#and i get mood swings and weird instant personality changes for no reason and i have minor hallucinations and paranoia and like

[unidentifiedfuckingthing]

i do think psychosis & mental disability is a lot less different to physical disability than people seem to kind of kneejerk believe. some disabled people will not survive without people helping them in tedious and terrible and gross ways but in a kind society we would be able to give people the kind of support they need to be well and happy while also making it easier to have those needs taken care of and treating the people who fulfill those needs better. i think no matter what, even in a much better world, people will still have psychosis and dementia and be difficult to be around sometimes or all the time because they dont have a clear mind and sometimes that makes you say abrasive or crazy shit you wouldnt normally believe, or be explosively angry when you don't need to be, and that deserves compassion and help and understanding especially when/if it passes, but the people putting up with it until then also deserve happiness. i think people see advocacy for one of these things to be erasure of the other, and i understand why, especially in the greater public discourse, you would be so wary of that sides taking, but i dont think it needs to be true

#a lot of this is like. my perspective is more from the autistic side than the Traditionally Psychotic Side but uhhh autism has a lot more #in common with psychosis than the modern mental health system wants to acknowledge. but you all remember how often schizophrenia or #schizo-type personality disorders were classically described with Autistic Manner and shit right #and i get mood swings and weird instant personality changes for no reason and i have minor hallucinations and paranoia and like #i dont consider it a Separate Illness. thats just what being autistic is like for me. separation from reality is just a part of it for me

[crossroadsandloudmusic]

HI!FIRST OFF I WANNA SAY THAT U SEEM SO NICE WTH,BE MY FRIEND??

I wanted to ask you,who you think i'm the most compatible with :) and also sorry if my english is bad!!

So I'm an INFJ,my sexuality is bisexual and my pronouns are she/her!

You can say that i'm a really quiet and awkward person when i'm first meeting people,but I can get really extrovert and energetic when I get to know them properly,but there are only like 2 people who see this side of me,so its kinda hard to get on this side of mine- i'm really sensitive and someone can make me cry really fast,especially when they are making comments about my appereance.I can also have really weird mood swings between anger,sadness and hapiness,but I would usually consider myself more as a happy person in overall,sometimes i'm making jokes that could be hurtful to others,but when i notice that the person doesn't like these jokes,then I would stop with them- i would call myself a really mature person too,I often try to handle out conflicts peaceful and its really really important to me how other people around me feel,i'm always really caring about people,even when they aren't nice to me,I also love it to cuddle,i'm a really clingy person to my best friends and my mother and I literally always wanna get a hug,lol.and I LOVE cats,I have one by myself!:) I also have a really weird addiction with cracking all of my bones which scares MANY people,I can also be a really stubborn person when I don't wanna do something

I'm about 5'3 tall and i'm a little bit chubby,I have long brown curled hair that goes over my shoulders,and I have blue eyes!Many people say that I have a really nasally voice and thats the reason why i'm also kind of insecure of my voice,in overall i'm really insecure about many things of myself

I'm really interested in horrormovies and also really scary tales,i also really enjoy it to bake and to be in town with my friends or just hang out with them!(I love food sm)

I love muzan and the uppermoons really much,so i prefer them a lil more to slayers,but in the end it's up to you tho!:)

THANK U AND BYEE

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH OF COURSE I WANNA BE YOUR FRIEND YOU ARE FAR TOO NICE TO ME THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUBMISSION!

Let’s play the Game!

These are the results of the Matchmaker’s assessments:

Gyutaro: For you I found that you were most compatible with Gyutaro at a striking 75%! Gyutaro is shy, and has a lot of insecurities, he can be difficult to handle but the amount of love he holds in his heart surpasses everything. You are the best person for him because you understand him. You know how cruel the world is, and together you can find peace through each other. He’d be very reluctant at first maybe even as going far enough to say you don’t truly understand him. But your patience and constant reassurances will help him realize just how amazing you are. It will be hard work but soon enough your relationship will blossom. Gyutaro absolutely adores how clingy you are but he shows his affection weirdly. He may seem indifferent to it but in reality he can’t live without you. In fact he is so terribly dedicated to you that if anything ever did happen between the two of you, he would beg you to come back. (He’s just a baby at heart🥺). He finds you addiction stimulating, much like how he scratches him he find that you cracking your bones fascinating. Loves, loves, loves to cuddle! He’d be all over you in an instant just wrapping his big arms around you. He never wants you to hurt, so if someone made fun of you he’d take care of it. Literally loves you to the moon and back couldn’t ask for a better person to love you!

Kokushibou: At 25% Kokushibou is the next most compatible partner for you. He’s serious and is dedicated to his skill. That makes him aloof and often times hard to be around. Yet shown compassion and forgiveness by you that changes him. All his life he fought and tried to be at the same level as his brother, in the end he fell short. In the coming centuries he spent his time hating himself and trying desperately to become better, to become even more powerful. But when he met you he found another purpose in life, you showed him your kindness and love. He became softer and less brutal, he put you on a pedestal. He owed his life to you because you showed him a different way, he was special in your eyes, perfect in every way. He found what he had been searching for, he found acceptance and fulfillment.

Honorable mentions: Akaza!

Thank you for your submission you are so awesome and never let anyone tell you anything different! You are perfect the way you are! Thank you and if you have any request let me know! Btw we are friends now!

Thank you for playing!

[harryhighkey]

space

hello hi hi hi, it’s been one long ass minute but i’m back w another one shot!!! i’m v aware it’s not how you want him part 3 and that is what 90% of my messages are about, but, well this is not that at all, it’s something completely different

idk if u heard but thank u next dropped and i fucking love it!!!!!!! NASA is my favourite favourite favourite and this one shot is honestly a little inspired by it!! also, i’m kind of a little bit self-projecting bc of my own experiences lately lmao

but idk, like my last one shot i needed to write this for me right now and idk i love the idea of it and all that

it’s v angst i think, might do a part 2?????? might not???? sorry if there’s mistakes, i literally wrote it all down in one sitting bc i was just !!!!!! issa mood u know

ANYWAY LET ME KNOW WHAT U THINK!!! PLS ENJOY 

___________________________

One hundred and fourteen days is a really long time to spend away from the person you love. A really fucking long time. It’s almost a third of the year, a whole season you could spend apart. And in your case, the season was autumn.

Harry had left during the last weeks of summer and you’d spent the entirety of autumn without him. Even communicating was a little difficult with him constantly changing timezones and countries. The first few weeks were hard. Really, really hard. You and Harry were seemingly still in that honeymoon phase when he was boarding his plane, even after seven months of officially being a couple you two were inseparable and couldn’t get enough of each other. And then all of a sudden he was just gone.

It was a weird thing to feel, it was something kind of a like a break up, except not that all at the same time. Your heart was left feeling empty when he left, but it wasn’t broken in a way that you knew he was gone forever. But you did know it was going to be a long time.

On day twenty-two, you felt a little change. You were perking up again, replying to messages from friends, adding to your Instagram story again. The longing was still there but that morning you awoke early and embarked on doing a massive clean out of your apartment on your days off from work and after everything was re-organised, you felt refreshed.

Day twenty-nine was when Harry noticed that change. He often felt bad when he would call you on a high from singing in front of thousands of his fans and you were cooped up in your one bedroom place. It was never your intention for him to feel bad, you loved that he got to do what he loved. It made you happy to see him happy you just wished you could be with him to experience the same happiness. That was until you realised you’d found happiness in other places. Suddenly you realised, your life had existed before Harry, and honestly, you kind of loved your life. Your apartment only seemed small because you’d been staying in lavish penthouses on weekends away. And your apartment had kind of begun become a pit where you would disregard clothes in a hurry to pack a new suitcase for the next little trip he would take you on. Without Harry there, you began to love the things about your apartment you did before and do the things you used to do before your boyfriend was someone who could be instantly recognised by millions of people.

Harry had Facetimed you and you didn’t answer as quickly as you normally did. You weren’t just sitting and waiting for him to call. Once you answered you could barely hear him. You were out with your friends, your smile was bright but honestly, you barely paid him any attention.

It was a quick call, one that had Harry left a bit perplexed. He was happy you were happy, but he couldn’t ignore the insulted way he felt that he didn’t have the full attention off of you that he had become so accustomed to receiving.

Day forty-four. He cried. Really cried because of how much he missed you. He’d had a really hard day with the media blasting headlines everywhere about him and a model he wasn’t even sure if he had met before. You felt for him, and listened as he vented and promised you none of it was true. You told him he didn’t have to reassure you, you knew the truth. Of course you believed him, you trusted his loyalty to you. However, you’d been so distracted by the good things happening for you, you hadn’t thought to check the TMZ YouTube or even search Harry Styles on twitter to see what was going on. You didn’t even have a clue any of this was being said. It wasn’t really an issue for you at all, until Harry had brought it up, the only reason it had an affect on you was because it had an affect on him.

Day seventy-six you were both so happy. So, so, so happy. Harry had just played to his biggest crowd yet and you’d been offered a promotion at work. Both of your lives were riding high in their own rights. They just weren’t two lives together at this point.

Day one hundred and thirteen at 11:02pm, he showed up at your front door. He’d managed to find a private jet and fly home early. He surprised you. And fuck, your heart flew high. You were so in love with that boy and as he kissed you for the first time in a long time, you melted right into him again. The two of you made love all night. You called in sick to work the next day and the two of you spent the entire day together just laughing, kissing and touching each other. You couldn’t get enough of him, he couldn’t get enough of you.

Day one hundred and thirty-two, it was well and truly winter now, the days were cold and the nights were freezing but you had Harry at night to keep you warm, now. Then again, your blankets did just as good of a job, too.

What?

You weren’t that surprised, though, that wasn’t the first time you had a thought like that.

He had been home for nineteen days now, almost three full weeks. And fuck, did you love him, but fuck, did you want just a little room to breathe.

Three days ago, on day sixteen of him being home was when you really felt yourself getting annoyed. One of your favourite shows came back with a new season while Harry was away and you’d made a ritual every week of putting on a face mask and watching it in peace.

Harry thought he would watch it with you, and you didn’t mind. You were excited, at least at first you were. Then he started asking questions. From there it was a fast drop and everything he did started to annoy you. Eventually you told him to shut up and leave you alone. He went to bed, shocked.

The next day you didn’t talk about it, you woke up earlier than usual because you had an early start at work. You didn’t tell Harry.

Back to day one hundred and thirty-two, nineteen days into Harry being back and you came home from work to see him asleep on your little pink couch. Another time you would have found him so cute and endearing, but right now you felt like you couldn’t escape him. You went to your bedroom and his suitcase was opened, his clothes messily lingering around it. You went to your bathroom, he’d left the toothpaste opened. Again. Fuck you hated that.

Harry was staying with you, and when you said he could, you thought it would be fine. You thought it would be better than fine, you’d thought you would love it. He had sold his place before he left, the market was a good and his real estate agent told him he’d make a huge profit. He did, but now he was living in your little apartment with you and the place you once loved, then loathed and then loved again you were starting to loathe once more.

Or were you not loving Harry being there?

“Fuck this.” You murmured to yourself before you quickly got changed out of the clothes you wore to work and into something more comfortable before you grabbed your keys and left again.

It was 1:52am - or one hour and fifty-two minutes of day one hundred and thirty-three, twenty days of Harry being back - when you answered his call drunk.

“’lo boyfriend.”

“Oh my god, why haven’t you answered your phone?” He was relieved when you answered, after several attempts to contact you failed, he was starting to get desperate.

“I did right now?”

“You couldn’t answer any earlier?”

“Nah.” It was nice to have him on the phone, it reminded you of when he was away and when you missed him, you only thought about how much he loved you.

“Nah? What do you mean nah?” The word sounded so strange in his accent, you giggled. “What’re you laughing for?”

“You’re so pretty on the phone.”

“You’re really quite drunk. Did you drive?”

“Yeah.”

“Shit, you got a ride home?”

“You still at my place?”

“Yeah, want me to get you?”

“Nah, want you gone when I get home.”

“What?” All that wine had given you liquid courage and while right now you weren’t feeling remorseful over what you had said, Harry felt that blow, he felt it hard. “Y/N?”

“You heard me. I just..give me some room to breathe.”

“Where is this coming from?”

“Don’t know.” You did know, he was crowding in on the life you had found once again while he was away.

“Do, do you want to break up?” He went quiet when he asked that, as if he was afraid to ask the question. You were being brutally honest in this moment and he wasn’t sure what other kind of swings he was going to take from you right now.

“No, fuck no.” Your reply was instant, he was relieved again. “Love you so much, Harry, really. Never wan’ end it.”

“I don’t understand, then, what’s the issue?”

“I just, like, my place is a little too small for the both of us, you know?”

“I can get us a bigger place-”

“I don’t want a bigger place, I like my place.”

“What do you want, then? I'd give you the whole world if I could.” He was on the verge of tears, his eyes were welling up and you couldn’t see him but you could imagine it pretty well.

“Baby, s’okay. I don’t want the world, just want... a little space. Space. I want space, not the world.”

“You don’t want me here?”

“Not at the moment, I want a little me time, again.” 

“We were apart for so long.”

“Yeah.. and remember how good we were those first couple’a weeks. Go away again. Give me a chance to miss you.” You really thought you couldn’t have been more clear, but when Harry didn’t respond, you felt guilt creeping in. “It’s not a bad thing, Harry. I love you and I want you forever and all that, but shit, usually I love it when you stay, I do. I just- I’m on another kind of page right now. There’s nothing wrong with some me time.”

“Okay.” His reply was so simple, so quick you couldn’t at all get a hint at what he would be doing on the other end. “Are you coming back here tonight?”

“Nah, going to stay with a friend. Be there tomorrow sometime.”

“Text me when you’re there? Wanna know you’re safe.”

“I will.”

“Goodnight, Y/N.”

“Night...I love you.” You were so sure of yourself when you’d been telling Harry exactly how you’d been feeling but now you were terrified of not hearing those words returned.

“I love you, too.” He hung up then.

Your emotions were all over the place as you stared at the picture that was your lockscreen background. Taken on day one hundred and seventeen, four days of him being home, he was laying on the couch with his arms lifted and bent and covering part of his face, but you could see his smile. His beautiful smile that made you smile, you were behind the camera and had been straddling his hips. You thought back to that moment of post lazy morning sex and he looked so gorgeous you couldn’t help but to take a photo, which he tried to avoid, but his smile was perfect. You swore that right now, you could hear the exact laugh he did on that perfect day. You wanted to feel like that again.

Fuck.

Did you make a mistake?

No, you were sure to get back to that moment, you needed the space. Right?

Right now, you couldn’t think about it, you weren’t going to let yourself have that internal battle. Instead, you went back inside the bar with your friends to have one last glass of wine and a hungover version of you on day one hundred and thirty-three could face the consequences.

#harry styles #harry styles imagine #harry styles one shot #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles angst #harry styles fanfic #harry styles writing #harry styles x you #harry styles x reader #harry styles x y/n #harry styles concept #harry styles concepts #harry styles drabble #my writing #my writings #writings #space

[keepseaveyweird]

Requested: yes- a blurb with Zach where you’ve been getting blown off by him so you’re spending a lot of time with jack and he takes you to get a tattoo and Zach gets jealous of how much time you’re spending with him

Word count: 2469

a/n: hi I haven’t written in 79 years so I hope you like it!!! It’s definitely a bit longer than i blurb so if you’re into short ones I’m sorry, but if you like em longer (I have the brain of a child) I gotchu :)

“I can’t babe, I have to go into the studio today.” He told her over the phone, a frown once again taking over her face.

“But Jack and Corbs aren’t going in today?” She asked him, almost hoping to catch him in a lie.  She knew it wouldn’t work, knew even though he had been blowing her off for different reasons each day, he’d never lie, never cheat.

“We’re recording ad libs and a couple of solo parts, they don’t need to. I’m sorry love, but tomorrow I promise.” Zach said, but she knew that tomorrow would mean next week, or that tomorrow meant a measly Facetime call instead of being together.

She wasn’t sure what had happened, if she had done anything wrong or said something to make him distance himself, but she could feel the tension between her and Zach, a tension that hadn’t ever been there before. When they first met, it was an instant connection. The giggles never stopped and the conversation was endless but now it was a different story, it was small one word texts or filler conversation while they caught up with each other. It was almost as if they had lost their spark, except y/n hadn’t. y/n felt the same love for Zach she felt the first time she told him, but she was beginning to think Zach no longer felt the same.

“Oh, okay well-” her phone buzzed, interrupting her as she took it away from her ear to see a call from Jack coming in, “I gotta go Z, I have to take this call but I’ll talk to you later.”

“Okay, bye babe,” he said before hanging up, forgetting or intentionally not saying ‘i love you’.

y/n answered Jack’s call, a sigh escaping her mouth.

“Hey,” she said glumly.

“Okay, what’d he do this time?” Jack questioned, hearing the sadness in her tone. As Zach had been pushing her away for the unknown reason, y/n had begun to confide in Jack. Jack, who answered every call, who had the right thing to say for everything. Jack who was so good at listening it was scary, who could make even the saddest person’s day so much better, as he was quite literally the personification of the sun. Jack, who was always there for her and quickly became each other’s best friends. They had been spending a lot of time together ever since Zach started acting weird. They’d have sleepovers, go shopping, Jack taught her how to skateboard and she in return taught him how to cook his favorite meal. The inside jokes they shared brought them to tears and they held no secrets back from each other, they told each other everything, which made Jack the perfect person to rant to.

“It’s just… he did it again! Made an excuse and before he hung up, didn’t say ‘I love you,’ or give me a chance to tell him and I don’t know what to do!” she exclaimed, a pool of tears welling in her eyes. But she refused to let them fall, refused to let him do that to her.

“Okay, come over. He just left for the studio and we can hang out,” he told her, in which she agreed and quickly sped over to the boy’s shared house. It was quiet, too quiet to be the boy’s house, but Zach was gone and Jonah, Corbyn and Daniel were hidden away in their rooms. As y/n walked in, unlocking the door with the key Zach got her for their one-year anniversary which was two years ago, she found Jack at the kitchen counter, a notebook and pencil in front of him.

“Whatcha doing there,” y/n smiled as she watched her best friend deep in thought while he stared at the sketch.

“I’m getting my next tattoo tonight, wanna come?” He grinned, knowing she wasn’t big on needles being repeatedly and speedily stabbed into someone skins over and over and over again. She didn’t understand the addiction behind it, why people liked the pain, why people would cover their entire bodies in ink. Though she didn’t understand, she loved Jacks. Loved that they were tasteful, original and had meaning behind almost each and every one.  

“I mean sure…” she drifted, taking a seat in the stool next to him, “what is it?”

“Okay it looks and sounds stupid, but once the artist does it it’ll look sick, I promise,” he slid his sketchbook in front of her, showing off his half-decent drawing of five lights forming a star.

y/n raised her eyebrows, wondering if she should take back the admiration for Jack’s tattoo’s, “what’s it mean?”

“Well,” he began pointing to four of the bulbs, “these four are for Corbs, D, Jo and Zach. But this one is for the Limelights. I wouldn’t be here without any of it, something to remind me if for some reason my head ever gets a little too big” Jack smiled.

And y/n took everything back she had once thought when she saw the sketch, because picturing the reaction of the boys, the reaction from the fans and smile that would capture Jack’s face once it was done was enough to convince her that it was perfect.

So a couple hours later when she found herself sitting next to Jack, who winced now and again when a needle hit a soft spot on his arm. While the artist shaded each bulb, each detail, the two friends discussed Zach.

“I mean, I literally haven’t heard from him since he hung up,” y/n checked the time, nine pm, “I mean it’s been almost twelve hours!”

“Love, the studio is literally a time warp, a casino. You walk in thinking it’s been two hours and it’s been two days.” Jack told her, looking up at her from the table.

y/n sighed, “it’s not just today though, it’s been almost a month since we’ve gone on a real date.”

“You’ve been together three years? You still need a proper date?” Jack asked.

“No, I don’t need a proper date, but I need effort and he’s not putting any in. I know he’s busy, but so am I. I have school and a job of my own but I still find time, still make time for not only him but for you and the other three too.”

