#THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A DOODLE ignore the hands pls | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

asscandles · 3 years

Note

This has lived in my mind rent FREE also hello :)

Can you pls do Momiji Sohma teaching his s/o German while his s/o is helping him with his Japanese thank you very much

ʜᴇʟʟᴏ ʜᴇʟʟᴏ! :ᴅ

ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢ(ꜱ): ʟᴀɴɢᴜᴀɢᴇ

when you swore like a sailor after slipping in a puddle and busting your ass on the concrete, the last thing you expected was for momiji to ask you to help him achieve a better grasp on the japanese language

however, you hesitantly agreed--on the condition that momiji reciprocates by teaching you german, that is

it was so cute, finding him sitting criss-cross on the floor, flashing a bright grin and twirling a sparkly, lemon-yellow pen lazily among his fingers while he waits for you to join him

i hope you like color, because he has compiled the most vibrant and multi-colored study material for you two to use. trying to locate anything is like rummaging through a surplus of sunshine and rainbows

sticky notes sticky notes sticky notes!!

he even pulls out his collection of glittery notebooks he’s amassed during his hunts for workbooks he has yet to complete. kid’s pulling out ALL the stops for you, sweetheart :)

in the beginning, he swears he does his best to take his studies seriously. but sometimes, his best is mediocre. his eyes do focus earnestly on your lips when you ask him to watch you, yes… but, there are also light twinkles of playful admiration that brim in his gaze like dapples of silken cream rippling amidst a sea of freshly poured coffee. his smile is sticky-sweet whenever he messes up the pronunciation of certain words, cherry-red tickling his cheeks as he flushes in embarrassment. he doodles little hearts next to the questions he’s supposed to be answering, mind swathed in a thick haze and intoxicated by daydreams of you holding his hand and kissing his cheeks.

it’s no wonder he’s distracted. he’s just so thrilled to be with you!!

but, the more small, careless mistakes he makes while bewitched by your presence, the tighter he holds his pen and the more his eyebrows furrow in mild irritation. he’d almost forgotten; yes, you two are spending time together, but you’re also taking the time out of your day to teach him. plus, he definitely doesn’t want to look like an idiot.

soon enough, he’s leaned over the table, diligently scribbling renditions of your lessons onto enough sticky notes to blanket the whole table. he’s no longer half-assing the words, but instead asking you to repeat them several times before attempting the pronunciation by himself.

that doesn’t mean he stops sneaking peaks at you every now and again. what can he say? seeing you watching him with such pride and satisfaction glowing in your eyes makes his heart pulse with confidence. he loves to make you proud.

that’s not all. a sensation of warmth spreads through his stomach, soft and with a kiss as gentle as drizzled honey, yet so prominent and impossible to ignore that he can’t ward off the shy, content smile that replaces his usually childish grin.

truth be told, he always wished that he could learn japanese with his mom. he wanted to learn with her, to mess up and laugh at his mistakes with her, and to succeed with her. but, it turned out that fate has a cruel way of correcting one’s path. he bought all of those colorful notebooks in hopes that the bright colors would distract him from the gaping pit yawning in his chest; but, before long, the covers became just as bland and lifeless as the empty pages they conceal

learning japanese was one of his most dreaded activities of the day.

but then, you showed up out of the blue and flipped his world on its axis. well, it’s more like you accidentally jumped on him from atop his roof, but that’s a story for another time :)

the more time he spent with you lounging on the floor covered in workbooks, the more the glittery sheen of his pens was restored, the less dismal the covers of his notebooks seemed, and the smaller the hole in his heart shrank. the sun seemed to shine a little brighter. the wind chimes seemed to twinkle and trill with laughter. the breeze that swept in from the slightly open door and scattered his papers across the floor seemed less infuriating and didn’t push him closer to his breaking point like it usually would; before his eyes would’ve even had time to blur with their usual tears of frustration, your hands were on his shoulders and you were on your feet, head tossed forward with laughter so that strands of your hair feathered over his nose.

that’s right.

he didn’t feel like crying. how could he? he didn’t even have time. not when adoration for you washed away the stinging nag of loneliness that dug further and further into his chest with each breath he took. not when you tap a lollipop against his nose with an equally sugary smile, a reward for successfully translating three sentences.

when it comes to teaching you, he feels so proud of himself

he does his darndest to explain things slowly and thoroughly, leaving little to no room for confusion.

momiji likes to sit next to you so that he can “point things out” as you work. in reality, he just wants to be as close to you as possible, slouching against your shoulder as he rattles off a lesson about verbs and adjectives. if he gets restless, he’ll strut around you, leaning over your shoulder to monitor your progress every so often with a pleased hum

if it helps you, he’d be willing to make up simple, little songs on his violin to help you remember certain declensions. he looks so serene whenever he plays, slender fingers guiding the bow to dance along the strings, golden locks shifting against his forehead with each tilt of his head. while he sits on the bed, you’re at his feet on the floor, arms and chin propped on his thighs with your notebook in hand as you sing along.

okay, but i see momiji slipping the lollipop you gave him as a reward from between his lips and popping it between your own to repay your generosity when you translate something difficult

you’ll be sitting there, barbecue sauce on your titties, shocked as hell, while momiji just laughs at your expression like the closet menace that he is

he always feels so giddy whenever he sees your effort paying off, like “yes, that’s really my s/o. fuck up that german, babe” but not as... colorfully

you may or may not have accidentally spit in his eye when trying to pronounce a very guttural word, and then proceeded to spend the next twenty minutes with his head in your lap and a damp washcloth over his eyes. all the while, he’ll be quizzing you on vocabulary.

“but, your eye--”

“THE SHOW MUST GO ON!”

yeah, if you’re studying something for fun, then i highly recommend having momiji as a study buddy :D

#fruits basket #fruits basket anime #momiji sohma #fruits basket momiji #momiji x reader #sohma momiji #fruitsbasketsohma #character x y/n #character x reader

143 notes · View notes

emsvegetables · 3 years

Text

27th: you come across something at terushima’s house.

- you’re here to study and chill with him but you spot a little...something on his study table.

no. of words: 1.2k++

okay. i’ve never written much for terushima but i LOVE terushima so much i think he’s actually got much more than meets the eye!!! i hope this made sense and i hope that it’s okay pls forgive me if it isn’t!!!!!!!!!!!! well. this is the last one!!!! yay!

“i swear, your room only gets messier every single time i visit your house,” you wrinkle your nose in distaste when you enter terushima’s room, and you laugh when you spot something on his bed, “is that a hello kitty soft toy?”

terushima laughs from beside you, and shrugs nonchalantly, “my sister gave it to me, so i might as well keep it.”

“cute,” you smile, and nearly slap yourself when the word comes out of your mouth. maybe you were a bit too obvious in your feelings for him.

“thanks, i know,” terushima grins, before picking up some clothes strewn over his bed and throwing them into the laundry basket, and pulling a pillow and patting the bed, “you can sit here.”

“very comfortable,” you comment when you lower yourself onto the bed, and terushima grins at you, “you’re very welcome, only the best for my queen.”

“that’s gross,” you grimace, “and i’m not your queen.”

“of course, ma’am!” he laughs, saluting to you, “ you can scroll through netflix and choose whatever you want to watch. i’m going to get a drink. you want the one that you always get from the vending machine?”

you nod, smiling at him, “yeah, thank you.”

“no problem,” he winks at you, and even though your heart beats a little too fast at that, you stick out your tongue at him and pretend to vomit.

you settle on a studio ghibli movie, and set it to play as you look around the room.

the room was really like terushima.

random posters were pasted everywhere, clothes were strewn on one side of the room, his study table was messy as hell, and no one would’ve guessed that he was one of the top students in the school, but you know that all the assessment books stacked up on the table amount to it.

“i’m back! oh, we’re watching this? cool,” terushima grins at you and passes you the drink, before settling down beside you and resting his head comfortably on your shoulders.

you try to ignore the way your cheeks burn when he does that.

“i need to go to the toilet,” terushima announces, standing up to stretch after a while, “i need to shit.”

you scrunch your nose, “gross.”

terushima grins, and flicks your forehead lightly, “be right back!”

you pause the movie when he leaves, and stand up to stretch as well.

when you eye his study table, you wrinkle your nose again.

“i’m packing your study table!” you yell, and you hear terushima muffled “ok!”, and you smile.

you laugh when you see the doodles of the volleyball team on his math textbook, and you snort when you see how he drew your chemistry teacher on a random post-it pad. you’re almost done sorting out the books when something falls out of the biology journal.

you blink when you read what it says.

steps to get (Y/N) to like me / date me:

win her heart with my jokes (search for funny jokes online)

pickup lines? nevermind they don’t actually work i tried it once and (Y/N) laughed at me. it was a pity laugh. not funny. never trying that again.

help her carry things! (okay she smacked me for helping her carry her clipboard but thanked me and smiled at me for helping her carry the waterbottles. so there are certain things i can carry and certain things i cannot.)

tell her she’s beautiful! (she really is!!!! her smile is the prettiest i’ve ever seen and her laugh is the cutest and she’s just so nice to everyone fuck i like her so much)

ask her out? then admit my feelings to her? (i asked her out for lunch and she said sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but i chickened out and i didn’t confess in the end. i’m such a loser fml)

FIND A WAY TO GET OUT OF THE FRIENDZONE!!! (search how to get out of the friendzone online)

just tell (Y/N) i like her alot, that i’ve liked her for a very long time. she’s just so nice and pretty and i think i love her. (and then she’ll slap me and reject me and hate me for life.)

think of more ideas!!!!!!!!

“hey! i’m back--”

you turn to look at terushima, who falls silent when he sees the note in your hands.

“fuck,” he swears, “okay, you weren’t supposed to see that. can we pretend you didn’t see that? but that probably made you uncomfortable. did that make you uncomfortable? do you hate me? it’s okay if you want to slap me. it’s really okay. do you hate me now? i understand if you hate me, it’s okay if you don’t want to speak to me ever again--”

“terushima,” you say, and he quietens instantly, “sorry, (Y/N).”

“is this true?” you bring up the note in your hands and wave it, and he winces and nods.

“you like me? why?” you ask, and you’re so confused, and terushima instantly straightens up and stares at you.

“what do you mean why?” he asks, sounding offended, “why would i not like you?”

“because i’m...this,” you gesture to yourself, and terushima narrows his eyes.

“what do you mean? (Y/N) you’re literally the sweetest person i know. you always offer to help other people even when you have things to do. you always check on everyone in the team to make sure they’re okay after practice. you always try your best to be nice to other people even when they talk shit about you. you’re literally so sweet, and you’re so pretty, and you’re this amazing person. what do you mean this? why would anyone not like you?” terushima says, and he frowns at you.

“oh,” you say, and terushima turns away from you and exhales out a deep breath.

“it’s okay if you don’t like me back, (Y/N), i just hope i didn’t destroy our friendship,” he finally says after a short pause, and you blink.

