#Eh. at least they kept their library-_-

[wonder-kid-pugh]

The Beautiful Game and Books - Alessia Russo x reader

Hey guys! So I had this idea for a fic which I really liked. But as I was writing it I realized how long it was and saw that I could make it into a 2 parter. And when I put it to a vote you said to post the first part so here it is!!!!! This is my own little take on a jock x Nerd fic so I hope you enjoy! I am working on the second part but I am swamped at the moment but I will post it as soon as possible. But for now I hope you like this!

You let out a sigh as you entered the familiar house hoping it wouldn't be long. Your evening was busy with plans of laying in bed rewatching either The Vampire Diaries or Harry Potter, whatever you were in the mood for honestly.

But your plans to rush home had been interrupted when your mother had texted you to make a detour.

The Russo residence was a place you frequented often. What with your mother being best friends with Carol you were over to their house often whether it was just for regular catch-ups or for weekly dinners. It also wasn't lost on you that with their daughter being the same age as you and going to the same school that your parents had hoped you and Alessia would become best friends just like them.

Probably to give them more excuses to hang out.

But unfortunately for your mothers, their plan didn't work. You and the youngest Russo just didn't click really. Maybe it was just that your personalities didn't work. You were always quiet and very timid and enjoyed reading and kept to yourself. While Alessia was always the friendly outgoing loveable girl who was always outside playing football.

Don't get it wrong, you didn't hate each other. You were civil with each other when at each other's houses and when the two families were together. But your conversations didn't go much past how you were finding classes you shared or some stupid school gossip.

Honestly you probably got on better with her brothers than you did with her.

You were so familiar with the house that you entered without knocking and called out, "Mum?" You couldn't help but roll your eyes at the small joke of 'which one' your mother and her best friend shared as you walked into the kitchen where they were.

"Might as well be talking to Carol. At least she wouldn't forget to pick me up from school and leave me abandoned" you tease as Carol chuckles as she gives you a side hug just to tease your mother further.

But your mother takes it in stride as she rolls her eyes with a scoff. "It was one time. You would swear I'm neglecting you. I just got the days mixed up".

Which you fully understood you knew that you were usually busy studying in the library after school most days but after the library had closed for some small renovations for the week it meant you got to go home after school. Something your mother had forgotten and you were ready to walk home when Carol who was already picking up Alessia offered you a lift.

But that doesn't mean you couldn't tease your mother for it.

"Your only child. Left forgotten and abandoned at the school gates. About to walk the dangerous streets alone home if it wasn't for Carol" you sigh dramatically as you lean into the Russo woman who laughed at your dramatics.

"Maybe Carol can look after you then" Your mother quipped back as she sipped her tea.

But Carol quickly interjects with a shake of the head. "Oh I don't think so I think 3 is enough for me. Besides" she starts with a grin, "she's definitely your daughter. She's almost as dramatic as you".

"Hey!" You and your mother call out in unison. "I am not dramatic/ Almost?" You and your mother glare at each other before it's turned on the Russo as the two of you hear her giggle at you both.

"So how has school been?" Carol asks trying to quickly move on with the conversation.

You just shrug, "Eh. Fine. Nothing new. Learned some stuff, corrected a few teachers and helped a few people after school. The usual".

The best friends shared a look of amusement over their cups of tea. Honestly where your studious nature and love of books came from was lost on your mother. It definitely wasn't from her and your father wasn't exactly the brightest either. But you had always been academically gifted even going so far as to point out corrections to teachers in school.

A small part of her thought it was because of your father leaving when you were younger but that wasn't something either of you talked about.

Your teachers had gone to your mother a few times saying you would be better off looking into schools with a bit more challenging course work for you or at the very least maybe skipping a year or maybe two. But you were perfectly content where you were.

You and your mother against the world.

"So the call I got from the school earlier then?" Your mother prodded, "About Mr Wickerman?"

But you just shrug nonchalantly, "Personally I don't know what his problem is".

Your mother raised an eyebrow at you, "Well do you want to give me a heads up on the 'inappropriate writing assignment' you handed in so I'm not blindsided when I have to meet with him tomorrow?"

You held up your hands, "Hey I hit the brief!" You sighed as you were fixed with a look by both women. "The assignment was to write a short story about a secret gradually coming out" you explained to which they both nodded prompting you to continue. You ran a hand through your hair, "So I wrote about a girl's parents finding out she was dating someone. Only when they are finally introduced, they meet her girlfriend rather than her boyfriend". You shrug, "If anything I hit the brief twice. It was a secret gradually coming out AND an actual coming out! Not my fault Mr Wickerman is a homophobic prick".

Your mother gives you a stern glare before you relient a bit like a small child being scolded, "Sorry". For such a quiet and intelligent girl, your mother was forever scolding you for your language.

She always told you had a mouth like a sailor.

Your mother sighed before giving you a reassuring smile letting you know you weren't in trouble, "I'll sort it out".

And while you knew you were in the right you couldn't help but feel guilty in that instant. Knowing that your mother already had enough to worry about without having to defend your actions to the school.

Even if it was against homophobic asshole who should just retire already.

But like always it's as if your mother can read your mind as she reaches over and squeezes your hand with a soft look in her eye. "I've never liked him anyways" she jokes, making you let out a laugh.

"So now that I'm not in trouble…does that mean I can go home? I have plans" you try but your mother just scoffs.

"And plans you mean to sit in your room and watch Netflix" she says looking at you knowingly.

But you just smile at her, "You just know me so well". "Does that mean I can go?" You try again angling yourself towards the door when your mother stops you again.

"Actually no. There's something we need to talk to you about…"

That gets your attention as your eyes flicker to the Russo woman before landing back on your mother, "We? What's going on?"

But your question is interrupted by the front door opening once more and another call of "Mum I'm home" breaches your ears. It isn't long after the youngest Russo makes an appearance quickly moving to her mother and greeting her with a kiss on the kiss and then greeting your mother with a smile.

You just about barely got a nod of recognition.

Not that you really cared.

"Hey Honey how was training?" Carol asked as Alessia was already moving towards the stairs.

"Good" she answered simply before throwing a thumb over her shoulder, "I'm going to have a shower. I'm meeting some of the girls in town".

But just like you she was quickly stopped by her mother. "Actually Alessia we need to have a quick chat first".

She paused her movements but did as her mother told her. She briefly looked at you as if silently asking if you knew but you just gave her a shrug. Letting her know you were both clueless about whatever this is.

Carol's voice dropped slightly as she fixed her eyes on the brunette. "Less, the school have been on to us about your grades".

That was all Alessia needed to know what this was about. However, you could tell by how her eyes quickly glanced at you that she didn't feel fully comfortable talking about it in front of you. But that didn't stop her from pleading her case.

"I know Mum" she said quickly probably not wanting her to say anything else in front of me. "It's just with football it's hard to keep up all the time".

Carol quickly nodded and it was one of the things you loved about her, she didn't show any signs of anger only understanding. "We know Less. And we are so proud of you and we know how hard you work". "And even though we know how hard you work doesn't mean you don't need a hand" she says soothingly.

Once again her eyes flickered at you, "Mum can we please talk about this later?"

But she stood firm, "Less we decided that you need a tutor if you're going to keep up with both school and football".

You could tell she was displeased with the idea immediately. "Mummmm" she groaned and you had to withhold the scoff as you swore you could almost hear the childish footstomp to go with her tantrum.

"Alessia we only want what's best for you. In football and in school" Carol said firmly letting her know she wasn't budging on this.

She's quiet for a few second before sighing, "Fine. I'll find one later".

But it seems it was your mother's turn now. "Actually we already have one in mind" your mother said as she turned to you.

You could feel your eyes widen as they all turn to you. "Me?" You asked pointing to yourself.

"Your top of your class and don't think I don't know that Luca and Giorgio go to you when they need help with homework" Carol says as you blush.

"Not really…" you try but from the look of the two older women their minds were already made up.

"How about the two of you go upstairs and get started?" Carol said looking at the both of you. When you looked to your mum you knew she wouldn't save you.

"But mum!" Alessia whined once more but Carol was having none of it.

"Alessia don't be rude" she scolds as she nods towards you who awkwardly stood there as Alessia eyed you up.

Albeit grudgingly, Alessia sighed and nodded, "Fine". She then turned and quickly went up the stairs making sure to make her footsteps thump that little bit harder to let everyone know of her displeasure.

You gave them a tight lipped smile as you turned and followed her. Already dreading this. Like you siad you had nothing against Alessia but you knew if it wasn't for Carol you definitely wouldn't be helping her right now. Especially as it wasn't like you wanted to do this either.

You last about 45 minutes before you made the excuse of going home to plan future sessions which Alessia is only too happy to accept. You couldn't take the awkward looks and the weird tension. And it was clearly mutual as Alessia just busied herself on her phone instead of trying to actually talk to you apart from short answers anytime you tried to make conversation.

But you knew there would be no getting out of this. The Russo's were practically family after all. So when your mother asked how did it go on the drive home. Of course you gave her a fake smile and a nod saying it went well.

You made sure your mother seemed happy with your answer before you leaned your head up against the window and prayed that tomorrow with Alessia would be a bit better.

Who knows maybe you'll actually end up friends by the end of this?

~~~

Yeah you can forget about you and Alessia being friends.

Your day went about normally. You kept your head down and carried on with your classes as you usually do. Talking to the few people you usually talk to. You wouldn't classify them as friends, you didn't know them well enough for that.

It was more people you sat beside in some classes. They were the kind of people you would give a nod to in the hallway as well as just casual conversation in classes. Just so you wouldn't have to sit in that awkward silence.

The closest thing you would say you would have to a friend would be Ben. You sat beside each other in English and were both a bit of loners. And you bonded over the fact that you both hated Me Wickerman. As well as the fact that you both had the same teasing sense of humour. But again you wouldn't really talk outside of school apart from the odd time.

It was the end of the day and everyone was rushing out of class to their lockers to try and grab their things and run home. You walked out of English with Ben as you teased him how you scored higher than him (like always) when you spotted Alessia talking with her friends.

You waved goodbye to the boy as you ducked your way through the crowd. You had agreed yesterday that you would meet with Alessia to study but you hadn't said where so you decided you better catch her before she goes home as well as probably get her phone number so stuff like this can be avoided.

You didn't think it would be a good idea to get her number from her brother's. As they were still looking for revenge for the prank you pulled on both of them.

Let's just say they learned never to ask you to put in a good word for them with their crushes again.

But it was times like these that reminded you that Alessia probably forgot you went to the same school. Because she probably would have been more careful about being overheard if she did.

You had been walking up to her little group of friends when you could overhear their conversation. "Cmon Less everyone's going!"

You slowed down not wanting to interrupt their conversation. But you couldn't help but overhear them.

But the brunette just sigh as she rumaged through her locker, "I can't I have plans".

You couldn't help but roll your eyes at her disinterest. It wasn't like this was your first choice either. You didn't exactly get a choice in this either.

Her friends just groan, "But everyone is going! You have to come. Just come!"

While you can't see most of their faces, you could already tell they were slowly trying to convince Alessia. Not wanting their ringleader to miss out. But you weren't worried. This is Alessia. You knew you weren't the closest but you knew her. There was no way she would just blow you off like that…

"Yeah…maybe" Alessia started but you could see her resolve crumble as she looks at her friends. "Fine" she sighs, "I'll sort something out".

You honestly couldn't believe it. You knew you didn't know the football player well but you've known each other since you were babies. And Alessia was always the nice friendly girl. You honestly couldn't believe what you were hearing.

You couldn't stop the loud scoff from slipping out. But it must have been louder than you thought as it seems to catch the brunette's attention.

A tiny part of you enjoys how her eyes widen and an obvious blush tints her face at the fact she's been caught. But you just hardened your glare as your crossed your arms ignoring all the curious looks you received from her friends.

"You know I don't exactly want to do this either. But I thought you would at least have the common decency to at least not blow me off when your the one that needs help" you snipe. But you can tell but the way that Alessia couldn't look you in the eyes that you wouldn't be getting an answer you liked. "Whatever" you scoff before turning away to walk home.

Thankfully it was one of the days you were walking home so you didn't have to deal with your mother investigating your foul mood as she had work. And how you clocked Carol's car before she spotted you and you steered clear of the car. The last thing you wanted right now was to be in the same car as the brunette.

You were fuming the entire way home once again thankful that no one was home and you already had all your homework for tomorrow done. As the second you got home you slammed the door behind you, rush up the stairs taking 2 at a time and flopped into bed hoping that Harry Potter would help forgot the foul mood the football player had put you in.

~~~

You sighed as you heard a knock on the door. You leaned your head against your propped up fist not even turning to the door, "Mum I'll be done in a minute I just need to finish this up".

"Yeah not your mum…"

You looked over your shoulder unimpressed as you see Alessia standing nervously by your door. But don't say anything as you instead turn back to your work. "What are you doing here Russo?"

"I uh tried to find you after school but that guy you hang out with uh Ben? He said you left early" Alessia reveals.

You can hear her sigh as she moves behind you. "Look I know your upset with me. And you have every right to be". You heard her sigh as you pause your work again as you look at her over your shoulder letting her know you were listening.

"You were right" she sighed as she played with her hands. "It's not exactly like you wanted to help me either and I should be grateful that you're even willing to help me". Her cheeks darken with a blush as she pursues her lips, "That is if you still want to help me that is".

But that seems to do it for you as you scoff and drop your pen finally turning back to you. "What? Finally realise that you actually need my help?" You scoff as you shake your head, "I don't know why I expected any different".

"It's not like that" Alessia tries but you don't let her off lightly.

"Oh give me a break Russo" you spit out harshly. "Your only here cause you need something. Because no matter how sweet and kind you maybe seem everyone is the same. Everyone's looking for something and I've already been burned before and I rather not go through that again".

Your just about able to bite your tongue and you silently fume thinking back on that time. But you shake your head once again scoffing at the Football player, "You haven't even said your sorry".

"You're right" Alessia said after a small pause. "I'm sorry" she said, "I'm really sorry". There's another brief silence before Alessia asks, "Why didn't you tell my mum?"

While you were able to dodge her yesterday successfully, it didn't work today as she had caught me when she came around to drop something off to mum. She had asked how it was going with Alessia and I didn't have the heart to tell her what happened.

She only wanted what was best for her daughter.

"Because she's like a second mum to me and I didn't have the heart to tell her" you tell her honestly. "She adores you Alessia. I didn't have it in me to tell her that the apple of her eye decided to ditch me last minute".

"Thank you" she said shyly but you could tell she was genuinely grateful for you not snitching on her.

You nod before you were interrupted by your mother shouting up to you that dinner was ready. Alessia didn't even have a chance to escape as your mother already had a plate ready for her.

Dinner was another awkward affair but thankfully most of the heat was off you as your mother focused on Alessia asking about what she's been up to and how the studying has been going. Afterwards you were both excused to go back upstairs to study.

You both awkwardly sit in your room once more neither of you knowing what to say. Until it was Alessia who once again broke it.

"You said before" she starts cautiously, "that you already got burned once before". She eyed you carefully, "What did you mean by that?"

Your eyes close for a second as you really regret letting that slip out. But you knew you had no other option really. "I think it's obviously I'm not the most popular in school" you said jokingly trying to ease yourself into it. "So you can imagine my surprise when one of the guys on the soccer team started talking to me".

It took everything in Alessia not to correct you but she knew she was already on thin ice. That and it seemed that it wasn't exactly the time to joke about something so small.

You played with your fingers as you shrugged, "It was nice. And I let myself believe he was actually interested in me. When it turns out he was just interested in the fact that I could do his homework for him".

You couldn't stand the pitiful look the Brunette sent you. "Like I said Alessia. Everyone wants something". You shrug emotionlessly, "Probably should have suspected something earlier. I mean who would be interested in me right?"

There's a second silence which made you think Alessia was about to agree with you. But then you heard shuffling and you looked up to see her standing from your desk chair moving to sit on the bed beside you.

"I'm sorry" she started gentle as the two of you sat shoulder to shoulder on your bed. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. That he was too much of a jackass to see how amazing you are. And I'm really sorry that I was a right idiot as well. You didn't deserve any of that".

You just accepted the apology with a smile as you looked down at your clasped hands together.

You couldn't help but let out a tiny snort, "Don't you find this funny?" You grin as Alessia tilts her head at you. "I mean we've known each other since babies but I'd say we know hardly anything about each other other than the obvious".

Alessia thinks for a second before humming as she realizes how right you were. Beyond the basics, she couldn't think of a single thing she could say about you.

Which was highly concerning seeing as like you said you have literally known each other since you were born.

"How about we change that so?" Alessia asked as it was now her turn to grin as you turned to her confused. But she simply held out her hand for a handshake. "Hi, I'm Alessia Russo. But my friends call me Less".

You couldn't stop the grin blooming on your face at how stupid this whole interaction was. But that didn't stop you from shaking her hand. "It's very nice to meet you Alessia".

Alessia gives you a wide grin one that you've only seen when she's around her family or playing football. "I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship".

~~~

Honestly you could tell why Alessia was failing.

"Less! C'mon you need to focus!" You groaned as you can see her start to doodle on her page.

This was your second study session with the football player and you were already losing hope. It didn't take much for the Russo to lose focus. It didn't help that for the past half an hour her brothers kept coming in for the dumbest excuses. It seems that they heard about your struggles to help tutor their sister and used it to their advantage to exact revenge.

Any other time you would have found their distractions hilarious but not right now when you're failing to help Alessia.

"I'm sorry" Alessia sighed as she dropped the pen. She ran her hands through her hair in frustration and you couldn't help but feel bad, "I just can't seem to get this".

You take a deep breath as you slowly let yourself calm down. "I know I'm sorry. I'm sorry".

Alessia pouted as she stared at the book. "I don't know how you understand all this. I can't even keep focus long enough to actually get through it".

You roll your eyes as you lean against your fist. "I'm starting to think that the only time you're really focused is…" but you trail off as your eyes land on a random football in the corner of her room.

Alessia looks at you as you fall silent. But she jolts when you suddenly pop up from your seat. "What's wrong?"

But you don't answer as you grab both the football and the textbook in front of the brunette and stand up. "New plan. Get up c'mon". Alessia eager to get away from all her failed attempts at notes, gets up and follows you.

Her brother's both give you strange looks but you just wave them off as you lead her to their back garden.

"Here. Catch" you said as you throw Alessia the ball.

She just about catches it as she starts to mess with the ball in her hands. "Okay? So what now?"

You shake your hand at her as you try to explain it to her. "Can you do that thing? Where you mess with the ball? Just like kick it around?"

Alessia just scrunches her face as she tilts her head. "You mean juggling? Like juggle the ball?"

To be honest you're not even listening to her really as you flick to the page you left off at. "Yeah sure that". You look up as Alessia to see her giving you a strange look but eventually just starts playing with the ball.

You give her a minute or two to just mess about with the ball before you focus on the page in front of you. "You have to study the formation of a waterfall right?" You ask as you look down at the page. Alessia just hums but that's enough to show she's listening.

You smile as you start to read out of the textbook. Your smile widens when Alessia without looking up from the ball asks you to repeat the last part which proves to you she's listening.

You do as she says as you continue to read. Occasionally stopping in order to reread a section or to answer a question Alessia has.

When you finally finish the section you put the textbook aside as you stick your leg out and poke the ball away from Alessia who looks up at you with a pout. You couldn't help but chuckle as you pick up the ball. "Okay then. Tell me how a waterfall forms".

But her shoulders drop as she sighs with her hands on her hips. "You already know I can't".

But you just shrug with a smile throwing her the ball, "Humour me".

Alessia frowns at you but then slowly starts to explain as she repeats back what you just read to her. You can't prevent the smile spreading across your face as you almost dance on the spot. "Less! That's right!"

Her head snaps up at you, "Wait seriously?"

You clap your hands together with a nod, "Yes! That was practically perfect. Like it was right out of the book".

Alessia blushes at the small praise as she smiles, "I don't know how I did that". She scratches the back of her head, "I guess I just understood it better when you explained it to me".

You smile and nod, "You're an auditory learner".

She scrunches her face at you as she tilts her head obviously confused. "What?"

You can't help but giggle at her finding it a bit adorable at how clueless she was. "You learn better when someone is reading or explaining it to you rather than when you read it" you explained.

Alessia nods before throwing you back the ball. "Then what was the whole point of the ball?"

You shrug as your throw the ball between your hands. "You were too worked up. I thought messing around with the ball would help you relax a bit. Seems I was right".

Alessia smiles and can't help but squeal as she hugs you, "You are an actual genius! Thank you!"

You're shocked but you slowly hug her back. You let her hug you for a bit longer before you pat her back, "I try. Now c'mon we've got more studying to do".

Alessia groans but quickly shuts up when she narrowly dodges the ball you throw at her head.

~~~

"You do know we could just reschedule this right?" You said as Alessia makes sure she has everything she needs.

But Alessia just shakes her head as she tosses her gearbag into the boot, "I can't". She shuts the boot as she sighs and you can see it in her eyes how stressed she is, "We have that test coming up and I can't afford to fail".

You couldn't help but soften at the sight of her. You could see how worked up Less was about this test. She knew she was good at football and that is what she wanted to do. But she also knew that scouts would look at more than just her football ability but would also look at her academic ability.

But more importantly she didn't want to let her family down.

……or you

"Less" you say softly as you grab one of her hands. "You've been working so hard lately. We can all see it. You have been doing so good and I just know you're going to pass that test".

You're happy to see the small uptick in Alessia's lips as her eyes shine a little brighter. "You really think so?"

You don't know why but a small part of you feels warm at the fact that she seeks your approval. That your opinion really means that much to her. "Of course I do" you say gently, letting your genuinity shine through truly wanting her to know how much you really mean it.

You grin as you bump your shoulder against hers not wanting her to be nervous on the way to her match. "Do you seriously think I would be joining you and your dad on an hour's drive to watch a soccer match if I didn't have full faith in you?" You scoff in mock disbelief, "How dare you!"

Alessia laughs as she nudges you back as you lean back against the car.

You couldn't explain it. It was just something about the way she smiled and laughed made your chest feel lighter. It just made you want to keep her smiling and laughing always.

If you were being really honest, you wanted to be the reason she was smiling and laughing.

"And it's football not soccer weirdo" Alessia corrects you.

Honestly you didn't really care whatever you called it. You just liked to rile the poor girl up for your own amusement. "Oh so when my mother calls it soccer you have no problem. But when I do it, it's suddenly wrong".

But Alessia just tsks and shakes her head sagely, "That's because she's American. You on the other hand have lived here your entire life and should know better".

You roll your eyes and click your tongue at her, making her laugh. You open your mouth to argue but you're interrupted by her dad coming out to the car saying you better set off now if she doesn't want to be late. The two of you climb into the back seats getting your books out to study on the drive to the game.

Her dad tried to make small talk with you, probably not used to the quiet in the car. But it's surprisingly Alessia who shushes him.

You and Mario lock eyes in the mirror before you look over at her amused as she is fully concentrated on her (your) notes. As predicted she only lasted another 20 minutes before she begins to whine and beg you to read them out to her. Claiming as always it's easier when you read them to her.

You raise an eyebrow at her but the second she pouts at you, you crumble holding out your hand to take the notes. To which she passes them to you, a bit too happy in your opinion.

You start to read as Alessia leans up against you so she can follow along on the page while also looking at the different diagrams and graphs. Honestly you had become so use to her lying her head on your shoulder but you still had to school your face every time you could feel her breath brush against your neck.

The first few times it had happened you had thought you had actually bored her to death and she had fallen asleep. But with the occasional question or asking you to explain something to her, it was enough to know she was still following along.

It was almost funny how well the two of you worked together. It was almost as if you worked off each other. It was all the small things. How Alessia would turn the page for you (although you had a feeling that was also because she didn't want to compromise her comfy position). Or how when strand of hair fell in her face you would gently brush them behind her ear. Small little actions done without even having to communicate with each other.

Or how you knew when Alessia had a problem with a certain part as she would bring over your favorite treats as a silent apology for all the questions and help she was about to ask you for.

Or how Alessia would wordlessly take some books to carry for you cause you are the biggest bookworm she knew and didn't know how you carried all these books as she even struggled to take all of them.

It was all those small little actions which had not gone unnoticed by your mother's.

But that's entirely whole other problem.

Sooner than you think Mario lets you know you're about 5 minutes away. So you decide that enough has been done as you put the notes aside. Alessia tries to object but you just shush her as you tell her she should take a break and relax before she has to get ready for the game.

She lifts her head to pout at you but let out a sigh as she drops her head right back into the burrow of your neck. The car is silent for the rest of the drive as you allow her to get focused on the game. Even you take the few minutes to rest your head back and close your eyes. Not even opening them when you feel Alessia start to play with the rings on your fingers.

But you don't say anything as you just smile and close your eyes once more. A few minutes later you can feel the car roll to a stop as Alessia squeezed your hand thinking you might have dozed off.

The two of you stretch feeling slightly stiff from being stuck in the back seats for a while. But as Alessia takes off her seatbelt, you gently touch her arm stopping her from getting out.

"Good luck" you smile at her as you squeeze her arm, "you're going to smash it".

Alessia doesn't say anything but judging by the megawatt smile spreading across her face she appreciated the encouragement. With one small squeeze on your hand in thanks, she gets out of the car and grabs her gear before running over to some of her teammates.

You couldn't help but follow her as you watch as she joins over to some of her teammates before they rush off to the dressing rooms.

The car is quiet for a second before Mario snorts out a laugh. You look at him quizzically as he looks back at you in the mirror amused. "You haven't a clue about football do you?" He asks, grinning at you. You shake your head but you couldn't help but smile.

"Not a clue".

Mario laughs as he shakes his head as he nods his head, "Alright then. C'mon let's go find seats".

And after 90 minutes you still hadn't a clue. Honestly you didn't see the appeal. Chasing a ball around for 90 minutes. But that didn't mean you didn't find ways to entertain yourself. For one you found it highly amusing how worked up Mario got over the game as he acted as if it was the be all and end all.

And what also surprised you was how sassy Alessia got when playing. You spotted the sweet polite girl often talking back to the referee and making (what you could only guess) snippy comments to the other teams players.

But you did find it sweet how when she scores, she looked up to find her dad. Although you were probably easy to find due to Mario's loud cheering.

Honestly it was kind of refreshing to see the girl smiling. With the amount of studying the two of you had been doing and how much she was stressing over her upcoming test, it had been a while since you had seen her properly smile or look so relaxed.

But honestly it was worth standing out in the cold for the better part of 2 hours as when Alessia came over to us and Mario made a whole song and dance over her.

"Dad!" Alessia groaned as Mario cheered and swept her into a massive hug gaining looks from everyone around. "Dad, stop it!" Alessia whined as her face burns red. Her eyes narrowing when she sees you giggling at her embarrassment.

"Nothing wrong with showing everyone how proud I am of you" he says sternly but you can tell he's enjoying messing with her.

You take that as your chance to join in on the ribbing, "Yeah superstar. I mean you did score the winning goal after all". It seems that Alessia's mood considerably brightens at the reminder.

Mario laughs, "Yeah I don't think I have ever seen this one so excited. Much less over football".

You shrug, "Still don't see the appeal of Football".

But obviously that was the wrong thing to say as Alessia took that as an opportunity to try and explain to you every reason why football was appealing.

Even as you climb back into the car, Alessia continues on why football is the greatest sport alive as you nod along. Until you're completely drained and now the roles are reversed as you rest your head against hers. Alessia pausing her rant to let you settle softly against her.

She still continues on but in a softer tone until she sees you drift off. She feels your head start to slip off her shoulder as she wraps an arm around you and pulls you against her.

She practically holds her breath as you shift in your sleep. Her face darkens crimson when she realised your face is buried in her neck as your breath hitting her neck sends shivers down her spine. She tries to shift back a bit but realises she can't when she sees that you have her shirt balled up in your hands leaving her no chance to snuggle back up with you.