Jack thought for a moment, the only sound being the buzzing of the tattoo gun against his arm.

“I don’t know what’s going on with him, he’s been quiet around us too. Maybe it’s just stress? Or he could be having a man-period, lord knows he’s basically a girl when it comes to his mood swings.”

His comment earned him a slap on the thigh, causing the artist to laugh as he winced in pain once again.

“Okay, I deserved that one,” he laughed, “but I really think it’s just a phase. I mean it’s Zach, he’s crazy about you. Has been for almost three years and I don’t think that’s changed or will change anytime soon.” He told her, a zap of confidence surging through her body.

The conversation died, and silence took over once again, as y/n got up from her seat to look at the designs posted on the walls. Flowers, snakes, crosses, naked ladies and quotes scattered all over the walls had her mesmerized. The detail of a horses mane and the line work of simple quotes made her fascination for tattoos grow with each one that crossed her eyes.

“You thinking about getting one?” the tattoo artist asked as he washed up Jack’s tattoo, applying a bandage over it so it can heal and be admired all at once.

“Oh, no. God no,” y/n laughed. Jack laughed with her, standing up from the table.

“I think you should get one, you’d look like a badass,” he told her, an arm wrapping around her as she thought about it.

So after almost a half hour of fighting, she sat there on the table, getting the transfer of her favorite quote onto her collar bone. It was truly beautiful, a handwritten cursive font, thin but elegant, the perfect first tattoo.

There weren’t many things she was sure of that day. Wasn’t sure what was going on with Zach, wasn’t sure he was okay, that they were okay. But she was sure that this tattoo was what she needed, to push herself and to remind herself whose in control.

“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul” she whispered to herself as she looked in the mirror to make sure the position was to her liking.

“Does it look good?” she asked turning to Jack, her grabbed his best friend’s arm and shook her excitedly.

“It looks so good!” he exclaimed.

And suddenly it was happening, the slight sting of the needle making contact with her skin. The artist dragging it a short distance before taking a break to stretch the skin and get a better angle. As he went on, creating words along her bone, she came to realize why everyone who got their first tattoo never made it their last. Because though it was uncomfortable, the pain of the needle, she liked it. It was a different kind of pain, one that didn’t hurt her heart like the recent pain she had been dealing with, the constant uncertainty and the constant push away. She knew the pain of the needle was temporary, as she didn’t love the needle. But she loved Zach, and she wasn’t so sure the pain of Zach blowing her off was necessarily as temporary as she hoped it was.

When they got home, the house was still quiet, not a boy insight as they made their way to the couch to watch a movie. They were close, too close some would say, but that was them. They would cuddle and share blankets as their hands brushed past each others in the popcorn bowl and they knew it was nothing but platonic friendliness. They all knew it; Daniel, Corbyn, Jonah, their families, the fans, Zach. But Zach wasn’t so sure when he walked through the door, coming home from his studio session to find Jack hovering over her, lightly brushing his hand over y/n’s chest on the couch.

“What the fuck?” Zach said, slamming the door behind him and throwing his keys on the dining table as the two of them looked up.

“Oh hey dude,” Jack said waving with a smile, oblivious to Zach’s anger, still too close to y/n for his liking.

“Don’t ‘hey dude’ me. What the fuck is this?” he raised his eyebrows, as y/n and Jack looked at each other confused.

“You don’t like it?” y/n asked, and Zach’s eyes popped out of his head as sped around to the other side of couch, blocking the view of the movie.

“What is your problem?” Jack asked, standing up to face him as y/n repositioned herself between the two still on the couch.

“My problem? My problem! My problem is that you and y/n have been spending so much time together and now I walk in to see my best friend on top of my girlfriend! Is this why you two have gotten so close lately? Going behind my back? Thinking I haven’t noticed how much alone time you guys share? I’m stupid, trust me I know, but I’m not an idiot Jack!” Zach yelled, causing the three other band mates to peak their heads around the staircase.

Jack and y/n looked at each other, eyes wide as it clicked in both their heads. It was why Zach was so distant, why Zach was acting strange, why he was blowing her off. And they couldn’t help but collapse in laughter, tears streaming down their face as he stood their confused and the other three made their way into the living room to investigate.

“Oh, so now you’re laughing? You think this funny?” Zach boomed, suddenly becoming angry again. It only caused more laughter as their stomach began to cramp, Jack rolling on the couch and y/n already on the floor.

“N-n-no,” y/n cried, a hand on her stomach, “it’s just.”

“What?! Someone please explain to me why cheating is so fucking funny!” Zach yelled.

“SHE’S NOT CHEATING ON YOU, YOU MORON!” Jack laughed, his face against the couch cushion, “no offense y/n, but Zach, us? Together? Are you crazy? She’s like my sister!”

“Yeah? Well then what the hell did I just walk into then?” Zach questioned, crossing his arms.

“Z,” y/n said, still giggling as she moved her white v-neck to the side to show him the bandage that had pooled with blood around the ink. His eyes widened, moving quickly and sitting beside her to look at it more closely.

“You got a tattoo? You hate tattoos?” Zach said, lightly grazing it like Jack had been doing when he walked in. Suddenly it clicked in his head as he repeated the same actions, snapping his head to see a smirking Jack.

“You were just checking it weren’t you?” Zach sighed, his head resting on his girl’s lap.

“That’s exactly what I was doing,” Jack laughed.

Zach grabbed a hand of each of theirs, squeezing it hard as regret coursed through his body, “I’m so sorry, I feel like an idiot. I should’ve known nothing was going on.” he confessed, doing the quick handshake with his band mate before wrapping himself around y/n as Jack left the room still laughing.

“I’m so sorry babe, I should’ve trusted you, I don’t know what came over me. I guess I just saw how much fun you and Jack had together and I started to distance myself, thinking the worst possible situation. I’m an idiot.” He told her before capturing her lips with his. Gags came from the kitchen, as Corbyn, Daniel and Jonah sat in the kitchen, but not for long as they all rushed back upstairs like little kids who still believed in coodies.

“It’s okay, I should’ve realized how it looks to some other people, but you’re it Z. You’re it for me and I love you so much,” y/n told him with a smile.

“I’m glad, because you’re it for me too and I love you more,” Zach kissed her once more before looking back down at her new addition to her body, “I really like that, it’s so sick.”

y/n laughed, “I think you should see Jack’s, I think you’ll like his a lot more,” she smiled, as Zach replaced him on the couch to watch the rest of the movie, making up for the lost time.  

Tag list: @kvd963 @katie-avery @coolkidcorbyn @technolilly@mycollectionofnuts @joyus-jack

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#zach herron #jack avery #daniel seavey #jonah marais #corbyn besson #why dont we #wdw #blurbs #fanfic #fics #writing #concepts

[trying-write-fanfics]

AsheXReader the price of war pt 3

AN, sorry about posting it and having nothing there, I’m trying to fix it. enjoy

 The classroom was quieter than usual because it was missing one of the more social students. Ashe listened for the gossip which was Y/n didn’t come to class for feeling sick. They weren’t close, but she talked to everyone. She was a mystery to him he wasn’t sure he had what it takes to unravel.  

 “I tried knocking on her door, but she didn’t answer.” Annette sighed.

 “Maybe we can bake her something. It’ll cheer her up.” Mercedes told her best friend.

 “She seemed fine to me yesterday.” Sylvain joined in.

 “What’s she sick with?” Ashe joined in. 

 “No idea, she seemed down yesterday too.” Annette added. 

Though Ashe and Y/n weren’t close she was always an interesting topic. One day Sylvain had started flirting with her and she told him he can only continue if he bought her lunch. It wasn’t a reaction anyone was used to but he stopped trying for a hot minute. Another weird thing was she avoided Dimitri like the plague, the next ruler of the kingdom. He did try to talk to her, and every time she would one word him. She was also a favorite in the black eagles house. It made the class think she would transfer into Manuela’s class for how much time she spent with them. 

 “Maybe she got bad news from home.” Ingrid said. 

“Her family has a nice territory. I wonder what kind of trouble could hurt them.” Felix sarcastically asked 

 “You think her family is trying to marry her off?” Mercedes asked. 

 It was an issue noble women had. Bernetta, Marianne, Ingrid, and Mercedes were all in that boat of dealing with annoying fathers. Y/n had not yet confirmed or denied her parents intentions of sending her to the monastery. 

 Professor Byleth came in to start teaching the lesson. She was also a very hard person to read because there was hardly any expression on her. Y/n’s spectrum of expression had no real direction. She’d smile, laugh, be disgusted, but no one could read the inside of her mind. 

 _____________

 After class got let out, Ashe thought how to approach Y/n’s dorm. He didn’t want it to seem too random for him to check up on her. With some late time he whipped up a soup so he wouldn’t enter her place empty handed. 

 Ashe stood outside her door for a whole moment deciding if this was best. Sure, he put all this effort into helping her, he’s just checking on her, informing her what happened in class today. He wasn’t doing anything wrong, so why did it feel like it? Ashe gulped down his fear and finally knocked on the noble woman’s door. He heard a curse and shifting in bed. The wooden door opened a crack revealing half the girl. Her eyes were red and puffy and even dark from lack of sleep. Her hair was a mess, and a blanket was around her body. 

  “Ashe?” She questioned.

 “Hey I just heard you were sick so I thought I’d drop off this soup and tell you what happened in class today.” He said quickly. 

 The girl was trying to process what was happening. However she heard another door open and her nerves shot up. 

 “Dammit-come in-“ she dragged Ashe into her room. 

 The rather strong girl was able to throw Ashe behind her as she almost shut the door so she could peak through the crack between the frame and door. Her room was a mess with papers. Books were open with pages torn out. Candles were lit the provide a little light in the dark room. Flowers sat on her desk with opened mail from home. 

 “What’s all this?” Ashe asked.

 “I can’t deal with the professor knowing I’m not sick. I was practicing reason magic.” She rubbed her face. 

  Anyone would believe she was sick, there was nothing to worry about the lie. 

 “The professor is actually good at teaching magic. I’m sure if you ask her a private lesson she’ll help you out. “ Ashe tried to shed the advice and look for a place for the soup. 

 “You want me to have this even though I’m not sick?” She asked point to the soup. 

 “Yeah, I made it so it’ll replenish all the energy you lost from all of this.” He tried to laugh. 

 Her warm hand cupped over his. His heart shuddered as her fingers brushed against his knuckles. The warm bowl left his grasp into hers as she placed it on the desk.

 “Thank you, Ashe…” she said without looking at him. 

  “Why didn’t you for the professor’s help?”

 Y/n let out a defeated sigh.

 “I have, I’m just not making the progress I need to. To be honest I’ve been thinking about dropping out.” She went to her bed. “I thought maybe I could go to the royal school of sorcery, but I’m not even good enough with my light magic to manage that.”

 “I’m sure that’s not true.”

 “I came here so I could do something for my family other than having to marry rich. Here I am avoiding class because I’m not even skilled enough for the class.” She whined. 

 “Y/n, you’re a very talented healer.” He tried to compliment her, fearing he was in this too deep. 

 “That can only get me so far…” 

“I can teach you how to use a bow.” He offered. 

 The girl’s face peeled up. Though she never used a bow much before, it was worth a shot rather than giving up. 

“Are you sure you have time for that?” She asked, her entire mood changing. 

“Yeah, I had time to make you soup, I bet I have time to teach you some basics of the bow.”

“And you’re sure this won’t burden you one bit?” She asked some more.

 “Yeah, I don’t mind. I wouldn’t want our house losing one of their best students.”

 “I’m far from best.”

 “You’re the best prankster.” He added 

 She smiled. For a moment it felt like all his efforts for this trip were worth it. Sure she was never sick, but at least he got her to smile. 

“Thank you, Ashe.” She said as she shook his hand.

 Ashe left the dorm, and when he heard the door shut, he heard Y/n squeal from the other side. The goddess had led him to an opportunity of doing good for another. 

 Y/n didn’t join her class for dinner in the mess hall. She was still keeping her act close to her heart.

“So, what was Y/n sick with?” Annette asked sitting next to the grey haired boy.

 “What?” Nervous to lie.

 “I saw you standing outside her dorm.” Annette replied. 

 “Oh, I don’t think she told me what she was sick with. I just dropped off some dinner for her.” He answered. 

 “Now that is romantic. You might not need my flirting classes after all. You should try that next on-“ Sylvain said as he got stabbed by a fork from Ingrid.

 “I’m glad it’s nothing serious.” Ingrid added. “Hopefully it won’t be too hard for her to catch up.” 

 “Oh we won’t leave her behind, we’ll help her.” Mercedes added. 

 Ashe was joined by some black eagle students, Linhart and Caspar. Caspar’s energy rose as he talked about training techniques and Lin fell further asleep. A dark aura man past the trio of boys that made Ashe shutter. He knew that was a student and not a ghost, there was something creepy about him. It was more than just the way he hung around Edelgard like her shadow. It was more than his yellow eyes piercing through the souls of others. He just had to be a very bad man. 

 “What’s with that look, Ashe?” Caspar asked. 

 “That one man from your class reminds me of a spirit.” Ashe said. 

 “Hubert? You’re not-“ Lin began to speak.

 “Hubert! He’s not that scary at all, no muscle! You know whose scary? Dedue! He hangs around Dimitri even though Dimitri killed his whole family.” Caspar explained.

 “That’s not true, Prince Dimitri saved his life.” Ashe said. “Dedue is really nice once you get to know him.”  

 “Yeah, Hubert Just gets scarier.” Lin said. 

 “What? He can get scarier?” Ashe nervously asked. 

 “No, he can be a hard ass though.” Caspar explained. 

 Ashe went to bed that night thinking about the struggles of both commoners and nobles. Families killing each other and sending their kids to find spouses just to secure their status was a nightmare to him. He loved his siblings more than anything else in the world. 

 The next day Y/n returned to class and was crowded with questions about her health. She kept everything classified. If professor byleth wasn’t a good enough teacher, maybe Y/n could ask Annette for help with reason magic, Annette is good at studying. She could be good at teaching. There is no harm in teaching Y/n the bow though, break her out of relying on magic for everything. 

 “Who wants to do stable duty?” Byleth asked he class.

 It was instant Y/n wanted to. Her hand raised and she was called on. Ashe’s instinct made his hand raise, but not fast enough for Sylvain was called on. It would have been easier for them to do it together so Ashe could actually help Y/n with her troubles. Sylvain is already good with horses, why does he need to ride them more? What more does he need to really ride? 

 “We need a five.” Byleth yawned walking out to talk to Manuela. 

 With the class left unattended the students turned to their friends and began to talk to one another. Ashe watched Dimitri walk over to Y/n. Curious, Ashe let his ears focus on the two. 

 “I’m glad you’re feeling better now, Y/n. As class leader-“

 “Don’t worry about it, I’ll catch up from the one day I missed.” she interrupted.

 “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to-”

“I’m fine, I’m fine.”

 Byleth came back in and went back to teaching. She had them do running exercises in the afternoon. Ashe was medium grade in the group. Physical activities were not hated, but he enjoyed the classroom days learning about concepts and stories he’s never heard of.

 “Hey, Ashe!” Y/n jogged beside them. “You’re good at using axes right? Not just the bow?”

 “Axs have been growing on my recently. Why?” he tried talking while running.

 “If you’re gonna teach me the bow, I figured something close combat would be good too.” she said.

 “I’m not the best at blocking.” He admitted. “But I can swing them pretty hard.”

 “You’re talented.” she said. “You’re book smart and strong.”

 She too amazed him of how well a mage could run and talk at the same time.

“Just like Ingrid.” He joked.

 After class, the two changed out of their school clothes and went to the woods to train. They brought training weapons, and some hand axs. Though they were not sneaking out, it still felt like they were getting away with something.

 “Alright, show me the basic stance of the bow.” She cheerfully demanded.

 “Well move you leg like this.” he tried to show a stance.

 “Like this?” she did not correctly do.

 “Here.” he moved her leg, “Move your foot here.”  and pointed out how her foot should face.

 “Thank you, Ashe.” she was not awkward out with him touching which made him even more nervous.

 Talking to girls was never a problem since before he didn’t talk to many, or they had something in common. This woman here thinks Ashe is good enough to teach her knight skills. She’s a noble, he’s not. Maybe it was the crushing expectation she had on him. If he can’t help her, who can? Well, anyone...but he doesn’t want to fail her. 

 “Now how should I hold it?” she was holding the bow and turning it all over.

“Here.” he got behind her. Ashe gulped as he touched her shoulders. “Relax these.” One of his hands reached out for her wrist, and held it. “Put her hand here, move your finger like this” he tried to say at a comfortable volume in her (color) hair covering her ear. “Take the arrow like this” together they pulled it back. His held hers as she held the arrow. “And release.”

 The arrow didn’t go far.

  “It's a good first try.”

“Yeah.” She sounded a little disappointed. “Let’s do it again.”

 The whole night her back was flushed in his chest learning to shoot arrows. She wasn’t fast or very strong, but she had a hell of a determination. By the end of the night her hands were sore, but could now shoot a bow.

 “Look at you mister do gooder. I owe you for a meal, and a lesson. You name it, I’ll do it.” she said as the packed their things. “I’m sorry we only got to the bow tonight. I thought I’d be a faster learner.”

The compliment made his ears go red. 

“Well, if one of us blue lions is struggling, I figured we should help each other out.” He said. “And don’t worry its all new stuff for you.”

 “Yeah, yeah.” she shrugged.

“Sorry for getting up in your personal space.” he wanted to make sure he did not do anything wrong to her.

 “Don’t worry about it. I know you’re helping me out.” she said.

 “So what made you come here?” Y/n asked as they walked on their way back.

 “Huh- oh well, I want to be a knight, like the ones from the books. I know it’s silly-”

  “It's not silly! You’re working towards a dream you inherited through yourself and not the expectations of others.” she told him. “Don’t call it silly. You read something, and you’re doing it.”

“Thanks.” He laughed at how serious she was not to call it silly. “Why are you here then?”

 “I need real skills for my family.” she said. “Like any other noble.”

“Why don’t you make it for yourself.”

 “I could, but I wouldn’t be motivated. I’d be motivated to sleep more.” she said. 

“You sound like Linhart.”

 “I give him credit for doing as well as he does.” 

 The conversation was light, fun, filled the night. They waved goodbye when they reached the dorms. Ashe laid in his bed, closed his eyes, then the green orbs shot open. Talking to Y/n had relaxed and made him nervous. His heart race coming to the conclusion that he in fact was starting to get feelings. It’s too early to tell anything, yet he enjoyed hanging out with her. He’s been listening to her conversations with others. He’s curiosity to check on her being sick has lead  to this. It’s only been two days of this really. He’s known her longer, but hanging out with her has lead to this. All his subconscious actions couldn’t lie. It’s early, but maybe he can see past these feelings. They might go away. If it's early, he’ll stop it early. He can’t distract himself from his dreams, nor can he creep out his friend.

 The week went on and every night he would listen to her talk. Listening was fun and calmed him. When it was time to reply, he got nervous, he wanted to always say the right thing. It would be pressured, but he hardly say the wrong thing. She never belittle him. Her hair would suffocate him with her perfume. He would have to move certain parts of her body to correct her stances. He’d worry about creeping her out, yet she never mind. At the end of each session she would offer something, money, or something to buy him. He would say it’s fine, he’s just happy to help. He’d go to bed thinking how much she made him happy and calm, and then sweat about ruining it. Ashe tried to bury his feelings, but ended up doing the opposite.

 Ashe stood outside the door, holding a home cooked meal. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. It cracked open revealing a friend.

 “Sylvain, I need a favor.” He handed the redhead a meal.

#ashe ubert #fire emblem #imagines #xreader

[worthlesspride]

Would Bokuaka + first time be too much to ask?! (Alternatively, first kiss!) Congrats on 1k!

((soft fluffy bokuaka, confessions and first kiss))

The instant that Akaashi stepped out of the gym, the bite of the wind chilled him down to the bone. He shivered, barely a step past the doorway, and pulled his team jacket more tightly around himself. He popped the collar up, trying to protect the back of his neck from the cold, but it was little help. He suppressed a shiver and shoved his hands in his pockets, walking toward the street, his gym bag thumping against his leg with every other step.