“no!” you exclaim, and terushima looks up, “no, yuuji—i like you too.”

terushima lets out a noise of surprise, “are you serious?”

“yeah,” you say, and a smile breaks out on his face immediately, and he runs forward to pull you into a hug.

“can i kiss you?” he asks, and you laugh, “why are you even asking? just do it.”

“i’m just making sure,” he says, and you laugh again, before leaning in to meet his lips.

“by the way, yuuji?” you say, while his head is resting on your shoulders and your fingers are laced with his.

“hmm?”

“i’m keeping the note.”

“why?” he looks at you, affronted, “is that for future blackmail purposes?”

you laugh, “that, and it’s cute.”

terushima pouts, “i don’t like you anymore.”

“you’re lying.”

“i’m lying,” he agrees, and grins at you as he presses a kiss to your cheek.

back to my fluffvember masterlist!

general taglist :)

send an ask to be added in :D

@mrs-kuroojinguji @galacticstxrdust @h0rny-m3ss @strawberriimilkshake @lexysclubhouse @alluringeternity @newfriendjen @aam1na @simpinghrs @boosyboo9206 @earl-mint-tea @sachirou-senpai @kuboyasuuu @cotton-hashira @kellesvt @mochipk @ohbois-biggay-bnha @deadontheinsidebut @atsumubabe @wisepandaslimeland @doodleniella @tttournesolll @millie-mint @the-moons-raes @chaosamu @flairlust @l3v1achan @bellesowl @wheeshllumi @karasimpno @sodasketches @dai-tsukki-desu @isentsworld @lavearchives

fluffvember taglist:

send an ask if you only want to be added to this instead of the general taglist!

@omigogames @unicorngluttony @thesecondapplepienation @tsukisemi @tamaguchi @omibaby @psycopath-satan @shibayamasbae @churochuu @crazyrichashea @let-me-have-my-own-name @fo-love @heykoutarou @lovelyrynn @neomuxuxi @haikyuuhopes @bluntkingkuroo @abswrites @ne-kuroo @yadane-bakabaka @song-of-storms162 @lady-snavely @hawksnumberoneuwu @rkives-keiji @llamakenma @mrslordexplosionmurder

i’ll tag those that i couldn’t tag later! this is a scheduled post.

#terushima x reader #terushima yuuji x reader #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu imagines

383 notes · View notes

sorenskyhigh · 3 years

Note

Might be a weird request but Tendou as a protective serial killer and his s/o doesn't know. Until she comes across him in front of murder scene. Let's just say kidnapping and he probs wouldn't let me go but would I mind... No. This is a weird request...😐😑😐🤣🤣🤣

NO!!! This is not weird at all!!! Honestly I live this!!! The comedy that could ensue from this has me just wksnejekjekw

Satori Tendo As a Protective Serial Killer Boyfriend

⚠️ If it wasn't already apparent, gore, and descriptions of a panic attack

First of all, he acted a lot like 707 does in Mystic Messenger

Super funny, super flirty, and makes you laugh like crazy

But you ask him out on a date and now he's borderline rude, very cold

Satori loves you, he does

But to bring you into he dark world he lives in.....he could never

He stays near you so he can protect you, but he stays farther away

He does everything he can to make you want to leave, to not want him

You keep pushing though

You'll be damned if you're letting this one get away

You knew he had trauma, you just didn't know how deep

Tendo also doesn't kill anyone in relation to you unless it's absolutely necessary

He may be a serial killer, but he only kills people he thinks are bad and don't deserve the breath they take from everyone else

It's around 10 at night. You're walking towards your apartment building. This was a nice neighborhood, but that doesn't mean there still aren't unsavory people lurking in the shadows in the alleyways between the beautiful French architecture.

The cobblestone street under your feet click clacked as you walked on. People passing you by every once in awhile.

It was a little chilly. The wind whistled as it struggled to pass through the tight knit homes and shops. The wind complimented a full moon that shined brightly in the pitch black sky.

You avoided eye contact with anyone you passed, but you made sure to check down every alley as you passed.

A scream sounded from a backstreet further down.

Naturally you froze in your tracks. The scream had been broken off at the end but a bubbly, wet sound. Your heart beat against your ribs, very painfully. Your breath became ragged and your throat burned.

You wanted to run the otherwise, call the police, something, but what if you were the only person standing between whoever that was and death?

What if you running away could mean their demise?

Your conscience got the better of you and you started inching along the front of buildings with your back towards the brick buildings.

You checked an alley and saw nothing, so you went to the next building and checked the narrow backstreet.

You almost screamed. You honestly would have if you could get enough breath to.

There, with blood splattered all over him, a crouched Satori Tendo.

He was tending to the body. He was removing the persons fingers, the eyes and teeth already in a jar that sat next to his feet.

Tendo was singing a song in Japanese. You have no idea what he was saying, you only spoke French.

His voice sounded haunting as it resounded quietly in the space around him. Echoing off the walls of the buildings.

His breath was visible from the chill in the air, though you, you felt a different kind of chill.

The kind that ran up your spine like boney children's fingers.

The kind of chill that caused that tingling feeling all over your arms as your hairs raised on end.

The kind of chill that made you feel nauseous.

You had no idea what to do. What was someone supposed to do in this situation? You were watching someone that you loved, dearly, dismember a random person that probably did nothing to deserve this kind of treatment.

A small breath finally escaped you. The smoke billowing out into the opening of the street.

You hurriedly pulled yourself back, trying not to make any noise.

All you could hear was the rapid thrumming of your heart.

Tendo switched to French so you could understand him."Now, now, now. Why did you have to go and start sneaking around. If you would have ignored his scream, you could have lived a long and fulfilling life. Probably".

His footsteps were getting louder. Your fight or flight kicked in and you jumped to your feet and started running.

Your feet smacked loudly against the stones, but yours weren't the only one. You could hear his loud and clear behind you.

As much as you wanted to think that Satori wouldn't hurt you, he did just murder and sliced someone to bits.

Your lungs burned and you could tell he was too close. Your feet hurt as you slammed them against the street. Your eyes started to water.

You stopped and turned on a dime. Tendou saw your face an stopped just short, your noses almost touching. His eyes were the ones wide with fear this time.

His hands were dripping with blood, a knife clenched in one.

You started to shake. Obviously you're scared. Who wouldn't be??? Your breath came out fast and in short, quick spurts.

Tendou very slowly and cautiously took a step back from you. His eyes had saddened as he stared into your soul.

"Call the police if you must. I refuse to hurt you, my Paradise." His words were barely above a whisper. You almost didn't catch what he said over your rapidly beating heart.

You couldn't speak, your mouth was suddenly so dry. It felt like sand had filled your senses, your lungs.

You were having a panic attack. You quickly grabbed the cloth over your chest and bent over. You couldn't get any breath and your mind couldn't focus on anything.

It happened so fast. Satori grabbing your wrist and leading you down the street with the dead person, picking up the jar full of fingers teeth, and eyes. He continued down and made many turns.

Your mind, from lack of oxygen, couldn't comprehend what was going on. Everything was so fast and so complicated. You felt dizzy. You felt even more nauseous.

He brought you to a duplex. He unlocked the door and guided you.

You could barely stand at this point. The blood; his hand covered in it.

Satori led you to his couch. Out of habit you sat down.

You don't know where he went or what he was doing. You didn't know what he would do to you. The only thing you did know was, that person's blood was on your wrist and the sleeves of your sweater. That as all you could focus on.

Your vision started to blurr and blacken out around the edge.

Everything from the wind, the creaks, the pipes; it all was so loud.

You barely noticed a how Satori cleaned the blood off your wrist. His hand was gentle and warm.

Your mind happened to think of the first time he had held your hand.

It was the first time you both had met. He had asked if he could brush a kiss across your knuckles. He said he would never touch someone, especially someone as amazing as you, without your consent.

You were being enrapt by the memory. It was calming.

His eyes had had a slight mischief and he brushed his soft lips across your fingers. His eyes has never left yours.

He then sandwich your hand between his two massive ones, leaning forward slightly so his breath would just barely dance across your skin.

"You were once shattered and then you had to use fire to melt the pieces so you could put yourself back together again, right? You're just like me."

His words that day were why you were here. His words were why you hadn't run when he gave you the chance. That day is why you were now breathing calmly on his couch as he sat on the floor on the opposite side of the room from you.

His large, ruby red eyes glistened with worry as you calmed yourself down.

Pt. 2 maybe?????? If enough people want me to continue this I will

Thank you to @thatfunnysprout for sending in another request and thank you for collaborating with me ❤

My request are currently open, don't be afraid to ask

@popcorntime-doodles @multifandombrainrot @kneecapstealingalien @akabxne @jiheonity @weareallhumans123 @smallmangi @canadian-crow @just-jellyfish @immiamarais @i-need-coffee-now-pls @foreveryoung050 @kuroos-world @luminasapphire @silverfire6 @shadowsbutdead @ghostexhibit @simpfornishinoya @goshikisimp @anothershadeofpink @mestayanon @japoga @all-around-fandoms31 @myyeetfelloff @itsallgonnabokayihope @g00s3 @boreateo @mirrorballmyfave @backalley-astrologer @vaniatslover @lil-mellow-bunbun @strawberrymakki @beelziee @mehreenlol @taiyahhh

#hot.thoughts.here #owchie

10 notes · View notes

just-patchy · 3 years

Note

I can’t get the emojis but seeing muse for the first time and love letters for 🐈🐟 pls

Thanks for the ask! :3c

Cressida/Mimi

…seeing your muse for the first time = ϟ

TW: Imprisonment

Cress didn’t like all these strangers.

The young mermaid hid behind a rock, curling up as she tried to ignore the overwhelming presence of the visitors. She hated this. The tank was decently large, but it was at times like this where it felt cramped and almost too small for her. There weren’t a lot of visitors around the tank, but they never seemed to leave, new ones coming in as soon as others got tired and moved onto the next one.

This was her daily life, spending days and days in a tank to swim and look pretty. She supposed it could be worse, considering that she was getting three meals a day and she got to sleep when the aquarium closed for the night or during a few holidays, but it was exhausting for Cress to spend almost all of her waking hours entertaining visitors. She envied the saltwater mermaids and mermen out there who could swim freely in crystal clear waters, while she herself was stuck in a cold tank.

She sighed in relief as she heard the crowd begin to disperse, likely a few left who wanted to enjoy the exhibitions as much as possible without being distracted. There was only an hour or so until the aquarium closed for the night, until she could finally get some peace and quiet. She peered out from behind the rock, only to be met with striking eyes staring from behind the glass.

Cress had seen her fair share of children, those around her age, and she did have to say that she wasn’t particularly fond of their presence at times. She felt self-conscious whenever they pointed at any of her non-human features, and she got scared when some rowdy kids banged on the glass to get her to move. Yet, there was something different about the glint of fascination in the catgirl’s eyes, something more than just superficial admiration that Cress had long gotten used to, like the girl genuinely enjoyed Cressida Acquarone and not the goldfish mermaid.