When Mario looks back, he smiles softly as he sees the two of you sound asleep in each other's arms peacefully leaning into each other for comfort.

~~~

Your eyes widen and you blink at the girl who shakes her head ag your reaction. "Sorry. Say that again? Because I definitely must have miss heard you". You shake your own head as you with out a small chuckle, "Cause I could have sworn you said you were going to teach me football".

It was a usually weekend dinner with the two families. But with the weather being unusually nice they had decided to move if outside to take advantage of the rare sunny day. So while both of your mother gossiped about God knows what and Gio and Luca helped Mario with a barbeque, Alessia had decided to drag you out to the garden.

Although you weren't expecting this.

But the footballer just smiled amusedly at you as she grinned at you, "No you heard right. That's exactly what I said".

You raise your eyebrows at her but you continue smiling at her, "You are insane".

"C'mon!" Alessia groans as she throws the ball between her hands. "You help me study for classes. I think it's my turn to teach you something".

You pouted and stomped your foot with a whine a bit like a petulant child but you didn't really care. Even though you rolled your eyes when you saw Alessia giggle at your antics. "But that's different! I'm helping you study for your education! That's important!"

Alessia pouted now tilting her head at you, "Football is important too".

You fixed her with a look, "Too you! Football isn't important to me!" You clarified knowing she had a point. Her whole life practically revolves around the sport.

But Alessia ignores your entire argument and instead grins smugly at you, "You called it Football".

You let out a loud groan that I'm sure your mothers could hear from their seats across the garden. "Really? That's all you got from that?"

But she doesn't say anything, only shrugs her shoulders with a grin. She drops the ball and starts juggling it with ease. "See look, it's not that hard!" She kicks it higher and catches it, "You're always saying I'm too clumsy. So if I can do it then so can you".

I raise an eyebrow at her, "First of all I stand by that statement. You are the clumiest person I've ever met. But at least on a soccer field you know what you're doing. I haven't an athletic bone in my body!"

Alessia grins widely, "Well that's about to change cause we're doing it!"

You groan but Alessia takes no notice as she kicks you the ball to which you squeal and slap the ball away. Alessia gives you a very unimpressed look as you just shrug at her as if to say 'what?' Before she rolls her eyes and goes to get the ball.

For the next hour and a half the two of you became the entertainment for both your families as they watched Alessia fail to teach you football.

"No no no you're meant to pass with the inside of your foot!"

"Hit it with the laces"

"You have to have power behind the pass or else it won't make it that far….imagine it's Mr Wickerman…NOT THAT HARD!"

Eventually you flopped onto the ground as you fail to get the ball off the Russo and she gives you a particularly hard shoulder that sends you to the ground.

"Okay I think I'm done" you say as you curl up on the grass. "Just leave me here to die peacefully".

Alessia just rolls her eyes at your dramatics, "It wasn't that bad".

You barely lift your head to look at her before dropping it back down with a thump, "Oh yes it was".

Oh course it was then her brother's decided to join you as Luca messes with your hair and Giorgio sits on your stomach as you let out a grunt before pushing him off you. "No she's right, that was painful to watch".

"She wasn't that bad" Alessia tries although very weakly. It was obvious that anything athletic wasn't your strong suit.

"Up for a 2v2 then?" Luca suggest as he tosses the ball in his hands. "Gio and I versus you two?"

"But those teams aren't fair!" Alessia argues immediately to which you lift your head in offense.

"You said I wasn't that bad!"

She sends you a sorry smile, "Yeah I lied". You scoff but wave her off letting her know you were only messing. You were genuinely terrible. And you didn't know how Alessia lasted so long with you.

It wasn't long after that you were all called for dinner as you ate together. Although it seemed this time it blended much easier with both you and Alessia actually conversing. Unlike before where it would be a civil conversation now the two of you actually sat beside each other.

Only after Alessia had to wrestle Luca out of his regular seat beside you.

"But I always sit there!" Luca complains as Alessia smiles in victory over having successfully pushed him off the chair beside you.

"Not anymore" Alessia mocks as she sits happily in the chair as you giggle at the siblings.

"Mom!" Luca whines while Carol just shakes her head.

"Luca it's just a chair" Carol sighs but has a hint of a smile on her face. Clearly amused by her children's antics.

"But I always sit there!" Luca argues once more. He looks at you, "Tell them Sherlock!"

You shake your head at his nickname for you but hold up your hands declaring neutrality, "Sorry Watson".

He looks at you betrayed as Alessia wraps an arm around you pulling you into her slightly as she smirks smuggly up at her brother. "Sorry, looks like she has a new favorite Russo now".

Luca sighs sadly before he eventually takes his new seat beside his brother as he mopely eats his food.

Everything after that was fine apart from the few teasing comments thrown around.

It was later in the evening as you recovered from your evening of playing soccer and nursing your little food baby that Alessia suggested the two of you watch a movie.

You were playing on your phone as she dropped beside you on the couch. "Here" she says as she holds out a bowl for you.

You peek into the bowl, "What is it?"

"Skittles" Alessia answers simply before holding up her own bowl, "Don't worry I took out all the green ones".

You smiled softly at that. "You remembered?" You asked as you recall telling her in one of your study sessions that you loved Skittles but hated the green ones.

"Of course" she smiled at you before turning back to the TV, "I also remember you saying you love Harry Potter so which one are we going to watch?"

You smile softly before telling her your favorite one as she puts it on. You watch the film for a little while before Alessia moves beside you but your eyes remain locked on the screen. She calls your name and you hum showing that you're listening.

But when she doesn't say anything you look over at her to see her fiddling with her fingers. "Can I ask you something?" She asked quietly and albeit a bit nervously.

Seeing how nervous the girl was, you paused the movie and gave her your full attention. "Of course Less. You can ask me anything" you say as you take one of her hands and rub your thumb over her knuckles.

She watches how your thumb glides over her knuckles softly before she sighs. "What's up with you and Luca?"

You practically choke on air as your eyes widen at the thought. "What?"

But Alessia just shrugs as she looks at the paused screen showing a freeze frame of the golden trio. "It's just...at dinner. He seemed really upset that he didn't get to sit beside you. And you have those nicknames for each other...." she explains before trailing off.

You scrunch your face before shrugging, "I mean it's nothing? It's like he said. We always sit together. And he always calls me Sherlock just because he thinks I'm smart and help him with homework sometimes. So I just call him Watson in return".

She looks at you for a second longer before looking into your eyes, "So there's... nothing going on between you two?"

It takes a second for you to grasp what she's insinuating but once it finally clicks you gasp. "What! Wha? No! No no Less! It's not like that at all!" You almost gag at the thought, "God no!"

You shake your head, "No Less it's nothing like that. We just get along really well. God he's like a brother to me!"

Alessia laughs at how off put you are but the mere suggestion of the two of you dating but judging by the small blush on her face you can still tell she's slightly embarrassed by asking that now.

You take her hand and again give it a small squeeze paired with a smile, "Trust me Less. I will never date Luca. Ever". You give her a wink, "Like you said. I have a new favorite Russo after all".

She smiles brightly at the reassurance. Her head drops into your shoulder as you nuzzle into the back of her head. You stay like that a moment before the two of you decide to turn back to the movie. It's not long after the two of you are leaning up against each other discussing which Houses you would both be in.

It wasn't till later your mother came to tell you it was time to go home when both your mother and Carol found the two of you curled up together as Alessia had her arms wrapped around you as you were settled into her leaning your head against her shoulder.

~~~

Honestly you didn't wake up today expecting to be rugby tackled. Let alone by a soccer player of all people.

You had been at your locker gathering books for your next classes when you had heard rapid steps coming up to you. You didn't even have time to turn as there was suddenly arms around your waist and your lifted off the ground.

You let out a yelp as you drop your books clinging onto the arms around you in fear of being dropped. When you finally are put back on the ground, you turn ready to rip whoever had the audacity to touch you, but you quickly stop when you see Alessia smiling brightly at you.

"Less! What the hell is up with you?" You whisper shout at her as you brace yourself on her arms trying to ignore the small thought in your head as you realise her hands were still on your waist.

But she doesn't say anything. Instead she just pulls out a sheet of paper as she holds it up doing a small little dance on the spot. "I passed!" She cheered as she shows you proudly the 84% marked at the top of the test.

Your eyes widen before you smile. "Less! You didn't just pass, you aced it!" You beam as you smile up at her. "Gosh Less I knew you could do it!"

Alessia is practically bouncing on the spot in glee before launching herself at you once more this time in a hug. The embrace nearly sends you to the floor if not for you balancing the two of you against your locker.

Honestly you weren't used to much affection apart from hugs from your mom and occasionally Carol.

But since you started to become closer with Alessia you were slowly getting more comfortable with touch. Purely because Alessia was very touchy. The girl had an affinity for hugs and small touches.

But it wasn't even that you just got use to the touches.

It was how patient she was with you when she found out you just weren't use to unfamiliar touch. How she noticed the first time she hugged you, you froze up. Or the time she grabbed your hand you flinched away. She was starting to think it was her until you sheepishly smiled and told her you just weren't used to touch.

It was then how she would always check to see if it was okay first. Instead of grabbing your hand she would offer it first. How she would usually wait for you to make the first move for a hug or anything physical as to make sure you were comfortable.

She was patient with you until you grew okay with her touch. If you were being completely honest with yourself, you probably had started to like it a bit too much.

Like in this instance, where you can feel yourself sink into the hug. Liking how safe and warm you felt in her arms. While you usually cursed your height difference as it gave the Russo girl something to tease you about, it worked perfectly for hugs. As you slotted together perfectly with your head tucked right into her neck. With hers rest on the top of your crown. In her excitement she gave you a kiss on the top of your head.

But reality seemed to hit you all at once as you started to recognize the looks and whispers from your classmates.

You suppose it was an unusual sight to see the resident nerd with the school's soccer superstar and It girl.

You cleared your throat shifting slightly uncomfortable under people's stares but still gave Alessia a smile. The girl was so escatic that she didn't even notice.

"Seriously I couldn't have done it without you, I don't know how to thank you" Alessia said, grateful.

You couldn't help but soften at that as you momentarily forget about all the eyes on you. You shook your head lightly, "This was all you Less. You worked hard for this". You squeezed her forearm lightly, "You deserve this. I'm proud of you".

That seemed to turn the girl shy as she smiled with a light blush dusting her face. She cleared her throat before realizing your books were still laid on the floor.

She quickly picked them up for you as she slipped them back into your hands with a smile, "I better go I'm going to be late to class I just had to tell you about the test". "But I'll still see you later then yeah?" She quickly asks as you zip up your bag.

That made you raise a brow. "You still want to study together? But you passed?"

There was a subtle roll of her eyes but you ignored it. What you couldn't ignore was how she bit the bottom of her lip almost as if she tried to contain a smile. "Yeah but I still need to keep the grade up now don't I?" She teased making it your turn to roll your eyes.

She giggled but smiled at you, "Despite what you might believe I actually enjoy our study sessions now and would hate for them to stop".

She smirked, "Besides, our mothers like us hanging out. And I'd say they will have a fit if we went back to how things used to be. They enjoy using us as an excuse to hang out I think".

You let out a laugh with a nod agreeing with her.

She started backpedaling as she realized she was about to be late for class. "So I'll see you later?"

You nodded, "Yeah I'll see you later".

She smiled and turned making her way through the sea of people. You couldn't describe how you feeling as you watched her walk down the corridor.

It wasn't until your breathing hitched as she turned to look at you over her shoulder. Even though she was half away down the hallway you could still see her beautiful blue eyes paired with her perfect beaming smile.

It was only then you realized how fucked you were as you came to the realization.

You were being to fall for Alessia Russo.

#alessia russo #alessia russo imagine #alessia russo imagines #alessia russo x reader #alessia russo x y/n

[tetsunabouquet]

When Eyes Meet- Kagami Taiga

Aomine - Kise - Murasakibara - Kuroko - Akashi - Midorima A/N: I never actually wrote an x-reader one shot with Kagami before, so I decided to do his entry in the mini series next. The soulmate concept belongs to ElfQuest

Ever since the dawn of humanity, we were born with two names. One we use in our everyday life, and the other is the name of our soul. This is a very special name, an intimate one. It was only to be shared with family or friends as close as kin. It was a private piece of you. But as long as people remember having two names, they can also recall a certain phenomenon that would expose ones soulname to another. This phenomenon, was Recognition. It occured without a pattern or rule to it. There were people who had known one another for years until it happened, but it could also be upon meeting the very person. All one knew, was they locked eyes with one another, and they knew. This was what society would come to refer to as, 'the moment you knew you had found your soulmate'. You hadn't Recognized yet, thankfully. Yes, thankfully, because you preferred to finish high school and get your life together before Mr Right would waltz into your life. You were a goal oriented young lady, even if you said so yourself. Studious and hard working as you are, your friend group consisted solely out of bookworms such as yourself. You were waiting for one as we speak. You expected him to pop out of nowhere, after all, he always did. But, today wasn't like usual, as you spotted the fiery red hair trailing towards you. 'Kuroko brought Kagami along again, huh? What did he flunk this time?' The thought brought a small, amused smile to your face, because as dumb as he was Kagami was always nice and pleasant company. It was rare to meet a guy who was so respectful and relaxed around girls at your age, as everyone else except for the rare soul such as your mutual friend Kuroko seemed to be set ablaze with teenage hormones. With Kuroko, it seemed a given considering his personality, but Kagami was such a typical teenage boy in every other area, that his calm around the opposite sex felt much more surprising to you. You greeted them as they appeared in front of you. "Hello, l/n-san." Kuroko greeted. "Hey l/n-san," came Kagami's more casual greeting. "Shall we go to the library?"

You giggled as you corrected Kagami's homework, Kuroko had went off to get you guys something to drink after sitting in the library for nearly two hours. Kagami's cheeks were a flaming red. "Is it honestly that bad?" He grumbled with a disappointed face. You looked up at him. "You have a lot of spelling mistakes, but I honestly think its kinda adorable." He looked at you surprised, his face a little red. "Is that so?" You hummed in response before you shyly looked back into your textbook, you hadn't meant for your compliment to make him blush and you didn't knew why it made you so happy on the inside. But Kagami kept looking at you, and his intent gaze forced you to make eye contact once more. "Something wrong?" "Eh well, I…" Kagami stumbled nervously and it made your heart halt. "After the Winter Cup and exams are over, would you like going on a date before I go back to the US?" "You're asking me out nearly 4 months in advance?" You asked, frowning. "Well, if things work out it could distract me, and these upcoming months are so important. I seriously want to graduate you know? But I really would like to go out with you at least once before I go back to the US!" Kagami babbled a bit and his anxiety yet level headed thinking came to you as the most delightful of surprises. You smiled and just as you thought Kagami was a guy worth taking a chance on as unlike everyone else he clearly had his priorities straight, it happened. "Iyam?" You asked with our mouth hanging open. "Irhn? He asked, more as a confirmation of the soul shattering event. He couldn't believe his luck, this was pretty much a guarantee that you wouldn't lose interest once he left the country, which had been his biggest worry upon the idea of asking you out. Neither of you noticed Kuroko creeping closer. "From the looks of it, she can't say no to your plans of a long distance relationship." You heard Kuroko's voice and saw him drinking his vanilla milkshake with a smirk. You all laughed, and accepted your own milkshake with a moony grin to match Kagami's.

#knb #kuroko's basketball #knb x reader #kagami taiga #tutoring #kuroko tetsuya #kagami #kagami taiga x reader #elfquest

[jasntodds]

Caving In [Book 1 End]

Pairing: Gar Logan x Fem!Powered!Reader, Jason Todd x Fem!Powered!Reader

Words: 15,158

Chapter Warnings: Swearing, angst, canon violence, blood, mentions of injuries (bruising, being shot with a tranquilizer), canon character death, fluff, mentions of torture, mentions of being brainwashed

Summary: ❝Tell me Atlas: What is heavier, The world or its people’s hearts?❞ You never expected your life to end up this way, turned upside down by an infamous Gotham villain. It’s been a living hell, every single day, until Dick Grayson brings you to Titans tower where you meet Gar Logan and Jason Todd.

A/N: Uh, hi!! It’s the last chapter of book 1 and I just wanna say a very big thank you to all of you who’ve been reading 😭 Your comments have literally kept me posting and have meant so much to me!! I really hope you guys like this chapter!! I will have chapter 1 of book 2 up in 2 weeks and then weekly after that!! lol There’s a longer author’s note at the end about this book and book 2!! You can add yourself to the tag list below, ask me to be tagged, or you can follow my library blog @jasntoddslibrary​ and turn on notifications if you prefer that!!

series masterlist | masterlist | tag list

The women and you go back to the tower. Donna and Dawn explain what the man told them. They’re planning something, that’s more of the information they got from the guy they “spoke” to. So, the only option, at the moment is to wait and try to come up with a plan to storm CADMUS before they can execute their plan. But, you’ll still need more help because Donna, Dawn, and you don’t have nearly enough power or resources to get you all in and out of CADMUS alive, so you’re all back to waiting.

You spend a lot of the time in the training room throwing knives as you wait. Waiting has to be the worst part of this whole thing. The longer you wait, the more Gar is in danger. Donna and Dawn tried to reassure you that if CADMUS is planning something, that means Gar is at least alive. Sure, that’s good, of course it is but what are they doing to him while he’s alive? As someone who’s been tortured twice, you know that it’s a hell of a lot easier wanting to be dead than tortured. Gar is strong but it’s not fair. It shouldn’t have been him.

After a few hours, you take a break and head to the kitchen, hoping for an update from Donna and Dawn, but as you walk in, the elevator doors open revealing Jason. A rush of relief floods you as a warm smile splits your face with the sight of him. You waste no time in walking up to him just as he exits the elevator. Jason can’t help the smile that comes to his face as he sees you. He can’t even believe how much he’s missed you. It’s been a week. But, you wrap your arms around his neck and he feels warm again. The hollow feeling in his chest starts to fill with adoration as he wraps his arms around your waist. Jason Todd is not much of a hugger but he’d take a hug from you any day.

“Miss me?” Jason quips as you pull away, his eyes landing on the bruise on your cheek. It looks a lot worse in person.

“Eh, a little.” You shrug one of your shoulders, looking to the ground and back to him. “Thank you for coming, Jay.”

“Yeah,” Jason’s eyes look up and back to you. “You’d do the same for me, so would Gar.”

“You came.” Donna states as she comes around the hall, Dawn on her right.

“I’m here for Gar.” Jason’s tone switches and he’s, rightfully, still a little bitter about what happened.

“Thank you for coming, Jason.” Dawn offers him a kind smile and Jason just nods, looking back to you.

“Well, I’m gonna go fill him in.” You give the women a gentle smile. "Unless...there's an update?"

"No," Dawn shakes her head sadly. "You can fill him in."

You let out a sigh, nodding your head and chewing the inside of your cheek. You grab Jason's hand and tug him along with you, passing past the women, and head to the training room. Jason catches you still limping slightly and he figured the fight with CADMUS was bad but you clearly got hurt. He kind of gets why you were so insistent that night with Deathstroke. It’s different seeing each other injured at the hands of someone, now that you know each other.

You take a seat on the floor and Jason follows your lead, just as you both did that night just a few months before. You extend your legs in front of you while Jason extends his left leg, his right leg bent up and his foot planted on the floor. Both of your hands rest on the floor behind you.

It feels a little weird being back. The tower is feels empty, sure, but it’s kind of like it’s haunted. A cruel reminder of everything Jason isn’t, of everything he could have been but failed at being. It’s not reassuring or comforting or welcoming, but he looks at you, and he’s glad he came, if only for a night or two.

“Spill your guts.” Jason grins at you because of course, he remembers what he told you that night.

“Ha-ha, you’re hilarious.” Your eyes widen before your sad smile drops. “Well, CADMUS attacked and we did not stand a chance.” You let out a dry laugh. “Like, they just kept coming in. Gar transformed and uh, we were in the kitchen so I started grabbing knives, got a few of them.”

“Good.” Jason scoffs.

“Yeah, but uh, they shot me with a tranquilizer?” You roll your eyes. “I don’t really remember much. Just, Gar in front of me and not a tiger anymore. I woke up and they were gone. I called you, then Dick, then Kory. Then everyone else, but Donna was the only one that called back. She showed up a few hours later. Then she got a call from Rachel saying she was in danger or something so we went to this diner? Bruce showed up?”

“Why the fuck was Bruce there?”

“I have no fucking idea? He set it up, I guess? I have no idea. So, uh, Dick got himself arrested.”

Jason lets out a booming laugh. “No shit? Goody fucking toe-shoes Dicky Grayson got arrested?”

“Yep! So, Rachel wanted to rescue Dick first and I wanted to rescue Gar first.”

“Why the fuck would you rescue Dick? He put himself there.”

“That’s what me and Donna said!” You yell dramatically. “So, we argued about it and she made me really mad so I punched her in the face.”

Jason has a smile of disbelief crossing his lips. He would never hit Rachel outside of sparring, especially after she almost killed him but he’s surprised you did. He knows she must have really gotten under your skin if you’re the one throwing punches first. And, he is very curious what exactly Rachel could have said that finally got you to snap especially since you said you aren’t normally the one to throw punches.

“Over Gar and Dick?” Jason questions with the nod of his head.

“Well, I--no, like there was more to it. I don’t know. She was throwing shit in my face and I said she was a wounded puppy.” You start explaining, Jason unable to control his laughter. He knows it’s true but he would have killed to have seen the look on Rachel’s face. “So, she said that I was because I was mad about the stuff that happened with you and this was after she tried to tell me what I was going to do, save Dick and not Gar.” You roll your eyes as Jason’s laughter subsides and it clicks.

The last straw for you was a comment about him? He knows he means something to you because you’ve said it a thousand times and you make it so obvious, even Jason can’t miss it. But, he didn’t think you’d still be fighting over him when he’s not around. It means more to him than he’ll ever say.

“You punched her because she called you a wounded puppy?” Jason raises his brows.

“Well….” Your eyes look to the side and then up, as if to be in thought before you land back on Jason who has one of his devious smirks. “Yeah, I guess. Like, she was so…” You scrunch your nose as you shake your head. “She also implied I was self-absorbed.” Jason’s face scrunches and he swears you’re one of the least self-absorbed people he’s ever met. Has Rachel not met the rest of the Titans? “And then!” You say dramatically. “She kept going after I punched her. She said that Gar deserves better and that you left me and for 'Deathstroke’s daughter'." You mock the way Rachel said. “It was so fucking stupid.”

“That’s fucking shitty. Who the fuck does she think she is? She chose Dick over Gar but he deserves better than you? There’s no one better than you.” The comment leaves Jason’s lips so quickly he barely even catches he said it. You eye him carefully but choose to brush over the comment. It’s not right to dig into that right now.

“I mean, she has a point and I told her that.” You let out a laugh. “It’s true, I’m not delusional enough to think otherwise but, that’s not the point. It’s not her fucking business.” You shake your head. “And you left for your own reasons and it was shitty to say like you weren’t even there.” Your brows raise as your eyes go wide. “So, her and Kory went to break Dick out of prison, I guess and we came here to come up with a plan to save Gar, Conner, and Krypto. That’s what ya missed.”

“Shit, fuck Rachel. She's not even worth it.” Jason lets out a huff. He really did miss a lot. “You guys think of a plan?”

You shake your head. “Donna and Dawn have the blueprints to CADMUS but they haven’t figured out how we’re going to break in and then out without getting ourselves killed.”

“Yeah, I’m sure they have security up the ass.” Jason sighs. “Could Trojan Horse it.”

You let out a laugh. “Yeah? And how do you suggest we pull that off?”

“I have no fucking idea.” Jason laughs with you. “It’s better than nothing.” Jason leans forward slightly, extending his arm dramatically.

“Right, but we don’t wanna die tonight.” You shake your head. “I don’t know, we’ll figure it out though.” You suck in a breath.

You furrow your brows with the shake of your head and talking about Gar, the lack of plan, it’s making things a little too heavy. There’s the guilt of it all and the trauma still haunting the back of your head because of Jerry and Deathstroke. You feel like Gar might be going through worse right now and it’s a little much. You’ve had nothing to do for two days now besides think about it. You’re tired of thinking. And you’re tired of the guilt wrapping itself around your bones like barbed wire. A distraction would be nice right about now.

“Can we…talk about something else? Just been thinking about what they could be doing to Gar and it’s just…” You look at Jason and you don’t have to say it. He knows.

Jason’s worried about you. When Dick brought Rose back, you had a nightmare, that’s why you ended up in Gar’s room. You were weird, you said it was too much that brought everything back that you had went through. It made it all real again. Gar just got kidnapped and you’re worried he’s being tortured. Jason can only imagine the hell you’re putting yourself through because of it and the hell your own mind is putting you through bringing all of that shit back up again. So, he’s worried you’ll be the next one on the ledge.

“How’re you and Gar? Well, before this shit happened.” Jason asks, picking a topic he thinks might cheer you up. Maybe you’ll have a story, something fun that happened.

“Um…” You look down and back to him, shrugging a shoulder. That’s not what you want to talk about either but you’ll go along with it for now. “Like, we’re…friends.” You nod at him and Jason’s brows furrow.

He thought for sure one of you would say something to each other, especially with you being alone here. He expected Gar to say something, not necessarily you. But that does explain, kind of, the lucky comment from earlier.

“Did you pussy out of--”

“Shut up.” You groan. “No,” You shake your head, eyes narrowing at him. “I…I don’t know.” You chew the inside of your cheek and you don’t know how to explain you and Gar aren’t a thing because you chose Jason. That it’s him and it always has been. Jason just had this thing blow up with Rose and Gar is in trouble. Having some discussion about that, does not seem very fair. And Jason is watching you with a brow knitted inward, knowing something is going on. It can’t be that complicated of an answer. So, you pick a different direction that isn’t a lie, really. “I don’t think we’d work and I’m not gonna do that to him or me.”

“Why not?” Jason asks. “That you wouldn’t work?”

He’s confused. The two of you were fine, seemed like you might go for something when he left and now, nothing. It seems a little weird to him and he thinks you would work. Why wouldn’t you? And he hates that a part of him might even be relieved by it. It might be a little selfish, but it’s true.

“Gar is ya know, Gar. It’s like…nothing can ever keep him down. He’s always happy and kind and fun. Always and I am not those things, which is fine. It’s not me. But, because of that, even as friends, sometimes I feel a bit like a burden to him.”

It’s not a lie because it’s true. You know Gar isn’t making you feel like a burden, but you feel that way anyway. You’re really different and that’s fine and great, it’s one of the reasons you work as friends. He mellows you out. But, it is one of the reasons you know you like Jason more. On top of your feelings for Jason, it wouldn’t be fair to try and see where it goes with Gar if you’ll always feel like a burden to him. It’s not fair to either of you.

Jason shakes his head. “You’re not a burden.” His words are slow and he still has a look of confusion.

He still has no idea why that change happened in the last week and not...any other time before that. The only thing that happened in that time, aside from the attack, was the stuff with him and the other Titans. And maybe he’s actively convincing himself that is just a coincidence. 

“Yeah, but it feels that way because it feels like he’s sorted through all of his trauma and then I still have this shit I didn’t deal with. And I can’t…do that with him because he talks and that’s great, right? It works for him and it helps me but….I also sometimes can’t talk about it. You get it and I know you do. I’m reckless and despite what we learned from Deathstroke, I gotta feeling that’s not always gonna stop me from doing something insane later. It’s…I feel like he wants to fix me but not that it’s anything that he’s doing or saying or anything like that. It’s a me problem, not a Gar problem, like, maybe he thinks sorting out my shit will make me better in a way that I’m not meant to be. It happened and I think I’m permanently fucked up from it. I know he is not trying to fix me but I feel that way anyway. I don’t know, feel a bit like damaged goods.”

Jason gets it. His entire life he’s felt like damaged goods but he’s looking at you with a deep bruise you’re only wearing because you’d go to war for people you care about. That’s not someone who’s just damaged goods. And Jason swears he’ll do everything in his power to make sure you know that.

“You’re not damaged goods.” Jason states and he doesn’t have his signature smirk. “Going through that shit doesn’t make you damaged or some shit. You’re still you.”

“Mmm.” You hum and you gain this sad smile, dodging his eyes. “Yeah, but, uh, it-it, uh it feels like it anyway.”

“Not to me.” Jason shrugs and he said it on purpose. It doesn’t matter to him what you go through or that you’ll always be reckless, always looking for the next thrill because he’ll always do the same. You’re not damaged goods, not to him.

Your face softens and your stomach flips. That’s why it’s always been him. You don’t feel damaged with him. “That’s awfully nice of you, Jay.”

Jason gives you a cheeky grin. “I can be nice.”

You let out a laugh and you swear everything is a little bit better with him around. “Yeah, you can be.” You offer him a thankful smile. “Thanks for coming.”

“You and me.” Jason repeats what you normally say to him and you swear your heart is about to burst into flames.

“You and me.” You let out a sigh, looking down and then back to him. It’s enough about you. “Seriously, you okay about Rose? I know you really liked her.”

Jason knows Rose is going to be a sore spot for a little while. He just feels so betrayed. He doesn’t know what he did to deserve it or why she wouldn’t have just told him. Had she just told him, maybe he wouldn’t have been nearly as mad or upset about it. So, it sucks but he knows he’ll be fine. He has been with every other person that’s betrayed him and mistreated him. He’s used to it.

Jason nods. “Yeah, I’ll be alright. Just fucking sucks. Got me feeling a bit like damaged goods.” Jason lets out a laugh, an almost teasing grin tugging at his lips before it falls. “Ya know, like, I tried really hard with her. Taking her out, showing her that school I told you about, acts of service type shit.” Jason’s eyes widen. “And she treated me like shit, pushing me away, lying to me, using me. Sleeping with me and knowing she was fucking lying the whole damn time.” Jason grits his teeth getting angry about it all over again. “Nothing I did was fucking good enough even when I tried.”

You were hoping you were wrong about Rose. Truly, you didn’t even dislike her until the day they left. It was a bad day for everyone but you were right and you wish so badly you weren’t. Jason doesn’t deserve any of that. He’s already gone through too much shit, especially over the last two weeks.

“You don’t deserve it. You put in a lot of effort, you trusted her. That shit, that’s on her. She gets to live with what she did to you. She doesn’t deserve you. She gets to live with the fact she’s the one that fucked it all up, not you. You deserve so much fucking better, Jay. It was enough, she just fucking sucks.” You let out a scoff before looking back to him. “And you’re not damaged goods.” You give him a kind smile. “Not to me.” Jason could never be damaged goods to you.

Jason chuckles softly, his cheeks starting to tint a faint shade of pink, his heart throbbing into his vocal cords. “Thanks.” Jason smiles softly at you and it should have been you he left with. “You’re good at that.”

Your brows furrow. “Good at what?”

“Knowing what to say.”

Your cheeks start to burn. “Just being honest with you.” You rub your eye, wincing from the pain.

Jason scoots closer to you, you keep your hands firmly on the ground, watching him with suspicion. Jason reaches forward, turning your head as he holds your chin to get a look at the bruise and your skin is on fire, tingling under his touch. Your heart is in your throat and your breath is caught right at the base of your throat. This is new. And Jason just wants to look at it, make sure your cheek isn’t broken. He’s been a hit a time or several there and it’s always unpleasant. And this bruise looks really deep, he tells himself he’s just making sure you’re actually okay. Physically. But it gets his blood warming with the idea another person caused it.

“What’d they hit you with?” Jason’s voice is lower this time, dropping his hand.

“Butt of a gun, fucking assholes.” You scoff, your voice on the verge of breathy as you try to ignore the fire in your stomach. “Shit hurt.”