It had been a long practice, but that was nothing unusual. They were coming up on prelims in a few weeks. Spending extra time in the gym was to be expected. Akaashi didn’t mind it. He’d never minded practicing, especially not since he’d joined the Fukurodani team.

“’Kaashi, wait up!”

Bokuto’s voice carried in the open space, and Akaashi drew to a stop automatically. Bokuto caught up to him in a few quick strides. His hair was hanging in his face, the product washed away from his post-practice shower. He looked softer like that, without the sharp spikes of hair. Akaashi liked it.

“Hey, it got cold out,” said Bokuto, as if just realizing. He huffed a breath, and it was visible on the air. “It was warmer earlier, right?”

“Yes, it was.”

Bokuto zipped up his jacket and raised his collar in a mimicry of Akaashi’s. “At least we didn’t have to run outside tonight. That would’ve sucked.”

Akaashi hummed an agreement.

“You walking home?” asked Bokuto.

“I always do.”

“It’s so cold though!”

“It doesn’t make a difference.” Akaashi habitually avoided a dip in the pavement, one that Bokuto had caught his foot in on more than one occasion. “I’ll survive.”

“My dad’s coming to pick me up,” said Bokuto. “He can drop you off, if you want.”

Akaashi had never met Bokuto’s father, but he knew from frequent stories that he worked as a repairman. He had a truck full of equipment, one that Akaashi had seen Bokuto climb into many times over the past couple of years. “That isn’t necessary, Bokuto-san. Thank you.”

Just before they reached the street, Bokuto caught Akaashi’s sleeve and tugged him around. “C’mon, ‘Kaashi. It’s freezing out here. You’ll catch a cold or something.”

“I’ll be perfectly fine.”

“You don’t know that. People get sick when it’s cold. I don’t want you to get sick.” His eyes were as earnest as ever, a sheen of gold brighter than the stars overhead. “If you get sick you’ll miss practice, and I don’t like playing without you.”

Akaashi sighed, a foggy puff of air. “I won’t get sick.”

“But what if you do?”

“I won’t.”

“But what if-”

“I will be fine, Bokuto-san.”

Bokuto released Akaashi’s sleeve with a frown. He tucked his hands into his pockets, gaze dipping to the sidewalk. “I’m just worried about you, ‘Kaashi.”

“You shouldn’t be.” Akaashi turned to continue his walk toward the street, but hesitated. He knew Bokuto’s unstable personality better than anyone. Bokuto was pouting right now, but it wasn’t over something serious. He would get over it soon, probably within minutes. By tomorrow he would forget that this had even happened.

Akaashi knew that, but as he glanced back to take in the slouch of Bokuto’s shoulders, his resolve wavered. “Bokuto-san, please. I walk home every day and I haven’t gotten sick yet.”

Bokuto peered up at him. “That’s not true. You had a cold last winter that lasted for like three weeks.”

Akaashi started to argue, but realized Bokuto was right. He’d caught that cold as soon as the season had changed. It had been miserable.

Bokuto perked up, perhaps sensing Akaashi’s uncertainty. “Come on, ‘Kaash. You don’t live far from me. We can just drop you off on the way. No big deal.”

“I don’t want to be an inconvenience.”

“It’s not! Even if it was, my dad wouldn’t care. He likes you.”

Akaashi raised a skeptical brow. “He’s never met me.”

“Well yeah, but I’ve told him about you. And he mostly likes everyone, he’s nice. C’mon, he’ll pick us up at the corner over here.”

Bokuto bounded away, energetic despite the long practice and the crippling chill in the air. Akaashi sighed, and followed at a more reasonable pace.

“It’ll be about ten minutes,” said Bokuto, when they’d reached the corner and he checked his phone. “He got held up at his last job.”

That was still much less time than it would have taken Akaashi to walk all the way home. “That’s fine.”

“Your tosses in practice were so great today!” said Bokuto, bouncing a little in place.

“You say that after every practice, Bokuto-san.”

“Well yeah, because it’s always true!”

Akaashi ducked his head, hiding the hint of a smile behind the collar of his jacket.

Bokuto chatted about practice, and their teammates, and the upcoming prelims. Akaashi chimed in with an occasional comment, but mostly listened. That was how most of their conversations went, but he didn’t mind. He preferred it that way.

He’d always known Bokuto was an amazing player, but at first he hadn’t been sure how to navigate around him on a social level. His enthusiasm was infinite, his mood swings were debilitating, and the way his face lit up every time he saw Akaashi had been too much to handle, at first. It had taken a while, but Akaashi knew him now. He knew how to pull him back when he got out of hand, and how to push him forward when he held himself back. He’d never quite learned how to calm the kick of his heart when Bokuto smiled at him, but wasn’t really something he wanted to fix.

“You’re shaking, ‘Kaashi! Are you okay?”

Akaashi shoved his hands farther into his pockets and nodded. “I’m fine.”

Bokuto frowned at him, unconvinced. “You don’t look fine.”

“I’m not that fragile, Bokuto-san. A little cold air won’t kill me.”

Bokuto didn’t immediately respond. He watched Akaashi with that frown, and though it was opposite of his smile, it was equally as expressive.

“Here,” said Bokuto. He unzipped his jacket, and for a moment Akaashi was convinced he would offer it as an extra layer. Instead he grabbed Akaashi’s wrists, yanked them out of his pockets, and looped Akaashi’s arms around his waist, beneath the cover of his jacket.

Bokuto was sturdy, as expected, and so warm that it felt like the middle of summer instead of the first chilling day of winter. He engulfed Akaashi in the flaps of his jacket and circled strong arms around Akaashi’s back. Akaashi found himself flush against Bokuto’s chest, in an embrace he hadn’t anticipated.

He probably should have pulled away, but Bokuto was so warm.

Akaashi sighed and let himself lean into Bokuto, his chin on an even level with the top of Bokuto’s shoulder. “Thank you, Bokuto-san.”

“’Course, ‘Kaashi. My mom says I’m like a space heater.”

“She is correct.” Akaashi pressed his palms against Bokuto’s back, warming his glacial fingers.

They stayed like that for a minute or two, long enough that Akaashi became very aware of Bokuto’s breath right next to his ear.

“Bokuto-san?”

“Yeah?”

“Is this awkward for you?”

“No way,” said Bokuto. He gave Akaashi a gentle squeeze, as if to prove it.

“So you share your body heat with just anyone?” said Akaashi with a slight smile. “How risqué of you.”

“Akaaaashi,” said Bokuto. It was quieter than his usual whine, which was appreciated, since he was so close. “Don’t say it like that. I don’t let just anyone in my jacket. Only you.”

The warmth that Akaashi felt rivaled that of Bokuto’s body. “Why?”

“Because I like you!”

“You like everyone.”

“Usually, yeah, but you’re different,” said Bokuto. “I like you more.”

Akaashi turned his face away hide his expression. “I like you too, Bokuto-san.”

Bokuto’s arms tightened around him. “Really?”

“Yes, really,” said Akaashi. “I like you very much.”

There was a pause, filled only by matched breaths. Bokuto pulled back slightly to look at him, his brows pulled together beneath a sweep of hair. “Like… like as a friend, right?”

Akaashi withdrew his arms, but not completely. His hands lingered at Bokuto’s waist. “If that’s all you want, then yes.”

Bokuto was more solemn than usual, his eyes not straying from Akaashi’s. “What if… it’s not?”

Akaashi took an icy breath. He was the calm one between them; he couldn’t lose his composure. “I would be open to other options.”

Bokuto’s brows knitted more closely together. “What if I… like like you? Like… you know. Not just as a friend.”

“That would be convenient for me, considering I like like you, also,” said Akaashi, copying Bokuto’s wording.

Bokuto blinked. “Really?”

Akaashi nodded. “Yes.”

Bokuto’s face bloomed into a beautiful smile. He pulled Akaashi close again and hugged him tightly, crushing some of the breath from his lungs. “’Kaashi.”

Akaashi closed his eyes and let himself be hugged. A welcome sense of relief followed the impromptu confessions. Akaashi had intended to keep his feelings to himself indefinitely. He hadn’t expected the subject to come up, especially not like this.

“I can’t believe this,” said Bokuto, standing straight. “Kuroo always said I should tell you, but I thought it would be weird, you know? Because you’re Akaashi, you could date anyone you wanted. Everyone likes you. And I never even knew who you liked, you know? I know you turned down that girl last month but I didn’t know if it was because she was a girl or because you just didn’t like her. And I didn’t want to ask because that would’ve been awkward, and I didn’t want you to think I was weird, and-”

In Akaashi’s experience, Bokuto’s slightly nervous rambling would have continued indefinitely.

Akaashi freed his hands from the cozy confines of Bokuto’s jacket and pressed them instead on either side of Bokuto’s face. Bokuto went quiet immediately, his voice drifting away on the cold wind.

Akaashi tried to think of something clever to say, but the intensity of Bokuto’s eyes rendered him mute. He leaned close, waiting for Bokuto to pull away, or protest. There was nothing but a hitch of breath, and Akaashi kissed him with a cold mouth and warm affection.

It was brief. Akaashi had never kissed anyone before, and he didn’t want to embarrass himself. He left a lingering brush of his lips and broke away, hoping that the streetlight wasn’t bright enough to illuminate his blush.

Bokuto hadn’t moved. His eyes were wider than usual, mouth slightly open. “’Kaashi.”

Akaashi turned away from him, just as a pair of headlights rounded the corner and rolled in their direction. Bokuto reached out to squeeze Akaashi’s hand, gently, before waving overhead as the truck came to a stop.

Bokuto yanked open the door and said, back to his normal volume, “Hey, dad! Could you give Akaashi a ride?”

Bokuto’s father looked nothing like him. He was short, middle-aged man with dark hair and darker eyes, and if it hadn’t been for the smile that was an exact replica of Bokuto’s, Akaashi wouldn’t have believed they were related.

“Of course! Hop on in, Akaashi-kun.”

Bokuto slid in first, to sit in the middle, and Akaashi climbed in after him. The cab of the truck was cozy, and it was even warmer because Bokuto was pressed up against his side in the cramped space.

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” said Bokuto’s father, as he steered the truck back onto the road. “Koutarou talks about you all the time.”

Akaashi glanced at Bokuto, who gave a shy smile in return. “It is a pleasure to meet you as well.”

Before they’d even reached the corner, Bokuto said, “Hey, dad. Can Akaashi come over for dinner?” He gave Akaashi a quick look, as if warning him not to argue. “His mom works really late shifts so she’s never home to eat with him.”

Akaashi just stared at him. He’d mentioned his mother’s schedule on one occasion, several months ago. He was surprised that Bokuto had remembered.

“Of course he can. You know your mother makes enough for half the block. You’re welcome anytime, Akaashi-kun.”

Akaashi wanted to decline the invitation on general principle, because he didn’t want to inconvenience Bokuto’s family. But the way Bokuto beamed, as if he’d just been given something of great value, made Akaashi rethink that.

“Thank you,” said Akaashi, settling more comfortably against the seat, and against Bokuto. “Dinner sounds nice.”

#i did a first time for a different ship yesterday so i went with the kiss instead #hope that's okay! #bokuaka #1000prompts #writing

[sweetener-forever]

People Need Subtitles

Rating: T

Pairings: Iida/Uraraka/Midoriya, Bakugo/Kirishima

Tags: Hard-of-Hearing Bakugo and ADHD Uraraka. Pairings are in there, but they are more of a background thing. Mostly focusing on the weird friendship of Uraraka and Bakugo. This is set in their third year. Shinsou is in Class 3-A, fight me. 

Summary:  Ochako and Bakugo aren't exactly close, but they understand each other well enough to at least be tentative friends.

AO3 Link

Conversations with Bakugo are difficult to say the least, not that he hasn't improved since their first year at school! At least in Ochako's opinion he has gotten loads better at talking to people. Which is to say that he sometimes will actually start a conversation without any prompting.

"If you just took the two and pulled it around-" Ochako really was trying hard to focus on what Bakugo was saying, especially since it isn't often he feels like explaining homework to anyone that isn't Kirishima, or occasionally Kaminari and Sero. But she can't be blamed because math is so boring!

"-not that fucking difficult, if you-" Tenya's gesturing wildly to Deku out on the school grounds, it's hard to tell if he's scolding Deku or explaining strategy, but those look like his excited arm movements, so probably not the former.

Although Deku looks sheepish about something, his face is red and he's attempting to hide it away from Tenya. So, maybe Tenya caught him staring at his ass again instead of doing the warm-ups? Hm, Tenya did have a nice ass, it's a shame Ochako can't see it from where she is sitting in the common room. Maybe later Tenya will be too worn out to be embarrassed over her squeezing it.

Two years and counting of dating hadn't actually done much for Tenya's embarrassment thresh-hold, but he was starting to loosen up. Maybe next week they could convince him to actually drink with the class instead of being on hangover patrol. She's pretty sure Kaminari is supposed to be in charge of getting the alcohol this time, but he always gets so nervous and zappy. It makes touching the metal caps of the bottles dangerous and like a weird game of Russian roulette. Last time Deku had gotten shocked so much that his hair started to resemble Bakugo's. Not that she was dumb enough to mention that to Bakugo.

Kirishima got away with it though and that was funny. The two of them ended up wrestling over the couch and broke one of the tables, so Momo had to fix it. Tenya made them sit on the floor as punishment and Ochako was pretty sure Bakugo must have at least been tipsy at the time since he obeyed the punishment for all of three hours-

BOOM. The explosion startles Ochako hard enough that she pushes away from the small table and tips her chair over. She lays there dazed and mildly bruised as Bakugo leans against the table and smugly grins down at her, as if he hadn't just made a tiny explosion right next to her shoulder.

"You paying attention now, Squirrel-Cheeks?" Her glare is about as effective as throwing a rock at a tank. Which is to say it just makes Bakugo lay his face against the table and laugh at her.

Ochako has changed her mind, Bakugo is still as much of an asshole as before.

~OwO~

On a good day there were very few people in the dorms that would disagree that Bakugo sometimes needed instant karma. There are absolutely zero that would argue with this sentiment on a bad day.

Today hasn't exactly been a bad day, but suffice to say that Bakugo had not started it off on the right foot. Ochako couldn't say for sure what exactly happened, but Kirishima had been snappy at Bakugo since they left their shared floor for class.

And if Kirishima or Kaminari started off a day in a bad mood it had a tendency to spread to the rest of the class.

For Bakugo's part he kept his own sour asshole attitude until lunch time, when he began throwing looks at Kirishima and looking like he was regretting his entire life. It was an expression akin to the one Deku would get if he tried to challenge Toruu for how many sour candies they could put in their mouths before the other person died.

Ochako would feel more sympathy for him if he wasn't also snapping at anyone who tried to intervene and help. Which included her, Todoroki, Momo, Mina, Deku, and Kaminari. Granted she does feel a little bad for him, but only because he does actually try to apologize after lunch and gets the cold shoulder.

It really is a testament to how far he has come though that he doesn't immediately start blowing stuff up and acting like a bigger jerk. Instead he kept trying until he managed to get Kirishima to agree to having a home-cooked dinner an an apology. Kirishima had managed to get that, and an actual apology out of Bakugo in front of the entire class.

Which is really inspiring and all, but also not the point that Ochako is making about karma. No, that was not the instant karma that Bakugo truly deserved, but it was the set-up that allowed Ochako to sneak across the common room in socks and into the attached kitchen without Kirishima immediately greeting her.

Oh, he noticed her alright and could probably even tell what she was doing. But instead of giving Bakugo a head's up, like he normally would have with all the loud background cooking noise going on, he turns back to Bakugo and eagerly starts chattering about the weather.

Ochako gets as close as she possibly can to Bakugo's back without the boy hearing her, her hands poised just an inch above his waist, and she can tell that Kirishima is trying really hard not to compromise her position by laughing. She holds her breath and leans in on tip-toes until she is nearly touching the back of Bakugo's hair.

"BOO!" The reaction is instant, Bakugo yelps and swings around to try and explode Ochako, but she's already activated her quirk on him, sending him bobbing up to the ceiling the instant she pushes him.

"YOU PINK-CHEEKED FUCKING MENACE, I'LL CHOP YOU UP AND THROW INTO THE SHITTY PAN RIGHT ALONGSIDE THE SHITTY STEAK! BURN EVERY LAST SOCK YOU OWN AND THEN SHOVE THE ASHES DOWN YOUR THROAT!" Bakugo screams, cusses, and carries on like this, but Ochako and Kirishima are too busy leaning up against each other and laughing so hard that they're crying to really pay him any attention.

"KIRISHIMA, YOU ASSHOLE, TRAITOR!" He thrashes on the ceiling, punching his hands and feet against it as if that would get him closer to the other two. Incensed and looking like he is out for blood.

But if anyone were to walk by they would probably see the grin on his face and the way he doesn't even try to activate his quirk to get down. Because sometimes even Bakugo knows he needs a little instant karma.

Doesn't mean he has to like it though.

~OwO~

Guest Pro-Heroes coming in to lecture the class and give demonstrations are both Ochako's favorite and least favorite thing. On one hand it's cool to see how different pros use their quirks and what advice they have about being professional heroes. On the other hand it's kind of obvious that they have never had to teach a class before.

"You want to get just the right tourniquet for stopping vikings by holding your shance like this- and then twisting your boudice like so." The pro-hero Wingman demonstrates, his mouth moving a mile-a-minute as he twists a dummy's arm almost over its own shoulder.

"Of course you want to be coffied grounds as any wrong ment could break your villain's arm instead of (?????) them." He cheerily instructs in a softer and somehow even more fast tone as he pulls the dummy's arm clean off. Ochako is completely lost, especially since he started off talking about combat, then pulled a dummy out of his side, went on about vikings for some reason, and now there are villains?

It's impossible for her to follow, but when she glances around at everyone else they seem to be comprehending it just fine. Deku is taking notes in fact and muttering up a small storm from where he is standing next to Tenya, and normally Ochako thinks it's cute how involved he gets when guest heroes come in, but she really wishes he would look at her and see her obvious distress instead. Tenya is also likewise enthralled, only pausing to lean over to cut off Deku's mutterings and to comment quietly on what he has written. Ochako of course can't hear it from where she is standing next to Mina and Tsuyu, but it's still distracting as her stupid brain tries to read his lips. Which isn't actually something she can do.

"-cufflinks of course are excellent for this as well!" What, cufflinks!? Ochako whips her head around so fast to see Wingman doing...something with the dummy's wrists and honestly she can't even tell if cufflinks is what he actually said at this point.

It is all starting to become too frustrating and she's debating just tuning the hero out in favor of daydreaming about the cute dogs she saw the other day while out on at the park with her datemates. That is until Bakugo's loud voice explodes through the field and cuts right over the top of the guest speaker's speech.

"Could you speak up or at least face us if you're going to try and educate us?!" Bakugo is gritting his teeth and Ochako can tell that that is the only thing keeping him from actually cussing or yelling louder like he actually wanted to.

"Excuse me, could you not intro me while I'm trying to give a demon station?" Even though Wingman is now facing the class fully Ochako is still having a hard time understanding what he is saying, mostly because he seems incapable of actually raising his voice. At least she isn't alone as Bakugo's face screws up with annoyance.

"Your what?"

"My demon station!" Demon station, Bakugo keep up. Ochako has no idea herself.

"I can't understand a word you're saying, could you try talking clearly." Bakugo makes sure to enunciate each word with an almost exaggerated tone.

"Well, I'm sorry that my knowledge and wisdom isn't important enough for you to pay attention to!" Wingman actually speaks up, his voice rising out of the near whisper-pitch he had been keeping up for the majority of the lecture. He even made sure to enunciate every word said.

You could hear a pen drop it was so silent. Even the birds that had been hanging out near the training grounds were silent.

"Excuse me, Wingman, sir." Tenya, bless his heart, has a hand raised and clears his throat to get the hero's attention.

"Uh, yes?" Now that the silence has been broken Wingman seems to be coming back to himself, color high in his cheeks as he turns pointedly away from Bakugo to put his full attention on Tenya. A mistake, really, since the class president looks like he is about to lecture the guest lecturer. Which isn't really Tenya's style to question people higher in authority unless he has a really good reason.

