldn't quite find the words to say how sorry he was.

"This isn't your fault," you drawled, still feeling a little loopy from the whole ordeal.

He leaned in, as you couldn't do much beside sit up. "If you hadn't ever gotten involved with us, this would have never happened," he said, lowering his head. "And now you're…"

He paused, and you finished for him, "I'm what? A mutant?" you asked softly. "Leo, I am so lucky to be alive. And it's all thanks to you." He sighed, not believing your words. "They would have killed me, Leo," you added, and took his hands in yours. He looked up at you, blue eyes meeting your own. Had your eye color changed?

"You didn't deserve this," he swallowed.

"Does anyone?"

He stood up. "This happened because I failed, y/n! As a leader, as a friend—"

Not caring about your current state, you slid off the table, landing on your feet with a thud. Your body ached, but you payed it no mind. Leo went rigid as you closed the gap between you two.

Still holding his hands, you told him slowly, "It is not your fault."

Your faces were only a few inches from each other. Unknowing, he gripped your hands. You swore that you could almost hear his heartbeat picking up as you leaned in, lips hovering over his. He looked as though he wanted to say something, but you stopped that thought. "You understand? Not...your...fault…"

His breath hitched when you gently pressed your mouth to his, at first going completely still. But then he closed his eyes, and his arms found their ways around your torso. The kiss was short and gentle, but he was stricken—only when you parted did he whisper a moment later, a new kind of hope inside, "You can live here, with us. You don't have to worry. You shouldn't ever have to worry, y/n."

"I won't worry, Leo," you muttered, letting your head rest on his chest. "Not when you're here with me."

He held you until eventually, everyone filed back in, Splinter smiling warmly at the sight.

[rosaline-kei]

Bare; AruMika Fanfic (One-Shot)

Disclaimer:I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan nor its characters.

Synopsis: It was the first time Armin ever saw a woman’s bare back, bare chest. Exposed.And he had not expected to see it in this sort of situation.It was the first time Mikasa found herself this much exposed in front of him.And the last thing she felt was any form of uncomfortableness, but still, she wished that he didn’t have to witness something so unsightly.

Rated: T

Pairings: Mikasa Ackerman / Armin Arlert

Read it also on / Please Leave a Review at my Ao3 / FF net (as stated in bio)

Author’s Note : A drabble that i decided to (semi)complete. I don’t think it’s that good but meh. You can interpret it as platonic or romantic but frankly, i think its leaning more towards (unresolved) tomantic tension lol.

-

He watches her fall.

Again. For the second time. For the second time, Armin hears her air-tank choke, and watches it come to an abrupt halt a second after. The next thing he sees is how she almost crashes to what could’ve been a close death if he hadn’t swoop in, scoop her in his arms before landing on the ground.

Unfortunately for him, he hadn’t been in time to save her from the spiky branches that tore through her blouse, staining them crimson red all over, bestowing her yet another series of scars on her back and chest that would take a while to recover, heal from. And if she was lucky, they’d disappear for good.

But he had been in time to catch her before her head could’ve knocked onto something rock-hard, which could’ve led to a concussion. A coma. He is momentarily relieved when he sees that she is still conscious. He lays her down gently against a tree, with such caution as if he was handling a watchmaker’s intricate task, as if she is the most fragile thing he has seen or touched. He doesn’t want her anymore hurt than she already is.

But that relief soon washes itself away when he sees her wince in pain, and he can tell that its taking every ounce of her remaining strength to not let out a loud yelp that could possibly scare the creatures resting in the forest at this time of the day, or more specifically night.

After developing and improving on the 3-D manoeuvre gear, Commander Hanji had given an Okay for Levi and his squad to test it out while she busies herself with another pile of paperwork, with her responsibilities as Commander. They had split themselves up, in the forest at night, continuing their training as per normal while familiarising with the new gear that they’d possibly be wearing when they’d confront the man who had abandoned them.

He isn’t sure how far they are now, and figures that screaming for help would be pointless because he knows he needs to take action now as opposed to waiting for his calls to be answered.

Because Armin had been in front of the raven, he is unable to tell if it was her momentary carelessness and loss of her cool that had led her to her downfall or if it was due to a fault in the gear that had caused the gas to halt so abruptly. It doesn’t matter either way, for now. He has other things to worry about, like how her blouse was soaking up more and more blood.

“Mikasa.” He calls her name as calmly as he could, but he is sure the woman in front of him can see through this false front he puts for her, and that he is worried to death even though he is aware that this isn’t the sort of tragic moment where this would be the last breath she takes. He knows she is stronger than that and that it’d take more than a fall to kill her. But he still worries. He can’t help but worry for her, for the future, her future. And he hopes when the time comes when they meet him—their ex-comrade who abandoned them—she won’t be so careless, reckless.

Before he knows it, he finds his hands gripping both of hers tightly, reassuringly. “Is your breathing fine? Is—”

He hates how she forces herself to sit up a little straighter, swallowing every painful shriek that she doesn’t want to let out because she knows it’ll do no good, and would only worry her blonde friend even more. What she doesn’t know is that Armin doesn’t care. He wants her to scream and let out all of her pain, because he knows it’s better than bottling everything up.

However, he doesn’t bring it up. Because arguing now would be a foolish thing to do.

“The wounds are not that deep.” Armin can’t tell if she’s lying to reassure him. He knows that the woman in front of him, who was worth a hundred soldiers, would not die so easily from a few scratches from the branches. But he also knows that this woman was still human. And humans are fragile beings, the surface of their skin is thin, easy to tear from something as trivial as a paper cut. And while he was sure Mikasa is aware of this, she doesn’t seem to apply that knowledge to herself. “Just… There was just a lot of branches.” She pauses briefly. “And it just happened to open up old wounds… but I’m fine. Give me a while.”

Armin is instantly reminded of the recent wounds that she received not too long ago from both a spar and from work; labour that she had been assigned to do (and from what he had heard, pushed herself a little too far. Something that he has already nagged and chided her for.).

His eyes narrow, and he doesn’t trust her ‘I’m fine’ completely. But there is still colour in her face, her breathing isn’t concerningly shallow and it doesn’t look like she is forcing her eyes to stay wide open to avoid the pitch black a person would see when they faint. And he reminds himself that she isn’t dying.

He hopes that something like this won’t happen again, on the battlefield, where her life would truly be more at risk. He doesn’t want to lose her.

He glances around the forest. Albeit dark, he recognises it. They have been training in these parts for quite some time now after all. “There’s a river nearby.” He quickly says, suddenly in a rush. “We’ll wash your wounds there.” He doesn’t give her a choice. He isn’t asking.

“I’m fine.” Yet she insists on the fact that she doesn’t need help. “On the battlefield, I don’t get the luxury of washing my wounds at a lake.” She is stubborn. “I have to put up with it.”

“But we aren’t at war now.” He sounds sterner now, fiercer. He isn’t usually like this; he is admittedly more of a passive person who probably had given into her more often than he should recently. However, he doesn’t know how else to respond to her stubbornness.

He slowly carries her up, and it seems like Mikasa’s body is a little too worn out to fight back.

Again, it is foolish to argue now. That’s the last thing Armin wants with her. He tries to reason. “And by the time you’re on the battlefield, all your wounds would already be healed. You’ll be stronger. At your fullest. But right now, you’ve been overworking yourself, getting new bruises. You aren’t at full capacity.”

Mikasa doesn’t argue back, because he is right. And she knows he wouldn’t yield to her stubbornness because he cares for her too deeply.

…

When they reached the river, Armin once again gently sets her down and removes both their gears, setting them aside. He notices that her wounds are no longer oozing out as much blood as before, and it soothes him… just slightly. It confirms the fact that they aren’t that deep, but it doesn’t mean Armin would care any less about it. About her.

His hands scramble about in his pockets, and finds a clean handkerchief that he isn’t sure how it ended up there, but regardless is thankful for its presence. He approaches the lake, soaks it with water before squeezing some of it out and turns back to Mikasa.

It was only then did he realise what he has to do and what he has just gotten himself into.

Mikasa already knows, has her back already turned and facing him as her hands move to unbutton her blouse.

It is probably an extremely inappropriate moment to flush, but Armin can’t help it. Instinctively, he turns away, sparing her some privacy even though that isn’t exactly a choice later on. “I- uh… ah…” There is no longer a sternness in his tone. It is lost, and nervousness overwhelms him. Mikasa notices it in the instant she unbuttons the last button, letting the blouse fall down her shoulders, down to the ground.

Armin is unable to believe how she removes the clothes from her body without that much hesitance. Does she not realise what she is doing? Or does she trust him that much? Or is it because she doesn’t see him as man?

The last thought irks him somehow, but that is far from the truth behind Mikasa’s lowered guard around him.

Mikasa knows the back of her sports bra is partially torn, too. And she knows it’ll get in the way. So, her hands move towards it, unhesitatingly, to take it off.

“W-Wait!” Despite his well-known intellect, clearly Armin didn’t think ahead for this scenario. He is red all over. “I- ah… y-you can keep that on. I don’t want to...—”

“I trust you, Armin.” She says this so confidently, even though admittedly, she’s a little embarrassed too. Because she is still a woman who has undeniably grown in certain areas, and this is the first time she exposes herself this much to a man. But there weren’t nurses around to tend to her, so she isn’t in a position to complain. And she knows that if she puts back on her blouse and tells Armin to forget it, he’ll go on a lecture and the cycle repeats.

And above all, she trusts Armin. He is her childhood friend, too. He would never harm her. He could never harm her. She knows this, and she never takes advantage of it, of his kindness because she cares for him deeply too. She cares for him, in her own unspoken way. “It’s okay.” She doesn’t look back to him to give a reassuring look that provides as much assurance as her tone, mostly because her cheeks are tinged slightly pink, and she doesn’t want that to distract him or make him any more uneasy.

I trust him. She thinks. But even so…this situation is…

Her cheeks, tinged with pink, says enough.

Armin gulps and nods and walks towards her silently before kneeling down behind her after she has removed her bra. Perhaps if Mikasa could’ve reached all the wounded areas on her back easily, the two childhood friends probably wouldn’t have found themselves in this sort of… predicament.

“I’ll… be fast.” He says, but it doesn’t mean he won’t be gentle. He dabs the cloth on her wounds lightly, wiping away the blood.

She winces, making Armin even softer in his movements. “It’s okay.” She says again, her arms crossed and covering the front of her chest. “We’re alone…anyway. We aren’t supposed to meet the others yet… they probably wouldn’t have noticed our absence.”

“Yeah…” Armin murmurs, “Does it hurt?” He checks on her, as he approaches the slightly deeper cuts that appears to be her re-opened wounds. He makes a mental note to inform Commander Hanji that they should have a wardrobe upgrade, have better material for their uniforms. A blouse and a jacket over it weren’t going to do it for them at this point in time.

“No.” Mikasa responds. “Sorry.” She responds, and Armin raises a brow, before he finds them furrowing in slight frustration.

“Does that mean… your fall was due to carelessness?” He asks, and he tries his best to ensure that his question doesn’t sound something close like a reprimand.

“I don’t think so.” What an uncertain answer, Armin cannot help but think. Neither a lie nor the truth. “I’m just… tired.”

He decides not to pry any further, and lets it go for now because pushing, and maybe even arguing won’t do either of them any good. And perhaps, its because he can empathise with her too. Deep down, he knows it isn’t just the training and labour that is wearing her down. There was him, too. In that way, they are alike. However, their connection extends further than that.

They aren’t just connected because of him.

Either way, He doesn’t want to think of his name, much less say it out loud now. So, he changes the topic.

Somewhat.

“Please…be more careful next time.” He finds himself saying this before he could rethink his words. In Mikasa’s eyes, Armin never had his guard up so high around her. Because just as she trusts him, he trusts her. However, hearing him so vulnerable now seemed to have surprised her a little, and it softens her heart. It makes her feel a little more vulnerable than she already is, too. “I can’t lose you.” It sounds like a plea, and he is referring to the next time they are out on the actual battlefield; a place where lives are truly at risk, at stake. More prone to death. “That is… all I ask from you, Mikasa.” He whispers that last part in a hushed tone, and she could only wonder why.

“…I don’t have any bandages now.” Armin continues before Mikasa could reply. “Otherwise… your wounds are a little cleaner now. Ah… we better get you back to headquarters quick…” He grumbles the last part, and walks over to the river once more, rinsing the blood absorbed from the handkerchief before walking back.

When he returns back, his anxiousness does too. “Uh… your front.” He is vague. “I’ll… clean it now… so… uh… I… d-do you—”

His words are cut halfway, and his cheeks become redder when the woman in front of him unexpectedly turns towards him, facing straight at him. And even if her arms are still covering her breasts, there is still the sight of her cleavage that he tries to avoid looking at but it is difficult not to when he’d start cleaning the wound in front because...

Either way, he is astounded once again that the raven doesn’t mind being so exposed in front of him.

“M-Mikasa! W-What are you—”

He looks away so fast when she turns anyway, so he doesn’t notice the light, faint pinkness on the raven’s cheeks. “I trust you.” She says again, “There aren’t that many scars as compared to my back… the blood is still oozing out a little, but nothing serious…” She remarks as calmly as she could, forcing every stutter to die and her words to be more articulate. It is hard to maintain her usual levelled tone in her voice, but she tries to because she doesn’t want Armin to think she is uncomfortable or hates it.

Armin gulps again, and with his eyes still fixated on a random leaf on the ground, he marches to her in an awfully stiff way, kneels down, and Mikasa swears it took him more than a minute to finally be able to face her.

Despite their shyness and silence, there seems to be an unspoken understanding between them that prompts Mikasa to slowly loosen her arms, exposing her chest completely but Armin’s eyes aren’t focused—he makes sure they aren’t focus on her… womanly parts. He doesn’t want her to feel uncomfortable, and he isn’t sure if he can contain his blush if he even dares peek at them.

Besides, the long scar that stretched from the top of her chest, down to her upper stomach catches his attention the most. And his worry sinks back in, numbing his flustered self temporarily. Even if the wound isn’t that deep, he worries. His eyes soften as he cleans the blood dripping. For the first time, he never knew he could hate the colour red so much. And he can only hope that she wouldn’t drenched in it the next time he encounters her on the battlefield.

He doesn’t say anything for now, in fear of making her uncomfortable. He doesn’t even know what sort of conversation to even make, in this sort of situation. And as he is finishing cleaning up, Mikasa speaks.

“Sorry…” Mikasa suddenly apologises again, although she sounds sullener. “For you to see something so unsightly.” She is referring to her scars. And although she knows she—that both of them had seen worse, more gory things in their life, she can’t help but feel bad. It’s not like anyone wants to see a friend’s bleeding wounds. “And I’m sorry for troubling you.” He wonders if she is referring to her earlier obstinance.

“…Gee… what are you saying? You’d have done the same thing for me right?” Armin murmurs, and when he finishes cleaning the last bit of leaking blood, he garners some courage as his ocean hues meet her greyish ones that seemed a little brighter, perhaps due to the moonlight. Unsightly? He scoffs to himself. What is she talking about?