Jason chuckles softly, leaning back on his hands. “Yeah, that’ll do it.” He shakes his head. “Sure it’s not broke?”

You shrug. “I have no idea. Probably not, my face isn’t deformed or anything. Doesn’t hurt that bad.”

“Did you ice it?” Jason asks and you find it a little cute and very cute he’s asking about it.

“No,” You laugh and Jason groans. “I was icing my damn leg. That is the shit that hurts.”

“Yeah, what’s that about? You’re the one limping now.” Maybe he regrets leaving. Maybe he could have helped, in some way.

“That’s where I was shot with the tranquilizer.” You roll your eyes. “The bruise is like half the size of my thigh.”

Jason cringes at the thought of it. “Ouch.” Jason shakes his head. “You sure you’re alright?”

You smirk at him and he’s cute when he’s being protective. He should do it more often. “You trying to take care of me, Jay?” Maybe you’d let him if he offered. You take care of him.

Jason's cheeks shoot red as his eyes look to the ceiling and back to you, doing his best to ignore his heart in his ears. “Someone should.” Jason lets his words out sarcastically but of course he is. Always.

You suck on your teeth and you’re trying so hard not to give him the satisfaction of a genuine smile, but you can’t help it. You fucking missed him. “Yeah, same for you.” Your eyes widen at him as you rest your head on his knee. “I’m fine, thank you though. Honest, just hurts still. How’s your leg?”

“All good.” Jason smiles down at you and he swears that can’t possibly be comfortable. “Doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Good.” Your smile is soft and Jason swears the ache in his chest from Rose doesn’t hurt so much with you.

Jason debates in his head. He’s not gonna say anything, that is for certain. He thought Rose wouldn’t be like that. Rose went through some really horrible shit, her own dad cut out her eye. Jason kind of thought because of that, she’d get him…kind of like you do. He wouldn’t feel less than or not good enough because she’d get it. But, she…treated him like everyone else but worse because he really, really let her in ways he doesn’t normally. And she screwed him over anyway. Everything with them was actually fine at the tower but they get away from it all, from the Titans and people, it’s just them and then…she keeps lying to him and using him. You are not Rose, but, there is a part of him that thinks maybe the same exact shit would happen because why wouldn’t it?

But, his mind wanders back to you kissing him anyway. Maybe it’s an easy distraction from worrying about Gar. But, he thinks about it and his reasoning of not wanting you to die for him and ruining you like he ruins everyone. And you’re looking at him with soft eyes he doesn’t think he deserves it because he left. Because he turned you down. Because he tries to pushes you away, even if he isn’t very good at it. And he debates if any of that was ever the right decision. So, he decides that testing the waters a little, will ease his mind.

“So,” He furrows his brows and dodges yoru eyes for a second. “You and Gar, just…not gonna be a thing?”

You smirk at him, picking your head up and he’s got that coy look he gets when he’s trying to play something off and failing miserably. “Why? Does that pique your interest, Jay?” You’re back to the asking game and that feels comfortable. There’s no pressure in it.

Jason shrugs one shoulder. “Nope.” He tries his best to wipe the grin from his face but he can’t help it.

“Mhm, okay. Whatever you say, birdboy.” You lick your lips. “Nah, not gonna be a thing.” You want to mess with him a little. You’ve missed that a lot. “Kind of into someone else anyway.” You scrunch your nose and Jason snaps his eyes at you, a devious look in his eyes.

“Yeah? And who's that?” There's a teasing smirk on his face while his tone is taunting, as if knowing you’re not going to tell him or that you’ll have some bullshit answer just to mess with him.

You shrug dramatically. “We should join the others.” You have an uncontrollable smirk on your lips and Jason is ready to burst.

“You’re not gonna fucking tell me? Just gonna leave me hanging?” Jason chuckles, his eyes wide.

“We don’t always get what we want, Jason Todd.” You let a laugh fall from your lungs and Jason swears it should have been you.

“Yeah? And what do you want?” Jason cocks his head to the right, taunting you.

A part of you almost blurts it right out, get it out in the open despite better judgment. A part of you almost blurts out to see the look on his face. He’ll get flustered and red will creep from his cheeks down to his neck. His muted forest green eyes will suddenly be a shade closer to the northern lights and you’ll have a good laugh and maybe you’ll get what you want. But, you can’t bring yourself to do it. He just had that with Rose and is still hurt by it. You both have Gar to worry about it and you think it might be shitty if you show up to rescue him and you’ve had this inevitable conversation. And what if he’s fucking with you? Like always. What if, despite everything, he still doesn’t want you? You want him, and you swear you probably always will, but what if he still doesn’t want you? That’s gonna hurt, too. So, you shake your head and decides you’ll tell him but not now. You do, however, decide to have a different conversation.

“Okay, seriously,” You drop the smile and Jason leans forward slightly. “Been thinking about it a little, between worrying about Gar and stuff, the Titans leaving and shit.” You start and Jason is hanging onto every word. He has no idea where this is going. “I wanna go home.”

Jason freezes, the conversation taking a turn. Home? “Like Gotham?” His brows shoot up and he’s not even sure why he’s surprised. You always call Gotham home.

You nod your head softly, chewing the inside of your cheek. “Yeah, uh, I haven’t said anything to anyone. But, yeah. I miss it and honestly, I think it’s just….I like it here and everything. It’s just…I would like to go back and kind of figure out myself. Dick rescued me and I’ll always appreciate that and never forget it. He gave me a shot here and that’s awesome but, I was thrown into this and I think I just…need to go back and find a part of myself again.”

“What do you mean?”

Between everything that’s happened, being here is a lot. At the end of the day, this is the city Jerry bought you to and kept you locked away, tortured you. This is the city that gave you powers you don’t even want. This is the tower that saw you paranoid, waking up screaming from nightmares. Burning Gar. This is the city where you were kidnapped and nearly murdered by Deathstroke. This is the tower that was supposed to be safe, but was attacked anyway. There is so much hidden in these walls, beyond just you that’s impacted everything. You like to run when things get hard and things are really fucking hard right now. You want to go home, a place that you know like the back of your hand. Gotham is always going to be Gotham, but it’s where you’ve always felt the most comfortable and…somehow, safest. And Gotham holds parts of you that are not here. You believe that home is where the heart is but you left part of your heart in Gotham and you want that back.

“I will never be who I was before. But I would like to find some of those parts again. My mom is buried in Gotham. I was…happy there though. Despite fucking everything, I was still happy. And…I…I don’t know.”

“Are you not happy here?”

“No, I am but…it’s different. It might just be the trauma.” You let out a scoff. “But, I was happier there and I just…want to go home. So fucking much,” Your breath is shaky as your brows furrow. “So fucking much has happened in this city and….honestly, I only stayed because I couldn’t abandon Gar. I couldn’t leave him alone and I thought not running, for once, would be good but….” You look to the ground before pulling your legs to your chest, wrapping your arms around your legs and then looking back to Jason. “More shit just happened and…” You let out a breath. “I’m tired, Jay.”

You look tired. You aren’t smirking or grinning at him. Your eyes are dull and you literally look tired and sad. Jason’s chest aches looking at you and he worries a little bit more about you. The ghosts that roam the tower, do more than affect the original Titans. They affect everyone who lives here, on top of their own ghosts that want to follow and taunt them. If anyone in this place deserves to be happy, it would be you.

“Where would you go?” Jason questions and he knows you’re impulsive but he's got a feeling this is something you’ve been thinking about over the last week.

You shrug. “Figure it out.” You let out a broken laugh. “Did before and CPS can’t do shit now, so.” You let out a deep breath, tugging the sleeves of your hoodie over your hands.

Jason would be lying if the thought of asking you to come to Gotham with him didn’t cross his mind when you said you and Gar were a no-go. It was less than a split second but he knew he’d never be able to ask. There’d be no way he’d put that on you, going back to the shitshow of Gotham. But, if you want to do it anyway…

Jason pulls his other leg to his chest, resting his forearms on his knees. “Okay, are you really wanting to do it? Like, no bullshit or whatever. You wanna go back to Gotham?”

You nod. “Mhm. Too heavy here right now.” You dodge your stare to Jason’s hands, catching a glimpse of faint bruising on his knuckles.

Jason gives you an understanding nod. “Want me to talk to Bruce?" The words flow from his mouth like a gentle river, easy and smooth.

Your heart stops in your chest as you snap your eyes to Jason’s. “What? Talk…to Bruce?”

Jason nods. “Not letting your ass go back to the streets. If you’re fucking serious about going back to Gotham, I can talk to Bruce. I know you don’t like him, but it’s a roof over your head, a warm bed, food. In Gotham.”

You adore him. That’s the only thing that’s running through your head. It’s running over and over and over, on loop like a broken record. You adore him for everything he is and everything he isn’t. Asking Bruce, is something you never thought he would do. That is his thing. More so than even reading seems to be because that’s where he’s Robin. But, he offers anyway.

And he offers because he’ll always take care of you. And keep you safe. No matter what.

“You’d really do that?”

“Hell yeah.” Jason gives you a grin, the beating of his heart stutters. “Be more fun if you were there anyway.” Jason shrugs.

“Thank you, Jay.” You smile softly. “I’d really like that.”

“I’ll talk to him, sure he’ll be fine with it. You know he likes strays.” Jason gives you a cheeky grin and you let out a laugh, looking down and then back to him. Jason is relieved you’re okay with it. Maybe even a little thrilled.

“Yeah, when are you gonna start plucking strays? Bruce then Dick, you’re next Batboy.” You point a finger at him and you think he might be good at it, better than Bruce and Dick.

Jason lets out a groan, tilting his head back. “That's the meanest shit you’ve ever said to me.”

Your laugh booms off the walls and Jason’s heart nearly melts through his ribs. “I think it’s probably their best quality!”

Jason’s never felt this before. Not exactly the heart thundering and stuttering or the clammy hands or cheeks aching from smiling too much. But, the comfort he feels with you. The ease of how the conversation moves between you, how it goes from serious to banter to serious, so easily. He’s never had that with anyone before. You’re both worried about your best friend but with each other, you find your own way to deal with it and handle it rather than training yourselves into the ground while waiting. Jason has never felt so comfortable in a place he does not feel welcomed and it’s because of you. He is so sure of that.

Just then, Donna walks in, gathering yours and Jason’s attention.

“Kory and Rachel are here, we’re gonna try to come up with a plan.” Donna states.

“No Dick?” You ask and Donna shakes her head, a look of annoyance on her face.

“Do not say anything.” Donna warns and Jason gains a grin before getting to his feet. “Either of you, please.”

“I won’t, just asking.” You defend while Jason extends a hand to you.

“I don’t have shit to say to her.” Jason lets out a scoff.

You grab his hand and get to your feet. The two of you follow Donna to the kitchen where Dawn and Kory are standing at the center counter and Rachel is seated on the same countertop. Jason and you head to the opposite side of Kory while Donna stands between you and Dawn.

“You’re back.” Rachel states with confusion as she looks at Jason.

“Was told you guys needed the help.” Jason deadpans and he also doesn’t want to deal with Rachel right now.

“Okay, well, we have news about Dick.” Kory states before Rachel can respond.

Rachel and Kory go off to explain that Dick wasn’t in his cell. He must have escaped with the other prisoners or something. Again, you sit there thinking about how you were right and Rachel was wrong about this. Dick could handle himself. He went off to wallow in his own self-pity and now he’s free. It’s like you thought would happen. But, you listen anyway as they get to the weirder stuff about Dick writing on his cell walls that Jericho is alive.

“Well, one thing’s for sure. He’s clearly lost his mind.” Donna says.

“But, I keep having these dreams about Dick being killed by Deathstroke.” Rachel says as she’s seated with her legs crossed on the counter. “And they’re going away. We need to do something about that.”

Jason shifts his weight to his left leg as he crosses his arms. You watch his jaw clench and you know he wants to say something so you move a little closer to him, your arm resting against his. When he looks at you with a quirked brow, you offer him a faint but calm smile. It’s not worth it. You have Gar to worry about not Rachel’s dreams and Dick escaping prison. He’ll be fine.

“I believe you.” Donna says. “But we have bigger problems right now.” Donna flips the case of the iPad open, showing blueprints of the CADMUS building.

“Okay, what’s the plan?” Rachel lets out a sigh and you bite your tongue.

Now that Rachel got to do what she wanted, now she’s on board with saving Gar. You can feel your blood wanting to boil. It’s just so ridiculous and it’s not even like you can say anything because you’ll just argue again and you’re tired of arguing and fighting. So, you bite your tongue and Jason catches you stiffen next to him. It’s his turn to give you a nudge and shake his head. You grin at him and jerk your head toward the women where you stand Donna and Dawn, furthest away from Rachel so you can still see what’s going on.

"Well, the main CADMUS building closes at 9 and security drops down to 10. There's two at each gate and then six roaming inside." Kory explains.

"Okay, what about the lab?" Donna asks as she zooms in.

"Whole different story." Dawn says. "It's a twenty-four-hour operation and in the last week, they've doubled up the guard. Four six-hour shifts, 10 bodies around the clock. Sounds like that's where the party's at."

"Okay, well, let's crash it." Donna says.

"Finally." You let out a sigh.

"It's about damn time." Jason lets out a scoff.

"Oh, so we're just gonna break in CADMUS and get Conner and Gar out of there. Just the six of us?!" Rachel questions.

"Do you have a better idea?" You quip, unable to hold your tongue.

"We don't have a choice right now, okay?" Donna states. "But, between you and Kory, we have plenty of firepower. At least to get us through the front door."

"About that, I've got some bad news." Kory says, gaining everyone's attention. "My powers have vanished."

"Yeah, that tracks." You mutter and it's just one thing after the other here.

"What do you mean?" Donna asks.

"I don't know. I don't know what happened. But they're gone and I haven't been able to get them back." Kory states, frustration in her voice.

"Well, that's fucking great." Donna sighs. "What about you?" Donna asks Rachel.

"Fully loaded but I can't promise that I....won't go a little bit overboard." Rachel rushes her words slightly. "Um, things have been getting a little...dramatic."

Donna looks to you. "How about you?"

"All good and ready to go." You offer her a thumbs-up.

Just then, there's an alert on the iPad. Everyone who can see the iPad starts reading.

"A disturbance at Golden Gate Park. Units responding." Kory reads out loud. "People are injured. Reports of a wild animal."

"Phase two." Rachel states, her voice uneasy. Donna had texted Kory with updates on what they found out from the CADMUS guy and their lack of plan. "It's already begun."

The room falls silent for just a few seconds before everyone starts moving. Jason, Donna, and Dawn grab their suits, you grab a backpack and a change of clothes for Gar, while Kory, and Rachel head downstairs. It only takes you, Jason and the other women a few minutes to get ready and meet at the elevator. Jason hands you one of his helmets and you almost laugh as you take it from him. Of course, you're taking the bike.

"We'll follow you guys." Jason states, getting on the bike, kicking the kickstand up while you get on the back.

"You sure?" Donna asks, the other women already piling into the SUV.

"We'll be fine." You assure her, popping the helmet on, Jason doing the same and sliding down the face shield.

Donna doesn't say anything else before walking off to the SUV. Donna starts driving, moving past Jason and you.

"Hold on." Jason states and you grip his waist tightly before Jason shifts the bike into first and pulls the throttle.

Jason and you follow the SUV closely, keeping the drive silent despite the com system that’s also connected to the SUV. You're both on edge going into this. Gar is your friend. Neither of you want to hurt him. You know you will not do it, no matter what. He's a tiger. All of you together, should be able to stop him without any major problems. But, you’re worried anyway and Jason knows there's a chance you won't have a choice. Bruce trained him and Dick to be prepared if they get brainwashed. Bruce went over what can happened, what being brainwashed can make them do. It can be nearly impossible to stop someone. The last thing Jason wants to do is hurt his friend, again. But, if you're all given choice he knows he'll have to be the one to do it because he wouldn't let you. So, you both stay in your heads until the SUV comes to a sudden stop with an explosion, Jason almost running right into it as the bike swings sideways.

"What the fuck?" Jason yells out.

"Deathstroke. Get down!" They can hear Donna yell through your com systems.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" You groan, ducking into Jason as the sound of constant gunfire echoes around the alley.

Jason looks over at you and for a second, he thinks about leaving. He could get you both out of there completely unscathed. You're hidden behind the SUV and you're not too far into the alleyway. You could take another alley safely, get to Gar. Jason debates it, knowing that with Deathstroke's constant firing, none of you will be able to get close anyway. But, that's backing down and you're supposed to be a team. But, then he come back to you whose grip on him in nearly suffocating and he hears a yelp from in from of you. Jason peaks up to look inside the SUV, seeing Kory's the one who was just shot.

"We have to do something, Jay. We're literally sitting ducks." You yell over the gunfire.

"I know!" Jason yells back and he swears if it weren't for the whole Deathstroke dropping him from a skyscraper problem, he'd have a decision already and you'd both be fine. But, ever since, his head isn't in it and he can't think straight in these situations. The fear of it is almost paralyzing.

"Y/n, Jason, are you two okay?" Dawn yells over the gunfire.

"We're fine." You say back. "Besides the gunfire. What do we do?"

But then, someone jumps from a building and onto the roof the SUV, the gunfire coming to a halt. You and Jason look up to see some random person in a blue and black suit just standing there.

"Who the fuck is this freak now?" Jason sounds absolutely exasperated.

The two of you watch as he flips dramatically and effortlessly off the car.

"You can take the boy out of the circus but you can't take the circus out of the boy." You mutter and you hear Jason chuckle softly, looking back at you.

"Really?"

"He just flipped off the car to Deathstroke, I mean."

Of course, it's Dick. For some reason, that makes perfect sense in the world of insanity you're all currently living in. The two of you flip your face shields up, leaning up to watch through the back of the SUV. Dick starts fighting Deathstroke and holds his own just fine now. Everyone watching is stuck in a state of confusion watching this whole exchange happen. How did Dick even know where to find all of you?

"Who's been hit?" Dick asks.

"Kory." Rachel says.

"You take care of her. I'll take care of him. Jason, Y/n, you two get out of here and get to Gar and Conner. This is my fight." Dick says.

Jason looks back at you and he is not a fan of listening to Dick but, you are sitting ducks back here and at this rate, you'll never make to Gar. So, he puts down his face shield and you follow his lead, gripping his waist tightly before he swings the bike around and peels off in the opposite direction.

When you arrive at the carnival, it's absolute chaos when you get there. Some people are intrigued by a green tiger and others are seeking shelter by leaving or trying to hide out. The two of you spot injured people trying to flee as fast as they can. There’s a sense of unease as you make your way traveling in the direction of the screams. It’s just the two of you, knowing you have to face Gar, your best friend. That’s not something either of you really want to do, ever.

You and Jason spot Gar and Conner from a few yards away. Gar starts attacking Conner, latching onto his arm and Conner is completely unphased. The two of you have a sense of dread. Of course, you knew the report was true. Gar was attacking people but maybe you both had a little bit of hope it wouldn't be this bad. But, for Gar to attack Conner, shit is very not good. And Jason's jaw clenches because he's worried he's too far gone. Gar doesn't eat meat, he doesn't hurt people. And here he is attacking someone who's supposed to be his friend, according to you. And you watch as Conner throws Gar effortlessly twenty yards away and into one of the rides.

"You get Gar." Jason looks at you taking a few steps forward.

One of you is going to need to deal with Gar while the other handles Conner. You can’t solely focus on one of them until the other Titans show up. Jason at least has the experience. And you know about animals.

"Are you insane? He's half Superman." You groan. With Dick showing up and having the other Titans, surely the fight with Deahtstroke can’t take too long and they’ll be here soon.

"Yeah? The fuck you think he's gonna do? Just let Gar go? Not finish him off? You go and I'll distract him."

You shake your head and you hate the idea. You aren't sure how you’re supposed to unbrainwash him. No one exactly prepared you for any of this. And Jason going against Conner sounds terrible. Conner had no issues throwing Gar like a ragdoll and he's at least a tiger and a meta-human. Jason, while he might be Robin, is still just human.

"Look," Jason walks over to you, putting his hands on your shoulders. "Bruce said we need hear traumatic shit to pull us back. That's how he trained us." Jason explains and you want to know who the hell is letting Bruce Wayne train kids? Letting them relive their trauma. "Not sure if it'll fucking work because he should be listening to himself say all that but," Jason shrugs. "Worth a shot." Jason looks over to Conner and then back to you. "If shit gets messy, do something. I trained you, you'll be fine." Jason offers you a smirk that doesn't have the same snarkiness behind it.

"Not me I'm worried about."

"I'm--"

"Robin, yeah, yeah, yeah." You roll your eyes. "Don't do anything fucking stupid, Jay."

Jason gives you a grin, pulling his hands away as he starts walking backwards. "I never do anything stupid."

You nod your head, blinking your eyes slowly at him. He's gonna get his ass handed to him.

You reluctantly let Jason do his thing while you make your way over to Gar. You’re not willing to start telling him stories about the shit he's been through, not without trying something else. If hearing it from himself is supposed to work but not hearing it from you, maybe you telling him good things will work. The opposite.

"Gar?" You kneel down in front of him and you swear your mom is screaming at you from beyond the grave. Tigers are wild animals, not pets and they will eat you. But, this is Gar.

Gar growls at you, lifting his head weakly.

"It's me." You’re cautious. "I know you're in there." You avoid looking directly into his eyes, unsure of how his animal instincts work, especially right now. "Remember when Dick brought me to the tower? You were the first person I talked to and you were so excited because I was watching The Goonies?" You give him a smile. "You brought me pizza. And you, uh, you walked with me around the tower when I thought Jerry was there. Remember when we had a Nerf war against Dick and he got us back? Or that time Jason turned him blue? Or when I beat you at Mario Kart because I messed up your controller? Or when you showed me Resident Evil and you rambled about it for 2 hours.” You let out a soft laugh as you try to think of more things that have happened as quickly as possible.

You aren’t exactly sure what else you’re supposed to tell him, how many things you’re supposed to list. But, he has stopped growling at you.

“You've been there for me through almost every nightmare I've ever had and you were there for me when I completely lost it because of Deathstroke. You're the nicest person I've ever met and you're strong as fuck so I know you're in there somewhere." You scoot closer to him and cautiously and gently, put your hands on either side of his cheeks. The fur is soft under your hands. He growls again but you don't jerk away. "I'm not scared of you. And I know you won’t hurt me." You rest your forehead against his and in tiger form, it feels weird because his head is so much bigger than yours. But, it's soft and warm. "I know you’re in there and I believe in you."

You suck in a breath, closing your eyes. Despite the constant pessimism that seems to be intertwined in your blood, you’re positive this has to be working. He isn’t growling anymore and he’s not trying to eat you. Gar is in there somewhere then, Gar starts to transform back into human form. You can feel his face shift under your hands as you pull away, a gentle and relieved smile pulling at your lips. His eyes flicker at you as a sheepish smile comes to his face. You saved him.

"Hey." You smile widely at him and it's the softest smile you’ve ever given him.

"Thank you." Gar's eyes are tired as he lets out a breath. How did you know to do that?

"You don't have to thank me." You laugh softly. "Here." You pull the backpack off, handing it over. "Grabbed some clothes for you."

"Thank you." Gar lets out an awkward chuckle while you stand up and turn around so he can put the clothes on. He’s surprised you even thought to do that. That you were positive you would be able to get him back and he would need his clothes. Gar will be eternally grateful for you.

"Are you okay?" You ask, still with your back to him. You can't believe it worked and you’re so happy it did. The world is a cruel place, but Gar does not deserve that cruelty. 

"Uh..." Gar stutters. Okay? He knows he just hurt several people, he was brainwashed. He is physically in pain. "Yeah."

"Are you lying?" You question, sticking your hands in your hoodie pouch.

"Yeah." Gar clears his throat, walking up to your side. "Just, a little sore." Gar’s voice is low, a little rough and Gar? Not talking about something? That’s new and you do not like that. But, you won’t push because you still have other problems to deal with. That’s a Tower conversation.

You nod your head softly, brows knitting together. “You sure?”

Gar gives you a fake smile. “Yeah, uh, thank you.” Gar furrows his brows, nodding.

"Of course." You nudge him with your arm. "Come on, we should get over there. We can talk at the Tower if you want?"

Gar nods. "Yeah, thank you."

"You'd do the same for me." You interlock your arm with his and the two of you walk, unsteadily towards the other Titans.

"When did Dick get back?" Gar asks, seeing Dick stand near Conner as Rachel uses her powers to encompass them both.

"Love that you're just used to Rachel doing that." You state. "Uh.... twenty minutes ago, apparently. He saved our asses from Deathstroke."

"Deathstroke's back?" Gar groans. What has he missed since being with CADMUS?

"Assume they took care of him since everyone is here now." You shrug. "It's been a few days." You laugh softly. "I'm just glad you're...okay." You smile softly at him before looking back to the Titans, scanning over everyone.

Donna has her rope around Conner while Rachel is using her powers to hold Conner still so he can't move. Rachel has powers surrounding Dick, fully encompassing him. You’re positive you will never get used to that. Dawn, Hank, and Kory are standing behind them, watching. You can feel your heart in your throat until you spot Jason standing a little off to the side of Hank, holding his arm. You let out a breath at the sight of him.

"Jason's back?" Gar questions, seeming to have noticed him at the same time.

"He came back to help." You answer proudly.

"Got the whole team back together." Gar offers a genuine smile.

"Yeah," You feel a warmth in your chest with the idea of everyone sticking around, even if it won’t happen. "All to save you."

Rachel suddenly stops using her powers, releasing Dick and then Conner. Donna releases her rope and Conner seems to be back. He looks around for just a second in horror at the mess. But, then, he looks towards the CADMUS vehicles and starts walking fiercely towards them, you and Gar moving quickly out of his way and towards the others. CADMUS starts firing their guns at Conner which is just a waste since he's literally bulletproof. And none of the Titans are going to stop in to stop him. This is now Conner's fight.

"Nice to have you back, man." Jason gives Gar a nod as he approaches the both of you.

"Thanks for coming back."

"Don't mention it." Jason lets out a scoff, offering you a smile.

"You okay?" You ask, taking a quick glance over him.

"Yeah, all good." Jason nods at you, cocky grin dancing across his lips.

Everyone gathers around as Conner comes back. He stands in front of everyone, getting a better look at the damage caused before he puts the blame on himself. He says it wasn't him but he still did it. Donna is the first one to tell Conner that it's okay and everyone is just glad to have him back.

The people at the carnival then start to come out of hiding, cheering for the Titans. That's a bit surprising but it is kind of nice. Everyone collectively smiles and waves softly. You aren't sure how you feel about it. There's a lot of attention on all of you but it's nice the people appreciate it, rather than hating all of you. You feel a little too exposed but you smile anyway, trying to deal with it because that's what Titans do.

There's a little girl who points out her doll stuck on a ride. Dawn sees the little girl and grabs the doll before walking the doll back to the little girl. But then, everyone hears electricity cackle from above. One of the electric light displays starts to tilt towards Dawn. She rushes as many as she can away, telling everyone to get back before Donna runs and catches the piece of equipment before it falls onto the innocent civilians.

She holds it above her head as it electrocutes her. Every one of you watch in a state of horror, unsure what to do and if any of you can even help. She’s Wondergirl but that doesn’t mean she’s immune to electricity especially that much and for more than just a few seconds. But, there’s nothing any of you can do and after just twenty seconds, Donna goes limp and falls onto the beam.

Dick runs to her and holds her body in his arms. No one says a word, everyone just stands there and watches. How did that kill Wondergirl? Of all things, how? At a carnival? Your heart breaks with the sight and you really liked Donna. You looked up to Donna. Gar hangs his head and you reach down to hold his hand while Jason puts a hand on your shoulder. It's just not fair.

The team goes back to the tower, Hank carrying Donna's body. The tower feels emptier than it ever has before. It's darker than usual, completely silent. It feels like the Reaper is actively looming over the entire Tower, haunting every single one of you. You all lost one of your own tonight, and at a carnival. It wasn't Deathstroke or Dr. Light. Just a piece of electrical equipment that never should have fallen to begin with. And it was Donna. Wondergirl. The reality of it is too heavy for any of you to carry. So, the you all go your separate ways through the tower.

You go off to your room to change and figure you'll check on Gar right after. You’re sad about Donna, despite everything you looked up to her. And it's rough that of all Titans, she's the one killed. And saving people. It hurts through every part of your body and you’re tired of loss. But you focus on Gar because dealing with those feelings isn't something you really want to do. It hurts and when things hurt, you run from them. Avoid them. And Gar just went through something traumatic and now he has to deal with the loss of Donna who he knew a lot better than you did. You focus on your best friend because his feelings about everything just happened are far more important.

Apparently, Jason had the same idea because when you leave your room, Jason was already making his way to Gar's room. Rachel, though, is already leaving Gar's room by the time you join Jason.

"He's not in there." Rachel lets out a sigh.

"Training room?" Jason questions, looking to you.

"Probably." You sigh and the three of you let your bitterness go between each other to find Gar.

The three of you head to the training room where you find Gar sitting alone on one of the benches with his head hung. The three of you pause, your hearts aching for your friend but then move forward. Rachel sits to Gar's left while you sit on his right, Jason standing in front of you. You and Rachel wrap your arms around Gar to hug him while Jason rests his hand on Gar's shoulder. Gar basically collapses into you and Rachel and you both hug him tighter, squeezing him against you to try to offer some type of comfort to the gentle boy who deserved better.

Gar's let out a whimpered cry, Jason giving Gar's shoulder a squeeze and he didn't think he'd see his friend like this. Jason doesn't let people see him as anything less than strong and sturdy, besides you. But, he admires Gar in a way because Gar doesn't really either but he puts on a smile instead of relentless sarcasm. He smiles and then offers kindness and help to others instead of collapsing. There's something admirable in that but he's crying now, breaking and it hurts Jason to see his friend like this.