"Our classmate, Bakugo, is hard of hearing and located at the back of the group. I would be hard-pressed to say that Bakugo was not paying attention. I simply think he could not hear you, as you were facing away from us and speaking quietly." Tenya nods rapidly with what he is saying and gestures as if he is afraid his point won't get across fully if he doesn't. There is also a nervous eye-shuffle he does to Mr. Aizawa leaning against a near-by tree, but when Tenya isn't immediately scolded he relaxes his posture a little.

Wingman to his credit looks embarrassed and glances between the class and Mr. Aizawa as if he isn't sure what to do. Mr. Aizawa has little mercy and patience for those who can't take criticism, especially if they are pro-heroes, and pointedly does not throw Wingman a life perserver.

Instead his eyes are like the cold waters of the ocean in winter, and all they are saying is: Drown.

Wingman flounders for a little bit more, but eventually has everyone pair up to try out the techniques that he was apparently lecturing about. Something Ochako isn't exactly thrilled about since she didn't actually understand any of the lecture.

"Yeah, right, as if you could understand that loser even if you were in the front." Bakugo says it loudly, but he's looking directly as Ochako instead of Wingman or Tenya. Making his way over to her instead of pairing up with Kirishima like he usually would have.

At least Ochako isn't alone in her dislike of guest lecturers.

Also, apparently he did say 'cufflinks' and Bakugo doesn't really understand what that was about either.

~OwO~

At least some things have managed to stay pretty consistent at U.A. over the years. One of those things is that Monoma somehow manages to stay an unrelenting jerk when it comes to class A.

Ochako had once hoped that when they started doing their once a month movie nights between the two classes that it would ease out some of the tension. Especially after they all agreed to alternate between A and B dorms to keep it fair. No such luck. Monoma still has a talent of pissing off even the most docile of classmates and gloating loudly as if it were his mission in life.

This is one of those such times.

Since they are teenagers who love to procrastinate their homework and relax as much as their strict schedules at U.A. would allow, they manage to get through at least 3 or 4 movies in a night. So, between the two classes they do manage to get around to everyone having a pick, as long the movie isn't offensive or makes students uncomfortable.

Tonight's movie night is in B dorms this time around the B students get to pick the movies they want to watch. Which isn't bad and Ochako for sure is not going to protest seeing what movies the other class likes to watch. Except that tonight Monoma is managing to top all of his previous strings of asshole incidents.

"Subtitles? Why would The Great Class 3-A need subtitles for? We of Class 3-B don't need subtitles, unless The Great Class 3-A is admitting that they need help understanding a kid's film!" Monoma's mocking laugh is thankfully put swiftly to an end by Kendou's neck chop, although it is way too late to reverse the damage done.

"Oi! I didn't say I needed fucking subtitles, I just asked you nicely to turn them on you copy-cat! I don't need your shitty useless subtitles!" Bakugo would probably be standing up on the couch so that he could lean over Monoma's slowly recovering form, if it isn't for Kirishima's ever-tightening grip on his waist.

"Dude, nobody's saying you need the subtitles, but-" Kirishima is cut off pretty abruptly by an explosion to his shoulder and he doesn't attempt to open his mouth again. Although Ochako can see the way he chews on his bottom lip as he eyes the back of Bakugo's head, clearly worried.

It's not like there is much anyone can say to him to get Bakugo to change his mind when he's being stubborn like this. Not even after a day of hard-core training that has most of them yelling so Bakugo can even hear them over the ringing in his ears. Heck, even if they weren't ringing Bakugo still turned on the subtitles if they were watching anything, since his hearing is slowly getting worse over the years.

Instead they all suck it up and don't complain further when the movie is finally switched on.

It's not like this movie is the most riveting or exciting movie Ochako has ever seen before, so she doesn't feel bad for letting her attention drift away from it. Instead she entertains herself by counting the freckles on Deku's neck as he leans up against Tenya, then moves on to drawing shapes around Tenya's engines that rest in her lap.

Of course that gets boring too after a while and her attention wanders to the rest of the class. Ojiro and Tooru look invested in the movie, or at least Ochako has to assume Tooru is since she isn't saying anything. Although maybe she just fell asleep like Mina and Kaminari had. A dangerous decision really as Jirou has procured a marker from Momo and is drawing bunnies and pikachus on Kaminari's face.

Tsuyu, Tokoyami, and Shouji seem like they're having a deep conversation with Kendou and Tetsutetsu, probably about the movie. While Aoyama most certainly isn't paying attention to the movie, instead he's looking out the window and smiling, which is weird, but pretty on brand for him.

Satou got up at some point to make some more popcorn for everyone and enlisted Koda's help in getting all the snacks safely from the kitchen to the common room. They haven't returned yet, but Ochako is pretty sure that they're just lost in class B's kitchen set-up.

Todoroki looks like he is about to fall asleep at any second, head nodding and eyes blinking slowly as he tries to stay awake and pay attention to the commentary Shinsou is saying next to him. Which is more than Sero is doing since he seems more interested in braiding his tape in with Kirishima's hair; who is doing a great job of pretending to be interested in the movie, but seems more invested in staring at the back of Bakugo's head.

Bakugo, who is leaning forward and squinting at the screen because he can't hear the movie, and can't read the animated character's lips. Ochako had noticed a long time ago that it is something he does when he can't hear what someone is saying. Like squinting is an automatic reflex that will magically make it easier to hear the other person talking. Mostly it just helps telegraph how frustrated he is. Monoma is clearly enjoying himself watching Bakugo struggle.

It's something Ochako can really only put up with for about 20 minutes. Her and Bakugo aren't particularly close or anything and he really isn't missing anything with how boring the movie is, but he should at least get the choice to ignore it like everyone else.

Her plan isn't exactly rocket science or anything, but it does take her another few minutes to willingly extract herself from her warm boyfriends to put it in motion.

She stretches out her limbs and makes like she's getting up to go to the bathroom. Then when Monoma moves his legs to let her past she grabs the remote to the TV.

It's clearly shock that keeps Monoma from immediately chasing after her as she hops out of his reach. She does trip over Tooru on the floor though, but Tenya is her angel in disguise and catches her, pulling her into the safety of his lap.

Ochako locates the subtitles button quickly and floats the remote up to the ceiling before anyone else can so much as inhale; and the struggle is over.

Monoma's jaw is hanging open like he can't believe what just happened, but Ochako is too pleased with herself to really pay him too much attention. Instead grinning up at Tenya and feeling extremely satisfied with herself when he smiles back fondly.

The room settles back down after Kendou silences Monoma with another chop and practically has Tetsutetsu sit on him to keep him from complaining.

The only real change is that Bakugo settles back against Kirishima and isn't squinting at the scream anymore. His screwed up expression is more from annoyance with the movie now rather than from the frustration of being unable to follow it.

When he catches Ochako looking at him and turns his head to face her, she gives him a grin and a thumbs up. In return he snorts and rolls his eyes, but she doesn't miss the small twitch of a smile as he turns back to the movie.

Yeah, Ochako and Bakugo aren't exactly close, but they understand each other well enough to at least be tentative friends.

#My Hero Academia #BNHA #fanfiction #My Fanfic #Uraraka Ochako #Bakugou Katsuki #Boku No Hero Academia

[urfriendlyneighborhdblckshe-blog]

Dear you,

I was sixteen when we first met. I had heard about you for years before hand. I knew all about you. Or I thought I did. They told me to beware, watch out for you, don’t engage with you if you ever crossed my path. They told me you were dangerous and that you were a bad influence. They said that you were trouble, that you used people and hurt people and brought out the worst in them. I remember being told you ruined lives, and ended them. They told me a lot about you; now I’m thinking maybe they didn’t tell me enough. Because I knew all the reasons why I should steer clear of you. I’d had them all but shoved down my throat for years once I was the right age; I think knowing all that I knew already, being told to stay away from you, being aware of the consequences I could face, it only made me curious. The more I heard, the more I was curious about you. I guess I was drawn to you. Before I even knew i was, before we ever met, I was drawn to you. Sixteen years old. Some might say this is a magical age, a fun age. They might have fond memories and great friends and experiences that come to mind when they think back to being 16. Ask me and I’d tell you different. I hated being a teenager; high school is still to this day one of the worst experiences of my life, and sixteen was a hard age for me. I guess it was the perfect storm...me being as drawn to you as I was and you being there for me at just the right time when I wanted to rebel and do something reckless. We met at a mutual friends house for a sleepover one weekend right before 11th grade. I hadn’t planned on it, it was a spur of the moment thing when I mentioned you to my friend and asked if she knew you. Just a whim. She did know you. Not very well, but enough to invite you. We had to walk around the block to meet up with you, and then we brought you back with us, to her house, snuck you into her room with us.

We had an instant connection. We clicked. And not some weird cliche thing, but a real instantaneous bond. I spent so much of my time feeling sad and so angry. Mainly because I had spent so much of my life feeling so hurt and misunderstood. I didn’t know just how sad and angry I usually felt, though, until suddenly I didn’t feel either anymore, because you walked into my life. You made me feel things, good things, you made me smile and see things in a different light, you made me forget about being hurt. I never knew I was so lonely until after I met you and realized I wasn’t lonely with you there... All the terrible things I’d been told about you before I knew you went out the window, because they obviously were not true. Nothing or no one that could make such a sad and heartbroken girl like me feel so whole and happy and hopeful like that so quickly and so effortlessly could possibly be bad. I stayed up with you long after my friend had fallen asleep...I had made a friend. A real friend. And I felt the most I had felt in my life. I felt whole somehow. That night changed a lot for me. I laid awake the next few nights in my own room thinking about it, wondering when I would see you again. You were my very first love, and I had fallen hard and fast. After that I tried to see you whenever I could. It was hard, being in school and not having a phone, being grounded all the time and having no money, but every once in a while I’d find you again and we would be together for a day or two, and I’d feel okay, not just okay it I’d feel GOOD, happy, in those rare and fleeting days I could be with you. The years passed and we kept up that same regimen. My time without you started to weigh on me. I counted down days until we would be together again. You made me so much better, in school, with people, with myself, with life in general. I told you everything, i gave you all the parts of me I didn’t like, all the pieces of me that were broken or hurting, and you absorbed it all like a sponge. You became my support system. My friend. Then I graduated high school, I got a job. I was able to have more of you, and it seemed like the more I had the more I needed. The first year after graduation flew by, and what I remember the most about that year was you. Eventually I wanted you with me all the time. I was better with you. I performed better at work, I got along with my mom better, I was charming and witty in conversation, I could make friends easily. I cared about things I didn’t care about when you weren’t around, I could take care of shit and be productive with you. You motivated me, you made me a better me. My life was better with you in it. I didn’t hurt when we were together. I felt like a real, healthy, happy person, because we were together so much. Yet the more I kept you around, once you were gone, I was so much worse off than I would’ve been. I was moody and depressed, anxious, emotional, and unmotivated. I didn’t want to do anything without you. I felt like I needed you just to have a normal day. So you became my normal. When you weren’t there, I was at my worst. Sometimes I would have to go several days, even a week once or twice, without you, and it would be the worst day, the worst week, but I could do it. I could be without you, but I would miss you. It would hurt me. I needed you. I had became dependent on you to help me get through every day, I hated having to go without you. You became apart of me. Three more years pass and I’m starting to feel differently. You don’t make me feel as good as you used to. I need more and more and more of you, more than I can afford, just to feel even a little bit the way I felt when we first met. I’m starting to forget that you make me happy, that you make me feel good, that you make me be a better me. I’m starting to forget all that, because lately all you make me feel is guilty, and anxious, and pathetic. You make me feel like a shitty person.

All my friends have slowly drifted away; I pushed them away. You were always more important. Id cancel plans for you, ignore texts and calls. A few times I met up with friends while I was so gone on you I couldn’t hide it; it was obvious to them that i had a problem after that, and they stopped coming around. They stopped calling and texting and inviting me to do things. I can’t hide you at all anymore, from anyone. My mom knows something is wrong, she’s worried out of her mind about me, but I can’t tell her about you because then she’ll worry even more. I’ve given her enough trouble for one lifetime as a kid, she deserves better than a daughter like me. I can’t face her. So I’ve shut her out completely. I don’t answer her calls or texts and ignore her knocks at the door when she drops by. She’s worried sick I know because I haven’t seen or spoken to her at all in months but it’s better this way. It’s better than the truth.My boss is getting ready to fire me. I’m on my last chance with this job, because I keep not showing up when I don’t have you, or being late when I have to go and get you from wherever I can find you before I go in to work. I keep taking these risks like I can afford to lose this job, even though I can’t, because i have to make money to keep you around. My boyfriend, who I thought I would marry one day, who used to love me, who I thought I loved, just left me. I thought I loved him but I guess I don’t because Ive chosen you over him more times than I want to even think about. He left because he is sick of coming second to you. He’s sick of having to take care of me like a sick child when you aren’t around, sick of having to deal with me and my mood swings, paranoia, hypersensitivity and aggression. All the things you’ve been bringing out in me the last few years, all the things I hate to admit that I struggle with now because I’ve fucked up the natural chemical balance in my brain from years of being with you. People don’t recognize me. I’m way too skinny, I look sick. I can’t eat as much as I should because I’m either sick or with you; I’m never hungry when I’m with you. My body doesn’t know what to do I’m constantly putting it through the extreme, going days without eating, going days without water, and then binge eating everything I can find and binge drinking alcohol to try to feel better when you aren’t there. I get a lot of headaches. I don’t feel healthy. I feel sick. I look in the mirror and even though I know that’s me looking back i know it really isn’t. I’m a shell. I’m a ghost. I’m all that’s left of my old self after having everything in me scooped out from inside and spoonfed to you. You went from making me feel the most me I had ever been to making me feel the least like me I could ever possibly be. You turned me into a person I don’t know, or want to know, a person I hate. I lie for you, I have stolen for you, I have cheated for you. I started out giving you the parts of me I didn’t want and somehow somewhere it turned into you taking parts and pieces of me without my consent, pieces I wanted to keep, parts I needed. Stealing from me everything a person thinks cannot be stolen. Their friends, their family, significant others, their muchness, their themness; you stole my dignity, my pride, my morals. You took everything. And then one day I took a little plastic test from the drug store and my world tipped and fell off of its axis and came back into orbit gravitating to some teeny tiny little speck in the otherwise vast universe. Suddenly my life was no longer about me. Suddenly my life became about another. I still love you. After everything, I still love you. In love with the thing that’s killing me. Best friends with my enemy. I hate that I still feel like this. I don’t want to anymore. I don’t want you to steal my life, too. I don’t want to die. But if I don’t leave you, I will. You’ll kill me.

So this is my letter to you, pills. This is my goodbye. This is me breaking up with you. This is me leaving you. This is me trying to do for once in my life what I know is right and what I know is best for me.

[dumbledearme]

chapter twenty-six—saved by a mortal

read Child of Land and Sea here

Act IV — To Stop The Tide

Part I — And I can hardly wait to discombobulate, I'll send you back and packing in a shipping crate.

"Just relax," Sally said, but she didn't sound relaxed. "It's only an orientation tour. And remember, dear, this is Paul's school. So try not to... you know."

"Blow it to shit?"

"Pretty much, yes."

Andy sighed. Paul Blofis was Sally's new boyfriend. He was an English teacher and had managed to convince Good High School to accept Andy for the next school year. Andy had tried to warn him that it wasn't a good idea, but the man just wouldn't listen to reason.

"You haven't told him the truth about me, have you?"

Sally tapped her fingers nervously on the wheel. "I thought we should wait."

"So we don't scare him away?"

"It's just one morning, Andy. It'll be fine."

"I'll be expelled before even starting school."

"Think positive, honey. Tomorrow you're off to camp! And later today, you've got your date-"

"It's not a date!" Andy protested. "It's just... Anthony."

"He's coming all the way from camp to meet you."

"Yes."

"You're going to the movies."

"So?"

"Just the two of you."

"Stop it!"

Sally held up her hands in surrender. "I'm just reminding you, Andy, that if by any chance you have something to say to that boy, today is the perfect time."

"Consider me reminded."

Andy got out of the car and into the school. Two cheerleaders ambushed her in the halls. "Hi," they smiled. "Welcome to Goode," the blonde one said. "You are so going to love it!"

The other girl, with a name tag written Kelli on it, said, "What's your name?"

"Uh, Andy."

The two girls exchanged a look. "Oh, Andy Jackson," the blonde one said. "We've been waiting for you."

Having a bad feeling about that, Andy was about to run when Paul Blofis showed up to greet her. The cheerleaders backed off. Andy anxiously passed them, kneeling Kelli in the thigh. Her leg made a hollow, metallic sound.

"There you are," Paul was saying. "Welcome to Goode!"

"Yeah, hey, Paul."

"Andy, you look like you've seen a ghost," Paul said. He patted her on the back. "I know you're nervous, but you've got nothing to worry about. We get a lot of kids here with ADHD and dyslexia. The teachers know how to help."

"If only ADHD and dyslexia were my biggest worries," Andy mumbled looking over her shoulder to where the cheerleaders were watching her. Then Andy looked down the hall and saw a girl with frizzy red hair also staring at her.

Andy cursed under her breath. Somebody called Paul and he went to see what the person needed. The red-headed came swinging. "I thought I'd never see you again! As a matter of fact, there were some days when I thought I'd imagined you..."

"Rachel Elizabeth Dare," Andy recalled. "No, I'm real."

The girl smiled, a little too flirtatiously. "And you never told me your name last December when you tried to kill me."

"I wasn't... I didn't... What are you doing here?"

"Orientation," Rachel shrugged.

"You live in New York?"

"You thought I lived at Hoover Dam?" Suddenly the smile vanished from her freckled face and her eyes widened. Andy followed her gaze and saw Kelli, still watching her. "Run," Rachel whispered.

"Why?"

Without answering, Rachel took Andy's hand and pulled her down the hall to the band room where they hid behind a bass drum. "You think they followed us?" Rachel asked, crouching down.

"The cheerleaders?" Andy asked. Rachel nodded nervously. "I don't think so. What are they? What did you see?"

Rachel's green eyes were bright with fear. "You wouldn't believe me."

"Oh, I'm fairly sure I would," Andy said. "I know you can see through the Mist."

"The what?"

"The Mist. It's... like a veil that hides the way things really are. Some mortals are born with the ability to see through it. Like you."

Rachel studied Andy carefully. "You did that at Hoover Dam. You called me a mortal. Like you're not." Her face was pleading. "You know what it means. All these horrible things I see."

"Uh... yeah. You see... What do you know of Greek myths?" Rachel waited. "All those monsters, the gods, the stories... they are all true."

"I knew it!"

Andy blinked. "That was strangely easy."

"You don't know how hard it's been," Rachel said. "For years I thought I was going crazy. I couldn't tell anybody. I couldn't-" her eyes narrowed. "Wait. Who are you? I mean really? You look like you, but you're not... human. Are you?"

"I'm a half-blood. I'm half human," Andy said carefully. She had no idea why she was telling this girl everything. For some weird reason, they'd had this instant connection and Andy felt she could be trusted.

"And half what?"

Just then, Kelli and the other stepped into the band room. The doors slammed shut behind them. "There you are, Andy Jackson," the blonde one said. "It's time for your orientation." While Kelli stood blocking the doors, the blonde one went toward Andy. When the cheerleader was close enough, Andy drew Riptide and pointed at her chest.

She snarled and began to change. The color drained out of her, her skin was white, her eyes were red. Her teeth grew into fangs. She looked like a vampire. But her legs were different from one another. The left one was brown and donkey-like, while the right one was made of bronze. She advanced on her weird, mismatched legs.

Rachel threw a snare drum at the empousa's head. The demon hissed and batted the drum away. Rachel threw a xylophone, but the demon just swatted that away, too.

"I don't usually kill girls," she growled. "But I will enjoy killing you two."

She lunged at them and Andy slashed with Riptide. The blade sliced straight through her cheerleader uniform, and with a horrible wail she exploded into dust all over them.