She is beautiful. He thinks immediately, and blushes at the sudden thought. And then finds himself mesmerised by her, by the trusting, loving look in her eyes that she doesn’t bother to hide, that she lets him see. Because Mikasa Ackerman cares for Armin Arlert deeply and what is there in that fact to hide? He shifts closer to her sub-consciously, as if his eyes want a closer peak of the ‘colourfulness’ hidden behind her orbs. Unknown to him, he is hypnotized. “You aren’t unsightly…” Words like that spill from the tip of his tongue, “Your eyes… they sparkle in the moonlight. Like last time.”

Last time…?

Mikasa finally sees his face, a little clearer now, and unknown to Armin, he is moving closer to her, and she is unsure why he suddenly complimented her eyes. Or why her heart begins to palpitate, or why there is warmth accumulating at her cheeks.

“Armin…?”

“Mika—”

But alas, the moment is ruined. Armin’s arm grazes her breasts lightly and most definitely accidentally, when he moves closer—but the fact that it was an accident doesn’t make the situation any better as Mikasa’s cheeks officially burnt red while Armin, upon realising what he had just done, instantly turns around and becomes a stuttering mess.

“I-I-I d-didn’t m—”

Mikasa finds herself covering her chest again. And even though she knows it’s an accident, it is still flustering.

Then suddenly, she recalls something, a moment back before their lives had taken a terrible direction. A moment before they realised and saw what life outside the walls was truly like. A moment, which had revealed to Mikasa back then that Armin wasn’t as innocent as she thought he was.

“…Armin, weren’t you the one who… had those indecent books that you later circulated around the boys for a while… before they got confiscated?”

Her statement doesn’t make this… his predicament any better, nor does it cure his stutters. If anything, it worsens them, and to make things worse, he feels his heart beating rapidly as he struggles to find words to explain.

“I-I…! I-It isn’t w-what you t-think! I—”

“…Perv.” She says it flatly, in such a cold way that almost drives Armin into tears of embarrassment. That was, until he heard a chuckle that followed after a minute of him internally suffering from being labelled as a perv by her.

A beautiful, angelic sort of sound he hadn’t heard from her for a while.

“W-Why—”

“You can turn around now.” She says, and he does so, hesitantly. She already has her bra back on, and her smile still stays plastered on her face after her chuckle.

What a sweet smile, he thinks.

“I still trust you.” She says softly, and that relieves him a little. But he is concerned that she didn’t withdraw her remark about him being a perv. Then again, to be fair… that indecent book incident…

He cut his thoughts off halfway when he sees her about to wear back that bloodied blouse. He immediately stops her, and Mikasa frowns, confused.

“Arm—”

Before she knows it, Armin is the one unbuttoning his blouse and before she is the one who turns to a stuttering, confused mess the blonde speaks, “It’s dirty… don’t wear it back”

He goes behind her, removes the dirtied blouse after handing her his own.

“Ah…” was all Mikasa could say, and she feels embarrassed at the fact that she thought he was undressing for… other reasons. And she is too stubborn to admit it, or say it out loud.

“Thank you.” She ends up saying, and she is genuinely grateful. Slowly, she puts on his blouse as Armin takes a seat behind her, his eyes looking over at her wounds. He notices some of them bleeding a little again, and it aches his heart but there is nothing much he can do with just a handkerchief.

“Sorry… for you to see something so unsightly.” Her remarks echo in his head, and he doesn’t like it.

Granted, Armin agrees that scars are anything but pretty. Because behind each scar, is pain. You can rarely find any beauty in them.

But when Armin sees Mikasa, he still finds her beautiful. Not just the outer appearance, but her heart. She may be regarded as cold by strangers, cruel by enemies… but he cannot help but find her heart beautiful, because he is one of the very few people she has ever made room for in there.

He leans in closer to her back, and before the blouse covers all her back as she buttons them, he presses his lips against the area near the nape of her neck. It all happened too fast, too instinctive; at least on his part. Armin was barely aware of the affection he just gave her.

Mikasa is caught off guard, and she flushes at his sudden ‘attack’. But she doesn’t hate it. She is just confused why he did it and… is puzzled about the sudden fluttering in her heart.

“A-Armin…?” She stutters out.

When his lips finally depart from her back, it seems like he hasn’t snapped out of the trance he is in, and isn’t completely aware of what he just did. And all he manages to say is, “You aren’t unsightly.”

Mikasa goes silent, and for some reason, she feels her entire body and nerves relax, as if such simple words provided her some sort of solace.

“…You really are a Perv.” She cannot help but reply, because she finds it unfair how he could do something like that… how he can surprise her just like that.

It is only when she calls him a Perv again, does he become fully aware of what his instincts drove him to do. He is now panicking and blushing madly. And then, he is struggling again, to find words to explain, to justify.

“…I could’ve cleaned my chest myself you know.” Mikasa says these words as if she had been aware of this fact all along. But really, that thought has only now occurred to her; and it probably flusters her more than the blonde whose cheeks grew redder (if it can already be redder than it already was) as the word Perv automatically and continuously reverberates in his head. He hopes Mikasa doesn’t really think of him as Perv.

It seems both of them had been too caught up in the moment.

Well, what’s done is done and Mikasa doesn’t seem to be bothered about Armin’s actions as much as he thinks she does. Not even the kiss on her back, which is something she chooses not to question now. Because she is sure they are both tired and given the current predicament—the one where they are in the middle of the forest, unable to head back using their gear since hers is faulty— and that it isn’t the best time to bring it up.

For now, the raven merely watches the blonde’s shyness grow increasingly as he mumbles out inarticulate words that she assumes are meant to explain and justify himself, and prove himself unguilty of his Perv nickname.

This is the same man who is able to use words as weapons against enemies, to push forward his beliefs. That same man was stammering, unable to find the right words and a part of Mikasa finds this side of his amusing. And maybe cute.

She doesn’t say anything after, as her heart chooses to treasure this little moment they have.

[backtothestart02]

Mixed Drink - 13/? | westallen fanfiction

A/N: Commissioned by @travelattwilight. I hope you all enjoy!

*Many thanks to @valeriemperez for beta’ing.

...

Chapter 13 -

The tension between the four of them could be cut with a knife. Iris stayed staring at her brother, and Jesse didn’t know which one to look at or which choice would be more dangerous in the end. Stacy stood her ground by Iris, ready to defend her if any more accusations came her way, but inevitably there were complaints from the customers behind Wally and Jesse in line, so she had to open another register and start taking orders.

“What are you doing here?” Iris asked finally, not accusatory, almost scared.

Wally raised his eyebrows, coldly amused.

“I mean…” Iris cleared her throat. “I haven’t seen you in Central City in years.”

Regrettably, Jesse blushed.

“That…would be on me.”

Iris switched her gaze to the pretty girl next to her brother, waiting for more of an explanation.

“It’s not your fault, Jesse,” Wally said, though he was barely looking at her. “You didn’t know. Hell, I didn’t know, or I would’ve suggested someplace else.”

Iris felt as if he’d kicked her in the gut. The fact that he would’ve gone to such lengths just to avoid seeing her hurt like nothing else. The last time they’d spoken he’d at least sympathized with her. But now it felt like he was on the verge of telling her to go to hell.

“Wally,” Jesse scolded, and Iris was grateful. She felt some hope rise within her.

Wally, to Iris’ great surprise, didn’t come back with anything. He actually looked down for a moment, as if embarrassed.

Iris wanted to talk to him one-on-one, see what had changed. But she couldn’t do that in the middle of a rush the first week back at her old job. Instead, she summoned all the courage she could muster and returned to a topic that she hoped was safer.

“Well, there’s no need to go anywhere else,” she said. “The least I can do is take your orders and give you a quality drink.”

She looked at Jesse who offered a smile and dared to tease Wally.

“Whatever else you think of me, you can’t say I don’t make one hell of a latte.”

Wally looked at her and nodded.

“Okay.”

Jesse looked at him and waited for him to say what he was going to order, but he didn’t so much as look at the menu and Iris was already pressing buttons on the register.

“Wally?”

He sighed and reluctantly said, “She knows what I like.”

Jesse gave him a curious look, but he said nothing more. After he’d paid, ignoring Iris’ slightly slumped shoulders when he pulled out cash and then changed to a credit card so he could avoid touching her, Jesse gave him a stern look that he purposefully ignored. Instead, he guided her to the far side of the counter where they’d await their drinks from the blonde standing next to her who had gone through the rest of the customers that had been standing in line.

After Wally and Jesse had left and the rush had calmed down some, Stacy came to stand beside Iris who was just barely holding it together.

“Hey, girl, how are you holding up?” she asked, wrapping an arm around her waist.

Iris sighed shakily. “Like I’m going to break if I think too hard or stop…being busy.”

“Maybe you need a break,” she suggested.

“Uh…did you not hear what I just said? A break will probably make me start crying, and…I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop.”

“What if you called Barry? Talk about it with him?”

“Oh, God, no.”

Stacy frowned. “Why not?”

“We just started dating, Stace. He doesn’t know the whole story, and I don’t want him to. Not yet.” She sighed again. “I’m just…going to have to get through this one on my own.”

“Not on your own.” She pulled her closer. “You’ve still got me.”

Iris forced a smile. “Thanks. I appreciate that, but…”

Stacy shook her head. “Why don’t you do refills. I’ll clean up back here, and by the time we’re both done, I’m sure there will be a heap of new customers here to make us lose our minds in how the hell we got so many menu items that are so different, and yet…so the same.”

Iris laughed, and Stacy smiled.

“That sounds absolutely wonderful.”

Stacy kissed the side of her forehead and released her.

“Go get ‘em, Babe.”

Iris ducked her head with a little smile and then grabbed the pitcher of coffee to start making the rounds.

…

They rounded the block for the third time. Just like every time before, whenever they passed Jitters, Wally made a point to only look straight ahead. He would not look inside to see if his sister was still there. He would not.

Jesse, however, was no idiot. And even if she had been slightly out of the loop, she figured out exactly what was going on when her boyfriend nearly crushed her hand in his grip whenever they went by the coffee shop. Not only that, but Wally’s jaw locked, and he ground his teeth. All of these things abruptly stopped when they turned the corner.

She hadn’t made a single comment about it, but enough was enough. They didn’t talk about his family much because she knew it was hard for him to talk about, and a lot of the time she was a distraction for him, so he didn’t have to think about it. She was glad she could be that for him, but there was a point when things had to be discussed. Plus, if she took one more walk around this particular block, she thought she might just go crazy.

“You know, if you want to go in and talk to her, I don’t think there are many customers right now.”

“Talk to who?” he asked, his grip growing tighter.

“Ow!”

He stopped and looked down at what he’d done to his girlfriend’s hand. Immediately, he released her.

“Oh, God, sorry, Jess. I didn’t mean to-”

“I know,” she said, immediately flexing her fingers. “Your body’s acting on its own involuntarily.” She massaged her hurting hand with the other. “It’s because you’re not dealing with your feelings, so your body is taking matters into its own hands.”

He took her hands into his and kissed each one.

“How’d you get so smart?”

“Psychology major, remember?”

“Ah, yeah, that’s right…and a genius father who hates my guts.”

She rolled her eyes. “My dad hates everyone. It’s in his DNA. You’re lucky all I got from him is his brain, or I’d probably be intolerable.”

He smirked and leaned in to kiss her. “Lucky me.”

She savored the kiss for a moment more, the heat ever-present between them before returning to the original topic.

“So, as I was saying, your body is-”

But he cut her off.

“I know something else my body could be doing right now,” he teased with a grin.

She barked a laugh and shook her head.

“That was a switch.”

He shrugged and looked at her with a boyish charm. She linked her arm through his and crossed the street with him when the walk sign lit up.

“Why are we crossing?” he asked, confused.

“Because we went around that block three times, Wally West. And if you refuse to admit you want to make things right with your sister, the least you can do is take me down another block.”

He smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”

It wasn’t the end to the conversation she’d wanted, but she knew she’d get no more out of him right now. He didn’t do well when pushed. Hell, neither did she. But the hurt look on Iris’ face was eating at her. She didn’t know the girl at all, but she doubted she was as bad as Wally let on. From the six months they’d been dating, Jesse had learned a few things about Wally West. One was that the things that made him the angriest, that he projected onto others, he usually at least partially blamed himself for.

That left two options on the table. Either Wally blamed himself for Iris’ actions or he blamed himself for the way the family had basically driven her away. And Jesse, well, as fond as she was of Wally, she wasn’t about to let him brood over this when it could be fixed. He’d thank her later.

At least, she hoped he would. Regardless, she needed the whole story.

…

Barry stared at his phone and wondered if there was something wrong with it.

He’d been trying to get a hold of Iris all day. While he missed her every day, today was particularly lonesome because he’d finished up his latest assignment and was free both today and tomorrow. His body was aching for her. His heart was aching for her. His mind was aching for her. His soul was aching for her. It was unlike anything he’d experienced since his parents died his first year in the military. Or, that’s what the organization called themselves.

Later down the line he’d have it drilled into him that he’d been taken advantage of, and he shouldn’t blame himself. He was living a better life now. But wasn’t he being taken advantage of by that person even now? Wasn’t he just being passed from one organization to the next, each one claiming to be the right one, the “good” people he should be “proud” to work for?

He’d heard it all before, and no matter what anyone said, he just knew his parents would be so ashamed of him. And beyond that, he knew if he’d been home, they wouldn’t have died. His martial arts skills would’ve stopped that robber in the night, and he’d have him pinned to the floor and arrested in seconds. Instead, the robber was never caught because there had been no witnesses and no real evidence in the aftermath.

It made Barry so angry inside, and for so long he’d used that anger to hurt nameless, faceless people. They had to be that way to him, or the guilt would build up even more. He shut down emotionally. He didn’t feel love and he didn’t feel pain. There was only the job.

It took Felicity a full year to break through that hard exterior, and even she hadn’t broken through the hardest parts. Yet somehow, despite lying to her occasionally, as most spies needed to for those in their families uninvolved with that part of their life, Iris had broken through all of it. She’d shattered that exterior, so all his soft parts glowed brilliantly and came alive. And damn, if it wasn’t the best feeling he’d felt in the longest time.

So, he didn’t give up.

He dialed her number again and waited.

This time she picked up.

“Hello?”

Her voice sounded off, sad maybe, or tired. But he couldn’t concentrate on that immediately, because all he knew was that she had answered.

“Iris!”

His excitement burst through the line, causing a genuine giggle out of her.

“Hi, Barry.”

“You picked up!” he informed her gleefully, but much to his disappointment that comment brought the return of her saddened/exhausted tone of voice.

“Yeah…I’m sorry about that, Barry. Today has been…well, it hasn’t been good.”

His face fell. “Tell me about it. What happened?”

She sighed. “I don’t…really want to talk about it.”

“Iris.”

“I know you want to help, Barry. I know. And I appreciate it. But this is just…this is family stuff.”

Barry felt as if he’d gotten a blow to the chest.

Family stuff.

She hadn’t meant to wound him, but she had. Unintentionally, of course.

Because he didn’t have a family anymore, and after her mere presence had revealed his softer side, he didn’t like being reminded of that fact.

But she was oblivious to his inner struggle.

“Can we just…talk about something else?” she asked on a sad sigh.

And he wanted so badly to give her what she wanted, but he couldn’t just…switch like that. Not when his walls had all fallen down, not when he’d just been thinking about the sad fate of his own family.

But still, he tried. For her.

“I understand,” he said, and he really tried to. “What would you like to talk about instead?”