She could only sadly wave goodbye as she watched the young girl go, the museum shutting down for the night. She dreamt of bright sparkling yellow cat eyes and fluffy black hair that night as she curled up in her little rock castle. She swam around in her tank more enthusiastically during the hours, no, minutes when the girl came by, and hid in corners of the tank when she didn’t visit.

When Cress saw the familiar silhouette again at Night Raven College, she knew it had to be fate.

———

…receiving a love letter from your muse = ✉

Cress loved Mimi dearly, but she couldn’t say she was certain about how the other girl felt about her. She’d catch the girl blushing sometimes when they talked, but then she’d see Mimi growing closer with other...possible romantic interests, as much as Cress hated to admit. The mermaid was happy that people loved Mimi for who she was, she just didn’t like Mimi being seen in the same light as how Cress saw her.

Her mind blanked when she received a letter from Mimi, with a few cute hearts doodled in various spots on the letter and even a little heart shaped sticker to seal the envelope shut. She burned the words into her mind, so much so that she practically had the entire letter memorised.

She knew Mimi wasn’t the type of girl to play pranks, not ones as cruel as this. Still, Cress couldn’t help but fear that it was all a dream, when she finally reached out to Mimi the next day, and yet seeing her crush’s nervous and disheartened expression made something shift in the young mermaid. Why was she expecting a rejection?

Cress silently cheered as she firmly planted a kiss on Mimi’s lips, taking her hands in her own and squeezing them gently as she smiled up at the catgirl. The brightest smile broke out onto Mimi’s face, and all was well.

#twst #twisted wonderland #twst oc #twisted wonderland oc #oc ask meme #cressida acquarone #minerva noveline #azulashengrottoes

4 notes · View notes

ecto-american · 5 years

Text

DannyMay 2019 themed story, I’m not late I’m just going my own pace pls be nice to me

Day 11: Shapeshift

"It's going to be a long night."

Those words never rang truer for Maddie, who simply nodded in response. Dr. Carrington flipped through her notes as she jotted down the latest updates before she began to shuffle papers around in the file. It took very little time to do progress notes. Not a whole lot could be documented about Danny, or well Phantom. What was there to record? Nothing that could be comparable to a human. Was Danny still human?

Maddie watched her son as he idly doodled on his board as the doctor did her duties. She could recognize the vague shape of a spaceship and some related doodles as he sketched wildly out of obvious boredom. What was Danny even considered? Was he human? Would it be actually worthwhile to test his vitals? Why did he look like this?

"Buuut we're pretty much all set. In a half-hour, I'll be back, and we'll get you prepped for surgery," the doctor spoke cheerfully, clicking her pen before putting it back in her coat pocket. "Do you have any questions? Danny?"

Danny's head snapped to attention, and he shook his head. She nodded.

"Alrighty, then when I come back, we can finally get you all fixed up." She smiled warmly at him, and Danny nodded eagerly. "And Maddie, you're still going to join?"

"Yes," she replied quickly, ignoring the instant terrible feeling. Operating on Danny...No. She had to make sure everything went alright in this situation.

"Good, then I'll see you in a bit!"

The door closed, and Maddie sighed softly. She began to dig through the bag Jack had left with her. Chargers, her kindle, Jazz's kindle, Jack's tablet, a notebook and pencils. He had also packed some fudge cookies and chips for them. She noticed some glass bottles of green liquid, and she curiously pulled them out. They looked nothing like what she had in the lab, and the tape on them labelling them was nothing like she typically used. Ecto-Dejecto Energy Drink. She turned them in her hand, listening to Danny's marker squeak.

Danny's board nudged her shoulder, and she glanced over to read what he had written.

My Greenbull!

Greenbull? Danny wiped off the board with his forearm before writing more. She turned the vial around in her hand, hoping for some kind of details to be written somewhere. Nothing.

"What is this?" she asked aloud, and Danny held up a finger before continuing to write.

Maddie glanced at the labelling again. Ecto-Dejecto? That was what she and Jack had used before to weaken a ghost, to make it easier to fight them. Did Jack accidentally bring some along? Danny nudged her again, and her eyes scanned his sloppy writing.

Your ecto dejecto had opposite effect so it makes ghosts stronger, I changed it so it's an energy drink. It helps me stay a ghost longer. Jazz knows where I keep it.

"You modified our Ecto-Dejecto?" Maddie was surprised. Danny nodded, and he wiped the board to write more. "Danny, just the fact that you were able to successfully modify our formula is amazing. How come." She cut herself off. How come her son was failing chemistry when he could make this with no guidance?

Because Phantom was seen all hours of the day and night fighting ghosts. During school hours. During bedtime. Past curfew. That's where Danny always was. Hunting ghosts. Fighting them. Getting hurt. Ending up in the hospital so badly injured that he practically lost half of his teeth. And if her math was correct, her understanding of a possible timeline...just about the time Danny began to flunk was when Phantom began to show up.

Yeah, I can't stay a ghost too long, and all the ghost hunting really exhausts me. I drink this to give me a boost to help me. Tuck helped, we call it Greenbull.

Phantom was seen all hours of the day and night fighting ghosts. He showed up to nearly every ghost incident to fight. To the point that Jack and Maddie happily began to let Phantom take on the ghosts, especially during the later hours. From their observations, he was only interested in fighting other ghosts. "Let them tire each other out," she remembered telling Jack. She had been letting her son take on the slack and responsibility that she was supposed to have done. To the point that he was chugging a homemade energy drink that he had to engineer himself to keep himself going because taking a break wasn't really an option. Maddie was a terrible mother.

Wait.

"Tucker knows?" she asked. Danny flinched, and he nodded. He jotted on the board something she already guessed.

Sam too.

He told his friends over her and Jack? Well, made sense. They were all very close. But she was his mom. If he had told her, she could have helped him. She could have fixed this. She could have taken the ghost powers away or found a way to remove the ghostlyness. But by now, his ghostly form had to be stable after having shifted and such for so long. It was likely too late to do anything now.

"When did you tell them?" she wondered. The marker hovered hesitantly over the board before quickly writing.

They were there.

There for what? How did this even...The portal. It had to be. There had to be no other way. Nothing else they could have made or produced would result in something like this, in this weird ghostly powers. And Danny lied to her. He lied to her face about where he was when the portal had apparently flickered to life while she and Jack were out of the house. That the portal had turned on when nobody was home. But how did it happen? She needed to know. Her mind was racing with all the things that could have gone wrong, the many possibilities. How could this entire situation even be real? How could she even be assured that Phantom was telling the truth? What if this was a big lie? No, no. Jazz wouldn't have gone along with it. Jazz had to have known. Her behavior, her reactions. She knew. This was Danny. This was her brother. This was her son.

"What happened?" she whispered. Danny shook his head, wiping off the board and leaning back into the pillows. Right. Right...now was not a good time to discuss this. Phantom, her son?, his face was still swollen, and the IV of medicine was slowly dripping. The only thing keeping him pain-free. Because she failed to do anything to help keep him safe. She was nearly doing the opposite come to…

She leaned into him a bit, reaching out to gently stroke his hair comfortingly. His hair didn't feel like it had been bleached or dyed. This was natural. But how? Could Danny shapeshift? How the hell did she not know about this? Danny looked at her with such a content, yet exhausted look. Now that she knew...how could she have suspected nothing? All she could see now when staring at the ghost boy was how much he resembled her only son. What kind of mother didn't recognize her own child like that? Even if he was...

What else had he not told her?

Danny pointed to the glass vial in her hand, and Maddie glanced at it before looking back to him. He made a drinking motion, and she took the cap off before letting him have it. Danny glanced at the bottle, and he quickly threw his head back, pouring the contents into his mouth quickly. Maddie winced at the half-choked coughing and struggles to swallow before Danny finally handed her an empty bottle back. He wheezed a bit but smiled, giving a thumbs up. Did this work that quickly?

The Ecto-Dejecto, like everything they made, was meant to only work on ghosts. No wonder they always targeted Danny. Or was it? Was Danny a ghost? Did Danny...die?

She froze completely at that idea as she watched Danny take up doing more doodles. More spaceships and stars. Was she that neglectful of a mother that she didn't notice her own son passing away? What else could he be? Did Danny die, and she didn't notice? How could he look so differently when masquerading as Phantom? Was this his true form now? Did Danny die?

This wasn't the time to discuss that. Not when Danny couldn't even say a single word. But she could feel her hands begin to shake. Did her child die without her even noticing? What kind of fucking mother could not notice that? Ghosts could shapeshift. And there was still so much unknown about death. Did Danny have to force himself to shapeshift into what he used to look like so he could be around? So that she would continue to love him or something? Didn't he know that she'd love him no matter what? Why was he even around if he had died? How, why, what.

"Danny, did you die?" It came out so quietly and softly. Her son stared at her with wide, frightened and confused eyes.

She could see Danny visibly swallow anxiously. It did nothing to help her own worries. He slowly wiped away his doodles, and once presented with a blank slate, he began to write. Slowly. Constantly stopping to briefly wipe away the words and rethinking. Maddie could do nothing but stare intensely as she waited for an answer.

A knock interrupted them, and Dr. Carrington came into the room with a smile, followed by a nurse.

"Hey, we can finally get this show on the road," she chirped cheerfully.

They walked up, and Danny absentmindedly handed Maddie the board and markers. They began to shift to where they could move the hospital bed. Maddie paid little mind as she read over what Danny had begun to write. All that was written was

The portal

Her worst fears were confirmed, and she hated it. She stayed painfully quiet as she wiped the board, shoving it into the backpack along with the markers. It stuck out the top, and she left it on the chair. Maddie not only was so oblivious that she had missed that her own child had died, but was so neglectful that she was the reason he had died.

"Just to avoid some drama, we're gonna sheet you again, okay? Standard procedure like we been doing," one of the nurses told Danny, and he gave a thumbs up. She smiled warmly at him, pulling his sheets over his head to hide the ghost from any possible publicity. This had to remain as quiet as possible.

Maddie pocketed two more vials of the homemade energy drink as she began to follow the others in a fog. What kind of mother...what kind of person could miss...would be oblivious… Her eyes welled with tears. A horrible mom wouldn't have noticed, too busy in the lab looking for ways to destroy ghosts instead of being a good mom who was active in her son's life. Where did she go wrong? When did she begin failing as a parent? What did she do to make her son believe that he had to keep this from her?

They wheeled him into the surgical room without incident.

"Come get some scrubs and wash up," Dr. Carrington instructed Maddie, motioning for her to follow.

"Alright. I have something that should help Phantom while we're operating," Maddie said, and she held up the vials. Dr. Carrington smiled.

"Perfect!" she chirped. "What's its purpose?"