"You killed my trainee!" Kelli yelled. "You need a lesson, half-blood!" Kelli changed into her true form. "I'm senior empousa," she growled. "No man has bested me in a thousand years."

"I'm no man." Andy attacked, but Kelli dodged. Andy placed herself between the empousa and Rachel. Kelli circled them.

"Such a pretty blade," she said, watching the sword. "What a shame it stands between us." Her form shimmered. "You don't even know what is happening, do you? Soon, your camp will be in flames, your friends will be slaves to the Lord of Time, and there's nothing you can do to stop it. It would be merciful to end your life now, before you have to witness that."

Voices started coming from down the hall. The empousa's eyes lit up. She picked up a tuba and threw it at Andy, who ducked. The tuba sailed over her head and crashed through the window. The voices in the hall died down.

"Andy!" Kelli shouted. "Why did you do that?" And she kept throwing instruments and making a mess. Andy charged after her. The door flung open. Kelli turned toward Andy like a cowering victim. She cried, and before the sword could hit her, she exploded into flames.

"Andy?" Paul Blofis looked completely stunned. "What have you done?"

Kids screamed down the hall. The fire alarm wailed. Ceiling sprinklers hissed to life.

"You have to get out of here," Rachel whispered. Andy nodded and with a last apologetic glance at Paul, she sprinted for the broken band room window.

Andy burst out of the alley onto East 81st and ran straight into Anthony. "Hey, you're out early!" he laughed. For a split second he was in a good mood and everything was fine. He looked as charming as ever; his gray eyes sparkling. Then Rachel appeared and Anthony's smile melted. For the first time he noticed the smoke, the alarm, the screams. "What did you do? And who is this?"

Andy introduced the two of them. Police sirens wailed on FDR Drive.

"Andy," Anthony said coldly. "We should go."

"I want to know more about half-bloods," Rachel said. "And monsters. And this stuff about the gods." She grabbed Andy's arm, whipped out a permanent marker, and wrote a phone number on Andy's hand. "You're going to call me and explain, okay? You owe me that. Now get going. I'll make some story. Tell them it wasn't your fault." Just like that, she ran back toward the school.

Anthony stared at Andy. "You told a mortal girl about half-bloods?"

"There were two empousai! And she can see through the Mist. I mean-"

"You told her the truth?"

"She recognized me from Hoover Dam, so-"

"You've met her before? This is strange," he shook his head. "Well, I guess our afternoon is off. We should get you out of here, now that the police will be searching for you." Without another word, Anthony took off and Andy had to jog after him.

In the taxi, Andy tried to talk to him but Anthony seemed to be far away. All she managed to get out of him was that he'd had a monster-infested spring in San Francisco; he'd come back to camp twice since Christmas, but wouldn't tell Andy why; and he'd learned nothing about the whereabouts of Nico di Angelo.

"What about Luke?" Andy asked.

"Mount Tam is till overrun with monsters," he said. "I didn't dare go near it, but I Luke isn't there anyway."

"How can you know?" she asked. He didn't answer. Andy felt like he was keeping something from her but decided not to push him. "What about Grover?"

"He's at camp. We'll see him today."

"Did he have any luck? With the search for Pan?"

"You'll see."

"Okay, are you mad at me?" she finally asked.

Anthony glanced at her and sighed. "No, Andy. I am not mad at you. I'm just mad."

The taxi dropped them on Farm Road 3.141, at the base of Half-Blood Hill. They hiked to the crest where the young guardian dragon was dozing, coiled around the pine tree, but he lifted his coppery head as they approached. "Hey, Peleus," Anthony greeted. They walked down into the valley, greeting the others, until Anthony said, "I need to talk to Clarisse."

Andy stared at him. "What for?"

"We've been working on something," he answered. "I'll see you later, okay?"

"Working on what? And with Clarisse?"

Anthony glanced toward the forest. "I'll tell Chiron you're here. He'll want to talk to you before the hearing."

"What hearing?"

But he jogged down the path toward the archery field without looking back. Andy cursed and made her way through camp. Then she found herself face-to-face with the biggest hell-hound she had ever seen. She was about to draw Riptide when a man said, "She's harmless. Meet Mrs O'Leary."

Andy blinked. The man smiled dryly. He had short gray hair and a clipped gray beard. At the base of his neck was a strange mark, a purplish blotch like a birthmark or a tattoo, but Andy couldn't tell what it was.

"Mrs O'Leary is my pet," he explained.

"Okay," Andy said slowly. "And who are you?"

"Quintus."

Andy shook his hand. It was as rough as sandpaper. "Andy Jackson," she said. "How did you, um-"

"Get a hell-hound for a pet? Long story, involving many close calls with death and quite a few giant chew toys. I'm the new sword instructor, by the way. Helping out Chiron while Mr D is away."

"Mr D is away?"

"Yes, well... Busy times. Even Dionysus must help out. He's gone to visit some of the lesser gods. Make sure they're on the right side. I probably shouldn't say more than that." Then he looked around thoughtful. "They didn't have camps like this when I was a boy."

"You're a half-blood?!"

Quintus chuckled. "Some of us do survive into adulthood. Not all of us are the subject of terrible prophecies."

Andy was about to ask him about said prophecy, when Chiron appeared. "I see you've met our new instructor. Quintus, do you mind if I borrow Andy?"

"Not at all, Master Chiron."

Andy said goodbye and walked away with Chiron. He asked about the empousai and Andy told him everything, including Kelli bursting into flames. "The more powerful ones can do that," Chiron said. "She did not die, Andy. She simply escaped. It is not good that the she-demons are stirring."

"It is not good that they were waiting for me. How did they know? Gods, I... If it weren't for Rachel..."

Chiron nodded. "Ironic to be saved by a mortal, yet we owe her a debt. But we can talk of this later. We're going to be late."

"Late for what?"

They had reached the forest, but Chiron was leading Andy through a path she did not know. "The Council of Cloven Elders is meeting to decide Grover's fate."

At the clearing, a bunch of satyrs were sitting in a circle in the grass. Grover stood in the middle, facing three really old and fat satyrs. He was telling them a story.

Standing off to one side of the circle were Anthony, a girl Andy didn't know, and Clarisse. Andy stood next to them. The small girl had wispy hair the color of amber and a pretty, elfish face. Her eyes were tinged green. She was dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. "It's going terribly," she sniffled.

"No, no," Anthony patted her shoulder. "He'll be fine, Juniper." He looked at Andy and mouthed the words 'Grover's girlfriend'.

"Master Underwood!" the council member on the right shouted. "Do you seriously expect us to believe this?"

"B-but, Silenus," Grover stammered. "It's the truth!"

Silenus turned to his colleagues and muttered something. "Master Underwood, for months we have been hearing these scandalous claims that you heard the wild god Pan speak."

"I did!"

"Impudence!" said the elder on the left. "I've had it up to my horns with this nonsense. As if the wild god would speak to... to you!"

"For months," Silenus continued, "we have indulged you, Master Underwood. We let you travel. We allowed you to keep your searcher's license. We waited for you to bring proof of your preposterous claim. And what have you found in months of travel?"

"I just need more time," Grover pleaded.

"Nothing!" the elder in the middle chimed in. "You have found nothing!"

Chiron leaned in and said something to the satyrs. Silenus sighed and nodded. "Master Underwood," he announced, "we will give you yet one more chance."

Grover brightened. "Thank you!"

"One more week."

"What? But, sir! That's impossible!"

"One more week, Master Underwood. And then, if you cannot prove your claims, it will be time for you to pursue another career. Something to suit your dramatic talents. Puppet theater, perhaps. Or tap dancing."

"But, sir, I... I cannot lose my searcher's license. My whole life-"

"This meeting of the council is adjourned," Silenus said. "And now let us enjoy our noonday meal."

The circle of satyrs broke and Grover walked dejectedly toward Andy. "That went well, huh?"

"Those old goats!" Juniper said. "Oh, Grover, they don't know how hard you've worked!"

"There is another option," Clarisse said darkly.

"No. No." Juniper shook her head. "Grover, I won't let you."

His face was ashen. "I... I'll have to think about it. But we don't even know where to look."

"What are you talking about?" Andy asked.

In the distance, a conch horn sounded.

"I'll fill you in later, Andy," Anthony said. "We'd better get back to our cabins. Inspection is starting."

#andromeda #andy jackson #to stop the tide #fanfic #genderbend #dfcrosas #child of land and sea #anthony chase #rachel elizabeth dare

[prissyhalliwell]

To Serve and Protect - Ch 4

Summary: All Detective Weaver wants is revenge on the men who killed his wife. But when Lacey French blows into his life like a tornado, nothing will ever be the same again.

Part 1 I Part 2 I Part 3 I Read on AO3

“I was thinking your place.”

Lacey blinked at him, her breath condensing in the cold night air. “Um, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

He gave her a flat look. “I don’t mean it like that. But if someone broke into your apartment, it’s a crime scene. I can hardly help you if I can’t take a look at it.”

She seemed to weigh this in her mind for a moment before nodding. “You’re right of course,” she said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, “but tonight’s no good. Maybe later this week?”

Narrowing his eyes, Weaver took a step forward. Intimidation was a useful tool and he felt no qualms about using it now, especially since it was obvious Lacey was hiding something. “Any particular reason tonight isn’t good?”

There was a stubborn glint in Lacey’s eyes, and for a second, he thought she might shove him back. But then she deflated, her shoulders sagging. She didn’t meet his eyes as she mumbled something.

“Didn’t quite catch that,” he said.

“I have a guy there,” she repeated, only slightly louder this time. “I told him I was going out to run some errands.”

Weaver felt a twinge of something in his chest, which he ignored. Mostly likely it was a sign he’d been working too hard on too little sleep, but he’d worry about that later.

“Is this friend or customer of yours - ”

“You think I’m a hooker?!” Lacey yelled, drawing the attention of several people walking past. “Seriously?”

“Frankly, I could give a damn either way. But whoever this man is, he could be a suspect.”

She shook her head firmly. “He’s not. Trust me.”

“You’re making it rather difficult to do that right now.”

“Fine then.” Lacey threw her hands up in the air. “Don’t help me! See if I care.” She pushed past him and began stomping off down the street.

“Great!” he yelled back. “Have a nice life. Or what’s left of it.” He turned back towards the police station. She had already wasted an hour of his time, but there was still plenty of night left. He looked back over his shoulder in time to see Lacey disappear around a corner. Good riddance, he thought. He had been stupid to let her monopolize his time like that. While he wasn’t the first man to be suckered by a pair of big blue eyes and a sad story, it still smarted that he’d fallen for the old routine.

Now it was time to get back to work. He walked to his car, planning to swing by the docks and see what activity was going on that night. As far as he was considered, Lacey French was already a distant memory.

He saw no sign of Tilly as he drove past Roni’s, but he was hardly surprised. She was probably off climbing telephone poles or something equally crazy. As useful as she was to him as an informant, he really needed to find a way of keeping tabs on her better. He didn’t like gambling when it came to his work and Tilly was as much of a wildcard as one could get.

It wasn’t until he had driven several blocks, scanning the sidewalks and buildings carefully, that he realized he was searching for Lacey. He’d even turned on the corner she’d went down earlier, all without realizing why he was doing it. Sucking in a breath, he decided there was no use getting upset at himself about it. It was only natural that he should be curious after the mystery she had laid out before him earlier. The docks were in this direction anyway, so if he drove a bit slower on the way there, what would it hurt? If he happened to see her, fine. If not, then it was probably for the better.

As if fate had been waiting to see what he decided, it was then that he spotted her. About a block ahead, Lacey had just walked up to the front door of a rundown three-story brick building, her face brightly lit by the harsh lights of the entryway. Fumbling for her keys, she stole a quick glance behind her before turning the keys in the lock and walking inside. Shortly after, a light winked on in a third-floor window. Weaver caught a glance of Lacey as she looked out the window, scanning the street below before disappearing again.

Taking note of the apartment building, Weaver realized he knew several of Lacey’s neighbors, all of whom were unsavory sorts that were occasionally useful in his after hour activities. He doubted any of them were potential suspects, however. If any of them had wanted harm to come to Lacey, she’d already be dead. There was a reason Victoria Belfry’s development hadn’t touched this part of the neighborhood yet. Even that woman’s ambition knew when to take a backseat to common sense.

His curiosity satisfied for the time being, Weaver was about to drive away when he noticed he wasn’t the only person watching the apartment.

A tall, thin man in a hood was standing across the street from the building. His body was all but shrouded in darkness, though the nearby street lamp gave off enough light that Weaver could see a pale face peeking out from under a hoody. His hands were shoved into his pockets, and his gaze locked on Lacey’s window.

Within seconds, Weaver was out of his car, creeping silently up to the young man before he could second guess himself. By the time the man saw him, it was too late to run. He still tried of course, but Weaver quickly grabbed him, slamming him into the side of the building.

“Didn’t your mother teach you never to spy on the ladies?” Weaver snarled.

The man’s hood had fallen back as he’d tried to flee. Though taller than Weaver, he was much scrawnier, barely able to put up much of a struggle. As Weaver got a closer look at his face, he realized the man couldn’t be more than 16 or 17 years old. His suspect was a fucking teenager.

“You have a long of explaining to do,” Weaver growled. The boy struggled against him, but it was no use. Weaver had a solid grip on him and wasn’t about to let go. “Now, we can do this the easy way or the fun way. I much prefer the second, but it does get rather bloody sometimes.”

The kid’s eyes grew wide and he sagged against the wall, the fight going out of him in an instant.

“Excellent,” Weaver said. “I think that was a wise decision. Now - “

A hard object hit him on the back of his head and he turned, keeping his grip on the boy. Lacey stood, holding a large book, her eyes growing wide as she recognized him.

“Wh-what are you doing?” she asked, bewildered.

“I should think it was obvious.” He jerked his head towards the suspect. “I caught this little pervert watching your window.”

“He’s not a pervert,” Lacey said defensively. “He’s my brother.”

“Your brother?” Weaver looked at the boy and then back to Lacey.

“Yeah, so do you mind letting him go?”

Weaver let go immediately and the teenager rushed over to Lacey, who opened her arms to hug him. Despite his surprise, Weaver watched with some amusement as the smaller woman tried to embrace the much larger boy, rubbing his back soothingly.

“You might have told me you had a brother,” he said peevishly, slightly embarrassed but not willing to apologize over an honest mistake.

Lacey untangled herself from the hug and glared at him. “You just assaulted my brother. Are you really going to start throwing blame?”

Weaver sniffed and looked away, unwilling to meet the accusation in her eyes. “Perhaps not.”

“I’m okay,” the boy reassured her, speaking for the first time. “Really, it’s fine.”

There was something about the way Lacey gazed at the boy that made Weaver suspicious. Despite everything, the last few minutes had only made him more interested in the case. There was something about seeing the tall teenager and his tiny sister together that felt familiar, despite having never met them before tonight.

“I think we can handle things by ourselves from here,” Lacey said, bring him back from his thoughts. “You can go now.”

She turned to walk away, but the teenager tugged on her arm, and she paused to look back at him. “This doesn’t change anything. We still need help.” He studied Weaver closely, his expression too serious for someone so young. “I think he can help us.”

Looking like she would like to argue, Lacey nodded begrudgingly. “I suppose you’re right.” She looked back at Weaver, a wary look in her eye. “Do you still want to look at the apartment tonight?”

Honestly, he was beginning to wish he had driven straight to the docks rather than find himself in the middle of some kind of weird family dynamic. But he simply nodded his head and followed the siblings to their apartment. He’d come this far; he might as well see it through.

They walked up three flights of rickety stairs before reaching their door. It was at the end of the hallway, with doors to two other apartments on either side.

“There’s a single mother and her daughter in that one,” Lacey said with a jerk of her head to her left where a child’s bike rested on the wall. “The other is an old troll of a guy. I think I’ve seen him twice since we moved in.”

Weaver nodded, filing the information away. He watched as Lacey turned the doorknob, pushing her weight against the door until it popped open. She held the doorknob, waving him in with a flourish.  

“Welcome to our castle, kind sir.”

He snorted, secretly pleased to see her sarcasm back. He could deal with that; it was the protective big sister he was more scared of.  “I thought you didn’t believe in fairy tales. I distinctly remember you threatening me if I tried to act like a knight in shining armor.”

She shrugged. “Just trying to lighten the mood.”

Weaver nodded and walked into the apartment, Lacey and her brother following after. They were standing in a tiny kitchen, which was barely wide enough for the three of them. The kitchen opened into the living room, and Weaver stepped through to examine the area.

The furniture was old but well-used, and several beat up-looking bookshelves were crammed beyond capacity with books and the occasional little knick knack. Most were cheap-looking trinkets, including a white elephant figurine that he was sure he’d seen in a gift shop somewhere. The walls were covered with half a dozen frames, holding polaroids of the French siblings throughout the years, the oldest looking to be when the boy was probably six or seven.

He looked over his shoulder to find the two watching him closely.

“What’s your name, son?” Weaver asked.

“Jack,” Lacey answered for him, a protective look once again in her eye. “His name is Jack.”

The difference between the Lacey he had met earlier that evening and the one he saw now was striking. It was like the woman had two different personalities, the second coming out in full force whenever her brother was concerned.

Weaver looked back at the photos, noting the adoring look on Lacey’s face as she looked at six-year-old Jack. A slow smile began to unfurl across the detective’s face.

“So Jack, any idea why your mother has been lying to me?”

Author’s Note: I'm trying to get this story nominated for "Best Anyem Fic" in the 2018 TEAs. If you're planning on nominating stories, please consider this one <3

#rumbelle #rumbelle fic #woven lace #To Serve and Protect

[artwaltzed]

SHOW BY ROCK!! The Revolution: AAF 7 The Golden Reunion

Below the cut is a translation of the novelization of Arcareafact’s seventh episode from The Revolution.

“......Sorry for making you wait, guys.”

Upon entering their Golden Artifact Studio, Titan apologized. Because there was someone who couldn’t come in at work due to their illness and he had to help, he was a little late to practice.

In the studio, Selen and Argon had made themselves at home.

“Good job, Titan♪ Are you done with work?”

“Hey, heeey, don’t be a stranger~ Titaaan? If you have problems with money, I can settle it at the speed of sound while doing sit-ups, you know~”

He had always been hiding it, but ever since it came to light by chance in the confusion, a calm feeling was born in Titan’s heart.

Because he’d spoken with his friends about everything, he had felt a little at ease.

He doesn’t have to sneak around when going home anymore. He doesn’t have to find ingenious ways to swipe sweets either. On the contrary, whenever it’s time for him to go home, Jii would hand him a light meal. It looks like it’s because Orion had given him orders to.

Accepting charity was against Titan’s principles, so he declined at first, but Argon heard the exchange and told him, “It’s nourishment for your growing brothers, seeei,” so he took it. But it’s a different matter when it comes to living expenses and his brothers’ courses in life.

“I told you. I don’t plan on relying on you guys for money. Your gifts are enough. My brothers are grateful for them, too. …...Besides, my brothers’ entry to the ‘Judas☆Boys Smile Kids Private School’ has already been settled without any problems. I…...want them to grow up healthy. At the very least, I want to earn the money for their tuition myself.”

Selen’s eyes widened.

“Huh? But don’t you need a lot of money in reserve for……”

Argon suddenly interrupted Selen for some reason.

“Hah!! Sei! Seeeleeen! I’m in the mood for some double hooking right now, you know~!? Whoo!!”

Forcibly pulling down Selen, Argon made him do some sit-ups.

“Gah……! …...Wait!? What are you doing all of a sudden, you musclehead!?”

Selen was really angry, but, from an outsider’s point of view, it just looked like they were playing around.

“You sure get along well, you two.”

Titan looked at them in amazement.

“The truth is…...after that program, I got an envelope from an unknown sender. The mysterious letter said, “I’ll refer you to a private school that’s perfect for kids who’ll be carrying future dreams on their shoulders,” and it had documents for entering the school with it……”

“Hmm~♪ I guess there are pretty sympathetic people out there, huh?”

Shaking Argon off, Selen stood up and brushed off dust that wasn’t there.

“Yeah. I thought it was some charity from a total stranger, but…...I wanted to believe in the word ‘dream’ once again.”