She sighed. “I don’t know… Just, not that.”

He fought to think of something else. He didn’t want their conversation to be over, no matter how many feelings were buzzing through him right now. This is not what he wanted their one interaction today to be about.

“I love you, Iris.”

Static filled the line, and he wondered if she hadn’t heard him, and maybe he shouldn’t have said it over the phone an ocean away. But he missed her, and he wanted her, and he wanted to help her, to make everything better. And he was so sure now, positive, and he wanted her to know.

But maybe it was too soon.

The line cleared up.

“Barry? Are you there?”

She hadn’t heard.

“Uh, yeah? I’m here.”

“Did you hear the static?”

His head was spinning, but he forced himself to answer her question.

“Yeah. What’s the last thing you heard?”

“I think we were trying to come up with a topic?”

“Oh.” He paused. She hadn’t heard it. “Right.”

“You said something after that, but I couldn’t make it out. Can you say it again?”

He cleared his throat.

“Right. I…uh, just said that I miss you.”

She crumbled on the other end.

“Oh, Barry, I miss you too.”

...

*Also posted on AO3 and FFnet.

[the--sad--hatter]

Name Changing (4)

FANDOM - MARVEL MCU, X-MEN, DEADPOOL

PAIRING - BUCKY X READER (female reader, no physical descriptions)

WARNINGS - ALL OF THEM, SMUT, VIOLENCE ANGST

DESCRIPTION -  Sequel to Name Calling

After merging with your bloodthirsty alternate personality things start getting a little dicey. You’ve got two decades worth of anger to sort through, a feral mutation to figure out how to live with, a biological father who you hate trying to teach you control and if your wedding planner suggests teal for the bridesmaids again you might just eat her liver.

Luckily you have Bucky Barnes by your side, helping you figure things out. What Bucky doesn’t know is that you have found an outlet for the uncontrollable rage, one that absolutely nobody can know about. If your friends and family knew that you were out slaughtering people in the dead of night while they slept, they might be a little annoyed. Wade Wilson is happy to keep your secret though, so long as you keep bribing him with Mexican food.

For as long as you could remember, all you had wanted was to be good. Now you’re seeing the temptation in the darkness.

                                         A Stark Reminder

                       Read the Exclusive Interview with Deathwave

                      Interview conducted and written by Kara M Pierce

Since her very public debut as the long lost daughter of Tony Stark, she has been the subject of much curiosity. Her story is a dark one, yet it’s also one filled with hope.

It quickly came to light that Miss Stark was far more than she first appeared and while she is in fact Tony Starks daughter, it is not by blood. Though after just a few minutes in her presence I am wondering if that is true. She exudes the same confidence and charm as her father, not to mention the same sharp wit. Having interviewed Mr Stark in the past I can confirm that both Starks harbour the same respect and fear for Pepper Potts as one look from the CEO can make either Stark fall into line.

Thank you so much for agreeing to sit down with me today Miss Stark.

Bold of you to assume I had any choice.

Thank you so much for convincing her to sit down with me today Mrs Potts.

She’s very happy to be here.

I imagine you are quite busy, does being Deathwave take up a lot of your time?

It does but apparently the bad guys have no concept of acceptable work hours. Someone should really start a labour union for them or something.

What’s it like being an Avenger and is it different from being a secret Avenger?

I used to just have to deal with Hydra and Vernichtung agents attacking me, now I have paparazzi as well but apparently I’m not allowed to blast them into smithereens.

Other than that, it’s not actually very different. Not having to wear the mask makes it a little easier, that thing was kinda warm.

How well do you get along with the other Avengers?

Sam Wilson, The Falcon is my best friend. When I first arrived at the compound he sort of took me under his wing. Sam is an excellent cook and he loves feeding people He’s also a great listener, he really cares about what you have to say and if you need advice he’ll do his best to give it to you but he knows when you just need to vent.

Plus have you seen the muscles on that man? Who doesn’t want to cry on those shoulders?

It sounds like you’re writing a dating profile for him. Are you trying to get him a date Miss Stark?

No... Maybe. Not that he needs my help, the man is handsome, charming, has the thighs of a god and is a superhero. He's also single. Just saying.

What about the other Avengers, are you close with them?

Well I am engaged to one so yes? We’re a family, all of us. I trust them with my life and they trust me with theirs. When we’re out there in the field our lives and the lives of the people we are fighting to protect rests in each others hands. That tends to form some close bonds.

So does that mean you’re close with Loki, the man who once led an attempted invasion?

Yes, I am. Loki was not responsible for that, and despite being controlled he managed to manipulate events so he would lose the battle of New York. He did the best he could with limited control of his own mind.

Loki was instrumental in helping me defeat Docherty, he helped us win the Second Battle of New York. He’s a hero, an Avenger and a friend and anyone who says otherwise can take it up with me personally. I’ll be happy to educate them on the difference between a hero and a villain.

You seem to have a protective streak, not just for those you know personally.

Was there a question in there?

I was wondering where that protectiveness comes from?

My father. He protected me. And I owe it to the world to follow in his example. He made a lot of mistakes along the way to becoming the hero he is today and he owns up to them and not only learned from them, encourages me to learn from them as well.

Speaking of your father, there’s been much speculation about your biological family.

Are you referring to the rumors that were leaked about Docherty being my grandfather?

Yes, those rumors have been circulating. Is there any truth to them?

Yes.

Would you like to elaborate on that?

Not particularly. Biologically, I was his granddaughter. He was evil, I stopped him. End of story.

What about the rest of your biological family? Do you have any desire to know about them?

What makes you think I don’t already know? My mother is dead, Docherty killed her. My father didn't know I existed until recently and he... he and I are working through our issues but that’s a private matter.  If his identity comes to light at any point I just wanted people to know he didn't know about me or Docherty. It wasn't his fault.

That’s fair. Onto happier subjects Miss Stark, you won’t be Miss Stark for much longer. Are you excited?

You’d assume I was excited about my upcoming nuptials or I wouldn't be getting married would I?And the Stark name was the greatest gift I ever got, I’m not giving it up. I’ll be Mrs Stark-Barnes.

How did the romance between you and Sargent Barnes happen? Who made the first move?

(Miss Stark is trying to contain a laugh at this point, Mrs. Potts giving her a warning look.)

He made the first move. He followed me about for months, begging me for a chance. It was getting quite sad so I took pity on him.

What about the photo’s that appeared to show you on a date with Captain Rogers?

Well, Cap was my first love but he’s too good, too pure. I had to downgrade.

So you settled for Sargent Barnes?

(The laughter dies and the expression on Miss Starks face is one of love and conviction, it is clear her feelings for Sargent Barnes are very real and very powerful.)

James is the only man I have ever wanted to be with and the only man I ever want to be with. He’s my partner in every way, he supports me even when he doesn’t like what I’m doing, he challenges me when I’m being an idiot, he forgives me when I mess up, he holds my head above water when I’m drowning. He is the love of my life I know how lucky I am that I get to spend the rest of my life returning his love.

What about the blurred photographs that appear to show you in the company of the Vigilante and Mercenary known as Deadpool?

Deadpool is a menace to society. It is my personal mission to hunt him down and give him exactly what he deserves.

Quite a turn around from the woman who once refused to sign The Sokovia Accords.

My refusal to sign wasn’t about the accords themselves but rather the way they were being used. Secretary Ross is a slimy rat and I would never cow to his perceived authority. (There is a short argument between Mrs. Potts and Miss Stark but Miss Stark insists we can print her opinion on Secretary Ross, though it must be noted that the opinion of the interviewee do not necessarily represent the views of this publication.)

Colonel Rhodes is a man who knows the value of bureaucracy and the importance of the accords and balances it with the public's need for protection. The Sokovia Accords are no longer used as a power play but are in place to protect the people who signed as well as holding them accountable for their actions.

It’s at this point in the interview I informed Miss Stark I had some fan questions that had been sent in and she immediately perked up.

I like the fans, they’re just normal people who like me for some reason. It’s always strange when they come up to me and ask for a selfie or an autograph but it’s inspiring. Hopeful. It reminds me that there’s a world out there that I get to help protect.

From Jess on Ao3: How did you decide that you wanted to be good, despite the evils you’ve encountered?

I decided I wanted to be good because of the evils I encountered. My earliest memories are of cruelty and you’d think growing up that way might have given me a twisted sense of morality but I knew the way I felt was horrible and I didn't ever want to be the reason somebody else felt that way. There was a guard when I was really young, he slipped me chocolate through the bars of my cell. He was killed for it when they found out. That's how I knew they were evil, even if I didn’t know the word. And I knew I didn't want to be that way.

TaraStudiesaLot: Are you are interested in any art form? Photography, painting, film or music? Like, does do enjoy any of these or are they still foreign to you?

Steve tried to get me into art but I’m more made to appreciate it than make it.

I like to take pictures though, nothing special, just little moments from life. I like being able to look back at the photo’s, they help ground me and remind me of the good things I have in my life.

Phoenix-whiskey-Tears: What kind of music are you into?

I hadn’t even been out of the cage for a full day before my dad introduced me to AC/DC. So I kind of associate 80’s rock with freedom I guess? I’m also partial to big band music from the 40’s. (It should be noted that at this point, Miss Stark is doing her best to hide her blush.)

Firefly-in-darkness: I wanna know more of your habits and little simple things like your favorite colour, movies, books, etc?

Red. My favorite colour is red. The Iron Suit was red, red is the colour of freedom, of salvation, justice.

Books and movies? I don’t have favorites per se, it’s still exciting and thrilling to see and read them, even bad ones.

HoneyBadger: What advice would you give to abuse survivors? And do you think you’d ever take on a protege or sidekick?

Well first of all, I have a sidekick. Bucky Barnes.

To abuse survivors I would say this, you already did the hard part. You survived. You are already winning that battle by fighting it and I know it’s a long battle, one you’ll be fighting every day for the rest of your life. That thought is depressing and exhausting and overwhelming.

But it’s worth it. The world is still out there waiting for you, use the pain you have experienced to see the world differently. See the beauty in the mundane and normal because after your suffering you deserve every single tiny bit of happiness and calm you can grasp.

What happened to you shaped you yes, but it does not define you. You are so much more than what they did to you. Their evil does not leave a stain on you and your future is not dictated by your past.

You’re warriors, Kings and Queens who deserve so much more than life gave you. Life and people can be cruel and it’s up to you now, to take what you deserve from the world. Be amazing, you’ve already proven you have it in you. Support one another, hold each other up and never ever forget that we are a thousand times better than those who tried to put us down.

Pydia Packmaster: What keeps you going despite everything you have been through?

Life goes on, the world keeps turning. And everything I endured can be used to help me make sure others don’t have to go through the same thing.

All the bad things that happened to me are being used as a force for good now. Like I once said, I was created to end the world but I’m going to save it.

Beansy: if you had the ability to change anything in your past, what would it be and would you?

I wish I had known I had a mother, maybe I could have saved her before it was too late. Maybe I could have known her. But what’s done is done. My whole life I didn’t even dare to imagine that I would have a future but now I do and I won’t waste it by living in the past.

ToastLuvr: If you could choose an actress to play you in a movie who would it be?

Jack Black. Next question.

BuckityBarnes: Who’s your Avengers Crush?

Black Widow... Obviously. If Nat would have me I’d drop Bucky in a heartbeat. Have you seen that thing she does with her thighs? That’s how I wanna die.

Sitting down with Deathwave was just as inspiring as I had expected. Since the details of her past were revealed to the world she has become a symbol of hope to people everywhere. She is a hero, of that there is no doubt but what truly makes her an inspiration is the fact that she reminds us all of what we can be.

Who you are and where you came from doesn’t decide where you are going to go. That choice is up to you and you alone. No matter the challenges you face in life, big or small, they can be overcome.

Setback only set you back, they don’t stop you. People will stand in your way but they can be moved. You are the hero of your own story.

We are all the heroes of our own stories.

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

AUTHORS NOTE

This was mostly fun to write but there is a lot of of it that came directly from my heart. I’ve made no secret about how Docherty was based on real people who hurt me so the advice Baby Stark gives to abuse survivors is what I would say to those of you who it applies to and I mean every fucking word. 

If you are or were in a situation of abuse, be it mental, physical, sexual or other then please consider my inbox a safe space to talk if you ever need it. 

@nerdandproud-86 @harrison-shot-first@thejourneyneverendsx @thelostallycat @inquisitor-selvala@the-corruptor @iovher @kendrawr-kitkat @phoenix-whiskey-tears @the–real–wombat@buckitybarnes@fairislesheets@angieptt @meganjonezzzz@dugan365@fluffeh-kitty@memanda17 @krystallynx@theonelittleone@piscesbarnes@free-as-fishes@tarastudiesalot@captainamericasbeard@dropthepizza346@jaynnanadrews@likes-to-smell-books@drdorkus @life-wanderer@metalarmlover @animegirlgeeky@jsmith509@chipilerendi@nerdy-bookworm-1998@ericasabe@gravedollie666@madlykpopfan@l0kisbitch@mywinterwolf@sassysweetstories @life-wanderer @jessieray98@littledeadrottinghood @firefly-in-darkness @demonlover87 @jessieray98 @pinkisokay @chipilerendi

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Thirty-Two: Find the Solution ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Hatake Kakashi, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina, alcohol, vulgarity ] [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ AO3 Link ]

Having a few spare minutes before class, Sasuke idly goes over his homework for first period, dark eyes half-lidded and trying to catch any last-minute mistakes. So far, it all seems in order.

“Sasuke...Sasuke!”

“What is it, Naruto?”

The blond stumbles to his desk, the one just in front of his best friend, lurching into his seat with a panicked smile. His clothes are wrinkled and hair mussed. It’s like he just got out of bed… “Hey, uh...did you - did you finish last night’s homework?”

...does he really need to ask? Sasuke looks up over the brim of his held-aloft paper. “Of course I did.”

“Well...could I maybe just -?”

“No.”

“But -!”

“There’s not nearly enough time for you to copy the entire assignment...besides, maybe I’m a little tired of you copying me. What does it matter, anyway? If you just copy my work, you won’t actually learn it, and come test time, you’ll fail.” The Uchiha deadpans, squinting slightly. “You think the teacher doesn’t notice that pattern…? Maybe you should spend less time running around with those delinquent friends of yours after curfew and start doing your homework.”

“Hey, my friends aren’t delinquents!”

“Oh? What happened to the graffiti? The property damage? The sneaking into parents’ liquor cabinets? Because I highly doubt that’s all stopped on a dime.”

The tips of Naruto’s ears burn bright red, bristling with a hint of temper.

“Something tells me the son of the superintendent would face some pretty harsh punishments if his father found out…”

“Sasuke…”

“He can only make the troubled youth argument so many times, what with adulthood hurtling at you like a train. And what would your mother think?”

“OI!” Grabbing Sasuke by the shirt collar, Naruto lifts him straight out of his chair, a foot planted in his own. Around them, other students gasp and holler in surprise. “Shut yer trap!”

Sasuke just stares at him, scowling. “If I didn’t just prove my point...you wouldn’t have a reason to get so angry…!”

“I SAID SHUT IT!”

“All right boys, that’s enough.” Walking into the room nonchalantly, their first period teacher waves a hand. “Naruto, put Sasuke down. Sasuke, stop taunting Naruto. Can we have one day where it doesn’t start with a near-brawl?”