"It's my fault." Gar lets out a soft whimper.

"It's not your fault." Rachel says quickly.

"None of this is your fault." You assure right after.

"I was the one brainwashed and that got Donna killed." Gar whines while you and Rachel pull away, Jason taking a knee in front of you.

"But, that's not your fault. That's what CADMUS did." Rachel says, her words slow.

"Yeah, that's on CADMUS. Not you." You state.

"CADMUS got her fucking killed, not you, man." Jason assures him.

"But she died because I didn't call Bruce about Conner."

"Look, I said it then and I'm gonna say it again, you did what you thought was best. None of this is on you." You state, getting a look of confusion between Jason and Rachel. Call Bruce? "Bruce probably wouldn't have showed up in time anyway and all this shit would have happened. Not on you."

"Yeah..." Rachel nods in agreement, unsure of what any of that means but is certain none of this could possibly be Gar's fault.

"It's not fair." Gar's voice is so small.

"It's not." Jason shakes his head. "It's fucking bullshit. But, that's not your fault." Jason lets out a sigh. Jason has no idea how to offer comfort to anyone besides you. One of the only people he’s ever been good with is you but, he does know that escapism is Gar’s thing. He likes movies and he likes video games. Jason can’t offer comforting words, but he can offer a movie. "Hey, man, why don't we go...watch one of your movies or something? Like we used to." Jason offers and the offer caches all three of you off guard but you and Rachel say nothing, instead you wait for Gar to talk.

"Not really feeling it, Jason." Gar lets out a huff.

"So?" You quip. "You like movies and you don't deserve to drown yourself in the guilt of everything that's not your fault."

"Exactly. I can make us popcorn and order from that pizza place you like." Rachel offers Gar a gentle smile and you let the anger for Rachel fade just a little. You’re not sure what was up Rachel's ass last night, but she does care about Gar and it's very obvious now.

"Come on, man." Jason groans and gives Gar a grin. "All of us getting along, watching something again?"

Gar lets out a weak laugh, you and Rachel smiling softly at each other. "Okay, okay, yeah." Gar nods with agreement.

Jason smiles proudly, getting to his feet and offering Gar his hand. Gar takes his hand and stands up.

"Uh, can you guys give us a second? We'll meet you out there."  Rachel asks, Sam snapping her attention to her.

Jason eyes the two of you suspiciously, not sure if leaving you both alone is the best thing to do but he nods anyway and Gar smiles softly, leaving with Jason.

"I wanted to talk to you." Rachel sucks in a breath.

With everything that's happened tonight, Rachel wants to get everything out in the open and squash everything. It's been bothering her a little bit since last night. Rachel never had many friends. This is the first time, she has more than one and it sucks fighting. Even if she knows her own feelings were valid, she knows yours were, too. So, she'd rather get it over with now rather than wait.

"I gathered." You nod your head.

"I'm sorry for what I said last night."

The apology catches you by surprise but you’re glad this is where this conversation is going. "Yeah...me, too." You swallow your pride and honestly, life is too fucking short. At the end of the day, you're in this together. You're Titans, together. Doesn't matter where you are or if you get along, you're in it together.

"I was...Dick is like an older brother and the dreams make everything feel so real and sometimes it is. Not having dreams about Gar, made me think he was okay. But, with Dick..."

"It felt like he really was in more danger?"

"Yeah, it was never that I was choosing between them or that I don't care about Gar."

"I know." You nod your head quickly. "I was just so mad about everything. I mean, I'm still dealing with Deathstroke shit and honestly, maybe I was a little...” You scrunch your nose. “Hurt that Jason left...with Rose. Then, getting attacked, not feeling good enough again. I took a lot of that out on you because I was still mad at you for Jason."

"I should have talked to him. I never meant for him to spiral like that. I didn't think the other Titans had stuff going on. It was just me and I thought it had to be him." Rachel admits and truly, she never dreamed Jason was in that bad of a headspace. Rachel can explode just like everyone else, but she’s not cruel.

"I just wish you would have listened to me at least. Jason, fine, I get that, but we're supposed to be friends so. I just...I was mad. And...." You pause. "Scared, honestly. Jason wasn't answering me, Gar was kidnapped and hurt. Those...they both mean a lot to me and it was a lot."

"We were both just scared for everyone."

"Yeah," You laugh softly. "I am...sorry I punched you. Especially hearing this side of it. Give you shit for not hearing Jason out only for me not to offer you that kindness. I'm sorry."

"Thank you." Rachel smiles softly. "I will apologize to him, too."

You smile kindly. "Thank you. He'll probably yell at you but I'm serious, just let him yell." You scrunch your nose. "He'll be fine after he yells." You laugh softly.

"I will." Rachel assures you.

"Hey, he's leaving anyway so...it won't be too bad."

Rachel's face falls. "He's leaving?"

You nod sadly. "Mhm, he's only here for Gar and then he's gone. Back to Gotham, back to Bruce."

"Are you okay? I know what I said but..." Rachel offers a sympathetic look.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm okay." You give her a fake smile and you decide not to tell Rachel.

You’re willing to move on from everything, especially if she apologizes to Jason. You were both just stressed and scared and worried. It was a lot for the both of you. But a part of you is a little worried that if you tell Rachel, she might tell Gar before you can. You know you’re going to stay here for at least a little bit to make sure he's okay and you aren't sure when you'll tell him. You don't want Rachel thinking you’re withholding the information on purpose or Rachel accidentally letting it slip. So, you sit on it and assure Rachel you’re okay.

"We're all good and I know Gotham is his home."

"Okay, if you want to talk.." Rachel smiles softly.

"Thank you. I'm sorry again for all of that shit. Are we okay?"

Rachel leans forward, pulling you in for a hug and you freeze for a second. And then you hug Rachel back.

"Yeah, we're okay." Rachel pulls away and gets up, offering you her hand. "Let's see what movie Gar picked."

The two of you make your way to the living room where you see Gar and Jason seated on the couch, an open space between them. Dick is just walking in with two bowls of popcorn, Kory holding a few drinks. You and Rachel look between each other before giving the older Titans soft smiles and taking your rightful seats on either side of Gar. Conner and Krypto are next to join as Gar scrolls through the movies and lands on one he's seen a handful of times.

"What are we watching, Gar?" Dick asks, passing one of the bowls down the couch to younger Titans.

"Ready Player One." Gar offers a soft smile as clicks the movie, the room not knowing anything about it.

"Spielberg, come on guys." You look around.

"That explains absolutely fucking nothing." Jason chuckles with the shake of his head.

"It's a video game movie, kind of." Gar explains, clicking the movie.

"That makes sense." Kory laughs softly.

Gar turns on the movie with a soft smile and the room falls silent. Dick and Kory saw Jason and Gar walk in, plopping on the couch. When they asked what they were doing and Gar said watching a movie, they offered to join. Dick would join every once in a while anyway and he just lost his best friend tonight. It was more so Kory's idea but Dick went along with it. The four of you are still his responsibility and maybe this isn't such a bad idea.

"What's going on?" Hank asks about half an hour into the movie, Dawn right at his side as they see the living room filled with Titans.

"We're watching a movie." Kory offers him a smile. "A video game movie."

Gar offers Hank a smile, the indicator it was clearly his choice. Hank chuckles softly while Dawn reaches down for his hand and walks the two of them into the living room to join the group of you, picking up two of the only open spots left.

The room falls silent as the movie plays, the new Titans sharing a bowl of popcorn (and maybe tossing a piece to Krypto every now and again). Gar explains every movie reference that shows up to everyone who hasn’t seen it which is almost always Jason and Kory. All of you just let Gar explain it and hear him get excited again, and for that short time during the movie, the grief of losing Donna doesn’t hurt so much. For that two and a half hours, you all live in peace with each other and every one of you needed it.

Two days later, the entire team meets up at a private airport, everyone dressed in black. You’re all sending Donna off in a casket back to Themyscira and her people have come to take her back. To say it was depressing would be an understatement. It was hard for every single one of you. Despite any problems the Titans had, Donna meant a lot to all of you and it's agonizing officially saying goodbye. And that's when Rachel decided to tell everyone she'd be going with. She wants to try and resurrect her. Something in her believes she has the power to do it, or at the very least try. You find it admirable.

Bruce flew in to see Donna off, too. And Rose showed up at the tower the day before, wanting to try out being a Titan for a little bit until she figures out what she really wants to do. Especially with having Jericho's consciousness. That was a little awkward for Jason and you. But it was nice seeing Bruce show up and maybe he's not all too bad. He gave you a pair of gloves when he showed up, explaining Jason and Gar had called him with the idea. Made with zylon fibers. Not only was it nice of those boys, but it was really nice of Bruce to go out of his way to do that.

Everyone got to be Titans that night, too. There was an alert of a problem happening and everyone, one by one, got up from the table to get suited up (or changed) and head out to fight for the first time as a full team. It went off without a hitch, too. You were a large team and it felt so good to be out there, doing exactly what the Titans are supposed to be doing. Saving and protecting people who cannot do it themselves.

Jason and Bruce flew out the following day. Saying goodbye to Jason, this time, didn't hurt nearly as much. You knew you'd be back in Gotham soon enough and he wasn't leaving over horrible circumstances. He wasn't leaving because he felt like he had to anymore, as if it was forced on him. It was a little sad, but you both knew it was not permanent.

Within a few days, you get a call from Jason giving you the all good. Bruce said you’re welcome to stay as long as you like. You said you wanted to give it a little longer, to make sure Gar is okay especially with Rachel leaving. Dawn and Hank also were very clear on them not staying very long. So, you owe it to him to make sure he's okay before you take off, too. He won't be alone this time. He'll have Dick, Kory, Conner, and Krypto but you owe him.

Over the next month, you hang around Gar, making sure he’s okay. At first, it was his turn to suffer from nightmares about being brainwashed and killing the Titans. Those were rough nights but Gar is resilient and he talks. He talks through all of it then escapes into video games until he’s ready to talk again. The whole time you offer him the listening ear, and assure him that everything was CADMUS’s fault. The talking and video games and friendship helps. Gar picks himself up pretty quickly, swinging back into the routine of things and it helps that you’re all actually being Titans now. You’re actually accomplishing missions and working together which is making everyone feel useful for once.

And over that month of being there for Gar, you feel yourself deteriorating. It’s easy to avoid feelings and problems and trauma when you’re focused on someone or something else. But, Gar gets better and you get worse. It’s as if your flight or fight has been kicked into overdrive the whole time but now with things getting, somewhat back to normal, it’s crashing.

The nightmares are consistent and at this point, you swear you’ll never get a full night’s rest ever again. The paranoia is back, more so than it was even with Jerry. The attack on the tower made it feel not safe. Even with the other Titans around, it doesn’t feel safe anymore because that bubble was popped. You weren’t the one kidnapped that time, but it lingers in the depths of your mind anyway and you’re always waiting for something like that to happen again, looking over your shoulder. So, you don’t sleep for more than two to three hours and you train. You’re always found either with Gar or in the training room running yourself to the ground. And you know that with Gar doing okay, it’s time because you can’t live like this anymore and there’s a place for you Gotham.

The problem is that you definitely haven't told anyone. Every day, you swore you would do it. You'd get up the courage to do it. And instead, you'd train and avoid it. You'd dodge questions about Jason. You'd bury yourself in your scrapbook. The idea of telling them, wasn't a good one. You ran from the conversation but, you can't do that anymore and you know you can't. So, you find yourself in the display room, trying to muster up the courage to tell Dick and Gar.

Dick walks in and he's had a suspicion. He's seen that look before. He has worn that look when he decided to leave Gotham and go to Detroit. You’ve been a bit spacey lately, too and at first, he thought it was everything that happened. You’ve been the main person looking after Gar but he watched the security footage back. He knows you were attacked and fought just as hard. You lost Donna, too. But, as the days went by, something seemed off. Dick is a detective and since finally coming to clean about Jericho, his head is far more clear and he's picking up on a lot of things a lot better. You haven't done anything new to your room or asked for anything. You’ve picked up extra chores and then there’s the training. Dick just knows.

"You're leaving, aren't you?" Dick asks, standing beside you, keeping his stare at the displays.

You turn your head, the sad smile growing as you nod. You aren't going to lie. You need to tell him and he figured it out but it hurts to confirm it anyway. "Yeah, I am."

Dick nods, his expression sad as he looks at you "Can I ask where?"

"You've gotten a little better at asking things, Dick Grayson." Your voice is soft but holds your signature sarcasm. You shake your head, sticking your hands in the pouch of your hoodie before sucking in a breath. "Gotham." You look to your shoes, knowing you can end the conversation here but decide to try not to run from this one thing. You owe Dick that much. "It's home, ya know?" You look up at Dick and he nods.

"Yeah," His voice is understanding as he puts his hands in his pockets. "But, it doesn't have to be."

"I know." You answer. "But..." You pause, looking back to the display columns. You love to give him shit because he makes it easy and he’s he oldest. He’s basically everyone’s older brother. But, you owe him the explanation because he has done a good job here, especially after confessing the stuff about Jericho. You never want him to think you leaving is because he failed or something. "Um...a-a lot happened here, this Tower, this city. It’s a lot for me and I don’t know if I can handle dealing with all of that here. Gotham though, it might be a mess, but it’s home. I was happy there.” You let out a scoff, chewing the inside of your cheek. “More shit just keeps happening here and I need to find that part of myself that can be happy despite the bullshit. I don’t think I can find that here. I left some of myself in Gotham and I just want to see if I can find some of that again, get over some of this shit. I don’t know.” You shrug your shoulders. “Gotham is home, probably always will be and I...wanna go home.”

"I understand." Dick's voice is quiet and he's sad to see your leave but he understands. Finding himself was the hardest thing he ever did but it was worth it. He doesn't like the idea of you going to Gotham, not with what Gotham does to people but if it's what you need to do, he can't stand in your way. "Where are you gonna stay?"

You give him a dry chuckle. "With Bruce and Jason." You shake your head again as you roll your eyes. "I understand the irony in that."

"Jason pull some strings?" Dick is a little relieved that you won’t be homeless in Gotham, not he ever thought Jason would let you.

"Mhm." You hum. You don't want to get into it. Dick does not want to hear about that one.

"Have you told Gar?"

You shake your head and the very mention of his name makes you want to run out of the display room and away from this conversation. "No. I will." You say quickly. "You just asked first."

"Tell him soon." Dick says. He has a lot to say but he doesn't want to sway your decision or guilt you about it. He took you in, took Rachel in, and he’s watching you both go off on your own to do your own thing. Maybe he’s a little proud, too.

"I will when we're done." You let out a deep breath. You turn to face him completely this time and you hate to admit, but you'll miss him. "Thank you for letting me be a Titan."

The corner of Dick's lips tugs into a sad smile. "You'll always have a place as a Titan, okay?"

You nod. "So, I can come back when I figure my shit out?" You hope one day you’ll want to. You do like being a Titan, using your powers for good. But for now, it’s not healthy for you.

"Of course." Dick smiles at you. "Go talk to Gar." Dick sucks in a breath and he's let so many people down. He's let you guys down and he won't do that again. "Hey, be careful, okay?"

"Because Jason." You state and the two of them actually worked out some of their shit while Jason was here. Dick actually apologized but you suspect that's what he means anyway because Dick will always think Jason is reckless and impulsive and a bad influence.

Dick shakes his head. "You two have that figured out." Dick lets out a chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck and you raise a brow at him. "With Bruce."

You offer a singular, large nod. "I will, I see how you and Jason turned out. You don't have to worry. If...shit hits the fan though...I can call, right?"

"Of course. We'll all be there."

"Thank you. I'm gonna go talk to Gar." You turn to leave. "Hey," You turn back around. "Keep doing this, you're getting a lot better at it."

You head to Gar's room next, deciding to rip the band-aid off. You do feel a little better after talking with Dick. It didn't go terribly wrong which means it should be okay with Gar. You knock on his door quickly, before walking inside. Gar is sat on his couch playing Resident Evil and he looks over his shoulder quickly, offering you a kind smile. The guilt floods back into your blood like a dam's just broken. He looks so happy and content and you’re about to break this to him.

"Hey." You say quietly, taking a seat beside him.

"Hey." He offers you a smile, pausing his game. "What's up?"

"Um..." Your brows furrow as you tug your sleeves over your hands. The action does not go unnoticed and Gar knows something’s up. "I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Is everything okay?" Gar asks, hesitance in his voice.

"I-I, uh, I'm....leaving." You get the words out but it feels like your vocal cords are short-circuiting.

It's as if Gar can feel the last of his heart breaking. Everyone is leaving and he's gonna be left here. Sure, he has Dick and Conner and Kory and Krypto but...what about everyone else? His best friends?

"Why?" He asks, his voice cracking.

"I....I-I-I I just....I need to figure out who I am now. I'm....not...I'm not who I was before and..." You choke down the lump of guilt clogging on your throat. "I need to go back to Gotham and find me and....just figure out my fucking shit."

"Why can't you do that here?" He asks and he's so sad, you can see it in the way his eyes dodge yours

You shake your head, offering him full transparency. "I fucked up. I couldn't save Jason and me. I have these powers and they were fucking useless. I couldn't talk him out of it, hell, I went along with it. I never would have done that before. But...I felt like I had something to prove to myself. That I'm strong and I'm not as weak as Jerry made me feel but then I was dropped from a fucking skyscraper with my best friend and we almost died. And then........." You keep your eyes on him because if you’re going to do this, you owe him that. "CADMUS attacked and I couldn't save any of us, or myself." You scoff. "Then, Donna." You shake your head. "I just feel useless and not good enough and...scared. I'm so sick feeling that way and running myself right into the ground over it. I never had healthy coping mechanisms but..." You suck in a deep breath. "I don't sleep and I train all the time. I need to leave and get away from the this city, figure out who I am outside of a Titan because I was thrown into this. I chose it, but thrown into it and I need to just get away for a little bit. Gotham is a shitshow, but it's fucking home."

"Gotham?" Of course, it's Gotham. Where else would you go? But, it hurts anyway. That's literally across the country.

"I know." You nods softly. "It's....it is my home, Gar. I was born there and raised there for almost my entire life. My mom is buried there. I need to go back. It's....I always felt like I belonged there"

He nods, not knowing what else to say. He won't convince you to stay, it's not him. He respects you and your decision even though it hurts. Even though he's upset. It hurts. Everyone is leaving again.

"You're not useless." Gar gets out. "And you are good enough. I know you don't believe it but it's true."

You nod. "Yeah, it just doesn't feel like it and I need to not feel like this anymore."

"I understand." Gar offers a solemn nod.

"I'm so sorry."

"You don't have to be sorry." Gar forces a sad smile to his face. "It's what's best for you. If it's going to make you happy, it's the right thing to do."

"Thank you." You swear you have no idea what you did to deserve his friendship.

"Where are you gonna stay?"

You let out a soft laugh. "That's the irony. With fucking Bruce Wayne and Jason, of course."

"You're gonna live with Batman?" Gar's eyes widen and it makes you laugh.

"Mhm, can you believe it?"

"Do...do you think you'll see the Batcave?"

Your nose scrunches as you lets out a laugh. Of course, that's what Gar is interested in. "I hadn't thought about it, Gar."

"It's Batman's Manor." Gar's eyes are wide with excitement.

"If I see the Batcave, I'll let you know." You shake your head. "You could come visit and you're a Titan so like...maybe you'd convince Bruce to show you anyway."

"That'd be so cool." Gar beams.

"I kind of just wanna throw a Baterang."

"You would." Gar chuckles softly. "Jason though." Gar shakes his head and he's also kind of waiting to see when that's gonna happen. He's pretty sure everyone kind of is at this point.

"One of the free perks of living with Bruce Wayne." You state and Gar groans. "What?"

"Nothing." Gar shakes his head. You and Jason will figure it out. "When do you leave?"

You offer him a yikes expression before giving him an awkward smile. "Two days."

"You waited until now to tell me?"

"Yeah, I'm gonna try to work on that. I was scared." You shrug. "It seems easier not to tell you."

"You can always tell me things."

"I know." You let out a soft laugh. "Did...you wanna play some Mario Kart though? We have two days to still play." You’re ready to be done having the conversation. It’s not easy for either of you and you’d rather be enjoying the time you have left rather than talking about it.

Gar lets out a laugh, a toothy smile landing on his lips. "Okay, yeah, grab the controllers." Gar states, saving his game while you grab the controllers from the switch.

It's gonna be weird not having you around. But, Gar understands it's what's best for you. He'll never stand in your way just like he didn't with Rachel or Jason or anyone else that's left. If he's learned anything, it's that the Titans do come back together eventually. Gar has hope you'll be back so he'll enjoy your last two days like he has been.

The next two days go by in a blur and soon enough, it's time for you to leave. You look around your room with a backpack on your shoulders. You give the room a sad smile and you swear you'll be back one day. You do love being a Titan but you need to figure you out now. It's time and you'll be back one day. So, you walk towards the door and close it behind you.

You walk out into the kitchen where Dick, Kory, Gar, Conner, and Krypto are seated around. You offer them all a sad smile. Kory is the first to say goodbye, offering you a hug and telling you not to get into too much trouble. Conner is next, also offering a hug and saying it was nice getting to know you. You make him promise to send you Krypto updates. Gar is next and he wraps you in the tightest hug he's ever given you.

"You'll keep in touch right?" Gar pulls away, eyes sad but filled with hope.

"Of course." You laugh softly. "You're my best friend, always." You flash him a toothy smile

"Good because I'm really gonna miss you."

"I’m gonna miss you, too. I'm just a phone call and flight away." You assure him. "Come visit."

"Will do." Gar offers you a sheepish nod, stepping back so Dick can say goodbye.

Dick stands in front of you and offer you a handshake.

"So fucking professional. You know, you took me in for no reason at all."

"You were injured."

"Yeah, but you could have brought me to a hospital." You quip. "Thank you for everything you've done for me, Dick." This is the most sincere you’ve ever been with Dick. "Thank you for looking out for me and saving my life, more than once. One hundred points for you." A confident smile comes to your lips.

Dick lets out a laugh. "You were really keeping a point system?"

"Well, I was joking but you seemed so surprised, I needed to commit to the bit. So, congrats on your win."

"Thank you." Dick's eyes widen with sarcasm.

You close the distance between you and hug him. It catches Dick off guard but he hugs you back.

"Listen to Kory, don't get into too much trouble."

"Have no worry, Dickolas. I've grown." You say as you pull away.

"You have." Dick nods at you.

"Well, I'll be back and I'll keep in touch." You offer all of them a last smile before walking over to Gar and giving him one final and long hug. You'll miss him the most.

You pet Krypto and give him a kiss before you head to the elevator. Everyone heads to the hallway to watch you leave and the doors shut. This is it, you’re really going home. After over a year, you’re finally going back home and it might be a little bittersweet but you’re so happy. Gotham is a shit show but it will always be home. You miss it.

You exit the building and right outside, there stands Jason with his motorcycle, one helmet on the bike and the other in his hand. He gives you a wide grin. He didn't tell you he was coming. You were given the address for the private landing strip where Bruce would send his private jet to pick you up. You were okay with that actually, just some time to be alone. But now you’re looking at Jason you’re so relieved to see him.

"Miss me?" Jason quips as you get closer.

You scrunch your nose, shrugging your shoulder. "Nope, not even a little bit."

"Alright, fuck you." Jason chuckles, looking to the ground and then back to you. Maybe this has been the longest month of his life.

"I don't think Bruce would appreciate us joining the mile-high club in his jet." You quip, Jason gaining the devious smirk that makes fireworks explode through your heart.

"He doesn't have to know." Jason quips right back.

"No!" You shake your head, a booming laugh escaping your lips. "Shut the fuck up." You close the distance between you, bringing him into a hug and you didn't think he'd actually come just to fly back to Gotham. But, you’re so happy he did. "You didn't have to come. I could have flown alone." You pull away, the biggest smile Jason has ever seen splits your face.

Jason shrugs. "Yeah, but that's not very fun. Thought you'd like some company."

"Thank you, Jay."

"Anytime, babe." Jason hands you a helmet.

"Can't just take an Uber like a normal person?" You quip while the two of you get on the bike. You put the helmet on while Jason gets ready.

"Nope, this is faster." Jason taunts you, looking back at you.

"Okay, Fast and The Furious." You roll your eyes as Jason slides his face shield down.

"Ready to go home?" Jason asks, looking back at you.

"Hell yeah." You slide your own face shield down, wrapping your arms around him before Jason kicks it into first.

The city goes by in a blur as Jason zips between traffic and you have a smile under your helmet. Every piece of you that might have been second-guessing this decision washes away. You’re going home and having Jason be the one that's there, makes the whole experience a little bit better. And you’re so excited to get back to Gotham, see what it will bring you this time around. And Jason is thrilled to be bringing you back home. It'll just be the two of you in Gotham. No Titans, no Deathstroke. Just you. It's you and him.

prev. chapter | Book 2 masterlist 

series masterlist | masterlist | tag list

A/N: Book 1: Okay hi, so I know I skipped over quite a bit but this was already so long lmao and I didn’t wanna break it up. If y’all want an exert from anything I skipped over, just let me know!! Thank you guys again for reading. It truly means SO much to me 😭

Book 2: First of all, I get to the point EARLY in book 2, I promise!!!!! I literally have that already written lol Chapter 1 of book 2 will be out in 2 weeks!! I’ll try to stay posting on Wednesday/Thursdays!! Book 2 also follows canon pretty closely so look forward to that angst lol But, yeah I’ll be part with chapters in 2 weeks!! Thank you guys!! 😭

Tag list: @fairyofshampoo // @italiana-20 // @jasontoddsmentaldisorders // @purplerose291 // @lovelessamai  // @makaelaseresin // @lenidaslenchen // @mayfieldss // @ghostkingblake // @im-done-with-this-im-out // @velvetskies // @lilylovelyxo // @cryinghotmess // @yesimwriting // @vivian-555 // @anthemabby // @baebeepeach​

#gar logan #jason todd #gar logan x reader #garfield logan x reader #jason todd x reader #gar logan fanfic #gar logan fanfiction #jason todd fanfic #jason todd fanfiction #titans #titans fanfic #titans fanfiction #caving in

[nehswritesstuffs]

Avid Reader

I’ve been trying to figure out something LawBin to write for ages now and I’ve finally done it!

3413 words; for @rimetin, who is a sweetheart; takes place post-Dressrosa but pre-Wano (clearly); I am a manga eye color truther so this means brown for Robin and yellow for Law sorry but those are the rules; the fact this ship doesn’t have more traction in Anglophone circles is very interesting to me but hey be the change you want to see in the world I guess; there is no real plot just these two making clumsy moves on one another since it’s me test-driving writing this ship; it kinda got away from me but what else is new

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Trafalgar D. Water Law was getting desperate.

Okay, so maybe that was a strong word. Desperate. It did accurately describe the depth of his feelings as he wandered around the… ugh… Going Luffy-senpai looking for a quiet place to just exist for a while. The rest of the ship felt like one big and obnoxious party, despite the fact that all he wanted was to be left alone the entire rest of the way to Zou—and therefore his crew. There was only one problem with that: his host was making it actively uncomfortable for all but the Straw Hats, which was probably the most annoying part of all.

Eventually, he was able to slip away from both Straw Hat and Bartolomeo long enough to go below deck and begin looking through some of the more empty rooms. After a few open doors leading to sleeping areas, storage space, and further shrines to the Straw Hats, Law eventually found a room labeled “LIBRARY”, which he slipped into without question.

“Couldn’t take much more atop deck?” Law glanced over into a corner and saw Nico Robin curled up on a couch by a port hole, a stack of books at her feet and one in her hands. He let out a heavy sigh of relief, one that she instantly caught. “So I’m correct.”

“You have no idea,” he grunted. He looked around and took in the fact that there was a library on the Going—ahem—on the ship. A quick inspection of the nearest shelf found that it was scarily stocked as well. “Had no idea that our host could even read.”

“Pretty sure it came with the ship,” Robin smirked. She sprouted an arm off the bookcase and plucked a specific book off a shelf, handing it to Law. “This one will suit your interests, I feel.”

He looked at the cover—it was a fiction novel. “Nico-ya, I was aiming for something a little less…”

“If you were looking for a medical journal, unfortunately that is the closest thing you’re going to find, and that includes in the infirmary; I checked,” she replied nonchalantly. “At least the main love interest is a court physician.”

“I’m not looking for a romance novel.”

“You’ll be hard-pressed to find anything different… unless you feel you’re ready to take on Luffy and Rooster-kun again…”

“Eh… I’ve fallen asleep to worse.” Law flopped himself down on the ratted armchair near the other porthole—one leg hooked over the side—and reluctantly cracked the book open to the first page, figuring it was better than nothing. At least if one of the more obnoxious of his fellow passengers found him, he could easily enough shoo them off with a glare and a lie on the topic.

Okay, he had to hand it to Robin; at least she had pushed a book on him that was well-written. It reminded him of the books he’d occasionally find in his parents’ home library, or on the sisters’ desks at school. He’d read a few of them back then, raising his eyebrow at how his mother kept reading them despite anatomy Not Working That Way, but mostly gave them a personal hard pass. What did a little boy know about romance? What did a child understand about relationships spurred on by hormones that they had yet to experience? His parents had never stopped him from reading anything, however, making the novel oddly nostalgic despite the fact he had never seen it before in his life.