At Titan’s words, Argon gave a big nod.

“Titan, it’s probably that! Something like Daddy-Long-Legs, hah! Sei!! It’s probably someone really stylish~!!”

“Hmm…… Well, if Titan says it’s fine, then I’ll just do things the same way as before, too♪ Huh? By the way, where’s Orion?”

As if hardly caring that he doesn’t even make a sound of acknowledgement, Selen looked around the room.

“Seeei? Isn’t he always the first one to arrive at the studio? Okay then. Let’s dance until Orion arrives! Let’s……”

“It’s already sweltering~ Why don’t you dance by yourself?”

“Hey, hey~ Don’t be shy, Selen~!”

While they were talking, the door to the studio opened. The one who entered was Orion.

“It’s pretty rare for you to be late to practice.”

It was that rare that Titan had called out to Orion because of it.

In some respects, Orion looked gloomy, and his reply was completely unexpected.

“......At this very moment, I’m quitting Arcareafact.”

For a moment, the other three stopped moving.

“Huh? What are you saying, Orion? That’s not funny at all. You look restless. What happened?”

“Selen’s right, Orion~ If you like, I’ll introduce you to a lecturer who holds seminars on how to tell jokes that’ll absolutely make people laugh~”

Orion was fidgeting, and his gaze kept wandering about. He was like a different person from his usual pompous self.

“Orion…...Is it my fault? Because I’d been lying to you……?”

Holding his breath, Titan pressed a question to Orion. As if to repel him, Orion raised his voice.

“Don’t be so conceited, Titan!!”

The atmosphere in the studio grew tense in an instant.

“It’s not as if your lies affected my life! This…...doesn’t have anything to do with you.”

But the last of his words sounded helpless as they disappeared.

“Then, why……”

“Hey. Come to think of it, where’s your butler?”

“Seeei? He’s always with you, but he’s not around today~”

Orion turned away.

“That has nothing to do with any of you. Quitting is a conclusion I derived on my own. It’s logical, and well-reasoned.”

His usual majestic attitude having disappeared, Orion was clearly exhausted.

“You should think about this reaaaally hard again, Orion~ Judas-san chose to gather us together, right~? If you left Arcareafact, it’ll be ‘that,’ you know~?”

Contrary to expectations, the world of show business is bound in old and long-established customs. Defying the industry’s largest agency would lead to one being deprived of jobs in the industry. A new artist won’t be able to find a new place to work.

But it seemed as if Orion didn’t intend to respond to Argon’s jibe.

Orion had said all that he came to say, and he began to leave the studio.

“Orion. You’ve really made up your mind about this?”

When Titan called out to him, Orion stopped walking, and he replied without turning around.

“............Yes.”

In the face of that situation, Selen spoke sharply.

“Is that so! Well then, why don’t you just do whatever you want? It’s not like I care. Bye-bye, Orion.”

Whispering in a weak voice, this time, Orion really did leave the studio.

“Farewell……”

The instant the door closed with a click, Selen raised his voice.

“Sheesh! What was that all about!? I don’t get it at all!! First of all, what are we supposed to do about tonight’s live show!?”

Selen was in an intensely bad mood.

While looking hard at the door, Titan spoke coldly.

“We’re professional artists. We’re not idols who’re all buddy-buddy with each other. We don’t have a reason to stop him from quitting. Still……”

His tone held a quiet anger.

The only one who was composed among them was Argon. Usually, Argon would be joking around while exercising, but he’s now the one who’s calmly trying to revise their course of action about their current situation.

“No matter how you think about it, this is strange, isn’t it~? I mean, this is Orion we’re talking about~ Back when we were still in the academy, no matter what kind of challenge it is, he’d be fixated on being number one. He won’t do something like quit halfway~ It’s too strange that I don’t even feel like doing some sit-ups, you know~?”

“You’re right……. There’s…...there’s got to be something. My horn’s sensing it…… Something happened to Orion. There’s no doubt about it.”

“It really isn’t like Orion, right? He was all restless earlier. It was reaaaally weird.”

“It’s got to have something to do with his butler~ He’s aaalways with Orion, but he wasn’t today~”

Selen took out his phone.

“Wait. I’ll have my security police look into it♪ …...Yeah, that’s right. Look into Orion’s butler. …...Huh? …...He resigned? Is it because he’s sick or something?”

Hearing their conversation, Titan and Argon exchanged glances.

“Did something happen for him to leave Orion? Because of that, Orion……”

“Hah!! Sei!! I can see the solution! If we brought him back, Orion will come back, too~!! Whoo!”

After ending the call, Selen bent his head slightly to one side.

“But there’s got to be a good reason why he left Orion in the first place…… Will he really come back?”

“......Orion decided to quit on his own volition. Forcing him to change that decision will be……”

“Titaaan, is that really okay~? I believe in my strength, and in all of yours, too, you know~? Aren’t Orion’s strings what draws our audacious sound out?”

At Argon’s words, Titan’s eyes widened.

“......Argon.”

“Yeah♪ Our Golden Melodious…...it really has to be a four-piece ensemble…… Arcareafact needs Orion’s exceptionally audacious violin♪ For a musclehead, Argon says some pretty good things sometimes, huh?”

Selen didn’t go easy on Argon, who was the one that came up with a splendid solution.

“......Orion…...He constantly challenged me with his violin. When I’d think I’d lose against it, I’d play my piano desperately. As an artist, I won’t allow him to leave……”

Argon looked at Titan with a grin. Jumping, he spoke.

“Hah! Sei! Sheesh…...You really aren’t honest, huh~? Well, it’s fine! Until our live show starts, let’s try to bring back his butler~! I’ll mobilize my golden personal connections!”

“I’ll also have everyone in my secret police do some searching! No one can escape from the power of our money♪”

A certain place came to Titan’s mind.

“......I’ll leave that to you guys. I’ll do what I can…...That’s all!”

“Okay!”

“Whoo!!”

All three of them began their respective search.

Quickly making his way through a crowd of people, Titan ran past MIDICITY in the evening.

(.........Orion, you probably didn’t notice, but…...I always wanted to win against you……)

His destination had been decided.

(At a time like this…...you’re definitely…………)

In the other direction, Selen and Argon hurried towards the remote countryside north of MIDICITY in a helicopter.

“Sei, hah, sei! Whoo. We fiiinally found you~!”

Gazing at the setting sun, Jii sat on a swing at the front porch. He stood up, surprised at the sudden visitors.

“So you retired to the countryside like this. Looking for you sure took some time♪”

“Hah! Sei! Is it okay for Orion’s butler to be in a place like this~?”

Remaining quiet, Jii faced them and bent at the waist.

“Hey. Can’t he really say anything else aside from, ‘Understood, young master’?”

“Hey, hey, heeey! If that’s the case, let’s communicate using my tablet~”

Bowing once again, Jii opened his mouth.

“......No. There’s no need for that.”

“!!”

“He talked……!? Then, whenever you’re by Orion’s side, you just didn’t talk, huh?”

Jii respectfully nodded.

“That is the custom of those who work for the head of the Vine Financial Group such as the young ma…...no, such as Orion-sama……”

“So there was a custom like that……”

“Seeei. Then why did you resign as Orion’s butler~?”

With a nod, Jii spoke haltingly.

“......If I were to continue being by Orion-sama’s side, I’ll be a hindrance to his growth. Before long, as the Vine Group’s leader, he’ll be standing above tens of thousands of employees. It will not be to Orion-sama’s advantage if he were to continue to rely on me even now. That is why I had retired.”

Jii gradually hung his head that, in the end, he was completely looking down.

“So that’s what it was, seeei. Yeah, you were definitely being worked the hardest when you were always by Orion’s side~”

“......Jiiya-san, don’t you want to watch over Orion from nearby anymore?”

As if in a panic, Jii raised his face.  

“No! …...It is not that…...It is not that by any means at all. I would like to watch over him by his side forever…...However…...I have already decided to secretly watch over Orion-sama as he leads and plays the violin for Arcareafact.”

“Hey, hey, hey~ Jiiya~? Didn’t you two miss each other’s feelings a little~?”

“We missed…?”

Perplexed, Jii asked again.

“Because! Orion quit Arcareafact, you know?”

“He just did it all of a sudden today, too~”

As if he were struck by lightning, Jii’s body went rigid.

“Good heavens…… Why would Orion-sama do such a thing……?”

“This is just our guess, buuut…”

Selen nodded and continued.

“It’s because you’ve always been by his side that Orion was able to handle the pressure of being the heir to a financial group, and he was able to devote himself purely to art as an artist because you were always supporting him by his side, right?”

Argon took over.

“But don’t you think it’s wrong to say that Orion won’t grow if you’re by his side~? He’s not a kid after all. Right?”

Jii, who had been staring at the direction of the center of MIDICITY before, turned towards it again. His eyes were definitely searching for Orion.

“......How is Orion-sama doing right now?”

“See! You really are worried about him! If that’s the case, you should aaalways be near to him.”

“That’s right~! Just as we need Orion, Orion needs you, too~! Whoo!”

Jii slumped to his knees.

“......I’ve been foolish…...Will Orion-sama ever forgive me?”

Selen and Argon supported Jii on both sides and helped him stand up.

“Sheesh! This isn’t the time to hesitate! Let’s hurry up and go♪”

“Sei, sei, sei! Things are gonna get lively~!!”

Titan was right.

When he opened the door to the rooftop of Judas☆Boys Celebrity Academy, he found someone standing against the light of the setting sun. Without a doubt, it was Orion.

“As I thought, you really were here, Orion.”

When Titan briskly walked up and called out to him, Orion turned around with wide eyes.

“Titan……!”

“Judas☆Boys Celebrity Academy. It was here where it was driven into our heads how it is to be artists.”

When Orion didn’t reply, Titan continued.

“Orion. You had always been running ahead of me. You were my goal.”

Orion shook his head like a small child would. His long forelocks became disheveled and got caught in his glasses.

“......No. In the midst of our match, you weren’t looking at me. Instead, you were looking at something far away. You always had been.”

This time, Titan was at a loss for words.

“Titan, you didn’t notice did you? …...I did, from the very beginning. This guy, he’s looking at something far away, something beyond this universe. He’s a true genius……”

After gritting his teeth, Orion spun words.

“I was envious of your talent. I endeavored again and again to catch up to you. However……that no longer matters now……. Someone as shameful as I am isn’t fit to call myself a golden artist…... I’m certain that Jii also thought the same……”

In his exhausted appearance, there wasn’t a trace of the former Orion. Even his golden glasses that would always shine had lost their light.

“Just go. The time for your live show had already passed long ago…...You don’t have to concern yourself with me……”

Titan leaned over and put strength into his fist.

His blinding emotions rushed about his whole body and spilled out.

“Clench your teeth! Orion!!”

When Orion finally realized, Titan had already thrown out a punch.

As if embodying his anger, blue light had spread out.

A thick sound resounded. Titan’s fist had sank into Orion’s cheek.

Having received that force, Orion was blown back.

“Kh……! Why you……”

Wiping off the blood dripping from the cut on the corner of his mouth, Orion stood up while still staggering.

No one else, not even his parents, had raised a hand against Orion before. That’s why, to him, this was an unbearable shock.

His pride hurt more than his beaten up face and his broken lip.

Titan flung words against Orion.

“I was! …….I was in despair when I entered the academy! But your ruthless attitude, and the golden artist theory that you spoke of, they were my very ideals themselves!! The one who saved me from despair! Orion! That was you!!”

While grasping his fists tightly, Orion listened to Titan and heard his words.

Hearing Titan say so many words he couldn’t believe, his clenched fists steadily grew tighter.

Orion had always been afraid of Titan.

He was meticulous with his preparations, didn’t subdue others with money like Orion did, didn’t pointlessly spend money, created songs with his abilities alone, and naturally made friends. Titan was a threat to Orion.

At first, Orion looked at him with hostility. But back when they were learning together in the academy, he realized that he was captivated by Titan’s talent. That’s why, when they became members of the same band, his heart danced a little.

But, in the end, he couldn’t see himself as someone whom Titan even took notice of.

He’s not interested in someone who’s weak, yet pretends he isn’t. That was probably what it was.

Furthermore, Orion came to know.

That even though he thought Titan was the young heir of a rich family like he was, Titan was having hardships with money.

Orion was also given strict training as the successor of the head of the family, and had mastered how to be a good emperor, among other things. That’s why he had bragged about his abilities as someone who’s important.

But, despite not needing support and assets, Titan was already far away, standing on a different stage. He’s always been aiming at something much higher.

Even if he were right beside Titan, Orion hasn’t come into his view. Orion was irritated by that.

Moreover, in the middle of that conflict, Jii, the one he trusted more than anyone and relaxed his guard around, left.

“Don’t let me down! You’re the only one who can be an equal match to me in this universe!”

But, right now, Titan was only looking at himself and raised his voice and his fist.

Hearing such an unexpected confession from Titan, who thought nothing of himself, Orion felt angry and firmly clenched his fist.

“What are you saying……!?”

The anger that lay dormant within Orion simmered and broke out of his whole body.

Cutting off the blue light, purple light illuminated their surroundings.

A golden heat wave swept over them endlessly.

“Defeat me and prove it! …...Oriooooooooooon!!”

“......You, too…...Clench your teeth…...Titaaaaaaaaaaan!!!!”

“Uoooooooooooooh!!!!”

The two of them howled like beasts. They exchanged fist after fist. Whirling around the rooftop, a strong wind resounded.

Even as the sun continued to set, their fist fight went on.

They were well over the limits of their physical strength. Even if they were still conscious, their bodies had gotten numb. Due to their mutual obstinance over their rivalry, they still refused to go down. Even as they were unsteady on their feet, their fighting spirits didn’t weaken. After silently glaring at each other for a while, they mustered the last of their strength, and threw out a punch at the same time.

However, both of their fists had cut through thin air, and, as they were, they both collapsed at the same time. While trying to calm down their panting, they turned over and looked up at the sky. The sky was no longer orange, having already been dyed violet.

While out of breath, Titan spoke.

“......For a rich kid, your punches…...were pretty good…… Haha!”

Wheezing, Orion replied.

“......Silence, pauper…… Your punches were so light, they’re nothing…...against me…… Heh…… Hahaha……”

Their laughter didn’t stop.

As they laid down on the concrete floor, the two of them continued to gaze up at the sky.

The one who spoke first was Orion.

“......Will you be all right now……?”

“Don’t worry…… I’ll do something about my family’s situation with my own power……… You just need to devote yourself to supporting my piano.”

“Heh, you’ve said it now……!”

If one were to think about it calmly, as professional artists, a fist fight between a violinist and a pianist was absolutely foolish. But the two of them didn’t have any regrets. For the first time, they forgot themselves, and vented out their bare emotions. As if their ferocious attitudes before were just lies, the two of them wore cheerful expressions on their faces.

Before long, they heard the sound of a machine from a distance.

“......Hm. That helicopter’s……?”

It was Selen’s private helicopter. It arrived above Orion and Titan. While it hovered in the air, Selen opened a window and waved his hand.

“I knew you two would be here~ Heeey! We came to meet up with you~!”

Picking up after Selen, Argon leaned forward and whistled.

“Fweet! Were you two having a fist fight on the rooftop~? I’m jealous~! Whoo!!!”

From the side, Jii wiped the corners of his eyes with a handkerchief.

“Young masteeer!! I…...I’m~!”

Orion slowly stood up, faced the descending helicopter and pointed a finger.

“Jii! Hand me my handkerchief! Also…...continue looking at Arcareafact closely! Always and forever!”

The sound of the helicopter’s rotor was so fierce that Orion’s voice should have been drowned by it. But his words undoubtedly reached Jii’s heart.

“......Understood! Young master!”

Jii’s reply was a breath shorter than usual as he resisted to cry.

The helicopter landed on the rooftop.

Selen giggled.

“Fufu♪ It feels like Jiiya-san’s our fifth member somehow♪ Arcareafact has come together again.”

“Sei, sei, sei! It’s gotten really lively now! All right, let’s dance!!”

They’ve gotten their usual mood back, but Titan frowned.

“Wait, guys. Aren’t we forgetting something?”

Wearing the new glasses that Jii presented to him, Orion replied, his voice brimming with confidence as usual.

“Heh, this is what you’re trying to say, right, Titan!? We’ll rush to the live show venue with this helicopter!!”

At Orion’s words, the five of them quickly got into the helicopter.

“Dear me, we’re finally back to the usual? You’re all really troublesome♪ Well, it’s fun, so it’s fine♪”

“Whoo! Let’s dance! Let’s rush to our Golden Live Show Party~!!”

“Let’s go! To the start of our!!”

Titan and Orion’s voices were in complete harmony.

“Golden Reunion Live Show~!!”

Facing the sky that had been dyed by the setting sun, the helicopter flew high.

Beyond the glass, looking only ahead were the faces of Arcareafact’s four members, and Jii, who watched over them.

The helicopter the golden five of them boarded headed for the live show venue where their fans were waiting.

Translated this for a friend, but I figured I might as well post it here, too. A Google Doc copy can be found >> here <<. 

#show by rock #sb69 #arcareafact #the revolution light novel #excerpt

[lonelypond]

Casual Lunacy, Chapter 5

Love Live, nicomaki main pairing, 5/?, 2.5K

Maki has an existential crisis and things take a turn for the weird for everyone's favorite future star of stage and screen. Plus, A-Rise makes their official entrance.

THE WEREWOLF PHILOSOPHICAL

Nico. Nico wanted answers. Maki wanted to just curl up and not think...but she’d stopped at the downtown book store 5 minutes before closing and ignoring the glares of the clerk, made him find her a Neruda book. So now, here she was, home, the memory of Nico pointing at her, ruby eyes twinkling, lips pursing around “Don’t I know it” looping in her head. The poem had not really been much help. Seemed to be directed at an attractive woman…”Ode To A Naked Beauty”, Maki blushed at the title and then growled at the thought of CompLit Turkish Coffee Guy thinking of her...or Nico that way. Did that mean Nico...Maki tossed the Neruda on the table and wandered over to the stereo, instrumental, classical, Beethoven...Für Elise. No words. Words were always confusing. It was easier to be...Princess...around Nico...Maki didn’t feel as shy...was she really now thinking of her wolf form with another name? That would be confusing. And a disaster of a habit to get into. But when Nico said Princess, Maki felt herself warming at the affection she remembered in Nico’s voice...and the concern. Nico had been so mad that Maki might be the one letting Princess wander...no, this was a wrong road, a bad bad road to go down. Maki was Maki, even with a tail too ready to wag when Nico called to her. There was no Princess.

But then who would Nico call pretty?

Maki threw herself on the couch and grabbed the Neruda again. There had been a poem…"that our mouths are not filled with all these dubious names.” Dubious. Too...ha...Maki laughed at herself..two many names. “When I go to sleep each night what am I called, not called? And when I wake up, who am I” More muddling thoughts. Maki had never really questioned anything. Sometimes, she had wolf senses and people made a little more sense, sometimes she didn’t and everything was a little less...elemental but she could play the piano. No one had ever made her prefer one form or the other. Did Nico prefer one form or the other? Nico was confusing. Yet felt right. But Nico was mad at Maki. And filling every one of her senses whenever Maki moved around the campus, although here, a few miles away, safe in the sanctuary of her parent’s house, Maki couldn’t sense Nico. And yet, still, the small, sparkling dynamo stole center stage in every thought. Maki groaned and turned a random page, pulling the throw over her legs. Maybe this next poem wouldn’t shiver with hints of ruby and sable.

Dr. and Dr. Nishikino came home from the gala charity event well after midnight to find their only child snoring on the couch in the media room, a paperback open across her chest, her legs tangled and twitching in a throw as she dreamed.

Her mother carefully picked the book up and read the title. “Selected Poems of Pablo Neruda.”

“Poetry? Maki?” The taller Dr. Nishikino chuckled in his wife’s direction. “Not schoolwork, I guess.”

Dr. Nishikino handed the book to her husband and watched as he read the open page. “I know Maki’s working on a paper for Cognitive Psychology and and her freshman seminar is something about sports and music so I don’t think so.”