Mouth cut in a deep frown, blond brows furrowed sharply, Naruto breathes harshly through his nose. “...fine.” With a small shove, he releases his classmate and sits in one movement.

Resting hands atop his podium, Kakashi glances between them, looking thoughtful. “...actually, you know what? I think we’ve had enough pattern established, we need to do a little something about this.”

“Wait, what -?”

“I’m going to give you both detention.”

Sasuke bristles. “I didn’t -!”

“Ah ah ah, no arguing. I’ll talk to you both after class, and we’ll work something out. But I’m getting a little old to be dealing with your...shenanigans as often as I am. Maybe thinking that over this morning will get it through your heads, hm?”

Naruto doesn’t even answer, arms folded atop his desk and propping up his chin.

“Tch…” Aggravated, but doing his best to swallow his temper for now, Sasuke collapses back into his seat.

“First thing’s first: hand in your assignments, please. We’ll see how well you all did on that essay on chapters ten through fifteen. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of...interesting theories to keep me busy reading them tonight.”

Sasuke passes his up the row, noting that Naruto doesn’t even have a partially completed paper to turn in. Counting the stack he receives, Kakashi gives a brief glance to the blond before just sighing and moving on.

The rest of class passes like any other day - reading, discussion, debate...the usual. Sasuke doesn’t bother attempting to chime in, instead leaning his chin into a palm, elbow propped atop his desk and glaring out the window. Leave it to Naruto and his temper to drag him into trouble…

Once the hour block is over, the rest of their classmates file out, and the pair approach Kakashi’s desk. He leans back in his chair, a leg atop a knee, fingers woven. “...now, I’ll make this brief. Starting tomorrow, I’m moving you two apart. Naruto, you’ll be front and center...it’s clear you need space from Sasuke, and more proximity to your lessons.”

The blond just pouts.

“You’ll be spending some extra time with me for the rest of the week after your last class. Maybe then you’ll have papers to turn in. And you,” he goes on, turning to Sasuke. “It’s clear you need a little...interpersonal skill development. So you’ll also be spending some time here after school...but a little differently. I want you to tutor another student.”

“...what?”

“Any subject you want, but it’s clear you need practice in interacting with your fellow classmates.”

“More like I need practice getting away from him.”

“And you will. But your antagonizing nature isn’t going to get you very far. Stop lording yourself over someone you deem beneath you.”

They both then go to argue, but stop at a raised hand.

“...not that Naruto is - in fact, he’s not. You both have your faults. Best you learn how to deal with them now before we ship you off into the real world, hm? Because I promise you, this punishment is light. And if you two keep heading the way you’re headed...it will only get worse. So, let’s nip it in the bud, shall we? I’ll see you both after classes today. Naruto, prepare for some reading. Sasuke...be thinking about what subject you’ll be helping a fellow student with. Now get going - if you’re late, just have your teacher phone me. I’ll get you off the hook.”

With that, the pair take their leave, shooting each other dirty looks. “Nice going, jackass. Now we’re both suffering because of your temper,” Sasuke growls.

“Yeah? Like it wasn’t your high-and-mighty attitude that set if off in the first place, ya bastard? Shove off…”

Thankfully the rest of their mornings are spent apart in different classes. And Sasuke spends all of his dreading the last bell. Tutoring someone? Is Kakashi serious…? He’s never done that sort of thing, he doesn’t know how! And knowing his luck, he’ll end up with some moron that won’t know anything about anything.

But at least by the end of the day, he’s made up his mind. He’ll do math. Simple math. Surely some algebra will be easy enough to explain to someone, right? While all his subjects are relatively easy for him...he’d rather keep it to something with one set answer. Read the problem, find the solution. A to B, and...well, whatever steps end up in between.

Naruto’s already seated at a desk when he arrives, Kakashi sat atop his own with a foot in a chair. “Ah, there you are. Found a subject?”

“...algebra.”

“Good, good - there’s a study hall in the library every day after class! Go find someone who needs it, and bring them back here. I’ll be supervising.”

Expression anything but elated, Sasuke does as asked. He’d had no idea there was a study hall...he always goes straight home after class. Working his way in, he glances around, seeing various groups and pairs seated at the tables within.

A senior girl glances to him, asking what he needs. “I, uh…” Ugh, how embarrassing… “...I’ve got a temporary detention assignment to tutor someone in algebra. Mr. Hatake wants it in his room, though.”

“Oh, perfect! You know, we’re always looking for more tutors! Let me ask and see who’d like to go with you - wait right here.”

Watching her go, Sasuke sighs. He doesn’t even get to pick them? Great. Leaning against the wall beside the door, there’s about a minute of quiet before she comes back, another girl in tow. “Here we are! This is Hinata Hyūga. She came here looking for algebra help. Think that will work?”

He gives her an appraising look. There’s a vague recognition - they’re in the same year, he remembers. And her body language looks reserved. Quiet. Hopefully she’ll be tolerable. “...sure.”

“All right! Thanks so much for lending a hand.”

Wanting to retort that he doesn’t have any choice, Sasuke swallows down the words and instead mutters, “C’mon” before opening the door.

“...so...where are we going?”

“Mr. Hatake’s literature classroom. Naruto got my ass in trouble, so I have to tutor someone in his room every day for a week.” He doesn’t elaborate any further.

“Oh...so just until Friday?”

“Yup.”

“You won’t - y-you won’t keep going after that?”

“I doubt it. I have my own studies to tend to.”

“Oh...t-that makes sense.”

Dark eyes give her a glance. Sure, she looked quiet, but stuttering, too? Maybe he should have got someone a little less...nervous.

“Well...I still appreciate the help. I had to miss a few weeks of class, so...I’m pretty behind.”

“How come?”

“I...I was sick.”

The reply sounds fabricated, and Sasuke perks a brow...but doesn’t pry. “...well, okay then. We’ll see how far you can get in a week. Then someone else can take over.”

He opens the door for her, earning a look up from Kakashi. “Hello there, Hinata!”

“Hello, Mr. Hatake.”

“Here to help Sasuke learn some manners?”

Her head tilts, clearly confused as said Uchiha just scowls and moves to the opposite corner of the room. “C’mon, let’s get started.”

There’s a brief pause...and then she follows. “What, um...what did he mean by that…?”

“Naruto wanted to copy my homework. I said no, told him to do his own, and to stop being an idiot after school. He got mad, tried to start a fight...and we both got in trouble. Now Kakashi thinks I need some interpersonal practice.”

Large pale eyes blink, clearly not expecting his explanation. “I...I-I see.”

“In short, let’s just...sit and do some math, okay? The sooner we get through this week, the sooner I can get back to my own damn schedule…”

There’s a slight wilt of her brow...but then she sits in the desk beside him. “So...I missed eight whole chapters while I was...sick. I’ve started the first one, but um...I haven’t gotten very far.”

“That’s okay. We’ll just...do what we have to.”

It doesn’t take Sasuke long to realize...he got very lucky with her. She’s quiet, yeah...but attentive, watching his pen and glancing up to listen to his lesson. Her handwriting is neat, if not a little small...and though she asks plenty of questions, they manage to move pretty quickly. It’s clear she’s not dumb...she just fell behind because she was...sick.

He’s really tempted to ask, but...well, that would be showing interest. And he’s not interested. All Sasuke wants is to get through these five hours without any additional stress or lost time.

With their desks put side by side, and the two of them poring over the same book...he can’t help but eventually realize they’re leaned in rather close together. Hinata has to do so in order to see his demonstrations, and he to check her work. More often than not, their shoulders brush.

...and he can smell her shampoo. Something with lavender in it…it’s actually really -

Okay, whoa, hold up.

No. No!

He actually sits up and back as it hits him, taking a deep breath and furrowing his brow. Thankfully she doesn’t notice, in the middle of attempting a problem and hunched over her paper.

Staring at her as though she’s suddenly sprouted a second head, Sasuke blinks. He...he didn’t just think that, right? He doesn’t even really know this girl! Sure, they’ve probably spoken once or twice, but...otherwise they’re practically strangers. And since when did he start smelling people’s hair?

...well, granted, most people can’t get that close to him. He doesn’t let them. But...well, it’s a little unavoidable at the moment. And for some reason it just hadn’t really...come to his attention. He hadn’t noticed. How did he not notice? He’s so particular about his space!

“...uh, Sasuke…?”

Eyes snapping to her face, he sees her looking to him. “...done?”

“Yeah.”

This time, he scoots her paper toward him, maintaining a little distance and glancing over cautiously before looking over her process. Another one done right. “...looks good.” Back over slides the paper.

“All right you three. I think that’s enough for tonight. Same time, same place tomorrow...until Friday. Thank you again, Hinata, for letting Sasuke torture you.”

She gives a sheepish smile. “Oh, t-that’s okay. We’re making good progress!”

“Oh? Good. Hopefully in more than one regard.”

Ignoring the man, Sasuke takes up his bag, moving his desk back into place before abandoning the room at top speed.

Something’s wrong with him.

“Sasuke, w-wait!”

He gives her a glance as she jogs to catch up.

“Um...I know maybe you won’t want to, since this is...temporary. But would it be okay if - if I emailed you when I get stuck? I’ll try not to, but -”

“Yeah, that’d be fine.”

“...o-oh!”

Taking out a pen, he scribbles his address along the corner of her notebook. “I keep my email open when I’m home, anyway.”

“Thank you so much! Hopefully I won’t have to bother you - I-I’ll try not to. Um...see you tomorrow!” Waving, she jogs ahead and out of sight.

...what...did he just do?

Watching her go, he has to restrain himself from slapping a palm to his brow. He didn’t even hesitate! He just...gave it to her! Told her it was fine! It’s not fine!

...is it?

“Better get headed home, Sasuke. Don’t forget: you’ve got five more chapters to read and report on by Friday.”

Startling at Kakashi’s voice beside him, Sasuke dusts pink in reflexive embarrassment at being caught off-guard. “Y-yeah, just...whatever.”

“See you tomorrow!”

Scowling, Sasuke stuffs hands in his pockets and actually turns around to find another exit. He doesn’t want to run into her again. Not today.

….the hell is wrong with you, Sasuke?

     All right, here we go into February! And with a rather longer-than-usual piece, huzzah!      Poor Sasuke, getting dragged into trouble...though to be fair, he WAS the one who started it...even if he had a point. But hey, it seems that maybe he's not as upset about his punishment now as when he started ;3c Maybe this week won't be so bad!      But yeah, that'll do it for today! Thanks for reading!

[sustraiii]

TEAM ZRCN ARC 2 - CHAPTER 4

The Bahamut’s finally make their long-awaited appearance.

Also a small note about this chapter: this will be the last main story chapter a while as I’ll be focusing on a couple of specials after this. 

CORDOVAN

Following close behind Neela, Cordovan and Xanthos hurried after their teammate and descended deep into the bowels of the ship. The pair made a wrong turn somewhere, losing sight of Neela, but were able to find their way to the cargo deck following the signs. By the time they caught up with their blue-haired teammate, Zelde, Helia, and a man unfamiliar to the pair of them were already waiting near the now opened linkspan.

Hearing the ragged breaths of the two of them, Neela turned to look at them. “Where did you two go? I thought you were right behind me?”

“We were,” Cordovan pointed out, “but we took a wrong turn and separated.”

“Yeah, it’s not our fault we took a wrong turn. This boat is more confusing than it looks!” Xanthos chimed in from behind him. Neela rolled her eyes playfully at that, turning back to look out across the sea. Cordovan and Xanthos cautiously approached the opened linkspan, getting a closer look out at the sea. In the distance, getting ever closer to the ship, was the pod of Bahamut’s Neela had mentioned when she rushed into their cabin.

Just as Xanthos was about to say something, a booming noise above, followed by a small explosion near the Bahamut’s. Behind them, the man neither of them was familiar with, sounded pleased as he commented that the guns seemed to be working properly.

As the two moved away from the opening, Xanthos put his hands to his hips, and turned to his teammates with a “told you so”. “See that?” He made a vague gesture to the Grimm in the distance, or at least where he assumed they were. “That is why I am afraid of deep water.”

From where they were, they had a prime view to witness the Grimm being taken out by the ship’s guns. It seemed to be working quite well, until the Bahamut’s seemed to become aware of what was happening and took steps to avoid being hit, most of the pod diving and some splitting off to swim to the other side of the boat.

“Ready your weapons,” the unfamiliar man instructed, reaching for his own weapon as he spoke. He owned a mid-sized warhammer, not unlike the one Cordovan’s mother owned. He wondered if they were of a similar model until the man’s weapon shifted into its alternate form of a machine gun. “Those Bahamut’s could resurface anywhere now they’ve dived.”

And sure enough, they did. Three of the whale-like creatures surfaced a few metres in front of the linkspan. Cordovan braced himself in case they rammed the ship, but the three of them seemed more content to stir up the water, only diverging from this motion when they began to fire at them.

Due to their melee weapons, Xanthos, Neela, and Helia, all held back not wanting to get in the way of the others. In fact, Helia hadn’t even unsheathed either of her katanas.

Taking down any of the Bahamut’s was proving to be a difficult task. Even discounting the fact they were partially concealed underwater, there was little room to make a good shot on them. Much of their heads were covered with sturdy bone plates and most of their bodies were littered with spikes and bone plates of various sizes, particularly around the dorsal fin. If not for the aid of the unfamiliar man - whose name Cordovan now knew as Linus thanks to Helia - he doubted they would have been as lucky as to defeat one of them in the time they did.

They were beginning to focus on another of the two remaining Bahamut’s circling them, when Linus stopped, eyes glancing out at something in the distance. He shielded his eyes with a hand, and Cordovan noticed him squinting in an attempt to better see what was ahead of him. When his hand finally dropped, Cordovan noted he had a fearful look in his eyes.

“Holy shit,” Linus breathed.

Cordovan glanced towards where Linus was looking, and Zelde stopped momentarily as well. He wasn’t sure who it was, but somebody moved closer behind, also eager to get a look.

In the distance, a much larger shape had appeared. It was difficult to make out the exact appearance from here, but it unmistakably another Bahamut, albeit much larger than any of those from the earlier pod.

“What is that?” Helia asked, identifying herself as the person who had stepped up behind Cordovan.

“Bahamut,” Linus was quick to say, before rectifying his statement with a more detailed answer. “Leviathan-class Bahamut. Which is not a good sign at all. The big ones rarely make an appearance, and when they do, it never bodes well for the ship. They lack the speed of their smaller counterparts, but what they lack in speed they easily make up for it in strength. One or two rams from a Bahamut that size and the hull would suffer catastrophic damage.”

“Well, that’s comforting,” Neela said from behind them.

“I sure hope you’re joking Neela,” Xanthos quipped, “because that is the furthest thing from comforting I can imagine.”

Footsteps could be heard, and then the next thing Cordovan knew, Xanthos was stood between him and Zelde, one arm draped over each of them. “You know I’d rather not die today; and as cool as it would be, I don’t want to  end up recreating the ending of every sad film about boats.” He inclined his head towards Cordovan a little bit. “I want to take down one of these fishies myself. You up for a little ‘Red Sun’, Cord?”

Cordovan pulled back sharply. “Absolutely not! The last time we tried that, it failed spectacularly and you nearly broke my arm.”