The main character was a woman, strong-willed and sharp-tongued as such protagonists oft were. Her quick wit was integral to her getting out of scrapes, but also getting her into trouble as well. There was something amiss at the noble court she had been contracted by a neighboring kingdom to investigate, their tenuous alliance under the World Government’s flag being one that required more skill and finesse than a normal inquiry could garner. She held herself well and was damn good at her job. Said job was testing her limits, and for good reason: there was very clearly something going on, and yet everyone was covering their tracks almost too well. With each new character she covertly investigated, the more tangled the case became, until there was a sort of pallor that hung in the air, tightening around her neck like one of Doflamingo’s strings.

Ah, yes, there was the court physician, finally back from assignment; Law checked and saw he was about a third of the way through. The character was dashing and desirable, possibly the only one to potentially jeopardize the investigation with his odd sort of magnetism that changed the entire mood of the book. It was all the main character could do to keep a level head with him around. They stole each other away from the costume ball and began to kiss passionately out on the veranda, the novel devolving into descriptors almost more at home in Shachi’s collection of naughty Sora, Warrior of the Sea fan zines.

Quirking his eyebrows, Law knew the implications involved with Robin having expressly recommended this book to him. They were still allies until they reached his crew, but this… this was far from appropriate for mere allies, threatening his poker face with… let’s be honest. It was smut she handed him. At least, it was about to become smut if he was gauging it correctly. He flipped to a few pages further on and… yeah. It was down-right filthy. Wasn’t she with Robo-ya? As in they were together-together? It didn’t make sense…

Law then made the mistake of glancing over to where Robin was still sitting, light now filtering in directly through the porthole now. It caught her dark hair and brown eyes in a way he had not seen before, causing a brief thought to cross his mind. Seas, was it the book’s flowing language getting to him or was she rather pretty with her nose in a book? He realized he had been staring when she turned her gaze up and gave him a smile.

“Enjoying the novel, Torao-kun?” she chuckled. His face darkened in blush and he dropped his eyes back to the page.

“Nothing… just…” A lie, a lie, quick… “With the sun I’m seeing some differences between you now and when your bounty photo was taken—the one our host has framed. Did you have access to vitamin supplements wherever it was you were hiding?” Okay, not the best of his lies, but it would do for the time being.

“Hmm…? What do you mean…?”

“You’re much paler now. A change of that magnitude can only come from a prolonged period with minimal sun exposure. Usually vitamin supplements are necessary when such a relocation happens.”

“No vitamins, but you’re right in that I did go from being in the sun a lot to not rather recently. It was when our crew was broken up in Sabaody—I was transported to a very cold place in the East, near the northern-most part of the Red Line.”

“I grew up in the North—my sympathies.”

Robin gave a nod and suddenly hands appeared over by a small door in the wall, opening it to reveal it was actually a dumbwaiter with some freshly delivered tea. Law was surprised for half a moment—of course Chicken-ya would know to have his crew send her some tea every once in a while. He took his leg off the armrest to get up, only for her to hold up a hand to stop him.

“Allow me.”

With a flick of her wrist, Robin activated her Devil Fruit ability to retrieve the tea tray. Instead of it being a series of hands, however, as Law was used to, an entire clothed replica of her body sprouted up from the floor and took the tray from its cubby to the small sidetable that sat between the couch and armchair. The replica gave him a wink before disappearing in a flurry of petals, which also dissipated as they fluttered away.

“That’s… different…” he choked out. “I… didn’t know you could do your whole body.”

“I can, but I can’t hold it as long as I’d like yet,” she replied. Robin put down her book and poured them both some tea, expertly ignoring the large thud that rocked the ceiling above them atop deck. She passed him his mug—no sugar or milk—and shrugged. “Not nearly as useful as your ability, but it has its uses.”

“You make it sound like a party trick.” He blew a puff of air across the surface of the tea before taking an exploratory sip—still too hot. “Didn’t take you for the type.”

“It’s no party trick.” A wicked grin crept across her face as she took a sip of tea. “Would you like to help me practice?”

He gave a short nod. “I could. Chicken-ya seems to have a decent sparring area on the forecastle…”

“Right here is fine,” she replied. Robin leaned back into the couch with her tea and her book, a Devil Fruit clone of herself sprouting up next to her. “It’s not something that needs the sparring area, I imagine.”

It took Law a moment to realize that she did not mean sparring, as the Devil Fruit clone approached him, hips swaying just enough to notice. Leaning forward at the waist, it held his chin as their lips pressed together in a chaste kiss.

Quickly, Law put up a Room and checked to see where everyone was on the ship. Most everyone was distracted by the continuous party, with the remainder keeping to actual jobs they had aboard ship. He locked the door before dropping the Room’s field, definitely not wanting to be disturbed now.

“You know what to do,” Robin said through her clone. Law looked at her and saw that the original was sitting rather calmly, not visibly registering the contact her clone was doing. He placed his mug of tea down on the sidetable and swallowed hard.

“Aim is endurance, then?”

“…that and not allowing what happens to my clone to show on the original,” she admitted. The clone’s hand let go of Law’s chin and instead pressed against the back of the chair, fully trapping him.

“Do your worst,” it dared.

Carefully, Law placed his hands on the clone’s hips and pulled them closer, making it straddle his lap as it sat. His thumbs accidentally brushed under the false clothing and marveled at the fact the skin under the shirt felt warm. The clone’s hands gently caressed his face as it leaned in and started kissing him in earnest, teeth worrying his bottom lip as he looked over at the original.

She turned a page in her book and kept reading. How the fuck…?

The Devil Fruit clone’s hands then began to wander, moving under his unbuttoned shirt to touch his shoulders and chest. He tried not to moan as fingers lightly went over his nipples in a teasing manner—this wasn’t fair.

“You play dirty, Nico-ya,” he wheezed.

“I play fair as is needed,” the clone murmured against his mouth. “Come on Torao-kun… don’t be shy… I know you’re more clever than that…”

A moment’s worth of thought crossed his mind—the novel! She must have known how far he had gotten before they began with tea. He tried to remember what had been in the novel, his brain beginning to stutter due to the unexpected contact.

Oh… if only the guys could see him now… they’d never believe it.

“I thought you were with Robo-ya…” he breathed. He wasn’t going to ask permission, but the least he could do was avoid making however long of a trip they had in front of them growing awkward.

“Even if I was, I don’t think he’d blame me.” Robin’s clone moved one of its hands to his shoulder, then back of his neck, and the other to the small of his back as it continued to kiss him. “I’d be getting a real boy for once.”

“You get the real deal and I don’t?” He worked one hand under her shirt and another up the leg of her shorts, getting a decent handful of what certainly felt like real tit and ass, giving both a squeeze. “That’s hardly fair.”

“Prove you’re ready for the big leagues and then we can talk,” the real Robin chuckled. She took a sip of her tea and her clone continued to kiss him, egging him on.

“The big leagues? How do you know I’m not already there?”

“…because if you were, I’d have a much more difficult time following this book.”

It took all the synapses in Law’s brain firing at once for him to remember what the two characters in the novel had been doing. He recalled the court physician using his long fingers to his advantage, which made him decide to do the same. Shifting his fingers, he felt to see if there was anything for him to anatomically tease between her legs—there was. He found its entrance first, then the nub of its clit, feeling the clone shudder as he rubbed a few quick circles before it burst into a cloud of petals that vanished in thin air.

“What was that?” Law teased. Robin frowned and reformed another clone, this one in the dress she had worn when she last stepped off the Thousand Sunny… and only the dress from what Law could tell. He pulled this clone in with more purpose, grinding his hips up into its, hearing a gasp from clone and original alike. “And here you were making fun of me.”

“Rude,” the clone scoffed, pinching some skin on his chest. He retaliated by grinding up between the clone’s legs again, making sure that his growing erection hit where it was needed most. “It’s a lot of work remembering all the details to replicate on each copy. Should I take shortcuts on the next one?”

The next one…? Another clone? Fuck that… Law was determined to the real Robin before they were done.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Two hours later, Luffy came barging into the library, a large turkey drumstick in one hand and his eyes full of mirth. There was food again! The ship’s cook finished making dinner! Robin and Torao needed to stop being cooped up inside and go eat on the deck!

It was a good thing he didn’t catch the pleased sweat on Robin’s brow, nor the flash of horror in Law’s yellow eyes as he quickly moved a cushion to cover his undone trouser fly, nor the assortment of petals that covered the floor as they faded into nothing…

…though… huh… Torao’s tea was cold. A full mug too! Maybe that’s why he seemed upset? His face was really red… oh well! Some meat could help him cheer up! Luffy wrapped a noodly arm around his friend and dragged him from the library, despite his protests and Robin’s giggling.

People sure were weird sometimes.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

With the Alliance made and everyone breaking off to their separate assignments, now that he and his crew were again within the auspices of the Polar Tang, Law felt more at-home than he had been in ages. Everything was beginning to settle into something closer to what it should have been—what it was going to be after they defeated Kaidou—and for the first time in a long time, Law found himself beginning to unwind.

“I don’t know what the fuck you people did, but I like this version of the Captain,” Penguin chuckled as he brought a tray filled with drinks over to the table. They were in the middle of riding a current, so the most that all but a handful of them had to do was wait. Most of them were gathered in the mess hall shooting the shit or, in his captain’s case, simply tolerating the others’ presence.

“Helped me get a fucking dragon off my back,” Law grumbled as he reached for a drink. He pulled his hand back for a moment as Zoro grabbed two drinks at once, going back for his allotment when the other swordsman was firmly double-fisting the alcohol. Penguin tried to yank the tray away but to no avail.

“I meant something else, but whatever,” he shrugged. Law downed half his mug at once and glared at his crewmate—no, one of his oldest friends. “Pretending ain’t gonna work. I’ve known you long enough to know better.”

“Uh-huh. Sure.” Law tried to appear aloof, yet knew he wasn’t fooling anyone from his crew. He felt Penguin’s stare bore straight through him, their guests not picking up on what was happening. It was then that their final guest came through the doorway into the mess hall—Robin. “Nico-ya, I thought you said you needed a lie-down.”

“I feel much better now, thank you,” she smiled. No… something felt a little off… “I have a question for you, Torao-kun.”

“Is it about the ship?” Penguin asked suavely, passing the drink tray to a passing Uni. Of course he would jump at the opportunity to be alone with a pretty lady not named Ikkaku. “I might be able to assist you.”

“No, I think I might,” Shachi cut in. Fucking hell, where did that perv come from? “The Tang is a marvel, isn’t she?”

“That she is,” Robin agreed, “but I wanted to discuss a book your captain and I were both reading on the Going Luffy-senpai. You do remember the end, correct?”

“I do,” Law nodded. He stood, poured the rest of his drink into one of Zoro’s (who simply shrugged and kept going; the liver damage had to be insurmountable), and walked past the insanely grumpy Penguin and Shachi to join Robin in the corridor… except… “Couldn’t come here yourself?”

“Think of it like another test,” the Devil Fruit clone smirked. It walked with him over to the door to his cabin before dissipating, Law waiting until the final petals vanished before slipping into the cabin and locking the door behind him.

There, sitting at his desk and looking over some of his notes with great interest, was Robin—the real Robin—wearing nothing but one of his button-down shirts, just like the heroine of the novel as she was readying to team up with the court physician in the final act. He felt his face grow hot in embarrassment as he realized she was reading one of his Sora, Warrior of the Sea compilations, the familiar tome looking strange in her hands.

“I have to admit, I never took you as a comics fan,” he said, trying to play it cool. He went to the desk and rested his chin on Robin’s shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

“I used to read Maruko-san when I was little, but I never really had the chance to keep up considering everything.” She turned a page and chuckled lowly. “This looks interesting—maybe I’ll read this instead.”

“Instead of what? Maruko-san?”

“Instead of seeing if you’re finally ready to show me how the book ended.”

Law raised an eyebrow; wasn’t the book merely an excuse? Code? He felt himself get pulled backwards by a familiar hand and he knew that it was another Devil Fruit clone, courtesy of Robin’s desire to torture him. It manhandled him towards the bunk, aggressively making him sit on the mattress as it prepared to keep him occupied while the original read.

Well, two could play at that game; an open Room and a twitch of his wrist swapped Robin with her Devil Fruit clone, putting her in his lap. She frowned playfully at him as she realized what happened and allowed her clone to dissolve.

“I lost my page.”

“Mmm… I’ll catch you up.”

“You sure?” She looked in his eyes as his hands idly began to work at opening the shirt she had stolen. Brown and yellow stared one another down as buttons were carefully undone, making them both wonder how this—whatever it was—would survive once they were in Wano.

“I’m sure.” He opened a Room again and watched her expression turn curious. “Now it’s my turn to test something I’ve been working on. Be as loud as you want; I dare you.”

He watched her grin and knew that if they wanted it, there was definitely a chance this could last.

#Trafalgar Law #Nico Robin #LawBin #Law x Robin #One Piece #One Piece fan fiction #fan fiction #for the Rare Pears: THIS IS WHAT I WAS WRITING WHEN I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING A SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD #SPECIFICALLY: BABY BELUGA BY INTERNATIONALLY BELOVED CANADIAN CHILDREN'S ARTIST RAFFI #it's just bad form to have kid's songs in your head when writing anything spicy okay it just is

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

OC questionnaire

Thanks to @illarian-rambling here and here, @mk-writes-stuff here, @somethingclevermahogony here, @mysticstarlightduck here, and @elsie-writes here.

Ahh these built up again!!

I did another one here where I answer for Robbie, Gwen, Maddie, Noelle, Jedi, and Kelsey.

I'll do the same and answer one OC for each set.

#1- Carmen

Theoretically, since she'd never answer these willingly

What's your favorite legend and why?

“I suppose the one about the cloud riders from Atsila's culture. Maybe because of her, maybe because I like the idea of uncontrollable things being controlled.”

How do you celebrate your birthday?

“I don't. Bad memories. But Jedi makes sure to do something kind for me.”

What's something you'd regret if you died without doing?

“Not finishing what Atsila started. And also organizing the entire base. And the online data collection. And the lab. The alphabet. The local library --”

#2- George

What's the best thing you've ever eaten?

“Oh my powers DEFINITELY the mini cake thing from Ceteri. Cupcake? Yeah that. It was chocolate I think. Don't know about the frosting. I ate way too many last time Noelle brought them. She's warming up to me.”

What's the worst injury you've ever had?

“Physical or emotional? Haha sorry - I have injured myself quite a bit while running at top speeds. We speedsters have faster... Everything *wink* - but I mean I can heal faster which is very helpful. But even with a faster runtime, I make the same mistakes as everyone if I'm distracted. I've hit things, and at top speeds *cringe* yeah it's not fun. Ran into a concrete wall once. Concussion and a few broken bones. More than a few. Eh, I walked it off.”

Do you wish you looked different?

“Nah. Pretty happy with how I look! I guess I wouldn't mind Carla's eye color. That is not fair - neither of our parents even have amber eyes. What recessive gene did she pull out?”

#3- Akash

What is your favourite weather?

“When it's sunny, but not hot. Nice breeze. Not too cold or harsh. Just...total peace. Robbie likes it a little cloudy. I dunno, maybe that's cozy for him. But I happen to like the outside.”

Where would you want to take someone to hang out or on a date?

“For me, I wouldn't mind the classic dates. Movies, dinner. But Gwen... I'd do something special. A cultural gallery or a bookstore. Maybe a play. A Superman-esque flight around the city perhaps.”

What’s your least favourite food?

“Oh my gosh man - I hate asparagus. So many people like it, but I'm sorry. Can't stand the stuff.”

#4- Sam

What is the strangest thing you've ever stolen?

“In fourth grade, this girl Emma brought a laser pointer to school. Well, it was a pen with a built-in laser pointer. I thought it was cool. So I had to stay after school for the music play I was in, and as I was walking from the bathroom, I saw the pen on the floor. I picked it up. Emma was a little rude, so I kept it. She never asked around for it, so I felt okay after that! Plus, I couldn't pass up the opportunity for a pen laser pointer!”

What is your least favorite food?

“Mustard. Can't stand it. Wait, does that count as a food? Okay, nevermind. Uh.... Tomatoes. It's a texture thing.”

Who is the strongest person you know?

“Akash for sure. He's been through a lot of crappy things, and people treated him meanly for stupid reasons. But he's still so positive and helps a lot of people! Plus he's probably the funniest person I know besides my brother. But Akash is just as much a brother to me as Robbie.”

I don't think I've posted much about Sam - other than her excerpts. That was fun!

#5- Lexi

What's your worst fear?

“Oh. Okay. Wow. Um, well, there's my actual phobia of physical contact, haphephobia. Not sure if that counts or not. I guess other than that, it's losing all my friends. Most of my elementary school friends went to different middle schools, so I haven't seen them in person for a while. I don't want to lose anyone else. Ever. I'm not sure what I'd do.”

What's your love language?

“Well, it's not physical touch! *Laughs* I guess quality time. Actively doing things with someone else. That's the best I could ask for.”

When are you the happiest?

“When I'm with my friends! Just whenever we're doing whatever! As long as they're happy, and we're happy together.”

#6- Ash

Would you ever get high and if so, what is your drug of choice?

“First of all, I'm thirteen. Second of all, yeah probably - it'd be a fun risk to take. Not sure what drugs I'd take though. *Pauses* Hm. There are these devices I found that stimulate my telepathy. I wonder if those are anything like drugs. If they are, then whatever those are most similar to.”

Three things you would buy at the store to freak the cashier and the person behind you out

“Walmart has these cheeseburger onion rings I noticed last time I was with Mary. I may buy that just to make the cashier think I have terrible taste. In actuality, I'm just curious. Maybe an urn or something dark. Ooh. A pregnancy test. That would freak a lot of people out. *Pause* Was that too dark?”

What stupid opinion are you willing to die for?

“That American cheese tastes good. Liam told me it tasted like plastic. I'll admit, I need to try more cheeses. He was right about that. But plastic? Come on. He's just mad that Muenster isn't a Canadian invention.”

Why is writing Ash so HARD

Tagging @jezifster @sleepyowlwrites @dyrewrites @willtheweaver @theeccentricraven @writeouswriter @tabswrites + ANYONE

Your questions are:

How good are you with people?

How would you function in a group project?

What's your most valuable possession?

TSP intro

TSP tag list (ask to be +/-): @thepeculiarbird @illarian-rambling @televisionjester @finchwrites

#the secret portal #tsp #teaspoon #carmen asghar #george baxter #akash singh #sam stafford #lexi morgan #ash hathaway #oc tag game #writing tag game #my ocs #oc questionnaire #writers on tumblr #writing community #writers of tumblr #writing on tumblr #writeblr #writeblr community

[phantomphangphucker]

Phic Phight - “Harder, Daddy”. “Son?!?” “🤨” Cont.

@bubblegumbeech @library-of-cronos @ghostboidanny @ecto-mochi @miss-nov @thegayonthemoon

Chap.5 Show Me To My Wonderland

It’s been a few days now and Danhy’s pretty sure Maddie and Jack and the school have more or less accepted shit, at least he wasn’t getting bombarded with questions anymore and Maddie and Jack had more or less settled into just acting like nothings changed. He doesn’t get called ‘son’ anymore and they still make little faces over the ‘aunty’ ‘uncle’ thing but otherwise no change. Meaning they’re not really okay with it but going along with it anyways. Because it’s easier? Because they don’t want to make things worse? Because they don’t care? Hard to say and he legit barely cares. They’re still being ‘family’ and Jazz seems pleased so it’s good.

Even if they definitely didn’t think Danhy would actually get himself a ride to his actual parents. The fucking chariot was goddamn overkill, the royalty thing was still wild. Maddie more than Jack were definitely upset since she’d been all ‘are you really going?’, and both of them had been stiff and weird when he got back; they also thought the ‘king’ and ‘god’ thing was bullshit Danhy was being fed to ‘impress’ him and make him like his parents more. He was pretty settled on spending most weekends at the Keep, hadn’t dragged Sam and Tuck along yet but eh. Sue him if he, and his parents, wanted some ‘just them’ bonding time, Jazz was entirely in favour of that, same with Sam and Tuck; Jack and Maddie didn’t get a say especially since he knew what their opinion was already.

… He won’t be too surprised if they kick him out at eighteen, that or they’ll get way better and get over their bigotry. One was waaaaay more likely.

Especially because the lack of a seal thing was definitely doing shit, the strength he was absolutely right on, but now he’s growling and shit at anything that annoyed him. Oh, he also literally felt more ego-y, proud; it was weird when he was used to, like, basically almost the opposite. Which probably actually kept said ego in check? His dad had an ego bigger than he physically was after all. Pops was more self assured and confident rather than ego and pride; the ghost literally knew everything so figures.

And Danhy absolutely can sense when ghosts show up in Amity even when he’s in the Infinite Realm! It feels different, as if the pull and sensation is in the distance rather than right there with him; still useful and chilled out his protectiveness though.

The Phantom PR on the other hand? Oof, exactly as he expected. There was a lot of ‘is Phantom turning evil!’ and ‘is ghost puberty a thing?’ And ‘It’s showing its true colours!’. Then someone actually had the smart idea to ask Danhy, aka the guy who is the kid of the fucking ghost king, you know, the guy Phantom flew off into the sky to fight? Danhy spun some bullshit about how Pariah found out that Phantom, by protecting the town, had effectively been protecting his son as well, and as a result knighted the ghost for his services. So as such Phantom’s physical change was one part power boost -meaning he could protect the town better. Which most folks were in favour of these days. Jack and Maddie were not impressed- and one part the effect of getting an official title from basically the most powerful ghost ever; that led into Danhy vaguely explaining that ‘yes ghosts have titles and roles’ and ‘yes ghosts have a hierarchy system’, which led to ‘yes ghosts have governments’ and ‘yes ghosts have laws’. Jack and Maddie thought he was being foolish for believing the ‘lies’ his actual parents were telling him, even though Danhy was able to actually see that shit in action in person repeatedly. Either way Amity actually seemed to view the ghosts a little more positively now, and one of the popular girls attempted to teach Phantom how to brush fire hair; Ember got involved, he now knew how to do a pretty solid pony tail. It looked weirdly good on him and he was heavily encouraged to grow his hair out some; which he was actually debating on doing.

Oh! And a dude who apparently served in the military had some words to say about Phantom actually having armour now and how stupid it was that he hadn’t already been wearing that kind of thing. That had been soooo awkward, him having to basically shout about ghost clothing and how only weird ghosts usually added to it. Then Red showed up shouting about him being a weird ghost himself, which was absolutely right, and started shooting at him.

She seemed super annoyed Phantom was more durable now. He laughed at her. She shot at him more aggressively. He teased her all the more. She eventually wore herself out and just outright asked him to keep an eye on ‘Danny’ for his safety because she trusted Phantom more than ‘that psycho and who ever’s crazy enough to get with said psycho’. Was it weird he was a little touched by that? Probably.

Regardless, apparently a week-ish of time was considered ‘enough’ to let him adjust and get to know them before dropping the ‘THE REIGN OF DARK HAS AN HEIR” shit on the Infinite Realm. Meaning now Danhy has to get publicly introduced and made official and shit. When he asked if his fraid, Jazz included, could come he’d been given a very firm ‘this is your place as a ghost, this is meant only for ghosts’ and a ‘they’ll be part of this realm in time, like many others, they can be part of this with you then’. Danhy was still a little miffed they couldn’t be around what was basically a literal crowning and Lion King style child show off.

Danhy groaning as the dressers basically drag him around, they couldn’t speak and Danhy didn’t ask why, but they could be very aggressive about shoving him in random clothing that was so much more excessive than his standard shit. Meaning now he’s got on a silly, in his opinion, kilt and set of freaking Loki-style horns over his standard ghost clothing. The random neck gear jewelry, skull cape clasps, and bracelets were ridiculous too, ditto with the Norse time and family runes? face paint; dagaz, jera, thurisaz, and kenaz; if he’s remembering names right. Gebo and Wunjo on the back of his hands, marking him as a ‘gift that brings them joy’; that was impossible not blush over. Talk about embarrassing, ugh. Also! His ears are pierced now! Or hole punched really! Stupidly more painful than he expected, and he was going to fiddle with it so much. One of the plugs had a valknut on it and the others got a gear cog; nice and very cool looking. Sam’s parents were gonna flip and Sam’s gonna love every second of it.

Danhy huffing a little as the dressers push him out of the dressing room and right into ol’ Frighty. The ghost seems pleased, “you look more theirs”.

“We’ll excuse me if I’m not going to start wearing face paint and jewelry all the time, ear things are awesome though”. The kilt thing he might adopt, during summer and all that; one part heritage, one part comfort (Danhy did, in fact, start wearing a kilt during summer. He actually got compliments on it too! Even Maddie and Jack thought it suited him). Either way he follows after the knight ghost, eventually hearing all the chatter.

“-has returned to us! Regardless of certain one’s feelings of displeasure over his existence!”.

Danhy mentally laughs at that.

“Our high kings mad wrath quelled as his young kin’s grown fiercely and become battle hardened far more than you fools! And these lands will be his as well in time! Let any dead before him tremble in his own strain of darkness and might! The dying to pay their tolls in blood and servitude, should it be desired!”.

Danhy does not want people’s blood, ew. Though fighting did kinda spill blood and stuff.

“You all exist within his high royal highnesses darkness and know that he is what all good and evil fear! Be blessed that you’re allowed to bask in further darkness! A Phantom of darkness!”.

Oh cool, the FrightKnight is now walk/floating Danhy out to the crowd of ghosts, some who are probably gods and shit. Danhy’s totally not nervous! Not at all! Not one little bit!

… Sweet Zone, was that ever a lie.

“Presenting! Danhy Phantom! Ling of the High Ghost Sovereign, God of Death, Pariah Dark! And of the Ancient Guardian God of Time, ClockWork!”.

The FrightKnight standing off to the side and behind as Danhy comes to stand in between his dad and pops; his dad standing further forward than his pops who’s floating. That made sense since this was a royal -holy shit he’s royalty, that still hasn’t quite set in- event.

“A being granted life to know death all the better! A being well thrived in light and darkness! To know both better!”.

All the servants or squires or whatever begin chanting:

“Darkness of youth!”

“Darkness of old!”

“Darkness that bind!”

“Darkness that hold!”

“A Flame in dark!”

“A Flame in light!”

“A Flame by thee!” 

“A Flame raised right!” 

“Darkness of truths!”

“Darkness of lies!”

“Darkness that sleeps!”

“Darkness that flies!” 

“A Flame in war!”

“A Flame in might!”

“A Flame by thee!”

“A Flame known by sight!”.

Pariah stabs his sword on the ground, “SILENCE!”; which obviously shuts everyone up. Gesturing a hand aggressively at Danhy, “YOU ARE BUT PUPPETS FOR WE! FOR OUR SOCIETY AT LARGE! OF MIGHT! YOU ARE BUT DISPENSABLE TOOLS! AND SO LONG AS WE REMAIN NOT AN ENEMY OF YOURS WE WILL BE ENEMIES OF ALL OTHERS! THOSE WHO OPPOSE OUR REIGN OR SEEK OUR END! WHETHER WE STALK TOWARDS THEM! A LOOMING DEATH! NOW OR FROM THE SHADOWS IN TIME’S FUTURE!”.

“HAIL!”.

Pariah turns to Danhy, who’s trying to not look wide-eyed. His poor fucking ghost ears. “FOR YOUR ARRIVAL I SAT AND WAIT, I NEED YOU NOT! NOR DO I NEED YOUR ACTIONS TO REACH MY GOALS! YOU! YOUNG ONE! ARE NO PLAYER IN MY GAME! YOU MAY CHOOSE TO MAKE ALL YOUR ENEMY OR NONE! IT MOVES ME NOT! BUT A BLESSING YOU REMAIN UPON ALL! AND FOR THAT BLESSING UPON MY DARKNESS I DESIRE YOU TO WATCH NOT YOUR OWN FINAL GRAVE BE DUG BUT DIG OTHERS THEIR OWN! SO PRESENT YOURSELF FOR ALL! YOUNG ONE! AND KNOW THAT I AND ALL OTHERS ARE PLEASED AND HORRIFIED TO MAKE YOUR ACQUAINTANCE!”. A tiny crown forms in the ghosts massive hands, Danhy eyeing it as his dad puts it on his head; he can feel its connection to him immediately. New power flowing from it and into him, it was strange but the feeling settles nicely as if it was always meant to be there.

Then his dad steps back, nodding at watching Danhy’s ecto-field flare and settle properly, now letting Danhy effectively take the stage and say his piece.

Danhy’s not about to scream or bellow or whatever at everyone, the ecto in the air carrying his voice easily and there’s a pressure to his voice that has some kind of command to it, “I don’t present myself for your approval. And I’ll only laugh if you try and kill me; and then I’ll annoy you so much that you regret everything. I’ll use my claws on those who hurt me or mine. Otherwise-”, waving the crowd off to seem more chill about this shit, “-I’ll leave you to your bullshit and vices, which in the end may end or beat you as well. But then I had no part in that. But if you cross me I will make sure to be the last face you see, I can promise that. I’ll fight for fun or not. I’ll match that energy. So play nice or square up”.

He actually gets some laughs, cool. Go him. And a bunch of yeti’s yell, “PRAISED BE THE GREAT ONE! OH SAVIOUR!”. Much to Danhy’s great confusion.

The announcer dude or whatever shouting, “you have seen and been beholden! Now BEGONE!”. Does everyone leave instantly? Yup! Well… almost everyone. Danhy’d bet money that the ones that remain are god ghosts.

ClockWork floating closer to Danhy, practically winding around him and grinning, “well, go on, say hello to your fellow gods, even though you are more Demi-god than god in truth”.

Why is this Danhy’s bullshit to deal with? Also, how is he actually a god at all? And of what? Zone fuck this shit. It’s kinda funny though ‘cause almost none of the ones he can see -there’s a fucking lot- have legs. Danhy going over with ClockWork in tow, Pariah sticking a little bit further back even though he was technically a god too; a god by conquested position or whatever.