Maki whimpered in her sleep and her mother touched her shoulder, attempting to calm her. This close to the full moon, Maki tended to sleep transform when stressed. It was part of the reason she’d opted out of university housing.

“Maki, wake up. We’re home.” Her mother announced softly, the combination of curious and worried too much of a prickle to ignore.

Maki’s eyes opened, slowly, “Mama? Papa?”

“You were having a nightmare, weren’t you?” Her father prodded.

Maki sat up, nodding, untangling fabric from her legs. Her mother handed her the book back, “I didn’t know you liked poetry?”

Maki snatched the book back, shoving it into the kangaroo pocket of the hoodie she wore around the house, “Someone quoted him so I was curious.”

“What did you think?” Her father asked, sharing a glance with his wife.

Maki shrugged, a slight blush on her cheeks. “It’s...um...very descriptive.”

Her mother managed to choke back a laugh while her father folded up the throw, “If you like Neruda, I’ve got some Federico Garcia Lorca on my shelves.” He paused, “and “The Ink Dark Moon,” full of Izumi Shikibu poetry.”

“That’s a good one.” Maki’s mother smiled at a memory, leaning into her husband’s side, both watching their daughter nod earnestly, with a focused, familiar look that meant she was memorizing names and titles. “Good night, Maki. Get some sleep. We’ll see you at breakfast, right?”

Maki agreed, “Good night.”

MEETINGS

Once a week, Nico and Umi had a roommate meeting. Nico would prepare breakfast, Umi would have prepared a list of discussion topics, shared with Nico at least two days in advance so Nico could amend the agenda, if necessary.

Not much to talk about this week. Umi would be spending the weekend with Honoka and Kotori, the trio were throwing a Lunar New Year party. Kotori had been showing Nico pics of her decorations for weeks. Umi beamed proudly when Nico mentioned how impressed she was by Kotori’s designs. With the weekend plan discussion checked off the list, the discussion turned to current events.

Umi finished the last of her omelet. “Delicious as always, Nico. Thank you very much.” She dropped her napkin across her plate. “How are rehearsals going?”

Nico tapped her fork on her plate, “Nico is excellent, of course, but Nico’s co star is a lot of work. Nico is worried that she’s going to drag the show down.” Nico poured herself more tea; Umi shook her head, refusing. “And drag down Nico’s future plans too.”

“Kashima, right?” Umi asked. Nico nodded.

“Kotori says she fits the role.”

Nico raspberried, “”Kotori’s swooning with all the rest of them. Sure, Kashima’s handsome, maybe charming, but....”And Nico stared straight at Umi, dragging out the pause for extreme dramatic effect, “She can’t sing. Fangs is a musical. And I have to do a duet with her.”

Nico’s eyes sparked with indignation. She grabbed the plates from the table and started to rinse them. Umi moved to take over as she usually did when Nico cooked but Nico refused the help. “Cleaning is better than fuming. Leave me some leftovers tonight.”

Umi understood. Performing an activity was always preferable to stewing in emotions. She decided a helpful gesture would be to change the topic.

“How’s the redhead?”

Nico stopped and turned, leaning back against the sink, “Dog or person? Nico hasn’t seen either for a couple of days.”

“Dog?” Umi quickly reviewed what she remembered of the lease. Was there a pet policy? Was Nico planning to adopt a dog? If they had a dog, Honoka might visit more often. The orange haired affection blanket often felt homesick for her family’s dog, never for the Japanese specialities of her family bakery which Umi had always enjoyed.

“That’s right, Nico told Nozomi not Umi. There’s a dog that’s been finding me on campus.”

“A stray?” Umi sounded concerned and a little frightened.

“No.” Nico’s answer was instant, but the more she considered, the more convincing it was, “She's beautiful and too well groomed for that. Plus there’s these two nice but odd girls who seem to know her.” Nico dried her hands off in her apron, “I call her Princess. She seems to like it.” Nico’s phone popped, "I’m going to be late for class. Can you please finish the dishes, Umi? I'll pick up food later.”

“Of course,” And Umi took Nico’s place at the sink, wondering why her roommate hadn’t said anything about the human redhead.

Chemistry class. Hanayo, her glasses pushed down her nose, ignoring both the professor and her laptop, was instead frowning at Maki, doing her best to guilt the redhead into apologizing to Rin. And it was working. Maki really hated seeing either of her friends upset. Plus, it wasn’t really Rin’s fault she was so friendly and outgoing.

Maki messaged Hanayo: “Talk after class.”

Hanayo jumped when her laptop barked at her. The professor stopped to stare, along with the rest of the class.

“Sorry.” Hanayo mumbled, then nodded at Maki when she read her screen. As her fingers moved over the keyboard, Maki knew she was typing a message to Rin -- and muting her notifications. Track practice hadn’t started in earnest for Rin yet so her schedule was still mostly flexible. Maki fully expected an excited ginger to be waiting for them when class finished. Maki felt more cheerful than she had in a couple of days. Rin’s relentless optimism was the mood boost she needed.

Nozomi was settled in the back of the theatre, watching the stage crew assemble on stage. Nico was a little late today, unusual. Perhaps delayed by a redhead. Nozomi did wonder about that possibility, but before she could pull out her cards to get a reading on Nico, Eli had slid into the seat next to her.

“Good morning, Nozomi. How are you?” Eli smiled as she bumped slightly into Nozomi’s arm.

“Eli-chi!” Nozomi leaned into Eli's arm, "Good morning!"

“I never asked you how you were involved in this?” Eli sounded serious. And apologetic. Like it had been a massive oversight on her part. Nozomi giggled.

“I’m going to help make your scenes as creepy as possible.” Nozomi grinned.

Eli's blue eyes were curious, though she waited patiently for Nozomi to continue.

“I’m helping the lighting designer with video effects; I managed to swing some class credit.”

“What’s your major?”

“Art theory and practice, but I’m more camera and performance oriented than most of the students so I end up collaborating with theatre projects a lot.” Nozomi stretched, letting a yawn out; Eli watched her movement but resisted joining the yawn.

Eli raised an eyebrow, “Interesting. So what do you have planned?”

“That would ruin the surprise.” Nozomi ruffled Eli’s hair as her arms dropped from their stretch, “Don’t you like surprises?”

“Not really.” Eli admitted, fixing her ponytail.

“Nozomi.” Nozomi and Eli looked up to see a tall woman with long dark hair, an iPad and a very serious look in the aisle.

“Oh, hey Erena! Do you need me?” Nozomi asked brightly.

Erena nodded, “Suzu’s here and we need to talk about the exterior castle effects.”

“Great,” Nozomi stood, eager to get to work, “Talk to you later, Eli-chi. Have to make you look good on stage.” Nozomi winked.

Eli frowned as Nozomi followed Erena to the stage, still considering surprises.

Nico spotted Nozomi talking to two women on the edge of the stage. Today, she was working on one of the London diary writing scenes so she had the stage to herself and images were going to be projected behind her. Nozomi had explained what she had planned and Nico was anxious to work with the tech as soon as possible. She wanted to make sure her performance was still the emotional center of the scene. The cute green eyed stage tech she noticed the first day wandered toward her and Nico broke out a fairly dazzling smile, about 5.5 on the scale. New friends were always good, as she’d told Nozomi, especially if they were cute.

“Nico, right?” The woman extended her hand, “Tsubasa Kira. I’m in charge of the scrim and fabric effects. We’ll be working together on the Trance sequence.”

Nico bumped the smile up 2 notches, “That’s one of Nico’s favorite scenes. I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got planned, Tsubasa.”

“Well, if you’ll come backstage with me, I can show you the fabric we’ll be working with. Professor Asuka said you had a few minutes.” Tsubasa dropped a hand to Nico’s waist to show the way. Nico danced a little ahead of her grasp after the first step.

Nozomi was watching them, while still managing to be involved in whatever was being planned, which didn’t surprise Nico. Nozomi had a third eye and a hidden ear, both for gossip. There were some diaphanous white sheets tacked to the back wall of the theatre. Nico headed straight for them and as she passed between the flats the stage crew was painting, the lights blinked and there was an electronic buzz….Nico heard Nozomi grunt and looked back to see her friend wince in pain, and then Nico felt something wiry against her cheek, scraping. She turned back to see the white sheets billowing forward, reaching out like arms, as the lights started blinking again, then with a crash, everything went dark and there was a scream.

“Eli” Nozomi shouted. Nico pulled the fabric off her face, trying to remain calm as she confronted Tsubasa, “Is this supposed to attack Nico?”

Tsubasa had pulled out a flashlight and her eyes were wide as Nico threw the fabric on the floor, away from them both, watching it flutter like a wounded moth. It wouldn’t stop moving. Nico knew she was equally torn between stomping on it and joining the screamer while fleeing.

“Nico?!?!” Tsubasa’s voice shook a little. That decided Nico. She grabbed the other girl and headed for the EXIT light. Outside. Afternoon. Freezing. But free of this weirdness.

Maki walked with Hanayo out of class, Rin would be waiting for them at the dorm, she’d been napping and didn’t want to go out in the cold. Maki found it invigorating, but Rin was definitely more into cozy than cold weather. Maki tood tall, facing the Lakefill, arms stretched out to the sides, and inhaled. Clear, crisp cold, musk, peach, vanilla, magic, feAR, BLOOD...with a snarl, Maki transformed faster than Hanayo could track, howled and bolted into the center of campus. Hanayo knelt to pick up her clothes and wondered if sending Rin after their friend would complicate things for Maki.

Nico was searching for Nozomi, who seemed to have stayed inside the theatre. Tsubasa was sticking close beside her. Nico heard a howl...next thing, Nico thought, an actual vampire surrounded by bats would show up in a cloud of mist. Nico wondered if all shows about spooky themes ended up being weird.

“You’re bleeding, Nico.” Tsubasa sounded worried, pulling Nico to a stop and raising a hand to the cheek where Nico had been scratched. Nico had felt something but hadn’t thought that it might be blood. Just as Tsubasa was about to touch her, a red and cream blur pushed the other woman back, snarling dangerously. Princess. Princess with a very different vibe. Nico put her hand to her cheek. Was it the blood?

“Hey, calm down.” Tsubasa skipped back, hands out in front of her. “Nico? Some help?”

“Princess…” Nico put a hand between Princess’s shoulders, but the dog kept snarling and started to crouch for a leap. Nico quickly moved between Princess and Tsubasa, kneeling. “Just get out of here, Tsubasa. I’ll handle this.” Princess surged around Nico, about to chase Tsubasa away and Nico fell into the snow, exasperated by everything and overwhelmed. She could feel tears starting, which was pathetic and undignified for a future star of stage and screen. Just a minute and she would recover. Nico laid back on the ground, cold intruding everywhere. Suddenly she felt warmth at her cheek, Princess, a worried Princess, a Princess snuffling Nico's face with concern, not a vicious, strange, snapping Princess. Nico relaxed, linked her arms around the dog and pulled herself up, whispering into silky fur. “It’s ok, Princess. Nico is fine. Just cold and confused and tired." Nico leaned into Princess’s sturdy warmth and let herself cry. Just for a minute.

A/N Howdy. Busy week, complete with a bout of under the weather...this chapter was tough to write, it felt like a wall the story had to get over before it could start the official obstacle course.Hope this finds you well. Enjoy and drop a howdy, if you feel inclined.

#nicomaki #love live #nishikino maki #yazawa nico #werewolf #fanfic #theatre #college #sonada umi #nozoeli #spooky #etc

[vanilla--blossom]

***WARNING: SPOLIERS AND A SUPER SUPER LONG COMMENT!***

I loved this episode, it was an emotional roller coaster. Although this post is going to include thoughts on the whole series in general, mainly on Javier’s relationship with Kate and with David and Gabe too. Also just opinions of the characters individually. (It’s going to be a long post, sorry). The ending I got was Javier, Kate, Gabe and Conrad surviving (thank god) and David being bitten so Gabe has to shoot him to prevent him from turning. I chose to save Tripp in episode 4, therefore Ava came along with the group before she died, which was pretty much the only scene I didn’t like in this episode, it was very sudden and I think my game glitched so it cut some dialog or really small scenes so it was over very quickly.

It’s sad because I did like Ava and it was a hard decision on who to choose to be shot (when it came to that scene in ep 4, I didn’t choose either the first time and then ended Javi ended up getting shot lol, I DIDN’T WANT EITHER OF THEM TO BE KILLED AH and I was so shocked when Joan ended up killing the opposite person you wanted to save, such bullshit).

Anyway, on Kate and Javi’s relationship, when I started playing this season I was completely against the intimate/romantic relationship between them, every time some dialogue came up where you could flirt back with Kate, or kiss her or whatever, I didn’t choose those options and when it came to either rejecting her or sharing her feelings, I rejected her. She’s married to David, like you don’t go for your brothers wife? They’re brother and sister in law, bit incest? What about Gabe too? Bit weird for his uncle to start dating his farther’s wife? Plus I knew that David would NOT be happy when he found out, I kept rejecting her so David didn’t have any reason to want to fucking kill Javier and I always saw David’s good side so I wanted to be a good brother to him.

All that changed though when I watched a YouTuber’s Let’s Play of the episode. I don’t know, as soon as I saw them kiss I was just like yes. Instant support. Maybe it was Kate’s awkward confession, and her little excited, “oh my god! Really!?” reaction like she actually couldn’t believed Javi shared her feelings? Ahh it was just too cute. I went back and replayed the season, keeping all other choices the same expect the romance between them. It got me thinking, Javi and Kate have been on the road together for years, they thought David was dead, it was more than hinted that David was an abusive husband as well and Kate was really unhappy with him. They’ve been raising Marianna and Gabe all this time like they were practically their own children and have you seen the way the interact with each other? They have a great dynamic, Javi is so sarcastic, he’s got great banter and Kate can handle it and give it back, they’re always making each other laugh and smile and feel better and clearly they’re just way better suited for each other than Kate is with David. I chose the option for them to kiss after their reunion at the junkyard when I replayed and all Marianna says is “Gross.” Like she’s not at all bothered or angry her step mum is smooching her uncle? Because she can see how much they love and care for each other. Plus it’s a fucking zombie apocalypse, if you love someone, go for it, because you don’t know when your last moment will be with someone, no matter how fucked up the situation is, they were both really really happy in that moment at the junkyard and in the van, plus at the end of the episode too.

This brings me to David and Javi’s relationship. Apart from the Kate thing, I still tried to be a good brother to him, I took his hand after the fight when their dad died, I supported him in his decision to go to the army and promised to watch over Kate and and the kids. I hugged him in the quarantine cell, I stuck by all his plans (not to mention about Marianna & to stay and fight in Richmond, not siding with Kate), I even shot Joan for him. David was a fucking arsehole I admit that, but I did have a little soft spot for him, I always wanted him to redeem himself and for him to show the good person I believed he was inside, I get really attached to the characters, and I think the main way to enjoy the walking dead game is to not focus too much on the lack on character development with a few of the characters or the crappy pacing, even the bad dialogue selections sometimes. I try to put myself in each and everyone of the characters shoes and feel what they are feeling and try and understand.

So when it came to the scene when David found out about Javi and Kate’s relationship and started beating up Javi and was trying to kill him, I chose Javi to say “I love you” 3 times. The final “I love you brother” absolutely broke me. During this fight I was literally crying my eyes out, I could not stop crying, it was so intense and so emotional, it hurt me so much inside because Javi does love his brother and deep down, David loves Javier too. I started crying after the first “I love you”, because of David’s reaction to Javi saying that. He looked so shocked, like he couldn’t believe he heard that from him, which leads me to believe that was the first time Javier ever told David that he loved him. What makes it even more sad is that was the last time he ever said he loved him and also the last thing Javier ever said to David was “I love you brother”.

Other things that made me cry even harder during that scene, when Gabe rushed in to try to get his Dad to stop and David just hits him with the wrench. Like could you imagine your father doing that to you? Especially how much Gabe respected and loved his Dad, Gabe stuck up for David and was on his side throughout the whole season, and then to have everything you thought about your Dad to be proven wrong? After all that, he still chose to go with David because he is his Dad. He is family, he is blood. It’s heartbreaking. Also the little notification that you get if you choose to say I love you three times “you kept your promise to be a good brother”, like holy fuck shit. There I go, I was already broken in half, now I’m broken into quarters. Fuck my life, I was emotionally unstable.

I know a lot of people hate Gabe, just like they hated Duck in season 1 and I just don’t understand why? For both of them. Duck was just a special little boy, he didn’t understand everything was going on, in my opinion I think he had some sort of mental disability, or he was just really dumb who knows. But he was just a little kid, who talked too much and made bad decisions but how was he supposed to know what would happen? Being so young, so naive, he was such an energetic optimistic boy, ignorance is bliss they say right?

Anyway, enough about Duck, back to Gabe. Gabe was 14 years old, he was growing up and going through a really tough time, he has to deal with puberty, hormones, mood swings, testosterone levels are soaring, he wants to grow up. He doesn’t want to a little kid anymore. But the thing is he doesn’t know how. And imagine how hard it would be in a zombie apocalypse to do that. He thinks he’s saying and doing the right thing but he’s not, he wants to prove himself capable, he wants to prove that he’s smart and he can fight and protect himself and protect others, he believes he can. No one else does and so obviously that makes him frustrated that no one will take him seriously. It’s especially hard for him because his role models are Javier and David, two badass, lean mean fighting machines. He wants to be like them and he wants to be like them now but he can’t. Bless Gabe. He was an annoying little shit yeah but he’s a good annoying little shit. It’s all about seeing things from his point of view, imagining if you were him.

Which leads me to Gabe and Clem’s relationship. Disregarding the crush they both have on each other for a second, pretend that doesn’t exist. I love Clem and Gabe’s relationship. Oh my god, how can you not? I’m sorry but how long has Clem gone without a friend her age? Since fucking forever that’s how long. The only kids she’s ever been with is Duck and Sara throughout the entire series. Clem has been through so much shit, she’s been through hell, she’s lost Lee, Kenny, Luke, AJ, all the most important people to her throughout the series, she’s the toughest little girl in the world, she was forced to grow up so much quicker than she had to. Lee taught her to shoot a gun at 8 years old okay. She’s more intelligent and strong and brave and mature than anyone ever has to be at 14 years old, if it weren’t for her appearance you would think Clementine was a fully grown adult. She raised AJ, a toddler, thought of herself as a mother, a real mother to AJ and she’s just still a kid herself.

This is why I fully support her friendship with Gabe, in the van and they were playing euchre together, Clem just got to be a normal teenage girl for a couple of minutes having fun and joking with a teenage boy. Like Kate said it’s just so normal? It’s nice to see, and I can’t remember who said this in the game but “life doesn’t mean much without people you can relate to”, Clem and Gabe relate to each other, they’re in the same boat, Clem understands Gabe and makes him feel better as Gabe does with Clem. I’m sure all of us know how it feels not to be understood and when someone comes a long and shows you that they do understand it’s a relief.

Back to the crushing part between the two, it’s again NORMAL AND FUCKING CUTE! It’s a little harmless crush, of course they’re going to have a crush on each other, it’s the first teen girl Gabe has ever seen since the outbreak, and Clem is really pretty and nice, of course Gabe is going to have a crush on her. It made me smile at the end when Javi was like to Clementine “you know the guy has a crush on you right” and he was all like “oh my gosh you have a crush on him too!!” and then Clem got all embarrassed and flustered and exclaimed “I DO NOT!”, again this is so funny and just adds a bit of lightheartedness and normalcy to the game, yes they’re in the middle of a zombie apocalypse but characters get to be happy once in a while and just pretend that world hasn’t gone to hell. All in all, loved the season, especially loved this episode! Phew what a rant, you have reached the end, props if you read all of it.

#from the gallows #telltale walking dead #season 3 episode 5 #TWDG #twd spoilers #the walking dead game #telltale the walking dead #walking dead game #twdg spoilers #twdg s3 #twdg javier #twdg clementine

[iamanhonestmess]

When Darkness Falls, a Haylijah fanfiction

Link to the story on FF in case you missed the first few chapters or want to read ahead (reviews are always appreciated); https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12125374/1/When-Darkness-Falls

                                           Chapter 2 - Instant Trust

Hayley was left alone to her own devices for the rest of the night, and for that she was both relieved about and thankful for. Due to the feelings of anger and guilt she was experiencing because of Klaus and Elijah's actions (mainly Klaus' actions) and her own actions, being left alone had been a good thing. Hayley was never one to be able to handle herself under too much emotional pressure at once. Had anyone come to her throughout the night while her emotions were out of control, there was no doubt that she would've come clean about what she did.