Xanthos pulled a face.”Slight exaggeration, but okay.” He paused for a moment, before asking Cordovan one more time if he’d like to try their team move.

“You’re not the one who has to throw you,” Cordovan pointed.

“And you’re not the one who has to jump on one of those Grimm and try and kill it. So what’s your point?”

This went back and forth for a few moments, before Zelde, in a somewhat exasperated tone, cut in. “How about instead of arguing you just go ahead and do it? Linus and I will take care of the other Bahamut and then we only have the big one to deal with.”

Not wanting to argue, Cordovan reluctantly agreed, whilst Xanthos gave a quiet cheer at having his idea accepted. Standing a few steps in front of the linkspan, Cordovan readied himself, facing away from the water. In front of him, Xanthos was backing up, aiming to get a good run-up. When he was a good enough distance away, he drew out his whip, twisting the grip slightly, and splitting the weapon into a multi-tailed whip.

Xanthos gave the weapon a small twirl, before looking up at Cordovan. “You ready?”

Cordovan made a shrug, as he squatted slightly. He linked his hands together in front of him, giving Xanthos a good foothold to launch himself with.”Ready as I’ll ever be.”

Xanthos gave him a thumbs up before running at him. As his foot connected with Cordovan’s linked hands, Cordovan braced himself for the worst for happen, but much to his great relief it never did. Thanks to Xanthos’s semblance kicking in, he didn’t weigh as heavy as normal, so Cordovan was able to get a fair bit of power behind him as he threw his teammate in the air. Once Xanthos was away from him, Cordovan turned rapidly on the spot, managing to watch as Xanthos did a flip in the air, lashing out at one of the Bahamut’s with his whip once he came out of the spin. He then landed on the back of the creature, his semblance shifting his weight yet again so that he was able to hit it hard, forcing it into the water.

Xanthos and the Bahamut slipped beneath the waves, and Cordovan found himself holding his breath nervously for a moment before Xanthos resurfaced, a fist raised triumphantly in the air. His small celebration was cut short by Neela suddenly shouting out to him.

“Ravi, swim!” She yelled from beside Cordovan, pointing out behind. In the water Xanthos turned in time to watch as the larger Bahamut dived, before it’s dorsal fin broke the surface moments later, heading right for him. Xanthos turned quickly, and began swimming back towards the ship, urged forward by the yells of all three of his teammates.

When he got close to the linkspan, Cordovan and Zelde crouched down near the edge, ready to pull him in. He was nearly there when the Bahamut’s head surfaced not far behind him, its mouth parted slightly revealing a set of pointed teeth. Cordovan thought for sure it was going to try and swallow Xanthos, but luckily they were able to pull him back into the boat just in time. Sensing that it no longer had a real target to aim for, it went to dive again, close to the open linkspan. It would have successfully dived had it not been for Neela suddenly lurching forward, and using Triton’s Maw, create a large sheet of ice in front of them, which seemed to slow the beast momentarily, causing it to harmlessly bump into the side of the ship.

Thrown by this it surfaced a bit more, which gave Helia the opportunity to step forward and finish the job. She came forward and unsheathed both of her katanas. She stood still for a moment before flames licked at the tips of both blades. Helia tightened her grip around the hilts of her katanas, before raising both above her head and driving them down into the exposed body of the Bahamut, killing it quickly.

She waited a moment before straightening up and sheathing her weapon. Now that the pod had been taken care of, they could all breath a sigh of relief.

Linus left them after a few minutes, pointing out that with the pod having been taken care of (they having taken out four of them and the guns seemingly having taken out the rest) he could inform the captain to start the engines again, as well as close the linkspan.

When he left them, Helia moved to check on the team. She spoke with Neela first, resting a hand on one shoulder, and complimenting her for how she conducted herself. The older huntress’s attention then went to remaining members of ZRCN, who were all lay on the floor, having not moved from there after pulling Xanthos on board.

“Are you three alright?” She inquired politely.

Cordovan and Zelde mumbled that they were fine, whereas Xanthos merely groaned in response. He turned his head to one side, so he was glancing at Cordovan. “Next time, we’re getting an airship.” He said, before pulling a face, and covering his head with his arms. “Ugh, I feel sick again Can we go back to our cabin now I think I need to lie down and sleep for a whole day.”

Cordovan laughed slightly, and even Zelde cracked a rare smirk. Cordovan lent forward slightly and gave Xanthos a warm pat on the back. “I daresay you’ve earned that rest, Ravi.”

[justjessame]

Who Really Believes in Numbers Chapter 5

Colin couldn't fucking believe it. He had been in the middle of a set when Ally Darling bum rushed him on stage. The rest of the band had looked like he felt. His colossal fuck up was going to ruin them. Jesus, did she really think that this would put her in a good light? What did she think this was a rom-com?

After she tried to explain that Jake Adams wasn't for her, that she saw clearly that Colin was her fate or destiny, Jake stared at her like she had lost her mind. Who was this woman? Honestly, Jasmine would shake her senseless trying to get her straight.

"Ally, stop." Colin said, bringing her monologue to a standstill. "I'm sorry, but you and I are not happening." He watched her face fall. "I wasn't completely honest with you from the beginning. I love someone else."

"What are you talking about?" She didn't look heartbroken, just confused. "You've slept with half of Boston, Colin. Who's the LUCKY girl?" Sarcasm, cute.

Colin shook his head. "You'd never understand. Jasmine, we've been together since we were children. She left to go to NYU six years ago and before she left she wanted to-" He struggled to explain and went with the simplest. "We agreed to be in an open relationship. We were always the end game, Ally."

Her eyebrows raised. "You offered me a chance at a relationship with you. What was that?"

She was right, what was that? Sighing he realized how deeply he'd dug this hole. "Jas and I had a hiccup in our relationship. And being an idiot, I tried to convince myself that it was a sign that you and I should try it." Realizing the hiccup was partially her fault, he sent her a look. "The upset in our relationship was sort of your fault."

She shot the look right back. "MY fault? And how is that?"

"The day you took my phone, the first time. You got a call for me, a woman. That was Jasmine. You told her that we were together, at least that's what I assume. I found a call from her that was answered, and the calls before and after were calls you made. Am I wrong?" Colin felt like he was passing the blame around, but truth be told, he was angry at Ally. She was so focused on herself and her wants that she assumed everyone else was part of making her whole.

Ally paled, she remembered the call. "You never told me that you had someone important, how would I have known?"

"Because, Ally, you should have noticed that she was number one on my contacts, and that every time you've taken my phone by accident, how often did women call asking for me?" He asked it without venom. "You didn't care. You made an assumption and ran with it."

"How do you know that this Jasmine will even take you back?" She asked, eyes flashing. "Even with an open relationship, hearing that you're taken by someone else probably pissed her off. We could still try this, Colin." She reached for him, but he stepped back. "Why not try something new?"

Colin glared at her. "I don't care if she takes me back or not, Ally. This," he gestured between them. "Will not be happening. You don't consider me the 'one' until it suits you. You and I aren't right for each other, Ally. We never were and never will be."

Ally turned on her heel and stomped away. Pissed, but not heartbroken Colin noticed. Good, he thought, stepping back on stage and trying to salvage his job. The last thing he needed was a woman who was wishy washy about her feelings. He knew one more thing as he started the next song and noticed several single women glancing his way. He'd be going home alone tonight. And for the foreseeable future. He was done.

Colin sang and formed a plan. It was time to get Jasmine back.

A BAR ACROSS BOSTON~ IN JASMINE AND COLIN'S OLD NEIGHBORHOOD

"Come on, Jas!" Christine yelled over the music. "At least pretend you're having fun!"

Jasmine rolled her eyes. This wasn't her idea of fun. And it wasn't her idea to be here at all. When her hometown best friend had called and insisted on a girl's night out, she'd tried multiple excuses to get out of it. None worked.

"I'd pretend if I could, Chris, but you and I both know I'm no fake." She gave a pained smile. "I'd rather be having dental work."

Chris laughed. "You look like you're having dental work." She sighed and pulled Jasmine to a corner booth, giving up on trying to get her bestie to dance. The booth was quieter, and sitting there she noticed how tired and upset her friend still looked. "The point of this was to get your mind off Colin."

Jasmine shook her head as Chris waved for a waitress' attention. "I know. I'm sorry, I just can't seem to stop thinking about him. Pitiful, huh?"

Chris ordered their drinks and shook her own head. "No, it's not. Jas, you two were together for so long, of course you're upset. Hell, the whole neighborhood is going to be upset. I bet they've been planning your wedding for years."

A dark chuckle escaped Jas' lips. "A wedding. That's rich. I gave him permission to play the field and didn't expect him to find someone else. I'm an idiot." Their drinks arrived and Jasmine shot hers back. Screw it, she decided, getting drunk could be cathartic.

The night progressed in a blur of drinks and, once she finally got a good buzz, dancing. She and Chris were on the dance floor when she noticed her friend's eyes dart to the bar. Rolling her own, she assumed her best friend saw a hottie and was interested. She was about to tell her to go ahead when Chris tried to divert her attention elsewhere. Curiosity peaked, she looked where Chris' attention had been focused.

At the bar were a few of Colin's bandmates. Scanning quickly, heart pumping harder than even the dancing could be credited for, she let out her breath when she realized that Colin wasn't with them. She contemplated going up to them. They were friends of hers after all, but she decided against it. Chris' stress left her when she realized that Jas wasn't interested in confronting them.

Unfortunately they didn't get the memo. Chris watched as Joe and Matt came strutting toward them. Jasmine had gone back to dancing, but Chris' hand on her arm and a nod of her head caused her to look to where Colin's bandmates were approaching. Sighing she nodded and kept dancing as they approached.

"Christine and Jasmine!" Matt yelled over the noise. "Fancy seeing you two here. Been a long time, Jas."

Jasmine nodded her agreement and kept dancing. Hoping against hope that neither Matt, nor Joe would have to bring Colin up, but knowing it was a useless hope.

Joe was watching her carefully, and noticed her hand still wore the ring that Colin had given her. He raised an eyebrow, wondering if they weren't actually broken up. After witnessing the scene at their gig tonight with the blonde neighbor, he was confused.

"Colin's been out of sorts lately." He mentioned casually, judging her reaction. There was a tightness around her eyes, but she didn't say anything. She continued dancing, but it was less frantic and excited, now it looked like it was something she had to keep up. Pretenses.

"Yeah, he had a really rough night. Thought his drama would fuck up our job tonight." Matt agreed, taking a swig from his beer. "That chick just barged onto the stage and took him away for a chat."

That's all Jasmine had to hear, she was done. Clearly Colin's new girl was the center of his world. Anyone who could command his attention during his music was special. She rolled her eyes and walked away. She was done. Thanks for cementing the loss of her relationship, guys, she thought. She waved Chris off. Her house was within walking distance and she needed the air. She wasn't afraid of the darkness, she knew this neighborhood like the back of her hand.

The fresh air helped sober her. She was still a little unsteady on her feet, but she made her way carefully along the path home. So it really was over, she thought and had to stop herself from starting the frightening laughter that would make her start sobbing. Maneuvering along the glowing path, she thought about their past. Before she'd been accepted to NYU. Before she made the stupid decision to give him free reign on sex with other women. She'd never admit it, but she gave him the out, but never took it for herself. Touching another man, any other man didn't appeal to her in the least.

Guys at the bars she'd been forced to frequent during her college years had tried to hit on her. She gave in to a kiss or two, but each time Colin's face, his touch, the kisses they shared would rear up and she'd pull back and shake her head. No one had gotten further than a kiss. It just didn't feel right to her.

She didn't begrudge him taking advantage of what she'd offered him. Jasmine was honest when she said they were too young to not explore other options. Obviously he'd found something more than what they had, while she was stunted. No one would be what Colin had been to her. And even now, wearing the ring that she should have taken off as soon as the other woman picked up his phone, she couldn't really imagine a future without him. Guess being a spinster sounds OK.

She was nearly home when her cell rang. Holding it up to check who the caller was, she squinted. It couldn't be. She was clearly too drunk to read or it was wish fulfillment. He couldn't be calling NOW.

She struggled with her emotions for a split second before pressing ANSWER. Holding the phone to her ear, she felt her heart clench waiting for the last shoe to drop.

[cheelchan]

sinful reunion, ch.2 (M)

→ summary: “mind over matters of the heart or matters of the heart over mind?”

→ genre/warnings: ceo!yoongi, angst, smut, instances of cheating

→ rating: M

→ word count: 9.4k

→ pairing: Min Yoongi | Reader; Kim Seokjin | Reader

→ previous chapter: ch. 1

Mind over matters of the heart.

That was a principle that you’ve always stuck through ever since you were young. Your mind always triumphed over whatever emotion you held. That was why you were completely fine with moving away from Daegu at a young age, even if you had to leave behind everything you’ve grown comfortable to for the first fifteen years of your life. You knew that it would be too impractical to demand from your parents that you stayed in Korea, while the rest of them were overseas.

You were the practical type, the logical one, the type who never gave in to whatever emotions you felt, knowing that you were going to just ruin yourself if you did. That was why you and Yoongi became friends at a young age, because you never paid attention to the bullies, preferring to not run after them, instead you just simply stayed in the shade, rather than dirtying your white shirt and get scolded by your mother for not being careful.

Yoongi, well, he was always lethargic, even at a young age.

“You’re definitely adopted! Look at you! Your mom looks really pretty, but you look like trash!” A boy around your age shouted towards your direction, while you clenched your fists in anger. It wasn’t your fault that you looked like your father and his genes were stronger, but the five-year-old you didn’t know anything about genes.

All you knew was that you looked like your dad, so you definitely weren’t adopted.

“She can’t even fight for herself! Coward! Coward! Coward!” He called out in a sing-song voice, running away from your direction.

You wanted to run after them, but there was a high chance that you were going to trip and get your shirt dirty, and you knew better than to give your mom a hard time with washing the clothes. You pursued your lips together, thinking of words to retort back to them, but you decided to stay under the shade and just look at all the other kids, playing and running around the field.

“You’re very strong.”

Well, except for one.

You turned around and saw a pale, white kid who was also around your age. He was pale, thin, but he had a disinterested look on his face, as if he was eternally tired, even when it was just ten in the morning.

“Thank you,” you smiled back at him as he pushed his toy car towards you, a gummy grin appearing on his pale face.

“Wanna play? My name’s Yoongi.”

And that was why, at this very moment, you were not going to let your emotions get the better of you. If the five-year-old you was able to control herself in front of bullies who called her trash, you could also control yourself in front of your asshole first love, who had the guts to lie to you, even when he was your new client.

It was your third day in the Min Conglomerate as their externally-resourced consultant.

However, your first day in the company did not play out the exact way as people might think.

It wasn’t overly dramatic. In fact, you were pretty calm when you first saw him, considering that you’ve read the documents prepared for you beforehand. That was when you found out that Yoongi was the President and CEO of the big (but nearly-bankrupt) conglomerate (though, you did end up drunk in the hotel bar after you’ve gone through all the documents the first time.)

Having known him in his forming years, you’ve always known that his older brother was supposed to inherit the corporation, but, after becoming their consultant, you found out that said brother made stupid decisions by investing in overpriced properties, bankrupt corporations, and overused business ventures. That was why it was pretty obvious why he would kicked out by the other investors.