Danhy gives a little wave, “hiyya, if you all wanna fight me now I’m gonna be so annoyed”. That gets him some snickers, laughs, eye rolls, huffs, and pouts.

“Hmmmm. We’ll see”.

“In time perhaps”.

“Now is hardly what I’d call appropriate”.

“That depends on your opinion on dogs”.

“I’d be annoyed fighting you too, pass”.

“Ha!”.

“You fool around with those living weeds, I’ll put you in your place eventually”.

“I doubt you care for the blade”.

“I’d rather just play!”.

“If only you were a girl…”.

“Meow”.

Honestly half of the responses, from the ones that even bothered, get drowned out by each other. The strange floating eyeball with skinny ass green arms, sneering, “you should not even exist, abomination”; is hard to miss though.

His dad snarling, “Observant”, and looming down over Danhy, glaring at the eyeball ghost all the while. Ah okay, so this asshole is the, or one of, the ghosts trying to fully off his tiny baby ass. Danhy immediately sticks out his tongue and flips off the ghost with both hands getting in on the action, “well I do, so piss on each others heads or whatever other weird thing y’all are into”. The ghost is very clearly scandalised, actually pulling their head back in offence. Ha! Suck on that. Jerk. Maybe try not being a baby murdering dumbass next time?

ClockWork frowns at the Observant, “you beings should beg for times forgiveness, rather than harassing that which you’ve done wrong by”.

“You’ve made a terrible thing, ClockWork, and with him of all ghosts”, the Observant feels like it’s glaring but who knows with something that doesn’t have freaking eyelids, “as he’s clearly proven himself more a monster that needs to be put down, more than anything else”.

Pariah snarls, “retaliation for harming my young is hardly unbecoming behaviour. You’re the foolish things here, my actions were earned and deserved, and I will tear you lot apart”.

Danhy huffing and kinda sticking his face out at the ghost, banter he could do, banter was his bread and motherfucking butter, “I guess you could say I’m a warning not to step on my parents toes, a terrible threat that’s for sure. I am a threat to you and if you choose to not fear me then you’ll fucking regret. Zone, you already should”, gesturing at the ghost lazily, “I mean, you totally forgot about me, right? but guess who came the fuck back? Bitch. You laid the bricks for me and this new age, dontcha know that when you gamble the house always wins”, and open mouth grins at the ghost. Is Danhy stealing lines from Vlad? Absolutely. Is Danhy trying to sound like he knows what he’s talking about and is more dangerous than he thinks he is? Definitely. Does Danhy want these eyeball assholes to either leave him alone or deeply regret just how much they’ve fucked with him even without him knowing they had? YES. Danhy could do without floating eyeballs making a thing out of trying to assassinate him or something all the time; he got enough of that with Skulker’s poaching/skinning attempts.

And hey! The eyeball ghost does actually float back away from him slightly, leery. ‘Eyeing’ or ‘staring’ at him then ‘glaring’ at Pariah, “your chaos and harm to the realm has weakened our sight”, ‘glaring’ at ClockWork, “we can not see him, correct this immediately”.

But a ghost that looks like a starry blanket with a horned mask laughs softly and meanly, “his so called harm has given us a ghost who sleeps, I see no issue with his actions”.

Pariah glaring down at the Observant, “I’ve done no wrong, you lost any right to watch him long ago. Remember this and begone, I can litter the realm with your bodies if it’s what I want”.

Danhy nodding and smirking at the eyeball thing, “even if all I’ve got is the Dark and Time to fill my heart, you’ll wish I never knew y’all tried to off me. ‘Cause know I sure as shit know it’s better to reign in the dark the serve you lot”.

But the eyeball looks to ClockWork, sounding chastising, “ClockWork, fix. This”. Oh that sounds like an order? Is there like some kind of hierarchy thing with time seers or whatever? But there’s no way in hell that the literal GOD OF TIME isn’t at the top of that right? RIGHT?

Danhy is still convincing himself he’s right as ClockWork leans over Danhy’s shoulder to put their face in the Observants, “you. Do not own me. You have misjudged your own place in the world and this realm, your self inflated sense of self a corruption all its own. There is nothing to correct as it is your actions that would have needed correction had they not already been”.

And then the Observant actually grabs ClockWork’s cloak and pulls them at him. Danhy snarling and ripping the things hand off his pops, “do that again and I’ll fucking break you, use your eyeball shaped dumbass heads as a goddamn soup cup; it’ll be on sight”.

ClockWork narrows their eyes, “do not mistake my calm demeanour for gentleness, time maybe be a slow and forever winding thing but it destroys everything in time”. And then ClockWork smashes the ghost in the chest with their staff, sending them indenting into a gnarled thick tree, “and you’re all out of time”, teleporting over to them and smashing their head into the ground. But with a twist of the staff the Observants back to being imbedded in the tree; ClockWork smashes their head down again. And again. And again. And again.

All the other god ghosts are smiling, smirking, laughing, or jeering; but they don’t get involved. Danny’s guessing there’s some kind of ‘non interference’ rule or some shit.

“Abandon you false rationality”, ClockWork smacks the eyeball in the cheek to the side this time. The Observant floats themselves up right ‘glaring’, “how dare you raise your powers against us”.

But ClockWork simply teleports right in front of the ghost in an instant, their face right in the Observants, “I was always meant to bathe in your hatred, as you were always meant to fall by the way side”. One of their time mirror screen things appearing behind the eyeball ghost, ClockWork seemingly pushing the ghost back through it easily.

? It’s possible to go through those things? That practically screams ‘time travel shenanigans! Do it Danhy!’. Danhy’s going to do something stupid with those things one day and everyone’s going to regret him doing it, mostly him of course ‘cause his luck’s just like that.

More of the time screen things pop up and the Observant just seemingly gets flung from one to another by… other ClockWork’s??? Okay Danhy’s not going to try and make sense of that one, since he’s pretty damn positive these aren’t duplicates. Danhy tilting his head and humming innocently, “watcha doin’?”.

ClockWork humming back, “giving them a taste of times far worse possibilities”.

“Neat. Can you hurl me through time screen thingies? It looks fun, like a really weird amusement park ride”.

The look his pops gives him is very judgemental. But a fishy looking maybe shark with too many legs laughs, poking Danhy with something similar to the trident from the Little Mermaid, “I like this one”. Danhy grins widely back, all teeth.

Another ClockWork drops the Observant at this ClockWork’s ‘feet’, or tail tip really, ClockWork grabbing their cape and hauling them up in the air. The Observant shakes as ClockWork speaks, “run. Away. I’m a fight you can not win. Learn humility, I’m the one who counts time down and on; you are but observers and nothing more”.

Pariah stomping over to loom down over ClockWork and more so the beaten Observant, “and I’m no toy for you. I. Am. Death’s. Bringer. I. Am Life’s. Pariah”.

Pariah simply watching as ClockWork tosses the Observant away, then taping their staff, “time up”, and the ghost seems to rip themselves apart from the inside and outside at the same time; being torn apart into nothing.

Okay. Check on the murdery thing. Danhy did not expect or want to see one of his parents fucking obliterate someone. Damn. Muttering, “I’m so not adding to this murder train”. One of the other god ghosts scoffing, “as if the existence of other beings matter”. Okay is pro-murder just a gods thing in general? Again, is he gonna have to watch himself for murderiness?

Another sneering, “especially the existences of lesser mortal things”.

Danhy rolls his eyes at the multi-winged harpy-looking ghost, “I’m at least somewhat mortal so piss off”; while ClockWork just sort of appears next to him, ruffling his flames.

“I hardly expect you to”.

It’s a little weird when it seems like a lot of the ghosts stiffen when the weird three-eyed cat hops in front of Danhy, even ClockWork feels to be watching them cautiously as the cat slinks around Danhy, purring. “A mIsssssPLAceDthINg, nO MATter wheRE hE beeeeeEeE. PecULiARimpeeEeeeeeerfECt tHIng. yeeeeeEEeeeEeeeEssS”, and hums, eyes squinted before slinking off to nowhere. Like, legit, the cat just pops away in an instant.

The other ghost gods kinda look at him leerily before up and leaving en masse. Leaving Danhy blinking and looking to his pops, “what the fuck?”. Even his dad looks a little bothered and leery.

ClockWork frowns, ominous, “most avoid any who get Remi’s attention, she’s one of the chaos gods. Ancient god of misplacement; while I can bend and pick preferred reality, she’s one who alters it entirely. Her interest in you does make sense so I wouldn’t worry much”.

Pariah crossing his arms a scowling, “not much, but still watch for her. I do not want my son being misplaced again”. Oh yeah dad was always going to be mad about that. ClockWork rolling their wrist, “of course, she may be harder to watch but I see all”.

Danhy grumbling, “well if she ‘misplaces’ all my good spoons I’mma be mad”; that gets him some fond looks at least. He will absolutely be mad though, nothings ever stopped him from throwing hands. and godhood, or whatever, wasn’t going to start stopping him and his hands.

More than a few verifiable gods looked into and chuckled to themselves about the young god and prince. Curious about him and his little domain. This… could be very interesting and many of them were very bored. Course they wouldn’t be too mean, crossing the time god or death lord was hardly a wise choice for any; crossing their ling was likely just as foolish.

Some wishing to make his little domain more proper in their minds. Others wishing to see what his dreams could make. Others wanting to see if he really was a ‘fight first’ type. Others instead noticing those around him, from a wonderfully orange-haired child, to a reincarnated pharaoh unaware of himself, to a gardens caretaker that could be so much more, to another half thing almost as misplaced and far more foolish, to a raged fuel child one day to be so close to being more machine than human.

Oh they weren't going to be bored for the foreseeable future for a very long time.

Whelp, at least all of that was over, now Danhy can just chill in the Keep, lounging over a stupidly massive couch that was mildly swallowing him up. His dad was still going through tablets, and his pops was observing the Observants reactions to Danhy’s existence… and to ClockWork obliterating one of them. Hint: the Observants weren’t happy. Hint: the Observants were fully planing to try and assassinate him again. Hint: Danhy fucking hated them. And so did Pariah. And so did ClockWork.

Well whatever, Danhy’s bored and he’s calling his friends, because he is so telling them this shit.

“Have your parents pissed you off yet?”.

Danhy rolls his eyes at Sam’s tone, “not everyone has parent issues, Sam. And the Fenton’s and me being weird doesn’t count ‘cause they’re not my parents”. Danhy can see dad’s smirk from here.

“So what’s up, Danny man?”.

Danhy shrugs to himself, “eh not much, I just got crowned and shit. Met some gods, meaning I, and Amity, might get harassed by some gods. Pops somewhat randomly murdered one of the gods that went attempted murder happy on baby me after they were being a major dick to us. Got called ‘saviour’ by some very loud yetis, not sure why”.

Pops interrupting him without so much as looking at him, “you’ll find out in a year or so”.

Danhy pouting, “that’s not as comforting as you think, pops”, shaking his head and ignoring his pops smirk, “anyway, I pretty much offered to fight anyone who annoys me, which I guess might not have been the best choice of words”.

Tuck laughs, “man! You like fighting so I’m not even surprised. Definitely dumb though”.

“Ugh, now we’re going to have more newer ghosts, damn it Danny”.

Danhy shrugs to himself, “I make no apologies. Fuck sorry, ‘cause I ain’t”, rubbing his neck, “I just don’t want the regulars, the ones who are halfway decent, to think I’m going to smite them or something”.

Sam snorting, “yeah wouldn’t want your go to misplaced aggression to get cold feet”.

“Sam, we’re dead, our feet are always cold”. Danny snickers to himself over her groan, “anything on your end?”.

Danhy can hear the shrug in Tuck’s voice, “outside of the fact that we’re still miffed we haven’t met your parents yet, come on man, Lancer wants to know if there’s ghost history books he can use for a ‘ghost history’ lesson while Mr. Shanell is stuck in the hospital”.

Danhy lifts his head up and stares at his dad, speaking into the phone, “sorry guys, you know things have been crazy but…”. When Pariah picks up on the staring and raises an eyebrow at his son, Danhy speaks back up, “wanna met my fraid? Like, properly?”, tilting his head back to look at his pops, “you too, Clockpops”.

Pariah eyes his tablet, “this is hardly amusing”, and puts it down; stomping over to Danhy and picking him up by the cape.

Danhy speaking into the phone as he’s lifted through the air, “whelp guess I’m fixing that right now, in coming guys”. They laugh meanly at him as they all hang up.

ClockWork sending away their screens and joining Danhy up on the giants shoulder, “it is rather about time”; Danhy snorts at that. Very funny. Changing back human since anyone seeing Phantom with Danhy ‘Dark’s’ parents was so not a great idea, at least so soon anyway.

…

Tuck shrieks, Sam putting a hand to her chest, when a massive portal pops open right next to them. Pariah, aka the guy who terrified the entire town not too long ago, stomps out; their goofy dumbass friend and another ghost they’ve never seen before on the giant ghosts shoulder.

Danhy basically sliding down his dad’s arm, jumping off at his hand, Pariah looked amused. “Hey guys! Presenting-”, gesturing at his parents, “-parental figures that don’t suck!”. ClockWork floats down and smacks him lightly over the head for that; Danhy pouting at him.

Sam instantly points up at Pariah, stomping forward some herself, “you better not try abducting the town again. Or hurt Danny. Or convince him to commit murder”.

While Tuck laughs to himself, Pariah raises an eyebrow at the goth, “I hardly have any reason to”, scowling, “if my son desires or not to kill then that is his prerogative. I have no interest in restricting him either way”.

Danhy doing jazz hands, “hooray for freedom of choice”, holding up a finger, “I’m not pro-murder though”. Pariah simply shrugs at that.

Tuck elbowing Sam, “ah come on, Sam, live a little. Enslave people! Establish your might!”. Danhy flicks Tuck in the head, “bad, Tuck, bad”.

ClockWork floats around the two teens, “know that we’ve met plenty, you were simply unawares”, holding up a fingers, “just because I left my charge in your and the Fenton’s care, does not mean I left him unattended”.

Tuck blinks, “huh. A ghost has been watching me sleep. Kin-”; ClockWork doesn’t even let Tuck finish before smacking him with the staff too. Tuck covering his head, “hey! Ow! Meanie!”. Sam smacks the part of his head that wasn’t covered for good measure. Tuck pouting at her before sticking a hand out at ClockWork and Pariah, “ow. Anyways, I’m Tucker Foley, that’s TF for Too Fine”.

Sam scowling at the boy, “you disgust me”. Her looking to the ghosts, one hand on her hip and sighing, “and I’m Sam Manson, even if someone already knows everything”. Tuck blinking and facepalming, “right. That”. ClockWork’s faint smirk is mean.

Pariah eyeing Danhy, “a bit foolish, eh?”.

Danhy waving his dad off, “hey, they’re dumbasses, totally different”.

Sam poking Danhy, “as if you’re not also a dumbass, Mr. Breaks You Own Hand With A Locker Door To Get Out Of Gym Class”.

Tuck pointing, “or sets a bathroom on fire for a cover story”.

“Or stores your thermos in your chest just because you can”

“Or fist fought a lamp because you said it looked at you funny”

“Or intentionally buys disgusting milkshakes just to see people’s reactions”.

“Or back flips to transform publicly”.

“Or has a crush on someone definitely trying to kill you”.

Danhy puts up his hands in surrender, “okay okay, I get, geez. No need to run a ‘dumb shit Danhy’s done’ lecture by my folks”. They laugh at him meanly. He loves his friends but they absolutely do know every embarrassing or bad thing he’s ever done; they could go on like this for a while.

Pariah grins wolfishly, putting his hand on Danny’s entire head, “good, a prince is meant for chaos”. Eyeing the two teens, “I doubt I require an introduction, regardless, I am Pariah Dark, overlord of the Infinite Realm, death god, and Danhy’s secondary progenitor”.

ClockWork gesturing to themselves leisurely, “and I his primary. ClockWork, ancient god of time”.

Danhy eyeballing his dad’s hand that’s still on his head, “I have questions about that”. Sure he hadn’t ever directly asked how the zone ghosts had kids, especially with his pops being genderless, but he’d decidedly not asked.

Tuck putting up his hands, “I’m cool with not having those questions answered. Ew”.

Pariah crossing his arms, “I could hardly carry him while dealing with wars and skirmishes. Further, of the two of us, ClockWork is far more durable, immortal as they are”, and gives ClockWork a bit of a fond look.

Danhy makes a face, “well alrighty then”, he is so not pressing for more.

Pariah scowls, “considering their actions, I do regret that ever so slightly”. ClockWork still doesn’t look the least bit apologetic about everything.

Sam points at the large ghost, Danhy gets the feeling that she impressing him at least a little, “well I, we, totally do not regret it”. Tuck punching Danhy in the arm, “yeah, Danny-dude’s great and we like having our friend”.

“Yeah I couldn’t stand your blood mouth crap without him”.

“Oh like your grass mouth is any better”.

“At least I don’t eat dead things!”.

“Well my foods actually worth eating!”.

Then Sam has her boot in hand at record sped, Danhy snagging it while Tuck makes slightly fearful ‘do it Bitch’ motions. Danhy laughing at their antics, ah the comforts of the meat vs veggies argument, “and ecto’s the best of both worlds. Dead but also sometimes never alive or sentient”. They both make faces at him.

His dad has opinions about that while Danhy plays keep away with Sam’s boot, “you eat ghosts? I did not take you for minor cannibalism”.

And Danhy has never thought of it that way, wow. “I mean, I guess? Just like general ecto, you know, not whole ass ghosts flying around”.

Tuck chuckles when Sam tackles Danhy, absolutely getting back her boot. “Oh I’m sure the blob ghosts wouldn’t object”.

“Do not encourage him!”.

Pariah laughs loudly, “I’m sure threats of cannibalism would discourage any uprisings! A unique way to keep the masses in line! Ha! Your own brand of darkness indeed”. ClockWork smirking themselves, “I’m sure the Observants would be horrified”.

Danhy’s opinion on cannibalism do a one eighty right then and there, “in that case, I’m down. Fuck those guys”.

Sam blinks before nodding, “okay even I can’t object to threatening to eat the jerks that tried to murder baby you”.

Tuck humming, “thats more revenge than ‘Danhy’s just a cannibal’ though”, holding up a finger, “and I’m pretty sure ecto-wienies don’t count as just general ecto, man”.

ClockWork’s tone is mean, “they are not, they’re about as sentient as a typical whisp or blob or bleb”, poking Danhy in the check, “cannibalism indeed”.

Danhy play snapping his teeth at the finger, then eyeing them, “which you technically could have stopped but didn’t”; apparently his parents were just cool with Danhy damn near being a legit ghost cannibal.

“I get bored quite easily, why would I stop something with so many interesting kinds of possibilities and outcomes?”, ClockWork waving a hand lazily, “so long as you don’t cannibalise yourself, as you did in one times future”.

Sam and Tuck give Danhy disgusted and horrified looks, “DANNY! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT!”. At the same time as Danhy mutters, “why would I do that?!?”, him then looking to his friends, “why am I getting in trouble for something that hasn’t actually happen!”.

“Because your pops is a time god!”.

“Because how could you even think about doing that in any timeline! What the Hell!”.

Pariah smacking him chastisingly on the back, which does make him jerk and wobble some, the guys hand was as big as Danhy’s entire body was! And there was the ghost strength at play. “Do not consume yourself”.

“I’m not going to! Oh my zone!”.

When did this meet n’ greet turn into Danhy scolding time?!? Yes he’s done a lot of weird and fucked up and dumb and reckless shit but seriously!

He gets a round of ‘good’s’ and a smirking clockpops in response. Jerks.

And then, bless Danhy’s luck, Vlad shows up. Takes in the three teens and two very powerful ghosts, one being the guy Vlad tried stealing from, and turns to walk away immediately with a, “oh butter biscuits”.

Danhy grinning ferally and basically giving chase, “where you going, Vladdie!? Dontcha wanna meet my real parents!?”.

“I was looking for the one who should be my knight! Not you!”.

“Frighty’s my dog! Get a cat!”.

The two teens and two ghosts watching Danhy ecto-blast Vlad’s shoelaces to nothingness, which of course results in Vlad blasting him into a wall. That of course turns into a transformed Phantom and Plasmius duking it out in the sky, Plasmius looking very miffed about Phantom being able to easily hold his own now.

Pariah letting his son have fun for a bit before snarling, “YOU!”, and launching himself after Plasmius, slamming the startled ghost into a wall with an axe.

ClockWork shaking their head before appearing next to Danhy, poking the boy’s crown, “perhaps you should not have that out while in your mortal lair? No?”.

Danhy blushing, “oh uh, right”, and absorbing the crown into his body. Oops.

“YOU ARE A FOOL WHO SHALL SUFFER! INSOLENT CREATURE!”.

“Aurgh!”.

Sam and Tucker shrug at each other before giving chase as well, weapons drawn and happily shooting at the vampire-themed half ghost.

…

Is anyone surprised when Pariah ends up pinning the ghost? No, of course not. Putting his far larger face looming over the half ghost, “know that it is only by my child’s request that I do not end your puny existence. You are lucky I have no interest in doing away with my son’s plaything”.

Vlad sputtering, “I. Am not. A plaything”.

Danhy pushing his head between them, inches from Vlad’s face and grinning mockingly, “you sure about that one, Vladdie. I’d call this play fighting, and you’re definitely not my friend or family”, then frowning and snarling, letting his green red eyes flash dangerously and with more power than they ever used to hold, “never cross my family again, Vlad”; exerting some of that ecto-pressure on the other halfa that Danhy could do now thanks to being princey.

Vlad chuckles awkwardly and nervously, “message received, Daniel”. Pariah squeezes him tighter with a growl, Vlad squeaking out, “Danhy. I mean, Danhy”.

All of them watching the injured half ghost fly away with his tail between his legs. Danhy is very smug, today has been a very good day. Sam and Tuck give him high fives.

Tuck laughing, “wicked crown, by the way dude”.

“I know! Right! And it somehow doesn’t look weird with the fire hair!”.

“I wish it did, you deserve it”.

“Sam! That’s just mean!”.

“Wait! Do you have ear plugs!?! Wicked!”

All three teens laugh, partly at Danny’s expense but mostly just because they can laugh together.

ClockWork settles on Pariah’s shoulder, humming, “it’s nice, is it not? A good outcome, I would say”.

Pariah almost sighing, “I will still mourn that I could not raise him, though his fraid is acceptable”.

“He remains young, there is still raise yet left to do; and the raising that’s been done is of lesser quality”.

Pariah merely huffs in response.

End.

#danny phantom #phandom #phicphight24 #phic phight 24 #danny fenton #tucker foley #sam manson #phan phic #my writing #phantomphangphucker #have a fic suck my dick

[mj-ackerman]

SxF Light Novel: Family Portrait Translation Mission 2: Yuri's Day Off (Part 2)

<<Part 1 . . . Part 3>>

“Welcome to STEP WORK KIDS.”

“This is a city where you can learn a lot of jobs. Please play and experience a lot, and find what you wanna be in the future.”

“Have fun.”

Greeted by the smiling faces of the staff, Yuri and Anya stepped into a much larger and more authentic children’s town than they had imagined. Although much smaller than the actual thing, the fire station, hospital, courthouse, library, newspaper office, post office, bank, publishing house, and the science and technology research institute were elaborately made but somewhat adorable. The floor is paved with cobblestones, there are even traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, and small buses running on the streets.

Most, if not all, of the visitors were parents and their children, and the parents looked strangely tired everywhere. Some of the mothers were walking like zombies, and some of the fathers were sitting like figurines on the benches in the street.

“Papa! Come on, hurry up! I wanna be a fashion model next!”

“Eh….there… Papa’s a little embarrassed to go in there…. I’m fat after all. My stomach is also sticking out lately. Let’s go to the pastry shop instead.”

“No, no! That place is definitely one we can't miss!!”

Seeing a little girl, maybe a little older than Anya, forcing her reluctant father to come along her, Yuri thought,

Why? What’s there to be ashamed of being fat?

Yuri furrowed his brow, thinking that it wouldn’t matter if the father’s belly was sticking out or not, it’s his daughter who would be experiencing it anyway.

Anya, perhaps overwhelmed, kept her mouth open.

“How many times bigger is this than my house?”

“Hnn? If we divide the area of this facility by the area of your house…about 80 times.”

“E-Eighty times…”

Anya swallowed.

“So? Where do you wanna go first? Judges, scientists, and bank clerks…they are all stable jobs and offer solid careers.”

While Yuri looks through the pamphlet he received at the entrance, he picks out some of the recommended occupations. All of them were things he wanted to be in the past.

“Being a prosecutor or a lawyer sounds good too.”

“I can’t see it, Unkie. Please bend down!”

Anya, who is short, yells as she jumps up and down.

“Didn’t you get one at the entrance too?” Yuri asked.

“Yeah, but it's….”

From her small handbag, Anya took out a crumpled pamphlet.

“What do you think? Journalism is a great profession too, or if you’re strong enough, I think being a soldier is not that bad.”

“I wanna go here.”

Anya pointed to the top of the pamphlet. Yuri’s face involuntarily stiffened as he skims over the top.

“I saw it from the police cartoons I watched yesterday.”

“...........”

“Become a police officer, jump from high places and kill bad guys.”

Anya snorted while she talked excitedly.

“Then, lock them up in a pig cage and feed them with rotten food.”

“.....Don’t you say those words in front of my sister.”

Yuri grumbled, “I’m begging you.” as he began to regret bringing this chihuahua girl here.

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

“Welcome. Here at the police station booth, you can experience the work of a police offer.”

Upon entering the police station booth, a young woman staff smiles at them as she guides them through the building. The entire staff was dressed in costumes that resemble police uniforms.

A father and son, who seem to have finished their experience, walked past Yuri and the others with excited expressions on their faces.

“This is my first time shooting a gun! Hehehe... And of course, every shot hits the target! Awesome right?”

The son proudly boasted to Anya. The young father says, “Come on, let's go. Sorry to bother you.” as he urges his son, bowing becorry towards Yuri. Yuri also reflexively bowed his head back. “It's okay,'' he replied.

“I wanna be a doctor next!”

“Geez...Is daddy gonna wear a white coat during his day off too?”

“It’s fine! Hurry up, hurry up!”

“At least let me do other jobs on my holiday.”

That was the conversation Yuri heard from the father and son as they were walking away.

What? What are they talking about?

While Yuri's head was filled with question marks, “Gun….Bondman.”, he heard Anya, who was standing next to him, mumbling in a dangerous tone. Her eyes were shining suspiciously.

“Remaining bullets, two-eights.”

She looks unnecessarily sharp, and she is saying things that he can’t understand. The strange gleam in her eyes made Yuri’s instinct to tell him,

I can't let her play with guns.

“It’s your time now….”

A woman who was reading something that looks like a progress chart, lifted her face.

“The interrogation room is available. She can experience the work of criminal interrogation with our actors. What do you think?”

“Then, we’ll go with that please.”

Yuri responded immediately without listening carefully. He must stop the shooting at all costs. Anya tugged the hem of Yuri’s jacket and shouted, “I want to shoot a gun! I wanna be like Bondman!”, but he ignored her pleas and pretended he didn’t hear anything.

“Well then, please change into your uniform here.”

“Come on, you go now.”

As he pushed Anya’s back, the woman politely told him,

“No, her big brother has to come with her too.”

“No, I'm not her big brother-”

“He's not my brother, he's my unkie.”

“Oh my, you look so young so I thought you were just her older brother.”

The woman looked at Yuri in surprise, then she politely corrected herself,

“I'm sorry for my rudeness. Well then, please come this way too.”

Ugh… I want to vehemently correct the word “Uncle”. But I feel like if I say I’m not her uncle, it’s going to be extremely troublesome.

Everything is dangerous these days. If you’re not careful enough, you may be reported as a suspicious person. If that happens, the secret police reputation will be ruined.

So there's nothing else I can do.

Although he was not willing to do it, Yuri immediately changed his attitude.

“No”, he replied “She'll go there on her own to experience it.”

Yuri decided to be a good “uncle”. He was originally good at acting after all.

“I will wait here. Listen carefully to the big sisters in there and be a good girl, okay?”

Yuri smiled, it's a smile of a gentle uncle for his adorable niece. And Anya, with wide eyes, was looking at Yuri like he was a strange creature.

“Unkie, you're gross.”

She muttered.

“Your smile is so fake.”

He was annoyed by her stubbornness, and he decided to ignore it. However, the female employee turned around and said,

“Um, I regret to inform you of this, but it's the rule of this facility that the guardians should keep an eye on their children during the work experience….. .”

“What?”

“Our goal is for parents to play with their children to encourage their motivation and find the joy of working, so if you don’t agree with that, then I have to refuse to let you use our services.”

In a polite tone, the female employee strongly emphasized the educational purpose of the facility.

What kind of weird rule is that? ….What’s the point of having the adults to join in too? How does that even motivate children?

It was really confusing for Yuri. However at that point, he suddenly realized why the parents were so exhausted earlier.

“Eh….there… Papa’s a little embarrassed to go in there…. I’m fat after all. My stomach is also sticking out lately. Let’s go to the pastry shop instead.”

“Geez...Is daddy gonna wear a white coat during his day off too? At least let me do other jobs on my holiday.”

Now Yuri understood why the fathers were like that.

Is that the reason why they all look so tired?

He should have realized this sooner, or at least did more research before going there.

My god… it would’ve been easier if I'd woken that fat dog up, and taken them to the park for a walk if I had to do this.

He regrets it to the point of gritting his teeth, but it’s a festival for later.

“What should I do? Should we go back and go somewhere else? But this kid…”

Yuri glanced at Anya who was standing next to him and met her cold gaze.

“If we go back, I will write this in my diary and I will show it to Mama.”