"It boosts his power, meaning it should also boost any healing effects and keep him stable," she replied. At least, that was the impression she got from Danny. Dr. Carrington simply nodded. "We can mix it into the IV bag."

"Sounds good. Let's get washed, and then you can do just that."

Maddie took a deep breath. For the first time in her life, it was giving her anxiety to, essentially, dissect a ghost in some capacity. Hopefully Danny wouldn't shapeshift back. Is that how this worked? This night was going to burn into the mother's memory forever for all the wrong reasons.

She slowly washed up and donned her gifted scrubs, anxiously following Dr. Carrington into the room. Danny was still awake for now, nodding and confirming things with the surgeon.

A version of her biggest dream was here. Surrounded by a company of doctors about to operate on Amity Park's greatest menace, discovering his unique biology and being able to contribute to her field of study. But this was nightmare fuel of the highest degree, and she felt sick. She was regretting not asking Jack to do this. It wasn't too late to-oh yeah it was. It was so late for everything. Just everything.

"Maddie do you wanna get the IV set up with Nurse Sanchez? She can help you mix in your stuff."

"I can," was all Maddie could bring herself to say. Her mouth felt so dry. She went over to the nurse.

"You can just give it to me," the nurse told her. Maddie didn't argue, and she handed the vials over. She hoped it would be enough to keep Danny's...form like this. The nurse thanked her, and she set to work.

Maddie found herself standing right over Danny as he stared off to the side. Towards the tray of medical tools, with anxiety written clearly on his features. She lightly stroked his hair, and he glanced up at her.

"I'll be here the whole time," she said. Though at this point, was it a threat or a comfort?

The later it thankfully seemed, as Danny visibly perked up and nodded. He held his hand up, and she took it, giving it a light squeeze as her heart sank a bit. How could she be here, doing this? Could she just get through this pretending he was only Phan-no. No. No, no, no. She couldn't do that. Not anymore. Not just blindly pretend. This was her son, and a possible chance to finally do something good for him as a mother.

She watched his IV bag get changed out, and she prayed that the mix kept him together. Prevented this secret from becoming exposed. The new mixture soon was slowly dripping in.

"Alright, Danny, we're ready to get started," the anesthesiologist spoke, and Danny let go of his mom's hand. He put the mask over his face gently. "Count backwards."

Danny made a noise of sorts, and in less than thirty seconds, he was out like a light. Maddie's breath caught in her throat as she fearfully anticipated his form to change. It did not.

The surgeon's words were muffled in her mind as she watched them make the first incision, then slowly, for the next six hours, begin to make the careful and painstaking task of wiring her baby back together. The process felt like it would never end.

#danny phantom #Maddie fenton #my phics #phics #broken ectoplasm #history #dannymay #dannymay19 #my dannymay #my dannymay19

47 notes · View notes

mikeshanlon · 6 years

Text

he’s all that: chapter one

fandom: it

pairing: reddie (richie tozier/eddie kaspbrak)

word count: 3.8k

on ao3

summary:

Richie smiled smugly, “You’ve got spunk Kaspbrak. I like that.”

“Why don’t you try shutting the fuck up Tozier,” Eddie retorted as the line moved forward, “So what is this, if not some ploy to get me to tutor you? Some sort of dork outreach program? Because I’m not interested.”

---

Or: The one where Richie Tozier has six weeks to get into a relationship and make someone fall for him. Only problem? That someone is the anxiety ridden, goody two shoes Eddie Kaspbrak, and he can't even stand to be in the same room as Richie.

warnings: there is drug use in that bev/mike/richie are HUGE stoners.

a/n: hello!!! hope you enjoy this fic, i will try to update it at least every other sunday (i'll figure out the exact number of chapters before i post chapter two, but it probably won't be more than 10). you don't need to have watched she's all that to get this, although there will be some small easter eggs/quotes from the movie. but the movie has not aged well and is very Heteronormative so like.... no need to watch it lmao.

Senior year— it was what just about any kid in the public schooling system looked forward to. You were high school royalty, enjoying the last hurrah with booze and dancing before being sent off to make your mark on the world. Lanky limbs that weren’t yet grown into became muscled and toned, hips were wider and swayed. Brains were wiser, skin was touched more, and smiles were brighter. It was a time of transformation and change.

Except, senior year was almost over, and Richie Tozier felt like he hadn’t really changed at all. Sure, in the last four years he shot up to 6’2, his voice was deeper, and he wasn’t such a fucking outcast; but really nothing else felt different. He still only passed his classes on genius alone, had a problem respecting authority figures (partially due to the fact that his parents were still pieces of shit), and never knew when to shut the fuck up.

Derry, Maine itself stayed the same too, like a town in a snow globe encased with mom-and-pop businesses and ignorance. Other than iPhones, the small Starbucks on the corner of Main and Belmont, and the fact that the townspeople were slightly less homophobic and racist (slightly being the operative word); Derry was pretty much a time capsule for banana bikes, bullies, and double features with popcorn that had too much salt and not enough butter.

Take the cliques and social hierarchy-- a staple in any American high school, especially one in a small town. Despite it being the 21st century, the cafeteria still had tables for jocks, geeks, nerds, and preps, straight from some 80’s or 90’s teen flick.

Richie, like most things in his life, didn’t necessarily fit into one group or the other, toeing the line between social pariah and popular party dude. He supposed it was the side effects of being the class clown with too-big-for-his-face glasses, a diagnosis for ADHD, and his tendency blazing at any given moment. Funny and wild enough to show up to any party, but not exactly cool enough to hang out with for anything else.

Honestly, it didn’t matter either way, because instead of worrying about what table to eat the cafeteria’s barely edible food at, Richie usually spent his lunch smoking with his friends. It was time to catch up and unwind before the last few classes of the day— and there was no way he could get through chemistry without being high.

As soon as the shrill bell rang, Richie hopped out of his seat, grabbing his shit before placing his (probably failed) history quiz on the teacher’s desk on his way out into the halls.

He weaved through the couples sucking face and the worried AP students, his unruly black curls bouncing like a hyperactive halo around his head as he walked towards his locker.

“‘Sup Tozier!” someone called out to him, a familiar face at the weekend ragers, although he never learned his actual name.

Richie nodded, “Hey, what’s up Keg King?”

“Not much. Hey, you coming to see me defend my title this weekend?”

“Wouldn't miss it for the world,” Richie smiled lazily, patting the other boy on the back before strolling along.

It wasn’t a coincidence that his smile faltered as he passed what was left of the Bower’s gang. He and Hockstetter had graduated the year prior, although like most bumfuck racists hellbent on beating up ‘dorks and queers’, they stayed in Derry. The remaining two, Belch and Victor Criss, weren’t nearly as powerful or psychotic as their elders, but they had a reputation to uphold. They weren’t exactly slamming him down on the asphalt in front of the arcade like they did in middle school, but they weren’t friendly either. Mutual respect was even a stretch. He’d enjoy seeing them get their asses handed to them, and he was sure they felt the same.

Richie popped open his locker, catching the loose papers and pencils that inevitably fell out. A small mirror hung on the blue metal door, rendered practically useless because of all the smudges covering it. The remaining space was littered with stickers of indie bands, and post-its with doodles and notes to himself or from his friends.

Have a great day trashmouth <3- bevs

Sparknotes ‘Pygmalion’

Come to the quarry after school!-mike

It’s a good day to be gay

Next time u get drunk enough 2 facetime us reading the entire bee movie script pls invite us so we dont have 2 deal w/ that sober- b+m

Buy more cigs and weed

U lewk hott big sexxxi ;) - xoxo

Richie was unashamed to say he wrote the last one to himself one day when he looked particularly good.

He struggled to stuff his history folder into the looming mess, but eventually crammed it in there, slamming the door shut before anything else could fall out.

After checking that he did indeed have his lighter, bag of weed, and papers in his denim jacket, Richie made his way to their usual spot. They liked to smoke at the stairs behind the art room, which was tucked away in the back of the school, overlooking the field that separated them and the middle schoolers.

Throwing open the orange door to the stairs in his usual dramatic fashion, he found his two closest friends, “Ms. Marsh, Lord Michael, how fare thee chaps today?” Richie greeted in his (awful) british accent.

Beverly Marsh rolled her eyes as she lit her joint, “Fine, until I heard that horrible voice.”

Richie threw a hand on his chest, a pained expression painted on his face, “Oh, how you hurt me so.”

“Hey, I mean it is his best impression,” Mike Hanlon commented from the steps, fist bumping Richie as he sat down across from Beverly on the top of the stairs, back to the railing. The sweet boy lit up the bowl in his pipe, inhaling deeply.

“Aw, thank you Mikey, you sure know how to make a girl swoon,” he cooed, mimicking a southern belle.

“Well, you don’t really have any good one’s in the first place,” Mike smirked, blowing out the smoke in his mouth while Beverly snorted, taking another drag.

Richie rolled his eyes, taking out his bag of weed, “Fuck off Hanlon.”

Mike extended an olive branch in the form of paper lunch bag filled with a sandwich, chips, and a can of coke. It was a daily occurrence for them— the Tozier’s rarely had any food, and even if Richie wanted to eat from the cafeteria, he didn’t exactly get a lot of money from them.

“My upcoming munchies thank you dear friend.”

He opened his bag of weed, attempting to balance the paper on his knees so he could roll his own joint. This failed miserably as the weed fell out, getting all over his Radiohead t-shirt.

“Shit.”

Beverly sighed, holding out her hand, “Let me roll it Tozier, you and I both know I’m better at it anyways.”

“What?! I’m perfectly capable of doing it by myself. I roll a damn good joint Marsh,” he shot back incredulously.

She plucked a stray piece of weed and gave him a pointed look. Richie groaned before handing his stuff over, Beverly handing him her own joint to smoke on in the meantime.

“How’s your day been Rich?” Mike asked from his spot on the steps. Typical farm boy, concerned with his friends. Richie often wondered how such an angelic person hung out with him and Bev, but Mike had his fair share of rebellious traits.

“Ah, well, you can tell it’s been just dandy. I can’t wait till we get out of this fucking hell hole,” Richie scoffed before taking a hit.

“Only seven more weeks,” Beverly reminded, eyes and hands focused on rolling.

Mike nodded, “Crazy. Can’t believe we’re finally graduating.”

“Thank fucking god, Derry is a suffocating shithole,” he said, “I know I’m an idiot, but Jesus, everyone here is a fucking bigot.”

“Yeah,” Mike agreed, not saying much else. They understood. It was hard being one of the only black kids in school, let alone pansexual (although most people didn’t know this about him). The prejudice he faced wasn’t something he often spoke about, trying to be as positive as possible.

“This kid in english was saying bisexuals are sluts today,” Richie successfully blew a few smoke rings, “Like, I am one, but not because of my sexuality, asswipe.”

Bev laughed humorlessly, handing Richie the freshly rolled joint and taking back her own, “No need to tell me what that’s like.”