If the truth were to come out too quick, Hayley had an inkling she would not be getting out of this situation alive. That fact was the one thing that Hayley was afraid of the most. She needed to keep her emotions in check or else she would wind up signing her own death wish and she didn't want to do that. Hayley's main priority was to keep her mouth shut and not admit her guilt before her parents gave the Mikaelson's their sister back so she could go home.

Her parents would do the right thing. Right? They would surrender in this stupid vampire and werewolf war to ensure her getting out of this alive, wouldn't they? It was a good thing that Hayley was already lying down somewhere comfy. Hayley's uncertainty about what the correct answers to those questions were made her feel faint. Her not knowing what was more important to her parents, her safety or winning a stupid and pointless war, was completely screwed up. Although, considering that her parents still wanted her to marry Oliver, she wouldn't be surprised if winning was the more important thing to them. Hayley would be disappointed if that turned out to be the case, but she would not be surprised about it.

The sound of a light knock on the door broke Hayley from her thoughts.

"Come in," Hayley said in a dull tone of voice, hoping it conveyed that she was still not in a good mood from the day before.

She already knew that Elijah stood on the other side of the door. The fact that the person on the other side of the knocked instead of barging in was the clue that showed the person's identity. Moments later, the door opened and Elijah walked in carrying a tray of food, confirming that Hayley was right.

Hayley still felt the after effects of her guilt and anger consuming her after what had transpired the night before. She still wasn't in a mood for company. But something told her she had little choice in the matter in that moment.

"I hope you don't mind pancakes, eggs, and orange juice," Elijah said, walking over to the bed.

For a second, Hayley was curious where the food had come from and was going to ask about it. But then she remembered that one of the Mikaelson siblings was a witch and witches, since they were technically humans as well, needed to eat to survive. So she answered her own question and didn't need to ask it to Elijah after all.

"I'm not hungry," Hayley grumbled, rolling over and shoving her face into the pillow she was resting her head on.

The sheets moved slightly beside her as Elijah placed the tray down next to her.

She heard Elijah sigh.

"Don't be stubborn, Andrea..."

"It's Hayley," she said correcting him, her voice muffled by the fluffy pillow. "I prefer being called Hayley," she said as she turned back over to look up at him.

Elijah looked back at her with a quizzical expression gracing his face.

"Hayley is my middle name," Hayley told him, shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly. "Ever since I can remember, I've liked my middle name better and insist everyone call me Hayley instead of Andrea," she explained, becoming immediately confused by her own words.

Confusion took her over due to the lack of reasoning for why she was telling him this. Simply saying she preferred being called Hayley would have been enough. That was all she did for anyone in the past who called her Andrea instead of Hayley. But for some unknown reason, she wanted to tell Elijah this random piece of information. Never had she felt the need to tell anyone this. So why did she now?

"Duly noted." Elijah smiled. "Regardless, I'm willing to assume that you haven't eaten since yesterday."

Hayley's silence confirmed his assumption to be correct.

He gestured towards the tray. "You need to eat something."

Hayley was about to argue just as her stomach growled, stopping her before she could get a word out.

Elijah chuckled, no doubt having heard her stomach's much too loud protests.

"Fine," Hayley said as she reluctantly sat up, picking up the tray and moving it into her lap. "For future reference, someone owes me Chinese food."

"Why is that?" Elijah questioned her curiously.

Hayley grabbed the syrup bottle and popped the cap open, pouring it all over her pancakes and eggs before huffing and answering his question. "I was waiting for the Chinese food delivery guy when your jackass of a brother showed up at my door."

Elijah nodded in understanding. "That would explain why you opened the door for him as quick as you did."

Hayley rolled her eyes. "I'm surprised that he didn't just barge in considering he didn't need an invitation to enter my apartment."

"The spell he had our sister cast only allowed him uninvited access as long as you opened the door," Elijah informed her. "Even witches and their spells have limits as to what is too much."

She put the syrup bottle down and closed it, glancing up at Elijah to find him leaning against the dresser across from the bed. "How do you know all of this when you said that you had nothing to do with what happened?"

"My brother may go behind my back at times, but he rarely lies to my face when I confront him," Elijah answered with slight hesitation, as if he wasn't sure if he should even believe his answer or not.

Hayley picked up on Elijah's hesitation almost immediately. "Rarely being the keyword," she replied before taking a bite of the eggs to help settle her grumbling stomach.

Elijah nodded his head, agreeing with her.

An awkward silence fell between them as Hayley ate. It was weird for Hayley to eat in front of Elijah. Unlike her who had to eat something, he was a vampire that didn't have to eat unless he wanted to eat. Him standing there watching her eat without eating something also, so weird and awkward. Hayley made sure not to make eye contact with him the entire time because that would've made their current predicament even worse than it already was.

"Um... so is there by chance a phone around here that I can borrow?" Hayley asked once she finished eating everything on the plate, placing the tray next to her on the bed. "I need to make an important call."

Elijah glanced at her with an expression on his face that more or less meant, "Are you serious?"

Hayley rolled her eyes, throwing the blanket off of her and swinging her legs over the side of the bed. "Do not look at me like that. You said you didn't agree with kidnapping me so loaning me a phone would help prove that," she said, crossing her arms. "You know, despite the fact you are keeping me here," she added as an afterthought, standing up, hoping she could talk him into letting her use a phone.

"I do not think..." Elijah said before pausing, looking away from her for a moment.

Hayley sighed and spoke up before he talked again to finish his sentence. "I will only call my work and fake the flu so I don't lose my job."

She suddenly realized she was going to have to pull out the pity card to get her hands on a phone.

"If I don't call in sick to work, I will lose my job. If I lose my job, then I won't have any income. That means I won't be able to pay my rent, and I will end up being forced to move back to the bayou." Hayley sighed again, putting on the best pouty face she could muster. "I honestly don't want to move back to the bayou until I have absolutely no choice in the matter," she admitted. "Please, Elijah. You can listen in on the call if you don't trust me."

Surprise coursed through Hayley's entire being when she noticed the change of Elijah's demeanor. The realization that she was getting through to him by playing the pity card was a crazy one. Never in a million years would she have ever thought that she could do such a thing. A thousand year old vampire feeling sorry for her? Due to what her parents had always said, Hayley had been under the impression that most vampires only cared about themselves. But with how Elijah had been acting towards her in the past 12 hours, he was consistently proving her parents wrong.

"I pride myself in being able to read people well." Elijah spoke in a confident tone that suited him perfectly, pulling his cell phone from his front pocket and holding it out to her. "I trust you to do as you said you will."

Through her surprise, reaching for the phone and taking hold of it. Hayley managed a simple, "Thank you."

"I will leave you to make your call. I will return in a few minutes," Elijah said, picking up the food tray from the bed before turning and walking out of the room.

Her mouth gaping, Hayley watched him leave. Having only known her for 12 hours, give or take, he trusted her. Was this just a ploy to make sure that she continued to trust him? Or was he genuinely trusting her to make the call she said she was going to make? Why was Elijah so different than what she expected all vampires to be? Either Elijah was a good actor and vampires truly were as Hayley grew up thinking they were (evil, lying, manipulative, bloodsucking monsters), or her parents were the best liars on the planet.

Hayley was tempted to call for help due to her sudden access to a phone. She quickly decided against it due to the phone having a call log; at least that is what she told herself. The last thing Hayley wanted was to have the only person who was being civil towards her suddenly turn on her due to her blatant lie. Hayley would never admit it out loud, but Elijah giving her his phone and then leaving her alone to make her call because he trusted her played a bigger part in her not calling for help than the call log did.

After pressing the numbers on the phone's keypad, Hayley called her work and faked the flu just as she had assured Elijah she would.

                                               ~WhenDarknessFalls~

When Elijah returned not too long later just as he said he would, Hayley was in the midst of making the bed. If she were at her own apartment, the bed would've stayed a mess; but she wasn't and because of that this bed was getting made. Hayley wasn't sure why she even cared to make the bed, considering her current predicament, she had no reason for doing it. Then again, it gave her something to do other than sit around in the room she was being held captive in doing nothing.

"Thank you again for letting me borrow your phone," Hayley said, smiling briefly at him when she handed him his phone back. "My job is now safe for at least a week or so considering I have an inkling that this flu bug will be one of those week long ones."

Elijah smiled back at her. "You're welcome."

"Not to bother you with another request so soon after the first one, but is there any chance I can get a change of clothes?" Hayley questioned, looking down at the clothes she currently wore.

Well, she had showered the day before and she hadn't done anything between then and now that would make her dirty and/or sweaty. She'd probably be able to get away with wearing the same clothes again. They were still technically clean.

"Or at least a shower?" She said that as more of a suggestion than a question. "I can wear these clothes at least one more time."

Elijah nodded his head towards the ensuite bathroom. "You can shower in there," he told her.

That was, without a doubt, better than only being confined to one room.

"Thank..."

She was almost done thanking him when his next words had the rest of her sentence abruptly going back down her throat.

"There should be towels in the bathroom closet. And Rebekah should have shampoo and other things in there for you to use."

"This is Rebekah's room?" Hayley asked, wondering if her ears were playing tricks on her.

Elijah nodded his head, a sad expression gracing his facial features. "This is the only free room in the compound."

Hayley bit the side of her cheek, trying to keep her sudden panic at bay.

"Oh, god! This is Rebekah's room. I am in Rebekah's room," Hayley thought to herself, an internal panic happening.

How had she not realized it before now? Probably because she hadn't been looking around inspecting the room. But still, oh god. This was bad, so bad. The guilt of what Hayley had done, the part she had knowingly and stupidly played in all of this, consumed her once again.

Hayley suddenly felt like all the air in the room had been sucked out of it. She couldn't breathe, she was sure that she was suffocating, and she was definitely hyperventilating. But she couldn't let on about it because then Elijah would get suspicious. This was another one of those emotional pressure times for her. If Elijah got suspicious and asked the wrong question at the right time, he surely wouldn't be wanting to protect her anymore.

Managing to compose herself for a bit longer, Hayley flashed Elijah a quick smile.

Before leaving the room, Elijah turned back to give her the best news she had heard all morning. "Before I forget, there is one other thing. Due to the fact you are spelled to not be able to leave the compound on your own, you are free to roam wherever you please."

With that Elijah turned back and left, closing the door behind him.

A wave of sudden relief took over Hayley. Oh, yes, thank God. Hayley didn't have to think twice about it, she would take full advantage of the luxury that Elijah gave her every second she could. Not being confined to Rebekah's room where her guilt would now consume her every time she stayed in there would be a good for her.

Hayley smiled to herself on her way to the bathroom.

She might be able to survive this situation long enough that she can go home after all. That is as long as her guilt didn't get to her first and cause her to make this situation worse than it already was. She sure hoped that would not be the case.

"Please do the right thing mom and dad," she thought to herself as she closed the bathroom door behind her and wasted no time getting ready for her shower.

#haylijah #haylijah fanfiction #writing #when darkness falls #my writing

[wilwywaylan]

Departures and arrivals

Fandom : Star Wars VII : The Force awakens / Star Wars VIII : The last jedi

Modern!AU, Poe & Ben (and Amidala is here), 1921 words

Totally based on my favourite trope, “Ben looks up to his grandmother and wants to follow in her steps”

Also on AO3 !

Poe stepped down the plane, happy to feel a solid ground beneath his feet. He liked flying - scratch that, he loved flying, more than anything else in the world - but there was a moment when you were happy to just walk on a tarmac, and not try to balance a who-knew-how-many-tons machine way, way above the ground.

Behind him, his dog jumped on the floor. He stopped just long enough for Poe to pat him on the head, then ran forwards. Poe didn't bother calling him back. He knew that BB-8 wouldn't run more than a few meters ahead of him. And the dog was like him ; after having been stuck in a cockpit for hours, he was very eager to stretch his legs. Poe followed him, taking his leasure time, enjoying the sun on his back. A gentle breeze started blowing, ruffling his hair just the right way. Behind him, someone wolf-whistled. Poe waved at him, and followed his dog inside the building, smiling all the way.

He stepped inside, enjoying the cool air after the warmth of the sun. The hall was mostly empty, just a few groups here and there, waiting for flying lessons, goods to retrieve, or a few short-distance flights. Good, he wouldn't have to hide in the office in the back, waiting for the place to be less crowded. Not that he didn't like people, he usually liked them very much and the more he was around, the merrier. But a man needed his alone time after work, especially after flying for five hours with no music.

After swinging by the office to confirm he had landed safely and grab something to drink, he went back outside, to take care of his plane and park it away. He was crossing the tarmac again, BB-8 bouncing on his heels, when he spotted a small group coming down another plane on another lane. This wasn't anything out of the ordinary. The small airport was used by quite a number of private planes, and it wasn't unusual to see vastly different people walk around, from sharp-dressed businessmen holding briefcases like they held the secret of the universe (or plans for very important weapons), to people already (or still) in vacation mood, wearing gaudy shirts, pareos and flower necklaces. Poe loved watching them, trying to imagine where they came from or were going, what was on their minds at this instant.

But people like these ones... he'd never, ever seen anyone remotely like them. Three of them were quite unremarkable, with dark clothes, elegant but rather simple. His eyes quickly slid over them to land on the other two. Leading the group was a small, older woman, dressed in a beautiful, complicated red dress. The heavy fabric was swishing around her and pooling at her feet, the large sleeves falling past her wrists, almost to her knees. The gold it was embroidered with was shining under the sun, sending little glints like a fistful of stars. She was wearing a dark cloak, closed around her throat by a large broach. Her hair was pinned in a complicated bun, by a dozen metallic hairpins fanning around her hair, like a halo. From them, a delicate circlet hung, going around her head to join at a crescent moon resting on her forehead. Her face was painted white, and ornated with several symetric marks in blood red.

She turned to say something to the one standing behind her. From what he could see, Poe thought that they might be related. The man had the same dark hair, but his was shorter, falling on his shoulders. Several golden chains were circling his head in the same way of the woman's hairpiece, and he was wearing the same crescent. His clothes resseambled hers too, falling to his feet. His opened at the belt, on a pair of pants and knee-high leather boots. The fabric was black instead of red, but similarly adorned with gold thread. Strangely, while the outfit was closed at the neck with a high collar, his shoulders were bare. He was wearing the same make-up as the woman, stricking red on white.

Poe watched them cross the tarmac. There was something about them, something that rang a very faraway bell. But he'd be darned if he could find what. Had he already seen them somewhere else ? Did he know them ? No. He would remember it, if he counted such elegant persons among his aquaintances. Then again...

Until they walked past him, and he could see the man's profile in greater detail. He knew that face, the long nose, the high cheekbones, and the dark brown eyes with their weird, intense stare. But last time he had seen him, the man was... well, not a man yet. Smaller than him, with short-ish hair reaching his ears. Too quickly grown-up, and scrawny too. Nothing to do with the tall, muscular man in beautiful garb. Before he could stop himself, Poe waved and yelled :

- Hey, Ben ! Hello !

The man didn't just stop walking, he *froze* in place. Foot hovering a few inches above the ground, arms bent at an awkward angle. Very slowly, he put his foot down, and turned to face him. He stared - glared - at him for a few seconds, then opened his mouth, probably to tell him to go fuck himself. But the lady besides him, who Poe now recognized as Ben's grandmother, was faster than him. She smiled at him, and held out her hand.

- Poe Dameron, it's been a while.

Poe took the offered hand, and bent down to kiss it. Dialing the charm up couldn't hurt him, right ? Especially with at least four people watching him like a bunch of black-dressed hawks.

- Mrs Amidala, he stated, it's always a pleasure.

She was a little smaller than in his memory, or was it he who had grown up ? Probably. Still, she had the same impressive presence that he remembered, and he felt oddly self-conscious under her gaze.

- And how are you ? she asked when he finally let go of her hand.

- Fine. I just got off my plane, and I was going to take care of it, when I saw you and decided to say hello.

Amidala wisely didn't adress that he called Ben across the tarmac and not her, and instead followed his gesture towards the small plane.

- Oh, you've become a pilot ?

Poe tried not to beam too much. He was very tempted to glance at Ben to see if he was admiring him too, or at least looking at him, but that would probably have blown in his face. He kept focused on Amidala, who was graciously admiring his craft.

- My, she said, you can be proud of yourself. I'm sure you're a fantastic pilot.

- The best, of course, ma'am, he answered with an exagereted drawl and a small bow. Would you like to witness by yourself ?

- I would love to, really. But sadly, we need to go.

- Well, he mock-sighed, I can take a raincheck on that one.

Amidala smiled politely. She walked back to her grandson, then turned back, as if forgetting something.

- Say, dear, why don't you come for a cup of tea, one of these days ? This way, you could tell us about piloting, and about this little guy here too.

BB-8 looked very pleased with the attention. Poe did his best to ignore his heart suddenly jumping.

- I would love to. Here, let me give you my number...

He patted his pockets, despite knowing perfectly well that they were totally devoid of any writing implement. One of Amidala's followers took pity on him, and with a theatrical eyeroll, handed him a pen and a piece of paper. Poe quickly scribbled his number. He went to hand it back to Amidala, noticed that she didn't seem to have any pockets to put it in, and gave it back to her advisor. Amidala watched him with a gentle smile.

- I hope we'll see you soon, she said when he was finally done.

- With pleasure, of course.

She bent down to pat BB-8's head, bid Poe goodbye, and left, followed by her suite. Poe watched them go, admiring their elegance and poise. He was ready to resume his work, when Ben glanced at him over his shoulder. Just a fraction of a second ; when he realized that Poe was still looking at him, he hastily turned back and hurried after his grandmother. The distance between them could be misleading, but were his cheeks a bit pinker ?

There was a poke against his leg, and Poe looked at the dog pressing himself against him. He bent down to pat him, and announced :

- Right, buddy. Why don't we get that plane sorted so that we can go home ?

BB-8 dashed towards the plane, and Poe followed. He was happy to have seen Amidala, of course, she always had a soft spot for him, since the day he met her daughter, in fact. Spending some time chatting with her would surely be very enjoyable. Even more enjoyable with Ben around. Not that he would say it out loud, of course. But a small part of him hoped that he would be there when Poe would be invited. That would be nice too, to see him, chat with him, maybe ? They had be friends, a long time ago, before The Great Fight No One Talked About. Before Ben disappeared from his life - and everyone's, really.

Of course, Poe didn't let himself harbour any illusions. That strange, tall man with his closed-off expression didn't have much in common with the Ben he had known and befriended. He was a different person, with different ideas. And Poe's idea of him had been marred beyond all hopes of repair by what had happened. But the small glance Ben had thrown him before leaving seemed to have a strange effect on him. Nothing strong, like he was used to when a man was looking at him. He hadn't been struck to the bone, breath catching in his throat. He hadn't felt the earth stop spining under his feet.

But it had sparked... a longing. A want. Poe wanted to know him. Wanted to learn to know him again. Wanted to discover everything that had changed in him, and what was still the same. Not dig too deep, to the reasons that made him as he was now, and certainly not to the reasons that made him leave all those years before. But start something new. He knew he couldn't go back in time and find his friend again. But there had been something in Ben's eye, that made him think that maybe, he could make a new friend. Start at square one and go from there. He knew Ben could not want, and push him away. There were probably several reasons why he wouldn't want to talk to him again. But, Poe thought while walking behind BB-8, there was no harm in trying, right ? Right. After all, fortune smiled to those who were daring, and Poe was nothing but daring. Fortune would not let him down. Whistling a little tune, he shoved his hands in his pockets and skipped along, keeping an ear out for his phone while he finally set himself to work.

#star wars #the last jedi #poe dameron #kylo ren #queen amidala #tagging this is Hard #I like this trope a lot #will this be darkpilot ? #maybe #that pairing has potential #we'll see