Anya said eloquently. Moreover, she opened her little bag, and Yuri caught a glimpse of the curse book inside it. That was clearly a threat.

“What would you like to do? If you agree with our facility’s rules, please go in and change your clothes in the changing room over there. Or do you perhaps want to leave?”

The young SSS agent felt a great deal of humiliation at hearing the woman’s words with a smile, but he has no other choice but to answer,

“No, I’m going to change clothes.”

#spy x family #spy x family light novel: family portrait #sxf #yuri briar #anya forger #I was supposed to post everything in two parts but I realized how long the chapter is #so i decided to post them in 3 parts #please do not repost

[thesecretcornerintheroom]

Adun

Adun in Yoruba language by definition means “Sweetness”

Plot: Y/n is angry With M’baku and all of Wakanda can feel her anger especially him.

Kinks:Breathplay/Fingering

Smut 18+

Y/n was sitting at the window, seething with anger, trying to control her temper by reading her book. In the castle library. She was trying to focus on her story, but she kept coming back to M’baku and Wakanda. M’baku is a very hard-headed and stubborn leader. He doesn’t listen when someone is advising him. To him, now being the new leader of Wakanda is throwing off his community because he’s not listening or making plans. He’s simply being foolish.“What is this commotion about!” said M’baku walking through the door with a glare. And a vigorous walk. “My Queen, just this morning, it was snowing. Now the rivers are unthawing, and the plants are withering.” If you have something to say, say it! Before we turn into a part of the ocean, eh”.You’re probably wondering what snow and rivers have to do with you. Well, they have a lot to do with you. See, y/n is an outsider to Wakanda. She fought alongside the Avengers.

Y/n meet M’baku when it will at the time to help fight Killimonger. Tachalla asked for your help, so you came to Wakanda to help fight the battle against the enemies, and while in Wakanda, you caught the eye of the “great gorilla.” Your power was Atomokineses. Y/n could control the weather. She could make the sun dry out the humans and plants, and she could make tides wash them away, but Y/n is very balanced. She prides herself on being grounded with herself and the earth. At least, she tries to be. She turns nature upside down when she fights herself and her inner thoughts. Most of the time, you wouldn't even know those powers belonged to her.“Maybe mother nature is making you count her blessings,” said y/n in a colder voice.

“Your voice sounds colder than Ice caps,” said M’baku as he strode over to y/n and bent down to be in her face. “My queen, tell me what seems to be the problem so I can fix it and my crops can thrive again, eh,” M’baku said this with a calm tone and a calm demeanor, which he always seems to have when talking to you. “My problem is that the Leader of Jabari and now the newfound Black Panther will not listen to his people who are telling them they don't want war! ”You yell, feeling anger remembering how you felt in that council room and looking at all the council speak their truth.

A flashing white light passed across the library window. It will not be surprising to you because you know that you are angry, and soon Jabari nation and Wakanda will feel the shift in the weather. They will feel the change in you.

Your outburst did not surprise M’baku. He's been told many moons that he has done something wrong, but M’baku also knows that nothing will get done if his people do not fight.

“I know what my nation needs. My nation is getting attacked daily by your people for something sacred that belongs to us! And we have to fight back! That is the only way!” M’baku now yelled, rising from being crouched over. His posture was rigid, and his tone was serious. His eyes were dark, and his Jaw tight. You could tell he was angry and conflicted just by the glare he held and how heavily he was breathing. “My People! Let's not forget you married an outsider, so you now have an affiliation with my people!” you yelled, now seeing red. All you felt was anger. “ Your people, the council, and The community have lost Their king, their queen, and the princess gave up their throne! Your community was overflowed with water and agony! But they haven't felt enough,” You yelled. You were angry but quiet and kept only saying what you heard from the council. You were in America when the war with the water people happened.

”This is where I have lived my entire life. I know what happened to my people. I saw it hit after hit,” said M’baku hitting his hands “you were brought into this land. You have met my people. You fought along with Tachalla and Shuri and bowed to the queen, but you will never get the pain we have felt, eh, so dont act like you do. I'm doing what is best for Wakanda” He said this, and his voice cracked. You knew M’baku was right. You knew you would never feel the pain the way he did. You knew he meant well. You just had to make him see another way to fight. “your community deserves to rest and peace, as an outsider I can say that they will never stop, but that means we need a plan that doesn't involve running into a war we need to come up with a treaty or agreement” You said now with a calm voice “hear the council listen to them talk to them, that's all I ask” you said voice soft and eager hoping he would hear you.

Between the heated words, you didn't even realize you heard Raindrops hitting the window. You felt your body become intense. You were now standing in front of M’baku. His posture was becoming less rigid, and his eyes returned to a softer state. He let out a breath and walked past me to the chair, and sat down.”My heart is heavy for my people, and I hear you; I will talk to my council,” He said, now looking at me, his demeanor calm. He held out his hand to me. “Come to me, adun.” You walk over to him slowly in your white nightgown. It sits loosely over your curves, and it hides enough so You can be modest for the server, and it makes M’baku imagine things even though he's seen your body thousands of times.

As you walk to him, you feel your body shift back to normal you feel lighter. You can also hear the rain slowing down. As you sat on his lap, you saw him smile, and you felt the warmth of his body on your side. “My queen, you are everything to me,” he said. Mbaku was very blunt regarding how he talked and handled situations, but with you, he was different Mbaku had a softness to him that you know he would never show anyone else. You felt his nose lightly touch your neck, his lips on your neck, and his hand wrapped around your waist while his hand moved your hair from one side. You felt your core tighten, your breath hitch as he bit on your neck. “My king don’t you think you should be attending to your kingdom or plans,” you said in a breathless voice. “My plans can wait. I need peace right now. You’re my peace,” M’baku said, his voice becoming huskier. M’baku grabbed your face and kissed you. His lips were soft against yours. You felt his hands hold the back of your head as he depends the kiss. M’baku is a man of many words, but he knows when he has said too much, so he always finds himself apologizing to you this way. You don’t know how but the strings on your gown were undone, and your dress was now pushed up to your hips.

You felt M’baku grab your breast while teasing your breast with one hand. You could feel him rubbing your inner thigh. As he held your nipple, ready it till it was provided, you thought your core had become wet. His lips are still kissing your neck and back. Your body was buzzing all over. You feel like running away from the sensation. You needed to feel more. You started to grind on him. His breath started to become rigid.”Open your legs for me, adun” So you did. All you felt was the stickiness between your thighs and the cool air on your inner things. His rough hands slid up your thighs. Your back was still facing him while your legs were spread across his thighs. His other hand left your breast and went to your neck. His hand rested on your neck while the other toyed with your core. Rubbing your clit up and down, his fingers felt rough, and that’s precisely what you needed. You let out a gasp as he entered you. You thought yourself tightening. “Breath,” M’baku said with a gentle voice, his finger rubbing the side of your neck.

Hearing those words made your body relax. You felt his finger go out of you, and in you, you felt the rhythm of his hands. You knew that you were dripping like honey from his fingers. You felt his fingers start slow and then start to speed up with each motion. You thought your body was beginning to tingle, and your body ached.

And he could tell, too, as he curled his finger to hit your spot. You felt your legs starting to shake and tight. All you did was let out a string of Moan's. Your body was tightening. You were so close, and as your body was arriving, you felt his hand around your neck tighten. “Give it to me. My queen,” M’baku said, kissing your shoulder. As those words were spoken, a release washed over your body, mixed between you holding your orgasm and he holding your body and neck. It felt like your body could finally breathe once again. When you looked outside, the rain had stopped, and the sun had risen over the nation of Wakanda.

#m’baku #mbaku x you #y/n #black panther #black panther imagine #mbaku imagine #M’baku imagine #Winston Duke

[dracoslittlepet]

💀Leap of Faith💀

🐍DARK! DRACO MALFOY X READER ONESHOT🐍

Everyone had always warned you to stay away from Draco Malfoy... But there was just something about him that drew you in, and kept you there. But what if everyone else's warnings about the boy had proven to be for a good reason? What happens then...?

• angst; dark themes; language; TW non-con death, use of the Imperius Curse

⚡️TAGLIST: @wallwriterstuff @raindancer2004 @like-rain-or-confetti @alecvolturiswifeforever @nixwolfe @dr4cosimp @dracoslittlesunflower @draconisxcaput @dracomalfoysslave @dracoslittleangel @fieldofsecretss @malfoyctions @malfoysmainb @pharaohinamorta

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It had all happened almost as if in slow motion. You stepping backwards, the feel of the chilled winter air hitting your exposed shoulders, the way the stars sort of seemed to tilt sideways, as they peeked through the clouds. And then just as suddenly, it had all been over, quicker than the flame of a candle being snuffed out.

How had it happened, exactly? That's what all the students and staff of Hogwarts were still asking themselves, even after the space of several months had gone by. Nobody had actually seen it happen, of course.

Well, nobody aside from a boy with ice-blonde hair and eyes of an oceanic blue-grey, eyes that could be warm and mirthful one second, then cold and calculating the next. Only he and a tiny handful of others knew what really happened that fateful night...

"No. Nope, absolutely not."

Hermione Granger's mouth was set in a grim line, her brown eyes full of distrust. Leaning forward across the library table, her voice dropped to a soft murmur. "Look, it's not that I don't trust your judgement. It's just... Well, it's him I don't trust. Believe me, Y/N, anyone else would tell you the same thing. Draco Malfoy is not to be trusted."

Even after hearing it from several other people, you still refused to believe it. How could someone who was so quiet and so pretty to look at, be as mean and calculating as everyone said he was?? You couldn't believe it, you just couldn't. There must be more to him than that, you were sure of it.

More often than not, there were a few late nights spent down in your common room, sitting in front of the fireplace and relaxing, only to catch a rare glimpse of a smiling Draco with his friends. But again, they were rare. Any other time, the boy was quiet, thoughtful... Maybe even a tad depressed?

On more than one occasion, you had thought that perhaps Draco Malfoy could use a friend, or at least someone to talk to. But now a certain little Gryffindor was seated across from you, insisting that you stay far away from the very boy you always thought about.

"Oh, come on, 'Mione... I'm sure he's not that bad??" you protested. She shook her head at you, heaving a sigh. "You don't understand. He's... He's smarter than he looks, Y/N. He'll use you to get what he wants, if he has to, and he won't feel poorly about it, either. I hope you know what you're doing." she answered.

You flashed a tiny grin across the table at her, before getting up. "Eh, I think I can manage. He just needs someone to talk to, that's all." you told her with a shrug. She glanced up at you then, a look of uncertainty in her eyes. "Alright, well... Don't say I didn't try and warn you." she murmured, before going back to her book.

As you left the library in search of Draco, those words of warning echoed for a moment in your head.

"He'll use you to get what he wants..."

No, you refused to believe it. Sure, he was a Slytherin, and with that came rumors of all Slytherins being sneaky and underhanded. But here's the thing: you were a Slytherin too. And from what others had told you, more often than not, you were probably one of the nicest out of anyone in your House.

Which gave you hope that Draco might have some nice qualities about him, as well. Just because he was somewhat cold and unapproachable on the outside, that didn't necessarily mean he was that way on the inside, too. Maybe he just needed a friend... Someone he could relate to. Or at the very least, someone who would listen to him without any judgement.

Draco stood there with his fingers curled tightly around the railing, as he stared down into the courtyard far below. How easy it would be, to just slip underneath the metal bar and then take that one little step forward, letting gravity do the rest. Nobody would suspect a thing, at least not until they recovered his badly mangled body later.

"Poor boy..." they would all murmur. Or would they? That was the question, wasn't it? Would any of them even care, if he just... Took that one step forward? Pitched himself off the Astronomy Tower? Would they speak in whispers about it, would word eventually make it back to his parents that their son had died? That he had fallen to his death?

And best of all, or maybe worst of all, would his family finally be spared from the monstrosity that was the Dark Lord? Or would things only get worse, all because of him? All of these worries and more wove a tangled, dark web inside the inner workings of Draco's mind, until he felt like he was going to snap.

Heaving an irritated sigh, Draco reached into the pocket of his trousers, pulling out a rather battered looking carton of cigarettes. With trembling fingers, he slid a lone cigarette from the pack, before shoving the carton back in his pocket and digging around for his silver lighter.

Within seconds, he had lit up, the menthol and nicotine combining to form a heady, albeit slightly soothing, concoction for his senses. If his father ever found out about the dirty habits his son had picked up, Draco would be in even deeper shit than he already was.

But at the moment, he didn't entirely care. He just wanted some relief, some form of escape, from the mess he was currently in. Taking another deep drag, the boy continued to stare down into the courtyard, until the sudden slam of a door startled him, making him jump and causing the cigarette to nearly slip from his fingers.

Draco quietly hissed in pain as the lit end of his cigarette briefly made contact with one of his fingers. Turning around, he withdrew his wand from the inside pocket of his blazer, holding it at the ready and glaring at whoever dared to disturb his moment of peace.

But his hand trembled when he saw a familiar face round the corner, her steps falling silent as she stood there staring at him with wide E/C eyes. It was Y/N... Wasn't she in Slytherin with him? Almost as if in answer to his unspoken question, Draco's eyes landed on the patch embroidered on the left side of the girl's school robes. Indeed, she was a Slytherin...

What in Merlin's name was she doing out here?? As Draco's eyes narrowed further, the girl suddenly offered him an apologetic smile. "Oh, gods, sorry! I didn't realize anyone else would be up here tonight!" she apologized, her words coming out slightly rushed.

"Perhaps you should leave, then." Draco's voice was cold, his words harsh. Y/N's brows drew together in a brief moment of hurt, before she quickly recovered, offering him that same smile as before. "No, please, I don't mean to intrude! It's just... I usually come up here before dinner to get away from it all, to have someplace quiet to think. I've never seen you up here, though." she explained.

This was news to Draco; he had never seen her up here before, not once. "Tell me the truth. Why are you really here?" he spoke harshly again, practically spitting the words out. Y/N's brows furrowed for a split second, her gaze hardening, before she sighed. "What, like I'd really lie to you? Maybe you're just not as observant as you think you are." she said lightly.

"Or maybe," she continued, taking a few steps further into the Tower, "you just want the same things I do. Someone to talk to, or maybe even just a place where your thoughts can quiet down for a while."

Draco scoffed at this, and as Y/N took another step forward, he raised his wand towards her, making her freeze in her tracks. "Right. Like you would know what any of it feels like! The quiet little girl who everyone says is too nice to be a Slytherin. Bookish just like Granger, excelling in all her classes, friends with Parkinson and everyone else. Oh, please! What should you have to be worried about?" he retorted, his mouth turning down in a scowl.

Y/N made a face at him then, before rolling her eyes at him. "Aww, and here I thought you didn't care! But seriously, Draco. Just because I might appear calm and collected on the outside, that doesn't mean I'm the same way on the inside. I actually have my own shit to be worrying about right now, thanks." she told him.

The way she said his name, it made something inside Draco spark for a moment, before he quickly shut it down, taking another drag off his still-lit cigarette. And then Y/N laughed at him. "You know those things will kill you, right?" she pointed out, nodding towards the cigarette held between his fingers.

Draco blew out a cloud of menthol-hazed smoke, and before he could stop himself, one corner of his mouth lifted in a sardonic little smirk as he let out a rather tired sounding laugh. "So what else is new." he sighed, taking another drag. Y/N took one more step towards him, and this time, Draco let her.

Stowing away his wand in the pocket of his blazer, he turned and faced the railing again, his eyes staring unfocused on one of the mountains out in the distance. "Why should you have anything to worry about?" he repeated his earlier question, only this time it was spoken softer and much less harsh.

Out of the corner of his eye, Draco saw Y/N come up beside him, her hands resting lightly on the metal railing. "I... I'm worried because I feel like there's something bad coming for all of us. And I feel like either nobody cares, or they care too much that they're choosing to shut themselves down against the idea of facing it. And it scares me, because..." her voice suddenly trailed off in a whisper.

Out of the corner of his eye, Draco saw her fingers tighten their grip on the railing, her knuckles nearly going white. He didn't think he had ever seen her this tense, this distressed. "Because...?" he prodded gently, before taking another drag off his cigarette, blowing out more menthol-hazed smoke.

"It scares me, Draco. Because what if this is it? What if this is all there is? What if everything they're teaching us, all of it, is for nothing?" she finished weakly. It was then that she turned to face him, and the look in her eyes nearly made Draco weak in his knees, and not in a good way.

Her E/C eyes were filling up with tears, her previously good mood all but gone now. Something in Draco's heart ached, but like before, he forced himself to shut it down. If you cared too much, the people around you would eventually end up getting hurt, or even worse than that, killed.

Taking one last drag off his cigarette, Draco let it fall from his fingers to the floor of the Astronomy Tower, muttering a quick Vanishing Spell under his breath, before turning to face Y/N. "You know you can't think like this, right?" he sighed softly, placing his hands on the girl's shoulders. She nodded, but there were still tears in her eyes.

Swearing under his breath, Draco did the only thing he could think of in that moment. He pulled Y/N into a hug, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close to him. And it seemed to help; almost instantly, Y/N relaxed into him, her head falling forward to rest against his chest, her arms circling around his waist.

And to his own surprise, it didn't feel all that unpleasant. It actually felt... Warm. Comforting. Like home, but better, a home he had only ever heard about from the other students, a place where you were actually, truly loved. It felt like sanctuary. But deep down, Draco knew it could never last.

He was a Death Eater now. That meant that he wasn't capable of love, he couldn't be. Anyone who got too close to him or who perhaps loved him a little too much would just end up being nothing more than collateral damage, a throw-away pawn in a seemingly never-ending game of chess.

Only in this game, nobody would call checkmate. Everyone would lose, the Dark Lord himself was slowly seeing to it, coming up with a plan that would throw the entirety of life at Hogwarts out of balance. Which was why Draco could not, would not, let himself get too closely involved with Y/N.

Oh, he would play his part well if needed, but only to keep himself and everyone else on his side alive. After that, the rest of the game, and the other players on the chessboard, would be left up to fate itself. With a sigh, Draco released Y/N, turning back around to face the mountains in the distance.

"Better?" he murmured. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Y/N nod once, as she stepped forward to lean against the railing, staring down into the courtyard below. There was a moment's pause, before she spoke. "They all look so small, don't they? You can barely tell who's who, from up here. Blaise, Pansy, Theo... Hell, even Potter... They're all probably down there right now, all of them oblivious." she murmured.

Draco swallowed hard as his gaze dropped to land on the courtyard below. Indeed, the students looked like nothing more than little colored specks from up here. Heaving another sigh, he turned away from the railing, not wanting to see anything more. It was sick, all of it. Who he was, what he was destined to do, how he was supposed to do it... Who he was going to have to hurt along the way... It was twisted.

"I'm... Heading down. I think they're about to start the dinner service. Feel free to join me if you'd like." Draco spoke quietly, casting one last glance over his shoulder at Y/N, before heading towards the stairs leading down and out of the Astronomy Tower. As he left, he could hear the soft footsteps of Y/N following after him.

His jaw tensed in the darkness as he tugged open the door to the Tower, stepping out into the hall. Y/N would be nothing more than a pawn in the game, he knew that. But it didn't make it hurt any less...

Three months. It had been three months since you and Draco spoke to each other that night up on the Astronomy Tower. And the two of you were closer than ever now, it seemed. Rumors had even started to spread that you and Draco were dating. And to your surprise, Draco never denied any of it. He wouldn't outright admit it, either... But he never denied it.

Things seemed to be going so well, at least for now. And yet you still couldn't completely shake the strange new feeling that your little slice of heaven would disappear soon. An involuntary shudder ran down your spine as you sat there at the lunch table in the Great Hall.

And almost immediately, Draco noticed. "Darling, are you cold?" he murmured, quirking a brow at you. You shook your head at him, but he still wrapped an arm around you and pulled you closer to him, holding you. And you had to admit, it did help a little, the familiar scent of Draco's cologne surrounding you and putting your mind and soul at ease for now.

"You guys are so fucking adorable." Pansy suddenly said, and you could swear you felt Draco tense up for a minute, before he relaxed again. "Makes me wish I had something like that." Pansy added with a sigh. You watched her look wistfully towards the table where the Ravenclaws were sitting, her gaze landing on Luna Lovegood.

A small smile pulled at one corner of your mouth. Everyone in your House knew that Pansy had it bad for the quirky blonde Ravenclaw, even if she wouldn't admit it out loud. Draco often teased her about it, which more often than not, resulted in Pansy blushing furiously and making an obscene gesture at him with her fingers.

Almost as if on cue, Draco let out a chuckle. "Just go talk to her already, Parkinson. Quit wallowing and do it already." he teased her. She stuck her tongue out at him in response, yet her gaze remained fixed on Luna. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she got up and made her way over to the Ravenclaw table.

Your smile grew a little as you watched her strike up a conversation with the quirky blonde girl, before she sat down next to Luna, chatting animatedly with her. It seemed so easy, so free, all of it. Being able to make friends, or start new relationships, creating memories that would perhaps live on forever, long after the people who made them were gone.

All too soon, a feeling of melancholy slowly began to settle over you. Did any of them even know how bad things were about to get? Did any of them even care? Or were they doing as you had once suggested to Draco? Did they perhaps care a little too much, so much that they were forcing themselves to look past it, to ignore it all?

You didn't want to think of what was to come in the next few months, maybe even weeks. You just wanted to live in the moment, while there still was a moment to be had. Swallowing hard, you snuggled closer to Draco, resting your head on his shoulder and trying to forget your previously morbid thoughts. Everything would be alright... It had to be.

Seven months. Seven months since that night up on the Astronomy Tower. Seven months since you and Draco had gotten close enough to perhaps be considered lovers, maybe even more. And yet... That feeling of dread still remained, every bit as tenacious as ever, the little claws of doubt and hopelessness digging themselves into you, into your very soul.

Something bad was coming, you could feel it. You were pretty sure Draco knew it too; he seemed to be growing rather distant from you as of late. Sure, you two were close... But something was off about the boy. He no longer wore his trademark smirk when he was with you.

In fact, he seemed to grow rather nervous whenever he saw you, even a bit pained at times. It's like whatever was eating away at Draco's thoughts, was just as rapidly consuming his soul, too. He would hardly speak to you, and on the rare occasions when he did, his voice trembled and he wouldn't look you in the eyes.

So it was with a sense of confusion (and slight hope) that you found yourself being shaken gently awake by none other than Draco, himself. "Dray, what-?" you started to ask, but he shook his head at you, bringing a finger up to his lips. "Shh, don't. I need you to come with me, Y/N. Something is... Wrong. I have to show you." he whispered.

His voice seemed unusually steady tonight, void of any panic or any trembling. This probably should have raised a few alarms within you, but at the moment, you were still trying to fully wake up, and your mind was a bit hazy. As you got up out of bed, Draco's hand found yours in the dim light of the girls' dormitories, and he led you silently down the stairs.

There were only a few students left in the Common Room, two of them being Blaise and Theo. Both of them nodded at you in greeting, though Blaise regarded Draco with a look of confusion. "Bit late for a walk, isn't it?" he asked. Draco merely shrugged, offering him a light half-smile. "I'll be back soon. Stay here." he answered quietly.

With that, he led you out of the room before you had a chance to hear Blaise's reply. You and Draco made your way silently through the halls, taking a path you soon recognized. As he tugged open the door leading to the Astronomy Tower, you glanced up at him, offering him a wry smile. "Need a moment, do you?" you lightly teased him.

Draco didn't answer you; he didn't even smile. Your own smile faltered then, your heart sinking as you followed him through the door and up the stairs. The skies were a vivid midnight blue tonight, the stars out and twinkling brightly, even despite the approaching clouds.

But the air had a certain chill to it, and you shivered as it ghosted over your exposed shoulders. It was the middle of winter, and you hadn't had a chance to throw on a sweater before Draco was leading you from the dormitories. Another shiver ran through you as you followed Draco, coming to stand beside him near the railing.

It was a long moment before he spoke, and when he did, his voice held that unusual calm from before. "I can't do this. I can't keep doing this." he began quietly. Again, that sense of dread came creeping back, only this time it was stronger than ever. You had a sneaking suspicion that Draco didn't just bring you up here tonight for the picturesque views.

You reached out towards him, and for the first time in a long while, he actually shrank back from you, a tense expression on his face. Your hand fell limply back to your side as you stared at him, waiting for him to continue.

"This... Us... It was never going to work. I thought it would, but... There are too many other things at play right now. Too many people, too much to deal with. And I refuse to drag you into it. But... I can't sit around waiting for you, in the hopes that someday this will work out. And I can't let you sit around waiting for me, either.

"That's not fair to you. So I'm doing this the only way I know how. And I hope that someday, everyone else will understand why I did it. I hope you'll understand. And I hope you'll be able to forgive me for it." Draco continued softly, his voice still eerily calm.

You stood there in your pajama bottoms and cotton camisole, shivering from the cold and not understanding what Draco was getting at. It all struck you as odd, and a bit morose, like he was saying goodbye. "Forgive you for what?" you asked in a trembling whisper.

Draco swallowed hard, withdrawing his wand from the pocket of his blazer and pointing it at you. "I'm sorry, Y/N." he whispered back. A second later, the one word you never thought you would hear came tumbling out of his mouth in that calm, smooth timbre: "Imperio."

Draco watched with baited breath as Y/N's eyes became glassy, hazed over with the effects of the curse he'd just put her under. Somewhere deep in the back of his mind, a voice was screaming out for him to stop, that this wasn't right, none of it was ever going to be right.

But then thoughts of what would happen if the Dark Lord had ever discovered how involved Draco had become with Y/N filled his mind, overtaking everything else. He lowered his wand with a shaking hand, tucking it back inside the pocket of his blazer. He wouldn't need it; their lessons this year had helped him perfect the art of wandless spells.

Now it was just a matter of getting Y/N to do what he wanted her to do... No, what he needed her to do. "This is for the best, it's the only way to keep her out of my mess, to keep her out of his reach." he told himself. Taking a step towards Y/N, he placed a firm hand on her shoulder. This wasn't going to be easy, not by any means...

He looked out over the railing; it was a long way down. But maybe that was a good thing. Maybe it would be over quick, maybe pain wouldn't even be an option, because it would be over in an instant. Taking a deep breath, Draco turned to face Y/N. Her eyes were still hazed over, as she stood there looking out at the snow beginning to fall, not really seeing it.

"I want you to do something for me, angel."

How it deeply pained Draco to say these words, to call her that. Once, a long time ago it seemed, that had been his little nickname for her, a way of showing his affection towards her. But now the words seemed empty, void of any love.

They were meaningless, just vowels and consonants flung out into the cold winter's night. But they fulfilled their purpose, which was exactly what Draco needed right now. Y/N turned to him with a dazed look. "I want you to step over the railing for me." Draco spoke softly.

"But that's dangerous..." Y/N immediately responded, slurring her words just a bit towards the end. Draco nodded, but his hand remained fixed on Y/N's shoulder. "I know, but I've got you. I won't let you fall." he whispered. The little white lie burned in the back of his mind, that voice screaming out again.

He shut it out with a shake of his head, swallowing hard past the guilt building up inside of him. He released Y/N with a shuddering breath, watching as she climbed over the railing in a daze, turning to face him, her hands gripping the metal bar tightly. "Now I want... I want you to just... Let go. Take a step back, just let go, angel." Draco whispered.

Y/N regarded him with a brief look of confusion, and Draco scrambled to find a way of reassuring her. This had to be done, and it had to be done now, before it was too late. "Go on, darling, it's alright. It'll be over quicker than you think, just a second or two." he whispered.

Y/N cast a dubious look down for a moment, before her eyes met Draco's. "But what if I feel it?" she asked, her voice sounding rather small. Draco's eyes widened imperceptibly before he offered Y/N a rueful smile.

"You won't feel a thing, I promise. I'll make it so easy for you, so easy, angel. Just let yourself fall... Everything after that will take care of itself." he answered softly. Y/N regarded him with what could only be a look of hope, something that made Draco's heart ache and twist painfully in his ribcage, as he stared back at her.

"You promise?" she asked him.

"I... I promise, darling. Go on, be a good girl for me. One little step, that's it." he answered. Something in the expression on her face made Draco's heart break in his chest, and his lower lip trembled. And then Y/N's next words nearly brought him to his knees.

"Dray... Why are you sad?"

His eyes welled up with tears as he stared back at Y/N, completely at a loss on what to say to her. It took him a full minute before he could regain enough of his composure to answer her. "Don't worry about me, Y/N. I'll be okay." he whispered. She nodded, like this all made complete sense to her. "That's good..." she murmured in a daze.

She glanced down below again, before meeting Draco's gaze once more. "You and me, right?" she asked, her voice sounding small again, just like before. Draco's breath hitched in his throat as he slowly nodded, his gaze never leaving Y/N's. "You and me, darling. Until the end." he breathed. She nodded, before taking a deep breath. And then she stepped backwards.

Everything after that seemed to pass by in a bit of a daze. Draco had waited for a full minute, gathering enough courage to take a step forward and look down over the railing, down into the courtyard below. And he had almost broken down right then and there.

The sight of Y/N's body lying there in the snow, her limbs stuck out at odd angles, a halo of red bleeding out into the white around her... It made Draco's stomach churn, made his heart wrench painfully in his chest, until he could barely breathe for trying.

"It's for the best, it was for her own good, it needed to be done." his thoughts kept chanting in his head. But one train of thought kept overtaking all the others: "She could have gone into hiding. You could have loved her. She would have waited."

Indeed, perhaps that would have been the better option. But Draco had run out of options, a long while ago. Everyone he had ever loved, everyone he would ever allow himself to get involved with... None of them were safe. This was the only option Draco had been left with.

As he descended the stairs to the Astronomy Tower, left through the door, walked down the corridors, his mind was a haze. It was almost like he was the one who had been put under the Imperius Curse. Draco glanced out one of the windows into the courtyard as he passed by, and his breath hitched in his throat again.