No, the redhead had been getting called a slut over nothing since the seventh grade; the rumors and shaming only getting worse when she too came out as bi.

A comfortable and reflective silence fell over the three, occupied with their thoughts and getting high. Richie placed the joint in between his chapped lips; struggling to light the tip as his white lighter sputtered, on it’s last moments of life. Mumbled expletives fell out of his mouth before he was successful, inhaling deeply and holding the smoke in before letting it all escape.

His dark brown eyes scanned the poorly maintained sports field, filled mostly with middle schoolers running around and yelling. Part of him envied the carefree nature of it all, but the other remembered how fucking shitty middle school was and any jealousy washed away.

Not too far from them was what was dubbed as ‘the kissing tree’. The old trunk was littered with carvings, initials surrounded by hearts claiming that their love was ‘forever’. It was juvenile, small town as fuck, and heteronormative— though most things surrounding romance in Derry were.

Of course, Richie had been obsessed with it as a preteen, and knew his own name was on there (a few times).

What caught his eye now were the couple under it, making out passionately, flush against one another, like if they stopped they’d die.

Honestly, that would be preferable, as one of them was Gretta Keene, one of Richie’s biggest mistakes.

Gretta was one of the most popular girls in school, and she was also a grade A bitch. Her green eyes sent glares akin to daggers, and her lipgloss covered lips provided insults that went too far. Including frequently calling Beverly a slut.

It wasn’t like Richie had a huge crush on her or anything. Their relationship was merely born from constantly being at the same parties, cross faded and wanting a quick hook up to distract themselves. Mike had commented that it was only a matter of time, except one became many more, despite the fact that Gretta only got with jocks.

Their arrangement caused Bev to freeze Richie out for two months last semester, breaking their four year streak for best couples costume at Betty Ripsom’s annual Halloween Party. Bev was more important to him by a long shot, but per usual, he kept fucking everything up.

Most of their ‘moments’ were shared in some stranger's bed, or dancing in a kitschy living room to pop music, sharing a blunt or swigs from a bottle of whiskey. None of it was on purpose, but rather a byproduct of being intoxicated and having a high sex drive.

In fact, they had only been on two actual dates when they were together. The first was at the drive-in a town over, the pair sat in Richie’s beat up station wagon, some shitty b-movie playing on the large projector. Gretta shared a pack of cigarettes with him, and it was probably the only kind thing she had ever done. Richie tried to make conversation, so that their relationship actually had some sort of substance other than weed and alcohol; but Gretta quickly shut him up, sticking her cherry coke flavored tongue down his throat.

He took her out to his favorite diner for their other date, figuring that they might have a chance to actually get to know one another without an acceptable place to make out. They sat on opposite sides of a booth outlooking Main street, an old-timey song playing on the jukebox.

This plan proved to be a grave mistake, because Richie finally understood why Bev often said, “Satan himself thinks Gretta Keene is too cruel.”

He repressed the memory, if he remembered it he’d get too pissed off. Instead, Richie thought of their break-up, how she had beat him to the punch.

He had been waiting at her locker, leaning against #405 and picking at his nails, humming a song by The Smiths under his breath. Gretta approached, clad in a pink mini-skirt and a tight crop top, smacking her half-priced bubblegum.

Richie cleared his throat, standing upright, ready to chew her the fuck out for being such a horrible person, “Gretta, let’s talk—“

“We’re through Tozier.”

“What the fuck?!” He had gaped at her, “No, I was going to breakup with you!”

Gretta shooed him away with her manicured hands, “Please, you’re a fucking nobody. Irrelevant. You should be glad we even fucked around this long.”

A small crowd had formed around the two, “You’re the one who kept coming back for more.”

“And you’re the one who actually thought this could be something. So cute. But I don’t date losers and I don’t date attention-whores like you.”

Like he said, grade A bitch.

“Jealous?” Mike snapped Richie from his thoughts.

His cheeks reddened, embarrassed that he was caught staring, “What? No. I pity the poor bastard that’s with her. Fucking breath smells like a fucking dog ate a pack of Winston’s. Straight up ass.”

Beverly chuckled, but her eyes held a little bit of resentment, “You used to smoke those Winston’s with her.”

“I thought we had an agreement that we would never speak of the Great Gretta Keene Mistake again?”

“Sure, but you’re the one watching her,” Mike pointed out, packing a new bowl, “Missing the one that got away?”

The other boy’s tone was joking but Richie sent him a glare, “She’s fucking irrelevant to me okay?”

They hummed in agreement, but he could see the slight doubt on their faces.

Richie ripped open his bag of chips and threw one in his mouth, “She thinks she’s such hot fucking shit, but she’s so replaceable.”

“Richie, it’s rude to speak with your mouth full,” Mike admonished his bad manners.

“That’s not what your ol’ pops said last night when I was suck-“

“Beep beep, Richie,” Mike warned.

Bev shook her head, “Really Rich? His grandpa?”

“When opportunity strikes,” he flashed a shit eating grin before taking another hit.

“Anyways, while I second the sentiment that Gretta isn’t all that, you haven’t exactly had a relationship since her,” Bev accused.

“Okay, what the fuck is this, ‘pick on Richie day’?” he said, readjusting his position, “Besides, I’ve been with plenty of other people.”

“Please, this isn’t middle school, and I’m still not buying the whole ‘my bedpost is covered in notches’ bit,” Bev inspected the joint between her fingers, now just a stub.

“Well, obviously it’s not. I’ve had sex in many different beds. Yours included,” Richie smirked.

“Beep beep. You know you aren’t allowed over after you almost burned down my aunt’s apartment.”

“The apartment was fine. Everyone knows if you put the temperature up super high food cooks faster. Those tater-tots would’ve been delicious. Bon-appetit,” Richie spoke in a poor french accent, and his eyes widened, “Bon-appetot. Bon-appetatertot.”

He fell into a fit of giggles and Mike chuckled across from him.

“You are a walking disaster Richie Tozier,” Bev said, though an amused smile sat on her lips.

“Richie’s poor life choices aside… One night stands and drunken make out sessions don’t count,” Mike returned to their previous topic, “I mean something sort of serious. Something you put effort into.”

“I don’t put effort into anything Michael dear,” Richie countered.

“Not true. You put effort into a lot of dumb shit,” Bev put out her joint, “Like when you tried to climb the water tower at 3 am naked. Or the time you tried to get the principal to grind with you at homecoming.”

“You can’t blame me for that. Mrs. Marton is a vixen. Can’t believe she resisted my charms.”

Mike laughed, shaking his head, “Point is, it kinda seems like you’re stuck in a rut.”

“I get plenty of action,” Richie boasted, taking a drag from his joint, “Plus, I could make any girl or guy in this piece of shit school fall in love with me.”

“That a bet?” Bev grinned mischievously.

“You know what, why the fuck not?” Richie shrugged. He was bored, and he wanted his friends off his fucking back, “Terms and conditions?”

“Mike and I get to choose the sorry fuck who you’ll be pursuing—“

“No, I don’t wanna be a part of this. Isn’t it kinda fucked up? Getting with someone for a bet? Why don’t you just try to date someone without an ulterior motive?” Mike suggested.

Richie rolled his eyes, adopting an Australian accent, “Now where’s the fun in that mate?”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“You get till prom to sweep this person off their feet. A committed relationship, not just a hookup. If you win I’ll get you a shit ton of the finest weed the county can offer,” Bev continued, “If you lose—“

“No need to tell me, because I won’t fail,” Richie smirked, “I’m a total knockout.”

Bev’s face mirrored his own, “Fine, it’s your funeral.”

Both of them spit into their palms before shaking their hands, bonding the bet.

“C’mon, let’s go find them— you only have six weeks.”

The three of them packed up their shit, passing around the rest of Richie’s joint so it wouldn’t go to waste before they headed inside. Bev spritzed some perfume on them in an attempt to mask the smell of weed, making Richie smell fruity and floral. He popped a stick of spearmint gum in his mouth, deciding to save his sandwich for AP Calc next block.

It was a rare occurrence for them to roam the halls before the lunch bell rang, so a few of the students stared at them as they went on their search. Mike smiled at just about everyone they passed, a fucking angel per usual.

“What about him, he’s kinda cute,” Bev suggested, nodding her head to a blonde boy holding a skateboard.

Richie shook his head, “We made out at that beach bonfire over the summer. He almost vommed in my fucking mouth. The money maker! These beautiful lips are fuckin sacred— how could I smooch and tell amazing jokes if he fucked em up? These babies ooze charisma and sex appeal.”

“More like ooze bullshit,” Mike quipped.

“I think you’re just jealous that you won’t be the one I’m wooing Mike n Ike.”

Bev snorted, “I pity the poor fuck who you’ll be annoying till prom,” her eyes lit up, and she turned to Mike, “Hey, we might be able to enjoy some peace and quiet for a while!”

“The minute we became best friends with Richie I gave up all hope for tranquility.”

“Hey!” He protested, although Mike was right.

“And I wouldn’t have it any other way,” the other boy finished sweetly.

Richie planted a sloppy kiss on his cheek, “Oh Mikey, you are the most wholesome-est boy I ever did meet,” he slipped into his southern belle persona, “What about you Bevvy darlin’, got any words to butter up my biscuit? To milk my udder?”

She rolled her eyes and continued walking ahead of them, turning into another hallway.

“Fine, I know you love me Marsh,” Richie used his long lanky legs to his advantage, catching up to stroll alongside her quickly, “What about Betty Ripsom?”

Bev scoffed, “Please, too easy.”

“What?! She’s like, a good ol’ Christian girl. I’m a deviant! My skype username used to be tozier666! Or wait, it was tozier42069… I can’t remember.”

“C’mon Richie, we all know she had a massive crush on you freshman year,” Bev replied.

Mike nodded in agreement, “You wouldn’t shut up about it.”

“Like most things,” Bev said, “Anyways, you’d just use that to your advantage. Although, I am liking the whole ‘polar opposite’ approach.”

Richie groaned, of course he had a hand in his own misfortune.

They continued to travel the halls, Beverly’s baby blue eyes scouring for a victim.

“You sure are digging your own grave today Rich,” Mike commented.

Richie nodded, “R.I.P. Richard Tozier. Big Mouth and even Bigger Wan—“

“Found ‘em,” Bev interrupted, a grin on her face.

She pointed down the hallway in front of them, where two boys conversated as everyone walked around them. The taller one had auburn hair, and was lanky like Richie, although the other boy seemed a little more muscular. The other looked like a fucking middle schooler, and Richie wasn’t sure how the little brat even got in there.

It took a minute, but Richie realized that he did actually recognize them. They didn’t interact much, not being in the same circles, but the two boys had been going to school with him since the days of recess. And they had been bullied since then too.

So, correction, she pointed to where two of the biggest losers in school were talking about what was presumably some nerdy shit. Great.