Guess having an Ivy-League degree didn’t necessarily make one a good businessman, if one didn’t have the talent and instinct for it.

On the other hand, it was under Yoongi’s leadership, that the conglomerate was able to recover, even if it was barely. They had a merger with one rival corporation when Yoongi took over his brother’s post. However, what it did was just place them on the point of break-even. Clearly, the investors still weren’t satisfied with it.

And that was why, the consulting firm you were employed in was hired by the Min Conglomerate.

But, at this moment, you were just trying to hold in to your emotions and not just scream at the necks of some incapable employees, whom you have no idea why and how they were exactly hired. You partially suspected that it was nepotism, reminding yourself that it was one of the things that you had to take note of when you were through with your one-week assessment of the corporation.

Plus, the bad keynote presentations that seemed like they were made by tenth grade students nowadays. And maybe some tenth grade students may have done a better job than them.

“Well, I was also thinking that we utilize social media nowadays since it can really help with marketing our products,” the presenter drawled in as you resisted the urge to yawn.

Everyone knew that social media was in the hype nowadays and that it was typical to use it for marketing purposes. But, you didn’t get why this corporation seemed so adamant on using old-style marketing.

That was another problem you saw with this corporation. They seemed to be so stuck on using what worked for them in the past. It’s as if they didn’t know what sort of change technology could bring in. They might even have the latest computer software and gadgets in the company, but what use was it when their very core was very traditional?

”-so, like, we have a Facebook page, right? Why don’t we use it to make, like, online raffle draws? And then, we give away big prizes like a car or something!“

Was she insane? The conglomerate was on the verge of collapsing and she has this idea of giving away expensive things that could’ve been used to invest in actual profitable investments?

You could feel an impending headache surfacing as you took a sip from your water bottle, hoping that there would be some sort of miracle that would turn your bottled water to beer. You needed a drink at this point.

"Let’s cut this meeting short. I’m not satisfied with the presentation you’re giving me. Meeting dismissed,” Yoongi’s voice echoed throughout the board room as the presenter gave a nod and slight bow before she left the room. The rest of the marketing department followed suit, leaving you, Yoongi, and his trusty secretary, Jung Hoseok.

You stayed silent, typing on your laptop the observations you’ve made during the marketing department report presentation. You silently fumed, wondering how this company was able to stay afloat, especially with the entrance of start-up companies that created products or services that were several times more innovative than whatever product/service the Min Conglomerate offered. You sighed to yourself, saving the document as you looked up from your laptop and saw the expectant face of Hoseok.

“So, how is it, Miss Consultant? Were you impressed by our Marketing Department?” Hoseok asked, a very cheerful and optimistic look on his face, though you have to say that optimistic was an understatement.

“Didn’t you see her face earlier, Hoseok? She was getting a headache and that was why I called off the presentation as soon as I sensed it,” Yoongi muttered, while Hoseok immediately lowered down his face in embarrassment.

You inwardly hated how Yoongi knew that you were coming down with a headache at that moment, though you knew you benefited from his call to end the meeting at that exact moment. You didn’t really appreciate how he would just end everything about that department when you had yet to see the other departments. Yesterday, you went to the Administrative Department and you had also cringed the whole time during their presentation.

“Once again, I’ll send in the evaluation sheet based from the presentation I was able to witness today,” you scratched your head, wondering if you were just going to see disappointment after disappointment. But, you knew this was a big job that obviously required you, at the very least, a month to work on. One and a half month, if you were lucky. Though, judging from the way thing were fairing, perhaps, two months?

“I’ve gone through the document you sent me yesterday. It was very depressing,” Yoongi frowned, taking out a printed copy of the report you sent him.

It was a document that listed down all the mistakes that the Administrative Department made during the presentation: from the systems that they listed down to the manner on how they presented.

“Ah, yes. Well, those are just some problems I saw based from the presentation they gave. I’m afraid, I’m gonna have to do a more in-depth investigation into that department,” you hinted as he clenched his forehead.

“Ugh,” he groaned, “I should’ve just went on to become some rapper if I knew that this was going to be worst.”

You pursued your lips together, unsure on what to say. You knew, however, that being the filial child he was, he wasn’t going to just let his family fall down the drain. If they were probably in a more stable state, then Yoongi must have definitely pursued his dreams, even if he had to leave his family.

“Come on, Yoongi. Don’t be like that,” Hoseok coaxed him. “We both know that you’re the only one who could’ve handle the mess your older brother did.“

Yoongi said nothing as a retort, probably to avoid talking about what exactly happened.

Yet, you didn’t even need them to inform you about the stupid investments his brother did, based from the annual reports from the past decade that you’ve actually gone through the weekend following your uncle’s birthday party. It was also the very same weekend after you met Yoongi once again, the very same weekend you found out that he was married.

Still, even if the two of you played it off as if you didn’t know each other on your first day in the corporation, his eyes could never hide the shame (or guilt?) he felt when he saw you.

And maybe, you, too. Maybe, you couldn’t hide the disgust and anger you felt towards him.

"You know, I feel like we haven’t exactly had a welcome meal for you, Miss Consultant! We should have lunch together with President Min,” Hoseok invited you, a welcoming look on his face. He must’ve said it to just break the heavy atmosphere in the room, following his comment. However, he didn’t have to know that it was heavy because of something else.

“I assure you that the restaurant we will visit is good. I have good taste in Korean food, after all. You can ask President Min for the restaurants I’ve recommended to him,” he added, pointing to Yoongi, who just nodded at what Hoseok said. “See! Speaking of which, Yoongi, did you go to the restaurant I told you in Jeju?” He turned to Yoongi, who blinked his eyes for a moment.

“Ah, yes,” Yoongi replied, but he was staring at you directly, though it didn’t seem like Hoseok noticed. “I enjoyed the kimchi soup in that restaurant and the seafood tasted great, too.”

He was obviously referring to the rundown Korean restaurant the two of you discovered, while going around Jeju. You turned away from him, deciding to look at the eager secretary who was searching for restaurants on his phone.

“There’s this good restaurant nearby! They serve really goo-”

“Maybe next time, Secretary Jung. I have to meet up with a friend. Excuse me, gentlemen,” you cut Hoseok off before you picked up your laptop and left the conference room, rushing for the elevator.

You immediately went inside the elevator as soon as soon as it opened, but you were caught by a Min Yoongi who followed you as soon as you left. You said nothing as he stepped into the elevator with you. He immediately clicked the button for the floor he was supposed to head to: his office at the top floor.

“Talk to me,” Yoongi coerced you, breaking the silence.

“You left Mr. Jung behind? I thought you were eating lunch with him,” you responded, not wanting to talk about it.

You knew what he wanted to talk about, but you were not going to mull over it. As far as you were concerned, you were over the whole thing. While there was a residue of emotions, but you’ve accepted what happened and you knew that you technically had no fault in the matter.

“Not about that,” he maintained, scratching his head. “Look, I have to explain what’s up-”

“Yoongi, stop this,” you cut him off, refusing to listen to whatever explanation he might have for you. “I’m not going to listen to whatever you have to say to me because I don’t think I can listen to you anymore after what happened,” you took a deep breath, trying to calm yourself down. “Yoongi, you lied to me! You told me that you had no girlfriend at all, you-”

“Technically, I had no girlfriend,” he interjected.

“Which is worse because you were married, for god’s sake! It was adultery,” you whispered the last part, a bit conscious of the security camera in the elevator. The last thing they needed was its top management head having an affair scandal. That kind of scandal would really bring about the conglomerate’s downfall.

You huffed out a heavy breath. ”You omitted to tell me that part and that counts as lying! Yoongi, I don’t think I can ever believe in whatever you’ll say at this point. So, please just leave me alone.“

As if on cue, the elevator reached the floor you wanted to go down on - the floor that held your makeshift office during your stay in the corporation. You walked out of the elevator as you didn’t bother to look back at Min Yoongi. You knew he was probably looking dejected right now, but he was nothing but a cheater who dragged you into this mess, even when you knew nothing about it. You became a third party, a mistress, even when you never wanted it in the first place.

What happened to Min Yoongi that he would even think about cheating in the first place? Didn’t he abhor his father who kept on cheating on his wife with several women? You briefly remembered a thirteen-year-old Yoongi who got into a fist fight with some guys in your year level back in middle school. Apparently, Yoongi punched him all of sudden at the school cafeteria. The teachers ruled it out as teenage angst and him being in his rebellious phase, but you knew Yoongi better than to believe what they said.

"I hate cheaters” was all that he told you when you tried to ask him.

The first guy he punched was a notorious playboy in your year level, who nearly tried to hit on you, if it weren’t for the fact that you were always by Yoongi’s side. Later on, you would find out in an impromptu visit to Yoongi’s house that his father brought another woman into their home, while his mother was away in Paris.

You sighed to yourself, clenching the chopsticks you were holding in the small, quaint restaurant you were in. The restaurant was a small one you found while you were out walking for a restaurant that didn’t seem like a place where posh, rich CEOs wouldn’t dine in. The food was good, but it was small that it was immediately filled with customers as soon as lunch break started.

“Can I sit here?”

You turned up and saw a man holding up a tray of food, motioning to the empty seat across you. You nodded nonchalantly, since you were alone and you were already halfway your food. The man sat across you immediately, making you get a good look on his face. Surprisingly, he actually looked familiar.

It was the guy who sat beside you in the plane.

“Ah, weren’t you the girl in the plane to Jeju?” He asked, pointing to you in surprise.

You nodded, a smile making to your features. “What a coincidence to see you here in Daegu,” you grinned as he chuckled and nodded.

After all, what were the chances that you were going to see your plane seat mate to Jeju all the way here in Daegu? Jeju Island was pretty far from Daegu, though it was directly accessible by plane for an hour or so. Still, you knew that the chances of seeing your plane seat mate to Jeju in a different city was meager.

“Well, I actually live around here. But I took the plane from Seoul to Jeju because I was in Seoul for a few weeks,” he motioned to the city before eating the piece of meat he was holding with his chopsticks. “What about you? What’s holding you up here in Daegu? Are you here to go around?” He queried.

You shook your head. “I’m here for work, but it’s just a short-term project,” you smiled back as he nodded in understanding.

“Boss Jin!” A waitress makes her way to your table, but her attention was focused to the guy opposite you. “I know it’s a busy time here in the restaurant, but my aunt told me that my mom was admitted to the emergency room a while ago. I just wanted to ask if I could leave immediately after an hour or so, since the restaurant’s not really busy anymore at that time,” she sheepishly requested as it dawned to you that the person right in front of you was the actual owner of the restaurant.

And that his name was Jin.

“Look, Nara, your mom was admitted to the emergency room, but what the fuck?” You turned to him with a surprised look on his face.

Boy, this employer was probably a slavedriver. You wondered for a moment if he was even going to make it big, especially when a good employer-employee relationship was crucial in-

“Like, seriously, what the fuck are you still doing in this restaurant?”

You paused for a moment, blinking your eyes, realizing that you were perhaps, wrong.

“Boss, I-”

Jin clicked his tongue twice, resting his arms across his chest. “I know it’s going to be busy here, but I can manage it here. Well, probably, but that’s not the point,” he paused for a greater effect, “your mom’s the only mother you’ll ever have, well, aside from your in-laws, but come on, child, we both know you’re working shifts here so that you can help your mom with the expenses at home. So, go now! Scram! Go to your mom now and don’t worry, you’re still going to have your job once you think it’s okay to come back here.”

Nara nodded before she took off her apron. “Thank you so much, boss!” she smiled, a bit teary-eyed before she made her way to the kitchen. Jin smiled and resumed to eating, turning to you as if nothing just happened.

“So, what’s your short-term project about? How long are you going to stay in Daegu?” He quipped before popping rice into his mouth with his chopsticks.

You simply looked at him, quite astonished of how he was such a nice boss, especially with how the place seemed like it was going to be busy in a little while, since lunch time wasn’t even over. “Well, it’s some sort of-”

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to cut you off here for now. There’s only one person in the cashier and a group of office workers just came in and I gotta go Diner Dash now,” he smiled sheepishly with an apologetic look on his face. The group was probably composed of ten people, immediately heading to a table that was just cleared. And you knew that they obviously needed help.

You shook your head, understanding his situation, “It’s okay. You don’t have to worry about me.”

He stood up from his seat as he immediately wore the apron that the waitress just left on the table, heading towards the new group of customers with a smile on his face. You observed the way he talked to the customers — patient, hospitable, and warm. He also seemed like he knew the customers, judging from the way that he even gave small jokes as he took their orders. They must be old customers, given that they didn’t even have to look at the menu to order food. It also didn’t take long for the food to get served to their tables by Jin. The food was good, the service was great, the restaurant wasn’t stuffy, the ambiance was good. So, it wasn’t a mystery to wonder why their customers kept on returning to this restaurant. In fact, you might even see yourself becoming a regular in this restaurant.

It must’ve taken an hour for Jin to get back to your table, a surprised look on his face as he took the seat across you. “You’re still here?” He asked as he resumed eating the food he had left earlier.

You nodded, but you had a question bugging you from the back of your head. “Have you ever thought of expanding this restaurant?” You asked, looking at the restaurant that was still filled with customers, though the number of those who were coming in could already be managed by just one person.

Jin paused for a moment, laughing to himself as he looked at his restaurant with an endearing look on his face, before he turned back to you with a raised eyebrow, “I don’t know. I guess, it’s because this restaurant is a mere hobby for me,” he smiled before he proceeded on eating the remaining contents of his bowl.

You simply nodded, but you were a bit bewildered. For sure, he could’ve increased his profits more, given the demand for the food this restaurant produced, but the prices were pretty affordable, despite the taste of the food being delectable, even for foodies.

“I mean, sometimes, not everything in life is about profits, you know. Sometimes, we want to do something just because we want to. And well, cooking has always been something I’ve always been passionate about, so it made sense that I would pursue a restaurant business,” he added, scratching his head at the last part.

“So, you’re a restaurant owner, who’s also passionate for books?” You surmised, remembering your first meeting in the plane.

He nodded, but he tilted his head a bit, “Well, not just books. I’m a passionate person for a lot of things. You’ll be surprised,” he grinned.

You slowly nodded at his response as you stood up from your seat, realizing that you may have overstayed. “I should be going now. Your other customers might need tables and I didn’t move up earlier because nobody would’ve watched over your food,” you joked as he laughed, knowing that you didn’t have to. He could’ve always cleared the table for other customers and placed his food in the kitchen.

“Nonsense!” He shook his head, grabbing your wrist with a smile on his face. “Well, unless, of course, you have work today?”

It was your turn to shake your head.

“Well then, since I owe you a favor for watching over my food. Why don’t I bring you to my favorite places in Daegu?” He offered.

You checked the time on your phone and realized that you probably didn’t need to go back to office anymore. While you wanted to do a great job in fixing up Yoongi’s conglomerate (because it was your job, duh), it didn’t mean that you had to be in the office the whole time. You gave a thumbs up to Jin’s offer, making him pump his fist into the air, as if it were some sort of victory for him. You laughed at his antics as he went to leave some instructions to the person left in-charge before the two of you started to walk to his car.

“Well then, this is my car. It’s a bit small and old, but I trust you that we won’t break down in the middle of a highway,” he promise you as he opened his old Elantra.