Y/N was still lying there, the halo of red much bigger now. His lower lip trembled again as he stood there staring at her lifeless body, and he couldn't bring himself to look away, not until a hand clamped down on his shoulder, making him jump. It was Blaise, and Nott was with him.

"Hey. I was wondering where you and Y/N got off to. Speaking of, where's...?" Blaise started to ask, but his words died in his throat when he glanced out the window. His face went ashen, his eyes widening. Nott elbowed him, leaning forward to see what was the matter with him, but when he followed Blaise's line of sight, he too went pale in the face.

"Is that-?" he started to ask, but the looks on Blaise and Draco's faces told him all he needed to know, in that moment. "Oh." was all he said, his voice going flat. He continued to stare out the window, watching the snow flutter down onto Y/N's unmoving body. A tense sort of silence fell over the corridor, until Blaise spoke up, shattering the quiet.

"What happened?" he asked. Those two words echoed inside Draco's head, and the blonde boy swallowed hard, his eyes welling with tears again. "She fell." was all he could manage to get out, before he abruptly turned and hurried off towards the Slytherin Common Room. He knew from the silence behind him that neither Blaise or Nott had followed him.

And perhaps that was a good thing. Draco didn't know if he was quite ready to tell them the truth, not yet. He knew it would break them down just as much as it was breaking him, until there was nothing left. And he wasn't ready for that yet. They weren't ready for it, none of them were.

He would be the only one who knew what had really happened up there on that tower tonight. Perhaps he would just spare them all the details, take it to his grave.

Or maybe, years from now, when they were all ready to hear it, he would tell them. He would tell them how Y/N had taken a leap of faith for him, how she had died for him... How she had loved him until the end...

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A/N: OOF, this was dark. Like, really dark. I don't think I quite like Dark! Draco. 🙊 I mean, that's good though, right? When you've written a character so well that you actually quite detest the way you've written their arc? I dunno, maybe I'm mental. Either way, lemme know what you guys think of this one, yeah? This blog thrives off those comments and reblogs! Thanksss...! 💚

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#draco malfoy x reader oneshot #draco malfoy x reader angst #draco malfoy x reader #draco malfoy oneshot #draco malfoy angst #draco malfoy #harry potter fanfiction #harry potter fandom #harry potter oneshot #harry potter #angst #tw mention of death #dark!Draco #oneshot #leap of faith

[michaelmilligan]

Midam Appreciation Week Day 3: The F-word (family)

Do we have to? Michael asked for the fifteenth time, wings twitching in agitation.

Oh, come on. It'll be fun! Adam countered, also speaking in their shared mind-space. While there was currently no one else around to hear them, that would change soon – at least if Michael finally got a move on.

I don't want to see them, Michael grumbled.

Adam took over the vessel for a second to raise an eyebrow at his pouty archangel. My brothers or yours?

… Yes.

The mighty archangel Michael, scared of a little family dinner, Adam teased him as he passed control back to Michael.

Michael's wings ruffled. I'm not scared.

Prove it.

Michael kept grumbling, but flapped his wings, and landed them in front of the bunker.

I don't understand why they insist on coming back here.

Adam took over the body to shrug and ring the doorbell. It's big, and sturdily built. Probably not a bad idea when inviting four archangels.

Before Michael could answer, the door was already opening, revealing a smirking Gabriel. “'sup, Mikey. No, wait.” He squinted. “You're the other guy, right?”

“The name's still Adam. You'd think it would be easy to remember, considering the First Man and all that.”

“Eh.” Gabriel made a vague hand gesture and turned to walk down the stairs.

“Well, thanks for inviting us in,” Adam muttered, and stepped inside. Michael made the door fall closed behind them as they followed Gabriel down the stairs.

The long library table was already set for what must be eight people, and Jack came in with a basket of sliced bread while Gabriel and Lucifer just lounged around.

“You're here!” Jack called as he saw Adam and Michael. “Then we can start. I'll tell the others!”

After depositing the bread on the table, Jack bounded away again. Lucifer looked after his son with a soft gaze, then turned back to Adam and Michael.

“So you finally made it,” he said.

“Yeah, sorry, we forgot the time,” Adam said, smiling apologetically.

They would have actually been punctual if Michael hadn't been stalling, but they were a team, and so Adam wouldn't tell the others.

“So what were you doing?” Lucifer asked, and grinned. “Something... fun?”

“Yeah,” Adam answered lightly. “There's this new game called Baldur's Gate 3, you know-”

“Hey,” Sam suddenly said, and Adam turned to see him coming into the library with Castiel and Jack at his heels.

“Hey guys,” Adam said, not missing the tension in Sam's and Castiel's shoulders.

Was it funny that they seemed to be more nervous around Michael, the guy they had once molotoved and pulled into Hell, respectively, than around Lucifer, the guy who had possessed them both, if the stories Adam had heard were correct?

Well, maybe funny wasn't quite the right word, though Adam had to admit that it was kind of hilarious to see the two being so awkward.

“Adam,” Sam said, some of the tension seeping out of his shoulders.

But only some.

Before Adam could make a barbed comment about Sam throwing a coin to decide who was in front of him, Dean came in wearing two big mittens and an even bigger, steaming pot. There was a smile on his face, and it only became a little pained as he looked at everyone, which Adam didn't even have to chalk up to the weight of the pot. He could just as easily put that on Lucifer, or even Gabriel.

None of them were Dean's favourite archangel. That one came into the room behind him, making several other pots levitate around them.

“Hello, brother,” Raphael said, not unkindly, as they made all the pots float onto table mats specifically set out for this purpose.

“Raphael,” Michael said while Dean put down the big pot in the middle of the table.

The tensions which had strained the archangels' relationships with each other after they had been revived were mostly gone, but Raphael wasn't a very outgoing or emotional person. They always held themselves under tight control.

Michael had long done the same – the only emotion he had let out had been anger, which had covered up sadness, fear and loneliness. He was doing a lot better these days – for example, after he had finally possessed Adam again, he had not stopped hugging him for three days.

By now, one could almost say that Adam was the repressed one in this relationship. But Michael was still careful with his emotions around his siblings, since he always feared that their intensity was unwelcome.

Adam hoped he would get over that soon.

As they sat down to eat, Lucifer chose a seat right next to Michael and Adam.

It had taken a while for both Lucifer and Michael to forgive each other – after all, neither Michael nor Lucifer had exactly been the champion of good decisions over the past few million years – but once the resentment had started fading, something else had taken its place. Another strong feeling, and one which Adam hadn't exactly expected. Also, one that Michael was still resolutely trying to ignore into non-existence.

As Lucifer's hand curled around their leg, Adam felt Michael's wing twitch, startled and embarrassed.

“Once again, Dean has made enough to feed us all, forgetting that some of us don't eat,” Lucifer commented innocently, still fondling their thigh.

“Speak for yourself,” Gabriel said, and snapped his fingers, making his plate fill with Dean's food. “I don't know what this guy puts in it, and I probably don't wanna know, but damn if it isn't better than anything I could conjure up.”

“Oh, don't you know the secret ingredient to cooking?” Jack asked, perking up as he noticed he could be helpful. “It's love!”

Gabriel scoffed. “Like I said, I didn't wanna know.”

That was rich coming from the guy who sneaked a hand on Sam's thigh when he thought no one was looking, and who wasn't too proud to let himself be fed by Sam when everyone was looking.

“I can assure you there are no nefarious substances in the food,” Raphael said simply, before sitting down next to Dean. Castiel was on Dean's other side, with Jack next to him.

Dean threw Raphael a grin, then turned to serve everyone. “You make it sound like my love is nefarious.” The last word, he said mockingly, and Raphael rolled their eyes.

But they both looked fond.

The hand on Michael and Adam's thigh squeezed.

“How can love even be nefarious?” Lucifer asked.

Michael took over their body for a moment to give him a look.

“Ah,” Lucifer said, embarrassed. “Right.”

They had both done their share of bad things, Adam thought as Michael traded the body back to him, in the name of love. So had Adam, he supposed, considering that he had been ready to torch half the world to see his mom again.

Maybe everyone in the room had done that, once upon a time. And maybe each of them would do it again.

But if so, Adam thought that they would at least do it as a family.

#midamap2023 #Midam #Dean/Raphael #Sam/Gabriel/Lucifer #Michael/Adam/Lucifer #Two fucked up families become one fucked up family <3 #Dean/Raphael might have Castiel in it too you decide #Jack is having a good time having such a big family

[zehecatl]

2024 media thread part JANUARY :D

1st January: Super Mario Bros. Movie

finally got around to watching this, and okay, yeah- it was a lot better than i expected. a good time! really fun to watch! it definitely felt like actual fans worked on it, or at the very least, that Nintendo kept a real close eye during production. loooved the little nods to canon; when Pauline showed up, i literally paused to excitedly tell my mom about who that was, haha. also LOVED the difference uses of power ups!! tanuki suit AND cat suit my beloved :]

Bowser was definitely the high point, like!! that IS my little guy!! Jack Black did SUCH a good job, and man. the ANIMATION. the bits where he got all snarly was SO good. would have loved to watch those on the big screen. Luigi was also very Luigi, which i always appreciate. Mario was... eh? not bad! Chris Pine did an okay job, and while i would have preferred something more, it was... fine. and Donkey Kong was a whole lot of fun, actually? tempted to check out his games, because i did really like him

meanwhile, my BIG BIG complaint, is Peach. like, holy fuck. they absolutely butchered my girl! like, yes- as characters, none of them have a lot of personality to work with, but they're archetypes. you're supposed to push within the archetypes- they even did this with Mario. but they just- they completely abandoned who Peach is, as a character. straight up just wrote Daisy instead, which is. really frustrating! and i dislike it A LOT, because there is so much you can do with Peach as a character, and they didn't even try

but otherwise- fun movie! could have been so much worse!

4th January: Outpath

really relaxing and chill game, where you basically just run around collecting resources, upgrading stuff, and unlocking more island. definitely one of those 'put on some music and zone out for a bit' games. that is not a negative

really liked the graphics, and it was fun to just- run around? you get more movement upgrades as you go along, and it actually plays really nicely. also some tasty environmental sounds

i'm not a 100% done with it yet, but i hit the end credits, so. not sure i'll get all the achievements, but i do intent to go back and clean up some loose ends. also really like how it incorporates some idle elements, like you still getting credits(/money) while being offline. makes it more rewarding to open it up and vibe for a bit

i do think there was an.. attempt? at some kind of story, but i entirely missed it, so i guess that's my only real critic. it was just a fun chill game to sink like, 25 hours into lol

9th January: Momodora: Reverie Under The Moonlight

i've had this game in my library for literally who knows how long, and it's one i've always been aware of, since it was really big back in the day, and oh my god. oh my god, why did i not play this sooner?

it's rather short, took me around 7 hours, but it just- it nails what it wants to be, this tough little game with so much moodiness and tragedy, and i'm so enamoured. i tried playing the original one before this, but it wasn't quite hitting, but man. this one just. it hit so fucking good

there's so many layers here, so many unspoken little details. so so much tragedy you could really dig your fingers into, and as a Tragedy Enjoyer, ooooh it hits good

i'm considering either replaying it myself, or watching a LP and then writing some fic, because there is a little thing hiding here, something i want to put words to. it's good, can't wait to check out the rest, and the upcoming sequel/finale. also, the game is gorgeous

18th January: Switch OVA

so Switch is a two episode long 'adaptation' of a manga, and while it very much just drops you into the middle of the plot, it- works? like, i personally wasn't missing anything, and the case they chose to adapt works really well as a teaser for the manga, because i did leave it considering checking out the manga, and while the whole thing isn't anything to write home about, i did enjoy myself

(i also watched the whole thing on my phone, curled up in bed, so that did maybe increase my enjoyment. it was cozy! what can i say!)

funnily enough, i did walk into this thinking it was a yaoi, and while i don't think it is, there really was nothing to disprove me of this assumption. there's literally a moment where protag guy gets told 'he likes' the other protag guy, and he bLUSHES. LIKE. STRAIGHT OUT OF A YAOI FR FR

all in all, it was honestly just a really cozy time. it wasn't long enough to lose my interest, and there was enough in it to keep it- and i really like the design of the red haired guy! very simple, but really appealing too. i genuinely might check out the manga, my interest is definitely piqued

#media thread #just realised it's feb so DROPS THIS

[stormcrow513]

So UPG here guys just trying to talk myself through something while high thought maybe someone might like to read,

Anyway

So I started reading into the occult at 13 I was zoned in on it immediately I read a lot bought shit, library had a nice sized selection for a small town, online shit a little not a lot cause I kept getting satanist shit that at the time freaked me out,

So I don't remember when I first saw the idea that all gods are one god, usually refered in these books as Spirit, the Spirit at the top of the pentacle/pentagram,

The first time I heard it I'd instantly disliked it, it felt rude to the gods to say they weren't distinct people just masks, and I also knew enough to know the people whose gods these books were referring to, the people whose religions these were wouldn't agree to that, at least the ones I was a little familiar with, I knew Christians for damn sure would be pissed to here that their god was also Zeus, like no they'd be pissed,

So I didn't like it, but there felt like there was something to that so I never fully away from it,

And now as I'm looking more closely into different pantheons I'm starting to maybe see a pattern,

All the gods seem to come from something else and that flows down to us,

Simplified

Greek, Gods made us Titans made them,

Norse, gods made us, Odin and others had what Yimir as a father and made like the world/Como's out of his body,

There was god, let there be light,

So on and so forth but it seems to get the a point where you're hearing,

There was nothing

Then there was the gods

So if that's the standard case here then is there something the gods came from, did something birth the gads,

And if so,

Is it sentient, does it feel, if the gods came from it and we come from the gods and children from us, and such and the same for all manner of things human, animal, plant, spirit, such and such

Does that mean this Thing the gods come from does it contain everything everywhere and yes all at once?

Is there a main source of everything that IS everything and so if it feels everything then does it both love and hate us is it not also indifferent, unaware of us?

Anyway I'm still thinking on this I had another thread but lost it while getting this down, how it goes eh? Been thing on and off about this sorta thing since the beginning of this year 31s got me all sorta contemplating

#occult #paganism #high posting #just high magic thoughts #or more spirituality i guess?

[corruptratcat]

maybe... a scenario with es x taller male reader (or gender neutral!) who's just pretty flirty with es and they act annoyed but secretly enjoy it??

MILGRAM Es x reader | Fun love | Gender neutral

"Look at my little Essie!" You hugged Es from behind as you two attended school, "Hey, don't call me that!" Es said in an annoyed voice. "Eh? Awww, why not, it's a cute nickname for a cute little person like you!" You walked along with Es as you can see Es blush from your words. "You obviously liked it from the look of your face." You teased them "Did not!" Es pouts and frowns, you blushed a bit, 'That's so adorable!' You thought to yourself.

"Uhuh, sure." You look away hiding your blush as you slowly put your arm around Es' neck, making them closer to you, Es looks down as you look at him, seeing their obvious blush. "It's a crime for you to be this cute!" You giggled as Es simply looked at you, "It's a crime for you to be this annoying." Es replied as they gently took your hand away from their shoulder and moved on to go to school. "Alright, alright, don't leave me here!"

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

You entered the classroom, talking to your other friends as you sat beside Es, it was quite convenient for one of the school's lovebirds be sitting next to each other, when you're bored in class you'd look at Es and observe them, you loved them with all your heart, Es would sometimes notice and signal you to focus in class but you can't because of how cute they are making Es blush.

"Es, what are you doing right now?" You see Es reading their notebook, "Studying of course." Es looks at you for a moment as they look at their notebook again. "Can we at least do something?" You frowned as you try to use puppy eyes on Es, they tried to ignore you, focusing on their notebook, till they took a little peek, Es couldn't resist no more and took down their notebook. "Fine, what do you want to do." Es blushed, looking at their notebook. "I actually don't know, what can we do?" You look at the clock, class was about to start soon.

"Guess there's no time left I suppose." Es just smiles as they look back at their notebook. "Eh, but I wanna do something, you always focus on your studies and not me, you can do that in the library or something." You complain with your arms crossed. "Then why don't we go and study at the library later, if that's fine." Es pats your head by reaching up and going reading their notebook again. "Alright, now I get to study you!" You tried to make a line and winked at Es making Es look have a visible blush and look away "That made me cringe." Es whispered.

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

After eating lunch, you and Es headed to the library as you both walked, trying to hold Es' hand while at it. They finally let you touch their hand after a few tries as you looked at them and smiled, Es looking away. As you both stood at the library door Es grabbed the knob and looked at you "Well, we're here, I'd like you to stay quiet, ok?" "Yeah, yeah, common sense how you have to stay quiet in the library like it's common sense to know how much I love you." You replied with a giggle "That was cheesy as hell." Es sighs and opened the library door.

Entering the library, filled with books, you and Es sat down at a table across Es, Es put their notebook and other books down to start reading through them. "So, what now." You whispered to Es "We study." Es quietly replied as they flip a page in their notebook writing something. "What are you writing though?" You quietly said, moving closer to see what Es was writing down, "The formula for math." Es whispered as you just look at them with a bored face.

You got bored, but Es's cute face kept you going, they were adorable, it made you smile, looking at Es's hair, you really wanted to pat their head, it looked soft and fluffy. You reached your arm to their pat head, as you pat them Es quickly looked up at you as you put your hand down at the table.

"What do you think you're doing?" Es rose a brow "Your hair looked soft, kay?" You said quietly as you smirked, Es giving a light sigh, they knew this wasn't your type of thing "Fine, fine, we can go out." Es took their stuff as your eyes shined helping Es get their stuff.

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

You walked with Es around the campus, there were students walking around, surprisingly only a few, but it was nice nevertheless "Ah, nothing like being outside and the sun shining, not as bright as you, dear." You went behind Es and hugged them. "There you go again with your stupid lines..." Es blushed "Well can you at least not hug me right now?" Es demanded as you let go off them "Aww, I was just only showing some love to my Essie!" You giggled as Es turns to you, their face is red and look somewhat angry. "I said don't call me that!" Es runs towards you, making you panic and run.

"Es! When did we start playing tag!" You were running, you were noticeably a bit more faster than Es, "Right now! Come over here!" Es chases you as you laugh, while you were laugh, Es jumps on you, you tried to keep your balance but you feel at the grass, thankfully.

Es got up and helped you get up, both of you laughing from what happened. Es hugs you and you hugged them back, it was only a few minutes before classes are starting. "Let's go back to class now." You pecked Es's cheek, leaving a blush on their adorable cheeks.

#milgram x reader #milgram #xreader #x reader #milgram es x reader

[viatagrinner]

Gilbert von Obsidian. King of the Beast.

The Black Tiger Prince's Black Illusion.

The "Beloved Day" is a day to give roses as a token of gratitude and affection, but no one gives them to the prince of an enemy country who tries to trample on Rhodolite.

Gilbert: I see. I see, but it's sad to sit alone.

MC:....

Gilbert: Hey, Miss Bunny!

MC: But I still can't give you the rose.

As I was reading a book in the library, Master Gilbert crept up to me without a sound and sat down beside me as a matter of course.

And so again begins a series of insignificant phrases that seemed to extort a rose.

I don't know why he wants the rose so badly, but there are signs of immeasurable evil.

(This person tries to isolate me at every opportunity, so I'm sure this is just an extension of that.)

MC: Master Gilbert hates lies. I'm sure he wouldn't like it if I gave him a rose with false feelings.

Gilbert: Now you're talking, aren't you? Not many people can say to me, "I don't like you."

Gilbert: You should be proud... Hmm, I'll give you a rose as a reward for not lying.

(For Master Gilbert, it doesn't make much difference.)

(Probably because whichever one of us gives him a rose, you will be seen as a young lady friendly to the prince of an enemy country...)

(For Master Gilbert, it doesn't make much difference.)

MC: No... I will refrain from Master Gilbert's roses.

Gilbert: Even if you think you "don't need" it, my words are absolute.

Gilbert: You accept it or you're forced to accept it, maybe there's a difference...

(No, I can't refuse).

As long as I was sitting on the couch, there wasn't much I could do, but even so, I kept as much distance as possible.

But Master Gilbert also closed the distance with a cheerful smile on his face that made me want to cry.

Gilbert: Frightening things are unlikely. At least today.

MC:....

Gilbert: Look at this rose, isn't it beautiful?

MC:...What?

Master Gilbert holds up his empty hand in front of me.

MC: There is no rose, is there?

Gilbert: When I do this, a lot of people say, "That's beautiful".

MC:....

Gilbert: But I won't lie to you. The rose is in place.

MC: ...Where?

Gilbert: Here.

Master Gilbert folded his arms and smiled.

One blink of an eye and the next thing you know, a single white rose was blooming.

MC: What... Eh!

Gilbert: Shall I add another one for you?

Master Gilbert holds up his hand to the white rose, and somehow, it has grown to two roses!

MC: W-what's going on?

MC: Oh, maybe this is a "magic trick"?

The art of using human illusions and psychological assumptions to cause unfeasible events.

I had read about such things in books, but this was the first time I had actually seen them.

Gilbert: That's right. When you do it with kids, they stop crying right away.

Gilbert: With a twinkle in your eye like you have now... Hmmm, you are as innocent as a child, aren't you?

MC: With children... Master Gilbert?

Gilbert: Surprising?

MC: Yes. Do you have younger siblings by any chance?

Gilbert: I don't have any. Just that I like children.

(I didn't know).

I can't imagine him playing with children because I see him as a scary, intimidating person.

(Children are not associated with bad people, so I probably think more than I should).

I'm sure the name "The Trampling Beast" isn't just a title, but it may have another side to it that I don't know about.

Gilbert: Hmm... Nevertheless, white roses don't suit you, do they?

Master Gilbert sets my hand up and forces me to put it over the rose to cover it.

Gilbert: I'm sure it will suit you....

The back of my hand is stroked by cold fingertips, and my shoulders jump.

I pulled my hand away and gasped as I saw that the rose, which had just been pure white, had now turned completely black.

(Before I know it ... it's replaced with artificial flowers).

I am handed two black roses, and I accept them. Roses are supposed to be beautiful, but when they are painted black, for some reason I feel uncomfortable.

МС:... Black looks better on you,Master Gilbert.

Gilbert: Yeah, so it looks good on you too!

("So"...)

Master Gilbert, smiling cheerfully, put his face to my ear.

Gilbert: I'll dye it deep black.

MC: Eh...

The whisper was deadly poisonous.

Paralyzed, I dropped the black rose, Master Gilbert picked it up and squeezed it in his hand.

Gilbert: However, ordinary artificial flowers are tasteless.

Gilbert: Is this more to your liking?

(...!)

When Master Gilbert opened his palm, I saw a hair ornament on top of black rose petals. Magic always amazes me, but I can't help but enjoy it.

MC:..... I'm not going to dye myself black.

Gilbert: Really?

Master Gilbert puts a hair ornament with two small black roses in my hair without question.

Gilbert: Yeah... Of course, "now" it doesn't look good, does it?

MC:...

Gilbert: But I'm sure one day you'll want to put it on yourself, right?

Having said that, Master Gilbert gets up from his seat and leaves.

(I wonder what he wants to achieve by painting me black...)

I didn't understand what Master Gilbert meant, just as I didn't understand what a magic black rose was.

#ikepri #ikemen prince #ikemen ouji #ikepri translation #gilbert von obsidian #ikemen prince gilbert #ikemen gilbert #ikepri gilbert

[izoryotaro]

Tales of the Emperor - Jack Winter

I found this book for $1 in the little store tucked into the back of the Toronto Library, when I was visiting with a friend. It seemed weird and interesting, so I though eh why not, and indeed, weird and interesting it was! I've collected my favourite quotes below and noted the section they were taken from (although these excerpts were rarely the beginning or entirety of the section).

The Emperor's schooling The academy presented no need to vacate and every incentive to stay on and, in the way of the academy, to seek out an abject corner in a neglected field of study and to become its propagator and its proponent, its proctor and its prodigy, its professor and, eventually, its professed. Indeed, the Emperor might have elected to remain at the academy, a prisoner of its delights, were it not for the profound misery he detected there.

Taking Tea I build my fire of bracken boughs, my bed of straw and twine. I boil and pour my nettle tea, not once expecting wine. Between my knees the valley lights flicker and are gone. Above my eaves the cooking fires beyond the clouds burn on. I never am invited to sup and sleep elsewhere. I'm too high up for some folk, for some not halfway there. Here beside me on this ledge where I sip and sit, The stunted tree has cracked the rock you'd think imprisoned it.

Regarding farmers The land and the army are lawful occupations. If a man's wealth is in next year's crop, he will not run with it on his back. If neighbouring states are kept always in peril of invasion, no man will run there. The land and the army are one occupation. Farmers endure and their hope is seasonal. With little alteration they can be used for war.

Reflections on reputation Reputation has no substance beyond report. Report is the whole of it, its origin, its occasion, its objective, its accomplishment, its residuum, not only its basis but its entirety. The reputation of any one of us depends upon who is reporting it, how he came by his opinion, his entitlement to it, his nature and his quality and his condition at the moment he permits it to be released, his (at the risk of wit-play) reputation. [...] The impulse to gather together the fragments of observation, the shards of gossip, the detritus of scandal, and to construct of them a reputation for another being is irresistible. [...] The attraction of it when done is unique. Who, after all, does not enjoy literature? In our natural state the least of us is an original of untamed will and contradictory impulse who, once arrested and examined, alters. He must be apprehended and scrutinized again and again. Our world with us in it moves on, and is incomprehensible. But characters wholly invented hold still.

The governing of the Empire When we named the date for our revolution, the First Emperor declared it a national holiday so that our massing in the streets appeared to be in his honour. When we looted the shops, the First Emperor declared all property common so that we would not be guilty of theft. When we decided to disband our revolution and go home, the First Emperor declared that the revolutionary army was required for the defence of the empire, and we remain conscripted.

The Festival of the Fall Immediately following any war, the restitution of a land, of its infrastructure and its chattel, is premised upon the will of the people to carry it out, something that itself requires the sort of psychic energy possessed by those whose recollection of war is merely historic. Such was not the case in the empire where everyone was pretty well convinced that any reconstruction merely would be the construction of a new target. This condition of the public temperament was not a matter of embitterment, but of practical observation and accurate short-term memory. The credulity needed for renewal would take several generations of innocence to acquire.

The Second Criterion (the vital axis) "In the mountains at the snow line, sparse in foliage, of boulders plentiful, there amid the scrub-bush, ancient rockfall, elder moss, there is born the river, born in tumult among ice-crags amid snowfields combed with blowholes, dropping sheerly down the rock face to the cauldron pool beneath. [...] Here an island temple hollow with crows, a broken bridge no more than a board, a barge half-sunk where a jetty stood. No men yet, only relics of their passing. Water-reeds, bending, paint the wind. Here antique pavilions too remote for tenants, vacant the horizon, seamless the sky. Indolent the river, loitering nearly shoreless, water by its ripples, pleats in unstained silk."

The first letter of the Imperial Historian I must complete my book. It is not that I want to write. I want to have written. The writing, that is a matter of the severest pain. How could it be otherwise?

The fifth letter of the Imperial Historian Oh, horror! In an age unenvisaged among folkways undreamt of, a passerby stoops to examine a shard, finds another to fit, lays a third as a through-band, and by such rude mechanics manages to build -- build what? A cairn in a landscape not yet evolved? A rough stone altar to gods unborn? A dyke to withstand who knows which beast from incursion upon what occult husbandry? No! No! A maimed book of my broken half-told tales bearing the name of another!

The advice of Li Ssu regarding archives Normally, conquerors destroy with zeal the archives of a conquered people. Which consideration does not apply to us. Your people, sire, have long since given up consulting their historians.

The last words of Li Ssu A man tortured for information gives the name of his friend because he is afraid to die alone. When they meet for execution, the betrayed forgives his betrayer. In whispers through the blindfold he confides that even now, if he were given the chance, he too would betray another to save himself, no, not to save himself, what is worse, he like his own betrayer would betray another only so as not to die alone. "That," he whispers, "is the advantage the authorities possess. They are not tempted into betrayal by the possibility of companionship."

Imperial gossip regarding Chao Kao In the final days of the empire, Chao Kao wielded much power and his deeds influenced the lives of many, but no book of the Emperor contains his life. Thereafter, no matter how important a man may be, if he is wholly without admirable parts, history chooses to ignore him as much as possible. Thus, if good is rewarded by the perpetuation of its name, then the reward for evil is oblivion, which probably is why evil so vigorously seeks its reward in the here and the now.

#quotes #Jack Winter #Tales of the Emperor #bette reads

[elizabethplaid]

widdle notes - jan 16, 2024

Dad got the pharmacy to refill my Rx toothpaste with the better-tasting stuff. Very grateful for that!

Snow kept the library closed today. Just as well; I've been in a bit of a mental funk. It's like the usual-february-stuff is early. It's been sneaking in since just before Christmas, tbh. I don't think I'm ready to acknowledge it right now, not just that I'm holding off til Feb.

Been reading some good stuff on the Readict app. There's a few authors I really like, so I'm going through their titles. On the other hand, there's just so many more titles I briefly look at and then dismiss, because they irk me. It's either the narrative style (often it's badly-done first-person) or characters that are too young (eg teenagers, or at least not old enough to drink). If I read high school scenes, it should be flashbacks.

Reading these alien romances (shush, don't judge) gets me thinking about different senses, getting to know a new partner through touch. I'm considering this while thinking about how to describe things in my own narratives - what catches my interest in a long blurb of description. Eh, just a topic of note; no significant thoughts yet.

#daily notes #i don't recommend the app because of all the ads and lack of proofreading #but i can send titles/recs for anyone interested #readict #readict app