“What, Big Bill?” Richie raised an eyebrow, “He’s not too bad. Ignore the stutter and the fact that he’s best friends with total dorks and you have a shy lil cutie. Nice handiwork Marsh.”

“You know, you’re a total dork and we’re still friends with you,” Mike quipped, his own way of chastising Richie.

Bev shook her head ‘no’, “Not Denbrough, the other one.”

Richie’s eyes settled on the smaller boy, and the realization that he was totally and utterly fucked set in.

Eddie Kaspbrak. The kid peaked at 5’6, and his lack of muscles along with the fact that he wore an honest to fucking god fanny pack didn’t help his 12 year old boy appearance. Of course, the fanny pack got worse— it was full of pills, eye drops, hand sanitizer, lotion, chapstick, and most importantly, his inhaler. Yes, Eddie was a fucking asthmatic hypochondriac and germaphobe, with an equally insane mother. Richie didn’t doubt that the asshole spent more time perusing WebMD than texting or checking social media.

He wore chunky turtlenecks in the winter, and in the hotter months, his tanned legs adorned tube socks and short-shorts (they were awful, although Richie had to admit they made his ass look great). His small hands gripped onto his stuffed backpack (kid already had a fanny pack full of shit, what else did he have to bring to school?). Eddie’s brown hair was always found in a overly gelled comb over, not a hair out of place. He reminded Richie of an off-brand Fred Savage with severe anxiety.

Mostly, Richie knew Eddie Kaspbrak would hate just about every little thing he did. There was no way they’d even be friends, let alone anything more.

“You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me Bev.”

a/n: thanks for reading!!! richie and eddie will actually talk next chapter, don't worry. also for any concerned about the gretta/richie thing it's not Too Big of a Deal as it is in the movie, i just need it for some plot points (but overall richie is like 100% over gretta and it was just something stupid he did).

#reddie #richie x eddie #it fic #reddie fic #he's all that #my fic #yeah idk what to tag this as go read it on ao3 wlnglerngerlgknrglkerng

159 notes · View notes

jokers-sweethearts · 7 years

Text

Jokers Daughter Imagine: Present for a Princess

Request: (anonyous) Can you do a imagine about Joker getting CP and gift and her reaction? You can fill in the rest with whatever you want. Just please make it reader x joker :) thnx

tw: trichotillomania

////////

Joker ran his golden knife over the mans throat, each inch it progressed he dug it in deeper and deeper. The terror of feeling the pain build up was enough to make his heart stop, but he stayed alive pleading for the clown king to spare him.

“Pl...please sir I have a family! Kids at home I need to get to!” his voice cracked as his knees began to burn from the tile floor beneath him.

The Joker’s red lips spread into a cryptic smile revealing his metal teeth.

“Ya know.... you have a good point!” he pulled the knife away from the employee and tapped it on his forehead. Leaving a small blood mark.

The man took a deep breath and held it, not believing what was happening. He could taste the freedom so close.

“Need to get home, to the kid. You’re right! This is taking way too long!” In a flash all the man’s joy washed away as the blood sprayed from his throat. It covered the floor around him as he collapsed. “How selfish of you to keep me away from my princess” Joker huffed as he kicked the man’s skull and watched his lifeless head roll around.

The clown king of Gotham turned around to see the toy store being lit on fire by his henchmen. The corpses of all the employees littered the ground. He threw his head back and cackled when he saw Frost walking towards him, giant teddy bear in tow making it almost impossible for him to walk.

“Want me to load it up boss?” Frost said casually, almost like he didn’t even notice the mayhem around him. It made Joker smile even wider. He had done such a good job with Johnny, he was completely immune to the rampage and just focused on work.

“Hmmmm....” Joker growled. He stalked around the teddy bear and Frost like a lion circling it’s prey.

After all these years with Joker, Frost was good at hiding his emotions, but inside he was fucking terrified. He gulped so loud he was sure Joker would carve out his adam’s apple.

“Needs a little something” Joker murmured under his breath, not talking to anyone in particular. He raised the knife up to the bears head and wiped the blood off, leaving a stain. “Perfect! Put it in the car” he commanded adjusting his silver jacket and following Frost out.

The henchmen noticed their boss leaving and tried to follow, but just as some of them reached the door Joker slammed it in their face and held it as they fought with the handle.

“Sorry boys! Looks like there’s no extra room with the bear!” Joker whistled and Frost appeared behind him with chains and a lock for the door. He avoided eye contact with the men he just met last week.

No liabilities, Frost though to himself. It was just routine.

Joker got in the car and roared the engine, bobbing his head back and forth to the screams of the burning men like it was his favorite song. Within seconds he was gone and the gcpd showed up to the toy store.

Joker peaked in the rear view mirror at the toy for his princess. Like he had completely forgot all he just did, his daughter consumed his thoughts. He couldn’t wait to bring it to her and have her love and attention all for himself.

.........

You sat in the living room occasionally glancing over to the window out to the driveway. It was so unusual to wake up in the morning and your father be no where around. Uncle Johnny wasn’t even there to tell you where he’d gone. You tried to kill time by doing the usual. Sneaking clothes from your mother’s closet, target practice in the underground gun range with your father’s golden AK, working on your mother’s motorcycle. Now you sat on the couch doodling tattoos you dreamed of on your leg. You tried to perfect the skull your father had on his chest.

You tired to imagine what he would be doing. Maybe at the club or fighting with batman. Just the thought excited you, always eager to hear the stories when he got home. If he got home... whenever he was out for too long a part of your mind always wondered if maybe another arkham stay was at hand. You shook your head back and forth and pulled your hair to stop the bad thoughts. You knew you weren’t supposed to but you couldn’t help it. You pulled more and more, one strand at a time. The thought of losing him again to that horrible place was too much. Those thoughts gave you flashes of your mother being gone for so long. Locked up in belle reve then stolen again for squad.

The hair building up in your hand almost covered your entire palm. You snarled and threw it on the ground before standing up and going over to the window to look directly out. You’re stronger than that. You’re the goddamn clown princess, you said to yourself. Don’t be ridiculous he’ll be here soon. If not you’ll make those fuckers pay. You felt your ego and anger building up, gifts inherited form the man you awaited. After you finished reassuring yourself, you saw the purple lamborghini pull up, you felt like a god for a moment calling it perfectly.

Then you saw the bear, a maniacal smiled appeared on your face. You should have known he was gone on your account. You felt silly for ever denying that. Racing to the front door, you took a deep breath trying to forget the hair on the floor, before unlocking the door and opening it wide for him to enter. The bear came first brought in by Frost followed by your father.

Seeing him standing tall, towering over you, dressed so nice and confident in his purple shirt and silver jacket, gold chains swinging, you felt safe in his presence. Like nothing could hurt you, even yourself. You wasted no time jumping up into his arms. Feeling the gold rings on his hands rub your back helped you even more. You took some of his green hair in your hand just to feel it, just to know he was real. For a moment you didn’t give a shit about the bear, just happy he was back.

Joker felt the pride surge through him. This is exactly what he wanted.

“Miss me huh?” he chuckled.

“Of course I did, don’t trick me like that again”.

Trick? Joker was confused for a second but ignored it to focus on his baby in his arms.

“So you gonna accept your gift daddy worked so hard to get for you, princess?”

You released him from your grip and turned around to grab the bear. You held it against you tight before the smell caught your attention. You’d recognize it anywhere, one of the first smells you remember experiencing besides being held by Harley and smelling her skin.

You pulled back from the bear and your smile grew even wider, the blood stain warmed your heart. Your father always paid attention to detail.

“Oh daddy I love it thank you!” you squealed at him.

“Yeah yeah yeah” Joker tried to play if off tough but inside he was feeling on top of the world, not that he ever doubted he really was. “Frost!” he hissed “get started on the replacements!” Frost shook his head and followed his orders.

Joker took a seat on the couch and propped his feet up.

“You and that bear get over here and join me princess” he patted the spot on the couch beside him as he grabbed the remote and flipped the news on. His favorite part was coming up, when he showed you all the news reports about the damage he had caused. Better than any movie for him.

As he waited for you he noticed the excess amount of hair on the couch. It led his icy blue eyes to the floor where he saw the clump. Fuck... he whispered. When he saw you headed over he kicked it under the couch.

You plopped down and snuggled up next to him. You felt his strong arm around you and all your fears went away. Everything about arkham was just a distant memory now. You hugged the teddy bear next to you and felt complete bliss.

GCN began their announcement, showing footage of the toy store almost completely burned to the ground. The body count plastered on the tv screen.

You looked up at your dad with a huge grin and congratulated him. But Joker wasn’t paying attention. For the first time he wasn’t intrigued by hearing about himself. He held the remote up and switched off the tv. He clenched his fist around you so hard he was sure his palm would start bleeding.

You stupid fucking clown, you shouldn’t have left her alone. You should have waited for Harley to be back, you should have left someone with her. He frantically searched through his mind for everything to blame so he didn’t have to blame himself.

A sinking feeling entered your chest and shot down through your stomach. He knew. He always knew.

“Daddy I’m sorry I couldn’t help it” you said deadpan, you were sure he was just as exhausted with this as you were. “I got scared when you were taking long. I didn’t know if the rat got you or... I don’t know. But I stopped it myself I promise” you glared at the ground so you wouldn’t have to look him in the eye.

You remembered what Harley had taught you, when you were little and the hair pulling first started. Your mom taught you to focus in on something specific and learn everything you could about it.

You chose your father’s shoes. A solid black with a small golden jester placed just below where his pinky toe would be. It was helping but the urge to touch your hair was growing more. Until you felt your father’s fingers under your chin.

He forced you to look up at him then took your entire jaw in his hands.

Joker looked deep into his daughter’s eyes. He wasn’t angry, he could never physically feel anger for her. It wasn’t worry either. He had a fire burning in his stomach. The same fire he had when he was searching to rescue Harley. It was determination, a lust for control. He placed his mile tattoo over her mouth so he could see a smile on her, before kissing her forehead and getting off the couch.

You were confused but sat patiently waiting for him. When he returned he had something closed in his hand. A ring? A necklace? A bullet? You thought about the usual gifts he gave when you were upset. But when he revealed what it was you were even more confused.

“This is your mom’s favorite, so don’t rat me out kid” he said as he opened up the purple nail polish.

Without hesitating or explaining he took one of your wrists and rested in on his knee, turning his body fully to face you, one leg propped on the couch. His touch was more gentle than usual, you were used to him being more rough even when he was trying to be comforting. His back hunched over to focus as he painted your nails. Some green strands of hair fell in front of his eyes. You used your free hand to brush them back.

“There we are! No one can do that better than me, huh?” he cackled as he began to paint his own nails. He resumed his usual position facing the tv again and switching it on.

“Daddy I don’t understand” you spat out, your voice was raw and almost cracked, feeling tears begin to form. But you held them back.