“What are you saying, Jin? It’s okay. You don’t even have to do this,” you grinned to yourself as you went inside the car and placed on the seatbelt.

“Of course, I do!” He insisted in a tone that it even seemed that he was insulted. “You protected my food from the evil flies of doom and also the germs that would’ve contaminated if it weren’t for you, oh mighty one!”

You laughed at his words before he turned on the engine of his car, driving to a familiar direction you’ve always known since you were a child. You felt a bit excited, realizing that Jin was taking you to that lake that you’ve always gone to whenever you wanted to vent out your emotions, hang out with friends, or just walk around when you feel like everything was just in slow motion.

But then, you realized that it wasn’t this big before.

“This is Suseong Lake. It’s a well-known tourist spot here, and well, I feel like you’d be the type who would enjoy it here,” Jin pointed to the big stone that was supposed to signify that you were already nearby the lake.

“What do you mean by ‘I seem to be the type who would enjoy it here’? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” You quizzed, raising an eyebrow.

Jin chuckled, “It’s a good thing. This place is actually my favorite place here in Daegu.”

“And what does that exactly imply?” You decided to push the question.

“Don’t you like it when people like the same thing that you do?” He asked in return.

“Well, some people get possessive over the things that they like.”

He clicked his tongue twice. “I’m not one of them. Besides, see! You gained a friend in Daegu because we liked the same book! I mean, what are the chances, of course? But, shouldn’t be a good thing?” He exclaimed.

“So, we’re friends now?” You decided to tease him as he was obviously flabbergasted, judging by the look on his face. You laughed at his reaction as you saw him roll his eyes. “Okay, so, fine, yes, we’re friends,” you relented, after seeing the pout that was starting to appear on his face.

He was still pouting, however. “That sounds so forced.”

“We are friends, okay? I mean, I trusted you when I got inside that car, not knowing if I was going to end up chopped up, but I took that leap of faith,” you tried to persuade him as he still shook his head, not giving in to what you were saying. You sighed, “okay, what would make you believe me?”

“Meet me once in a while here, let’s say twice a week?”

You could only stare at him, shocked by the condition he gave you. You could see him trying to act as if he was angry, but you could only laugh at how petty he was being. You couldn’t believe that this guy was probably around your age. You were tempted to snort, but you knew better than to make him increase his condition of meeting in this lake to thrice a week.

“Do I look like I have a choice?” You couldn’t help yourself from saying that, at least.

He shook his head in response, the fake pout still present on his face. All it ever did, though, was to emphasize his lips that were already pouty by default. You tried to stifle your laughter at the thought that if he was going to pout a lot more, then he was probably going to end up making the infamous duck face.

“What can I say? I must be very convincing,” he winked as you cleared your throat, finally recovering from the silly idea of Jin making a duck face.

“More like forceful.” This time, it was your time to click your tongue twice. “I can’t believe that this is how you force friendships on people. You make them feel like they owe you and then you make them feel guilty.” His jaw literally drops as he tries to find the words to retort to you, but you continued before he could even say a thing in his defense.

“Poor me, forced to stay here in Daegu for a while, but the first friend I ever get here in Daegu is someone who conned me into a friendship. The next thing I’ll know, I’m conned into a pyramid scheme for jade mats,” you gave a sigh at the last part for an effect.

“Hey!” He tried to defend himself. “I’m not that kind of person!”

You decided to walk away from him as he tried to keep up with you, still trying to find the words to retort back to him.

“I don’t con people. I’m 100% clean, okay?” He continued, but you shook your head, seemingly unconvinced by what he was saying, though you were really just playing with him.

He had to get his own medicine, too, once in a while.

“I don’t know, Jin. I mean, I don’t even know your complete name. Such a poor girl I am. It’s my first time in Daegu and I get conned by some guy,” you gave another sigh as you didn’t even bother to stop walking. He tried to match up to your pace once again as he scratched his head.

“Look, if you want to know my complete name, well, it’s Kim-”

“Omo, is this the young girl who used to bother me for my sweet potatoes?”

You turned around and saw an elderly woman, whom you knew was one of your neighbors when your family was still staying in Daegu. You grinned in recognition as you went near her and gave her a hug.

“Mrs. Ko! It’s great to see you again!” You burst out as she returned the hug that you gave her.

“I can’t believe that you’re a grown up now! You looked exactly like your mother when she was your age, which is pretty weird because you always looked like your father when you were young!” She exclaimed as you chuckled, a blush making its way on your cheeks as you murmured a small ‘thanks’.

The two of you continued to talk, catching up, especially since you haven’t seen each other for a decade or so. She was a neighbor of your family, who used to sell sweet potatoes in the nearby park in your neighborhood. However, since you were always on a tight budgeted allowance, you would bug her to give you a discount, to which she would spoil you with free sweet potatoes. In return, you would help her close her stall at the end of the day since it was the least thing you could do for the woman who gave you your favorite snacks for free. 

It didn’t take long for the two of you to part ways, however, since she still had to meet with her son who was in town. Said son was already living in Seoul with a family of his own. You bade her good-bye as you took note that you were going to have to give her contact details to your parents, especially since you knew that your parents missed the old woman.

“So, your ‘first time in Daegu’, huh?”

You turned around and saw Jin with an amused look on his face. You blushed for a moment, caught in the act since you knew that you unintentionally withheld that information from him. “Well, it’s my first time in Daegu in a decade,” you grinned as he shook his head in disbelief. “But, hey, you were the one who was conning me to meet with you here twice a week by guilt-tripping me,” you reminded him.

He sighed. “Okay, fine, we’re fair now.”

“Nope,” you shook your head as he raised an eyebrow, “I have a job, remember? Make that once a week.”

“…”

“Jin!” You whined.

“Fine,” he relented, turning to you. “Earlier, I did that just because I didn’t want you to get cooped up with too much work and it would be such a shame if you couldn’t see the beauty of Daegu,” he explained, scratching his head as he motioned you to the view of the trees across the lake. “Even if I go here a couple of times in a week, I still get astonished by its beauty, you know,” he admitted, looking at the lake and its surrounding trees.

You smiled, joining him by his side. “Tell me about it. This place still surprises me, even when I was still in middle school,” you reminisced as you remembered how the lake wasn’t exactly formed like this back when you were younger. There were less trees, the surroundings weren’t this developed just yet, there were a fewer number of duck paddles, you chuckled.

“So, what were you like back in middle school?” He asked, a hint of curiosity in his tone.

You frowned as you remembered the person whom you’ve always wanted to ride a duck paddle with, but you just could never ride one, because there was always none available whenever you visited with him.

“There’s always a next time, you know,” Yoongi would tell you every single time.

But, it never happened.

“Are you okay?” Jin asked, interrupting you from your thoughts.

You nodded as the two of you continued to walk until you reached a familiar location in the park, a smile making its way to your face. “I can’t believe that they still have these here,” you mused as you looked at each lock hung on the safety lines. “How many locks are here, I wonder? Wouldn’t the safety lines give way if there’s too much?” You asked as he tried to rack up his brain, scrunching his eyebrows.

“I think they take off the locks once there’s too many. I think they’ve done it a couple of times already, if i’m not wrong,” he spilled.

You turned to him with a frown, “but it’s such a waste, though?”

“Well, it’s a waste, but it’s still a safety line and it has to do its job,” he seemed like he was trying to convince himself, but you also understood what he was getting at. There was a necessity for the locks to be removed. A phone rang into the air as Jin excused himself for a moment, walking away to answer the phone. You nodded back, understanding that it was urgent.

You brought yourself to look once again at the locks placed on the safety line as the memories of your youth came back running to you yet again. Maybe because you, yourself, had also placed one here with Yoongi years back.

It was during your last visit in the lake when he handed you a lock of your favorite color with the words ‘this idiot x that idiot’ labeled on them. You remembered hitting him lightly on the shoulder when you read those exact words on the lock, expecting that he might’ve written more eloquent words since he was always the more eloquent one between the two of you. But, you knew in the back of your head that he didn’t want you to cry during your last time together.

Suddenly, you wished that your first love was preserved back to the way it was more than a decade ago. But, it was useless because you’ve already met him as he was now and you’ve realized the difference between the Yoongi from the present and the Yoongi you once knew. The Yoongi at that time wouldn’t have cheated on his wife. The Yoongi at that time would’ve come clean about marrying someone else when the two of you first met. The Yoongi at that time would’ve probably introduced you to his wife, without any feeling of guilt. You sighed, wondering if there was any use to reminiscing a few things, though you seemed to remember something.

At that time when you both placed the lock on the safety line so many years ago, the two of you decided to count the number of steps you would make from a certain plank to where the two of you placed the lock. The fifteen-year-old Yoongi said that it was so that he wouldn’t forget where he placed it and that the two of you could go back and look at it when you came back for good. The fifteen-year-old you reluctantly agreed to him.

You smiled to yourself, wondering if you could still remember the sequence, even if it was something that happened so many years ago. You immediately walked to the plank that you remembered was the mark that the two of you made as you started to walk towards the safety line.

Two steps forward

Three steps to the right.

Three steps diagonally to the right.

And yet, what you saw in front of you made you weak in the knees because there was a lock of the same color with the exact same words that he wrote more than a decade ago. You swallowed the growing lump on your throat as you remembered that the locks were regularly taken out to avoid overcrowding and for the safety lines to actually do their jobs.

But, there was a lock with the words he wrote more than a decade ago. You didn’t have to think twice to realize that he would return here to place a replica of the lock that the two of you placed more than a decade ago, especially since the color of the lock was not yet that faded.

“I’ve always loved you, even if we never saw each other for more than a decade.”

You remembered Yoongi’s words on the note that he left the morning after.

What if it was true? What if he always did love you all this time?

But, it still didn’t change the fact that he was married. It still didn’t change the fact that he cheated on his wife. It didn’t change the fact that he was an adulterer, a cheater. If he did love you, why would he marry someone else then?

Those thoughts went through your mind during the entire ride going back to the restaurant. Jin had to go back because there was an emergency since a group of thirty people came in and, obviously, he had to help out his employees there, with one of the waitresses away. You simply nodded, telling him that you could just walk to your apartment from the restaurant since it was nearby.

Fortunately, there was hardly any conversation between you and Jin in the car since he was frequently flocked with different calls, that it made you wonder why he was so busy when he was just an owner of a small restaurant. You decided not to pry, though, especially since you wouldn’t know what to respond if he would ask you about the job you were doing in Daegu.

“Thank you so much, Jin,” you tried to smile as he nodded, but he suddenly decided to ruffle your hair. “Hey!” You complained as you tried to shake off his hands away from your hair, walking away from him. Pouting, you turned back to him, only to see a sad smile on his face.

“I hope you’ll feel better soon,” he said sincerely.

Was it obvious that something was bothering you the whole time?

“It’s weird because it’s still our second time meeting each other, but I guess it’s pretty natural to wish others well,” he laughed as you nodded, unsure on what to tell him. He waved good-bye to you as he went inside his restaurant. You started to walk towards your apartment, but you decided to take a small detour, going to the old park you’ve frequented when you were younger.

It was the same park where Mrs. Ko would sell her sweet potatoes, the same park where you grew up with your siblings, the same park you would pass by, at least, twice a day when you were on the way to school and when you were about to go home, and the very same park where you told Yoongi that your family was going to leave Daegu.

“We’re going to transfer cities,” you told him, while the two of you were sitting on the two swings, watching the sunset. It was already eight in the evening, but you told your parents that you had to drop the bomb to Yoongi.

“It’s reachable by train, right?” He asked in a matter of fact tone.

“Reachable by planes,” you corrected him.

“Ah, I see.”

The two of you strangely became quiet, unsure on what else to say. At the same time, you were afraid of looking at his direction, because you knew that the tears that you tried to hold in since the day your parents told you about your father’s transfer, would fall right there and then. Because even if you knew that your parents had a legitimate reason tor transferring to another country, you didn’t know how you were going to say good-bye to Yoongi.

“I’ll go home now. It’s getting late,” you told him as you immediately stood up from the swing, running to the direction of your house, not bothering to wait for his response. You were honestly scared. You didn’t want to hear what he was going to tell you.

Because you were always a coward.

You always had been one.

You paused on your tracks as you finally arrived to your apartment. But, what surprised you was the presence of a drunk Yoongi, who was sitting right outside of your door, obviously waiting for you. He probably passed out while waiting, since he didn’t get up when you went outside the elevator.

“Sweetie, Yoongi’s here,” your mother knocked on your door as you stopped on writing the report that was still due the following week, but because you wanted to divert your attention to something else, you decided to finish that report.

“Tell him that I’m asleep or something,” you replied to your mother. However, she didn’t respond. “Mom, just tell him that- oh,” you turned around, surprised to see Yoongi by your door. It was weird that your parents would let him up at such a time, but they probably figured out what was happening because you barely even touched the food on your plate during supper.

“I didn’t know what to say,” he admitted.

“You could always try some sarcastic snort or something like you always do,” you responded, looking down. He walked closer to you until he was standing right in front of you. It seemed so weird because you knew that you were always taller than him, but now, he was around your height already. You didn’t even realize this difference when you were close to him, what more when you were away from him?

You heard him swallow the growing lump on his throat. “I don’t have the words to say. I can’t say that I would follow you because we both know that my parents would throw a fit, but I also can’t ask you to stay behind because that would be too selfish of me,” he explained.

You could only nod because you knew that what he said was true. But, somehow, you wanted him to still say those words, even when the two of you knew it was impossible and unreasonable. The tears that you’ve always tried to hold back finally fell down your cheeks as you felt him pull you into a tight embrace, your cries becoming more prominent as he simply patted you on your back.

“I’ll write a letter to you everyday. I’ll make sure you’ll never feel like we’ve been separated,” he promised, hugging you tighter, since the two of you both knew that the day you were going to leave was just hanging around your shoulders, haunting the two of you every single moment.

Yoongi woke up to the sound of your door opening after you placed the right code, but you didn’t mind him, preferring to just go inside your apartment since you didn’t want to deal with him. A part of you wondered if you should call the security guards for letting him inside when he wasn’t even supposed to be here. You sighed to yourself as you quickly opened a can of beer from your fridge. You took a quick gulp, but you only choked when you heard the door to your apartment open.

How did he know the password to your door?

You placed down your beer, quickly walking towards your entrance, as you saw him, barely standing and holding on to the wall for support. He was staring at you, a somber expression on his face, “Are you going to say that you’re asleep now?” He asked, reminding you of the same thing you did before.

You frowned as you folded your arms across your chest. “What do you want, CEO Min? It’s already past five,” you sneered.

You saw his fists on a tight grip as he clenched his eyes, frustration seeping through his entire self. “I need to tell you something,” he begged.

You closed your eyes, finding the will inside of you to not burst out in anger towards him. Even after everything, you still needed to maintain a professional relationship with him. “I’m pretty sure that what you’re supposed to tell me now could be said tomorrow in your office,” you commented as you motioned for him to leave.

“Are you sure you want Jung Hoseok to hear that it was always you and there was nobody else?” He challenged you as you gripped your arms, trying to be patient. “I’ve always loved you. I never stopped, not for a single moment. If you only knew how much it hurt me on that afternoon that you told me you were leaving, if you only knew how hard it was for me to breathe when the person I could always breathe around was leaving me for an indefinite period,” he looked at you, his voice hoarse from drinking too much, but his eyes never wavering away from looking at yours directly.