“Don’t paint the other hand” he demanded in a low and stern voice. You use that hand to stop the other. It’ll look like someone else stopping you. It’ll be me stopping you. He tossed the nail polish behind him when he was finished and showed you his hand. His gold skull bracelet dangling as he waved it around. “See? next time you want to pull you grab your wrist just like I would. You can pretend it’s me now. Focus in on the nail color. Like your mother told you to do. Pretend it’s me” he looked you directly in the eye, you felt the intimidation and you liked it, sure his eyes would burn holes through yours.

You cracked a small smile looking down at your hand, you loved learning that you and your father were alike. It sounded like your mom had taught him that trick too.

“I was just... scared... you know it’s hard for me to admit that but it’s true”.

“Hey!” Joker shouted grabbing your chin again. Within seconds his emotions changed, he went from stern and commanding to gentle again. “Would anyone ever beat me? Would I ever not come back to you?” he opened his mouth slightly, revealing the metal teeth and waiting in anticipation for the answer he already knew.

“No...” you said faintly. You hoped this method would work in the future. But you put it all aside for now. You just wanted to focus on him being home.

“That’s my girl” he growled. He released you from his grasp and turned back to the tv. He extended his arm for you to curl up next to him again. You took the opportunity immediately. He wrapped his arm around you and held you tight against him. A silent reassurance that he wasn’t going anywhere.

You closed your eyes and rested your head on his chest. Right where you knew the skull tattoo was. You let out a sigh that turned into a laugh. Now you felt on top of the world.

“Ah ya see that there!” Joker pointed to the tv, the camera was directed at the body bags being wheeled out of the ashes. “That’s all me, princess”.

You smirked and your eyes glistened watching the corpses being handled.

“One day I’ll do it with you”.

Joker’s heart returned to a regular rhythm when he heard you say that. There were only two people that could control how his heart beat and one of them was in his arms right now. He felt powerful, in control.

A door slammed behind the two of you making you jump in his arms. Joker barely flinched and turned around to see a stranger before him. Frost followed and opened his mouth to introduce him, but he wasn’t fast enough.

Joker put a bullet through the man’s head and his body fell to the floor.

“..Boss that was the new guy you asked me to-”

“Did I ask you to interrupt us?” Joker snarled. He was furious to be interrupted but even more furious that his princess was scared.

Frost shook his head waiting for the same fate as the man next to him.

“Clean that up” Joker said turning his attention back to his little girl.

Frost sighed in relief that the attention was off of him. But now he was the one who’s heart was pounding. He took a glance at the girl on the couch. Frost envied her, but more so he was afraid of her. How she dealt with his boss as a father he’d never be able to understand.

It was just another reminder. Whether burning people alive or gifting his princess with a teddy bear, the Joker was unpredictable. The clown family was unpredictable.

317 notes · View notes

i-write-shakespeare-not-disney · 7 years

Text

Warm Me Up ch. 23

I don’t remember the songs I listened to oops.

Click Here for Ch. 1

Click here for ch. 22

Eyes seemed to follow him everywhere. It made Will feel on edge and frustrated. He walked, trying to ignore it as he got his work done. Forget months of hard work. One little bad day seemed to have branded him untrustworthy.

Part of him wanted to quit and intern elsewhere, but he was worried they wouldn’t take him if the doctors told about what had happened. What did they expect anyway? He was still just a teenager. And he was usually good about separating personal and work life. It wasn’t his fault the two had suddenly decided to merge into one giant headache.

“Keep your chin up, pal,” Malcolm said, walking beside him. “Just don’t look so angry when doing it. You’re supposed to look approachable.”

Will rolled his eyes and sighed. He gave a forced smile and shook his head. “Yeah, I know. It’s just creeping me out. Like everyone’s waiting for me to burst again. They know I’m not like that. It was… a bad day. After a few bad weeks.” He shook his head and rolled his head to try and shake off the stress. “I have to go check on one of my kids. I’ll see you later.”

Malcolm smiled at the term and nodded, disappearing into another wing of the hospital.

Meanwhile, Will hurried to the room for a little girl who had stayed a few days after a severe asthma attack. He opened the door and smiled brightly as the little girl sat up. “How are you feeling today, little sunflower?” he asked. Her name was Flor, and she was so bubbly and happy, that it was easy to provide a nickname for her.

“I’m okay,” she answered, licking pudding off her fingers. “Are you going to do the routine again?” He smiled and nodded. Her older brother chuckled softly as she scooted forward and sat up.

“Ready?” She nodded. As he proceeded to check her vitals, he began to sing softly with her singing along. “Yankee Doodle went to town, a-riding on a pony. Stuck a feather in his cap-”

“And called it macaroni!”

He chuckled and continued to sing with her. By the end of the song he was done and gave her a high five. “Good job,” he praised her. “And guess what? Everything seems to be good so you might get to go home today.”

“Really?” He nodded and she smiled. “See, Joey? I told you not to worry.”

Her brother sat on a chair, smiling fondly at his sister. “I wouldn’t have worried if you hadn’t stopped breathing, short stack.” She shrugged and bundled herself back into her covers.

“I’ll go tell the doctor and he’ll come in to see you later, okay?” He stood and left the room. He’d made it two doors away when he heard his name get called. He turned and saw Flor’s brother walking toward him. “What happened? Is Flor okay?” he asked, wondering if something could have happened within the thirty seconds that he’d left.

“Yeah, she’s fine,” he answered as he caught up to him. “I just wanted to thank you for being so good with my sister. She’s sort of always been scared of doctors.” Will blinked rapidly in surprise. Then he smiled. “So uh, thanks.”

“Of course. It’s my job.”

“You look pretty young to be a nurse.”

Will bit his lip and shrugged. “I’m not. Officially at least. I’m an intern. So I sort of do nurse work, but I can’t call any shots. Or administer shots yet, actually.” Joey laughed and rubbed his neck.

“So how old are you?”

“Almost twenty. I’m a college freshman.”

Joey nodded and rubbed his neck. “Um. So. Totally going out on a limb here. Uh, do you… maybe… I don’t know want to go see a movie? Do you like movies?”

Will’s eyes widened and his lips parted in shock. Joey’s cheeks were slightly red, his curly hair falling in his face obscuring his eyes which were looking away anyway.

“Oh, uh….”

“A-Are you even into guys? I don’t mean to offend-”

“No, no, no!” he interrupted. “I- I am. I do. I….” He put a hand to his head and chuckled awkwardly. “Sorry. Not really used to this situation.”

Joey pushed his hair away and raised an eyebrow. “Situation? You mean getting asked on a date?” Will nodded. “You’re joking.” Will frowned, unsure of what to answer. “I’m sorry, I just…. You really don’t get asked out? Are you the one that does the asking?” He shook his head, feeling his cheeks burn. Joey gave him a smile. “So then… movies?”

I’m completely fucking in love with you. And it honestly scares the shit out of me. “Um….” I’ll do anything. “I…. I don’t think I’m allowed to date patients,” he finally answered.

Joey bit his lip and tilted his head. “Well, I’m not a patient. My sister is.” Will gulped and laughed softly. He looked at the guy with his long curls and bright hazel eyes and playful smirk. He was cute. And didn’t Will have the right to move on? To be friends with Nico, but try dating someone else?

But he loved Nico. His affections had been coated with hatred, but he still loved Nico. He did have hope. But what if that hope amounted to nothing?

“I’ll think about it,” he answered with a smile.

“Can I at least get a number to call you?” Will scoffed and grabbed his pen from his pocket. He took his arm and wrote his number on his forearm.

“I probably won’t answer until I’m off, but… there.” Joey smiled and nodded. “I have to go now. I have patients to see.” He turned away and went down another hall to get to another patient he had to see.

Part of him felt guilty. He’d admitted he was in love the day before, and now he was giving some other guy his number? Another part of him, however, and the part that was overruling the other, was proud. He didn’t have to be held back by a heartbreak. He didn’t have to live his life for Nico. He wanted to move on. He wanted to have hope again.

The rest of his shift went by quicker. His mood had lifted and even the cautious glances from other doctors and nurses didn’t bother him as much.

A few hours later and his shift was over. He said goodbye to Malcolm and went to his car, checking his phone as he did. Already, he had a text from an unknown number.

Hey doc, did you know an octopus has three hearts? I learned that from Dory.

Will smiled to himself and shook his head. Hi, Joey he answered.

So… movie? Have you thought about it?

Will bit his lip, a small amount of doubt still tugging at him. I need more time. I’ll let you know. He sighed and stared at the hospital building in front of him before reversing and driving to get back to campus.

Classes would start back up the following day, and Will hadn’t done the assignments that he knew would be due. Sure, homework wasn’t assigned over break, but he had his syllabi and knew what he should’ve been doing over break as a responsible student.

Of course all of break had seemed to drone on painfully after the events that had left him completely confused and uncertain. He’d had to tell his parents that he had emergency shifts and wouldn’t be able to go home just because he knew he wouldn’t be able to hide the effects of Nico’s words. And it was convenient, because the day Will was supposed to be home, Nico had gone missing.

He bit his lip as the memories surfaced. The look of awe and hope that Nico gave him as he’d stood there expectantly. The words that flooded Will’s ears over and over at night, keeping him tossing and turning. He’d been so angry, he couldn’t contain himself. He hadn’t even realized he’d thrown a rock at his head until he turned and saw the blood.

He wanted to say he’d panicked as a doctor. But the truth was he’d panicked because he hurt Nico. He’d panicked as a boy in love. And he slightly hated himself for it.

Finally he was back on campus and hurrying to get his things from his room. The sunset left a warm glow on everything, but a few gray clouds loomed overhead with the threat of rain for the night. When he had his things, he lugged it back to the café, knowing he wouldn’t be able to stay awake if he stayed in his room.

A few minutes later after sitting, Paolo joined him and sat across from him. “How was your shift?” he asked.

“Pretty good,” he answered. “It wasn’t so annoying today.” Paolo smiled. “I got asked out on a date.” His mouth fell open.

“Wait, what?” Will laughed and explained the situation. “Wait, so did you say yes?”

“No I said I’d think about it.”

He furrowed his eyebrows and drummed his fingers on the table. “I mean, do you want to? Is the guy cute? A serial killer?”

Will rolled his eyes and flicked a crumb at him. “From what I gathered, he was really nice. He’s playful with his sister. And yeah, he’s cute.” Paolo waited. “I don’t know. Part of me wants to say yes. But part of me….”

“Is hoping there’s a chance with Nico,” he finished. Will looked down and frowned. Was he that transparent? “I understand. Want my suggestion?”

He groaned and winced as he looked up at him. “I dunno, do I?” he mumbled.

His best friend laughed and hit his forehead with a pencil. “Yes, because I know best. Anyway. I think you should talk to this guy a little more. You know, be sure he’s not a serial killer. Then if you like talking to him, say yes to the movie. That way it also gives you time to see how the dust settled with Nico.” Will hummed and bit his nail pensively. “I just don’t want you pushing yourself into something that won’t help just to get over Nico faster, you know?”

“Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense. I’ll do that.” He blushed and bit down a little harder on his nail. “I just… I also feel kind of guilty.”

As Paolo began to answer, Will’s attention shifted to the very person he’d been thinking of as Nico walked over to the table. “Uh, hey. Hi.” Paolo nodded, not smiling, but not scowling either. “Will, could I… have a sec? Please?”

Will glanced at Paolo who shrugged and he stood. “Sure.” He walked beside him and Nico led him outside under the canopy of vines in the seating area. There was already a light, steady rain sprinkling down. “What is it?” he asked, nervously. The last three conversations they had hadn’t been particularly wonderful, so he was wary about what this one entailed.

Though Nico looked nervous. His cheeks were red, his eyes flitted from place to place, and he kept wringing his hands. “Um. You’ll have to give me a moment to get this out,” he stammered. Will frowned and waited nervously. “I…. I said you deserve better than me,” he began. Already Will was putting up defenses. If he pulled the same bullshit again, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to stand looking at him. “And I still believe that.” Finally his eyes met Will’s. “But instead of trying to push you away to someone better…. I want to make myself better. For you. You made me a better person when we were dating. I didn’t flirt, I didn’t drink as much or do half the stupid shit I did before. And I want to be even better than that so you can be happier too.” He cheeks were bright red and his voice was shaking. But Will was in shock. He hadn’t expected that.

“Um. Okay. I appreciate that, Neeks, but… I mean I told you-”

“I know, I’m not… asking you to give me another chance again.” He chuckled softly. “Sorry. It’s just been a while since I heard ‘Neeks.’” He took a breath and looked at him again. “I’m starting therapy.”

Will’s eyes went wide, and his mouth fell open. “B-But you hated therapy.”

He nodded and shrugged. “I know. But I figured… a lot has changed in ten or so years. The practice is different. I’m different. The person I’ll see is completely different. Maybe it’ll work this time. And even if doesn’t, I want to try. I want to get better. I want to feel better. For you, yes, but… also for me. I’m tired of the way my brain makes me do things that fuck up my life.” He looked at Will with a sad smile and sighed. “You were the most amazing thing that had happened to me in a long time, Will. And I fucked up. You didn’t deserve that.” Will gulped and felt his own cheeks redden.

Nico continued as Will looked at him completely speechless. “Have you ever heard that quote that says something like ‘I’ve never loved myself, but you-’”

“‘I loved you so much I forgot what hating myself felt like,’” Will finished.

Nico nodded and smiled. “It’s true. I forgot for a long time.” He frowned. “But the hate for myself was still there. And I have to fix it. Then maybe we can try again….”

“Nico,” he breathed, unsure of what to say to that.

“Oh!” he said excitedly, with a certain light in his eyes that made him seem younger. “I also threw out all of my alcohol. And I cut up my fake ID. I’m trying to leave that behind too.” He smiled nervously and Will smiled back.

“I’m really happy to hear that,” he said softly, not trusting his voice. “I.... Wow. That’s really great, Neeks. Just… wow.” Nico chuckled and kicked at the ground. Will held out his arms awkwardly and Nico nervously accepted the hug, both chuckling.

He felt familiar. Will’s chin rested perfectly in the curve of his neck. Nico’s face burrowed safely into Will’s shoulder. His arms placed perfectly. Will’s arms around Nico just tight enough. It was so familiar it hurt. He sighed and took in the scent of cologne, soap, and a very light tinge of cigarette smoke. His hair tickled him, longer than it had been when they were together.

He brought himself to pull away and was grateful that Nico was blushing as much as him. “Um. So have you told anyone else?”

Nico shook his head and pushed away the hair that had fallen in his face with an aggravated expression. It made Will smile. “No, I sort of want to see how it goes first. My first meeting is next Monday after class. I’m telling myself not to chicken out.” He cleared his throat and bit his lip. “Um, you were studying. So… I just really wanted to tell you that I’m trying.” Before Will could answer, Nico leaned forward and kissed his cheek lightly. Then he turned away and walked to his dorm building across the street.

Will remained frozen in place for a second before finding the sense to walk back into the café. When he sat down, he saw that Cecil and Alex had joined and, along with Paolo, were looking at him expectantly. “Hello,” he said dumbly.

“What was that? What happened?” Cecil asked.

“Did he kiss you?” Alex asked.

“So is that a no on the hospital guy?” Paolo asked.

That only brought forward a whole new wave of questions that gave Will a headache. “Can we all calm down, please?” he asked. “How was break?”

“Horrible, now explain,” Alex said.

“Fine, now do what Alex said,” Cecil added. Will scowled at them and proceeded to tell them the events of the week with Paolo adding his two cents whenever Will forgot a detail or they simply needed a separate perspective.

When he was done with that, he had to find a way to explain what had just happened without giving away information Nico didn’t want people to know. “And just now, he was just telling me that he got rid of all his alcohol. So he’s just trying to get better. And he wanted me to know.”

Alex frowned and tugged on a strand of hair. “So… are you two friends? Or awkward acquaintances? Or friends with benefits?”

“Are you going to date again?” Cecil asked. Then he gasped. “Are you going to date the Joey dude?”

Will huffed and laid his head on the table. “It’s been another long day. I’m tired. And I have no answers for those questions. I still don’t know where we stand.”

“The hug was cute,” Alex noted.

“So was the peck on the cheek,” Paolo added. “And the fidgeting.”

“They were both fidgeting,” Cecil noted.

Will stood, his face bright red. “And you’re all nosy friends. I’m going to shower and sleep because I need to be alive in class tomorrow.” He turned away as his friends laughed and apologized halfheartedly.

The next day, things felt… better. He didn’t have that underlying sadness in him anymore. But he did wonder how he and Nico were supposed to interact with each other. Were they going to hang like old friends? Only hang out when they were in a group of friends? Or would their interactions dwindle to simply saying hello when passing and making awkward small talk?

Will wasn’t sure. He was even less sure about which he preferred. Talking like old friends would feel too much like dating…. Hanging out in a group of friends seemed nice, but the only connection Will had to Nico’s friends was Leo. And keeping it to hello seemed too painful and fruitless.

After his first two classes were over, he had a one hour break before his next one. He decided to stop at the library to read and give his mind a break. As he trekked across the campus, he caught sight of wide angry movements in the corner of his eye.

It was Nico, hidden among a few trees by an outside table. He was pacing with his phone at his ear. His expression seemed angry, his free hand moving incessantly. He always talked with his hands when he was angry, mainly curling it into a fist or trying to strangle the air. And he ran it through his hair. A lot.

Will bit his lip and debated going over to talk to him when he hung up. Was it his place? They were friends… technically. Friends worried about friends when they were upset. And Nico was very upset. Will could see it in the way his hands shook while trying to light a cigarette.

He braced himself and walk over to Nico, trying not to look or sound as nervous as he felt. He didn’t like being nervous around Nico. It wasn’t like that before.

“Hey,” he greeted.

Nico jumped and let out a breath of smoke quickly, immediately putting out his cigarette. “Will, hey. Hi.”

Will raised an eyebrow at the full cigarette on the ash tray. “You didn’t have to do that.”

Nico glanced at it and shrugged. “I’m trying to quit. I sort of backtracked…. Um, what’s up?”

Biting his lip, he tried to think of how to ask if he was okay without making it seem like he was watching him. Then he realized he just had to say the truth. “I was on my way to the library and noticed you on the phone. You looked upset, so I was wondering if you’re okay.”

The tension in Nico’s body seemed to dissipate as he slumped. “I’m fine,” he said tiredly. “Really, I am. Just… arguing with my dad again. It’s really not a big deal. Don’t worry.” He gave Will a small smile and shrugged.

“Can I ask about what?”

Dark brown eyes flickered to him, glinting a lighter shade in the sun. Will felt his breath hitch and his heart stuttered. Dammit. “It’s really f-fine,” he said. “I just… get anxious whenever he doesn’t listen. It’s….” He sighed and looked down at the ground. “Will, this isn’t your responsibility anymore,” he whispered.

“What are you talking about?”

He still wouldn’t look at him, but he ran his hand through his hair and tugged on the end as he thought. “Me. My problems.” He sighed and rubbed his face. “You don’t need to help me every time I get anxious or upset. It’s not your job. That’s what I’m supposed to be getting help for- so I wouldn’t keep doing this to you.”

Will scoffed and shook his head. Then he put his hand lightly against Nico’s arm. “We’re friends, Neeks. And if I remember correctly, I helped you with problems when we were friends too. Yes you’re getting help and support from a therapist soon, but you can also have outside help. Everyday help. I don’t see it as a responsibility or a job or whatever.”

Nico’s cheeks were slightly pink, but he smirked at Will and shook his head. “You know, I really think you might have a white knight complex.” Will furrowed his eyebrows. “You want to save everyone. Help everyone.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” he answered, feeling slightly offended.

“It’s not in some ways. I mean, it makes you the kindest most sincere person I know. But then you’re hard on yourself if you can’t help. And that isn’t fair to you because you still tried when no one else did.” Will knew he didn’t mean it generally. He knew what he was referring to. And the memories made his cheeks flush. “I’ll tell you what,” Nico said. “If I get really bad, I’ll ask for help. Not necessarily from you, I might try with Percy or Leo or Annabeth. They mentioned wanting to be better friends.” He looked at Will knowingly, but Will wasn’t sure what he meant. “So don’t worry about me. Okay?”

“So you just don’t want my help at all?”

Nico winced and immediately shook his head. “No, that’s not what I mean. I might want your help. But I don’t want you to feel like my being okay is all on you. I-” He sighed and closed his eyes, recollecting himself. “I want us to be normal friends. Until I know I’m getting better. And then maybe… we can try again. I would be better, and I’d be able to… I don’t know. I just don’t want to make the same mistakes, Will.”

He nodded and smiled at him. He’d thought about it so much, and Will could tell. “Okay. That sounds good. Just… don’t do that thing where all we ever do is say hi when we pass each other. I meant it when I said I wanted you to stay in my life.”

Light seeped into his eyes, brightening his face. “Okay,” he said softly. “Thank you for checking on me by the way. I actually feel a little less angry now anyway. You uh, you had things to do. Right?”

“Class in half an hour,” he nodded. “Um…. Are you done for the day?” Nico nodded. “Maybe we could get coffee. Hang out in the café before I have to go meet my study group.”

A small smile spread along Nico’s face. “Yeah. Yeah, that’d be nice.”

“Cool.”

“Great.” They chuckled awkwardly and Will waved as he resumed his walk to the library.

Click here for Ch. 24

#solangelo #idk man #this is shittttt #will solace #nico di angelo #will and nico #nico and will #warm me up #breathe me #feedback is appreciated #but shit #idek #ughhhh #okay here #ill just stop talking:)

218 notes · View notes