“If you only knew how hard it was for me to continue living when the person who could only make my heart beat was leaving me.”

“Then, why did you stop writing me letters? Why did you stop communicating with me? Why did you stop?”

You couldn’t bear staying silent anymore as you felt your tears stream down your cheeks. Why was he always able to break down your walls and make you cry?

“Why did you have to be married? Why couldn’t you wait for me? Why do you have to keep on replacing that stupid lock in Suseong Lake? Why do you have to be this way, Yoongi? Why do you have to be a fucking paradox?”

He gave an obnoxious chuckle, “So, you’ve been there?”

You frowned, holding your left temple. “That’s not the point, Yoongi. But, the thing is that you’re married. You married someone else, while I was away. You’re bound to someone for life and I don’t plan to be the third party in such a sacred relationship,” you stood on your ground as you took a swig from the can you placed down, feeling the sudden need for more alcohol.

Yoongi, however, snorted. “If it were even a sacred relationship. It can’t be described sacred, and you can’t even call it a relationship,” he muttered, looking away from you, scratching his head. “You know what? Screw it, I’m gonna tell you this. My wife and I, she and I made a deal before we got married. We were going to divorce after two years, just so that I can grant her the freedom she always wanted from her family,” he admitted as you choked on your beer, making you cough lightly. You turned back to him, wondering if what he said was a joke.

But, the serious look he had on his face made you realize it wasn’t a joke.

“Their company was in trouble, mine was, too. And so, we had that merger to help both companies since it would eliminate a direct competitor. At the same time, her father wanted assurance that my company wouldn’t just swallow their company without their family having some hold in it, thus, the marriage,” he explained, scratching his head. “But, my wife and I made a deal that we would get divorced after two years, irreconcilable differences. We just have to appear as husband and wife outside, but we barely talk to each other at home. She’s actually always away, I don’t even know where she goes, to be honest,” he added, a hesitating look on his face as you coerced him to say what he was hesitant about.

He took a deep breath before turning to you, an unreadable expression on his face. “To be honest, I’ve never even touched her or had sex with her, if that is what you must know,” he concluded as you blinked your eyes, quite surprised with what he admitted.

To be honest, a part of you wanted to believe what he said. Everything that he said actually fit into the whole narrative. A CEO of a conglomerate suddenly marries a woman from the family who owned the corporation that was recently merged with one of the corporations under his conglomerate. They decide to divorce after two years since the woman always wanted her freedom.

“So, how long?”

“Huh?”

“How long do you have until you’ll divorce her? How long must I wait, Yoongi?” You asked him. A part of you feels crazy for even considering to wait for him, but that was what love did to you.

It made you crazy, stupid, and reckless. But, you know it was always worth it all for him.

“Less than a year to go,” he mentally calculated as he scratched his head. “That time in Jeju when we met, that was supposedly our anniversary holiday, but I never even saw her the whole time there until the last day since our parents flew in to Jeju.”

You slowly nodded, his excuse making sense for what you saw in Jeju. He was always with you the whole day for two straight days, except on the Saturday you saw him with his wife. If his wife even cared, he would’ve gotten calls from her, but strangely, there was none.

“But, you don’t have to wait, you know,” he said, walking nearer to you as you turned to him, a surprised look on your face. He caressed your face, his face inching closer to yours. “You could always have me. I’ve always been yours. I’m all yours to take.”

You didn’t know who made the first move, but the next thing you knew, your lips were moving against his, savoring the taste of each other’s kisses as if it were the first time all over again. You felt your tears stream down your cheek, a feeling of bittersweetness coming as each second passed. Maybe, it was the fact that you knew everything about his situation now and it made it all the more sweeter and bitter, at the same time.

You slowly took off his coat and his dress suit, his lips never leaving yours. It seemed as if he was afraid that if his lips left yours, you would disappear forever. You could feel the grip he had on your waist, feeling the desperation he must have always felt since you left him at the age of 15, and the feat of forever losing you when you thought that he had betrayed you.

You should’ve always known that the world was not black and white, there was always certain things that fell on the gray side, and he was one of them.

The two of you moved to your bedroom as you slipped out of your blue dress, revealing the black lingerie that you were wearing underneath. It wasn’t on purpose, but the smirk he had on his face as he stared at you made you feel that you didn’t make a mistake. “You are definitely going to be the death of me,” he murmured in between his kisses, his lips slowly making its way down your neck.

You felt him lower you down on the bed, his figure towering over yours as he continued to smother you with kisses, making you smile from the feeling that he was closer than ever to you. Your bodies continued to move against each other, him slipping off his remaining clothes and you, taking off your lingerie, while he continued looking at you as if you were divinely beautiful. You could only blush at the way he was staring at you, but he immediately lunged into you, sucking on your nipples that only seemed to heighten the euphoria you were feeling at the moment. But, you knew that you only felt this high because you were with the man you love.

If only this could happen for the rest of your days.

“I love you so much. It’s always been you. I don’t think I’ve ever stopped loving you since we were young,” he confessed to you, feeling him steady himself right outside your entrance. You gave a nod, motioning for him to thrust inside you as you mewled from the pleasure of him filling you up until he was fully-inside you. You felt the need to adjust to his side again as he waited for you patiently, just like he did the last time. You gave him a nod as a signal for him to start moving.

“Yoongi!” You panted as he started moving against you, his length stretching your insides with every thrust that he made against you, his lips finding yours again to engulf and kiss deeply, hoping that you would feel his true, unwavering feelings for you. You were the only one he wanted to be with since he was fifteen and maybe, even before he knew what love was.

That was why you were the only woman he ever made love to.

“Yoongi, I’m close!” You cried, your climax approaching you as you felt yourself feeling higher, the euphoria from the way he continued to move harder against you, his fingers finding their way to your clit, rubbing it until you saw a blinding light, your climax finally washing through your whole body. You continued to moan as he continued to thrust through your high. It did’t take a while when you felt his thrusts becoming more sloppier and faster, before he finished inside you, his cum slightly oozing down your thighs. He rested his forehead against yours, panting after what just took place.

You turned to him, an endearing look on your face as you finally made your decision.

“I love you, too, Yoongi.”

Mind over matters of the heart.

That was a principle that you’ve always stuck through ever since, but at this point, you knew that both your mind and heart only screamed for him, even when you knew it was wrong. This time you were probably going to let your heart win over your mind just this one time for him.

[whereiputtheotherstuff]

Requested by Anon: Sherlock x reader where she is pregnant with his baby & he loves her so dearly but one day she is seriously seriously injured in a case and it's kind of sherlock's fault indirectly and she loses the child tragically. Sherlock is v guilty and protective and sorry

(gif not mine but writing is)

Expecting

Walking into the living room you span around in your cream coloured dress and you felt beautiful. "Come here you." said Sherlock as he grabbed your hand, pulling you towards him to sit on his lap. He began to kiss you as he placed a hand on your tummy. Your bump wasn't showing yet but you had a first scan. There was a healthy baby that you hope would be as intelligent as its father. You gazed into Sherlock light eyes as you brushed his dark curls from his face. "What did I do to deserve something as perfect as you two." he sighed with happiness. "Saved thousands if not millions of lives by being a smart arse?" you answer playfully as you leave a light kiss on his nose. He smirked.

"Mycroft keeps texting me asking how I am. I think he is excited about becoming an uncle." you giggle as you look around. Your eyes stare at the vacant bedroom. "I was thinking of perhaps making John's old room into a nursery but only if you're OK with the idea. He's really settling into his new place with Mary." you say stepping off of his lap. Sherlock stared down the hallway at the now empty room, a grunt of contemplation left his lips. You understood that there was a lot of memories tied to the rooms in 221B Baker Street but at some point he will have to make changes so new memories can be made. One thing must be paramount, you must not rush him with his decisions.

Grabbing a glass of water from the kitchen you turn back to see Sherlock on his laptop. Walking up behind him you gaze over his shoulder at the computer screen. On the screen was a photograph of a man that was the latest big criminal that needed to be stopped. He had red curly hair and wore a long dark coat. It all started when he replicated some of Sherlock's early cases. It's like he wants to copy and get Sherlock's attention for some reason. Kind of like a fan boy gone wrong. "I wonder what he is going to do next. The dedication and details that he puts into his crimes really are fascinating." Sherlock said as his eyes sparkled with curiosity. Worriedly you put a hand on Sherlock's shoulder as you spoke. "You're leading him on too much Sherlock. Surely you can see that each murder is getting more elaborate with more victims." "I know. He's just so interesting." he sighs. "The guy is a maniac." you interject. "Besides how many days has it been since the last murder?" The criminal now had a clear murder pattern. "Five. Today could be my lucky day." replied Sherlock. Sometimes you worried about Sherlock. Murder and detective work can seem like a game to him. It's like he forgets that people's lives are at stake. "Please Sherlock. You know who he is just arrest him. Don't toy with him or let him toy with you any longer." you say with concern but your warning appeared to go on deaf ears.

Sherlock opened a new tab on his laptop and began frantically refreshing his 'Science of Deduction' website because that is how he has communicated with the suspect previously. "I'm just going to pop out to the shop, maybe buy something for lunch. The doctor says that exercise is good for the baby." you sigh walking past Sherlock. He suddenly turned around and grabbed your hand. He placed it against his lips, kissing it whilst his eyes stared into yours. "Don't be too long... This will be the last time I tease him. I promise." he said apologetically. "I'll be back soon you psychopath." you giggled at him as you began to walk down the stairs. "High functioning sociopath." Sherlock called back.

Sherlock had unknowingly been waiting for at least an hour. A 'ding' noise came from his laptop notifying him of a new message on his site which read. 'Why don't we finally meet? I have been waiting for so long to meet you. Shall we say the old factory?" Finally what Sherlock had been waiting for. As he went to grab his black jacket something struck him. It had been too easy. Before the criminal had laid out puzzles for him to solve but this time he arranges to meet face to face? Confused, he reaches for his mobile and dialled a familiar face, one of the few he could truly trust. "John? I know that you are probably busy but I need your assistance. It's the copycat killer. He's suggested a meet up but I don't think that all is as it seems."

"I'll be a while Mrs Hudson" Sherlock called as he hailed a cab. The taxi picked up John on the way. The pair discussed how John should remain hidden somewhere in the factory but be ready to strike if things get out of hand.

The factory was disheveled. The walls thick with dust and most of the windows were shattered or boarded up. As John looked for another entrance, Sherlock quietly walked in. He vaguely recalled that this factory was significant in one of his very first cases. Was it a body found here or a major clue that helped solve the case? Sherlock walks into a big room surrounded by small offices.

"I thought you would be coming so I brought you a gift or was it that you brought me a gift?" said a gravelly voice in the distance. Out stepped a red haired man wearing a purple shirt, black jacket, trousers and shoes. Exactly the same outfit as Sherlock had on. Sherlock's eyes widened as he could hear somebody quietly crying from the stranger's direction.

The man was clutching onto your arm, dragging you close to him. "Sherlock" you whimpered. Tears ran down your face and you trembled with fear. "Isn't she beautiful." said the criminal as he gently stroked your cheek. You could see Sherlocks fists clench in anger. Using the hand on your cheek he slowly moved your head to face him. Suddenly he slapped you across the face and Sherlock darted forward. "Ah Mr Holmes, you've now shown me your hand. Wouldn't want to do anything reckless now would we?" said the criminal and Sherlock froze.

"Just let her go. You have me now. I'm the one you want." said Sherlock who kept a steady sounding voice, though it was taking a lot of effort. "True" said the criminal as his eyes looked away from Sherlock and back to you. "To show there's no hard feelings, how about a hug beautiful?" He holds an arm out and wraps it behind you. One arm remained down by his side as the other pulled you forward, crushing your body into his. You let out a blood curdling scream as a huge sharp pain cuts into you. Smirking, he slowly removes a large knife from your stomach.

"No!" Sherlock shouts with more anger and anguish than you ever knew he had. As the criminal was distracted, John crept up behind him and tackled him to the ground. Witnessing what had just taken place, the doctor did not hold back with the punches. After knocking the criminal out he phoned the emergency services.

Your legs became weak and Sherlock leapt forward to catch you before your body hit the floor. Looking down you could see your dress being stained by a growing patch of red. "Keep your eyes fixed on me." Sherlock said as he took your hand in his. Tears rolled down his face.

"Sherlock... No matter what happens know this... I love you... You... Idiot." you whispered shakily. John was applying pressure to the wound and you cried out in pain. "John you're hurting her!" Sherlock shouted angrily. He knew that John knew what he was doing. He knew that John was a doctor. But seeing you in pain like this was too much for Sherlock to bare.

"Sherlock... He's trying to help." you whispered. Your eyes closing as you felt very sleepy. "(Y/N) stay with me. Please stay with me. You have to stay with me." Sherlock begged as he squeezed your hand, forcing your eyes open. Despite this you could not fight it any longer. Your eyes closed. The last sound you heard was Sherlock crying in despair.

Your eyes slowly open. You were laying in a white hospital bed. Looking down you see Sherlock clutching your hand in his own, his head on the bed. The duvet felt damp where his face was on top of it. "Hey you." you manage to say even though your voice was quiet. Sherlock looked up. His eyes were red and watery from crying. "(Y/N)!" Sherlock exclaimed whilst he tenderly kissed your hand. A smile crept onto your face. You looked around the room. There was a smashed vase and a set of drawers that had been ripped apart. The curtains in the room had also been partially pulled down. Then it dawned on you. A sinking feeling began to wash over you.

You tried to sit up whilst you whimpered in pain. "Don't move too much. You've lost a lot of blood." Sherlock said as he carefully helped you to sit up. Your eyes filled with tears as you stared into his. "And we both know that I have also lost something far more precious." you said crying. Sherlock slowly nodded his head as he began to cry. He moved up towards you and kissed your forehead before hugging you. You pressed you face into his chest, muffling your sobs.

One week later

221B was full of colour as bunches of flowers of sympathy from friends and family filled the room. The biggest bouquet by far was from Mycroft. You sat in John's chair reading a book as Sherlock read the newspaper, but he was really staring at you. You sighed placing the book down and rubbing your stomach. It was still sore. "I'm just going to pop out to the shop, maybe buy something for lunch. The doctor says that exercise is good for my recovery." you say wincing slightly as you stood up. "Great idea, I'll tag along. Fancy chips?" Sherlock added as he grabbed his jacket. "Sherlock. I'm only going to shop on the corner. I can go by myself." you smile. "No." he growled. "You're not safe out there any more. Last time you went out. You... We lost our..." his voice was breaking. "It was my fault I should have listened to you. I should have quit while I was ahead."

You walked up and hugged him."The only person at fault was that maniac. Think about it. Going out by myself isn't all bad. We would have never met if I didn't bend the rules and go out on my own." you smile as Sherlock's mouth also curled up into a smile. You reached forward and grabbed Sherlock's hand. Despite there still being pain in his eyes, the smile stayed on his face. "Chips?" he asked as you both walked down the stairs and out of 221B. "It's a date. You psychopath." you reply, staring into his eyes. "High functioning sociopath." he protests before gently pressing his lips on yours.